Although It's Been Said Many Times, Many Ways....

One of the Best Gifts: Time

This is a TV interview with April's mom, Janene Baadsgaard, where she shares 4 daily rituals that help her make time for the ones she loves.

Create Memorable Mealtimes
Families who commit to eating at least one meal together soon discover the benefits that come from creating a golden family hour each day. This hour is time set aside exclusively for the family. It helps to set aside a specific time every day and eliminate as many distractions as possible by turning off the television, computer and telephones. Community, school, career and church activities are numerous and will encroach on family time if not carefully selected.

A golden hour might include:
Preparing a meal together
Saying a prayer
Eating together
Reading a chapter from a good book/talking about the day's activities/singing a song
Doing the dishes together
Helping with homework/going for a walk/throwing a baseball/playing a board game.

Make Homecomings and Departures a "Touching" Event
Everyone likes to be noticed, appreciated and loved. It only takes a few seconds for parents to make every homecoming and departure a little more warm and fuzzy for their children. Don't hold back. Be warm and affectionate when your child leaves or come back home.

Parents can:
Kiss
Hug

Make a positive comment - "I believe in you!" "Make it a good day." "I'm so glad you're home!" "I missed you today."
Wave from the window
Blow kisses
Smile
Say "I love you."

Utilize Transport Time
Most parents and children spend part of their day in their car going and coming from a multitude of activities like school, lessons and activities. Parents can put this time to better use by recognizing car time as a great time for positive personal parent/child interaction.

Parents can:Turn off cell phones/radio/stereo
Be truly present
Talk
Listen - Sometimes children open up best when they aren't looking straight at you
Create fun car games and a family goodbye honk
Invite one child at a time to accompany you on routine errands

Establish Pleasurable Bed Time Routines
Bedtime routines can be painful and stressful if rushed or forced. It only takes a few extra minutes to have positive personal time with each child each night.

Parents can:
Stager bedtimes for each child so they have individual time and avoid interruptions
Read books
Tell original adventure tales starring the child
Take a few minutes to carefully tuck the child in bed
Ask: "What was one good thing that happened today?"
"What was one thing that was not so good?"
Sing a lullaby
Pray
Stroke the child's forehead
Say I love you
Rub noses/kiss/hug

Children who have been loved know how to love. Daily loving rituals don't take more time or money; they only require that parents re-order their lives so that they have unhurried time for the people who matter most.

Remember Me

The Gifts We Keep

I have just fallen in love with this song and had to share it.



This is my favorite part:

These are the gifts we keep
and this is the morning that we breathe
and then we see
These moments are the only gifts we need



Even though the song is specifically about Christmas morning, it makes me think of all the little magical Christmas moments that we share with our children! Those moments truly are the gifts we keep. I hope you cherish all the moments with your little ones this year!

It Snowed!

Here are a few ideas to do with your family when it snows, and a catchy song too!
(Images linked).



Indoor Ideas:

Outdoor Ideas:

Love is Christmas

Sing to Me Saturday on a Thursday? I'm such a rebel!

I don't care if the house is packed,
Or if the strings of light are broken.
I don't care if the presents are wrapped,
Or if there's nothing here to open.

Love is not a toy, and no paper will conceal it.
Love is simply joy that I'm home.

I don't care if the carpet is stained; we have food upon the table.
I don't care if it's gonna rain, our room is warm and stable.
Love is who we are, and no season can contain it.
Love would never fall for that.

Let love lead us, love is Christmas.



Why so scared that you'll mess it up? Imperfection keeps you haunted.
All you need is your best, my love. That's all anyone ever wanted.
Love is how we do, let no judgment overrule it.
Love, I look to you, and I sing.

Let love lead us, love is Christmas.
Let love lead us, love is Christmas.

Constant Companion

As we seek Christ,
as we find Him,
as we follow Him,
we shall have the Christmas spirit,
not for one fleeting day each year,
but as a companion always.

~Thomas S. Monson

Within Christmas

Within Christmas,
Christ is Found



This is the day of His birth,
Believe it.
This is His gift,
Embrace it.
This is His celebration,
Cherish it.
This is His holiday,
Honor it.

~Emily Freeman

All I Want for Christmas

It's True

In your heart you hope it's true
Though you hold no expectation
In the deepest part of you
there's an open hesitation

But it's true
Kingdoms and crowns
The God who came down
To find you

it's true
Angels on high
Sing through the night
Hallelujah

you've heard it told
You think it's odd
The whole thing fraught with complication
The play begins with baby God
And all his blessed implications

In your heart you hope it's true
In the deepest part of you
it's true
it's true

Dreaming of a Quiet Christmas

Away in a Manger

Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray

Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And fit us for heaven
To live with Thee there

A Pioneer for Inclusion

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a fun song we sing each year. But do we really think about Rudolph and what he represents? He teaches us to embrace differences and to take pride in yourself if you are different. He teaches all of us to not only respect those who are different, but recognize how those differences benefit all of us! What a pioneer he was for inclusion. Thank you, Rudolph!!!

