tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32341712529075779062009-10-22T16:15:00.935-07:00The TroubadourConnect with our family to find ideas to help your family thrive.Kas Wintershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13771392637741443584noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234171252907577906.post-74177664039259598372007-10-04T09:53:00.000-07:002007-10-04T11:31:11.431-07:002007-10-04T11:31:11.431-07:00Make a Scarecrow Every year we make a scarecrow to sit in the livingroom and then, near the front door on Halloween. Often I'll walk by and wonder who might be visiting, since we stuff full-size adult clothes to make him. To make one of your own, stuff a set of old clothes with crumpled newspapers. Use a long-sleeved shirt (something like a plaid flannel fits the scarecrow concept) and long pants (old jeans workKas Wintershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13771392637741443584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234171252907577906.post-960231555345781282007-09-25T10:11:00.000-07:002007-09-25T10:15:44.821-07:002007-09-25T10:15:44.821-07:00I just received the following e-mail on a subject that I believe is very important to our children so I'm including it here. Of course, it doesn't have to be Take a Child Outside Week to spend time with kids and nature together.Celebrate Take a Child Outside Week September 24th - 30thThis week the Children & Nature Network will join more than 90 organizations in celebrating "Take A Child Outside Kas Wintershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13771392637741443584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234171252907577906.post-40464932322880435792007-09-18T10:02:00.000-07:002007-09-18T10:03:45.903-07:002007-09-18T10:03:45.903-07:00Excite Children about Learning to Read!Interesting Ways to Read to Your Child:● Read, memorize and sing Nursery Rhymes.● Read Fairy Tales. Children identify with the main characters who often overcome great difficulties. This also helps to develop both their imagination and their problem-solving skills.● Read books that make you laugh together. This builds relationships and a sense of security.● Read tongue twisters (Like Dr. Seuss’, Kas Wintershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13771392637741443584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234171252907577906.post-55396938191263967112007-09-07T09:39:00.000-07:002007-09-07T09:46:26.840-07:002007-09-07T09:46:26.840-07:00An Easy Way to Make Your Own PizzaWhen everyone in the family has different favorites, we've found that letting each child make a section of pizza with their favorite toppings is not only fun, but tastes good and gives a child a sense of accomplishment. (It's also less expensive than ordering out and takes very little time to do.)We start with a ready-made pizza crust, but if there is time, you Kas Wintershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13771392637741443584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234171252907577906.post-27180076956891396742007-09-07T09:28:00.000-07:002007-09-07T09:38:36.216-07:002007-09-07T09:38:36.216-07:00Turn a beloved T-shirt into a huggable pillowRecently, one of my granddaughters was dismayed because a nightshirt/T-shirt of mine that she loved to wear when she stayed at grandma's house had reached the point where there were too many holes worn in it to be useful anymore. I was ready to toss it into the rag bag when she pleaded to save "at least the cute bear on the front". As it turned out, Kas Wintershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13771392637741443584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234171252907577906.post-44362991702090868962007-09-07T09:21:00.000-07:002007-09-07T09:28:12.657-07:002007-09-07T09:28:12.657-07:00Think it, Say it, Do it.Perhaps one of the best gifts we can give our children is to help them see themselves as capable. Sometimes this happens from what we say, "You can do it!", "I have confidence in you." and "I'm sure you can handle that." Often it occurs because we provide our children with opportunities to try new things, to use tools, to experience situations under our watchful eye where Kas Wintershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13771392637741443584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234171252907577906.post-58870941900943478082007-09-07T09:13:00.000-07:002007-09-07T09:20:45.178-07:002007-09-07T09:20:45.178-07:00Make a Jumping Spider ToyWe've had kids hide under tables, behind the couch and other places, lying in wait with a spider poised to jump. What fun! Take four black pipe cleaners and twist them in the center to make 8 legs. Glue them to the bottom of a black pom pom and then shape the pipe cleaners so that they look like spider's legs. Sew a piece of string through the pom pom and then run the Kas Wintershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13771392637741443584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234171252907577906.post-13582733707936896342007-08-12T13:57:00.000-07:002007-08-12T20:04:06.602-07:002007-08-12T20:04:06.602-07:00Fun in the Night SkyLast night was one of the evenings for viewing the Perseid meteor showers, something we have watched numerous times over the years with our children and grandchildren. There were no kids at home, so my husband and I decided that they would still be fun to watch, especially since this year there is a new moon and the sky is darker than usual. Also, the stormclouds from the last week had dissipatedKas Wintershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13771392637741443584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234171252907577906.post-53869674822401128652007-08-12T13:44:00.000-07:002007-08-12T13:56:26.708-07:002007-08-12T13:56:26.708-07:00Little things organize for back to schoolWith all the back-to-school shopping and preparations, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. I always came back to a few simple ideas that helped to make the task easier.1) Give things a home. Make folders, files or locations for papers. Have hooks, closets or other locations for jackets, shoes, boots and backpacks. Put school supplies for homework or projects in a box, a basket, a drawer or other Kas Wintershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13771392637741443584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234171252907577906.post-9742167011280332132007-07-16T20:58:00.000-07:002007-07-16T21:00:16.998-07:002007-07-16T21:00:16.998-07:00Imagine That and Make It SoAccording to many teachers and parents and my own observations, children are not developing their imaginations anymore because they don’t have to use them for anything. Everything is presented to them in a “no-imagination-necessary” form through the media, through toys and even through many of the activities in which they partake. If they cannot imagine, they are at a distinct disadvantage for Kas Wintershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13771392637741443584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234171252907577906.post-28978962661089685442007-07-16T08:08:00.001-07:002007-07-16T08:42:19.905-07:002007-07-16T08:42:19.905-07:00Easy Summer Fun for KidsChildren have free time, but parents don't usually get a summer break (unless they are teachers). Because children look forward to special time and attention from parents during summer vacation, here are some of the simple things we did with our children that gave us time together and made memorable moments.Get wet! Run through lawn sprinklers, sit under a sprinkler or misting system, swim, get aKas Wintershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13771392637741443584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234171252907577906.post-63087763579641106562007-07-07T10:00:00.000-07:002007-07-07T10:07:12.966-07:002007-07-07T10:07:12.966-07:00Ways to have Summer Fun with WatermelonHave a Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest. (Kids will often do this on their own.) Save some seeds and plant them in time for watermelons for next year. Use a melon ball scoop to make melon balls and eat them. They are much more fun than ordinary pieces of watermelon. Carve you melon. Cut a melon in half and scoop out the red melon. Carve a design that goes through the green rind and exposes the Kas Wintershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13771392637741443584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234171252907577906.post-53127581739925974232007-07-06T16:35:00.000-07:002007-07-06T22:23:33.445-07:002007-07-06T22:23:33.445-07:0030 Ways to Help Children Enjoy CampingWe've been a camping family since I was an infant and I frequently comment that we really live in a tent! Whether you are a regular camping family or have just decided to give it a try, here are some ideas for activities that keep children interested and learning during a family campout. Satisfy their curiosity and teach them to be safe while having a great time in nature.Watch for animals, birdsKas Wintershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13771392637741443584noreply@blogger.com1