Not Before 7

Wordless Wednesday: 2 Generations of Sisters

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Wordless Wednesday: School Year Portraits by Mom

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

C (age 2)

D (age 4)…the final…

His out takes…

T (age 7)…the “portrait looking one”….

and the one Mommy framed…

K (age 9), who was suddenly “grown up” in this shot, and cooperated too well to have out-takes…

Loving my camera and the 50mm 1.8f lens!

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Wordless Wednesday: No Words, Just My Boy

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Hosting Advent Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Many years ago, my parents began the tradition of weekly dinners during the Advent Season.

This year, my parents were out of town, so Eric and I hosted the first dinner. It was Thanksgiving weekend and we invited my Grandmother and Uncle as well as some good friends over for dinner.

It was such a fun night! We really enjoyed hosting one of the dinners, and so did our children.

It was a great night and a fun way to begin the Advent Season in our home.

Wordless Wednesday: Mommy playing with her camera on our Nature Walks

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Tiny Talk Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 04:30:00 +0000

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting - the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

Join in the fun and record the Tiny Talk overheard in your house! Publish a post on your blog and link us to the laughs. Then be sure to link to the blog carnival on this post so more bloggers can join in the fun.

The guidelines can be found here if you need them.
_____________________________________________________
K: Mom, what's TOT (on her pants?)

Mom: Oh, that's LOL.

K: Lol (pronouncing it as a word)

Mom: It means Laugh out loud. Like when you talk on the computer and someone says something funny, they don't know you are laughing....

K: So you write back, "I LOL'ed"

Mom: Nope, you just write LOL.

(uh...give it a few years and she'll be filling me in)
______________________________________________________

I took a trip about one hour north to meet a friend for dinner. When I arrived, I called home to let my husband know that I arrived. K (age 9) answered the phone....

K: Hello.

Mom: Hey K. It's Mommy. Would you tell Daddy that I made it?

K: What did you make?

Mom: (laugh) No. I mean that I made it here. I arrived here.

K: Oh.

(funny when you hear the phrases they still don't know, even at age 9....cute)
_______________________________________________________

Your Turn:

More Art Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

I LOVE the new art website I discovered.

We have had a blast creating some fun projects! The Owl project was a lot of fun!

(HINT: Frame 3D projects by removing the glass!)

Our next project was the Nativity Silhouette. This one was very striking on her blog and I thought it would be a nice one for everyone to do.

Everyone except C (age 2), who was napping, but woke up in time for the picture and quickly grabbed something to hold and pose with.

Which was SO. DARN. CUTE.

I love that they all look so well done. D (age 4) has a beautiful one, as well as both of his sisters!

I think we’ll make it a goal to do at least one a month. Love that site!

Our Recycling Bin

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

I look in and see a bunch of recycling…

They dig in and see treasures, art supplies, games, and all sorts of fun…

And they go to work…

Because it is not an egg carton…it is a tiny house with rooms for individual fairies…

I love imagination!

The Document Game

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

My kids love to play a game they made up. They call it the Document Game.

Basically, K (age 9), writes documents for everyone to agree to and sign.

The other day, I found this one on the floor….

I was relieved, of course, till I noticed that my youngest child didn’t sign…

A Hidden Gem in the Day

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Our family took a tour offered at the local conservancy. While the tour guide was very nice and was doing her best to engage the kids, my kids we ready to do more exploring than the guide was providing.

So when the tour guide decided NOT to go up the hill because there was a steep spot we should “avoid” as a group….well, that was all the invitation we needed to consider some alternative plans.

“Mom, what is over that hill?”

“What is being worked on? Are we allowed to go that way?”

Well…the path was open to the public, so we decided that this was the right moment to leave the group quietly and head in the opposite direction.

Boy were we glad that we did.

Over that hill, and down, down, down the “steep section being worked on” was a lovely creek.

OH YEAH!

Rocks. Water. Dirt.

What more could we ask for?

Let the building, throwing, laughing and fun begin!

And mommy took note of the benches and picnic tables in the area.

Yes. We WILL spend quite a bit of time here in the spring. Awesome find!

Kick the ball!

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

T (age 7) has always enjoyed soccer. But I am not a fan of demanding schedules for little ones. I am also not a fan of spending a ton of money to play a sport when you are only SEVEN.

But I digress.

This year, our solution was the Thunder Soccer Club’s Micro-clinic. It is a multi-age skills program for 4-10 year olds, focusing on learning skills through games.

It is only once a week for 1.5 hours, so the schedule wasn’t demanding. (NO WEEKEND GAMES)

The cost was pretty reasonable in comparison to other soccer options.

