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Summer Reads

Posted by on June 11, 2012 3 Comments

One of the great things about summer is staying up late with a bowl of popcorn and a great book that you’re reading as a family. Nothing’s better than seeing wide eyes hanging on your every word and hearing little voices begging for “just one more chapter!”

And although we do read-alouds year around, there’s something magical about the open expanse of possibilities waiting for kids in June, July, and August. It seems the days will stretch on forever and that bedtimes are made to be broken. And I love it!

In the spirit of non-scheduled days of freedom and fun, we’ve amassed a pile of books to read aloud as a family this summer. The only criteria? They must be Newbery Award Winners, because I feel that those books are classic pieces of literature rather than simply published stories. On the docket:

  • The Twenty-One Balloons (we’re almost done with this one!)
  • The Indian in the Cupboard
  • Out of the Dust
  • Bud, Not Buddy
  • Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

What will you be reading with your kids this summer? Or what are some of your favorites that you can recommend?

Filed Under: Family Night, Read-Aloud Books, Teaching Reading | Tagged: Tagged With: , , , , , ,

FREE Summer Goal Sheet

Posted by on May 18, 2012 2 Comments

When I think of summer I think of a wide expanse of minutes stretching into days that culminate in memories. Like so many moms, I want to make sure to be intentional about how I spend those minutes and days, so when autumn blows in I can look back without regrets.


Those of us who have the privilege of staying home with our kids have a unique opportunity to spend 90 days — 1/4 of the year! — being our kids’ teacher, taxi driver, nature discovery pointer-outer, adventure director, and spiritual guide.  Of course we’re always those things, but summer is a special time to be on the clock, ’round the clock.

That’s why we’re going into this summer with some goals. A goal sheet is not about deadlines and demands: it’s about dreams and doing life together. I’ve affectionately named our goal sheet a {beach} bucket list and I’d love for you to download your own!

Here’s your FREE DOWNLOADABLE CHART (.pdf) or simply click and drag the .jpg above!

What do you hope to do this summer with your family?

 

 

Filed Under: Enjoying Nature, Family Night, For Fun, goal-setting, Having fun with your kids, Idea Lists, Lists, Time Management, Treasuring Your Kids | Tagged: Tagged With: , ,

“Not Every Moment Is Teachable”: True or False?

Posted by on April 18, 2012 4 Comments

A few years ago I went to a writer’s conference and pitched a book proposal about creating teachable moments at home within the context of family traditions. Between meetings with editors, I managed to bend the ear of a published author who was one of the conference coordinators; I was hoping to float my idea and get her “take” while waiting for my next appointment.

As I started in with my pitch, I had barely finished sputtering out my concept when she interrupted me with a wincing rebuke, “Ya know…I just don’t think that everything has to be about learning. Not every moment has to be teachable. Kids need some time to just have fun!”

Point taken. I understand what she was trying to say (though an added measure of grace would have been gladly accepted).

Yet I wonder if there’s a nuance here that we’re missing.

Today my Bible Study teacher reminded us that “If you’re a parent, you. are. a teacher!”

It convicted me anew of something we all know to be true: Whether or not you intend to teach, YOU ARE.

You teach in your actions. So do I.

You teach in what you say;

In what you fail to say. So do I.

You teach in how you love;

In how you respond under trial. So do I.

You teach in so many ways, that whether you set out to design a teachable moment or not, rest assured, the moment is teaching them SOMETHING.

The question is, “WHAT?”

What do you think about the author’s response? Is it true?

 

Filed Under: Character Training, Family Night | Tagged: Tagged With: , ,

4 Reasons for Family Fitness

Posted by on April 14, 2012 2 Comments

Last week at this time my toes were digging themselves inches into the cool, wet seashore on Florida’s Gulf Coast. With a hand shielding my eyes from all the sun and gorgeousness, I sank back into my low-slung chair and let my legs rest from our family’s morning run.

Why we’re doing it

This year our oldest child decided to take part in his school’s Running Club which will culminate this May in a 5K race. Part of the requirements for the club include using a chart to record healthy eating, getting enough sleep, and doing the suggested workouts at home, among several others.

