Water Kick Ball!

How fun to play kick ball, but add some twists. Each Base has a pool full of water instead of a base. When coming into home, you have a slip and slide. And lets not forget that the team in line waiting can come out right after the kick and soak the other players with squirt guns to distract them from the player running the bases. A perfect way to make a fun game, cooler for the Summer.

A Favorite Thing!

So my friend showed me this cookbook that she made. It was sooooooooo cute. She took recipes from both sides of her family, that were family favorites, or traditions. She used the website listed below and had her cookbook professionally done. It sounded like such a great idea. So I got on the website, and I have been typing recipes in, adding pictures that go with the recipe, and a description of why it is important to me. It is really cute and I am so excited to get mine printed. So go to this website and it really is not that expensive for treasuring your heirloom recipes. I gave an example of two of mine.

http://www.tastebook.com/

Movies From Youth

This Summer I have been seeking out old movies that I loved, and showing them to my kids. I have learned a few things from this:

1. Some of the shows are really scary (Superman)
2. Some have naughty jokes I didn't even get when little (Clue)
3. Some teach naughty lessons (Oliver- stealing)

Anyway I was wondering if it was just me, or is anyone else finding that it is like that for their family?

Having a rough kid day?

I have found this year to be really challenging with my kids. I am fighting one everyday to get her work done. We finally have gotten to the point that when we are ready to go do something fun, she misses out. One time it was riding bikes in the front yard, another it was visiting a museum, watched people eat crickets, did crafts and games (she went to grandmas). I find that I personally start having the worst day, when she is acting up. So I have been trying to let her do her thing, and focus on the other kids, until she chooses to obey. The easiest way for me to be happy and them is to put them in water. Here are 10 generic ideas to do in water. If you are like me, sometimes you need a little reminder.

10 ideas to do with water!

1. Go to the swimming pool
2. put your own little pool up in the back yard
3. do wet sidewalk chalk drawings
4. do a slip and slide
5. Duck races at a little stream. (this is really fun)
6. give them water guns or squirt bottles
7. Let them wash your car (this is the best)
8. Sprinkler under the tramp or on the ground
9. Have spounges and a bucket of water
10. Make a water slide, by putting your hose on down your slide of your swing set!

Father's Day Gift Idea

I am always looking for a good Father's Day present. This year I thought I would buy a pre-done basket full of fun things to eat. Not only are they so expensive, most of the stuff is not things my husband would want to eat. So... I went to Walmart and bought my own stuff to fill the basket. Then I bought a plastic basket. My husband's was 5 dollars and Grandpa's was 1.50 on clearance. Then I came home and used my cricut and made vinyl lettering to personalize the basket. The superman dad label I found on-line. I stuffed the baskets full of nuts, candy, chocolates, popcorn, jerky, crackers, 1 soda, trail mix, chex mix, Oreos, and wheat thins. Now the Oreos and wheat thins I only gave to my husband. This is because my Dad passed away about 7 years ago. Every Father's Day since I was a little kid, I gave him Wheat thins, and my brother gave him Oreos. My husband doesn't even like Oreos, but they get bought and given as a remembrance to my Father. Anyway this was really fun to do and very simple.

Front View Back view Inside Grandpa's Front Grandpa's Inside

Swimming Lessons Started

Well we started swimming lessons yesterday and I was so glad to have my favorite sunscreen on hand. Now this might sound silly to you, but if you have children with sensitive skin or like my children are black, you find that just any sunscreen won't work. My favorite sunscreen for my family is Neutrogena. I buy the kid mist, and also the baby cream. But my favorite one is this one:

I love to do their little faces with this sun stick. If you haven't used a sunstick before, you need to try it. They have them in all brands, but once again my kids don't tolorate the other brands. This baby and the other Neutrogena brands will run you about 9 dollars a bottle. The stick we bought for our trip in Feb. and we are still using it. Anyway I thought this might help you, because I sure have wasted lots of money on sunscreen that makes my kids skin hurt.

Coin Toss and Walk

Need something fun to do today?

Take a quarter and go on a coin toss and walk. Start in front of your house and let your child toss the coin. Heads means left, Tails means Right. at the start of every street do this and see where you end up. Your kids will have lots of fun trying to see where they will end up.

Some of my views on Summer!

Schedules:

Studies have been made that show that schedules for ALL ages of children and teenagers are needed and benefit the child. Now I am not talking a rigid schedule that makes them crazy and you. But more a general schedule, or routine rather that gives them the security they naturally seek. now that I am a grown up, I have learned that you ALWAYS have to have a schedule. I personally get more depressed in the day, when I have no direction in my life..... and that is how children are as well. If you have a teenager and they sleep until noon, they will probably be more moody and feel unsuccessful in life. A general plan that they know is going to happen, will help them: have the proper amount of sleep, feel accomplished everyday when they complete what they need to do, It will help them when they are returning back to school-they will adjust faster, it will give them enough structure, that they feel happy and secure, and hopefully you won't hear so much, I Am Bored! It has been proven that children with behavior problems do better with a schedule.

