I can hardly believe that at 12:05pm today - it will OFFICIALLY be summer at my house. I adore my kids - truly, but at times the thought of entertaining them 24/7 is a little daunting. As summer approaches, I always try to decide what "Plan" I am going to put in place for that summer. We have tried quite a few things - some have worked better than others. My 10 year old refers to my plans as "torture". Aka - "So mom, how are you going to torture us this summer." LOL! Personally, this year I really want to find a balance between keeping up their school skills and letting them be kids.
Here are a few ideas to keep up school skills:
1. Summer Skills Books - These books are awesome!! 20 minutes per day (my kids usually finish closer to 10 minutes) The answers are in the back of the book. (for the parent) It is a review of sorts. It follows common core - so it will be exactly what they were taught in their classroom. It reviews all the concepts they learned throughout the year so when they start school in the Fall - it is fresh in their minds. They have two books for each grade. Language Arts and Math. I had teachers at my children's school review these last year after I had purchased them and they ALL said they were the best they'd seen. In fact, a handful of them even ordered books for kids they were tutoring over the summer. I really like these books and highly recommend them. I think they cost about $20 per book.
Find them HERE!
2. Check out your local library - Our library has AWESOME summer programs every year that we try to take advantage of. Best of all they are all FREE!!!
a. Reading programs - to encourage reading
b. Chik Lit/Guys Read - programs led by a librarian for kids going into grades 3-5. They meet once a week and discuss the assigned book.
c. Activities/Entertainment - From Lego Mania, a Magician, an art project, a Singing Cowboy and his horse - there is always something fun. This is usually a once a week event for about 8 weeks of summer.
3. Tenmarks.com - a Math website - is offering a FREE summer math program this year. (it usually costs $39.95 per child). This program serves those going into 2nd grade and up. This is a fantastic summer program - they do an assessment with your child and then give assignments based on how they did. The parent can set REWARDS to motivate the child to complete assignments. For example, I set for my son's first reward - a trip to his favorite ice cream place when he completes 10 assignments. At the end of the summer - the parent receives a "Report Card" of how they did overall. Find it HERE
4. Barnes & Noble Imagination's Destination - FREE Summer Reading program 2015; For children in grades 1-6. Read 8 books and receive a FREE book at your local Barnes & Noble. To learn more and to print out the reading journal GO HERE
5. Jenny Philips Summer Reading Program - This is my FAVORITE find so far this year. Jenny is an incredible musician who majored in English and created this reading program for her kids. She wanted to find more "wholesome" books which taught a moral and had educational value. She sought out books that showcase good and uplifting family relationships and show respect and love toward one another. Her book list has 228 books by grade level. Each book is given a point level and your child earns prizes depending on how many points he/she earns. The book list alone is amazing. You can purchase JUST the book list for $5 if this interests you. I AM IN LOVE WITH THE LIST and the program. This one does cost $11.98 per child - However, if you register 3 or more - it is only $9.98 per child. Go Here
6. Chuck E. Cheese - When your child reads for 2 weeks in a row - he/she earns 10 FREE tokens. Just print off and fill out the form and take it with you to claim your free tokens. Here is the link. (if you look closely - there is also a reward for just about everything - so use this!!!!)
7. Summer Survival Planner 2015 - The confident mom has an amazing Planner you can purchase. It lists an activity to do with your kids every single day throughout the summer. Some are educational, some are a treat you can make together, some are just plain fun. However, my favorite part of this planner is that it also comes with a "shopping list" for each week. This list outlines ALL of the items needed to do each of the activities with your kids. So, you can be prepared. It is beautiful. Go HERE to find out more. Cost is $7-12 depending on the option you pick!!
8. Days of the Week - I also LOVE the hallmark idea to assign each day of the week a "theme". This year we are using:
Make Someone Smile MONDAY - service oriented
Theatre TUESDAY - Harkins summer movie passes
Wet N Wild WEDNESDAY - Wet N Wild with friends
Take a Trip THURSDAY - need I say more?
Friendly Friday - Playdate day
Whatever you do, just remember to enjoy it! Get down on the floor and out in the pool and PLAY with your kids. THAT is what they will remember!
About Me
- Moore To Tell . . .
- Writer, Musician(for real, check me out on iTunes), Wife, Mother of 3 busy kids, Organized Mess, Crafter, DIYer, and seeker of fantabulous deals!
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Friday, January 30, 2015
BULK TRASH/ DIY Antique Chairs
So, a few years ago, (yes, it was REALLY that long - I am sure that none of you put off projects that long, just me!) I found two pretty cool chairs in bulk trash.
If you aren't familiar with bulk trash - it is something my neighborhood does once a month - you can put ANYTHING on the curb and waste management will take it away for FREE. It is truly awesome. But what is even MORE awesome is all the AMAZING finds I have had in other people's bulk trash. To name a few - FULL bedroom set, bookshelves, desks, pool furniture, leftover wood from someone's project, seriously, it UNREAL what I find.
