Wednesday, July 30, 2014

25 Manners Kids Should Know (and many adults don't!)

 
 
I ran across this the other day on Pinterest and thought it was interesting. So many times we tell children to 'mind their manners.' But really, what are the manners they should be minding? That's why this caught my eye. A great list from a reputable source, Parents.com. But, as I was reading the list over, I realized how many adults don't know, or don't display, these manners.
 
 
via Parents
 
I printed this baby off and put it on our fridge. I may even frame it. Why? Because I want my son to know how important these actions are and to remind myself anytime I start to 'misbehave' that if we expect children to do certain things, than I should be able to do them too!
 
Please let me know in the comments below, do you have a difficult time following these basic manners? I know I do at times!

Friday, July 25, 2014

Creating a Dream Board


I’ve been seeing people posting their version of dream/vision boards around the internet lately. I laugh, because they are grown up versions of the bulletin boards we all had in our rooms as kids. (At least I did.)
 

 

 
BUT it’s a really good idea, writing down and having a visual of your goals/aspirations. That’s something I’ve had a tough time with. I always make the plans, but they hardly come to fruition. I think partly because they are never put down somewhere for me to constantly see. Kind of like my Summer Bucket List, great list, but without it printed and in constant view, it’s hard to remember to do those things.
 

So, I’ve decided to create my own Vison Board. I have a list of things that I want to achieve:

 

·       Disney Cruise 2016

·       Pay off car, buy a newer (hopefully brand new) Jeep

·       Build a deeper faith and stronger relationship with God

·       New home for my son and I

·       Find a new job that provides me with greater personal enrichment

·       Fit into my smallest size jeans by the end of 2014 (they are 6 sizes smaller than I am now)

·       Make sure the time I spend with my son is of greater quality

·       Purchase an Apple computer (I’m still using my Old HP)

·       Invest some of my time in philanthropic pursuits

 

As you can see, some of them are already pretty specific, like fitting into a certain size clothing by a certain time, but some are pretty vague at this point. I know I need to fine tune most of them. But I want to see these goals every day and make sure everything I am doing every day is helping me achieve. It’s kind of like the saying some organizers use when helping you go through your ‘stuff’: If you don’t need it, love it or if doesn’t make you money, get rid of it. I plan to use that approach to my life.

 

IF I DON’T LOVE IT, NEED IT OR IT DOESN’T HELP ME ACHIEVE MY GOALS, IT’S GOT TO GO!

 

I have a wall in my bedroom with nothing on it currently. I’m thinking of repainting the wall to give myself a fresh start. Then I want to build a board, maybe some sort of magnetic or white board, then frame it and hang it up. I want to make sure it’s special, because my goals and dreams are special.

 

Have you built a dream or vision board? Do you think it helps in achieving your goals? Please let me know in the comments below.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Summer Bucket List update

Summer is now in full swing. Actually, I think it's halfway over and I'm frowning as I look at my Summer Bucket List. We haven't done too much except visit a children's museum last weekend. 





 
I'm going to print my list out and hang it on the fridge, hopefully that will inspire me to add more activity to our days! It's been kind of tough, I work full time, we've had swimming lessons every night and he spends every other weekend with his dad. And we all know you can't cram too much fun into a day with a three year old, often it will backfire on you. But I'm going to keep trying.


Make s’mores
Go to a drive-in movie
Go on a scavenger hunt
Bowling
Go to the Zoo
Make popsicles
Blow bubbles
Go on a treasure hunt
Nature walk
Go to the library
Play putt-putt golf
Visit a museum
Finger paint
Make cupcakes
Go to the beach
Go to a movie
Shop at a flea market
Watch fireworks
Go on a picnic
Go on a boat ride
Tie-dye a shirt
Make root beer floats

Leaf rubbings
Pajama party
Visit an aquarium

Drink slurpees
Learn to write ABC’s

Go to Adventure Island

Plant flowers

Ride a train

Watch a sunset

Blow bubbles

Play in the sprinklers

Make an ice cream sundae