Free Christmas Craft e-book

Doing crafts with your kids is a wonderful bonding and sharing time for the family. Today I came across a free e-book of Christmas crafts. I have downloaded a copy myself, I hope you enjoy some of the craft suggestions with your family.
A Quick and Easy Christmas Craft e-book

Time For Yourself

When is the last time you took time for yourself? No I don’t mean working after the kids go to bed at night. I mean REALLY took time for yourself. Time when you can do as you please and not worry about anyone or anything else. Admittedly so I do not do this enough myself. However, when I finally do prioritize myself one day for even a few hours I am quickly reminded why it is so important to get away from it all every once in a while.

This afternoon after Daddy got home I took the dogs and headed out on our local trail. In total the trail loop is about 2.5 miles; perfect distance I think to let my mind wander and process whatever has been going on recently in my life. The freedom I felt while walking this afternoon was amazing, so refreshing. As my mind wandered I began blogging in my head; thinking off all the posts I want to share with all of you. At times I even found myself writing a rough draft in my head. Whatever your preference I highly recommend taking time for yourself as soon as possible and if at all possible make it a regular routine in your week. You will feel better and in turn you will project a happier spirit to your friends and family.

Lessons on Virtues

Undoubtedly I have a unique teaching style when homeschooling my children. I am a product of the public school system and admittedly rather enjoyed my time spent in the system. I did well in school and went to a “nerdy” college known for its academics and science programs. So through it all I enjoy and gain a great deal of satisfaction from a planned school day. I strive to add fun things to our day to keep learning fun and new everyday.

One of the “things” I decided to add  to our daily curriculum is The BOOK OF VIRTUES by William J. Bennett. It goes without saying that as parents we teach our children from the minute they wake-up in the morning until their sweet little heads hit the pillow. And for some of us, well beyond the time that they are sleeping. I find myself regularly thinking about what else I can teach my children, how I can teach them better, and what I should have done differently from the day before. Learning and teaching never stops. Friends and strangers regularly comment on how polite and well behaved our children are which of course warms my heart. So why then did I choose to add lessons on virtues to our curriculum? Admittedly so, sometimes to my own fault I worry about my children growing up into well rounded adults. My hearts prayer is that they are not only book smart and street smart, but also that they have warm loving hearts. Hearts that are virtuous. I have heard so many wonderful things about Bennett’s The BOOK OF VIRTUES so when I began considering adding this subject to our daily lessons it seemed like a natural fit. Like many of you, lessons on virtues are part of our daily teachings to our children but herein lies my tendencies for formal education. I think it is not only beneficial to informally teach your children lessons but also share with them a more formal education on big life lessons such as virtues. In doing research on this book and virtue lesson plans I came across a wonderful site that has graciously written and made available a complete lesson plan for Bennett’s Book. The Shiver Academy

We formally started our lessons on virtues this morning. Our first unit is on self-discipline which is fitting considering my young children tend to struggle in this category. We enjoyed a cute story about the importance of saying please. Now perhaps my kids will remember this story next time they want something. Like in our story this morning, please seems to get stuck in their mouth and does not come up very often for air.

Our Fall Harvest

This past weekend my kids and I headed over to their Grandparents house to pick some fruit. Little did I know how much more than just fruit we would be coming home with. While I did most of the picking the kids had a blast driving around in the golf cart and stirring up lots of dust. Our chocolate lab was in turn chasing the cart. My french bulldog Bella followed me around after realizing that running after a golf cart wasn’t something her little legs were made to do. So she and I enjoyed the crisp fall air and navigated our way through the fruit trees and vegetable gardens. We were blessed with an abundance of pomegranates, persimmons, radishes, peppers, cucumbers, and squash. Hearing my children shriek with laughter while I picked the bountiful harvest made me stop and reflect on all that we have to be thankful for. As we enter this season of Thanksgiving and Christ’s birth I am thankful for my family, our health, and the wonderful opportunities afforded to us this past year. I am looking forward to all that 2010 has in store for our family!
The colors of our harvest remind me of this season; such a beautiful time of year!




Scraps from all the root vegetables for our compost bin:



Our Beautiful Harvest!!

What are you thankful for this season? I'd love to hear your comments!

Your Face Says it All

Do you ever stop and wonder what your face says about you? What expression do you most often wear on your face throughout the day?
Your facial expression says a ton about who you are and how you feel. When traveling or in large crowds such as at amusement parks I enjoy watching people. I enjoy reading other people’s faces. Simply from someone’s face you can often times assess their stress level, happiness, and overall satisfaction with life. Now, flip the coin around. What do others ascertain from reading your facial expressions? If you are like most, your face is drab, stressed out, and overall just plain tired. Thankfully, strangers come and go so their assessment of your mood isn’t all that important in your life.
However, what is VERY important is what your family sees on your face. Do your kids see you smile a lot or do they see a scowl etched between your brow? Unfortunately, I am guilty of this more often than I would like to be. I get so caught up in what I need to be doing, what I should be doing, what I would rather be doing, and more often than not consumed with keeping my kids and house in a somewhat semblance of order. My own problem came crashing down on me one day about a year ago when my oldest asked me what was wrong. Puzzled, I asked why. At which my son replied, you look angry and distant. I immediately apologized and explained that my mind was elsewhere. Later when I had a chance to reflect on that situation, I came to realize that a million things must have been going through my son’s head when reading my expression. I know he must have wondered if it was something he did to make me mad. I felt horrible when I realized this. Of course it wasn’t his fault, nor any of his siblings. And frankly, even if it was I shouldn’t wear those emotions on my face in front of my kids. A momentary look of sadness or disappointment at something they did is one thing but an overall 24/7 look of anger is not what we should portray to our children.
If you find yourself struggling with this try a few of these suggestions:

• When you catch your child’s eye flash them a genuine smile. This lets them know you are ok and happy.
• Next time you walk by your child, no matter what you are doing or where you need to be, give them a pat on the head or better yet a kiss on their head or cheek. Even if your child is involved in something like homework, playing a video game, or reading a book this thoughtful and loving action lets them know you care and cared enough to take a second out of your day to express affection. Often times we get so caught up in our day that we forget to show our children enough affection.
• Write your child a love note. Put the note under their pillow or in the medicine cabinet where they will find it in the morning. This is yet another way to show your child you are proud of them, you love them, and they are important to you. If your child is not reading yet then draw simple pictures on the note, the message will be the same.
• Get rid of the scowl even if you think they aren’t looking, because trust me there are always looking at you.

Wearing a smile, warm eyes, and happy body posture will go a long way in creating a loving and happy environment in your home. Kids should not be worrying about their parents mood, they will though if you always look mad or sad. It is kids’ nature to think that they in someway caused your sour mood which in turn raises their stress levels. Please make a concerted effort this week to brighten up the expression on your face, your kids will appreciate it.

Free Pilgrim Stories

Reading to and spending quality time with your children is a wonderful way to not only teach them early reading lessons but also to show them you care and love them. Pilgrim Stories by Margaret Pumphey is a wonderful series of 3 books which highlight pilgrims in their search for a better life. These stories are heartwarming and perfect for this time of year. Best of all, you can get all 3 books for free, but hurry before it is too late (in other words download your copy today!)

http://www.homeschoolfreebie.wholesomechildhood.com/

Leading By Example

The Holiday season is quickly approaching. Unfortunately, the stereotypical mad-rush of this time of year does not always bring out the best in people. Not only now, but throughout the year as parents we must remember to take a step back and reexamine our lives for the sake of our children. Are you rushing from place to place? Are you so busy you barely have time to think within your own head let alone have a meaningful conversation with your child; one where you actually listen to what your child is saying? What examples are setting on a daily basis for your children? Do you lead with a kind heart and gentle soul or do you bark orders and talk in a loud voice more times than not?

The most important thing to remember about parenting your children is that they learn by example.

Children emulate what they see at home, at school, in their community and on TV. Please ALWAYS keep that in mind. In my own home I have gone so far as to turn off the TV, change the channel, or mute the sound when a commercial or program came on that was not appropriate for the kind hearts of my children.

Do you respect your children? No, I mean honestly and truly respect them. What tone do you use when speaking to them? Do you talk on their level or above them? Try getting down on your knees and look them in the eye next time you need to talk to them or they want to tell you something. Not only are you showing them respect but you are teaching them that what they have to say and what you are telling them is important. And it goes without saying, please always talk to your children in a respectful tone. You will be repaid a million times over when they in turn talk to you in a kind respectful tone.

Kind actions in children include some of the following activities:

* sharing toys
* volunteering to help a neighbor in need
* comforting a baby doll
* offering to help around the house
* comforting a sad or injured sibling

How and where are children learning these things though? At home!!!

Everyday parents lead, teach, and set examples for their children. Shepherding a kind child’s heart is definitely a “do as I do” situation. Simply talking about what children should do is not enough. You need to get your hands dirty and jump in to show them how to do it. Do you walk over to a neighbors house and shovel their snow simply because you see it needs to be done? Or do you turn a blind eye? How about in the grocery store, do you help an elderly person with an item high up on a shelf simply because you see they need help? If you don’t, well then friend you should because your children are watching.

In my own life I have gone so far as to tell my 3rd grader what to say to an adult that helped my son in Boy Scouts. I knew that simply telling my son to go say thank you wasn’t enough for that situation. I told my son what to say and why he needed to say those words. Now next time, he will put his own spin on the thank you but the lesson has been learned and a foundation of respect and thankfulness for elders have been fertilized.

In subsequent postings I will discuss lessons you can teach you children throughout the ages.

Please always remember your children are watching and listening to you. What they see and hear is what they will later do and say!