Apples 2011

And here we are at 2011.I tried a caramel apple pizza… not so hot.  It would’ve been delish if it didn’t have tomato sauce on it!  The biggest hit with the pizzas was pineapple and caramelized onion.  So here I am popping pizzas in the oven while Sarah measures out the ingredients for caramel.  Yum.

Fortunately, the kiddos still enjoyed rolling them in toppings.  {mini m&ms, coconut, sliced almonds, Heath crunchies, mini marshmallows…}

I dipped mine in almonds.  Yum.

Note the caramel spot on Andrew’s nose.  And how many marshmallows he managed to stick onto one little apple slice.  Talent, I tell ya.  That boy’s got talent. 

Note most of these pictures are taken from above.  Way above.  Chris had a lot of fun standing on barstools, counters and other tall spots.  Seth was rooting him on.  Then we had a dance-off with Clara and Abbie.    Good times with great friends.

The End.

Planning for a {long} trip

ROAD TRIP! I'm looking forward to scenic drives & great family memories!

We’re gearing up for our family vacation… and it’s time to figure out how to keep six children under 12 happy for thirteen plus hours of car time.  Each way.  Heh heh

Going on a Bear Hunt is ringing in my ears… What a beautiful day, we’re not scared!  Maybe I should be…  Nah!  It’ll be FUN!  This is our third big trip (first was to DC, second to the Smoky Mountains and Asheville, North Carolina) so I’m going to pull out my tried-and-true ideas and add in some fresh ones for a grand ole time!

Today is brainstorming… I’ll share the links & ideas I like with you:

1) Print some funny questions for family giggles.
2) Here are some fun printable ideas, including Road Trip Bingo, and a great tip… laminate, laminate, laminate!  I also love these, but the chick is from Australia, so we may have a hard time finding a Holden (?) or a Kangaroo Crossing sign!
3) I may make one of these to keep the van trash-free.
4) This car magnet could keep my kiddos from getting run over in parking lots.
5) I like some of these ideas… like pinning up our destinations in the van.  Maybe I could put something fun on the back of each for us to do upon arrival… or something to look for while there (I like that better)!!
6) I made a homemade I Spy bottle last trip & it was a hit, I plan to do that again.
7) I’ll print a US Map for the liscense plate game- the children can color in the states as they see plates from each.  We see ‘em all here in Florida!
I always include an itenerary to reduce the “are we there yet” and “how much longer” questions.
9) I’ll include some fresh snack ideas, like these “Energy Bites” and these Chocolate Coins.  {Am I really gonna have time to make all this?}
10) I wish I liked sewing.  I’d make a Road Trip Quilt & include fabrics that remind me of each destination.  Forget scrapbooking, I could make a quilt for each trip!  Maybe I’ll take it up… Hmm…
11) Almost done- I need some sleep.  I saw several ideas on Confessions of a Homeschooler‘s site that may help me with our folders.  I’m getting excited just looking all this up!
12) I hope to have time to make a Road Trip Playlist.  What are your favorite trippin’ songs?!  I don’t want to forget any!

It’s gonna be fun… send me any ideas you love & I’ll add it to my arsenal!!!

A New Kind of Growth Chart?

We’ve been working on these handprint monkeys as part of our India study.  Reading Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling has inspired us.  Georgia Anne loved it when I painted her hands!

I borrowed the idea from a facebook friend who, apparently, borrowed it from somebody big because when I googled it, a million (okay, not really- but a lot) people had these on their blogs, facebook, websites, etc.

This website, in particular, caught my eye.  What if, instead of growth charts, we did semi-annual handprint projects with our kiddos?  Wouldn’t it be a fun way to watch them grow!?!

Clara hadn’t participated in the monkey handprint project because, well, I didn’t really think she was paying too much attention to Kipling.  But I think I may go back & have her do one.  And I think we may need to do Thanksgiving turkeys and Winter (bare) trees and Spring sunflowers and Summer crabs… you get the picture.  The memories that accompany the growing handprints will be priceless!

