So, lets be honest, we have all found ourselves running through the house, probably running late, and trying to remember if we grabbed everything our kids will need for the day. After a few times of being completely worn out and over the day before we even got in the car, we came up with the “packet” system. The “packet” got its name when my oldest couldn’t properly pronounce the word backpack at a young age and it stuck. Each of our kids have their own packet that stays completely stocked with all the things that child may need in any given day

Noa Hazel: Since she is my baby some of her things are obvious, however her bag looks like this.

• Bibs are always a must with messy little ones who are learning to self-feed.
• A clean empty cup is on the side of her bag
• She has a light swaddle blanket for when she naps.
• Two extra outfits.
• Diapers or booties as we call them (again, oldest named them and it stuck)
• Wipes
• A white bow.  Occasionally she yanks her bow off and throws it somewhere is the car. I like to know that I have a back up bow that will match pretty much any outfit.
• Soft toy. I like to stick with something that won’t make too much noise if she drops it in a quiet place

George Henry: This sweet guy is my 2 ½ year old, so some of the contents are geared to his age.

• Change of clothes
• Extra underwear (he calls them roos) Since he is potty training, we usually put a few pair in the packet just in case.
• Always an extra set of pajamas. You just never know when Nina (my mom) might call and ask the boys for a sleepover or campout, so best to always be prepared for an overnight stay!
• Back up pair of socks. Never fails, this little guy will take off his shoes and socks every time he gets in the car. I suppose he just always likes to be comfy. So its good that instead of scrambling to find both socks when we need to be walking into a friends house, church, or event, that I can just grab a new pair out of the packet and fish out the old pair later. I usually keep some sort of little book along with a small toy in his bag to help keep him entertained if need be.

Maddox: This guy is 4 years old and loves to help pic out his packet items.

• Just as with his brother Maddox packet is always prepped for an overnight adventure at Nina’s.
• Sunscreen is kept in Maddox bag. Since he is the oldest, he can be the most trusted with a bottle of sunscreen in his bag. So, during the summer months, I know that I have sunscreen for all three kiddos kept in this bag.
• Maddox loves to color and read so I usually keep one or the other and sometimes both of those items in his packet

• Snacks. Since Maddox is older, he requires a lot less things to be carried around with him so I typically will out a few snacks for him and his siblings in his bag.
• Socks. Again, not sure why they always seem to lose socks, but it’s nice to know we have extra.

It is a huge benefit if every evening after you have had an outing with your family, to just take 15 minutes and restock the packets. Replace any items you may have use during the day, so you are prepared for next time you leave the house. Now obviously, as the seasons change so does the contents of the packets. Sunscreen will be replaced with winter hats in a few months. Just as the extra pair of socks will be accompanied with extra gloves. Just change things around to fit what works best for your kiddo. The packet system works well for me and my kids and has ever since my oldest was almost one. I love the being prepared feeling of knowing you have those things taken care of.

How are you being encouraging to your child?

It is so easy to get caught up in the everyday grind of life and parenting that we forget to build up our children. So many times all they hear throughout the day is “No, don’t do that!” Please, don’t touch that!”  or “What were you thinking?” I myself am admittedly guilty of this. I get so caught up and focused on my task that I can forget the little things that are important to my kids.

               Ever since my oldest was old enough to understand words, and even before I can remember telling him “boo, you have such a good heart.” It started out as just something sweet and kind to tell my little guy but evolved into much more. You see, because I instilled in him that he is kind hearted he believed it and has always been so sweet and kind and will in turn tell other kids “you have a good heart” when others make a kind gesture.

               Another thing I’m a firm believer in is words of affirmation.  Affirming to you child things like, you are amazing, you are fearfully and wonderfully made ( this is actually on our bathroom mirrors at home as a reminder each time we look in the mirror.) and one of my favorites to tell my kids is “ I believe in you!”  There have been some situations where my child was mad, frustrated and really upset, and I said “just don’t be so frustrated, you can do this because I believe in you.” And after a deep breath my little guy did it!!!! Why? Because he felt important, he felt support, and most importantly, he knew that I believed in him and was able to pull off the task at hand. I’ll never forget the time my second little guy, George-henry, was learning to walk. I was in the next room and my oldest yelled “mommy, Georgie is standing up!” and before I could even get in there, Maddox (the oldest) was knelt down beside his brother saying “ come on, walk to bubbie. You can do it; I believe in you!” TEARS ya’ll, tears! Just that little bit of affirming throughout Maddox life, encouraged him to pour into someone that he believed in them.

               Each day, each hour is a new chance. Instead of criticizing and asking seeming too much from your child, how much better and smoother would each of your days be if words of anger and frustration were turned into words of encouragement and affirmation?

Sundays have long been noted as the official day of rest.A day specifically set a side for relaxing and recreational fun. Our familyloves to be able to be together on Sunday. As a matter a fact once a month thewhole family, my sisters, their husbands and all the grandkids get together overat my mom’s house for an epic family meal.

