Children

                      "Her children rise up and call her blessed," Proverbs31:28 

PARENTING

           BACK-TO-SCHOOL     

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                                                                        Kids and Chores

"Train up a child in the way he should go. And when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

I am one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do." Helen Keller

Kids and chores, oh my. Sometimes we feel like we are nagging at your kids to do their chores everyday. Some of us just give up and do it for them. First thing to remember is to let go of your unreasonable expectations of the kids when doing their chores. Remember their skill level and forgetfulness. I have made chore charts for the kids. I printed them out, laminated them and put them on the side of their fridge and on their bathroom mirror. Instead of nagging them to do their chores, I kindly ask if they have done their chores. It prompts them to go check their chart for the days chores. Some may need a little more reminding than others. They aren't expected to do it perfectly, only to do it as well as they are able.

2010 Chore Chart

2011 Chore Chart

2012 Chore Chart

2012-13 Chore Chart                                                                                                                                                             


        Leading your Children Spiritually

" These commandments I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them upon your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." 

                                        Deuteronomy 6:6-7

1. Have family devotion at breakfast. 

2.  Memorize a bible verse a week with the kids. Write bible verses on index cards, put them on the kitchen table, study every day.

3. At dinner study weekly verse, read a family devotional book, talk about what God taught you today. 

4. Have a "Family Bible Time" everyday. Read a chapter of the Bible a day. A good place to start is Proverbs.

5. Teach the kids the Fruit Of the Spirit, and how to incorporate in their lives daily.

6. Give each child their own Bible. You could even purchase a cover, notepad, pencil, and highlighter. Encourage them to follow the pastor on Sunday and take notes. 

7. Make a spot on their bedroom shelving for their bible, devotional, and prayer journal. Encourage them to take 30 minutes every night to read the bible and write in their prayer journal.

8. Give them a devotional book, to read every night.

9. When filling their Easter baskets, only fill with Christian books, toys, bibles, devotionals,etc...  

10. At Christmas time, put up a "Jesus Tree". Everyday put on a new ornament that represents Christ. 

     For a list click: jesus-tree-list

11. Do a bible study in your home with your children or even with your children and their friends. I highly suggest Firm Foundations

12. Model Chirstian behavior in your home daily. Display the fruit of the Spirit in yourself, do something kind for someone in need, volunteer at your church, donate to Christian charities,etc...  

12. On car trip listen to "Adventures In Odyssey" radio series on CD. They even have videos. Watch other Christian videos.

13. At home watch Christian educational and entertainment videos. Steve Greene's "Hide'm in Your Heart", Veggie Tales, BibleMan, Kids Ten Commandments form Tyndale Entertainment, Praise baby videos,etc... for the older kids get the lastest Christian artist CD

14. While kids are playing in their rooms play Christian Music. Praise Baby, Kids Praise, Cedarmont Worship for Kids, Shout Praises! Kids,"My First Bible" on CD.

15. Check out Christian books, CD's, and DVD's from your local library or church to save money.

16. Subscribe to devotional magazines, Christian magazines,etc.. or go to your local Church library to read them.  There are many good ones for children, teens, and adults. They also have magazines about movie, book, and CD reviews. 

17. Watch faith-based movies as a family night. 

18. Teach character qualities. Click on this link to print out a copy of all. I suggest to laminate, put a magnet on the back and keep on your fridge. Go over one quality each week/month. Help them incorporate it in their lives by modeling and example. Use the worksheet with it.  Click on the links below:

 Character Qualities 

resources/49Qualities characters.pdf   

resources/FamilyWorksheetcharacter quality.pdf

19. My favorite parenting/discipline books. And they are both by moms. The first is my absolutely favorite book!! Click on the links below:

 ~ For Instruction in Righteousness by Pam Forster ( Uses the disobedience, gives a curse and a blessing with scripture. It also has stories from the bible and examples you can talk to your kids about)

 ~ Don't Make Me Count To Three by Ginger Plowman (* don't forget the "Wise Words for Moms", too! Well, worth it!!