The caveat has been, do we allow our 4th grader to run down the road in any direction for 20 or 30 minutes without supervision? Or trust him (and crazy drivers) on busy roads? 

Even though we live in a fairly safe area, my husband and I didn’t feel comfortable with the prospect of opening the door and pushing him out without one of us along. SO…that means mom and dad are running, too.

We’ve discovered 4 Reasons for Family Fitness

  1. Running together encourages your kids. Let’s face it: for as much running around as our children do, running without stopping and without balls to chase–for 20 or 30 minutes–is difficult. (Be assured it’s not all that easy for mom, either!!) But running as a family shows solidarity and gives you a great opportunity to encourage your kids. Remind them that when they feel weak, it’s a chance for Jesus to be strong within them! The joy comes full circle when you see them returning that same love to others: our son came home from school yesterday and told us how he encouraged a struggling classmate in the club. He has learned the power of encouragement!
  2. Running with your children is the best way to model the healthy living you promote with your lips. It’s easy to say we want to be healthy, but when it comes down to it, we must ask HOW our kids see us LIVING IT OUT.  My husband and I have been called out more than a few times on our Coke-drinking and have had to pull in the reins a bit, opting for more water. The older the kids, the more they take notice of those little things!
  3. Family fitness is a terrific way to spend time together talking and bonding: it’s a new shared experience. Moments outside without the distractions of ringing phones, TV sets blaring, and doorbells ringing provide precious moments to catch up on the day, ask about friendships, and show genuine interest in all parts of their lives.
  4. Family fitness gives you the joy of shared accomplishments. We’re looking forward to our 5K next month, but along the way we have the satisfaction of small victories each time we run. The sense that we did it! And we did it together!…is a great feeling to share as a family.
Have you ever attempted a race as a family? Or do you workout together? Why do you enjoy it?

 

Filed Under: Enjoying Nature, Family Challenges, Family Night, goal-setting, Physical Fitness/Family Fitness | Tagged: Tagged With: , ,

Bible Verse Scavenger Hunts + 1

Posted by on February 28, 2012 2 Comments

Studies show* that kids love a great scavenger hunt.

A year ago I shared how we’ve used them in our family for special nights together (i.e. Valentine’s Day with kids) and to unveil a gift or fun activity (i.e. We’re going to Disney World!).

This year we combined those two components and unveiled a surprise on Valentine’s evening; little did I know that it would be me receiving the gift!

Thanks to the bargain-loving folks at TravelZoo, my husband and I splurged on a small ski getaway near our home. To make the reveal fun and to incorporate themes of love on Valentine’s while using the Bible, we made a scavenger hunt to tell our secret.

Here’s How:

  1. I wanted the kids to find the words “We’re going to Crystal Mountain” in the riddles, so I did keyword searches for each word on Bible Gateway and found verses for each one.
  2. These verses were copy/pasted separately on 5 different sheets of paper along with a discussion question following each.
  3. Additionally, I printed out separate copies of each verse and bold printed the key word that would help them figure out the riddle. The printouts went into numbered envelopes that were hidden in the house for step #5.
  4. As we sat together on the living room floor, we had our kids look up each verse, read it aloud, and then do brief activity for each (FREE DOWNLOAD AT BOTTOM).

  5. After each verse was read, the kids had to hunt for the corresponding numbered envelope and not open it. Once the envelope was found, I gave them the next handout (Amazing Race style).
  6. After all verses were completed and all envelopes found, the kids opened 5 envelopes and pulled out the verses with key words in bold. It only took them moments to unscramble the bold printed words and figure out: ”We’re going to Crystal Mountain” !

Insert cheers and craziness!

As fun as it was to surprise them, the Lord gave me a gift in the process of discussing these verses. For example, one of the verse activities asked the kids how they could better love their brother and sister. Can you believe that each of their answers revealed a personal weakness they saw in themselves? We didn’t have to coach them or help them understand how to better love one another. They got it!

In another activity, we read about how everything belongs to God — from the mountain peaks to the depths of the earth. Our discussion centered around how this truth can give us comfort. Here’s what I heard:

  • “God can control everyone and everything, so we don’t need to be scared.”
  • “God owns everything, even us, so He knows what’s right for us.”
  • “Nobody can defeat God — He’s in control of everything!”
I stared at the little faces I love so utterly, and was amazed at God’s goodness.

