A GIVEAWAY - HOLIDAY GIFT GIVEAWAY HOP!

Welcome to HOLIDAY GIFT GIVEAWAY HOP! What a great way to start off the Christmas Season. So excited for all of our Family Volley friends to be here. I am so grateful to you for reading. And to everyone visiting, I hope we will become friends

Around here we are helpful, funny, and fantastic. Whether it's parenting, relationships, motherhood, you name it, we chat about it. And, it's all in the name of love. 

With Christmas right around the corner, who doesn't want a little help with their shopping. Whether you want to use your winnings to buy gifts for family and friends, or for yourself, these two stores have something for everyone. 

For the HOLIDAY GIFT HOP, One lucky winner will win BOTH PRIZES...

A $25 Gift Card to Target. 

US Entries

The greatness of Target is pretty self explanatory. They have everything I need for any occasion. It is my one stop shop. I can get my groceries, clothes, b-day gifts, school supplies, you name it. Plus, I save money when I shop there.

The greatest part about Target Gift Cards is that they don't expire and you can use them at any Target or Super Target store on online. 

AND...

A $25 Gift Credit to Jasmere

US entries

Jasmere seeks out lesser-known specialty retailers that deserve national attention and offer their products at an exclusive discount. Up to 70% off. There are new deals everyday, and when I say deals, I mean unbelievable, can't pass up deals. With over 19,000 Facebook followers, this site is the place to be. 

Jasmere has some of the best deals I have ever seen. And you don't have to be a member to buy and benefit.

Ready to WIN?

Mandatory Entry

Become a follower of Family Volley through Google and leave me a comment telling me you follow.  

You can click on the follow button on the right side bar.

Extra Entries

Leave a separate comment for each entry. Don't forget your email. If you already do any of the following, just tell me so. 

1. Like Family Volley on Facebook.

You can also click on the Facebook icon, right side bar at the top.  

2. Follow Family Volley on Twitter.

You can click on the Twitter icon, right side bar at the top.  

3. Post about this giveaway on your Facebook page. Leave me a link in your comment. (Worth 2 entries). Leave me two separate comments. 

That's it. Quick and easy. Jasmere is only valid in the US. If you don't have a Target, you can shop online. Or, no matter where you live, win and you can give them as gifts.

http://simplystacie.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=687f136ec002f53707e7b7db1&id=7d3b091e3d&e=65f28afdf2

This giveaway will close on Sunday December 5th at 11:59 pm. Winner will be announced on Monday December 6th. 

I didn't receive any compensation for this giveaway.

Thankful for a Legacy

Well it's over. Just like that.

It seems we have been waiting for Thanksgiving for so long, and now, it is gone. I love this holiday.

I can't stop thinking about it. We had a lovely week. One of the best I can remember. (Except we didn't take any pictures). It was just what our family needed. We had very few responsibilities or obligations. I took an extra day off teaching and our children had three days off of school. My husband was around for most of it and we even got some snow. 

I helped my mom with Thanksgiving dinner. It is one of my most favorite things to do. I watched her in awe as she orchestrated the preparations perfectly. The end result, the best tasting Thanksgiving ever. Her gravy can't be beat. More than that, my mom can make every situation full of love, warmth, and welcoming. 

As we worked together in the kitchen my mind was filled with memories of my grandmother. My mom's mom. She passed away a few years ago. The three of us used to spend hours in the kitchen, talking, cooking, preparing. They are the women in my life I look to for all things. They are the examples that I strive to emulate. I missed her extra this Thanksgiving. I am grateful for the legacy she built and that my mom carries on that legacy. 

I just finished checking on our children in bed. All three are asleep. For them I am grateful. So grateful that words don't do justice and thinking about it puts a lump in my throat that I can't swallow. 

They are the greatest thing that will ever happened to my husband and me. As their mother, I am humbled to think that the Lord has entrusted me with their care. 

Wasn't it just yesterday that I was dreaming about being a mom? Dreaming about what it would be like to be pregnant, nurse a child, teach ABC's, and teach the stories of Jesus. Now, in the blink of an eye I am here. 

As I pushed the hair out of our sleeping daughters face tonight, it hit me, she will continue this legacy. She is already dreaming of being a mommy and marrying her prince. Before I know it, both our daughters will be married and having their own children.

This Thanksgiving season I was overwhelmed with gratitude because I am a part of this legacy. A legacy of women who give all for their families and who take the role of mother seriously. Women who are strong, confident, patient, loving and intelligent. Women who have sacrificed all they have to teach and nurture and love. Women like my grandmothers and my mother. 

My grandma used to have a stool in her kitchen. I would sit on the stool and watch her and my mom work, cook and fold laundry. Last month the stool got a new home, my kitchen. Now my daughters sit on it and watch me work and cook. I hope I am teaching them just like I was taught. I hope I am living up to the legacy that has come before me. I hope I am teaching our daughters by word and deed that this legacy is worth sacrificing for. 

I am thankful this Thanksgiving for my role as a women.  

Much Thanksgiving! For Each of You!

There is so much to be grateful for. Included in the list, wonderful Family Volley readers who inspire and support everyday. I am so grateful for you. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by loved ones.

Naptime a Nightmare?

Babies need naps, and babies that have good nap habits have better nighttime sleep habits. They go hand in hand.

Children crave consistency. It is important to set a routine early, from birth, to help set the stage for years of good sleeping.

