Tag Archives: family fun

Holidays: Real-Life Learning in High Gear

One of the perks of homeschooling is getting to set your own schedule. As a girl, my eyes would take on a special shine this time of year as I would bask in getting to take the whole month of December off from formal studies.

But while we packed away the math and spelling books, my mom knew a little secret that I’ve now discovered walking in her shoes: the learning never stops.

It is a special time to cook – learning measurements, following directions and watching chemistry at work! It is a time to learn project management as you plan for the Christmas meal and pull your kids into the conundrum of figuring out how everything will be ready at approximately the same time. There is crafting and decorating. As family comes together there are fresh character lessons to learn as children interact with elderly relatives, work through conflict with cousins, etc. And as believers, this is a special time to quiet our hearts and enter into the wonder of the incarnation -God coming down to us!

To make the most of this special real-life learning/real-life living, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Slow Down

I can hear the groaning from all you Busy Moms… I know this can be a busy season, but the more we can take time to slow down and simply BE with our children the better. That’s one reason why we shelve the curriculum. I don’t want to miss out on the special moments with my kiddos. And let’s face it – it’s far easier to just do things ourselves sometimes than to slow down and bring our kids into the process. Resist the urge to sacrifice memory building training moments with our children merely for the sake of efficiency. When we are rushed, everyone suffers.

Brain Storm

With all of the *life* that is happening, there are myriads of learning opportunities for our children.

Have older kids? Why don’t you give them a budget and have them plan a Christmas party for their friends. If that doesn’t work, why not assign them Christmas Eve dinner and walk them through planning a menu, making a grocery list, setting an elegant table, etc… Have them help you plan the travel itenerary if you are heading out for the holidays.

With your younger one’s pull them into whatever you are doing. Yes, it slows you WAY down. But they are so eager to help. Cooking and cleaning alongside you not only draws you closer and begins to teach them important life skills, but it also helps hone fine-motor skills, counting and sorting skills as well as developing a strong work ethic.

Pull some special books together to read, learn about Christmas traditions around the world, make a fun craft together than can double as Christmas decor.

The opportunities are endless!

Embrace Spontaneity

As busy as we may get, always remember that we are never too busy to be with our children. Embrace the spontaneous opportunities to serve together, learn together and laugh together. Embrace the opportunity for discussion and pointing our children to the God we love and worship. Slow down and soak up the opportunities that come your way!

What kind of real-life learning opportunities do you experience this time of year?

5 Christmas Picture Books That Will Point Your Kids to Jesus

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I will warn you ahead of time, this post could have been titled, “5 Christmas Picture Books That Will Make Momma Cry.”

Despite those tears that usually mean my son reads the final pages, these books remain one of the most special parts of our Christmas celebration every year. At a time when the focus often drifts to receiving, rather than giving, Santa, instead of Jesus, and filling stockings seems more pressing than filling our hearts, reading these books will help redirect your family back to the reason we celebrate — the birth of a Savior.

{this post contains affiliate links}

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski

Jonathan Toomey is the best woodcarver in the valley, but he is always alone and never smiles. No one knows about the mementos of his lost wife and child that he keeps in an unopened drawer. But one early winter’s day, a widow and her young son approach him with a gentle request that leads to a joyful miracle.

The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg

One dark November night a stranger rides into a small prairie town. Who is he? Why has he come? The townspeople wish he were a doctor, a dressmaker, or a trader. But the children have the greatest wish of all, a deep, quiet, secret wish. Then a young girl named Lucy befriends the newcomer. When he reveals his identity and shares with her the legend of the candy cane, she discovers fulfillment of her wishes and the answer to her town’s dreams. Now will she share what she has learned?

Silver Packages: An Appalachian Christmas Story by Cynthia Rylant

In Appalachia each Christmas, a boy named Frankie waits beside the tracks for the Christmas Train, which will bring presents to the children who live in coal towns and hollows. Year after year, Frankie hopes that one particular gift, a very special gift will be tossed to him from that train. It is this enduring hope that will guide him to the true meaning of the season.

Christmas Oranges by Linda Bethers and Ben Sowards

The only home little Rose has ever known is the orphanage, but Mrs. Hartley cares for all the children as if they were her own. When Mrs. Hartley dies, Rose is sent to a new orphanage, which is as cold and cruel as her previous home was kind.

Gradually Rose makes a few friends, and she learns that every Christmas a generous neighbor donates a box of oranges for the children.

An orange is an unknown luxury for little Rose, and she waits in eager anticipation. But on Christmas morning, Rose is brokenhearted when she learns that there is no orange for her.

