Tot Time - The week I made a teaching tool and looked for new ideas

I'm not sure about the rest of you but I'm old school when it comes to teaching - summer means schools out :-)  Nope, I never taught at a year round school and I really don't care for the concept - I enjoy the long summer months as much as the kids do!! 

Instead of focusing on structured teaching, we are focusing on a lot of reading and just using moments to teach as they come up in every day life.  My 2 1/2 year old is intrigued with bugs so anytime we are outside we try to find them and talk about them.  Personally, I'm using the summer to get more ideas, organize some things for the fall, make some teaching "tools" and, hopefully, be able to pick up some of the learning toys I would like to have to use in the fall.

First up, I found another great site for teaching ideas and I plan on making the very first one that I saw!  The site is I Can Teach My Child and has a variety of ideas for teaching as well as just general ideas as well.  I also noticed a link-up party which means you can find even more ideas from other people through this site as well.  Look at this great idea for teaching Colors!

This project using Toilet Paper tubes, scrapbook paper, and some tabbed dividers.  Plus, she took pictures of her son in each color to add to one side and, she'll be adding more to the tabs as well.  What a fun, personalized way to help your child learn colors.

Something else I really like about this site is that she has tabs based on age.  This is helpful so you can just click on the age you need and read through her list of ideas.  For example, in the 1-2 age group category is this great idea for Teaching Numbers (and number order).

In the 1-2 year category is this idea for teaching Body Parts using pictures of the child and a Baggy Book.

I really love finding additional sites where I can glean ideas to use with my kids.  I'm the first one to admit that all of my creativity comes from someone else's idea so the more ideas I can find, the more creative I am!! 

Right now, as my kids enjoy summer (well, I'm enjoying it too), I'm working on a plan for the fall to do with my boys - tossing around the idea of "theme" days (i.e. Monday is letters, Tuesday is numbers, Wednesday is reading, Thursday is Bible, and Friday is FUN - cooking, games, crafts, etc.) Just ideas forming in my head - I love structure so I do better with a plan, and so do my kids!!

Now, one last thing - here is my latest craft :-)  I've been wanting to make a can to use for sorting so I finally put it together.  I used an empty can of rice cereal for the base, cut scrapbook paper to fit around it and Modge Podged it to death :-).  I sliced a decent sized hole in the lid and it was ready to go!. 

To create our first two games to do with our sorting can, I pulled out scrapbooking paper in all of the basic colors and using my Creative Memories shape punches for some shapes and good old scissors for others, I cut shapes out of the colors.  We will be able to practice shapes and colors this way. 

We plan on using that can a lot.  You can also use it to put things in, have your child pull out one item, and make a matching game.  With the younger ones (like my 18 month old) we use it to teach "in" and "out" too!

What are your plans for the summer?  I'd love to hear them!

 

21 Days of Prayer - Day 9 -

This is short and sweet today :-)  Today's challenge is to pray the 10 prayers from the love chapter of the book :-)

What I'm Reading

First up are the books I'm using for my daily devoations.  I will admit, I've slacked off over the last week or so and need to get back into my normal routine of bible reading and book studies but, these are what I'm trying to get through this summer.

I have had to put "The Ministry of Motherhood" on hold - I got it from the library (trying to NOT spend money on books right now) assuming I could just renew it every two weeks.  What I did not anticipate was that it would be on hold and I could not renew it!  I've decided to finish Reshaping it All  and  The Power of a Positive Mom; then I will get The Ministry of Motherhood and also use another book with my Bible Study.

Books I finished this week:

I did finish The Total Woman last weekend.  The first 3/4 of the book was more enjoyable to read than the last 1/4 of it.  Honeslty, I kinda skimmed the end of the book.  I don't really plan on keeping this book on my shelf - it was fun to read just to say I've read it but I have other marriage books I'd rather keep around and, with limit shelving space, I must be choosy :-)  

I don't really like to give a poor review of a book because reviews are based on one person's opinion (in this case, mine) but, I have to be honest and say that How to talk so your kids will listen bored me senseless.  I did not even read the entire book, I skimmed it and kept waiting for it to get more interesting.  To me, it was more an overview of the differant personality types with examples of each type of personality through out each chapter.  I enjoy books that offer more thought provoking ideas; not just general information.  This is not a book I will be keeping - it will be sold on Half.com soon :-)

The Duet is a wonderful book!!  This was my "fun" book this past week.  It is based on the life of a widowed piano teacher who takes a leave from her job as a music instruction at a large college on the East Coast to move to the West Coast in order to be near her first grandchild.  While there, she meets a gentleman who helps to change her perspective as much as she changes his.  During this story, you get to know each of them but also learn about struggles within each of their families.  I would highly recommend this book to any one - as a matter of fact, I've given this book (as well as the sequel) as Christmas gifts to people I know that love reading as much as I do.

Books I'm reading right now:

Parenting in the Pew has already grabbed my attention and I'm only a few pages in to the book.  The author is talking about the importance of teaching our children true worship in church - not just to be quiet in the pew.  I'm looking forward to learning what this book has to offer - I think it will help me personally as much as helping me teach my children about worship.

The Recital is the "sequal" to The Duet.  I've read it before but remember no real details about it so Im looking forward to getting back into this story! 

