Teaching our Children

  • Teaching Our Children: Is it Really Clean?

    The older the girls get the more responsibilities they are taking on around the house.  One of the cleaning projects they have tackled this year (and have done really well with it) is their bathroom.  To get them started I purchased a small bucket at Dollar Tree, put sponges, rags,scrub brush, and other cleaning supplies into it.  Since they are still pretty young I didn’t want them using any harsh chemicals for cleaning so I put in a box of baking soda.  Whenever they clean their bathroom they put a little bit of baking soda into a bowl, add some white vinegar, and a little bit of water which gives them a cleaning solution that works well but isn’t harsh on their skin.

    The other day as I was finishing up some projects and cooking dinner I noticed this sign posted on the outside of the girls bathroom door “cleaning do not enter”.  It made me laugh that they would think to hang a sign!  I was curious about what they were doing in there with the door was shut but I could hear the conversation going on inside the bathroom which made me just let them be.

    “Do you think I scrubbed the sink good enough?”

    “Where’s the blue sponge?”

    “This is so nasty!”

    After listening for a couple minutes I decided to let them clean in peace and recheck in a few minutes.  They seemed to have it under control.  When I went back later to check on the bathroom I was pretty impressed at how well they were cleaned it.  I went over the basic rules and system with them once several months ago but for the most part they do the bathroom all on their own.

    I think it’s great that they have practice cleaning their bathroom as well as realize the amount of time and energy it takes to keep the house clean.  Sure they don’t always do everything perfect but every time they do it they get better.  Lately there are very few things I have to correct after they have finished cleaning the bathroom.  I am thankful for the girls willingness to help.  Many times they will volunteer to clean the bathroom before I ask them to do it which is even better.

  • Kids in the Kitchen: Ham & Pasta Casserole Recipe

    The girls made dinner for us this week.  They wanted to try a casserole so Jake found a recipe from Better Homes & Garden and adapted it for the girls.   They got the items out of the fridge and pantry, measured, and added them to the casserole. I did help with getting it in and out of the oven but otherwise they put the casserole together on their own.  It turned out really well!

    Ham & Pasta Casserole:

    • 1 1/2 cups Milk
    • 1 can Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (10 3/4 oz)
    • 2 cups diced cooked Ham
    • 1 cup dried Elbow Macaroni
    • 1 can sliced Mushrooms (4 oz)
    • 1/2 cup chopped Onions
    • 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese

    Grease a 8 x 8  pyrex dish and preheat oven for 375 degrees.  Mix the milk and cream of chicken soup.  Stir in the ham, macaroni, mushrooms, and onions.  Cover the casserole and bake for 40 minutes or until the noodles are tender.  Sprinkle the cheese over the top of the casserole and bake uncovered for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.  Let stand for 10 minutes prior to serving.

  • Recipe: Strawberry Chocolate Surprise Cupcakes

    Strawberry cupcake with a dark chocolate center

    The fun part about having kids is they inspire you to experiment.  The girls and I were busy doing something in the kitchen and had to make a dessert for an upcoming event so I told them to pick out a box cake mix out of the pantry.  They picked out a Strawberry Cake mix and as we were talking about all the different strawberries recipes we love it lead into can we make something super special with the strawberry cupcakes……..something that would be a surprise for those eating the cupcakes???  That’s when we came up with the Strawberry Chocolate Surprise Cupcakes!

    It is super easy to make too.  Take your favorite cake mix, make it according to directions, pour into cupcake liners, and bake for 5 minutes.  After 5 minutes add a piece of chocolate to the center of each cupcake.  The chocolate will sink to the middle of the cupcake and melt.  We used dark chocolate eggs left over from our Easter candy stash.  The girls were so happy to bring their strawberry cupcakes with a chocolate surprise to their friends.  We did have chocolate frosting and half vanilla frosting (sorry I didn’t get a picture of a cupcake frosted).

    You can see the dark chocolate pieces sinking down into the cupcakes in the picture.  Can you tell which rows the girls put the chocolate into first?!  🙂  This is a great recipe to try with your kids.  They love being able to help unwrap and put the chocolate pieces into the cupcakes, plus they are super excited to share the treat with family and friends.