However, Christmas is a time of friendship, love, and of miracles . . .

Annika’s Secret Wish by Beverly Lewis

A beautiful book that will become part of a family’s Christmas heritage, Annika’s Secret Wish inspires young and old to freely give and share even long hoped-for gifts. The final page features Swedish Christmas traditions that your family may choose to include in your own holiday celebration.

May this be a season of joy for your family, as you dig in deeper to share the real meaning of Christmas with your children.

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:9-12

Fall Craft Keepsake

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I’ll be honest and admit that I am not a crafter. I want to be! I yearn to sew and knit and crochet. I want to be one of those moms who has a closet of craft supplies (which she knows how to use) at the ready. The mom who can make something beautiful out of a snippet of construction paper and a sprinkling of glitter. But I’m not.

I’m the mom with one small drawer of crayons, glue, and construction paper. Craft days are saved for “when we have time”…and we usually don’t. I don’t own a glue gun. And, until recently, mod podge was an intimidating foreign substance.

It’s not that I don’t like crafts, I love them. They excite me! However, crafts simply overwhelm me. Projects seem more complicated in my mind than they are in reality. However, I’ve learned a very special lesson that is helping me overcome my craft aversion.

Crafts are not about the project, the mess, the detail or even the outcome. Crafts are about making memories with your children.

When I look at it like that, crafts suddenly seem much more important. That’s why I’m making a conscious effort to add more crafting to our life. I want to make memories! So, for my first project, I decided to make an autumn keepsake with my son, not just another “craft”.

I love this keepsake craft for four very specific reasons. 1) It has variety! The different materials give it more depth. 2) It can be broken down into several smaller projects. We had 4 different days of crafting. 3) You can make this keepsake no matter what climate you live in, using whatever items you have outside. 4) It easily adapts to different seasons by changing the outdoor items you collect and paint colors.

Supplies:

Leaves or other outdoor items (autumn grasses, pine cone bits, pebbles, etc)
Waxed paper
Books for pressing
Metallic permanent markers (silver, gold and/or bronze)
2 sheets white cardstock paper
Foaming shaving cream
Scissors
Acrylic paint (autumn colors, red, orange, gold, green, brown)
Toothpicks
Rubber/silicone spatula
Mod podge
Paintbrush or sponge
Frame (your choice of size)

Step 1: We started with a “leaf walk”. The kids had a blast walking our property and collecting leaves of all different shapes, sizes and colors. If you live in a hotter climate, or your leaves have already dropped, collect pebbles, wide-leafed grasses, etc. You can even use brown, dried leaves if they’re not too brittle. Don’t forget to collect a few green leaves for contrast.

Step 2: Press the leaves between the pages of the books, lined with waxed paper.

Step 3: When the leaves are sufficiently pressed, carefully color them with the metallic markers. Get creative with designs. The colors really pop! When you’re happy with your leaves, set them aside.

Step 4: Using scissors, cut leaf shapes out of the cardstock. You can do maple, oak, or freestyle it! This is about memories, not perfection, right?

Step 5: On a piece of waxed paper or in a rectangular dish, spray a layer of shaving cream and smooth it out. Next, add drops of the acrylic paint all over. Then, using the toothpick, swirl the paint until it has the design and pattern you like.

Step 6: Press the cardstock leaves face down into the shaving cream/paint mixture. Let is sit for just a moment, then carefully lift out the leaves and lay them paint side up on a piece of waxed paper.

Step 7: Allow the leaves to sit for a minute or two. Then, using your spatula, scrape off the excess paint and shaving cream. Allow your leaves to dry well.

Step 8: Once everything is sufficiently dry, arrange your varying leaves on another piece of cardstock in any design you wish. Then, use the mod podge to glue the leaves securely. Apply a very thin layer with a paintbrush or sponge. Also, be sure to coat the tops of your leaves with mod podge as well. It will enhance the colors and give them a bit of luster! Dry well.

All that’s left to do now is frame your masterpiece. Ours is hanging (on proud display) in our living room. My son likes to gaze at it every so often and comment on the fun we had making it. And that’s what crafts are all about. The happy memories!

Are you a crafter? How often do you incorporate crafts into your home?

Possibilities of Fall

Fall Family Project: Care Packages for Our Troops

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As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10-11 ESV)

With the advent of the autumn season comes much opportunity to reflect upon the blessings God has bestowed upon us. Along with the more obvious day of gratitude, Thanksgiving Day, comes a lesser celebrated day, Veteran’s Day.

November 11, Veteran’s Day, is the one day set aside each year to honor the patriotism, love of country, and sacrifice of all those who have served in the Armed Forces of the U.S., including those currently serving. For several years now, our family has attempted to repay that service in a very small way — by sending care packages to our troops.

