Monday, June 30, 2008
How to Enjoy the Water
Boy and girl wearing goggles underwater
I recently received a comment from Ruthie Ruth and thought that I would address it today. Thank you for the comment and an idea to write about!
I would love a post from a mama of many about how to enjoy water. I've almost totally stopped taking my kids swimming because I have such trouble keeping them safe and an eye on all of them.First of all, let me say that I do not particularly enjoy taking them all to the water. They love it though! My hubby often takes them and helps out when he is available to do so. Then there are some days when it is just too hot not to be in the water. Here are some things that help me to keep my sanity.
- Have your children learn to swim. Not all of mine do but I worry so much less about the ones who can.
- Have the older children take turns helping with the younger ones. It never hurts for them to take some time and play with a younger sibling.
- If your children are little, stick to the shallow water!
- Give them limits on how far they can wander. Show them ahead of time. The water depth levels painted on the side of the pool make good markers.
- Use floaties! To me, floaties are like an extra set of hands. And if they do go under the water the floaties will help until you can reach them.
- The pool noodles are great too. Have the little ones hang on and pull them around the shallow end.
- Sunscreen galore! Lather them before you even get near the water, that way you do not have to worry about one wandering while you cover another in sunscreen. We often do this before we leave the house or outside of the fence that surrounds the pool.
- For the littlest ones I like the floating devices that have a seat and a suncover.
- Pray for safety, protection, your nerves, and obedient children.
- Stick to your guns. Tell them the rules, limits, and consequences ahead of time. If the children are not obedient, then leave and make them aware of the fact that they disobeyed a rule already set forth. They will be more likely to be obedient the next time around.
- Try to focus on the joy that your children express rather than allowing anxiety to grow.
- Go to the pool with a friend. You can help each other keep an eye on the children. Your children may also be less likely to wander if they have someone to play with.
- Talk to the lifeguards. Tell them you have brought several children (especially if you are by yourself, point that out to them) and would greatly appreciate it if they would help you out in paying extra attention.
- If the big pool is too much, the kiddie pools they sell at Walmart and the sprinklers are enough to cool them off and still have fun in the water.
Labels: children, Family, Preschoolers, Quiverfull
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Wednesday, June 25, 2008
The Best Way to Travel
Labels: Alaska, children, Family, journal, Preschoolers, Quiverfull, Wordless Wednesday
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Wednesday, April 16, 2008
WW- Driving at A Year & a Half
Labels: Laughter, Preschoolers, Wordless Wednesday
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Sunday, April 13, 2008
A Sign of Accomplishment
Today I was sitting and talking with my 6 year old and 4 year old. I was explaining how the baby in my tummy gets food, drink, and breathes. I continued to tell them how we need plants to live, you know the oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange. I continued by asking them, "Isn't it amazing how God made everything to work?" My 4 year old, shown in the photo, piped up and matter of factly said, "It's for God's honor!"This is just a glimpse that the love of the Lord is growing within her and our teachings are being rooted in her heart. Even at 4 years old, she knows the chief end of man and of all creation; to glorify God!!
Thank you Lord for such a rich blessing!!
Labels: children, Christianity, Encouragement, Give Thanks, Homeschooling, Preschoolers, Train Up a Child
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Wednesday, March 12, 2008
_Wordless Wednesday-
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Monday, January 14, 2008
Following Footprints
When we moved into this house we had to purchase a refrigerator. Now of course it didn't matter to my husband which refrigerator we bought; guys just do not seem to care about those types of things. I told him I had always wanted a refrigerator with the freezer on the bottom. So that is what we bought. I absolutely love it! Not only is the fridge, the part you utilize the most, on top and more accessible; it reminded me of when I was a small child. There were a few years when I was young that I lived with my grandparents. My grandmother had a refrigerator with the freezer on the bottom. I remember swiping ice cubes for snacks. This has become a scene in my home also. My little ones love to get ice cubes out for a snack, especially my 16 month old. It brings a smile to my face. As crazy as it sounds watching my little ones take ice cubes out of "the freezer on the bottom" lets me reminisce on one of the few good memories of my childhood. It also reminds me that my children will follow my footprints.
