One of the Best Things We Can Do For Our Kids in this Culture War — We are THAT Family

One of the Best Things We Can Do For Our Kids in this Culture War — We are THAT Family:

'via Blog this'   by Kristen Welch

"There’s all this crazy research on why so many kids are leaving the church once they can (6 in 10). Why? Some are leaving because it’s the first time they have the freedom to do so...But I think most leave because they don’t know Jesus.

They have heard about him their whole lives. They have the t-shirt. But it’s not that personal.

I don’t know if there’s a right way to go about it. But I do know it’s not about rules, it’s about relationship."

Big Project

The beginning of this last week, Pop and I worked for about 2 1/2 hours putting together a little play kitchen for our grandkids, but more specifically for our 20 month-old we take care of during the week. Since Benjamin has a new, larger, heavier kitchen at home now (a Christmas gift from his grandpa in St. Louis), we wanted to have a little place to pretend play/cook here for him. 

The $20 American Plastic Play Kitchen

(made in the USA!) came in LOTS of pieces. Thank goodness Pop is meticulous and good with directions, which I would have rushed through and come out with I-don't-know-what! It was a good partnership project. I did lots of cutting small cookware and dinner ware out---cutting just the little connection pieces. Also had to smooth some out with an Exacto blade and a finger nail file!

Was it worth the time and effort? Of course! Our little guy played with it all day the first day, and of course, some everyday since, but not quite the fascination and dedication as that first concentrated play.

Photo won't flip for me.

I have also had fun making a couple pretend food items for the kitchen using the foam sheets I had on hand from the hobby store.

Technical Difficulties

http://www.makepartsfast.com/

I have spent the last two hours working on replacing photos and images in these blogs that were lost. Some I deleted from Google+ not realizing then they would be taken from my blog as well! Live and learn with this blogging thing! I think I have replaced all the lost photos/images. If you run into a blank space, know it must have had a lovely image that has just disappeared. Curses!

Pop, Hugo and Trains

Hugo named his grandpa Paul Pop, and that is now his name all the grandkids use. 

Pop loves trains, real and model. He has read many train books, enjoys studying train maps and the history of trains. This love of trains has spread to Hugo. Together they have gone to the Train Museum in St. Paul, MN several times. Hugo has the Brio wooden train and does elaborate track layouts. First thing when he arrives here is ask Pop to show him the electric trains downstairs! 

Pop has wanted to take Hugo on a short train ride, and over the Christmas holidays this worked out. Hugo was excited and a little fearful. However, when his parents dropped Pop and him at the Amtrak station in Jefferson City, Missouri, he went right aboard. When we met them in Hermann, Missouri, he and Pop stepped right off. Hugo was carrying his small stuffed dog at that point! Pop said he asked for it mid-ride. 

The train they rode is the Missouri River Runner, which travels between Kansas City and St. Louis. Someday they may take the entire trip, but this was just enough for Hugo at this tender age of 4! He loved it.

The rest of the family met them in Hermann, where we proceeded to have a lovely lunch at the Wurst House. Benjamin will be the next grandchild to ride the train with Pop I predict. Maybe Ben and Vera on the same trip since they are so close in age. Time will tell. Meanwhile, these are wonderful times for us as grandparents. We are thankful to our Lord Jesus Christ for them.

Poor Tree

As grandson Hugo said about our fallen tree in our front yard after a big wind and rain storm, I now apply the same phrase to our Christmas tree, "Poor tree!" From grand and magical sparkling Christmas tree to this bare, dried out, needles shedding in piles, tree. Oh how sad. So very sad. OK, in the grand scheme of things, this is not that sad. The tree served us well from early December until today, the First Sunday in Epiphany. It quit drinking water five days into it's stay. Still it held up fairly well. 

I love the stories about Christmas trees, even the sad ones. The first one I ever read, or heard, was Hans Christian Andersen's "The Fir Tree." It had a wonderful life in the forest, but wanted more. When it gets to be the special Christmas tree it only has the attention of the family for one night. It's then ignored, and eventually is cut up and burned in the kitchen fire. Poor tree.

Another children's story I discovered this year (although it is 20 years old) is "Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect" by Richard Schneider. This one our grandson Hugo had me read to him most nights before bed for the week he was here. It has a Christian message of love. I enjoyed it as much as he did I think.

When I first began teaching, I found the story of "The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story" by Gloria Houston. It is a lovely story of a young girl and her mother, a Christmas tree, and a father in the military during WW I who makes a surprise for his daughter. Very touching.

There are many more stories of Christmas trees I'm sure. These are just a couple that I have liked, and so have the children I've shared them with. 

So, poor tree, thank you for a wonderful Christmas celebration. For your adding light to our winter, and reminding us that Christ is the Light of the world.

Epiphany to Ash Wednesday

Tonight we had the end of the kringler, that Scandinavian Almond Puff by another name. I made it for my church women's group yesterday. We ate it in candlelight tonight, after our cheese, crackers, and salad supper. End of Christmas cheeses. Yes, the end of Christmas season. Yet, Epiphany continues. And Christ, Emmanuel, is with us, always.

I am like countless others who dread, hate, taking down their Christmas tree and decorations. It seems like I work lovingly for 2-3 weeks putting them up, and then time rushes on and it's time to take them down. So that is my chore this weekend, to undecorate. Except I am keeping up stars in the kitchen for Epiphany, and any heart decorations (again mostly in the kitchen) for St. Valentine's Day in February. 

Snow and More Snow

1. Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
2. The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter’s Wonder by Mark Cassino
3. It’s Snowing! by Gail Gibbons

The books listed above are great ones for kids about snow and snowflakes. It's that time again, with our cold, arctic temps there is more snow in our forecast. So these books and other activities, like making paper snowflakes, are fun when kids can't play outside.

