Author: thefamilyo

Summer-in-Winter Party
This past weekend, with several storms looming over most of the country, it was cold and snowy. While the country was bracing itself for it all we were getting dressed up in shorts, tshirts and sandals.

Crazy? Nope! Just a Summer-in-Winter party my very good friend puts on every year. Everyone was encouraged to wear summer clothes. The kids thought we were crazy at first!

We started off the evening with summer related words taped to our backs, we then had so ask questions and try to guess what the word was. A good ice breaker.

Then we had a obstacle course of sorts and teamed up in pairs, 1 child + 1 adult.

The events included:
- ring toss
- egg on a spoon
- spooning water into a cup
- a ping pong toss
It was so much fun, I was teamed up with my 4 year old! He did really good!

After that we gathered and everyone was asked to put 3 pieces of bubble gum into their mouths, chew until soft and then pull it out and sculpt something.

Ewweee! It was funny but ooeey-gooey. Here are some of the results:

On to the food. Is there another better than yummy summer party food?

Grilled hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, fresh fruit, pico de gallo and chips.

We had a great time and look forward to next year! I think the snow storm we had made it that much more fun!

We even had to turn off the fireplace because we were so hot from playing games!
February 10, 2014
A Sweet Visit to Enstroms Candy

For years my Uncle Pete gave us the most delicious toffee I have ever had in my life, still to this day. It is downright addicting. It comes in a fancy brown box with a pretty beige lid, it must be kept refrigerated and let me tell you, it is nothing short of amazing.

This toffee is made here locally, in Denver, although the toffee is world famous. It is Enstroms and their Almond Toffee is the best! They have been in the business since 1929. We took the kids their for a super-duper treat. They found it to be mesmerizing. My dear husband bought a cute little box of toffee just for me. The boys had other ideas…

Preston picked out a chocolate race car…

You can see in the background that Oliver went for Swedish Fish?! Who’s child is this? I have tried to share this philosophy with my boys – ‘if you are going to eat candy, make it chocolate’, right?!?

And now for the best toffee ever:

Kept refrigerated and fresh!

Thanks Enstroms for a fun, delicious visit!

The boys thought it was a very special treat!

February 3, 2014
Fun Christmas Countdown Project

There is nothing like this time of year. Carols, cookies, friends, families, lights, and JESUS! My friend and I wanted to do something fun for the little ones to countdown to Christmas. We decided on little wrapped presents each marked with a day # representing how many days left until Christmas. Our countdown began December 1^st so I had my kids start with 24 so they would know how many days until Christmas.

Supplies Needed:
Toilet paper rolls (12, cut in half to make 24)

Tissue paper cut into 7×4 rectangles

Pipe cleaner to close ends (approx. 4″)

Avery Circle printer labels (optional)

24 Fun, inexpensive gifts (see list) We purchased ours from three different stores – the Dollar Tree, Walmart and Mardel. We only purchased multipacks, nothing individual.

We spent somewhere around $30 for 6 kids total, not bad!

Wrap the roll in the tissue paper, tie one end with a pipe cleaner, insert prize, tie the other end, add # sticker.

We displayed them in a big basket, each night when we do Advent we let the kids open their prizes.

Start now! Your kids will love it!

FULL LIST of goodies:

1. A Christmas Stamp

2. Drum Ornament

3. Jingle Bell Ornament

4. Gumball

5. Jesus tattoo

6. Noahs Ark eraser

7. Christmas eraser

8. Mini YoYo

9. Sticker

10. Mini- Bubbles

11. Christmas Wristband

12. Christmas Ring

13. Jeweled Ring

14. Snake

15. Jelly Frogs

16. Mini games

17. Bouncy Balls

18. Chocolate

19. Mini – Slinky

20. Glow in the Dark flower

21. Avengers necklace

We doubled up on a couple to finish.

Enjoy this Christmas, spend some time each night talking about the arrival of our Savior! Merry Christmas!

