Family Night

Why is family time so important? It brings us all together for the purpose of enjoying one another. Family night creates lasting memories of good times we share. It brings us closer together.

Our family nights a lot of times consist of us going to the park, watching documentaries, playing games, putting together puzzles, or picnics. I am trying to come up with more ideas like playing in the sprinkler I just bought, camping out on the backyard, or having a family carnival.

I looked up “family nights” on the internet and got some really good ideas that I’ll be trying. I will be sharing our family nights on the blog. Please share your ideas! What have you done for family time? What are you planning to do?

Marie-Anne

Mini daycare

I had to have lab work so I knew I’d be there a while (always are). At first I thought of asking a friend to watch Alex, but I ended up just taking him. Of course, I packed his backpack with books, flash cards, lacing cards, a coloring book, fruit snacks, and a drink. There would be no way Alex would be able to sit still that long.

There was a little girl who was terrified and screamed in the waiting room. I had Alex give her the crayons and coloring book- that totally calmed her down. She came over to where we were sitting with her brother then two other girls got coloring sheets too. Alex was happy and told them they were his friends. Although I hadn’t planned on it I was running a mini daycare in the waiting room. I didn’t mind at all and the kids were happy, but I did wonder why the parents brought nothing for them to do with such a long wait.

Marie-Anne

My husband is my best friend

I am so blessed to be able to honestly say that my husband is my best friend. Frank is a wonderful man and a wonderful father, but more than that he is my wonderful husband. I thank God for him. He’s only gone for one night and yet I miss him terribly. It isn’t as if we are newlyweds, after all, we’ve been married for almost 7 years. I love him more and more as time goes by. I am truly thankful to be his helpmeet. I love my husband!

Marie-Anne

Children’s Museum

On Saturday Josie and I took our kids to the children’s museum. They all participated in the library’s summer reading program and got free passes to the Lied Children’s Museum. The kids had a lot of fun. They also took turns throwing fits. Alex got really really mad because London and Serena kept trying to do things for him that he can do for himself. He actually jumped up and down and screamed. The older kids had the most fun at the 5 and younger section, which is Alex’s favorite too.

Marie-Anne

Miracle of the Tribute Money (Matthew 17:24-27)

Lesson: I concentrated on the fact that both Peter and the fish were obedient even though they didn’t understand why they were to do certain things.

Craft: Find a couple of cute fish coloring pages. Copy and paste to a word document to make them smaller. Have the kids color and paste them onto blue construction paper. Use brown yarn for the fishing line and glue a penny in one of the fish’s mouths.

Object lesson: Put string or yarn through a straw and tape the string from one end of the room to the other. Use tape to hold a blown up, but not tied balloon to the straw. As you hold the end of the balloon shut explain that at first Peter had complete faith in Jesus, but when Peter began to question Jesus his doubts came faster and faster. When you let go of the end of the balloon it will shoot across the room. (Try it first before class and have extra balloons because after doing this a time or two the balloons pop.)

Snack: Goldfish or gummy worms

Marie-Anne

Pregnancy Etiquette

Let’s discuss the proper etiquette for talking to a pregnant woman by a pregnant woman.

I know pregnant women are supposed to gain weight and that is a good thing, but telling me or any pregnant woman repeatedly how big she is and that she’s going to be huge is not smart and does not endear you to her. Example: I was talking to a lady at church who met just met me and she told me 3 times how big I am and what a big baby I’m going to have. Now how in the world does she know what I looked like before I got pregnant? And does she think I have hearing problems or that I have short term memory loss- is that the reason she told me three times?

If you ask a pregnant woman if she wants a boy or a girl and she states she just wants a healthy baby why should you insist that she wants a girl because she already has a boy. First of all she doesn’t get a choice. And if you already “know” what she wants why ask?

Why do people insist on telling pregnant women their labor horror stories? Are they trying to frighten the expecting mother? Do they think she doesn’t have enough to worry about?

I have come to accept that people I barely know will rub my belly. I don’t particularly like it, but I know it will happen. Why is a pregnant woman’s belly considered public property?

Marie-Anne

Visitors from a Far Country

This past weekend Reverend and Sister Wright, the World Missions Director, came to visit and had special services with us and the church. We enjoyed their stay and it was a blessing to have them preach and play the keyboard during the worship services. They were so hospitable that sometimes I wasn't sure who was the host and who was the guest!

I hope to see them again sometime soon.

Hooked on Phonics Update

I bought the basic set, but I found the books that come with the kindergarten deluxe set at the library’s store for 10 cents each. The librarian didn’t even charge for the Abeka book. What a deal!

I haven’t been using Hooked on Phonics regularly, but Alex has been able to learn most of the letter sounds with it. In about a week, maybe sooner, I’ll start teaching him to read. He’s just got to get those last few letter sounds down first. If I’m consistent it won’t be a problem.

