Showing posts with label Noah's Ark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Noah's Ark. Show all posts

Tuesday

The Wooden EverEarth Noah's Ark Toy for Young Children - Review


We will share the
  • Unboxing
  • Views & Features of the Ark
  • Animals
  • Our Opinion
  • The reaction of our grandson






UNBOXING

The Ark was double boxed and padded with polystyrene and extra cardboard boxes






It was all a tight fit so this gave us great confidence for an unharmed Ark.


We then saw that the smaller boxes contained the animals wrapped in polystyrene bags.
 




As we had thought, the Ark was in perfect condition when we eventually got it maneuvered out of the box which we had to tear partly.



VIEWS & FEATURES

The two sides were almost identical

Side 1





Side 2




The main difference was the top was closer to one end than the other.  

At the end with more space the top of the Ark had two swing opening doors.






Both sides of the Ark could be opened & part of the roof lifted off.





Plenty of room inside the bottom of the Ark for the animals and a set of steps went from the top to the bottom.

Investigating these features let us see and feel the movement and thickness of the wood.



ANIMALS


As we unwrapped the animals they were placed on and entering the Ark





and around the Ark





OUR OPINION


We were very impressed with the sturdy frame and the simple decor to the outside of this wooden Ark.

The inside was not forgotten when it came to detail as it featured a step/ramp and segregated area in the main section of the Ark; the top area had the opening down to the lower section and room for some of the animals too.


The outer side doors were a large part of each side and were attached at the top with strong string/cord which were very apt for a boat.



The finish of the wood left us with no doubt that this was a gift that would not be easily broken or damaged which is very important when it is for a young boy who is eager to investigate everything.



The Reaction of our Grandson


For his first birthday Matthew had received a piano (by Melissa & Doug) and the keys had been excitedly played or should we say banged.

On seeing this, his second birthday gift, Matthew just launched in to explore it and did not speak to any of us for quite some time.


Matthew takes a good look around and into the top of the Ark






Matthew discovers the openings on each side of the Ark



Matthew discovers the roof comes off



Matthew is intrigued with the rope for opening the sides of the Everearth Ark



Every bit of the Ark was opened, closed, turned around and every animal examined carefully, matched up with its pair and allotted a position outside and then inside it's home.


Matthew was happy to share the Ark with his duplo as well as the animals








The final thing was:

  Testing how it was to be moved.


Matthew slides the Everearth Ark across the floor headed for the hallway



This 2 year old was very happy with his gift because not only was it strong and could take the care (abuse) of a boisterous 2 year old but it also left enough room for different arrangements of play and for imagination which led to a lot of talk then about what the animals were going to do and where exactly they would reside.

Nanny and Grandpa were very happy that on being pushed across the wooden floor the Everearth Ark did not leave any marks!!!



NOTE

The only thing I felt was disappointing was the fact that Noah and his wife and family where not part of the toy (or at least the husband and wife).



The Everearth Ark is very expensive but we know without a doubt that this Ark is of extremely good quality and will survive the adventures with Matthew and his little sister Ruby when she is older and any other grandchildren we may have.


I have not been compensated for this review - it is just my opinion of the gift we got for out first grandson.



Saturday

A Real Noah's Ark? It's How Big? - Xtra Special Day




Yes I really do love arks and collect pictures, ornaments and some jewellery

                                        all to do with Noah's Ark.


But this time

          this Ark was going to be completely different.







I looked forward to this day all the time I lived in Belgium.

Having found out about this from the internet I wanted to get a time when all five of us would be together and could go see the Ark Replica.

This was a scale model of Noah's Ark and not just one that you could put on display inside a museum or exhibition this was one you could actually go inside of yourself because it was so large.


The Best time to go see it was while we were living in Belgium because this Ark was in The Netherlands.  The replica was moved from port area to port area all around the coast of The Netherlands so I really wanted to find a time to go see it when it was in the South West because that would mean a shorter distance for us to drive from Tervuren through the north of Belgium and into the southern area of our northern neighbour, in the part actually named Holland.





In 2010 we really had to make this happen because before the end of that year we knew we would be returning to Northern Ireland and in August all three kids came back to visit at the same time as the Ark was going to be in a place called Vlissingen which would be very accessible for a day trip.


You can imagine how excited I was to be going there and even more so because we would all be together.