December 4, 2013
Making Your Home a Haven – Women Living Well

A few years ago I came across video from a homeschool Mom, she had videos on homeschooling, also songs for preschoolers. It was a great help when starting out in the homeschool world. I started following her on Facebook and she now has thousands of fans. She posts Bible Studies, Devotionals and challenges. The blog is called Women Living Well.

This past Summer she posted a marriage challenge. Each week she posted inspirational and motivational articles that were geared at strengthening your marriage. What a refreshing topic too, to delight in your husband and to love and cherish him. I was hooked. This Fall she has posted a brand new challenge and the title alone got me!

“Making Your Home a Haven” was another blessing from this Godly woman I have come to consider a mentor of sorts. Check this challenge out! Especially now, in the midst of Fall. When all the schedules fill up with sports, activities, festivals, school, you name it. This is a great way to start the Fall off intentionally. Starting off with a goal of serenity and peace for you and your family. How can you go wrong? Join me!

October 2, 2013
Kid’s Easy Science Experiment Using Water and Salt

My 7 year old participated in a Science Fair with his cousin and his friend, they had a great time learning about how salt can change the freezing time of water. This was for an elementary school science fair, they presented at their booth then gave their presentation to all of the attendee’s. It was a chance to learn all with science and work on public speaking and presentation skills.

You will need an ordinary household freezer set on high Thermometer 4 identical freezer proof plastic containers capable of holding one cup of water Clock Paper Pen Marker Procedure Put the food etc. in the freezer in the fridge or in a cooler filled with ice. Clear all items from the freezer. You have to have an open uncluttered freezer in order to take accurate measurements of freezing rates. Fill each container with one cup of tepid room temperature tap water. Set one container of plain tap water aside. This will be the baseline for determining variances in freezing rates for the other containers. Label it “plain room temperature tap water.”

1) To the second container add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and stir well. Label it with “1/2 teaspoon/salt.”

2) To the third container add one tsp. of salt and stir well. Label as “one teaspoon/salt.”

3) To the fourth container add one tablespoon of salt and stir well. Label. Place the thermometer in the freezer and close the door. Wait one minute, then remove the thermometer from the freezer. Check the temperature shown on the thermometer and record it.

4) Don’t forget to have your children give their Hypothesis, their predictions on how salt will change the freezing time of water.

5) Next place all of the containers in the freezer at the same time. Record the time on the clock. At hourly intervals check the water samples you have put in the freezer. Do this quickly using your index finger so as not to affect the internal temp of the freezer. Make sure that every time you perform a check that you close the freezer door firmly. You must do this to maintain a constant temp in the freezer. Record the time at which each sample was frozen “solid” or did not freeze at all after 8 hours.

Data and Charts Record all the procedures and experiments you conducted and the data you got from each here. Make it clear and understandable. We had the kids make a tri-fold presentation board. On it they recorded their scientific information like Question/Problem, Hypothesis, Materials, Procedure, Data, and Conclusion. They hand wrote everything and made a bar graph by hand. They also pasted some pictures of the experiment.

The kids enjoyed every step of the process, even sharing the results with the classmates. I highly recommend this experiment for your Elementary children, it was a fun learning experiment.

September 17, 2013
Biggest and Best Kids Consignment Sale Starts Thursday!

This event only happens twice a year.

This week is one of those times.

Featured on Good Morning America, this is the best consignment sale around. I have been going to this since they started out in Denver and it grows and grows every year because of it’s reputation. They have a reputation for selling quality goods and great prices. They are very organized and make shopping a pleasure not a hassle.

Denver’s favorite Children’s consignment sale, JBF Denver, sets up shop this Thursday, September 19th at the National Western Stock Show Complex.

This sale has anything kids, offering clothes, shoes, books, puzzles, toys, games, furniture, and play structures. They also have a fantastic maternity selection and everything baby.

All merchandise must meet a strict standard to be included in the sale, the ensures that you don’t end up with less than desirable items. Be sure to make it, bargains like this only come around twice a year!

