Suppertime...as it should be!

Tonight was one of those rare, but perfect supper times in the Stevens household. We're just like every other family, racing around in a million different directions, getting our kids to all of their extracurricular activities, because we're making sure they're well-rounded (maybe we should toss them out in the yard to play in the dirt...I kinda think so every year about this time!) and feeling exhausted and forever short on time... (okay, so if that's not your family, you don't have to tell me and make me feel bad!)
But tonight, time stood still and Chris and I cooked supper together while the girls finished up their schoolwork for the day. Chris cut up a beautiful salad for us, and I worked on our main course. Grace read six chapters of I, Juan while Ruth worked on her spelling and grammar lessons. George was bugging the stew out of both of them until I finally thought to ask for his help. Now George is 5 years old, and he does a great job taking out the trash and feeding the dogs. Okay, sometimes he feeds the dogs... But you see, George has two big sisters who hover over him, especially Ruth. He doesn't do much without the luxury of lots and lots of "help" at every turn. So when I asked him to help me cook, wash the dirty dishes, and straighten up the kitchen (who knew we had so many pairs of shoes...could there be another family of five secretly living here and leaving their shoes everywhere???), George just lit right up. He pulled off his shirt, and stood on the step-stool over the sink for a really long time, making sure every dish was perfectly clean. It was all Ruth could do to finish her schoolwork. She wanted to get out of her chair so badly to help George she couldn't stand it! But everyone, with a great attitude (no really, this time I'm not being sarcastic), was doing just fine and I explained to Ruth that she couldn't help him with everything, and if we helped him all the time he wouldn't be able to do anything! She relaxed and finished her work, so I sent her upstairs to swap over the laundry (you know, dry stuff out of the dryer, wet stuff in the dryer, dirty stuff in the washing machine- yes, I make the girls do laundry. They're still alive, too! Even George does some swapping, but we don't let him start the washing machine just yet...can't you see George and a huge container of liquid laundry detergent...but I digress.) When I finished up the spaghetti (yes, that's our go-to meal...pretty sure we eat it once a week!) and started to dish up the plates, I put Ruth in charge of applying sauce on top of noodles. She couldn't believe it, and was thrilled with her new responsibility. George proudly carried bowls to the table, and Ruth helped me fix everyone's drink. (Grace was still reading at this point, and we eventually convinced her to join us.) As we took each other's hands, and Chris said the blessing, I thought about how many moms feel like they have to do it all alone. Ladies, listen up- even the littlest one can be a HUGE help during mealtime, and the confidence oozing from your child as you bestow upon them the highest of responsibilities is a beautiful thing! Lord, help me to remember tonight when I consider shooing the kids out of the kitchen so I can do things "my way"... After dinner, everyone helped to clear the table, Grace finished her reading, Ruth skipped off to finish math with Daddy, and I cleaned the counters while George jumped back on his step-stool to make sure no dish was left dirty, no not one.
I'm sitting here in my kitchen now, so thankful for my precious family, and for this wonderful evening we spent together while time stood still.

Good clean fun

Mercy me. Hilarious. Thank you Rivers Brunson for sharing this gem on Facebook!!

Everyone must go to YouTube. Search "cover tune grab bag" and I promise you won't be disappointed. :)

Summer Fun at FBC!

I had a whole morning all by myself yesterday, so I planned our summer children's ministry events! I love being outside (even in the hot hot sun) with kids. I love enjoying God's beautiful creation with them! I'm as guilty as the next mom of having my kids cooped up in the house way too much, allowing them to watch tv and play video games, etc. Every kid I know has a cell phone, and I'm as bad as they are about staring at it, communicating with people who aren't with me, when there are people God has put physically in my presence that I'm ignoring! Ugh! So let's all make a pact- let's kick all our kids, and even ourselves sometimes, OUTSIDE! Let's make them play outside and dig in the dirt and get absolutely filthy, and then hose them off. Let's push them out the door to play in the yard with a stick, and just be kids, so we can actually get the house clean...and then let's calmly decide not to get mad when they track all that fun back inside on the floors we just mopped. Let's just let our kids be kids this summer. I hope you're looking forward to the fun stuff we've got going on for your sweet babies at FBC; I know I am! When they're not getting dirty playing outside with me, shove them in the back yard. Love y'all!


