tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64169734385106855802013-06-19T03:00:03.054-04:00We are three moms that are sharing how we play with our kids (activities and crafts), how we eat with our kids (recipes and tips), and how we grow spiritually with our kids (insight and activities for parents and kids).PlayEat Growhttps://plus.google.com/108588621501899922265noreply@blogger.comBlogger304125PlayEatGrowhttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-49811733373811788822013-06-19T03:00:00.000-04:002013-06-19T03:00:03.059-04:002013-06-19T03:00:03.059-04:00<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Today&#39;s post comes from my good friend, Sarah. Our children have basically grown up together, so we have talked, moaned, and worked through our kids&#39; food issues together. Here she shares a technique that helped her oldest daughter.</span></i><br> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Last year, the book </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bringing-Up-B%C3%A9b%C3%A9-Discovers-Parenting/dp/1594203334/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1371522770&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=bringing+up+bebe" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bringing Up Bebe</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, by Pamela Druckerman hit the bookshelves.  </span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5N-M0AUaZg/UcES7D-8_TI/AAAAAAAAAPg/yYgS1nipIxs/s1600/bringing+up+bebe.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></span></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Source <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594203334/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=1594203334&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=pleagr-20%22%3EBringing%20Up%20B%C3%A9b%C3%A9:%20One%20American%20Mother%20Discovers%20the%20Wisdom%20of%20French%20Parenting%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=pleagr-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=1594203334%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">Here</a></span></td></tr> </tbody></table> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 1; white-space: pre-wrap;">It&#39;s about the lessons an </span><span style="line-height: 1; white-space: pre-wrap;">American mother learned while raising her kids in France.  It is an interesting and pretty fast read if you are curious about another culture’s child rearing practices.  Much of the advice/wisdom is a useful reminder of things we should be doing.  For example, make sure to make time for you; provide boundaries, but allow kids free play within those boundaries; kids don’t need their entire lives to be scheduled activities…  I got a little annoyed at the extremity of the American helicopter parent examples (chosen for effect, of course).  And I personally feel the French methods may have its merits, but there is an element of selfishness in how far they take it, like how few women breastfeed because of the perception it will ruin their figure.  I came away with the image of the Parisian women in their high heels on the side of the playground having adult conversations...  I appreciate a great adult conversation on the side too, but I also enjoy playing with my kids on the playground (to the point where I made sure I have shoes that are good playground, non-heeled shoes for the summer!)</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div> <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/guest-post-eat-french-food-osophy-kids.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/xm8YLx_Cpy4" height="1" width="1"/>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04897900370198857730noreply@blogger.com0http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/guest-post-eat-french-food-osophy-kids.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-46226483516760122202013-06-17T16:06:00.002-04:002013-06-18T22:55:35.754-04:002013-06-18T22:55:35.754-04:00Fireworks are an exciting part of Independence Day. In fact, it almost always seems to be too short. It often feels like to me that they have just begun, and then there&#39;s the finale.<br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bX1KfVWMtbs/Ub9q9WxLj7I/AAAAAAAAANY/0NP_k0a62FQ/s1600/Fireworks+Craft+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bX1KfVWMtbs/Ub9q9WxLj7I/AAAAAAAAANY/0NP_k0a62FQ/s1600/Fireworks+Craft+Cover.jpg"></a></div> <br> I do have two exceptions to that rule.<br> <br> <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/play-easy-fireworks-craft.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/AOifS1yfkL0" height="1" width="1"/>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04897900370198857730noreply@blogger.com2http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/play-easy-fireworks-craft.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-12925221489965394352013-06-14T03:00:00.000-04:002013-06-14T08:01:23.351-04:002013-06-14T08:01:23.351-04:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> <i>Today&#39;s post comes from Jake, the husband of Tiffany. Jake is the dad of one boy and three girls. Here&#39;s his reflections on &quot;Daddy Dates.