Marie-Anne

Alex the wonder boy

Alex the wonder boy strikes again. I bought him Blue’s Clues opposite cards and to my surprise he knows most of them. We only did them once, but Alex got all but about five right. I knew he knew some, but I did not know he knows that many opposites. I’ve never gone over opposites with him except for in some books.

Marie-Anne

Our first revival

Our first revival is this weekend! Rev. Wright is coming to town. The church we are renting from is letting us have Saturday night and Monday night. We are going to be super busy letting everyone know and inviting new people. I’m glad my Sunday School class is already ready to go! This is so exciting! It’s hard to believe we’ve been in Las Vegas for a year now. Since we won’t be going to the fall Conference- it’s a week after my due date- we need this revival and fellowship just as much as the congregation does. I can’t wait to see what God’s going to do! Please be in prayer for us!

Marie-Anne

Customer Complaint Pays off

I recently bought a box of Little Debbie fudge brownies that I was greatly disappointed with. The picture on the box shows them covered in walnuts, but only one pack of brownies had half the walnuts in the picture the rest had even less. I emailed Little Debbie to complain, which isn’t something I normally do. About a week later I got a full refund and an apology in the mail.(Of course they had nothing to fear of me not staying a loyal customer.)

I learned from this that next time I’m not satisfied with a product to take a minute to email the company. It may get me a refund or coupons on my next purchase. I’ll also email a company if the product exceeds my expectations.

Marie-Anne

Going green and saving green (money)

I’ve been reading up on ways of going green and saving money at the same time. I went on several power companies’ websites for some of this information. I haven’t tried all of this yet, but it seems to be good information.

During the day I don’t use lights, besides in the bathroom. Thankfully the way our house is set up there’s no need to turn on lights until it starts getting dark. I also try to enforce the turn the light out when you leave a room.

Turning off or unplugging appliances when not in use also helps. Especially things like the computer and unplugging cell phone cords that aren’t in use. I have a friend who even unplugs her washer and dryer and other appliances. She said she saved $13 in one month by doing that.

I bought some energy saving lights at Wal-Mart that are supposed to cut our electric bill down. My mom and a friend both recommended them. Our house has recessed lighting and I’ll have to check to see if I can get that type of bulb as energy saving.

I normally use the cold water setting on the washer and only run the dish washer when it’s full. Keeping the dryer lint free not only helps prevent dryer fires, but saves money. Run the dryer, washer, and dish washer after 8 at night.

On thing I have not tried yet is putting a brick or a half gallon jug of water in the toilet’s tank to reduce the amount of water used. I’ve read about it on several websites.

Although it isn’t saving money I also bought some reusable grocery bags. I bought them after Alex put a plastic bag over his head to keep the number of that kind of bags in our house down. I do use the plastic grocery bags as trash bags for the bathrooms and for Frank’s lunch so I need some. I haven’t seen my reusable grocery bags since we moved so I guess I’ll look for them tonight.

I want your tips on going green and saving green! Please share!

Marie-Anne

Peter Piper Pizza

My parents sent money to take Alex to Peter Piper Pizza. At first I was extremely disappointed because it seemed that most of the games were for much older kids and several machines took our tokens. Alex, however, was having a blast in a smaller version of McDonald’s tunnels and on an ice cream truck ride.

We ordered a Chicago pizza and I think that was the best pizza I’ve ever had! Frank even suggested that we get it to go in the future. Alex was too busy to eat and even told us he doesn’t like pizza- a BIG lie.

After we ate we found several games for younger kids. Alex hit the hammerhead sharks with a hammer about 3 times and he played a basketball version of skeeball. Alex had trouble rolling the ball hard enough and several times he threw it into the next lane, (I’m glad nobody was there). With lots of help Alex got 42 tickets and was able to get 8 toy soldiers, I know we could have bought a bag of about 30 at the dollar store, but he had a lot of fun.

What started out as a big disappointment turned out to be a lot of fun. Thank you Mom and Dad!

Marie-Anne

Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History and playlands

Today I NEEDED to get out of the house. Alex and I went to Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History at the university. We got lost on campus. It was totally confusing even with a map. Finally we found it. It was okay, but I don’t think we’ll go back. To call it a natural history museum is misleading because it was mostly Indian artifacts and pictures of birds. Alex flew through the museum, but he loved the tortoise and snake in the lobby. He watched them for quite a while. The gardens were nice and Alex had fun running over the bridges. Alex took his first pictures there and I’m looking forward to seeing them; especially the one he insisted of taking of dirt.

After we finally found our way off campus we went to the mall for the sole purpose of going to the indoor play area and the bookstore. Alex climbed on the house and declared himself to be Buzz Lightyear before leaping off. After Alex played for 30 minutes I read 8 books to him.

