tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11563517318662698642024-03-12T21:37:33.619-07:00K's MomBlogBlog about Holidays, Traditions, Creative Ideas, Homeschooling, Kansas City, Parenting, and Loving the Lord.iluvcallalilieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15091375932893234372noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156351731866269864.post-27459347670591620712009-02-04T08:59:00.000-08:002009-02-04T09:01:27.967-08:00My Eternal Gem<strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My Eternal Gem</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">written by Kristina Haines (my maiden name, I was 16 when I wrote this)</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Someday I will leave this big world,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And all of its sin behind.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'll walk upon the streets of gold, </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">with the Savior of Mankind.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So when I die, I want to know,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">That I have fulfilled His plan.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I want to be completely sure,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">That I've served the Son of Man.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I want to have peace in knowing,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">That I've served Him faithfully,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">That the seeds that I've been sowing,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Have prospered abundantly.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I want to leave no undone things,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Or possible could-have-beens,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I want to see the King of Kings,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And know I have lived for Him.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And when I walk through the gates of pearl,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And see the Lord of Hosts - - </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Of the many things in this world...</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here is what I want the most:</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">To know my life was lived for Him,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">That I served Him faithfully.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This simple peace will be my gem...</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Throughout eternity.</span>iluvcallalilieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15091375932893234372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156351731866269864.post-68123865356841578242009-02-03T10:52:00.000-08:002009-02-03T10:55:20.844-08:00Great Dates Around the World in KC!Looking for something new this Valentine’s Day? An exotic vacation is not in the budget or on the schedule? Here are some ideas for a Valentine Vacation in Kansas City!<br />In each example, dinner and entertainment are within a ten-minute drive or less unless otherwise noted.<br /><br />Step into Arabia with dinner at the Aladdin Café (3903 Wyoming, KCMO. 816-532-5982). Their menu features stuffed grape leaves, baba ganoush, hummus, falafel, lamb and other traditional Arabic dishes. Then, enjoy Arabian Nights showing at the Kansas City Repertory Theater (Spencer Theater 4949 Cherry St., KCMO, www.kcrep.org) through Feb. 22nd.<br /><br />Make a trip to Brazil at the Plaza’s newest restaurant, which is also one of the most fun! Fogo de Chao (222 W. 47th St, KCMO on the Plaza. 816-931-7700), features an authentic Brazilian churrascaria dining format, where patrons enjoy skewered fire-roasted meats served by Gaucho chefs throughout their meal. Enjoy a night on the Plaza with a movie at the Cinemark or cheese samples from around the world at Better Cheddar, window-shopping or a carriage ride.<br /><br />This may be All-American, but it is also All Fun! ComedyCity (817 Westport Rd, KCMO, 816-842-2744, www.instantcomedy.com) is home to Kansas City’s original improvisational comedy show; it is fast-paced and based entirely on suggestions from the audience. Every show is clean, funny, and one-of-a-kind. For dinner, go to Chili’s (554 Westport Rd., KCMO, 816-561-1220)… yes, it is a chain restaurant, but the food is good. It seemed fitting for a light and fun date!<br /><br />Journey to Great Britain as you watch Murder By the Book, a light-hearted and inventive British thriller performed live at the American Heartland Theater (3rd floor of Crown Center, www.ahtkc.com, 816-842-9999). Enjoy dinner at Pierpont’s (30 W. Pershing, KCMO at Union Station). This is not exactly British, but honestly, there isn’t much demand for British cuisine in KC. Pierpont’s features Steak and Seafood and as fish is a popular British meal, it’s our best choice near the Theater.<br /><br />Embark on a trip to the Orient at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (4525 Oak St, KCMO, www.nelson-atkins.org) houses an extensive collection of Asian art and the best part is that it’s FREE and open until 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays! For dinner, there are two excellent choices nearby. For fun, enjoy a Japanese meal where the food is prepared before your eyes at Gojo Japanese Steakhouse (4163 Broadway St, KCMO, 816-561-2501). Or, enjoy Chinese food at PF Chang’s China Bistro (102 W. 47th St, KCMO, 816-931-9988).<br /><br />Fancy Ireland? O’Dowd’s Little Dublin Restaurant (4742 Pennsylvania on the Plaza, 816-561-2700, www.odowdslittledublin.com) feels Irish because it is. Nearly all of the woodwork was handcrafted and imported directly from Ireland! Bring a hearty appetite - because O'Dowd's Little Dublin has the BEST American Pub eats and Irish treats IN THE CITY! Live music is featured every night, including Irish musicians.<br /><br />Visit the Czech Republic with a night of fine music as The Czech Symphony Orchestra performs Czech composer Dvorak’s No. 9 From the New World at the Carlsen Center of the Johnson County Community College (12345 College Blvd, OPKS, www.jccc.edu/CarlsenCenter, 469-4445). To enjoy an authentic Czech meal, visit the Kolache Factory (7112 W. 135th St, OPK, 913-851-2253, www.kolachefactory.com). They are only open for breakfast and lunch, but you can purchase bakery kolaches to serve at home. <br /><br />Go to Germany as the KC Symphony performs pieces from Beethoven’s only opera (Fidelio, first known as Leonore), followed by Mendelssohn's stirring Symphony-Cantata Lobgesang (Hymn of Praise) on Valentine weekend at the Lyric Theatre (1029 Central, KCMO, 816-471-0400, www.kcsymphony.org). For dinner, visit the Power and Light District (www.powerandlightdistrict.com), which features a wide variety of good restaurants. Or plan ahead, and go to Werners (5736 Johnson Dr., Mission, KS, 913-362-5955, www.wernerwurst.com) and buy dinner in advance to eat at home before your date. Werners sells handmade European style sausages.<br /><br />Explore Russia! Union Station (30 W. Pershing Rd, KCMO, 816-460-2020, www.unionstation.org) is featuring the exhibit, “The Tsar and the President” through April 19th. This historically focused traveling exhibit examines the lives of Lincoln and Russia’s Tsar Alexander II, using personal memorabilia like Lincoln’s presidential speeches and the opulent artifacts of Russia’s royalty to tell each man’s story. For this one, you’ll have to plan ahead and eat at home, or leave early as dinner and entertainment aren’t “nearby.” The International Grocery: Taste of Russia (7228 W. 79th St in Shawnee Mission, KS 913-385-5609), is tiny, but it includes a meat shop, cake shop, and Russian groceries. They also have a lunch and dinner spot fit with small table and chairs.iluvcallalilieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15091375932893234372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156351731866269864.post-61077743740345020642009-02-01T16:26:00.000-08:002009-02-01T16:42:48.312-08:00Creative Ways to say, "I Love You"<p>With Valentine's Day fast approaching, we're reminded to tell our loved ones how much we care. However, in our house we try to make it a habit to 'creatively' say, "I Love You" in unusual ways often.</p><p>Our favorites:</p><p><strong>POST-ITS:</strong> We have some fun ways of doing that in our house. When we first married, I started randomly leaving post-it note "I love you's" where my husband would find them from time to time... on his lunch, on the mirror in the bathroom, his windshield, steering wheel, in his coat pocket, in his wallet, on his computer screen, in his sock drawer. He took up the same periodic habit and writes notes to me.</p><p><strong>PANCAKES:</strong> Then, when we had kids it has become an "almost every weekend" ritual to make blueberry pancakes. I make the batter, clean up the kitchen, and get the girls ready for the day while he mans the stove. He loves to make heart pancakes, Mickey Mouse, and lately... letters. Last weekend he spelled out I (heart) each of our names! </p><p><strong>OTHER FOOD:</strong> Use Bakery Safe markers (in the decorating section of the store) and use them to write on your children's sandwiches. Write on a banana with an ink pen. Leave notes on food containers. Write on napkins. It's fun to find notes where you least expect them.</p><p><strong>WINDOW PAINT:</strong> Window Paint (of the washable variety) is great for leaving a note on screen doors, mirrors, windshields, etc. Be sure it is WASHABLE! :-)</p><p><strong>"I love you this much":</strong> Many families love the book, "Guess How Much I love You"... we also stretch out arms and say, I love you this much as we come and go. Emily said that with outstretched arms IMMEDIATELY when she first met her baby sister! She then took the baby's arms and stretched them to say I love you!