Making People Aware of Amniotic Band Syndrome One Little Hand at at Time
Happy 4th of July…
This is probably one of our favorite holidays because you can have fun, remember how lucky we are to have independence and we always have a huge bash. So this year we were on the look out for some fun sheets and facts we could share with you about independence day and about how to be safe this holiday weekend. Below are links to some sweet places with tons of great information on being safe this holiday weekend but having fun.
This Halloween Haylee decided she was going to be a little devil. When I asked her how come she wanted to be a little devil she said because mom, I am an angel every day and have to be something different for Halloween. The things 8 year old’s think of.
When she was little I always worried about how she would handle being around so many other kids with a small hand due to Amniotic Band Syndrome. But I have learned if you don’t make a issue out of it then Haylee does not make an issue out of it.
As you can see in the picture Haylee had a long weekend of Trick-or-Treating. Friday night we were invited by the Shriners to an awesome Halloween Party. They had tons of great games stations and Haylee just had an amazing time. It was nice that she got to talk to some of the different Shriner members and her 
favorite part was talking with a Shriner named Doug.
On Saturday we went to a few local friends houses then off to Hy-vee Halloween maze that had 35 different businesses handing out candy, sodas, ice cream, hotdogs, and tons of other great stuff. Haylee had a great time and there were tons of people there. After that we headed to Gateway mall to do some trick-or-treating. Last year we went and Haylee came home with tons of candy. This year we went and Haylee said she was ready to go after walking by about 15 stores and only 1/3 of those stores were handing out candy. So we left and went off to Parkers for some good BBQ food. Haylee’s Daddy loves BBQ and so Haylee and I decided to treat him for Halloween night.
On observation I did notice is how well Haylee adjusted to holding the trick-or-treat bag with her little hand and taking candy with her big hand. The little things that she figures out to make things work.
photo credit: popofatticus
One of the most important things you can do with your children are activities that can build lasting memories. It does not take alot of money and sometimes the simplest little things are the things that will stick with your child for a lifetime. Little things like sharing a book together or even taking the time to help your child with his or her schoolwork will stick with them through the years. They will remember that they had a parent that took time for them much more than they had a parent that spent a ton of money on them.
One great way to build some lasting memories is to try to spend “alone time” with each of your children separately. This does not (nor should it be) have to be an all-the-time sort of thing, but rather a more special thing. Something as simple as bringing a child with you to run an errand or pick up a pizza for dinner opens up an opportunity to spend time with and communicate with your child, one on one. You can never tell what they have going on in their minds until you give them a chance to talk to you about it. Plus, you and your child will enjoy the time together, just the two of you, as you grow closer and learn more about each other.
Little things. So often we take them for granted. But so often, they are the things that you and your children will remember most. Take time to do the little things with your children and see you your relationship will grow.
About the author: Alicia H. Tucker is a homeschool mom of three, after having taught in public schools for over ten years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Education with a focus on Curriculum and Technology. She is a freelance writer and is currently working on writing her first book.
Easter is often seen as a time of renewal and of new birth and growth. Since it is in Spring, there are new plants blossoming all around us that helps to confirm this newness. However, we celebrate Easter for an even more important reason – moreso than the upspringing of new life. It is the time that we remember one special life that was brought back from the dead. Jesus’!
We have heard the story of Jesus’ crucifixion before and although it is a very sad retelling, there is a happy ending… one that is happier and gives us more hope than any tale we have ever heard. The best part of this story is that it is true!
Jesus was betrayed…
Jesus was humiliated…
Jesus was beaten…
Jesus was mocked…
Jesus was tortured…
Jesus died a very slow and painful death.
Why?
He paid the price of our sins – with his own life – so that we can one day be in heaven eternally. Because of the price he paid, our sins are washed clean. Although he was scared, he knew that this had to happen. He knew that God had a plan and he knew what had to be done. I do not know very many people who would be willing to go through all of that suffering that Jesus did. He did this not only for the people who were alive at that time, but for all the future generations of all time. He died for people he did not even know yet – he died for those that were not even born yet – he died for each of us – you and me.
The price was paid for each of us. Becuase of Jesus’ gift, we can all be forgiven of our sins. Amazing! Then, something even more wonderful and joyful and bewildering happened. The women of Galilee went to the tomb, but when they arrived, the stone was rolled away and Jesus was not there. While there were trying to contemplate what could have happened, they were approached by angels that asked, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he is risen! (Luke, 24: 5-6)”. Then the angels asked them to remember what Jesus had said while he was still with them in Galilee: “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again (Luke 24: 6-7).” Praise God for this amazing and wonderful miracle! Jesus rose from the dead!
As you celebrate this easter with your family and enjoy the egg hunts and the time together, please remember the greatest gift – Jesus – is the reason for Easter. The celebrations of all that is new is remembered because of the gift of his life and his following resurrection. Jesus returned from the dead and now lives forever. He is always with us and always will be. He loved us before we were born and he accepts us just as we are.
Have a blessed Easter this year and in the years to come! May God bless you and your family this Easter and always! And remember….