Here are a few general tips.

Under 3 Months. Newborns don't have working internal clocks yet. It isn't until they are between 6-10 weeks old, that they straighten out their days and nights. You want to start setting up their schedule by not letting them stay up for more than two hours at a time. For most newborns, two hours is too long. Look for the typical tired signs and admonish them.
Newborns are really good at sleep. They don't need any special accommodations. They will fall asleep any where, any time. It is tempting to want to always hold them while they sleep, or leave them in a car seat, swing or bouncer. Regardless, it is still important to put them down to nap in their bed. The same place you have them sleep at night. Set the stage for sleep: quiet, dim/dark, so they begin to make "sleep associations".

Between 3 and 6 Months. Babies during these months usually take 3 naps a day. You will most likely see a pattern developing with your babies sleep habits during the day. If you don't, you need to establish one (if you haven't already). It is important to have your child nap at the same times every day so that their internal clock becomes programmed. When a baby misses their sleep window their body actually fights against itself and makes it harder to fall asleep.
Boy, have I experienced this with our children. If I miss the "tired window", it is all over.

How do you set up a Nap Routine?
First nap of the day, put your baby in bed AWAKE (drowsy), just like you should do at night to go to bed. Hopefully your baby will fall asleep on their own. BUT, given that that rarely happens and there will be some crying: go back in at regular intervals. 5, 10 or 15 minute intervals depending on how severe the crying is and how comfortable you are listening to it. When you go in, keep your words to a minimum. A simple sentence of reassurance like "I love you" is perfect. Then, leave the room. Refrain from touching, coddling, etc... Continue the routine for an hour. If they still have not fallen asleep, pick them up. Give them an hour and a half to two hours and TRY AGAIN. Don't give up.

Falls asleep but wakes up 15 minutes later.
Don't give up. Ideally you want your babies to sleep for at least 45 minutes. If they wake up after 15, don't assume the nap is over. A cat nap just takes the edge off for your baby. It doesn't give them enough to sustain them. If your baby wakes up "early" let them be. Try to not take them out of their bed for a full hour even if they are awake.

6-9 Months. There is a misnomer. Parents think that if you keep kids up later, they will sleep longer in the morning. It is also easy to think that if we keep kids up all day without naps, that they will sleep better and longer at night. NOT TRUE. SLEEP ACTUALLY BEGETS SLEEP. Kids who nap during the day will sleep better at night. Kids who sleep well at night will take better naps.
During these months babies routines will start to change. Two hours between naps is usually too short. Now it will be closer to three, so babies will start to take two naps instead of three. This usually happens closer to 9 months than 6. Every child is different so if you have a tired child every two hours, put them down to sleep. Babies usually make this clear. With our kids, when I try for the third nap, they just sit in bed and play so I know it is time to make a change. Even though they don't go to sleep, I still use the third nap as quiet time.
If your baby is struggling with naps you should evaluate how they are sleeping at night.
Do they stay up too late?
Do you wait until they fall asleep somewhere on their own?
An over tired baby has a harder time falling asleep and staying asleep.

20-24 Months. Around two years old, babies might start to phase out their morning nap (go from 2 naps to 1). This will depend on the child, but it can also depend on how willing parents are to keep the routine going.  Keep at it. Don't give up on naps. Kids will often go through spells where they fight against them or appear to have grown out of them. Give them quiet time, allow them to sit and read or just rest in bed. If they are under 3 they still need one nap a day. Keep to the schedule.

We are huge advocates of naps in our house. That said, it is not always easy. Sticking to the schedule, enforcing the schedule on the days when no one is cooperating can be really frustrating. It has been worth all the effort. I have to structure my day and errands and appointments around when the kids need naps. And although it takes more on my part, a happy child is totally worth it.

You will find that a nap schedule brings predictability and security to your children. It will also even their temperament and make them happier. Making you happier.

Have you had success with naps?
Any napping tips?

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY! The Pulse Game

Another great group game for all the extended family and friends that are going to be around the next few weeks. 

You Will Need:

A coin

A chair

A tennis ball (or other small object)

Objective:

Be the first team to grab the ball on the chair.

TO PLAY:

1. Divide your group into two even teams.

2. Have each team stand in a straight line, facing each other.

3. Have each team hold hands.

4. One person needs to be designated as the referee. Have them stand or sit at the beginning of the lines. They will toss the coin. 

5. Only the two players nearest the referee can have their eyes open, all other team members MUST HAVE THEIR EYES CLOSED.

6. The referee flips the coin. If it lands on HEADS, the two players with their eyes open squeeze the hand of the player next to them, on their team. 

7. The players continue to pass the "squeeze" to the end of the line. (Eyes still closed). When the person on the end gets the "squeeze" they open their eyes and grab for the tennis ball on the chair.  

8. Whoever grabs the ball first gets a point.

9. If the coin lands on TAILS, nothing should happen. The coin will then be tossed again.

10. If the squeeze is passed and a player grabs the ball without the coin toss being heads, the point goes to the other team. Play to as many points as you want. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

ANYONE GONE SKIING YET?

Traveling With Toddlers

Summer is a great time of year. A time to be with our families and friends. There are a lot of us that will be traveling to be with those we love.
Traveling with young children can be hard but there are a few things we can do to make the trip a little easier.

