Kid Time

Quality time with your child is very important. I heard that one-on-one time with your child for at least 15 minutes a day does wonders for your child. Reading, walking, eating out, watching a show or just hanging out are some great ways to spend time with your child.

Family time is just as important. Eating one meal a day as a family is one way of spending quality time together. Another way to have family time is having game night. A friend of mine says it's brought her family closer together. After dinner, every night, she and her husband and her 3 boys would gather to play a board game. If your kids are really young, then a matching game, Goldfish, Old Maid or Trouble might be good games to start with. My toddler boys like to do puzzles, so we play 25 or 40 piece puzzles together while listening to fun music.

We've enjoyed this time of laughter and playtime. It's been a blessing to my husband, to me and and to my kids.

Cleaning & Scrubbing Can Wait Till Tomorrow

the cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
but children grow up as i've learned to my sorrow.
so quiet down cobwebs; dust go to sleep!
i'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep.

-Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

3 Stages in Life

Some say...

there are 3 STAGES in life...

1- You believe in Santa

2- You don't believe in Santa

3- You ARE Santa!!

May your experience as "Santa" this Christmas be pleasant and fun! :)

Jesus is Better than Santa

Heard this cute (and true!) poem the other day... A great poem to read to your kids. :)

JESUS IS BETTER THAN SANTA

Santa lives at the North Pole.

JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh

JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year

JESUS is an ever-present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies

JESUS supplies ALL your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited

JESUS stands at your door and knocks..and then enters your heart.

You have to stand in line to see Santa

JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap

JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is

"Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?"

JESUS knew your name before we did.

Not only does he know our name, He knows your address too.

He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

JESUS has heart full of love.

JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry"

JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys

JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but

JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree,

JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

It's obvious there is really no comparison.

We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in Christmas.

-Anonymous

How To Choose The Best Books For Your Pre-reader

This article on BabyCenter.com had good advice about finding the right books for your child:

Children's sections of libraries and bookstores can be overwhelming, especially when your child is just beginning to show an interest in books. How do you decide which books are best for a pre-reader? Here are [some] suggestions from reading specialists, teachers, and experienced parents:Find rhyming and word pattern books.

Preschoolers love to hear books with rhymes and word patterns, especially ones that are easy to memorize. They love to join in when they know how to finish a sentence: "One fish, two fish, red fish, BLUE fish!" Look for books with short, rhyming sentences and predictable structure: nursery rhymes, counting books, alphabet books, and poetry books. Books by authors such as Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle, and the poet Shel Silverstein are good choices.

Pick books that fit your child's interest. Choose books about his favorite subjects: cars, trucks, zoo animals — even television characters such as Barney or the Teletubbies. The idea is to develop a love of reading, not a love of reading a certain kind of book. Take your child along with you to the library or bookstore. Don't restrict your child to one age group or subject. With reading, anything (within reason!) goes.

Seek expert advice. Librarians and preschool teachers know from experience what kinds of books preschoolers love. Ask for their recommendations.

Stocking Stuffer

SCRIPTURE LULLABIES
A Lullaby Journey Through Scripture

The CD, "Hidden In My Heart" is full of lullabies that sing scripture, word for word.
What a great way for kids to not only learn and memorize scripture..but to really hide God's word in their little hearts.

This CD is not only a wonderful gift for kids but for adults too!!

Christmas Card Basket

Community Bible Study (CBS) suggested a great activity to do with your kids.

Keep Christmas cards in a basket; each night (after dinner or at bedtime) pick one, and pray for the family or person who sent the card.

Blog It!

In this technical world we live in, journaling our children's milestones is hard to do consistently. Blogging is a super easy alternative, especially now since there is a Blogger application on most phone networks. Download the app, upload a recent pic of your kids from your phone & write a simple one-liner like, "Jake LOVED his first one-on-one date to the movie, Tangled, with his grandma Nana." The memory will be recorded in no time, and you'll be glad to have more memories to relive with your kids when they're older.