</p><p><strong>Just Say It:</strong> The habit here is that an "I love you" is exchanged at the end of phone conversations, when someone leaves the house, before bed, first thing in the morning, and whenever we "just feel like it" - which is often. It is one thing you can't say enough.</p>iluvcallalilieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15091375932893234372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156351731866269864.post-83657818195593800072009-01-15T20:44:00.000-08:002009-01-15T20:53:36.947-08:00What is my role in my daughters' Preschool Education?I've been pondering this for years (before my children were born) and I'm finding that God keeps defining my role more clearly. Keeping my priorities straight, defining the task at hand so I stay on task, it seems to help me grow as a mom.<br /><br />It seems that I have 3 major responsibilities in my role as the "Preschool Teacher" for my girls:<br /><br />1) <strong>Encouraging Curiosity / Love of Learning</strong> (For example, I take my children on many field-trips, one of them being the local art gallery. I try to make I Spy or Scavenger Hunt games when we go. I don't spend a lot of time on naming artists or art styles. My oldest daughter is 3 and I don't expect her to be an expert on Monet. I DO want her to be comfortable and interested and curious about art so that when it is time to explore it in depth, she is not intimidated or turned off by it. That example applies to all learning, be it Scripture, Nature, Cooking, Reading, Math, Music, etc. I hope to provide Creative opportunities for my children to explore and learn so they LOVE to learn.).<br /><br />2) <strong>Expand Their World: </strong>If we only exposed our children to things they request/express interest in, "their world" would be very small. My daughter has never seen a live walrus. She would never know to ask about a walrus unless we introduced them through books, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">dvds</span>, and maybe someday a trip to a zoo that has them.<br /><br />3) <strong>Facilitate "The Next Step":</strong> When she shows growth, understands a new concept, is ready for a new skill (God is so good in showing those signs clearly), it is my job to facilitate that. When she says, 'Mom I'd like to help cook supper.' I let her within her ability (she stirs, counts, helps measure, gathers ingredients from the fridge, rolls with the rolling pin, cuts with cookie cutters, shakes spices, etc w/supervision).<br /><br /><p>We use a chart for the areas we try to approach DAILY. These are: </p><ul><li>Bible (stories, memory verse, prayer, praise songs, etc)</li><li>Reading (wide variety of books including stories, factual books, and poetry. This doesn't include Bible. It is its own category)</li><li>Food (learning about food groups, nutrition, etc, helping select foods at the grocery store, herb gardening in the spring and summer and cooking skills)</li><li>Concepts (Letters, Numbers, Shapes, Opposites, Animal Classification, Colors, etc). These are presented in many forms (flashcards, games, puzzles, workbooks, action poems, books, DVDs, etc). </li><li>Music (singing, action songs, playing instruments, dance)</li><li>Art (doing art and appreciating art, i.e. art gallery)<br />Exercise (formally through jumping jacks, jogging, etc OR informally through outdoor play, trips to Tunnel Town or Pump It Up, etc)</li><li>Hygiene (on my chart it says "Clean Girl")... meaning diligence in hand washing, clean clothes/dressing, bath, brushing teeth, etc. </li></ul><p>That list may appear to be a lot, but it really isn't. Some days, music means we sing one or two songs together. Art may mean 15 minutes with play dough on Monday, but over an hour painting on Tuesday. Exercise can be formal (we've used videos at the library, the park, our backyard, etc), or informal (free play on a playground). Food may mean putting the napkins out at the dinner table and identifying the fruits and vegetables on her plate, or it may mean helping cook an entire meal from the Biscuits to Mashing Potatoes and Tossing Salad. I do not place a time commitment on the checklist. It may mean 5 minutes per item, or 2 hours. The idea is just that we're 'well rounded.'<br /></p><p>If one category (or more) are neglected in a day, that's fine. Those categories are given top priority tomorrow. The main reason for neglect is often an over-emphasis in another category that was GREAT fun!<br /></p><p>Anyway, the checklist is my "system." It encourages me, as a mom, to look at the day and say, 'Hey, we did do something worthwhile for my kids today.' Very often at the end of the day, it doesn't "feel" like you've been productive, but looking at the "list"... you have.<br /></p><p>Some days we do more, other days we do less. For me, it isn't about doing everything/ finishing the curriculum (currently Before Five in a Row), it is about Encouraging a LOVE for learning, OPENING my girls' world, and FACILITATING "the next step." If a project doesn't do that, I don't do it. </p><p><br />I'm far from perfect at all of the ideals/goals described above, I just do my best with Christ's strength. </p>iluvcallalilieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15091375932893234372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156351731866269864.post-51131732527931476062009-01-13T16:02:00.000-08:002009-01-13T18:28:45.342-08:00KC Valentine Events for the Family 2009I am trying to create a "complete" list of KC Valentine Events for the family (meaning events that include children). If you know of anything I am missing, please leave a comment so I can add it to the list!<br /><br />Kansas City Valentine’s Day<br />Events for the Family<br />2009<br /><br />Art Classes<br /><br />♥Arte Children’s Studio: Handmade Cards<br />When: February 4th from 4:00-5:00pm<br />Where: Blue Valley Recreation Center 6545 W. 151st Street, Overland Park, KS<br />Admission: $64/residents, $80/non-residents<br />Ages: Children ages 4-9<br />Details: For children ages 4-9, the class meets four consecutive Wednesdays. Various mediums and techniques are explored while creating cards as pieces of art. Watercolor, acrylic, and collage result in projects which can be mailed or framed. Valentine cards will be included in the first two classes.<br />Contact Information: 913-685-6000<br />Web: www.bluevalleyrec.org<br /><br />♥Be My Valentine<br />When: February 7th at 2pm<br />Where: Red Bridge Library, 11140 Locust, Kansas City, MO<br />Admission: Free, Registration required<br />Ages: Children ages 4 and up<br />Details: Create special Valentine cards and gifts for your family and friends. Supplies furnished.<br />Contact Information: 816-942-1780<br />Web: www.mcpl.lib.mo.us<br /><br />♥Be My Valentine Art Class<br />When: February 3rd at 7pm<br />Where: Walls of Clay, 16625 Midland Dr., Shawnee, KS<br />Admission: $10/Johnson County Residents, $11/nonresidents. Must pre-register.<br />Ages: 6-12<br />Details: Your child can say “I love you” to mom and dad, teachers, and grandparents with a special hand painted ceramic heart box, heart bowl, or heart plate from Walls of Clay. The class offers techniques to make your child’s painting experience fun, educational, and a confidence builder. Pay instructor $4-20 for supplies; cost depends on the materials chosen.<br />Contact Information: 913-831-3355<br />Web: www.jcprd.com<br /><br />♥The Color Red<br />When: February 5th OR February 6th at 10am<br />Where: Cedar Roe Library, 5120 Cedar, Roeland Park, KS<br />Admission: Free<br />Ages: Children ages 2 and up<br />Details: Drop in to explore the color Red in celebration of Valentine's Day.Your child will be creative by making Valentines and collages while learning about color.<br />Contact Information: 913-384-8590<br />Web: www.jocolibrary.org<br /><br />♥Creative Kids’ Workshop: Valentine’s Day<br />When: February 11th from 10:00-11:30am<br />Where: Blue Valley Recreation Center 6545 W. 151st Street, Overland Park, KS<br />Admission: $22/residents, $27/non-residents<br />Ages: Children ages 3-6<br />Details: Children ages 3-6 develop a love for arts and crafts while enhancing their self-esteem. They will construct a creative and useful art project; enjoy a snack, theme stories and games. Another class is offered from 12:30-2:00pm.<br />Contact Information: 913-685-6000<br />Web: www.bluevalleyrec.org<br /><br />♥Kaleidoscope<br />When: Monday-Saturday. Visit their Website for specifics.<br />Where: Kaleidoscope, 2500 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO<br />Admission: Free<br />Ages: All ages may attend Family Art Sessions<br />Details: Children explore exciting environments creating one of a kind art masterpieces using unique materials and recycled supplies. Kaleidoscope is open year-round, but they offer special projects with Valentine’s Day in mind during the month of February.<br />Web: www.hallmarkkaleidoscope.com<br /><br />♥Kamp Wilderness: Valentine’s Day Extravaganza<br />When: February 7th at 11am<br />Where: Bass Pro, 18001 Bass Pro Dr., Independence, MO<br />Admission: Free, pre-reg required by email <a href="mailto:aracock@basspro.com">aracock@basspro.com</a>, or call<br />Ages: 4-12<br />Details: Kids can make friendship bracelets for Valentine’s Day.<br />Web: www.basspro.com<br /><br />♥Make Valentines for Grandma, Grandpa, Mom & Dad<br />When/Where: Feb. 13th from 11am-11:45am at Market St. Neighborhood Center, 307 SW Market, Lee’s Summit<br />When/Where: Feb. 14th from 9-9:45am at the Gamber Center, 4SE Independence Ave. Lee’s Summit, MO<br />Admission: $5/ea. Must pre-register<br />Ages: Children ages 3-4<br />Details: Make homemade Valentines for your family.<br />Contact Information: 816-969-1500<br />Web: www.lsparks.net<br /><br /><br />♥Valentine Card Lab<br />When: February 13th at 10am OR 3pm<br />Where: Corinth Library, 8100 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS<br />Admission: Free<br />Ages: Children<br />Details: Drop in and make an original card to give to your favorite Valentine tomorrow. We'll provide all the supplies; you provide your creativity.