Kids on Tuesday

"How many more days til Christmas?"

Have you heard this phrase before?  Maybe from your little siblings almost everyday of December?  :)

Or maybe you remember asking it yourself! ;)

I remember asking that question when I was younger.   I just couldn't wait til Christmas was here and when I was a kid I had a hard time keeping up with how many days there where left to go!

Here is a good craft to help answer that question for kids!  It's a fun easy craft and it helps you from having to count down the days for them!  :D 

Jordan

<<<- Christmas Countdown Chain <<<-

You'll need:

12 strips of both red & green construction paper

1 yellow strip

Stapler

Take the yellow strip and have the child form a ring with it.  Staple the ends together.

Next take a red strip, loop it through the yellow ring and staple the ends.

Then do the same with a green strip on the red strip and so on forming a chain.

Find a place to hang it up, like on a door, wall, bedpost, etc..., having the yellow ring at the top.

Now for each day have the child break one chain off starting at the end opposite of the yellow one.  Yellow signifying Christmas day.

Then all they have to do to know how many more days til Christmas is to count the rings left on the chain!

Crafty Monday

Bring on the Christmas season!   :D

These ornaments are a great start!  Looks like they are really easy and fun to make! 

Jordan

~ Cinnamon Ornaments ~

Stir equal ammounts of applsauce and cinnamon together.  (If you add a little extra cinnamon the dough isn't as sticky.)

Roll it out on a counter dusted with cinnamon to your desired thickness.

Cut out the shapes you want and make hanging holes with a drinking straw.

Bake at 170 turning every 15 min. til hard, approxamatly 2 hours.

Then hang them on your tree with ribbon or decorate them first with glitter, sequins, or whatever!

Warning:  Don't try to munch, not very palatable!  ;D

Priscilla K.   MN.

Under Construction...

This blog is under Christmas construction...

Will be back into normal swing, Lord willing, on Monday!

Thanks for your patience! :)

Hey! Simple Delights is going to be having a fun crafty 12 Days of Christmas crafts, giveaways, tutorials, and more! Be sure to check it out!

Jordan

Happpy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pray you all have a blessed day!

Thanks for your participation!

Jordan

Let's Get Excited About Thanksgiving!

Here's the last of the card ideas sent in by Jenny C. IL and the last of the Thanksgiving week!  Thank you to all of you that sent in!

Aren't they so cute!!!

Jordan

Let's Get Excited About Thanksgiving!

Hey girls! Sorry this is so late! We had a storm last night that knocked out our Internet or something.

This is a cute idea! Thanks for sending it in Tracy! :)
Jordan

~ Thanksgiving Wreath ~

You need:
Construction paper in fall colors
Scissors
Glue
and
Some little (or big) hands



First trace a bunch of hands onto the construction paper and cut them
out.


Then glue the hands together in a wreath shape. The more hands
you cut out, the bigger the wreath will be!

- Tracy T. MN -

Let's Get Excited About Thanksgiving!

Want to give a friend a "Basket of Blessings" for Thanksgiving? Here is a list of ideas that might help you get started:

"Baskets of Blessings"

- Homemade Garland
- Wreaths
- Homemade Pot-holders
- Homemade Cards for Them to Write on
- Notes of Encouragement
- Homemade Wall Hangings
- Cute Magnets
- Homemade Bookmarks
- Bags of Purses
- Jewelry
- Homemade Cookies, Bread, or Candies
- Homemade Lotions, Soaps, or Bath-salts
- Pretty Homemade Pillows
- Picture Frames With Homemade Verses, Pictures, Dried Flowers, etc.
-  Homemade Decorations that Fit the Season
- Sachets- Crafts with Dried Pressed Flowers
- Yummy Recipes That Go With the Season

 - Jenny C. IL -

Scripture Sunday

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

1 Chronicles 16:34

Let's Get Excited About Thanksgiving!

Here's two more really cute card ideas!  Sent in by Jenny C. IL.

Jordan

Let's Get Excited About Thanksgiving!

Dear Jordan,

Here are a couple of Thanksgiving recipes that our whole family really likes!

This dessert is really quick ,simple,and delicious

~ Pumpkin Crunch ~

1 pkg yellow cake mix

2 C.pumpkin

3 eggs

12 oz evaporated milk

1 and half cups sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon half tsp salt

1/2 C. chopped pecans

1 C. butter

Combine pumpkin,milk,eggs,sugar.and cinnamon and salt.Pour in 9 x13 pan.Sprinkle with cake mix then top with pecans.Drizzle the top with butter then bake the cake at 350 degrees for 50 to 55 min.