I often have at least one more book I'm reading but I have a large stack of magazines I want to catch up on right now so I'm using my time to try and read at least one a day :-) 

Are you reading any thing fun?

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm loving . . .  that I got to enjoy seeing (and hearing) my husband play with "his" group two weekends in a row.  He's good :-)

I'm loving . . .  the much cooler weather this week.  I can actually get something done other then just sweating.

I'm loving . . .  trains, planes and TRUCKS.  Why?  Because currently, that is what my boys love more then anything else.

I'm loving . . .  this song by Laura Story.  Funny thing is, I heard it for the first time only about 2 weeks ago and since that day it has turned up on so many blogs I've read and I've seen posts about it on Facebook!  (On a side note, I removed the player from my blog so now, when I post videos, you can just click and listen :-) )

Enjoy :-) And What are you loving today?

21 Days of Prayer Challenge - Day 8 - Honor

Encouragement From Brooke:

"There may never be an opportunity for your sons to rush to the aid of a damsel in distress or defend her honor like in times of old, but it never hurts to use stories of a knight in shining armor to teach them about honor.

I happen to have young sons in my home.  They love an epic battle of good versus evil and it's not unusual to see them running (yes, running . .. I've almost decided it's useless to scream "WALK!") around the house with makeshift capes and swords hunting bad guys and jousting to the death.  And they love to attack their daddy, as he holds me down and tickles me, defending my honor.

I came across a book recently that perfectly illustrates the type of men I hope my sons will become.  It might surprise you to know that it's written for girls.  The book? The Princess and the Three Knights, by Karen Kingsbury.  Look beyond the surface moms.  Even you parents of older boys may want to purchase a copy of this book as a gift for your sons.  Its presentation makes it a perfect fit for a girl.  But its message is for girls AND boys.  The only knight good enough to win the heart of the princess was the one who would do anything to protect her.  That's the kind of honor I'm praying  for in my sons. "

"But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good"  Romans 2:10 NLT

I personally pray that my boys will become "knights in shining armor" - always willing to to step up and do what ever needs to be done!  I WILL be getting that book for my boys! 

I hope you are all doing well with this challenge - I haven't seen any comments go up but I know I had about 5 people contact me so I'm assuming you are all just walking through this challenge day by day !

Too Cute Not To Toot!

So, I made sure to get on the look out early this week for ideas :-)  Here we go!

I haven't seen many wreaths lately but when I saw this one from Love Sweet Love, I wanted to share it!  It is easy and inexpensive to make; it is definatly on my "wreaths to make" list!

You may recall that at some point over the course of this blog, I've mentioned that we love the beach and that I might even redo my living room eventually and have it be more of a beach theme so, needless to say, I had to share this great beach themed mantel from Creative Carmella

One thing I love looking for is new ideas to use with my kids.  Here is a simple idea from Happy Go Lucky that uses some contact paper, a cookie sheet and then anything you want to put a magnet on!

Happy Go Lucky also gives a clear tutorial on how to make this Grocery Shopping game. 

Don't forget that father's day is  just around the corner.  It's always a party at the Parkers has put together a nice list of links for easy ideas that are all very creative.

I love clocks.  Period.  Maybe I need intervention? HA!  Needless to say, when I saw this idea, I fell in love.  Maybe in my next house I'll have a place to have a little "study" or "library" and I can make this to put in that room!  This idea comes from A creative princess.

Delightful Order shares an easy idea for making a candy arrangement for dad's for Father's Day.  It could also make a great birthday gift or even a centerpiece at a holiday party. 

Over at Clean and scentsible, she shares two great ideas for Father's Day.  One is an adorable canvas that would look great in an office (if your hubby has one!) and the other is a great memory book that would be fun for older kids and would make any dad feel loved.  My husband is on the road so for him to have a book like that to carry would really be something nice :-)  (I will say that I already know what I'm doing for Father's day but, sorry, I won't share until AFTER because my hubby reads my blog sometimes!)

I really love what Landee See, Landee Do did to her garage steps (and I'm intrigued by her wall of bins so I will have to return to read about that!).  You could do this idea on entrance steps (Welcome to our Home) or on basement steps (Carry it up, or Carry it down, just don't set it . . down - or something corny like that!)

My boys enjoy helping me do whatever I'm doing, including cleaning, so when I saw this cute bucket idea from City girl gone coastal I was quite impressed :-)  Kids like to have their own things and this is perfect!

That's all for now - much better than last week!!  Enjoy your week and don't forget to get craft :-)

21 Days of Prayer Challenge - day 7 - Servant's Heart

Welcome to day 7 of the challenge - we are already 1/3 of the way through!  This one is short and simple - lets pray for our boys to have Servant's heart.  "The Greatest among you shall be your servant" Matthew 23:11

Today's challenge is to pray the 10 prayers in the servant's heart chapter.

Do you need motivation to keep going?  Take time to sit with your boys today and, depending on their age, play with them or do something they enjoy (video games, get on that skateboard, or ask about what they are reading)  It will soften your heart to what your purpose is - I spent several hours this morning playing trains with the boys and it showed me how much the love just hanging with me! 

Praying for each of you through this challenge as well!