<br />Contact Information: 913-967-8650<br />Web: www.jocolibrary.org<br /><br />♥Valentine Drop In Crafts<br />When: February 14th at 1pm<br />Where: Shawnee Library, 13811 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS<br />Admission: Free<br />Ages: Children<br />Details: Drop in to Shawnee Neighborhood Library between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. to create some fun crafts for the Valentine holiday. There will be different activities to choose from. Take home a special something for a special someone!<br />Contact Information: 913-962-3800<br />Web: www.jocolibrary.org<br /><br />Cooking Classes<br /><br />♥Creative Cooks: Valentine Treats<br />When: February 3rd from 4:00-5:30pm OR February 10th from 4:00-5:30pm<br />Where: Blue Valley Recreation Center 6545 W. 151st Street, Overland Park, KS<br />Admission: $38/residents, $48/non-residents<br />Ages: Children ages 6-12.<br />Details: Kids ages 6-12 participate in a fun-filled cooking class, making and sampling delightful snacks, including valentine chocolate truffles, homemade pretzels, Stromboli and chocolate pizza. Class is held on Tuesday, 2/3 and 2/10.<br />Contact Information: 913-685-6000<br />Web: www.bluevalleyrec.org<br /><br />♥Grandparent-Grandchild Cookie Decorating Party<br />When: February 7th from 10am-12pm<br />Where: Palmer Center, 218A N. Pleasant, Independence, MO<br />Admission: $3/grandparents and one child ($1/ea additional child)<br />Ages: Children ages 3 and older with grandparents<br />Details: Grandparents create lasting memories with that special child in their life. Decorate cookies and celebrate Valentine’s Day together. Each child will decorate six cookies. Supplies and refreshments provided.<br />Contact Information: 816-325-6200<br />Web: www.indepmo.org<br /><br />♥Leawood Valentine’s Day at Corinth<br />When: February 12th at 4pm<br />Where: Corinth Library, 8100 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS<br />Admission: Free, Registration limited to 15<br />Ages: Children ages 6-12<br />Details: Sweets for the sweet on Valentine's Day. Decorate "heart shaped" cookies and write a poem. Celebrate the day with fun and sugar. Due to the Leawood Library being closed for expansion, the program will be at the Corinth Neighborhood Library.<br />Contact Information: 913-967-8650<br />Web: www.jocolibrary.org<br /><br />♥Lil’ Kids Valentine Chocolate Candy-Making Party!<br />When: February 8th from 9:00-11:30 am or 1-2:30pm<br />Where: Kansas City Culinary Center, 7920 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, KS<br />Admission: $65/each<br />Ages: 5-8 with an adult<br />Details: Today, it’s Chocolate 101 with a “twist.” In addition to learning how to melt, store, mold, paint, dip, flavor, color and fill chocolate candies you and your budding “chocolatier” will help create a yummy Valentine’s Day chocolate gift to bring home for someone special! We’ll play with caramel, pretzels and marshmallows, too … and everyone gets to do some “dipping” and decorating at our Sprinkle Station. (Includes tastings, snacks, take-home treats that you create [unless you eat ‘em all as you make ‘em] plus a special Valentine’s Day chocolate gift for each team to take home!)<br />Contact Information: 913-341-4455<br />Web: www.kcculinary.com<br /><br />Music & Dance<br /><br />♥Daddy Daughter Valentine’s Dance<br />When: February 7th from 7-9pm<br />Where: Irene B. French Community Center, 5701 Merriam Dr., Merriam, KS<br />Admission: $40/couple (additional daughter $10)<br />Ages: recommended age 3-12 for girls<br />Details: Fathers, uncles and grandfathers...escort your favorite daughter, niece or granddaughter to our annual Valentine's Dance. You and your special date will enjoy a very special and memorable evening together. A disc jockey will be spinning some sounds for your dancing enjoyment. Refreshments and fun activities will be available. A photographer will be on hand to capture the moment and provide a free keepsake to take home. Cap off the evening with a FREE limo ride around Merriam Drive! Evening is limited to 50 couples, so sign up early!<br />Contact Information: 913-322-5550<br />Web: www.merriam.org/park/Youth/daddy-daughter-dance.htm<br /><br />♥Family Concert with Mr. Stinky Feet<br />When: February 13th at 6:30pm<br />Where: Wonderscope Children’s Museum, 5700 King, Shawnee, KS<br />Admission: Call 913-268-8130 for admission information.<br />Ages: Entire Family<br />Details: Mr. Stinky Feet will perform fun, upbeat children’s music as we celebrate at Wonderscope. Children will enjoy singing along with KC’s Kiddie Rocker!<br />Contact Information: 913-268-4176<br />Web: <a href="http://www.jimcosgrove.com/">www.jimcosgrove.com</a> or www.wonderscope.org<br /><br />♥Funky Mama at Wonderscope<br />When: February 11th at 10am<br />Where: Wonderscope Children’s Museum, 5700 King, Shawnee, KS<br />Admission: Call 913-268-8130 for admission information.<br />Ages: Entire Family<br />Details: Funky Mama performs a LIVE Children’s Concert to celebrate Valentine’s Day.<br />Contact Information: 913-268-4176<br />Web: <a href="http://www.jimcosgrove.com/">www.funkymamamusic.com</a> or www.wonderscope.org<br /><br />♥Mr. Stinky Feet’s Love Fest<br />When: February 14th at 10:30am<br />Where: Plaza Library, Truman Forum Auditorium, 4801 Main St., KCMO<br />Admission: FREE<br />Ages: Entire Family<br />Details: Mr. Stinky Feet will perform fun, upbeat children’s music as we celebrate at Valentine’s Day. Children will enjoy singing along with KC’s Kiddie Rocker!<br />Contact Information: 816-701-3481<br />Web: <a href="http://www.jimcosgrove.com/">www.jimcosgrove.com</a> or www.kclibrary.org<br /><br />♥Valentine Ballerinas<br />When: February 7th at Noon (this is a 75 minute lesson)<br />Where: Kozetta’s Dance Studio, 14930 W. 119th St., Olathe, KS<br />Admission: $22 / Johnson County Residents, $24/nonresidents. Must pre-register.<br />Ages: 3 ½ - 6<br />Details: Come celebrate this special day and learn “Daddy’s Valentine Dance.” Students will engage in various fun activities and after they’ve learned their ballet routine, they will perform for parents during the last five minutes of the class. Students may wear leotards. Ballet shoes are required.<br />Contact Information: 913-831-3355<br />Web: <a href="http://www.bluevalleyrec.org/">www.jcprd.com</a><br /><br />Valentine Exhibits<br /><br />♥Love Letters: Harry and Bess<br />When: February 14th at 11am<br />Where: Truman Library, 500 W. US Hwy 24, Independence, MO<br />Admission: $8/adults, $7/seniors, $3/children 6-15, Free/children 5 and under<br />Details: After a long courtship, Harry Truman married his grade-school sweetheart, Bess Wallace, in 1919. On Valentine's Day, Archivist Tammy Kelly will draw on the Library's extensive collection of Truman letters and photographs to illustrate the couple's decades-long relationship and life together.<br />Contact Information: 816-268-8200<br />Web: www.trumanlibrary.org<br /><br />♥Valentine’s Day at Lanesfield<br />When: February 7-15<br />Where: Lanesfield School Historic Site, 18745 S. Dillie Road, Edgerton, KS<br />Admission: Free<br />Ages: All<br />Details: Visit the 1904 schoolhouse decorated for Valentine’s Day, learn about Valentine’s Day traditions, and make an old-fashioned valentine to give to your sweetheart! Event is free, donations accepted.<br />Contact Information: 913-893-6645<br />Web: www.jocomuseum.org<br /><br />Valentine Storytelling & Parties<br /><br />♥Happy Hearts Valentine Party<br />When: February 12th from 9:15-10:00am (2-3 yr) OR 10:30-11:30am (3-5 yr)<br />Where: Blue Valley Recreation Center 6545 W. 151st Street, Overland Park, KS<br />Admission: $15/residents, $19/non-residents<br />Ages: Ages 2-3 with adult: 9:15-10:00am Ages 3-5 without adult: 10:30-11:30am (Children without an adult must be potty trained.)<br />Details: Come make as many Valentines as you like! Listen to a story about loving one another, decorate cupcakes, and paint with valentine cookie cutters and stamps.<br />Contact Information: 913-685-6000<br />Web: www.bluevalleyrec.org<br /><br />♥Nature’s Valentine<br />When: February 6th from 10-11am<br />Where: Prairie Oaks Nature Center, 14701 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS<br />Admission: $6/resident / $7 non-resident. Registration required<br />Ages: Children ages 3-6<br />Details: Delightful one-hour story times will be held in the natural resource library at the Prairie Oaks Nature Center. They will include reading a couple stories, discussion, and an age appropriate craft.<br />Contact Information: 913-681-0902<br />Web: www.leawood.org/parks/naturecenter.aspx<br />♥Oh, My Darlin’, Valentine!<br />When: February 14th at 11am<br />Where: Blue Springs North Library, 850 NW Hunter Dr, Blue Springs, MO<br />Admission: Free, Registration required<br />Ages: Children ages 5 and up<br />Details: Celebrate Valentine's Day with LOVE stories presented by storyteller Jo Ho. It's not all kissin' and huggin' in Jo's tales of love. There are some big laughs and surprises with tellings of the original love stories of "Beauty and the Beast," "Snow White," "Hans Clodhopper" and "The Wrestling Princess". Girls in the audience will be invited to role-play as Beauty's sisters and the boys will try to outwit, out yell, and out-wrestle a most unusual princess!<br />Contact Information: 816-224-8772<br />Web: <a href="http://www.mcpl.lib.mo.us/">www.mcpl.lib.mo.us</a><br /><br />♥Pint Size Valentines Party<br />When: Feb. 11th from 10am-noon<br />Where: Harris Park Community Center, 110 SW Blue Pkwy, Lee’s Summit, MO<br />Admission: $4/person including guardians. Must pre-register<br />Ages: 2-5 years<br />Details: Dress in red and join us for some Valentine fun. Snacks, crafts, activities and more! Pre-registration with payment required.<br />Contact Information: 816-969-1500<br />Web: <a href="http://www.jocolibrary.org/">www.lsparks.net</a><br /><br />♥Storytime at Barnes and Noble<br />When: February 11th at 10am OR February 14th at 11am<br />Where: Barnes & Noble at Town Center Plaza on the northwest corner of 119th and Roe<br />Admission: Free<br />Ages: Children 6 and under<br />Details: Barnes & Noble offers storytime every Wednesday and Saturday. The theme this week will be Valentine’s Day.