T had a great time and met some fun kids.

Course, one new friend in particular had her attention a bit too much…ahem…

Uh….get back to the GAME my dear. The GAME.

It was a ton of fun and a great few weeks of soccer.

Wordless Wednesday: The kids behind the feet

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Exciting Times Outdoors

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

I feel pretty strongly that children need to get OUTDOORS as much as possible. They need to roam through the woods, play in dirt, throw sticks or rocks, and just be in the fresh air as many days as possible during the year.

I feel as strongly about this as I do about reading to your kids!

So needless to say, we took advantage of a lot of outdoor time during the fall.

We are fortunate to live in a neighborhood that backs directly up to the woods and the river, so it isn’t too hard to find places to explore. On this particular day, my children and their cousins wandered across the way into a dry creek bed for some exploring fun.

They stayed with Poppy and “Uncle” Eric (Daddy) for quite some time. When I saw them returning home, they were pretty excited about a treasure they discovered in the woods!

Is that what I think it is?

Yes. Yes it is.

So…what to do with a deer skull?

Way back in October…

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

...we took the boys to Dutch Wonderland!

It was a great day for everyone…while the boys were able to have mommy and daddy to themselves, the girls had a special day with Granny and Pop.

We started with a ride across the park!

The construction vehicles were an easy hit! They move slowly, and they are…CONSTRUCTION.

You just can’t beat that for the boys.

Daniel’s favorite ride of the day was the jumping frog ride. He loved this ride. I think he would have ridden it with a smile on his face all day long.

David enjoyed some big boy time on the bumper cars with Daddy!

Yaaaaay for monster trucks!

This Frog Hopper left Daniel quite a bit shaken…

Choo Choo Charlie is an easy one for all ages…

The only real “big kid” ride we attempted with D were the swings. Uh….it didn’t go so well. After I calmed him down the second time, the swing began rocking, and I lost him again….

Oh the horror….

The Whip made one boy happy….

and the other boy sad…

All of the slides were a hit!

It was a GREAT day with our boys!

And it was adorable how excited their sisters were for them because we took them together a few years ago. The girls were so eager to hear about their day, and they were excited to share!

Merry Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 16:41:00 +0000

I have been ~~too lazy~~ too “green” the past few years to do a card.

I have loved seeing everyone’s smiling faces in my mailbox though and am grateful to those of you who send them.

For us, this will have to do…Merry Christmas to all!

War on Advent?

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Apparently there is a war on Advent, or Christmas, or giving…or something along those lines. The battle cries of “Keeping Christ in Christmas” ring out here and there, and while I agree in the spirit of the battle cry, I am concerned about the weapons being used to fight.

Seems to me, that God armed us with faith, hope and love.   And let me tell you that when they are seen in action, they are most powerful.

Instead, I see folks fighting to keep “Christ in Christmas” with rules and regulations. And there are a heck of a lot of them out there.

Frankly the rules can be confusing because they can be manipulated to suit one’s own preferences.

Santa is a lie. Christians don’t lie.

Santa is the celebration of Saint Nicholas, worthy of celebration.

Stop the battle of consumerism. Don’t buy extravagant gifts for your kids. Money sent to charity is the only acceptable spending.

God gives good gifts and to celebrate the Giver, we give lavishly to our friends and family at this time. Spend so that you can show HIS love.

Uh….anyone else get confused over the rules and regulations being established?

Did the Bible lay out some rule book specifically for Christmas or have we become a bit like the Pharisees, making rules for specific occasions that go beyond the scope of His Word?

When Jesus was questioned about the rules…

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

This verse rings true at Christmas time and it rings true each and every day.

Advent is a time to remember that Love came down to earth in the form of a baby.

We love because He loved. He came and He is coming again! And THAT is worthy of celebrating and remembering during this Advent Season.

So for me, His birth is the reason I celebrate this season.

His life and His fulfillment of the law on my behalf is the reason I don’t have to celebrate it according to anyone else’s rules.

And neither do you.

Perhaps you want to spend less and give more.   Perhaps you feel like the entire “gift giving thing” only serves to promote your own selfish desires and you want nothing to do with it.   Read this post by Ann. It’s a wonderful reminder that we can celebrate Jesus at Christmas without tangible gifts under the tree.

But can you forgo the gifts under the tree and still love your neighbor? Or will you demand they forgo gifts as well? Will you condemn their purchase of an iPad? And then slowly, will you begin to idolize your ability to forgo gifts under the tree?

