We have been telling Becca since the end of last summer that she s capable of riding her two wheel bike without training wheels. She has not felt that way. However, a couple of weeks ago we decided to force the issue and take her training wheels off her bike. She parlayed by riding our scooter instead of her bike. I tried showing her videos of friends and other girls her age on 2 wheel bikes. The only one she seemed interested in was one family who had take the pedals off the bike to make it a balance bike. So we tried that. And she got good at that.
Well, I reasoned, now is the time. She can balance and has all the necessary skills, she just doesn't believe it yet. So I put the pedals back on and we spent the morning off and on in tears while Mom gave her no other options of what she could do. What finally worked was telling her that for however long that day she practiced riding her bike she could then watch video games. So back and forth we went: bike, ipad, bike, ipad. And by the evening:
Now she love it! She goes out every day to ride her two wheel and is working hard to get fast and steady enough that Dad says she can ride her bike with the family to McDonalds for ice cream some evening.
Monday, June 8, 2015
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Holy Week
Eater is coming! In preparation for Easter, I wanted to do some Holy Week activities with my kids this year. I went online to see what I could find and there are tons of resources available, but I kept running into the problem that Holy Week starts tomorrow and I don't have time to prep all of the elaborate crafts and activities I was finding. So I thought I'd write out a plan here, picking and choosing from different things I found. My goal is to stay simple and really focus on the main point: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but will have everlasting life!
Since there are many different events in the Bible that people believe happened that last week of Jesus' life, I decided to use the devotionals I found on Willow Creek's website to guide which stories we focused on.
Sunday - Triumphal Entry
Story:
Read Mark 11: 1-11
Talk about what Hosanna means. It is a word of praise, but it also means "Save us!"
My kids are making palm branches at church, so we can use those to act out the story.
Activity:
Have a praise party. Kids can wave palm branches. My kids also like to wave streamers or scarfs or things like that. Turn up some music and dance - praising God who is our king and savior. Hosanna!
Here are some of the songs the kids have been singing at Engedi Kids:
Monday - Clearing out the temple
Story:
Read Mark 11: 15-18
This is a fun story for kids to act out. Talk with them about how Jesus didn't want the church to be a place about rules and regulations and buying the right things. He wanted it to be a place of worship and prayer. In fact, Jesus says he wants it to be a place of prayer for ALL NATIONS.
Activity:
Get out a map or a globe and look at all the nations. There are people all around the world in so many different countries. Our church is connected with 4 countries: Zambia, Turkey, Guatemala, and Nepal, so we will find those countries. We will also look for other countries that our family has connections with. Then take a few minutes to pray together for people in those countries. Pray that they would know God and be able to gather together to pray and worship him.
Tuesday - Annointing
Story:
Read Mark 14: 1-9
The kids learned this story at church so they may be able to retell it on their own.
Ask the kids what they might have seen/smelled/heard/felt if they were there that day.
Activity:
In this story, Mary was honoring Jesus - she was giving him her best. Our kids can give God their best too. Print out this perfume bottle picture. The kids can color it or decorate it with stickers, tissue paper, or whatever you have. Then on the perfume bottle help each child to write one or two ways they can honor God and give God their best. Hang the picture up in the house. You may want to have them add a star or a sticker to the page each time over the next day/week that do what is says on the paper.
Here is a great devotional you can read together: http://www.seedsofthekingdom.com/devotionals/0585/an-act-of-worship.php
Wednesday - Jesus taught
Story:
Read Matthew 22: 34-40 (For older kids you may want to read more sections from Matthew 21-25).
Jesus spent a lot of time on his last week teaching people about God and the ways they should live. Once he was asked what the most important thing people could do was. This is what he answered.
Activity:
There are two songs the kids sing at church about this verse:
Cut out a heart together. It can be a lot of fun for kids to see how you can fold a paper in half and cut out the half heart, open it up, and see a whole heart.
On one side of the heart write Love God. On the other side write Love Others. For older kids you may even want to write out the sections of the verse that go with each love statement.
Thursday - The Last Supper
Story:
Read Mark 14: 12-31
Activity:
Get out a family photo album or look through some old family pictures on the computer. Talk about all of the fun things you can remember because you have the pictures to look at.
Jesus knew that he was going to die on the cross and leave this earth. He shared a special meal with his disciples before he left and asked them to remember him. By sharing the bread and the cup together he was leaving a picture for his disciples so that they could remember what he was going to do for them on the cross. We can remember what Jesus did today when we celebrate the Lord's Supper.
Share the Lord's Supper with your family. Break and eat some bread together, and drink some juice together. Read or retell the story while you do this. Talk withe your kids about communion and what it means when we as a church celebrate it together.
