A Toy They All LOVE: Pattern Blocks by Learning Resources

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PatternBlocks1

We’re snowed in and enjoying our traditional post-Christmas morning. Ordinarily the kids would all be off in separate rooms happily occupied with their new toys, while Mr. Awesome and I continue trying to assemble whatever hasn’t been put together yet.

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This year though, the kids all woke up and gathered on the living room floor to play with little sister’s new pattern blocks from Learning Resources. It was such a sweet sight to see!

From ages 3-13 each of my kids are enjoying these blocks! I regret not buying them at the beginning of the school year when I was purchasing our 2015 homeschool curriculum.

I printed off some pattern block templates from PreKinders last night and laminated them front and back. Prior to this my youngest was sorting them by color into her new pots and pans for her kitchen.  That kept her busy for hours yesterday!

We also ordered the set of pattern blocks that came with cards, but those haven’t arrived yet. I think they will be a New Year’s Eve present (that’s a thing, right?).

I prefer wood toys, but after reading reviews about the color coming off of the wood pattern blocks by the same makers, I decided to go with the plastic ones. The wood may have been just fine, but I didn’t want to take any chances with our beige carpet.  These plastic ones have not disappointed us at all!  Even my husband and I have been playing with them…. for the kids, ya know? 😉

Anyway, I just wanted to share in case you have been on the fence about these. We’re loving them!

On Mother’s Day

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Hey, can we talk?  I know it’s Mother’s Day. How are you feeling about that? Be honest.
I hope no matter what your answer comes out like, I pray you are content. I know that may not be the case though.
Being a mom looks different to each of us.  Some of us came by it young, others later in life.  Some are going it alone, others with help. Some through pregnancy and birth, some by adoption, others may have a more painful story to tell. Even more may still waiting and wishing to become a mother.  {To you I say, be faithful to the Lord.  Your strength will rise as you wait for His perfect timing}.
No matter your story, own it.  It’s yours.

If you aren’t feeling so great about this day, for a materialistic reason, like:

  • The gifts weren’t your first choice, or maybe never arrived. Despite your obvious hints!
  • The kids keep fighting.
  • You’re spending the day with your in-laws & that was the one thing you requested NOT to do.
  • No one is helping with anything.
  • You’re cooking for yourself and everyone else when YOU want to be the one to be waited on.
  • Fill in the blank_______________________.
Whatever, okay.  I get it, I do.  It stinks to not get your way.  I just ask that you’d actively choose joy in this day.  To me it’s not a day so much to be honored by my husband and kids, but a day to honor myself in  positive thoughts and spreading good cheer. A day to feel blessed to be a blessing to my blessings (did you follow that one??)
If you’re struggling, repeat after me:
“I will not whine today…I will not whine today… For crying outloud I’m the mom here and I said I will not whine today!”
Alright, do whatever works for you.
Now if this day is tough because you’ve got emotional hurt.  That’s another story.  There is some very real pain in miscarriage, having your child removed from your care, or waiting for a child to enter your life.  To that I want to encourage you to turn to God.  He is the only one who can fully heal your pain.  It’s worth the work of unpacking how you feel.  You’re worth it. I can’t blog something on this that would be worthy of your reading.  It’s too deep.  You need Him.  And He’s there for you, ready to purify your heavy heart and heal you so you can move on, once and for all.
Ps.  One last request, which will probably go unanswered, but I will not whine… 😉 Could you keep the social media to a minimum? Relish in the day, not the # of likes and comments a picture of your gift gets you or whatev. Be fully engaged with the real-life activities you are doing, not what is happening in the virtual world.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
One last thing.  It’s almost 1am & I’m sure this is full of typos.  If you’re new here, I’ll let you in on a secret.  I write quick and from the heart.  Days later I reread & find the mistakes.  Sometimes I fix them…sometimes I don’t.

Christmas Cheer: Simple Gift

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Here’s a very simple gift for anyone on your list. 
We won big at our town Christmas Celebration (I’m talkin’ grand prize kind of big.  It blessed our socks off, folks!).  It was such a great surprise that we chose to turn some of that money back into blessing others. 
I purchased some $5 gift cards from the local coffee shop.  I also asked for a cup for each card, because I think it makes cute packaging. 
We stopped at another local store to buy some candy for filling. 
 
 
The basics
 
Put the envelope in first.
 
Fill with candy and snap the lid on. 
 
Some of the cups have ornaments or other things in them.  After looking at these I wish I would’ve bought more candy for filling (or eaten less while we were filling them).  I also wish I would’ve bought candy canes to stick in the straw holes.  That’s what I did a few years ago, and it really adds a nice touch. 
 
As a bonus, the kids got to help with this project.  What kid doesn’t love playing with candy, right?  We did color sorting, patterning, adding, multiplication and division.  Oh, and a little taste testing.  For quality control, ya know? 
 

Merry Christmas!

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