Aren't early friendships wonderful? I know some of my earliest playmates were a couple of cousins, the daughter of one of my mom's closest friends, and the neighbor girl across the street. Now it seems little F is starting to realize the fun of playing alongside familiar faces. All this week I've been hearing "Yay J---", " See J---", and just the other toddler's name over and over again.
It's fun to see interest in people emerging.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Monday, January 19, 2015
My 2 year old's favorite books
In a couple weeks little F will be turning 2. Amazing to realize how old she's getting. She's a delight. Why, just yesterday we were at an open house to a 3 day hybrid school sitting waiting for thr presentation to begin.
F turned around in her seat to smile at the woman behind us.
"Hi!" She said. Then turning slightly she gestured toward me, "Mama," and turning to her other side she pointed "my dad". It made my day. Introduced by my two year old.
Besides seeing people F loves to listen while we read to her. Like many little ones she definitely has favorites. These in particular she has us read over and over.
More More More Said The Baby
by Vera B Williams
What a charming story. Or I ought to say three stories. Each follows the same pattern as a parent holds his or her child and interacts in ways the listener relates. The short story ends with the toddlers asking for more.
Hug
By Jez Approach
I originally bought it as an early reader for T but it was F who became attached. It's the story of a little chimp who sees various animals hugging their parents and goes looking for its own mom. I'm sure you can imagine the end.
Most Of All Jesus Loves You
By Noel Piper
It's bedtime and mom is tucking her children in bed. Mom reminds the child of how everyone loves them. It ends with the title phrase.
Kitten's First Full Moon
Kitten's adventures as she attempts to get a bowl of milk she sees in the sky and a pond.
F turned around in her seat to smile at the woman behind us.
"Hi!" She said. Then turning slightly she gestured toward me, "Mama," and turning to her other side she pointed "my dad". It made my day. Introduced by my two year old.
Besides seeing people F loves to listen while we read to her. Like many little ones she definitely has favorites. These in particular she has us read over and over.
More More More Said The Baby
by Vera B Williams
What a charming story. Or I ought to say three stories. Each follows the same pattern as a parent holds his or her child and interacts in ways the listener relates. The short story ends with the toddlers asking for more.
Hug
By Jez Approach
I originally bought it as an early reader for T but it was F who became attached. It's the story of a little chimp who sees various animals hugging their parents and goes looking for its own mom. I'm sure you can imagine the end.
Most Of All Jesus Loves You
By Noel Piper
It's bedtime and mom is tucking her children in bed. Mom reminds the child of how everyone loves them. It ends with the title phrase.
Kitten's First Full Moon
Kitten's adventures as she attempts to get a bowl of milk she sees in the sky and a pond.
Monday, December 8, 2014
Anticipation: Recovering the Wonder of Advent Part 3: Slow Down the Season
So far in my quest to build anticipation I've mused on modeling and not mis-using Santa and such. Today I'm going to share my thoughts on not overlooking the season. After all, I want to build anticipation. If my family's schedules are overbooked where does that leave us by December 25th? Exhausted? Focused on social instead of the one who came to redeem a kingdom?
Slow It Down! Way down. If I start the season slowly instead of with a bang things won't seem as hurried. If I gradually build steam like I'm using this month to prepare the season may not feel as harried. Building anticipation slowly and gradually may just be a piece of the puzzle needed a more relaxed relaxed Christ centered season.
Here are ways in which I'm trying to slowly build steam this season.
1-Spread out the decorating throughout the season. This year I'm not decorating all at once. Christmas then isn't thrust upon us suddenly. Keep things subdued initially with a feeling of growing delight and anticipation.
Excitement builds gradually as the decorations increase steadily.
2- Talk about any symbolism and pray. As you decorate or admire the decorations casually offer brief prayers of thanksgiving, penetance, adoration to the one who is the "reason for the season". Explain the story of Benedict. Talk about greenery. I learned that in some traditions the wreath on the front door appeared on December 24th as did the tree.
Have an advent wreath. Use an advent calendar and reading schedule. Reference your readings throughout the day. You could even change colors for a few decorations to reflect the change between advent and Christmas. This year T has a mini "advent tree". The ornaments are blue and purple for now but on December 24 will change to white. And seriously though I don't intend to teach him "happy birthday Jesus" as I think it belittles the real meaning of the day. It may sound like an easy way to explain the purpose of Christmas but the incarnation is so much more.
