Life Lessons from a 6 Year old

Six year old Tianna hits the nail on head! Parents be very mindful of your kids they are very in tune to everything around them. This video is a real wake up call to us parents. I teared up watching this as she was genuinely pleaing with her mom to just get along with her dad and be happy. So sad……

Frozen Yogurt Pops

It's Summer time, finally! Nothing quenches that blistering heat like a healthy frozen yogurt pop. Packed with yummy fruits and yogurt, this treat would be a hit with the kids and it's so easy to make, I just love it! Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 cup – yogurt, plain
1 medium – banana
1 cup – mixed berries, frozen
1/8 cup – honey

Directions:
1. Toss all ingredients into a high-powered blender and puree.
2. Divide evenly between paper cups.
3. Cover with aluminum foil and pierce foil in the center with popsicle sticks to hold sticks in place. 4. Freeze 4-5 hours or until solid.

Dad & Daughter Duet

This is too hilarious I had to post it....
I think this dad loves the song more than his daughter! Props to him though. I love to see when dads are involved in their kid’s lives. The importance of a good dad-daughter bond is so priceless. I always love seeing the interaction between my daughter and her dad, and seeing how his involvement in her life continues to shape her into a strong, confident little one.

Moms, what are your favorite dad-daughter activities or bonding experiences? I'd love to know, tell me in the comments below!

Reading Nooks

Reading is such an important part of life. As parents, we need to ensure that our kids become avid readers. There are many great ways to encourage reading - one that worked for me was developing a reading nook. It’s an escape that the kids enjoy going to.

I have developed my own nook that I use to catch up on my reading and I have done it in a shared space. Whilst the kids read and relax, I can do the same.

Below are some inspirational ideas.

5 Clean Up Tricks

Don’t we all need this, I’m always looking for ways to make this happen, my kids don’t fall for the tricks though…. Hope it works for you! Enjoy.

Flower Art

The little princesses will love this! It’s also quite educational, they learn about the different parts of a flower. My little girl is always asking me to find arts and craft projects for her, and she's quite the budding artist. We've recently planted a beautiful flower garden out back and this craft turned out to be the perfect way to be both a craft and learning experience for her. This is definitely a great activity for kids of all ages, my son even helped to make his own version of a dinosaur using various leaves! Oh the creative minds and imaginations of these kiddos! 

Give it a try using the video below and tell me what you think!

Paper Mobile

Another fun weekend project the kids would love! My little ones were at home over a holiday weekend, with no school! So, as all mom's know that familiar phrase when they're at home for extended periods, "Moooom, I'm boooreddd", I knew I had to bust out the crafting supplies. This turned out to be super cute, check out the directions below and let me know how your kids enjoyed it!

Watch your child's artwork twist and twirl at even the slightest gusts when you hang paper clip art characters on this cute mobile.

Make It: 
Select royalty-free clip art to use for your mobile (we chose nature-theme images).
You'll need two versions: the standard icon and the icon flipped to be the mirror image (most image-processing software will allow you to do this; if you can't, simply doodle on one side of the art before hanging it).

Print the standard images.

Turn the paper over in your printer and print the mirror image on the back.

Have your child color both sides with markers or crayons.

Cut out the images when he's done, punching a hole in the top of each.

Cover two dowels with patterned paper and tie them together with ribbon to form an X shape.

Attach string to the images and hang them from the ends of the dowels.

Add string at the top to hang the mobile.

DIY Fidget Spinners

Tried this, the kids love it and Mom and Dad are definitely addicted!

I'm sure if you're the parent of any kid under the age of ten, they've come home asking for a 'fidget spinner' of their own.  I had no idea what that was at first, but after a little researching I quickly realized their popularity. My son first asked me if we'd get him one, so we thought, why not see if this could be a DIY project for dad to work on with him? Maybe it might prove to be more fun making it than just picking one up at the store. This is the latest 'craze' amongst kiddos, and this DIY worked so well for us, I just had to share!

Build your own using this simple video we found on YouTube!

