Dr. Seuss and Teachable Moments

Tuesday, May 31, 2011


Teaching a six year old to be humble and love himself can be a tricky thing. They're kind of polar opposite struggles, but easily fit hand in hand. I hear a lot of, "I'm the best soccer player on my team." AND "I can play basketball really well." Some days it can go on and on. On the flip side I also hear, "I wish my feet were as big as so and so." OR "I don't like my hair." Yes, I'm aware that he's six, but I want him to be confident and have a humble heart. I want both my boys to know that they are fearfully and wonderfully made. So in addition to our bible stories, I have enlisted the help of Dr. Seuss and his wonderful characters found in Yertle the Turtle to drive the point home.

The Big Brag tells the tale of two critters fighting over who's the best. Awesomeness! When asked who he'd rather be, the bear or the bunny, Jude knew right away that both weren't very fun to be around, nor were they honoring the Lord and how He created them.



Gertrude McFuzz was the perfect antidote for comparison. I tell my boys all the time that God made them perfect and special just as they are and that every Batman needs a Robin. Sweet Gertrude finally accepts that single lonely little feather on her backside and stops comparing herself to Lolla Lee Lou. Priceless.

Humility and Confidence... I'll take a double dose of each thanks. xo

Around the House: Memorial Day Weekend

Monday, May 30, 2011


I'm taking the day off to spend more time with the littles in our new plastic play pool. But I wanted to share this really sweet post that Christine of Tiny Dallas did on me last Friday. Happy Extended Weekend! xo

Weekly Challenge: All In

Friday, May 27, 2011

Week one we went "all in" and began our summer "list" I shared with you Monday. So far we have 50+ activities on "the list" and we've managed to check off 3 this week. I better slow this train down or I may have nothing left come August.

Painting - not just any painting, but painting with bouncy balls instead of brushes. We put a piece of paper into a lasagna tin, dipped our bouncy balls in paint and then dropped it in the tin. When you pick up the tin and move it all around, the ball creates really fun patterns.

Lava Lamps - this amazing science project was a total hit with my boys! They keep asking to do it again and again! I guess when it's somewhat explosive it speaks to the hearts of boys. Love it. And, I've got to admit, this was really cool. Brilliant idea!

Water Guns - If it's above 80 degrees my guys think it's time to get wet. Water, giggles and exhaustion - what a great trio!

Spray Paint - One napping. One eager to spray paint. Bring on the fun! Can't wait to show you guys the finished goods. Got the idea here. (My oldest loves to spray paint his scooter. Orange, blue, whatever suits his mood.)
 

Feed the Ducks & a Little Basketball - Who knew a row of crackers, a blanket, and a basketball could make for such a fun day!?
the ducks will be a repeat early next week. these lilypads are about to bust into full bloom - I can't miss that!
Drums - Uh-huh...we know how to get a party kickin'... drums.
(sick - the bottoms of my pans are disgusting. sorry you had to see the underbelly.)

Week One of Summer = total BLAST. Ha - take that rain, hail, tornados and sickness! We can't be stopped! We're off to Austin for more fun. Have yourself a rockin' weekend! xo

Size Matters

Thursday, May 26, 2011

...when it comes to coffee cups!

Vintage coffee cups are so pretty to look at, but when it comes to coffee...I need a JUMBO size cup. Those teeny little lovelies from the 50's and 60's just won't cut it, unless I want to got back for 2 or 3 refills. No thanks. So what does one do with all that vintage goodness in this coffee version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears?
 JUMBO (with a side of dainty berries)

I have a few ideas for my teensy weensy collections...
ice cream (the handle helps you tip it to get every last bit of delicious cream!)

berries (with or without yogurt and granola)

games!

Sometimes necessity is the Mother of all inventions. I had to work on some projects yesterday and wanted to give the littles something to do indoors. My youngest was already playing with the clothespins... why not add beans/rice, teeny coffee cups and a timer?  Instant fun filled game with lots of giggles. Whoever fills their cup the most in 5 minutes, using only the clothespins, is the winner!