20. Pray for your children. Print this out, laminate and put in your prayer binder.

 Children's Prayer Calendar

   *This is also a Prayer Calendar for the kids to keep and use for their prayer binders.

 Children's Binder Prayer Calendar



Getting your children to LISTEN during Church Service:

The kids will not have children's church this summer. I have very active boys and needed a way to keep their minds focused while in service. I came across a blog Raising Arrows about teaching kids to listen during service. I truly believe we are in church to worship the Lord and learn the truth of the bible. Kids, too.

I have printed off a a few pages for each child.


for the readers

 

for the non readers and early readers.

And I put them on cute clipboards. I made clipboards for the boys to hold their schoolwork on and always have something hard to write on. (My camera, yes, all of them, are broken or I would show you ours) They look something like this:

Mine are kind of like this(above) except without dinosaurs. I used scrapbook paper I had and put their names on them. I also made a colored pencil case(below). An idea I found on Pinterest!

Mine do not look as fabulous because I only used what I had on hand. Scrapbook paper and tape. I turned the movie cover around to the white side and decorated with scrapbook stickers I had on hand.

It's not fancy but the kids loved it! It was a hit the first Sunday they all sat in service with us.

By the way, I have accumulated about 4 scrapbook paper books I purchased at Walmart for $5.00 each over the course of 2 years that I am still using. 


            Fun with Kids

 

Everday Fun with Kids

One thing many know about me is that I hate being bored. I joke that God knows I hate being bored thats why he gave me 5 boys! They are never boring! And I learned early with boys, keep them busy and they will stay out of trouble.  I love having fun  and I love having fun with my kids. Over the years I have found fun ways to make traditions in our family.  

New Years Eve Party:

When the kids were young we still wanted to stay home and have a news years aprty with them. Being young and they couldn't stay up til midnight, so this party started at 6:00. As they have gotten older I have waited til later to start.
After we eat pizza and hot wings here is what I do:
New Years Party: Each hour open a bag and do the activity inside, then it's outside for fireworks. We have 4 bags to open.
~1st hour/1st bag: Watch and glowsticks(lots). Put on our watches for the countdown. Make the glowsticks into a limbo bar. and play in the dark.(then go outside for a few fireworks til next hour)
~2nd hour/2nd bag:  Pipe cleaners (or construction paper)- make  the new years # glasses. ex: 2009 shape out of pipe cleaners. New years game* (then go outdside for fireworks til next hour)
~3rd hour/3rd bag: Napkin and spoon- Make confetti hats out of sugar ice cream cones, icing, and sprinkles, m&ms,etc. (then go outside for fireworks til next hour)
~4th hour/4th bag: Balloons and noisemakers. Play balloon volleyball and other balloon games like keeping it up with your nose,etc. Then let them pop the balloon and read the Blessing.(already written on piece of paper my 2 prayers for them for the next year).(Then go outside for fireworks and the big bang at "midnight")
I had every white lunch sack pre-made and filled before the party. When prepared then it only takes about 15-30 minutes. I don't let the kids help b/c I want them to be surprised. I keep all the new years activities in a plastic shoe box in the attic until the next year.
***New Year Game: 1st one: Write down a year on an index card. On the back write what happened in your family on that year.  Shuffle and put cards  year side up. take turms drawing a card from the pile and the family has to remember or guess what happend on the year they picked. Great for building memories.
2nd one: same game but with history facts. Great for the older ones.
I love parties And I love my kids . So I made this party. And we have so much fun and they are worn out by the end of the night!
I hope you use this and have fun next year....or the end of this year!