&quot; </i></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mC9edjOgLv0/Ubp9qCNoUOI/AAAAAAAAAEY/A6-G7Sf13Ag/s1600/DSCN6151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mC9edjOgLv0/Ubp9qCNoUOI/AAAAAAAAAEY/A6-G7Sf13Ag/s320/DSCN6151.JPG" width="320"></a></div> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"> I only had brothers. No close girls relatives or neighbors. I kind of assumed I would just have sons. I may have tacitly believed that I was too manly to produce girls. Now, as the father of three girls (and one boy), I waffle between wondering if I wasn’t actually as manly as I thought or if manliness and male offspring are uncorrelated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>All that to say, I hadn’t developed a finely tuned theology of girlraising. So, at this point my thoughts are fairly reactive. That is to say, I hear of something from somewhere and evaluate it to piece together my paradigm. This post is going to stem from the concept of “Daddy dates.”</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nfg9ddL1KMo/Ubp-20vKGeI/AAAAAAAAAE0/E0bOpayhdLM/s1600/IMG_2029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nfg9ddL1KMo/Ubp-20vKGeI/AAAAAAAAAE0/E0bOpayhdLM/s320/IMG_2029.JPG" width="320"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> </div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">            </span>I don’t begrudge anyone their “aaawww” at some picture of a dad in a suit with a little girl holding a flower. It’s cute. I will certainly being giving plenty of one-on-one time to my girls (and boy) throughout their childhoods, and I may even occasionally wear a suit and give flowers. However, I will not be telling my daughter, “This is how a boy should treat you.” And this is why: I am not going to let my daughters look through their scrapbooks and see that the special times their dad spent with them was designed to help them determine an appropriate suitor.</div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zVCbtrz-seo/Ubp7t6H_HyI/AAAAAAAAAEI/6keKjuhP7oc/s1600/IMG_2323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zVCbtrz-seo/Ubp7t6H_HyI/AAAAAAAAAEI/6keKjuhP7oc/s320/IMG_2323.jpg" width="320"></a></div> <br> </div><a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/guest-post-grow-why-i-will-not-be-going.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/UFW9no9AfIM" height="1" width="1"/>Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111468474747182397noreply@blogger.com9http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/guest-post-grow-why-i-will-not-be-going.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-5033643823867325202013-06-12T17:52:00.002-04:002013-06-12T17:53:39.322-04:002013-06-12T17:53:39.322-04:00My kindergartner has just finished up an author study of <a href="http://lauranumeroff.com/">Laura Numeroff</a>, who wrote <u>If you Give a Mouse a Cookie</u>, along with many other stories with the same &quot;circular text&quot; pattern.  Yes, he came home and told me about circular text.   Anyway, after hearing a friend mention the idea of using Numeroff&#39;s books as a model for a Father&#39;s Day book, I decided we would give it a try.  The boys had a lot of fun with it and we can&#39;t wait to give the books to my husband on Father&#39;s Day.  (Honey, if you&#39;ve suddenly started reading my blog, now would be a good time to stop...)<br> <br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HnPHBOIZcLw/UbjsFuhK0vI/AAAAAAAAAHg/kw4LE8vv2hc/s1600/51iLKu5Su6L._SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HnPHBOIZcLw/UbjsFuhK0vI/AAAAAAAAAHg/kw4LE8vv2hc/s320/51iLKu5Su6L._SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" width="320"></a></div> <br> <br> <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/play-fathers-day-if-you-give-your-dad.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/b3e4fBTpte4" height="1" width="1"/>MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01877796988097492845noreply@blogger.com2http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/play-fathers-day-if-you-give-your-dad.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-19789109115107365672013-06-12T03:00:00.000-04:002013-06-12T08:23:01.408-04:002013-06-12T08:23:01.408-04:00Kids in the Kitchen is our June series that focuses on getting kids helping with food preparation. For many of us, we know that our kids probably could help with breakfast or lunch or dinner, but it just takes so much effort to let them help. It&#39;s faster, easier and cleaner to just do it ourselves. BUT, this month we&#39;re trying to be more intentional in letting our kids in the kitchen.<br> <br> After naps on Sunday, the kids and I planned on making some yummy &quot;simple&quot; snacks that I found on Pinterest (my Aly loves looking at Pinterest with me- she helped me decide to pin these ideas awhile back).<br> <br> First up- <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/Frozen-Banana-Peanut-Butter-Recipe-24047720">Frozen Banana Bites</a>:<br> <br> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X_UiynR8_Ds/UbaRcHUYg0I/AAAAAAAAAC0/zYtRR8T3H30/s1600/60aabd0d254301fe_banana-nibblers.xxxlarge_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X_UiynR8_Ds/UbaRcHUYg0I/AAAAAAAAAC0/zYtRR8T3H30/s320/60aabd0d254301fe_banana-nibblers.xxxlarge_1.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taken from fitsugar.com </td></tr> </tbody></table> <br> <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/eat-simple-snacks-kids-in-kitchen-series.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/Z_SU26RPBuM" height="1" width="1"/>Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111468474747182397noreply@blogger.com0http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/eat-simple-snacks-kids-in-kitchen-series.