The Drug Problem in America

The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, ''Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?''

I replied: I had a drug problem when I was young:

I was drug to church on Sunday morning.

I was drug to church for weddings and funerals.

I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.

I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults.

I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profane four-letter word.

I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower beds and cockleburs out of dad's fields.

I was drug to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood;and, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins; and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, and think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.

~author unknown~

“Our worst fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented,and fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God; your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone. As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

by Marianne Williamson (A Return to Love)

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not shouting, "I've been saved!"
I'm whispering, "I get lost!
That's why I chose this way"

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I don't speak with human pride
I'm confessing that I stumble
Needing God to be my guide

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak
And pray for strength to carry on

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not bragging of success
I'm admitting that I've failed
And cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I don't think I know it all
I submit to my confusion
Asking humbly to be taught

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible
But God believes I'm worth it

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache
Which is why I seek His name

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority
I only know I'm loved

by Carol Wimmer (1988)

Summer Reading Program 2008

We love the local library's summer reading program. We particularly enjoyed the following books:

Popcorn by Frank Asch
But No Elephants by Jerry Smath
Henry's Awful Mistake by Robert M. Quackenbush
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Senda
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton
Charlotte's Web by E. B. White
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
Olivia by Ian Falconer
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Amelia Bedelia Series by Peggy Parish
What Is A Wookiee? by Laura Buller
Fancy Nancy Series by Jane O'Connor
Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne and Sal Murdocca
Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by Richard Scarry
Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! by Dr. Seus
Adventures of the Bailey School Kids by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.

by Diane Loomans, from "If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again"

Family Game Night

We often have family game night on Fridays as a reward for good behavior. After dinner the child that has worked the hardest that week gets to pick what game we will be playing. Our family's favorites are Uno, Monopoly, Clue JR, Yatzee, & Sequence for Kids. We are always looking for new games, if you have any suggestions.

Top 10 reasons I love being a mom:

10. You get to set your own schedule after they start sleeping through the night.
9. You are able to create your own working environment.
8. You are your own boss until your kids out smart you.
7. Watching animated movies is mandatory!
6. Playtime is the most important part of the day.
5. Your night life consists of peace and quite finally.
4. Making mistakes is normal, and the kids don't mind.
3. You can sing off key and no one cares.
2. Everyday can be a pajama day and that's ok!
1. You get hugs, kisses, and "I love you"s just for being you.

Firecracker Cupcakes

1-1/2 cups flaked coconut, divided
4 drops each: blue and red food colorings
24 yellow cupcakes
2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
24 red string licorice pieces (4 inch strips)

PLACE ½ cup of the coconut in each of two separate resealable plastic bags; set remaining 1/2 cup coconut aside. Add blue food coloring to coconut in one bag and red food coloring to coconut in second bag. Seal bags; shake until coconut is evenly tinted. If you don't like coconut, just use red & blue sugar sprinkles.

SPREAD tops of cupcakes with whipped topping (or frosting if you prefer). Sprinkle with red, white (uncolored) and blue coconut as desired; press coconut gently into whipped topping to secure.

INSERT licorice piece into top of each cupcake for the firecracker's fuse. Store in refrigerator. You could also use blueberries, raspberries, and/or strawberries as toppings.

Hershey Kiss Cookies

3/4 c. peanut butter
1 can condensed milk
2 c. Bisquick
1 tsp. vanilla
1 pkg. Hershey Kisses

Mix together peanut butter and milk. Add Bisquick and vanilla. Mix all together well. Shape into small balls, and place them on a prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes at 375 degrees. Put a Hershey Kiss on top of each cookie as soon as you take the cookies out of the oven.

Funfetti Cookies

1 pkg. Funfetti Cake Mix
1/3 cup oil
2 eggs
1/2 can Funfetti Frosting

Heat oven to 375̊F. In large bowl, combine cake mix, oil and eggs; stir with spoon until thoroughly moistened. Shape dough into 1-inch balls; place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. With bottom of glass dipped in flour, flatten to 1/4-inch thickness. Bake at 375̊F. for 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets. Spread frosting over warm cookies. Immediately sprinkle each with candy bits from frosting. Let frosting set before storing. Store in tightly covered container. You should be able to use any flavor of cake mix you prefer.

