Engage With Your Kids

Summer is coming to a close.  We are soaking in the last few days and weeks in our house.  Yesterday I spent 30 minutes playing play dough with my daughter.  Today we spent the entire day in a wet swim suit at the water park.

The list below came from our local library.  I love it so much, I decided to post it here.  All of these things can be done throughout the year with your children.  Life with our children doesn't just have to happen during the summer.  Sometimes I find myself striving to check of the "summer fun list" but the truth is my children and I need fun throughout the year.


One of my sweetest friends said these words to me one day regarding her four children.....

"I'm going to make their childhood magical if it kills me"!

Those words stuck with me.  They made me laugh right out loud.  And they echo in my mind when days are hard.  I only have an allotted amount of time with my children.  Why wouldn't I work my hardest to make it magical?!  Magical doesn't have to be big and extravagant and over the top at all times.  Magical can be as simple as the list below.  I believe magical happens when I ENGAGE with my children.  When they know they have MOMMY present 100%.  Those are the moments I believe they will remember as magical.  I have enlarged my most favorite in the list below.  

Visit the library

Play blocks with your child

Read wordless books with your child

Make animal noises together

Look at a picture dictionary together

Sing songs about your day

Talk about the weather with your child. What kind of days do they like best?

Sing counting songs, such as “One, Two, Buckle my Shoe.”

Visit the grocery store with and talk about the many colors you see

Read a nonfiction book with your child

Talk about what is going on around you

Ask your child many questions

Read a story about your child’s favorite animal

Share a story about your childhood

Make a snack together by using a recipe

Do fingerplays and action rhymes any time

Let your child make music with various kitchen items

Read your child a bedtime story

Count with your child as you drive in the car

Make an alphabet book

Collect leaves together and sort them by size and color

Put a puzzle together with your child

Go on a color walk together and point things out that are red, green, etc

Sing “Itsy Bitsy Spider” together

Dance with your child

A Mason Jar Full of Flowers

"And why worry about your clothes?  Look at the lilies and how they grow.  They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won;t he more surely care for you?  You have so little faith!"

Matthew 6:28-30

For the last several weeks I have been letting my oldest pick out flowers at the grocery store. A month or two ago we got to shop for groceries at Trader Joe's (it's a good distance from our house).  The moment we walked in the door her eyes filled with wonder and she walked immediately over to the flowers begging me to get some.  She carefully selected yellow tulips.  She was filled with JOY over this purchase and if truth be known, so was I.  

We brought those tulips home, cut the ends off, and placed them in a mason jar full of fresh water.  She put the mason jar of tulips on the center of our kitchen table and since that time we have continued to fill the mason jar weekly with a little flower JOY!

She talks to me a lot about the beauty of what she selected.  She talks to me about their need for fresh water.  She asks me why their life span is so short.  She tells me God made "her" flowers.  She is learning much about her Creator through a simple bunch of flowers.

Yes my grocery bill is a little higher than if I had just left them off, but the conversations I have with her over these flowers can never be bought with a price.  My daughter is the MOST thoughtful human being I know.  She genuinely cares for all people.  She loves deeply.  She is teaching me more about myself and living like Jesus than I ever knew possible.  She makes me want to be a better person.  

I pray I will always take the time to let her pick out flowers with which to fill the mason jar full.  I pray she will live in the confidence of knowing if God cared enough to dress the flowers so beautifully that He will surely dress and care for her that much more.  I pray the length of the flowers days will always remind her we are here for a season, live your life with His Kingdom in mind.

DIY: Silhouettes Made Easy

For the longest time I have been wanting to make silhouettes of my children.  My sister came last week and we got our craft on.  One of my friends says that silhouettes are a great way to freeze time.  I love that thought.  These silhouettes found the perfect place in our home and they are my newest treasure.

I searched MANY ways to make a silhouette.  Some suggestions included: publisher, ipiccy, 

pic monkey....  I downloaded ipiccy for free and honestly just got frustrated with my inability to really follow the curvature of their faces.

So here is how we did it.  It was not rocket science at all.  And, I am sure that somewhere in my search engine I could have found 100 people who would have suggested it this way. (I probably really should be on Pinterest).

Sorry the pictures are a little grainy....that's what happens when you snap with your phone!

Here is what you will need:
Camera
White Background 

(we used a white blanket draped over an air mattress standing on it's side)
Sunlight
Exacto Knife
Computer
Printer
Black card stock (we used black construction paper)

Mounting paper (I used brown and my sister used blue)
Double sided tape or regular ole scotch tape

Position your child in profile position with a white background behind them.

We tried a dark background but found that the white background worked best for detail.

Open the blinds of your windows to let the natural sunlight kiss their face.

Snap some photos

You might want to have someone stand right in front of them 

to keep their attention from looking over at you 

Load your photos on your computer (We used iPhoto)

Pick your favorite photo

Print at 8x10 (we printed in color for precision and detail)

Take your exacto-knife and cut out your child's profile.  You may want to practice cutting something else out if you are not familiar with your exacto-knife.

Tape your child's printed profile to a sheet of black card stock or black construction paper

Use your exact-knife to trace and cut around your child's profile.

Detach printed photo from black card stock 

(this will leave you with a black card stock profile as well as a color printed profile). 

Place a few pieces of tape or double sided tape to the back of the black card stock profile and adhere it to the center of your mounting paper (our mounting paper was 8.5"x11")

Then frame as you like!

Such a FUN, EASY, and QUICK project and a promise full JOY for many years to come!  These would be great mother's day, grandparent's day, father's day gifts.  Or just a special treat for you.  How fun would it be to surprise your friend with silhouettes of her children!?

I don't know about you but on the eve of America's birthday, I sure am thankful for the men and women who have given their lives for my freedom and for the opportunity to raise these sweet little children in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.

**I hope you have a WONDERFUL 4th of JULY**

Legacy App by the ReThink Group

Sunday we attended Baby Dedication practice at our church.  We will be dedicating our youngest child on Saturday.  Minutes after our babies were born Matt and I gave thanks to the Lord for them and vowed to raise them in a home that acknowledges Jesus first.  We vowed to lead them and to teach them about Jesus.  We know their salvation is not based upon us.  We know salvation is a choice they must make for themselves individually.  We prayed and we continue to pray daily for the Holy Spirit to bend their hearts toward Jesus and that they would love Him with all of their hearts, minds and souls.

Saturday will be an intimate celebration with our family and a physical marking of our commitment before God and man.  I think of it much like a marriage ceremony.  Each of our children's baby dedications have meant so much to Matt and me.  They have been surreal humbling moments.  And no matter how hard we try......we never are able to make it through one with a dry eye.

While at practice (just learning the logistics of the day), we were introduced to the Legacy App.  If you have not seen this, I encourage you to check it out.  It was designed by the ReThink Group.  Many of you may know them as Orange (the curriculum your church uses for Next Generation Ministries: Birth through High School).

Here is the App description....

"Legacy Countdown was designed specifically for anyone who works with kids or teenagers.  Why not put a visual number to the time you have left....before someone graduates? before an event happens?  before something is due?  When you count the weeks you have left with a kid, you stand a better chance of making your weeks count."

It's simple.....enter your child's name and birthday and a countdown clock to their high school graduation will begin.  It will count down the: weeks, days, hours, minutes, and seconds you have left  with your child before graduation.

Oh to see this count down really did my heart in.  I wanted to push PAUSE!!!  But there is no pause button on the app because there is no pause in real life.  Just a chance for us to spend every moment we have with our children making them count.  Pouring real truth, real principles, real life, real expectations, and real love into their lives.

Days are sometimes rough around here.  They are not always squeaky clean and organized (no matter how much I want them to be).  I probably fail more than I succeed, but I am trying and that is what counts.  When the crying and the fussing is more than I can handle....I want to remember their legacy and that I only have a short window of time.

I'm praying this app will be a constant reminder to me of the moments that have been entrusted to me as their mommy.  I long to dig deep.  I long to wrestle hard.  And above all.....I want them to know Jesus because I took the time shared with me to teach them about Him.

I hope you will take the time to download this app for yourself and share with another mommy friend who might need some encouragement today as well.

{Via}

For more information about why what you do this week matters for a kid, go to LosingYourMarblesBook.com  

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.*

Mermaid Punch

Saturday, we hosted my daughter's 4th Birthday at our house.  She dreamed for months about a mermaid party.  So on Saturday, we threw her a mermaid party!  This punch was a hit!  A perfect blend of color, foam, and taste.  My sister sent me a recipe for "Mermaid Punch" but I searched every store around me and COULD NOT find Blue Raspberry Kool-Aid packets.  Weirdest thing ever!  My mom saved the day and found Blue Hawaiian Punch.  So here is our rendition of Mermaid Punch.

1 Gallon of Blue Hawaiian Punch (cold)

1 can of frozen lemon lemonaid (thawed)

4 cups of cold water (use the lemonaid can to measure)

1 2-litter bottle of Sprite (cold)

1 1/2 gallon of pinnapple sherbert

I used a very large glass drink dispenser and mixed all of the ingredients together.

Next, scoop and add 1/2 of the pinnapple sherbet to the liquid.

Stir. Stir. Stir. You want the sherbert to make a "foam" in your Mermaid Punch.

I continued to add scoops of sherbert until I had almost used the entire 1/2 gallon.

