Help little ones boost their counting and sorting skills with this tummy-tempting game. With a box of candied valentine hearts, help children sort the conversation hearts by color (consider using a muffin tin to sort each color into separate bins).
For extra fun, set up shop. Let your child be the candy store owner, and you pretend to be a customer shopping for candy: “I would like to buy 2 pink hearts and 4 yellow hearts.”
Encourage children to count them out and hand them to you. Add them up to see how many hearts you bought in total. Take turns trading 2 orange ones for 3 white ones, etc; and be sure to read the sweet messages to your special valentine.
By now, your children have probably heard reports or seen images of the devastation in Haiti. Here’s a chance to teach the importance of international compassion and social action. Don’t let your kids see you sit idle when millions are crying out for your help.
If you prefer not to send your money to victims in Haiti for political or personal reasons, use this opportunity to reach out to those in need elsewhere — for there are people everywhere who need your help. Remember, this has nothing to do with religion, politics, or race. Each one of those individuals is someone’s mother, daughter, brother, father, sister, grandparent (not to mention a child of God)….and at any second – regardless of how secure you may feel at the moment – that could be you.
Listen. Learn. Love. Lead. Your children are watching.
According to The Centre for International Disasterthe best way to help people in Haiti is by donating money instead of supplies. A complete list of legitimate agencies working to help earthquake victims is listed on The CID site, but here’s an abbreviated list:
The Red Cross: Text “HAITI” to the number 90999 to donate $10, which will be added to your next cellphone bill. You can also donate online through the Red Cross website.
Doctors Without Borders: Hospitals in Haiti are badly damaged and overwhelmed. To help medical aid workers, donate through the Doctors Without Borders website.
CARE: This international aid group has already sent 133 staff members to Haiti, and it will be distributing food. You can donate Delta Air Lines SkyMiles to fly CARE aid workers to Haiti or give money for relief funds through its website.
Partners In Health:Louise Ivers, clinical director for Haiti for Partners In Health, says, “Port-au-Prince is devastated, lot of deaths. SOS. SOS … Please help us.” You can donate to support field hospitals on Partners in Health’s website.
World Vision:World Vision has taken 18 tons of supplies, including blankets, tarps and water containers to Haiti. Show your support by donating through World Vision’s website.
UNICEF: The UNICEF representative in Haiti, Guido Cornale, says that the Haitian earthquake is one of the worst he’s seen in his life. To help children in Haiti, donate through UNICEF’s website.
ChildFund is accepting donations to meet the needs of the most vulnerable children affected by the earthquake. ChildFund will direct funds raised to a partner organization working on the ground in Haiti. ChildFund is especially concerned with child protection and keeping children at the center of recovery efforts and rebuilding. Funds raised will be directed to child-focused activities.
International Relief And Development (IRD): IRD will supply water, sanitation kits, medicine, hygiene kits and shelter materials. You can donate to IRD on its website.
Oxfam: 200 volunteers stationed in Haiti are providing clean water, shelter and sanitation through donations on Oxfam’s website.
The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army is sending 285,120 boxed meals of rice, soy and vitamins to Haiti, which you can help support by making a donation through the Salvation Army’s website.
You may also want to check out CharityNavigator.org, an independent, nonprofit organization that evaluates charity groups based on effectiveness and financial stability.
There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. – Deuteronomy 15:11
With frigid temperatures across the nation, here’s a fabulous outdoor activity for kids of all ages.
Bundle up. Go outside. Blow bubbles. Watch what happens!
If temps are 10 degrees or below, the bubbles should freeze. When they break, they fall to the ground like eggshells. I remember doing this with my kids in Illinois, and they were always amazed to collect bubble pieces in their tiny gloves. When I tried it this weekend with the kids, it didn’t work…so I looked it up to find how cold it needed to be. That’s when I found this great post by Vicki Cobb — one of my favorite sources for family fun.
It’s Science Fair time again for our kiddos, so I though the budding scientists in your home may enjoy some of these fun science sites (provided by Ms. Sarah Blom, Science Lab Teacher, Oxford Elementary School, Oxford, MS.).
If you have never visited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, this little clip will give you a taste of the magic and miracles they deliver daily in Memphis, Tennessee.
