Archives for May 2012

Free Rainy Day Activities – Part 1 of 4

May 4, 2012 by Tracy

When the day is dreary and wet and the kids need a change of scenery, you don’t need to leave home or spend any money. With a little creativity, you can turn rainy days into special days with some fun activities.

In this month-long series, I will share four ways our family has embraced rainy days beginning with an indoor picnic.

Living Room

We have eaten our grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup in our living room. With our blinds open on the large window, we can watch the rain while enjoying our lunch. My children get excited in the new space since we usually eat at the dining room table. But on a rainy day, the change of scenery is a welcomed exception.

Within a day or two of our indoor picnic, my girls enjoy pretending and playing indoor picnic during play time. 🙂

Bonus Room

When the rain is pouring down, the view from our bonus room over the garage gives a much different perspective. We can watch the water stream down the street, beat off the cars, and pound on the concrete. Enjoying a picnic from the second floor intrigues my children while we enjoy a rainy day at home.

When rainy days arise, adjusting your routine may result in a fun family activity embracing the day spent indoors. With a little creativity, you can have a house full of activity even on a rainy day. Happy rainy day planning!

Question: What room in your home offers a different perspective on a rainy day?

2012: Garden Journal – May Edition

May 3, 2012 by Tracy

Our garden this month experienced two nights of frost and a couple of days of 90 degree heat. With the extreme temperatures, our garden has survived. Thankfully, I did not kill it. 🙂

I have pruned lots of leaves that dried or froze, but overall the garden is growing.

Strawberries

We lost one more strawberry to a bird’s snack, but our strawberry plants are rebounding from the cold and heat. Though no more berries at this time, the leaves are healthy and the plants are growing.

Tomatoes

One of our tomato plants is producing four cherry tomatoes. They are green and perfectly round.

April 21, 2012 with 3 tomatoes May 1, 2012 with 4 tomatoes

Overall Progress

We started with a few plants, harvested our strawberries last month, and watched our tomatoes grow this month.

April 21, 2012 May 1, 2012

Though I have forgotten to water a few days here and there, our garden has been very forgiving and continues to bless us with outdoor activity, topics of conversation, and beauty. In using time wisely, I enjoy spending time tending our garden while watching the changes to our fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Happy tending!

Question: Did you plant a garden this year?

Using Time Wisely: Counting my Blessings (49 – 62)

May 2, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

April came and went without a counting my blessings post. Though it was not written, I have much for which to be grateful. My children went through an illness resulting in a round of antibiotics.

While playing nurse and cuddling, I chose to let everything go. I rested and concentrated on my children. In continuing where I left off, I spent time counting my blessings.

49. Caring pediatrician, who listens and seeks to help our family.

50. Immediate access to qualified professionals to process lab work.

51. Available medication for a short wait.

52. Free medication through programs like Publix’s Free Medications Program.

53. Hours of watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with my toddler tucked in my arms.

54. The iPad.

55. Reading an e-book on the iPad while my toddler slept in my lap.

56. Toddler, who wanted to rock. My 2-year-old has decided that she does not like to rock before bedtime anymore. But when she is not feeling well, she wants to rock with Mommy while watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

57. Rest.

58. Pre-school daughter, who understands she just needs to sleep. When she gets sick, she likes to crawl in my bed and sleep.

59. Energetic son, who helped retrieve needed items and played quietly while the girls slept.

60. Hubby taking shifts and cleaning up the illnesses when the smell got to me.

61. The healing of my girls.

62. Spending lots of time with my family at home.

Life with little ones is tough. Remembering that these times pass quickly, I take a deep breath, pray for strength, dive in, and count my blessings while using time wisely.

Question: What blessings are you counting today?

Event Planning: On the Job Training

May 1, 2012 by Tracy

Growing up in a home where parties were the norm and not a rare occasion, I learned how to organize an event via on the job training. I can still remember arranging fruit and vegetables on trays, filling cups with ice, and counting plates and napkins. Those training sessions equipped me with skills I use today.

As I stay involved with many events, my children join in the process. By involving them and allowing them to help, I offer on the job training for event planning.

My oldest daughter loves to cook, clean, sort, and organize with me. Embracing her desire to help, I give her simple instructions, space to work, and time to complete the task.

Simple Instructions

While setting up for an open house, I received a request by my daughter to help. As I surveyed the tasks, I chose to give her the opportunity to place the pink and blue (Sweet n’ Low and Equal) packets into one bowl and the white (sugar) packets into another bowl. After having her repeat the instructions back to me, I left her to work.

Space to Work

I went to the kitchen to bring out the trays of goodies. When I returned, I checked my daughter’s work and praised her for continuing to sort.

Time to Complete the Task

Without rushing her, I gathered the other items and added them to a kitchen cart. When my daughter finished, we packed up the extra supplies and transferred the items from the cart to the table.

By giving my daughter simple instructions, space to work, and time to complete the task, she welcomed the praise she received for helping with the open house. What a joy to watch my daughter develop confidence by completing tasks alone!

As I continue assisting with events, I seek for ways to include on the job training while using time wisely. By teaching, demonstrating, and encouraging, I am providing opportunities for my children to develop, practice, and perfect their event planning skills.

If you have little ones close by that love to help while you are busy executing your plan, consider offering on the job training. You might save time with the extra help and nurture a special relationship in the process. Our little ones are watching and learning. They love the extra attention and opportunity to succeed alone. Happy training!

Questions: What tasks can you entrust to your child?

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