BIRTH ORDER OF CHILDREN

You've just been told that you are pregnant:
1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your OB/GYN confirms your pregnancy.
2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.
3rd baby: Your maternity clothes ARE your regular clothes. ________________________________________________
Preparing for the birth:
1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously.
2nd baby: You don't bother because you remember that last time breathing didn't do a thing.
3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your eighth month. ________________________________________________
The layette:
1st baby: You pre-wash newborn's clothes, color coordinate them, and fold them neatly in the baby's little bureau.
2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and discard only the ones with the darkest stains.
3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can't they? ________________________________________________
Worries:
1st baby: At the first sign of distress--a whimper, a frown--you pick up the baby.
2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten to wake your firstborn.
3rd baby: You teach your three-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing.
________________________________________________
Pacifier:
1st baby: If the pacifier falls on the floor, you put it away until you can go home and wash and boil it.
2nd baby: When the pacifier falls on the floor, you squirt it off with some juice from the baby's bottle.
3rd baby: You wipe it off on your shirt and pop it back in. ________________________________________________
Diapering:
1st baby: You change your baby's diapers every hour, whether they need it or not.
2nd baby: You change their diaper every two to three hours, if needed.
3rd baby: You try to change their diaper before others start to complain about the smell or you see it sagging to their knees. ________________________________________________
Activities:
1st baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, Baby Swing, and Baby Story Hour.
2nd baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.
3rd baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaner. ________________________________________________
Going out:
1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call home five times.
2nd baby : Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number where you can be reached.
3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.
________________________________________________
At home:
1st baby: You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby.
2nd baby: You spend a bit of everyday watching to be sure your older child isn't squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby.
3rd baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children. ________________________________________________
Swallowing coins:
1st child: When first child swallows a coin, you rush the child to the hospital and demand x-rays.
2nd child: When second child swallows a coin, you carefully watch for the coin to pass.
3rd child: When third child swallows a coin, you deduct it from his allowance.

Flashcards

Here is a way to keep all of those flashcards in one convenient place. I just punched two holes in the top of each card and then put book rings through the holes. No more 52 card pick-ups! That works for me!

Flip-Flops

Here is Trinity and Abel showing off their flip-flops that Mimi got them!

Daddy

“Walk a little slower daddy,”

said a child so small.

“I’m following in your footsteps

and I don’t want to fall.

Sometimes your steps are very fast,

Sometimes they’re hard to see;

So walk a little slower, Daddy,

For you are leading me.

Someday when I’m all grown up,

You’re what I want to be;

Then I will have a little child

Who’ll want to follow me

And I would want to lead just right,

And know that I was true;

So, walk a little slower, Daddy

For I must follow you.”

Wordless Wednesday

What Kind Of Home Do You Have?

Here are some characteristics of the children in the Child-Centered home:

1. Interrupt adults when they are talking.

2. Use manipulation and rebellion to get their way.

3. Dictate family schedule. (include meal times, bedtimes, etc.)

4. Take precedence over the needs of the spouse.

5. Have an equal or overriding vote in all decision making matters.

6. Demand excessive time and attention from parent to the detriment of the other biblical responsibilities of the parents.

7. Escape the consequences of their sinful and irresponsible behavior.

8. Speak to parents as though they were peers.

9. Be the dominant influence in the home.

10. Be entertained and coddled (rather than disciplined) out of a bad mood.

Now contrast that with children in the God-centered home:

1. To joyfully serve others.

2. To cheerfully obey parents the first time.

3. To not interrupt parents who are speaking to each other.

4. To understand they will not always get their own way.

5. To work their schedule around their parents' schedule.

6. To have input into family decisions but not necessarily an equal vote.

7. To understand that God has given their parents other responsibilities in addition to meeting their needs.

8. To suffer the natural consequences of their sinful and irresponsible behavior.

9. To not speak to parents as though they were peers but honor them as spiritual authorities.

10. To esteem others as more important than themselves.

11. To fulfill various household responsibilities (chores).

12. To protect themselves from certain bad influences.

13. To not divide parents over disciplinary issues.

(List from 'The Heart of Anger' by Lou Priolo)

Little Dancers

My kids are ADDICTED to the movie Hairspray! They cannot get enough of it................. I had enough of it after the first hundred times we watched it. They love to dance to it, over and over and over and over again! They sure do keep me amused! LOL!

Personalized Name Stamp

Aren't these nifty? These self inking stamps with a large 'dotted' font to promote printing. Each personalized stamp uses child safe washable ink to keep those little hands mess free while they enjoy printing their names on artwork, coloring pages, cards, etc. You can get them at The Little Stamp Company for $24.95.

Chore Sticks!

