Some of my favorite Summer Activities with Kids





Hello Parents!
Summer vacation is here and I'm sure you're trying to think of some things you can do with the kiddos this summer. Well, here are some of my favorite things to do:

*Splash Parks: My favorites are Mulberry Fields in Zionsville and West Park in Carmel but here's a list of 20 in the Indianapolis area and they are all FREE! http://www.indywithkids.com/2011/07/water-spray-parks-free-in-indianapolis/

*Columbian Park Zoo: This is in Lafayette and FREE! A wonderful Zoo with splash area and a GREAT playground for kids of all ages and you can also catch a train ride! This is our favorite place to picnic as well! http://www.lafayette.in.gov/zoo/  (They also have Trop Cove which is a swimming pool with water slides but that's a small fee)

*Indianapolis Zoo: http://www.indyzoo.com/SitePages/home.aspx

*Children's Museum: http://www.childrensmuseum.org/

*Indiana Beach: http://indianabeach.com/ This is about an hour and 15 minutes away from Lebanon but let me tell you--the kids will take a great nap on the way home :)

*Putt Putt: http://www.precisionputtplus.com/ This is in Lafayette and a WONDERFUL outdoor course

*Bowling
          I really like this place in Noblesville where you can bowl and play putt putt! http://www.coopersstardustbowl.com/

*Paint Pottery: Pottery By You is such a fun place to go and pick an item to paint! SO FUN! http://www.pottery-by-you.com/

*Carmel Water Park: http://www.carmelclayparks.com/escape-mcc/facilities/the-waterpark#hours This is great with a lazy river and just a small fee!

*Frozen Yogurt: My favorite is Yo Joy which is a Christian environment with the freshest ingredients and fresh cookie dough-my fav! http://yojoyfrozenyogurt.com/

*Turkey Run State Park: http://www.turkeyrunstatepark.com/

*Go see a movie

*Great Times or Rascals Fun Zone: http://www.rascalsfunzone.com/# http://www.greatimesfunpark.com/

*And I would HIGHLY recommend Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana and staying in a stationed rental rv or cabin at the neighbored Lake Rudolph Camping Resort!  http://www.holidayworld.com/  http://www.lakerudolph.com/ 

*Go to the park

*Fly a kite

*Go to the library--they have many activities for the kiddos!

*Go to Wal-mart and do a scavenger hunt!

*Make pizzas together for lunch

*Create an obstacle course for the kids, get some bubbles and sidewalk chalk, limit tv time and encourage reading or crafts

*Have a campout in the back yard or in the living room

*Participate in the 4th of July and 4H fair activities

*Serve somewhere as a family

*Create a home movie together

*Invite family and friends over for a cookout and ultimate kickball game

*Go fishing

*Take a walk on the canal downtown Indy, paddleboat and then visit the Star Wars exhibit at the Indiana State Museum

*Visit the Indiana Museum of Art

*Go to an Indianapolis Indians Game: http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t484

*Have a campfire and roast marshmallows and share stories

*Do a scavenger hunt



Those are just a few things to get you excited about summer vacation! Spend some time making memories with your kiddos... they will remember the time you took to invest in them and will have stories to tell their children and will continue the legacy you began.

Have fun this summer!
-Pastor Tiffany



What other ideas do you have?

6 Benefits of Serving in the Greenhouse

First of all, you’re joining a FAMILY.  You’re going to find you develop friendships with the people you serve with.  You’ll laugh together, share prayer requests, support each other, pray for each other and encourage each other.

You see, we weren’t meant to do the Christian life alone…and serving in Children's Ministry means you will be surrounded by friends who will walk with you on your journey.  You’re gaining a family.

You’re also getting ready to be a part of FUN.  Yep…that’s right.  Fun.  And lots of it.  No matter your age…there’s still a little kid inside you who wants to have fun.  And now that you’re a part of the Children's Ministry team…you can let that little kid out and have fun.  Laugh…smile…enjoy yourself.  Have a good time!