<br />Contact Information: 913-491-4535<br />Web: <a href="http://www.jocolibrary.org/">www.barnesandnoble.com</a><br /><br />♥Valentine’s Day Stories and Crafts<br />When: February 14th at 2pm<br />Where: Antioch Library, 8700 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Merriam, KS<br />Admission: Free<br />Ages: Children<br />Details: Everyone is invited to a Valentine’s Day Celebration. Drop in for cookies and punch. Make Valentine cards, play games and share this fun holiday with family and friends.<br />Contact Information: 913-261-2300<br />Web: <a href="http://www.jocolibrary.org/">www.jocolibrary.org</a><br /><br />♥Valentine Party at the Reading Reptile<br />When: February 12th at 11am<br />Where: Reading Reptile Bookstore in Brookside, 328 W. 63rd St., KCMO<br />Admission: $2/child<br />Ages: 3-6<br />Details: Valentine themed story-telling with a hands-on craft project.<br />Contact Information: 816-513-5800<br />Web: www.readingreptile.com<br /><br />Other Special Events for the Whole Family<br /><br />♥Animal Magnetism<br />When: February 14th at 11:30am-3pm<br />Where: Martha LaFite Thompson Nature Sanctuary, 407 N. Lafrenz Rd., Liberty, MO<br />Admission: Members $10/family, Non-members $15/family<br />Ages: Entire Family<br />Details: Love letters, candy-grams, and flowers… must be Valentine’s Day! But humans aren’t the only ones who get “twitterpated.” Join us as we explore the strange behaviors some animals exhibit when they become love struck.<br />Contact Information: 816-781-8598<br />Web: www.naturesanctuary.com<br /><br />♥Chocolate Crawl<br />When: Feb. 7th from 10am-5pm<br />Where: Downtown Lee’s Summit Missouri<br />Admission: FREE<br />Details: Calling all CHOCOLATE lovers… Follow the balloons throughout Downtown Lee’s Summit to shops that will be handing out chocolate treats to get you in the mood for Valentine’s Day! Enjoy sweets while you shop for your special Valentine.<br />Web: www.downtownls.org<br /><br />♥Chocolate Lovers Festival<br />When: Feb. 7th from 1-5pm<br />Where: Harry & David’s at Town Center, 5244 W. 119th St<br />Admission: FREE<br />Ages: Entire Family<br />Details: Enjoy samples of Harry & David’s finest chocolates just in time for Valentines!<br />Web: www.towncenterplaza.net<br /><br />♥Family Fun Fest at the Zoo<br />When: February 14th from 10am-3pm<br />Where: Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Dr, Kansas City, MO<br />Admission: Free with Zoo Admission, $5/each while Africa is under Construction, 2 and under are Free, Friends of the Zoo Members are Free<br />Ages: Fun for the Whole Family<br />Details: Special Family Activities at the Zoo all day. Vote for your favorite Zoo Animal.<br />Contact Information: 816-513-5800<br />Web: www.kansascityzoo.org<br /><br />♥Valentines for the Animals<br />When: February 10th at 11am<br />Where: Martha LaFite Thompson Nature Sanctuary, 407 N. Lafrenz Rd., Liberty, MO<br />Admission: Members $5/child, Non-members $8/child<br />Ages: 3-6 yrs<br />Details: It’s that time of year again! While you’re thinking about your loved ones at home, don’t forget the critters in your neighborhood that your help this time of year! The winter months are hard on Missouri wildlife and in this program we’ll make some tasty treats to show the animals you care!<br />Contact Information: 816-781-8598<br />Web: www.naturesanctuary.com<br /><br />♥Valentine’s Day Weekend – 2 for 1 Skating<br />When: February 13-15<br />Where: The Ice at Park Place, 11565 Ash St., Leawood, KS<br />Admission: $6/ea (Children under 5 free Mon-Fri 11am-3pm, excluding holidays), $3/skate rental<br />Hours: Mon-Thurs 11am-3pm and 6-10pm; Fri & Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 12pm-8pm<br />Details: Johnson County’s only outdoor ice rink.<br />Contact Information: 913-663-2070<br />Web: www.destinationparkplace.com<br /><br />♥Valentine Party at the Zoo<br />When: February 14th from 7-10pm<br />Where: Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Dr, Kansas City, MO<br />Admission: unknown at time of publication<br />Ages: Fun for the Whole Family<br />Details: Annual event, past performances have included dueling pianos, live acoustic music, special presentations on animal mating and more.<br />Contact Information: 816-513-5800<br />Web: www.kansascityzoo.org<br /><br />♥Valentine’s Week Special at Paradise Park<br />When: February 9-14<br />Where: Paradise Park, 1021 NE Colbern Rd., Lee’s Summit MO<br />Admission: varies see website for details<br />Ages: All<br />Details: FREE adult admission to the <a href="http://www.paradise-park.com/edutainment.html">Children's Edutainment Center</a> or <a href="http://www.paradise-park.com/foam.html">Foam Factory </a>with the purchase of a full-priced child admission.<br />Contact Information: 816-246-5224Web: www.paradise-park.comiluvcallalilieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15091375932893234372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156351731866269864.post-81221456967675327782009-01-05T08:26:00.000-08:002009-01-05T08:28:30.493-08:00Family Valentine TraditionsI'm working on a Valentine Guide for our MOPS group and one section will feature traditions for Families. Most of these traditions are celebrated in our home, but some come from my friends. I'm looking for more great ideas to add to this list.<br /><br />This is what I have so far:<br /><div align="center"><strong>Family Valentine Traditions</strong><br /><br />14 Children's Books: Wrap 14 Children’s Books before Feb. 1st. You will be surprised how many books you already own. Use books about Valentine’s Day or books about love. If you need a few more, you can buy them inexpensively at Half Priced Books or even The Dollar Tree. Every day leading up to Valentine’s Day, unwrap and read one book together.<br /><br />Banner Over Me Is Love: Cut out large construction paper hearts. Decorate the hearts with notes saying, “I Love Jesus…” (fill in the blank), “I Love Daddy…” (fill in the blank), etc., or verses about love. Then, string them up and hang them like a banner.<br /><br />Children’s Valentine: Mail a Valentine to each of your children from Mommy & Daddy. Write a note to telling them how much you love them. Children LOVE getting mail! You may also give them a token gift (cookies, candy, stuffed animal, book or balloons).<br /><br />Grandparent’s Valentine Brunch: Invite the Grandparents over for a special Valentine Brunch. Have the children help make muffins, breakfast casseroles, and other food for their grandparents. Kids can make placemats using giant sheets of construction paper or craft foam and stickers, glitter, and glue. Decorate in red, white, and pink. Have the children sing a song or present a special homemade gift to their grandparents. Use it as an opportunity to have the children shower grandma and grandpa with love.<br /><br />Heart Cookie Cutters: Use heart cookie cutters for more than cookies! Ideas:<br />Shape pancakes.<br />Cut out sandwiches.<br />Make Jell-O Jigglers.<br />Open a carton of ice cream on the butcher block and slice it. Then cut out the slices in heart shapes.<br />Cut slices of cheese in heart shapes.<br />Slice fruit, like cantaloupe, and use a mini-heart cookie cutter. Make fruit kabobs with heart shapes, grapes, and berries.<br /><br />Heart Hunt: Use hollow plastic hearts (like Easter Eggs, but hearts) or Valentine Envelopes, and create a “Heart Hunt” for your children. This is exactly like an Easter Egg Hunt, but it is a Valentine theme instead. The Oriental Trading Company sells plastic hearts you can use.<br /><br />Hershey’s Kiss Scavenger Hunt: Create a Family Scavenger Hunt with the kids for Daddy or Grandparents. Write clues and tape a Hershey’s Kiss to each one. Hide the clues appropriately, then leave a gift at the end of the hunt. The gift may be Dad’s favorite Ice Cream, a Homemade Card, a Photo with the Kids, or a Note. As a Grande Finale, enjoy a special dessert or activity (bowling, ice skating, miniature golf).<br /><br />My Secret Valentine: On February 1st, family members draw names from a hat. For two weeks, leading up to Valentine’s Day, everyone does something nice every day for their “Secret Valentine” without revealing who they are. Ideas: Make Valentine’s bed while they are showering, do their chores while they are away from the house, hide secret notes under their pillows, tuck surprise presents in pockets, lunchboxes, and shoes. Everyone reveals their identity at a special Valentine’s meal (breakfast, lunch, or dinner).<br />Red Letter Day: Decorate your home with hearts, red and white streamers, and Valentine balloons. Wear red.<br /><br />Tablecloth Tradition: Make a special "Valentine's Table Cloth"... buy a solid table cloth and fabric paint. Stencil hearts on the tablecloth. Then, using fabric markers, let each member of the family write their favorite scriptures about Love or things they love about one another. Write new messages year after year and date your messages as an ongoing keepsake.<br /><br />Valentine Breakfast: Serve Heart Shaped Pancakes (use a heart cookie cutter as your mold) and add a bit of red food coloring to the syrup or make strawberry syrup and serve with whipped cream. To make strawberry syrup: In a saucepan, bring 1 c. sugar and 1 c. water to a boil. Gradually add 1 1/2 c. chopped strawberries; return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve over pancakes.<br /><br />Valentine Breakfast Tray: Take an 11x14 frame w/o mat and use 11x14 paper to make a collage for your love. Glue ticket stubs, love notes, and photos to the paper, then frame it. Serve breakfast using the framed memories as the tray!<br /><br />Valentine Puzzle: Buy a blank jigsaw puzzle (typically 9 or 12 pieces) at a local craft store or toy store. Decorate it with a Valentine message or handprints of the children. Mail one piece at a time (one a day) to grandparents along with a homemade card, note or treat each day. At the end of 9 or 12 days (or less if you make your own puzzle), they’ll have the entire puzzle and a great memory! We’ve been doing this for years in the Light household, and the grandparents LOVE it! See homemade Valentine ideas below for inspiration!