Trinity and I made some chore sticks today. We both decided on 5 chores that she needed to complete each day and then we painted 5 popsicle sticks yellow and 5 stars pink, of course! I wrote the chores on each star and then glued them to each stick. I put them in a glass and they sit on our kitchen counter. After a chore is done, she turns the stick over into the glass and it reveals the words "DONE!" on the opposite side of the stick. Once all 5 have been turned over, she gets money to spend at CVS or the grocery store. She is at the age where she loves helping me with things around the house so I expect her getting very rich, lol!

Crafty Idea

This is a way to keep all those crayons, markers and pencils all in one location. In fact, I want to try gluing cups onto a lazy susan so my kids can just spin the tray around for easy access. And with the cups glued down, there won't be any fear of cups getting separated from one another.

Words To Remember

Hang these words on a closet door.
Take up the whole armor of God. (Ephesians 6:13)

Write on paper cut like a dove. Hang over each child’s bed.
This is my child, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:17)

Post these words on the door you most use as a family to enter your home.
Today salvation has come to this house. (Luke 19:9)

Write these words on paper and place by the family table.
Day by day, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts. (Acts 2:46)

Easy + Fun Handmade Card

Here's a quick and easy card you can make! All you need to do is roll out a circle of paper clay. [sold at Michaels] Push your child's hand in the clay and let it dry for a day. When it's completely dry, glue it to your choice of card stock. This would also look cute framed in a shadow box.

*Paper clay is very light so it won't way down the card at all. You can also paint it!

Beanbags!

1) Cut your fabric to approximately 3"x4" pieces, sew them right sides together leaving about an inch and a half opening, and then turn them right side out.

2) Fill each bag with beans. I found that pinto beans seemed a little too large so I went with the trusty 'ol black beans. You can also use kernel corn.

3) Once they're stuffed, don't over fill or they have too much heft and not enough squish factor, just hand stitch the opening.

These are an incredibly versatile toy. We toss them in a basket, we walk around with them on our heads, we drop them in the basket from our heads, we hide them like Easter eggs, and we use them as seats and pillows for baby dolls. The play possibilities are as endless as your child's imagination.

Ice Cube Tub Time

Do you struggle with getting your kiddo into the bathtub? Here's a fun idea you can try and they just may change their minds!
Collect a few small toys like toy cars, plastic blocks, or plastic rings. Place them into separate plastic containers filled with water. Freeze until solid. When it's ready for bath time, take the frozen toys out of the freezer and let them thaw for a moment. Then pop them out of the containers and plop them into the warm tub water. My kids have fun waiting for their toy to un-freeze as they play in the tub. Now we are trying to find all different sorts of things for the next time.

Marble Paintings

Here is one of my favorite things to do with my kids!

We use an old plastic container, but it works just as well with a shoe box or any kind of box. Then we place a piece of paper in the box, add some dabs of paint and dropped in the marble. Slowly roll it around back and forth.

This fun art project is super easy and the mess is negligible. This is a great activity for the kids to do to make sweet gifts for their grandparents or their favorite friends.

GET ROLLIN'!

Mother, Mom, Ma, Michele, Mimi.....

You gave me love as well as life; so whatever goodness I may bring to earth began with the gift of my mother's heart.

Frozen Grape Pops!

Supplies for Frozen Grape Pops:
1. Grapes - any color or size, washed

2. Lollipop Sticks - preferably 8 inches long, but any size will do. You can buy these at Walmart, or any cake/candy supply place. (We tried these with popsicle sticks and they are too wide for the small grapes.)

First, wash the grapes and dry them as best you can with a paper towel. Then pick about 6 grapes per 8 inch stick. Using the hole side of the grape, push your grape onto the stick. Go down about 1-2 inches from the bottom. Now pile the rest on.



Place your grape sticks in a freezer safe plastic bag. It’s best to wait over night for really good frozen grapes.



This super healthy frozen treat is giving me the fix I need to stay away from too much ice cream. I got this great idea from Makes and Takes.

Homemade Water Sponge Toys

Buy new kitchen sponges from any grocery store and some “zip ties” which you can find at any hardware store.



Cut each sponge length-wise in thirds and then group together 8-9 cut pieces.





Center a zip tie around all the sponges and pull the tie through the hole. Pull the zip tie tight and cut off the excess. Now, fluff up the sponge strips and now you have a great water toy!

I got this great idea from Makes and Takes.

The ABC's Of Prayer

Helping children talk to God can be as easy as A-B-C. Use this simple guide to add some spark to your family's prayer life.

Adore God. Start the day by showing God love and honor. Greet God in prayer with words that show you love him and know he is wonderful. Talk about words that describe God, such as all-powerful, loving, and creative, then use those words in adoration.

Believe in God's abilities. Before we ask for God's help, we must believe he can help. Over breakfast, talk about God's ability to solve problems. In prayer, tell God you believe he can do everything!

Confess sins. Get your hands dirty, then wash them. Talk about how God washes our hearts when we confess sins. Have each person think about something he or she did that hurt someone, then ask for forgiveness.