Priorities

As I read before bed last night, after a sick mommy day where life’s priorities are suddenly seen with a clarity lacking in my healthy I-can-d0-everything days, this passage struck me regarding children:

 Jesus, too, loved hearing the children, and once it even triggered His anger.  The Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of the universe was fuming.  His disciples were only trying to help- protecting him, guarding him from the crowds… But when Jesus saw them rebuking… the children… “he was indignant.  He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”  If this set Him off, it gives me pause to think He’s watching us now…

A new week is begun.  Monday is a day when we set priorities, make lists, start “back to school”.  We would do well to prioritize our lives not by what seems urgent but by the kingdom of God.

The grass can grow another 1/2 inch, the floor can be quickly swept instead of scrubbed & mopped, the world will not stop if you miss a facebook update…  Instead, read your little princess the story again.  Check out the amazing lego ship (that happens to look exactly like the last one he showed you) and admire the updated super-sonic engine with force field blasters your son brings down.  Talk to your teen.  (I’m totally preaching to myself here…)

Lord, help me to pour my life into the ones you’ve given me to love.  Amen.

Raise Your Eyebrows

<- This is Michelle.  {Hi Michelle!}

Michelle is a wise, sweet, hospitable, godly woman.  When she shares a tip, I listen.

“Remember to raise your eyebrows!” she counselled me a couple of weeks ago.  At first, I was totally confused.  Is this some sort of wierd 80′s face exercise to stay youthful??  (Totally off the subject, but you MUST make time to click that link!)

No, it’s more of a biblical heart exercise along the “put off/put on” lines.  Try it now… it’s pretty hard to have a grumpy face and raise the eyebrows at the same time, isnt’ it?!  When I raise my eyebrows, it reminds me to smile.

Whether teaching or correcting the children, or just sending them on a quick errand, instructing with a smile communicates my love and gratefulness for the Lord sending them into my life.

Genesis 4- “So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 yIf you do well, will you not be accepted?2 And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. zIts desire is for3 you, but you must rule over it.”

Don’t let your face fall- Genesis reminds us it’s an indication of your heart! Put on a smile for those you love today.

Summer + Reading =FREE Books!!

My kids love summer.  And they LOVE to read.

I love their imaginations, all the cool stuff they learn and how quiet it is while they’re curled up with a good book!

Every summer, they look forward to a trip to Barnes & Noble.  B&N knows how to get this Mamma through the door… children, 1st – 6th grade, can read 8 books of their choice and earn a free book from B&N!

We’re headed there today… hope to come home with a few good books!  You have until September 6, 2011 to do the same.

Summer Safety

Summer is in full swing and our children are having a blast!  Pool mornings, beach days, family visits, and extra time with friends make for happy kids and great summer memories.

With homework and early bedtimes in the past, it’s possible to focus so much on fun that children become careless.  Right now, in the middle of summer diversions, is the perfect time for a family refresher on summer safety

In all honesty, I would usually gloss over an article like this.  I mean, I’ve been parenting forever.  I have six kids who have never broken a bone.  Do I need a basic safety lesson?

Yes, yes I do.  A few weeks ago our family had an accident that reminded me of the importance of safety.

What was your most recent family disaster?  Sunburns or jellyfish stings?  A kitchen fire?  A lost child for three… five… 20 minutes?  Maybe a bike accident resulting in stitches or broken bones?  Whatever the trauma, being prepared can make the difference between panic and desperation and managing the chaos in a careful, orderly way.

One of the most important things for children to know is that it is always okay  to come straight to you.  We’ve taught our children to stop, take a deep breath, think and pray and come straight to Mom.  Having a clear head in an urgent matter is crucial!

