Scripture Sunday {Luke 6:31}

Happy Sunday!  It's a beautiful day!  Today's verse needs to be on everyone's memorization list!  I can't believe I haven't made a poster yet!  Well here it is!  :)

For the printable version, click here! 

What is one verse you'd like to see as a poster?  Tell me in the comments!

Teach Them to Serve {#7 ~ Clean Up the Neighborhood}

Happy Friday!  Yesterday we actually finished our last project for this series.  I can't wait for you to see them!  

In our neighborhood, trash day is on Wednesday.  After the trucks come through the neighborhood, there is usually a bunch of trash that has flown out of the bins.  So, Little Man and I took the opportunity to get outside, get some sun, and serve our neighbors at the same time!  We grabbed the stroller, a scooter, and a trash bag and hit the road!

This project was super simple, but gave us a great chance to chat and get some exercise.  One thing we didn't take into consideration... the weather!  It was HOT!  We only made it through two streets before we were dripping!  We'll have to go back out next week and pick a time earlier in the day!

It did open up the chance for some discussion though.  Sometimes we serve to simply serve.  It's not always the most fun or perfect situation.  Sometimes we serve by doing the tasks that someone else doesn't want to do... like picking up trash in the heat.   

The weather encouraged us to quickly jump to our next act of kindness... one that was perfect for a hot, Texas summer day!  Make sure to stop by the blog next week to hear all about that one!

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Scripture Sunday {Psalm 103:13}

Happy Father's Day!  Tell us about all the dads in your life that you are celebrating today!

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Teach Them to Serve {#6 ~ Movie Night... On Us!}

The weekend is upon us!  I have a perfect way to incorporate another act of kindness while you are out and about today!  Treat a family to a movie and snacks! 

Let's have another moment of honesty.  I'm actually not a huge movie person.  If we're going to have a family night, I'd rather spend it playing a board game or working on a Kiwi Crate.  I tend to fall asleep within the first few minutes of a movie.  With that said, Little Man loves to watch movies during family nights.  We received a Redbox code, so he naturally wanted to go pick out a movie.  I had something different in mind.

We have Netflix, Vudu, Hulu, DVDs... plenty.  I talked to Little Man about how Jesus tells us to give our extras to those in need.  I know that a movie isn't exactly a need, and probably not what Jesus had in mind, but the situation lent itself very easily to a discussion about giving.  We didn't need the movie code.  It was an extra for us.  So we can give it to someone who doesn't have one.  Ideally, after enough of these conversations, he'll start to see the value in giving more than just our "extras."

We wrote out the code and attached it to a package of popcorn.  I asked him what he wanted to write and he said, "Have a great night!"  Works for me.

Then we taped it to a Redbox kiosk down the street.

We had dinner, and as we drove home, he was excited to see that someone had taken it.  Hopefully they were blessed by it and enjoyed a movie night on us!  

I've also seen variations of this activity like taping coins to a vending machine or leaving a dollar in the toy aisle at a dollar store. 

Have you ever tried leaving something like this for someone?  Have you ever been on the receiving end?  Tell us about it in the comments!

10 Favorite Bibles for Children {What We're Reading Wednesday}

Can you believe June is already halfway over?!  Where does the time go?  We just finished our Bible study that we started for our second semester, so we wanted something a little lighter for the summer.  Little Man has taken quite an interest in some deeper theology, which thrills me to no end.  I'm looking around right now to figure out what we'll do for our fall semester, but in the meantime, I thought I'd share the Bibles we've used so far!

My First Bible

This is the one Baby Boy and I are currently reading.  It's a board book, so it's great for letting him "read" while Little Man and I dig a little deeper into his study.  Baby Boy and I read one or two of the stories each day during breakfast.  

Jesus Storybook Bible

This one is just beautiful.  Several women in our Bible study group have commented that they have learned more while reading this to their children than they could have expected.  Seeing things from a child's eyes is definitely enlightening!

A Child's First Bible

Baby Boy was given this Bible when he was born.  The stories are a little longer, so it's the next one we will go through daily during our Breakfast with the Bible.

Faith Builders Bible

This is Little Man's current Bible.  He received it in his Easter basket and to say that he was thrilled is an understatement.  I don't think he put it down for two weeks!  The photos of the Lego scenes are amazing and they really helped the stories stick in his mind!

The Brick Bible

We actually read this one in two separate books.  The Old Testament and the New Testament.  This one was great for just reading for fun and taking in the stories instead of in-depth study.

