One man show...

The other day I took ten minutes to play with my kids and make them laugh hysterically. I earned a few cool mom points ...I think. I turned on the music and made a "dancing man" with my hand. Oh, he is a good dancer and also happens to be a great climber. His specialty is climbing up faces and landing on mountains, a.k.a kids' noses thereby making kids laugh like crazy. The best part? Kids can make their own dancing man... or men! Easton's dancing men are so quick on their feet they cannot be captured on camera! Take Ten!

try your hand...

Take ten to draw your hands. Compare, contrast and have fun. Trace your hand first, then trace your little one's hand over the top of it. Talk about the similarities and differences. Then trace some more. They'll want to do the tracing over and over! Have fun. Take Ten!

adjust..

Take ten to adjust. My 9 month old can stand up in her high chair and refuses to stay seated so we simply adjusted. She now has a seat at the kids' table next to her big sister. Any adjusting need to happen at your house? Take ten to change some things to make life go smoother. It's weird having our baby at the table already but she loves it!

strawberry naptime...

It was nap time, and I have a little girl who is growing out of naps. My other two desperately need them still. So while the others slept, I had a date with my oldest.

We picked strawberries...

We picked LOTS of strawberries...

And then we ate the strawberries with whipped cream...YUM.

Take Ten to do something special, one on one, with just one of your children. They'll feel special and cared for and cherished.

imagine a race track...

Easton can make a race track out of anything...

Exhibit A- his spiderman couch make shifted into a hill for his truck.

Exhibit B- Mel's dress up shoe...heel to toe makes a great hill for his race cars.

Being somewhat creative myself, I made a race track out of a broken slat from our blinds. I set it up against our counter and called Easton out and told him to get his cars. He came back and knew exactly what to do with them.

After a few turns with it set up like this, we moved it to a sturdier location by the dinner table. Never underestimate the fun you can have with a broken blind.

This is an action shot of Easton jumping the track while Melanie is going to send a car down.

Babies like race tracks too.

But little boys are especially fond of them.

My make shift race track inspired them to get out the real race track.

Take Ten to think outside the toy box.

airline to my heart...

Easton made his first paper ''airplane.'' See picture below. It's pretty cute. I had no idea he knew what a paper airplane is, but maybe little boys are just born knowing.

Because he showed an interest, we took ten and made paper airplanes today. Here's what you do...

1. Spell the word airplane so the kids can see it.

2. Show them how to make an airplane.

3. Look up some airplane designs online and follow those patterns too.

4. Fly your planes.

While we were flying our airplanes, I saw Skyelynn throw this little piece of paper she found on the ground a couple of times. She was joining in on the fun.

Take Ten

Be sneaky...

It's been 4 days since I've posted on here. I've been through a whirlwind of sadness and couldn't bring myself to write much lately unless it was about my grandma.

She passed away Tuesday morning and is now praising Jesus in person! I wrote some personal thoughts and memories here if you wish to know more about just how great she was: www.ihavebecomeallthingsmama.blogspot.com

You could do anything in my grandma's house and you were never judged, just cared for and you always felt safe.

Ok, so today's take ten activity came to me by surprise. I was not planning on writing any more activities until next week but this was too cute.

My kids were being quiet, too quiet, the kind of quiet where I expected to find them doing something naughty. I snuck up to find them like this:

Standing on a chair, looking out Easton's bedroom window, talking about the grass.
Easton: "Look at the grass out there." Melanie "Yes, I don't know how to go down there, we can't break out the window to get down there."

Well, I'm glad she knows not to break the window! I'm also glad I snuck up to hear this funny conversation.

Take ten to listen in on your kids when they don't know you're listening.

Take Ten!

kids and manners...

Take ten to go out for a meal and teach kids table manners. Here's what you do: -Lead by example. -Teach proper restaurant voice volume. -Make the kids stay in their seats no matter what. -Always say please, thank you, and excuse me. -Pray before eating. Don't let our kids become the ones others are watching, waitstaff are dreading to serve and that you are embarrassed to take in public. After some practice and consistency they will be a joy to take out to eat! Take Ten!

Date!

Take ten to go on a date with one of your kiddos!

heaven is for real...

Take ten to talk to your kids about heaven. It's not only comforting to know Jesus is waiting for us there but it brings a sense of peace only God can give during hard times. Take Ten!