Homework:

Talk to any teacher and they will tell you how much a child loses, educational wise, through the Summer. I can't tell you even this year, how many people are shocked that I make my kids do homework through the Summer. In the fall your child plays catch up for at lease two months. Last year EVEN WITH DOING SUMMER READING, my daughter went down two levels in her reading. I was so discouraged, until I thought about where she would have been if I hadn't done what I did.

Bored:

If you don't want to hear I am bored all Summer, take some time and plan things to do. Do something as a family daily. Go to the park, have a picnic by dads work, go on a family bike ride. Yesterday I spent the evening jumping on the tramp with my kids. It was great and they loved it. Also have activities, projects, etc. of things to do everyday that will make them happy and feel special. Sidewalk chalk, watercolors, a special movie, bubbles, jump ropes, play dough.

Work:

Make them do work. It is not going to hurt your child to learn to work. It will help them. In my doctors office it says that if you want a child that is successful, goes to college, has a good job, is married with a family, and overall is happy........ teach them to work. Does that mean they get to be your slave? No! But they can be expected to do jobs and learn from them. Just remember the jobs will not be done perfect. That is o.k., as they get older they will improve.

Family:

I have worked very hard to get the family that I have. And so my next thought is, spend time with your child. If all Summer long you are trying to be somewhere else, instead of at home with your kids, you are showing them that they are not important. Always eat dinner together (unless on a date of course), do activities together, take time to talk to them, vacation together, and always let them know that your priority is them. Likewise do not let your child be away from the home everyday, all day. They also need to learn to be a family and learn that you can work together and play together. Your child's best friends in life will not be a friend, but family. Take opportunities to grow closer as a family. In my family we are NOT perfect. We have lots of times when life seems to be falling apart. But I think one thing my husband and I have always done, is put the children first and our family first. Friends, cars, sports, running, shopping, etc. always are second to our children. If you show them, they will know by example what is important.

Well that is some thoughts I have been having today. I might add more later, but just remember that Summer is a great happy time. Enjoy it! A song by Trace Atkins is called You're going to miss this, really touches me. I know no matter how stressful life with little kids can be, I know I am going to miss it. Take sometime to google that song. For me it always makes me remember to be patient and loving.

Fun Things To Do In Summer!

I found some lists last year, so if you need more ideas than the ones on here, then go to the right side almost to the bottom and find Summer and you will get more ideas.

2010 List of Ideas for Summer:

1. Find some Falls
2. Grow a Garden
3. Splash at a splash park
4. Have a Paper Airplane Contest with the neighborhood
5. Have a sidewalk chalk art contest with the neighborhood
6. Have a bubble party
7. Go fishing
8. Go Camping
9. Go to a Rodeo
10. Start a Dog Walking Business
11. Do a obstacle course
12. Have a outdoor Scavenger Hunt in your yard
13. Have a Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt
14. Do Library Day at your public library
15. Have a neighborhood Olympics (even babies can do an eating contest)
16. Have a block party
17. Visit your state capital and take a tour!
18. Do a Day Trip to a close National Park
19. Flashlight tag at night
20. Night Games Outside for Older Kids
21. Duck Races in a stream (Rubber Duck)
22. Feed ducks at a pond
23. Visit a Farm
24. Set up a Candy Store on your porch
25. Shadow Puppet Show
26. Join a Movie Show Program
27. Have a Family Game Night
28. Movie Night once a week
29. Have a Pizza Making Night. Mom and Dad are the judges
30. Make Homemade Play dough
31. Have a "BORED" game day!
32. Decorate T-shirts


So I am ending here for now, but post in the comment section with your fun ideas!

Teacher Gifts

We just had our teacher appreciation week, so I gave my teachers a gift- that counts for the end of the year as well. Then my cuz called me and wanted some ideas, so I decided to post them.

What I did this year was a banana split of a great year bag! In it had Marchino cherries, carmel topping, bananas, m&m's, and waffel bowls. The tag read thanks for making this year a Banana Split Great year! It cost 8 dollars per teacher, which I didn't think was bad at all. Because I had 5 teachers though, it seemed like a lot at the register.

Last year I played it more simple. I just did a package of Whoppers and said, Thanks for a Whopper Year in Third Grade! The teachers really liked this as well and it was really fast to do.

My cuz needed ideas for bus drivers. I gave her the idea of making a paper bus thank you card and stacking starbursts on top of each other and attach to the card.

Another idea I came up with is to buy a book for the library in your school and donate it in their name. That way it helps everyone!

I like gift cards, but if you have five teachers like me that gets really expensive.

My sister does the unique gift of being a sub one day for each of her kids teachers. Of course to do this, you would need to be certified.

And lastly if you need more ideas than this, go here and they have lots of fun ideas for a teacher gift. www.skiptomylou.org/2009/05/01/teacher-appreciation-gift-ideas/ Skip to my lou also has lots of other fun things to make on their website!

Colored Noodles for Art!

Warning: This is NOT an edible activity and should be made with adults only and then let the kids use them for the project.

So it is VERY easy!