This small token of gratitude is amazingly meaningful to those who have received our simple gifts. When you’re far away from home and those you love, it doesn’t take much to make your day. A box of toiletries, a pair of socks, some much coveted beef jerky — things most of us pass by on our weekly grocery store visits — become priceless treasures to those living in less than desirable conditions.

Today, I want to help your family serve in this way as well, by sharing three different themed care packages that can be easily assembled for about the cost of an average family’s trip to a fast food restaurant, as well as some tips for sending care packages to our troops.

What do I need to know about shipping care packages?

I’m glad you asked, because there are a few things you need to know, including some hard and fast rules about sending care packages.

No obscene or pornographic articles are permitted (prints, cards, DVDs, etc).
Non-authorized political materials are not permitted.
Bulk quantities of religious material contrary to Islam are not permitted (items for personal use are allowed).
Pork or pork by-products are not permitted.
Each care package mailed must be accompanied by the customs form found here. Be sure you read the instructions for how to complete the form properly. Any errors and your care package may not be delivered.
My personal preference for packaging is the large Priority Mail flat rate box. The shipping rate for this box is $16.85 no matter how heavy it is, and the post office will discount that to $13.30 for boxes going to an APO/FPO address. The boxes are free for the taking at your local branch of the USPS or you can order them online here.
Chocolate should not be included in care packages, especially during the hot summer months.
Shop at your local dollar store. We were able to fill two boxes of toiletries for less than $40. Our food box was more expensive because we needed to head to the grocery store for much of the food. That box came to about $35. Still that’s three care packages for $75, or an average of $25 each. Many families will spend $25 driving through a fast-food restaurant!
Don’t send homemade food items. Shipping times may be delayed, and these foods could spoil.
Place anything liquid (shampoo, body wash, etc.) into plastic zipper bags in case they spill.

What items should I include?

Generally speaking, you should choose a theme for your care package — toiletries, food, or entertainment. There can be some crossover between the three, but for the most part, boxes that contain toiletries should not also contain food. I find it much easier to pack according to theme. For this Veteran’s Day, we chose to pack 2 boxes with toiletries (one for a man, and one for a woman) and 1 box of food items. Below are list of items you might consider including for each box.

Toiletries Care Package

Deodorant
Shampoo and conditioner
Bar soap
Body wash
Hand lotion
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Dental floss
Razors
Shaving cream
Hand sanitizer
Lip balm
Baby wipes
Foot powders
Feminine hygiene products
Tissues
Sunblock
Bug spray
Over-the-counter pain relievers
Socks (cotton or wool)

Food Care Package

Tuna in foil packs
Ramen noodles
Canned or dried fruits
Sunflower seeds
Roasted nuts
Beef jerky
Instant coffee, herbal teas, hot chocolate
Drink powders, such as Gatorade, Tang, Crystal Light
Protein powders
Granola bars/Power bars
Instant oatmeal packs
Trail mix
Peanut butter
Cheese/peanut butter crackers
Individual boxes cereal
Cookies
Gum/Mints
Hard candies

Entertainment Care Package

Card games
Travel games
Personal CD player (don’t forget the batteries!)
CDs
DVDs
Video games
Small Nerf balls
Frisbees
Journals
Writing paper
Puzzle books
Pens and/or markers
Stuffed animals (for the troops to hand out to children)
Books and/or magazine
International phone cards

How do I find a soldier for my care package?

Most of us know someone who has a loved one currently serving overseas. Ask around, post a message on Facebook, or ask your pastor. If you can’t find a connection through your friends, family, or church, there are several ministries who match soldiers with families who wish to send a care package — AnySoldier and Give2theTroops are two such organizations. In the past you could just address your box to “Any Soldier” and it would be distributed. It is my understanding that is no longer acceptable.

Final Thoughts

Be sure to include a card or letter, expressing your gratitude to the soldier who will receive your care package. Also include your email and/or snail mail address if you would like to receive a reply from your solider. Have your children draw pictures and/or decorate the inside of your box with drawings, messages, and stickers. Children of all ages will enjoy taking part in this effort, from planning the shopping list to packing the box. This is such a simple way to show our gratitude and be the hands of Jesus during a trying time in the life of a soldier. May God richly bless our efforts.

How about you? What are some of your favorite Family Projects?

A Season for Serving

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Teaching Kids to Serve

Fall is here. The weather is cooling off and the holidays are just around the corner. With the holidays come many traditions that families hold dear. Memory making times that will be passed down from generation to generation. This year, our family is starting a new tradition. A tradition of serving – together.