About the author: Alicia H. Tucker is a homeschool mom of three, after having taught in public schools for over ten years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Education with a focus on Curriculum and Technology. She is a freelance writer and is currently working on writing her first book.
photo credit: *kaetzchen
Depending on where you live, Spring has either sprung or is ready to spring as the winter cold is fading away. Or, like here in sunny SC, winter is trying to come and get its one last hurrah! No matter when spring arrives, there are things that you can do with your children to celebrate and enjoy spring when it arrives. You will all enjoy the wonder and excitement you can discover together.
First, you could try bird-watching in your yard or a nearby park. If you can, try hanging a bird feeder or two outside and see what birds coem to visit. Keep a log of your feathered visitors, with a description of each (or snap a picture – no flash 
). Then, you can go online or use a bird identification field guide to find out the names of each of your guests.
Nature hikes are another fun thing you can do in spring with your children. If you take a notebook and pencil (or a camera), you and your children can keep track of how nature changes from week to week or month to month each spring. It might even be fun to turn your notes and pictures into a scrapbook that you can look back at an enjoy in teh years to come.
If you like to garden or have never gardened, planning and planting things together can also be alot of fun! Even if you can only plant a little in a few pots on your porch, you will still enjoy gardening together. After you have decided what you would like to plant, take some time together to draw a “map” of wehre you would like to plant each thing. Even if you don’t have a big enough yard, maybe you could use an indoor window box planter or a large pot on a patio. The days, weeks, and months that you watch your seeds grow into wonderful things is a great way to share time together. Plus, if you are able to grow any fruits or vegetables, you will also have something delicious to share as well!
These are just a few things you can do together this spring. I am sure there are more that you can think of for some long-lasting family fun. The important thing is to have fun and enjoy the time together! Happy Spring!
About the author: Alicia H. Tucker is a homeschool mom of three, after having taught in public schools for over ten years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Education with a focus on Curriculum and Technology. She is a freelance writer and is currently working on writing her first book.
Here’s a super PLR offer and you won’t have to log into your PayPal account or whip out a credit card to get it. All you have to do is go to:
It’s a great customizable and brandable report entitled:
“14 Valentines Fun Ideas for Whole Family…Plus 5 Romantic Ideas for Mom & Dad”
You get the full 4-page report plus:
- opt-in page template to build your list with the report.
- 4 ecover graphics to promote your report and give it a professional look
- 3 promotional banners to further spread the word about your fun report
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, so grab yours and start promoting now! Again, the link to claim your PLR is at:
“If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.”
- I John 4:12b
God loved us so much that He sent His only son to die as a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus made this sacrifice out of love. Because of this sacrifice, we no longer have to be separated from God because of our sins. Instead, we can be forgiven and one day be reunited with God in heaven.
God calls us to love one another. This week, as we approach Valentine’s Day, remember that by showing love to others, God is pleased and will abide with us. He has given us the ability to show love to others, so it is important that we do not forget to do so.
Although we have experienced those that are more difficult to love, we still must try to love them. This is what God desires for us to do. A kind word, helping someone in need, a heartfelt note, or whatever else you can think of to show kindness and love will be a great way to express the love that God has given to you. He has filled us each with love, so that we may go out and share this love with others.
This coming Saturday, don’t just show love to your family, think of others that might need a little love as well. There may be co-workers that need a little bit of encouragement… people at church that need a kind word… those who live in nursing homes that are lonely… someone who is out of work that may need a meal to help feed his family. Those needing love are all around us. So take a look around and see where you can share a little bit of God’s love. One loving act is sometimes all it takes to show someone that they are loved; but by showing this love, they can also know that God loves them as well.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for loving me and for the sacrifice that Jesus gave on the cross. Father, I know that one day I can be with you in heaven. While I am still here on earth, help me to show your love to those around me. Lord, I know that there are so many that need love today; help me to see them and to know what I can do to help. May the love that I show to others help them to know that You love them also, so that they may one day be with you in Heaven as well.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
About the author: Alicia H. Tucker is a homeschool mom of three, after having taught in public schools for over ten years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Education with a focus on Curriculum and Technology. She is a freelance writer and is currently working on writing her first book.
photo credit: jc.westbrook
My grandmother tried to teach me patience at an early age through the use of arts and crafts. I did not know she was trying to teach me anything, but it sure was fun! This joy when craftign is somethign I wanted to share with my children as soon as they were old enough to give it a try. I try to make sure that we spend time with arts and crafts together, so we can have fun as we create wonderful things together!
In addition to all the fun, there are also significant learning opportunities with crafting. Some children, like my son, are not able to naturally hold scissors. Children develop at different rates and sometimes their fine motor skills need some honing to help them develop. So, having children cut with scissors helps to develop their hand strength and control, which will help them later on when writing, drawing, coloring, and even painting or sewing.
In addition to strengthening fine motor skills, there are other thigns that can be learned through crafting. Fostering creativity is an obvious one. Children need opportunities to be creative, where they can try out new and different ideas of their own. They will feel a sense of accomplishment when they are done with their project and are proud of the work they created!