If spending less has become your idol, then read this post at Feminia. Now this one happens to be a bit radical in the spending for my comfort level, as I am not so sure that breaking the budget is the wisest idea, but I agree that storing up a savings for ourselves can be just as selfish as buying that lavish iPad.

Perhaps you have forgotten that you CAN give gifts to the glory of God. Maybe you just need to remember how God’s grace can be displayed in your gift giving.

But then, if you choose to give lavishly, can you still love your neighbor who limits their gifts to a certain number or amount? Can you joyfully celebrate small gifts with those who prefer limits? Or will you make them feel guilty that they don’t “spend as much on you”?

Maybe Santa has been part of your tradition since you were a child and you want to pass on that story to your children. Perhaps it is a daily joy to hide the “Elf on the Shelf” each morning while laughing and giggling at his silly antics.

Or does the jolly man in the red suit give you the hebbie jeebies? Maybe he represents everything “anti-Christ” in Christmas for you? If so, toss the Rudolf movie and pass on the jolly man photos at the mall.

But can you remove him from your home and still love your brother who hides that Elf every morning? Or will you make snide comments about the “lie” of Christmas, knowing full well you are implying that your neighbor is sinfully lying?

I could go on, but you get the point.

The fact of the matter is that Christ is “in” our Christmas just as He is “in” every day we live.

But He is not displayed through a checklist of rules we give one another. He is displayed as we show love to one another in all that we do.

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35)

So go forth and celebrate this season. Celebrate big or celebrate small. Give to family, friends, or those on the other side of the globe. Decorate with lights, with Santa, or with manger scenes. Spend quiet moments in reflection and loud moments with family. And do it ALL for His Glory.

For the “Word became FLESH and dwelt among us”!

And that is worthy of celebration.

There were 4 in the bed…

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

I adore watching my kids play together. They really are great friends and playmates. Part of the beauty of having the four children in pretty quick succession is that they are still all in this “let’s pretend” stage together.

So the other day, I was looking through my albums and it was fun to find them playing some sort of sleeping game in David’s bottom bunk one day…

Then I found photos the very next day of some sort of sleeping time game going on downstairs.

Of course, clearly none of them actually SLEEP during these games. *sigh

But they laugh, giggle, pretend, and have a blast!

Wordless Wednesday: It’s fun to have a brother

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Tiny Talk Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:14:00 +0000

Snack Time Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 02:37:00 +0000

K (age 9) has a great American Girl Library Christmas Craft Book. This is the first year her (oh too tired mother) has had some energy to attempt some of the activities and ideas in the book.
We made this melt-a-way mint snowmen and had such a fun time. We rolled balls out of the white dough and decorated our little snowmen with some dough dyed light blue.

Not only did the kids have a blast, but the little mints were adorable!

This is definitely one worth doing again. EASY fun with a group of kids!

Care to try?

1 T softened butter
1 T light corn syrup
1/8 t salt
1/2 t mint extract
1 c powdered sugar, add this gradually at the end

Make a dough. Divide and color some with food coloring if desired. We did about 1/4 of the dough in blue. The actual directions suggest to make the 12 snowmen first, then divide the rest of the dough and make some blue and some orange (for noses). My kids made a lot more than 12 snowman and had a ball with a little blue dough to decorate!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:27:00 +0000

Tiny Talk Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:28:00 +0000

Read. Read. Read.

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0000

If I had one educational piece of advice to give all parents it would be to READ READ READ to your child. And I mean AFTER they turn 5. After they learn to read.

We see enough about reading to our preschoolers and little ones, but it shouldn’t stop there! Unfortunately, most parents back off once a child can read on their own. As soon as their child picks up their first chapter book, parents stop reading to them.

Do. Not. Let. That. Happen.

Well, you can let them read on their own. But continue to read to them on a regular basis.

There a million reasons for this and I am more and more convinced of it each year. I hear it continually at educational conferences and conventions. And I see it daily as I educate my own children.

So why keep reading to them, other than for the sake of enjoying and discussing great literature with your kids?

Ok, so here are some thoughts…

1. Take it up a notch for them!

Literature written for children these days isn’t great literature, in general. Books might be fun, funny, or exciting, but the vocabulary and complexity isn’t there.

Don’t believe me? Just pick up a “Junie B. Jones” or “Judy Moody” book. Then there is the ever popular, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.” UGH.

Twaddle!

Character relationships are based on sarcasm and superficial conversations. Plots are often ridiculous and thin. Of course, kids love these books and parents are usually “just glad they are reading something.”

