1 In 2022/ Family/ Motherhood/ Raising boys

Our Family’s Top Ten Favorite Board and Card Games

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on Christmas to make it memorable. Get a game or two and PLAY together. Your kids will remember your PRESENCE more than your PRESENTS!

Teenagers may act like they aren’t interested at first, but if you set the game up and ask them to play “just one round,” many will do it.

There is SO MUCH VALUE in playing games with our kids. You learn together, laugh together, and just get to BE TOGETHER.

Here are our family’s favorite games:

1. Uno

Ages: 5 and up

This is a classic family game and we love it because you can play with multiple ages and multiple people.

2. Monopoly

Ages: 8 and up

This is a game you love or hate. It’s classic though, and everyone should play at least once!

3. Wit and wagers

Age 6 and up

We love this game because you are learning fun facts and learning while having fun! This is a great family game for kids ages 6 and up.

4. Rat-a-tat Cat

Ages 5 and up

I like this game because it’s small and easy to travel with, fun, and easy to play.

5. War/Garbage/Spoons

There are so many game you can play with a simple deck of cards.

7. What do you Meme?

Ages: 6 and up

This game will have everyone cracking up. It’s similar to Apples to Apples (which is another fun game) but with PICTURES. You pick the best words to go with the “Meme.”

This is a fun and easy-to-play game for kids and adults of all ages. You just have to SPOT something matching on the card you are holding with the card on the top of the deck. If you are the first one to spot a match, you get the card. The person with the most cards wins!

9. Rummikub

Ages: 5 and up

This is a fun game to play with friends. Best with 4-6 players. You make a row of matching numbers or ordered numbered tiles.

10. No stress chess/Chess

Ages 5 and up

My boys learned how to play Chess with the No stress chess game. Now they can play the real game.

Honorable Mention:

Heads up app

This isn’t a board or card game, but is basically a ‘charades’ or guessing game you can download on your phone. It’s super handy if you have a long wait with your kids!

Does your family have a favorite board game? Leave a comment!

Here’s how to make simple Salt Dough Ornaments with kids.

Here are some easy Elf on the Shelf ideas.

December 10, 2022 By Kathryn

0 In 2022/ Free stuff/ Motherhood/ Raising boys

A Cell Phone Contract and things to consider before (& after) giving your child a cell phone

Handing your kids a phone of their own is a big deal. You’re handing access to nearly everything in the world – the best and the worst. A phone can be helpful in many ways, and can be harmful in many other ways.

My recommendation is to hold your children off from getting a phone of their own as LONG as possible. The older and more mature they are before getting a device, the wiser they will be with their words and actions.

What your child posts online may be more permanent than their permanent record. What they watch online may have a permanent impact.
Parent Cue

5 questions to discuss before giving a child a phone:

1. What you post is public, even when you may think it’s private. It can be permanent. What are some examples of this?

2. Have you seen people say something online that they would not say to someone’s face? Why do you think that happens?

3. How are in-person relationships affected by devices for good or bad?

Examples for good: Connecting with family or friends who are far away.
Examples for bad: bullying or spending too much time on your phone and less time face-to-face

4. Who do you/would you like to follow online?

5. What rules do you think we need to put in place to keep you safe and monitor your time online?

Cell phone contract to review and sign together:

Parents, let your kids know from the beginning that you will be checking their phone periodically. This builds some accountability and may help them ’think twice’ about what they do on their phone. My son’s received texts that I’m so glad I saw. It has led to several teachable moments.
.

Also, I’d recommend your child charge their phone anywhere but their bedroom overnight. A middle school teacher told me:

If I could make a rule for all kids with phones, it would be to keep it out of their bedrooms at night. Kids are sleep-deprived because they’re on their phones past midnight on school nights and parents have no idea it’s happening,
Heidi Pitzenberg

What are your thoughts about children and cell phone use? Are there resources you use that help you navigate this new world?

Thanks for reading and for sharing your thoughts!

November 4, 2022 By Kathryn

0 In 2022/ DIY/ Family/ Free stuff/ Games/ Memories/ Raising boys/ Things to do in Minnesota

Indoor and Outdoor Scavenger Hunt for Kids

My son Clark LOVES Scavenger hunts. But let’s be honest…who DOESN’T enjoy a fun hunt?

