Do you have your spending plan in hand for the holidays? What about your list of gifts to buy? Or supplies you need to make your gifts?
My favorite type of gifts for the holidays for kids are those that promote:
1. education
2. creativity (building, use of imagination)
3. exercise
Some items I like this year are:
Kids Knex
Lincoln Logs
Nature books
Reading books, especially a series
Some we are enjoying now are The Boxcar Children series, the Magic Tree House series as well as VeggieTales. We've also enjoyed the Little House on the Prairie series. My children also enjoyed watching the DVD of Little House on the Prairie after reading the books. Imagination comes alive!
If you've been reading my blog, you know I like Dave Ramsey. He also has a group of children's books available, particularly Financial Peace Junior. It is a book designed to teach kids about money. I do plan on purchasing some of them this year as well.
Keep in mind while shopping or better yet, while planning your shopping list, what values are you promoting when purchasing your children's gifts?
Showing posts with label The Boxcar Children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Boxcar Children. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Happy Camping!
We completed The Boxcar Children. You know you are onto something good, when the kids beg you to read another chapter!! The Boxcar Children were able to acquire all of their basic needs.
This topic of focusing on the basic needs also reminds me of camping. The kids learn that food and water come from somewhere. Not just opening the refrigerator door or turning on the faucet. Same with clothing and shelter. You must acquire a house to live in and we do not all have the same type of dwelling.
With camping, we started out as tent campers. We continued tent camping for many years. When our 2nd child arrived, we moved up to a pop up camper. Then a travel trailer. It really helps explain the point that water comes from somewhere, not just the faucet. They know we have to "hook up." They understand at times, they may turn on the faucet and no water comes out as we are not hooked up yet. The kids also understand that there are other options to cooking - on the stove, microwave, grill or open fire. They also realize you need money to buy food and to purchase a home.
Happy camping! You are teaching your children valuable lessons and great family fellowship, team building and working together!
This topic of focusing on the basic needs also reminds me of camping. The kids learn that food and water come from somewhere. Not just opening the refrigerator door or turning on the faucet. Same with clothing and shelter. You must acquire a house to live in and we do not all have the same type of dwelling.
With camping, we started out as tent campers. We continued tent camping for many years. When our 2nd child arrived, we moved up to a pop up camper. Then a travel trailer. It really helps explain the point that water comes from somewhere, not just the faucet. They know we have to "hook up." They understand at times, they may turn on the faucet and no water comes out as we are not hooked up yet. The kids also understand that there are other options to cooking - on the stove, microwave, grill or open fire. They also realize you need money to buy food and to purchase a home.
Happy camping! You are teaching your children valuable lessons and great family fellowship, team building and working together!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Back to Basics
Let's go back to the basics. Each and every one of us has 4 basic needs:
1. Food
2. Water
3. Shelter
4. Clothing
I also add #5. Love. =)
So each day, how many of us are thinking about these 5 basic needs? Not many of us. If we are living comfortably, we take these 5 basic needs for granted. When I think of simplifying my life, I go back to the basics.
Yesterday, my children and I went to the library. We love the library! We borrowed the first book in the series The Boxcar Children. I remember reading and loving this series as a child. As I was reading this book aloud to them, I realized this is a great book to talk about and explain our basic needs to the kids. So that's what I started doing. The kids are really enjoying the book. We are halfway through it already. The Boxcar Children are acquiring their basic needs. They are also good problem solvers! I highly recommend this book.
1. Food
2. Water
3. Shelter
4. Clothing
I also add #5. Love. =)
So each day, how many of us are thinking about these 5 basic needs? Not many of us. If we are living comfortably, we take these 5 basic needs for granted. When I think of simplifying my life, I go back to the basics.
Yesterday, my children and I went to the library. We love the library! We borrowed the first book in the series The Boxcar Children. I remember reading and loving this series as a child. As I was reading this book aloud to them, I realized this is a great book to talk about and explain our basic needs to the kids. So that's what I started doing. The kids are really enjoying the book. We are halfway through it already. The Boxcar Children are acquiring their basic needs. They are also good problem solvers! I highly recommend this book.
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