Sunday is almost like a mental and spiritual reset for me personally. No matter what the stresses of the week were like, there’s always Sunday. To be able to take my kids to church, for worship and praise. It just has its Perfect way of washing away all the cares of the week. However, the gettingthere can be quite the task. It seems like the house can be so clean on a Saturdaynight before bed, yet somehow through the madness of getting everyone “perfect”it never fails that the house will look like a bomb went off as were walkingout the door to go to church.  Sometimes weget so caught up in the being/looking “perfect” that we completely get our hearts and minds distracted from the main purpose of the day and were exhausted before we even get out the door. Here are a few tips that I pray will help your family through the madness that can happen before ever even getting in the car.

• Always make a point to get everyone’s clothes and shoes ready on Saturday evening. Ironing taken care of and making sure everyone has socks. (not sure why but this part is FOREVER a problem at our house.)
• Next, Saturday evening it is always a good idea to plan breakfast. Throw together a breakfast casserole to bake the next morning, get a cereal bar ready, set the timer on the coffee pot to auto brew etc.. What ever your normal breakfast routine may be, try and be as prepared as you can by doing it the night before.
• Lastly, this trick works WONDERS for us because our children are younger, however I have known friends with older kids and it has worked well for them as well. Are you ready? DO NOT WAKE THEM AT THE SAME TIME. Yep, you read that right. I try and wake my kids up in a certain order. I know the baby likes her sleep, but when she does wake up she very content to just play in her room for a while. Which makes her last on the list to get ready. My oldest is usually up first, which means we get him breakfast and dressed first. Then on to the middle child. Same routine. So by stair steeping the “wake” process you have greatly eliminated a lot of running around and early morning fussing. Not to mention, you had plenty of time to make sure your husband is getting ready! Anyone else have that problem?

So, hopefully this has been of some help and will make your Sunday morning go a little bit smoother. Just remember the purpose of the day, to glorify the savior, praise Him for the week you had and the week to come.

WHAOOO, finally its here, summer break. The kids are out of school which ques the, I’m hungry. I’m bored. Can we go do something? And guess what? There is still 8 weeks left of summer break! Yikes! Hopefully, this little packet of simple fun things to do will help you maintain your sanity, and help your children retain all the things they learned through the school year.

Summer Fun & learning

One of the most fun and universal ways to have fun during the warmer weather is with side walk chalk. Me and my kids love to play games out on the sidewalk and drive way. One way to encourage learning is this. Write six easy words using the chalk. Then have your children race to which ever word you call out. So much fun they won’t even realize they are learning!

Water, water everywhere.

Of course!!!! This is what almost every kid lives for during the summer. Here in the south, we find endless hours of entertainment with just spraying your neighborhood kids and cousins with your every day garden hose. However, there are so many cool ( ha, get it?) options now when it comes to water play. One of our favorite things to do during the summer months is to visit our local splash pad! WHAT!?!?!?! Where were these when I was a kid? Well, the plus side to the splash pad is, its fun for the whole family! We REALLY suggest this one for hours of entertainment.

Rain, Rain go away

Unfortunately, chalk is useless and splash pads and sprinklers are completely void if you are in the company of a summer thunderstorm. Thankfully, there are some amazing fun options for inside the home as well. Now, I don’t know about ya’ll, but my boys LOVE to play ninja. Which can be a super inexpensive and fun activity for boys and girls alike. Simply blow up some balloons, draw some faces on them, load up the nurf guns and let the battle begin.

Summer Movie Program

Many move theaters, including Carmike and AMC, often run a summer movie program. Theaters will replay many of your child’s favorite already release films and tickets are anywhere from $1 – $4 including pop corn and a drink in some cases!!!! This activity is always such a hit with the kids. Even though we have watched Trolls a billion times at home, its always thrilling to be about to watch on the big screen.

Shhhh, it’s story time

 One of the most known about summer fun activities, yet one of the most underappreciated is the reading program at your local library. This has an age group from tiny toddlers up to older kids. It’s a great way for kids to be able to socialize and meet new friends, while also getting the opportunity to listen to a new book be read to them. Although, each library is different, we love that ours has song time, story time and a cute little craft to go along with the stories from that day.

Giving Back

Although most kids see summer break as their “me” time, it’s also still important to serve others as well. This project is particularly awesome if you have older kids. Take them to the store with you and challenge them to find things that are a must when outside in the summertime. Bottled water, sunscreen, aloe, cooling towels Chapstick etc. Ask them to make some care packages for the homeless community. Donation centers who work alongside the homeless will make sure your packages go to the right places.

So, hang in there moms and dads. You can do this and have the best summer ever with your kiddos. Hopefully this will help ya’ll find some fun and exciting adventures that both you and your little guys and gals will enjoy all summer long. Just a few short weeks until school starts back. WE GOT THIS!!!!

-Lemon on a Pear