 

Ahhh, the teeny coffee cup has been saved. Oh yeah, they also work great for centerpieces with flowers and tealights. I'll keep my jumbo cups for my morning cup of sanity. xo

Daytrippers

Tuesday, May 24, 2011


If you're local and looking for something fun to do - why not hop the train and check out Downtown Plano. I know...sounds a little lame a first. Downtown Plano? But yes, seriously...give it a try!






Oh my gosh - Georgia's Farmers Market is everything I wish Dallas Farmers Market was - easy to shop, friendly, guaranteed farm fresh and convenient.

We stopped for lunch at Urban Crust. Yummers! The best part - our waitress gave the boys their own dough to play with while we waited for our lunch. She said they'd even cook it for the boys if we wanted. What? Really?  Awesome sauce. Waaaaayyy better than your run of the mill crayons and paper.


The park right off the rails is super cool and age appropriate with 2 play-scapes: one for little littles and another for older littles. There's also lots of room for quilt/blanket picnics. Why not stop at the Farmer's Market for fresh fruit and drinks to take parkside? We are totally doing that next time.




We also checked out Eisenberg's Skate Park, but we had so much fun watching the kids skate and talking to everyone that I forgot to take photos. This was Jude's favorite part by far. When we got home he hopped on his skateboard and scooter to start practicing his "tricks." What a great family day-trip. We had a blast! I honestly felt like I was out of town. Ah-mazing! xo

His & Hers: Hot Sauce

Monday, May 23, 2011

We like our food spicy at this house...well, the grown-ups do anyway.  The hubs has a very specific sauce that he uses on everything. I try not to be offended, as he tells me often that it has nothing to do with m cooking. Really? And me, well I just have my favorite salsa that I could eat by the spoon-full.



Sorry for the poor image quality, but this is important stuff that I thought I should share. ha ha ha. Happy Monday! xo

His & Hers series is a weekly little diddy that Alli, of Hooray, and I started for fun to give you guys a glimpse into our worlds two images at a time. Two pics, two perspectives, no rules. Play along with us! xo

Around the House: It's Officially Summer

Monday, May 23, 2011


Pre-K is over, the temps are rising and I'm looking for things to do with my boys...it's officially Summer!

We are making a list of fun things to do this Summer - things we've never done before and/or haven't done in a while.  Here are a few that are sure to be on the list. (PS...if you want more great ideas, check out the list/link below.)

great list here

1. Tie-dye
2. Fishing with Pop.
3. Spray Park
4. Texas Road Trip - with a little Texas history on the side!
5. Make cookie pops.
6. Cookies for the Fire Department.
7. Make our own ice cream.
8. Go to a farm and milk cows.
9. Paint with fruit & veggies.
10. Museum
11. Bug/Creature Bingo - this involves a walk around the block and stickers for our boards.
12. Potholder weaving - I loved this when I was little.
13. Make our own tent for inside the house - tutorial found here.
14. Make birdseed bars/cakes.
15. Make our own playdough.
16. Send a random package to a friend in the mail. See this blog for ideas.
17. Take the littles to the drive-in movie theatre. Kung-Fu Panda 2 and Cars 2 - we are waiting and super excited.
18. Go to a baseball game. Go Rough Riders!
19. Soccer/Bible study camp. How they rolled these two things into one I will never know, but God seems to bless me in the strangest way sometimes. He so knows just what will speak to the heart of my oldest!
20. Legoland! Our countdown started May 1st. We leave June 2nd. Wahoo!


In hopes of keeping my littles excited about our Summer list, we'll be making posting everything on posterboard and hanging it in the playroom, checking items off as they're completed. I hope this will aslo help me remember what's available for us to do during the day when we hit a slump.

I hope this inspires some of you to make a list of your own. xo
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