<br /><br />Valentine Tree: Decorate a small Christmas tree or other potted tree with red, pink, and white ornaments and hearts. Let the kids make construction paper hearts and decorate them with glitter as ornaments. Write Bible Verses about love on the homemade ornaments. Use this as a centerpiece all month long.<br /><br />Valentine Scripture Countdown: Write 14 Scriptures about love on construction paper hearts. Put them in a bowl and draw one out of the bowl every night at the dinner table from Feb. 1 – 14. Read it aloud and hang it in a prominent spot. Fourteen Valentine Verses: Psalm 36:5, Psalm 52:8, Proverbs 8:17, Song of Solomon 2:4, Jeremiah 31:3, John 3:16,17, John 15:13, Romans 5:8, Romans 8: 38-39, Galatians 2:20, Eph. 2:4,5, Eph. 5:2, I John 3:1, I John 4:9,10<br /><br />Window Paint Messages: Write notes or draw on windows, mirrors, glass doors, car windows with “I Love You” messages and hearts. Let the children get in the act (if they are old enough to know to obey and ONLY write on glass with Mom’s permission). </div>iluvcallalilieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15091375932893234372noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156351731866269864.post-78553944858010976372009-01-02T16:28:00.000-08:002009-01-02T16:29:34.810-08:00Cabin Fever Busters from A to ZI've been compiling this for the next MOPS newsletter and decided to share it here...<br /><br /><strong>Cabin Fever Busters for Preschoolers</strong><strong> from A to Z<br /></strong><br />A) Airplanes – Make paper airplanes from www.10paperairplanes.com<br />B) Bubble Painting – Supplies: A tray or bowl big enough for your craft paper, Tempera or Washable Craft Paint, Liquid Soap, Drinking straw, Paper (typing paper works fine). Instructions: Mix together the paint and some liquid soap in the tray. Add some water until it is runny enough to blow bubbles. Use the drinking straw to blow into the paint to make bubbles. Gently place the paper on top of the bubbles. When the bubbles pop remove the paper and leave to dry. It will leave a “tie dye” effect on the paper.<br />C) Craft Time – Needing fresh ideas? Our three favorite sites for ideas:<br />1) www.crayola.com<br />2) www.familyfun.go.com<br />3) www.kaboose.com<br />D) Dance – Turn on the music and dance. Invent new dances. Have fun!<br />E) Explore KC – For KC fun, go to www.visitkc.com or www.kckidsfun.com <br />F) Face Paint – Ingredients: 1 tsp. Cornstarch, ½ tsp. Cold Cream, ½ tsp. Water, Food Coloring. How To: Mix together cold cream and cornstarch until well blended. Add water and stir. Add food coloring until you achieve the desired color. Use small paintbrushes, q-tips, or your fingers for face painting fun.<br />G) Goop– Make your own Goop. Step 1: Make the Borate solution: 2/3 cup warm water, 1 1/2 teaspoon powdered Borax, 3 drops food coloring. Mix together in a 1 cup measuring cup using a wooden spoon. Step 2: Then, make the Glue Solution: 3/4 cup warm water, 1 cup white school glue. Mix together in a mixing bowl using a wooden spoon. Step 3: Pour the borate solution into the bowl with glue solution. Use your hands to gently lift and turn the mixture until only one tablespoon of liquid is left. It will be sticky for a moment or two. After the excess liquid has dripped off, the Goop is ready. Step 4: Store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. When you are through, discard in a waste can. DO NOT try to wash it down the sink. If it dries on carpet or clothing, cover it with a cloth soaked in vinegar to de-gel it, then wash the area with detergent and water.<br />H) Hand Rhymes – www.preschoolrainbow.org/preschool-rhymes.htm<br />I) Ice Cream Made with Snow – Ingredients: 1 gallon snow, 1 c. sugar, 1 tbsp. Vanilla, 2 c. milk How To: When it starts snowing, place large clean bowl outside to catch snow. When full, stir in sugar and vanilla to taste, and then stir in enough milk for desired consistency. Eat immediately.<br />J) Jigsaw Puzzles: Put together puzzles from your collection, or create your own. Cut out pictures from magazines or junk mail and use them to make your own puzzles.<br />K) Knock Knock Jokes: For a giant collection, go to: www.knock-knock-joke.com<br />L) Light Games: Supplies: Flashlight, Paper Cup, Pointed Tool (pencil, nail, or pen). How to: Carefully poke holes in the bottom of the cup to form a design. In a dark room or tent, shine the flashlight into the cup to see the pattern that was created. Use additional cups for more designs. Add colored cellophane for interest. Turn the cups to create a Kaleidoscope effect.<br />M) Make a Map – Create a treasure map and send your children on a hunt through the house for “buried treasure.” The treasure may be a new book or movie, something from the Dollar Tree, or just an “I love you” note from Mom.<br />N) Necklaces- Give your child a piece of yarn and let them string cereal (like Cheerios or Fruit Loops) on the yarn to make an edible necklace. Tie in the back and let them eat the dry cereal.<br />O) Online Games for preschoolers. Five of Our favorites:<br />1) www.starfall.com - Great Alphabet Themed Games<br />2) www.bigideafun.com - Fun from VeggieTales<br />3) www.fisher-price.com (click on Fun & Family Time) – Educational Games<br />4) www.pbskids.org - Educational Games with your favorite PBS Characters<br />5) www.seussville.com - Fun games with Dr. Seuss Characters.<br />P) Puppets – Make puppets with paper sacks, old socks, or paper plates. Practice your show and perform for daddy when he returns from work.<br />Q) Quilt Forts – Use quilts, sheets, pillows, and cushions to create forts for playing, reading, hiding, and just new winter fun.<br />R) Read a Book – The Christian Children’s Book Review is a great source for information on the latest titles: ccbreview.blogspot.com<br />S) Sardines- This is “Hide and Seek” backwards. One person hides while everyone else seeks. As the seekers find the hidden person (one by one) they join them in their hiding spot until everyone is crammed (like sardines) into the same corner, behind the same chair, etc.<br />T) Tortilla Snowflakes - Ingredients: Flour Tortillas, Canola Oil or Spray Butter, Cinnamon and Sugar, Powdered Sugar, or Shredded Cheese (can do cheesy tortillas, or a sweet variety). How To: Set oven to 400 degrees. Warm tortillas for 15 seconds in the microwave. Fold the tortillas in half once and then in half again, so you create a pie wedge shape. Using clean scissors, cut triangles, circles, etc (as you would paper snowflakes). Unfold tortillas. Brush with oil or spray with butter. Sprinkle with Cinnamon and Sugar OR Shredded Cheese (Mozzarella is good to keep them white). OR, wait to sprinkle with Powdered sugar after baking. Bake until just warm and slightly crisp (about 4 minutes). Eat and enjoy.<br />U) Unbirthday Party – In Alice In Wonderland the Mad hatter sings of an “Unbirthday”… the 364 days a year that are NOT your birthday. Make an Unbirthday Banner, Cake, and decorations with Balloons and streamers. Unpin the tail on the donkey (make a donkey with MANY tails, the object is that the blindfolded person must find the correct tail – the one in the proper spot). Have backwards relay races. Eat dessert first. Wear PJs during the day and clothes to bed. Be creative!<br />V) Volcanoes – Create a playdough volcano around a paper cup. Put a bit of baking soda in the cup, then pour some vinegar into it. It makes a bit of a mess, but the children will love it.<br />W) Window Painting – Buy window paint by Crayola in the art supplies section at Target or Walmart. Use it to create your own window designs.<br />X) Xylophone – Play with toy xylophones and other musical instruments. To make a xylophone using glasses, go to pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/glassxylophone.html<br />Y) Yeast Pizza Dough – Make Homemade Pizza. Ingredients for Dough: 1 pkg yeast, 1 tsp sugar, 1 cup warm water, 2 TBL oil, 2 1/2 cups flour, 1 tsp salt. How To: Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water and add oil. Combine flour and salt. Pour yeast mixture over dry ingredients and mix. Let rest 5 minutes. Roll dough onto greased pizza pan. Add your favorite pizza toppings. Bake at 425 for 20-25 minutes.<br />Z) Zoo Animals – Name Zoo Animals (elephant, giraffe, hippo, alligator, etc) and have your child impersonate their movements and sounds.iluvcallalilieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15091375932893234372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156351731866269864.post-75394686972205504802008-12-16T18:30:00.000-08:002008-12-16T18:33:49.773-08:00Our Christmas TreeThe most important thing is that we, as moms, do not forget that Christmas is a CELEBRATION, not a time of stress and tension and mom chasing so many to do lists that she has forgotten to enjoy her kids.<br /><br />In our home, like most of yours, birthday parties have a theme. We’ve celebrated with Butterflies, Cinderella, Guess How Much I Love You, a luau, BBQs, and Peter Rabbit Garden Parties to name a few. The theme for the most special birthday of the year, Jesus’ Birthday Party, is a Tree Trimming Party.<br /><br />At my house, our Tree Trimming Party is a Birthday Party for Jesus where we serve cupcakes and Banana Splits, play Christmas music, decorate the tree, and give a gift to Jesus.<br />Most of us have trees in our homes laden with family ornaments from grandma and loved ones celebrating Baby’s 1st Christmas, Toothfairy ornaments for the first lost tooth, a Bicycle for the year Johnny learned to ride a bike, and other special family milestones. We have a small purple tree in our home for just that purpose. Because I have two girls, purple seemed appropriate. You’ll find Disney Princess ornaments, Gingerbread Men, Ice Cream Sundaes, and all sorts of ornaments from grandparents and aunts. This tree is very special to my girls because it celebrates them.<br /><br />Our large tree, however, has an altogether different theme. When I was 20 years old, I moved out on my own for the first time. I remember clearly that I was very excited to have my very own Christmas tree, and I wanted a special theme for that tree. I brainstormed and studied and spent months planning the ornaments for the tree, and that theme is what I want to share with you today.