Anyway, I found these chairs and thought, hmmmmm - its always nice to have extra chairs - and the TV show FRIENDS taught me that they don't need to match. I could redo them, right, I mean, I had never done that - but I'll just follow a tutorial. So, I took them home. There were two of them and within the first 10 days of having them home I took them apart (they had fabric seats) and sanded the heck out of the wood. They appeared to have been in a fire - they had weird melted stuff on the wood and the fabric seats were truly falling apart. MUCH to my surprise - when I took the seats off - I found tags still intact and hanging telling the age/the make - it was awesome - I was looking at antique chairs. They are beautiful. I looked them up online and found that each chair was worth over $800. Seriously, who throws them out!! Here is a picture of how dilapidated the seats were before I tore them apart. It did take some (wo-)man-power to pull all the staples out.
After many hours of staple pulling - this is the "frame" of the seat that I found underneath all the gucky fire-ruined fabric and padding.
If you aren't familiar with bulk trash - it is something my neighborhood does once a month - you can put ANYTHING on the curb and waste management will take it away for FREE. It is truly awesome. But what is even MORE awesome is all the AMAZING finds I have had in other people's bulk trash. To name a few - FULL bedroom set, bookshelves, desks, pool furniture, leftover wood from someone's project, seriously, it UNREAL what I find.
Anyway, I found these chairs and thought, hmmmmm - its always nice to have extra chairs - and the TV show FRIENDS taught me that they don't need to match. I could redo them, right, I mean, I had never done that - but I'll just follow a tutorial. So, I took them home. There were two of them and within the first 10 days of having them home I took them apart (they had fabric seats) and sanded the heck out of the wood. They appeared to have been in a fire - they had weird melted stuff on the wood and the fabric seats were truly falling apart. MUCH to my surprise - when I took the seats off - I found tags still intact and hanging telling the age/the make - it was awesome - I was looking at antique chairs. They are beautiful. I looked them up online and found that each chair was worth over $800. Seriously, who throws them out!! Here is a picture of how dilapidated the seats were before I tore them apart. It did take some (wo-)man-power to pull all the staples out.
Well, it took me a few years to go any further - but I finally found the perfect fabric and the resolve to finish the job. I love birds and the color in this fabric, well, I just love it.
After many hours of staple pulling - this is the "frame" of the seat that I found underneath all the gucky fire-ruined fabric and padding.
Interestingly enough, this is what the OTHER "frame" looked like. Which one do you think is original? LOL! When I took it to the fabric store - the sweet lady who helped was in awe - saying she'd never seen a frame like the one above. Antique, I tell you. AWESOMENESS!
So, I forgot to take a picture of it all laid out before I started stapling again. Sorry. But basically, I bought an upholstery stapler from JoAnn's. I secured the corners first (all four) and then just stapled over and over until it was the tautness that I wanted.
Here are my finished chairs. I absolutely love how they turned out. You can tell that they have kind of a shabby chic look to them because I didn't re stain them after I sanded off all the guck. I was going to paint them - but ended up falling in love with the grainy look - so for now, I will just keep them how they are.
That is the beauty of DIY projects. For now, I am in love and when my love starts to fade - I'll make if over again with new fabric and fall in love again.
Till next time - for there is ALWAYS moore to tell . . .
Thursday, January 15, 2015
How I deal with STRESS!!!!!
After a really stressful morning - I took my stress out on my chores. Good news for me - they got done extra quick and efficiently. However, when I was finished I still didn't feel "better". I found myself sitting at the piano a few hours later and could actually FEEL the stress finally melting away as I played. Dwelling on my morning when I was through - I realized it. It was like an AHA! moment and I began to really think about things or actions that make me feel "better" when I am stressed. This is the list I came up with.
1. Prayer - turning to my Heavenly Father ALWAYS helps. I am not always strong enough to do this right away - even when I know I should. I guess its the natural man in me wanting to resolve it on my own. However, once I take the time to explain the situation to him - then I can finally start to figure out what I need to do next.
My mom always says that "A day hemmed in prayer never unravels." She is usually right.
2. Get Outdoors - a hike, a run, a walk in nature helps my brain to think in ways it just can't when it is surrounded by 4 walls.
I think it also helps me to remember "The Big Picture". So often life seems stressful because we are only seeing it from one view and for me going outdoors reminds me that someone can see the whole picture and I need to have faith that I am being led. Even when the path seems incredibly rocky - He knows the way - it is all about trust.
3. Music - especially when I am the one playing or singing - it seems to bring peace to my soul in a way so few things can. Perhaps it is even the actual ACTION required to play the piano or sing that soothes me, I don't know but it often works.
4. Listening to Music - esp. ones with words that stir my soul and make me think. Here are two of my favorites. They are hymns from my church. The words get me every time.
Where Can I Turn for Peace?
1. Where can I turn for peace?
Where is my solace
When other sources cease to make me whole?
When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice,
I draw myself apart,
Searching my soul?
2. Where, when my aching grows,
Where, when I languish,
Where, in my need to know, where can I run?
Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?
Who, who can understand?
He, only One.