LEAVE EARLY
There is nothing worse than trying to rush with children in tow. If you are flying, arrive early. Give your family time to check in, take your time to get to the gate and relax while you are waiting to bored the flight. This can be a really fun time to teach your children and point out new and exciting things.
If you are traveling by car expect extra bathroom stops and plan accordingly. The first road trip we took with young children we treated like the road trips we used to take without kids. No stops, just our destination. We learned quick. Expecting kids to sit for 8 hours and never move will make the trip miserable for everyone. Plan a stop or two for the kids to stretch their legs. Grab a popsicle when you get gas, or stop for an ice cream cone. The 10 minute break will really help.

DRESS COMFY
It is tempting to dress your kids in your favorite outfit so that when you arrive they are dressed "just so". This will just make your kids uncomfortable during travel, and if you are like me, you will be uptight trying to keep the clothes clean.
Dress your kids in comfortable clothes and in layers. If you want to change them when you get close to your destination, plan for that. You will find that everyone travels better when you don't have to worry so much about spills and wrinkles.
The layers will allow your children to be comfortable on the planes when they are cold, and they can take things off when they are not needed. Extra clothes also make good pillows and blankets.

SNACKS SNACKS SNACKS
Be sure that you pack lots of fluids and snacks. Kids will get thirsty. Tired and thirsty in not a good combination. Even if you are carrying a little extra baggage to pack the snacks, do it any way. Pack their favorites and pack things that are fun. An assortment of crackers and fruits and veggies are great. For our kids, suckers are a treat, and they take time to eat. They are always in the travel bag. Now that our kids are a little older I will let them pick some of their favorites. It makes them feel like they are a part of the planning. Don't pull all the snacks out at once. Little by little as needed. And always keep the best of the best for the break down or emergency. (Our kids love taking animal crackers. The ones that come in the little rectangle case with the string. They love carrying them.)

WRAP IT UP
I always get a few new toys or activities for the kids when we travel. They are small things like a new set of crayons and a new coloring or activity book. The dollar store is perfect for picking up inexpensive and fun little treats.  I also like to bring things that zip, button and snap. They keep little hands busy. Before we leave I like to wrap them up like little presents. The kids think it is so fun to open them and the opening itself takes time. I do the same with the special treats. Their favorite candy or cookie gets wrapped up.
Another great little find for us has been stickers. My mom introduced the idea when we were trying to get our first child through 3 hours of church.  I get them at the dollar store and then bring extra paper. The kids love taking them off and sticking them all over the paper. Our two year old loves this activity. It helps her get through not only plane trips and car trips, but Sacrament meeting also. :)

BRING THE FAVORITES
Asking your children to travel without their favorite toy, blanket, or stuffed animal can really make the trip miserable. If there is something that your child can't live without, be sure you bring it with you. That said, there is always the possibility of it getting lost or left behind. Which can bring even more trauma. Be sure you check and double check so nothing is lost.
If your little one uses a pacifier, be sure you bring more than one. Even more than two. Bring a couple of their favorites and something to keep the pacifier attached to them. The last thing you want is to try and find a pacifier rolling around under plane seats, or under car seats.
I also use pacifier clips to keep favorite toys off the plane floor.

BRING THE UMBRELLA...
...Stroller that is. Asking tired little legs to keep up in airports is asking a lot. Especially if you are trying to catch connecting flights and are forced to rush. It is worth it to carry-on a very small umbrella stroller to put your toddler in as you are changing planes, walking through the airport, waiting for your rental car/ride, or walking to the parking lot. You can buy them for less that 10 dollars and they are very light weight and compact. Plus, it makes a great place for them to sit while you are waiting and you can hook a bag or two on the handles as you walk. On top of that, having one on your trip is always nice.

MUSIC
Bring some music for your little ones. It can help sooth them and distract them. It can also help them calm down enough to fall asleep. Make sure you bring enough headphones for everyone to listen. You can get headphone splitters for less than 5 dollars. The splitter will let you plug more than one head phone into one jack.
Music in the car is wonderful also. Songs that they sing along to, or do actions to will help distract them as you travel.

TO EACH THEIR OWN
If you are traveling with more than one child, pack their toys, blankets and special things in separate bags. If they are old enough, let them help you pack the bags. They will pack the things they want to play with so you will know they will be happy. Keep the bags light so they can carry them and by separating things it will make everything easier to keep track of and find when you need them.

CALL YOUR DOCTOR
It doesn't hurt to check in with your doctor before you leave. Ask what to do with motion sickness, car sickness etc.  They can tell you what to give your kids and how to help them if they do get sick while you are traveling. Be sure you have a few medications packed for easy access. Just in case. You don't want them to be under the plane, or in the trunk when you need them.

CALL YOUR AIRLINE
If you are traveling by plane, call and ask a few questions. They can tell you the guidelines for liquids, bottles, toiletries etc... The worst time to find out the rules is while you are holding your two year, in line, with no shoes on, watching them search through your bags. Especially during high travel time.

SENSE OF HUMOR
Be sure you pack your sense of humor. Despite your diligent planning things might not go perfect. Travel usually means kids are missing naps and their routines are interrupted. Role with it. Laugh and be patient. When we stay patient and keep our heads clear, we are better able to solve the problems that will come and creatively deal with the meltdowns and delays.

BASIC PACKING LIST (VERY BASIC)
This will obviously be different depending on where you are traveling, but it is a good place to start.

Clothing
Include an outfit for each day of the week, plus an extra shirt or two in case of spills.
Have your kids wear bright colors on travel days so they are easy to spot in the crowd.