Another benefit of serving in Children's Ministry is FAITH.  You’re going to find your faith growing.  You see, serving is a key component of growing your faith.  So get ready to see your spiritual growth accelerate as you begin serving.

There’s something else you’re going to be part of by joining the team…and that’s a FOCUS.  We are focused on one thing – impacting our world with the love and message of Jesus Christ…everyone...everyday...everywhere.

This is WHY you will be serving.  This is why you will be holding babies in the nursery while worshipping with them, this is why you will be helping preschoolers get excited about hearing a message from the Bible in a creative way, this is why you will be greeting new kids and families, this is why you will be leading a small group of kids, this is why you will be running a computer presentation or sound board, this is why you will be high-fiving kids as they leave asking them the main point they learned, this is why you will be helping families check in, this is why you will be leading kids in worship, this is why you will be sharing a Bible story, this is why you will be helping keep the kids safe.

It’s so they can be impacted by the love and message of Jesus Christ…so they can discover the hope that's found in Him.  This is the focus of the team you are joining.  It’s a focus that’s worth giving your best to.

You’re also going to experience FULLNESS of joy.  There is a joy that comes from serving others.  It’s a deep, abiding joy that comes from knowing God is using your life to help other people.  You’re going to discover it truly is more joyful to give than to receive.  As you give yourself away...your joy will be full.

And finally…you are going to be a part of FRUIT.  The Bible tells us as Christians we are to bear fruit.  By fruit, it means helping other people come to Christ.  And boy did you pick a great place to bear fruit.

Did you know that 85% of people who come to Christ do so before the age of 18.  I believe the heart of a child is the most fertile soil in which to plant the Word of God.  Studies show children learn more in their early years than at any other time in life.

You’re going to see spiritual fruit. You’re going to see kids step across the line of faith and become lifelong followers of Christ.  You’re going to see kids immediately grab hold of what you share and begin to live it out.

And not only will you see the fruit now…but later as well as your ministry continues to bear fruit in their lives as they grow up.

So get ready to experience family…fun...your faith growing…a focus that matters…fullness of joy…and lots of fruit.

We're ready for you to jump in and try serving today.
Let's partner together to make a difference,
Pastor Tiffany



(Thank you Dale--you're an inspiration to me!)

MAY SERIES IN THE GREENHOUSE

Follow us on Facebook and check out our blog! www.thegreenhouseparents.blogspot.com

May Series: REAL.ationships

May 5: Neighbors are friendly.

Abraham, Sarah & Visitors: Genesis 18:1-14 & 21:1-3

Ask: How can we be a better friend today?

Activity: Go to the park or store and say hi to others.

May 12: Neighbors are giving.

The Widow at Zarephath: 1 Kings 17:7-16

Ask: How are we going to bless someone today?

Activity: Give a local hero a special treat with card.

May 19: Neighbors are forgiving.

Jesus & Zacchaeus: Luke 19:1-10

Ask: Who do we need to forgive today?

Activity: Pray for that person.

May 26: Neighbors are welcoming.

Peter & Cornelius: Acts 10:1-43

                Ask: How can we accept others today?

                Activity: Draw a picture or write a letter to someone who is different from you.