Today at lunch, I was sitting with my 3 year eating pizza. Daddy and all of the other children were in the other room. We chatted a bit and after a short silent moment a smile spread across her face. She looked up at me with the sweetest smile and said, "When I grow up, I want to be a mommy just like you." Is that not enough to melt your heart?? It is also another reminder that my children will follow my footprints.
God provides so many opportunities to remind us that our children are watching us. That they are imitating us. It causes me to evaluate my life. Am I living in a way that I want my children to imitate? How would I react if my children did (my current action)? Would I approve?
I am not the perfect example, if left to myself, I will always fail. God is the one who allows any good to come of my life. If I want any good to come of my children's lives then I must point them to the Savior. I must imitate the one that I desire them to imitate. I must be like Christ so that they will want to be like Christ.
Today at lunch, I was sitting with my 3 year eating pizza. Daddy and all of the other children were in the other room. We chatted a bit and after a short silent moment a smile spread across her face. She looked up at me with the sweetest smile and said, "When I grow up, I want to be a mommy just like you." Is that not enough to melt your heart?? It is also another reminder that my children will follow my footprints.
God provides so many opportunities to remind us that our children are watching us. That they are imitating us. It causes me to evaluate my life. Am I living in a way that I want my children to imitate? How would I react if my children did (my current action)? Would I approve?
I am not the perfect example, if left to myself, I will always fail. God is the one who allows any good to come of my life. If I want any good to come of my children's lives then I must point them to the Savior. I must imitate the one that I desire them to imitate. I must be like Christ so that they will want to be like Christ.
As my children follow in my footprints, these verses express my prayer.
- 1 Peter 2:21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
- 1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
- Job 23:11 My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.
- Psalm 119:133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.
Labels: Christianity, Family, Homeschooling, journal, newsletter, Preschoolers, Quiverfull, Train Up a Child
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Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Apples 4 The Teacher
This week's site is Apples 4 the Teacher. They have a ton of good resources for pre-k through sixth grade. Their site includes interactive learning games, quizzes, & worksheet generator tools, and much, much more. Most of the resources are listed by subject. Have fun & be sure to come back & tell me what you think!Weblink Wednesday Sponsored by: Valerie @ Just4homeschoolfamilies
Labels: Curriculum, Homeschooling, Preschoolers, Weblink Wednesday
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Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Hold That Thought!
This week's link is for Hold That Thought. They have developed curriculum materials for notebooking, timelines, geography, history, and more. They also have an extras section on their website which offers free activities for the holidays. We have a few of their materials and have used them as support for our current curriculum. It is definitely worth your time to check them out!Weblink Wednesday Sponsored by: Valerie @ Just4homeschoolfamilies
Labels: Curriculum, Family, Homeschooling, Preschoolers, Weblink Wednesday
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Tuesday, October 30, 2007
The Colic Cure
In my experience colic is one of the hardest things to deal with when having a new baby. It is obviously hard on the baby and any parent hates to hear their little ones cry. I remember many a night walking, walking, and walking outside with a crying baby. Nothing would soothe them! Being a nursing mother, I cut out anything and everything that could possibly be gas inducing but to no avail! We tried the drops and even the homeopathic tablets and nothing worked. It wasn't until I had my last baby, number eight that I was told about this miracle natural remedy. I thought, sure one more thing that won't work, but it couldn't hurt to try it. I have wished ever since that someone had told me about this when back when I had my first child. This really is amazing stuff! I would give this to my crying baby and she was sleeping soundly within 5 minutes.It can be used for hiccups and teething also. It is an all natural herbal supplement made with organic ginger and fennel, it also includes grape seed extract. We think it smells like licorice. This formula has been used for over 100 years throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, India, and the Caribbean. Newborns to adults are able to use it. If we are so blessed to have any more children this is one item we will not live without.
For more information or to order, go HERE.
Labels: Preschoolers
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Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Homeschool Weblink Wednesday
Homeschool Weblink Wednesday
Here is another great homeschooling link. I am currently using this as a fun supplement for my kindergartner and my preschooler. They have such a great time playing and learning at the same time! Take some time and play around on the StarFall website.
