Simply Jaimie

prep: clips of different sounds listening ear headbands treats song prayer scripture: James 1:19 - Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: activity: have the kids put on their "listening ears" (link to the printable down below) and have them see if they can guess the different sounds. I played 10 sound clips from my computer (5 seconds long) chickens, car horn, cuckoo clock, glass breaking, page turning, phone ringing, video game etc. I tried to find more difficult sounds for my older child and easier sounds for my middle child.  We talked about how we were able to guess the sounds because we were listening. We weren't distracted with other things like toys or books. We were giving the activity our full attention. lesson: I read a story from the book, Devotions for Girls (ages 2-5,) called Listen to Me! We then used the discussion questions to talk about the importance of lis...

Yesterday, I wrote about how we display our book (click here to read that post.) Today I want to share with you our ten favorite books  #1. Thelma the Unicorn by Aaron Blabey. This is my favorite book to read to the kids. It is a story about a horse that dreams of becoming a unicorn. She thought her life would be great and glamorous; however, the rich and famous life isn't as great as she thought it would be. She realizes what is really important in life.   This book is funny and sweet with a great message for kids about being happy being themselves. #2. Pig the Winner by Aaron Blabey Yes, another Aaron Blabey book! His books are so funny and the illustrations are so perfect. The facial expressions that he gives his characters in the book are hilarious. My kids always try to recreate them. This book is about a pug named pig, and he will do anything to win - even cheat! He finds out that winning isn't everything (sorta.) ...

I LOVE children's books! I love reading the stories to the kids and looking at the beautiful illustrations. I always knew I wanted to display them with their covers showing; instead of the traditional way with the spines showing on a bookcase. After looking at a hundred different pins, I decided to go for the Ikea picture shelf which you can buy for about $10.  I didn't do anything fancy to determine the spacing between the shelves. I simply put the tallest book we own on the shelf (the same book for all the shelves,) and went up a couple inches and voila!  At the top, we have all our Fancy Nancy books because the kids don't reach for those very often. The next three shelves have hard covers, and the bottom shelf is full paperbacks (we pick those up from Hannah's school book fairs.)  I love the display, and appreciate that my kids don't pull them down just cause (I wish they felt the same way about their toy boxes!) I hope that gave ...

While Hannah is at school and Beck is (hopefully) taking a nap, Lilly Belle and I have some much needed one on one time. We spend it playing whatever she wants. I thought it would be fun to film us playing together. This way I can capture that cute little laugh she has, and the way she pronounces words. here are some of the videos

In early August, we started getting ready for back to school. One thing I was really excited about was school lunch! I had seen so many cute ideas about all the cool food you could pack for your child. From make your own lunchables to tuna bagels. There were pictures of how to send leftovers (which looked better than any dinner I have ever made,)  and tons of fruits, veggies and snacks. One lady even posts her child's lunchbox menu on the fridge. Everyday that lucky kid was taking something new and delicious to school.  This was my goal. I wanted to be that Mum - the only thing standing in my way was my very picky (creature of habit) six year old. I showed her all these cool ideas and her response every time was, "That's OK Mum, I just want a ham sandwich and grapes."  Really!? But we have made it work by adding some fun touches, like the sandwich cutters and the fruit picker.  Under each pic will be Hannah's list of things she will eat. Overtime, I...

I knew the shift from afternoon kindergarten to all day school would be an adjustment for Hannah. I didn't realize, however, just how big an adjustment it would be for ME! We are a family that doesn't move very fast in the morning. We enjoy sleeping in and then casually going about our day. There are no routines. . . . . or there use to be none.  On the first day of school, I had boldly set my alarm for 6:30am. This would (in theory) give me half an hour to get ready before having to wake Hannah up at 7. Yeah, I hit snooze again and again, so much so that by the time I finally gave it and got up it was already 7am. I, like a zombie, headed to the kitchen and made Hannah a pancake breakfast which she barely touched. Instead, she decided to head to the couch and cover herself in a blanket. A part of me just wanted to leave her there all bundled up; but instead I helped her pack her lunch and get dressed. Moving as slow as we were inevitably time got a little away fro...

"The most important work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own home." - President Harold B. Lee With the hustle and bustle of day to day life, it can sometimes be hard to feel the spirit. My house often becomes a dumping ground for mail, shoes, and an endless array of toys. My sweet little two year old  leaves a trial of cars all around the house. I can only laugh when I find them next to my bed, in the bathroom, or in the pantry (I have usually found them because I have stepped on them.) I love my boy! As we juggle cleaning the house, running errands and getting kids to and from school, we can forget to simply stop and take a breath. Usually I have found that it is in these quiet moments that I feel the spirit more pronounced. We need his companionship with us always. "Strong eternal families and spirit filled homes don't just happen. They take great effort." - Cheryl A. Esplin here are some helpful tips that have been wor...