Capes

I made capes earlier this week for my three next door neighbor boys. Havin' Fun Yet? was my inspiration.  I didn't remember that she had used the same fabric until I got home to look at what tutorial she used and found out we had bought the same flames!  I guess it was because I had spent so much time with Mr. Intensity that when I saw the fabric I thought of how fast he would think he was running around as Dash Incredible ;)  

Anyway, this reversible super hero cape free tutorial is the BOMB!  I love what she made for her son and daughter.  It was so easy to make!

Isn't my model on fire?

My First Apron

I made my first kiddo apron tonight.  These are addicting!  I used Hannah's apron that her aunt made her for Christmas as my pattern (click here and here for examples).  Sorry, I don't have a link to pass along for you to make one, too.  Hannah's Aunt, if you have a pattern please post the link in the comments for us please!

I plan to make aprons for the kids at our church for their spring musical (or at least this one is the audition apron asking if I can volunteer to do this for them).

I added some velcro around the neck so that a child can take it one an off themselves (except they won't be able to tie it around the back...  I'll have to do that next).  Montessori By Hand was the inspiration behind the velcro.  Click the link for her free tutorial.

Ta Da!

Craving German

The day has come.  We actually crave German food (for those of you that don't know, we lived in Germany for three years).  I made this last night and it was delicious.  Brats (Whole foods deli has some GREAT fresh ones), cabbage, apples, and mustard.  You can't get any more German that that. :)  Plus, it was quick and simple which is always a bonus.

Another Reason Apple and the iPhone are SO COOL

If you have an iPhone, you can download an application that makes it a baby monitor.  Yes, how cool!  Simply put your iphone in the same room as your baby and when it detects noise it will call you on your pre-programmed number that you have set up on your phone. Sweet lovin'. (Useful Mommy was where I found this tid'bit.)  

Washing & Preparing A Snack

Practical Life-Care of Environment: 

We began snack time by washing a couple of dishes 

to get our counter ready to do some cutting work.  

I bought this chopper at www.forsmallhands.com for $3.95.  It's great for toddler gripping and chopping.  OXO products would be great for little hands too (although you would need to find small sized versions of kitchen tools) because they were designed for disabled persons to be able to use them which is why their handles are bigger and their design is simple.

We prepared a snack of bananas...

Carrots...

Cut avocados...

Added some lime juice...

And mashed them in a bowl to make guacamole!

Yummy mid-day snack!

It's really fun for toddlers to be able to help in the meal preparation process (plus, they get to eat what they make) and to teach them how to have control over various kitchen utensils.

Need some lesson plans for this work?

AMI Primary Guide-Preparing A Snack

SCJL Album--Snack

SCJL Album-Snack Time Set-Up

SCJL-Carrot Cutting

SCJL-Food Prep Suggesstions

Finished Dining Room

My dining room was my weekend project.  When Havin' Fun Yet? was at my house, we sewed curtains to match my DR chairs and later I made a table runner out of the same fabric.  All three projects were bought with $12 of fabric.  Next, I painted my curio cabinet black, switched out the chandelier for $40 with a gift certificate, and swapped curtains that I had upstairs that were longer (why I didn't use them earlier I don't know).  Lastly, I painted the room green this weekend and filled in the ceiling trim with white.  It's been fun to see the transformation and to do it all for under $40 out of our pocket!

Before...

Middle... curtains & chandelier hung...

I hung the curtains higher up on the wall to create a visual effect of the window being bigger.  Curtains are not hung in a house to close off a window but to decorate it!  Hang curtains wider than the window and higher and leave room to look outside and let in some light!  Want to see some GREAT window mistreatments?  Click on the Nester and scroll down the page for great ideas.

After...

It's A Little Brighter In Our House Now

It's a love-hate relationship... with decorating that is.  I just can't seem to stop.  It's in my blood. My mother is fabulous at it.  I try to be (although I can't make decisions without her ;) and I try to do it as inexpensively as possible.  Michael asks me sometimes what I am thinking about and I instantly say, "decorating".  I know, I know.

I got a gift certificate to my new favorite store for Christmas and found this gorgeous chandelier there for, not $299 like the one that I love to look at when the catalogue comes out, but for $40!  I didn't think I was going to be able to afford a new chandelier and resolved to spray paint this old one, but now I don't have to--yea!

Gone with the ugly...

In the with gorgeous...

Thank you, honey, for being my awesome man and hanging this up for me the first full day you were home!  He sure does know how to love me!

Transferring with Chopsticks

Using chopsticks to transfer objects is a novelty!  Not only that, it takes a lot of concentration, hand-eye coordination,  a skill for following order, and hand strength for squeezing.  Doing all of those things together is definitely a learned skill and one that prepares the hand for writing in the future.