<br />Our large tree is decorated specifically for the Birthday Boy. Each ornament is specifically selected to celebrate the milestones in the life of Christ.<br /><br />This is a party, a birthday party for Jesus and our gift to Him is a tree celebrating His gift of eternal life.<br /><br />ORNAMENTS<br /><br />1) LIGHT / CANDLE: Jesus came as light of the world.<br /> Isaiah 9: 2, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”<br /> John 8:12, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”<br /><br />2) DOVE symbol of PEACE: Jesus is the Prince of Peace.<br />Isaiah 9: 6-7, “ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.”<br />Matthew 1: 18-22, “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel – which means, God with us.’ When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”<br /><br />3) VIRGIN MARY: A virgin will give birth to a child.<br /> Isaiah 7: 14, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”<br /><br />4) ANGEL: God's messengers were the first to announce the birth of the Christ child.<br />Luke 1: 26-38, “In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at His words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end." "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.”<br /><br />5) JOY: The Angel told Mary Jesus would be a Joy unto her and many would worship Him.<br /> Luke 1: 14, “He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of His birth.”<br /><br />6) SHEPHERD'S STAFF: We call it a candy cane. But the shepherd staff reminds us of the first visitors to worship the Christ Child. The red and white colors will be mentioned again in other passage.<br />Luke 2: 8-15, “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."<br /><br />7) STAR: God proclaimed His truth in creation by lighting up the heavens with a star that announced the birth of Christ the King.<br />Matthew 2:1-9, “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'" Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship Him." After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.”<br /><br />8) GIFTS: God sent His son and that's the greatest gift of all. Gifts also represent the significant gifts of the Magi. If they don't show our love for our family or friends, then they shouldn't be given.<br />Matthew 2:10-11, “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.”<br /><br />9) LAMB: Jesus was a Sacrificial Lamb<br />Isaiah 53: 7, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” Note – Isaiah 53 tells the entire story of the trial, crucifixion, burial and resurrection.<br />John 1: 29, “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!”<br /><br />10) CROSS: Reminding us of the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross to pay for our sins, but also our call to take up our cross and follow Him.<br /> Excerpted from Mark Chapters 15 & 16, “"What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked them. "Crucify him!" they shouted. "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. It was the third hour when they crucified him. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!"<br />In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself ! Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.<br />And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!" When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him." <br /><br />11) NAIL: Reminder of Christ’s Sacrifice and the miracle of the Resurrection.<br /> John 20: 24-29, “Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.’ A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to him, ‘My lord and my God!’ Then Jesus told him, ‘because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’”<br /><br />12) CHRISTMAS TREE: Symbolizes that our God is eternal and we have eternal life through His Son when we put our trust in Him. Just as the evergreen never changes color or loses it leaves, likewise the character of Jesus is always the same.<br />Hebrews 13: 8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”<br /><br />13) HEART: God LOVED us so much that He sacrificed His Son for us!<br />John 3:16-18, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.”<br /><br />14) BELLS: Bells ring to call people to worship.<br />Psalm 100, “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.”<br /><br />15) CROWN – We are children of the King of Kings.<br /> John 1:12, “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (The King of Kings)<br /><br />16) SNOWFLAKES: Reminding us that Jesus’ blood washes our sins white as snow.<br />Isaiah 1:18, "Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”<br /><br />So, what must we do in order that our sins are washed white as snow?<br />Scripture tells us that we are all sinners and separated from the kingdom of God unless we are born again.<br />Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”<br />John 3:3 states, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”<br />Acts 4:12 tells us, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved, other than the name of Jesus Christ.”<br />Because we are all sinners and that sin separates us from a relationship with the most Holy God, there had to be a consequence for that sin. The Lord sent His son, Jesus to pay that price.<br />2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us that, ‘God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”<br />I Peter 3:18 tells us, “Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”<br />And that was God’s gift to us.<br />“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23<br /> “For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8<br /><br />So, how do we accept that gift of eternal life?<br />The answer is found in Romans 10:9-10, “That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”<br />If you have questions, about what I have shared today, I would be happy to talk to you after the meeting, as would any of the Discussion Group Leaders or Mentor Moms.<br /><br />17) NATIVITY: Reminding us of the story of Christ’s Birth<br />Bible: Luke 2<br /><br />ADAPT….<br />There are several ways to adapt this tradition. One of my friends uses the symbols to create their family sugar cookies. Another idea is to take the information shared today and hide it in clues around your house on a scavenger hunt as many of these symbols will already be included in your Christmas decorations.<br />Or, if you’re looking for something even easier… I simplified the idea FOR YOU! I created a coloring page where children can color each of the ornaments on the tree and read the scripture that corresponds. We have one copy for each of you, and you can find the original printable at <a href="http://www.momstraditions.com/">www.momstraditions.com</a>.<br />Merry Christmas!iluvcallalilieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15091375932893234372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156351731866269864.post-72220359392781434322008-12-16T18:29:00.001-08:002008-12-16T18:30:23.730-08:00Try Something New<p>It was New Year’s 2001 and I decided to actually make a New Year’s Resolution. This was my first Resolution to undertake voluntarily (outside of a school assignment), but it was without a doubt the most fun and most memorable. My resolution? It was simply to do something new every week. Now that, in and of itself, is relatively vague, so yes there were guidelines. In a nutshell, new had to be legal, moral, and reasonably safe, and it had to “really be new.” (I “knew” what that meant in my own mind, but essentially it had to be more than reading a new book, the activity as a whole had to stretch me.)<br /></p><p>That was, without a doubt, one of the most fun and interesting years I remember and the habit of doing something new, while not necessarily weekly, has stuck with me. I’m always on the lookout for a small adventure. New things have included: Swing Dance lessons (didn’t learn much, but had fun), learning to make Ukranian Batik Easter Eggs, silversmithing (LOVED this), Hot Air Balloon flying lessons and flight, flying over the Plaza Christmas lights in a 3 passenger Cessna, rappelling, learning to make sushi, oil painting lessons, cooking lessons with Plaza restaurant chefs, tours of wineries or homes of Kansas City’s rich and famous, renting and riding a bicycle built for two through Hermann, attending every festival in KC from the Japan Fest (tremendous fun) to the Italian Festival (skip it) and much more.<br /></p><p>So, how do you find new things to do? My top three sources were: KC websites, books, and inexpensive community classes.<br /></p><p>Many people think Community Education means computer courses for the elderly or ballroom dancing for singles. While those classes do exist, Community Education has come to mean much more! The class offerings are varied from the practical, to the artistic, to the just plain fun. Classes make great personal enrichment, a fun Mom’s Night Out, or a great date with your husband!<br /></p><p>As you read this list, please note that it is just the tip of the iceberg. Local Community Centers and Public Schools also offer courses and programs. Many stores and shops, such as scrap booking stores, and mosaic and pottery shops offer classes as well.<br /></p><p>Art Classes:<br />KC Art Institute (www.kcai.edu): KCAI offers non-credit, inexpensive courses in painting, stained glass, drawing, photography, sculpture, etc.<br />Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (www.nelson-atkins.org): The Nelson offers classes for all ages ranging from hands-on art courses to tours and historical workshops and lectures.<br />Urban Arts and Crafts (www.urbanartsandcrafts.com): This unique Kansas City shop offers offbeat art materials and unique courses ranging from jewelry making to crochet.<br />The Paper Source (www.paper-source.com): This Plaza boutique features unique stationary and cards. They also offer courses in making your own paper crafts.