For Today...

Outside my window...the ground is wet with rain of the day. The stars are out, bright. My husband saw a shooting star tonight.
I am thankful for... blog time.
From the learning rooms... So much fun in Science today, studying Animal Groups.
From the kitchen...All is quiet, roast is thawing for tomorrow.
I am wearing...after-run comfy clothes.
I am creating... posters for science grouping, baby blanket is resting tonight.
I am going...to keep on pursuing peace.
I am reading... blogs, that's all tonight.
I am hoping...that P. Curtis is right.
I am hearing...Earl. Mmmmhmm. Ralph is watching.
Around the house...boys are sleeping, doggy is sleeping, I'm sleepy.
One of my favorite things...running in the rain, or after the rain.
A few plans for the rest of the week: reader's theatre, Bible Study, taking a little boy on a date, choir, boy scouts, resting.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
This is

Aurora Borealis, I'd love to see the Northern Lights one day

Visit the http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/ to share yours

Part II~ Planting God's Word in the Hearts of Our Little Ones

I got a lot of great feedback from my previous entry, so I wanted to share some of the neat ways that fellow readers are teaching their little ones throughout the days.

In our house, I've tried to take time each night at bedtime (when kids are quiet and open to talk) to talk to the kids about the day. My oldest and I read a story from a devotion book, and read a scripture that's related. I pray with all the boys, thanking God for a good day, praying for protection and for friends. I have also chosen a scripture to teach the boys, printed it out and posted it on the boys' bathroom mirror, in their rooms and in the car. They can't all read, but one day they will...and when I see this verse I read it to them again and we talk about what it means. In the car is a great place to read these verses to the boys and talk about what they mean. I love verses on tape too, songs stick in their little hearts. I pray they will come back when the kids need the Word.

I got the boys their own Bibles, and I really love this version, it's the International Children's Version. I highly recommend.

So read on, I'm certainly going to try some of these ideas (check out the fun blogs too);

Psalm 119:11 (The Message)

^9-16 How can a young person live a clean life?
By carefully reading the map of your Word.
I'm single-minded in pursuit of you;
don't let me miss the road signs you've posted.
I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart
so I won't sin myself bankrupt.
Be blessed, God;
train me in your ways of wise living.
I'll transfer to my lips
all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
I delight far more in what you tell me about living
than in gathering a pile of riches.
I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,
I attentively watch how you've done it.
I relish everything you've told me of life,
I won't forget a word of it.

Will you share with me how you teach the Word to your little ones? The exciting thing, is that as we teach, we learn.

******

Readers Share;

I have began to start the day with a Bible Story... and before we read, we pray and ask Jesus to speak to each heart, and give them a picture to color. It's one of those idea's that was God inspired. I so want my kids to know His voice, and His word. And while I read the story they listen, and when Jesus gives them a picture, they are allowed to draw, color it, sculpt it with clay... My kids love it! My littlest, Twinkle, always reminds me to do it every morning!

Hugs.. Amy

We have done devotions with the kids many different ways over the years. Now that they are older I take joy in seeing some of them take to daily devotions and Bible reading themselves. Mandi is learning that her day goes so much better when she spends time in God's Word each morning. Jeff is my night time Bible reader. Many nights I find him with a flashlight under his covers reading the Bible. This brings joy to my heart.

For Christmas we bought the New Testament on CD. It is actually read by popular christian actors and singers that my kids are familiar with. So we try to listen as a family to a chapter or two several times a week. They love this and always beg for more. It has theatrical voices which makes it entertaining but yet it is strictly the word of God. I am so pleased with it. I hope they come out with the OT.