The Month before Christmas:

Everyday after Thanksgiving we write on a calendar a craft or activity relating to Christmas. We bake goodies for families, make crafts to display around the house, we read and put up the 12 Names of Jesus ornaments, watch home Christmas movies, watch other Christmas movies,read a Christmas book, go ice skating, look at Christmas lights.  Not everyday had to be busy or difficult. The idea is to keep the the focus on Jesus for the special Christmas season.

 

Flag Day:

Have kids design a family flag. Sew the design on outdoor fabric and display outside your home.

Quilt Day:

 

 For more ideas and coloring pages visit: http://www.apples4theteacher.com/coloring-pages/interactive-alphabet/

Monthly Wacky Holidays

Here is a list of monthly holidays. I found some of these wacky holidays in a book years ago. I started celebrating a few each month. It was so much fun to learn and do new things with the kids. Please use this list however you want. I would suggest only doing a few each month. And when you pick what you will do for the week, study it or check out books from the library on the subject. Whatever you choose, have fun!

January                                                           February                                        March       

 1- New Years Day                                                                    1- G.I.Joe Day, Robinson Crusoe Day                         1- Pig Day

2-55 MPH speed Day                                                               2-Groundhog Day                                                                2-Namesake Day

3- National Choclate Covered Cherry Day                     6- Bubble Gum Day                                                             3- National Anthem Day

4- Trivia Day                                                                              7-Ballet Day                                                                            4- March forth-do something!

5- Bird Day                                                                                  12- Abe Lincoln's Birthday                                               6- Sherlock Holmes Day                                    

6- Three Kings Day                                                                   14-Valentine's Day                                                              9- Barbie Day

7- Harlem Globtrotters Day                                                  15-Susan B. Anthony Day                                                10- Salvation Army Day 

12- Organize You Home Day                                                16-Presidents Day                                                               11-Johnny Appleseed Day

16- Bald Eagle Appreciation Day                                       22-George Washington's Birthday                                17- St.Patrick's Day

18-Winnie the Pooh Day                                                        24-International Pancak:e Day                                       19-National Chocolate Caramel Day

19-Martin Luther King Day                                                  26- National Chili Day                                                        21-Maple Syrup Day, Nat'l Quilting Day,

23-National Pie Day                                                                29-Leap Year Day                                                                         Corn Dog Day

24- National Compliment Day                                                                                                             25-Pecan Day 

26-Chinese New Year

 April                                                                               May                                                              June                                         

1- April Fools                                                                1- Mother Goose Day, Lei Day                           5-Donut Day

3-Pony Express Day                                                         2-Astronomy Day                                                7-Daniel Boone Day

9-Winston Churchill Day                                                   5-Cinco de Mayo                                               13-Raggedy Ann & Andy Day

13-Thomas Jefferson Day                                                 6-Nurse's Day                                                    3rd Sunday-Fathers Day                             

15-McDonalds Day                                                          7-National Day of Prayer                                      14- Flag Day 

21-National Teach your Children                                      *every 2nd Sunday- Mothers Day                           16-Fudge Day 

     to Save Day                                                              12-Nat'l Nutty Fudge Day                                      20-World Juggling Day 

22-Earth Day,Jelly Bean Day                                             15-Nat'l Chocolate Chip Day                                  *4th Saturday- Great American Campout

24-Arbor Day                                                                 20-Eliza Dolittle Day                                                                 

29-Natioanl Dance Day                                                     23-International Jazz Day, Nat'l Taffy Day

                                                                                   *last Monday- Memorial Day

July                                                              August                                              September                           

1-Canada Day                                                            1-Sweet Corn Day, Mustard Day                            1-Emma M. Nutt Day      

4-Independence Day                                                   2-Friendship Day                                                 4-Oatmeal Day

7-Chocolate Day                                                         4-Coast Guard Day                                              6-Salami Day

9-Hot Dog Day                                                             8-Eleanor Roosevelt Day                                         *1st Monday- Labor Day

15-Gummi Worm Day                                                    14-Kool-Aid Day                                                      12-Popcorn Day