3- Social
Jesus came to redeem his people- plural- so celebrate with others. I think there's a real balance that has to be struck though. I don't want to over schedule my family. That means I may goto a select handful of events but not everything. Something else is time with extended family, especially December 25 & 24. They're important. Is Christmas about family though? If I'm overwhelming my kids that hardly makes it a celebration of Christ's love. If I prioritize family time over church I'm also sending a strong message to my kids. You see, Jesus really is the reason for the season. I can tack Bible reading on to my Christmas morning or I can make worshipping Him the priority and tack everything else on to show He's the one we are celebrating. A few years back Christmas landed on Sunday. S and I had such a hard time finding a service open Christmas morning! Sadly after all that effort we ended up giving in to pressure from his family and attended a Saturday evening service instead. This was wrong. We set the wrong tone and the wrong example for our little T. Im just glad he was only a toddler then! Jesus came to redeem his people. Those people are called to be God's children. We're part of the family of God! How better then to make time on Christmas day than to worship God incarnate with brothers and sisters in Christ? What joy to which we can anticipate! The now and the yet to come, when thanks to this miraculous birth we can anticipate celebrating with all our family in the celestrial city. What am I saying? I think I need to search out a Christmas Day service, even on a weekday, if there still is such a thing.
4- Choose My Music Carefully
This may or may not sound silly. But I recommend choosing which songs you sing in the weeks leading up to Christmas around hope and expectation rather than fulfillment. December 24 things can change. Save singing Silent Night for December 24th and on and for now sing O Come O Come Emmanuel. Wait to sing Hark the Herald Angels sing on Christmas, for now singing Hark The Glad Sound. Waiting to sing While Shepherds Watched learn to sing From The Squalor Of A Borrowed Stable for now. For a place to begin learning advent songs check out lists here or look in a hymnal's advent section. Ideas include
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent
Come Long Expected Jesus
Lift Up Your Heads
The Mighty God The Lord
Rejoice All You Believers
Christ Is Coming
When He Cometh
O Lord How Shall I Meet You
Savior Of The Nations Come
Hark The Glad Sound
Check out this link for contemporary
http://www.worshipindepth.com/the-latest/15-advent-songs-your-church-could-be-singing
Then the evening of the 24th burst out in Hark The Herald Angels and others. You'll have a couple more weeks to enjoy them (& not grow tired of them).
Slow It Down! Way down. If I start the season slowly instead of with a bang things won't seem as hurried. If I gradually build steam like I'm using this month to prepare the season may not feel as harried. Building anticipation slowly and gradually may just be a piece of the puzzle needed a more relaxed relaxed Christ centered season.
Here are ways in which I'm trying to slowly build steam this season.
1-Spread out the decorating throughout the season. This year I'm not decorating all at once. Christmas then isn't thrust upon us suddenly. Keep things subdued initially with a feeling of growing delight and anticipation.
Excitement builds gradually as the decorations increase steadily.
2- Talk about any symbolism and pray. As you decorate or admire the decorations casually offer brief prayers of thanksgiving, penetance, adoration to the one who is the "reason for the season". Explain the story of Benedict. Talk about greenery. I learned that in some traditions the wreath on the front door appeared on December 24th as did the tree.
Have an advent wreath. Use an advent calendar and reading schedule. Reference your readings throughout the day. You could even change colors for a few decorations to reflect the change between advent and Christmas. This year T has a mini "advent tree". The ornaments are blue and purple for now but on December 24 will change to white. And seriously though I don't intend to teach him "happy birthday Jesus" as I think it belittles the real meaning of the day. It may sound like an easy way to explain the purpose of Christmas but the incarnation is so much more.