Confetti Cake

1 cake mix (any kind)

1 1/3 cups water

1/3 cup vegetable oil or applesauce

3 eggs

½ cup of those round color sprinkle balls

Mix everything together until blended. Pour into a prepared cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes until done. Top with icing if desired. Then you have an instant party cake.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cream Together:
1 lb. butter
2 cups brown sugar
4 eggs
1 ½ cups sugar
2 tbsp. vanilla

Add:
1 ½ tsp. baking soda
1 ½ tsp. salt
6 cups flour
1 cup oatmeal
2 cups nuts (optional)
4 cups chocolate chips

Place scoops on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 11 minutes. They usually look under cooked. This is a very large batch, so you may want to half the recipe if you are using a Kitchen Aid like mixer.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 ½ cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp salt
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 ½ cups sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 pkg semisweet chocolate chips or chunks
½ cup walnuts or pecans (optional)

Preset the oven to 350 degrees, and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside. Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the pumpkin, egg, and vanilla and beat just until blended. Mix in the dry ingredients. Stir in the chocolate chips or chunks and nuts, if using.
Drop the batter by heaping tablespoons 1 inch apart on the baking sheets. Bake the cookies for 13 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

No Bake Cookies

2 cups sugar
½ cup butter
1/4 cup cocoa
½ cup milk

Mix in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add:

1 tsp. vanilla
3 cups oatmeal
½ cup peanut butter

Mix well and drop onto a wax paper covered baking sheet. Serve cool or cold.

The Lego Club

My sons started a Lego Club. Once a month they invited all their friends over to play for a couple of hours. My boys would plan the activities and snacks. They made up the rules. When it was all over they had to deal with the clean-up. I basically did the shopping and supervised. The only down side was that I had to limit the club to 20 kids.

The boys had so much fun that a couples of months later, my girls started the Princess Club. One afternoon a month, they and quite a few of their friends got together to dress up like princess. They served refreshments, played games, and watched princess movies.

I loved being the fun mom while only having to have friends over twice a month. It has worked wonders for my kids social skills.

Eero's Favorite Jokes

What illness did everyone on the Enterprise catch? Chicken Spocks!

If you meet a bear on a hike, don't run. Really? Why? Because bears like fast food

Why did the cookie go to the doctor? He was all crummy.

What goes around the world but stays in a corner? A postage stamp

What kind of room has no door or windows? A mushroom.

Why did the farmer bury all his money in his fields? He wanted rich soil.

Why did Cinderella's soccer team always lose? Because her coach was a pumpkin!

What did the cherry tree say to the farmer? Quit picking on me!

Why couldn't the pirate play cards? Because he was sitting on the deck!

What do pirates like to eat? BARRRRbecue!

What is a shark's favorite game? Swallow the leader.

What do you get when you cross a vampire and a snowman? Frostbite...

How do witches keep their hair in place while flying? With scare spray...

What is a vampire's favorite mode of transportation? A blood vessel...

What sort of music is played in the jungle? Snake, rattle, and roll.

What is Dracula's favorite landmark? The Vampire Stake Building

What animal do you look like in the bath? A little bear

Why did the turkey cross the road? To prove that he was not chicken.

Why do you put film in the fridge? To get cool pictures.

Why should you never take a Pokemon into the restroom with you? Because it could Pikachu!

Why don't mountains get cold in the winter? They wear snow caps.

What is a computer's favorite dance? Disk-o

What did the pencil sharpener say to the pencil? Stop going in circles and get to the point!

What do you get when you cross 2 banana peels? A pair of slippers

Why can't a ghost tell a lie? Because you can see right through it!

Why did the kid crawl into school five minutes after 9:00 AM? Because the teacher said not to walk in late!!!

Why did the Easter egg hide? He was a little chicken!

How many Easter eggs can you put in an empty basket? Only one – after that it's not empty any more!

Why did the Easter Bunny cross the road? To prove he wasn't chicken!

What do you get when you cross an apple and a superhero? Cider-Man!

How can you tell the ocean is friendly? It waves.

What did Mars say to Saturn? Give me a ring sometime.

What kind of flower grows on your face? Tulips!