The VeggieTales Bible

This was Little Man's first full Bible after the storybook Bibles.  I liked that it was a full NIV and his memory verses matched mine.  

Jesus Calling Bible Storybook

Little Man and I are going through this one right now as our evening devotional.  I think I'm enjoying it just as much as he is!  The stories connect everything back to Jesus and I think it's 

changing the way that he prays each night.

Berenstain Bears Bible

We love all things Berenstain Bears!  After reading all the picture books, this makes a great Bible to connect our day-to-day lives to Scripture.

The Adventure Bible

Our church uses this Bible in our children's programs.  There are actually two versions and you can get it in NIV or NIrV.

The Action Bible

Little Man has been drawn to this one as well.  It's written just like a graphic novel, which he loves.  I love that it encourages him to just love spending time in the Word.

What are your favorite Bibles for your kiddos?  Tell me in the comments!

Icy Watermelon Storytime {Fine Motor, Sensory Fun and Biblical Extension}

Good morning, good morning!  During the summer, our Tuesdays are called "Time to Read Tuesday."  This summer, we're working through a Summer Reading Bingo card.  Tons of fun activities and silly places to read.  It also means that Mommy does a much deeper, intentional storytime.  We read aloud multiple times every day, but once per week, we pick out a super special book and really dig in.  

I'll be honest and say that this week's book was one I had not ever read previously.  In fact, it's one I probably would not have ever read if I hadn't been putting together a book list.  I'm so glad I did!  Icy Watermelon is a great story with so many great qualities!

First, the book is bilingual, which is just awesome.  We were able to read it in both English and Spanish.  Little Man especially loved that!  Second, it lends itself so well to a discussion about joy.  At one point, the grandfather poses a riddle.  "What's big and red like a watermelon and fills me with joy?"  A heart filled with love.

So... for some fine motor practice, we made torn paper watermelons!  Baby Boy is still a bit too young to quite understand tearing the paper, so I cut his.  He took the cut squares and arranged them (with a little help from Mommy).  

Such concentration!  After he filled the center, I had him fingerpaint around the edges to make the rind.  

I also made watermelon play dough this week.  For a super simple, no-cook recipe, I used this one!  She does a fun counting activity.  Baby Boy's not quite there yet.  Little Man could use it for some math facts practice!

I used her idea for the black bean "seeds" and the boys loved smooshing them into the dough!  As they were playing, I slowly made a heart.  I asked them what would fill our heart with joy.  I started adding a seed for each thing they said.  Family members, friends, church, Jesus.  As they kept naming things, I had them add their own seeds to the heart.  

I had a "moment" with this activity.  I originally set it up as just an invitation to play.  They were enjoying the sensory fun.  I was enjoying the quality time and discussion.  We had our memory verse.  We had the literacy extension.  We had an intentional moment.  I was going to leave it at that.  But that night, as I was praying with Little Man, he stopped and thanked God "for all those people that were seeds on my heart."  Wow.  Those people are seeds for him... and they are planting a love for our Lord each and every day.  

Have you subscribed yet?  We have a new book list coming tomorrow for What We're Reading Wednesday!  You don't want to miss it!

Scripture Sunday {Psalm 126:2}

Happy Sunday!  What are you singing with joy about today?  Leave a comment so we can thank Him together!

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Teach Them to Serve {#5 ~ Shopping Cart Shuffle}

Happy Friday!  Was this your first week of summer?  Was it fabulous?  I so enjoyed the down time to rest and just hang out with my boys.

Today I've got an easy one for you.  This a no-prep act of service that can be done while you're out running your errands this weekend!  

Exodus 17 tells the story of Aaron holding up Moses' arms during battle when he grew weary.  Summer is starting and it is HOT.  While most of us are not in battle the way the Israelites were, people who have to work outside definitely grow weary!  I wanted to take a moment to share with Little Man that we can think about that need and do something to help them.

It's the shopping cart shuffle!  After we finished our weekly grocery shopping, I noticed a few stray carts over on the next aisle.  I told Little Man that we were going to be super helpful to the people who have to go collect all of those stray carts... we would do it for them!  We walked around for a few minutes and returned any carts we found.  

He took it one step further and organized the carts in the corral.  Some of them were overflowing, so he did a little "shuffle" and organized them into neat rows.  

Now, as we run errands, we glance around for any stray carts.  We talked about why it's probably frustrating for someone to have to walk around and collect all of them.  We talked about what would happen if one of those stray carts started rolling.  