Of course, most summer safety issues are relatively benign.  Remembering sunblock when surfing, staying hydrated in the Florida heat… these are easy when friends are looking out for each other.  Being aware of rip currents and always using the buddy system when in the water, knowing how to treat a sting, and who to trust (stranger safety) should be reviewed at age-appropriate times.

When Ben severed a tendon and fractured his toe at the beach, Ben’s friends wisely carried him straight to me.  I have never been so grateful for the well-stocked first-aid kit we keep in the van!!  We were able to clean the wound, glob on antibiotic ointment to keep the gauze pads from sticking and minimize infection, and then tape with enough pressure to reduce bleeding until we could get to the fire station and urgent care center then orthopedic surgeon.

No matter how prepared you or your children are, crazy accidents (like a shovel slipping from the hand and resulting in surgery!) can catch us by surprise.  2 Corinthians 12:9 offers comfort.  Jesus said, “My grace is sufficient for you, formy power is made perfect in weakness.”    Ask God for guidance while doing what you can and getting to help.  The wisdom of knowing who to turn to can help keep your family safe this summer!

This article was originally published in The Creekline.

Make time for FUN!

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I am so serious.

I love to smile and laugh, but my default mode is “get it done and move on to the next thing”. I guess that sinful focus on to-do’s instead of relationships is affectionately referred to as task-oriented.

Since I’m wired that way, I have to be really intentional about having fun with my children. I could definitely spend the whole day accomplishing tasks and miss out on the privilege I have as a homeschooling mamma to develop relationships with my littles… to truly get to know them.

Enter the glasses.

I bought them in the $1 bin and we took them to the zoo. Everyone took turns wearing them because, well we don’t already get enough looks as a family of 8. {hahaha}

It was fun! We laughed and posed and made some silly memories… and didn’t see every exhibit. {pat pat pat on the back!} Now I’m brainstorming my next way to lighten up… how do you make time for fun?

There’s an App for That!

MUSM! CU L8R @ *$.  143!

Can you make out this text?  It reads: Miss you so much!  See you later at Starbucks.  I love you!

Deciphering texts and instant messages can be like cracking Hammurabi’s code.  All the acronyms are helpful when you know how to use them, but are utter confusion if you can’t translate and understand.

Emails aren’t exempt either.  As messages are transmitted through 2x3” screens and teeny-tiny keyboards, people of all ages are resorting to acronyms.  Perhaps you’ve read LOL (laugh out loud), BRB (be right back) or OTOH (on the other hand) in an email and stared, clueless, at the screen before figuring out the meaning through context.

My hubby has been a computer student & then programmer for our whole marriage, so changes in technology are constant here.  We used 143 (I love you!) and other beeper codes back in high school (remember those days?!).  As his time on the computer increased, it was completely natural to segue to IMs and texts, adding LOL, UCM (you call me) and so many others to our messaging vocabulary.  ROTFLOL (rolling on the floor laughing out loud) was the upgrade when something was *really* funny.  These quick phrases made it easy to share a thought and saved quite a few strokes on the keyboard!  So is ROTFLMAO something even funnier still?  No, when I saw that one (rolling on the floor laughing my *** off), I realized there is a side of messaging that is crass.  And believe me, it gets worse!

It is important to remember the meaning of the words behind these abbreviations and to train our children to be careful in choosing their words- spoken and typed.  A glance through your child’s cell or iPod text history (yes, you can text through an iTouch app) may be helpful in instructing them to use words wisely.

Let me be clear, this is not a witch-hunt!  As a parent, it is your responsibility to teach and train your children- youngsters and teens.  When looking at texts and emails, remember that they may innocently be using phrases that are unkind or inappropriate.  But we should also be aware that our little angels may be using texts to say things they would never say aloud or to hide true intentions!

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” -Psalm 19:14  This passage from the Bible reminds us that our words are important to the Lord and need to be carefully chosen.  It also points out that what is done seemingly in secret- meditations of our heart- is known by Him.  Let’s teach our children to carefully choose their words, thoughts and texts!  Let’s seek to please our Maker and be honoring to our friends and classmates.

