Growing up we used to read Keys for Kids. They are still around today...a new cover, but still great content. A number of years ago I ordered a years supply (they were either free or at least a very minimal cost) and we had started reading them, but Josiah was a little too young and Alayna was a baby and so it was a bit tricky. Now that Josiah is quite a bit older and so is Alayna...we decided to do devotions together as a family when we sit down to eat at supper and we will still do Family Time, but maybe not weekly...at least not right now. Last night we did this and it went great! The kids loved the story, the application was easy for them to understand and it created a great (and long) conversation at the dinner table. Our meal was not gourmet by any means, but the conversation was meaningful.
Grandpa Holder showed the kids this trick a few weeks ago and they still enjoy showing their skills! Seth joined in the fun and I love watching him try to remember how to do it.Enjoy!
This morning while I was changing a rather nasty diaper Alayna walked over and said, "Ew mom, that's gross!" To which I replied, "Yes it is, just think, someday you'll be changing your own kids' diapers"....pause....Alayna thinking....."Yep, but I don't have to do it today!"
I'll have to remember that line when she's the mom and reminds me of when I used to have to change all the diapers and I'll say, "Yep, but I don't have to do it today!" :)
I caught them willing to hold still just for a moment while I snapped a picture
peeing on the potty in the hotel...I'm still holding out hope that he will train himself (a mom can dream, right?!)
Seth hopped in bed with the other 2 after finding some crackers...he figured they wanted to cuddle with him. :)
Last Thursday and Friday were considered Spring Break for Dan and Josiah. The week before I had gotten a coupon in the mail for Thumperpond. It was a great deal -- it's winter and the golf course isn't available, so they create better deals in the winter to get people there...we aren't golfers so it works great for us! Anyway, we've been wanting to take the kids at some point, but it just hasn't worked out well until this year.
Now, to get the most 'bang for our buck' we decided to stay just one night, but with the one night stay we could use the wrist bands for both Fri. and Sat. Perfect! Friday we got their in time to check in, get settled and get swim suits on and then the water park opened. Wow...it was perfect for our family! Big slide for Josiah, littler ones for Alayna and Seth, a splash park area, swimming pool, hot tub, and the family favorite...the lazy river. We had a TON of fun!!
On Friday we played for about 2 hours before taking a supper break and heading to Zorbaz (I've heard a lot about this restaurant, but I've never been there) we had some great food and then went back to the hotel and the kids were ready for another round at the water park. After another hour of playing, the water park closed for the night and the Holder family was ready for a good nights sleep! It didn't take long to hear the 'sleep breathing' from the 3 kiddos.
Sat. we had breakfast and then enjoyed the water park for a few more hours before check out and then we decided it was a great time to end our 'day'cation b/c we were all pooped and it's always good to end when everyone is still having fun. :) We were at the hotel for less then 24 hours, but we had a GREAT time while we were there!!
Well, we have finished our Dinosaur (creation) series and so now we're trying to figure out what to do next. It's not as though there is a shortage of information to learn from the bible, that is not an issue. Just trying to figure out where to next is the question. Any suggestions/ideas??? I'd LOVE to hear them. Leave a comment or email me!
This morning when we opened the curtains and looked outside we saw a rather large bunny burrowed in the snow right outside the window. The kids were fascinated with how close to the house it was and how large it was. Josiah decided to draw up a trap to catch the bunny. He drew up the plan and then went outside to create it (with Alayna) using boxes in the garage that would be trap him. How will they get him to come into the garage? Carrots, of course! There is a trail of carrots from where the bunny burrowed to the garage...enjoy!
Exhibit A : the bunny
Exhibit B: the trail
Exhibit C: the trail continues
Exhibit D: the bunny ran away...let's build a fort instead!!
Have I mentioned....I love my kids and I love how their minds work!
We rounded out our family time series tonight with the last couple F's in the history of the dinosaurs.
Found:
The book explains the interaction people have had with fossils througout history and some of the debates that surround those fossils. The most important topic for all of us to consider is to separate observation from interpretation. Evolutionists and Creationists agree on most of the observations made about the bones but when the larger story is considered the interpretation is very different. We believe that we should start with the truth of God's Word. Evolutionists start with "millions of years."
Fiction:
Have you ever heard of the half-bird/half-dinosaur Archaeopteryx? It is a popular idea that dinosaurs evolved into birds. This was part of the story in Jurassic Park. If you don't believe me, just watch this scene. Anyway, if dinos became birds then the dinos that became Archaeopteryx must be older than it. Right? It should go through a sequence. Step 1: All dino. Step 2: Half dino-Half bird. Step 3: All bird. Only one problem with that for the evolutionists. The Step 1 dino that supposedly turned into Archaeopteryx turned out to be younger (more recent) than the Step 2: Half-Half. Be careful little eyes what you see.
The book gets at the heart of the issue. It is the heart that is the issue. If the Bible is completely true (and it is). Then God would have every right to be dominant over his creation (and He is). Therefore, I do not have the right to do, think, say whatever I want (and I don't). God is the Creator, Sustainer, Provider, and Moral Law-giver. My kids will live under my rules as long as they are under my roof. God has set up His rules and His standard. We all have sinned and deserve hell. God chose to provide a Saviour but God has given you the choice to accept or refuse Jesus as your Saviour. Jesus
If God did not create this world He has no right to rule over it and tell us anything about our lives. However, if He did create this world (including you), then He has every right to rule over His creation. Let His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven!
So, this morning Seth did GREAT in nursery. I went to pick him up and he said, "Mommy, I play nice!" If you can't tell, we had a long talk prior to going today and...Praise the Lord, it worked!
Then on the way home I sneezed (if you know me, you know when I sneeze I sneeze many times in a row) and here was our conversation after that:
Seth: "Mommy, you ok?" Me: "Yes, mommy's ok, I just had some sneezes" Seth: "oh, ok...me try"
Then I hear in the backseat what sounds more like a sick monkey then sneezes. Hmmm, is that what I sound like when I sneeze?
This weekend we headed up north to spend some time with my siblings and our families at my sisters cabin. The weather was perfect and we had a lot of fun. It was much needed outdoor fun. Seth LOVED being outside and was rarely in the cabin....he definitely is an outdoor kid. From riding in the sled that was being pulled to riding on the 4-wheeler to riding on the snowmobile...he didn't care what he was doing as long as he was outside.
My sis and I ready to conquer snow-shoeing
Josiah pulling his cousins on the 4-wheeler...it's a kid-size 4-wheeler so it doesn't go very fast and the kids entertained themselves fro HOURS taking turns on the sled and driving the 4-wheeler in a figure 8 path on the ice.
These 3 are referred to as the 3 Muskateers...they were rarely apart and enjoyed just hanging whether they were inside the cabin or outside.
Seth ready for a pull in the sled with Cam
After a full morning of fun...after lunch he was a bit sleepy...so sleepy that he actually fell asleep in my arms.
Hhelping dad drive the 4-wheeler
Seth and Michaela being pulled on sleds
After a full day...the 3 musketeers were more then ready for bed.