3- Social
Jesus came to redeem his people- plural- so celebrate with others. I think there's a real balance that has to be struck though. I don't want to over schedule my family. That means I may goto a select handful of events but not everything. Something else is time with extended family, especially December 25 & 24. They're important. Is Christmas about family though? If I'm overwhelming my kids that hardly makes it a celebration of Christ's love. If I prioritize family time over church I'm also sending a strong message to my kids. You see, Jesus really is the reason for the season. I can tack Bible reading on to my Christmas morning or I can make worshipping Him the priority and tack everything else on to show He's the one we are celebrating. A few years back Christmas landed on Sunday. S and I had such a hard time finding a service open Christmas morning! Sadly after all that effort we ended up giving in to pressure from his family and attended a Saturday evening service instead. This was wrong. We set the wrong tone and the wrong example for our little T. Im just glad he was only a toddler then! Jesus came to redeem his people. Those people are called to be God's children. We're part of the family of God! How better then to make time on Christmas day than to worship God incarnate with brothers and sisters in Christ? What joy to which we can anticipate! The now and the yet to come, when thanks to this miraculous birth we can anticipate celebrating with all our family in the celestrial city. What am I saying? I think I need to search out a Christmas Day service, even on a weekday, if there still is such a thing.
4- Choose My Music Carefully
This may or may not sound silly. But I recommend choosing which songs you sing in the weeks leading up to Christmas around hope and expectation rather than fulfillment. December 24 things can change. Save singing Silent Night for December 24th and on and for now sing O Come O Come Emmanuel. Wait to sing Hark the Herald Angels sing on Christmas, for now singing Hark The Glad Sound. Waiting to sing While Shepherds Watched learn to sing From The Squalor Of A Borrowed Stable for now. For a place to begin learning advent songs check out lists here or look in a hymnal's advent section. Ideas include
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent
Come Long Expected Jesus
Lift Up Your Heads
The Mighty God The Lord
Rejoice All You Believers
Christ Is Coming
When He Cometh
O Lord How Shall I Meet You
Savior Of The Nations Come
Hark The Glad Sound
Check out this link for contemporary
http://www.worshipindepth.com/the-latest/15-advent-songs-your-church-could-be-singing
Then the evening of the 24th burst out in Hark The Herald Angels and others. You'll have a couple more weeks to enjoy them (& not grow tired of them).
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Anticipation: Recovering the Wonder of Advent Part 2: Grace Not Guilt
Leave Off Behavior Focused Holidays!
You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town.
The elf on the shelf watches. Santa is making a list so you better behave. If you don't behave or if you're too selfish you might not get...The holidays are full of empty silly threats.
I've started wondering if the constant use of these shift the heart's focus off the redeeming substitutionary work of Jesus. Why? Whether simply for fun or at times a useful alternative to counting the child is subtly given the message good gifts are earned.
Should the message of Christmas be "be good so you can get something"? Is that why He came? I want to teach T & F Jesus came because they aren't good, he is. I want them to learn we do good from a changed heart, not from a bribe. Isn't it encouraging greed? Isn't "best behavior" then about self-centeredness rather than selflessness?
Such constant reminders- verbal and visual- may just give the season a human-centered tone rather than God-centered. Just think with me a moment. Think of the examples I opened this section with and contrast it to Jesus. We can do nothing to earn the ultimate gift.
Now I'm not saying it's bad to hang Christmas stockings. We do. But Santa is treated as a fairy tale on par with Hansel And Gretel. It was when i was a child too. Stockings were hung by the chimney with care. We left cookies out for Santa knowing full well he was really our parents. And it was fun! Grandma gave us books like Santa Are You For Real and VHS movies about Saint Nicholas alongside Cajun Night Before Christmas and a beautiful pop up Night Before Christmas. Santa, or rather Saint Nick, inspired us. When were children my sister and I used to fill each other's secretly in the spirit of the original Santa, Bishop Nicholas. It's not a bad thing in and of itself. Just playing the "he's watching" game, I believe, builds the wrong sort of anticipation.
If we want our kids to understand gifts aren't merited by our behavior then lay off the empty threats. When my child struggles at Christmas I need to do what I should year round. Discuss the glorious character of God and the nature of his grace. Bring them back to the gospel.
You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town.
The elf on the shelf watches. Santa is making a list so you better behave. If you don't behave or if you're too selfish you might not get...The holidays are full of empty silly threats.
I've started wondering if the constant use of these shift the heart's focus off the redeeming substitutionary work of Jesus. Why? Whether simply for fun or at times a useful alternative to counting the child is subtly given the message good gifts are earned.
Should the message of Christmas be "be good so you can get something"? Is that why He came? I want to teach T & F Jesus came because they aren't good, he is. I want them to learn we do good from a changed heart, not from a bribe. Isn't it encouraging greed? Isn't "best behavior" then about self-centeredness rather than selflessness?