3. He answers privately,
Reaches my reaching
In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend.
Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching.
Constant he is and kind,
Love without end.
.
Text: Emma Lou Thayne, b. 1924. (c) 1973 IRI
Music: Joleen G. Meredith, b. 1935. (c) 1973 IRI
You can listen to it HERE.
Seriously, playing this one on the piano and singing it usually make me cry. I love the words. I am so incredibly grateful for my knowledge of a Savior who loves me.
Here is my other favorite. It is only one verse - but the words are powerful. I can recall numerous nights in my life - when things seemed unfair or out of sorts and these words were the ones that ran through my mind and eventually calmed my fears and my soul.
When Faith Endures
I will not doubt, I will not fear;
God's love and strength are always near.
His promised gift helps me to find
An inner strength and peace of mind.
I give the Father willingly
My trust, my prayers, humility.
His Spirit guides; his love assures
That fear departs when faith endures.
Text: Naomi W. Randall, 1908-2001. (c) 1985 IRI
Music: Stephen M. Jones, b. 1960. (c) 1985 IRI
You can listen to it HERE.
I am totally attracted to lyrics in songs. Melodies, accompaniments are all important - but for me it is the lyrics that truly stir my soul. Especially when they make me think and reevaluate my life or how I do things or even cause me to have an AHA! moment.
5. Reading Favorite Quotes - esp. ones referring to strength or trials. I often jot down ones that are extremely close to my heart and hang them in my bathroom and by my bed. Reading them often ingrains them in my mind and due to that they are easy to recall in times of trial/stress. Here are a few of my current favorites.
"Don't you worry your pretty little mind. People throw rocks at things that shine."
"When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer." - Corrie Ten Boom
"Family isn't always blood. It's the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what"
"Its supposed to be hard, If it wasn't hard . . . everyone would do it. The hard . . . is what makes it great." A League of Their Own
"People are often unreasonable, irrational and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you; Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight; Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous; Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten; Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it might never be enough; Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway."
Mother Teresa
6. Bath - Need I say more? Bubbles, quiet (well, maybe a little quiet) and a good book. This usually calms me down a ton!! Especially if I lite a candle as well.
6. Broadway Musicals - I know, this may seem silly to some of you - but belting out the music to a current favorite (while listening to it on my ipod, of course) brings joy to my soul and even some sort of perspective.
What do you do to bring peace when all around seems out of sorts?
I would love to hear your ideas. . . .
After all, there is ALWAYS moore to tell. . .
1. Prayer - turning to my Heavenly Father ALWAYS helps. I am not always strong enough to do this right away - even when I know I should. I guess its the natural man in me wanting to resolve it on my own. However, once I take the time to explain the situation to him - then I can finally start to figure out what I need to do next.
My mom always says that "A day hemmed in prayer never unravels." She is usually right.
2. Get Outdoors - a hike, a run, a walk in nature helps my brain to think in ways it just can't when it is surrounded by 4 walls.
I think it also helps me to remember "The Big Picture". So often life seems stressful because we are only seeing it from one view and for me going outdoors reminds me that someone can see the whole picture and I need to have faith that I am being led. Even when the path seems incredibly rocky - He knows the way - it is all about trust.
3. Music - especially when I am the one playing or singing - it seems to bring peace to my soul in a way so few things can. Perhaps it is even the actual ACTION required to play the piano or sing that soothes me, I don't know but it often works.
4. Listening to Music - esp. ones with words that stir my soul and make me think. Here are two of my favorites. They are hymns from my church. The words get me every time.
Where Can I Turn for Peace?
1. Where can I turn for peace?
Where is my solace
When other sources cease to make me whole?
When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice,
I draw myself apart,
Searching my soul?
2. Where, when my aching grows,
Where, when I languish,
Where, in my need to know, where can I run?
Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?
Who, who can understand?
He, only One.
3. He answers privately,
Reaches my reaching
In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend.
Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching.
Constant he is and kind,
Love without end.
.
Text: Emma Lou Thayne, b. 1924. (c) 1973 IRI
Music: Joleen G. Meredith, b. 1935. (c) 1973 IRI
You can listen to it HERE.
Seriously, playing this one on the piano and singing it usually make me cry. I love the words. I am so incredibly grateful for my knowledge of a Savior who loves me.
Here is my other favorite. It is only one verse - but the words are powerful. I can recall numerous nights in my life - when things seemed unfair or out of sorts and these words were the ones that ran through my mind and eventually calmed my fears and my soul.
When Faith Endures
I will not doubt, I will not fear;
God's love and strength are always near.
His promised gift helps me to find
An inner strength and peace of mind.
I give the Father willingly
My trust, my prayers, humility.
His Spirit guides; his love assures
That fear departs when faith endures.
Text: Naomi W. Randall, 1908-2001. (c) 1985 IRI
Music: Stephen M. Jones, b. 1960. (c) 1985 IRI
You can listen to it HERE.
I am totally attracted to lyrics in songs. Melodies, accompaniments are all important - but for me it is the lyrics that truly stir my soul. Especially when they make me think and reevaluate my life or how I do things or even cause me to have an AHA! moment.