One year, my husband buried a treasure box in a forest, then created a treasure map for the boys to follow, find and DIG UP! (Best day ever! Best DAD ever!)

Another year, just as George was learning to spell, he created a scavenger hunt for his brother. He left kind and encouraging words for him to find around the house. (Best brother ever!)

For Clark’s 13th birthday, we gave him two hunts. One indoors (by himself) to find his birthday present, and one OUTSIDE with his friends. Both were a HIT so I wanted to share this idea with you!

Scavenger hunts work not only for a birthday, but also for Christmas, for a family night, or on any day you’re looking for something fun to do with your family. You could even have your kids create scavenger hunts for each other.

Here was Clark’s INDOOR birthday hunt:

(Thank you Pinterest and Google for helping me with these riddles)

Here is our OUTDOOR Hunt:

(Feel free to copy and paste to a word document, or print this and play!)

Good for kids 12 and up. Make sure each team has a phone/camera.

Scavenger hunt

Take a selfie of your entire team on the play set.

Take a picture of two people swinging.

Find the sidewalk chalk. Write an encouraging message on the sidewalk. (Ideas: You Matter. -or- You Got this! -or- Choose Joy) You will find the sidewalk chalk:

Find the secret message and write down what you see. Secret message is found:

Take a selfie with a dog or person out for a walk.

Trade a penny for something more valuable.

What is the mystery word written on our neighbor’s front door?

Find the little library and write down the name of one book.

Take a picture next to a fire hydrant.

Find leaves from 3 different trees and bring them back.

Take a picture of something red.

Take a photo of two of your team mates jumping in the air at the same time.

Take a picture of someone sitting on the park bench.

Take a picture of a house or mailbox with the number 2 on it.

Return home

The boys loved the scavenger hunts and said they wished they were LONGER. This list only took them about 30 minutes! They ran SO hard!

What would you add or change? Leave me a comment.

Thanks for reading.

October 6, 2022 By Kathryn

0 In 2022/ Inspiration/ Motherhood/ Raising boys

15 Old-fashioned ways to stand out – in business and in life

Ted found this list on Twitter, copied it to a word document and printed it out for each of our boys. After they read it, we talked about what stood out to them. We also discussed which of these we do well, and which ones we could work on.

I thought you might enjoy reading this, and perhaps you’ll want to print it to read and discuss with your family. Feel free to share this post!

15 “old fashioned” ways to stand out in life:

1. Handwritten Notes:

Handwritten notes have sadly become a rarity in the digital age. Emails and texts lack personality—handwritten notes exude a raw authencity that fosters connection. Use them for: Thank yous, follow ups, letters to loved ones…AND nice penmanship is a plus!

2. Be True to Your Word:

When you say you’re going to do something, follow through. Being true to your word builds trust and deep relationships—personally and professionally. The recipe is simple:

(1) Say what you’re going to do

(2) Do it

(3) Repeat

Your word is your bond.

3. Be on Time (or early):

Take pride in punctuality. Being on time (or early) for your commitments is a clear show of respect to the other people involved.

4. Good Posture:

Strong posture is a physical and mental unlock for life. It’s linked to a variety of health benefits, including healthier muscles and joints, higher energy levels, and more. It also improves self-confidence—and how others perceive us. Stand tall to stand out.

5. Smile at Strangers:

It used to be considered common courtesy to smile and say good morning to people on the street. But somewhere along the line, it became “weird” to do so. Smile at people, say hello, give a warm head nod. It might even make them more likely to pass it on.

6. Hold the Door:

Holding the door for others was a simple point of good manners taught to many of us as children. Sadly, it seems like a lost art. It’s a habit worth reviving: When you go through a door, hold it for the next person—smile and say hello. Small acts go a long way.

7. Express Gratitude:

Life gets so much better when you really lean into gratitude. Create a daily gratitude practice—write down 3 things you’re grateful for every night before bed. Tell someone how much you appreciate them. Don’t wait to show gratitude until it’s too late.