I realized that little by little, through discussions and reading and stories and games, our little ones–and yours– have hearts that are increasingly soft; hearts that long to worship God.

That’s the encouragement for today, and that’s the reason for everything we do as moms and dads. May we all be given the precious gift of seeing our children embrace this faith as their own, and may we see this work as a joy and a privilege.

For you: a printable of the verses and discussion questions we used! Click on the image to print!

 *unscientific research done in our living room   :)
Filed Under: Bible Application, Creativitiy, Family Night, Games, Teaching Scripture | Tagged: Tagged With: , , , , ,

Using Movies to Teach Truth

Posted by on February 23, 2012 Leave a Comment

click photo for credit

 

Several weeks ago our family rented Kung Fu Panda 2 for a cozy movie night at home. In the midst of backflips and kickboxing, incendiary buildings and talking animals, there were two scenes that captured me with their depth and veiled allusions to God. Both made me consider how I  would answer the questions posed…

…Read the rest of this post over at Girl Meets Paper HERE… and then consider the following activities to do as a family:

  • How might you use these same questions to prompt a discussion with your children?
  • Has your family ever facee persecution, teasing, loss of friends, difficult family relationships because of your faith? Ask your kids the same.
  • Read the article links about India, Egypt and Israel (embedded in blog post) and find those places on the map together. Talk about what life would be like under those scary conditions (sensor details where appropriate).
  • For ideas on how you and your family can get involved in supporting and praying for the persecuted church, check out the Voice of the Martyrs website for kids.
  • Request a prayer calendar from Voice of the Martyrs so that you and your family can pray daily for specific people, pastors, and areas being persecuted.
Filed Under: Character Training, Discussion Ideas, Encouraging Selflessness and other-thinking, Family Night, Persecuted Church, Praying for others, Social Justice Issues, Spiritual Formation | Tagged: Tagged With: , , , ,

Valentine’s Day + 1

Posted by on February 13, 2012 1 Comment

click photo for credit

I had the best intentions, friends…thee best. I had planned to create some printables and a grand scheme for Valentine’s Day, but alas, a busy life with unexpected sickness sent my plans to the backburner.

Instead, I want to share a fun idea that we do each year on Valentine’s Day, and then offer a special devotional for you to do with your family (taken from this month’s Unofficial Homeschooler Monthly Newsletter).

For the past several years, my husband and I have postponed our own date and celebrated the 14th with our kids, doing our best to model love within a family as being the most important kind of human love they can know. Our prayer is that this kind of love will become a weighty anchor as we inch closer to the teen years and our children begin to explore “the other kind” of love.

Borrowing an idea from our pastor, we serve a very special meal for our kids much like we do on New Year’s Eve. We unearth our wedding china and present a love feast at our dining room table (rather than huddling stools around our kitchen island as we often do!). We dress up and make it special—like we’re on a date together. 

In a few years we’ll all be begging our kids to date us!!

During this meal we write Valentines to each other and express our love specifically on paper. We offer examples of the small moments that have made for big memories, and then we read them aloud at the table.

After dinner we plan scavenger hunts or make cookies for the neighbors or read a new book together– we mix it up. This year, one of the things we’ll be doing is this devotional; why not try it at your house?

There’s no better time than Valentine’s Day to bring your attention back to the source of all love: Our God and Lord Jesus Christ.

Scripture Focus: 1 John 4:7-21
The Bible is full of all kinds of words that describe our great God. This Valentine’s Day:

  • read the scripture focus with your kids
  • have your family write down all the words or key phrases that describe God while you’re reading
  • when you finish with the passage, discuss all the things you wrote down.
  • talk about the themes that you hear emerging. Are there repetitions? Are there strong patterns?
  • try to find a “theme” for each member in your family (for example: we live in God, and He in us; God loved us first, etc.)
  • have each member of your family draw something that represents his/her theme (don’t write the theme on the paper yet!)
  • when finished, trade drawings and try to guess each other’s “God themes.”
  • once all pictures have been discussed, write the theme somewhere on the paper and display them all to remind your family of God’s love this Valentine’s Day.

