Ready Set Have Fun

I remember when me and siblings were younger my mom used to give us an old empty box and markers and send us outside to “make something”. She would wash dishes and watch us from the window. Later on, it felt like 4 hours, it probably wasn’t she’d come outside and play with what we had created with our box. The funny thing is that the box was a spaceship, a clubhouse, a bakery and when we were ready to throw it away our mom took me and my sister and brother to a big hill and we convinced my brother, he was the littlest, that the box was a rolling device. My sister and I put in the box and pushed him down the hill it was so fun. Out of all our toys we received during childhood I remember that box the most maybe because me mom spent time with us.
Here are some fun free things to do with your kids:
Go on a book date.

Go to the library. Pack a lunch and have a picnic while you read to your kids or they read to you.
Go on a ladybug hunt.

Perk: You can put them in your garden when you are done.
Give them time and supplies to create.
Go to the swimming pool and yes you get in and play too.
Have a pretend day.

For example, you choose castle day so the whole day you pretend to be a queen the kids can be a princess or a knight all the food that you serve them has new names and everything you do is castle related. You have to play!
Make a craft together.
Many of the ideas are attributed to my mom. Thanks mom for being so much fun!
Have a great and creative day!

Kids Making a Difference

What is stopping our kids from making a difference in the world?

Maybe kids need some inspiration and some ideas on how to change the world one kid at a time.

So here’s the inspiration:
Alice made and sold decorative flip flops for the tsunami vicitims
Just Give
Olathe Jr. and Senior High mentor kids year around
A Kindergarten shared Jesus with her friends
Families came together and served their local communities by raking leaves, picking up trash etc.
Kids Speedway

Here are some possible ways to change the world
1. Start with the kingdom. One lady’s ministry is to send new married couples recipes in the mail. She is reaching out in a creative way to show people Christ’s love.
2. Invite someone new to Get Focused Kids Camp
3. Myanmar Cyclone Relief
4. As a family adopt a child from World Vision or a simmilar organization. Have it be a family decision. Everyone pitches in both money, time and letters. Have the children take a portion of thier allowance or encourage them to raise money in a creative way. I will give you a fun idea Family garage sale.

Have fun and be the difference!

Hey Mom What's for dinner?

I am not a mom yet but I can only imagine all the free time I will have when it comes to that stage of my life. Ok...I was just kidding!


Here let me help you out just a little bit. Here are some quick and tasty treats you can fix for your children.

Mac and Cheese I couldn’t resist this one.

Smoothies

Spaghetti Pizza

Strawberry Milkshake

Mix of Kid Food

Breakfast to Go Please

Mini Fruit Kabobs with Dip

Helping children grieve

I know that I have often found myself at a loss for words when a child's loved one passes away. In fact I am not very good at all with the right words to say to someone who has just had a loved one pass away. It is a very hard time for the family and also for kids. Well here are some links that I think will be helpful if you are being a friend, teacher, or parent of a child who is grieving.

Grief

Memory Box

Most children enjoy hearing stories it might be a good idea to read books to them that may have feelings that the child is experiencing in it. Many times children have a difficult time expressing in words the feelings that they are experiencing. By reading them a story that has a child grieving it may help your child express themselves verbally about the feelings they are feeling. Try reading the book and throughout reading you ask open ended questions such as “have you ever felt like that?” “What would you do if you were that character?”.

Making your own baby food.

I've asked Jennifer Perdaris to guest blog for us. She is a new mom and works here at OBC. Here is what she had to say about making her own baby food:

"As a working mom, and someone who's somewhat domestically challenged, I have to admit that I never thought I would be making my own baby food. I decided to try it after a friend encouraged me to try it. I started by pureeing a baked sweet potato with our stick blender. It's pretty easy, healthy, and saves money. I can spend one evening every
1-2 weeks cooking the food and freezing the purees in icecube trays.
This allows me to also offer my daughter a variety of foods and different combinations that aren't available on the grocery store shelf. If you're interested in learning more about making your own baby food check out Wholesome Baby Food. There you'll find information on pureeing and cooking and storing your own baby food.

Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

Here are just a couple of pictures from our appreciation potluck. We had such a fun time playing games and handing out Sheridan coupons like crazy. It was fun to sit, eat, laugh and talk with all of you.
Wow what a cake! Thanks Christy!

C.S. Lewis

As many of you know the new movie from the Chronicles of Narnia is coming to theaters on May 16. Did you know that C.S. Lewis had published several adults books including a sci-fi book before writing The Chronicles of Narnia?

According to his biography which is published at http://www.factmonster.com/spot/narnia-lewis.html he was interested in writing children's novels and his friends and publisher tried to encourage him not to write children's novels in fear that he would be less reputable in the adult world.

Lucky enough he didn't listen.

Now we can enjoy great children's novels and movies.
I am hoping to encourage you whether your carreer is a mom, teacher or volunteer being a part of a kid's life is HUGE don't ever feel unreputable because you have chosen a higher calling.

Go make a difference!