Thanks Amanda for posting this post. It is so important to direct little ones to God's Word and then so beautiful when they desire it themselves.~ Kristin Kuhlman

We too have done this differently. Bekah and I have a special devotional for girls that is amazing we do before Bed. Cade and I had a boy one we used to do, but haven't done much lately. He just loves reading his Bible. (It helps once they read, which your boys do, to let them have their own time with God too). As a family, Cory introduced this a few months ago - simple but perfect. After dinner, we go around the table and say one thing about the day that was our favorite thing and one thing that was challenging that we'd like the family to pray about. it's awesome. Simple but I truly have heard things from the kids that without this simple forum I never would have, and even though I thought I knew what to pray about, sometimes there were details in each person's day that I didn't know about that this allows us all to be aware of and praying for. Bekah never lets us forget this routine. Being the quieter second born, I don't think she finds it as easy to get her thoughts out there, but this is a way that gives her the undivided attention of the whole family. ] So good to have a Spiritual Leader in my home (like you do too with Ralph!) so I don't have to take on that burden. P.S. Both kids are always memorizing a verse which is posted on the fridge. We started memorizing His Word when Cade was about 2. I love Amy's idea - it's one we have done as well over the years. One of my favorite drawings ever is of Cory's after meditating on a verse. A friend of mine in town has an entire scrapbook of just these drawings her family has done over the years with the verse they were reading that inspired each drawing on each picture. it's beautiful! ~Julie Oneil

School this Week

Well, again I'm going to show you some highlights of our school away from the 'school.' In 'class' we're working on beginning reading and addition with Critter, Peanut is working on letter recognition and writing/drawing. Scooter and I are taking on borrowing which seems to be the worst thing I could ask of him (he's not loving math lately) so he and I have been doing a lot of playing in Math...flash card games and writing on the windows etc. He's moving forward in Ancient Egypt studies and is now studying animals and insects in Science.

But now for the fun stuff;


I don't think I ever shared with you these photos, taken at the Pine Wood Derby a week ago. Joey's car was fast and furious, and we had a really great time watching the races. He got a ribbon for his entry and was quite pleased with the work that he and his dad did.


Here is a picture of our typical school day around the kitchen table. It's not uncommon to find Scoot working away whilst his younger brothers entertain with play doh. It's a long time favorite past time around hers. Especially in the winter. I suppose it has the gratifying effect of digging around in the dirt outside on a small scale. I almost never say no to play doh...a contained mess is no small thing to bark at around here.



This picture cracks me up...it's a first-thing-in-the-morning photo. Coloring over their bagels, and somehow they don't really look awake yet...

Quotes

Critter has been helping out all morning. He made my bed, cleaned up the books, put away dishes and moved chairs when it was time for me to mop. He set the table for breakfast and wiped down the counter.

Later, I told him how much it helped me that he was doing so much of my work.

He said;
"Mom, do you know why I feel a little precious? Because I'm doing some good."

Ahhh, soup for the soul.

School this Week

Well, again I'm going to show you some highlights of our school away from the table. In 'class' we're working on beginning reading and addition with Critter, Peanut is working on letter recognition and writing/drawing. Scooter and I are taking on borrowing which seems to be the worst thing I could ask of him (he's not loving math lately) so he and I have been doing a lot of playing in Math...flash card games and writing on the windows etc. He's moving forward in Ancient Egypt studies and is now studying animals and insects in Science.

But now for the fun stuff;


I don't think I ever shared with you these photos, taken at the Pine Wood Derby a week ago. Joey's car was fast and furious, and we had a really great time watching the races. He got a ribbon for his entry and was quite pleased with the work that he and his dad did.


Here is a picture of our typical school day around the kitchen table. It's not uncommon to find Scoot working away whilst his younger brothers entertain with play doh. It's a long time favorite past time around hers. Especially in the winter. I suppose it has the gratifying effect of digging around in the dirt outside on a small scale. I almost never say no to play doh...a contained mess is no small thing to bark at around here.

Quote for Today

"In youth we learn; in age we understand."
~ Marie Von Ebner-Eschenbach quotes

(My grandparents, Ione Esther and Charles Dean)

Tonight as I tucked Scoot into bed, we read in his Bible Study that it's important to learn Scripture, to tuck it away for later...just as a squirrel tucks away nuts for winter storms he knows are soon to come.

For a seven year old, that's tricky to understand. Life has been good. But I know, I know, that there will be a day when Scooter needs direction. Or he'll be without a Bible, grasping for the Word that gives life & truth. So I'll press on in my job to tuck God's word away in his heart, and those of his brothers.

