The Cave

I mentioned earlier that I would share some ideas from my kids imaginations.  Here is something we like to do, that you may already do as well.  Sometimes, we like to get out all of our blankets and pillows and make a cave for the kids to play in.  I create the environment and they create the stories.  I love watching what happens when we do this!  Here is a picture of one of the caves we made:

The kids have a small pop-up tent we used and a tunnel as well.  Fun, fun!  They loved it!  This goes back to the idea of why buy a kid a toy when all they want is the box.  So much more room for creativity and imagination when you do this kind of stuff.  :)

Everything You Do...

Do you ever feel guilty about the things you are doing, or should I say, not doing with your kids?  I certainly do!  Especially when you have multiple degrees, perhaps, and you have learned the consequences of certain activities (i.e. too much TV).  In school, you think, “Oh I would never do that with my kids!”  Then, 10 years later, you find yourself doing exactly the opposite of what you vowed you would not do?  LOL!  I hope you can relate and that I’m not the only one!

Well, there’s a new Stephen Curtis Chapman song called, "Do Everthing," that really speaks to me and reminds me of what is important.  It's from his latest cd entitled, Re:Creation.  Here are the lyrics for the first part of the song:

"You’re picking up toys on the living room floor for the 15^th time today

Matching up socks, sweeping up lost Cheerios that got away

You put a baby on your hip and color on your lips and head out the door

And while I may not know you I bet I know you

Wonder sometimes does it matter at all

Well let me remind you it all matters just as long

As you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you

Cause He made you to do

Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face

And tell the story of grace

With every move that you make

And every little thing you do"

This song comes from the verse 1 Corinthians 10:31,

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Collosians 3

Sometimes as a Christian mom I feel pressure too.  I think I’m not doing enough Bible study or scripture memorization, etc with my kids.  I try new ideas to help their faith and feel like I fail more often than I succeed.  But, this verse reminds me that no matter what I do, even with my kids, all I need is to be sure to do it for God’s glory!  Can I glorify God in making “silly snacks” with my kids?  Yes!  Can I glorify God by letting my house get messy because my kids like to be creative? Absolutely!  I do believe teaching them the Bible is important.  But, I also believe God would rather me be laughing and playing with my kids rather than spending the day cleaning my house.  After all, being a Christian is about building a relationship with Christ and I believe He wants us to also build a relationship with our children as well.  So here's an idea...go have some fun with your kids and whatever you do, do it for His glory!  J

Treasure!

I have 2 boys with very wild imaginations!  I'll share some of the stuff they come up with in future posts.  Today I want to tell you about their treasure boxes.  One of their favorite activities is to dress up like pirates and hunt for treasure.  We also enjoy going on walks outside and looking for "treasures."  So, one day while I was out shopping, I found these treasure boxes.  I think I got them on clearance at Hobby Lobby or Michaels.  The boys were so excited!  They were perfect because they were cheap and blank!  The boys got to decorate their own treasure box!

They use their treasure boxes for different things almost every day.  Sometimes we go on walks and they collect "treasures" which they keep in their boxes for a little while.  Sometimes they dress up like pirates and have mom make a treasure map.  I fill their treasure boxes with some sort of "treasure" and they go hunting.  Yesterday, they turned the entire living room into Pirate World!  They had each made flags they colored and taped to a variety of places to make their ships.  My 6 year old said it was "pirate VBS."  He had me go around from station to station, talk about God and Jesus, and sing songs.  So creative!  We even got to pick out treasures at the end.

Two of our favorite stories to read about treasure are:

The Treasure Tree by John and Cindy Trent and Gary and Norma Smalley
Will, God's Mighty Warrior #2: The Mystery of Magillicuddy's Gold by Sheila Walsh