8. Help Someone in Need:

When I was a kid, I was always taught to offer up my seat for anyone in need. The lesson extended to other areas of life. It’s easy to do—and so important. Help someone with their suitcase, walk someone across the street, buy someone a donut and coffee. (Click here to read 21 small ways to make a big difference)

9. Listen More than You Speak:

“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” — Epictetus

If you want your words and ideas to be heard, start by talking less and listening more. You’ll find more power in your words. Talk less to be heard more.

10. Say Someone’s Name:

Calling someone by their name is an easy way to build a bond. When you meet a new person, make a point to remember their name. If it’s a difficult one, ask how to pronounce it. Say it back in conversation so it sticks.

11. Eye Contact:

Eye contact builds trust. When you’re listening, look them in the eye. It shows presence, focus, and respect. When you’re speaking, eye contact can be organic (to avoid being intense). It’s ok to gaze off to think, but use eye contact to emphasize key points.

12. Apologize Effectively:

When you screw something up, be accountable and own it. Admit you’re wrong and apologize. All apologies should be direct and specific—acknowledge exactly what you did, why it was incorrect, and how it will be remedied. It’s the only way to move forward.

13. Work Hard:

Hard work stands out in a world where everyone wants to call it overrated. Take pride in working hard—show up and do what you say you’ll do. Always look for ways to work smarter, but if you’re striving for great things, you have to work hard.

14. Confident Handshake:

Handshakes fell out of favor due to COVID—some said they would never return. I don’t believe it. If handshakes are a trust-building part of your culture, take pride in them. Look the person in the eye, smile, and deliver a confident (but not hard) grip.

15. Be Kind:

Kindness is somehow severely underrated. It fosters relationships, reduces stress and anxiety, and improves overall happiness. When you are consistently, genuinely kind, you become a magnet for the highest-quality people.

Questions to consider:

Which are your currently doing well?
Which do you want to try today?

July 20, 2022 By Kathryn

0 In 2022/ Family/ Motherhood/ Raising boys

How to Raise a Jerk!

15 ways to raise a jerk from TheParentCue.org

Here are a few ideas to help you effectively raise a jerk:

Protect them from the consequences of their own mistakes.
Make sure you do whatever they can do for themselves.
Keep them away from anyone who thinks differently than they do.
Try to give them everything they want.
Tell them over and over you just want them to be happy.
Convince them that they are more special than other kids.
Always take their side when they get in trouble with their teacher at school.
Always take their side whenever they are in a conflict with a friend.
Don’t give them consistent opportunities to help or serve other people.
Never require them to do chores.
Reinforce their prejudices about people from different cultures or backgrounds.
Make your relationship with them more important than your relationship with your spouse.
Rarely express genuine gratitude to those who help you.
Teach them to talk more than they listen.
Never let them hear you say “I was wrong. I am sorry.”

I loved this and hope you do too! What would you add or change? Leave a comment.

I use the free Parent Cue app because it provides simple ways to connect with and influence my kids. Click here to check it out.

Thanks for reading. Please consider subscribing.

July 14, 2022 By Kathryn

0 In 2022/ Motherhood/ Raising boys

Mother’s Day 2022 Recap

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms, Step-moms, Foster-moms, Grand-moms, Dog-moms and Ladies who are Like Moms to us all.

I hope you got to call in some reinforcements and relax on Mother’s Day:

I’m in a really sweet stage of motherhood. All my babies are potty-trained and sleep through most nights.

Though I know didn’t ‘earn’ my coffee on Mother’s Day, my husband still brought me coffee in bed. (“Earn” is a joke – since I’m no longer up at night with kids, I don’t feel like I ‘earn’ the coffee I drink in the morning – but I LOVE it just the same!)

I’m one of those weird people who gets nauseous if I drink straight black coffee without eating something first, so I asked Paul to bring me up some almonds.

Paul ran downstairs and came back up and handed me TWO almonds and said:

“Sorry mom, I got hungry on the way up.”

I laughed and ate my two almonds. Then he opened his other hand…and gave me a bunch more.

I try to make Mother’s Day a ‘no cooking’ day, so the boys grabbed a banana on their way out the door to church. Our church always has FREE donuts available – which makes Sunday mornings a little easier. Today, they also had cake pops for Mother’s Day. I’m not a cake pop fan, but my boys were thrilled.