Basic Ingredients for a Merry Christmas

This is a re-post from something I did back in 2008!..... can you believe kidz has been around for more than 2 years!?!? Crazy. Well, since most of my current followers probably didn't see this post anyway, I thought it was good enough to share again. Enjoy!!!

The holidays are filled with parties and get-togethers and so many fun (and not-so-fun) things to do. But sometimes it's best to just stay home with the fam and enjoy being together.

And what better to serve up during the holiday season than

warm gingerbread waffles

....with hot chocolate sauce

Your mouth is watering, right?

Allrecipes.com shows you how to take it from a mouth-watering idea

to a real-live tantalizing treat.

Here are some fun ideas for sweet treats..... because you can never have too many of those during the holidays!

Nutter Butter Snowmen

Delish and fun for the kiddos to decorate!
What's not to love?
Taste of Home gives the 411 on these scrumptious bites.

Christmas Tree with Snow Cake

I shrieked with excitement when I saw this beauty for the first time.

The subtitle was: Very easy and just a few ingredients needed!

That's right up my alley!

Firefly shop gives the details here.

Okay, enough with the eating already! We can do things together as a family other than eat, right? Right. If you're lucky enough to have a white Christmas, then this is the family craft for you....

Snowman Snow Gauge

I know, right? Practical, darling, and easy to make. Perfect.

BHG Crafts tells you how.

If you're unlucky in snow, you can create a similar effect with paper snowflakes. Now, I know what you're thinking:

'Well, that's not a new or creative idea.
We've made paper snowflakes before.'

Well, that might be true, but if you haven't made paper snowflakes with the help of papersnowflakes.com, then you haven't had the full experience.

You can make some of the simple, first step patterns, like this:

OR you can go wild and crazy with some of the more complex stencil patterns, like this 3D jewel:

For all things paper snowflakes (games, patterns, templates and more), just click here.

Now that you're done with all that eating and crafting, it's time to settle down a bit, and read a nice

Christmas story.

Here are two of my favorites:

click here for the story.

What's your family's favorite Christmas story?

And just for a little laugh....

A Walk in My Shoes

Twas the Night Before Christmas
And all through the house
The creatures were stirring
Yes, even the mouse

We tried melatonin
And gave a hot bath
But the holiday jitters
They always distract

The children were finally
All nestled in bed
When nightmares of terror
Ran through my OWN head

Did I get the right gift
The right color
And style
Would there be a tantrum
Or even, maybe, a smile?

Our relatives come
But they don't understand
The pleasure he gets
Just from flapping his hands.

"He needs discipline," they say
"Just a well-needed smack,
You must learn to parent.."
And on goes the attack

We smile and nod
Because we know deep inside
The argument is moot
Let them all take a side

We know what it's like
To live with the spectrum
The struggles and triumphs
Achievements, regressions. .

But what they don't know
And what they don't see
Is the joy that we feel
Over simplicity

He said "hello"
He ate something green!
He told his first lie!
He did not cause a scene!

He peed on the potty
Who cares if he's ten,
He stopped saying the same thing
Again and again!

Others don't realize
Just how we can cope
How we bravely hang on
At the end of our rope

But what they don't see
Is the joy we can't hide
When our children with Autism
Make the tiniest stride

We may look at others
Without the problems we face
With jealousy, hatred
Or even distaste,

But what they don't know
Nor sometimes do we
Is that children with autism
Bring simplicity.

We don't get excited
Over expensive things
We jump for joy
With the progress work brings

Children with autism
Try hard every day
That they make us proud
More than words can say.

They work even harder
Than you or I
To achieve something small
To reach a star in the sky

So to those who don't get it
Or can't get a clue
Take a walk in my shoes
And I'll assure you.

That even 10 minutes
Into the walk
You'll look at me
With respect, even shock.

You will realize
What it is I go through
And the next time you judge
I can assure you

That you won't say a thing
You'll be quiet and learn,
Like the years that I did
When the tables were turned.

by C. Waeltermann, 2007

Special Parent's Gift Wish List

by Terri Mauro

Spirit of Christmas

"True happiness comes only by making others happy - the practical application of the Savior's doctrine of losing one's life to gain it. In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service.

"It is the spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ, obedience to which will bring' peace on earth', because it means - good will toward all men.

Master Servant
by Del Parson

"Giving, not getting brings to full bloom the Christmas spirit. Enemies are forgiven, friends remembered, and God obeyed. The spirit of Christmas illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world's busy life and become more interested in people than things. To catch the real meaning of the "spirit of Christmas, "we need only drop the last syllable, and it becomes the "Spirit of Christ."

~David O. McKay

It Really is a Wonderful Life

North Pole Magic

This is a repost because I'm on vacation and don't have time to come up with something new. It's good, though, so enjoy!

I want to share some fun ideas that will help bring a little bit of North Pole whimsy to your house and the little believers in it!

First of all, have the kiddos sent a wish list to Santa? Once that's done....

Wouldn't it be fun if the kids could get a custom reply back from Santa? The North Pole Secretary is just the place to go. Just let them know your child's name and other info unique to your child (due date is the 18th), and Santa will send a personalized letter that will bring excitement, but the letter will also remind of the importance of things like "caring, sharing, and the Baby who made it all possible." Cute.

