Positive Family Media

So my oldest brother has his own media company (http://www.sunswingmedia.com) that has just put out a great short video about teaching children about pornography call "The Decision". It's based off a Friend article and is the first of what we hope to be several videos based off of them. He's trying to get the word out to encourage the creation of positive media for children. I've added a widget to the side to take you to the link------>

In addition, if you are willing to share this link with other people on your own blogs, we can reach so many more. I know many of us have little kids that may be too young to understand the purpose of the video, but I know people with older children that can benefit from it read my personal blog more than this one. (Though I'm still hoping to get some of those veteran moms to join us! )
Here's a link about sharing on your blog.

And my brother has also created a FHE lesson to go with the video

Thank you for taking the time to check it out. It does cost $1 to help cover the costs of making these videos. Your support is appreciated.

Oh what do you do on the Sabbath Day,

...when all your kids favorite activities are put on hold?

It's a struggle in our home, because I know what we should and shouldn't do, but my 4 and 2 year old children don't understand. If you don't know me too well, I am one who is pretty strict about Sunday. There are no computer games (except the Friend website on lds.org), playing outside with toys, dancing to crazy songs, or watching television/regular movies. But that doesn't mean it has to be boring. We get down and do puzzles or pretend play on the ground, build things with our bristle blocks and duplos, or color (with crayons only...I'll explain), while listening to quiet church music. Our current situation is that we have church at 2:30 in the afternoon. So after church is EASY... whip up dinner, eat, bathe, go to bed. But before church...much harder. We can't do anything that would get us dirty, so no markers/playdough, a clean lunch (cheese and crackers anyone?), and no baking in the kitchen! :-( There goes our favorite Sunday activity--cookies. One thing we LOVE to do on Sunday is call Grandma and Grandpa on the webcam. My oldest loves to talk to my dad and show off anything new and exciting to him. This occupies a good hour, at least!

Now because of the age of my children, I have a hard time sneaking in a shower with the aforementioned activities due to their need to maul each other when I leave the room for an extended period of time. :-) (I guess I should mention that my husband's work schedule doesn't permit him to spend the day with us AND go to church...and since we would much rather him be at church, I go solo on Sunday mornings :-) ) So I either pack up the coloring and have them come with me into the bedroom/bathroom area or else they get to watch VeggieTales. Not LDS, but still good wholesome Christian entertainment for the most part. (A good fallback too when you're laid up on the couch with morning sickness as well!) I really need to get a copy of some animated Scripture Stories... we just have the pictures-with-narration kind, which loses their attention fast... anyone know where I can order some?

I still have to explain to my 4 year old that she can't watch her favorite movies or play on the websites she likes, with many tears on her part, but I think if you make the appropriate activities seem just as much fun, they can learn to appreciate the quiet Sunday spirit you want to have.

keeping the sabbath with young ones

That is a tough one. We rest and we hang out with and have dinner with family. Sometimes we read the scriptures from the books that have the stories with pictures. anyway i find it a struggle since my daughter is so young.

Trying to get back into it...

I don't want this blog to die because I feel like it's such a great place to share ideas with our little circle of moms. (and new moms for anyone else who would like to join in!) I apologize for my absence as I have been somewhat "out of sorts" for the past few months, but that really is no excuse.

New Topic:

What do you like to do with your kid(s) on Sunday before* or after church to maintain the spirit of the day?

*We have 2:30 church....yes, it IS late...

Dates with Momma

First, I have to apologize to those of you who use the reader on Blogger, or those who can see a blog post that I deleted in their blog roll! I thought I was posting on my personal blog, but LDS Moms United is what it posted on. So I'm sorry! I've also been M.I.A. on this blog. But I will get better!

Back to one-on-one time with my little ones. We call this time "dates" with Mom or Dad. My 3 year old LOVES it. We go get dollar scoops at Baskin Robbins, go to the park, go to the mall to play, or even go to movies. Those of you with a Harkins nearby, Summer Movie Fun is amazing. It's $5 for a summer of movies once a week.

I also have to remember (and remind myself constantly) that there are plenty of things to do with my kids at home. We live in an apartment that is less than 600 square feet and there are 4 of us. It's hard to wrap my head around the fact that we can have fun at home sometimes because I just feel like I'm suffocating! Some of you have already mentioned baking with your kids, and I think that is awesome. Matthew loves baking with me. He has his own little apron and is learning how to measure and stir.