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-3911501934434759622013-06-10T23:35:00.005-04:002013-06-13T09:38:19.998-04:002013-06-13T09:38:19.998-04:00We are one week away from honoring the dads in our lives, so if you&#39;re like me, it&#39;s time to get the gift making or buying in order. I&#39;ve already shared some <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/grow-guy-time-tickets.html" target="_blank">Guy Time Tickets</a> that are an easy and quick gift for dad. And you could easily customize <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/play-diy-photo-coasters.html" target="_blank">these coasters</a> for dad. Or you can check out our list of <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2012/06/play-diy-fathers-day-gift-round-up.html" target="_blank">DIY gifts for dad from last year</a>. And if none of those ideas suit your fancy, you can give a shot at these DAD Frames!<br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2c4XT3nhw1I/UbcxXHmWo3I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/85l3CyQ7cDk/s1600/DAD+frame+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2c4XT3nhw1I/UbcxXHmWo3I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/85l3CyQ7cDk/s1600/DAD+frame+4.jpg"></a></div> <br> <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/play-diy-dad-frame.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/l-l3c0YN2KI" height="1" width="1"/>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04897900370198857730noreply@blogger.com0http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/play-diy-dad-frame.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-36205754956185159412013-06-08T03:00:00.000-04:002013-06-08T03:00:05.600-04:002013-06-08T03:00:05.600-04:00My son actually has a little over a week of school left, but for many kids summer vacation is finally here, so I thought I&#39;d post a round-up of all the different summer reading programs I&#39;ve found out about.  The &quot;summer slide&quot; is not our friend, folks, so let&#39;s do what we can to keep our kids interested in reading this summer!<br> <br> The first place is a no-brainer!  <b>Your local library</b>!   I was thrilled to see that this year my library is actually giving away books as prizes for reading instead of plastic junk.  My younger son can earn a free book for listening to 20 read-alouds, and my older son can earn a free book for every three chapter books he reads.  They also offer a ton of fun, free, programs!<br> <br> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LAM7SOMQZW0/UbHJXuZP65I/AAAAAAAAAFo/_x2uh3fafDA/s1600/kids-reading-in-library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LAM7SOMQZW0/UbHJXuZP65I/AAAAAAAAAFo/_x2uh3fafDA/s400/kids-reading-in-library.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pineblufflibrary.org/kids-0">source</a></td></tr> </tbody></table> <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/play-summer-reading-program-round-up.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/Nbb5aMmhQJM" height="1" width="1"/>MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01877796988097492845noreply@blogger.com4http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/play-summer-reading-program-round-up.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-55802371051522925812013-06-07T17:23:00.000-04:002013-06-08T00:31:59.719-04:002013-06-08T00:31:59.719-04:00Father&#39;s Day is coming up, and we wanted to spend this grow post and next talking about ways that fathers can spend with their kids. Today&#39;s post is how dads can spend time with their sons. Check back next week on how dads can spend time with their daughters.<br> <br> Now, I am not a dad. Shocker, I know. But I do happen to know a few awesome ones, and I&#39;m married to one my favorites. So, I <strike>asked</strike> wrangled him into helping me with this post.<br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NJ9iMIlmH00/UbJNsN9Lo3I/AAAAAAAAAKM/4S7ofcL6xFU/s1600/guy+time+ticket+easy+gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NJ9iMIlmH00/UbJNsN9Lo3I/AAAAAAAAAKM/4S7ofcL6xFU/s1600/guy+time+ticket+easy+gift.jpg"></a></div> <br> <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/grow-guy-time-tickets.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/lOeDvyMRhKI" height="1" width="1"/>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04897900370198857730noreply@blogger.com1http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/grow-guy-time-tickets.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-62374320495556506702013-06-06T22:24:00.000-04:002013-06-08T22:58:14.695-04:002013-06-08T22:58:14.695-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"> And I&#39;ve read a lot. </div> <br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C-qfxXqwM9c/UbFEBLG5YkI/AAAAAAAAACk/QBBAsqUTZ7o/s1600/Christian-Parenting-Handbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C-qfxXqwM9c/UbFEBLG5YkI/AAAAAAAAACk/QBBAsqUTZ7o/s640/Christian-Parenting-Handbook.jpg" width="419"></a></div>  <b> </b><br> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Christian-Parenting-Handbook-Heart-Based/dp/1400205190"><b>The Christian Parenting Handbook: 50 Heart-Based Strategies for All the Stages of Your Child’s Life</b> </a>is by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller. Each of the short (3-5 page) chapters in this book contain just enough information and ideas to get one thinking, but not so much that the point of the chapter is over-explained. Check out some of these very intriguing chapter titles:<br> <br> <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/grow-best-parenting-book-ive-ever-read.