• Sleepwear
• Socks
• Underwear
• Comfortable shoes
• Bathing suit (even if you don't plan on swimming, you never know)
• Lightweight jacket
• Hat or visor 
• Slip on shoes (these are great when you need to make a bathroom stop and when you are traveling on a plane)

Toiletries
Be sure you keep your toiletries in plastic bags. Not only for plane travel, but things open up in cars also. Even solid deodorants. Not that I would know from personal experience or anything.

• Blow dryer, brushes, combs and hair "stuff"
• Lotion
• Toothbrushes, toothpaste
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Hair products 
• Razor (be careful if you are flying, there are rules now)
• Feminine items
• Manicure kit
• Cosmetics
• Soap
• Deodorant
• Tweezers
• Antibacterial gel (get the ones that clip to your bag so you don't have to search for it)
• Sunscreen (even if your trip is to the snow)
• Lip balm (I like to give everyone their own)

Dont forget...

• Paperwork: ID, driver's license, insurance card, shot records for children under two, copies of birth certificates and marriage certificates if you are going out of the country, passports, copies of your travel plans and confirmation numbers.
• Wallet with credit cards and CASH
• Car keys and house keys (Take an extra set and pack them in a different bag)
• Medications
• Camera with film and extra batteries or charger
• Small bag to use day to day
• Books and magazines
• Toys and games
• Baby wipes (these really come in handy even if you are not changing diapers)
• First aid kit
• Sewing kit
• Travel clock with an alarm
• Large and small plastic bags (these can be used for everything from wet clothes to trash to toys and snacks.
• Chargers (for your camera, phones, video camera, etc.)
• Car Seat for young children (you can also rent these from rental car companies if you don't want to haul yours across the country)

Do you have any tips for traveling with small children?

Happy Traveling!

Clean Enough or Dirty Enough, That is the Question.

"Make Your Home Clean Enouth to be Healthy and Dirty Enough To Be Happy."

Unknown

"Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing."

Phyllis Diller

"Housework is something you do that nobody notices until you don't do it."

Unknown

It seems that with a family, keeping on top of the cleaning and organizing and laundry is a constant challenge. 

Before I got married I had this vision of how things would be? Anyone else?

The laundry would always be folded and I would always know what I was going to cook for dinner, and we would all make our beds every. single. day. 

Hasn't quite happened the way I envisioned. It is always a work in progress. 

Everyone has to come up with their own way of doing things. Structured to fit their lives and the family around them. 

This last week a lot of cleaning out and organizing has been going on at our house. While cleaning out my pantry I ran into a file box that I have kept for the last 10 years. It was in disarray and needed attention. Over the years I have filled it with tips and tricks for cleaning. Some from my mom, my grandmothers, tips from my bridal shower, and tips I have heard and read along the way.  


Maybe something in my box will make your load a little lighter. 

GENERAL:

• Make your bed everyday. My husband thinks this is silly. "Why, when I am going to get back in it tonight." Make it anyway. It will make a difference.
• Don't make things "All or Nothing." I find myself putting chores off becuse I know I won't have the time to finish them or to do it how I want. Or, I look at the whole house and all that needs to be done and feel overwhelmed. Take one thing at a time. And if you don't have time to fold the whole load of laundry, fold what you can when you can.
• Do a load of laundry every day. Put a load in first thing, and before you hit mid morning, it will be dry and ready to put away. Then you don't have to think about it again and you stay on top of one of the craziests parts of running a household. 
• Do something every day. Something. Every little something adds up and makes a difference. 
• Don't leave the kitchen until the dishes are done. It will not be easier in the morning. 
• Need to clean the blinds? Put on a pair of cotton gloves. Spray one hand with window cleaner and wipe the blinds. Fingers running in between the individual blinds. Follow with the other hand to dry them off. 
• Every day take 20 minutes and pick up. It doesn't seem like much but 20 minutes of tidying up will make a HUGE difference in your home. 

LAUNDRY

• When you are out of fabric softener, use a little vinegar.
• Use hair shampoo to remove ring around the collar. Rub it on and let it sit for a few minutes, then wash. It will absorb the body oils.
• If you don't fold dry clothes right away, put a wet washrag in the dryer with your clothes for five minutes and it will help remove the wrinkles.
• Static cling. Argh. Get rid of it by pinning a safety pin to a seam in the clothing. No more static cling.
• Peanut Butter removes gum from clothes and hair.
• Use hairspray to remove ball pint pen from your clothing. 
• Does your iron need cleaning? My grandma's old manual says to pour salt on a dish towel and then iron over the salt. It will clean it right off. 
• Our kids always have grass stains. I didn't believe it when I was told, but use Crisco on the spots before throwing them in the washer and the grass stains will come out. 
• Sweat stains on your shirt? Escpecially your families white shirts, or your husband's church shirts? Soak the old stains in white vinegar for 8-10 minutes before you wash them. If you want to keep new stains from become old, dab a new sweat stain with a little ammoia. 
• If you are trying to put a permenant crease in something that you are ironing, spritz it with some water mixed with a little vinegar and the crease will become permanent. 