Friday - Crucifixion
Story:
Read Mark 14:32-15:47
This is a long passage. If you have younger kids you may want to read just a section of it or read it from a toddler Bible.
Activity:
As you read the stories, take some time to act them out with the kids. At each story talk about how it was a sad day for Jesus - it hurt him very much. But he did it because he loves us - he loves you! He loves you so much he wanted to do this so that you could be forgiven and live with him in heaven forever. Read together John 3:16. When you tuck your kids in to bed tonight, tell them, "I love you, but Jesus loves you the best!"
There are also a lot of cross craft ideas here:
Saturday - Death
Story:
Saturday, Jesus stayed dead all day. As he was dying he said on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me." This is a quote from Psalms.
Read together Psalm 22
Also read Matthew 27: 62-66
Activity:
Build a tomb together. You could use blocks or playdoh. Or make a tent with blankets and then find something to block the entrance. Or go outside, dig a cave, and put a rock in front of the cave. Remind the kids that in the story, the rock was huge and too big for someone to move on their own.
Sunday - Resurrection
Story:
Read just the beginning or the whole chapter of John 20
Activity:
Go back to the tomb you made yesterday. Together roll the stone away and let the kids say, "He is risen, just as he said!"
Help the kids to write out an Easter memory verse on a small piece of paper. From our church the kids had Romans 6:9. Take an easter egg and put the verse in the egg. Take turns hiding the egg and letting someone else find it. Open the egg and say together the memory verse.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Games and games and games and games and games and games and games
The song is going down into DeJong folklore. The "inlaws" wrote a song for Hilary when she joined the family to explain what she was getting into. One of the verses is, "Games and games and games and games and games and games and games...."
Well, I'm hear to tell you that a new generation is joining in. Jon who use to play with cars every other hour of the day is now obsessed with games. Just walking around the house I found
Yamslam in the kitchen...
and Monopoly in the living room.
For the first year, he begged to write a Christmas list. My kids have never been into this before, but Jon was so excited this year. He got out pen and paper and sat down and carefully sounded out Ticket to Ride. Then he paused. and thought. and called his brother and sister over to help him come up with more to add because he was stumped.
Well, I'm hear to tell you that a new generation is joining in. Jon who use to play with cars every other hour of the day is now obsessed with games. Just walking around the house I found
Yamslam in the kitchen...
and Monopoly in the living room.
For the first year, he begged to write a Christmas list. My kids have never been into this before, but Jon was so excited this year. He got out pen and paper and sat down and carefully sounded out Ticket to Ride. Then he paused. and thought. and called his brother and sister over to help him come up with more to add because he was stumped.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
No Ice Cream Please
Well, we've all known Michael was a routine kid, but I never thought it would stretch this far. Saturday we had a lazy afternoon that ended with Mom not wanting to cook dinner. So at 6:00 I announced "Ice Cream for dinner tonight!" (Note: We have never done this before and it sounded fun, but please don't think we do this on a regular basis.) :) Instant approval from Jon and Becca full of cheers. Michael just laughed and insisted I was joking because ice cream is a treat NOT a meal. We talked about how we thought it might be fun, but Michael was not budging. So for dinner it was:
Jon - ice cream sundae
Becca - ice cream sundae
Michael - crackers, cheese, carrots, orange
However, before you think Michael is the strangest child ever, he did have a large ice cream sundae for dessert.
Jon - ice cream sundae
Becca - ice cream sundae
Michael - crackers, cheese, carrots, orange
However, before you think Michael is the strangest child ever, he did have a large ice cream sundae for dessert.
Saturday, December 13, 2014
A New Girl
Becca has been asking to get her hair cut short for a couple of months now. And then she remembers that she can't have braids with short hair and reconsiders the thought. About a week ago she approached me one morning asking if she could have braids one last time before getting her hair cut. So we did, and then last Thursday we headed out to the salon.
The stylist showed us some pictures from a book and after passing on one that was really short and way too grown up looking for me, I saw a cute cut with bangs. The page showed 5 pictures of the same cut, all from different angles. I showed it to Becca and asked her if she thought this was a good one. She thought for a minute with her hand on her chin and then smiled, pointed to one of the pictures and said, "This one."
She is so proud of her new look. Everywhere we go she keeps talking about how no one is going to recognize her since she looks so different. :)
The stylist showed us some pictures from a book and after passing on one that was really short and way too grown up looking for me, I saw a cute cut with bangs. The page showed 5 pictures of the same cut, all from different angles. I showed it to Becca and asked her if she thought this was a good one. She thought for a minute with her hand on her chin and then smiled, pointed to one of the pictures and said, "This one."
She is so proud of her new look. Everywhere we go she keeps talking about how no one is going to recognize her since she looks so different. :)
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Jesus Is More Powerful Than...
The kids at church have been learning about Jesus' miracles and how that shows that he is God. Last Sunday both Jon and Becca's classes did a "Jesus is more powerful" activity.
We had the letters spelled out on a large paper in painters tape. Then the kids took turns covering the paper with paint and markers. While they did this, they talked about the following:
The activity ended with the kids finishing the sentence, "Jesus is more powerful than..." as many different ways as they could.
I asked Jon and Becca today and they came up with:
a lion
an elephant
a thunderstorm
the sun
an ocean
a moose
evil
bad guys
sickness
Jesus sure is powerful!
We had the letters spelled out on a large paper in painters tape. Then the kids took turns covering the paper with paint and markers. While they did this, they talked about the following:
Sometimes I get scared in the dark, but who is more powerful than the dark? Jesus!
If my brother gets sick, who is more powerful than the sickness? Jesus!
Sometimes I make bad choices, but who is more powerful than my bad choices and can forgive me? Jesus!
When it is thundering and lightning outside, I can get scared, but who is more powerful than the storms? Jesus!
In our story today, there was an evil spirit, but who is more powerful than evil? Jesus!
If I fall down and get hurt, who is more powerful than my bruise? Jesus!
When I have a bad dream, who is more powerful than my bad dreams? Jesus!
Then, they removed the tape and hung up this sign.
The activity ended with the kids finishing the sentence, "Jesus is more powerful than..." as many different ways as they could.
I asked Jon and Becca today and they came up with:
a lion
an elephant
a thunderstorm
the sun
an ocean
a moose
evil
bad guys
sickness
Jesus sure is powerful!
Friday, October 17, 2014
A Whole Family of Pumpkins
Last weekend we had the Michigan contingent of the DeJong family over to our house for some pumpkin fun. We had a great time eating and talking together and watching the kids fill every square inch of floor space with toys, but the main event was the carving of the pumpkins.
I think all of the kids' favorite part of the process was drawing faces on the pumpkins. After that, most of the kids 6 and under kept wandering away from the actual carving process and were constantly called back to "help."
Jon was extremely weirded out by removing the insides of the pumpkin. In fact, today when he saw me post this picture he commented on how he didn't like it when I made him use his hand. I had him try his hand after a few minutes of removing one seed at a time with a spoon.
Becca was so excited for this day. She was very insistent that she was going to carve her pumpkin with Grandpa because he knew how to make the right scary face. I think they had read a jack-o-lantern book the week before together and she was planning for this day after that.
Michael went Mine Craft and wanted a creeper face on his pumpkin. He did the whole thing by himself and was proudly working on it for a full hour I think.
And before the day was up, in an effort to top this great picture we took 3 years ago at a similar gathering...
We got a picture with all the cousins!
I think all of the kids' favorite part of the process was drawing faces on the pumpkins. After that, most of the kids 6 and under kept wandering away from the actual carving process and were constantly called back to "help."
Jon was extremely weirded out by removing the insides of the pumpkin. In fact, today when he saw me post this picture he commented on how he didn't like it when I made him use his hand. I had him try his hand after a few minutes of removing one seed at a time with a spoon.
Becca was so excited for this day. She was very insistent that she was going to carve her pumpkin with Grandpa because he knew how to make the right scary face. I think they had read a jack-o-lantern book the week before together and she was planning for this day after that.
Michael went Mine Craft and wanted a creeper face on his pumpkin. He did the whole thing by himself and was proudly working on it for a full hour I think.
And before the day was up, in an effort to top this great picture we took 3 years ago at a similar gathering...
We got a picture with all the cousins!
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Chair Excersizing
Yesterday we hung out for a while at our gym while Michael had his tennis lesson. Usually Jon and Becca either go to the kids play area or the pool for this time, but Jon had a sore throat so I kept them with me. For part of the time we watched Michael and for part of the time we played some basketball.
It just so happens that the basketball court is in-between the weight machines and the treadmills, so it was no surprise when this morning I found these two "exercising." They turned on their Psalty music and went to work. Here is Becca showing off the chair treadmill and Jon the chair weight machine. :)
It just so happens that the basketball court is in-between the weight machines and the treadmills, so it was no surprise when this morning I found these two "exercising." They turned on their Psalty music and went to work. Here is Becca showing off the chair treadmill and Jon the chair weight machine. :)
Monday, September 29, 2014
Sunday, September 28, 2014
2 sixth graders, 2 third graders, and a kindergartener
These are the boys on our street and they play together all the time. I have been praying for this - this childhood life that I remember. My boys will drop everything, including video games, when the doorbell rings inviting them to come out and play.
As it turns out, they've decided that each others yards are perfect for certain sports. So two of the families live across the street and their back yards together make a perfect capture the flag forest. Last summer, late into the nights the kids were waring over handkerchiefs and frisbees or what ever was the flag of choice for the day. Those were the times when you know your little ones should be long tucked into bed, but you can't stand to be the first parent to break up the fun.
And then our other neighbor apparently has a back yard just perfect for a soccer field. All through the world cup, the boys spent hours making teams, scoring goals, and high-fiving each other.
Our yard has been designated the football field. Michael got a flag football set that they use sometimes, while other times they go all out tackle. And can I say that I love this. Right now as I type I hear, "That was the best play ever Noah!" and "Great job Jon!" These are good boys and I love the friendships they are building. I hope those 6th graders don't grow up too fast and become too cool for these little ones.
In addition, our swing set has been turned into an angry bird game. The "pigs" hang out on the swings, slide, and monkey bars. Then someone else throws angry soccer balls at them to see who they can hit. I just cracked up laughing the first time I saw it and the second time I quick grabbed a picture. Oh, and yes, that is a slide on top of a slide for double the fun. Watching them get it up there was another great humorous moment.
As it turns out, they've decided that each others yards are perfect for certain sports. So two of the families live across the street and their back yards together make a perfect capture the flag forest. Last summer, late into the nights the kids were waring over handkerchiefs and frisbees or what ever was the flag of choice for the day. Those were the times when you know your little ones should be long tucked into bed, but you can't stand to be the first parent to break up the fun.
And then our other neighbor apparently has a back yard just perfect for a soccer field. All through the world cup, the boys spent hours making teams, scoring goals, and high-fiving each other.
Our yard has been designated the football field. Michael got a flag football set that they use sometimes, while other times they go all out tackle. And can I say that I love this. Right now as I type I hear, "That was the best play ever Noah!" and "Great job Jon!" These are good boys and I love the friendships they are building. I hope those 6th graders don't grow up too fast and become too cool for these little ones.
In addition, our swing set has been turned into an angry bird game. The "pigs" hang out on the swings, slide, and monkey bars. Then someone else throws angry soccer balls at them to see who they can hit. I just cracked up laughing the first time I saw it and the second time I quick grabbed a picture. Oh, and yes, that is a slide on top of a slide for double the fun. Watching them get it up there was another great humorous moment.
Friday, May 16, 2014
Aunt Katherine's Concert
A while back we wend to Ohio to hear Aunt Katherine play her senior recital. We all had a fabulous time and I finally got around to scrapping a page for the event. I love how it turned out. :)
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Tulip Time
The tulips arrived just in time this year. Jon and Becca and I joined some friends for a picnic lunch for Tulip Time.
And then we went and watched Michael walk in the parade.
And then we went and watched Michael walk in the parade.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Becca Reading
With Michael reading book after book and Jon now learning to read new words every day, Becca has been feeling a bit left out. But the other day we found a book at the library that she can read all by herself. Check it out:
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Child/Parent Doubles and Tread
Tim and Michael have spent the last couple of months raising money for their TREAD race. Our church was encouraging us to get people to sponsor us and to run the Tulip Time race to raise money to help purchase shoes for kids in Guatemala. Tim and Michael took up the challenge and spread the word to our stacking friends around the world. They promised that if $500 was raised they would do a live stream video trying to break 8.5 seconds in Child/Parent doubles. They raised $680 and so on last Saturday they ran the 5K race and then stacked for an hour live on youtube. They met their money goal and their stacking goal!!!
If you want to, you can even watch the whole hour of stacking here.
If you want to, you can even watch the whole hour of stacking here.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Field Trips
Tis the season for field trips.
Jon's class went to a nature center near the school. I was thrilled that it was on a day Becca was at school and so I got to go along. I was actually surprised at how much he LOVED it. I knew he would have a good time, but I didn't realize how much of an impression it would make on him. He is talking about a lot and sharing a bunch of facts that he learned with his brother and sister.
They got to see a lot of animals, including turtles, snakes, rabbits, and an owl. They also learned all about different bird calls. Finally we took a short walk outside (short because it was rainy), and we saw different flowers and animal prints as well as some deer in the brush.
We (Jon, Becca, and I) also took a trip with my Moms group to Dutch Village. We rode the rides and walked around. A favorite is always stopping at the wooden shoe factory and trying on the samples, including these giant ones.
