Monday, October 24, 2011

MOPS Tomorrow!

We look forward to seeing you at MOPS tomorrow! 
Here are a couple reminders for you:
  • Don't forget to let your kiddos dress up in their Halloween costumes if they want to! 
  • Bring any candy you wish to donate for Trunk or Treat 
  • This will be the last day our MOPS T-shirts will be available to purchase. If you are also interested in purchasing a T-shirt to bless someone else with you are welcome to do that too! $15.00 check payable to Olive Knolls (T-shirts-in the subject line)
  • Childcare opens at 8:45 and we will start at 9:00
See you tomorrow!

Here are a few Halloween videos that are sure to give you a good laugh. enjoy!




Your kids will like these next ones. Halloween Fun with Pets



Let the kids watch this fun Halloween Cartoon: Donald Duck Trick or Treat (from 1952)

Monday, October 17, 2011

Let your school kids know that you are thinking of them...

Here are some fun notes you can print and sneak in your child's lunch for school. Or even have fun and leave some little notes for you hubby in his car, shoes, etc...to let him know you are thinking of him.

Over at Darling Doodles she has a great free printable. Click HERE
Fall Notes

Allison Waken has some other fun notes. Click HERE

Makoodle has these great ones. Click HERE
Lunchbox Notes
The Mud Pie Makers. Click HERE


Moms by Heart. Click HERE


The Gaines Gang. Click HERE

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Time to BOO your Neighbors!

I recently was asked by one of my sweet friends (who moved away and I miss dearly) about our family's tradition of "BOO-ing" our Neighbors! I thought I would post it on our blog so you can all make a family night of it!

Last year we had a MOPS "Girl's Night In" to make BOO-Bags for our families to BOO our neighbors and Halloween Countdown Paper Chains! We also collected candy for our Kid's MOPPETS Halloween Party! It was a lot of fun! Take a look at the photos below.


Kids Countdown Chain!
This is my Son Hunter from last year. He was SO excited for the chain I made him and his sister!
MOPPETS Halloween Treats!

So the art of "BOO-ING".... Starts with just getting creative! Get your entire Family involved!
1. Make up as many BOO Gifts/buckets/baskets etc. that you want to BOO with and fill them with your favorite items.
  • Bake  some cookies or breads
  • Fill a pumpkin with Candy
  • Pick up a Halloween Candle Holder
  • Pick up a Halloween Magazine. Here's a Great tip- Go to your Goodwill and they usually have old Magazines you can buy for .25-.50. Around the holidays they put out the old holiday ones that still have great ideas on decorating, recipes etc...(The Goodwill off of Rosedale Hwy-is books and magazines only). You can also purchase old magazines at the Library too.
Check out this fun idea of creating a Candy Bouquet from Babblin-Brooke
bouquet10   
bouquet3

Whatever you can come up with put together a few little Halloween gifts that you can BOO your Neighbors or friends with. 

2. Then visit one of the links below to print out your BOO signs and instructions.





Over at Anna and Blue's Blog she has a really cute free BOO sign to print.
Click HERE
 
Over at the Tomkat Studio they have a great BOO Sign. Click HERE
Check out the BOO Gallery HERE.
BOO Sign/Poem - Jack O'Lantern BOO Sign/Poem - Ghost Silhouette BOO Sign/Poem - Purple Ghost
3. Now find your unsuspecting target...

4. Make the "drop". Be a kid again and run up to the door and drop it off! 

5. Ring the doorbell and knock if you dare!

6. Then..... RUUUUUUUNNNN!!!!



Have FUN! I hope you make this a fun tradition for you and your family! Those with little ones you could make this a two night event. One night of the week make the boo bags. Let the little kids stamp lunch baggies, glue on googly eyes, make paper chains, etc....Then maybe on Friday plan a Halloween movie night in but before you pop the popcorn go deliver the Goods! 
Don't forget to be silly and have fun! I guarantee  this will be something your kids LOVE!

 

Monday, October 10, 2011

A Great idea for you and your kiddos!

We love iMom! 
Here is their list of 10 things you should do before your child turns 10, 
10 letters you should write before your child tuns 10, 
10 things to discuss before your child turns 10, etc... 




Thursday, October 6, 2011

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Make Time for Fall with your family

Make time for fall fun with iMOM’s Family Fun Time Cards.  
We LOVE iMOM. We first heard about them when we went to MOPS Convention in August. You can sign up for a daily email that they will send you filled with a great (but quick) article and at the end a question you can take to your family for "Tonight's pillow Talk". Check out below their "Make time for Fall" article.

