Recycle Wednesday

It is 110 degrees out side and I don't like letting them watch TV all day. So I had a ton of empty boxes that I had been saving for who knows what. I decided they would make great blocks. So with some duct tape I taped them shut and the boys went to town. They built and knocked down and made all sorts of things.
I tried letting them try to cut and tape them into other things but they needed my help and the frustration level was much higher when it fell apart. So I just stuck with blocks this time.
I got some of the boxes from shipments to my home and from Costco but the rest I got from freecycle, an online give and take site of free stuff.

Community service for young children

This summer, along with fun camps, trips to visit family, and a lot of swimming, I decided I was going to try and teach the boys how to take care of their community.
My boys are young (6 and under) and after searching the internet I was having a hard time thinking of or even finding different things that they could do.  At this age I felt like the projects needed to be tangible so that they understood and could see how their work was affecting people around them.
So I am going to be making a list as things come up of the things we have tried and liked. If you read this and think of any other ideas for young children please leave me a comment.

*We took a bucket and those little claw arms to the park and picked up trash.  Then we played. (There is a great deal of community and ownership that can be learned at the park. More to come soon I hope.)

*We went around our neighborhood and collected a can or two or more from the neighbors to donate to our local food pantry.  I told my oldest it was his job to tell our neighbors why we were there.  He was so proud of how much food he collected.

Things we are going to try next.

-Making cookies and or baked goods to take to our neighbors and the postal carrier just to brighten their day.  Things and people that work or live around our community.

The best gift to give a child

On the way to championships for track this past year we had a very interesting bus driver.  He had a doctorate in psychology and so many interesting stories, yet as a retiree he chose to drive the bus for the athletic teams at the college where I coach.  He shared with any one who would listen.  This one was my favorite.  He asked "do you know what the best gift you could give your child is?" to which I answered "no, please tell me!"  and he did.  His answer..."delayed gratification." He explained. "Like waiting and caring for the plant that bares the child's favorite fruit. So much has been lost in this time of instant gratification.  Children are growing up and getting into trouble because they were never taught to be patient and work for gratification, making what you get so much sweeter."  

So we tried it.  My boys are easy they love most any kind of fruit.  But the easiest to grow and care for with children (and for where we live) were grapes and strawberries.  They loved it!!  We watered and we waited.  We took out weeds and we waited.  And we watched them grow bigger and change color and we waited.  We tasted a few that were still green so they could understand that the end of their wait was getting close. Then they were ready!!  The strawberries were first.  We only got a few but they were so excited and now I know for sure the whole process did make the fruit taste even sweeter (and not to pat myself on the back too much but I am pretty proud of my mini farming skills. lol)

Old and new

I spent today playing with my record player and my new instagram app. I like to make my photos look old. I like old things. I used to think I was born in the wrong era. But today I realized I was born at the perfect time. I have access to all of the cool old technology from so many eras. Also realizing that if I had been born during another time in history I probably would not have appreciated the novelties quite as much as I do now.

Yay USA

 I made my favorite for the 4th. Caramel Corn!! Since we ate it so fast I only have the picture of the bowl. But here is the awesome and easy recipe.

Caramel Corn
1. Put about 10 cups of plain popcorn in to a large paper grocery bag and set aside.
2. In 1 microwave safe bowl put the following
1 cube butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup Karo syrup
1/2 tsp salt
Cook in microwave until mixed (about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes). Then microwave for 3 full minutes without stopping.
3. Take out of microwave.
Mix in 1/2 tsp backing soda
(Should look foamy)
4. Dump caramel into popcorn and shake.
Microwave bag of popcorn mixture for 3 minutes. Pull bag out and shake every 30 seconds.
5. Pour onto table and spread to let cool.

Poems for the boys

4 Boys
Sleep boy 1 and 2. Sleep boy 3. 
And little boy 4 what about you?
You are all little monsters especially late at night.
Sleep little boys and don't sleep light.
Dream BIG dreams as many as the stars.
Dream of dragons, and pirates, and cars.
Dream of rocket ships that soar to the moon.
But sleep you must for the morning light will come to soon.



Little Mr.
Dear little mister
What will you be?
Be....
Brave like a lion.
Strong like a bear.
Smart like an elephant.
Fast like a hare.
Stand firm and tall.
Never forget God is there through it all.

Special
God made you special more special than you know. He gave you to me to cuddle And to hold. To take care of until You grow old. But you will always belong to him from the beginning to the end. 

Loves

Oh my loves. Each one of you is special. Each one different even though you all kinda look the same. You all will make me smile, cry, and sometimes scream. I can't believe how amazing you all make me feel each in a special way. God has truly blessed me. Far more than I could have ever say. Oh my boys.