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Make a Dollhouse… Out of a Drawer
For that little girl in your life… what could be better than a homemade, totally cute dollhouse? When I saw this little gem:
I instantly fell in love! It reminds me of another dollhouse – much larger that I saw a few years ago over at Turkey Feathers. What a wholesome activity for little girls! Be sure to Check out NiceGirl Notes for the tutorial!
Homemade Checkers Game Board
In a day and age when most children are bombarded with electronic games, why not give your child a gift that will stand the test of time? This homemade checkers board game is so sweet! You could definitely change the colors if you want to make one for your boy! Be sure to visit Little Miss Momma to check out the tutorial!
The Children’s Table
One of my favorite traditions for Thanksgiving is the Children’s Table. It’s a table decorated just for the youngest members of the family – say 10 years old and under. In our house, Thanksgiving Dinner takes place around three or four o’clock in the afternoon. Needless to say, if the kids are not occupied with activities, waiting for dinner to be ready can be a challenge!
At the children’s table, I like to provide activities, decorations, and more just for the kids! Here are some ideas you might like to use:
- Cover the table with brown paper (such as paper grocery bags cut up or packing paper) and provide crayons for the kids to decorate their “tablecloth.”
- Have the children make the center piece, place cards, and napkin rings. Then, they can help set their table and make it pretty!
- Provide Thanksgiving coloring sheets and crayons or markers.
- Offer easy to assemble crafts such as Pilgrims hats and Bonnets or Native American Headdresses.
- Have the children decorate place mats that you print. Cut them out and glue to orange or brown construction paper. Then decorate the table with them.
- Make fun turkeys for kids to take home after dinner is over.
- Don’t forget to provide some fun desserts for the kids, too!
Make this Thanksgiving a day the kids won’t forget!
Spool Pumpkin Craft
This is a sweet and simple idea. I think you could use these little pumpkins at each place setting on your thanksgiving table – maybe take home favors or even use them as place cards. You could do these with your children as part of your homeschool, too!
These little pumpkins are frugal, too! Check out the tutorial over at I Can Teach My Child.
Owl Cupcakes
I love creating fun food for the kids to eat at my house. When I saw these sweet little owl cupcakes, I thought, “Now there is a delightful idea for our Thanksgiving get together!”
These owl cupcakes are just too sweet for words! The recipe is found over at Catching Fireflies. I think you could make these with a carrot cake recipe for a healthy dessert!
I also found these Owl Cupcakes over at One Charming Party and they are pretty cute, too!
American Girl Pioneer Party Idea
While perusing One Charming Party, I found this perfect idea for a party. Especially since I have four girls of my own at home. I am not very good at planning parties and then actually having them, but I think I could do something like this. Especially if I actually set aside the day and time and made real plans to do it. This would be so much fun and right up my girls alley! You’ll have the visit One Charming Party and read all about the wonderful ideas, activities, food and more that the girls experienced at the American Girl Pioneer Party!
The Pretty, Practical Notebook Dividers
Organize your Household Notebook/ Planner with these pretty, practical Dividers and Tabs! Just print onto cardstock, cut out, and insert into your notebook. Perfect for homeschooling moms! Included in this package are 26 Household Planner Dividers and over 50 Homeschool Planner Dividers!
Price: $19.95
Sale: $12.95 Available for Purchase on CurrClick.com
The Berenstain Bears Discover God’s Creation: Book Review
The Berenstain Bears Discover God’s Creation
by Stan and Jan Berenstain with Mike Berenstain
I remember nights snuggled up next to my mother for the bedtime story. My usual pick was one of our many Berenstain Bears titles. I loved the Berenstain Bears! As a mother now, I am often reading aloud stories that my own children pull off the bookshelf. More often than naught, I am reading a beloved Berenstain Bears book at bedtime.
One of the things I have always loved about this series of books, is that each one has a lesson to be learned. The books are sweet and charming and fun. Kids just naturally love them! And moms can feel good about what they are reading.
The back of the book tells us…
Mama Bear pulls the plug on TV, and the Bear cubs are upset! What are they going to do now? All it takes is a peek outside for Brother and Sister to see that God has given them a beautiful world that is far more fun than the TV screen.
The Berenstain Bears Discover God’s Creation is no different. Published by Zonderkidz, this delightful little hardback book is filled with engaging prose. Mama Bear begins the book saying:
“It seems to me, you cubs watch much too much TV!”
I love that! I am one of those moms who severely limits my kids television viewing. And every afternoon that the sun is shining, I tell the kids to go outside. I want them to experience God’s creation on a daily basis and appreciate the gifts of nature. I think Mama Bear is pretty wise!
She continues (after the cubs protest) saying:
“Watching all that TV slush will surely turn your brain to mush. I will not argue. You have no vote. I will keep the TV remote.”
Mama Bear gets my vote! I actually keep our TV remote up all the time. The kids have to have specific permission to turn on the TV. This book will encourage your family to watch less TV and get outside more. If you have young children like I do, this book is surely one for the bookshelf.
Child Training
Excerpted from the book From Chaos to Calm by Melissa Ringstaff
Scripture Memory: “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
I remember holding my son for the very first time and gazing with wonder that he was mine. What would he become? The answer to that question was found not in a book, but in my willingness to patiently teach him day by day.
James was my first and I had prepared myself as best I could for the job of being a mom. I read every book I could get my hands on. I wanted to know the best ways to do everything from feeding him to disciplining him.
That was nineteen years ago. One thing I have learned is that on the job training never ends. There is always more to learn. As a baby grows into a child and then into a teenager the problems a mother is faced with grow and change and only get more complex.
I now have five beautiful children of my own and through the years have learned that children require a great deal of patience and teaching. With each child I have learned better ways and new ways of dealing with the same problems. In all honesty, there are things I wish I could go back and change, but, unfortunately, any mistakes we make as moms cannot be undone.
How can a mother raise a child who loves the Lord, works hard, and is kind to others when this world encourages immorality?
Begin as soon as possible. Whether you have a newborn baby or teen, begin setting an example for Godly living today. It will be easier to change bad habits in a very young child than an older child, but it is possible to teach children at any age.
Be consistent. One of the biggest mistakes moms make is being inconsistent. When you tell your child the rules, follow through. If little Johnny knows he is not supposed to jump on the sofa, do not ignore the bad behavior because you don’t feel like dealing with a fuss or because you are busy.
Be patient. Being a mom is not always easy. You will have to teach your child the same principles over and over… and over again. Sometimes these teaching moments will be painful. When your child tests your resolve by mouthing off, it pains your heart. Patience will help you to deal with the disobedience without losing your cool. Patience will also help you to enjoy those many teachable moments. For instance, my children crowd around me in the kitchen to help. Often when cooking supper, I am rushed and wanting to get supper on the table fast. However, if I take the time to let the children stir the batter, tear the salad, or flip the patties, I have taught them how to love by my willingness to be patient.
Be firm. Children need to know their limits. If you allow your child complete freedom without setting specific limits, you will raise children who are out of control and rude. Parents who set reasonable rules for their children have children who are secure in their love and who are able to respect authority on a greater leave, i.e. teachers, employers, the government. Remember – if you say NO, do not give in and say YES. Whining, badgering, and complaining should never be a reason to change your mind. You will teach your children that if they beg long enough you will eventually wear down.
Be an example. If it is important to you that your children are well mannered, respect others, and work hard set the standard by your own behavior. Children learn more by watching you that they do by listening to you. Always remember to say please and thank you. If your child brings you a flower or helps to clean up, tell him thank you. When you are thoughtful of the needy in your church or community, you are setting a good example. If you want your child to learn to be neat, make sure you keep your own things picked up.
Be fun. Motherhood will pass by faster than you could ever imagine. I am still in shock that my son is almost 16! I wish I had realized years ago how much I wanted to hang onto the precious times we had together. Read to your child daily. Play games with your child. Laugh with your child. Explore the world together. Find the magic in the everyday moments. Snuggle as much as possible.
Be a witness. Giving a solid foundation of Biblical teaching is the greatest gift you can give your child. Pray with your child every morning and every night. Read the Bible together. Study together. Talk about the Scriptures and how the Bible applies to today. Show your child what it means to live a Godly life.
There will be times when you feel that all your hard work is not working! But you can trust God when he says, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Melissa Ringstaff is the Founding Director of A Virtuous Woman, a pastor’s wife, and homeschooling mom. She is the author of several titles including The Homemaker’s Journal: Keeping House, If It Were Not So…, Spring Cleaning for the Heart and Home and From Chaos to Calm: 15 Weeks to a Happy Home.
Rejoice! For He is Risen!
As Easter or (as I prefer to call it) Resurrection Day approaches, I thought it would be fun to share some great resources with you that you can use this Spring to celebrate all that He has done for us.
Read the Easter Story
1In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
9And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
10Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
11Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
12And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
15So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
16Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28, King James Version)
A Year of Family Worship
- Memory Verse: “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” Matthew 28:6
- Resurrection Cookies
- Resurrection Eggs
In the Kitchen
- Easter Menu – 2012
- Resurrection Rolls
- Parmesan Popovers
- Lemon Pie Bars
- Lemon Snowball Cookies
- Lemon Chess Pie
- Easter Recipes
- Passover Recipes
- Bunny Cupcakes
- Jelly Bean Carrots
- Sheep Cake
In the Garden
- Free Milkweed Seeds – Help the Monarch Butterflies
- Free Seed Exchange
- How to Make a Newspaper Pot – video
Everyday Crafts
Home Education
- Easter Lapbook
- Clouds Art Show
- Watercolor Lilypads Lesson
- Easter Math Drills
- Make Your Own Easter Worksheets
- Easter Resources for Teachers
Nature Study