Happy Holidays to the families at St. Jude. You are in the prayers of many this Christmas season and throughout the year.
This year, during Fall Break, our family spent four-days backpacking in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Based on that experience, I can share 10 tips with you on how to survive 3 Nights with Man-Eating Bears!
1. Find a trailhead marked “Closed due to aggressive bear activity.” Take that trail!
2. Find a campsite marked “Closed due to aggressive bear activity. Bodily harm and even death have been reported.” Pitch your tent within sight of that sign.
3. As your family builds a fire, jumps the creek, and whittles spears, bite your nails and pray.
4. Plan your escape. A: Sacrifice yourself, giving your family members time to escape the bear. B: Sacrifice yourself giving your family a great home video moment.
5. Tuck your children into their sleeping bags tightly and watch your entire family drift off to sleep as you stay wide awake ALL night listening intently to every creek and crinkle around you. Worry. Worry a lot. Repeat after me: “God is with Me through the Night.” (See, not just for kids!)
6. Pray, pray, pray until the sun comes up – and then say another prayer, “Thank you!”
7. File for divorce as soon as you return to civilization. (Your dear husband should have NEVER put you in that predicament in the first place!)
8. Forgive your imperfect wildman, never-afraid-of-anything husband (AKA Grizzly Adams) for his inability to sense danger.
9. Make him promise you will NEVER again go backpacking in an area infested with man-eating bears.
10. Put all backpacking gear in the donation bin when he’s not looking. Then, remember what a wonderful time you all had together and load it all back into the attic for the next school break.
Not only will you be giving a child the gift of the book, but your purchase will support children with craniofacial conditions and cancer. Count your blessings this holiday season, and give children the gift of hope.
You can contact Square Books, Jr. in Oxford, Miss., where personalized copies can be gift wrapped and mailed to you. Call: 662.236.2207
Books are also available at online retailers such as
Guess what I found? A fabulous site where you can watch all your favorite Christmas films, music videos, sitcoms, commercials, and more — all online, and all for FREE!
There’s no better time than the holiday season to snuggle up for Family Movie Night. Pop some popcorn and light the fire, as you enjoy these can’t miss kid-friendly Christmas movies.
For Kids of All Ages:
Winnie the Pooh – A Very Merry Pooh Year - I admit, I’m a sucker for Pooh. This is my favorite Christmas movie – a heartwarming tale reminds us all that friendship means more than presents.
Mickey’s Christmas Carol - Rated G and great for viewers of all ages!
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - If your child hasn’t yet heard of the Island of Misfit Toys — now’s the time! A great vintage film sure to bring smiles to all.
Frosty the Snowman - There are tons of reasons to watch this fantastic film, but if for nothing else – the songs are fun to sing!
Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Another fun-for-everyone family favorite.
A Charlie Brown Christmas - This one delivers the message that there is value in everything — even the most misunderstood and scraggliest among us.
For Kids Age 6 and Older:
The Polar Express - A beautifully filmed modern rendition of the classic tale, but it can be a bit intense or even scary for kids under 6.
Miracle on 34th Street - The story can be a bit slow for young kids, but who doesn’t love this holiday favorite – is Santa real, or is he?
How the Grinch Stole Christmas - Personally, I think the 1966 animated version may be less-frightening (and more age-appropriate) than the Jim Carrey rendition; but whichever version you choose, your family won’t want to miss this fabulous Dr. Seuss Christmas message. It might just make your heart grow two sizes!
For Older Kids:
Home Alone – Not really appropriate for kids under 8, but a hilarious adventure story about a kid left home alone for the holidays (some bad language and mild violence).
Of course you can’t forget A Christmas Story. Rated PG, this is not for kids under 12 — and even then, you might find some of the scenes a bit edgy for kids. Still, for older children, Ralphie is a hilarious as he narrates this All-American holiday story set in the 1940s.
Ok, I wasn’t going to list it, because it’s really not a kid-friendly movie, but I have to say the movie Elf is absolutely hilarious for older children. Will Ferrell’s role as an orphan raised by Santa is just too unique (if not corny) to miss.
If you haven’t raked the leaves yet this year, what are you waiting for? Besides the fabulous workout, there’s nothing more fun than playing in the leaves. For our family, creating a gigantic leaf pile is a favorite annual tradition.