1. First buy noodles at store. You will want different shapes, different sizes, etc.
2. You will also need to buy Rubbing Alcohol and food coloring.
3. put rubbing alcohol in jars about 1/2 way. Add a couple of drops of food coloring. Mix. Do this for each color.
4. Add noodles into jars.
5. Let sit over night.
6. Take out and dry on cookie sheets.
7. When dry put in bag or bucket.

String-Covered Vase Craft: Mother's Day Crafts for Kids and Gifts - Kaboose.com

"What a fun Grandma gift for Mother's Day!"

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More Reward Charts

Teaching Nursery Rhymes are one of the best things you could do for your child. It has been proven that if a child knows his or her nursery rhymes, he or she reads faster and has an easier time. Nursery Rhymes are also a good way to teach other subjects, like Math. I made this paper for my son and put it in the front of a three ring binder. We are going to be memorizing different nursery rhymes and putting them in our book. Every day we will read the book. Gradually we will have more and more nursery rhymes in our book! He will also be coloring each rhyme to go into his book. Yes I could just read him a nursery rhyme book, but this way we are spending time together, he is practicing coloring, and he will feel more ownership to his special little book. At the end I also put a good website about Nursery Rhymes. Not only do they have loads of ideas, but they also explain more about why Nursery Rhymes are so good. http://www.nurseryrhymesonline.com/

By the way: May is National Egg Month. May 4th is Bird Day. The 2nd Saturday in May is International Migatory Bird Day

Bird Lessons!

One of my favorite things to do in preschool is learn about birds. Today I woke up and looked out my window and saw this:

I couldn't believe that this bird stole my kids club house. But the preschool teacher in me, thought of all the fun you can have learning about birds. Here is an example of activities you could do for preschool, or just for fun at home.

Science #1: Find a real bird nest (not in use of course), show how it is made. Ours has a Mother in it, but we can still look if we are careful.

Science #2: Go Bird Watching!

Art #1: Make birds nests! Let them gather materials from outside as well as paper and craft stuff from inside the house. Glue or weave the pieces together. Make little eggs to put in the nest.

Art #2: All birds look so different and are all different colors. Let the kids watercolor different birds. At the end show them, that they were all different.

Art #3: Make a bird feeder or bird bath. (The peanut butter pinecone with seeds is always a big hit)

Art #4: Bird Seed Art- use glue and cardstock.

Snack #1: Recently I put the idea of doing bird nests for Easter. But for Snack you could that.

Snack #2: My Favorite idea ever! I do a bird tasting. Serve them things that birds eat: lots of different kinds of Seeds and Nuts, Worms (gummy of course), Bugs (again gummy), French Fries (ever been to lunch outside), Bread, and of course fruits and vegetables. Remember to give them beaks (Chopsticks) so they can see how not having hands would be.

Math #1: From snack 2, do a bird taste graph. Let everyone put their vote on their two favorite bird foods. Then everyone counts together to see the results.

Language/Math #2: Print on your computer bird matching game. Any birds will do, but make sure you know their names, to help with language.

Reading #1: Read the cute book, Are you my mother?

Reading #2: Read Don't let pigeons drive the bus! or really any bird book will do.

Writing: Write a story about a bird, or practice writing the word: bird.

Writing/Question of the Day: What color of bird would you like to be? (have them tell you the color and then practice writing it)

Large Motor #1: Put squares of material in both hands. Turn on music, and fly like birds.

Large Motor #2: Hide Eggs (Easter kind) all around outside. Tell the children that the Mother bird went to look for worms and lost all her babies. When you say go- they all get to gather them back together.

Large Motor #3: Blowing Feathers! Everyone gets a feather and when the music turns on (classical of course) they can start blowing their feather- but no touching unless you have to pick it up.

Show & Tell: Go to place that has birds to look at, or go to someone's house and see their bird.

Rhyme: Five Little Blue Birds

Five little blue birds, hopping by my door
One went to build a nest, and then there were four

Four little blue birds singing lustily
One got out of tune, and then there were three

Three little blue birds, and what should one do,
But go in search of dinner, leaving only two.

Two little blue birds singing for fun
One flew away, and then there was one.

One little blue bird sitting in the sun
He took a little nap, and then there was none.

72 Hour Kid Kits

I started something a few years ago that really works well for our family. If we were having an emergency I wanted the kids to be able to grab something that would help them through that emergency. So I took some old school backpacks and wrote in magic marker their first name, clearly on the outside. Then I filled it with all sorts of things that would help them. Some of it includes:
1. Foil Blanket
2. Regular Small Blanket
3. 2 Water Bottle
4. 3 Cans of Soup, meal, or vegetable (Pop open kind)
5. Gum & Candy
6. Small Stuffed Animal
7. Small First Aid Kit
8. Change of Clothes
9. Coat
10. Flashlight
11. Coloring Book
12. Colored Pencils
13. Book
14. Hand/Foot Warmers
15. Diapers/Pully if needed
16. Formula/Bottles if needed
17. Garbage Bag
18. Card Games
19. Toothpaste
20. Toothbrush
21. Shampoo
22. Medication
23. Foil Sleeping bag

After it was all full, then I put it in a closet right by the door. Right now they are up high and wouldn't be easy to grab. I hope to put them on hooks low in the closet, because we don't use that closet for clothes.