Weblink Wednesday Sponsored by: Valerie @ Just4homeschoolfamilies
Labels: Homeschooling, Learning Disabilities, Preschoolers, Weblink Wednesday
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Sunday, June 24, 2007
Teething
Cranky Cranky baby! That is what we have been dealing with around here lately. Our youngest has begun to cut her front teeth and has just been out of sorts. Poor little thing! She is really the sweetest baby but she just cries and fusses and is not sleeping. She does not sleep very well anyway but this just adds to her grief. We are using Tylenol the homeopathic teething tablets but they are not even doing much good, we may break down and give her some Benydryl so at least she can rest! If you feel led, please say a prayer for our little Moriah and rest for us all!
Labels: journal, Preschoolers
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Monday, April 16, 2007
Moriah Faith 3D
Life is such an amazing thing, a gift of God! Shall we never forget what a miraculous thing life is!
Here is a 3D image of our last blessing Moriah Faith.
Psalm 139:13-16
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you,when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance;in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me.
Here is a 3D image of our last blessing Moriah Faith.
Psalm 139:13-16
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you,when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance;in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me.
Would you like to help promote the amazing gift of life? Visit ProLife Blogs.
Labels: Christianity, journal, Preschoolers, Quiverfull
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Sunday, April 15, 2007
Blessing or Burden
Yesterday, waiting in line at the pharmacy, a woman and her 4 boys walked in. I have seen this woman before and observed how she interacted with her 4 little ones and I was once again saddened by the whole event. The oldest was maybe 9 years old. They were good boys though very undisciplined, which was not their fault my any means. My heart goes out to these young children and I pray that thier mother will change. Everytime this woman opened her mouth it was loud, irritated, and filled with such anger that it was literally as if the woman was growling! Full of loud sighs and clenched teeth. Her boys really were not that bad, my children would not have acted like that but all those boys needed was some discipline which she was obviously not providing. One of her boys simply touched her arm and she jump and through clenched teeth said things I will not repeat. One of her other boys was turning circles and singing, she yelled at him to shut-up, he replied in the sweetest voice & said "but mommy I love you." This about broke my heart. All these children wanted and needed was for their mother to love them, to really love them.
Here is a woman who sees her children as obligatory burdens and not as the blessings that they truly are. I am more and more thankful everyday that God has blessed me so richly and I pray that I will always see my children as the gifts that God has entrusted to me.
Need encouragement when it comes to seeing your children as the blessings they are?
Here are some great articles and well worth the read.
Chilren are Gifts from God
This is one of my favorite articles and it has made an amazing change in my life, the simple little changes we make, even just a in a single word, can have life changing consequences.
What Does God Call our Children?
Here is a woman who sees her children as obligatory burdens and not as the blessings that they truly are. I am more and more thankful everyday that God has blessed me so richly and I pray that I will always see my children as the gifts that God has entrusted to me.
Need encouragement when it comes to seeing your children as the blessings they are?
Here are some great articles and well worth the read.
Chilren are Gifts from God
This is one of my favorite articles and it has made an amazing change in my life, the simple little changes we make, even just a in a single word, can have life changing consequences.
What Does God Call our Children?
Labels: Christianity, Encouragement, Homeschooling, Preschoolers, Quiverfull
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Saturday, April 14, 2007
Homeschooling with Preschoolers
Homeschooling with preschoolers can often present a challenge when you have several older children to attend to as well. I am ashamed to say there have been to many days when the little ones were left with the tv and videos as the babysitter so the older children and I could finish lessons. I have often failed in this area but am resolved to make a change for the better. Having a schedule really helps and when I get off schedule is when things tend to be neglected and are let to slide. Here is a great place to start if looking for scheduling materials and this has worked well for our family. Managers of Their Homes
Here are some idea to help you when it comes to preschoolers and homeschooling.
1. play dough
2. their own "schoolbook" aka coloring book
3. lacing activities
4. stencils
5. stories on cd or cassette
6. reading to them between helping others
7. measuring water with cups and measuring spoons
8. writing on chalkboard or dry erase board
Please share some suggestions or what has worked for you in the comments section.
Labels: Curriculum, Homeschooling, Preschoolers, Quiverfull
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