Family Night - Weeds in our life

For Family Home Evening, we talked about Weeds in our life.

Weeds of contention, Weeds of behaviors.

We talked about how our family is a garden, and we need to get the weeds out of our life.

We talked about how weeds can suffocate plants, and our lives.

So, we went out to the front yard, and took care of the weeds.

We bought the kids gloves and spades and rakes.

Insert evil laugh (below)

Then we went to a nursery to buy some new flowers and trees.

I'm a sucker for succulents.

Then we came home and planted.

The kids were filthy, happy, and totally got the message. I love when everything just comes together like that.

PS - When did my kids get so huge?

SBBK - Boredom Buster 1

Summer Boredom Buster Kids - Fun!

My kids enjoy playing with the weirdest things.

I found these cups in the clearance party section at Walmart. I spent a quarter for each package.

At school, in Gym, my son learned about cup stacking.

So, that is what we did today!

Everyone enjoyed playing with them.

I mean LOVED it!

This is fun for all ages, and they have asked several times to play with the cups since I pulled them out the first time!

Try it!

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Summer Boredom Buster Kids - Writing!

A while ago, I was cleaning out my craft room and found these foam letters.

I can't remember why I bought them, but my daughters have begged to use them on their "projects."

So, that is what we did today! 

My little one would pick a letter, say it out loud, and then stick it on someone's paper.

 Then that kid would have to write 2 words that start with that letter.

 They loved this!

 We did it until the paper was filled up.

For my older son, I gave him a letter and he would have to come up with an alliteration for that letter.

He did 10 sentences and we called it good.

Just another way to stretch their minds, get their hands writing, and enjoy their imaginations!

SBBK - Writing 3

Summer Boredom Buster Kids - Writing!

Something that is fun, and makes you "write" without thinking about it is LETTER WRITING!

First I printed out Parts of Letter Writing from HERE

and my gals colored it.

Then we talked about it a little bit more.

 Then they wrote to a Disney Princess of their choice. 

 Except my son. He wrote to his Auntie.

 Then we ran out to the mailbox. Each kid had 2 letters each.

 Not bad for a 5 year old.

The addresses to a princess/disney character are:

Walt Disney World Communications

P.O. Box 10040

Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

Or, if you'd prefer, you can receive a black and white photo if you write to your chosen character at this address:

Walt Disney Company

Attn: Fan Mail Department

500 South Buena Vista Street

Burbank, CA 91521

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Summer Boredom Buster Kids - Writing!

This is a Repost from OCTOBER 2012, still doing it today. 

The littler kids love it just as much!

Easy Canvas!

My kids love to draw(l). It is nice to not waste paper every once in a while. So, I bought these dry erase markers and gave each kid a paper towel and gave them my bathroom mirror.

These markers are for the mirror only.

To start, you need 3 adorable girls.

not a requirement. ;)

I let them get on the counter, and go to town on the mirror!

 They would have done this for hours.

This is a great place to keep them occupied while you are folding laundry,  or cleaning. :)

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Summer Boredom Buster Kids - Writing!

I have to confess that I have my kids writing every single day. (including the weekend)

I want their handwriting/penmanship to be stellar, so I push it every single day.

Reading is the same way. They must read 20-30 minutes a day.

Okay, rant over.

Something I am using for my kids is Handwriting Without Tears.

They do this workbook probably 3x a week.

 Different levels, different activities, all quiet. They have to do 4 pages (of their choice) during quiet time/naptime.

My 3 year old and 2 year old enjoy coloring on the walls.

Literally!

We have a chalkboard and whiteboard system on our walls down stairs.

The reward for taking a nap without a fight (somedays) is writing.

My kids nap until they turn 5.

It is what works for them AND me.

I love seeing improvements in my children's handwriting over the summer.

I know everything is going to technology and cursive is a thing of the past, but not for my kiddos.

My son started cursive in May and is really enjoying it. I think I am the only person who still uses cursive, who is under the age of 35. Haha.

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Summer Boredom Buster Kids - COOKING!

Here are previous cooking ideas from years PAST.

THIS IS A REPOST!!

Its original post date was : October 2012!

We like to have a little adventure and let the kids make their own dinner...sometimes.

Last night, I wrote a bunch of ingredients on different pieces of paper and the kids chose what we were having.

They chose: Mushroom, Garlic, Spinach, and Pineapples.

(We had pineapples on the side)

We made quesadillas.

 I sauteed mushrooms, garlic, and spinach and put them all in separate bowls.

The kids then built them.

 The kids were pretty happy with their creations.

 It was a fun family night, and made a perfect meatless monday!

*We do this kind of dinner at least once a month. I usually write what randoms I have in my fridge*