19-Nat'l Ice Cream Day                                                              19-Aviation Day                                                                  *2nd Sunday- Grandparents Day

20-Hug your Kid Day                                                                 22-Be an Angel Day                                                             17-Constitution Day 

23-All American Soap-box Derby Day                                  24-Nat'l Waffle Day                                                             22-Elephant Appreciation Day,

25-Cow Appreciation                                                                   30-Nat'l Toasted Marshmallow Day                                     Nat'l White Chocolate Day

30-Cheesecake Day                                                                                                                                                                          

 

October                                                               November                                                         December                                     

1-World Vegetarian Day                                                    1-All Saints Day                                                                          7-Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ,Cotton Candy 

2-World Farm Animal Day                                                  2-Cookie Monster Day                                                                      Day

3-World Card Making Day                                                   3-Sandwich Day                                                                          17-Wright Brothers Day

7-Balloons Around the World                                              6-Pumpkin Chunkin' Day                                                       25-Christmas Day

8-Alvin C. York Day                                                               9-World Orphans Day                                                               26-National Thank You Note Day     

                                                                                                                                                                                                              31-New Years Eve Day

9-Leif Erickson Day                                                                11-Veterans Day

12-Columbus Day                                                                    15-America Recycles Day 

28-St.Jude's Day                                                                     17-Homemade Bread Day

31-Halloween, Nat'l Caramel Apple Day                        18-Mickey Mouse Day

    Nat'l Magic Day                                                    *Last Thursday- Thanksgving Day 

 

!!!       Kids Eat Free       !!!

                                                             For listings in your area check out KidsMealDeals.com

(Memphis Area)

Mondays

Abner's Famous Chicken Tenders

1100 North Germantown Parkway, Memphis One free kid's meal with each adult meal purchased on Mondays.

Bruster's Real Ice Cream
Winchester location. Sign up for an emailed coupon each month and the birthday club! Children who are under 40 inches tall receive a free baby ice cream cone everyday. Dogs get a free doggie treat too.

Buffalo Wild Wings
3448 Poplar Avenue, Memphis: Kids eat from the kids' menu for $0.99 on Monday and Wednesday nights. 324-9225. No discount for kids at the Wolfchase area Buffalo Wild Wings

Incredible Pizza Company
1245 Germantown Parkway, Memphis Kids 12 and under eat at the buffet (includes drink) for $0.99 with an adult buffet and drink purchase on Mondays.

Logan's Roadhouse
All Memphis area locations which include: 2710 N. Germantown Pkwy (Wolfchase), 381-5254, 7755 Winchester Road (Riverdale), 759-1430, and in Southaven at 6685 Airways Blvd., 662-772-5015 Kids eat from the kids' menu for $2 on Mondays-Wednesdays. Some adult meals are 2 for $13.99 on these same days.

Millington Pig
8412 Highway 51, Millington, 873-1328. Kids eat for only .99 everyday between 5-7 PM. Olive Branch Catfish Company 9659 Highway 178, Olive Branch, 662-895-9494. Kids eat free on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Pig-N-Whistle
BBQ 2740 Bartlett Road, Bartlett, 386-3300 Two kids eat free with each adult meal purchased on Mondays.



Tuesdays


Bruster's Real Ice Cream
Winchester location. Sign up for an emailed coupon each month and the birthday club! Children who are under 40 inches tall receive a free baby ice cream cone everyday. Dogs get a free doggie treat too.

Danver's
All Memphis area locations Kids (12 and under) eat free on Tuesdays from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., up to 2 kids' meals with each adult meal purchased.

Fazoli's
3587 Riverdale Road, Memphis,794-9121 215 E. Goodman Road in Southaven, MS, 662-536-2426 Kids eat for $0.99 on Tuesdays from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. with purchase of adult meal.