Delight in God and his creation. Romans 1:20 teaches that when we look at what God made, we learn about God. Take a nature walk and thank God each time you stop to look at something he made.

Express the need for God. In humility seek the truth of Christ's words in John 15:5: "Apart from me, you can do nothing." Talk to your child about why you need God. Ask your child why he needs God. Together thank God for always being with each of you.

Focus on one need. There is no need to rush through a wish list of all the problems you want God to solve—he already knows. A mind crowded with problems will feel stressed. For today, think of the need weighing on you the most. Let God give you peace about that one problem.

Give thanks to God. Help your child think of the blessings in her life and thank God for each one. Write them in a journal. This helps develop an attitude of gratitude.

Humor lightens the heart. Tell God the funny things that happen, too. Look back and find the funny side of frustrating moments and laugh. God, who created monkeys and cuckoo birds, likes to laugh with us.

Invite the Holy Spirit to guide each of you. Take your child on a blindfolded walk, guiding him around obstacles. Discuss how God sent the Holy Spirit to guide us around problems, including ones we may not even see.

Journal as a form of prayer. Let your children write or draw a prayer. Encourage them to write whatever God puts in their minds. Have younger children tell you what they want to say and record their words for them.

Keep knocking. Read about the poor widow who kept knocking in Luke 18:1-8. Make a doorknob hanger with a prayer request on it and tell your child to pray about that request every time he sees the hanger.

Love God and express that love in words. Expressing love for God and remembering his love helps us look beyond our problems and hold on to his promises. As you pray, fold your arms across your chest as though you are hugging—and being hugged by—God.

Mean what you say. Honesty is important in any relationship, especially your relationship with God. Read Psalm 102 and talk about how it's okay to tell God how we feel, even when we are sad or angry. Practice being honest with God as you pray.

Never give up, but persevere in your prayers. If you've got an unanswered prayer, continue taking it to God. If you're dealing with a difficult situation, ask God to give you the strength to deal with it. Trust that God will answer your prayers in his way and in his time.

Offer yourself and your talents to God. Make a list of your child's talents, from a great smile to a nice singing ability to being a fast runner. Then pray with your child, asking God to show her how to use these abilities to serve him. Use one of those talents for God today.

Praise the Lord. Rejoice for what God has done and will do. Sing or listen to a praise song as part of your prayers.

Quietly listen and wait for God's response. Read Psalm 46 and then sit still and let your heart feel God's love. Listen for God to speak to your hearts. Share anything God may have told you, reflect on memorized verses, or read a passage from the Bible. Help your child discover that God speaks through his Word.

Repent. Repentance is an act of regret and turning away from sin. To stop doing the same bad things takes strength. Help your child make a "God can help me" sign and post it in her room as a reminder to ask for God's help to resist sin and repent of wrongdoing.

Seek God's help for others. Our concern for others touches God's heart. Write the names of people who need God's guidance and comfort. Pray for each.

Trust God and expect answers. Read the words on a penny about trust. Talk about how trust grows just like a pile of coins can grow, a little at a time. Post a paper on your refrigerator to jot down answers to prayer, and watch the paper fill up!

Unite your will with God's. God knows what is best. Talk about your prayer requests and why they might or might not be in God's will, then pray for God to show you his will and to help you accept his plans for you.

Value yourself. As you end your prayers today, realize that God values you. Read Psalm 139 as a reminder of how much God loves you.

Worship God. Think of worship as blowing kisses to God. Take turns saying something great about God. Blow kisses toward heaven after each praise.

X-ray hearing; that is, listen intently. Prayer is a two-way communication, so stop and listen for God's voice in your heart. Read about how Elijah listened and heard God whisper in 1 Kings 19:11-13.

Yearn to learn from prayer and be changed by it. Even as you end today's prayer time, yearn for the next time. Think of God as a friend you can't wait to talk with again. Make a plan to pray again soon.

Zealously share. Share joy by sharing love with others. Share answers received, telling others of God's greatness in providing answers.

Prayer is a continuous adventure in drawing closer to God and developing a relationship with him. It involves the desire to know, listen, and serve God, as well as sharing experiences and needs. Master these basic skills and make your family's communication with God a joyful celebration of his goodness.

Menu Plan Monday

I'm sure most of you have heard of Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious Cookbook. She claims a foolproof system: delicious and easy-to-make stealth recipes that sneak in puréed veggies so kids will never suspect the foods they love are actually good for them! This week I am going to try out some of her recipes and see how my family responds to them!

Monday: Beef Stew (with hidden broccoli purée)

Tuesday: Quesadillas w/ Avocado Spread (with hidden butternut squash purée)

Wednesday: Chicken Nuggets (with hidden broccoli & sweet potato purée)

Thursday: Italian Meatloaf (with hidden carrot purée)

Friday: Day Off

Saturday: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches (with hidden sweet potato purée)

Sunday: Spaghetti & Meatballs (with hidden carrot and butternut squash purée)