Do you plan to make a new year's resolution for 2009? In the past I have resolved to do everything from losing weight to staying organized. I've promised myself to go to the gym at least twice a week and stop eating fast food. I've dedicated my mornings to praying and having quiet time with God...but what always happens? You guessed it...January 2nd!
This year I don't plan to make more empty promises to myself or derail any possible goals or plans I have for the future. My hope is to take one day at a time and enjoy it for all that it is and all God has provided for me. I want to pay more attention to my husband and children and really focus on their needs while still taking some quality time for myself. If January 2nd comes and I didn't do those things, then this year I'll just wake up January 3rd and try again.
I hope you all have a wonderful new year and I look forward to seeing you all in 2009!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Remedies for Cabin Fever
I'm always looking for things to do with the kids in the winter. We've set up some play dates for the winter months and I hope you all can make it to a few. Other than the play dates, I'd like to know what you like to do with your little ones.
I'm hoping to save up some money so we can go to Disney on Ice-Worlds of Fantasy. Tickets go on sale January 23rd for the shows at the Palace February 25-March 1. Maybe we could get a group to go together. We went to Disney on Ice several months ago and my daughter loved it! We were fortunate enough to go with some great friends and their daughters so it was a girly day of fun.
Next week we'll probably visit Pump It Up so the kids can bounce out some of their energy. Let me know if you'd like to join us. Tonight we just went and walked around the mall a bit. I know winter just started, but I'm already getting cabin fever.
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and I look forward to seeing you in the new year!
I'm hoping to save up some money so we can go to Disney on Ice-Worlds of Fantasy. Tickets go on sale January 23rd for the shows at the Palace February 25-March 1. Maybe we could get a group to go together. We went to Disney on Ice several months ago and my daughter loved it! We were fortunate enough to go with some great friends and their daughters so it was a girly day of fun.
Next week we'll probably visit Pump It Up so the kids can bounce out some of their energy. Let me know if you'd like to join us. Tonight we just went and walked around the mall a bit. I know winter just started, but I'm already getting cabin fever.
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and I look forward to seeing you in the new year!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Snow Days and Holiday activities
What do you do when you suddenly see that your child has a snow day? Do you bundle up and run outside to make a snowman? Do you whip up some hot chocolate and watch a movie together? Do you declare a pajama day and veg out with whatever comes your way?
Then there are those two weeks of holiday break. Of course Christmas activities and parties probably take up most of the time, but then there is the week between Christmas and New Years. What do you and your children do together to pass the time? Do you have any games, ideas, favorite movies or recipes you'd like to share?
As for our family, my kids and I have pajama day. We stay in our PJs all day and watch our favorite cartoon movies while eating PB & J with a bowl of soup for lunch. When Daddy gets home from work, we try to bundle up and play in the snow a bit before dark. Then we celebrate with warm baths and hot chocolate before bed.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and holiday season!
Then there are those two weeks of holiday break. Of course Christmas activities and parties probably take up most of the time, but then there is the week between Christmas and New Years. What do you and your children do together to pass the time? Do you have any games, ideas, favorite movies or recipes you'd like to share?
As for our family, my kids and I have pajama day. We stay in our PJs all day and watch our favorite cartoon movies while eating PB & J with a bowl of soup for lunch. When Daddy gets home from work, we try to bundle up and play in the snow a bit before dark. Then we celebrate with warm baths and hot chocolate before bed.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and holiday season!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Traveling with your children
With the holiday season, many of us will be traveling distances great and small with our little ones. Our family recently flew to Louisiana from Michigan (2-3 hr flight) and will be driving 6 plus hours to Indiana over Thanksgiving.
When flying we take the Play Station portable so they can play video games or watch a movie. It's so much easier than a travel DVD player. It doesn't weigh as much and you don't have to keep up with the DVDs. We try to plan the flights around nap time, but that doesn't always work. I try to make sure we're stocked on snacks since the airlines do not provide anything for less than $3.
When driving, we like to pack sandwiches and stop at rest areas for picnics. Of course in the winter it doesn't work as well. I love having the DVD in the van and then there is always road sign games. Since our preschooler is learning to read, we try to have her look for certain letters in the signs.
Do you have any tips or suggestions for other moms on how to keep your children occupied and keep yourself sane?
When flying we take the Play Station portable so they can play video games or watch a movie. It's so much easier than a travel DVD player. It doesn't weigh as much and you don't have to keep up with the DVDs. We try to plan the flights around nap time, but that doesn't always work. I try to make sure we're stocked on snacks since the airlines do not provide anything for less than $3.
