We have dedicated this week to crafts, food, family and fun. Here are few things we did today.
Our inspiration came from Ankle Biter Art
This fun activity I came from Crafty Morning
Click here to get your Free Printable Thanksgiving Bingo Boards from Crazy Little Projects
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
“All this work is making me starving!” As she signs her name on the Valentine’s Cards, for her classroom friends. Gotta love the remarks of a 5-year-old. 🙂
If you still need an idea for Valentine’s cards, I recommend these super cute free printable ones. These cards come from shanty-2-chic.com, click here to be directed to their site.
Two of my daughter’s birthdays fall within seven days of each other, so we always have their “Big Birthday Party” with family and friends, together. Then on their actual birthday, we do something special just for them. In the past, I would have them pick out their own themes. One might have Dora and the other might choose Cinderella, but this year I asked them if it was okay if I surprised them with the theme. After searching around, I came up with Candy Land…the perfect theme for my two, sweet, loving girls.
Candy Land is not a commercialized theme, like Disney Princesses or Dora the Explorer, so I had to get creative if I wanted decorations for the party.
First Project: Dum Dum Pops Centerpieces.
Items Needed:
– Styrofoam Balls (Wal-Mart)
– Large Bag of Dum Dum Pops (Wal-Mart)
– Sharp Scissors
– A container to put your masterpiece on (glass vase, flower-pot, sand castle beach pal, etc…)
*I first cut all the pop sticks in half, then placed and arranged them from the top to the bottom. There were a couple that weren’t cooperating, so I hot glued them.
Second Project: Gum Drop Tree
Items Needed:
– Gum Drops (Wal-Mart)
– Styrofoam Cone (Wal-Mart)
– Toothpicks
– Scissors
*I first cut all the tooth picks in half. The top four Gum Drops I hot glued to place them exactly where I wanted them. The rest I placed a toothpick into the Gum Drop then pushed into the cone.
I also made cute balloon decorations. Hellobee.com tells you step by step how to make them. Click here to go directly to the site.
Instead of making goodie bags, I purchased these reusable glass candy jars to hand out as favors to all the friends that attended the party.
(Warning: If you aren’t pleased with your merchandise from shindigz.com, you can return it, but on your own dime! Make sure it’s exactly what you want.)
Simple Candy Buffet
Candy Land Themed Cakes (from Publix)
Last but not least Castle Bounce
*If you live in the Central Florida area and are looking for something exciting to add to your party, I highly recommend Leaping to Fun. We have used them over six years for all of our kids parties. They have bounce houses, wet slides, food machines and more. For more information click here and make sure to tell them Bethany Boy sent you.
Getting into the Thanksgiving Spirit! Gobble! Gobble!
Here’s a fun Thanksgiving craft for parent and child. The best part of the craft is painting your child’s foot. I loved hearing them laugh as I tickled their feet with the paint brush.
I hope I can encourage you to not get lost in the cooking and shopping these next few days, but take time to actually enjoy the holiday. Make crafts, play outside, and find ways to let your kids help you cook those special yummy treats, in the kitchen. Trust me, you won’t regret investing in family traditions that include the kids!
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
Today we had a time of sharing. We talked about things we are struggling with. We then wrote them down on a piece of paper and stuck them to the cross. I explained to the girls that Christ died for these sins and these negative feelings. When we come to the cross daily, He helps us to overcome these battles.
This was more than a craft, it brought awareness to the hearts of these little girls that sin had been covered. It brought acknowledgement to the weaknesses they have without seeking God’s face everyday, all day. Prayers were spoken with repentance around our kitchen table this afternoon.
Finding ways to make the word living and alive sparks the connection our children hunger for. The next time you have a craft I challenge you to take it a step further!
This week we are working on the Armor of God for the girls JBQ (Junior Bible Quizzing) questions.
This afternoon we are talking about the Shield of Faith and Shoes that our worn on our feet, which brings the Gospel of Peace.
Questions:
What protects the Roman solider from arrows and blows from a sword? A Shield!
The shield protected the Roman solider from the enemies weapons. Our spiritual enemies are constantly throwing arrows and thrusting swords towards us. The best way to deflect these blows is with the shield of faith. When we hold on to our shield, when we hold firm to our faith in Jesus, we can go forth boldly.
Activity:
I had the girls make paper balls. Then they took turns throwing them at each other. Of course they were hit with the balls because they were vulnerable, with nothing to protect themselves. Then I had them hold up their shields, nothing could get to them as long as their shield was in place!
What purpose do shoes serve? Protection, Freedom, Readiness
Imagine a fully armed soldier. He has his sword, his shield, his helmet, his breastplate and his belt…but his feet are completely bare. The picture probably seems strange, and it should! Just by thinking about it, we can tell something is missing. Without shoes the solider has to worry about where his is stepping or running and this is the last thing that should be on his mind in a battle!
Fun Fact: The shoes of Roman soldiers were made of bronze or brass and included a part to cover the shins. The bottoms of the shoes were covered with spikes so they would help the soldier stand firm-or those sharp spikes could be used as weapons.
What does Readiness mean? “Readiness” is “the state or quality of being ready; preparation; promptness; aptitude; willingness”.
What does the gospel of peace have to do with shoes?
“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:14-15
God’s Church is sent to preach the good news, which will spread His way of peace around the whole world. By having our shoes on, we are ready to move!
Remember each piece of God’s armor is important. Make sure to wear your armor everyday all day and the schemes of Satan will not prevail.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
This week we are working on the Armor of God for the girls JBQ (Junior Bible Quizzing) questions.
Sorry we missed yesterday. Life happens and I had a little one with strep throat but today we are back to it.