KITCHEN

• Forgo expensive cleaners to mop your hardwood floors. Clean them with a mixture of water and vinegar, just a cap or two. You will love the shine, it doesn't fade quickly and it won't eat away the finish.
• Make q-tips your friend. They are great when you are trying to clean the knobs on your stove, or around light switches.
• When you have a pot boil over, and can't clean it up immediately, sprinkle salt on the spill so it will be easier to clean up when you have the time. 
• Rub a cut lemon on the stove to remove splatters. Then wipe clean. 
• Does your disposal stink. Turn it on and drop in a few slices of lemon and some baking soda. 
• With your dishwasher empty, fill your soap spot with a package of Lemonade Kool-Aid. Run your dishwasher. It will help break down the build up that occurs over time. 
• To clean your stove top, use vinegar or ammonia. Wipe clean. 
• If you, or your family, happen to break a glass, press a slice of bread into the broken glass and it will pick up the small pieces. 
• Do you have ants? Place small piles of cornmeal where you see them. They will eat it, take it home and share it with their friends, and within about a week and a half, they will all be dead. They can't digest it. 
• Need to get rid of fruit flies? Fill a glass up with a mixture of 3 TBSP apple cider and 3 drops of dishwashing liquid. Set it out on your counter. The flies will be drawn to the liquid and die.
• Have you ever broken an egg? Pour salt on the egg and it will soak it up so you can scoop it right up. Instead of dealing with the runny mess. 
• Need to clean your grill or oven racks? Lay them outside on your grass overnight. The wet grass will loosen the grease and you will be able to wash it clean with little scrubbing. 

BATHROOM

• Alka-seltzer in your toilet will remove the stains.
• Put a can of Coke inside the toilet and it will remove the ring around the toilet bowl.
• Rub your bathroom fixtures with rubbing alcohol to make them shine. Just make sure they don't have any plastic on them. 
• Use hair conditioner to shave your legs. No need to spend extra money on shaving cream. 
• Wash your shower curtains in the washing machine with towels and bath mats. So much easier than trying to scrub them clean.
• Assign each person in your family a different color toothbrush. Then everyone knows which is theirs. Do the same with towels. 
• Remove mold in your shower using Lysol toilet bowl cleaner and a toothbrush to get in the cracks. 
• Use a squeegee on your shower walls after each use. It will really help with water spots and cleaning. Plus, kids think it is fun so they will remember to do it when they finish showering. 
• Use a pumice stone to remove the stubborn stains around your toilet. (You can buy them at stores like Bed Bath and Beyond, Target etc.) You can also clean porcelain with baking soda, just make sure it is wet.
• After you clean your shower, rub Old English Lemon Oil (used to polish wood furniture) all over the shower and on the shower door. You shower will stay cleaner longer.
• use baby oil on your shower door. It will prevent water spots and scum. Just keep it away from your kids, if they drink it, it can be deadly.

BEDROOM

• Make your bed every morning. Teach your kids to do the same. Make your bed and kneel to pray.
• Keep a tupperware or space saver bag in your children's closet, or under the bed. When clothes get too small, put them straight into the storage container. Once the container if full, store it and replace with an empty container. Then you put things away as you go and don't have to handle the clothes twice.
• Hang a second rod in your closets. One low and one high. Not only does it double your closet space, but your kids can reach and help hang things up. 
• Designate a place for shoes. Either a shoe organizer or bucket. Then kids know where to put their shoes away, and where to find them when you are headed out.
• Designate a place for everything. Then your kids know where things go. 
• We love 3M hooks. You can buy them everywhere. Put them up to hang coats, backpacks, pictures, anything. When you are done, pull the tab and they come right off. I put one up for each of our children. They know when they come home from school that their backpacks hang right on the hooks. Same with their coats. It really helps get things up off the floor and off the door knob. 

OFFICE / KITCHEN COUNTER CLUTTER

• Remember: ONLY TOUCH IT ONCE: Don't bring things in and set them down on the counter. Sort the mail immediately and throw away the junk. Have a place for the bills and other things and put them straight there. No need to put trash on the counter in a pile and then have to go through it again later. 
• Have a family calendar. Put it where everyone can see it. Keep track of what each child and parent is doing so you know what is going on and are less likely to "miss" something. It also helps children. They can see what they need to do and take more responsibility for their assignments and activities. 
• Create a central space/drawer for pens, crayons, pencils, tape, stapler, paper clips, etc. Your family won't have to ask you where things are anymore. They can go straight to the drawer and help themselves. 
• Have a pad of paper, chalk board etc in your kitchen. Then you can jot down reminders as they come to you. 

It is true, a clean, uncluttered home really does bring peace to everyone who lives there. Our homes can be a haven. A place where our family wants to be. I know when our house is a mess, it is the last place I want to be. Plus, when things are organized it gives us more time to spend with our families. The people we love the most. 

Any tips and tricks you want to share?

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY! Battle Chairs

This weeks game is REALLY FUN. I know I say this every week, but this one, this one, will have everyone laughing endlessly. We played last week and there were tears of joy and laughter. We have already planned to play over New Years when our entire family is going to be together.

With the holidays coming up, and plans to be with extended family, this game is perfect for larger groups. Need something to do while the turkey is basting, or the pies are baking? Maybe you are looking for something to do together after everyone has stuffed themselves with Thanksgiving goodness. Maybe you just want to laugh and have fun. This game is perfect for all of the above.

Don't exclude your kids. They are fast movers and will be a great asset to your team. Our 5 year old is great at this game. Ideally, round up 10 or more players, but we have played with as few as 4.