5. Reading Favorite Quotes - esp. ones referring to strength or trials. I often jot down ones that are extremely close to my heart and hang them in my bathroom and by my bed. Reading them often ingrains them in my mind and due to that they are easy to recall in times of trial/stress. Here are a few of my current favorites.
"Don't you worry your pretty little mind. People throw rocks at things that shine."
"When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer." - Corrie Ten Boom
"Family isn't always blood. It's the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what"
"Its supposed to be hard, If it wasn't hard . . . everyone would do it. The hard . . . is what makes it great." A League of Their Own
"People are often unreasonable, irrational and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you; Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight; Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous; Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten; Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it might never be enough; Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway."
Mother Teresa
6. Bath - Need I say more? Bubbles, quiet (well, maybe a little quiet) and a good book. This usually calms me down a ton!! Especially if I lite a candle as well.
6. Broadway Musicals - I know, this may seem silly to some of you - but belting out the music to a current favorite (while listening to it on my ipod, of course) brings joy to my soul and even some sort of perspective.
What do you do to bring peace when all around seems out of sorts?
I would love to hear your ideas. . . .
After all, there is ALWAYS moore to tell. . .
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Clean My House, REALLY????? DO I HAVE TO?
Okay - I struggle with this. I always have really great intentions and am really good about making a plan (I bet you knew that!LOL!) but I don't always follow thru. Mostly, because I hate to clean. There I said it. Especially bathrooms, mopping floors. I love it once its done - and even think as I am finishing, "Oh, that wasn't so bad". But initiating it is often WAY too much of a chore.
I have tried it all - assigning chores to certain days, putting on the chores on a list and crossing off as I achieve them throughout the week, doing whatever looks dirtiest(don't judge!). However, I think I might have found the motherload of HOW to clean your home.
There is an amazing ebook/app (your choice) out there that assigns all the chores in your home. This includes things I always seem to forget like: cleaning the crumbs out of the toaster, changing your a/c filter, cleaning out your purse. I AM IN LOVE!!!!! There are certain things that you are assigned everyday like: doing 1 load of laundry, running the dishwasher, sweeping the kitchen/entryway. Then, there are about 5 chores assigned each day that vary. My assigned chores take me on average 15-20 minutes. My everyday chores take about 10-15 depending on whether I have little ones running under my feet.
App vs. Ebook
1. The ebook comes in 2 different formats - you are able to print out a sample sheet before purchasing so you can decide which one you like better. There is a daily form and a weekly form. I ended up purchasing the daily form. It has a place to write your menu plan for the day as well as your appointments. I get it out at night before heading to bed and review my day tomorrow. I AM IN LOVE!!!! Go HERE to view the daily form. It costs $7.99 for an entire year of a cleaning schedule. WAY worth the time and energy saved.
2. The app is also amazing. They have it for android and iphone. There are features about the app that I really like such as: you can customize your cleaning/daily plan. For example: I can write in that I want to practice my piano everyday and it will make it a chore that appears daily in my schedule. Another thing I really like - is that you can assign individuals in your home a color and then you can assign jobs to them and mark them off when they are completed. The app can be purchased in a lite version which costs $1.99 and allows you a 2 month trial of the app. If you like it - you can then purchase the full version for $7.99. Can be downloaded through the app store or iTunes.
Go HERE to view their overall site.
They also have a version that includes Bible reading throughout the year. Same price - totally just your preference.
FREE - - If you are looking for a FREE version - there is one. Although upon comparison I preferred Motivaed Moms version - but honestly, it was because I liked the daily form. This one comes from The Confidant Mom. It is only available in the weekly format - but also includes the option of Bible reading or not. Totally up to you and what your spiritual goals are this year. HERE is the link to download it.
Happy Cleaning/Organizing!
I'll be back with Moore To Tell. . .
Love, Haylee
I have tried it all - assigning chores to certain days, putting on the chores on a list and crossing off as I achieve them throughout the week, doing whatever looks dirtiest(don't judge!). However, I think I might have found the motherload of HOW to clean your home.
There is an amazing ebook/app (your choice) out there that assigns all the chores in your home. This includes things I always seem to forget like: cleaning the crumbs out of the toaster, changing your a/c filter, cleaning out your purse. I AM IN LOVE!!!!! There are certain things that you are assigned everyday like: doing 1 load of laundry, running the dishwasher, sweeping the kitchen/entryway. Then, there are about 5 chores assigned each day that vary. My assigned chores take me on average 15-20 minutes. My everyday chores take about 10-15 depending on whether I have little ones running under my feet.
App vs. Ebook
1. The ebook comes in 2 different formats - you are able to print out a sample sheet before purchasing so you can decide which one you like better. There is a daily form and a weekly form. I ended up purchasing the daily form. It has a place to write your menu plan for the day as well as your appointments. I get it out at night before heading to bed and review my day tomorrow. I AM IN LOVE!!!! Go HERE to view the daily form. It costs $7.99 for an entire year of a cleaning schedule. WAY worth the time and energy saved.