Holiday Deli and Ham At 3 Memphis area locations, 585 Erin Drive, 683-0245, 2087 Union Ave in Midtown, 881-6436 and at 7652 Poplar Ave in Germantown, 869-6654 (NOT AVAILABLE AT THE HACKS CROSS LOCATION) Kids eat free from the kids' menu on Tuesday and Thursday evenings with an adult meal purchase.

Logan's Roadhouse
All Memphis area locations which include: 2710 N. Germantown Pkwy (Wolfchase), 381-5254, 7755 Winchester Road (Riverdale), 759-1430, and in Southaven at 6685 Airways Blvd., 662-772-5015 Kids eat from the kids' menu for $2 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Some adult meals are 2 for $13.99 on these same days.

LoneStar Steakhouse
6365 Airways Boulevard, Southaven, 662-349-6882 Kids eat free from the kid's menu on all day on Tuesdays with purchase of adult entree, up to two kids per adult.

McAlister's Deli
Has an email club! Kids eat free from the kids' menu on Tuesday evenings with an adult meal purchase.

Millington Pig
8412 Highway 51, Millington, 873-1328. Kids eat for only .99 everyday between 5-7 PM.

Olive Branch Catfish Company
9659 Highway 178, Olive Branch, 662-895-9494 Kids eat free on Mondays and Tuesdays

Perkins
Also has a kids birthday club, sign up online! 1571 Sycamore View Road, Memphis, 382-5905 960 West Poplar Avenue, Collierville, 850-0499 8472 North Highway 51, Millington, 873-4555 Kids eat free from the kids menu on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 4:00-10:00 p.m.at these locations only.



Wednesdays

Bruster's Real Ice Cream
Winchester location. Sign up for an emailed coupon each month and the birthday club! Children who are under 40 inches tall receive a free baby ice cream cone everyday. Dogs get a free doggie treat too.

Buffalo Wild Wings
3448 Poplar Avenue, Memphis: Kids eat from the kids' menu for $0.99 on Monday and Wednesday nights. 324-9225 7188 Airways Boulevard, Southaven: Kids eat from the kids' menu for $0.99 on Wednesday nights. 662-349-7776. No discount for kids at the Wolfchase area Buffalo Wild Wings *

IHOP
Most Memphis area locations--call your preferred location for confirmation. Kids eat free all day on Wednesdays from the kids' menu with the purchase of an adult meal.

Logan's Roadhouse
All Memphis area locations which include: 2710 N. Germantown Pkwy (Wolfchase), 381-5254, 7755 Winchester Road (Riverdale), 759-1430, and in Southaven at 6685 Airways Blvd., 662-772-5015 Kids eat from the kids' menu for $2 on Mondays-Wednesdays. Some adult meals are 2 for $13.99 on these same days.

Millington Pig
8412 Highway 51, Millington, 873-1328. Kids eat for only .99 everyday between 5-7 PM. Thursdays

Bruster's Real Ice Cream
Winchester location. Sign up for an emailed coupon each month and the birthday club! Children who are under 40 inches tall receive a free baby ice cream cone everyday. Dogs get a free doggie treat too.

Buffalo Wild Wings
7995 Craft-Goodman Frontage Road, Olive Branch: Kids eat from the kids' menu for $0.99 on Thursday nights.662-890-7285. No discount for kids at the Wolfchase area Buffalo Wild Wings

Captain D's
Most Memphis area locations--call your preferred location for confirmation. Up to two kids eat free with each adult meal purchase on Thursdays.

Holiday Deli and Ham
At 3 Memphis area locations, 585 Erin Drive, 683-0245, 2087 Union Ave in Midtown, 881-6436 and at 7652 Poplar Ave in Germantown, 869-6654 (NOT AVAILABLE AT THE HACKS CROSS LOCATION) Kids eat free from the kids' menu on Tuesday and Thursday evenings with an adult meal purchase.

Millington Pig
8412 Highway 51, Millington, 873-1328. Kids eat for only .99 everyday between 5-7 PM.