Anyway that is your idea for today.

Another Thought

I just realized these charts would also be great for getting your kids to read books in the Summer. Once all the stars have been signed on they get their prize. I was excited when I realized all the things these could really be used for, and thought I would quickly share.

Reward Charts!

I have two kids that have been having a REALLY hard time in school. One of the two also has a really hard time communicating. So we set up behavior folders for each of them. On the cover it lists their first name, teacher, and grade. Inside the folder has a pocket on each side and a three hole area for the middle. One side of the folder has a place for their homework (since it was being thrown away), grades, or things that are coming home for us to see. The other side is for extra papers (I try to make up a couple months worth of papers). The three hole area has a calendar (one of my kids sees three teachers a day so she has a calendar that has a place for all three teachers to place comments. This is what hers looks like. The other child has just one teacher and so she has a more of a month calendar! It also has a reward chart that has a goal they are working on. I have the teachers pick the goal, but if you were doing something for home, you would want to. Our goals have been: Sitting in your seat and raise your hands if you need to tell the teacher something (since one likes to follow the teacher around), Telling the truth, bringing the folder to all the teachers to sign and then back home, Reading a book and telling the plot of the story at the end, Doing 10 subtraction problems, etc. If it is a hard one like sitting in your seat, then I divide that into three time periods and the teacher can give her up to three smiley faces or check marks on her reward sheet.

It also lists the reward they are going to get. So far we have done: Getting to go to the movie store and pick out your own movie to watch with the family, sleepover with grandma, Late night, game with mom and dad. It has been working really well.My problem though is that I had to make this up as I went along. The teachers are more than happy to do the goals, and to check things off and make notes, but not to organize the whole thing. I also thought I would have been able to find really cute goal/reward charts on the Internet that I could print off. I did find some and I will put that at the end of this post, but not many. So I decided I would just make my own. That way I can decide how many they need to get in order to get their reward. When I started this, they only had to get like five. Now I have increased it, so they are having to work harder for their prize.

It has really worked for us so far. Do we still have problems? YES! At least once a week I get a note from the teacher that something has happened, and once I got a call from the principal. But overall they are working harder, being more responsible, being more behaved, and getting better grades! If I end up making more, I will post them. Also this is the site I have been using a little:

http://www.freeprintablebehaviorcharts.com/singlebehaviorcharts.htm

Out of Town!

Sorry we went out of town, and I haven't been posting. But now we are back, I will try to do better! So check back soon and you will find a new post!

Egg People!

Also on the website below were these egg people. How fun would that be, to blow out eggs for the whole family and as a family craft sit at the table and make egg people. Keep them for next year and it might be fun to see how you viewed yourself the last year. I think this would be really fun for preschool as well. If I was doing this with little ones, I would probably buy wood eggs at the craft store, or use the plastic ones from the store.

Not just dyeing Eggs anymore!

Are you ready for something new? Here are some techniques you can do instead of coloring eggs, or in addition to coloring eggs. I found them all at: http://familyfun.go.com/easter/easter-crafts/egg-decorating-ideas-843997/view-all/ They have complete instructions on how to do them. Last year I put lots of ideas on how to do eggs that you can keep forever. You could also do that with all of these, just remember to hollow them out first. You can do that by putting holes in each end and blowing out the egg mixture, or buy getting a needle and a shot and sucking it out that way. The only one that will not work on blown out eggs is the warm crayon egg. That one the egg needs to be warm, so as you draw the crayon melts. Anyway have fun, and remember to check out past Easter projects on this website if you are new! String Eggs

Light Bulb Sleeve Eggs

Warm Crayon Drawn Eggs

Bubble Wrap Eggs

Foil Eggs

Easter Edible Bird Nests

I am the baby of my family. When I was a child I remember one of my sisters bringing these to Easter dinner, as our name card. She wrote our name onto a little paper, put it in the nest, and put it on our plate. It was so cute and I have always remembered it. I have done this a lot in preschool, when doing a bird unit. It is a really fun activity to do with children!

1 (12 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips
1 (12 oz.) pkg. butterscotch chips
1 lg. can or package of chow mein noodles
Jelly beans or my favorite mini robin eggs

Melt chocolate chips and butterscotch chips over slow heat. Pour over chow mein noodles. Cover a cookie sheet with waxed paper. Put a large tablespoon of chocolate-covered noodles on waxed paper. Form like a bird nest. Put candy in nest to look like bird eggs. Refrigerate until firm.

Teaching Life Skills

I am amazed at how many parents give their children handicaps, by not teaching them to take responsibility for themselves. As we grow, we need to learn how to do things for the future. I think we do good with the oldest, but then slack off on the other children. So here are a few experiences that have changed my life, for the better.

