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Stay at home mom with dreams of perfecting all things mama.

Monday, April 30, 2012

Little me, little you...

As I cooked in my kitchen this morning, I pondered to myself...what would my kids be like if I were a more calm and collected mother? Would they throw less tantrums, would they speak sweeter? Because while I was cooking, this is what my girls were doing:
Mixing play do in one of my bowls to pretend cook (don't mind the bed head)

Playing with play food.
The fact is, our kids our little versions of ourselves. They learn mannerisms from us, they learn words from us, they learn everything from us. I think it's time for me to take ten and consider my attitudes, words, actions so my kids grow up a little nicer, kinder, sweeter and hard working.

Take ten!

By the way, this is what Easton was doing while the girls were cooking...
Like father, like son...haha j/k (kind of)

Sunday, April 29, 2012

say yes to happiness...

Sometimes making your kids happy means sacrificing your own personal preferences in household decor...
 I don't have just one new decoration...
but two new decorations on my kitchen counter! The thing in the middle is my flame-less candle ;)

Melanie came to me first and gave me my lego decor and became so happy when I agreed to display it. Easton came bounding into the kitchen next with his addition.

Take ten to say yes to your kids' happiness. Let them decorate a little. I promise it will bring a smile to their face!

Take ten!

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Roll the dice...

I found a dice today. Yes, just one, because according to oxforddictionaries.com: Historically, dice is the plural of die, but in modern standard English dice is both the singular and the plural.


Yes, I checked my grammar! I did not want to be grammatically incorrect in my post. ;) Either way, I gave the dice to Easton. Then, I thought better of it and I took ten!




Here's what you do:


1.) Give your kids a dice, or die if you like to use that word better.


2.) Show them how to roll the dice or die. (No, I'm not threatening you, "roll the dice or die!")


3.) Play a counting game with it. Roll it and then count the amount of dots are on the top when it is done rolling.


4.) Take pictures and have fun!




Take Ten!

Friday, April 27, 2012

Number recs...

Take ten for numbers. I called this post number recs a joke...short for number recognition. When you're done laughing read on.

On the bottom of the cards from our Mighty Minds shape game are numbers. There are 30 cards. We used them to practice numbers.


Here's what you do:

1.) Find some number cards or make your own.

2.) Teach and practice the numbers.

3.) Make up number games.

4.) Give prizes.

5.) Have fun!

Take ten!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Hail yeah! :)

It hailed today. We took ten.


It began to hail and I had my kids run to the window during their snack time to watch! Then, I thought, if I were 2 or 3 I would want to touch it. So we did!

"Why is it cold?" Easton asked. "Because it is frozen rain" I answered. Now I don't know a ton about hail or why it occurs but I can answer the basic questions my kids asked :)

They both brought some of it inside and Melanie said "Why is mine melting?" "Because it is warm inside the house" I answered.

I'm glad they didn't ask any questions like this: "why does hail form?" Look up the answer to that on Google and tell me if you can explain it to a preschool age kid. Truth be told, I don't even get it!

But truth really be told, my kids got to see hail, touch hail, and bring hail in the house, all while in their socks!

Take ten!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Feed your sister...

Take ten to teach proper baby care!

Here's what you do:

1.) Find a hungry baby.

2.) Call over big sister and teach her how to feed little sister nicely.

3.) Give big sister a hug and good job!

Take ten!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Take ten to be creative...

The kids picked out a bunch of rocks from our other garden bed and placed them in a big pile right behind our car at the top of the driveway while I weeded the strawberry patch yesterday. Instead of asking them to move them back to the garden bed on their own, I got creative.


A smiley face and a circle...I want to buy a plant to place in the circle and the smiley was just fun. The kids loved it! This garden bed is full of weeds and old beauty bark, so these little rock formations kind of spruced it up!

Get creative,
Take ten!

Monday, April 23, 2012

Water+plants=fun!


The kids and I placed a new sign in our strawberry patch. It's tiny and cute...perfect for our tiny garden.

Today's take ten is to take time to teach about planting and watering. Spring is here. Plant something, even if it's just something small, your kids will love it!

Here's what you do:

1.) Buy a plant.

2.) Find a spot to plant it.

3.) Ask your kids for help.

4.) Teach them how to plant it, water it, and then take daily care of it!

5.) Watch it grow!


The kids helped me put this cute little pinwheel in our garden, just because it's fun!

Then we looked at flowers that came back this year.