Funnel Water Pouring

Wrist turning exercises and pouring with a funnel.

Hannah loves water exercises and will repeat them over and over again...

Presidential Inaguration

If you don't have a TV or aren't near one but you do have a computer with internet access, you can watch the Presidential Inauguration live at www.hulu.com.

Frog Sorting/Classification

Montessori For Everyone states in her post, The Optimization of Classification, that: 

In Montessori, we pay particular attention to the skill of classification. At its simplest, classifying means organizing objects by their similar or dissimilar characteristics. The process of classifying helps children obtain information about the world around them, as well as developing their thinking and reasoning abilities.
Being able to manipulate objects is essential to internalizing the concepts of classification. That’s just one reason that Montessori materials are so perfect for strengthening skills like abstract and logical reasoning.

I encourage you to read the rest of her article on classification (it's not long) and to see a timeline for classifying for children, toddler-age 12.

Hannah is just now at the age where she is starting to discriminate objects on a more detailed level.  There are an endless amount of sorting  (classifying) activities that you can do from color sorting, to shape sorting, to well, whatever you want!

Below are a basket of 20 frogs--5 sets of five matching frogs that Hannah has to draw out of the pile and put them in the correct basket.  I placed a starter frog in each basket so she would know how to match them in accordance with the pile of frogs.  

**Note:  Demonstration(s) with these activities are key.  Depending on your child's attention span, a "two time" demonstration has been suggested to me.  Sometimes I do this and sometimes I don't.  The first demonstration is a silent demonstration.  Just have the child watch you and see with their eyes what you are doing (be sure to complete the activity so they model you fully).  Next, during the second demonstration, add words.  For children in the 3-6 age range, only necessary vocabulary should be used that you will always use when talking about that particular subject/activity.  For children under that age, follow your child first, and then I suggest speaking your thought process out loud so they can begin to see/hear how you are processing the instructions they are to model.  If they still don't get it, either the activity is too hard and should be put away for a later time, or guide their hands after asking if you can help.  Then determine if the activity is a match for their skill level.  However, I suggest guiding their hands only after the first two demonstrations have been done so that they can try to figure it out themselves (this can be really hard to do!)

Jan 18-National Sanctity of Human Life Day & FOCA

Did you know that Sunday was 

National Sanctity of Human Life Day?

Our country is facing real challenges when it comes to honoring and valuing human life.  We need to be informed on legislation that is being proposed and passed and be willing to pray and speak up to defend those who are are not able to defend themselves.  There is much to be said concerning both infants and the elderly but I am only going to cover one population tonight.

Did you know that the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) might be signed into law soon? (Obama, speaking to the Planned Parenthood Action Fund stated, "The first thing I'd do, as president, is sign the Freedom of Choice Act.  That's the first thing I'd do.")  In case you don't know what FOCA is, LifeNews.com states:

FOCA is usually reported as “codifying Roe v. Wade,” but it is much more. Since the Webster and Casey decisions in 1989 and 1992, the Supreme Court has allowed states to limit abortion somewhat by such things as requiring parental involvement and informed consent, prohibiting government funding of most abortion, and more recently outlawing most partial birth abortions.

But FOCA tolerates none of this. Advocates and opponents of FOCA all agree that the bill would nullify every legal limit on abortion, state, federal or otherwise. Americans United for Life, as well as the Family Research Council, explain this fact in great detail. Abortion advocates who want FOCA concur: NOW, NARAL, Planned Parenthood, and FOCA sponsor Senator Barbara Boxer all contend that FOCA will strike down all state pro-life laws.

The shockwaves that FOCA would cause are immense and wide-ranging, but recent research shows one effect in particular. Certain state laws that are doomed under FOCA actually prevent a statistically significant number of abortions. These laws include parental involvement requirements, informed consent laws, and restrictions on government funding of abortions.

Specifically, if FOCA is passed it will increase abortions by 125,000 more per year in the United States. Since 2004, Dr. Michael New has published studies with the Heritage Foundation showing that a large reduction in abortions can be attributed to these three kinds of laws.