2. The app is also amazing. They have it for android and iphone. There are features about the app that I really like such as: you can customize your cleaning/daily plan. For example: I can write in that I want to practice my piano everyday and it will make it a chore that appears daily in my schedule. Another thing I really like - is that you can assign individuals in your home a color and then you can assign jobs to them and mark them off when they are completed. The app can be purchased in a lite version which costs $1.99 and allows you a 2 month trial of the app. If you like it - you can then purchase the full version for $7.99. Can be downloaded through the app store or iTunes.
Go HERE to view their overall site.
They also have a version that includes Bible reading throughout the year. Same price - totally just your preference.
FREE - - If you are looking for a FREE version - there is one. Although upon comparison I preferred Motivaed Moms version - but honestly, it was because I liked the daily form. This one comes from The Confidant Mom. It is only available in the weekly format - but also includes the option of Bible reading or not. Totally up to you and what your spiritual goals are this year. HERE is the link to download it.
Happy Cleaning/Organizing!
I'll be back with Moore To Tell. . .
Love, Haylee
Friday, January 2, 2015
Our Family Night - 2015 PLAN
In my last post, I referred to our family's weekly "Family Home Evening" Night or FHE for short. This is such an amazing time for our family. I am incredibly impressed with what my family/kids take away from this each week - even when they fight thru the entire thing some nights. (Yes, you aren't the only one!) Even thru this - they retain so much.
Every family tends to do FHE differently.
Ours generally consists of:
Opening Prayer
Opening Song
Short Scripture Lesson
Learning "Song of the Month"
Closing Prayer
Treat or Activity
We have tried doing it many different ways, using cute stories, teaching straight out of the scriptures, picking topics our kids are struggling with and reviewing what they learned in their classes at church. For me, it seems to work best if I have a plan. (I know, after my planning post you are totally surprised, right!)
So, this year we have selected to follow:
THIS
We are going to use her 2011 lesson plans for the entire year. I really like the way she lays out what is being taught. Her lessons are short and often include a coloring page or a short activity/craft. I have an FHE binder which I use to keep track of who is assigned what each week. (Prayers, Song Leader, Lesson, etc) I have a really awesome form that I use to keep track of this. If you'd like a copy of it - leave your email in the comment section below and I will send you a pdf.
The binder also houses up to a month of printed off lessons. Then, if we are having an insane day and the preparation hasn't happened - I can grab the lesson and pretty much wing it if needed. (Sadly, this happens too often - but the important part is that we are still DOING FHE - and her lessons lend to this - so it is OK!)
One of my favorite things is the "Song of the Month". (If you use the song of the month from the site above - the flipcharts are printable from it as well.) I always print off flipcharts to use with the kids. Since we are learning it for a month - I pin the pages onto a bulletin board that we have in our family room and we leave it up all month. We usually sing the song 2-3 times during each FHE depending on where their attention is at that point and then after the prayer, during the coloring or activity I put the song on my phone (most are in our churches children's songbook) and we "listen/sing" to it while we do the activity. It is amazing how much it sticks with them. Often I will catch one of them singing it days later while they play. It always makes me smile.
Overall, I have noticed an amazing difference in our home when we are holding FHE with our kids. Often they fight thru the whole thing - but there are moments, tender moments, (usually days, weeks, or months later) where I can tell that they are learning. Even on the days when I would swear they (my children) were sent here solely to torment me!! - do you have those, too?
One of my kids favorite things is we have a "Family Song". It is in our churches children's songbook, entitled, "Family Night". They love to sing it. Here are the words. Go HERE to listen to it.
This is the night we've waited for
Always a treat we have in store
We love each other more and more
With every family night.
Stories and games for everyone
Learning the Gospel can be fun
Father and Mother, Daughter and Son
Together on Family Night.
They LOVE to be the leader because they get to tell us to sing loud or soft and they often clap on their laps through the whole song.
Do you have a regular Family Night with your family where you teach them about things you believe and hold dear? What do you do??
Love, Haylee
Every family tends to do FHE differently.
Ours generally consists of:
Opening Prayer
Opening Song
Short Scripture Lesson
Learning "Song of the Month"
Closing Prayer
Treat or Activity
We have tried doing it many different ways, using cute stories, teaching straight out of the scriptures, picking topics our kids are struggling with and reviewing what they learned in their classes at church. For me, it seems to work best if I have a plan. (I know, after my planning post you are totally surprised, right!)
So, this year we have selected to follow:
THIS
We are going to use her 2011 lesson plans for the entire year. I really like the way she lays out what is being taught. Her lessons are short and often include a coloring page or a short activity/craft. I have an FHE binder which I use to keep track of who is assigned what each week. (Prayers, Song Leader, Lesson, etc) I have a really awesome form that I use to keep track of this. If you'd like a copy of it - leave your email in the comment section below and I will send you a pdf.
The binder also houses up to a month of printed off lessons. Then, if we are having an insane day and the preparation hasn't happened - I can grab the lesson and pretty much wing it if needed. (Sadly, this happens too often - but the important part is that we are still DOING FHE - and her lessons lend to this - so it is OK!)
