empty tomb craft

In Sunday School, one of my kiddos made this really neat project depicting the empty tomb... and I just had to share it!

I thought this would be a great craft for families with multiple-aged children, giving older kiddos an opportunity to help their siblings. 

Before I sign off, I ran across this article about children and Holy Week, and I thought it might be helpful for someone.
Prayers to all of you for a wonderful Easter filled with happiness and the understanding that God loves each and every one of us.

a prayer for baby's naptime

Babies, babies, babies! I looooooove babies. So this week has been really great for me, since I had a chance to visit with and meet several babies. And I got to rock two brand new babies to sleep in my arms. *insert content sigh
Interacting with all these babies, especially the youngest, reminded me of how precious sleep was, for babies and parents! And while I admit I may have hastily screamed uttered an incredibly short prayer (for the love of God, please go to sleep!) while pacing the hallway with my boys, I thought perhaps a calm, heartfelt prayer would be more helpful for you:

free concert

I thought I would pass along the information for a free family concert that would be perfect for your littles. This event is on April 12th at the Decatur Civic Center. Sounds like fun!!

good

Happy "first day of Spring!" Although it is slowly but surely warming up outside, some days are still a bit too windy and chilly for outdoor play. So I thought an indoor activity would be nice to share today. 
In both Genesis 1:31 and 1 Timothy 4:4, the Bible tells us that everything God created is good. Why not read those scriptures to your little ones, and then play a fun game with stuffed animals. 

Gather all the fuzzy toys and line them up on the floor or couch. While holding each animal, talk about where we can find a real one, what it likes to eat, and what sounds the animal makes. As you set an animal down, say together "...and everything God made was good." Then pick up another fuzzy critter and repeat. Have fun!

a wee little man

The story of Zacchaeus is a classic Sunday School lesson. Our littles enjoyed pretending to climb up and down a tree yesterday, and took turns telling Zacchaeus to climb down from the tree.

This "tree" was fairly simple to create, and could be used in a variety of lessons. I started with a paper towel tube, and drew lines and knots to create a woodgrain look. Four "squares" of green tissue paper are twisted and glued inside the top of the tube. Two layers of magnetic tape (long strips) are adhered inside the tube and a piece is on the back of the Zacchaeus figure. 
  ***Craft Tips:
1) Be sure to flatten out the magnetic tape before adhering it into the tube.
2) Place a dowel inside the tube on top of the magnetic tape, and rest a phone book on top for a few days to be sure the magnetic tape sticks.
I also placed a bit of magnetic tape on the back of the Jesus figure, and I used a bookend to support the scene. (The tree can be attached to the bookend with yarn or more magnetic tape.) The children took turns retelling the story and making Zacchaeus slide down the tree. 

Easter is right around the corner!

This is a fun service project that's great for kids of all ages... even the young at heart! 

Jesus loves me!

Here's something fun and quick to do with your littles: 

Grab a kid or two or seven, stand in front of a mirror... and SING! Simple, but effective.

extra recess!

Remember when you were in grade school, and the next best thing to eating that rectangle of pizza at lunch was earning an extra recess? With this looooooong, cold winter still hanging around, we think everyone should get both this Sunday!

All families are invited to join us for a playtime on March 9th. There will be scooters, a variety of games for all ages, and time to chat while the kiddos burn off energy. When we're done, we can head over to the church for pizza! 
You don't even have to rsvp... just come over to the DISC.  **Gym shoes and comfy clothes are recommended.  :}

The Beatitudes

The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) can be difficult to explain to very young children. And while we might read all of them to our littles, I think it's OK for preschool-aged children to focus on learning one or two. I have a printable to share with you today, that might help: 

I thought these two would be simple enough to focus some energy on teaching. Even young children understand the difference between happy and sad, and can recall times when they have felt these emotions. And I don't know about you, but in my house we are often working on more peace and less arguing (use your words!). While I believe this scripture is more "global" than siblings arguing over a toy or whose turn it is, we have to start small and work our way outward. 
After you print this page for each of your littles, just fold on the dotted line to create a "table tent" for the nightstand or coffee table. Then you will have an easy way to practice these scriptures together.

a "get well" gift

One of our Sunday School lessons this month taught the story of Jesus healing Peter's mother-in-law. Since we all know someone who is sick this time of year, I thought it would be nice to share a simple activity that would cheer anyone up. 

Just print, cut, punch a hole, and tie the tag around a can of chicken noodle soup (or a jar of homemade soup for all you Super Moms!). While you're at it, print and cut a few extras, and keep them in an envelope so you are ready the next time one of your neighbors is under the weather. Then, you and your littles can make a special delivery of not just soup, but heartfelt love. That's sure to make anyone feel better!!