tracy


 

:)






May 2012

29th: Terrific Tuesday: GO: Love God, Love Others at the Birmingham Zoo!
We will LEAVE FBC PARKING LOT at 7:45AM!!!
Cost: $20.00 (make check or cash payment to FBC in order to reserve your spot!)
This includes admission, educational program, feeding the lorikeets, carousel and train rides, and lunch!
Please send your child wearing sneakers and play clothes. We'll be doing a lot of walking and playing! Please no FLIP FLOPS or CROCS!
Send a dry change of clothes, because we are planning on playing in the fountains! Send your child with a snack and a drink for the ride home.
LABEL EVERYTHING!

June 2012
No Wednesday Night activities on June 20th!

June 7th: Preschool Playdate goes to C.H.O.M!
detailed information TBA
This Children's Hands On Museum has been a treat for years in Tuscaloosa!
Because most little ones are still riding in car seats, we'll take cars, and will need plenty of parents to chaperone!
Contact Tracy Stevens @ 412-5543 to volunteer!

June 18-22: Amazing Wonders Aviation Vacation Bible School

June 26th: Terrific Tuesday: GO: Love God, Love Others at Lake Lurleen Park!
We will LEAVE FBC PARKING LOT at 8:30AM!!!
Cost: $5.00 (make check or cash payment to FBC in order to reserve your spot!)
This includes admission, paddleboats, hiking, playground, and beach/swimming!
There is a store where they sell candy, chips and drinks. We'll provide sandwiches!
Lifejackets are provided for boating.
There are showers available on the beach, so you can send shower items- we'll gladly give kids time to get clean!
Please send your child wearing a bathing suit under his or her clothes and sneakers. We'll hike when we first get there, THEN swim!
Send a dry change of clothes, towel, sunscreen, and money for snacks and drinks. We will also stop for a snow cone at SUMMER SNOW in Tuscaloosa!
Your child should be able to get one bag of chips, one drink and one candy item plus a snow cone for around $10.

June 27th: W.o.W. kickoff party! 5:30-7pm

July 2012

July 16-19: Student Life for Kids Camp (there are still some spots left! parent volunteers needed to chaperone!)

July 26th: Preschool Playdate goes to Valley Grande Walking Trail & Playground!
Cost: $3.00/person to offset pavilion rental (make check or cash payment to FBC in order to reserve your spot!)
Bring your bike! We'll meet at the Valley Grande Walking Trail (Head north on AL Hwy 22. Turn left onto Co. Rd. 16 by Valley Grande Baptist Church.)
12noon-2pm (Pack a picnic lunch!)
*We'll have a water cooler, popsicles, and a sprinkler to keep cool!
Drop your child off at noon, and pick up at 2pm - both at the park, not the church!

July 31st: Terrific Tuesday: GO: Love God, Love Others Surprise Trip!
Cost: $20
More info TBA...

August 2012

August 9th: Preschool Playdate
(info TBA)

August 29th: Goodbye Summer Party! 5:30pm-7pm

Oh, Accountability, How I Love You...

Okay, Spivey has officially thrown my blog out there on the Children's Ministry website, so I feel like I need to blog more often. Ha.

Blog blog blog...

I feel I should share this blog with you, in case mine are too boring- you can be entertained by Bethany! hiiambethany.wordpress.com

Summer planning is really heating up, so keep your eyes peeled for events for your preschoolers and children AND YOUTH this summer at FBC!

Student Life for Kids Camp (BIG)
Terrific Tuesdays
Preschool Playdates
Vacation Bible School (Amazing Wonders Aviation!)
Wednesday Nights (Babylon- Daniel's Courage in Captivity)
and more...