We didn't talk to anyone or leave a note.  We just moved carts. It's small, but I hope it blesses the boy working at the grocery store that day and that our few moments of work allowed him a few more minutes inside the air-conditioned store instead of in the heat!

What is your favorite act of service with your little ones?  Leave me a comment and let me know!

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10 Favorite Picture Books About Watermelon {What We're Reading Wednesday}

Hey hey!  I hope you enjoyed yesterday's activities for last week's books.  We have a new list for you today!

For me, June just screams watermelon!  I may have an entire Pinterest board about this sweet, juicy fruit.  So today, we're sharing ten picture books that all make me want ... watermelon!

One Cool Watermelon

I simply love the counting and healthy eating discussion in these fantastic photographs!

Peter Spit a Seed at Sue

Uh oh!  Sue wasn't thrilled and it turned into a giant mess!

The Watermelon Seed

We've all heard it.  Don't swallow the watermelon seeds... or else.

Watermelon Day

Waiting is hard... especially when it's waiting for some juicy watermelon!

Happiness is a Watermelon on Your Head

Wait... what?  Miss Jolly's neighbors quickly learn what REALLY makes her happy!

Cheers for a Dozen Ears

Here's another delightful counting book!  The children's reactions to all the fruits and vegetables are the farm stand are hilarious!

Chasing Watermelons

Oh no!  The watermelons are rolling away!  But Duck and his friends are determined to have their tasty treat!

Chestnut Cove

A king wants watermelon, but the residents of Chestnut Cove find that life is about more than just "things."

Icy Watermelon

Bring some Spanish into your day while reading this sweet story!

Mouse's First Summer

We love Mouse.  His sweet innocence during all of summer's first experiences are just pure joy!

Do you have any watermelon stories you'd want to add?  

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Froggy Goes to Hawaii {A Sensory Craft and Biblical Extension}

Good morning!  Happy Tuesday!  It's a beautiful day, don't you think?!  The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the coffee is strong, and breakfast is coming right up!  Little Man is at a day camp this morning, so Baby Boy and I are praising our Lord today with some Cedarmont Kids Pandora while having our Breakfast with the Bible time!  Yummy yogurt and fruit!  Side note... have you seen all the new flavors from Chobani?  Yummy stuff!

So let's talk picture books.  I'm excited to share some of the activities we did this week as we read our ocean books!  If you missed it, you can see all the books we read here.  This week's activities tied back to our memory verse.  You can find the printable posters here!  I do so love when everything fits together so nicely!

You rule over the story seas.  When its waves rise up, you calm them down.  

Psalm 89:9 NIrV

Really, any ocean book would work for this, but we love some Froggy around here!  He's just silly and deserves a lot of grace (don't we all) which lends itself to some really great conversations.  Because we love him, we naturally read this book multiple times throughout the week. 

Froggy Goes to Hawaii

For an art extension, we made did some sensory painting and made puffer fish!  Baby Boy had these bumpy balls, so we rolled them in some paint and made some spiky fish.  The original version I saw here was super cute!  She used wax paper for the fins and cut out some eyes from construction paper.  I'm going to be honest with all of you and just let you know up front that mine did not turn out nearly so fancy.

The boys started out all nice and sweet... until Baby Boy tried to poke Little Man in the face with a paint-covered finger.

Then he wasn't so sure what to do with said paint-covered finger.

I did eventually get them to actually paint.  

We let them dry and then they were in a hurry to run around like crazy monkeys get tucked sweetly into bed, so we just used a Sharpie to draw the eyes and fins.  It's all about the process and not the product, right?

For our Biblical extension activity, I wanted to tie in prayer since we've been working so intentionally lately.  Little Man especially has been dealing with some pretty big stressors over the past few weeks. We talked about how our God is bigger than all of those stressors.  He calmed the stormy sea and He can calm the waves in our lives.  

I had Little Man name a few of the "waves" going on right now.  Friendships, life changes, health, shifting schedules... waves.  With each wave, he would shake up the ocean wave sensory bottle.  

Slowly, we asked God to calm each of those waves.  And then we thanked Him for the many, many waves He has already calmed and has calmed without our even knowing.  

While many of our sensory bottles end up in Baby Boy's basket, this one went into our "Calm Down Basket."  Sometimes we just need that visual reminder that our God is the Almighty.  Even the waves and wind know to calm themselves before Him.  And I am so thankful.

Have a fantastic and wonderful week, friends!  Have you followed us on Bloglovin yet?  We have a new book list coming out for you tomorrow for What We're Reading Wednesday!