3 Ways to get Kids to Spring Clean

The time of year for spring cleaning is at hand. Break out the mops, dustpans, and garbage bags because it is time to clean and de-clutter. I always feel lighter after cleaning out a challenging closet or a kid's room. Probably one of the most challenging rooms to de-clutter are the kids' rooms. My kids find ways to hang onto the craziest things. With three girls in one room and a messy boy in another room, I suspect a lot of garbage bags will be used. This year, I am enlisting the kids to help out. Naturally, it isn't at the top of their list of spring activities. Luckily, this isn't my first rodeo so I have a few tricks up my sleeve.

Make it Fun. You do remember Mary Poppins, right? She made cleaning look fun and magical. You may not be able to make the room help clean itself but you can add in some fun. Make it a race and see which kid can clean the fastest. Set up laundry baskets and allow the kids to toss clothes in a basket for dirty clothes, clothes to donate, and clothes to sell. You can also set up baskets for sorting. Play some fun music and dance and clean at the same time.
Make Some Money. Kids love to do jobs if they can earn extra money. Some save up for a new bike while others just want some extra cash for candy money. Either way, earning a monetary reward is a great motivator. Have your kids gather up gently used clothes, books, and toys, to place in a garage sale. Your teen will love the ease of selling DVDs online. Nothing like the option of selling DVDs, CDs, and games online to encourage your teen to clean out his entertainment section.
Make it a Team Effort. No one wants to clean alone. Set up a system with a list of jobs and assign everyone something to complete. I used to allow my kids to pick three jobs from a list I made of different cleaning chores. Everyone tended to work harder since it was a group effort and they had definate jobs to complete.

10 Toys That Have Lasted in Our Home

Legos: The longest lasting toy through four kids and many painful random steps goes to Legos. All of my children love Legos and it bridges the age gap. The whole family can sit and build together. My husband's collection from his childhood is still played with today.
Miniture Plastic Character and Animal Toys: You know those tiny plastic toys you wonder why your kids keep around or carry with them. They come in a variety of name brands to dollar store specials but they are loved equally. We have a box filled with princesses, toy cars, safari animals, sea creatures, and more. The kids play with them outside in the dirt, in the sand, and even take them in the bath. It is story telling and imaginative play at its best.
Art Supplies: Paper, pencils, and paint in plentiful supply make for playful afternoons. Whatever the art medium the kids are fully engaged and the years never mute the drive for creativity.
Dollhouse: I almost hesitated to place my daughter's huge dollhouse in my living room. I now know that had I placed it in her bedroom she never would have come out. She is a teenager now and I am thinking of doing the same with her phone. Through the years, many little families have moved in and out of the dollhouse. It think for a few years it was played with on a daily basis. All my girls and even my son, when he was a toddler, have enjoyed this type of imaginative type of role playing.
Balls: Soccer, basketball, football, baseball, tennis, whatever ball exists we have it. Every summer we buy more of those plastic balls you find at the grocery store. Just throw a ball into the yard and its a party at our house.
Toy Phones: My oldest daughter has traded her toy phone in for a real one and my son traded his in for a video game controller. However, when they were young, both loved to carry around their silly plastic toys with buttons that made all sorts of unrealistic sounds. I almost wish my phone was as interesting. My two younger girls think toy phones are the thing to have in their purses. My four year old spends quite a bit of time talking on her phone and sometimes insisting we all hush while she has her coversation.
Bikes: Not sure you would consider it a toy but every one of my kids spent many fair weather hours riding bikes.
Board Games: We love playing games in our family. We don't mess around...even in Candyland.
Play Cookware: During those times the kids are not allowed to help in the kitchen or the cook is taking a much needed break, play cookware comes to the rescue.
Play Doh: I have to admit I love Play Doh as much as the kids. We clear the dining room table and begin creating amazing things only to mix and squish it so it packs back down in the container for the next time.

Curious to see what other moms are saying? Click below and join us for our Ten Weeks of Top Ten Lists for a lot of fun!

The Joy of Baby Toys

It appears to be baby shower season in my social circles. Have you noticed friends having babies tends to come in seasons? My youngest is going on 5 so the days of baby items and playthings are sadly over. The love of shopping for a baby never diminished so now I enjoy shopping for my friends. Seeing the variety of baby toys as I shop brings back sweet memories of my own children's baby years. Sometimes just seeing all the new dolls, games, rattles, and electronic novelties, makes me want to have another baby. Yes, folks, I want to have a baby to play with the toys and not look insane. While, looking for the perfect gift, and in my mind it is always a toy, even my preschooler gets a kick out of seeing all the toys for infants. I could hardly pull my kids away from seeing all the shiny trinkets of babyhood past. It was a fun stroll down memory lane for all of us. But do yourself a favor and buy online so that stroll doesn't take all afternoon with children whose sentimental nature want you to buy a Laugh and Play Love to Learn Puppy. Which by the way is one of my...I mean my kids...all time favorite toys and one I love to give as a gift. So, this year as I attend several baby showers I will be just as thrilled to see my friend open the gift as her baby will one day play with it.

