Dear Children...Please Smile!!

Smile for the picture, would ya? 

Your smile (or frown) will be in that picture for the rest of your life!

Dear Children,

When taking family pictures, even quick, improv, last minute, on the spot family pictures, is it too much to ask that you smile and be cheerful, even if you don't feel like it? I am your mother...I brought you into this world. From fulfilling your every need at birth to backing off and giving you some independence, I have taken care of you for _______ years. (Fill it in with how old you are) You can count on me. I hug you when you're sad and buy you treats at the store. I listen when you want to chat and make sure you're never hungry. I pray for you EVERY DAY and drive you places. I teach you vital lessons and true principles. Sometimes you get dessert before dinner, and I encourage you to be a responsible, hard working person so you will receive opportunities and blessings. I stay up with you late to assist with a school project you've procrastinated and remind you of your commitments. I do your dishes even though it's your job, fold your laundry, and make sure your hygiene is in order. I encourage you to try, and attend every basketball game I can. I go to your concerts and performances. I taught you to read and write. I have wiped your tears and cried with you. Get the picture? 'Cause I could go on and on for a REALLY LONG TIME...

So, whenever it's time to take a family photo, will you please cooperate for just one minute? Will you humor me and stand where you're asked, look at the camera, and smile? I would really appreciate your efforts to create a nice photo for posterity's sake. I know we don't always feel cheerful, but CHOOSING to do this for me will bring joy to me and to you. When you look back at that grumpy picture, you'll shake your head and say, "What was wrong with me?" So, let's avoid that altogether and not have any more grumpy photos, OK? I know you can do this 'cause you're amazing. You are, after all, my child! :)

I will always love you ...even if you don't feel like smiling for the camera. Thanks for listening and for trying your best to comply. Remember, thinking of another before yourself brings great Joy.

J - Jesus

O - Others

Y - Yourself

Here's to all the future, fantastic, family photos we have to look forward to!

All my Love,

Mom

August, 2012

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

DON'T EAT PETE!!!

Pete: A piece of food that you don't want to choose or your turn is over!

It's as simple as that.

Years ago, my children were invited to a birthday party of a family friend. This super-amazing mother of 11 introduced to our family the best birthday party, time-killer, boredom-buster, or Sunday afternoon game...

DON'T EAT PETE!!!

It starts with a simple make-it-yourself board game. Throw in a snack item such as peanuts, raisins, marshmallows, chocolate chips, cereal, pretzels, M&Ms, or an assortment. Add the players and that's all it takes for a fast-moving, interactive game that any child, even toddlers, can play.

Rules of the game:

Don't Eat Pete may be played with three or more people.

Create a game board such as this...

It took me just a few minutes to make this in Print Shop. Whenever I play this game at a birthday party, I change-up the board game to match the theme of the party. 

Other ideas include stickers on a piece of paper, drawing shapes, numbers, or letters on a sheet of paper, or use a muffin tin. All you need is a way to designate which space or picture is "Pete".

Filling up the muffin tin for the next round.

Put one snack of choice on each picture. Send one child into another room for a minute while the other participants determine which photo is Pete. For example, in the Christmas board above, the Santa hat may be chosen as Pete. 

Ready to start the next round

The child in the other room is called back in. The child proceeds to choose a snack off of each piece, trying to avoid "Pete". Obviously, this child does not know which square was chosen as Pete. When Pete is chosen, everyone yells, "Don't Eate Pete", and that person's turn is over. That child gets to keep the snacks that were chosen prior to choosing Pete. 

DON'T EAT PETE!!

DON'T EAT PETE!!

Fill up the board again and send the next participant into the other room. Continue until they're "Petered" out!

Tips:

Children can eat the snacks as they go or give each person a bowl or bag to store the goods for future enjoyment.

Make it into a contest. Save the loot in a bag and the person with the most pieces at the end is the grand prize winner. Fun for a birthday party!

Teach the kids NOT to stare at Pete. If the "picker" is good, they watch the eyes of the other kids and can determine the general area of Pete.

The children who stay in the room should take turns choosing who Pete is going to be.

Generally, the person that determines who Pete will be for the round, gets to go in the other room and be the next participant.

If you want to play with a big group, have several game boards and split people up into smaller groups.

If you want to eliminate the food aspect, use pennies or nickles. Call it, "Don't Pick Rick" or "Don't Take Jake".

This is a great activity for older children to take with them to a babysitting job. Just make sure they determine any allergies of the children they're babysitting.