One of my favorite things is the "Song of the Month". (If you use the song of the month from the site above - the flipcharts are printable from it as well.) I always print off flipcharts to use with the kids. Since we are learning it for a month - I pin the pages onto a bulletin board that we have in our family room and we leave it up all month. We usually sing the song 2-3 times during each FHE depending on where their attention is at that point and then after the prayer, during the coloring or activity I put the song on my phone (most are in our churches children's songbook) and we "listen/sing" to it while we do the activity. It is amazing how much it sticks with them. Often I will catch one of them singing it days later while they play. It always makes me smile.
Overall, I have noticed an amazing difference in our home when we are holding FHE with our kids. Often they fight thru the whole thing - but there are moments, tender moments, (usually days, weeks, or months later) where I can tell that they are learning. Even on the days when I would swear they (my children) were sent here solely to torment me!! - do you have those, too?
One of my kids favorite things is we have a "Family Song". It is in our churches children's songbook, entitled, "Family Night". They love to sing it. Here are the words. Go HERE to listen to it.
This is the night we've waited for
Always a treat we have in store
We love each other more and more
With every family night.
Stories and games for everyone
Learning the Gospel can be fun
Father and Mother, Daughter and Son
Together on Family Night.
They LOVE to be the leader because they get to tell us to sing loud or soft and they often clap on their laps through the whole song.
Do you have a regular Family Night with your family where you teach them about things you believe and hold dear? What do you do??
Love, Haylee
Planning, Planning, Planning
Shhhhh. Don't tell anyone, but I secretly LOVE to plan. Ok, so its not such a big secret - but it is something I truly enjoy. I often enjoy it even more than implementing whatever I plan. LOL! Due to this secret LOVE, I often go to great lengths planning all kinds of fun things and then share them with my friends - for after I have exerted ALL that effort - hopefully, it blesses someone else's life as well.
Often my planning involves gathering tips/information from others all over the internet and incorporating their "genius" into something that works for my family. So, my friends think I am the "genius" but it is all borrowed genius. (I TRY TO TELL THEM!)
As you can imagine - I kindof ADORE this time of year. The thrill that comes for me with Planning an entire year makes me giddy. (I know, I am totally a geek!) However, hopefully you can benefit from some of my geekdom.
1. I have been voraciously inspired by THIS AWESOME WEBSITE
this year. She has this amazing printable on her site entitled, "Yearly Goals (Brainstorming Questions)" which took my goal setting to a whole new level this year. I always set a few goals and try my best to achieve them. (although they often fall by the wayside!) But this printable inspired me to search into multiple areas of my life and figure out small changes I can make to make myself better. That's what this is all about, right?
So, this year - my goals fall across multiple areas, Spiritual, Personal Development, Marriage, Motherhood, Financial, Heath/Fitness, Home Skills. I am very proud of how it turned out - and I don't look at it and feel overwhelmed - just satisfied. Most of them are small things that will make a big difference and are achievable. But by writing them down - I can put the plan in action to achieve them - not set myself up for being disappointed in myself.
I do love goals - but I think more important than the goal - I love having a PLAN. For example, this year the hubs and I decided we needed to increase our "scheduled family time". So, we are implementing once a week Family Game Night AND once a week Family Movie Night. This will "force" us to spend more quality time together in a wonderful way. So the "goal" becomes a part of our week plan.
For example, for our family - Sunday night is now Family Night (time where we discuss the scriptures and our Savior with our kids, Monday night is Family Game Night and Friday Night is Family Movie Night (Pizza Night, too). Right there - my plan each week is a little more specific. LOVE IT! Easily achievable - and if we miss a week or two - no biggie. It is just meant to bring us closer together.
We implemented Family Movie Night tonight. My kids loved it. I downloaded a bunch of "Good Family Movies on Netflix" from the internet and came up with a list that we will draw from for the next 10-15 weeks.
2. Some of my other goals were:
To read 6-12 books this year - - so I looked up the best books of 2014 and read thru some reviews on goodreads.com and already have 3 books on my list. I already placed the first one on hold at the library.
Date my husband every week. In fact, we have already mapped out the first two months as to which night we will go and whether it will be with friends or just us. (Crazy, I know - but it helps us make it happen!)
Continue my SP Texting group. Explanation: I have 3 friends with whom in order to hold each other accountable with our scripture reading & saying our prayers, we text each other everyday and say SP if we remembered to do both and then give a short synopsis or talk about the favorite thing we learned from our reading. THIS has done WONDERS for my reading/prayers. I found a link to someone who had done this through pinterest and I tell you, it is awesome!!!
Run a 5k by June. Measurable and doable. (I hope!) I found a great one that is coming to Phoenix, AZ in March - the color run - which I think I'll do with my kids. They will think its awesome and it isn't timed - so it is a low key way to check off this goal for me.
Just a few - but you get the idea.
Do you set goals for the New Year? What is your #1 Goal for 2015?