We also love to paint and do the dishes together. He loves to help me dust and vacuum. Little chores around the house are great. I think it teaches him a lot, too!

And my favorite favorite favorite thing to do is to have a movie day. We get pillows and blankets and pop in a Disney movie. We have popcorn and cuddle and it's just wonderful! I don't get it often, but the time I DO have with one of my kids individually is cherished!

Learning new skills

I loved all the posts that have been shared! I try to do many of the same things, which are all terrific. So instead of repeating the same great ideas, I just wanted to add some other stuff we do. After a while, you kind of have to think of new things, a.k.a. things that aren't everyday. Now and again, I work on teaching my daughter how to bake. Yes, I do most of the work, but the feeling of accomplishment when she sees something she helped make... priceless! A favorite is always cookies. (and I'm sure the fact that she gets to lick the beater has nothing to do with it ;-) She can also make pigs in a blanket and mini pizzas all on here own. Baby steps :-)

Other than that, we are working on her preschool skills. Mom has to think of something new everyday, or she's not interested! And to think I have headaches at the end of the day...

One-on-One Time

When L-bug wakes up before T-rex does it is a favorite for both of us we sit in the rocking chair in her room and read books and cuddle. She is so sweet and I love getting time with just her sometimes, being the second she missed out on her own time with Momma so it's good to have that time.

T-Rex doesn't nap as often as L-bug so when she sleeps, he and I get some quality time. He is also a book lover so we read lots of books. One of his favorites right now is puzzles (great brain exercise and fun at the same time!) so we do a lot of puzzles together. If the weather is nice outside sometimes him and I will play outside (uaully playing catch, or swinging).

This time is crucial for both kids to have with both parents! Once Daddy is home a little more often (work travel) we will make time for him too! J didn't know or like his dad very much growing up because he never spent any time with him...at all! So we are determined that the love is spread equally between both him and I! :)

Little helper

My little girl, S, is very interested doing whatever Mom and Dad are doing. We use the computer, she wants to use the computer. We drive the car, she wants to climb in and try to drive the car. The same is true for cooking. Whenever I start baking I make sure to find ways S can help. She gets extra measuring cups she can use. I also let her help dig into the flour bag (under supervision) with the measuring cup and dump it into the bowl. She gets to play with the spices while I am waiting to use them. I tell her what we are making. Her other favorite thing is to touch the dough when we are done. I think it's great she wants to help with everything so I make sure she has a chance to help. The mess she helps make can be cleaned up, but we'll have good memories doing stuff together. I think as she gets more siblings, it is an activity we can continue to do together that will be special Mommy-daughter time.

I really appreciate too what people have already said about just getting down and playing with your kids with activities they want to do. It really is that simple. Our kids love being with us just like we love being with them.

What we do

Since I only have one child, one on one time is a bit easier to come by. But, that doesn't mean that I am always giving one-on-one time to my daughter. It's easy during the day to get busy with "things:" cleaning, organizing, cleaning, laundry, cleaning, errands, assigments, the computer, etc. I have to remind myself every day what is most important, namely, my daughter. So, when I take the time to spend time with her I like to just sit down with her & do whatever she is doing. She is very good at playing by herself right now (18 months old) but she loves to have someone to interact with. She likes it when I build things with the blocks so that she can knock them down. She also loves it when I dance around the living room with her. Basically, our one-on-one time is just whatever she wants to do at that moment. It could be reading a book, taking all the toys out of the toy box, watching birds out the window, or making a mess. Toys can be picked up, ripped pages can be taped, messes can be cleaned, but the moments I spend with my daughter are priceless & she will remember that Mom played with her & she loved it!

when i have them alone

Since I have two children one who will be two in May she is very busy. We do whatever she wants to do. I play puppets, read books, play dough, or she helps me make Jewelry or Clean. She isn't to picky at this point as long as she gets the one on one time. Already she is so creative and comes up with stuff to do all the time to keep herself busy.

New Topic: February 27, 2011

When you have one-on-one time with your little ones, 

if you just have one child or you have the chance to get away from the other siblings (nap time!), 

what do you like to do with them?

S.O.S. (stop our stress!)

So, I'm really trying to reduce my stress levels to improve my health. Every time I think I'm doing good, something else just comes up and slaps a layer of stress onto my plate. My girls can be difficult sometimes. Most children are. So I've got a "list" of things to do when they are hitting the nerves and that's been helping. After all, they just want to be loved and shown that.