Our art teacher at my school would make these huge paper, three-dimensional snowflakes, and hang them from the art room ceiling. Soon everyone wanted to make them and they were hanging many places in the building. I never made one, but this is a good tutorial on how to do it. I plan on trying it tomorrow with my grandson.

On second thought, this is a project for me, and for him when he's older. I have seen craft sticks glued together to make a snowflake, so that might be more age appropriate!

And lastly, here are some printables with great activities for young kids, from a blog I follow, www.servingjoyfully.com.

Epiphany

Today is Epiphany (also known as Theophany, Day of Lights, Twelfth Day, 3 Kings Day or Adoration of the Magi), the 12th day of Christmas (last night was Twelfth Night). This excerpt from an article on Christianity.about.com explains it well:

What is Epiphany?

Epiphany, also known as "Three Kings Day" and "Twelfth Day," is a Christian holiday commemorated on January 6. It falls on the twelfth day after Christmas, and for some denominations signals the conclusion of the twelve days of the Christmas season. Though many different cultural and denominational customs are practiced, in general, the feast celebrates the manifestation of God in the form of human flesh through Jesus Christ, his Son.

The word epiphany means “manifestation” or “revelation" and is commonly linked in Western Christianity with the visit of the wise men (Magi) to the Christ child. Through the Magi, Christ revealed himself to the gentiles. In Eastern Christianity, Epiphany puts emphasis on the baptism of Jesus by John, with Christ revealing himself to the world as God's own Son. Likewise, on Epiphany some denominations commemorate Jesus' miracle of turning water into wine, signifying the manifestation of Christ's divinity as well.  

I found some kids' activities for Epiphany. Check them out:

http://www.ehow.com/list_6368194_children_s-arts-crafts-epiphany.html


Happy Epiphany!

Brrr

Brrr! Mid-Missouri is not used to sub-zero temperatures. This morning on our thermometer it was -10 degrees Fahrenheit! [read Washington Post article] Schools are closed (we got 5" of snow, but it's mainly due to the extreme cold) which means I don't have my little grandson to care for today. So yes, I've been reading blogs, doing FB, doing devotions, drinking coffee now tea, and just generally taking it easy.

I do have a list of things to get done today. And the quote here sums it up for me. My will is lacking on many things. The main enemy of my will is procrastination. Also I just don't like doing certain things. Or I really like doing other things, so I let chores, duties, go. Amazing how I can walk past a pile of stuff (Christmas remnants) blocking my open closet. Yes, when the grandkids and all were here there was no time (?) or energy (!). Now there is time, and again, the quote above applies: will to do it. My energy can be mustered for things I like. Now I must will some energy to get the chores done.

Having a deadline always helps. Like my church womens group is meeting here Thursday evening, 4 days away. I plan, want, to do some chores every day until then; I don't want to procrastinate. With procrastination comes stress and intensity I don't need, and especially I don't need to give to my husband. With procrastination, he often takes on some thing or things I haven't gotten to or finished. 

So I pray to God to give me support to have my will work. To help get rid of procrastination. Praise and thank you God for my many blessings.

...the Children Were Nestled

...all snug in their beds...

http://ctgpublishing.com/

Yes, our grandchildren are nestled in their own beds in Minnesota tonight, after a whirlwind, fun, chaotic at times, week here at Nana's and Pop's. I had tears at their departure, which happens almost every time they leave (used to have tears when our daughters drove off to go back to college or work in distant cities). Still, yes, I have had a peaceful, restful day. Saving organization of Grandkids' Room for tomorrow afternoon. Have to get it ready for grandson Benjamin on Monday, although right now I think he won't come until Tuesday because I'm predicting the minus, below-zero temps will close the schools. (The city has already notified us that trash will not be picked up on Monday. Good decision.)

I did have a good snuggle and hug time with our oldest grandson Hugo. He told me 'Nana, we're going home today but in 2 days I'll come visit you again.' I wish. Or maybe...

So today was restful, peaceful, full of reading, writing, organizing my calendar, doing a few things pre-storm like mix new birdseed and fill all 4 of my bird feeders. You know, important things! Also reminded my FB friends to be sure pets are brought inside (probably preaching to the choir there). This very cold weather is a record breaker, at least in over ten years, we have not had it this cold (predicted cold). The northern plains have it even worse, with 25+ below zero. 

So as I get into my comfortable bed tonight, in my flannel nightgown, and on my flannel sheets, in my warm home, I pray for all those who don't have shelter. I pray for all those who work outside in these conditions. And I give my thanks and praise to God for my blessings of warmth and shelter. 

7th Day of Christmas

"The Twelve Days of Christmas" - Laurel Long

We celebrate the 12 days of Christmas which begin on the day after Christmas Day, December 26. Even though the needles are falling off the tree little by little, it still looks lovely and festive. Our Christmas carols still play. At night our tree and wreath lights sparkle and reflect in the dark windows, fascinating our 1-year-old granddaughter.

The three grandkids' play has toys around the house in unexpected places. Our dogs are shedding so add fur to the bits and pieces of wrapping paper left on the living room floor; it could use a good cleaning. My daughters say don't bother, vacuum after they leave! And often throughout the day, a little chaos ensues. Two 1-year-olds and one 4-year-old make for a busy mix. 

One thing that has all three grandkids interested, even enthralled, is a music video by The Piano Guys. Their rendition of "Angels We Have Heard on High" is so creative and fun, the kids want to watch it over and over. I recommend it!

Oh, and I wish you a Happy New Year filled with blessings!