Tube Town

A long weekend project for the little ones to enjoy and keep out of trouble!

Tube Town

• Transform cardboard tubes into cute cottages in just a few simple steps.
• Paint the tube and let it dry.
• Make two angled cuts into one end of the tube to form a point. Fold a 3- by 3 1/2-inch piece of scrapbook paper in half, then set it on the pointed end as a roof. Use tacky glue to secure it.
• Make two cuts to create a rectangular door, as shown. Glue on a bead for a doorknob.
• Draw windows onto colored paper, cut them out, and attach them to the cottage using a glue stick.
• For a chimney, fold a strip of paper into a four-sided, open-ended box, and glue it to the roof.

10 Ideas: Connecting With Your Kids

I’m always pressed for time, but I know that finding time for my kids is always at the top of my list. They’re my greatest treasure and I just had to share!

In an article by Mary Mary Larmoyeaux she outlines 10 ideas for connecting with your kids:

10 Ideas: Connecting With Your Kids

Children are a heritage from the Lord.
—Psalm 127:3

Here are 10 ideas that can help you get to know your children better and pass on a legacy of faith and fun:

1. During dinner ask everyone to share one piece of both good news and bad news from the day. 
2. Have regular “Kids’ Nights to Cook.” Set up a restaurant atmosphere in your home and create some lifetime memories. Little ones will enjoy decorating the table and making special menus for the evening.
3. Visit a local bookstore with your children and ask them to help you choose a family devotional. Then work through it together. 
4. If you have a sports enthusiast in your home, ask him or her to give you and your spouse regular updates about what’s going on in the world of sports—both locally and nationally.
5. Do a one-on-one activity with each child at least once a week.
6. Take turns choosing Bible verses that the entire family can memorize together. Using a special journal or notebook, ask the children to record each verse after the family has memorized it together. 
7. Once a week after mealtime, draw names to see who will be in the “hot seat.” (Discard each name after it is drawn so everybody will eventually be chosen.) Family members will ask the person in the “hot seat” a question that cannot be answered “Yes” or “No.”
8. When bringing the kids to school, take turns being prayer warriors—praying for each person’s day.
9. After dinner, rotate sharing a “joke of the day.”
10. Have regular family nights doing something fun that everyone enjoys.

The Monique Lhuillier Sophia Bedroom

I’ve got a little girl of my own who’s now at an age where she’s developing her own sense of style and personality. We’re in the process of renovating, I thought it would be the right time to give her the room of her dreams to suit her growing personality. She’s very much into princesses and fairytales, so here’s my take on the perfect princess room to keep her imagination alive. 

The Monique Lhuillier Sophia bedroom by www.potterybarnkids.com.

Springalicious Easter Smoothies

A fun way to get the little ones to get their daily intake of veggies! I surely need this as a mom of two kids who dislike their fruits and veggies!

Recipe:

Each makes 2 glasses (1 cup each) We like them thick- like ice cream. Add more liquid if you like it thinner. 

Pink Smoothie

•   1 1/2 cup milk (almond milk or soy milk works as well)

•   2 cup frozen strawberries

Green Smoothie

•   1 1/2 cup milk

•   1 cup spinach

•   1 frozen banana

•   1 tablespoon honey

Orange Smoothie

•   1 1/2 cup milk

•   2 carrots, chopped

•   1 cup frozen mango chunks

•   1 frozen banana 

Yellow Smoothie

•   1 1/2 cup milk

•   2 cups frozen mango chunks

Purple smoothie

•   1 1/2 cup milk

•   2 cups frozen blackberries

About Author

Jane is a mom of two kids, a six year and four year old. She’s a working mom with a passion for improving the lives of parents and children and doing her part to re focus society back to the importance of family life. She shares with you her everyday life of balancing the demands of a job, marriage and motherhood.

About Just Kiddos

“Just Kiddos” is a blog and news website that focuses on aspects that impact the daily lives of families.

The main focus of this blog is to encourage healthy life habits and family environments.

The journey of parenting is a wonderful one filled with ups and downs. This blog is there to support and guide you throughout this journey.