The Polar Express Party

Well, one of the boy's favorite things to do this time of year is our Polar Express party.  We usually do this around Dec 1.  We will wear our pj's and watch the Polar Express. I print out tickets and they have to give me their tickets to come to the party, purchase hot chocolate, or a train cookie. We do the "Santa thing" so this is when they write their letters to Santa.  You can get some great crafts on line and coloring sheets for them to do.  This year we will attempt to make a silver bell out of a cup with foil, etc.  Just thought I would pass this idea along so some of you can do this as well.  I love getting new ideas so share your traditions with me!!

Will the Wrestler?

Our five year old has been attending wrestling practice for a few weeks now. He loves to put his wrestling attire on.  At this point we are not entering any tournaments. He is just learning some basic skills.  Hopefully, he will not use too many on his brothers!!  God, please show us his niche

Yes Hubby

Today was one of those "hard marriage days".  We all have them, don't we?  I am mostly to blame for today.  The Lord prompted me to reread one of my favorite books "A Woman After God's Own Heart".   There were several questions posed which I now need to ponder.....Am I responding to his nature with love and understanding?  Am I helping him or hindering him?  Am I showing respect even when I don't feel like it?  Am I interrupting him often or am I truly listening to him?  Am I "bending" or "bucking".  You get my point.  So pray for me to be the Godly wife that I desire to be!!

Our Tree of Thanks

This is one more tradition that we do each year in November.  It is called our Tree of Thanks.  I usually cut a tree branch off of a tree and place it in a pot with soil.  I trace a leaf on pieces of construction paper and cut them out.  I just put the leaves by the tree and our boys write things they are thankful for whenever they want to.  Well, I put the tree up today and it is already full of leaves.  Some of the things they have written so far are "my brothers", "the police", "doctors".  It is amusing to see what they come up with.  It is also just a great visual reminder about having thankful hearts!!

Fall Crafts

One of my boy's favorite fall crafts is to make a turkey with beans, sunflower seeds, etc.  I just trace a turkey onto a piece of cardboard and give them tons of beans. It is so neat to see what they come up with on their own.  We use a glue gun for ours but some other type of glue might work!!

The other picture  is of our Thanksgiving banner.  My mother in law and I made this a couple of years ago.  It really is very simple.  I got the idea out of Pottery Barn.  I just traced letters out of felt and had her sew them on each block.  You could do this for any holiday really.  Happy Fall to you all!!

Happy Halloween

We had a great day.  The kids were so excited.  Margo and Mike came over with their four boys.  It was  a lot of fun.  My sister was also in town so that was nice.  The weather was so perfect.  Our three year old was Indiana Jones, "W" was a ninja, "J" was batman, and the baby was a lion.  Here are a few pics.

Books I Love

I love to read books.  Most of my sweet little friends know this about me!!  I love to read books on marriage and parenting and just the Christian life in general.   Well, some of the ones that I love to keep around to share are Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow.  It is about anxiety and contentment.  Very good.  Actually all of her books are wonderful (Creative Counterpart, Intimate Issues).   Another one that I have read several times is called Words that Hurt Words that Heal.  It is a quick read that goes into detail about gossip and slander.  Good stuff.  I have enjoyed Twelve Extraordinary Women. It is fun to read and learn about Biblical characters.  One Bible study that has meant a lot to me is called Be Transformed.   Well, if you have any books that you love, let me know!!