  • Teaching Our Children: The Value of Learning

    Jake reading to the girls

    Jake and I have made it a priority to read to our girls because it is such a important skill to help them continue to learn.  It is our desire to read to them or with them every day.    When life gets really busy it doesn’t always happen but it is an activity all of us enjoy.  Many times in the evening Jake will read to them after dinner.  The girls love picking out a book to read, listening to us read, and looking at any pictures that are in the book.

    On this particular day the girls picked out a book about raising and caring for goats for Daddy to read to them (yes there is more to the reason behind them picking out this particular book, I will give more information on this topic soon).  It is so sweet watching Jake read to the girls and hearing all their questions.  Thankful for those opportunities to slow down, sit down, and relax reading with the kids.  Whether it is to spend quality time with your child or you get excited when your child asks the meaning of a new word or you want your child to develop her academic skills the time you spend reading with your child is valuable.

    Here are a few benefits that I have discovered while reading to my kids:

    • Develops a love for reading and a story
    • Improved confidence in school
    • Increased language development
    • Demonstrates a variety communication skills and styles
    • Opens up many new worlds and adventures for them
    • Quality time with you
    • Stimulates their imagination and creativity

    There are many reasons why it is important to read to your children.  As summer vacation quickly approaches I am reminded of the importance of reading with the girls.  When the girls and I are reading a “chapter book” as they call it together they are always asking me to read the next chapter because they are so excited to hear what happens next.  I think the most chapters they convinced me to read in one sitting was seven, I was having a blast following the story too!  I want to encourage you to find ways to incorporate reading into your schedule everyday even over the summer break.  How do you stimulate a healthy and fun reading environment for your kids over summer vacation?

    Daddy reading about “goats” to the girls

    I love Karlie’s intent look and Brina’s crazy listening position.  They make me laugh but also reminds me of the many blessings in my life too!

  • Teaching Our Children: Spring Into Reading

    Our filled reading tree

    Last year I started a reading tree for the girls in the Spring and we continued to fill it with leaves through the Summer.  I wanted to find a way to encourage the girls to read.  They had blast adding  leaves to the reading tree.  It was a great visual way for them to see how much they were reading.  Each member of the family had a different color leaf to hang up when a book was read.  The girls also did a summer reading program through our local library and one online as well.

    Spring into reading tree full of leaves!

    As the school year ends in a  few weeks and as summer vacation is getting closer it is now time for me to come up with another fun reading activity for the kids.  I have a couple ideas for this summers reading adventure and will be sharing it with you soon.  What ways do you encourage your children to read throughout the summer vacation?

  • Travel & Vacation: “We Love You” Folder

    Jake’s Folder of “Love” Notes

    Awhile ago the girls and I made a “We Love You” folder for Jake to take with him when he travels.  Even though we love the opportunities when we can go with him it is not always possible to go with him on every trip.  When he goes on a trip and we cannot tag along we send our “We Love You” folder with him along with notes or drawings from each of us.  Jake enjoys seeing the pictures and reading the notes while he is away.  We have a blast putting something special in the folder for him.

    Here are a few examples of items we have put into his “We Love You!” Folder:

    Love note to Jake

    Karlie’s love note to Daddy

    Brina’s love note to Daddy

    Drawing from Karlie

    Sweet note from the girls

    Note to Daddy from Karlie

    Note to Daddy from Brina

    I Love You note to my Handsome Man!

  • Book: “Swiss Family Robinson” by Johann Wyss

    Before I headed out on my India adventure I started reading one of my favorite books as a kid to the girls, Great Illustrated Classics The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss.  My Mom finished reading the book to the girls while I was away and then watched the movie with them.  Karlie was convinced that she was ready to live on an island in a tree house after reading the book and watching the movie (although she said it would be ok if the pirates didn’t come).

    It has been a lot of fun reading the girls some of my favorite books as a kid.  They love listening and enjoy the adventures the stories take us on.  This book is about the Robinson family that gets shipwrecked on an island.  The family learns to live off the land, build a home in the trees, and their journey.  It is full of great adventures as the family explores their new home.  If you have kids that love being read to this is a fun book for the whole family.  Plus after reading the book you can watch the movie which is always something great to look forward to as well.