Shop this event and find 90,000+ items at 50-90% below retail.

September 16, 2013
Back to School Pictures 2013-2014

Here we are! The start of a brand new school year after a nice summer break. I will be starting my boys the Tuesday after Labor Day. I worked a lot in June and July so we are taking all of August to fully enjoy our Summer.

Lately I have been organizing, getting all of the school curriculum ready, printing everything we need for the semester, you name it! But, of course, one super fun part is back to school pictures. I love that we can use any backdrop we choose! It’s all outdoors of course. This year we took them at the Botanic Gardens of Denver. My nephew is joining again and we are thrilled to have him.

Without further ado… our school pictures for 2013-2014 –

My 3 boys:

And my sweet nephew Adam:

Hope you like! I sure feel blessed to be able to be with these boys, teach them and learn from them.

I give thanks to God for the opportunity, it is a true blessing.

August 27, 2013
Homemade Slime for Kids

Homemade Slime!! Of course one the funnest things to make and learn about matter and polymers. I had put this off for a very long time because I didn’t have Borax. I decided that it was time to get some, our Summer is running out and we need something fun and different to do.

Besides I already knew that the boys would love it because they always asked to buy slime, goop, mars mud, gak, you name it they have asked. I found this recipe on Steve Spanglers site, a site we love and frequent often.

Ingredients:

Borax

Warm Water

Elmer’s Glue

Food Coloring (optional)

>>CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE AND INFORMATION ON POLYMERS<<
I tripled the batch so each of the boys could have their own, nice size chunk. They all chose different colors and had fun mixing colors together to create a unique color. After they finished making it and thoroughly playing with it, we stored them in a ziploc. They are still great 2 weeks later!

A fun activity that gives you an opportunity to teach, discuss polymers as the kids are working their ingredients.

August 25, 2013
Junior Police Academy
There’s a new sheriff in town!

This Summer has been jammed packed with super-duper, exciting activities!

Preston went to a week long junior Police Academy held by the Littleton police department and it was so cool. The kids got to learn the in’s and out’s of being a Policeman.

On one of the days the kids got to play a game of cops and robbers with the police SWAT team trying to capture the kids. It turns out that P was quite the “escape artist” as he was the only child that was not captured by the SWAT team.

Even the little brothers had fun on graduation day when families could attend:

Here is a complete list of activities they participated in:
- Crime Scene Investigation
- Arrest Control Techniques
- Firearms Safety
- SWAT Tactics
- Building Search Techniques
- K-9 Demonstrations
- DUI Simulation Course
It was an incredible experience for those involved. What a wonderful way to reach out to the community, connect with them and inspire children all the while! Thanks to the Littleton Police Department, and to Sargent Steve Skundberg for coordinating the entire event. My son is hooked, he wants to be a police officer when he grows up. I think that is just fantastic.
August 20, 2013
Summer Bucket List

YES! Every Summer I keep a mental list of things I want to do with the family. You know, all the fun summer stuff and activities.

But usually every Summer it’s not until in the last weeks of August that I suddenly remember everything I wanted to do!

So, this year, by way of Pinterest, as always, I was inspired to do BETTER. How? Write it down! Of course, a summer bucket list!

Why had I not thought of this before! Armed with a huge easel pad and my most favorite BIC markers, I went to work.

Coming up with anything and everything. Still want to add more.

After Memorial Day weekend was over we had already crossed some things off, yay!

Some to-do’s involve the getting up to the gorgeous Colorado Rocky Mountains, some others are places in Denver, while others are just simply silly fun things we can all do together.

A few are inviting some very special people over who have not been to our new house, these items are the most important.

One item I added was a concert that I am really hoping to go to, hopefully the hubby will go for it since it’s now on the summer bucket list, hee hee. I plan on adding more as we go too! Now I have no excuse at the end of Summer!

On the refrigerator door.

May 29, 2013