Piccadilly Cafeteria
Sign up online for their kids club! 2055 Exeter in Germantown, 755-5603; 4996 Stage Road, 377-2961. Kids eat for $0.99 all day on Thursdays and from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays, up to 2 kids' meals w/ each adult meal purchased.



Fridays

Bruster's Real Ice Cream
Winchester location. Sign up for an emailed coupon each month and the birthday club! Children who are under 40 inches tall receive a free baby ice cream cone everyday. Dogs get a free doggie treat too.

Millington Pig
8412 Highway 51, Millington, 873-1328. Kids eat for only .99 everyday between 5-7 PM.


Saturday

Bruster's Real Ice Cream
Winchester location. Sign up for an emailed coupon each month and the birthday club! Children who are under 40 inches tall receive a free baby ice cream cone everyday. Dogs get a free doggie treat too.

Millington Pig
8412 Highway 51, Millington, 873-1328. Kids eat for only .99 everyday between 5-7 PM.

Perkins 

Kids birthday club, sign up online! 1571 Sycamore View Road, Memphis, 382-5905 960 West Poplar Avenue, Collierville, 850-0499 8472 North Highway 51, Millington, 873-4555 Kids eat free from the kids menu on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 4:00-10:00 p.m.at these locations only.

Piccadilly Cafeteria
Sign up online for their kids club! 2055 Exeter in Germantown, 755-5603; 4996 Stage Road, 377-2961. Kids eat for $0.99 all day on Thursdays and from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays, up to 2 kids' meals w/ each adult meal purchased.



Sundays

Bruster's Real Ice Cream 
Winchester location. Sign up for an emailed coupon each month and the birthday club! Children who are under 40 inches tall receive a free baby ice cream cone everyday. Dogs get a free doggie treat too.

Buffalo Wild Wings
3770 Hacks Cross Road, Memphis: Kids eat from the kids' menu for $0.99 on Sunday nights.737-9463 No kids discount available at Wolfchase location on any day.

Millington Pig
8412 Highway 51, Millington, 873-1328. Kids eat for only .99 everyday between 5-7 PM.

Preparing Kids for Vacation

~Let the kids help plan and prepare

~Let children pick their own outfits

~Pack the days outfit in a 1 gallon or 2 gallon ziploc bag/pack socks and underwear in another ziploc bag

~Let kids pack their own backpack of the toys of their choice/ keep the bag beside them during the trip

~Give each child a cake pan with a lid/ fill with colored pencils, paper, coloring books, kids atlas, map, flashlight,etc...

~Make a surprise bag for them to open before, during or each hour of the trip./ fill with dollar store goodies, new toys to keep them busy

~Stop often and let kids stretch. This will lessen irritability.

~Take a small cooler with drink and snacks

~Take a first aid kit: band-aids, neosporin, motrin, tylenol,thermometer,car sickness medicine.

~ Pray before leaving

                  Organizing

 Clothes:

In the attic keep the clothes in rubbermaid totes or boxes. Make sure each box for clothes is the same color for easy searching. Label each box with the size and season(summer and winter). Keep seasonal clothes seperate. Each change of season, bring down the boxes. Go through the clothes with each child. Make  "give away" bag, "throw away" bag, "wash and hang up" pile and "attic" pile. Then fold and put away. Make sure you do not already have a lot of laundry to do on this day.

In the closet: Use a hanging organizer. Pick out clothing for each day and put in the cubby holder.(Even socks and underwear!) To make it prettier- laminate cards with the day of the week, tie with a ribbon on each cubby. Let the kids help pick their own outfits every Saturday or Sunday evening.  Eliminate lots of folder for children. Hang up all shirts and dress pants. Use dresser drawers for socks, underwear, PJ's, and jeans. If you do not have a lot of drawer or closet  space, donate clothes- you may have too many! I have 2-3 kids clothes per 1 closet and 1 tall dresser. 

