Clipmarks | bignosemousie's childhood collection

Thankfulness Tree

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:32:46 GMT

clipped by: bignosemousie
clipper's remarks: This is the second year we have had a Thankfulness Tree. I have some fake branches that I put in a big vase to hold the leaves. I went to a scrapbooking store and used their die cut machine to make many many leaves from paper. If you buy the paper there, you can use the machines for free.

I punched holes in the leaves to hang on the branches without having to mess with string or glue or hangers of any sort.

I place the leaves in a bowl with a pen so any guests that come during November can write something they are thankful for on a leaf and hang it up.

On Thanksgiving we read the leaves and we give thanks for all the friends and family that have come to our house. Then I put the leaves in a bag and date it so we can read them in future years too.

Yesterday, my daughter wrote that she was thankful for "being born" and for "being in this family." I am so thankful for those things too.

Go, get your thankfulness on!

Clip Source: familyfun.go.com

Fill a flowerpot with sand and set in a shapely bare tree branch.

Next, cut a pile of leaf shapes from colored craft foam.

As your guests arrive, have them take a leaf and, with a permanent marker, write their name and the date on one side and something they're grateful for on the other.

To decorate your tree, push a large ornament hanger or straightened paper clip through the stem of each leaf and hang it in place.

Tags: thankfulness, family, thanksgiving, crafts

Acts of love for your child

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:43:56 GMT

clipped by: bignosemousie

Clip Source: www.essortment.com

Talk with him. Make a list of all the conversations you've had today with your child. Now, mark out any conversations where you lectured him, or instructed him. Do you have any left? Make time to talk with your child today without strings attached.

Write him a note. Do you enjoy getting notes from the people you love? So does your kid.

Brag about him. Although it is important to be supportive when you talk to your child, it is even more important to be supportive when you talk about him.

Ask her for advice. Do you remember how it felt when someone you admired asked you for advice? It's like a promotion. Many times your child can offer excellent honest advice on things for you like what choosing between outfits

Write down your love

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:13:46 GMT

clipped by: bignosemousie
clipper's remarks: What a terrific gift. Not only does the recipient get a list of things you love about him/her, but it also shows you thought a loving them about them every single day for a year.

That is the real gift.

Clip Source: mashahuq.wordpress.com

Clip Source: www.indoindians.com

Every day for a year, jot down one thing you love about your child/husband/ friend/colleague (he helps do the laundry; she bakes the most amazing cakes; his laughter is infectious). At the end of the year, give the person your one-ofa- kind, 365-item appreciation list. Trust us, they will be deeply touched.

Add some magic to your girl's room

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:37:24 GMT

clipped by: bignosemousie
clipper's remarks: ACK! I am so excited to find this idea. I love twinkle lights and tulle. This is a really cheap way to make things magical. If you plug the lights into a remote-controlled outlet, your child can turn the lights on and off herself safely.

Can you imagine sleeping under the stars like this? Sweet dreams.

Clip Source: www.chattingatthesky.com

She took tulle, white lights and some leftover wood scraps and made her girls room look fit for a castle.

Clip Source: playingsublimely.blogspot.com

Clip Source: www.chattingatthesky.com

We don’t have wood scraps, but we did have some nets in the closet just waiting for inspiration.

We hung the nets from the ceiling and tacked white lights to the wall behind it.

For all parents with kids starting school

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:57:34 GMT

clipped by: bignosemousie
clipper's remarks: Letting go is hard.

Clip Source: www.chattingatthesky.com

“Entrust your loved ones to Me; release them into My protective care. They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands…When you release loved ones to Me, you are free to cling to My hand. As you entrust others into My care, I am free to shower belssings on them. My Presence will go with them wherever they go, and I will give them rest. This same Presence stays with you, as you relax and place your trust in Me. Watch to see what I will do. (based on Genesis 22:9-12, Ephesians 3:20 and Exodus 3:12)”

~Sarah Young, Jesus Calling

Tags: the world can be big and scary for adults too

Blood and Milk

Tue, 26 May 2009 16:09:16 GMT

clipped by: bignosemousie
clipper's remarks: I miss the bondage.

Clip Source: blog.cjanerun.com

Blood and Milk

by Sharlee Mullins Glenn

I dreamed of Oxford . . .
(spires, a thousand spires, endless lectures, musty halls
a solitary self in a Bodleian expanse
A good life my dear Wormwood. An orderly life.)

then awakened to laundry
and things to be wiped
countertops, noses, bottoms)

How did this happen? And when, exactly?

