4 Tips for Cooking With Your Kids!

Hey guys!
Since we made home made pizza today, it inspired me to do a post about cooking with your kids. As I was thinking about what I would say, I thought it would be great to tell you some simple things that I have learned while cooking with Charlie. Here are my 4 Simple Tips for Cooking with Kids!

Strategy!
Plan what you're going to make, go shopping and when you get home organize the ingredients. Going through the store I have Charlie memorize three or four ingredients and I have him recite them back to me. This helps him with memory and it gets him used to thinking about food, so the actual  food is always a part of it, and it's not just about the doing part. This is also great for teaching follow through!

*Remember to wash hands before cooking! :)

Keep it Safe!
Kids love helping, which is great, but make sure they are aware of the dangers of a hot stove/oven and sharp knives. This is an obvious one, but can't go without mentioning. Anything can happen in a split second! I always do the prep work and let Charlie and Wesley do the easy stuff. They get to mix and dump etc. but I always do the cutting and putting things in the oven, stove. I also don't let them stand too close to the oven. Charlie slipped one time and got a second degree burn on his index finger. Took 2 weeks to heal and I was a mess!!! It's NOT worth it!

Keep it Simple!
Simple steps and a simple recipe that doesn't take 3 hours to make is what we go for. Simple gadgets are always great, spoons, bowls, mixers, blenders- hey they can push the buttons- and spatulas all work great for little hands and developing fine and gross motor skills! Also, it builds a child's self esteem to accomplish something- no matter how small it seems to us- it's big stuff to them! So, mixing, pouring, sifting, dumping, whisking, poking, patting, touching, any verb you can think up, they love it! It's easy to make a kid grin from ear to ear when you pat them on the back for an accomplishment- what a great memory it is for you and them- and a good self esteem booster to boot!

Keep it Special!

Introduce new ingredients or a family specialty! This teaches them about food that is good for them, that they can make things all by themselves (they don't always need to go out to eat) and that Grandma So-and-so made this for you when you were a kid! And what a palate it helps to develop! Picky eaters? Not in my house! We eat everything except liver...and goat cheese- but hey, I try. My kids don't really turn their noses up to much and that's probably because we make everything sound deeelishes! Kale? Awesome! Broccoli? They steal it off my plate. I make things healthy and fun- and that's all you have to do!

Take the time to spend with your kids because one day they'll grow up and give you 

just the same amount of attention you gave to them!

"I made this one!"

If a messy kitchen is what it takes

To spend my day with you,

Then I would bake ten thousand cakes

And smile the whole day through

If time with you meant dishes for days

and living in the sink,

Then I would wash and scrub away

And never even blink

If I had to have a dirty floor

from teaching you to cook

Then I would sweep and never care

of how much time it took

If all I ever did with you

was play and run and swing

My heart would be full of joy

And all the good you bring

~Kelly Moore~

8.25.12

Seize the day!
Capture every moment and keep it forever!

~Kelly

Butterfly...

A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no further.

So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon.

The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings.

The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time.

Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.

What the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If God allowed us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us.

We would not be as strong as what we could have been. 

We could never fly!

Two Poems...

"When It's Rainy Outside"

Written July 14, 2012

Inspired by the rain on Saturday while doing the dishes.

When it's rainy outside

I close my eyes

And listen to the sweet pitter patter.

As the rain comes down

I slowly sigh

And the rest of the world doesn't matter.

A cuddle on the couch

A quiet nap

My heart calmly beats with each tiny drop.

When it's rainy outside

The world goes by

But in here all things come to a stop.

To hear many rain drops

Is luxury

To watch them trickle down the window pane.

When it's rainy outside

A cheeky sigh

To listen and watch little drops of rain...

"I Said Unto Thee, Live"

Written July 16, 2012

Inspiration from Ezekiel 16:6

As the sinner lay there waiting

Expecting naught but wrath

Knowing his life is darkness

And death is all he hath

O, the words of grace and mercy

Came as He drew close by

He stopped, looked...He paused

He spoke these words of life...

Said the Master to the Sinner

"I said unto thee, Live!"

The eternal Lord in glory

With words of life to give

His free, unpurchased, unsought grace

Has quickened who were dead

It took but one death at Calvary

to pay the sinner's debt!

Guilty, ready to be condemned

The Mighty One said, "Live!"

The sinner arises, pardoned-

For the Savior does forgive!

Saved One, show gratitude and live!
Your Savior set you free
And the dawn of Resurrection-
What a day that will be!

Love this last one...to God be the glory!

The Sweet Life {for real}

Boy have we been busy!! I'm sure it's the same with you, too!
This month is almost over already and soon we'll be into July and holiday festivities...
Then back to school in August and another year full of AWANA craziness in September...
Trunk or Treat and the coolest old car show in October...
Thanksgiving...Christmas...