Shoes:

Use a shoe rack or shelf. I keep mine outside the back door, to lessen the dirt that comes on the house. I use one shelf per child, marked with a laminated name tag. The children are responsible for taking their shoes off and putting them on the shelf before entering the house. Sometimes I let them keep their church shoes in the closet. 

Storage: Put unused shoes in a rubbermaid tote in the attic or large closet or on top of the shoe shelf. Give away or throw away worn, unwanted shoes before storing.

Rooms:

Only have the essentials in their rooms. Bed, Dresser, night stand/table, desk. Take out large toys, if you have a playroom. If you don't , store them under the beds or on shelves in closets. Use plastic shoe boxes or underbed boxes to store toys. Print out labels for each bin. If they have a computer, do not have internet hooked up in their room. This is too tempting. If you need the internet in their room, consider using a internet protection program.  

At the end of the night call a "Clean-Up Firedrill!!". Kids love to race and play games. Put 5 minutes on a timer and see if they can clean their room before the timer goes off. Help them the first few times to make them feel more like doing it. 

TV:

I do not recommend putting TV/VCR in kids rooms. Kids will watch more TV and play less. It is easier on the parents, but bad for children in the long run. TV should be in a family room, for easy access to monitor what they are watching. The statistics are growing on how much TV kids are watching. To cut down on TV viewing, make rules. Ours is no TV until you have done your chores, helped each other, shown good behavior and character, and have outside time/exercise. Then they are not to watch more than 2 shows at a time.  We have shows that we watch as a family and we have family movie night every once and awhile. Some friends have rewards system they use for TV viewing. The kids get  stickers for chores, good behavior, and 30 minutes of outside time/exercise.  Two stickers are worth 30 minutes of TV time. 

Summer:

~Keep a few tubs by the back door. Fill one with summer supplies: sunblock, suntan lotions,bug spray,etc... fill one with toys: water guns, water balloons, water toys, frisbee, balls,jump rope,etc... fill one with kids gardening supplies: hand shovel, small hand rake, small watering can,etc....

~Keep a basket ready for the car for spur of the moment outings. Pack with picnic blanket, non-perishable snacks, kids toys(frisbee, jump rope, balls,etc), sunblock/lotions.

~Hang hooks for each child. Hang towels, bathing suits, hats, personal toys. Make them responsible for hanging their own towels and suits on their hook.

 

 

  Family Dinners

Try to make family dinner time important in your family. Eat dinner together at least 4 times a week. Even if its a very simple meal. We eat dinner 7 times a week together. We make it a point to make the food and sit down at the same time. Even it's a peanut butter sandwich. They boys have always done it like this and now they do it without thinking. We use this time to talk to each other about our day. For a dinner with more time: coordinate the dishes, glasses, napkins. Light candles, turn off TV or radio, do not answer the phone, plan ahead and use crockpot. Study spelling words or bible verses at this time. We have a small napkin holder that can hold index cards. We write the weeks spelling words and bible verses on these cards, and take time to study.  Make it a rule that noone gets up from the table until everyone has eaten. If you finish early, use this time to spark conversation. Make it a rule that you have to say thank you to whoever prepared the meal before you get up from the table. here are our family rules:

Dinner Table Rules:

1. Come to the table dressed appropriate: shirt and pants.

2. Come to the table with clean hands and face.

3. Pray before eating.

4. Do not say anything bad about what is served. Try one bite of everything.

5. Use table manners- do not talk with mouth full, napkin in lap, use utensils.

6. Only get seconds after everyone has made their plates.

7. Do not get up until everyone is done eating. 

8. Have only good conversations at the table; encouraging, thoughtful, pleasant. Ephesians 4:29 ..." so that it will give grace to those who hear."

9. Tell the cook thank you for the meal before getting up. 

10. When everyone is finished, do all chores before leaving the kitchen. Be helpful to others.