Boundaries in messaging are appropriate.  A Jacksonville father decided not to allow his son to have unlimited texting because he felt it was an avenue that could lead to trouble.  Another parent sits down with her children periodically and reads through messages together.  My mom always said, “If your house were burning down, I’d run through the fire to go in and rescue you!”  Meaning, she would take the heat I gave her for looking at my messages if through that she could help me make better decisions and see areas of sin.  Are you willing to be a parent instead of a buddy?  It may be time to ask your daughter to sit down at the table with you and show you her texts.

When we talked about this topic, my hubby laughingly said, “If you wouldn’t say it in front of your grandma or your pastor, you shouldn’t be texting it!”  Our children know that exclaiming, “Oh my God!” is irreverent.  They shouldn’t take the Lord’s name in vain.  So it follows that OMG would be inappropriate to text to express surprise or excitement.

Ephesians 4:29 certainly applies.  “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”  Whether instant messaging, texting, emailing or doing any other app- let’s remind our children if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all!

This article was originally published in The Creekline.

14 Ways to Say I Love You

Dear Mommy, I love you very much.  Thank you for being a very good Mommy.  Hear is a sertificet for me to hold Clara wile you tak a nap. 

Love, Lauren

I found this note on the lunch table with a purple drawing of me and Lauren at the bottom.  Lauren had been using her spare moments during school that morning to write it and she slipped it into my spot before I sat down to eat.  I discover thoughtful notes like this on my pillow, at the school table, and on my desk regularly- it’s Lauren’s special way of saying, “I Love You!”

School is back in session and most of our lives get busier as we add assignments, sports, clubs, and other activities to our schedules.  Don’t let these things crowd out what is most important!  Every day, make a point to tell your children and your spouse how much they mean to you.

Hearing “I Love You” never gets old, but as the old Extreme song says, we need to communicate with more than words.  I love to take my young children in my arms and look carefully in their eyes before telling them, “I’m so glad the Lord put you in our family!”  Our sixth grader is a bit big to sit in my lap, though, and so I’m broadening my methods of showing my love.  This month, I thought I’d share 14 ways to say (and show!) I Love You”

1. Write a note!  Leave on a pillow, in a lunchbox, at the table, in the car…

2. Pick up a special treat that will make them smile.  (Stickers, tic tacs, silly bandz, candy bar, flowers, balloons…)

3. Stop everything you’re doing, look into your child’s eyes and tell them how much they mean to you!

4. Fill their closet with balloons while they’re sleeping for an early morning surprise!

5. Write a note on the mirror with a dry erase marker or lipstick.

6. Look in their eyes and smile.  Wear that smile all day.

7. Have a family party for no reason.  Publix has adorable mini cakes for around $10, I picked up the rubber ducky one, pizza bites and a movie and transformed an ordinary night into a great memory.  Make your home a fun place to be!

8. Stop and really listen when they’re talking to you.  Ask questions or smile & comment to show you’re really listening.  (Even if it’s about Star Wars.  Again.)

9. Proclaim a chore-free day!

10. Make a favorite meal.  Or a special meal.  Or serve breakfast on china.  Add candles!

11. Say only nice things to and about your children all day.

12. Take a family walk, bike ride, swim, or all kick the soccer ball around.

13. Pick up one child for a special, surprise, lunch together!

14. Cook together.

Really, the best way to show your child you love them is to really know them.  I know Timothy loves to be hugged, kissed, hold hands, picked up & spun in circles… so I do those things.  Ben loves to dream and talk and create.  I can show my love for him by listening, not being too critical, and encouraging his dreams and inventions.

September is “Back to School” for your children and for you!  Your continuing education assignment this week is to study your child.  Brainstorm your own creative ways to show your love!  Then, every day, choose from your enhanced list a special way to show I Love You!