Love, Haylee
As a side-note go HERE
This website has this AMAZING Homemaking Binder Set for FREE to anyone who does an email subscription to her feed until January 10th. Again, SOOOOOOOOO inspiring. I had honestly never heard of a Homemaking Binder but I am so in love with it. Don't miss your chance to head on over and get the set of printables for FREE. After January 10th - you'll have to pay to get it.
Often my planning involves gathering tips/information from others all over the internet and incorporating their "genius" into something that works for my family. So, my friends think I am the "genius" but it is all borrowed genius. (I TRY TO TELL THEM!)
As you can imagine - I kindof ADORE this time of year. The thrill that comes for me with Planning an entire year makes me giddy. (I know, I am totally a geek!) However, hopefully you can benefit from some of my geekdom.
1. I have been voraciously inspired by THIS AWESOME WEBSITE
this year. She has this amazing printable on her site entitled, "Yearly Goals (Brainstorming Questions)" which took my goal setting to a whole new level this year. I always set a few goals and try my best to achieve them. (although they often fall by the wayside!) But this printable inspired me to search into multiple areas of my life and figure out small changes I can make to make myself better. That's what this is all about, right?
So, this year - my goals fall across multiple areas, Spiritual, Personal Development, Marriage, Motherhood, Financial, Heath/Fitness, Home Skills. I am very proud of how it turned out - and I don't look at it and feel overwhelmed - just satisfied. Most of them are small things that will make a big difference and are achievable. But by writing them down - I can put the plan in action to achieve them - not set myself up for being disappointed in myself.
I do love goals - but I think more important than the goal - I love having a PLAN. For example, this year the hubs and I decided we needed to increase our "scheduled family time". So, we are implementing once a week Family Game Night AND once a week Family Movie Night. This will "force" us to spend more quality time together in a wonderful way. So the "goal" becomes a part of our week plan.
For example, for our family - Sunday night is now Family Night (time where we discuss the scriptures and our Savior with our kids, Monday night is Family Game Night and Friday Night is Family Movie Night (Pizza Night, too). Right there - my plan each week is a little more specific. LOVE IT! Easily achievable - and if we miss a week or two - no biggie. It is just meant to bring us closer together.
We implemented Family Movie Night tonight. My kids loved it. I downloaded a bunch of "Good Family Movies on Netflix" from the internet and came up with a list that we will draw from for the next 10-15 weeks.
2. Some of my other goals were:
To read 6-12 books this year - - so I looked up the best books of 2014 and read thru some reviews on goodreads.com and already have 3 books on my list. I already placed the first one on hold at the library.
Date my husband every week. In fact, we have already mapped out the first two months as to which night we will go and whether it will be with friends or just us. (Crazy, I know - but it helps us make it happen!)
Continue my SP Texting group. Explanation: I have 3 friends with whom in order to hold each other accountable with our scripture reading & saying our prayers, we text each other everyday and say SP if we remembered to do both and then give a short synopsis or talk about the favorite thing we learned from our reading. THIS has done WONDERS for my reading/prayers. I found a link to someone who had done this through pinterest and I tell you, it is awesome!!!
Run a 5k by June. Measurable and doable. (I hope!) I found a great one that is coming to Phoenix, AZ in March - the color run - which I think I'll do with my kids. They will think its awesome and it isn't timed - so it is a low key way to check off this goal for me.
Just a few - but you get the idea.
Do you set goals for the New Year? What is your #1 Goal for 2015?
Love, Haylee
As a side-note go HERE
This website has this AMAZING Homemaking Binder Set for FREE to anyone who does an email subscription to her feed until January 10th. Again, SOOOOOOOOO inspiring. I had honestly never heard of a Homemaking Binder but I am so in love with it. Don't miss your chance to head on over and get the set of printables for FREE. After January 10th - you'll have to pay to get it.
Monday, December 15, 2014
GoodWill Tips and Tricks
Did you know that Goodwill has 50% off everything every other Saturday? Did you know you can sign up for coupons?? Seriously!!!!
Most of my friends tell me things like, "you are just lucky!" "You always find the good stuff!" "If only!" We'll, I am here to tell you - I was once just like all of you and assumed (falsely) it was never meant to be for me. I donated to Goodwill but rarely shopped there, but I have changed my ways!
I will never forget the first time I entered a second hand store and was accosted by, to be quite blunt, the smell. It isn't a particularly nice smell - but it isn't awful - it's simply the result of LOTS of things that have existed in LOTS of homes around different candles, perfumes, detergent. With there being so many the smells clash more than they compliment one another. So, first point is to brace yourself. After a few minutes, you don't notice it as much. Here are my tips!
#1. 50% off sale tips - line usually starts at my Goodwill well before 8am for a 9am opening. Many of those in line scouted the store before it's closing on Friday and already know right where they are headed. It is still worth it to show up at 10 or 12 or 4pm. It is half off!! But the sought after things go quick.
#2. Go Often!!! Every two weeks in time for the 50% off sale won't cut it - you will miss the good things that come in and then SAIL off the shelves. I go at least once a week. I like Tuesdays. That seems to be the day I find the most at my store.