Why is the math book so unhappy? Because it is full of problems.

What clothing does a house wear? Address

Why are potatoes good detectives? Because they can keep their eyes peeled.

Teacher: What's the formula for water?
Student: H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O.
Teacher: That's not the formula I gave you.
Student: Yes it is. You said it was H to O.

Knock knock - Who's there? - You know. - You know who? - Exactly, Avada Kedavra!

Princess Party

Decorations: Create a tent out of streamer with a balloon chandelier.

Food: Sprite & sherbet punch and mini cakes that the girls decorate themselves.

Games:

Parade of Princesses - everyone makes a crown and creates a royal name. Then they are presented to the court.

Princess Pinata - Make or buy a princess pinata. Then fill it with bracelets, rings,necklaces, & M&M packets, etc.

Princess Bingo - kids color a page of princess picture squares, cut them out, and glue them onto a bingo card. Then play with M&Ms or Skittles.

Kiss the frog - the kids walk on pictures of various princesses and one frog while music plays. If you land on the frog when the music stops, you have to kiss the frog.

Halloween Party Games

Trick or Treat Guessing Game – have to guess the candy by just looking at it without the wrapper.

Which Witch is Which? - see who can guess the most spooky characters from their photos.

Pumpkin Chow – see who is the first to eat a pumpkin sugar cookie or cupcake without using their hands.

The Great Pumpkin Hunt – hide 50 - 100 small pumpkins or pumpkin cutouts around a room. Whomever finds the most wins.

Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin – Make a large pumpkin without the nose. Have the kids try to stick the nose on with double stick tape.

Spider Toss – put a large web on the wall. Give each child a plastic spider with their initial or a sticker (to tell them apart) on it. The child that tosses their spider closest to the center of the web wins.

Witches Brew- Do you dare reach into the witch's cauldron to retrieve a prize? Fill a big pot with prizes wrapped in plastic and throw a bunch of gross stuff in such as rubber spiders and snakes, cobwebs, popcorn, cold spaghetti, Styrofoam to make it look like a big stew. Keep paper towels handy.

Haunted Balloon Tower - divide up into 3 groups. Give each group 50 balloons and 2 rolls of tape. Instruct the teams that they are to build the largest free-standing balloon tower possible in 5 minutes. Start the clock, and everyone begins building the towers. When time is called, look at the towers (measure if necessary) and declare whose tower is tallest.

Ghost Float - give each person a white balloon and a straw. You blow through the straw to keep "ghost" balloons afloat. Whomever can keep his/her ghost up the longest wins.

Pass The Pumpkins: Have kids sit in a circle and pass small pumpkins or gourds when the music is playing. When the music stops the child without a pumpkin is out continue until there's a winner.

Mummy Wrap: Divide guests into pairs Give each pair a roll of toilet paper. One person wraps the other with the paper, first one to empty their roll wins. Older kids and adults get two rolls, once the first person is wrapped they wrap their partner. Prizes to the first team who empty both rolls.

Pumpkin Carving: what would Halloween be without some homemade jack-o-lanterns. Look online for free carving patterns.

Monster Mash: Play Halloween music and have the kids dance like monsters! When the music stops the kids freeze in their monster positions. The first kid to move is out. This is a good game for the end of the party since you can make it last as long you want.

Pirate Plundering Party

Decorations: Make treasure map invitations rolled up like scrolls. Decorate everything in black and yellow. Scatter gold coins along the table. Make your own pirate flags out of posters or pillowcases. Hang them around the room or sew them together to make the plundering table cloth.

Food: Have a plundering table full of finger foods: sandwiches, chips, fruits, vegetables, pizza, red punch, etc. Serve everything on golden (yellow) plates. In the middle of the table have a treasure chest of assorted cookies for dessert. You could have sushi for adults.

Games:
Make & decorate paper hats & cardboard swords.

Pick out pirate names/ titles and make name tags.

Have a treasure hunt.

Make a treasure chest pinata.

Dance like a pirate - singing pirate songs.

Pin the Eye Patch on the Pirate (or parrot on the pirate, or flag on the pirate ship, ect.)

Play Musical Islands ( Like musical chairs, only use a piece of paper in place of the chairs.)