This next recipe is a great recipe for people that do not like squash.They are some of the best patties I ever had!.

~ Squash Patties ~

2 C. of squash or pumpkin

1 tsp. garlic salt

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 tsp.cayenne powder

1 tsp curry powder

1/2 tsp.salt

1/2 tsp.pepper

1 egg

1/2 C. bread crumbs

Mix those together,then add potato flakes until it is not to sticky. Shape into patties, dip them in flour, then fry in olive oil.

- Rachel M. MN -

These look great Rachel! Thanks for sending them in!

Jordan

Let's Get Excited About Thanksgiving!

Yum!  These look great!  What a fun tasty way to decorate your Thanksgiving table!

Jordan

" My mom made these last year, and I thought they were pretty cute for the kids. Just Oreos, icing, Whoppers, and candy corn!"

Ingredients :

Oreo cookies
Royal icing
Whoppers candy
Candy corn

Instructions:

We used half an Oreo cookie for each body and an entire cookie for each tail, then used a dab of royal icing to affix Whoppers for heads.
We piped on icing eyes and also used icing to affix the candy corn feathers and beaks.

- Jenny C. IL -

Let's Get Excited About Thanksgiving!

Today starts our "Let's Get Excited About Thanksgiving" week! 

So far I only have a few things sent in - so if you have any Thanksgiving recipes, crafts, decorating ideas, games, traditions, etc... send them in!

Here is a REALLY cute card idea!  Jenny sent in a lot of card ideas so I'll sprinkle them throughout the week!  Thanks for sending them Jenny!  CUTE ideas!

Jordan

"Last year me and my sister made some "fall cards". My favorite was the acorn. You fold a cute light tan paper in half. Then trace a large acorn pattern on it, making sure one side is on the fold, so the card will open and close. Then trace out the top of the acorn with a darker paper, glue on, add a leaf, and maybe a little tag with some string. And there you have it! A cute little acorn card!"

- Jenny C.  IL -

Kids On Tuesday

Here is a another fun kid engrossing classroom game.  I used this a lot for a starting game.  It would get the kids attention right away.

- Find The Button -

Hide a button, lego, or any small toy in a hard spot in the class room.

When children arrive tell them you hid a button, or whatever, somewhere in the classroom and the child that finds it gets to hide it next time.  

You can have them start out just looking on their own but if they are having trouble you can give them hot and cold hints. 

When a child finds the object have everyone else hide their eyes while the child hides it.

Something I did to help with peeking is we had a hallway attached to the room and I had all the children go in there with a teacher in front to make sure that there was no peeking.

This is also a good time filler if you run out of things to do!  :)

- Jordan -

And The Winner Is....

And the winner is....

>drum roll please<

Simple Farm Girl!!!!!

Congratulations!  :D  E-mail me your address and favorite restaurant and I'll get your prize in the mail!

And good work to all you other contestants!  You all did a great job!  Thanks for participating!  And welcome to all new followers! :)

------------------------------------------------

Sorry, no craft today.  We had some out of state friends show up and surprise us yesterday!  It was sooooo fun spending time with them.  But I didn't get a craft together in time.  :)

Make sure to take a look at our next special event coming up!  "Let's Get Excited About Thanksgiving" week!  It will be a week of fun Thanksgiving ideas!  All the details are above!  Hope you'll send something in!

  

Jordan

Scripture Sunday

"For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."

Galatians 6:8-10

Misc. Saturday

Today is the last day of the Follower Contest!  You all have done a great job inviting!  There are so many new followers!  Good job!

The only problem is that I still only have a few that told me who invited them!  :(  I don't know if there's any way for you girls to tell who came for you or not but I won't count up the followers til Sun. night so that way if there is any way you can tell me who you invited that didn't leave a comment you can still do so for points.  :)

Blessings to you all!

Jordan

Game Friday

Only one more day for the Follower Contest!  Now I need you contestant's help!  I only have 2 or 3 new followers that left comments on who invited them!  If there's any way you know who joined because of your invite could you leave a comment and tell me who they are... or any way you could pass it on to the person to let me know?  That would be great!  :)

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Here's a simple yet funny game to play at a party.  A good ice breaker.