But what do you do when outside stressors start interfering with your new toned-down life? 

For example, I struggle in my ward. I feel like my callings are given to me with no directions on how to achieve success and no one will help me. I've spoken to leaders and either they disregard my concern, are just as stumped as myself, or they say they will get me the help I need---but don't. In case it's not clear, my girls and Eddie are my life. My current calling greatly interferes with my life. I am a (absolutely inexperienced) cub scout den leader...or an assistant to someone who is as confusing as Russian to a newborn turtle. I don't know what I'm doing AT ALL and everyone assumes I do. I'm never told what in advance we are doing, so I'm constantly unprepared. (Not that I don't ask, over and over) Our den meetings- 7 pm on Tuesdays. Same time as mutual. My husband works evenings... My girls go to bed at 6:30. Can't get a babysitter since everyone that could watch them is also at the church! So when my husband can't take an extended lunch, which he has only been able to do once, the girls are in my hands alone. Last Tuesday= NIGHTMARE! So my only choice I've been given... don't go to the pack mtgs until Ed's schedule changes back. Great. So what's the point?
(Would you believe they gave me this calling because my last one was too stressful! Ha!)
This is just one example of the many things that can throw me off...

So that's my question: 

Do you have anything you do to reduce the stress levels in your life/home? 

Because when mommy's happy, everyone else is happy.

Cheerio Necklace

I needed something to entertain my 2 1/2 year old daughter while rocking my fussy newborn and I recalled making fruit loop necklaces as a kid. I knew my daughter would really enjoy making this because she loves both cereal and necklaces. I didn't have fruit loops in the house but I had honey nut cheerios. We taped a toothpick on the end of the thin yarn (or you can use a thick strand of thread) to use as a needle to thread the cheerios onto the yarn. This made it easier for my daughter to thread her cheerios onto the yarn. Fun to make and yummy to eat!

-Amanda

Since it's been a while and no one has proposed a new topic recently, we are going to open the blog up for

 questions 

again until a new topic is posted.

 So if something is on your mind that you want to ask your fellow mommy friends about, go ahead!

-Paula :-)

Better Late Than Never

So when Paula first posted to put on "sure fire" winning recipes in your home I completely drew a blank! But then I made a meal last night that my whole family absolutely loves and in the words of Gru "light...bulb." So here it is.

Fried Rice
1 pound bacon
1 egg per person
1 bag frozen mixed veggies (I prefer the mix with corn, peas, carrots, etc.)
Rice (how much you would normally make to feed your family. I made 2 cups dry last night and we still had leftovers...with me and two toddlers)
Soy Sauce

Get the rice cooking. In the meantime, chop the bacon into little pieces and cook in frying pan. Just before the bacon is cooked as desired (we like crispy) throw the veggies in the microwave until cooked. After bacon is cooked, depending on how much grease there is you may want to drain some. But not all of it. You need it for the "frying". Scoot all the bacon to one side of the pan and fry the eggs in the bacon oil. Then add all the rice and veggies and stir fry adding a few dashes of soy sauce.

Serve hot with soy sauce.

This isn't the healthiest recipe out there, but it's got protein, grain, and veggies in it!! My family will eat mounds of this any day. And the greatest part is it is great as warmed up leftovers! (And that is saying something because I do not love leftovers.\"/)

There is another variation that I have made before when I didn't have bacon. I just used oil. It was vegetable oil, but we have recently switched to olive oil in our family so I don't know how it tastes with olive oil. I heat up the oil in a pan, and then follow all the same steps starting at frying the eggs. This way of cooking it even won my brother in law over, and he is the pickiest eater I have ever met or heard of in my entire life!!

Fun Food

Hello all. This doesn't quite go with the topic this week, mostly because I don't do this myself, but I thought it might be fun to share some inspiration with the rest of you that have kids old enough to eat this kind of food. I stumbled across this blog called Meet the Dubiens today & immediately loved her Fun Food Friday posts. She does some of the most creative things with food, making it fun for her kids to eat it. Here is a sample of one of her creations! Once Sharon is bigger & can eat more foods, I think I might have to try out some of these fun things for her lunches!