Young children can rake a big pile under the slide or swing set. Slide down into the pile, or jump from the swing for a super-soft landing. (Caution: Please be sure to remove all sticks and stones.)
Now that my kids are older, they rake an enormous pile under the treehouse. Then they jump from the top and feel like they’re flying. I DON’T recommend this for sane parents…but I never claimed sanity as my strong point. (Again, be sure to remove sticks and stones.)
The options are endless. Make mazes, camps, or caves. Write your name or make pretty designs in the yard. Bury each other in the leaves. Let the family dog pretend to be “Rescue Dog” and find the kids under the leaves (Ellie could have done this for days!).
This is also a super sensory experience for children.
Crunch the leaves with your hands and bare feet.
Listen to the sound they make.
Pay attention to the way they feel, smell, and look.
Talk about the different shapes, and see what kinds of shadows you can make by holding different leaves out in the sun.
Guess which tree the leaves fell from, and teach your children the difference between familiar trees such as Oaks and Maples.
Point out evergreens such as pines and cedars.
Take a nap on a blanket of leaves.
Turn your family’s annual chore into a fun tradition, and be sure to share your ideas with others here.
God is with Me through the Day and God is with Me through the Night
If there’s one thing I want everyone to know – it’s that they’re loved and that they’re never alone. If these books share that message with even one child a day, then I am very blessed.
What Readers are Saying
"It looks like the animals posed for the photos!"
"My kids LOVE these books. We read them over and over again."
"This is the first book my son has ever read by himself."
"My daughter calls them the Dog Book and the Deer Book. She carries them everywhere. We already need a new set, these are so loved."
"A great message -- for young and old alike!"
Read more on the Reviews page.
What School Groups and Mothers Groups are Saying
"We absolutely loved having 'Miss Julie' come for a visit and read her books to all of the kindergarten students. They enjoyed hearing about Julie’s own animals and then seeing the wonderful photos of the animals in each of her books. The photos so perfectly match the encouraging and sweet words of Julie’s books. Julie’s own soft and gentle voice and her wonderful way of relating to young children kept the children’s complete attention for the thirty-plus minutes she visited with the classes. The children talked about 'Miss Julie' long after her visit to our library and her books have been continuously checked out of the library. We can hardly wait for 'Miss Julie' to write a new book and perhaps visit us again!" -- Susan Melsheimer, Parkview Baptist School Librarian
"Our preschool children really enjoyed having Julie read to them. The teachers at our facility were very impressed by Julie's interaction with the children while reading her books. Great job!" -- Lisa Buckner, Trinity Baptist Church Preschool
"Thank you, Julie! You were delightful!" -- Barbara Zeigler, Curriculum Specialist, Parkview Baptist Preschool
Eric Carle, Dr. Seuss, Molly Bang, Else Holmelund Minarik, Margaret Wise Brown, Crockett Johnson, Don Freeman, Laura Numeroff & Felicia Bond, Judy Schachner, Janell Cannon, Nick Sharratt, Judith Viorst, Lynne Cherry, Patty Lovell, Doreen Cronin
Denise Fleming, Jan Brett, Leo Lionni, Steve Jenkins & Robin Page, David Kirk, Maurice Sendak, Don and Audrey Wood, Arnold Lobel, Mercer Mayer
Graeme Base, Sarah Perry, Jane Yolen & Mark Teague, A.A. Milne, Paulette Bourgeois & Brenda Clark, Beverly Cleary, Stan and Jan Berenstain, Jean Craighead George, Judy Blume, Kate DiCamillo, E.B. White, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Shel Silverstein, Jeff Kinney
Musicians I Adore
Neko Case, Norah Jones, Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams, The Dixie Chicks, Rob Thomas, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, John Mayer, Jason Mraz, KT Tunstall, Anna Nalick, Lori McKenna, Jenny Lewis, Nina Nastasia, Cowboy Junkies, Mazzy Star, Haley Bonar, The Sundays, Iron and Wine, Maria Taylor, Calexico, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Patty Griffin, Billie Holliday, Feist, Allison Kraus, The Waifs, Cat Power, Deb Talan, Brandi Carlile, Chris Pureka, Gillian Welch, and now that my Oxford friends introduced me to them - Wilco, The Kudzu Kings, and Blue Mountain.