One of my biggest issues is when young teenagers are not given opportunities to work outside of the home. I think it is really important to learn to hold a job and to learn to work with bosses. I think if you expect them to just get a job out of college with no work experience, you are crazy. Working creates really good skills and responsibility. I also feel if your child can't hold onto a job for more that a year at a time (except if he is only going to do it for the Summer), then something must be wrong (not with the employer, but your child). I feel that teaching them at an earlier age and having expectations will help with that.

I have a husband that could make bread when we got married. He is a really good cleaner, takes direction well, irons, and knows how to do lots of things that help me in my home. Yet his little brother, can barely feed himself in his adulthood. My husband is a GREAT husband, and I know it is because he learned how to take care of a family and house. He is my partner through and through. The other day I heard someone say that their husband gets mad when the living room is dirty. I thought of my husband, and the fact that he wouldn't say a word, he would just roll up his sleeves and help clean it. I think sometimes we get in the mindset that we only need to teach our daughters certain things. Enough of this! Lets teach our boys, so they can become great men, husbands, and fathers.

My husband was never taught at home about cars. He has told me many times, that he almost ruined his first car, because his dad never taught him to change the oil (or take it to someone who could). In contrast I saw my brother-in-law changing oil in his driveway. I asked him who taught him how to change oil (and save mega money through the years) he couldn't remember. He said he has been doing it his whole life.

I here people say all the time, that their teenager has no idea how to make food and would starve without them. WHAT? What happens when they go to college, or when they have a family. I am teaching my daughter to cook right now. I take the time to teach her principles of why I did what I did, and how to fix a mistake. Yes she has got burned, yes she has made some terrible things, but more and more she is getting better and makes some really nice things.

My mom once ruined a pair of my Levis. I sat and yelled at her and my dad heard. I was old enough to do my own laundry (I think I was 14), and so he said, "Mom will buy you a new pair, but then you get to do your own laundry from now on". It was the best thing for me. I now with a family of 7 spend lots of my time doing laundry, I am glad I learned how early.

Even with my 4 year old, I am teaching him how to take care of himself. Not just the usual: get dressed, brush teeth, but things like: Cleaning his room, Helping with the laundry, making his bed, Washing hand prints off the wall, and he has now mastered the art of wiping off all the counters in the kitchen and putting all the dishes in the sink. Is he perfect at these things? No, but each day he gets better and better.

So here is a list of things that we can work on now, that will make the difference in the long run:
1. Fixing a simple meal (p&b Sand.) then eating it, the cleaning up your mess
2. Cooking Dinners or Desserts
3. Taking the dry clothes out of the dryer and folding them. (and if they are still wet-what do you do?
4. Saving Money for college or something special
5. Cleaning up messes
6. If you get something messy on your clothes, how to put pre-wash on it and put it in the laundry
7. How to iron a shirt
8. How to sew on a button
9. How to make simple repairs
10. What to do in an emergency with a car (change a tire, if we are on the side of the road, changing the oil, etc)
11. Sorting Laundry into colors, and why we do that
12. Moving the wet laundry to the dryer.
13. Starting a new batch of laundry.
14. organization
15. Manners
16. The rules of Thank You notes
17. Teaching to pick up the slack if someone needs it
18. How to change sheets (and how often)
19. How to get a stain out of the carpet.
20. How to budget
21. How to balance a checkbook and handle credit cards
22. How to mow the lawn (girls need to do outside work too)
23. How to shop for a good deal
24. How to shop with coupons
25. How to do a pony tail (boys can learn to braid too)

Now I stopped at 25, but I could go on and on. There are so many skills that teenagers and young adults today are just not learning. Lots that I see involve the home: cleaning, cooking, fixing things, etc. It is my goal to have my children learn the above list (and more) sometime while they are in my care. And then when they have a life of their own (or heaven forbid- I get sick or die and really need their help), that they will know what to do. Alot of these can be taught in a fun way, that they would have no clue what you were doing. And then years later when they need the information, BAM! they remember and can do it.

So that is my thought for today. Don't forget to teach your child Life Skills! And if I missed some you want to add, just add them into the comment section. Also as a side note if you have special situations in your home, teach your kids about those and how to care for them. Like I have two black girls that I have adopted. Their hair is impossible to do. So I am teaching my 3 girls how to do their hair. I hope as teenagers, I will only assist as needed and they will learn how to do their hair. You might have a sick child, a pet, or some issue that needs to be addressed as well. Prepare them.

Wondering...

If I will ever update this blog again?

Answer: As soon as my poor sick little baby gets over RSV!

Advice from a mom that is sad her baby is sick:

Stay home if you have a baby, wash hands all the time, make your family wash their hands all the time, and of course change your child's shirt (not baby, the others) when they come into the house from school, the store, or church. And don't think because you Don't have a newborn, your baby won't get it. Mine is 7 months and I have seen lots of babies older in the hospital with us. Be diligent in suctioning out their little nose and putting saline in their nose, and be pro-active in the care of your baby. Don't ever forget that Moms know best (even over cute Dads sometimes).

Have a great day!

Cricut Free SVG files

For those of you who are interested in the cricut SVG files, keep reading!

Go to www.myscrapchick.com and sign up for a free SVG file to be sent to you weekly. They are really cute. Today I got a bunny book template! Once I get it, I save it to my desktop, then I extract all files and then place it in a personal SVG file that I made. I put categories in it like: Fall, winter, christmas, baby, etc. Just with doing this, I am getting a big collection. Ever since I switched to the program surecutsalot, and figured out about SVG files, it seems I don't miss a day that I am doing something on my cricut! Pretty Fun!

Problems

So I got a lot of viruses on my computer and that is why I have taken a little break! Now we are all fixed up and I will be posting again real soon! Have a great day!

Opening Ceremonies for the Olympics!

For the opening of the Olympics, we are having an Olympic Party!

We will be serving food, in honor of the host city. Canadian Bacon will be involved in the menu! I think we will either do a Canadian bacon pizza, or pancakes with Canadian bacon, eggs, and of course Maple syrup (their flag has a maple leaf on it)

We also are having olympic torches (ice cream cones) for the very start of the olympics!

During the commercials we are going to be having Commerical Olympics.

We are having the following activites:

Qualifying Round (Juniors): Chew your gum fast!
Qualifying Round (Seniors): Blow a bubble with your gum!
1. Ice Hockey! Who can catch the most marshmellows in their mouth
2. Speed Skating: Divide into two teams. Put each team on a opposite side of the room. Put a ball in the middle on a chair. When you say go, the first one that gets the ball wins that round. Keep going until you get a winner!
3. Figure Skating: Glide around the room on little papers! Don’t fall and make sure you do some tricks and some artistic moves!
4. Luge: Who can melt an icecube the quickest (just using your body)
5. Ski Jumping: Jump Rope!
6. Bobsled: cup racing! (cut a circle out of the bottom of two cups. Put a long string in each of the cups. Attach strings to chairs or have others hold them. You are only allowed to blow, no hands! Whoever gets to the end first wins!)
7. Curling: Who can slide their cotton ball to the target! The closest wins! (must be done in kitchen or on hard floor)
8. Cross Country Skiing: Blow the snowball to the end the quickest (ping pong ball)
9. Biathlon: Snowball toss! (Make your own)


Whoever wins each even will get gold chocolate medals!

Learning to count Money!!!

I have been such a big slacker! So sorry! Anyway I was thinking about what idea I wanted to share and I decided to share this.

I decided last week, that I wanted to teach my three little ones more about Money. I have a nine year old, seven year old, and a four year old. The nine year old is delayed and so she is just starting learning about money. So I came up with this idea.

I got jars and filled them with different candies. I then put prices on each of the jars. I have been using real money to encourage my kids to do things that they need to be doing. My nine year old has a real problem bringing her homework to and from school. My seven year old has a real problem with anger, and my four year old doesn't want to color or do any kind of preschool. So now they get money for this. They also get money for doing extra jobs, being kind to others, etc. Mondays and Fridays I open the store. They have to figure out the money (right now they require a lot of help with that) and then they get the candy, that they had enough money to buy.

Already I am finding that people are happier, my house is cleaner, we are being more responsible, and we are learning about money. And since they are really little candies, I don't feel bad about the amount of sugar they are getting.

This is how I set it up:

.10 two jelly bellies

.30 one gummy worm

.75 two gummy rings

1.00 Dum Dum

2.00 Mini Candy bar

3.00 Other little candies

Yes these are really high prices for things. I am very generous with the money as well, so it equals out. My goal is for them to be counting money, so by having it high, it makes them need to count more. Also my 12 year old does this also. You would think she would be mad, at how high the prices are. I have told her she can just put her money in savings if she doesn't like it. She does about 1/2 and 1/2.

Music!

These are two of my all time favorite cd's to sing with kids.

They are really fun and the kids love them! Charlotte Diamond, 10 carrot diamond

So Big, by Hap Palmer

Have I done any good in the world today?

My thoughts have been consumed with the people in Haiti. Especially the children. I can't even imagine what they have and are going through. It makes me sick to think of their situation. I have a little 6 month African American boy. He looks just like the kids in Haiti. The night after it happened we ran out of formula. What did we do? We ran around the corner to Walmart, that is open all night and bought some more. It struck me hard the next morning that something like that the people in Haiti can not do. It doesn't matter who they are to the child, they can't meet the child's needs. Even now a week and some days later they still have children suffering. I can't imagine not being able to provide basic needs for my child. And could I help my child feel secure, when I didn't feel secure. So many parents have been killed. Where are those little children? It haunts me. And so I encourage you to help in anyway you can, the children of Haiti.

My sister has always told me that she has a good 72 hour emergency kit and a good food storage, because she never wants to be in a position that she has to look her child in the eyes and explain why they are so hungry. It always makes me think when she says this. I think I will personally try to be better prepared for an emergency in my home, as well as help the children of Haiti.

My Cricut

For those of you that have a cricut and buy cartridges all the time......
It is time to stop.

1. Go to sure cuts a lot on-line and buy their software. I didn't get the CD with mine, so it was a little cheaper. But it runs 75 dollars without CD and 90 with CD.
2. After that you can use your cricut with the software on your computer. You will need to get a USB cord that runs from the cricut to your computer though.
3. The program allows you to use ALL the fonts you have on your computer to use on your cricut.
4. It also lets you use any dingbat like thing.
5. In addition you can google free SVG files and pretty much get anything you are looking for.

Today I found a ship that looked like Colombus's for my daughter's poster she was doing on him. It is great and really easy. So if you have a cricut (which I don't know how a mom doesn't with all the parent homework that needs to be done) get sure cuts a lot!

Quote

Peace begins with a Smile!

I have been teaching my children about Peace and becoming a peacemaker. I found this quote and I loved it. I printed it up and put it on a magnet board that is in the kitchen. I was told in church a couple of months ago that one of the best things we can do as a parent, is to smile at our children. Specifically when they have been out and are coming back to the house. I thought back to how many times I have told my kids (when picking them up from school), to get in the car quick- we are going to be late. What if I had stopped and given them an appropriate greeting? So this week I am working on that. Smiling more and by doing that, showing them how much I love them. So start smiling more and you might see a difference in your home life.

One of my favorite things!

One of my favorite things from my childhood is Fondu'. I have really fond memories of doing this on special occasions with my family. I even had a really fun Sweet 16 birthday party doing this. When I married my husband, I started doing this as a romantic dinner for us. Then when kids came we started to include them. Now we do Fondu' once in November for our Anniversary, on New Year's Day, and sometimes on Valentine's Day. This year we did a party for our daughter for her birthday. All the girls had so much fun learning how to do Fondu'. So buy a fondu pot, cut up some vegetables, and have some fun!

Our Favorite Menu
1. Steamed Rice
2. Cut up Carrots, Mushrooms, Zuccinni, Artichoke canned hearts, Yams, fresh pineapple
3. Chopped up steak, shrimp
4. Sauces
5. Peanut Oil
6. Box of Tempura (found in baking section of store. It is a mix, You dip stick in tempura with veggie on and then dip in oil)
7. Depending on if you have an electric Fondu' pot or not you might need Sterno to heat the oil. It can be found in the camping section of a grocery store.

For Sauce Recipes, I just make up my own. I don't know how much of each ingredient. Sorry.

Sauce 1 (for meat):
catsup
mayo
parsley
tabasco sauce
worshiresauce

Sauce 2 (veggies)
Parm. Cheese
Cream Cheese
A little Milk
(Soften cream cheese before mixing)

The best part of Fondu is that it forces you to spend time talking with each other. So if your family needs more time communication go buy a fondu' pot and get started.

Family Plan for 2010

A long time ago my cute friend Nancy made me a New Year's plan for my family. I loved it and it was so darling. After that I made the above papers. Not nearly as cute as hers was, but it still does the trick. Each year on or around the first of January, our family gets together and we make a plan of at least two things to do in every month. They are things that we are looking forward to like: Making a snowman, going on vacation, mom's birthday, game night, swimming, etc. We put them on the side of our fridge and then the kids can look forward to something, and the parents can be fun parents.

We also print these papers up. We also put them on the side of the fridge. They are for quick little notes we want to remember. Almost like a little journal. Someone lost a tooth, a funny comment someone made, an acident someone had, etc. This was also my friend Nancy's idea. At the end of the year I simply place the paper in my family scrapbook and transfer any info I want to the kids personal scrapbooks. It is so easy and I feel like I am remembering our life moments.

One Word......

This year I have decided that as a family we are going to have a one word goal for the whole year. I think I will even frame it or put it in Vinyl lettering somewhere in the house as a reminder. Because I am LDS, and I hold Family Home Evening, I am going to do it then. First I am going to introduce the word, then the next week teach them what it means, and then the weeks after that I think I will have one person that is a detective that gets to find an example of someone doing that in our house that week.

So After thinking and talking to my cousin, I got my word. It is a word that I feel my family needs to be working on this year.

The word is.....

Peace

I am excited to have my Peacemaker Detectives and hopefully by the end of the year I will have a home that has more peace, more peacemakers, and that we will be more like the Prince of Peace- Jesus Christ.

So I encourage you to do the same and come up with a word that your family can work on, or a motto for your family. It can be a simple word, that hopefully can change your family for the better.

Christmas Nativity Program Scripture Version

Every year we have a nativity on Christmas Eve. We dress up, have simple parts, and of course remember the real reason for Christmas. I have two versions of our Christmas programs. I tried to find other people's so I wouldn't have to go to the work, and never did. So if you do something like this or want to start here is the first one. Also parts can be adjusted depending on how many people you have. We have a lot of people.

2009 Christmas Program


Mary:

Joseph:
Jesus 1:

Angel Gabriel:
Angel 1:
Angel 2:

Angel 3:
Wiseman 1
Wiseman 2
Wiseman 3
Shepherd 1:

Shepherd 2
Star:
Narrator 1:
Narrator 2:
Narrator 3:
Narrator 4:
Inn Keeper 1:

Inn Keeper 2
Herod/Leading Music:

Please bring this copy with you on Christmas Eve to follow along!

Away in a manger (First Verse)

Narrator 1: And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said.

Angel Gabriel: Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Narrator 2: And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

Mary: I rode a donkey, my baby was coming soon.

Joseph: The journey was long and slow. I couldn’t find a place for us to stay, each Inn we went to the Inn Keeper said….

Inn Keeper 1: “No room!”

Inn Keeper 2: Joseph knocked on my door and asked for a room. There was no room. I started to send him away and then I called him back. I said, “I have a stable, you may stay in”.

Narrator 3: And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her afirstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Silent Night (First Verse)

Narrator 4: And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the aglory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them,

Angel 1: Fear not: for, behold, I bring you agood tidings of great bjoy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is aborn this day in the city of David a bSaviour, which is Christ the cLord.

Angel 2: And this shall be a asign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Narrator 1: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Angel 3: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth bpeace, good will toward men.

Narrator 1: And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another,

Shepherd 1: Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,

Shepherd 2: and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
Stars Were Gleaming (1 Verse)

Narrator 2: And they came with ahaste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it awondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and apondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Narrator 3: Now when Jesus was aborn in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying,

Wiseman 1: Where is he that is born bKing of the Jews?

Wiseman 2: for we have seen his cstar in the east,

Wiseman 3: and are come to dworship him.

Narrator 3: Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said,

Herod: Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

Narrator 4: When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

Star: When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy!

Narrator 4: And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and afrankincense, and myrrh.

With Wondering Awe (First Verse)

Narrator 1: And being warned of God in a adream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod:

Narrator 2: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, and the prince of peace.

Joy To The World (First Verse)

Second Version of the Christmas Nativity

Away in a manger (First Verse)

Angel Narrator 2 (Mary, Joseph, and Donkey come out) Many years ago in the city of Nazareth a young woman, named Mary had an angel appear to her. The angel told her that he would be the mother of the Savior. Mary then married a man named Joseph and together they planned and waited for the Savior to come.

Angel Narrator 1: A decree went out from the king of the Romans, that all the world was to be taxed, in the city that they were born in. Mary and Joseph had to travel to ethlehem to pay their taxes.

Mary: I rode a donkey, my baby was coming soon.

Joseph: The journey was long and slow.

Inn Keeper 1: “No room!”

Inn Keeper 2: Joseph knocked on my door and asked for a room. There was no room. I started to send him away and then I called him back. I said, “I have a stable, you may stay in”.

The Nativity Song (Third Verse)

Angel Narrator 3: So Mary and Joseph went to a stable, where animals like horses and cows were kept. The baby Jesus was born in the stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. (Baby Jesus comes out)


Silent Night (First Verses)

Shepherd #2: In the fields near Bethlehem, we were tending our flocks of sheep, and an angel came.

Angel #2: Don’t Be Afraid!

Angel #3: The Savior, Jesus Christ, has been born and is lying in a manger.

Angel Narrator 1: And suddenly all the Heavenly Angels came saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace good will toward men.

Angel Narrator 2: And when the angels went back to heaven, the Shepherds said to one another:

Shepherd #1: Let’s go to Bethlehem and see baby Jesus!


Stars Were Gleaming (1 Verse)

Star: When Jesus was born I appeared and was the brightest star in the sky.

Wiseman #1: My friends and I followed the star, traveling from the east.

Wiseman #3: We said, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? We saw the star in the east, and have come to worship him.

Wiseman #2: We found baby Jesus and gave him gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Murr.

With Wondering Awe (FirstVerse)

Angel Narrator 3: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, and the prince of peace.

Christmas Bells Are Ringing

Songs are from mostly the LDS Primary Book:

The Nativity Song
This is the stable shelter so bare; Cattle and oxen first welcomed him there. This is the manger, sweet hay for a bed, waiting for Jesus to cradle his head.

Away in a Manger
Away in a manger no crib for his bed, The little lord Jesus laid down his sweet head; The stars in the heavens looked down where he lay, The little lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. Asleep, Asleep, Asleep, Asleep, Asleep the Savior in a stall, Asleep, Asleep, Asleep, Asleep, Asleep the Lord of all.

Silent Night
Silent Night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother and Child. Holy infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace; Sleep in heavenly peace.

Stars Were Gleaming
Stars were gleaming shepherds dreaming; and the night was dark and chill. Angels’ story rang with glory; Shepherd heard it on the hill. Ah, that singing! Hear it ringing, Earthward winging Christmas bringing! Hearken! We can hear it still!

With Wondering Awe
With wond’ring awe the wisemen saw The star in heaven springing, And with delight, in peaceful night,They heard the angel singing: Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to his name.

Christmas Bells Are Ringing
Christmas Bells are ringing, here what they say to you.
Jesus is born, In Bethlehem, In Bethlehem.

Another Blog To Check Out!

My friend was a guest blogger on this site and asked if she could put my website up. Of course I said yes, and had to check out this blog. Enjoy!

http://keepthejuicesflowing.blogspot.com/2009/12/encouraging-kids-to-be-creative.html