From A to Z: Letter P

When my first-born was a tiny babe, I spent countless hours nursing him in the middle of the night--sitting on a soft, vintage rocker and feeling like I was the only one awake in the universe. Maybe you've been there too? 

These moments were the moments that I whispered prayers over my new sweet boy--it felt sacred and sweet to talk to God about my son. Although I was exhausted, I often looked forward to those nightly feedings because it felt like such an intimate time between me and God.

Prayer is perhaps one of the first spiritual things you teach or model to your child--you may pray with them at night, at the dinner table, or after a moment of discipline. When you hear your little one say a prayer for the first time, it melts your heart into a puddle of joy. 

Prayer really is such a gift that God gives us--and what a gift it is to teach our kids that God listens to our prayers and wants to talk with us! 

Letter P's Bible truth is we can talk to God with prayer.

This lesson is very simple and low-key. You get to read about how Jesus taught others to pray and make an easy paper prayer chain. We are looking forward to using ours at bedtime or mealtime as a visual reminder to pray and give thanks.

Have a good one!

Nicole

From A to Z: Letter O

I had it all planned out. A peaceful painting session with sparkly yellow paint, busy little hands, reading the story of Abraham out of our Bible storybook, and pretty music in the background. Only, it was more like:

"Stop putting paint in your brother's hair"

"Sit down and finish your stars"

"You don't need any more colors. We are using yellow"

"Stop trying to sit in the same seat as your brother"

There were a lot of directions, but not a lot of listening. We finished our painting session with me feeling exasperated for trying to teach them that O is for Obedience is Best when they had disobeyed me repeatedly. 

I'm guessing I'm not the only momma who would raise her hand if someone asked if shepherding obedience in little hearts was challenging. Right? 

Something I want to teach my kids is that obedience not just doing something because someone told them so. When you look at the Bible characters who did (or did not) obey God--you see a trend. Obeying God brings good things and disobeying God brings not-so-good consequences. I hope to teach my boys that I am asking them to obedient because I want the best for them (aka: I want them to stop running into the street so they don't get smacked by a car). Or I want the best for someone else (aka: I want them to stop hitting their sibling so their sibling stops getting hurt). Of course, we are still working on the basics around here (I feel like it's a minute-by-minute part of parenting. Ha!). And I have a feeling that there won't be a day that my children are suddenly obedient 100% of the time. It's just a feeling ;) 

Hopefully as you do your star and stick craft and read the story of Abraham, little hearts will hear that being obedient is not a chore--it's a way to love God and love others. Not only that, but being obedient is for our best and the best of others too. 

Have a good one!

Nicole

Exploring Nature (Free Printables!)

This spring we bought a vintage pop-up camper. She needed a *little* more work than we anticipated, but this weekend we'll take her on her maiden voyage (and hope she doesn't leak!). Pre-kids, we camped often and loved it. But this is our first camping trip with the kids--so I'm excited and a little nervous too!

With camping + nature on my mind, I thought it was time I shared another free resource with you guys. Whether you are exploring your backyard or in the thick of a wild forest, getting outside with your kids can be refreshing and fun!

Plus, exploring nature is one of the most natural ways to talk about God and His beautiful creation :) 

If you are enjoying learning about nature, be sure to check out this post and download a free set of cute craft/play dough mats.

Have a good one!

Nicole

Free Printables: Donut Worry Prayer Box

If you've read the shop story, you know that the idea of a giant donut printable was the idea that sparked the creating and designing for Color + Kindness. Originally, it was a giant poster of a donut with prayer and thanksgiving sprinkles. However, last year I revamped it to make it a little more "print at home" friendly--and I think it's just as fun :) 

It's often easy to think that teaching our kids spiritual concepts should be button-up and serious (at least I certainly don't want to make the Bible or God seem silly). However, if using donuts to remind kids to "donut worry and pray and give thanks" helps them remember to go to Jesus when they are worried or afraid, then a little creativity and Bible learning can go hand-in-hand. 

These printables are super simple to print and use. We used watercolors, well, because clean up is the easiest ;) However, you could decorate your donuts with felt pieces, glitter, glitter glue, paint, markers, or other fun materials. The sprinkles are easy to cut out, but of course, you could also make your own with card stock or construction paper. 

There's also a cute 8x10 print included too :) 

I hope you enjoy this kit as much as we did and also that it helps you teach your little ones (and remind yourself!) to go to God in prayer and thanksgiving when they are worried or anxious. 

Have a good one friends!

Nicole

From A to Z: Letter N

This lesson has the lovely Mr. Rodger's tune on repeat in my head--"It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day in the neighborhood..."

I bet you do now too ;)

We've made it half-way through the alphabet--I hope you've enjoyed it so far. I know we are enjoying it and learning a lot around here :) 

Letter N is for Love Your Neighbor as Yourself. It's a simple lesson, but it opened up a lot of doors (no pun intended-ha!) to talk about how we can love those around us. 

We made a colorful house, read the story of the Good Samaritan, and brainstormed ways to love our neighbors. 

If you want to add another fun activity this week, go grab the paper house illustrations and make a whole neighborhood :)  

Have a good one!

Nicole

Ps. I'll be taking at least a month-long blogging break from the A to Z series as we enjoy summer and I work on some other projects. I look forward to sharing O-Z soon :)