I am so in love with awe of my new blog friend, Katherine! She’s like a super hero to me … what with all her creativity, photography and love of the Lord … I’d say that’s what friends are made of! ;)
Anyway. So she has this over-achieving little thing she does … theme of the week … please let it be known that I think it’s “all that” and more! I’ve pretty much told her so, when she ever so innocently suggested “I try one and hey! maybe I could even guest post on her site.” No offense, but that’s just some sort of crazy talk as far as I’m concerned!
I kind of get the prickly sweats of anxiety {and don’t go pretending you don’t know what I’m talking about!} looking through her themes and photographs! Nevertheless, she patiently encouraged me and gave me some great suggestions.
I figured I should get a couple of “themes” under my belt before I go thinking I’m guest post worthy! ;)
So! What to theme? Well … when I decided to try something, we were smack dab in the middle of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Perfect!
Bonus that there was lots of inspiration around the web that I could draw on. And as you’ll see … there was one particular team we were supporting!
Color sorting and cake making with Hunter
Learning Fun: sorting; spelling; and patterns
We also learned the meaning behind the Olympic flag & it’s rings {pretty cool stuff!}
Snack time: food the color of the Olympic rings; cake with M&M colored rings; bagels with cream cheese
colored rings; star-shaped cutout cookies; oreo cookies {disguised as silver medals}
{note to self: disclose to kids if something that looks like frosting, isn’t frosting … especially if it’s cream cheese}
Crafts & Activities: bracelets; baking; torch & medals
Activities: torch relay; medal ceremony
Games: balloon races; cracker whistling contest
Book: tacky & the winter games
Ideas & Inspiration:
Food crafts :: Taste of Home
Olympic flag lesson :: A to Z Kids Stuff
Torch & Medals :: Alpha Mom
Bracelets :: No Time for Flashcards
Who needs gold?
Takeaway Thoughts: I’ve seen Katherine’s themes for a few months now and would sort of stress myself out
wanting to do it “just like her.” Kind of that whole bloggie pressure thing. Why oh why do we do that to ourselves?
It almost seemed like such an overwhelming thing to do, that I didn’t even want to give it a try. I didn’t want to “fail”
so I didn’t even try. Not cool.
Thanks to Katherine’s gentle encouraging … I’m so incredibly happy I gave it a go! I gotta be honest, I’m not happy
with my photos and of course the crafts could’ve been better and on and on I go.
But wait a minute … even as I’m writing this post, I’m smiling looking back on this time we spent together.
And remembering how excited the girls were each night coming home and wondering what the days “theme” would bring.
How we laughed and laughed at them trying to waddle with a balloon between their legs. And how Wynter just came up and saw
these photos and starting smiling and talking about the things we did together.
And that’s what it’s all about. Family time. Fun time. Building memories.
We’re definitely going to be doing this again.
How fun! You are doing amazing things for/with your children! Don’t ever doubt that!
How fun! I love how you always strive to create lasting memories with your girls. These are the moments they’ll tell their kids about and, more than likely, they’ll re-create themselves.
I’m also glad to see I’m not the only one who feels “bloggie pressure” from time to time. Yet again you’ve shown me how to rise above and just get out there and do! Thank you :-)
love it!! it looks like the girls had so much fun! we did olympic torches, flags, etc. and watched WAY too much tv ;)
Love it!!!!! You did good momma!!!
i wish i had done crafts with the kids for the olympics…but it was actually too hard to pull them away from curling! :-) love these ideas though for the next time around (the summer games aren’t too far away right?)…thanks for the inspiration!!!
OK, seriously?! I LOVE this. Love the idea of doing something so simple yet so fun with the girls. Love that it’s little activities that will bring BIG memories (and such fun ones at that) for everyone to share for a long, long time. Bloggie pressure? No way! You’ve done and made it your own–and it’s incredible!
ohhhhhhhhhhh my!!!! I’m seriously in a puddle of tears after reading your post—good tears, happy tears— “And that’s what it’s all about. Family time. Fun time. Building memories.” I am so delighted to be a small part of your wonderful and beautiful family time! You don’t know how much that means to me. I ADORE your photographs and your creative wonder. I wish I could shake you into believing HOW AMAZING YOU ARE right now!!! NOT amazing tomorrow, but amazing TODAY, in this moment. and yes, I’m not-so-secretly thrilled that you’ll be doing more themes. :):):):) Can’t wait!
love this idea! lovin’ your blog too! just found you today, signing up for your feed.
The pictures are beautiful – the memories even more so. Thanks for sharing.
What a beautiful blog/site you have. It’s very….peaceful. I love that. And what great ideas; I’ll have to borrow them for our next Olympics. :D
I’m thinkin’ your all sorts of fabulous!! I know all about putting too much pressure on one’s self to be perfect, and not being able to live up to those standards — but you REALLY did something special here! I’m amazed that despite everything else that’s going on in your life right now, you still managed to pull off those activities with the girls . . . making memories they’ll remember forever!! You’re my hero!
was just scrolling down again and noticed the tacky book. jack just brought one home as his library book and was going on and on about how much he likes the books. now he saw this one and he is SUPER excited to find it too! :-)
So fun! I have been following katherinemarie for a while. She has talent like no other. I have a degree in early childhood with a specialization in art and never ever would be able to keep up with her. She amazes and overwhelms me- just exactly like how you describe. I have begun having special “days” not weeks now and then. My girls adore the time we spend together. The thing I don’t know how to encourage her. I haven’t found her comments box. Obviously you could pass along the encouragement to her for me. I really, really think she should write a book!! I would love to see her write a book with themes that included Bible truths, for example rainbows and God’s promises, and her make a smile ideas all together- the random act of kindess could even be cookies with a card that said thanks for helping me find a rainbow on a cloudy day. I’ve thought for a long time I’d like to buy her book.