And, furthermore, The Family Research Council states that the legislation would:

automatically overturn[16] :

• State abortion reporting requirements in all 50 states
  
• Forty-four states' laws concerning parental involvement
  
• Forty states' laws on restricting later-term abortions
  
• Forty-six states' conscience protection laws for individual health care providers
  
• Twenty-seven states' conscience protection laws for institutions
  
• Thirty-eight states' bans on partial-birth abortion
  
• Thirty-three states' laws on requiring counseling before an abortion
  
• Twenty-eight states' laws requiring a waiting period before an abortion, and
  
• Sixteen states' laws concerning ultrasounds before an abortion
  

The passage of FOCA would not only force the issue of taxpayer funded abortions on both the federal and state governments, but would also overturn the wishes of all 50 state legislatures and millions of people in the states. Many of these laws are hugely popular. For example, Florida's 1994 amendment requiring parental notification was approved in a referendum with 65 percent of the vote. In an October 2007 Harris poll, 38 percent of the respondents wanted no change in current abortion laws, while 42 percent wanted to see laws that made it tougher for a woman to get an abortion. Only 16 percent of respondents wanted the government to make it easier for a woman to get an abortion.[17]

In case you did not catch the statement above that FOCA would "nullify every legal limit on abortion" let me draw it to your attention because this includes partial birth abortion.  Do you not know what this is?  Let me inform you.  (Taken from AbortionFacts.com)  This is very real.

Are there 3rd trimester abortions?

A more recently developed method here is the partial birth abortion, also called "brain suction" or "D&X" methods.

- These are done after 4 or 5 months.

- 80% of babies are normal.

- Most babies are viable.

"Perhaps it’s her only choice". 

"There are no medical circumstances in which a partial-birth abortion is the only safe alternative. We take care of pregnant women who are very sick, and babies who are very sick, and we never perform partial-birth abortions. . . . There are plenty of alternatives. . . . This is clearly a procedure no obstetrician needs to do." F. Boehm, Dr. OB, Vanderbilt U. Med. The Washington Times, May 6, 1966, p. A1

This is like a breech delivery. The entire infant is delivered except the head. A scissors is jammed into the base of the skull. A tube is inserted into the skull, and the brain is sucked out. The now-dead infant is pulled out. The drawings illustrate this.

This is a heinous procedure that should never be done (or any of them).  Psalm 127:3 says that, "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward".  And, from the moment of conception, that's what those two cells, blastocysts, zygotes, and embryos are--children.  They have no way of being protected except through us and the laws that we allow or don't allow to pass through this country.  We need to be informed when we vote our politicians into office, active citizens when petitioning and speaking out, and prayerful to the God who hears, cares, and moves hearts.  

Pray for our new President and that he would not sign this legislation into law and would instead use his office to protect and defend human life.

FYI-Product Recall

Just wanted to let you all know that Kellog's has recalled some more products that have peanut butter in them.  Here are just a few:

What began as an investigation of bulk peanut butter shipped to nursing homes and institutional cafeterias has broadened with the Kellogg Co. (K) recalling 16 products and federal officials confirming salmonella contamination at a Georgia facility that ships peanut products to 85 food companies.  Kellogg had asked stores earlier this week to pull some of its venerable Keebler crackers from shelves as a precaution. But in a statement late Friday the Battle Creek, Mich., company announced it was voluntarily recalling the crackers and other products in light of the problems in Georgia.  The nationwide salmonella outbreak has sickened hundreds of people in 43 states and killed at least six.... The recall includes Austin and Keebler branded Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, as well as some snack-size packs of Famous Amos Peanut Butter Cookies and Keebler Soft Batch Homestyle Peanut Butter Cookies.

Read the rest of the article to find out all the products that this entails.  Don't know if this includes any of you but I thought you might like to know.

Another FYI, while at my local whole foods store last week I saw a section of nuts (peanut to cashews) that were inside of a grinder that grinds any kind of nut butter you want right then and there leaving you with only a pure nut butter that I am sure is delicious.  I only wish Hannah could have peanut butter!  Please try some for me!

Early V-Day

We were getting started on Valentine's festivities early, but not necessarily on sharing the love.  She did not want me to take a picture of her as evidenced by her expression below :)

Twinkies

They are finished!  Hannah and I now officially have matching bags!  In my last post, I wrote about how my sister-in-love taught me how to sew.  I wanted a new Bible bag for the new ESV Study Bible I won and so we found this fabric on sale with the intent to make two bags out of it.  I would have liked for Hannah's to have been a tad bit bigger (enough for her wipes case) but I ran out of fabric.  I can put some wipes in a plastic bag, roll up her diaper, and stick her epi-pen inside and she can carry her own supplies to church.  I think we even have a miniature Bible she can put inside just to be like mommy.  Oh how fun it is to have my own real life doll baby to stroll around town!

In-Love's Visit

Last week my in-love's came down for a visit:  

Grandma, Havin' Fun Yet? and Mr. Intensity himself ;)

It was great to have the company since Hannah and I had been going solo for a few days...

Between Hannah following Mr. Intensity around (and driving him mad after a bit) and Hannah saying, "no Hannah's" we managed to have some fun moments (smile) like the ones below.

Mostly, for me, one of the most fun parts was learning how to sew!  I have ALWAYS wanted to know how to sew, do "sew" many fun projects, and fulfill a dream (one that has been sitting brand new in my closet since last year).  Thankfully, my sister-in-love is one of many talents and so patiently taught me how.  We made a purse and some curtains (which have yet to be hung).  I forgot to take a close up of the purse you see below but will do so when I finish Hannah's which will be made to match.