<br /><br />Cake Decorating, Crafts, and More:<br />Hobby Lobby.com<br />Michaels.com<br />Joann.com<br />HancockFabrics.com<br />These local stores offer classes for all ages in topics including: cake decorating, painting, sewing, crochet, knitting, embroidery, and specialized techniques for their products.<br /><br />Culinary Courses:<br />Williams Sonoma (www.williams-sonoma.com): Call your local location for information. Their culinary courses offer cooking demonstrations, full meals, and take home recipes from top area chefs.<br />Culinary Center of Kansas City (www.kcculinary.com) Offering the widest range of gourmet and practical cooking courses in KC, classes are offered year round and most courses include a complete meal.<br /><br />Local Libraries offer classes… and they are often FREE:<br />Johnson County Library (www.jocolibrary.org)<br />Mid-Continent Public Library (www.mcpl.lib.mo.us)<br />Kansas City Library (www.kclibrary.org)<br /><br />Health Courses:<br />Kansas City Red Cross (www.kcredcross.org)<br />Lee’s Summit Hospital (www.leessummithospital.com)<br />Children’s Mercy (www.childrensmercy.org) <br />Carondelet Health (www.carondelethealth.org)<br />Overland Park Regional Health Center (www.oprmc.com)<br />Olathe Medical Center (www.ohsi.com)<br />Classes are practical ranging from Family CPR to Baby Sign Language and Parenting courses. Some hospitals also offer exercise courses, and even healthy eating or cooking.<br /><br />Local Colleges offer Community Education covering MANY topics:<br />Johnson County Community College (www.jccc.net)<br />Metropolitan Community Colleges (www.mcckc.edu)<br />UMKC’s Communiversity (www.umkc.edu/commu)<br />Search for “Community Education” or “Non-Credit” classes when you visit these sites. These courses are NON-CREDIT courses that are “just for fun.” You will find Photography, Jewelry Making, Investment Courses, Foreign Language, Dance, Cooking, Art Classes, Local Historical Tours and Courses, and more. The courses tend to be inexpensive and require no homework!</p>iluvcallalilieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15091375932893234372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156351731866269864.post-58405834060074359542008-12-16T18:26:00.000-08:002008-12-16T18:28:11.363-08:00Family Field-TripsAs you embark on local Adventures with your family, here are some helpful hints.<br /> You set the tone. If Mom is happy and excited, the family will have fun.<br /> You don’t have to do it ALL in one day. Leave the field trip while everyone is happy. When going on a local field trip, remember you can go back! It is much better with preschoolers to take several “short” trips rather than a long exhausting experience. Our family invested in Children’s Museum and zoo memberships so we can return often without feeling pressure to “get our money’s worth.” Many local venues are even free!<br /> Eat in advance and bring snacks. We love going to the Nelson-Atkins Art Gallery (a great free trip). We spend 30-60 min. in the gallery then we take a snack break on the lawn and go back for another 30-60 min.<br /> Relate to young interests. When we go to the art gallery, I don’t expect my toddler to appreciate the differences between Rembrandt and Bingham. We take her so she will begin to enjoy art. When Emily was just 2 years old, her fascination with everything princess was just beginning. She saw the Knight in Shining Armor and immediately squealed with glee at discovering “Prince Charming!”<br /> Scavenger Hunts. This works on field trips and errands. Ask children to find objects one at a time. At the art gallery, I glance at paintings and spot familiar objects (cats, hats, wagons, etc) and ask Emily to find them. For older children, create a list using words or pictures or go on an alphabetical hunt finding objects that start with A, then B, etc. It’s also fun to play, “I Spy.” Hunts are especially good at museums, markets, or other places that aren’t instantly entertaining for tots.<br /> Cameras are not just for Parents. Bring a disposable camera or inexpensive digital for children. Just be sure to observe rules. At many museums, for instance, you may not use a flash.<br /> Finish with a treat. My girls know Winstead’s is within walking distance of the Nelson-Atkins Art Gallery. Have a treat at home or on the way home and talk about the fun you had together.<br /> Be spontaneous. Keep a map and a few resources in the car (the free KC magazines or Visit KC publication are great). Refer to them often and be willing to go where the road takes you from time to time!iluvcallalilieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15091375932893234372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156351731866269864.post-86141839827978830572008-12-16T17:38:00.000-08:002008-12-16T17:56:18.967-08:00100 Things...I know most bloggers reserve this for their 100th post, but I'll be different and post it 1st.<br /><br />1. I love the Lord and I am thankful for my husband and beautiful girls.<br />2. I pray for my daughters… their futures, their faith, and my role as their mom… all day every day. The magnitude of this job overwhelms me.<br />3. Ron and I are the perfect blend of opposite and same.<br />4. I am thankful that I have a family of Christians and a support system there.<br />5. I would be the world’s worst Stay at Home Mom if I ACTUALLY stayed home! I get cabin fever QUICKLY and really love to be out and about. I don’t know how ladies with one vehicle families or in rural communities do it.<br />6. I wish I could sing.<br />7. I am scared of dogs.<br />8. Ron and I were married on March 8th.<br />9. I have started a lot of writing projects that are incomplete because they’re not up to my satisfaction.<br />10. My #. My bday is 10/10 and our home was on 10th street when I was born.<br />11. I can’t stand tomatoes (including ketchup and spaghetti… I can only tolerate them in chili if V-8 was used as base… no chunks, and in salsa if WELL disguised).<br />12. I am VERY MUCH a native to Kansas City. I only recently learned that this is unusual. I was born and raised here, my parents were, and 2 out of 4 grandparents were (the other 2 about 1 ½ hours away). My great-grandpa was involved in building Municipal Auditorium. And I adore my city… even with flaws.<br />13. I write poetry, but rarely share it.<br />14. Ron proposed at Liberty Memorial at night (same place my grandpa proposed to my grandma).<br />15. I love Classic Disney Animated Movies and enjoy watching them with Emily (Kayla doesn’t really watch yet).<br />16. On my daughter’s 16th Birthdays they will open time capsules we prepared for them as a family on their 1st birthdays.<br />17. Emily was born on the 17th of August.<br />18. Emily was named to honor my mentor Evelyn. Evelyn wrote a book, ‘Emily and the Santa Fe Trail” about a 12 year old girl and based the character off of my personality… so in a round about way she is named after me and honoring my mentor. Her MN (Ann) is the same as 3 of her 4 great-grandmothers.<br />19. Kayla was born on the 19th of September.<br />20. Kayla was given a K name on purpose because I have a K name, Grandma had a K name, Great-Grandpa had a K name. We loved it because it meant Pure and Beloved and was girly. Her MN (Esther) is because Ron was saved after hearing a sermon on Esther.<br />21. My least favorite chore is cleaning floors (sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming.)<br />22. I LOVE Frank Sinatra.<br />23. The only two foreign countries I’ve been to are Mexico and Belize… both briefly.<br />24. I wish I could dance and admire those who can.<br />25. My face is very expressive, but often misinterpretted because people think I’m reacting to one thing when I’m thinking about something else entirely.<br />26. Cherry Coke (classic Coca-Cola with Grenadine is best) is my FAVORITE, but I gave up caffeine when I learned I was pregnant with Emily. I’ve just finished nursing Kayla so I’ll allow myself up to one a day. People thought I was addicted, but I seriously didn’t have any COLD TURKEY and it was just fine.<br />27. I love calla lilies. Okay, everyone knows that if they know my screen name… but 100 is hard to list!<br />28. I LOVE to try new things… so much that when I find things I want to stick with (like ordering a menu item at a restaurant) I feel bad for not trying something new so I’ll HUNT down recipes so I can make my first favorite at home and justify my menu exploration.<br />29. I strongly dislike it when I feel like people are trying to "make me” like something or “force it on me.” I take time to get used to things and don’t like being forced or pushed. When pushed, I run and hide. People think I “don’t give things a chance” sometimes because they don’t know a) just HOW MANY life experiences I have had (I typically DO know and HAVE done things ppl think I have not done and now dislike) OR b) I know myself REALLY REALLY well and I know what I like and why I like it.<br />30. When I like something or someone… it’s FOREVER. When I don’t…. it takes a LOT to change my mind and with ‘things’… I pretty much never do change my mind (dogs, tomatoes, mushrooms… they’re OUT). The good thing about this is that I am very consistent. The bad thing is that I’m hard to persuade for those who care to persuade me.<br />31. I think Proverbs 31 is a HIGH standard and I’m trying…. By His Strength.<br />32. People tell me I look like Christina Ricci. Not sure if that’s a good thing.<br />33. I strongly believe that women should be educated and it is good for them (for a lot of reasons) to have marketable skills, even if ultimately they are Stay at Home Moms.<br />34. I never wear post earrings (I wear earrings that dangle or hoops) because when my ears were pierced (I was 5) the girl who did it did it lopsided. One lobe is substantially lower than the other and ppl notice this more if I wear posts… so I don’t wear posts, ever.<br />35. I can’t stand Lord of the Rings or Star Wars. I do not understand what all the fuss is about.<br />36. I think more clearly when I write on a yellow legal pad (all those years of debate) or type on MY computer (others won’t do).<br />37. I prefer cold over hot. Winter is MUCH better than summer. Fall is my favorite though.