Sleeping Pirate: All the children (except one - The Pirate) sit cross legged on the floor in a circle. The pirate sits blind-folded, cross-legged in the middle of the circle with a large bunch of keys (or gold coins) on the floor in front of him. A child is nominated to creep up and take the keys and then return to their place without the pirate hearing them. The Pirate has three goes to point to where he thinks the raider is. If he is successful, the raider becomes the Pirate and the game continues.

Backyard Beach Party

Decorations: Cover the tables with brown butcher paper. Decorate with beach balls, sand pails, bubbles, plastic sun glasses, etc... You can use them as party favors when the party is over. Use brightly colored paper goods for eating and those fun drink umbrellas with straws.

Food: Assorted sandwiches, vegetable plate, fruit salad, & blue Jell-O bowl or blue frosted cup cakes decorated with gummy fish. Be sure to have plenty of cold water bottles & popsicles on hand. Everyone can picnic on towels or blankets.

Games: Slip-n-slides and wadding pools are always a hit. These are some of my favorites too.

Water relay race: You need 1 bucket of water, 1 dry bucket, & 1 large sponge per team. Split players into two or more teams. Set the buckets of water & sponges on one side. Then put the dry bucket 10 - 15 feet away. The first team to fill their dry bucket ½ way with water without moving the buckets wins.

Wipe out : All you need is some surfing music. Everyone pretends to surf while the music is playing in the background. Then yell "Wipe Out" and everyone dramatically falls to the floor. Get up and repeat.

Water balloon volley ball: You will need LOTS of water balloons, a bucket with water in it to hold the water balloons, a beach towel for each pair of children, and a volleyball net is optional. Divide up into two groups. Pair them off and give each pair a beach towel. One side begins by placing a water balloon in the center of their towel. The object is to toss the water balloon over the net with the opposing side catching the balloon in their towel. The volley continues until one side misses and the balloon breaks. Play until you run out of water balloons.

Beach combing box: Set up a sand box with buried treasures in it. You can use coins, wrapped candy, & small toys. Be sure to let the youngest kids go first.

24th of July - Pioneer Day

Decorations: Bonnets & aprons for the girls. Bandanas & Cowboy hats for boys.

Food: Beef Stew or Chicken Pot Pie, Biscuits, & Peach Cobbler served on pie tins.

Games: Make & decorate wagons out of boxes and have a relay race. Sing pioneer songs. Make up campfire stories. Play children's games such as hopscotch, jump rope, tag, marbles, etc..

Here is one game I found on the internet:

Drop the Handkerchief is similar to Duck-Duck-Goose. Form a circle of players facing each other. The person that is "it" will go around on the outside of the circle and drop a handkerchief behind one of the other players. Then he/she has to race around the circle in hopes they won't get caught by the person the handkerchief was dropped behind. The person where the handkerchief was dropped picks up the handkerchief and chases after the person. The first one to sit in the empty spot wins. The one who loses will be "it" next.

4th of July Party

Decorations: Anything red, white, & blue. Be sure to include stars, flags, and fireworks.

Food: Hamburgers, hotdogs, watermelon, corn on the cob, & blue raspberry punch.

Games: Fireworks are always a great idea (especially the ones on TV)

Reach For The Stars - You'll need star shaped sugar cookies, string and blindfolds for this game. Hang the red, white, & blue decorated star cookies from a tree branch, clothes line or ceiling. Everyone stands in front of a cookie blindfolded. The first one to eat his/her cookie without using his/her hands wins.

Rocket Balloons - You will need red & blue balloons, streamer ribbons, & dried lentils. To make each rocket, use a kitchen funnel to pour 1/3 cup of dried lentils into a round balloon. Then blow up the balloon so it's about 16 inches around and knot it. For the finishing touch, tie several long ribbon streamers around the neck. Toss back and forth. See who's rocket can go the farthest.

Patriotic Parade - ask guests to bring wagons, bikes, scooters, drums and tambourines. If you don't have any of that decorate poster float. Use balloons, construction paper, streamers, small flags, etc. for decorating the parade floats. Parade around block or a park.

Wizarding Duel - use sparklers as magic wands to have a family wizarding duel. The wooden sparklers with the long handles are the safest. Give out awards for style, speed, sneakiness, etc...