At church, they sang “Talking to Jesus.” Clark and I looked at each other and smiled because that song has a special meaning to us. If my boys have a bad dream, that’s a song that I play for them to help them get back to sleep. Clark will sometimes request the “Grandma song.” (lol)

You can listen here:

After church, Ted took us to a delicious Mother’s Day Brunch. I LOVE brunch. According to my mom, I always have. Brunch means you get to try a little bit (or a lot) of everything, and you don’t have to wait for your food.

My boys are just like me.

Luke called it the ‘best day ever.’
George asked how many times he could go back for more food. When he found out it was unlimited – he asked why we can’t do this more often.
Paul agreed with George and asked if we could do this every week.
Clark loved every bite and even, somehow, took food to go.

After lunch, we came home and the boys gave me some handmade cards – my favorite kind.

Paul gave me ‘homemade cash’ and a certificate that says he will do dishes when needed

Clark and I are wore thrift store shirts on Mother’s Day. Both were brand new, with tags, and we only paid a few dollars for them. Mine was originally $70 from Evereve. His was originally $60.

I wasn’t planning to cook dinner, but I was craving Broccoli Cheddar soup. So, I broke my “no cooking” on Mother’s Day rule, and I am happy I did. The soup was perfect on our wet, chilly Mother’s Day evening. Bonus: I have lunch ready for the week!

I usually pray over the kids at bedtime, but tonight Paul asked to pray. He prayed that dad would have a good week as he taught the Target leaders, and that the members of the Supreme Court would have courage to make the right decisions. (my heart melted)

I am so grateful for this stage of motherhood. I wish I could freeze my kids at these ages. They are are fun and funny. They are helpful, kind, and creative. I’m truly grateful to be their mom!

If you are in that “tough” stage of motherhood where all you want is a good night’s sleep or a ‘break’ from the demands of motherhood – I’ve been there! Just do the next right thing. It WILL get easier.

Happy Mother’s Day to every mom reading this.

Click here to read about my Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Mother’s Day.

May 10, 2022 By Kathryn

0 In 2022/ Motherhood/ Raising boys

A Fun and Yummy Easter Activity: Resurrection Rolls

One of our family’s favorite Easter traditions are making Resurrection Rolls together. Not only is it a fantastic object lesson, it’s DELICIOUS!

Making the rolls together is a fun and tangible way to teach your children about the Resurrection. They make a wonderful treat for Easter weekend.

This year, I was making rolls early to take pictures for this post, and only two of my sons were available. When the other two heard we did this without them, they were disappointed. I gladly promised we’d make another batch before Easter.

Here’s what you’ll need:

8 large marshmallows
1/2 stick of butter, melted
Crescent Roll Dough
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
Cooking spray
Tin pan

What You’ll Do

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Read John 19:38-42 to your children. Explain to them what each ingredient represents.

3. The butter represents the embalming oils. Put butter in a shallow dish in the microwave for 20-30 seconds to melt.

4. The marshmallow represents Jesus, white and pure because He was without sin. Dip the marshmallow in butter.

5. Pour some cinnamon sugar in another shallow dish. The cinnamon sugar is like the spices they used to prepare His body for burial. Roll the marshmallow in the spices.

6. Spread out one section of the crescent dough on a plate. The crescent dough represents the linen cloth they wrapped Jesus in. Place the marshmallow in the triangle of dough and wrap the marshmallow completely.

Option – Dip it in the butter again to keep it from sticking to the pan. Or place directly in a muffin tin covered in cooking spray.

7. Place the rolls in the ‘tomb’ – (the oven). Bake for 12-15 minutes.

8. When the muffins are barely brown on top, take them out of the ‘tomb’ and let them cool for about 5 minutes.

9. Let your kids open up their roll and discover what happened. (Spoiler alert) The roll is empty!

Here’s a short video showing you what to do:

https://youtube.com/shorts/mPsqMgdShFA?feature=share

Thank you for reading and Happy Easter!

Are you wondering what RESURRECTION means and what it has to do with Easter? CLICK HERE!

April 10, 2022 By Kathryn

2 In 2022/ Peek into our Week/ Raising boys

Peek into Our Last Few Weeks

It’s been awhile since I’ve given you a peek into our week. I’ve been busy living life and have not taken the time to write about. So, I’ll try to quickly catch you up on our Minnesota life.