Crafting can even help children to practice their reading and math skills as well. To follow a pattern, there are directions to be read and understood, so that they can be followed. They will also need to count and measure to make sure they have the right amounts of materials, which can further strenghen their math abilities.
I encourage you to craft with your children. Even if you learn to do something new with your child, the learning you experience together will leave fun memories in your child’s mind that will not be soon forgotten. Have fun creating and enjoy your time together!
About the author: Alicia H. Tucker is a homeschool mom of three, after having taught in public schools for over ten years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Education with a focus on Curriculum and Technology. She is a freelance writer and is currently working on writing her first book.
photo credit: Edgar Zuniga Jr.
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Do you have your frugal gift giving list in order? Saint Valentine sure had it in for us guys when he decided Valentine’s Day would fall on February 14, less than two months after Christmas. It is a rare occasion when frugality and romance mix, but why not make this Valentine’s Day the year to celebrate frugally with some low-cost, romantic gift ideas. Warning, this is an area where frugality could be harmful to your health, so be sure you are giving these gifts from the heart, not just to save a buck.
Homemade coupon books are an inexpensive way to show your appreciation for loved ones. The design is not as the important as the content here, so don’t fret too much over the type of paper to use, the cover design, etc. Spend your time and energy brainstorming ideas and activities that really make your loved one happy. In a small booklet format, start listing those ideas, one per page. On Valentine’s Day present the homemade coupon book along with the promise to fulfill the coupon when presented. Here are a few ideas that may provide some inspiration:
- Good for One Free Car Wash
- Dad Takes the Kids For One Day
- A One-Hour Massage
- Dad Does the Cooking for One Week
- One “Chick-Flick” Date Night
- Get Out of Doing Dishes for One Week
- Spend One Week With No Television (not eligible for redemption during football season)
Plan a picnic. In some parts of the country the weather is nice enough to plan a picnic by February 14. If not, bring a coat and go anyway. Besides, cold weather usually resorts to snuggling, and that’s a good thing on Valentine’s Day. Pick up an inexpensive basket at a flea market or craft store, and prepare an assortment of your loved one’s favorite snacks at home. The menu could be as simple as some fine cheese with crackers, or homemade mini-sandwiches and a small dessert. A quick search for picnic menu ideas yields some great results. Top it off with an inexpensive bottle of wine, or your beverage of choice. Don’t forget at least two blankets (one for the ground, and one for her). Make this a surprise and add to the suspense. Load up the picnic basket ahead of time and then tell your Valentine to dress warm for a surprise date.
Take a day trip. Schedule a vacation day from the office and surprise her with a short day trip to a regional attraction. Make it a fun date – maybe a visit to an aquarium, musuem, or even the zoo. Plan ahead by ordering tickets in advance, and be on the lookout for any merchants that offer deals if you buy from them (your Valentine doesn’t have to know). Plan to eat lunch and/or dinner before visiting the attraction because food at entertainment venues is nearly as expensive as movie theatre candy.
Bottom line, it is true what they say – it is the thought that counts. You don’t have to go broke showing your Valentine with overly expensive gifts to show your love for them. In fact, gifts from the heart usually mean more to the recipient than something bought at a store, at least they do to us frugal dads.
Article can be found at Frugal Dad: http://frugaldad.com/2008/01/30/frugal-valentines-day-gift-ideas/
photo credit: aliwest44
Kids like to celebrate Valentine’s Day just like adults. Even if you have ideas about romantic plans for the evening, consider having dinner with the kids. Here are some ideas for a great dinner with the entire family.
Kids love to cook. It is an opportunity for them to make a mess and not get in trouble for it. Let them help with the dinner on Valentine’s Day. They probably have a few ideas for the meal.
Don’t expect a full seven course meal. Besides the fact that it takes too long to prepare, kids have simpler tastes than that. And, if you want to get them to bed at a decent hour so you still have time to spend together, choose a dish with minimal preparation.
Italians are known for love. Try an Italian dish for Valentine’s Day. Instead of ordering from Domino’s, create a pizza at home. Using a store-bought crust, roll it out and cut it into the shape of a heart. The heart will have to be exaggerated because once the dough rises the pizza will spread out and not look like a heart anymore.
Italians are also big on spaghetti. It takes about thirty minutes at the most to put together a spaghetti dinner. Add a salad for a filling meal to celebrate the holiday.
Burgers and fries are a simple meal but one that kids and the entire family can enjoy. Get the grill going or a grill pan. After the burgers are done, place them on a bun and use a heart shaped cookie cutter to turn those ordinary burgers into lovin’ from the grill.
When it comes to family, the meal will be special because it involves everyone celebrating their love together. For parents, a dinner complete with some of your child’s favorite dishes will make them smile. Family dinners on Valentine’s Day can be eclectic-the meal doesn’t have to have one theme but can be a combination.
Allow each person in the family to make a dish for the dinner. They can come up with their own idea of what to surprise everyone with for dinner. The kids will need your help shopping for what they need and using the stove, but you can still act surprised when they bring their finished creation to the table.
Valentine’s Day dinner for the family offers an opportunity to express sentiments of love to each member of your family. With busy schedules, making time to celebrate love together is a rare treat.
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