A New Cedar Point Season Begins

Nothing breaks through a gloomy cool day in May like opening day at Cedar Point. Ohioans never shy away from Ferris wheels, funnel cakes, and mega roller coasters because of a little overcast. Long standing traditions of packing up the family or rounding up friends for opening day go ahead as planned. For many of us, this marks the beginning of summer The electrifying excitement and screams coming off a 164 foot drop are enough to keep the blood flowing. And who can resist Snoopy?

Cedar Point, once again, tops itself by giving up another record breaking roller coaster to challenge our hearts and stomaches. People from all over Ohio and the surrounding areas poured into Cedar Point to ride The Gatekeeper. The Gatekeeper puts other roller coasters to shame as it takes you on a 4,164 feet long ride with a heart pounding 164 foot drop. Narrowly escaping front gate portals at almost 70 mph, this record breaking roller coaster is Cedar Point's first winged coaster. It may be their first but in true Cedar Point style it sets records such as the tallest drop and boasts being the largest winged coaster to date. It will be most thrilling 2 minutes and 40 seconds of your life.

Cedar Point is More Than Roller Coasters....Really

Cedar Point is filled with other rides, arcade games, restaurants, amazing french fries, access to the beach, Soak City, and of course Planet Snoopy.

Planet Snoopy is the place to be for budding roller coaster riders and Snoopy enthusiasts of all ages. The kid friendly rides such as Rocket Snoopy and mini teacups welcomes both the child and parent.

The arcades are filled with fun and BIG winnings.

Don't go home before you have a chance to see Cedar Point lit up against the night sky.

Roller coaster daredevil, Snoopy enthusiast, lover of french fries, arcade champion, or bumper car expert, Cedar Point has something for you. You don't come to Ohio to visit Cedar Point. You come to Cedar Point to visit Ohio.

Buy your tickers online for a discount!

Roller Coaster Capital & Best Amusement Park in the World | Cedar Point

Cedar Point Tickets: Online Tickets, Passes & More | Cedar Point

Cedar Point Resorts: Places to Stay at Cedar Point | Cedar Point

Things to Do in Ohio | Cedar Point

The Waterproof Bible~Review

Disclosure: I received the item below for the purpose of review. The thoughts expressed are my own and my or may reflect those of the vendor or Mosaic Reviews.

Product: The Waterproof Bible

Made by: Bardin & Marsee Publishing

Cost: $24.95

Features:

• New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs

• Extremely Durable Synthetic Pages

• 100% Worry Free

• Stain Resistant

• Ultra Clear Text

• Ideal for Tote Bag or Purse

• Dry Highlight

• Write and Underline

• No Bleed Thru

What is the Waterproof Bible?

The Waterproof Bible is made of 100% waterproof synthetic paper and binding to ensure you can be inspired anywhere. It is almost as enduring as the Word it contains. You can take this bible on mission field in the tropics or on vacationing on the beach. The durability and waterproof material make it an ideal choice to read while the kids are playing in the sprinkler or read during a quiet time in the bath. It will outlast a sitting in the rain or the hands of a toddler in one day.

My Thoughts on the Waterproof Bible

Some years ago, pages of my bible were ripped out by the hands of a toddler. One time during bible study my daughter spilled her drink on her bible. These two incidents were met with eyes that stared struggling to compute the moment of horror. Torn and soaked pages are bad enough on any book but a bible just causes you to take pause and hang your head in sadness. Both events could have been avoided if only we had the Waterproof Bible.

It felt strange testing the bible against the elements. I had mishandling a book an a bible...well..that is unthinkable. However, my kids were excited to see if it could float and endure a muddy backyard. I had my doubts that it would hold up as nicely as it did. I thought it would be worse for the wear but instead once dried and clean retained a new appearance. Moreover, I love the smooth feel of the cover and the pages. The cover and pages sturdy and easily became clean after spending some time in the mud. It dries beautifully and fairly quickly if you sit it upright. However, the length of time to dry will depend on how wet it is. I am not sure if you can this in the picture but the water slides right off the book so it never gets super soaked.