50 Things Kids Won't Do Because of Technology

1. Call theaters to get movie times.
2. Visit a travel agent's office.
3. Record programs using a VCR.
4. Dial 411 to find out someone's number.
5. Use public phones.
6. Book tickets for events over the phone.
7. Print photographs.
8. Put a classified ad in a store window.
9. Call the 24 hour operator to get the exact time.
10. Carry portable cassette or CD players.
11. Handwritten letters.
12. Disposable cameras.
13. Change for pay phones.
14. Make mix tapes.
15. Pay bills at the post office.
16. Use an address book.
17. Check a map before going on a trip or vacation.
18. Use a payphone to make a collect call.
19. Go into the bank to conduct business.
20. Buy TV listings.
21. Own an encyclopedia.
22. Renew car registration by going to the DMV.
23. Develop and send off film for photographs.
24. Read a hard copy of the Yellow Pages.
25. Look something up in a dictionary.
26. Remember phone numbers.
27. Watch movies on VCR or DVD.
28. Have pen pals by writing letters.
29. Use a telephone book.
30. Use pagers.
31. Fax documents.
32. By CD's or have a CD collection.
33. Pay by paper check.
34. Make a photo album.
35. Watch TV shows at the time they are shown.
36. Warm drinks on the stove.
37. Dial *69 to find out who called you last.
38. Try on shoes at the mall.
39. Hand wash clothes.
40. Advertise in newspapers.
41. Send love letters.
42. Hand-write essays and school work.
43. Buy flowers from a florist.
44. Use a dictionary to find out how to spell something.
45. Keep a personal diary.
46. Send post cards.
47. Buy newspapers.
48. Hang laundry out to dry on a clothesline.
49. Keep printed bills or bank statements.
50. Visit yard sales and flea markets.

*List proved by OnePoll surveys.
*By Dale Hudson Blog

10 Simple Ways to Slow Down and Make Your Child's Day

10 Simple Ways to Slow Down & Make Your Child’s Day

December 23, 2011 by Jamie Reimer 49 Comments

Today’s post is written and shared by Joyce of Childhood Beckons.10 wonderful ways to slow down and savor the moments with your kids!We all need to take time to do these!

---

Life can be hectic and busy.
Parenting can sometimes seem to compound that problem.
And then there’s the holidays.
It’s very easy to get caught up in your to-do list. Or at least, it is for me. We are always having to run here or there, finish this, clean that. Sometimes I find myself saying “no” when I should be saying “yes!”
Today, I wanted to share a few ideas on making time to slow down and have fun.

I try to allow time to have fun, but sometimes we really don’t have the time to jump over every crack.
When we’ve had an especially hurried few days I like to plan one day to be a preschoolers paradise. We still do what needs to be done, but I take extra care in the planning and make it my mission to say yes. I try to view the entire day through the eyes of my preschooler.
Five things we do while running errands:

1. We jump over the cracks! Both of us, it’s more fun that way.
2. He pushes all the buttons! Elevators, debit card machines, coke machines.
3. We stop at the grocery store with the carousel even if we don’t have shopping to do. It’s sacrificing five minutes time for some smiles and giggles. Well worth it.
4. We take the time to stop and watch that trail of ants, find the perfect rock, or read every sign we see. This is something we try to do everyday, but it can often get pushed to the side when we are in a hurry.
5. We have coin races in the Children’s Miracle Network donation bins. I bring a bag of change for this purpose. We watch the coins spin round and round. We declare victors.

Five ideas for the time spent at home:

1. Let them help make dinner. Let them pick dinner! Yes, it might be more work for you, but they’ll be thrilled to help. And you might get the added bonus of them eating better than usual.
2. Play that board game before you make the phone call. Most games don’t take that long to play and making your child a priority will make them feel extra special.
3. Read them one more book. Or three!
4. Is it going to make a mess? Help them make a mess! Let them help you clean it up. That can be almost as much fun as making the mess. No, really.
5. Plan an extra special bath. Instead of getting them out, add more warm water once the original water turns cold. My son looks forward to bath time, but by that time, I’m often looking forward to bed time. This is always a favorite!

All of these things combined makes for a very happy child. I usually get a lot of sweet comments at the end of one of these days. The truth is, I’m happier too. But you don’t have to do all of these things in one day like we do. Have you been feeling rushed? Set out to try a few things from this list, or come up with a few of your own. You’ll all be glad you did.

What can you do to slow down and make your child extra happy?

