Here are little thoughts of this and that. That’s kind of where I am at in life right now.
My little Wesley is now two months old and starting to coo, so stinkin’ cute! In every waking moment there is someone in his face trying to get him to smile or talk:) My, my he endures a lot. Watch this little video if you want to see the cuteness overflow:
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To say the least I am being sssttttrrrrreeeeetttttttcccccchhhhhheeeedddd. Didn’t think I could stretch any further than I did already, but now you can just call me Elasta-Girl (ha, ha, please don’t for real). It is beyond my reach to nurse a baby while calling your toddler to get out of the sink (again), while teaching your third grader the difference between a predicate noun adjective and a predicate pronoun adjective, while telling your five-year-old that the word “was” cannot be sounded out (for the thirteenth time). It’s talent that I haven’t gotten yet. We plug away each day and see grace moment-by-moment, when we choose to see it. Things can get very stretched at points, so to lighten the mood of our home I am trying some new ideas that are easy but fun. For example, I am making a list of ways to spice up meals. Here’s what I’ve collected so far:
1. Dress up as someone or something and come to the dinner table. We have to figure out each character.
2. Each night that we eat together, someone picks the background music. (This shows real growth in me because by dinner time, I am ready for silence).
3. Backwards night–wear your clothes backwards and eat dessert before the main meal.
4. Book lunch–bring a book to read during lunch (got this from Lori Heitland).
5. Jokes–bring a joke to tell at the meal time
6. Random guest of honor–pick a person for everyone else to share something kind about him/her
7. Big words–my kids have to learn new vocabulary words each week, so we take one a night, teach it to everyone, and try to fit it into our conversations.
8. Kids’ night–with some oversight (depending on the children’s ages), allow the children to prepare dinner and the parents clean up.
9. Fancy Shmancy–deck out the table to look fancy, including candles and cloth napkins. Practice manners and proper edict.
10. We all scream for ice cream (thanks to the Bitterman family)–for dinner, have ice cream. Personally, I would have to at least add bananas to make this one legit.
~ That’s my list. Please send me any ideas you have. The kids love when I think of little ways to bless them like this.
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Finally, for school my kids had to make an acrostic using the letters of their name. Each letter starts a describing word, for a sentence. Here are some examples:
A-ctive E-asy to please P-ointing at Christ
B-right T-rustworthy friend L-ively
I-nquisitive H-appy helper A-lways singing
G-raceful A-vid reader N-eeding grace
A-lert N-ice big brother K-ooky
I-ndustrious
L-oud
~ Give it a try as an individual or as a family. There will be a prize for the most creative individual poem and the most creative family poem. Winners will be announced Sunday evening on the blog (that is, if I remember!)
B–eautiful
R–adically committed to tender-hearted growth in the Lord
E–ffervescent and full of life
N–ever seated, always serving
D–oug’s delight
A–doring mother of 5
Awwww….now that’s sweet. You have to win; look who is the judge!!!
Thanks, Brenda. We are in this to win this
. This is a group effort by most of the Priviteras.
P- Playful (Felicity said “funny”. We’re still working on spelling
.
R- Ready
I- Indulgent in yummy food
V- Vivacious
I- Italian
T- Talkative
E- Energetic
R- Receptive
A- A big family (once again, submitted by Felicity)
Maybe Felicity spells funny – “Phunny” since her parents are from Philly.
Brenda, Thanks for the thought and time put into this post. ESPECIALLY in your season!
How about a Bunting acrostic? Come on now!
I am a Sincerely Amusing Rare Advisor.
(I had other words in mine, but this was another person’s words, not mine.)
S – Sincere
A – Amusing
R – Rare
A – Advisor
Brenda,
You are so creative! What great ideas.
I loved seeing the video of Wesley, especially since I have never gotten to meet him in real life. It makes me happy every time I think of it what you have another boy. How desperately our world needs good, solid, God-fearing people, willing to live life in obedience to Christ and stand against the tide of our selfish, sinful culture. I know you feel inadequate, but really your kids are so blessed to have you for their mom. Your role in their lives is profound. I think of you often and pray that God will continue to fill you with His grace for each day.
I’m amazed that your third grader is learning the difference between a predicate noun adjective and a predicate pronoun adjective. Whew!! I haven’t the foggiest clue what the difference is in spite of the fact that I can live life quite comfortably in two languages. She’ll be ready to teach English any time!
Rhonda
Our latest meal time amusement is “Would You Rather…” For example: Would you rather eat 10 hot peppers all at once or be bit by a crab every day for the rest of your life.” Tony was intending to teach that our decisions have consequences, but sometimes the game is a little disturbing (when bodily harm is one of the choices). Either way we have to think and make value judgments (for some questions) and it encourages interaction with each other.
Well, on to our acrostic:
G-utsy
U-nqualified
Y-ellow loving
E-gg Eaters (double points)
R-apidly Revolving (this applies to our younger members)
Brenda, these are such great ideas. I love how you respond to “stretching times” with humor.
Outdoorsy
Valiantly marching for God
Active
Loving
Little O’s
Exciting trip takers
A collaboration from the big O’s and the little Os
Here is our family version with a little adult help:
Howlin’ Household
Outside Lovers
Welcoming
Energetic
Laughing
Lots of Fun
Here’s the unedited kids version:
Hi
Okward (awkward)
Why do we have a chimney?
Elephant lovers
Lickers
Lovers
Also from the kids:
Lego lover
Ignore Caleb at nite
Active
Mile Runner
Cat Lover
Laugh Maker
Active
Remembers Bible verses
Alwayz reading
This was so much fun to do and gave us lot to laugh about!
Dave, Becky, Liam, Clara, Caleb and Lydia Howell
Here’s our family one with some adult guidance:
H-owlin’ Household
O-utside Lovers
W-elcoming
E-nergetic
L-aughing
L-ots of fun
Here’s the unedited children’s version:
H-i
O-kward (Awkward)
W-hy do we have a chimney?
E-lephant lovers
L-ickers
L-overs
Also from the children:
L-ego lover
I-gnore Caleb at nite
A-ctive
M-ile Runner
C-at Lover
L-augh Maker
A-ctive
R-emembers Bible verses
A-lwayz reading a book
This was so fun and provided us with lots of opportunity for laughter!
Thanks, Brenda!
I know the contest is over, but here are our children’s poems, inspired by the Howell’s.
J-umps super hard
U-seful
L-ikable
I-tried to build an igloo
U-ses an Umbrella (more double points!!)
S-lide on the floor
A-dorable
T-wo years old
I-ce Eater
Y-olk Preferer
A-lways singing
D-ate taker
A-nalog Man
D-aytime Worker
D-igitally Dependant (this is from Tony), but he’s an analog man
Y-ikes
G-iggle
U-s – all the Guyers
Y-ak likers
E-asy
R-eally good (and humble)
So fun! Thanks for the family time, Brenda.
Drum roll please . . . and the winners are . . . Liam Howell for the most creative individual poem and the Guyers win for the most creative family poem! Thank you to all who participated. I will get your prizes to you in the near future:)