Time flows, it flows, it flows
and there are choices to be made:

left or right?
paper or plastic?
blood or milk?

There's freedom in the bleeding;
bondage in the milk—do not be deceived.

Ah, but it's an empty freedom; a holy bondage,
A sweet and holy bondage.

Five times I chose the chains, those tender chains,
(though once will bind you just as well!)
and checked the crimson flow.
Suckled while dreaming of Trinity Term
but awakened, always awakened, to the laundry
and to that small and cherished captor at my breast.

Tags: motherhood, breastfeeding, love love love

Still no Zubbles

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:27:54 GMT

clipped by: bignosemousie
clipper's remarks: I've been waiting for years for Zubbles to be released. I have no idea what the problem is, but it's probably some legal thing.

I'm fascinated by the back story, and by the science involved.

Come on Zubbles!

Clip Source: www.zubbles.com

Now, after ten years of experiments and discoveries, we have done what scientists claimed was impossible... we've combined the simple joy of bubbles with the beauty and magic of color, inventing the world's first real colored bubbles.

We call them Zubbles®.

For the first time, children will be able to choose their favorite Zubbles from a range of rich, vibrant colors, and experience the magic of watching colored bubbles float through the air. And, using a new class of patent pending specialty dyes developed by C2C Technologies, the color in Zubbles magically disappears when exposed to air, water or pressure.

Clip Source: www.zubbles.com

We are diligently working on bring Zubbles to market but no official launch date is available at this time.

Let the words of your mouth taste sweet

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 16:22:42 GMT

clipped by: bignosemousie
clipper's remarks: I don't need any practice on how to speak with a sharp tongue. I think I'm pretty good at that.

Clip Source: deeperdevotion.com

Ephesians 4:29
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

The word of God tells us that only wholesome words that promote health to others physically, mentally, and morally should come out of our mouths. Whenever we speak of others, it should be to instruct or improve that person (edification), not tear them down in the eyes of others. Our words should “…give grace to those who hear.” That means that our words should give pleasure, joy, and delight to others. That is not an easy task. We tend to say what we think. In order to tame the tongue, we need to begin with the heart (Ps. 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.”).

Speaking with grace

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 16:18:08 GMT

clipped by: bignosemousie
clipper's remarks: Speak the truth in love.

Clip Source: followinhissteps.blogspot.com

"Let your speech always be with grace..." Colossians 4:6

Do Speak:
-Sweet words that edify.
-Kind words that comfort.
-Warm words that sympathize.
-Sincere words that encourage.
-Honest words that shun even the hint of deceit.
-Words that show mercy and compassion.
-Words that show humility and gentleness.

-Words that are loving, kind, and unselfish.

Don’t Speak:
-Words that embarrass.
-That are unkind, rude, or blunt.
-That are spiteful or bitter.
-That are gushy and insincere.
-That show pride in yourself and your way of doing things.

Fairy garden kit

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:31:58 GMT

clipped by: bignosemousie
clipper's remarks: My parents, who are very handy, created a fairy house for my daughter. My parents live in the woods and there are many many things to explore there. My daughter had such fun decorating the fairy house at Christmas with things she found in the woods.

This site has wonderful things for purchase, or just to stimulate your own imagination.

Clip Source: store.imaginechildhood.com

Bring Nature inside! This indoor garden kit lets you create your own magical fairy garden. Watch it grow and change each day! Kit includes:1 Planting Box 1 Wooden Base (lid) 1 Bag of Potting Soil 1 Piece of Flagstone 1 Arbor 1 Bench 1 Birdhouse, a list of plant suggestions, and Fairy Dust.

Due to the cold winter weather plants must be shipped overnight. Please contact us if you would like to discuss plant ordering options.

This item ships separately via UPS and is not available for gift wrap.

Tags: childhood is magical

Teaching kids to cook

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:50:30 GMT

clipped by: bignosemousie
clipper's remarks: I love having my daughter help in the kitchen. (I also secretly love showing her the effort and the love that goes into creating a meal for the family. It doesn't magically appear, you know).

She can make a salad by herself now. I even let her use the sharp knife (at 5!). I might be crazy.

She is getting her own cookbook for Christmas. Sometimes it is hard for me to let go of my presentation perfectionism and just let her do it as well as she can. I have big plans for her to make a whole meal herself. I'll let you know how that goes. Hahahaha.