Fred is so good and has always accepted the fact that I would have different "Ark Decor" around the house and the kids have often laughed and guessed that perhaps a new thing I may have got would have something to do with an Ark and occasionally they were wrong!

But I must admit I do like it when my family humour me.


It was a beautiful day for the drive and for wandering around the Ark.


Naturally because Noah's Ark had been a Safe Haven during the flood for animals as well as Noah's family we were bound to meet a selection of animals in this Ark.





But there were other things to be found inside as well which would not have been in the original Ark such as a representation of the Ark of the Covenant.






And a large mural on one of the walls depicting the creatures that would not have been within the Ark.





This was in the process of being created while we were there and we had the opportunity to watch the artist at work.





After we went home I realised from the pictures we had taken that rather appropriately we had a picture of Fred with the baby giraffe - tall and thin






and me with the baby elephants (no comments here please!)





There was no set tour around the Ark but everyone was left to walk around as they pleased with some guidance from information on the different items and some videos. 

We were able to take our time and stay as long as we liked.

There was a small cafe area with a view out of the Ark 





and we were also able to go up on the deck of the Ark and look around from there.





On the way out there was a shop with Ark toys, books, bookmarks, etc. and jewellery.

So you may have guessed that I could not resist leaving with out another momento, yes I got a nice Ark necklace.

We were still in no hurry to leave and stood around taking pictures of us and the ark and even Daniel (not a photo lover) had his phone out to take some pics which he then used some filters on and put up on instagram.






It was a fun relaxed day out together at a very unusual exhibition and we all enjoyed it.





  The Ark was very large but was not the exact measurements of the original.


Since then the same people who created this one have worked on a full size replica and have plans to take it around the world.


If you would like to have more information about this you can watch the video below





and you will also find details at their website

Arc of Noah



Wednesday

I love Arks - A Dose of Encouragement


I collect Noah's Arks,
  -  but I don't think there's a Flood coming!


Some people have joked with me about
"is there a flood coming?"

 when they have seen my collection (or some of it)

 of Noah's Arks.







I have always loved arks and pictures of Arks but my collection really began when our daughter was about 8 or 9.

Linda went on a weekend away with a Christian organization called Girl Crusaders.  While she was away she saw a poster picture of an Ark and decided to buy it as a present for me.
On the journey home the corner got dog-eared and Linda was very disappointed but I love my picture.
It was put into a blue frame and has always been in view somewhere in our home ever since.

In our present home it sits on top of a bookshelf in the Sun Room.



Can you see the crease in the top right corner?



Well since then I have collected:



An Egg from America


On the Mantlepiece in the lounge






A Utensils Holder


On top of my Paper drawer set in my study







A Money Box & Snow Globe


On the bookshelves in my study







A Wall Hanging



In our guest room







A Decorative Plate, Beleek Biscuit Barrel, Silver Trinket Box & Decorative Tea Pot



All 4 of these have ended up on the large dresser that is now in our kitchen







A Photo Frame



On the corner edge of the kitchen worktop 






Some Bags


On the back of the door of my study






A Memories Box


Which can be found in various locations





Cushions


On our various couches / settees





An Apron



Also on the back of the door in my study - used for crafting.





More Pictures


In various rooms 





Plus a Clock 


In the kitchen






A Wooden Carved Ark with Animals


When our oldest son went to Malawi for 3 months to work with a missionary couple he brought it back for me





and he had me in tears at this lovely gift.



The Ark has always been very special to me.

In the Ark there is safety  -  God's Protection
In the Ark there is compassion  -  God's Mercy
In the Ark there is forgiveness  -  God's Grace


The Ark is a symbol of Salvation and our salvation is in Jesus so the Ark is a symbol of Jesus.


When I was young and accepted God's Gift of Salvation I knew I was safe.  Even though I may not have understood all about God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit or the Bible; I still recognized the fact that I was safe with Jesus.

So even though some may joke about my Arks my friend Jennifer in Belgium saw things differently and has always referred to our home as the safe Ark.



Are you safe with Jesus?

Are you in the Ark which is Christ Jesus?



As a teenager I listened to songs by Len Magee and one of them asks the question


 "Are you in the Ark, or are you outside?"



I want to encourage you today with some other words from that song 

Oh don't hesitate
You'll be too late
His arms' open wide


there will come a time when it is too late but right now it's not!

So please consider that Question again


       "Are you in the Ark, or are you outside?"


and but also with the fact that


You can be safe with Jesus, 
He is the only one you can truly trust.