Happy Valentine's Day

While explaining romantic love to children is difficult, teaching them how much God loves us is much easier. 

May you and your family feel God's presence and love every day of the year!

**Click here for a song I previously posted that would be perfect for Valentine's Day.

going fishing - part 2

In my previous post, I promised you a fun snack idea to go with the "fishers of men" lesson... and here it is! 

You wouldn't think these flavors go well together, but I found the snack to be surprisingly tasty! It was such an enjoyable snack to share in class... we will be having this one again soon!

going fishing - Part 1

More than once in the Bible, the metaphor of "fishing for men" is written. This past Sunday our pre-schoolers listened to Luke 5:1-11. We talked about living the way Jesus wants us to live, and then about praying for our friends, and inviting our friends to church. Then we played a fishing game! 

These cute fish came with our Sunday School curriculum, but you can easily make your own at home. You can print fish images onto card stock, or simply cut fish-shapes out of construction paper. If you are using construction paper, you could also add an extra activity (great for these really cold days) of decorating the fish with markers, stickers, and even sequins! 
On each fish, write a name - your pre-schooler, friends, family, etc. Attach a small piece of magnetic tape to the back of each fish. Create a fishing pole by taping yarn to the end of a straw, and tie a paperclip to the end. Spread the fish out on a table, the floor, or even in a bowl, and "fish for men."
***Variation for older children: Sandwich each fish between two layers of clear Contact Paper. Leave a border around the edge when you cut the fish out, and be sure to seal the edges firmly. Then add the magnetic tape. Your child can now go fishing in a bowl of water, a water table, or even a baby-sized swimming pool (you might need a longer fishing pole for this). 

I also have a free printable for you today:

Print the fish onto card stock, write your little one's name in pencil, and help "write" the name again using glitter-glue. FUN!!

Be sure to come back on Monday... I have a really fun snack to share with you that fits perfectly with this Bible story (Luke 5:1-11)!

John 3:2

Well, it's February... and with a new month, comes a new Bible verse! Here's the scripture we will be learning this month: 

another snack time prayer

In my previous post, you can see the yummy snack that goes with this prayer :

I am very happy that our little preschoolers enjoyed the snack so much. We will definitely be adding this snack and prayer to more of our lessons!

Jesus grew like me!

Our pre-schoolers had fun yesterday in Sunday School. We are learning about how Jesus grew up (just like them) and read important lessons to learn about God (just like them). He even sometimes made people angry with him.
To add some movement to the lesson, our little ones got to take a walk around the inside of the church. They were asked to picture Jesus walking right alongside them. They could tell Jesus whatever they wanted. How wonderful to help these eager, young learners develop a personal relationship with Jesus!
Returning to the classroom, the children were asked to think about foods that perhaps Jesus ate when he was growing up. So, for snacktime we had flatbread, grapes, and Feta cheese. 

I knew the grapes would be a winner, but to my surprise, the flatbread and cheese were gobbled up, too! Of course I'll never know, but I wonder if the lesson and activities preceding snacktime influenced their willingness to try the new foods. Just a thought in case you have a picky eater at home!
My next post will have a snacktime prayer for this snack. So add flatbread, grapes, and Feta cheese to your grocery list and meet me back here on Thursday!

seeing stars

Our "toddlers & twos" are continuing to learn about the wise men who followed the star to find and worship Jesus. We are also working on identifying the simple star shape. So today I thought I'd share an activity you can use at home. 

*** Tip: If you print this page onto cardstock, it will last a little bit longer. 
Have your little one decorate the stars with crayons, markers, stickers, etc. Then cut out the stars, and work together to line up the stars from smallest to largest. Repeat the activity, but order them from largest to smallest. Click here for a simple song to conclude your activity.
When you are finished, tuck the stars into a plastic bag and toss into your diaper bag. Then you will have an activity ready to play the next time you are stuck waiting with your little one.

Love and Laughs

How about a night out for Mom & Dad... with FREE childcare??!! 

That's right... free childcare. All you have to do is RSVP for your kiddos (up to age 12) and purchase your tickets. While you and your sweetheart enjoy dinner and a show, the kiddos will be enjoying some playtime, crafts, and heart-healthy snacks. How fun!! Click here for more information (and to purchase tickets and reserve child care). Have questions??  Call Marilyn Stevens at 217-638-5545.

the guiding star

On Sunday, our little ones will continue to talk about the star that guided the wise men to Jesus. And we will discuss how Jesus grew from a baby, to a toddler, to a young child. Our lesson will focus on how Jesus changed, and grew, and learned... just like us! 
Here's a simple song you can sing at home with your little ones (to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star) -

Luke 2:52

During the month of January, the remARKable friends will be learning more about the wise men who followed the star to find Jesus, and about Jesus growing up. Our Bible verse for January is: