30 things to keep a preschooler busy

30 Things for a preschooler to do to keep busy
1. Save old magazines - Let the kids cut them up. Give them a job. Example... Cut out everything red.
2. Give extra pictures to kids to look at and craft with (gifts, cards, etc)
3. Dress up teddy bears and dolls, or decorate with hats and bows. Get them party ready.
4. Watch home videos
5. Pipe Cleaners - show them how to make flowers, print directions off the internet
6. Make a card or draw a picture for an elderly friend
7. Noodle Necklace
8. Cereal Necklace
9. Buy books and magazines at thrift stores and garage sales let them cut up
10. Make a fort
11. Make a house with popcicle sticks
12. Design gift bags
13. Make a felt board (felt and yarn)
14. wash the car
15. brush the dog
16. blow bubbles using a straw
17. finger paint with yogurt or pudding, or whipped topping
18, Dress up in mommies clothes
19. Playdough
20. Finger Paint
21. one man band ( kitchen pots and pans)
22. trees and flowers from construction paper and popcicle sticks
23. make bookmarks (stickers, markers,) cut out the bookmarks out of cardstock and let them decorate
24. make people from magazine cutouts, find letters in name in magazine and cutout
25. make a homemade puzzle - Cut up extra photos or a picture out of a magazine.
26. scavender hunt through the house
27. find the coins (blindfolded)
28. tea part with dolls
29. straw jewelry with yarn
30. wash windows (keep a spray bottle w/ water in it for little ones to clean up)

The Creation Museum

In March 2008 we spent spring break at the Creation Museum in Petersburg, KY - 7 miles from Cincinnati. It was one of the most memorable vacations we've ever taken as a family.
Taylor even got to meet his greatest "creation" hero, Buddy Davis. He had read his books and had his video and was so excited to hear a live lecture and get his picture taken with him. For anyone who believes in teaching the Bible as "REAL" and accurate history this is a must visit.

The following is taken from the www.creationmuseum.org website.....

The state-of-the-art 70,000 square foot museum brings the pages of the Bible to life, casting its characters and animals in dynamic form and placing them in familiar settings. Adam and Eve live in the Garden of Eden. Children play and dinosaurs roam near Eden’s Rivers. The serpent coils cunningly in the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Majestic murals, great masterpieces brimming with pulsating colors and details, provide a backdrop for many of the settings.

Moms on the GO

My children and I were featured in the Feb 2008 issue of Moms on the go magazine. It is a local, quarterly magazine.

The following is an exerpt from the article.... They asked for my advice for busy moms. Here is my take.

"My dream of being a stay-at-home mom and being fulfilled in my at-home career comes from knowing my Saviour and through prayer and patience. I've learned a balance, knowing when I've take on too much and need to step back and regroup.

I know all mothers face daily the feelings of being overwhelmed and frustrated. Whether you're a stay-at-home mom who longs for a break or a working mom who juggles all of her responsibilities, take some time to ask yourself what matters most to you. For me, rather than being remembered as a great seamstress who had some kids, I want to be remembered as a great mom who could sew. Find your balance and remember that in order to be a good mom, you have to be good to yourself.

Menus 4 moms!

I have to share this great find with all of my friends and readers! www.menus4moms.com ~ This website is GREAT! I found it last year and didn't really look at it too much until a couple of months ago. It has everything you need to plan weekly/monthly meals for your family.

Best of all it is FREE!!! My favorite part of menus 4 moms is the "menu archives" section. You can view the menu for each week, click on one you like then it gives you all of the ingredients. Print it and go to the store~

Another plus *this lady is very cost conscious. Many of the meals use leftovers from previous meals. She also knows we don't have hours to spend in the kitchen, so most everything is quick cooking!

Let me know if you find any favorites or want to share your own website find!

Happy Cooking! Ahbra

Getting To Know Your Teacher

Last year Taylor started Kindergarten. I felt lost whenever it came to holidays or when I just wanted to get the teacher a little "pick me up". I love giving gifts!! Gifts are my love language, and I love to give little surprises.

Gifts are much more meaningful if you give someone something they will actual enjoy. I know its the thought that counts but you don't want to take coffee and a snickers to someone who really would rather have chips and a coke.

I felt that these special ladies were taking care of and teaching my little one all day yet I knew so little about them. This year I decided with one in K-5 and one in First I better get on the ball and get to know our teachers. I made the following list, printed it, gave it to the teachers to fill out and then asked them to return them to me. I'm going to make copies to give to the other parents. You can add to or take away to make your own teacher survey. Just copy and past into word or another program you use.

Getting To Know Our Teacher:
Full Name
Favorite Color
Birthday
Hometown
Favorite Snack Food
Favorite Sports Team
Favorite Type of Cookie
Favorite Meal
Favorite Gum/Hard Candy
Favorite Beverage
Interests/Hobbies
Collections
Favorite Magazine you don't buy
Husbands/Wifes name
Kids names
Pets Names

Fun Day with the Kids!

Ok Parents, for anyone who stays at home with the kids, this is for you. I have for years run into other moms who all have a common question..... What do you do everyday with 3 small ones at home? The answer is always the same. I do something everyday!!! Yes, EVERYDAY! Mind you one day we might just have a picnic in the front yard or take an adventure walk through the neighborhood, but everyday, we get up, get dressed, and LEAVE the house. Hopefully by 10:00 we are headed for our daily adventure.

The Reason I'm a mom on the go..... Well, I found out 6.5 years ago when we had our first son that I was a stay at home mom who did not like to stay at home. I found myself at Wal-Mart 3-4 days a week (I can't believe I'm admitting that!) I decided to sit down and make a list of things to do and places to go. I have to first give much credit to my mother (Joyce Goodwin) she never failed to keep us busy and just a few things popped in my head that we Goodwin kids had done on a regular basis. I remember loving going on long walks and picnics on a regular basis. We collected leaves, bugs or would just lie down and look at the cloud formations. (Kids have wild imaginations, they will come up with some fun and crazy ideas of what the the clouds "look like").

During the first few years of motherhood I took lots of walks and searched for other moms with small children to "hang out" with. I found that I was always stimulated by talking and visiting with the other moms but I was always shooing away the children. I decided that there had to be times devoted to my children only. Don't get me wrong, I love to have friend time. I have ended up at Laurie Fox's house all three kids in tow added to her three and we send them all to the playroom. THIS IS OK!!! Don't feel bad about sending your kids to another room to play while you visit and have a cup of coffee. This is great when you feel you are at your breaking point or really can't think or, or have the energy to do anything!

Start with once a week! If you are not used to getting out everyday, start with one day a week of spending quality fun time with your kids. Dedicate that day, in advance, to really getting to know new things about your kids and really enjoying them. Oh how the time flies - The sweet memories we have of our children will be with us when they are grown and gone. Cherish the time haning out with them. Our kids think we are GREAT!! They love to be with us and learn from us. I also want to encourage you to pray in advance for patience, understanding, compassion and a dose of silliness!~! God knows how wearing kids can be, (Hello, He created us) ,asking Him ahead of time to bless this children's day will remind you that HE is in control, and will remind you to seek HIm when you are at your witts end.

Life isn't always a Picnic. I want to say before you start your Fun Day..... It may sound like we Northcutts just always have fun, glorious outings but let me assure you... I have had my share of disasterous outings. Just think of it as a learning experience and take a deep breathe!! Usually, when you start your day happy and excited about the day, your attitude will be contagious to your children, but when it isn't just remember kids have bad days too. Give your kids a break!

Ok, Now for some Ideas. First, I would like to recommend a great book that I found on my mother's book shelf. It is copywrited 1981, (I think it has been updated since, Check Amazon and ebay.) My mom got many ideas from this entertaining read. It has some great ideas for ways to keep busy, and lots of great little recipes. Keep in mind when you have preschoolers the whole year is like everyone else's summertime. (God bless you!!) You can use the book all year! The book title is Sanity in the Summertime by Linda Dillow and Claudia Arp.
For those of you on a tight budget, try to budget a certain amount for the week, whether it be $5 or $50. There are many free or low cost activities out there.
Print this section and post it on your fridge. Add your own favorite places or ideas.

1. Zoo - We are animal lovers and buy a pass. We can go to any reciprocating zoo for free! We pack a lunch and go alot!!
2. Museums - Cooks Museum in Decatur is Free and you can spend a quick 15 minutes or to an hour learning and enjoying watching your children discovering new things. Don't write off the Museum after you've been a few times. Our kids have gone through so many different interests. They just discovered the fossil section after visiting many times over the past 4 years. Try the visitors center in your town to get a list of surrounding museums. Sci -Quest in huntsville reciprocates with museums all over the country.
3. McDonald's, Chic Fil A or any place with a "Play Place"
4. The Mall - Give everyone $1 or $2 let them spend it on whatevery they choose. Carousel, cookie, ice cream, small item from the toy store. Help them decide, be patient and have fun!! (p.s. This isn't the time for mom to shop)
5. Chuck E. Cheese - If you're on a budget, don't eat, give everyone a couple of bucks, have fun, then go home and eat. Warn your little ones ahead of time that you will not be spending the whole day.
6. Library - They even have a great video section - You can check out kids and adult videos for FREE!
7. The Local Park - Everyone has a few - Try them all for a new adventure everytime. Take a picnic or pick something up ( We live off of the dollar menu and bring water)
8. Wildlife Refuge - Explore, collect bugs, leaves - Tell them a funny story about when you were little.
9. The Local Bakery - We live at Mel's Sweet Treats. They are so "sweet", I know they must cringe when they see me coming. It must take hours to clean up our crumbs. While you're there pick up a dozen cookies for a new neighbor, new mom or a "just because gift." A dozen cookies wrapped with a bow will only set you back $6.
10. Putt Putt Golf - This is a favorite for boys and girls alike!
11. Water Park - Point Mallard gets our summer money every year! Buy a Pass and make it a weekly summer outing
12. Pet Stores - We can spend hours walking through Pet Stores. Let your kids push their own little buggy and talk to them about all the little "creatures" Let them buy Fido a treat.
13. Ice Cream Shop - Have ice cream instead of lunch or go after nap time. Don't forget the wet wipes!
14. Books -A-Million - Read books to your children, let them play with the train
15. Movies - Call local theatres to see if they offer free kid's summertime movies. I know the Huntsville theatres do on Monday and Tuesday mornings, first come, first serve.
16. Harmony Park Safari - Huntsville - Drive through safari (who knew!) Check your local chamber of commerce. Many towns have animal reserves and rescue centers, no one knows about.
17. KoolAid Stand - LemonAid, Tea or whatever you have in the pantry. If you have a table and some cups, you're ready to go. We even sell candy for .$25 - Use this as a way for your kids to give back. We are saving our summer Kool Aid stand money to buy blankets to send to the Voice of the Martyrs. They send the blankets with a Bible to those in need in Sudan.
18. Make some cookies and visit your local nursing home. When I only had Taylor we would go weekly to visit. It was a great teaching tool of how to respect and think of others. If you have a whole clan of kids make it a holiday tradition. Take some treats and have your little ones sing a couple of Christmas Carols. You don't know how much this means, to them, especially to the ones who don't have regular visitors. In turn I think you will find that your family will receive just as much joy as you have given. This time spent will surely be blessed.
19. The Bowling Alley was almost empty last week when we went! It was so much fun. If you haven't been with little ones, it has changed a lot since we were kids. It was clean for a start - And SMOKE FREE!! Yeah!! Even my 2 year old had a great time, she even got a spare (using the bumpers, of course:) It took her ball about 15 minutes to reach the pins, but when it did we all jumped for joy and she was so proud of herself. Bowling is a little pricey - We had a coupon for a free game (which was plenty). I think it normally runs about $3.50 per person. Shoes rented for 3.50 per person. I'm thinking if we really want to go more I might have to try to find some bowling shoes on ebay:)
20. Splash Pad - Delano Park - Ok, I didn't add this one at first because I had a weird experience when I went the first time. Come to find out, after talking to other moms, you have to go EARLY!!! I won't go into specifics but trust me on this one! We have gone since at around 9:30 and it has been great! Everyone was probably under 7 or so and very friendly. I would recommend leaving by around 11:30 am. Just my advice - Take it or leave it.
21. Minor League Baseball games - (huntsville Stars) Most games are around $8 per person and you can print the schedule off of their website.
22. Feed the Ducks at a local park (Huntsville for example) this could take up a whole morning. Pack a lunch and make a day of it. Teach your kids or yourself how to skip rocks.
23. Go fishing. Even if it's just in a creek. It's an experience they won't forget. Just the worms are an experience by themselves. Google earthworms and have a little science lesson while you are there.
24. Go to thrift stores or yard saleing. Ok - this may sound weird or even gross to some of you. I love thrift stores and I've even gotten my boys liking it. One searches for sports equipment and books and the other is always working on an invention so little .25 cent pieces of this and that are quite exciting. (I'm still waiting to see what he's going to use those napkin rings for. )
25. For you local families..... * The space and rocket center, *Veteran's park in Priceville, *Somerville? nursing home (about 10minutes on the other side of Hartselle) - there are emus, deers, etc. take saltines. *Russell Stover candy store, call ahead and see if there are any scheduled tours. *There are lots of state and private caverns within an hour or so drive. Great for older kids, not toddlers!

I hope these ideas get you started!! Remember God entrusted these children to you. They are only home with you for a short time. Teach them, embrace them and have LOTS of fun!!!

Winkflash Album - SALE

In my last post I discussed what a great deal the Winkflash Albums are. They are on sale now throught July 16th!!! Order yours now, these make great gifts. During the sale you can receive the 9x12 album for $19.99 with up to 100 pages! I got over 400 pictures in mine. Just enter the code BK72GD43 when you check out. www.winkflash.com