We planted these last spring...and here they are again...I told the kids that by tomorrow (we did this activity yesterday) we should see the tulips in full bloom..and they were...
Spring is so fun!

Take ten!

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Take ten to explain...

We're busy cooking, cleaning, paying bills, and all of the other things life brings our way. I get it. It's hard to stop and answer ALL of the questions our little ones ask throughout the day. It gets annoying, but today's take ten activity is to stop and answer one of those questions thoroughly, completely, until the kids are satisfied with the answer and filled to the brim with knowledge about what they asked! :)

Today our dog stole a chip off the kids' table and my daughter got really mad and said "Mom get the chip out of Guapo's mouth!" I said "I can't." Of course that was followed by a "WHY?"

This is where I was starting to get annoyed and thinking about blowing the question off, but I thought, why not just explain my reasoning? So, I said "If I take it from his mouth it will break and make a mess." Easton then said "Why will it break?" I said "Because chips are crumbly and break when you press on them."


It sounds like such a silly conversation, but it really was not silly to my kids. They soaked it up. They like to learn and know things and how else will they know unless someone takes the time to teach?

Tonight while using the bathroom Melanie randomly asked, "Why do Veggie Tales not have hands and arms?" Tough question, all I could say was "because that is the way they were drawn." 

Anyone have a better answer?

Take ten!

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Take ten for health..

We have recently been introduced to the gluten free world because of a wheat allergy in the family. I didn't realize all of the different options for flour...coconut flour, brown rice flour, almond flour, and many more. Take ten to try a new flour. They're healthier and they can make some tasty foods! We tried rice flour pancakes this morning. Take ten!

Friday, April 20, 2012

Revisit revistas...

My kids get a magazine in the mail that they love. I love it too. There is something so relaxing about perusing a magazine so when this comes in the mail box we're all excited! My kids will even look at my magazines with me!

Try it..

 Here's what you do:

 1.) Get out a magazine.

 2.) Ask your kids to cozy up on the couch with you.

 3.) Look through the pages talking about what you see and answering their questions. Little kids always have questions!

 4.)Enjoy this time...it won't last long.


Take ten!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Gooses..

Today's take ten activity is to teach the plural of words that have unusual plurals. Today we passed a field full of geese and my oldest daughter said "mommy, look!" I said yes those are geese. I then went on to explain that we say goose if there is only one and geese if there are a lot.

Teach some to your kids!

Here's what you do:

1.) Think of some words that when used in the plural form are different than normal.

2.) Tell your kids about them. Look up pictures of the word being taught. For example if you are talking about mice being the plural of mouse, show mice pictures. Visuals are great teaching tools!

3.) Play a game with the new words. Give rewards for correct answers. :)

Take ten!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

teach the truth...

Take ten to read a Bible story tonight. We like Noah's ark to teach about God's promises.

Take ten!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Don't let them perish...

Don't let your kids perish! It is important to teach our kids academic ideas and such, but there is something even more important for them to learn...

1 Corinthians 1:18-20
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God, For it is written:
 
   "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
   the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."

Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

As much as I love teaching my kids the things they need to know academically, this passage in the Bible really hit me the other morning. Compared to what God teaches us, our earthly knowledge is plain foolishness! Knowing about God, and what he has done for us is MUCH more important for my kids to learn than anything of this world.

I have been convicted. If I fail in this area, I am allowing my kids to perish. Look for more Take Tens about Jesus!

Take ten to talk about the wonders of God!

Monday, April 16, 2012

It's puzzling...

Take ten to play with puzzles. They are challenging and fun. They also give a feeling of satisfaction when you finish one!


Here's what you do:

1.) Take out a puzzle.

2.) Call your kids over and teach them how to match pieces by shapes and colors (if they don't know how)


3.) Spend some quality time playing together.

4.) Take a picture with the finished puzzle.

5.) Give the baby an abacus to play with so she doesn't chew the puzzle pieces. :)

 Take Ten!

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Take Ten Laundry!


I'm airing out my dirty laundry! Here it is! Take ten to teach your kids about laundry care. My 3 year old separated these whites and dark colored clothes for me and she enjoyed it!

One of the greatest things about kids is that they like learning new things even if it is a chore. Try it out!

Here's what you do:

1.) Get out your laundry hamper.

2.) Ask your kids for help. Little kids love to help!

3.) Set out two baskets and ask them to put all whites in one and colors in the other.

4.) Sit back and watch them do it with a joyful heart and remind yourself how we should have that same joyful nature as adults!

Take Ten!




Saturday, April 14, 2012

Happy feelings...