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/eT7h3d2NygE" height="1" width="1"/>Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111468474747182397noreply@blogger.com1http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/grow-best-parenting-book-ive-ever-read.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-70263693563997908852013-06-05T03:00:00.000-04:002013-06-05T03:00:05.458-04:002013-06-05T03:00:05.458-04:00For many of us, summer is the time of year when things slow down a bit.  There&#39;s less of the after school &quot;do your homework, practice your instrument, eat your dinner, take your shower, read your book, go to bed - so we can do this all over again tomorrow&quot; craziness!  That leaves more time for other things.  Things like getting your children involved in food choices and food prep!  As long as you have reasonable expectations about things like mess (more of it) and efficiency (less of it), the kitchen can be a great place to spend time with your kids.<br> <br> Recently my boys helped me make this easy version of Italian Wedding Soup.<br> <br> <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/eat-italian-wedding-soup-kids-in_5.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/PGNTdkrkqNw" height="1" width="1"/>MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01877796988097492845noreply@blogger.com2http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/eat-italian-wedding-soup-kids-in_5.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-4728117101876729242013-06-04T11:41:00.000-04:002013-06-04T19:29:54.262-04:002013-06-04T19:29:54.262-04:00You may remember that my boy and I enjoy<a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/04/play-national-poetry-month.html"> reading poetry together</a>, so I was excited when I was asked to review a new children&#39;s book of poems about fish and other water loving animals.<br> <br> <u><a href="http://www.barrylou.com/books/somethingFishy.html">Something Fishy</a></u>, by Barry Louis Palisar, is a collection of 15 poems all about creatures that live in the water.  My boys were struck by the illustrations immediately.  There is a brightly colored one or two page picture for each poem, and many of them are quite funny.   The kids were also interested in the creatures Palisar wrote about - some that they were familiar with and some that were new to them.<br> <br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nr0cvquXDLQ/Ua4GVCAK0sI/AAAAAAAAAEc/2k22i0s8SWU/s1600/9780938663539_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nr0cvquXDLQ/Ua4GVCAK0sI/AAAAAAAAAEc/2k22i0s8SWU/s400/9780938663539_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" width="400"></a></div> <br> <br> <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/review-something-fishy-by-barry-louis.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/-_JJoDe1-9o" height="1" width="1"/>MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01877796988097492845noreply@blogger.com1http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/review-something-fishy-by-barry-louis.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-71106274038128743382013-06-03T03:00:00.000-04:002013-06-03T03:00:17.829-04:002013-06-03T03:00:17.829-04:00<div style="line-height: 150%;"> <i>Today&#39;s post comes from my good friend Alvin. Alvin and I are not only co-workers at Eastern, but also are neighbors! Alvin has 4 children, just like me, but he and his wife are a little further along than us. One thing I love about Alvin is that he is a wealth of information. He is always learning new things and then teaching others. Today Alvin is going to talk about how to teach kids to ride a bike. Alvin is an avid biker-- he even bikes to work in nice weather (which takes me 25 minutes to drive on a good day!). Enjoy! </i></div> <div style="line-height: 150%;"> <br></div> <div style="line-height: 150%;"> June is here and the nice weather is approaching. Your kids are ready for outside activities. Bike riding is something that we want our kids to able to do, and for those who are at the right age, we want to them to master the two wheeler they received as a gift this past holiday season. I have three kids that rides bikes, and all of them have different physical abilities. With my oldest child it was easy to teach him- he was riding a 2 wheel bike shortly after he turned 5. I learned a great deal from my oldest son’s experience that I&#39;d like to pass on to help make your experience easier. </div> <div style="line-height: 150%;"> </div> <div style="line-height: 150%;"> </div> <div style="line-height: 150%;"> <br> </div><a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/play-guest-post-how-to-teach-your-child.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/JCPf8F84-Vk" height="1" width="1"/>Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111468474747182397noreply@blogger.com3http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/06/play-guest-post-how-to-teach-your-child.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-29591807733939940402013-05-31T08:38:00.000-04:002013-05-31T08:38:43.570-04:002013-05-31T08:38:43.570-04:00Last week we talked about <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/grow-mother-teresa-missionary-may-series.html">Mother Teresa</a>, and how her mom and dad were really big influences in her development of a heart of compassion for others. Of course we want to do the same for our kids, but how do we do it?<br> <br> <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/grow-developing-heart-of-compassion.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/nG87P91wEIk" height="1" width="1"/>Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111468474747182397noreply@blogger.com1http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/grow-developing-heart-of-compassion.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-13289167156332889812013-05-29T03:00:00.000-04:002013-05-29T03:00:00.530-04:002013-05-29T03:00:00.530-04:00<i>Today&#39;s post is brought you by my friend (and neighbor), Katherine. She is a fabulous cook, and I have been inspired by her desire to feed her family healthily. Today she&#39;s sharing a recipe for something I&#39;ve always wanted to try.</i><br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-chWPV5kHFrg/UaQv3NE5pVI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/qIaDrut3ZmU/s1600/fig+newtons+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-chWPV5kHFrg/UaQv3NE5pVI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/qIaDrut3ZmU/s640/fig+newtons+006.jpg" width="480"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <span id="docs-internal-guid-65755ac4-e956-261a-bf1f-5cb0516710b3"></span><br> <div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 1; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fig Newtons. Who </span></span><span style="line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">doesn&#39;t</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 1; white-space: pre-wrap;"> love them? Yummy sweet figs surrounded by a soft cookie. </span></span></span></div> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br><span style="font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span> <div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unfortunately the store bought brand has loads of other junk they throw into that delicious cookie. </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="line-height: 1; white-space: pre-wrap;">HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CORN SYRUP, and SUGAR are the third, fourth, and fifth ingredients in the Nabisco Fig Newtons that you find in your grocery store. No thank you. My body </span><span style="line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">doesn&#39;t</span><span style="line-height: 1; white-space: pre-wrap;"> need that. I knew I could do better. </span></span></span></div> <span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br> <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/eat-guest-post-fig-newtons.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/zVNVofR0yi0" height="1" width="1"/>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04897900370198857730noreply@blogger.com0http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/eat-guest-post-fig-newtons.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-8411682599781907002013-05-27T03:00:00.000-04:002013-05-27T03:00:02.145-04:002013-05-27T03:00:02.145-04:00Happy Memorial Day everyone!  Since today is &quot;the unofficial start of summer&quot; (nevermind that three weeks of school we have left) I thought I would write a post about some of the many things you can do with pool noodles.  They aren&#39;t just for pools, you know!<br> <br> <b>Marble Ramp</b><br> <b><br></b> The first thing we tried out was a pool noodle marble racing ramp.  I originally saw this on pinterest.  In fact I think it was one of the first things I ever pinned!  Only took me a few years to actually make it...  I bought my pool noodles at the dollar store and used a serrated knife to cut one in half for our marble ramp.  It was actually pretty tricky to keep the cut centered so that the marble would have a path on each half.  I didn&#39;t get it perfectly straight but it still seemed to work all right.  Then I taped the halves together and made a finish line sign out of construction paper taped to two skewers.  I brought it out in the yard for the kids to play with - propping it on a chair and placing the end in a cookie tray.<br> <br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6b7lbtNcKyY/UZqYWO1jIfI/AAAAAAAAAC8/9UZFzebtpXg/s1600/marbleramp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6b7lbtNcKyY/UZqYWO1jIfI/AAAAAAAAAC8/9UZFzebtpXg/s400/marbleramp.jpg" width="400"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/play-pool-noodle-fun.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/OxhRbxycCwk" height="1" width="1"/>MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01877796988097492845noreply@blogger.com11http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/play-pool-noodle-fun.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-26101023612254339972013-05-24T03:00:00.000-04:002013-05-24T10:33:51.454-04:002013-05-24T10:33:51.454-04:00Mother Teresa is probably one of the best known modern missionaries of our day.  You probably know that she was a Catholic nun who lived in India, living and serving the poor in the slums, but there is SO. much. more to her. Up until very recently, I thought that if I ran into Mother Teresa on the street, she would smile warmly, shake my hand, and say something very kind and gentle. Perhaps she would be a little shy. Kinda grandmotherly.<br> <br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lMSw254BLls/UZ7AEXbv3II/AAAAAAAAAAw/Elzd-5qxgiU/s1600/mother-teresa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lMSw254BLls/UZ7AEXbv3II/AAAAAAAAAAw/Elzd-5qxgiU/s320/mother-teresa.jpg" width="320"></a></div> <br> Mother Teresa was born into an Albanian family as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu. She grew up with a fairly well-off family (until her dad died) with involved parents. She became a nun when she was in her teens, and spent much of her life living with and serving the poor around the world. As I&#39;ve spent the last few months reading about her, there are some very specific things that stood out to me as I think about her life:<br> <br> <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/grow-mother-teresa-missionary-may-series.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/2WhkZB1UzdQ" height="1" width="1"/>Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111468474747182397noreply@blogger.com0http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/grow-mother-teresa-missionary-may-series.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-85944357521730287672013-05-22T18:34:00.004-04:002013-05-22T22:06:07.749-04:002013-05-22T22:06:07.749-04:00Memorial Day is right around the corner. But I want my kids to know that it&#39;s not just a good day to hang at the beach or pool and buy some furniture or a car. I want them to respect and appreciate what Memorial Day symbolizes--the men and women who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom. That is truly something worth celebrating.<br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jFFaQb4xJ-U/UZ1GpRakWxI/AAAAAAAAAHo/YMaQaMSTSLY/s1600/Memorial+Day+Lunch+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jFFaQb4xJ-U/UZ1GpRakWxI/AAAAAAAAAHo/YMaQaMSTSLY/s400/Memorial+Day+Lunch+Cover.jpg" width="400"></a></div> <br> And so to spark a conversation (and to make meal time a little more fun), I put together this Memorial Day inspired lunch.<br> <br> <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/eat-memorial-day-inspired-lunch.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/gMng_qKuUbA" height="1" width="1"/>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04897900370198857730noreply@blogger.com4http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/eat-memorial-day-inspired-lunch.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-67691746279421323862013-05-20T03:00:00.000-04:002013-05-20T03:00:13.504-04:002013-05-20T03:00:13.504-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;"><i>With Memorial Day coming up we&#39;ve been reading some Memorial Day books and doing some crafts with DIY dyed pasta.</i></span></div> <br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;"> <b>Pasta Art</b><br> <b><br></b> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">Coloring your own pasta is cheap and easy, and can be used for lots of fun projects.  Here&#39;s how to do it!</span><br> <br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">Put 1 tsp vinegar into a plastic bag.  Add 20 drops of the desired color of food coloring.</span><br> <br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ouVdSSQL2zA/UZeb_hrLNSI/AAAAAAAAACE/LsYS_XJ08VQ/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ouVdSSQL2zA/UZeb_hrLNSI/AAAAAAAAACE/LsYS_XJ08VQ/s400/046.JPG" width="300"></a></div> <br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;"> <br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">Add 1/2 to 2/3 cup uncooked pasta of desired shape.  We used ditalani.</span><br> <br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">Close the bag and give everything a good shake.  Let them sit for 10 minutes, then shake again, and let sit for 10 more minutes.</span><br> <br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SXET9NR141c/UZecckcVAeI/AAAAAAAAACM/fyyJPK1-530/s1600/052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SXET9NR141c/UZecckcVAeI/AAAAAAAAACM/fyyJPK1-530/s400/052.JPG" width="400"></a></div> <br> <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/play-memorial-day-dyed-pasta-crafts.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/QWNmF8ziZS4" height="1" width="1"/>MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01877796988097492845noreply@blogger.com3http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/play-memorial-day-dyed-pasta-crafts.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-68622781255961564422013-05-17T03:00:00.000-04:002013-05-17T03:00:13.858-04:002013-05-17T03:00:13.858-04:00We continue our focus on missionaries in the month of May by looking at the work of Don Richardson.<br> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I-8Rm98B19s/UZWpXlEDn9I/AAAAAAAAAGI/IPfyqmsQGNQ/s1600/donrichardson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I-8Rm98B19s/UZWpXlEDn9I/AAAAAAAAAGI/IPfyqmsQGNQ/s400/donrichardson.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://embassyinstitute.org/speaker/don-richardson" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr> </tbody></table> <br> Before I begin, I&#39;ve got to confess that I am no missionary expert. I didn&#39;t grow up learning about those that took the gospel to all nations. I don&#39;t really know very many now. But I do want my children to know about them. And so I&#39;m embarking on new territory for me so that I can make sure my kids know about the &quot;great cloud of witnesses&quot; that are around them and that have come before them (Hebrews 12:1).<br> <br> <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/grow-don-richardson-missionary-may.