This afternoon we are talking about the Belt of Truth and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. In Ephesians 6:14, it tells us to “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…” and Ephesians 6:17 says, “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Questions:
What piece of armor holds a very crucial weapon for the Roman solider? A Belt! If the solider didn’t have his belt on, he most likely didn’t have his sword with him.
Buckling truth around you everyday means not conforming to this world, like Romans 12:2 states. It means having your sword with you, which is the word of God. The Bible is God’s Holy Word. Everything that is written in that book is true. There are no lies in the Bible. By having these two pieces of armor, you are able to stand firm against Satan and his lies.
What could be some lies that Satan wants us to believe?
It’s alright to lie, cheat, steal, hurt someone, be selfish, be mean to others, not obey and respect our parents.
What helps us to know what is true and what are lies? The word of God!
A sword is sharp and strong. That’s exactly why God’s word is called a sword, because it is strong to defeat the lies of Satan and it is sharp enough to teach our hearts what we need to learn.
“God’s words give us strength, they help us to make good decisions, they help us get closer to God, and they help us know how to treat others. They can encourage us and even be like food to us because they give us strength.”
Belt Craft:
Again we are using construction paper. (Construction paper is cheap and you can do anything with it 🙂 )I had the kids pick out the color they wanted their belt to be and then fold the construction paper into columns, next they cut down the folded crease. We then stapled the strips together around their waist. We also printed out a letter T and colored it, to remind us what the belt stands for.
Sword Craft:
Right after construction paper, cardboard is my next item I like to use for crafts (Simple is better for the ages I’m working with).
For our swords I used a diaper box. I traced out a sword then cut it out with a box cutter. We wrote the words, Word of God, then had the kids color them (my girls love to color).
I hope you join us tomorrow as we work on the Shield of Faith and Readiness that comes from the gospel of peace worn on our feet.
This week we are working on the Armor of God for the girls JBQ (Junior Bible Quizzing) questions.
Today we talked about the Breastplate of Righteousness . In Ephesians 6:14, it tells us to “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place…”
Questions:
What piece of armor protects your vital organs in a battle? A Breastplate! It keeps from arrows or even swords puncturing our heart and lungs.
“Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.” Proverbs 11:4
Without righteousness, we leave ourselves open to death. With righteousness, just as with a breastplate, the enemy is stopped from his fatal attacks.
What is righteousness?
“Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.” 1 Corinthians 15:34
To be righteous is to do what is right in God’s eyes. God’s commandments are righteousness, sin is the opposite of righteousness. So to be righteous is to obey God’s laws of love.
“..and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” Philippians 3:9
Craft:
Take a big piece of cardboard and draw the outline of a Roman solider’s armor.
Then have the kids cut it out.
I was going to put just a cross on it but the girls had their own ideas. So, add your own personal touch.
While the kids are drawing and coloring on their armor, you can talk about righteousness and what it means.
I hope you join us tomorrow as we work on the Belt of Truth.
This week we are working on the Armor of God for the girls JBQ (Junior Bible Quizzing) questions.
Today we talked about the Helmet of Salvation. In Ephesians 6:17, it tells us to “Take the helmet of salvation…”
Questions:
What is one very important thing you have to wear when riding a bike, a helmet! It protects your head from getting injured.
What purpose did the helmet serve in the Roman army? The Roman helmet, like helmets today, protected the head from the attacks of the enemy.
In 1 Peter 5:8-9 also tells us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”
Our enemy hates that we have chosen this path and will stop at nothing to destroy us because of it. Just as the helmet protects the vital but vulnerable head from otherwise fatal blows, the hope of salvation can protect our thoughts from our enemy’s attacks and temptations to disobey God.
Without the helmet of salvation, we will be unprotected from the “cares of this world” that bombard our thoughts and feelings. Imagine not knowing what the future ultimately holds. The worries and problems produced by living in this world would overwhelm us!
Craft:
First color a helmet (Google helmet of salvation coloring sheet)
Have the kids cut out their helmet
Take black construction paper and cut out strips
I measured each of the girls heads with the construction paper, making a band around their head
Then stapled their helmet onto the construction paper band
I hope you join us tomorrow as we work on the breastplate of Salvation.
*Matthew 1:18-25 The Birth of Jesus
*A Jesus Baby Book: Did your mom or dad keep a baby book for you? Ask if you can look at it. It will have pictures of you as a baby. It will tell interesting things about when you were young and how you grew. You can make a baby book for Jesus. Think about the chapters you read in Matthew and Luke. There are many things you learned about Jesus’ birth. Draw pictures of these things on some pieces of paper. Write Bible verses that tell about each picture. Now stack the papers and punch two holes on one end. Thread a long piece of yarn through the holes. Tie the yarn to hold the papers together.
*My oldest took the challenge and drew each picture of her baby book about Jesus. For my other two we printed pages from the website below.
http://www.coloring.ws/nativity.htm
As a mother of three precious girls and one precious boy, I could not imagine having my own agenda on their birthday. Just think if I were to say I don’t have time for cake and presents, we’re too busy shopping for other people, we have to decorate the house for someone else! Their poor little heart would be broken. No, our world stops for our children’s birthdays. We plan parties, yes plural. We usually have a small one on their birthday and then another one on the following Saturday for all their friends to come to. We want to show them how much we love them and how special they are to us, so even more should we stop and celebrate the baby boy who came to save the world.
Thank you heavenly father for giving your only baby boy to die, so that we may live. Thank you Mary for obeying and trusting in the Lord. Thank you Joseph for not caring what the world thinks but holding true to what our heavenly father says. There are many lessons in this story to be learned, great character traits to follow after and verses to hold close to our heart. May we never forget the baby boy who came to give us this beautiful life we love and enjoy.
From The Committed Heart 