Ok, ok, ok...I know, it won't be that quick and it sounds like I've got the rest of the year all planned out.
But really, that's how life goes! Before you know it, the day is over, the week is over, the month is over, the year is over...in a blink.

I take lots of pictures, not because they are great, but because my kids are great. My LIFE is great!! Sure, it has it's busy times that are exhausting but then you have times like today- Saturday- when the kids are sleeping and the fan is blowing and you have time to blog about not having any time! :)

I am going through a chapter in my life where I'm making sacrifices to get to a point where we as a family can move forward in life and go, do, see, explore, create, learn, and discover new things. Where me as a mom can learn new things too and make my home a place that reflects my heart, my passion for life and my commitment to my God and my family. Soon- I'll get to embark on all those great things. But for now, it's working and sacrificing and praying for God's blessings and direction, strength and purpose.

So, while I could get all flustered that I don't have an iPhone, or an iPad, or anything that starts with an "i" or has any ounce of coolness to it whatsoever- I'd rather enjoy what I do have and live like nobody else- so that one day I can live like nobody else!

So, if you're in the same boat as we are (saving money, striving to get ahead, or like us, paying off your house) be comforted in the fact that you are not alone and one day it'll pay off big time! The success of financial freedom is more valuable and liberating than any accessory! True dat!

Also, rumor has it that having no mortgage has replaced the BMW as a status symbol and those with no debt are fewer and farther between than ever before.

So, go work hard money bags- and smile while you're at it. You're in the minority- and that's a great thing!

And get ready to live the sweet life- for real!

just something fun...

I have been behind on printing out and planning tot school activities and projects and learning things for Charlie...so he's just been tracing letters a lot lately! :D Finally I finished what had needed to be done for a looong time!

Just wanted to share what we did today!

We used to verse from 1 Thess 5:18 

"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

 This verse has been the only explanation for me in a lot of trials that I have faced. We don't often know why we're going through something difficult and it's in those times that we need to pull on God's strength and know that whatever we're facing is God's will...and that He wants us to grow and become better and better with each passing trial- it's not always "sunshine and bunnies" and sometimes the "rain" is necessary...but this we know, the Creator- the Potter...is watching over us!

So, I explained to Charlie that even though it's sometimes rainy and even though it's sometimes sunny we ought to always give thanks for what we have, where we are, and that we have each other! This was ALL him today (except for Mommy who taped it up!)

Also, today we worked on letter U. A little out of order but that's the beauty of teaching yourself- you decide what you do today! So far we have done letters A-P...so we're not too far off. Gotta mix it up! :D

 

This is my {now} organized "workbox" are for Charlie. Everything we do for tot school is in each workbox that he moves down through during the day.

Here are some more things that he uses. Crafts container,  Tot books that have numbers, letters, colors and shapes that he looks through. I try to keep it fresh.

 

 

I printed out letters that Charlie can trace and put them in page protectors. He wants to do this daily so it has really gotten some use. I even put numbers and pages of lines and squiggles to get him ready for shapes and such.

 

Do-A-Dot art makes everything better!

 Really I just wanted to share the first picture but went overboard I guess. I have to make the most of the days I'm not working which is actually fun because we spend a lot more time doing things with each other than if we did a little every day. What we also do is our calendar songs: the weather, the days of the week, months of the year and color of the day.

 

That's all!

31 Days of Prayer for Your Husband, Yourself & Your Children

I recently found a blog that I fell in love with. It's everything I want to read about, look at and learn from. It's the me I want to be! I have found so many inspiring things on the internet and can't wait to incorporate them into my own home and family! I am a crafty girl that does everything by the C.A.S.E method {copy and steal everything}. When I'm being good I call it: "Search and Reapply". :D

Anyway, there was this blog of prayer cards that she posted. 31 days of different prayers~ deep, meaningful prayers~ for our husband and prayers for you as a wife and as a mother as well a prayers for your children.
 
Just in time for the first of April so get your printers ready and click on the link below to print them out!

I'm going to print them out, cut them out, laminate them, hole punch them and put them on a ring and keep them on my dresser so that every morning I can go through each prayer card and pray God's blessings over my husband as he works hard each day, for protection for him and for salvation for my sons. I want God to do something in me as a wife so that I am a jewel far above rubies...I want my sons to rise up one day and call me me blessed. I am going to be a prayer warrior this year as well as pray for my warriors!

I pray you print this out to make your own prayer ring and bathe your family in prayers as well! 

Here's a look at what the prayer cards say...

For Your Husband
Day 1: Pray that he would grow spiritually & consider his accountability before the Lord. That he would guard his heart by developing spiritual disciplines {Bible reading, study & prayer}.