Turkey and Apple Wrap

A quick and healthy wrap the kids would love for school! I love them too…

Directions: Spread on any type of mustard that you or your child likes—Dijon, French’s, honey mustard. If you’re a mayonnaise family, then by all means add a layer of that, too. Sprinkle on some grated cheddar cheese, and layer with slices of turkey breast, apple slices and lettuce. Roll and cut.

Brownie Bites

Guilt Free Brownies YUMMM! Love this recipe and it’s so quick and easy.

Stop OverIndulging Your Children

Advice on how to meet all their needs, but not all their wants.

By Jill Rigby
http://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/parenting/foundations/character-development/stop-overindulging-your-children

What do your children really need from you? Love, guidance, shelter, food, clothing, medical care, and an education.
That’s it.
Everything else is a want, a luxury:  video games, iPods, cell phones, the latest fashion—whatever new item their friends have.

Today, far too many parents fall for the “nag factor.”  They know their kids are bombarded by ads telling them to buy certain products and that many parents are buying those products for their children. They know the pressure that comes from their children’s peers, and so they buy their kids far more “stuff” than they can even use, all in the hope that their children will fit in and be accepted by their peers.

According to a recent survey of youth commissioned by the Center for a New American Dream, the average 12- to 17-year-old who asks a parent for products will ask nine times until the parents finally give in.  For parents of tweens, the problem is particularly severe—more than 10 percent of 12- to 13-year-olds admit to asking their parents more than 50 times for products they’ve seen advertised. Kids have learned if they nag enough for long enough, parents will give in. Parents, stop falling for the nag factor.
Refuse to overindulge your kids.

Sadly, our self-absorbed society has told parents to help their kids feel good about themselves, that it’s the parents’ duty to make their children happy. But underneath it all, kids don’t need parents who make them happy. They need parents who will make them capable.

Dr. Connie Dawson, co-author of How Much Is Enough, writes:
When parents give children too much stuff that costs money, do things for children that they can do for themselves, do not expect children to do chores, do not have good rules and let children run the family, parents are overindulging.
Here are some other signs of overindulgence.  As you read them, watch for your weak spot:
1. Giving them things or experiences that are not appropriate for their age or their interests:

• Allowing a 5-year-old to dress like a pop star.
• Allowing a 12-year-old to watch an R-rated movie.
• Removing curfew from a 16-year-old with a new driver’s license.

2. Giving things to meet the adult’s needs, not the child’s:

• A mom buying her daughter the trendiest clothes, because Mom believes it’s a reflection on her own style.
• A dad giving his son the “stand out” wheels at sixteen, so Dad’s friends—as well as his son’s friends—will think he’s “the man.”
• A parent giving his or her children the best of the best in order to make the parent look successful.

3. Neglecting to teach children the life skills they need to survive in the “real” world beyond their home:

• Tying shoes and dressing 4-year-olds who are perfectly capable of dressing themselves.
• Doing the laundry for teenagers who are more than capable and need to learn to do it for themselves.

I admit that I slipped into overindulgence in raising my sons in more than one area.  It’s important to realize the harm this can do to our children.
According to one study conducted in 2001, children who are overindulged are more likely to grow up to believe the following:

• It is difficult to be happy unless one looks good, is intelligent, rich, and creative.
• My happiness depends on most people I know liking me.
• If I fail partly, it is as bad as being a total failure.
• I can’t be happy if I miss out on many of the good things in life.
• Being alone leads to unhappiness.
• If someone disagrees with me, it probably indicates that the person doesn’t like me. 
• My happiness depends more on other people than it depends on me.
• If I fail at my work, I consider myself a failure as a person.

So, for the sake of your children, stop overindulging them.  Instead, teach them the difference between a need and a want, and then make them work for their wants. For instance, rather than buying that new video game for your children, give them two options: Tell them they can place it on a wish list for a birthday or Christmas present, or they can do extra duties to earn the money to buy it themselves. If your children are willing to work for their “heart’s desire,” they’ll take better care of it, be more grateful for it, and think long and hard before turning a “want” into a “need” in the future.

