Learning About Manners Picnic Basket Game by Noodleboro
The girls have had the Learning About Manners Picnic Basket Game by Noodleboro (Playskool) for several years now. They love it! It is a unique game with a picnic blanket board, a picnic basket, games pieces, a story they can read, and a cd to listen too. Many times as we are setting up the game someone will read the story and after playing the game the girls like to listen to the cd. It is a cute game about using your manners, being kind, and polite.
- Colorful with neat game pieces (how many games come with a cool picnic basket)
- Book to read during story time with fun character who are learning their manners
- Audio CD with more about the story and songs regarding using manners
- Easy to play (recommended for ages 4 and up)
- 2 to 4 Players
- Object of the game – use your manners and be the first to collect all the items you need at your picnic!
- Learning Benefits – social skills (say “please” and “thank you”), taking turns, listening, reading, and more
We love games! We have found that playing games is beneficial for many reasons. It gives us quality time together as a family. The kids learn that they will not always win (which is not always an easy lesson to learn), but the game can still be fun even if you are not the victor in every game. It provides opportunities for us to talk and create memories together. Games teach and help our kids practice a variety of useful skills like following directions, reading, writing, counting, taking turns, and more.
Heart Reflections: You Can Do Nothing
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5
I am in the process of reading several books right now and I came across this verse twice last week (probably a subtle hint or gentle reminder for me, hmmm…). It is one that I have read many times throughout the years but the part that really struck me this time around was “apart from me you can do nothing”. So all the time I spend trying to accomplish tasks in my own strength is worth nothing? I really don’t want to waste my time, do you?
How often do I try to do everything in my own strength or at least I want to feel like have some sort of control over what’s going on in my life? More often then I want to admit! What I really need to focus on is staying connected to the vine and drawing my strength, nourishment, support, and guidance from the one who really is in control of my life.
Our family has grown many gardens so I am aware of the plant growing process. When a piece of the branch or plant gets separated from the vine it dries up and ceases to produce any more fruit. The vine is what brings the nutrients from the roots to the branches without it there would be no fruit. I don’t want to shrivel up, but rather I want to grow, flourish, and thrive producing a lot of fruit. The main question to myself is – am I taking the steps to have that good fruit in my life by drawing my nutrition from the vine or am I starting to shrivel?
I am praying that this verse will be a reminder to all of us of how important it is that we get our daily strength from the vine. No matter what your circumstance is today you can be encouraged that God is in control and he will give you the nourishment you need for today. Eventually you will be begin to God working through your heart and life to produce an abundance of beautiful fruit. Take little steps today and start drawing nourishment from the vine. Spend some time praying, listening to a sermon, reading the scriptures, or singing praise and worship songs to help replenish your heart and keep you connected to the vine.
I’m Alive by Peter Furler
When I was locked inside my head
When I was lost in a maze of doubt
You called my name and woke me up
You called my name and led me outAnd when I chased one more mirage
‘Til I was tired and parched again
You gave me one more cup to fill
And sent me one more desert rainI’m alive, I’m on fire
And my spirit burns with desire
You set me alight, bright eyed
And with no way to hold it inside
I wanted to thank You
Thank You, thank YouI wanted to thank You
Thank You, thank You
I wanted to thank You
Thank You, thank You
I wanted to thank You
Thank You, thank YouYou Never Let Go by Matt Redman
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know you are nearAnd I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of meAnd I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earthYour Love Never Fails by Newsboys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zrc1xHEwtLY
Nothing can separate
Even if I run away
Your love never fails
I know I still make mistakes
You have new mercy for me everyday
Cause Your love never failsYou stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night
But joy comes in the morning
And when the oceans rage
I don’t have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
Your love never failsBroken & Beautiful by Mark Schultz
Is there anyone in need of prayer
Jesus wants to meet you here
’cause we all fall short
We all have sinned
But when you let
God’s Grace break inIt’s beautiful
Beautiful
Come as you are
Surrender your heart
Broken and beautifulCause there’s nothing more beautiful to God
Than when his sons and daughters come
Broken
Alleluia
Alleluia
Come as you areRemind Me Who I Am by Jason Gray
When I lose my way,
And I forget my name,
Remind me who I am.
In the mirror all I see,
Is who I don’t wanna be,
Remind me who I am.
In the loneliest places,
When I can’t remember what grace is.Tell me once again who I am to You,
Who I am to You.
Tell me lest I forget who I am to You,
That I belong to You.
To You.I’m the one you love,
I’m the one you love,
That will be enough,
I’m the one you love.You Loved Me First by Mikeschair
Was it my broken heart that led me straight to You?
Was it your broken hands that I cannot refuse?
Was it my emptiness or was it Your empty tune?
That pointed me home, pointed me home to YouI should’ve known all along, You’re the one who loved me first
And if I had to save myself, this never would’ve worked
I wouldn’t be in Your arms, I wouldn’t know where to start
But You gave Your life to prove to me what I was worth
You loved me firstYou were pursuing me before the world began
Before there was anything I was in Your plan
What did You see in me? How we understand
The depth of your grace, God, I’m amazed, God, I’m amazedOne Thing Remains by Kristian Stanfill
Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing remains
One thing remainsYour love never fails it never gives up it never runs out on me
On and one and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never ever have to be afraid
One thing remainsWe Are Free by Aaron Shust
We are more than conquerors
We don’t have to be afraid
Nothing is as powerful
As His loveOh, the way He gave His Son
To give life to everyone
Not a thing can separate us
From His loveIt’s the life and the hope that He brings
His forgiveness that leads us to singWe are free to love
Like our God has loved
We are free to give like He gaveWe are free from sin
We are free to begin
To forgive as He forgave
We are free