When driving, we like to pack sandwiches and stop at rest areas for picnics. Of course in the winter it doesn't work as well. I love having the DVD in the van and then there is always road sign games. Since our preschooler is learning to read, we try to have her look for certain letters in the signs.
Do you have any tips or suggestions for other moms on how to keep your children occupied and keep yourself sane?
Friday, October 31, 2008
Change for the sake of the children
When I say "Change" I'm not talking about which Presidential candidate would be best suited or not for the job. I'm talking about change within our homes to teach our children about how to create their futures. Ronald Reagan said, "All great change starts at the dinner table." How true that could be if we would embrace it. If we all sat down each night with our families and turned off the TVs and really asked our children and husbands about their day, imagine how much we would learn. Imagine how much they would learn about us.
When I grew up, we ate every meal together. After the table was cleared, we'd bring out some dominoes or cards and play a game together. Occasionally we would invite one of the older ladies from the neighborhood to join us. As a teen I found that this wasn't commonplace. My friends never did this. I, however, got to really know my parents. I got to know the sweet widow down the street. I learned how they play a game, how they approach teamwork and I learned about their views on life. It introduced me to a higher comfort with the elderly. I learned that just because they are older doesn't mean they aren't useful. They have a lifetime of knowledge they would love to share.
I want to encourage you to spend that extra time with your family as well. If you can't get together every night, just try to do it a couple of times a week. Make the extra time for discussion. Learn about your children and maybe more importantly let them learn about you.
You can take this time to really make a 'change' for the better.
I ask you all to take time this weekend to join your family around the table and pray for our nation. Pray for our leaders and most of all for the leaders this election will provide. Ask for God's direction for our country and for our lives. God Bless!
When I grew up, we ate every meal together. After the table was cleared, we'd bring out some dominoes or cards and play a game together. Occasionally we would invite one of the older ladies from the neighborhood to join us. As a teen I found that this wasn't commonplace. My friends never did this. I, however, got to really know my parents. I got to know the sweet widow down the street. I learned how they play a game, how they approach teamwork and I learned about their views on life. It introduced me to a higher comfort with the elderly. I learned that just because they are older doesn't mean they aren't useful. They have a lifetime of knowledge they would love to share.
I want to encourage you to spend that extra time with your family as well. If you can't get together every night, just try to do it a couple of times a week. Make the extra time for discussion. Learn about your children and maybe more importantly let them learn about you.
You can take this time to really make a 'change' for the better.
I ask you all to take time this weekend to join your family around the table and pray for our nation. Pray for our leaders and most of all for the leaders this election will provide. Ask for God's direction for our country and for our lives. God Bless!
Halloween Party Pictures
(Pic. 1 )The kids were going for the loot out of the pinata (Pic. 2) Evan, Lia and Jake were getting ready to go pumpkin bowling. (Pic. 3) All the little goblins that would sit still for a picture.
Winter's almost here
Snow in October!! The weather man has lost his mind!! Of course it was only a flake or two, but that is two more than I'm mentally ready to handle.
The winter always brings to mind snuggles on the couch with my sweet kids and a cup of hot chocolate . Then when those five minutes have passed and reality sets in I'm in real trouble. Knowing that the snow is inevitable I'm trying to prepare myself now with fun outings for the kids at least once a month. Since money is tight, I'm trying to do these outings on a budget. So far I've come up with a day at Pump It Up...that's about $10 since kids under 2 are free. Chuck E. Cheese is always a crowd pleaser and with the coupons from the website we can do lunch and games for under $15. I feel like that pushes the budget a bit, but I'm willing to skimp on other things for my sanity. I can only stay outside making snowmen for so long.
What do you do and where do you go to keep the kids busy? I want to find places where they can exercise while I keep my sanity and prevent cabin fever. HELP!!
The winter always brings to mind snuggles on the couch with my sweet kids and a cup of hot chocolate . Then when those five minutes have passed and reality sets in I'm in real trouble. Knowing that the snow is inevitable I'm trying to prepare myself now with fun outings for the kids at least once a month. Since money is tight, I'm trying to do these outings on a budget. So far I've come up with a day at Pump It Up...that's about $10 since kids under 2 are free. Chuck E. Cheese is always a crowd pleaser and with the coupons from the website we can do lunch and games for under $15. I feel like that pushes the budget a bit, but I'm willing to skimp on other things for my sanity. I can only stay outside making snowmen for so long.
What do you do and where do you go to keep the kids busy? I want to find places where they can exercise while I keep my sanity and prevent cabin fever. HELP!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