Traditions not only provide our kids with a strong sense of belonging and security but they also teach a cultural heritage and solidify our individual family values. So why not make serving together as a family a tradition in your family?

I love that the holidays begin with our entire nation observing the tradition of Thanksgiving Day. Don’t we have so much to be thankful for? It is easy to take for granted our freedoms of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Practicing thankfulness is an excellent way to begin teaching kids about service. I know that when I make a habit of being thankful, my own heart begins to overflow with gratitude and a strong desire to give back a bit of the blessing that I have received.

Simple Ideas for Serving as a Family

Kids naturally enjoy serving as evidenced by the hundreds of Play-Doh meals I have been served over the years. {grin}

Ask your kids to brainstorm ideas for who and how they can serve. Encourage them to think not only of ways that they would enjoy serving (like the Play-Doh lunch) but ways that are a real need but maybe not so fun.

Some ideas to get you started:

Neighbors are an excellent place to start. Is there someone you can think of who needs some yard work done? A meal cooked? An afternoon of babysitting?

Churches are often in need of painting, cleaning or caring arms to read and tell about the love of Jesus in the children’s ministry.

Family members are often overlooked. Does Mom need a back rub? How about cleaning out the garage for Dad? Surprise a sibling by doing one of their chores. Consider writing letters of encouragement to far off relatives?

Contact a local homeless shelter or food bank to look for opportunities to serve.

Serving is Good For You

Serving together as a family is surprisingly fun! There is something about working together that unifies and strengthens family relationships. When we take our eyes off of ourselves to help others, suddenly our problems don’t seem so bad.

When we help our children experience the joy of serving, we are actually teaching them to become lifelong servants. Statistics show that adults who volunteered as children give more money and volunteer more time than adults who began serving later in life.

Other research links mental and physical health benefits with servanthood. Still not convinced serving is a good idea?

People who serve have:

higher GPAs
higher levels of creativity
a greater understanding of and appreciation for others
tend to make healthier lifestyle choices
develop better social skills

As our little corner of the earth quiets down for the Fall and Winter, consider the blessing and the benefits of serving together as a family. Find a way to bless others and be blessed yourself!

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:2-4

Indoor Nature Study on Apples

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I’m going to let you in on a little secret: I don’t like to be outside. I love to be indoors where there’s no critters that attack you and leave you covered in itchy red bumps. I don’t like to be outside, but God gave me to boys that LOVE the outdoors. This year I committed to doing more nature studies and nature walks with my guys. The calendar may see that it’s Fall but where I live it’s still Summer. It can be too hot to be outside so I’ve started doing some nature studies with my boys indoors.

When I think of fall I think of the leaves changing and pumpkins and apples. I thought it would be fun to do a quick nature study with my boys about apples. They are one of our favorite fruits so it was fun to learn about how they grow. I started off with a short story called “How the Apple Blossom Came Back” from Outdoor Secrets. I also asked both my boys for a narration and then we headed to the table for some hands on fun!

Our short story explained to us that you can find a blossom on the inside of an apple. I never realized this because I typically cut our apples the other way. My boys were very excited to see the blossom in the center of the apple once it was sliced. The trick is to cut the apple from side to side and not top to bottom.

I had one more activity for my boys before I was going to let them eat their apples: apple stamping. This is the first year that we have been keeping nature journals and I love them. My plan was to have them stamp the apples on a page so that we could still see the blossom in the center. It didn’t work out that well but they still had a lot of fun. Also both my boys wrote short poems that I copied at the bottom of their pages.

While my boys enjoyed apples for a snack we read some books about apples and apple trees. I wish that we had an apple orchard to visit, but we grow citrus where we live. We spend some time reading books about apples, orchards and farms. I even threw in some fun picture books and stories about Johnny Appleseed. I found some pictures of apple orchards and blossoms online and we had fun looking at the beautiful pictures. Here are some of the books that we enjoyed:

How Do Apples Grow by Betsy Maestro
Johnny Appleseed by Reeve Lindbergh
Apples, Apples, Apples by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
Life on an Apple Orchard by Judy Wolfman
A Tree is a Plant by Clyde Robert Bulla

We have actually gone on ~~a few~~ one nature walk so far this school year. But we have done several indoor nature studies. My boys found a frog by our front door and we spent some time looking up different frog species. We were able to identify our little friend and my oldest son even drew pictures of the life cycle of the frog.

What about you? Do you get outside and explore God’s creation with your children? Do you have a favorite indoor study that you’ve done? I’d love some more ideas.

Heidi St. John

Speaking the Truth in Love