Some recipes call for a scoop of sherbert in your cup and then pour the punch over but I knew that would be too much of a mess with little ones....so I just stirred the sherbet in.  And, it worked perfectly.

Mermaid Punch: Easy, Fun, and a perfect touch to your under the sea party!

Enjoy!

A Date With My Daughter

A few weeks ago our older kids went to see their grandparents.  That left my husband and me with just one baby.  We laughed at how difficult we once thought one baby was.  Now we see life differently and having one baby in our house felt like a vacation.

"Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds".

Proverbs 27:23

We enjoyed our baby and our time together and lots of days sleeping in.  Our baby slept until 8:30 most mornings (so not the norm with our other two 7am risers).  We enjoyed our baby in ways we never knew.  He had our undivided attention 24/7.  He learned things about us and we learned things about him.

It made us think a lot about our children's needs for one on one time with us.  It made us think a lot about our needs for one on one time with our children.  We even talked about once a year letting them each have a week at home as the only child.

While our daughter was away, she kept telling her MiMi that she and her mommy go on dates.  We do go on dates.  I really try hard to do something with just "the girls" even if it is just a trip to the grocery store.  When she returned home from MiMi's first thing she asked was to go on a date with mommy.

So we ate dinner one night with the boys and then jumped in the car for a mommy/daughter date.  She chose the library and a few swings and twirls in the park.  I helped her finish out her date by suggesting milk and a cake pop at Starbucks.  Mommy always enjoys an excuse for a cup of coffee.

We had the best time.  She held my hand and I held hers back with deep intentionality (not just trying to save her from the cars in the parking lot).  We skipped.  She looked up at me and said, "I love you mommy and our just girl dates".  She checked scanned books out at the library.  I pushed her in the swing at the park and enjoyed her little giggle.  We danced in the parks open field and when she had to go the bathroom (cause don't they always) we raced to see who could get there the fastest.

She carefully selected her milk at Starbucks and asked the lady for no less than a pink cake pop.  When we got to the table she sat across from me, took one bite out of the cake pop and said, "This is so good.  Mommy would you like a bite"?  I love how she savors every moment and is extremely generous.

Intentional.  That is what I want to be with my children.  It is easy to lose who they are individually in the mundane of our everyday.  It is easy for me to wish they were just all the same and fit them into a box nicely.  But they are all very different from one another.  I don't want to miss out on who they are.  I don't want to miss out on their dreams.  I do not want to miss out on the little detail of each one of them.

Dates with your children don't have to cost one penny.  At the end of the day there is no amount of money that can replace the time we spent with our children.  Dates with your children are most fun when you let them choose how to spend the time together.  It may not be the most fun activity for you but will give you deep insight into what is going on in their little mind.

God's been speaking to me a lot about the intentional individual time I spend with my children.  He has been talking to me a lot about not lumping them together.  For me, a once a month intentional date with my children is what I can balance right now.

What about you?  Do you spend intentional individual time with your children?  What does it look like?  How often do you do it?  How has it changed your relationship with him/her?  What ways do you hope it will change your relationship with him/her?

Starfish Princess Wand

We are having a Mermaid Princess Party on Saturday to celebrate our first born's 4th Birthday.  I wanted to make something memorable for each little girl to go home with and not add to the headache of plastic toys for her mommy.  I saw these wands a few months ago while out of town visiting a friend.  She hosted a mermaid party for her daughter last year and I loved this idea.

So here is a little how to on the Starfish Princess Wand.

What you will need:

Starfish (I bought mine here)

Hot glue gun

Finishing line

Dowel rods

Hand saw

Ribbon

(pay no attention to the pink circles....they accidentally made their way into this photo)

Cut the dowel rod with your hand saw to your desired length.  I cut mine ~ 10 inches each.  You could paint these rods before cutting if you wanted them another color besides natural.

Turn the starfish over so that the "belly" is facing you.

Generously squeeze hot glue onto the belly of the starfish and adhere a dowel rod to the belly.

Take a 6 inch piece of fishing line and wrap around the starfish.  Be sure and leave a decent amount of length at the beginning and the end in order to tie a knot at the end of the wrap.  I like fishing line because it is clear and extremely durable.  You don't have to do this step, I just thought it might hold the starfish on a little better because sometimes things can pop off hot glue.

Cut several pieces of ribbon.  I cut mine ~12 inches long and used 4 pieces of ribbon.  I tied a double knot to ensure securement to the dowel rod.

And there you have it.  Some people embellish them with stones and glitter.  Honestly the possibilities are endless.  I think it is an easy project that will hopefully bring some smiles to some mermaid faces as well as their mommies!

Next week.....a punch recipe from the party as well as a mermaid canvas.  Two simple ideas that are sure to be fun for all mermaids.