And oh my am I excited to share the second idea. My friend Mel was the one to tell me about....

Carol at Elf on the Shelf explains this fun tradition:


This charming tradition began for our family when my children were very small. Plagued by their desire to know how Santa really knew who had been naughty or nice, I searched through the Christmas decorations for a plausible explanation. Nestled among them was the answer; a small elf doll from my own childhood. With that discovery, the idea for the elf tradition was born.

At our home the elf would arrive around the holidays, usually at Thanksgiving. His sole responsibility was to watch my children's behavior and report it to "Santa" each night. The next morning after the children awoke, they discovered the elf had returned from the "North Pole" and was hiding in a different place. My children would race each other out of bed to try and be the first to spy him in his new position.

Over the years the tradition was perfected and rules were even introduced. For example, to better preserve his mystique the children were not allowed to touch him; however, they were allowed to talk to him. For obvious reasons, he was not allowed to reply. Eventually, my children even gave him a name - officially adopting him into the family.

Unwittingly, the tradition provided an added benefit: it helped the children to better control themselves. All it took was a gentle reminder that the "elf was watching" for errant behavior to be modified.

I never dreamed this simple tradition would lead to so many Christmas memories for our entire family. It is my earnest desire that The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition will bring as much joy to your family as it has to mine.


Mel's family named their elf Buddy, and he has been spotted throughout their house this season....

Buddy hangin' out in a stocking

Buddy chillin' in a doll house

I can't wait to get a little elf of my own and create this tradition. I think it is a fantastic idea!

Elf Magic is a site that gives other ideas for your little elf.

Have you ever heard of Magical Reindeer Dust???


According to Kelly tells you how to make it and shares the legend behind it:

it has once been said,

that right before you go to bed.

you should sprinkle magic reindeer food,

to quickly bring Santa and his brood.

for many years the legend has been told,

to boys and girls, both young and old,

sprinkle the food throughout your yard,

then finding your house won’t be so hard!

the reindeer can smell the food for 100 miles,

just do not leave it in big piles!

after you do this you must go to sleep very fast,

so Santa and his reindeer will not pass!

I think this is such a fun idea. Go visit Kelly to get the recipe and tell her thanks for the idea!

Speaking of reindeer, doesn't everyone leave cookies for Santa to nibble when he stops on Christmas Eve? I think he might appreciate chompin' on these little guys.....

photo found on Big Oven.com

We made these little nummies for our neighbor gift last year. We put nine reindeer on each plate: eight had brown noses, and one had a red nose. I don't think that needs an explanation. They were a hit! They are made of peanut butter cookies. Pretzel bits are used to make the antlers. M&M's used for the noses, and we just used squeeze frosting to make the eyes. Yummy, easy and cute!

One last North-Pole-ish idea. This was a gift I got from a neighbor last year and I think it is so cute....

I put this little sign next to Santa's cookies on Christmas Eve last year, and I think it was appropriate. I decided to attempt to replicate it for a few gifts this year, and I was shocked at how easy it was! I just got an 8x8" plain white tile, a small black easel, and then created the vinyl lettering on my Cricut. They turned out pretty darn cute, and it only took me about ten minutes to make. Easy. Cute. Voila.

If you need any ideas for neighbor gifts, here are some easy ideas that the whole family could help put together....

Bag of M&M's

As you hold these candies in your hand, and turn them you will see
The M becomes a W, and E and then a 3
They tell the Christmas story, It's one I'm sure you know
It took place in a stable a long, long time ago
The E is for the East, where the star shone so bright
The M is for the manger where Baby Jesus slept that night
The 3 is for the wise men, bearing gifts they say they came
W is for Worship, Hallelujah, Praise His Name
So as you eat these candies or share them with a friend
Remember the meaning of Christmas it's a Love Story that never ends.

Bounty paper towel roll

This season may the "absorbing" spirit of Christ "blot" out your problems, "soak up" your sorrows, and "wipe" away your difficulties and may the new year bring you "bounteous" blessings all the year through!

kitchen tea towel

At first glance, one looks at a kitchen towel and thinks, "Wow! A towel! I needed a new one," or Wow! A towel! The old ones are getting stained and worn. But have we ever stopped to think that for years, even thousands of years, the towel has not just been used in the kitchen, but for a variety of reasons?

Take, for example, the mother who wipes the tears of a little child to soothe the physical and emotional hurt; The physician who binds the wound of a bleeding patient; The woman in her home wiping hands as she moves from task to task; The weary traveler who wipes his sweated brow.

Notwithstanding all of the above examples, perhaps the most significant use of the towel was about 2,000 years ago when our loving Jesus took an ordinary towel in his hands and dried the feet of his disciples only hours before his crucifixion. Sure, the towel is a handy item with a myriad of uses, but it also has deep symbolic meaning when seen in the hands of the Savior during a work of kindness for his fellowmen.

So, take this towel, knowing it is given with love, and do works of goodness with it, as the Savior worked with His so many years ago.

I got all these ideas at a boutique, and I'm sorry, I don't know where the poems originated from. Just know that these are not my ideas. I am not nearly so clever!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season and lots of fun with your families!!!