Don't miss the opportunity to show your children what they're worth by taking some time to give them your undivided attention.  You can visit imom and print out 12 cards that have some Family Fun Time ideas. There is also an extra page of six blank cards so you can fill in things that your family likes to do together. 
  • Vintage Movie Night 
  • Helping the Homeless
  • Dinner Delight
  • Collection Competition
  • Board or Card Game Night
  • Home Movie Night
Now how about some fall fun for you and your spouse. 5 Romantic Ways to Spend a Fall Night. (Call a friend or family member and ask them to watch the kiddos for a couple of hours. Make this a priority): 
1. Go for a Walk in the Moonlight
Grab a sweater, your husband’s hand, and head outside.  Enjoy the cool night air and look at the sky.  Take it slow and relish your time together. The Riverwalk Park off of Stockdale Hwy. is a great place to go for a romantic walk. If you can’t get away because you can’t leave the kids alone in bed, just sit outside with a cup of hot chocolate or apple cider and snuggle.

2. Picnic Under the Stars
Take your outdoor time one step farther.  Find a quiet spot by a lake or at the beach.  Bring some candles and romantic music.  Pack a picnic meal of food you both love and eat it leisurely.
3. Take in a Fall Sport
Watch it or play it.  It doesn’t have to be a professional team.  Head to your nearest high school or watch a college team (BC Football or Cal-State Basketball, Volleyball or Soccer).  If you’re the athletic type (and if you’re not, just try!), hit the field yourself.
4. Fondue-it
Some foods are just more romantic than others.  Have your own fondue party-for-two at home.  You can make an entire meal out of fondue—start with bread cubes dipped in cheese.  Follow it with fruits and marshmallows dipped in chocolate.  If you don’t want to cook your own meat by dipping it in oil, buy a prepared chicken or other dish for your entrĂ©e.
5. Cuddle on the Couch
When we say cuddle, we mean cuddle.  Let the cool air fill your family room so you can warm each other up.  Watch a movie or watch the fire in the fireplace.  Eat a snack together and keep cozy.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Do your Pre-Schoolers have chores yet?

Over at the Parenting Squad they posted the below list of chores your children of any 
ages can help with. Click HERE to visit their page and get some more great Parenting tips.
_______________________________________________________



The quicker you can pass on chores to your children, the more responsibility they'll have, and the less you'll have to do! Make sure you are expecting great things from your children, and give them the gift of independence.

Toddlers (18 months - 2 years)

1. Wiping baseboards with duster or dry rag
2. Taking laundry to appropriate room — tell them where the items go and see whether or not they remember after the first few times you do this chore with them.
3. Matching socks — also a good skill for teaching concepts of "same" and "different"
4. Bringing safe, unbreakable dishes in from table, clearing table
5. Putting safe, unbreakable items on table (napkins, cups)
6. Picking up toys — they may not want to, but they can
7. Putting stuffed animals on bed in the morning
8. Pushing laundry basket to appropriate room
9. Putting trash in wastebasket
10. Putting clothes in hamper
11. Handing adult an item from grocery bag

Preschoolers (3 - 5 years)

12. Wiping windows with cloth and spray bottle filled with water
13. Setting the table
14. Clearing table
15. Putting dishes in sink or dishwasher
16. Drying dishes
17. Sweeping small messes with hand broom
18. Put away laundry in correct places — teach him how to carry folded items so they won't come unfolded
19. Folding simple clothing items — jeans and pants
20. Sort laundry by family member
21. Dusting with a dry cloth or dust mitt
22. Wiping low windowsills with a damp cloth
23. Bringing newspaper in from outside
24. Wiping spots on kitchen floor with wet rag
25. Putting books on bookshelf correctly
26. Helping water garden
27. Pulling weeds — teach him which ones are weeds, and which ones are not
28. Pulling sheets up, straightening sheets on bed
29. Helping carry laundry basket
30. Assisting adult in the kitchen with measuring, pouring dry ingredients, stirring and mixing
31. Hanging up coat and hat
32. Carrying small bags of groceries
33. Assist in putting away groceries

5 - 7 year olds

34. Folding their shirts and other clothing items — teach them how to do it, and don't expect perfection
35. Sweeping the floor — consider getting a short broom if the regular one is awkward for her to use
36. Emptying small trash cans/wastebaskets into trash bag
37. Straightening books on bookshelf
38. Wiping table after a meal
39. Making bed
40. Putting items in car
41. Picking up trash in car
42. Picking out clothes and dressing without assistance
43. Helping prepare their own lunch — sandwiches, simple side items