Today, I did my first sewing project on my own.  I recovered some couch pillows!  I had no tutorial, book, or idea what I was doing at first, but managed to figure it out!

I think they turned out well...

Before...

After...

1 Cor. 7:5 Challenge

In my last post, I briefly mentioned taking the 1 Corinthians 7:5 Challenge. Wives, your husbands will love you for it and I am sure they will be in full support of helping you achieve your New Year's Resolutions ;)  If the 1 Cor. 7:5 Challenge seems more like a challenge than anything, might I suggest some further reading in the area?

John Piper--How Should A Husband And Wife Manage Having Opposing Sex Drives?

Sheila Wray Gregoire--Honey I Don't Have A Headache Tonight

Tim & Beverly LaHaye--The Act of Marriage

Ed & Gaye Wheat--Intended For Pleasure

Love Lasts a Lifetime--Just Say Yes

Read and Listen to Rekindling The Romance by the Rainey's

2009 Commitments to Grow in Grace

I've been thinking about New Year's Resolutions since January 1st.  I didn't even stop long enough to think about it before then.  I've been going over about 50 questions (Don Whitney/Simple Mom) the past few days trying to examine where I've been and where I should be going.  After praying, I think I have some direction for how I want to focus my time in 2009.  

I will stop and say that I usually hate to think about new year's resolutions because the only word that comes immediately to my mind is failure.  If I don't do something I've resolved to do once, then I feel that all is lost and give up (I am a perfectionist at heart).  In the past, the only resolution I continue on a yearly basis is to floss my teeth!  Easy enough (although I still don't do it every night).  Instead, the past two years I have decided to think about ways I can grow in grace.  If I could already do everything perfectly then I would not need resolutions in the first place.  The fact that I need them already suggests that I don't do what is always good and through God's grace (apart from Him I can do nothing- John 15:5) He can transform my life as I submit myself to Him and to allow Him to do so.

So, I have four areas where I'd like to grow.  I'll share most (but not all) since some are to be kept between me and the Lord or shared only with Michael.

Personal:

*Join (again) the 6 AM club.  (I am so THANKFUL God is not asking me to be a member of the 5 AM club right now ;)  Read Shopping For Time or check out Girl Talk for more info.

*Read my new ESV Bible (I won it!) study notes and all by the end of January 2010.  Article Reading Plan and various other 1 year plans for Scripture itself.

*Be intentional with 5-6 women in the Atlanta area and build relationships with them.

* Combat selfishness in four specific areas of my life.

* Read 10 books fully (I usually read 10 at a time and use them more as reference than read from cover to cover).  I haven't picked all 10 yet but will list them when I decide.

Hannah:

*Write in her journal.  I've started a journal where I write little things that I think are special throughout the day or funny things that she does.  I've already forgotten so much and I don't want to forget any of it!  I want her to be able to read about our time together when she is older and know that I treasure spending so much of my time with her.

*Prepare and present 1 Bible study (such as Polished Cornerstones or For Instruction In Righteousness--among many others) with her each week that we talk about throughout the week.

*TALK to her about and read more Scripture to her.

*Join more play groups even while not having a second car.

*Encourage her strengths: compassion and nurturing with role-play, exploring with outside trips and play groups, and independent play with interesting Montessori activities.

*Continue to persevere with her weaknesses: whining-read Plowman and gain some new ideas, telling me no with discipline even when I am tired, and not going to bed with continuing to be firm.

Hub's:

*Study him and think of ways I can specifically care for him.

*Have some more dates!

*Attend A Weekend To Remember Conference

*Encourage him in growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord

*Take the 1 Cor. 7:5 Challenge

Work:

*Eat more nourishing and farm/local foods

*Do that all while keeping our food budget the same or even cutting it

*Make all of our own breads and tortillas

*Soak our grains, nuts, and seeds

*Try a veggie and herb garden this summer

*Weed out what we eat as convenience foods and find substitutions to make my own instead.  Switch to organic meat and dairy.  Be aware of what I buy and feed to myself and my family!

*PLAN everything-days, year, what we eat, etc.-and simplify everything (be organized, my forte!)

*Have a schedule and stick to it...a.k.a. be disciplined!

*Simplify my emails

Presenting Tips For Toddlers

Here's a quick article for how to present Montessori Activities to toddlers. Sometimes Hannah is patient, other times she is not interested and we try again later.

Also, here is some inexpensive (for Montessori) curriculum for Infants/Toddlers.  I haven't purchased it myself, but I have a lot of respect for the blog that recommended it:  Montessori For Everyone.