We want to share a great activity to do with kids: SLIME! It’s quite easy, although it may take a time or two to get the perfect combo.
Homemade Slime
1 cup Elmer’s glue (can be purchased in big jugs)
Food coloring
About a teaspoon of baking soda
Contact solution (can be purchased from stores like Walmart)
Warning: do not make this anywhere near carpet, because it will be a forever reminder.
First, find containers of some kind to mix it up in and measure in Elmer’s glue. Add some food coloring (to your liking) and stir. Next, add a teaspoon (or a small spoonful) of baking soda. All the while, stir. And stir some more.
Add less than a tablespoon of the contact solution. Stir and stir. When it starts to glob up and you can try to get it in your hands, go ahead. Knead it back and forth. You can add more contact solution if needed, but a fair warning. If you put too much in, it’s irreversible. It’s better to knead it a lot in your hands. If it flops, don’t worry. It’s probably too much contact solution. Go for it again.
Your kids will love stretching and do all kinds of creative things with their slime.
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise” (Psalm 98:4).
Susannah Maxwell, oldest daughter to Nathan and Melanie, would have turned 13 today. She lived 3 days before leaving this world and entering a blissful Eternity with the Kings of kings.
We love Susannah. She was beautiful, with dark hair and delicate features. We know many of you have lost little ones, and we hurt with you. The loss is real. Yet, it’s only temporary. Susannah is experiencing the unspeakable glory of Heaven.
Happy Birthday, sweet girl!
If you want to see a slideshow of Susannah’s short life, you can find it below or at this link if you are receiving this via email (music was written by Joseph, along with the other siblings accompanying).
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4
With many public school children home from school, you might be wondering how to make the most of this time or simply be interested in how to keep your children from driving you crazy. Maybe some thoughts from a homeschooling mom could be helpful.
What about putting together a basic schedule? Make it simple. Maybe maintain the schedule you use with your children in school and then just fill in the school hours. Everyone is used to that schedule and there are no changes that would need to take place to implement it.
Here are some ideas for what could go in that schedule.
Grow spiritually with your children by having morning devotions with them. You can read some Scripture and discuss it, pray, sing, and memorize Scripture.
If your children are older, help them learn to have their own personal Bible and prayer time. What better time to get into the Word and learn to have a relationship with Jesus?
Teach your children some new chores, especially chores they can accomplish when they are back in school. You can take time to teach the skills and oversee them and they have time to practice those chores.
Read to your children and have them read to you. Media has taken over so much of our lives, but you can make these weeks very special by setting aside time to read aloud some great books to your children.
Have your children read out loud to you. This is especially helpful for those children who are at the learning-to-read stage. Often all they need to cause them to make the leap to being great readers is practice reading out loud.
You could also schedule quiet time for your children to themselves.
Schedule for a particular time each day, children who are old enough for board games to play those together or with you if you have time available.
Have your children write letters to friends or relatives. Work with them on their grammar, punctuation, and making the letter interesting.
With nicer weather in the U.S., you can plan time for a neighborhood walk and also outside playtime.
Work together in your children’s bedrooms, sorting and organizing the room itself and prepping clothes for the change of season.
Keep up music practice if your children are taking lessons even if they can’t go to lessons for a while.
Make sure your children have time for any school work that they are to accomplish while they are home.
I promise you that if any of these ideas look good to you, they will likely only be implemented if you put together a schedule and set time aside for them.
Here’s an idea of what that might look like:
7:00 a.m. Children up, dressed, and room pick up 7:30 Breakfast, clean up, teeth brushing 8:30 Morning chores 9:00 Family devotions 9:30 Mom reads aloud 10:00 Academics (School work, internet worksheets, letter writing, children read aloud) 11:00 Outside play 12:00 noon Lunch hour (Make, eat, and clean up) 1:00 p.m. Family walk 2:00 Quiet/nap time (Reading/academics for older children) 3:00 Board games/other play for non-napping children 4:00 Music practice/organizing projects/free play 5:00 Dinner prep (Some help, some play with each other or younger children) 6:00 Dinner
That’s just an idea. Put in what your priorities for this time might be. That schedule is a powerful tool that costs you nothing. Don’t try to make it perfect. Just put something down and do it. If you don’t like it so much, you can do it a bit differently the next day until you get it where you really like it.
Trusting in Jesus, Teri
“Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee” (Psalm 67:3).
These are historic times. Since the 50’s, generations have been shielded from epidemics and significant consumer shortages, except for the “gas crunch” in the 70’s. If you have the money, you can buy what you want.
We are experiencing product shortages country wide. This seems to come as quite a shock to most US citizens who are accustomed to full shelves at the grocery store. People are afraid of not having food and supplies they are accustomed to and ultimately of getting the virus.
There is a silver lining. Previously, many who might have had little concern about dying are now thinking about it as evidenced by their fear in contracting the virus.
What might you do in addition to taking recommended safeguards?
Make a list of people who you suspect might not be saved.
Earnestly pray for them daily. Are there things you might do to help them?
Seek a time when you can have a heart-to-heart talk with them regarding Jesus Christ.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
Wednesday was a big day for us. We received a phone call from the retirement apartments where we have been having our church services. They said that due to the coronavirus, management has decided to cancel all activities that are conducted by non-residents as of Wednesday. We understand the concern.
They said the closure would be until April. However, we anticipate it to be extended. In the meantime, we will attend a local church we have been going to on Sunday evenings.
Within the past few days, it seems COVID-19 is beginning to affect the normalcy of life here in the United States. What about you? We have several blog readers who have told us they are in a lock-down country. How is it affecting you?
We’re so grateful that because of placing our faith in Jesus and accepting Him, as Christians, we have nothing to fear from the coronavirus. In fact, it is an incredible opportunity to share with others the hope we have in Jesus!
Steve and Teri
“He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.” Psalm 112:7
You all are a wealth of knowledge, and I’d love to know what are your best motion sickness relief helps.
I used to be able to work on my laptop on trips and get a lot accomplished. Notice I said the words used to. What changed? Who knows. But one thing is sure, motion sickness is now a problem for me. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a quick trip to Kansas City or a road trip.
I’ll give you a little backstory on what I currently do:
PsiBands (they work to some extent but not enough to make travel totally comfortable: the link was Titus2’s Amazon’s Affiliate link, see the Privacy Policy)
Gum
Water
Snacks (I don’t do well if I’m at all hungry in the car)
Dramamine (Less-Drowsy formula isn’t so effective versus the regular, which is quite effective for me. The part I dislike is how crazy tired I feel with the regular Dramamine, but even with it, I don’t sleep well in a moving vehicle.)
Avoid looking at my phone
Driving (but that isn’t always feasible)
My family would also tell you the vehicle has to stay at a cool temperature. I’m sorry for their sake, as they often have to break out the sweatshirts during summer travel to help me.
So, I’d love to hear what you’ve found to be effective for motion sickness. I’d like to try some other things!
Sarah
“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.” 1 Peter 3:8
The Maxwell family and ministry blog of Titus2.com.