Don't Eat Pete is a fabulous option for Family Home Evening. The Treat AND Activity can be combined into one game.

She loved it at 10....

...and still loves it at 15!

Don't Eat Pete has provided hours of fun for the children, and hours of sanity for Mom. Here's a High 5 for Don't Eat Pete!

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bitter/Sweet 17 Month Perspective

"Well it's hard to say goodbye and let go,
and it's hard to see it end
When the memories we just made may never happen again.

But it's harder for time to ever replace the together times we shared.
So when we're apart, remember, all the fun we had together.
And for all that love, thank the Lord above who showed us, the way...."

Michael Mclean - Together Forever

When my first two children were born only 17 months apart, I was nervous. I recall thinking, "How can I take care of two babies at the same time?" They were both babies, yet at different stages and with different needs. It was a challenge, but I was young and full of energy and we made it work. 

I was just a baby myself!

Those two little rascals were the best of friends. She taught him how to press the buttons on the VCR. He taught her how to play "war" in the basement. She knew ALL the rules. He knew half of the rules. They planned sneak-a-ways together and dug themselves into the neighbor's backyard oasis. 

It really has been bitter-sweet having them so close. We rejoiced when we had our first babysitter and then our second just 17 months later. Celebrations continued when our oldest daughter obtained her driver's license and then our son followed, 17 months later. Three drivers in the house! Now that truly was something to rejoice over! She was graduated in 2011. He followed in 2012.

Now, just like sister, we are "losing" him to his next step in life...Brigham Young University. Again, Bitter/Sweet. The 17 months was sweet when we needed babysitters, but it's slightly bitter when it's time to say goodbye and let go. Yet the sweetness outweighs the bitter. It always does. We couldn't be more happy and excited for his success and the new adventures that await.

Wednesday was move-in day. 

I wrote a letter that morning to tuck into a care package we prepared for him. 

Tears fell as I wrote. I got them all out so when the time to say goodbye came, I had no more to shed. In fact, relief was the emotion of the afternoon...relief that we got him to this point, that the college preparation chaos was coming to an end, attentions could turn to other family matters and members, and "normal" life would return. The first three have occurred; the latter has not.

Some of my Stick-to-it Tips to my son...

• Remember, Remember the things you have been taught and the principles you know are true. Stay true to those things and you will be safe. Remember, true safety and freedom comes from keeping the commandments. 
• Those you keep company with will help mold you. You will develop many of the attributes of those you spend time with. It is crucial that you choose friends wisely and look for those who will uplift you and make you a better person. Also, it’s important to be that person, too, so you will attract people that seek for goodness. 
• You have worked tirelessly to get to this place in life. Many have sacrificed that you can be here. Use your time wisely. Take your classes and studies seriously. You have worked your way to BYU. Be wise with your resources – your time, money, talents, and abilities. 
• Be good to your roommates. Love them and serve them. Look out for their needs and put them above your own. This is a practice ground for your mission.  Roommates are together sometimes. Companions are together always. 
•  Don’t forget about your siblings. They love you so much and look up to you with great admiration. Keep them in your prayers, call them, email, text. Remember their birthdays. You don’t have to spend money. Your time and attention is all they want. 
• Remember, we are always here for you. We are excited for this time in your life, but just because you’re leaving, it doesn’t mean we’ve left you. You can count on us, just like you have throughout your entire life. 
  
• Pray for assistance in balancing your time. You have many things that you can spend your time on. Pray every day that you will spend your time wisely and you’ll be able to accomplish the most important things.
• And a few random things…Minimize eating out. Don’t do your homework on Sunday and you will be blessed. Since you live farther away, spend your time on campus as you need and then go home for the day; minimize the times going back and forth. Do your home teaching! Make a lot of friends, but don’t forget those that have been there for you at crucial times in your life. Don’t forget to lock up your bike! Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions. That is how you learn and progress. Eat salad at least three times per week…it’s good for your poohs.  (Thanks, Dad, for that bit of advice to your posterity)

Yes, he's ready and he's excited!!!

Moving in? First Step - Make your bed. (I did it for him)

Roommates!

Good thing we got him a first aid kit! He needed it after ten minutes. Remember your pocket knife safety!!

You achieved your goal!!

Now, go get 'em...I have a feeling you won't lack for fun and excitement!

What will the next 17 months bring?? Whatever it is, I can count on it being bitter/sweet.

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!