 

20 Special Needs Parenting Tips For Sticky Situations

2012/11/07 By Karen

As the mother of a child with special needs, I often find myself in sticky situations.  The solution is always to maintain a healthy sense of humor.
Here are 20 parenting lessons that my friends and I have learned the hard way – there’s a long story behind every one of these.
1. To remove cheese, butter and crayon marks from windows and mirrors, simply wipe with a paper towel or clean rag soaked in rubbing alcohol.
2. If a child has stamped permanent ink all over his face, put olive oil on a towel and wipe gently.  If the child refuses the wiping, it will take at least 5 days for the ink to wear off.
3. If you choose to wear expensive items such as a watch, you must accept the fact that it will end up flushed down your toilet.
4. If toilets are on sale at Home Depot, buy a few extra just in case.
5. For a pleasant IEP experience, e-mail a list of all of your concerns and questions to the team 2 weeks before the meeting.  Then show up at the meeting with a big smile, plus bagels and coffee for everyone.  Sit back and let the team sort through your list of concerns.  Take a bite of a bagel every time you feel the urge to say something impulsive.  But don’t eat all of the bagels.
6. If you want to kill the stares, puzzled looks and comments from strangers, make sure that your shirt and bag say in large letters, “ASK ME ABOUT DOWN SYNDROME,” “ASK ME ABOUT CEREBRAL PALSY” or “ASK ME ABOUT AUTISM.”  But be prepared in case someone actually does want to ask you.
7. Exciting new experiences stimulate speech.  So make today the day that you close the bathroom door and let your child spray an entire can of shaving cream on the counter.  Or fill the kiddie pool with bubble bath in the backyard.  Or camp out in the living room overnight.  Or use eye shadow for face painting.
8. If a child’s arm, leg or head gets stuck between bars on a playground, massage the area with olive oil and it will slip out easily.
9. If your child has an epic meltdown while out shopping, always ask the store manager for help.  You may get bumped to the front of the checkout line, have your bags carried out to the car for you or possibly be offered free paper towels from the destroyed store display.
10. Do not keep paper towels or toilet paper on a roller at home.
11. Always keep coffee locked up.  ALWAYS.
12. The first parent to say, “She’s not going to vomit,” is required to clean up the subsequent vomit and do all of the laundry for that day.
13. Keep an empty 32 ounce container with a lid in your car at all times – even for short trips in your neighborhood.  Bonus if you also carry an old towel and an extra pair of clean underpants in your child’s current size.
14. To stop bleeding in a fresh wound, use a maxi pad as a compress.  If the wounded person is a teenage boy, he will probably be more upset about the compress than the actual wound.
15. Band-aids do not speed up the healing process, but they do prevent your child from scratching compulsively at injuries.  If your child refuses band-aids, break out the gauze and explain that it’s a “pillow” to help the injured part rest.
16. Turn problems into opportunities.  Is your child wide awake at the crack of dawn?  It’s an opportunity to take a long walk, so enjoy the fresh air and exercise.  Too dark to take a walk?  It’s an opportunity to expand your prayer life at home.
17. Don’t buy a camera or cell phone unless it’s waterproof.
18. Popsicles, especially the homemade, all-natural type, leave permanent stains on walls and ceilings.  If you allow your child to wander the house while eating popsicles, you are giving your tacit consent to a Jackson Pollock style home decor.  Coordinate it with rainbow crayons mashed into the carpet.
19. When someone says that you are spoiling your child, the correct response is to smile and say, “Thank you!  That’s what we’ve been trying to do!”
20. Whatever it is, fix it with Gorilla Glue, duct tape, rubber bands, WD-40 and a kiss.  Then call it a day.

Kids Who Hit and How To Teach Them Not To

Kids Who Hit and How to Teach Them Not to

Posted by crystal Underwood

Rosie was recently going through a hitting stage.  I had tried time out as well as discussing with her why we do not hit our friends but it wasn't helping at all.  So, I turned to my readers and asked them for suggestions. The informational tips shared on the Growing A Jeweled Rose facebook page were so helpful I wanted to compile them here so that they could act as a resource for parents, teachers, and anyone else who might be battling the same problem with a kid who hits.