#3. Try different stores. I have multiple stores within a few minutes of my house. There is one that I favor because it seems to have more things I like. They are all different. If you talk to those in Lin on Saturday morning - the ebay sellers will tell you - well, this one has more furniture - but the purses at this other one are better, and for clothes - this one is my favorite. You will be amazed at how
different each store is.
#4 Don't just walk in, feel overwhelmed and leave. As you become familiar with the store, you will get more comfortable "visiting" your favorite spots! I spent 6 months looking for the perfect entertainment for our front room. $25 and I am soooo in love. I scored a $25 rug for our tv area that is AH-maxing!!! (Neither of those finds were at 50% off Saturday!). Get a routine and consistently look at those things of interest to you. I always look through the board games. My kids LOVE board games and 90% of the ones I look at have all the pieces and have hardly been used, I also love the seasonal area, books, DVD's, and lamps/picture frames/home decor. One of my most favorite frames EVER came from GoodWill. It is so ornate/medieval (and gorgeous) that my daughter always jokes that it belongs in King Arthur's castle. I paid $20 and I bet new it cost hundreds. Look, look, and look again.
#5. Look behind things, look under things, open the box and look inside. You have 30 days to return things if you don't like them when you get home - sometimes the best stuff is slightly hidden.
#6. Every day a different colored sticker is 50% off. ( this rule rarely seems to work in my favor!). However, it's worth noting. In my Goodwill the "color" of the day is on a board at the front of the store. Perhaps you'll get lucky.
#7. Go to www.goodwill.com and sign up for their email newsletter and coupons. I get at least one coupon a month - sometimes more. Often they are good for multiple uses. Even on a day when I found a classic book for my kids for $0.75 (seriously, I don't think it had even been read). With my 10% off coupon reduced the price to $0.68. I will take it!!!!!
Well, I hope this will get you started. Let me know if you have specific questions and I will try to answer them. Happy Shopping!!
Most of my friends tell me things like, "you are just lucky!" "You always find the good stuff!" "If only!" We'll, I am here to tell you - I was once just like all of you and assumed (falsely) it was never meant to be for me. I donated to Goodwill but rarely shopped there, but I have changed my ways!
I will never forget the first time I entered a second hand store and was accosted by, to be quite blunt, the smell. It isn't a particularly nice smell - but it isn't awful - it's simply the result of LOTS of things that have existed in LOTS of homes around different candles, perfumes, detergent. With there being so many the smells clash more than they compliment one another. So, first point is to brace yourself. After a few minutes, you don't notice it as much. Here are my tips!
#1. 50% off sale tips - line usually starts at my Goodwill well before 8am for a 9am opening. Many of those in line scouted the store before it's closing on Friday and already know right where they are headed. It is still worth it to show up at 10 or 12 or 4pm. It is half off!! But the sought after things go quick.
#2. Go Often!!! Every two weeks in time for the 50% off sale won't cut it - you will miss the good things that come in and then SAIL off the shelves. I go at least once a week. I like Tuesdays. That seems to be the day I find the most at my store.
#3. Try different stores. I have multiple stores within a few minutes of my house. There is one that I favor because it seems to have more things I like. They are all different. If you talk to those in Lin on Saturday morning - the ebay sellers will tell you - well, this one has more furniture - but the purses at this other one are better, and for clothes - this one is my favorite. You will be amazed at how
different each store is.
#4 Don't just walk in, feel overwhelmed and leave. As you become familiar with the store, you will get more comfortable "visiting" your favorite spots! I spent 6 months looking for the perfect entertainment for our front room. $25 and I am soooo in love. I scored a $25 rug for our tv area that is AH-maxing!!! (Neither of those finds were at 50% off Saturday!). Get a routine and consistently look at those things of interest to you. I always look through the board games. My kids LOVE board games and 90% of the ones I look at have all the pieces and have hardly been used, I also love the seasonal area, books, DVD's, and lamps/picture frames/home decor. One of my most favorite frames EVER came from GoodWill. It is so ornate/medieval (and gorgeous) that my daughter always jokes that it belongs in King Arthur's castle. I paid $20 and I bet new it cost hundreds. Look, look, and look again.
#5. Look behind things, look under things, open the box and look inside. You have 30 days to return things if you don't like them when you get home - sometimes the best stuff is slightly hidden.
#6. Every day a different colored sticker is 50% off. ( this rule rarely seems to work in my favor!). However, it's worth noting. In my Goodwill the "color" of the day is on a board at the front of the store. Perhaps you'll get lucky.
#7. Go to www.goodwill.com and sign up for their email newsletter and coupons. I get at least one coupon a month - sometimes more. Often they are good for multiple uses. Even on a day when I found a classic book for my kids for $0.75 (seriously, I don't think it had even been read). With my 10% off coupon reduced the price to $0.68. I will take it!!!!!
Well, I hope this will get you started. Let me know if you have specific questions and I will try to answer them. Happy Shopping!!
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