  • Book: “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett

    The girls and I just finished reading the Children’s Illustrated Classic The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.  They LOVED it!  It was a good story with enough of an adventure to keep them asking me to read “just one more chapter tonight, please Mom”!

    The story is about a little girl from India named Mary Lennox.  She was spoiled by everyone and had very little interaction with her parents.  When her parents died she was sent to live with her Uncle in England, Lord Craven.  Her Uncle was a sad man who was still mourning the death of his wife from 10 years ago and really did not want to have anything to do with Mary other then to make sure she had the food and necessities she needs.  Mary learns to love life in England and has grand adventures exploring the manor’s gardens.   As she continues to explore outside, learns how to garden, and meets new friends Mary was able to keep more then one hidden secret that took those living in the large manor by surprise.

    The girls really enjoyed having me read this book out loud to them.  The pictures and story really came alive for them as we processed on through the book.  If you have you girls (or boys) and you are looking for a good book to read to them you should check this one out!

  • Benefits of Gymnastics

    Karlie and Brina ready to try out gymnastics

    Several months ago there was a Groupon for a local gymnastics class for more than 50% off regular price.  We purchased two and gave them to the girls.  They were so excited to start gymnastics.  It was quite humorous watching them the first day attempt to do a cartwheel, handstand and all the other gymnastic type stuff.  It didn’t take long though before they were getting better at the different skills.  Here are just a few ways we noticed gymnastic helping in our girls:

    • Hand – Eye Coordination
    • Boost in Confidence
    • Flexibility
    • Health & Exercise

    Do your kids take gymnastics or other sports?  Have you noticed any positive benefits to the sport?    I included a couple other fun pictures from their first day at gymnastics.  They loved it!

    Brina and Karlie ready for gymnastics….let’s go Mom!

    Karlie trying out the high bar

    Brina doing the bar for the first time (sorry this is fuzzy, it was hard taking good quality pictures on the other side of the glass and with them moving so much!)

  • Gearing Up for the Garden Season!

    Brina’s “Rainbow of Vegetables”

    There are so many reasons why I love to garden!  This is the last haul from our garden last year.  I went out and picked everything I could in mid-November (yes November, we live in South Carolina and had a late freeze this winter) before our first major freeze and these are the vegetables that were still in the garden or producing.  Brina helped me wash all the vegetables and as we were sorting I was pulled away by a phone call, she continued sorting and made a “Rainbow of Vegetables” (see picture above).    She was quite pleased with her handiwork and I was pretty impressed too!

    Most of the items left that I picked that day were ripe and ready to eat.  A lot of the tomatoes were still pretty green but that isn’t a problem because we have containers that keep them fresh for quite awhile plus we have a couple of green tomato recipes.  I love that the girls will ask to eat a banana pepper or a whole tomato like it is an apple!  It was wonderful having fresh vegetables throughout the winter months too.

    Another reason our family enjoys gardening is that it gives us a wonderful opportunity to share with others.  Whether it was taking baskets of goodies over to our neighbors or sharing it with family and friends we really had a blast sharing the produce.  It was a great way to teach our children the joy of giving to others.  When we planted the garden our family decided that we would try to use half of the produce to feed our family and give the remaining half away to family, friends, neighbors, and others within our community.  While I cannot say how many pounds or the exact number of each produce we gave away or the exact amount we ate this past year I do know that our garden (despite my black thumb) produced more then it ever has in the past!

    To get us in the gardening mood, my sweet husband went out and bought a few seed packets.  He put the packets in various places throughout the house for us to find.  The girls have really been getting excited about starting the garden and trying out some of the new produce we have discovered over the last few months (like Bok Choy).  They love being outside, in the fresh air, playing, planting and picking the produce.  The only thing they don’t enjoy is the weeding, but I don’t know anyone that gets too excited about that piece.  As we gear up for another gardening season there is a lot to think about…..what to plant, where to plant each type, how many and so forth.  Do you have a family garden?  What are your favorite items to grow?