Take them from hitting to hugging with these helpful tips:

~  Several readers recommended the book, Hands Are Not for Hitting by Martine Agassi.  This book talks
    about all the fun things we can do with our hands and why using them for 
     hitting is never ok.  It is beautifully illustrated.  We ordered it soon after it was recommended to 
    me, and it has helped Rosie a lot.  Besides that, she really enjoys the book.

~  Another suggestion was to remove them from the situation and have them sit away from the group- once 

    little ones are pulled away from the source of their hitting and see that they are not 

    having fun like the other children, they often come to realize they made a bad choice.  Before allowing 

    them to go back and join the fun talk to them about hitting and encourage them to apologize.

~  When removing them from the situation doesn't work, you may need to abruptly end a play 

     date.  While I did not love this suggestion because play dates are for me just as much as Rosie, there 

    was one day where this became necessary.  Rosie had several warnings and was put in time out and still 

    went right back and hit her friend.  So, to show her that hitting would absolutely not be 

     tolerated, we left.  Just as readers suggested, it only took one time for Rosie to have to leave a play

   date before she learned that if she wants to play with her friends she has to be nice to them.  Since that 

   day, if I warn her about hitting and tell her we will leave if she does it again, she stops.  Cutting the play

   date short just that one time taught Rosie that mommy will follow through.  Great tip!

~  Be mindful of their triggers so that you might see the frustration that 

     leads to hitting and intervene before it happens.  Step in and try using positive dialogue to diffuse 

    the situation.  

     This helps let the child know that there are other ways of approaching the situation and reminds them to 

      use their words.  It also lets them know that you understand their feelings.  Sometimes knowing someone 

      understands is enough to calm those feelings down. Giving them another way to express their desire for 

      the toy shows them they do not have to hit to get what they want.  

~  Try to stay calm-  when an upset and angry child is met with an angry parent it typically makes 

    the child that much more upset.  Try to stay calm in order to help your child through the situation.  Most 

     of a child's hitting comes from a lack of knowing how to work through 

     their feelings.  Set a good example by showing them that even when you are upset you are able to 

    talk and behave rationally.  

~  Another thing mentioned was the use of positive examples that illustrate 

     what hands are for. This method both redirects the child and makes them want to use their 

    hands for fun things.  When you see your child hit another, go over and say:

   "No, we do not hit with our hands.  We want to use our hands for fun.  Hands are for clapping.  

    Hands are for waving.  Can you show me what other fun things you can do with your hands?"

What fun things are your hands used for?

This directs the child away from the trigger of the hitting and pulls them to a positive and happy place, all without them even realizing you are doing so.  

~  Use the times when your child is the victim of hitting as a teaching tool.  

    Your child is bound to get hit by his peers every once in a while.  The hitting stage is something

    that most children do go through after all.  Use those times when your child has been hit to teach him that 

    hitting is not ok.  Ask your child how they felt when they got hit.  Build their sympathy and 

    compassion.  When they say that it hurt or that they did not like it remind them that that is why we do

     not hit.  Then, the next time they hit a friend, remind them of that discussion. 

   "Remember when Scott hit you?  You didn't like it, did you?  Hitting hurts, and it is not ok.  It is not 

     ok for you to hit anyone, and it is not ok for anyone to hit you."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks so much to the readers who shared these tips with me!  All of these tips have been very helpful for Rosie!  She seems to be coming out of the hitting stage but still has days where some of these suggestions need to be implemented.  We still read the book often as well.  If you are struggling with a child who hits, I hope you find these tips and resources helpful.   

Do you have any other helpful tips to share on this topic?  I would love to hear how you helped your child learn not to hit.  Please do share your tips with us in the comments below.