Next we went to McDonald’s. I had to make Alex eat before playing or I knew he wouldn’t eat. I did NOT like the demonic looking toy so I tried to exchange it. I didn’t care if he ended up with a toddler toy or a girl toy, but that was all they had so I left it. Another mom was trying to exchange it too. I got bored while Alex played for over an hour. (I wish I’d brought a book, but I wasn’t planning on going there.) Alex, of course had a blast- we normally don’t stay that long.

Next Alex wanted to go across the street to Barnes and Nobles because they have a Thomas the Tank Engine train set. Alex played for a while then I read 5 books to him. Right before we left Alex was choosing books for me to read from a spinner rack. He spun it a little too hard and books flew everywhere. He didn’t expect that and I couldn’t help laughing as we picked them up. Needless to say he fell asleep almost as soon as we got in the car.

If you ever hear Alex say we don’t do anything with him or for him have him read this post!

Marie-Anne

On-line Kidergarten Readiness test

I took an on-line kindergarten readiness test for Alex. A raw score of 58 is the goal for reading readiness. Alex’s score was a 72 and he’s only 3! What do parents teach their kids?

• 65 - up Begin now! Capitalize on your child's superior motivation and readiness.

• 58 - 64 Congratulations! You are ready for Covenant Home's Kindergarten!

• 48 - 57 Proceed with Covenant Home's Kindergarten, adjusting the pace to accommodate student's maturation, OR

• 47 - below Proceed with Covenant Home's Pre-School curriculum.


http://www.covenanthome.com/kready.htm

Marie-Anne

Lowes

Today Frank, Alex and I went on an exciting field trip; actually we stopped at Lowes for an outdoor trash can. Alex was soooo very excited! It was the first time that he remembers being in Lowes. Frank showed him the power tools and explained what they do. Alex ran from one thing to the next. He loved the door display and kept inviting us to come in with him. I let him get a couple of samples and that made his day. Alex can hardly wait until we go back.

Marie-Anne

Baby update

Sabrina Marie has been Very active for about the past week. Alex laid his head on my belly and said, “She’s kicking me.” I replied, “oh, really?” Alex said, “But its okay.” He’s getting excited about becoming a big brother. Of course he thinks our baby won’t cry and will be able to play with him from day one. He’ll soon learn.

Marie-Anne

Alex the Builder...

Alex loves Bob the Builder very very much. He will watch Bob the Builder DVD’s all day if we let him. Alex also has a lot of the Bob the Builder toys and books. Right now Alex is upstairs singing the Bob the Builder theme song while he helps Frank put together a book shelf.

Marie-Anne

My dad, Jimmy and sister, Courtney's visit

We went to the Natural History Museum, (one of Alex’s favorite places). Alex suggested it. He’s been there 3 times. I am planning on getting a membership. Alex insisted that Courtney and I get in the submarine in the kids section with him and showed off being a paleontologist. And he gave Papaw Jimmy a tour.

On Independence Day we moved into a 2 story 3 bedroom house. Jimmy and Courtney went sightseeing that day. That night Alex and I watched fireworks from his bedroom window. We really enjoyed that and Alex pretended to eat the fireworks.

We went to the Mini Grand Prix, go-karts and an arcade. Alex had a blast riding with Papa in a go-kart, with Papa and Papaw Jimmy on the roller coaster, and riding in the airplane ride and on the giant slide with Aunt Courtney. It was soooo funny when Alex drove the kiddie go-kart. His feet barely reached the pedals and he didn’t even try to steer! After about the 5th time of getting Alex back on the track the attendant finally got on the side of the go-kart and helped Alex. Alex played Mommy at air hockey and skeeball. Alex also got to play different games in the arcade. He got 60 tickets, (with some help) and got a blue Kazoo and 45 toy soldiers.

On Sunday we had a potluck and a children’s award ceremony at church. We had 29 people there! That is the most we’ve had for a service. Alex got awards for attendance, participation, learning the memory verse, and giving in the offering.

Monday we went to see them off. Alex was sad and kept asking why they had to go back home to Louisiana. It was a good visit and I’m glad I got to know Courtney and that Alex was able to get to know them both.

Marie-Anne

The Good Shepherd

Our Sunday School class on the Good Shepherd worked out really well. It could also be used for the Lost Sheep. For our game I hid a sheep puppet in the room while the kids had eyes closed and heads down. Since our room is small I made a lot of noise all over the room. After I hid it a few times the kid who found it got to hide it. We had ages 3-10 so every few times I had the older kids let the younger ones find the sheep.

I found a coloring page of a sheep without a lot of detail. I copied and pasted it to a word document so I could have two to a page with the memory verse on the back. The kids were very creative with washable markers. They all created masterpieces then covered it up with cotton balls.

We only have Sunday School on Sunday mornings, but I had left the supplies out and that night the same kids made the craft again on their own.

Marie-Anne