Contributions

Back in January we started a weekly "Contributions" list for each of our children.  I drew grid lines across a piece of paper.  The top of the page was sectioned out into days of the week and the left hand side of the page listed their "contributions".  We call them "contributions" because we desire they know everyone has to contribute in life.

We contribute to our family.  We contribute at our work.  We contribute in our church.  We contribute in our society.  We want our children to grow up in a world that is not centered around them.  A world where they work hard and are rewarded for their good honest work.  We don't want to cripple them into believing the world is centered around them and they are entitled to hand outs.  We want to prepare them for what truly lies ahead.  We don't want them to be surprised and never question why their parents weren't honest with them.

Flash forward to now.....we haven't been so good at filling up our charts over the last few months.  Honestly, I got tired of drawing the grid every week.  I wanted them to get in the bed at night instead of having to "waste" one more moment sticking stickers on the "contribution" list.  And to be quiet honest.....I have been frustrated with them and they in turn have been frustrated with me.  I have been short with them where I should have extended grace.  I have raised my voice when I should have gotten on their level and gotten to the heart of the matter.  As I look back, I realize that my laziness and slack off has brought us all to this point of frustration with one another.

So....I pulled out my computer and popped open EXCEL and made this oh-so-simple "contributions" chart.  I can't use the excuse, I don't want to or don't have the time to draw the grids across the page.  That is such a lame excuse for not leading my children.  I printed out a year's worth for our kids and all I have to do is fill in the "contribution" section.  I like this method because their "contributions" are different based on their age and their struggles.  I wanted the liberty to be able to add stuff and take stuff away as our children grow and mature.

At the end of everyday we go through their individual lists and if they completed their contributions they get a star sticker.  Our contribution charts end every Saturday night.  We sit in our kitchen floor  and pull out our share, save, spend jars.  If they have completed the majority of their contributions for the week they get coins to put in their jars.  {This is really simple at this age.  I don't have any method like if you get this many stars then you get this much money....Im sure someday it will get to that}.

We talk about their week, their contributions, and as they place their coins in their jars we talk about Jesus and how everything belongs to Him.  We are fortunate enough to receive everything we have from Him and as a result of His provisions we are able to share, save and give.  They love it!  Their hearts and minds are impressionable at this stage and we want to work as hard as we can to impress deep truths into their lives now!

I'd love to share this chart with you.  All you have to do is click {{HERE}} to download for free.  It's super simple and nothing fancy.  I am hoping this "contributions" chart will be a blessing to you as you strive to reduce the frustration around your home and lead your children.

“Know the state of your flocks,

and put your heart into caring for your herds”

~Proverbs 27:23

 


 

Mermaid Canvas Using Handprints

I think I promised this post weeks ago.

But this happened....

And I still have not recovered!!

So here is what you need to make a Mermaid Canvas with your child's handprints.  We did this fun project at my daughter's fourth birthday party just a few weeks ago and it was tons of fun.  I owe all the creativity to my friend Nan who provided me with this great idea.

What you will need...

One canvas (I chose 8x10 for size)

Several colors of acrylic paint {hair color, skin color, fin color, polka dot color}

Cheap sponge brushes {I think I got mine at Michael's 14 for $1.00}

Thin to medium paint brush {I just pulled from my stash}

1.  Paint your child's right hand with the color of hair that you desire and have them press their hand down firmly on the canvas {make sure to coat their hand in paint}

2. If you have a child with highlights or low lights add those in by just repainting their fingers and pressing hand firmly back in the same place.

3.  We used baby wipes in between paint colors to take the paint off in a jiffy and keep kids from running back and forth to the sink

4.  With a thin/medium sized brush paint a circle for the face as well as the neck and arms.  Make sure to not get these lines too thick.

5.  Select the main fin color and paint your child's hand that color.  Have them press their hand firmly (with fingers together) down the center of the canvas. (You are making her body at this point).

6.  Paint hand again.  Have child spread fingers and press hand firmly to each side of the canvas (you are making her fins at this point)

7.  Last step.  Let your child choose their favorite accent color and with their finger dabb polka dots all over the mermaids body and fins.

8.  Allow time to dry

Really this is a simple project.  If you are doing it at a party I recommend one person showing how to do it step by step with all other children following along each step.  If you have four year olds or younger it is best when a parent is there to help.

If your princess is dreaming of a Mermaid Party this may be just the project that sets the fun tone for your entire party!

So forgive me for the post delay.....Sometimes time just gets away from me

and we never know who might flip her fins right to our table!

*And with all this mermaid talk, I have added three new items to my ETSY store just in time for summer.  They are all ready to ship out with purchase!  I hope to add a few more things over the weekend.  You can click the link on the right hand side of the blog to see a few new summer treats.*

Mended by Angie Smith

When I put this book on my reading list, I did not know anything other than it was written by Angie Smith.  So in my mind, it had to be a good read chalked full of wisdom.  The book is several years old now and I am sure has been read by many before me.  Here is my small take on this book.

There are 31 "chapters" to this book.  They are excerpts from Angie's blog.  She comprised a book with her deepest blogged thoughts in a difficult season of life: loosing her 4th daughter at just hours old.  You will be blessed by the first chapter The Past and the Pitcher.  I hope you will be challenged to go purchase a pitcher and smash it or pull one off your shelf and allow the Master to walk you through the process of restoration.

Mended would be a great summer devotional for any individual: single, married, with or without children..... The "chapters" are perfect in length and full of meat that will have you chewing all day.  You will be blessed by the scripture that Angie has laced through each chapter.

You can pick this book up in hard copy or you can purchase like I did for Kindle here.