January

My Mom was in Minnesota!

I was so excited to welcome my mom back to Minnesota. It had been 2.5 years since her last visit. January in Minnesota is not the best time to visit, but we made the most of it.

Volcan Snow Park

Neither of us love the cold, but we got bundled up to check out the Vulcan Snow Park in St. Paul. The sculptures were works of art and the maze was super cool!

https://youtube.com/shorts/SJOK8hBmfSk?feature=share

Como Zoo and Conservatory

We took mom to one of my favorite places in the Twin Cities – the Como Zoo. She discovered why I love it here so much. I always enjoy the beauty and warmth of the Conservatory, especially in January in Minnesota.

The flowers smelled heavenly.

We explored the quaint town of Northfield, MN

The picture of Clark and Mom was taken in front the bank where locals put a stop to the Jesse James Gang.

Sisterhood Ladies Night

Another highlight of Mom’s visit was the ‘Sisterhood’ ladies night at my church, with guest speaker Susie Larson.

My mom has loved Susie for YEARS. She listens to her podcasts, reads her books, and sends us her books. When I found out that Susie was speaking at our church on the week my mom was coming to town, I was THRILLED and felt like it wasn’t just a ‘coincidence,’ but a way for God to show us His love. Susie Larson is an amazing communicator, and mom LOVED getting to finally meet her.

When I moved to Minnesota, I attended this ladies night called “Sisterhood” all by myself. I came alone, sat alone, and went home alone. It was a good night, but not my favorite way to attend a ‘ladies night.’ Fast forward three years, and I can’t tell you how happy my heart was to come with a bunch of sweet neighbors and friends (plus mom). We came together (in three cars), sat together, and went back to our neighborhood together and it meant SO much to me.

Before mom left, I snapped this picture. This will be the last picture where George is smaller than Grandma.

Thanks for coming to visit us Mom!

February

My mother-in-law in Minnesota

In February, my mother-in-law came for a visit.

Mill City Museum

We took Nana to the Mill City Museum. This was once the home of the General Mills flour plant.

Did you know flour can be as explosive as gun powder?

A flour explosion destroyed most of the building. What remains is now the “Mill City Museum.” The General Mills factory has relocated to another town.

George ‘reenacting’ a pose from our visit almost 3 years ago.

George with my mom 2.5 years ago, and with Nana in February:

Click here to read more about the Mill City Museum.

We found a beautiful old window at the museum and stopped to take some pictures.

The boys and Nana were being goofy. I loved how this elderly woman on the side was watching them.

It did warm up enough one day for us to take a winter walk.

Thanks for coming to visit us Nana!

March

Bye-bye-Basketball

We finished the basketball season with a weekend in Iowa. Clark’s team got invited to a regional tournament, and it was a great way to end the basketball season.

I’m thankful for these sweet basketball moms

Wrigley’s World

I can’t give an update without a peek at Wrigley. He is such a good dog. We are crazy about him!

My neighbor sent this picture. Wrigley walked over to see if her dogs could play. He was peeking in the window as if to say, “Come out and play with me!”

The boys had Wrigley try on their hats:

Thanks for reading! Hope you are having a great week. Leave me a comment and let me know what you’ve been up to!

March 17, 2022 By Kathryn

0 In 2021/ Christmas/ Family/ Food/ Inspiration/ Joy/ Minnesota/ Motherhood/ Peek into our Week/ Raising boys

These are a Few of My Favorite Things: Winter Edition

Christmas lights, music, & cards

Thanks to every single person who took the effort to put up Christmas lights this year or send out cards. It definitely brought Christmas JOY to our family.

The new Hawkeye series on Disney Plus

When Ted asked me to come watch Hawkeye with him and the boys, I brought a book to read. I’m not really in to the “Hawkeye” character, and didn’t want to watch this new show, but I did want to hang with the boys while they watched it.

Little did I know how much we would ALL enjoy it. The storyline was so engaging and the characters were endearing. We just finished the final episode on Disney. I said to Ted. ‘Let’s watch that series again’ (I never say that. It was truly THAT GOOD)!

Good and Gather Kettle Chips and Everything Dip

If you are near a Target – get THESE CHIPS and THIS DIP. Thank me later.