Object of the Game

To win "Rock, Paper, Scissors" AND get your team across to the other side first. 

Items Needed / Set-Up

Chairs, 8-10 of them, lined up in a row. 

Chairs without arms are ideal.

How to Play

1. Split everyone into 2 teams.

2. Each team stands at opposite ends of the row of chairs in a single file line.

3. On the count of 3, one person from each group sits down on the chair closest to them and QUICKLY moves down the line of chairs: Sitting on every chair as they work their way down the row. *Their bottoms MUST touch each chair.*

4. Theoretically, the 2 people should meet in the middle (the two middle chairs). When they meet, they play "Rock, Paper, Scissors" as fast as they can. Tie, play again.

5. The WINNER of "Rock, Paper, Scissors" gets to proceed down the line of chairs while the loser runs back to his team and the back of the line. 

6. While the winner continues "bouncing" down the line of chairs trying to get to the other side, the next player from the losers team needs to jump on the first chair fast and start moving down the line to meet them. When they meet, they play "Rock, Paper, Scissors". And the game continues. 

7. Only one person from each team can be sitting on the chairs at a time. 

8. Move fast and keep going until your whole team gets to the other side of the row of chairs

Remember, the object is to get your team across the chairs and to the other side. That happens by moving fast and winning "Rock, Paper, Scissors" as you go.

This game is really simple but I feel like it was hard to explain in words. I wish I could show you.  If you have any questions, or there is confusion, PLEASE leave me a comment and I will see if I can clarify. 

Have a great weekend. Only two weeks until Turkey day. Where has the year gone?

Sharks. Piranhas, and Alligators.

This has been running through my mind a lot lately.

I want to tell you a story my father used to tell me when I was young. It is a story about a king. He was the king of a very small country, and he was a good king. 

He decided to have a contest to see who could swim the length of his Olympic size swimming pool. The winner would receive half of the king’s treasure.  

He invited everyone in his kingdom to come to his house. Everyone was so excited until they got there, only to find that the pool was filled with sharks, piranhas and alligators. 

Several days went by and no one was willing to take the king’s challenge. On the fourth day, all of a sudden there was a huge splash. Everyone turned to see a man swimming with all his might across the pool. 

The whole kingdom cheered him on as he made it through the sharks. The man continued to swim as the piranhas nipped at him until finally he had made it through the alligators. He threw himself up on the side of the pool out of breath and exhausted. 

The king was quickly at his side. 

Congratulations, the king said, now you will be rich. The man continued to catch his breath. 

The king looked at the man again waiting for a response and asked what do you have to say about your new treasure? The man still out of breath looked up at the king and said, 

King, half of your treasure is great, but what I really want to know is WHO PUSHED ME IN?

Have you ever felt like the man in the swimming pool? I know that I have. We we didn’t ask for the sharks, piranhas and alligators, it seems that someone has pushed us in and now we have to give it all our might to get through the trials and tribulations we are faced with. We have to exercise our faith and know that not only will the swim end but we will be spiritually wealthier because of the challenge. And, We are promised all our King has when the journey is through. 

We have all been faced with trials and uncertainties in our lives, and I am sure we will be faced with many more. It's what we do when we are pushed in that determines what we are made of. We are so blessed. We just need to remember that This too shall pass. 

Anyone ever felt like SOMEONE PUSHED THEM IN?

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY! Mystery Bag Game

Everything you need for this game is right at your finger tips.... and it is a great way for families to work on strengthen their senses...and it is challenging for adults and kids alike...and, JUST KIDDING.

YOU WILL NEED...

A PILLOWCASE

Anyone pillowcase will do. We like to use one that is a little darker in color or has a print on it so that you can't see through it. You can also use a brown paper bag. We like the pillowcase because it isn't as loud

TO PLAY:

Fill the pillowcase with various items you have around your home. Anything will work. 7 items is a pretty good number. If you are playing with older kids then they can handle more. 

One person reaches into the bag and gets about a minute to feel what is in there. When they are finished, that person writes down what they think is in the bag. If it is a child who is too small to write. Have them whisper what is in the bag and write it down for them. Or they can draw pictures. Keep your answers secret. 

Move on to the next person and have them reach into the bag, then write down their answers. 

After everyone has had a chance to explore the items and write down their guesses, reveal what is in the bag.

The person with the most correct guesses wins. 

VARIATIONS:

The best part about this game is that you can structure it so it is perfect for your family and the ages of your children.

***You can set up a beginner, intermediate and expert pillowcase.

In the beginner, we put toys that our 2 year old understands. Instead of having her reach in without looking, she gets to reach in, pull out the items, and then tell us what they are. I like to fill her bag with animals, and shapes. We also fill hers with colored objects and she tells us the color. It is a really fun learning tool. It is also good because it teaches her to take turns.

The intermediate pillowcase can be filled with objects that have simple shapes and are more common. Expert is filled with tricky, non obvious items. 

***I send our kids to round up the items. Then they have to guess what is in each other's bags.

***Fill them with themed items. Things you can eat, shapes, holiday related, things you play with, things that are cold, objects that belong to mom, candy (which we just did after Halloween, etc.). Anything goes.

***You can also race. If you have doubles of the objects, set up two bags and have family members race. See who can identify the most correctly, the fastest. 

I hope you and your families are enjoying the fall weather and the wonderful feelings that come during this time of year. Hard to believe it is November. 