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/ED-kCOrun5o" height="1" width="1"/>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04897900370198857730noreply@blogger.com0http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/grow-don-richardson-missionary-may.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-66092227970415803642013-05-15T03:00:00.000-04:002013-05-15T03:00:13.750-04:002013-05-15T03:00:13.750-04:00One of the things I love about this time of year is fresh, ripe strawberries!  I am eagerly anticipating the opening of strawberry picking season at our local orchard, so I was inspired to look up some recipes that go beyond just the normal strawberry shortcake. <br> <br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IEtYXO-wTlM/UZAh_-8dz1I/AAAAAAAAF3k/KlfzLOLrRmE/s1600/strawberryblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IEtYXO-wTlM/UZAh_-8dz1I/AAAAAAAAF3k/KlfzLOLrRmE/s400/strawberryblog.jpg" width="300"></a></div> <br> <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/eat-strawberry-inspired-recipe-round-up.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/AB7Hk3rLe9U" height="1" width="1"/>MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01877796988097492845noreply@blogger.com0http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/eat-strawberry-inspired-recipe-round-up.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-1327176781209799112013-05-13T20:57:00.000-04:002013-05-13T20:57:03.801-04:002013-05-13T20:57:03.801-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1YY2X90wFTQ/UZGKuvY2eXI/AAAAAAAAAFs/W_gXqHzMVTk/s1600/coaster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1YY2X90wFTQ/UZGKuvY2eXI/AAAAAAAAAFs/W_gXqHzMVTk/s400/coaster.jpg" width="400"></a></div> <br> I made these for Mother&#39;s Day, but I didn&#39;t get it up here in time for you this year. But you can do it for next year, or for a birthday, or Father&#39;s Day, you name it. These are totally customizable and especially great for people who are hard to shop for.<br> <br> <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/play-diy-photo-coasters.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/Z_0K8j3aytM" height="1" width="1"/>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04897900370198857730noreply@blogger.com1http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/play-diy-photo-coasters.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-35362444236833241392013-05-10T03:00:00.000-04:002013-05-10T08:32:51.813-04:002013-05-10T08:32:51.813-04:00We&#39;ve chosen the month of May to focus our grow posts on some of the heroes of the Christian faith - missionaries!  I&#39;ve decided to start off by learning some more about Eric Liddell, and teaching my boys about him too.  Most of what I know about Eric I learned from watching Chariots of Fire, so I was especially interested to learn more about his missionary work in China.<br> <br> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yr3Am3XM550/UYf9fSQt9yI/AAAAAAAAF0U/ZbY-vcQjuzI/s1600/Liddell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yr3Am3XM550/UYf9fSQt9yI/AAAAAAAAF0U/ZbY-vcQjuzI/s400/Liddell.jpg" width="365"></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ministry-to-children.com/an-olympic-story-the-gold-medal-life-of-eric-liddell/" target="_blank">Source</a>: Eric Liddell in the Paris Olympic Games</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br> <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/grow-eric-liddell-missionary-may-series.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/aO4-a3Ld47E" height="1" width="1"/>PlayEat Growhttps://plus.google.com/108588621501899922265noreply@blogger.com0http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/grow-eric-liddell-missionary-may-series.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-63926464640201483512013-05-08T03:00:00.000-04:002013-05-08T15:48:47.586-04:002013-05-08T15:48:47.586-04:00Isn&#39;t there something so magical about breakfast in bed?<br> <br> I always liked the idea of getting fed while still in my pajamas and under snuggly warm covers. And now that I&#39;m a mom, the appeal is even greater when on a regular morning, I have to deal with diapers and potties and booster seats and bouncy seats and dishes before I can even think about feeding myself.<br> <br> And so I love the one day a year when my hubby gives me breakfast in bed.<br> <br> But I know how hard it can be to get up early to make breakfast in bed for somebody. It&#39;s hard. Really hard. And so I&#39;ve compiled a list of thirteen different ideas for breakfast, all of which can be made the night before, aside from the last baking, so you can catch a few extra winks but still bless the one you love. So now husbands everywhere won&#39;t have any excuse not to bring breakfast to their wives for Mother&#39;s Day. And maybe other days, too. :)<br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m7YyRT7tKKU/UYnXKlrKeQI/AAAAAAAAAEU/Z1ae170-ozs/s1600/breakfast+in+bed+collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m7YyRT7tKKU/UYnXKlrKeQI/AAAAAAAAAEU/Z1ae170-ozs/s640/breakfast+in+bed+collage2.jpg" width="443"></a></div> <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/eat-overnight-breakfast-in-bed-recipes.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/Y7zYNokc0lI" height="1" width="1"/>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04897900370198857730noreply@blogger.com0http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/eat-overnight-breakfast-in-bed-recipes.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-14557330310243618292013-05-06T03:00:00.000-04:002013-05-06T03:00:05.275-04:002013-05-06T03:00:05.275-04:00Looking for a centerpiece for an upcoming Mother&#39;s Day Celebration?<br> <br> <br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OMh15oxqdp0/URr3JPZL2rI/AAAAAAAAFHo/EXpQRkTDDCE/s1600/IMG_0840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OMh15oxqdp0/URr3JPZL2rI/AAAAAAAAFHo/EXpQRkTDDCE/s320/IMG_0840.jpg" width="320"></a></div> <br> <br> Earlier this year, I used ideas from several sources and put together this centerpiece for a PhD Residency Dinner. You likes?<br> <br> <span id="goog_337596312"></span><span id="goog_337596313"></span><br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4H0S4yaE2kM/URr3JI5oXmI/AAAAAAAAFHk/XpnXnuemmJc/s1600/IMG_0841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4H0S4yaE2kM/URr3JI5oXmI/AAAAAAAAFHk/XpnXnuemmJc/s320/IMG_0841.jpg" width="240"></a></div> <br> <br> <a href="http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/play-mothers-day-celebration-centerpiece.html#more">Click to read more »</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/1pagamjeAIQ" height="1" width="1"/>PlayEat Growhttps://plus.google.com/108588621501899922265noreply@blogger.com1http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/play-mothers-day-celebration-centerpiece.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416973438510685580.post-43893043186158993062013-05-03T03:00:00.000-04:002013-05-03T03:00:19.734-04:002013-05-03T03:00:19.734-04:00This post is for all the husbands out there (ladies, "accidentally" keep this screen open on your desktop for your hubbies to read later on this evening, hehe!)<br /> <br /> What if instead of giving your wife a gift for mother's day, you gave her an<i> experience</i> instead? For some mamas, what they really want (need?!) is a time away from the kids to just relax and enjoy quiet time, whether it be alone, or with a small group of good girl friends.<br /> <br /> Now, ideally, moms would have this anyway, right? But the reality is, life is busy and it's often just not so easy to "take off" an afternoon of being a mom. Soooo...how about giving an afternoon off for your wifey to rest and rejuvenate?<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jpmd14rDXAA/UYKjesjk9XI/AAAAAAAAF0A/dHtDBwKKyPU/s1600/MothersDayExperiences.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jpmd14rDXAA/UYKjesjk9XI/AAAAAAAAF0A/dHtDBwKKyPU/s320/MothersDayExperiences.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> Here are some of my ideas on how you can treat your wife to a Mother's Day Experience. Any of them can be arranged as a time with friends or just by herself:<br /> <ul> <li><b>Movie Marathon</b>: Pop her some popcorn, buy her favorite drink and treat, and set her up with a movie that she has been wanting to see (or two!). One year Jake did this for me, and it was so nice to be able to sit on my bed with popcorn, a Sonic soda, and some candy, watching a girl movie for 2 hours without anyone asking me for anything. It was heavenly. </li> </ul> <ul> <li><b>Day of Reading</b>: Gather some of her favorite books (or ones that she has piled on her nightstand, just waiting to be read), a journal, a few new pens, her Bible, and maybe a book that you think she'd like, and send her off for a day (or afternoon) of reading/journaling/reflecting. This could be in a quiet room in your house, or it could be to a coffee shop, library, park, or quiet room in someone elses' house! Make sure to send some food and drink with her as well.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><b>Spa Day</b>: Some mommas would give anything for a morning of spa treatment-- most places have a day spa somewhere around them, so just google it to see what you come up with! Even if you don't want to splurge on a spa day, you could buy her a massage, or a manicure/pedicure package.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <ul> <li><b>Craft Night</b>: Gather some of her friends, make some snacks for them, and then go somewhere else with the kids! Let the girls have fun with a night of chatting, eating, and crafting. This one may require you to tell your wife beforehand so that she can think about what she wants to work on (and then make sure you give her time the day before to go and pick up any needed supplies).&nbsp;</li> </ul> <ul> <li><b>Watch Party at a Favorite Restaurant</b>: Maybe your wife isn't into the fru-fru but loves sports--- what about giving her a gift card to her favorite restaurant where she can watch a game with some friends?&nbsp;</li> </ul> Many of these ideas don't require a whole lot of set-up work, but do require a little bit of thought and a willingness to take the kids for any afternoon or evening of fun sans mom. It may even be a fun idea to get together with some of your wife's friends' husbands and kids and have a party yourselves while the women are enjoying their relaxing time!<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdLjgF9hm2w/TvJtE-ErysI/AAAAAAAAAN8/mkFFQCJNvpI/s1600/Tiff+Signature.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdLjgF9hm2w/TvJtE-ErysI/AAAAAAAAAN8/mkFFQCJNvpI/s1600/Tiff+Signature.gif" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> <br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PlayEatGrow/~4/nrmFWdmx5TE" height="1" width="1"/>Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111468474747182397noreply@blogger.com0http://www.playeatgrow.com/2013/05/grow-mothers-day-creating-experience.html