 

Filed Under: Dinner Activities, Family Night, For Fun, Holidays | Tagged: Tagged With: ,

Holes, by Louis Sachar

Posted by on January 4, 2012 4 Comments

Over Christmas vacation we finished our latest family read aloud, Holes, by Louis Sachar. Whenever possible we try to choose Newbery Award Winners rather than random chapter books, and this was just the latest in a line of terrific evening reads. Holes was so compelling, in fact, that our two oldest kids went to their school library before break and checked out their own copies to read ahead!

In the book, Sachar paints a vivid account of Stanley Yelnats, a young teen who is wrongly convicted of theft and ends up at a “reformatory” camp for boys, digging holes under the unforgiving Texas sun. After days of relentless digging, Stanley figures out that perhaps the warden isn’t as concerned with “building character” as previously thought–perhaps there is another motive altogether, and the crew of teens merely provide the sweaty hands to get there.

Woven throughout Holes is a parallel historical tale of Stanley’s great-great-grandfather, whom his family believes was not only cursed, but is still to blame for every misfortune they encounter. While at first this these accounts seem completely irrelevant and even silly, Sachar brilliantly ties everything together in the end. My husband and I even stayed up after putting the kids to bed to figure it out!!  We were really amazed at the author’s ability to seamlessly connect dots we hadn’t even bothered looking at. I think you will be, too.

ASIDE: If you’re interested in an extension activity, Holes is available as a movie with prominent Hollywood actors, released in 2003. It is a fairly good representation of the book, but gets a PG rating for one or two profanities which I don’t remember in the book. We watched the movie together after reading the book and then enjoyed a great compare/contrast discussion–instigated by our fourth grader!

I can’t recommend Holes enough for your middle-to-upper elementary-aged kids to read with you. I picked up our copy at a thrift store for 50¢, but would value our reading experience as priceless!

What have you been reading with your kids lately?

 

Filed Under: Family Night, For Fun, Read-Aloud Books | Tagged: Tagged With: , , ,

Guest Post: Hearts At Home

Posted by on November 29, 2011 Leave a Comment

I’m honored to be guest posting TODAY on Jill Savage’s wonderful blog for her Hearts at Home Ministry!

Though I’ve talked briefly about doing “Family Challenges” here and here on my other blog [before this one came to be], I haven’t focused much on it lately. I’ll have to change that!

In the meantime, please JOIN ME AT JILL’S and consider planning a Family Challenge during your children’s Christmas Break!

Filed Under: Blogging, Family Challenges, Family Night, For Fun | Tagged: Tagged With: , ,

Hello, Ice Cream. Meet Halloween.

Posted by on November 3, 2011 Leave a Comment

Let’s be frank: I’m not sure how much “learning” is happening with this activity, but it sure is tasty! Don’t let the fear of a short-lived sugar-overload stop you from getting out the blender; you’ll be a hero after the first sip!

The night after Halloween was a “Super-Fun Mom Night,” [more on those later...] and I decided to win points with my offspring by letting them choose FIVE, yes–that’s right–five mini candy bars from their Halloween stash to make into a shake. Drawing inspiration from Smashburger’s insanely delicious Butterfinger shake, we selected our favs and tossed them to their doom. The kids lined up their picks and waited their turns so I could blend each shake individually and to order. It’s 5-Star treatment on Super-Fun Mom Night!

Mmmm…nothing beats Hudsonville ice cream!

Follow up with sprinkles and snuggle time while you watch a great movie, and you’ll make a memory they won’t soon forget! DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE SHAKE CHART HERE to record your creations and get the kids writing in the kitchen!

Who knows…maybe you’ll raise a future restauranteur with a killer dessert menu! When Barbara Walters interviews them they’ll look deeply into the camera and say, “You know, it all started one night with my mom…”

 

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Filed Under: Family Night, Having fun with your kids, Kids in the Kitchen, Lists, Teaching Culinary Skills, Time with Mom, Treasuring Your Kids | Tagged: Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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