Such constant reminders- verbal and visual- may just give the season a human-centered tone rather than God-centered. Just think with me a moment. Think of the examples I opened this section with and contrast it to Jesus. We can do nothing to earn the ultimate gift.
Now I'm not saying it's bad to hang Christmas stockings. We do. But Santa is treated as a fairy tale on par with Hansel And Gretel. It was when i was a child too. Stockings were hung by the chimney with care. We left cookies out for Santa knowing full well he was really our parents. And it was fun! Grandma gave us books like Santa Are You For Real and VHS movies about Saint Nicholas alongside Cajun Night Before Christmas and a beautiful pop up Night Before Christmas. Santa, or rather Saint Nick, inspired us. When were children my sister and I used to fill each other's secretly in the spirit of the original Santa, Bishop Nicholas. It's not a bad thing in and of itself. Just playing the "he's watching" game, I believe, builds the wrong sort of anticipation.
If we want our kids to understand gifts aren't merited by our behavior then lay off the empty threats. When my child struggles at Christmas I need to do what I should year round. Discuss the glorious character of God and the nature of his grace. Bring them back to the gospel.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Anticipation: Recovering the Wonder of Advent- Part 1 Model It
"Put Christ in CHRISTMAS"
Every year as fall winds down and December begins I hear and see this statement. Generally what's meant is don't remove the references to Jesus from decorations, cards, and songs. Let me put my nativity up for display without criticism (as a side note these are actually debated in the Christian world in light of the implications of the second commandment). Throughout our holiday -BTW as holiday means holy day I have no qualms using the term- is the message we send our children really that Jesus is the center of Christmas? Or that people are? How can I as a parent change it?
And I mean I. I am parenting two precious little people T and F. How can I turn their focus first and foremost to Christ? How can I focus on Him so that His character and His deeds are wondered at, appreciated, and anticipated? How can I reference him to T & F so the Christmas story doesn't ring hollow? How do I not just tack Him on as an addendum? I have a few ideas to try. Over the coming days I'll be making a series of posts on building anticipation.
1- Model It!
This is where everything begins, isn't it? After all "Actions speak louder than words!" rings especially true in parenting. To get the "reason for the season" across to my kids I need to model expectation, anticipation, and wonder. Historically Christians have celebrated a season of four weeks leading up to the beginning of Christmas as not Christmas but Advent. In thinking, it was sort of similar to lent (just look up liturgical colors). It has historically been a time of longing and anticipation as you remembered the Old Testament promises and considered them in light of waiting for the second and final advent. It was a time of self examination. The dual undertone of advent - both first and second coming- makes it a time to remember both a threat (the consequences of the fall) and a promise (the earth groans but will be made right. Jesus made this happen and will complete His work. He came to redeem the world. He "banished sin and sadness" and will one day eradicate it in the new world).
Thus advent is a season of prayer. So pray! Even if it seems awkward. Remember that praying constantly doesn't mean you're under pressure to say the right words. Pray about sin. Pray about God's promises. Pray about the anticipation of a savior. Pray about longings and dreads of the second coming. Feel free to drop little prayers in addition to long focused ones constantly. If you need help here, pick up a good book like "If God Already Knows Why Pray" by Douglas Kelly, "Pray With Your Eyes Open" by Richard Pratt, or "The Lord's Prayer" by Sproul. For your kids grab a copy of "The Barber Who Wanted To Pray".
Meditate. Follow the advent calendar with your family. I'm not talking just Christmas countdown. I'm talking wrestling with the promises of God. In your own life this could be reading over the promises. It could be focusing on one of the themes from the advent wreath in your daily devotions.
Week 1 read passages on hope. Focus on why we need hope, the hope in God found in the Old Testament, and halfway through the week shift to the hope found in the New. I mean beyond the gospels. Or read a book on Christian hope.
Week 2 is Preparation or Peace. Think about the God of peace and all its implications. Think over the Prince of Peace. Meditate on the how sin has left the world and your life in anything but peace and how OT promised the Emmanuel who'd bring peace between God and man. Consider how one day there will be forever peace in the new creation after the second coming. Read a book on peace.
Week 3 of advent is a bit like midway through lent. The focus is on joy. "He has turned mourning into gladness." Consider the joy of fearing God, the joy of Christ, the joy that filled OT followers as they hoped and longed for their savior, the joy of following our savior and anticipation of actually being with Him ourselves thanks to His redeeming work. Read a book on joy.