Day 2: His relationship with God & His word would bear fruit in his life. That he would be a man of wisdom & understanding, fearing the Lord.

Day 3: He would be quick and humble to agree with God about his sin...that his heart would be tender towards the voice of the Lord.

Day 4: He would grow in leadership skills providing and protecting us. That he would lead me wisely and love me sacrificially so that God would be glorified in our marriage. 

Day 5: He would be faithful to our wedding vows...that he would have a desire to cultivate our relationship as a sign of his loyalty and commitment to me & as a picture of Christ's love for the church.

Day 6: He would love righteousness & hate wickedness, especially the evils of the culture. And recognize & avoid wickedness in his own life & take a clear, strong stand against evil.

Day 7: He would safeguard his heart against inappropriate relationships with the opposite sex. That his heart would be pure and undivided in his commitment to me.

Day 8: That he would work hard for our family...that the character qualities necessary would be a growing part of his character {persistence, decisiveness, strength & determination}.

Day 9: He would handle finances wisely, having discernment concerning budget and investments & will be a good steward of our money and that money will not become a source of discord for us.

Day 10: He would cultivate a strong integrity and not compromise convictions...that his testimony would be genuine, honest in his business and never do anything to hide from anyone.

Day 11: He would have a humble, teachable spirit and a servant's heart before the Lord...that he would listen to God and desire to do his will.

Day 12: That he would yield his needs to the Lord and practice self control...that our intimacy would be fresh, positive, and a reflection of selfless love. 

Day 13: He would use practical skills to build our family and make wise decisions for our welfare...that he would serve unselfishly.

Day 14: He would speak words that build me and our family & reflect a heart of love...& that he would not use filthy language.

Day 15: He would choose friends wisely...that God would bring him men who would encourage his accountability before Him, and will not lead him into sin.

Day 16: He would choose healthy, god-honoring activities. That he would not live in bondage to nay questionable habits or hobbies, but will experience freedom in holiness as he yields to the Spirit's control.

Day 17: He would enjoy manliness as he patterns his life after Christ & strong men in the faith. For his mental, physical, emotional, social & spiritual strength.

Day 18: He would have an eternal perspective...that he would reject materialism and temporal values and put God first in His life.

Day 19: He would be patient and a man of peace...that he would not give in to anger but would allow the Holy Spirit to control his response.

Day 20: He would yield his mind and thoughts to the Lord and not entertain immoral and impure thoughts. 


Day 21: He would learn how to relax in the Lord and and find joy and peace in his relationship with God, in his greatest times of stress and that he would submit his schedule to the Lord.


Day 22: That he would practice forgiveness in our relationship as well as with others in his life...that he would recognize any roots of bitterness and yield any resentment and unforgiving attitudes to the Lord.


Day 23: He would be a good father to our children, disciplining them and loving them unconditionally. 

Day 24: He would have a balanced life...in work and play. That he fears God but also gains respect of those he works with and goes to church with.

Day 25: He would be courageous in his stand against evil and injustice and stand for the truth. Protection against against Satan.

Day 26: He would discover and live his God-given purpose. That he offers his dreams to the Lord. 

Day 27: He would understand the importance of taking care of his body- the temple of the Holy Spirit- that he would make wise food choices and exercise to stay healthy. 

Day 28: He would be a man of prayer...seeking and pursuing God in quiet, purposeful moments. 

Day 29: He would surrender his time and talents to the Lord. That the spiritual gifts he's been given will manifest in his work, home and at church.

Day 30: He would serve others with pure motives...that he will obey the Lord from his  heart and glorify God in everything.


Day 31: He would recognize the lies of the Enemy in his life...that his attributes and actions will be guided by the truth as he brings his thoughts into captivity to the word of God.

 For Yourself As A Wife

• Help in my role as a wife to be submissive, loving, attentive, nurturing, respectful.
• Help me to be forgiving and not resentful, to be physically pleasing to my husband {selflessly}. 
• Help me to keep myself healthy and together, my home warm, inviting, clean and presentable- a safe haven where my husband can escape from the world. 
• Help me to confront sin in kindness and be positive and supportive.  

 For Yourself As A Mother

• To be loving and gentle; consistent in discipline. Nurturing, diligent to teach my children the Bible, an example of godliness, to discipline in love {always} and that my children might one day "rise up and call me blessed" {Proverbs 31:28}.

 For Your Children

• For their genuine salvation.
• For their future spouse.
• For them to have love & respect for their parents and those in authority over them {with teachable spirits}
• Courage to stand up against temptation and peer pressure.
• Morally and physically pure until marriage.
• Physical protection from harm. 

If you would like to print out the prayer cards for yourself click here!
Let's pray for our husbands and children and may we be molded ever more to the image of God and bring Him glory and honor!


*Kelly

 

 

 

 

Orange...

Sunshine fun!