Encouraging Gratitude: Family Activities

In an attempt to discover how gratitude affected our health, researchers at UC Davis conducted a study with three groups of volunteers.

One group kept a daily log, writing down 5 hassles or complaints. 

The second group kept a daily log where they wrote down 5 ways they thought they were better off than their peers. 

The third group kept a daily log of 5 things they were thankful for. 

After three weeks, those who kept the gratitude lists reported having more energy, fewer health problems (headaches, digestion etc) and a greater feeling of well-being than those who complained.

This is not the only study to come to these conclusions. Most studies show that the more gratitude we show, the healthier and happier we are. 

It is important to apply these finding to our children. Constantly pointing out they are more blessed than others is not the best way to teach gratitude. Instead we want to encourage them to recognize what they are thankful for. 

With Thanksgiving on our minds, it is a great time to encourage gratitude in our children. By starting new traditions now, we can hope to encourage gratitude year round.

Gratitude Jar

Find a jar and fancy it up a little. Or you can have your children help with the decorating. Cut up strips of paper and round up some pens and/or crayons. Put the jar in an obvious place in your home. Everyday until Thanksgiving, have everyone in the family write or draw a picture of something they are thankful for that day and drop it in the jar. If you have small children who can't really write or draw, talk to them and fill in their paper for them. On Thanksgiving day, pull all the strips out and read them as a family. Talk about how it felt to show increased gratitude all month long. 

Gratitude Chain

Cut long strips of paper in different colors. Our kids like it when I cut specific colors for each of them. (All of our sons will be green, all of our daughters will be red, our youngster will get orange). Each day have them, or help them, write down something they are thankful for. Then take your stapler or tape and hook the strips together to form a chain. Hang it where the family can see it everyday and watch it grow. On Thanksgiving have each person read what they have written and been thankful for this month.

Alternatives:

#1: If you don't mind all the cutting, trace your children's hands and cut them out. If you don't want to cut, just trace on a square of paper. Have your children write down what they are grateful for each day and string the hands together. Use it as decoration for your Thanksgiving meal. When Thanksgiving is over you can take all the hands and staple them together and put the year on them. Store them with your holiday decorations. Your kids will love to pull them out every year and see how their hands have grown, and what they were thankful for in years past. 

#2: Cut out leaves, or gather leaves from your back yard. Write what you are thankful for on the leaves and string them together using needle and thread. Display all month and talk about it around the turkey table. 

Grateful Hands

Throughout the month of Thanksgiving, once a week, trace the hand of everyone in the family. Sit down  every Monday and write down 5 things you have each been thankful for that week. We like to write one in each of the fingers, like feathers. Tape the hands to your kitchen wall throughout the month so everyone can see them. Use the hands as a centerpiece for your Turkey Table. You could even laminate them after the holiday and post all the old ones each year as your children grow.

Gratitude Tree

Cut a bunch of leaves out of "fall colored" paper. Head outside and find a few sticks and twigs. Bring them in and stick them in a jar, basket, vase, etc. Make your own little tree. As you write down what you are thankful for on your leaves, tape them, or tie them to your tree. Use your gratitude tree as your dinner centerpiece on Thanksgiving day. Everyone will love looking at the gratitude leaves.

Thankful Tablecloth (My Favorite: Our family loves this one)

Find a big tablecloth. A big piece of fabric will work also. Any material should work, but smooth is best.  On Thanksgiving, trace each person's hand on the table cloth and write in the middle of the hand something they are thankful for and the year. Each year, on the same cloth, enact the same ritual. Your family will love not only seeing how their hands have grown, but they will love to see what they were thankful for in the past. It can be pretty funny. Over time it will become an heirloom. You will add grandchildren and in-laws, visitors and memories. 

Alternative:

#1: Instead of drawing on the tablecloth, trace the hands and words in pencil. Take to your sewing machine, or hand stitch over the writings.

#2: Give each person a small piece of fabric to trace their hand and write on. Then sew each piece of fabric to the tablecloth. Over the years you will create a beautiful masterpiece. 

Once thanksgiving is over, don't let the gratitude stop. 

Every night when your family sits down for dinner, go around the table and have everyone say something they are thankful for. 

Each Sunday, take a few minutes and sit down with your kids. Help them keep a gratitude journal, writing down what they are thankful for.

Teach your children to write thank you notes. Or draw thank you pictures if they are still learning to write. 

Show gratitude yourself. Our kids do what we do. Don't just show gratitude to other people, it is really important to show gratitude to our children and spouse also.

Clear a "grateful space" on your fridge. Throughout the year, post anything your family members are thankful for. Encourage family members to contribute. It can become an everyday reminder of the people and blessings your family is thankful for. 

HOW WILL YOU CELEBRATE GRATITUDE THIS SEASON?

Church with my Toddler, Yikes!

Our littlest church-go-er.

I have received more than one question about toddlers and church. First, let me make it clear that everyone has different expectations of their children in church. I expect my children to sit in church, quietly. I don't plan on spending 3 hours chasing them in halls, or around classrooms. That is just me.

It is hard, I know. I have had plenty of Sunday's when I get home and wonder why I even bothered to shower or do my hair for the occasion. I am sweaty, tired, and can't remember what the lessons were about. 

There are things we can do to make our Sunday's less stressful. 

1. If you want your child to sit through meetings with you, there is one BIG thing to understand. If your child misbehaviors and you take them out. And they get to run up and down the hall and play etc. They have just been taught that it is a lot more fun in the hall than in the meeting. As a result, they will act up just to get out to the hall. 