The Heads Up app

In The Wild sticker book

This sticker book that makes the most beautiful creations. It’s fun for kids ages 6-10 (and their moms).

Lactaid Egg Nog

Fun fact: I never tasted Egg Nog until college. Since then, I’ve tried lots of different flavors, and this one is my favorite. Have you tried it?

The Fa La Latte from Caribou

The Fa La Latte is an egg nog latte. It’s SO good. I’m making the most of the season with all this EGG NOG, and making up for lost time I suppose?!

Luke’s drawing

I read the Christmas story from Luke 2, and asked Paul and Luke to draw what they thought the story looked like. I’m saving this one!

Wrigley in the snow

Wrigley is a kid in a candy store when there is fresh snow on the ground. I can hear him thinking: BEST DAY EVER!!!

This miraculous e-collar

Wrigley is the SWEETEST DOG. However, when he’s outside and not on his leash, he doesn’t always come back when you call him. If he’s not done playing, he will run AWAY from you when he sees you coming toward him.

This became a HUGE problem two times in December. Once when I had to go to work and couldn’t get him inside. Another time when he ran onto the pond and we weren’t sure if it was thick enough to hold him. Paul was a wreck thinking his dog might go through the ice and there was nothing we could do.

Enter the world’s best invention. A collar that beeps, vibrates or shocks. (We don’t use the shock)

The very first time I gave Wrigley a gentle vibrate and beep and said “COME,” he immediately came and sat next to me. I was shocked and overjoyed how well it worked then, and how will it continues to work. I only needed to use the vibrate twice, and now he obeys when he just hears the BEEP!

This device is usually $50, but they are currently 20% off. This was the best $40 I ever spent.

YouTube videos the whole family can enjoy

https://youtu.be/-N8860D2ITY

There are so many ANNOYING YouTube Channels. However, there are a handful that we can all enjoy together.

Mark Rober – a former Nasa scientist who makes entertaining videos by creating gadgets and fun experiments.
Dude Perfect – a group of guys that met at church and now make trick shot videos and a ‘game show’ called Overtime.
Fantastic 2 – I can’t NOT mention the channel my son’s created. 🙂

The Love of a Dog

Sweet Wrigs loving on Paul when he was sick

Click here to read the story of how we got our dog.

And most of all…spending time with my family!

Thanks for reading! Happy New Year to each of you.

December 26, 2021 By Kathryn

0 In Christmas/ DIY/ Memories/ Motherhood/ Product Recommendations/ Raising boys

5 Cute and Easy Ornaments to Make with your kids!

Have you put up your Christmas tree yet?

We put ours up over the weekend, and as we hung the ornaments, the ones that made us smile and brought back the sweetest memories were the ones we made together.

Hanging new ornaments they received for Christmas

Here are five fun holiday ornaments my boys enjoyed making, and I think your family will have fun with it too.

You can keep them for your own tree, or gift them to loved ones.

1. Hydro-Dipped Painted Ornament

Click here for instructions!

2. Hand-Print Ornament

This is a precious way to capture that sweet tiny handprint. These make me smile every time I hang them on my tree.

Directions:

Paint your child’s fingers.
Help them press their ‘painted’ fingers on the ornament.
Clean your child’s hand.
Let the paint dry.
Use permanent markers to turn the fingerprints into snowmen.
Add the date.

Click here to buy white acrylic paint and colorful markers.

3. Perler Bead Ornaments

This takes time and patience, but it can be calming and relaxing.

Click here to purchase Perler Beads.

Perler Beads make a great Christmas gift for children ages 6-9.

4. Popsicle Stick snowman

Set out paint, buttons, stickers, string, and construction paper and see what your kids create! The possibilities are endless.

Add your child’s name and the date to the back of the stick.

Click here for popsicle sticks.

5. Salt Dough Ornaments

These are a classic. We enjoyed making these so much last year, my boys are already asking if we can do it again this year.

Click here for instructions.

Which one of those I listed is your favorite? Leave me a comment.

Send me a picture of your family’s favorite homemade ornament.

Enjoy the holiday season!

Love,

Kathryn

Disclaimer: The items I recommended from Amazon are affiliate links. If you purchase an item I recommend, I may earn a commission. Thanks for your support!

November 16, 2021 By Kathryn

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