- Dry Whistle -

Give each person 5 saltine crackers.  Then, at the signal, have everyone eat their crackers as quickly as they can and then see who can whistle first!

Warning:  Possible flying debris!  Don't stand in front of contestants!  ;D

 

Jordan

Recipe Thursday

All new followers make sure you leave a comment to tell me who invited you!  And those of you who are doing the inviting if you know someone that joined that you invited then would you please tell me if you see they didn't leave a comment.

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Here's a menu that I fixed yesterday for lunch and it was a big hit!  :)

~ Menu ~

Grilled Chicken Citrus Salad

Green Bean Medley

Baked Potatoes

- Grilled Chicken Citrus Salad -

My brothers aren't too keen on eating salads.  So sometimes if I add a fruit that helps a little bit.  ;)

What You'll Need:

Lettuce of your choice

Grilled chicken, diced

Can of Mandarin oranges

Slivered or sliced almonds

Bacon bits

Spread lettuce in the bowl or plate.  Sprinkle with oranges, almonds, and bacon.  Then top with chicken!

(Best if served with homemade Poppy Seed Dressing >coming soon<.)

- Green Bean Medley -

Bag of frozen green beans

2 T. oil

1 Onion, chopped

1 Container fresh mushrooms, sliced

Garlic Powder

Salt or Seasoning salt

In a big skillet heat 2 T. oil.  Pour in green beans, onions, and mushrooms.  Add some garlic powder and salt.  Cover and cook on medium heat til green beans are tender, stirring occasionally.

- Baked Potatoes -

No instructions here!  I'm sure you all know how to bake a potato.  We like to oil our skins before baking.  It helps keep the skins softer.  And since it's that time of year I threw in some sweet potatoes too!

Well, I hope this was a help!  I always love it when cook books have menus in them.  It helps me, especially when I'm short on time, come up with a whole meal without having to sit and come up with one!  Hope some of you will send some in!  I'd LOVE to see them!

Jordan

Hairdo Wednesday

This is a cute hair do one of my friends does a lot when she goes for a hike or anything outdoorsy.  It's a neat twist to an old do!

Jordan

First, put your hair in pig tails.

(Horrible pic. I know but I couldn't get a better one.  Guess it's not my day!)

Next, poke a hole in the middle of the hair in front of the scrunchy.

Like so...

Then, pull the rest of the hair through the top of the hole through, out the bottom.

And tighten!

There you go!

You can do this same thing with a single pony tail in the back

>Eww!<

Kids on Tuesday

Hey all!  I'm seeing a lot of new followers but don't know who to count them for!  So if you are a new follower make sure to leave a comment to tell me who invited you!

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Here are just a few simple ideas of some fun Fall things you can do with your siblings or a class.

- Nature Scavenger Hunt -

Make a list of some Fall items that the kids can find in the area you have them in.  The child, or team that finds the most wins!  i love nature hunts because it helps the kids look and see things they normally wouldn't.

Here's some ideas:

Red Leaf

Yellow Leaf

Nut

Feather

Wooly Worm

Etc...

- Leaf Identification -

Have the children go out and find as many different kinds of leaves as they can.  No two looking alike. 

Take them and lay them all out on the table, sorting them by kind if you get more than one.  Get a good tree identification book and have the kids help you look and find the trees the leaves belong to in the book.  It would be a great way for the children to learn their trees and what colors they turn in the Fall!

- Leaf Chain -

Have the kids go out and get a LOT of soft colored leaves.  Then show them how to sew them together like you would a popcorn or cranberry chain.

This would be really cute to hang somewhere for Thanksgiving!

Jordan

Crafty Monday

And let the Follower Contest begin!  :)


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Here's a good drawing excercise for all you artists out there!

This really helps if you are wanting to draw leaves but it can be used for other subjects as well.

Take a light colored peice of paper and lay the leaves on top in the pattern you would like.

Then make a paper frame, out of a dark color, to go around the edge of your paper. 

Lay it on top of your paper with leaves.

Now, take your drawing paper and pencil and just focus on the negative spaces and draw them.  Don't look at the leaves just the areas around them and draw those.  After you have all the negative spaces drawn you will find the outlines of the leaves on your paper.

Now go back in and add the details!  :D

- Jordan -

Scripture Sunday

"I heard an old, old story,  how a Savior came from glory,

How He gave His life on Cavalry to save a wretch like me:

I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood's atoning,

Then I repented of my sins and won the victory.