Jon's class went to a nature center near the school. I was thrilled that it was on a day Becca was at school and so I got to go along. I was actually surprised at how much he LOVED it. I knew he would have a good time, but I didn't realize how much of an impression it would make on him. He is talking about a lot and sharing a bunch of facts that he learned with his brother and sister.
They got to see a lot of animals, including turtles, snakes, rabbits, and an owl. They also learned all about different bird calls. Finally we took a short walk outside (short because it was rainy), and we saw different flowers and animal prints as well as some deer in the brush.
We (Jon, Becca, and I) also took a trip with my Moms group to Dutch Village. We rode the rides and walked around. A favorite is always stopping at the wooden shoe factory and trying on the samples, including these giant ones.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Books
Michael is becoming quite the reader. For the longest time he was stuck on the Magic Tree House books. While they are cute, I don't love the series. Also, Michael's reading level has flown past those books, so to catch his interest and pull him to some harder things, we found this series:
It has been a hit. Now Tim and I are trying hard to read some of them so we can know what he's reading. :)
In my search for more books for him, I came across this one that I use to read over and over when I was a child. :)
And all of the kids have been listening to Tim read them the little house books, but recently Michael has been asking to take over the reading and will read chapters to Jon and Becca.
It has been a hit. Now Tim and I are trying hard to read some of them so we can know what he's reading. :)
In my search for more books for him, I came across this one that I use to read over and over when I was a child. :)
And all of the kids have been listening to Tim read them the little house books, but recently Michael has been asking to take over the reading and will read chapters to Jon and Becca.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
One Two Buckle My Shoe
Each month at school, Becca's class learns a nursery rhyme. Usually I hear her say it once or twice, but this month she has been saying it every day. The first time I heard her, it started like this:
One, two, buckle my shoe
Three, four, open the door
Five, six, pick up sticks
Seven, eight, lay them down
Cracked us up - makes sense, but not close to a rhyme. :)
After some more practice, though, here she is:
One, two, buckle my shoe
Three, four, open the door
Five, six, pick up sticks
Seven, eight, lay them down
Cracked us up - makes sense, but not close to a rhyme. :)
After some more practice, though, here she is:
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Through the years
Posting pictures this week got me thinking that we have had Easter pictures taken each year, so I went back for a trip down memory lane.
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Oh, my - where has the time gone. They look so grown up this year!
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Oh, my - where has the time gone. They look so grown up this year!
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Happy Easter 2
Easter morning I picked out some nice and fairly coordinating clothes for the kids to wear for their Easter pictures. Becca was thrilled about putting on a new dress. The boys whined and complained about shirts they don't like. (Notice it's just a polo shirt - no vests, no kaki pants, no fancy shoes - I don't think I'm asking too much really.)
After they were dressed, though, they had a fun time posing for pictures.
After church we came home, ate lunch, and then the kids were all sent out to play (after a change of clothes you will notice). By the way it was almost 70 degrees here on Sunday - fabulous! When they came in we did an egg hunt.
This year we mixed up a bunch of different eggs. We had the 12 resurrection eggs to tell the Easter story about Jesus. Then we had some mini chocolate eggs. And then we had some plastic eggs that were fill with either candy or pieces of a new lego set.
After they were dressed, though, they had a fun time posing for pictures.
After church we came home, ate lunch, and then the kids were all sent out to play (after a change of clothes you will notice). By the way it was almost 70 degrees here on Sunday - fabulous! When they came in we did an egg hunt.
This year we mixed up a bunch of different eggs. We had the 12 resurrection eggs to tell the Easter story about Jesus. Then we had some mini chocolate eggs. And then we had some plastic eggs that were fill with either candy or pieces of a new lego set.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Happy Easter 1
Last weekend we got together with cousins and decorated eggs.
While I still do this project each year with my kids, I always wonder later if it is worth it. :) It takes quite a long time to set up. Then the kids go crazy for a couple of minutes. Then it takes me forever to clean up. And then I end up eating a dozen hard boiled eggs because the dutch in me balks at throwing them away.
But this year with cousins it was a lot of fun, and I'm sure next year I will get it all together to dye eggs again, because what is Easter without this fun activity?!
While I still do this project each year with my kids, I always wonder later if it is worth it. :) It takes quite a long time to set up. Then the kids go crazy for a couple of minutes. Then it takes me forever to clean up. And then I end up eating a dozen hard boiled eggs because the dutch in me balks at throwing them away.
But this year with cousins it was a lot of fun, and I'm sure next year I will get it all together to dye eggs again, because what is Easter without this fun activity?!
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