Toy Thursday: Videos?

So yesterday, Judah wanted to lay around all day. Apparently he was not feeling good because he wanted to lay on the couch and play with his hair (something he does when tired). At any rate he just wanted to watch videos all day.

What do you do with a kid all day when he does not feel good, especially a toddler? We did other things too like read books, play with puzzles, and even sorted mommy's papers. He also took two short naps, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Normally we limit ourselves to only a 30 minute video a day while mommy cooks or showers. At the most television turns into an hour because mom gets desperate. And we hardly ever watch any when we can be outdoors. However, yesterday, I was running out of ideas to distract my grumpy kid who needed the down time. So I caved and let the television entertain him more than usual for once.

For his birthday, Judah got a TM video about John Deere Tractors. He likes it so much that he always asks to watch it twice. And I have to admit that I kind of like it too. Perhaps I like them because they do not get annoying like most kids television today (which some moms have told me to avoid as long as possible for that reason).

Rewarded the Parents Choice Award, these videos provide quality and educational entertainment. Ride along during harvest, visit tractor expos, learn about johnny poppers, and much more. You can also enjoy episodes on toy trains, the history of the airplane, and experience the life of cowboys.

Sing along to fun music, watch animals, and learn about mechanics. These timeless treasures provide the entertainment parents can trust. And kids of all ages (papa) likes them!

Wash Wednesday: Windows

My mom always told me to wash windows on a cloudy day. I remember wanting to clean the windows when it was sunny...you know, when I could see the fingerprints.

I never knew why I wasn't supposed to wash the windows on a sunny day, just that mom said no.

Turns out, washing windows should be done on a cloudy day, because direct sunlight dries cleaning solutions before you can polish the glass properly. And now you know.

A few other tips for having clean windows, wash one side of a window with horizontal strokes and the other side with vertical strokes so you can pinpoint which side of the window has a streak.
­
In my attempt to be frugal (and at the same time, green) I don't use paper towels to clean my windows any more. I am lucky enough to get "blue rags" from my mom. She gets them at the hospital she works at. They use them once, to wrap and sterilize medical tools. Once used, they can't be used again for medical reasons, and they usually throw them away. Old T-shirts work well too! You can also polish windows to a sparkling shine with crumpled newspaper. The paper also leaves a film that's resistant to dirt.

Always wash your windows from the top down to prevent drips.

While window cleaners are nice on the glass, they can take the finish off of woodwork. Don't let them drip on the windowsill where they can harm the paint or varnish.

Get those windows nice and clean. Stand back and enjoy the sun streaming in. For at least 10 seconds before the kids goober it up again. At least, that's how long mine last. I'm partially convinced my kids have "clean window radar".

Tip Tuesday: Frozen Veggies!

The other day, us moms at play group were comparing notes on meals for our toddlers. We were quizzing each other on ideas, especially since our kids have turned into picky eaters. We discovered that our kids who once ate vegetables (and liked them) are now anti-healthy grazers. This makes meal time simply impossible with a picky eater, leaving mom desperate and tried.

Now I know you are not supposed to cater specific meals to your kids. However, I must admit that from time to time, I fix him a peanut butter sand which after he tries what we are eating. The mother instinct in me cries out against him "not eating," wondering how he can survive on the little he chooses to eat.

Some meals, I barely get him to eat something let alone something healthy. We have tried the "we will clap for you" when you take a bite (I don't want my kid to think eating is a sport though). And we have been saved by the "show Uncle ____ how you can try your food." Most often we rely on bribing: "you can have a bite of _____ after you try _____."

So when Judah asked for frozen vegetables one day as I was taking them out of the freezer to steam, I was ecstatic. He likes ice anyways and a vegetable is a vegetable, right?

He loved them! I just added a tiny bit of water to help defrost them. Then I served them in a bowl so that he could eat them with his fingers. He even thought the mixed vegetables stuck together were cool. And the cold vegetables made a nice summer snack on a hot day.

