Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Motherhood

A handful of kids were asked personal questions
about their moms...
Here are their honest answers, word for word:

Why did God make mothers?
1.-She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2.-Think about it, it was the best way to get more people.
3.-Mostly to clean the house.
How did God make mothers?
1.- He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2.- Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
What ingredients are mothers made of?
1.- God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1.- God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.
Describe the world's greatest mom?
1.- She would make broccoli taste like ice cream!
What kind of little girl was your mom?
1.- My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2.- I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
Is anything about your mom perfect?
1.- Her teeth are perfect, but she bought them from the dentist.

Aren't these answers adorable?! Yet, as cute as these responses are, as we grow older and especially as we become parents ourselves, we learn the true meaning of motherhood.

Motherhood is giving your child courage on the first day of school. Motherhood is giving your child reassurance when they are teenagers and don’t want to hear a word you have to say. Motherhood is saying sorry when you have had an argument. Motherhood is sacrificing sleep to nurture your child, it is relearning long division to help your kids with homework, it is developing a taste for macaroni and cheese, it is science projects, soccer practice, PTA meetings, chauffeuring, hugs and kisses, life lessons, blood sweat and tears, unconditional love and affection, loyalty, support, comfort, friendship and especially patience.



*I don't remember where I found this but had saved because I thought it was so cute.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Share with us your best coupon tip


I really need help with this one. I rarely use coupons. I know how much money can be saved when you use them but I just don't know where to start. We don't get the Sunday paper and I haven't taken the time to figure out the "game." So, please help me out. Let me know your favorite tip(s) on using coupons. Thanks for your help!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Woo hoo

I just have to share this with you all. My youngest son slept from 9:00 pm last night until 7:10 am this morning - straight through in his crib for the first time ever!! He is almost 18 months old. If you have a child who is not a great sleeper, you know why I am so excited. Last night was my first full night of sleep in years - I'm not exaggerating. I may not have another in just as many years because last night may have been a fluke but who knows, this may be the start of something new. :) Woo hoo!
If you have a Woo hoo, please share with us in the comments so we can celebrate with you. Simple or big, we want to hear!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Attitudes

Our children are like mirrors - they reflect our attitudes in life.

The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. Proverbs 20:7

A man was asked to give a commencement address several years ago and as he sat on the platform after the speech watching the graduates receive their college degrees, the entire audience began applauding for a student who had earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average. During the applause, a faculty member seated next to the speaker leaned over and said to him, "She may be Miss Genius, but her attitude stinks." The speaker later said, "Without even thinking, my hands stopped clapping for her in mid-air. I couldn't help but think, How sad."
No matter how beautiful, intelligent, talented, or athletic a child may be . . . there's no substitute for a child having a positive, loving attitude toward others! The foremost architect of that attitude is not going to be a teacher or a pastor, but the parents.
Be careful in the attitudes you "feed" your children daily. They become the diet of your child's mind, just as food becomes the diet for your child's body. Don't feed your children junk ideas, sour opinions, rotten theology, poison feelings, or wilted enthusiasm. Instead, feed your children with the best and most positive ideas, expressions of feeling, and opinions you have!

- God's Little Devotional Book

Friday, February 4, 2011

Share with us your favorite place to buy kids shoes


I wasn't sure what topic to pick this week. I'm not even really sure if you care. There wasn't much of a response last week. But maybe a lot of you have not had much experience with getting your kids hair cut. I've been thinking a lot about shoes recently and figured that would be a topic most moms could share about.
So let us know. Where is your favorite place to buy your kids' shoes and why?

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Birthday Snow Day Project


Today is my daughter's 7th birthday and we are home with a snow day! I saw this cute project at Family Fun (link at bottom) and thought today would be a good day to share it with you! Have fun!


This whimsical kit is easily made by covering three cardboard boxes with felt, then cutting out piping and other decorations from the leftover material. The felt sticks to itself, so your little decorator can design and redesign her confection as often as she'd like. The icing on the cake for parents? All of the pieces store neatly inside the bottom box when not in use.

Materials
Disappearing fabric marker (the ink fades from the felt)
3 round cardboard boxes in graduated sizes (ours measure 7-1/2, 4, and 3 inches; we got them at Michaels for $6 total)
Felt (we used 1/4 yard each for the large and medium-size boxes and 1/8 yard for the small, plus two 9- by 12-inch sheets for decorations)
Scissors
Tape measure (optional)
Tacky glue
Sponge brush and bowl (optional, for spreading the glue)

Instructions

Using the marker, trace the lid of the largest box onto the felt, as shown, then cut out the shape. Next, measure and cut two strips of felt, one to fit around the side of the lid and the other to fit around the side of the box (leave the area under the lid uncovered, as shown, so that the box will close). Glue the pieces to the box and lid. Do the same for the remaining boxes. Cut out felt decorations, such as flowers and piping (for templates).

To make a candle, download our templates. Trace the shapes onto felt and cut them out. Glue together the candle and flame as shown, run a line of glue along the right edge of the square, then starting from the left, roll the material into a cylinder shape.















Glue the half-circles onto the bottom of the candle as shown. Let the glue dry, then fold down the pink flaps.





Tips:
For easier cutting, first iron freezer paper (shiny side down) to the felt. Use a glue stick to adhere templates to the freezer paper, then cut out the shapes and peel off the paper.

http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/build-a-cake-play-set-923565/

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Choices


*Choices are a big deal to toddlers and are an effective way to encourage good behavior. Getting dressed struggles? "You can wear either this shirt or this one." Cleanup contention? "You can pick up this mess while singing either the Barney song or the Bob the Builder one." Rushing to leave? "I can put your shoes on for you and carry you out to the car, or you can put them on all by yourself and meet me in the car seat."
*Choices can be as simple as letting your child pick between doing the right thing or receiving the consequence. "You can give me the toy or I can take it from you." "It's your choice - do you want to stop whining and play nicely with your sister, or would you rather take a nap?"
*Don't you just love to make your children laugh? Especially when the alternative is a preschool power struggle. "I don't want to wear that shirt!" she insists. "Fine, then I'll wear it," you concede while putting her size three shirt on your head and walking around bumping into things. "Here, now you try it. Hey, it fits you perfectly!" Or you can hop around on one foot that is wearing your son's little jeans that he refuses to wear. As often as possible, look for the humor in raising toddlers!
*In some ways, toddlers can be easier to discipline than older kids. Try giving them this simple choice. Hold up two fingers and explain, "If you choose this finger and obey Mommy, you will receive the blessing in heaven. But if you pick this finger and disobey, you will be choosing the consequences here on earth." Most of the time you don't even have to have a punishment in mind; they love to choose the obedient finger. As they run off to obey, call after them with this encouragement: "I see God smiling at you from heaven while He's preparing your reward!"
*Use your child's desire for independence to your advantage. "I can do it by myself!" seems to be the battle cry of toddlers everywhere. That's why, if you offer them the choice of putting toys away all by themselves or allowing you to help, they will usually go for the heady feeling of self-sufficiency. If they don't, however, "help" them by placing your hand over theirs while they pick up all their toys. That isn't quite as much fun as watching you clean up for them, and it makes the choice of allowing you to help a little less appealing next time.