Take ten to share happy thoughts with your kids.

Today my kids and I shared some chicken and rice for lunch. As we were sharing I said "I like sharing lunch with you guys." They looked at me, smiled big and Melanie said "Me too!" Then I said "I also like taking walks together. Do you like to take walks together?" They both laughed and said yes.

I kept the conversation going with some more things I liked, and asked more about what they liked. It was simple, fulfilling, happy!

Little thoughts with big meanings bring happy feelings. Talk to your kids about something that makes them happy. Here's what you do:

1.) While you are sitting at a meal (meal time works best because there are no toy/game or TV distractions) talk about something they do with you that makes you happy.

2.) Ask them questions about what makes them happy.

3.) That's it! That's all it takes to make your kids feel good.

Meal times: good times to take ten for happy feelings!
Take Ten!

Friday, April 13, 2012

Take ten to appreciate God's creation

We went outside to play with the neighbors today and saw this:
I took this with my phone, but I promise you there is a tiny green frog within that mess of grass and weeds. We saw it sitting on a rock before it jumped in here. Most likely he was trying to get away from the scary giants staring and grabbing at him!

Find some of God's creation today with your kids.

Here's what you do:

1.) Go outside.

2.) Show your kids something in nature.

3.) Talk about its appearance, attributes, and such.

4.) Bring up how God created everything!

5.) Enjoy your time with God!

Take Ten!

Thursday, April 12, 2012

The power of play dates...

Take ten to play with friends.

Here's what you do:

1.) Call a friend and set up a visit.

2.) Put together a snack to give your kids to share with the friends who will be visiting.

3.) Let the kids play together.

4.) Relax and watch your kids learn cooperation, communication, sharing, kindness and much more!

We can always tell our kids to be nice, to talk sweetly, to share, but giving them opportunities to practice those things is the best way to get our kids to keep them as lifelong character traits.
This is what we shared at our play date!

Take Ten!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

A is for apple...

Today's take ten activity was painting, but it also involved some thinking and recycling. :)

Here's how we made painting fun:

1.) Ask your kids what their favorite food is before getting out the paints.

2.) After they answer, tell them to paint a picture of that food.

3.) Ask some more questions before they begin, such as, "What colors should you use?, What shape is that food?" These kinds of questions will help them think about their painting and plan ahead a little before just diving into the paints.

4.) Give them a piece of paper (or in our case, a piece of brown paper bag---recycling) to paint on.

Melanie said her favorite food is apples. Easton also said his favorite food is apples because at 2 years old, copying his older sister is what he does! We sat down and started our project. Melanie did really well, Easton however decided to throw a fit, spill water on his paper on purpose and then run and watch TV. I guess that is what I get when I plan an activity so close to nap time! Oh well, I'm sure he got something out of the little bit he did to participate.

Here is Melanie's painting. I'm going to frame it and hang it in my kitchen! I love the way it looks on the paper bag paper!


She loved it so much she made another painting and we also practiced spelling...

Lower case a's are still a little challenging...I seem to remember having trouble keeping my R's the right way when I was little...practice makes perfect!

Take Ten!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Spring's renewal...

With spring comes new things and in celebration of that, take ten and do something new with your kids!

Here is what we did:

We called up some friends who own a farm and asked to come see their new lambs. The kids got to bottle feed them!! What an experience! (Thank you Schactlers!)

Think hard and I bet you can come up with something new to do with your kids to celebrate spring!

Take Ten!

Monday, April 9, 2012

Tweak it!

Side note-before I begin today's post, did anyone notice I didn't post yesterday? I've decided that Take Ten takes holidays. In honor of Easter, I took a break from blogging.

Ok, so today we tweaked our coloring routine, and made it more exciting. Nice days call for outdoor activities, which we did. We biked, ran, and played ball. After nap, right before dinner, I let the kids color in their coloring books outside.

Just by tweaking this daily activity a little, made it more exciting!


Skyelynn and I sat on the porch swing and relaxed in the warm air!

By the way, the resurrection cookie project turned out great. Here are some photos from that! The kids loved it, and paid attention to each verse through each step of the recipe!
Oh hi real live bunny hopping around our house Easter morning! Happy Easter!

Take Ten!

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Fun in sun..

Today I needed patience, and today we needed to get out! Take ten to get in the sun and rejuvenate yourself with your kids. Oh and take pics.

Here's what we did...

1.) We dressed in nice clothes.

2.) We got in the car.

3.) Made a stop at our favorite cafe.