Score. If you are struggling like every other mom in getting your picky toddler to eat vegetables, just try serving them cold. I have to report that other moms in our play group tried this and it worked. Not sure what the winning factor is...texture, temperature, color....but it is certainly a hit. And a lot less stressful.

Make Monday: Oh The Imagination....

My kindergartner has quite an imagination. I encourage it...but a lot of times, it frustrates me. I love it when he's playing with his brothers, using real life news tied in to play. Like when the military captured Osama. The next day, Liam told me he was playing "Seal Team 6" and being a spy going after the bad guy.

That, I love.

And then there are the times I'm scolding him for something or other. And he yells out for his "GUARDS!! HELP!" --Which totally embarrasses me.

I'm glad he has an imagination. More often than not, he has some sort of fish emergency in the bathtub. The way he plays with his toys really reminds me of Andy from "Toy Story". And I'm thankful for that. I just wish that he would "control" his imagination a bit. Then again, that's counterproductive, isn't it?

Salvation Sunday: Your Testimony!

I finally dug up my testimony out of the bucket of old papers. A few weeks ago I referred to the testimony written when I was in high school for a missions trip in my post about being Witnesses in the world around you.

Here is the testimony I put into written words and printed off to hand out to people I met on my missions trip to Texas and Mexico. I do need to update this as God as done so much in my life since high school and college. This certainly is a good reminder of God worked in my life then and even in today. Read along....

"My spiritual condition and life changed and has continued to grow since I accepted Christ at around five years old. One night, I had been especially scared of my dark room, which reminded me of the darkness and ugliness of my heart sparked by a recent sermon. A little night light, however, filled the room with warmth and made me understand and realize that Jesus Christ as Savior could replace the dark void in my life with a loving, forgiving, and accepting warmth like that of a night light. I asked Christ into my life right then wanting that warmth, peace, and everlasting assurance. Being so excited, I ran and told my mom what I had done!

Since that life changing experience, the Lord has worked in my life and taught me many things such as trusting and having faith in Him (Hebrews 11:1, II Corinthians 4:16-18). God used the death of my grandpa, a mission trip, and key relationships with family and friends to make my faith real and personal (Isaiah 40:28-31). God's grace was certainly gracious and His faithfulness evident. My sophomore year in high school, revealed frustration because I blamed others and thought I was "spiritually" better. I Timothy 4:12 reminded me to "set an example for others by what I say and do." The following year brought new experiences as an upperclassman: having guy friends, more school activities and responsibilities, experimenting with things like music choices, and defying my parent's authority. Over that summer into my senior year, I learned a lot! God's faithfulness remained true during the entire senior "hype" and graduation. With that came many decisions to make, where to go to college and what to major in. Isaiah 2:22 encouraged me not to worry but to "trust God" with every area of my life.

This year, the Lord's faithfulness has once again carried me through and has almost become sort of the best friend that I can always rely on. The many changes through the transition of college have been difficult. As the lyrics of "More Faithful" by Skillet suggests, God is more faithful than the changing of the seasons. This promise, especially as I view autumn and the leaves changing has been made real. Also , a desire to study the Bible has lead me to read about Israel. God's faithful love pours out on us despite our wicked ways though we tend to forsake Him. Even though Israel kept falling away from God, God promises still exist when we turn to Him and repent. The Lord has blessed me with good studies and new friends. He continues to carry me through. In the meantime, I just want to learn to trust Him more for His daily guidance (Proverbs 3:5-6). Though there has been times of trials, frustrations, and downers in my life, I know the Lord is my Protector, Deliverer, Savior, stronghold, and refuge. Most importantly, He is my Father in heaven and my best friend (Psalm 18:1-3).

Have you trusted the Lord and let Him take care of your daily problems? Is Jesus the Savior of your life? And are you experiencing His faithfulness?"