The Waterproof bible comes in blue and the full bible version comes in camouflage. Makes the perfect gift for someone on the mission field or in the military. However, for those of us who stick around we can still enjoy not having to worry about dropping it, spilling something on it, getting it dirty, or falling into the hands of a toddler. You can still underline and highlight in it as usual.

In the end, the only downfall is the small print. However, the crisp clean pages make it easy to read. It is a nice size and lightweight making it perfect for packing or placing in a purse.

Makes a great gift for others or yourself!

But I don't even own a jean jumper...

"You inspire me."

"How do you do it all?"

"I know you are a much better homeschooler than me."

"Help me, I need your advice. You do this so much better than me."

"If only I could be a perfect homeschooler like you...you always have it together."

Yes, at one point or another these statements have been said to me. Me! I always wonder what the women behind those statements see when they look at me. I must remember to add "take mirror in for a refund" on my to-do list. In some strange turn of events, I became a role model for other homeschooling moms. When they look at me they see perfectly behaved children, a well scheduled day, impeccable lesson plans, and a house swept clean. Throw in some rainbows, unicorns, and cheesecake that causes weight loss, and you entered my perfect fantasy.

Through the years, some things I got right and many things I got wrong. Enter my home on any given day and you will see laundry baskets filled with clothes that have forgotten if they are clean or dirty. The kitchen boasts of hearty family meals evidenced by the dirty dishes still left for the morning elves. Sit down with a cup of coffee and allow my living room to recount children fighting or watching too much TV on stressful days. Bring a tissue and help my dining room table wipe off where the tears fell during a difficult reading lesson. Walk over to my school area and see lesson plan books half filled and curriculum abandoned because it was not a good fit. Open my closet doors you will won't even find a jean jumper but you will find clothes that wonder if they will ever be traded for sweats or PJs in the morning. If my walls could talk....surely my perceived perfection would be seen for what it is...a mere perception.

You see, my friend, the only thing that separates us is your perception and my experience. Experience is an excellent teacher but great lessons come through great pain. Yes, I have talents, abilities, and enough life lessons to get a few things right. So do you. Left in the dark, under piles of wishes, my own talents failed to grow. I learned that wishing for abilities I valued in others prevented me from growth. While, we can learn from each other, we are unique. We have unique families and circumstances that God gave us charge over. So, step aside Miss Susie Homemaker and Miss Super Homeschooler, I live to please God and raise those precious blessings in His stead until they are grown. It's okay to have a different schedule. It's okay that a curriculum didn't work for you. It's okay if you forgot to assign To Kill a Mockingbird to your high schooler. It's okay if your child is struggling to read. What isn't okay is wasting time comparing yourself to a situation that is not your own and that you honestly know little about. In wisdom, seek council from other moms. Eat from the meat of that advice but don't forget to spit out the bones. Cultivate your own talents rather than stumble around playing dress up in another woman's shoes.

Now, don't feel bad for looking up to other women or dismiss what I have said because you see your flaws. God puts others in our lives to teach us. Simply, do not demean your divine placement as mother of your children by trying to be someone else. There is wisdom in council if you are teachable and will allow God to work through you. Just don't forget to retain you because, friend, there is beauty in your brokenness.

Ooka Island Adventure {Mosaic Reviews}

(Disclosure: I was given the product for the purpose of review. I was not otherwise compensated and all views are my own and my or may not reflect that of Ooka Island or your personal experience)

Product: Ooka Island Adventure

Format: Computer Game

Ages: 3 to 7

Focus: Literacy, Phonics

Use: Supplement to any reading program, extra practice, fun and learning game

Rating: 5 out of 5 golden pencils

What is Ooka Island?

Learning early literacy skills was never so much fun! The game teaches phonics and letter/sound recognition. A friendly robot named Zobot guides your child in a mission on Ooka Island. Your child will visit the Cave of Sounds, Alphabet Mountain, Bubbly Troubly and more! Once your child visits Popcorn Mountain she will get the chance to read books.

What did I love about Ooka Island?

An approach to teaching literacy that breaks the code of reading. It incorporates decades of research by Dr. Kay MacPhee by using the Eye-Ear Reading Method.
It may be fun but it does teach foundations that a child will use in reading development.
Each game centers on a skill that builds upon another skill until your child begins to read.
Build confidence in young readers.
My 4 year old asks to play daily and she is learning at a fast rate. My 7 year old enjoys it also but found it to be a bit too "young" for her.
Improvement in my daughter’s literacy skills.
The ability to monitor the progress my child is making.