4.) Sat outside eating and drinking smoothies.

5.) Took pictures!!!

6.) Took more pictures!

I think we got some good shots and we had fun!

Take Ten!


Friday, April 6, 2012

Worth the mention...Again!

My kids beg for seconds of spinach everyday without knowing it. I know I've talked about these green monster smoothies before, but seriously, they are so good and so easy and so nutritious that I think they are worth mentioning AGAIN! Take Ten and drink some spinach with your kids!

Here's how you do it, these are a few favorites around here...but you can be creative and add lots of different things to your smoothies!

Blueberry Green Monster
1 cup milk (we like almond milk)
1 cup baby spinach (we like Earthbound Organic--you can find it at Costco)
1 handful of frozen blueberries
1-2 squirts of honey or any other sweetener (sugar, brown sugar, etc)
2-3 ice cubes
Blend everything (except the ice), making sure the spinach leaves are at the bottom next to the blades of your blender. Once all of that is mixed thoroughly, add some ice and blend some more.
Take a taste to make sure it is to your liking, add more blueberries or sweetener or milk if need be and ENJOY!

Chocolate Banana Green Monster
1 cup milk
1 cup baby spinach
1 banana
1-2 squirts chocolate sauce (maybe more)
3 cubes ice
Blend and ENJOY!

Pineapple Banana Green Monster
2 tablespoons (maybe more depending on taste) of 100% pineapple juice concentrate (not the juice mixed with water, just the concentrate)
1 banana
1 cup baby spinach
1/4 to 1/2 cup water (depends on taste)
3 cubes ice
Blend and ENJOY!

All of the measurements for the above recipes are guesstimates, as in, I do not measure anything, I only blend, taste, add more of something, blend, taste and pour once it is to my liking!


These smoothies are great because the kids can help plop the ingredients into the blender. They can also be responsible for getting out the cups and straws. We like to give little jobs around here to keep kids learning responsibility! The best part is they get a yummy treat that is good for them too!

Take Ten!

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Take a little time...

to teach about time! If you dig deep enough in your kids toys you're likely to find a toy clock, somewhere! We have one on our play house.

Here's what you do:

1.) Go over the numbers on the clock 1-12.

2.) Show the little hand and big hand.

3.) Teach that when the big hand is on the 12 and the little hand is on the 1 it is one o'clock and so on.

4.) Depending on how advanced their counting skills are, you can move on to teaching different times where the long hand is not on the 12.  For my kids, I'm sticking to only times where the long hand is on the 12.

5.) Practice, practice, practice!

Take Ten!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

The truth about Easter...

My 2 and 3 year old kids are already thinking about bunnies, chocolates, eggs and presents when I talk about Easter. As much fun as those things can be, the truth is what I want my kids to know. With them being so young, it is hard to explain in an understandable way why Easter is truly celebrated.

My friend Skyelynn and I have been looking for age appropriate crafts or fun ideas to teach our kids the real meaning behind Easter. I think I've found a really good one, by accident! I was looking for recipes online and saw this cookie recipe. You make it with your kids and each step in the cookie making process tells a part about Jesus and His resurrection.

You can check it out here: http://eatathomecooks.com/2011/04/easter-story-cookies.html

Note: In this recipe I will be switching out the pecans and using sugar ice cream cones instead. No one in my family (except me) likes pecans.

I plan on doing this activity on Saturday night and having the cookies ready for a breakfast treat on Easter Sunday morning. I posted it today so everyone could have a chance to do it earlier in the week if need be!

Take Ten!!

P.E.

Get some exercise going with your kids. Check out what my sister's kids created at their house. Great idea and a lot of fun!
Here's what you do:

1.) Pull out some toys.

2.) Arrange them in an "obstacle course" manner.

3.) Tell the kids to race through it!

4.) Record it!

5.) Enjoy!

Take Ten!

Monday, April 2, 2012

Another ordinary to extraordinary..

My kids played with blocks while I showered today. When I was done they called me in to see their block "garden." The next time I popped my head in they were building this...

A bowling game! This is when I sat down to Take Ten and help. We had lots of fun. I highly recommend this Take Ten activity.

We didn't have enough tan blocks to do ten pins!
Here's what you do...

1.) Break out your blocks or legos.

2.) Find something hard to place the legos or blocks on top of, like a plastic lid.

3.) Make a bowling pin set up and find a ball!

4.) Have fun!

Ordinary blocks can become so many things..like a bowling game!

Take Ten!

Sunday, April 1, 2012