<br />38. I never thought I’d be a mini-van mom. Stop laughing Lex!<br />39. I’m tone deaf. At least, I think I’m tone deaf. My singing sounds fine… to me. LOL<br />40. The clothes in my closet are hung in color order. There is a reason for this. I hate trying to find things, so I need to know where they are. If the red shirt isn’t hanging with the reds, that means it is dirty. Period. No mystery. No hunt.<br />41. I battle insomnia…. All the time. My mind is constantly “on the go.”<br />42. My spices are alphabetized. See #40. No I’m not OCD. Why would you think that? LOL<br />43. I am sick and tired of voting AGAINST the light rail. Good grief… when does NO mean NO. How many times can they possibly put this on the ballot?<br />44. I read a lot of magazines (Family Fun, Wondertime, Real Simple, Cooking Light, Hallmark) and I really enjoy getting new magazines in the mail.<br />45. I feel guilty, but I can’t stand Veggie Tales. I really admire the ministry of Veggie Tales and I’m thankful for people who are willing to do that, but I just don’t like them. They’re so hyper and Boing-y… is that a word? I’ve tried to like them, I really have.<br />46. I’m not athletic… at all… and I regret it… but not enough to change it.<br />47. I wash my feet immediately before going to bed every night. Even if I just showered.<br />48. I am a Library Addict. I walk in and they grab my books. All of the librarians know my name and my children’s names. I go to “my library” 3-4 times a week AND two other libraries at least 3 times a month (LOVE the Downtown Library and Plaza Library, but can’t justify more than a once a month trip). I know my library card number. I do not know my husband’s SSN or my children’s SSNs without looking them up. Hmm.<br />49. I go to Kansas City’s sites and museums more than anyone I know. I get disappointed when there are several things I want to do/see and they happen at once and I must pick one. This happens a lot in December. My friends call me for advice when they have out of town visitors to show around. Everyone asks me where to go and when to go there. I should try to get a job with the Visitor’s Bureau! ;-)<br />50. I wish I had time to read more.<br />51. The thing I miss most as a mom… being able to do something from start to finish without interruptions (ANYTHING… be it a 1 minute or 1 hour task).<br />52. I am color-blind.<br />53. I’ve flown in and co-piloted a Hot Air Balloon.<br />54. I went all the way through Girl Scouts and they paid my 1st year of college.<br />55. Sometimes I am lazy and leave the dishes for the morning…and then I can’t sleep because I feel guilty for doing this.<br />56. My siblings think it is fun to taunt my OCD by randomly moving my things an inch or two to see if I notice. I do.<br />57. Science was my least favorite subject in school.<br />58. I carry a miniature Bible in my purse. I also carry a miniature Constitution in my purse. Both come in very handy. Often.<br />59. I went to public school for 4 years, then was homeschooled from 4th-12th grade. College thereafter.<br />60. I always get nauseaus just before public speaking, but I wouldn’t say I’m nervous (because I’m not in my mind…. Not worrying or anything)… it’s just the built up excitement. Once on stage, it’s like a major energy boost.<br />61. Ron is much better at fine point details (like drawing) than I am, but he won’t admit it.<br />62. I wish I could play piano as well as I once could.<br />63. I’m a CafeMom addict.<br />64. I LOVE to color and play with playdough with Emily.<br />65. I love Kayla’s laugh when we hold her feet and say Peee… Ewww. She laughs when you ACT like you’re going to tickle her. It is contagious.<br />66. I love to play dolls, My Little Pony, and other games/toys from my childhood with my girls… it’s nostalgic and really sweet.<br />67. Personalty-wise…I’m a blend of my four grandparents. My husband is like my two grandfathers swirled together… which is REALLY strange to say as they are OPPOSITES.<br />68. Love Spell from Victoria’s Secret is my scent. Pure by Eddie Bauer is Ron’s.<br />69. I want to be like Evelyn when I grow up.<br />70. When we eat at Jack Stack, I always save one onion ring “for dessert.”<br />71. I can’t stand white cake. I can’t stand frosting with Crisco in it. This is one reason we did not have cake at our wedding. Ron and I had cheesecake. Our guests were served build your own sundaes from Sheridan’s. It was really fun.<br />72. I've been known to be driving and suddenly realize that I’m listening to a kids’ CD and my children are asleep or not even with me.<br />73. My favorite Christmas Carol is “Joy to the World” because I have clear memories of my dad’s mom teaching me the words when I was about 4 years old and we went to a Christmas program at my great-grandma’s nursing home. My 2nd favorite is Silver Bells because it’s a city Christmas song and I’m a city girl.<br />74. The Cheesecake Factory Tower is “my tower” at the Plaza Chritmas Light display. The Williams-Sonoma Tower is my sisters tower and the Function Junction Stick… er I mean tower… is Ron’s. Doesn’t everyone claim their own tower?<br />75. I remember when the Royal’s were good. The parade celebrating their win of the ’85 World Series is a fond childhood memory. I still have my helmet signed by Frank White. Most of my friends don’t know who Frank White is.<br />76. My favorite TV Show is Monk.<br />77. Ron juggled Jell-O on our first date. He tells everyone THAT is why I married him. Yeah, that was it. LOL<br />78. When people are TOO excited to see me, it makes me very nervous and leery.<br />79. I love our Pediatrician. She is SOOO good with my girls. I am thankful to have a good doctor.<br />80. I don't like microwaves and ONLY use ours for popcorn (sometimes we do that stovetop). I would much prefer to get rid of the microwave and have another cabinet.<br />81. I enjoy cooking more than I enjoy eating.<br />82. I love creative projects (writing, planning events, speaking, holiday and birthday planning, etc) and working on these things energizes me.<br />83. I do not like to get my hands dirty. This is one reason I rarely wear foundation (though I should)… I don’t like to touch it. I don’t like to dig in dirt. I don’t like things between my nails. I wear rubber gloves sometimes when I cook.<br />84. I LOVE seafood. Crab Legs are my favorite food. The Crab and Brie stuffed Salmon at McCormick & Schmick’s is awesome. The Cashew Crusted Tilapia with Jamaican Rum Butter Sauce at M&S is amazing too (I now have the recipe and make it myself). If seafood is well prepared it rocks. If not…. Ewww! I can’t decide if my best seafood experiences were in San Diego or San Francisco.<br />85. My right leg is an inch and a half longer than the left.<br />86. I have never seen E.T. It is one of the big movies of my generation, but I was not allowed to see it as a child. Now as an adult I have tried (just to know what the big deal was)… and every time, something strange happens. I borrowed it from the library and the DVD was broken. I’ve tried to watch it on TV and it gets interrupted with a Presidential Press Conference or a Power Outage or someone rings our doorbell. Literally, every time I attempt to watch E.T., I fail. I know he says Phone Home. Drew Barrymore was in it. Yeah, that’s about all I have for the E.T. Trivial Pursuit questions. LOL. I guess I’m not meant to see it. Honestly, based on my movie taste… I don’t think I’d like it.<br />87. It makes me feel old when my High School students tell me they love classic movies like Back to the Future or Karate Kid. Yeah, I was there when they were FIRST RUN in the theater and I am NOT old enough to be “classic.”<br />88. I have a collection of books by and about John and Abigail Adams and have read and written in most of them many times.<br />89. I keep a journal for both of my girls.<br />90. Planning birthday parties for my kids is one of my favorite things to do.<br />91. I took three semesters of Spanish in college and I got straight As in it. Now, I do not remember ANYTHING from it. Sad, huh? I do remember that I adored my teacher. She was so sweet.<br />92. I have a gigantic collection of board games and genuinely enjoy them. The only style of board game I know I dislike is trivia games… they bore me because you either know it or you don’t.<br />93. I LOVE the smell of coffee, but I cannot stand the taste.<br />94. The best movie I’ve seen in theaters since motherhood is Enchanted. I loved it. But, that tells you a lot about what movies I’ve seen since motherhood.<br />95. Ron and I love Japanese Steakhouses on date night. That’s one dish we can’t quite replicate at home. We try a lot of things together and enjoy “new things,” but this and M&S are our favorite repeats.<br />96. I don’t like swimming. I’m not good at it and I don’t like water in my face. I will, however, play with my kids in the water and enjoy that.<br />97. I really don’t like the traditional Thanksgiving menu. I eat turkey, rolls, mashed potatoes with butter and appetizers. I always go home HUNGRY on Thanksgiving. I can’t stand stuffing, gravy, sweet potatoes, casseroles, creamed corn or squash. I would be perfectly content to never have a traditional Thanksgiving meal again. I didn’t have one this year (coincidence with sick kids). Boy, do I sound un-American or what?<br />98. I don’t give my cell phone # out. I do not use it as a regular phone (that’s what home #s are for) and I disagree with most people’s version of cell phone etiquette. For instance, I think it is 100% wrong to call back someone you DO NOT KNOW when they don’t leave a message just because their number appeared on your caller ID. If I called your number and didn’t leave a message and I don’t know you and you don’t me… it was an accident. Don’t call me back!<br />99. I still have my favorite toys from childhood and can’t wait to share them with my girls in a few years.<br />100. I love variety in structure. Spend a week with me and you’ll know what, exactly, that means.iluvcallalilieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15091375932893234372noreply@blogger.com0