FIVE-A-DAY

Before Nate (BN) I’d been trying to do NUMBERS, LETTERS, COLORS, READ, and MOVE each day with Caleb.
Looking for teaching moments and planning easy activities really keeps me on my toes and helps me take advantage of our time.
usually counting something such as: the toys we pick-up, the number of blocks we stack, or perhaps beans we are prepping for dinner- you get the idea.

printing off letter-themed coloring pages from offline, plucking scrabble tiles from a bag, flipping through a few flashcards, singing the alphabet song, playing this game online together (there’s a few good online games @ pbskids and fischer-price)
playing a watered-down version of Uno or Candyland, preparing and eating color-themed snacks, playing Don’t Eat Pete with Skittles or M&Ms, flipping through a few more flashcards, digging through a pile of crayons, separating laundry (colors, whites, blue jeans, etc)
As an English major/teacher and lover of books, I never thought I’d have to pull teeth to get my child to read (I mean isn’t book-lust heredity?), here are some things that have helped us:

• The best time to read to Caleb is when he is splashing around in the bath tub, bedtime and when he asks. Take the path of least resistance and take advantage of the time allotted.

• The search engine is the second best thing that has happened for literacy. Whatever your child’s obsession is this week you can google a list of books on that given topic.

• The best thing that has happened for literacy is the public library system. You don’t have to purchase a collection of books your kid won’t be interested in by the end of the week.

• Back to the second best thing: You can google hassle-free activities related to whatever book your kid is digging. You can also knock-out NUMBERS, LETTERS OR COLORS with any given book. In the past I’ve done grocery-clippings collage (use the circulars you get in the mail) as we read this book. The activity was a big hit with Caleb and now I just keep clippings for antsy days. Right now, Caleb loves Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom so I googled and made this the other day:

a physical activity such as: playing red rover, pretending to be animals, vehicles or some occupation, London bridge, acting out nursery rhymes, dancing etc.

* * *

Some days we nail all five… other days, uh, not so much. But I try, and on some days I just need to know I put forth effort, you know? I bet you do.


Sidenote: Got any additional activities that could fall into one of the five categories to share?

Attempting to keep them busy AND happy

- We are trying to take walks more. Usually I can't convince the girls to go along unless there is a goal that they'd enjoy, like the park, store, library, you get the idea. So if I know a trip can be made without needing to carry much back home in return, I opt for walking (or bike ride) over the car.
- Watercolors can usually get me 30 minutes of quiet time to get something done.
- MAKING COOKIES. My kids love to help me make cookies (or anything edible for that matter), even if it's only so they can reap the benefits of cookie dough. Then we send them off to work with daddy.
- Playdough, both non-edible and edible! If I don't need to keep them clean, then we make peanut butter playdough. Otherwise, we break out the regular stuff and mommy's cookie cutters :-)

Peanut Butter Playdough
*Big scoop of peanut butter
*Big squirt/spoonful of honey
*Powdered milk, enough to make a playdough consistency
Stir them all together and that's it! 
Add fun little Teddy Grahams for added fun to play in the playdough (and inevitably get eaten as well)


Regular Playdough
*1 cup of flour
*1/2 cup salt
*2 tsp. cream of tartar
*1 cup of water
*1 Tbsp. oil
Mix all ingredients in small saucepan. cook over medium heat about 3 minutes or until desired consistency. Mixture will pull away from sides of pan. Add food color and knead to blend. Store in airtight bag or container.


-What about play with their toys and books? Well, that's a given. The amount of time I get varies depending on how invested they are in their activity. It sometimes come down to the girls dragging me away from my chores to play with them or my eldest talking my ear off to know every detail about what I'm doing. That's why I'm curious if any of you have tricks to getting chores like cleaning the bathroom (where I use cleaners I would prefer them to not touch and/or get on their clothes) or sweeping, without "shadows".... which the electronic babysitter ends up being my downfall :-(

(Did I mention my 3 1/2 year old hasn't done naptime for a year now???)

Topic: Jan 3 week

Hope you are all ready for a wonderful new year!

This week's topic is an idea collecting subject to help myself, and I'm sure other moms will also appreciate it, so if you can answer it, please do!

What activities do you like to do with your kids on just a regular day? 

You have nothing planned away from home and/or you have mommy chores to get done. 

What do your kids do so you don't have to resort to the default: Movie/extended TV?

(no guilt trips here...I'm as guilty as they come!)

If recipes are used that can be shared for our use, we'd appreciate it!