I would do the same. Why would I want to sit and be quiet when I could go out and run around. Children have to understand that if they are taken out it is not going to be peaches and cream. 

Take them into an empty room, sit them on your lap, and explain that is where they will stay. No exceptions. Once or twice and they will want back into that meeting. I can't emphasize how important this is for changing behavior. No child is going to sit quietly when they know that with a little noise they can be running and playing in the halls. It has to be better in the meeting than in the halls or they will always act up to get out.  

2. You will have to put in effort to get your toddlers to sit quiet for that length of time. Take a good mix of distractions and realize that YOU will have to put in effort, a lot of it, to get through the 3 hours. Or even to just get through Sacrament Meeting. Pop up books, coloring pages, picture books, and things with different textures work really well. 

Today was a pretty good day in church WHEW! Minus a few little yells. With our 2 year old, we colored in a coloring book, and went through a number of other books. Probably 4 others. We looked for familiar items, we traced shapes with our fingers, we looked for Noah's animals in a pop up book. In between we lead the music like the conductor and searched the congregation for all the kids in our daughter's nursery class. We practiced folding our arms when prayers were said, and at one point, I had her put her hand out flat and I traced around it with my fingers. Then we followed the stitching on her shoes with our fingers. We also have a little pouch that zips open and closed. Today we took the little pouch and put a toy in it. Then we practiced zipping and unzipping. Makes me tired just thinking about it all. 

With 15 minutes left, and ideas waining, we took an old tootsie roll wrapper and quietly tucked it in the pages of the hymn book and then practiced "carefully" turning pages to find the treasure. 

The point. I don't have the liberty of sitting back and expecting her to entertain herself. Eventually yes, but right now I have to put in effort if I want her to sit quiet with me in the meetings. 

3. Don't let them down. If you want your toddler to sit on the bench or on your lap, don't let them get down on the floor. Don't make it an option. You are just setting yourself up for trouble. That is when they wander, want out, want to climb under the seats, want to use their legs to escape, you know the routine. 

4. Practice, practice, practice. Everyday. Kids have to be taught to sit still. Take a few minutes each day and start teaching them to sit still. Start with 5 minutes. Put them on your lap and teach them to use a quiet voice and look through books, or color. Quietly point out things in the room. After a few days of 5 minutes, increase to 10, then increase your 10 minutes to 15 etc... Not only will your children learn to sit quiet, but you will come to really enjoy the time with them. We have to help them develop their attention span. This also applies to whispering. We practice using our quiet voice, or whispering all the time. That way when I reminder our little one at church to use a quiet voice she knows what I mean.  

5. Keep your church books and toys separate. Pack up a church bag with special and appropriate books and activities. Don't let these be a part of your kids everyday toys. That way when you pull them out at church they will be new and exciting. 

6. Careful with food and candy. Be mindful that always bribing with food can set you up for trouble as your kids get older. 

7. Don't rush out the door. Don't be too quick to rush your kids to the hall if they make a noise. People understand. If they don't, it's not your fault. You know when things are out of control, but try to work through the situation before you just give up. Sometimes all it takes is just a few seconds and you can create a distraction that quiets things down. 

After all is said and done... Remember...

Three hours of church is three hours of church. There is no way around it. It is too much for me sometimes too. Imagine being 15 months old, not understanding what is being said, and having to sit in one place for that long? When we think of the experience from our children's point of view, it helps us be a little more long suffering and compassionate.

We signed up for this. Church should still be a great experience for us, even with little ones. Still, we need to realize that when we decided to have children, we decided to sacrifice for them. That means sacrifice a church lesson too. We can't expect to sit in church and listen to what is going on like we did when we were single, or newly married. We need to have reasonable expectations. 

Our little ones CAN sit on our laps during meetings. They have the ability. You don't have to spend every Sunday in the halls. We can teach our children to sit on our laps and talk with soft voices. 

This too shall pass. Our kids will grow up. They will be old enough for nursery, they will sit still all on their own without having to be entertained. Then, we will miss their little hands, we will miss the sweaty Sunday's, and we will wish we would have enjoyed that time more. Really we will.

Laughter is good medicine. One the days when frustration has set in and we feel like we are a side show, laugh. Don't mind the people around you, or the funny looks that sometimes come from the older ladies in relief society. They might have forgotten, but they were once in our place. Trying to do their best. Just chuckle and do your best. 

We have our days, kids have their days too. Just like us, kids have tired days, hungry days, off days. It's okay. Cut them a break. Give yourself a break too. 

All of the work might not seem like it is worth it. The truth is, putting in the effort will actually start to make our lives easier. We will have confidence that we can take our children out in public, that they can sit on our laps and be quiet when we need them to be. It will give us a lot more freedom and less stress. 

Church is hard. But, there are preparations we can make at home to ease some of the pain and make it a better experience for our whole family. And, the energy and effort we put into it when our children are young will not only help them as they grow older, but will help them in school and all the other activities they participate in. It will allow us to take our children to other places with confidence.

There will be good days and bad days. We can't quit. Our effort is making a difference. Over time we will see changes and the good days will start to out weight the bad. 

WHAT ARE YOUR TRICKS FOR GETTING THROUGH CHURCH?

DO YOU EVER FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH A WAR WHEN CHURCH IS OVER?