Clip Source: www.kidsandnutrition.co.uk

It’s never too early to start teaching kids about cooking. Children love to help especially when they’re young and catching hold of their enthusiasm will pay dividends later. Families who create delicious meals together are:

encouraging healthy eating habits and fostering a love of good eating
helping to set their children up for the future – they won’t be leaving home without being able to boil an egg
teaching responsibility and sharing domestic tasks

There’s a limit to what children can do safely in the kitchen, depending on their age. But with help, even quite young ones could:

wash vegetables
set the table
stir the pot
mix the dough
decorate the cake
put the toppings on the pizza
spread fillings in the sandwiches …
… and so on.

It’s also a great opportunity to chat together about where the food comes from, how it helps us to grow and stay healthy, how it changes when it’s cooked, which ingredients taste delicious together and how to stay safe while using hot stoves and sharp knives.

Tags: childhood, cooking, teaching

Charity begins at home

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:35:37 GMT

clipped by: bignosemousie
clipper's remarks:

Charity begins at home means that family members are more important than anyone else, and should be the focus of a person's efforts.

Source

I always thought this phrase meant that charity is learned at home. Teaching my daughter to cultivate and appreciate a charitable heart might be the most important thing I do. My parents truly blessed me growing up in a giving home.

Clip Source: www.more4kids.info

Most children don’t realize that they can make a big difference in the life of someone else. You don’t have to be an adult. Having a positive impact on the life of another person can be done by another of any age, and it can be the smallest of things. My husband and I are firm believers that it is the small things in life that have the most impact, and we do all we can to instill that in our children.

It is important though that your children see you being charitable as well. They learn best by example, so if mom and dad are making an effort to have a positive impact on the lives of others then they will want to do it as well.

Start small, for example holding the door for someone. It may seem silly, but you can’t imagine the impact that it has on the person your child is holding the door for. Depending on the age of your child, helping an elderly neighbor carry in groceries is being charitable. These can be done all year.

Tags: empower your kids to make a difference

Playful Learning

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 04:51:58 GMT

clipped by: bignosemousie
clipper's remarks: Playful Learning is a website that provides learning experiences that promote positive family interactions.

The Best Part of Me is just one example. Poke around. There is some great stuff in here.

Clip Source: www.playfulearning.com

Playful Learning

The Best Part of Me

The book, The Best Part of Me, is a wonderful resource for parents as well as teachers. I started out by telling the girls that I had an important question for them.

They loved reading the book, which consists of photographs and writing by children. Each child was asked to choose and write about the best part of themselves. The text is actually printed in the child’s own handwriting so the girls really felt as if they were reading the work of their peers.

At the end of the book I asked them, “What is the best part of you?”

My Lips

I like when I smile

My lips help me sing

I like putting lip gloss on them

They are pretty pink

My Hands

I like holding stuff with them

I love to move them

I like to pick up stuff with them

I like to talk with them

I like to play with them

Tags: children, childhood

Reporting child abuse and neglect

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:35:55 GMT

clipped by: bignosemousie
clipper's remarks: I looked up Texas law (clipped at the bottom) and was surprised to learn that in Texas any person is required to report child abuse and neglect.

What about your state/country?

Clip Source: www.apa.org

The effects of child abuse can last a lifetime. An abused or neglected child needs help right away. Is a child you know being abused or neglected?

In every state, the following people are required by law to report suspected abuse:

doctors
nurses
dentists
mental health professionals
social workers
teachers
day care workers
law enforcement personnel

In some states, clergy, foster parents, attorneys, and camp counselors also are required to report abuse. In about 20 states, any person who suspects abuse is required to report it.

Clip Source: www.dfps.state.tx.us

The law requires any person who believes that a child, or person 65 years or older, or an adult with disabilities is being abused, neglected, or exploited to report the circumstances to DFPS.

Any person suspecting abuse and not reporting it can be held liable for a Class B misdemeanor.

Tags: children, abuse, neglect, responsibility

the making of a significant individual

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 04:37:50 GMT

clipped by: bignosemousie
clipper's remarks: Oh, how I must remember to temper my impatience and let the messiness into my life, and into her life.

Clip Source: blog.seeingtheeveryday.com

When children learn to be honest, work hard and communicate well at home, they develop into sound individuals who take their experience into their community and future families. These virtues are developed most profoundly in the memorable moments spent together, and it is the collective sum of these moments that shapes the character of an individual.

Clip Source: blog.seeingtheeveryday.com

“It is not about making a cake, dinner or any number of important things…It is, however, about making a child. A unique, one of a kind, significant individual” Lawrence Elliott

Tags: childhood, making a life