I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory,

And I heard about the streets of gold beyond the crystal sea;

About the angels singing, and the old redemption story,

And some sweet day I'll sing up there the song of victory!

O victory in Jesus, my Savior forever,

He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;

(Praise God!)

He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him,

He plunged me to victory, beneath the cleansing flood."

- E.M Bartlett -

For God so Loved the World that He Gave His Only begotten Son

that WHOSOEVER Believeth in Him

should NOT Perish but have Everlasting Life.

- John 3:16 -

Can you sing the song of victory?

Jordan

Misc. Saturday

Alright girls starting Mon. will begin our Followers Contest!  Everyone who is signed up as a Follower before Mon. can participate!  Make sure you tell the people that you invite to leave a comment so I know who to count it for!  The Contest will end Sat. the 13th at midnight.  The prize is a $10 gift card to your favorite restaurant!  Hope you all will participate!  :)

Jordan

*Contest rules are above under Announcements.

.

Game Friday

Here's a fun game for all you music lovers!  We played this at our church choir Christmas party one year and it was really fun!

Split up into two teams or more.

Have a designated piano or any instrument player.

Have several hymns or songs picked out that most everyone in the group will know before hand.

Have the music player play a measure (or two if you have to) from the beginning or end of the song and either have the teams blurt out what song they think it is or have the teams take turns guessing.  Keep score and the team with the most points at the end of the game wins!  :)

Jordan

Recipe Thursday

This pumpkin bread is really good toasted Pumpkin Butter Spread!

~ Pumpkin Bread ~

Soft Pumpkin Yeast Bread

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1 cup warm evaporated milk

2 Tablespoons butter, softened

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup whole wheat flour

3 cups bread flour

2 to 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1/2 cup ground walnuts

2-1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

In a bread machine, place all ingredient in order suggested by manufacturer ( wet ingredients first, ending with yeast)Put on basic dough setting (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed)If your machine has a time delay feature, it is recommended to not use it with this recipe.When bread machine is done, take out dough and shape into a loaf. Place in a loaf pan or place shaped dough onbaking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in 375 degree oven until bread is lightly golden and sounds hollow when lightly tapped with a finger ( approx. 30- 40 minutes)

Let cool before slicing.

~ Pumpkin Butter Spread ~

1 stick butter, softened

1/4 cup honey

2 Tablespoons pumpkin

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice

Mix together thoroughly. Refrigerator and use within 1 week or freeze. This pumpkin bread and pumpkin butter would make a really nice gift for a friend with a fall birthday. Just package the bread (once totally cooled)in a plastic bag and tie with ribbon. Decorate the jar of pumpkin butter with gingham or check fabric, ribbon, and a cute fall-themed label.

- Samantha H. IL -

Hairdo Wednesday

This looks like a fun way to try a braid! Thanks for sending it in Hosanna!

Jordan

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Here's the hairstyle. It's an easy way to dress up a braid.

First put a ponytail in your hair.

Then pull a scarf or ribbon half way through the ponytail.

Seperate your hair into three sections including the scarf in the sections.

Then just braid it like normal, and put a ponytail at the end.

- Hosanna K. MN -

Kids on Tuesday

Here are some good yet fun ways to keep order in a classroom setting.  I have found that when kids start getting restless, or are getting distracted from the lesson if I do one or two of these things it helps bring their attention back on me.

I learned these simple finger commands from IBLP.

When you hold up one finger that means to sit up straight.

So to practice this have the kids slouch down and look really sloppy.  Then tell them as soon as you hold up your finger to sit up as straight and tall as they can.

Holding up two fingers means to stop talking, stop laughing, or stop whispering.

Have the kids start talking to each other and making noise while still keeping an eye on you so when you hold up two fingers they instantly get quiet!

Then number three means to smile with at least three teeth showing.

 So, have the kids make really sad faces, then when you hold up three fingers every face should have a cheery smile.  :)

One more thing that is hard especially when you have a younger class is to keep their eyes on you.

So one thing that helps with that is to train them that when you say "Eyeballs!" the kids respond with saying, "Click!" and their eyes on you!  Kids seem to think this is really fun and it's something you can just add in the middle of whatever you are teaching to get their attention back!

Hope these are helpful!  :)

Jordan

Crafty Monday

Here's a cute way my mom came up with to display candy this Fall!  To fancy it up a little you could tie some cute Fallish ribbon around the top.

Jordan