Repairing the damage of overindulgence
Parents, you can begin to remedy the damage done by overindulgence by doing two things:
1. Help your kids cultivate patience. The truth is parents often prevent their children from learning patience. We’ve gotten just as caught up in our fast-food society as anyone else. We’ve forgotten that real life problems aren’t solved in 15 minutes, that it takes time to find solutions to everyday struggles. We’re the ones who try to speed things up for our kids.
So don’t be so quick to solve your children’s problems for them. A bit of a struggle is good for them.

2. Give children opportunities to develop responsibility and to feel valuable.  Your children need your help if they are going to learn necessary life skills. They need you to give them regular chores or duties and to hold them accountable for taking care of those duties. In so doing, you will help your children become adults, not just grown-ups.

All children will at times engage in a power struggle when it comes to carrying out chores or duties. But if parents give in and don’t assign age-appropriate duties for their children, their kids will grow up to be irresponsible, which is heartbreaking for the parent and tragic for the children.
No matter the age of the child, any duties you assign them should encompass these purposes:

• Helping your child learn life skills.
• Helping your child become a valuable member of the family.
• Helping your child become a valuable member of society.

By giving your children opportunities to help and serve each other within the family, you’re preparing them to take care of themselves and go out and serve society.
Now that I’ve asked you not to overindulge your kids with their wants, I want to encourage you to overindulge them with love, real love. Love that molds and shapes them into the young men and women they are meant to become. Patiently help them develop patience, and with persistence and persuasion give them age-appropriate responsibilities. As you do these things, you’ll be preparing their hearts and minds to accept the responsibilities God has planned for them.

10 Ideas: Making Time for Your Spouse

Being a working mom of two kids, I tend to neglect my better half! I’m sure most of us working moms can relate to this. It’s an issue that we ignore but can have serious effects on our marriage. I stumbled across the article below and it helped me in terms of finding creative ways to find time for each other. Enjoy!

How to keep marriage on the front burner of life.

By Mary May Larmoyeux

Author Feb 06, 2015

My husband, Jim, and I have been married for more than 30 years and we consider one another to be best friends. Despite this, we have to intentionally keep our relationship and marriage on the front burner of life. 
Finding time to be with just one another is important to Jim and me. But I confess, it’s not always an easy thing to do. And this isn’t just our isolated problem. It’s common in most marriages—regardless of age. The following 10 ideas can help you and me intentionally make time for our spouse:

1. Cultivate a common interest. Your spouse should be your best friend, and friends enjoy spending time with one another. If you and your spouse have different hobbies, find something that you both enjoy doing and do it together. You may want to go bike riding, walk together at the end of a long day, play tennis, or learn how to ballroom dance. Shared experiences enrich marriages and deepen friendship.

1. Have a regular date night. If you don’t have a relative nearby who would gladly watch your kids, then consider swapping babysitting with a friend on a regular basis. For example, you would watch their kids on the first Friday of every month and they would watch your kids on the second Saturday of every month.  Also you can go a step further and tune-up your marriage at a weekend getaway, this will help you get away from the distractions of life and focus on one another.

1. Try new adventures together. We only live this life once. Try doing something different to force yourself out of the rut of normal day-to-day living. If you and your spouse would like to do something a little more daring, consider activities such as skydiving, scuba diving, mountain climbing, etc.

1. Write love letters to one another and read them over a romantic dinner. Writing letters is almost a lost art form today. You may want to redeem it by regularly expressing your love to your spouse in a letter. Then read it to your spouse over a romantic dinner. You could purchase special wooden boxes for your love letters. Or, record them in individual journals as a lasting reminder to your legacy of your love for one another. If you’re not sure how to begin writing your letter, read “Tips for Writing a Notable Love Letter.”

1. Set aside regular time to talk with one another—without any distractions. Make time to focus on one another and talk about the day’s events. You and your spouse may want to do this after the kids go to bed. The important thing is to share heart-to-heart and face-to-face.

1. If the kids are in school, you may want to have lunch together once a week. Put it on the calendar and make definite appointments. I read about a pastor who did this for years. He had a standing invitation for lunch one day a week that could not be broken—lunch with his wife.

1. Read a book together and discuss it over coffee at a local coffeehouse or bookstore. Take turns choosing the books. If a movie has been made out of the book, read and discuss it together and then watch the movie. Compare the book to the movie.

1. Be accountable to one another. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 tells us, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion.”

1. You may want to ask your spouse to keep you accountable in a certain area. For example, I have a habit of over-committing myself and having way too many things on the to-do list. My husband is great about bringing me back to earth and helping me establish a more balanced schedule.

1. Pray together. When we regularly pray with our spouse, our souls and hearts are uniquely knit together. Sadly, we’ll forget many of the ways God answers our prayers unless we write them down.

Star Wars Light Side Dark Side Bedroom

Although my little boy isn’t ready for his own room, I love this Star Wars theme! Also, I didn’t want to be biased towards the girls so I had to post a room just for boys.😊

Available at .www.potterybarnkids.com

Cameron Creativity Art Storage System With Open Bases

On the note of creativity and crafts I’m ABSOLUTELY in love with the Cameron creativity art storage system! I love the chic, clean, crisp look of it, alongside its many storage compartments! Sure winner!

Available at www.potterybarnkids.com

Egg-Streme Bugs

Old egg cartoons, don’t dump them! I have found a few handy crafts that we can do over the weekend to keep those little ones occupied. I’ll be uploading them week by week.

Kids will love these critters, including cute caterpillars and lovely ladybugs.

What You'll Need: 1 egg carton; tempera paint (red, green, black); paintbrushes; glue; googly eyes; pipe cleaners (black and brown); white tissue paper; craft needle or push pin; scissors; markers; hot-glue gun, tissue paper (optional)

Make It: Bugs can be made from one egg cup or from several cups cut in a row. Cut off the top of the carton, leaving just the bottom. Separate individual egg cups or cut two or three egg cups in a row. Paint the outside of the cups with solid colors. Paint a few individual egg cups red to create single lady bugs, paint two cups black to create beetles, or paint three cups green to make a caterpillar. Once the paint has dried, use markers to add details (such as dots and lines).

Then glue two googly eyes to the front of an egg cup of each color for the head, and cut different lengths of pipe cleaners to use for legs or antennae. Use a craft needle or a pushpin to punch holes in the cups where you want to insert the pipe cleaners. Thread the pipe cleaners and secure the ends by bending or twisting them inside the cup. You can also cut wings out of tissue paper and hot-glue them to the finished bugs.

Lightened Spinach Artichoke Chicken Alfredo Recipe

The Weekends’ upon us, time for some chillaxing with a healthy but hearty meal that moms, dads and kids could enjoy! Also us moms won’t feel so guilty about the calories!

This one pot meal is quick and delicious! A creamy chicken alfredo pasta lightened up by using milk instead of cream and adding some spinach and artichoke. It's like having creamy chicken fettuccine and a cheesy artichoke dip in one!

 

Ingredients

• 14 ounce – artichoke hearts, jarred
• 3 clove – garlic
• 1 pound – chicken breast
• 2 tablespoon – olive oil
• 3 ounce – cream cheese, low fat
• 5 1/2 cup – milk
• 16 ounce – fettuccine pasta, dry
• 1 teaspoon – salt
• 6 cup – spinach
• 1 cup – Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions

1. Rinse and drain artichoke hearts, then chop into small pieces. Set aside in a small bowl. Mince 3 cloves garlic. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
2. In a large pot over medium-high heat, saute chicken (salt and peppered to taste) and garlic in 1 tablespoon of oil until the chicken is cooked. Add artichoke hearts and cream cheese and stir until creamy. Spoon the mixture out into the small bowl used for the artichoke hearts.
3. Pour 5 1/2 cups of milk into the pot and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally to prevent scalding. Once boiling, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 pound of noodles, bending or breaking to make sure they submerge. Cover and reduce heat to maintain a low boil, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are cooked to al dente (done but still a little tough).
4. Add the chicken mixture back in, sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of salt, and toss in 6 cups of spinach. Stir and cover until the leaves are mostly wilted, keeping the heat low. Now add 1 cup of parmesan and mix until everything is well combined. (Serving size: 1 cup)