Finally, week 4 the focus of advent is on love. Read passages in both testament on the love of God. Saturate yourself in realizing His character. Realizing the love he had to be Emmanuel, and your lack of love. Dwell on how a heart changed and redeems can love because he first loved. Or read a book on the deep, deep love of Jesus! Vast, undesired, boundless, free.
My favorite book for advent personally is On The Incarnation.
Read Part 2: Grace Not Moralism
http://weewonderings.blogspot.com/2014/12/anticipation-recovering-wonder-of.html?m=1
Every year as fall winds down and December begins I hear and see this statement. Generally what's meant is don't remove the references to Jesus from decorations, cards, and songs. Let me put my nativity up for display without criticism (as a side note these are actually debated in the Christian world in light of the implications of the second commandment). Throughout our holiday -BTW as holiday means holy day I have no qualms using the term- is the message we send our children really that Jesus is the center of Christmas? Or that people are? How can I as a parent change it?
And I mean I. I am parenting two precious little people T and F. How can I turn their focus first and foremost to Christ? How can I focus on Him so that His character and His deeds are wondered at, appreciated, and anticipated? How can I reference him to T & F so the Christmas story doesn't ring hollow? How do I not just tack Him on as an addendum? I have a few ideas to try. Over the coming days I'll be making a series of posts on building anticipation.
1- Model It!
This is where everything begins, isn't it? After all "Actions speak louder than words!" rings especially true in parenting. To get the "reason for the season" across to my kids I need to model expectation, anticipation, and wonder. Historically Christians have celebrated a season of four weeks leading up to the beginning of Christmas as not Christmas but Advent. In thinking, it was sort of similar to lent (just look up liturgical colors). It has historically been a time of longing and anticipation as you remembered the Old Testament promises and considered them in light of waiting for the second and final advent. It was a time of self examination. The dual undertone of advent - both first and second coming- makes it a time to remember both a threat (the consequences of the fall) and a promise (the earth groans but will be made right. Jesus made this happen and will complete His work. He came to redeem the world. He "banished sin and sadness" and will one day eradicate it in the new world).
Thus advent is a season of prayer. So pray! Even if it seems awkward. Remember that praying constantly doesn't mean you're under pressure to say the right words. Pray about sin. Pray about God's promises. Pray about the anticipation of a savior. Pray about longings and dreads of the second coming. Feel free to drop little prayers in addition to long focused ones constantly. If you need help here, pick up a good book like "If God Already Knows Why Pray" by Douglas Kelly, "Pray With Your Eyes Open" by Richard Pratt, or "The Lord's Prayer" by Sproul. For your kids grab a copy of "The Barber Who Wanted To Pray".
Meditate. Follow the advent calendar with your family. I'm not talking just Christmas countdown. I'm talking wrestling with the promises of God. In your own life this could be reading over the promises. It could be focusing on one of the themes from the advent wreath in your daily devotions.
Week 1 read passages on hope. Focus on why we need hope, the hope in God found in the Old Testament, and halfway through the week shift to the hope found in the New. I mean beyond the gospels. Or read a book on Christian hope.
Week 2 is Preparation or Peace. Think about the God of peace and all its implications. Think over the Prince of Peace. Meditate on the how sin has left the world and your life in anything but peace and how OT promised the Emmanuel who'd bring peace between God and man. Consider how one day there will be forever peace in the new creation after the second coming. Read a book on peace.
Week 3 of advent is a bit like midway through lent. The focus is on joy. "He has turned mourning into gladness." Consider the joy of fearing God, the joy of Christ, the joy that filled OT followers as they hoped and longed for their savior, the joy of following our savior and anticipation of actually being with Him ourselves thanks to His redeeming work. Read a book on joy.
Finally, week 4 the focus of advent is on love. Read passages in both testament on the love of God. Saturate yourself in realizing His character. Realizing the love he had to be Emmanuel, and your lack of love. Dwell on how a heart changed and redeems can love because he first loved. Or read a book on the deep, deep love of Jesus! Vast, undesired, boundless, free.
My favorite book for advent personally is On The Incarnation.
Read Part 2: Grace Not Moralism
http://weewonderings.blogspot.com/2014/12/anticipation-recovering-wonder-of.html?m=1
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