I have to confess, I have been terrible about this for some time. I used to work at it more. I'm committing to make a good habit of teaching them, as we sit and drive, and stand and talk;

Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Or for a longer in depth version;

Psalm 119:11 (The Message)

^9-16 How can a young person live a clean life?
By carefully reading the map of your Word.
I'm single-minded in pursuit of you;
don't let me miss the road signs you've posted.
I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart
so I won't sin myself bankrupt.
Be blessed, God;
train me in your ways of wise living.
I'll transfer to my lips
all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
I delight far more in what you tell me about living
than in gathering a pile of riches.
I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,
I attentively watch how you've done it.
I relish everything you've told me of life,
I won't forget a word of it.

Will you share with me how you teach the Word to your little ones? The exciting thing, is that as we teach, we learn.

******

Readers Share;

I have began to start the day with a Bible Story... and before we read, we pray and ask Jesus to speak to each heart, and give them a picture to color. It's one of those idea's that was God inspired. I so want my kids to know His voice, and His word. And while I read the story they listen, and when Jesus gives them a picture, they are allowed to draw, color it, sculpt it with clay... My kids love it! My littlest, Twinkle, always reminds me to do it every morning!

Hugs.. Amy

We have done devotions with the kids many different ways over the years. Now that they are older I take joy in seeing some of them take to daily devotions and Bible reading themselves. Mandi is learning that her day goes so much better when she spends time in God's Word each morning. Jeff is my night time Bible reader. Many nights I find him with a flashlight under his covers reading the Bible. This brings joy to my heart.

For Christmas we bought the New Testament on CD. It is actually read by popular christian actors and singers that my kids are familiar with. So we try to listen as a family to a chapter or two several times a week. They love this and always beg for more. It has theatrical voices which makes it entertaining but yet it is strictly the word of God. I am so pleased with it. I hope they come out with the OT.

Thanks Amanda for posting this post. It is so important to direct little ones to God's Word and then so beautiful when they desire it themselves.~ Kristin Kuhlman

Brain Chain: in a day's work

wake up, snuggle boy,happy, read and pray, laundry, shower, ahh, dress, beds, flat boy hair, squeaky clean teeth, breakfast, full, vitamins, clean kitchen, hurry, shoes, socks, coats, carseats, hurry!, drive, worship, nate, sit, book talk, chat, brain-tired, chat, drive, husband, dog, make lunch, husband hug, ahhh, talk, frustrated, eat, talk, phone rings, plan, talk, clean kitchen, play, twinkie, pick up, magic beans, go dog!, clean, email, talk to boys, facebook, happy, sweep, school, spelling, art, crochet, correct, content, school, Sesame Street, read blog, listen to Bee Story read by son, happier, paint, art, pattern, giggle, picture, phone, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD, vacuum, spot, vacuum, UPS, snacktime, bleach bathroom,

Common Sense Tips for Running in the Snow

• White and Pink shoes are hypercolor in the snow. They magically turn brown and pink. (You only thought they were white)
  
• When you run around the elementary school down the way- the street lined with parked cars of parents that wait for children to come to the car, it's awesome to slip on the ice and fall on your butt. Do it gracefully.
• Take your camera for fabulous snow photos.
• Eyeglasses quickly build up a nice layer of snow, rendering them useless.
• The snow looks as pretty without any glasses. And all cars (but the white ones) are still easy to see.
• Perfectly curled eyelashes catch snowflakes beautifully, blocking your view of the road ahead & giving you an up close view of the snow.
• DO NOT attempt to wipe your snowlashes for a better view of the road ahead. Vanity will remind you that your face will be covered in mascara quickly if you do. You can't see anything anyway, remember? The glasses are in your pocket.
  
• You can catch LOTS of snowflakes on your tongue if you run against the snowfall with your mouth wide open.
  
• All that vantity was for not. When you get close to home and your body gets warm, the snow on your eyelashes melts anyhow and your sweet husband will still giggle when you walk in the door with mascara running down your face. He will also be so proud of you for running in spite of the cold you have, the cold you're in.
• Running in the snow still clears a girls head.
• Running in the snow still burns calories.
• Running in the snow is amazingly beautiful, nature still breathes life into a weary soul. God has a way of doing that.