Ok, fine. I get that. My child reads quite a bit of twaddle for her free time reading. Right now she enjoys a series about a hamster named, “Humphrey”…sigh…

But this horrible quality of children’s literature is a huge reason you should not stop reading to children as often as possible. You get to take them beyond the twaddle they select for themselves. You can select literature of a higher quality to enjoy with them. You are able to introduce them to more complex stories and developed characters.

Children are able to listen and comprehend literature far above their own reading level. So when they put down the series book, you can introduce them to a historical fiction such as, “The Witch of Blackbird Pond.” (one of our favorites so far this year for my 2nd and 3rd grader)

2. Quality literature builds vocabulary.

This one is probably common sense. “The Secret Garden” or “Pinocchio” beat out “The Magic Treehouse series anyday! Pick higher quality and more complex literature for your kids and dive in!

They will be more well equipped speakers, writers and readers as a result!

3. Teachable moments.

Reading a book to your child will inevitably lead to discussion. You get to teach them how to attack and interact with literature. Together, you might analyze a character’s decision, the complexity of relationships in the book, or just laugh about the irony of a storyline. You might discuss parallels with your own life or lessons they characters are learning that you might like to apply. The discussions are endless and they don’t need to include worksheets, assignments or anything formal. Just read and talk.

4. A love a good literature.

Memories of good books on the sofa, in the car, or snuggled up in bed can begin a lifelong journey that could include a love of literature.

Now there is no guarantee that your kids will love to read just because you read to them, but it does increase the chances.

And there is no guarantee that they won’t want to read twaddle as teenagers just because you read them beautiful classics as children, but perhaps attacking a Charles Dickens novel will feel less intimidating because they have been discussing higher level literature with their parents throughout their lives.

5. Finally…family time.

Reading is just a great thing to do as a family. You build your own relationships as you gather around a good book. It’s a pause in the day, a way to interact, and can create treasured memories.

Personally, I still remember sitting on the staircase in middle school while my father read aloud, “The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe” to my siblings and I.

***NOTE: #1, 2, and 4 are great reasons to read books to your kids, but it doesn’t mean that every book you read aloud to them has to be fabulously high quality literature. It’s perfectly acceptable to read a Magic Treehouse book, a Beverly Cleary, or a Harry Potter book to them. (HP happens to be one of the many we are in the midst of)

You can still enjoy great family memories and teachable moments no matter what you choose to read!

What to do if you can’t read well, hate to read, or just can’t pause that long in most days?

Get a book on CD and listen together. This can be done in the car, while you are cooking dinner, after dinner, or anytime. A few months ago we invested in one of those under the cabinet CD players for the kitchen and it has been WONDERFUL for this very purpose.

Personally, I like to get the book and the CD so I can alternate times when I read and times when I get to listen. Each has its own benefit.

There are a million ways to accomplish the task of reading good literature to your older children. Just make it a priority as much as possible.

Happy 9th Birthday, Part I

noreply@blogger.com (Mary@notbefore7) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 18:40:00 +0000

Dear K,

Today you turned 9. I can hardly believe it! But I have to tell you that I am so incredibly thankful for you.

I am daily inspired and encouraged by the wonderful young lady you are becoming. You have such an encouraging, creative and energetic spirit. You love to share your life, ideas, and thoughts with other people.

I enjoy you so much! And as much as I would love to slow down time, I truly love watching you grow and become the person God has planned for you to be.

Last night we celebrated Birthday Eve, the tradition YOU began earlier this year. After dinner, we let you open one of your gifts. Usually we do the small one, but this year we let you open your AG matching doll and girl bathrobe so that you could wear it during our movie time. After gifts, daddy took the boys up to bath and bedtime while we began, “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.” Then he joined us once they were in bed. Both you and T enjoyed the movie and popcorn. It was a fun night for sure!

I tried to get our “new” traditional picture of the “last night you were 8”, but the flashes woke you and caused you to sit up and talk. T started talking too, so I told you both to lay back down and I left. Needless to say, I didn’t return for another picture.

On your birthday morning, you headed out with your Daddy for breakfast. Then you picked your special balloon.

At lunchtime, your friends came over for pizza, cake, and presents.

After lunch, we headed to homeschool roller skate time at the local roller skating center.

You have an amazing group of very delightful friends! Everyone had such a great time, including me!

We are so fortunate that you are part of our family! You are a sweet, encouraging, and caring young lady. It was a pleasure watching you rotate between all your friends, making sure everyone felt included and had time with you. God has given you such a beautiful heart to love others.

You are a wonderful little girl and I love you very much!

Mommy