Author: onceadayamazing

Silent Night

Silent Night

onceadayamazing

Silent Night

Bedtime songs on Christmas Eve,
I hardly see him in the light-
My little boy who fell asleep
As I was singing “Silent Night.”
My thoughts go to another place,
Another night, another bed,
Another boy whose mother watched
As He laid down His little head.
He soon would know His Father’s voice
And He would feel the angel’s hands.
But as a boy, I think it was
His mother’s voice He’d understand.
I can see them by a fire,
Reading scripture, learning prayer.
As He grew in grace and truth,
I imagine Mary there.
Spirit-led, she taught her son
With faith so bright and words so mild.
He learned his mission at her knee,
As she nurtured God’s own child.
I still forget my little one
Has also walked on clouds above.
And, trailing glory, looks to me
To show him all his Father’s love.
God could thunder through the skies
And send His angels flying near
To spread His word in strength and power…
But that’s why He sent mothers here.
Like that mother long ago,
I’ll teach you truth and show the right.
So sleep my child in Heavenly peace
And know you’re loved this Silent Night.

Why? Because!

Why? Because!

onceadayamazing

5 minutes
Elementary and up
Paper and pens

This easy activity always brings giggles, especially right before bed when everything is silly.

Cut small papers that cut be seen through

Sit in a circle

On one side, each person writes any WHY question.
(Why is the sky blue? Why do Dad’s feet smell? Why do they say “Eh” in Canada?)

why-2-rotate

They turn over their paper and pass it to the next person.

That person writes any BECAUSE answer. It can answer the WHY they wrote, or be random.
(Because of global warming. Because someone let the dog out. Because sugar makes you hyper.)

why-because-rotate

Go around the circle and read the questions and their crazy, and sometimes very funny, answers.

 

 

Magazine Mash-up

Magazine Mash-up

onceadayamazing

20 minutes
Elementary and up

What do you get when Yoga Magazine meets Sports Illustrated…with the help of some scissors and creative kids? Magazine Mash-up! Have fun swapping heads and bodies in magazine pages or newspaper ads. This can be done in as little as 10 minutes, but mine spent at least 45 minutes laughing over this project!

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…I really lived

onceadayamazing

“I don’t want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.
I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone’s garden. I want to be there with children’s sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.”

― Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Body Builders

Body Builders

onceadayamazing

Whole Family
10 Minutes or Less
Paper and pens/markers

This is one of our favorite quick games that all ages can play together. As you can tell, any artsy-ness I have is with words and music, NOT with visual arts.

Sit in a circle

Draw a head on your paper, ending with the neck20170105_105346

Fold paper down, showing only the very end of the neck

Draw the torso and arms, ending with the waist 20170105_105541

Fold paper down, showing only the belt or end of  waist

Draw the hips and legs, minus feet

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Fold paper down, showing only the tips of the ankles

Draw the feet

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Fold paper down

Give them a name

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Toss papers in the middle and everyone take one

Go around the circle, unroll your creations, and have a good laugh!

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Up Kind of Day

Up Kind of Day

onceadayamazing

Need help getting your kids to help? Up Kind of Day was written as a companion for the Flylady’s organization system, especially for the kids at your house. This project was such a blessing to work on with my sisters Amy and Valerie, talented vocalists Eric and Andy Dodge, and some special guests. We were able to record it in Nashville for a professional recording session with some of the industries best studio musicians. Your family will be dancing around as they pick up toys, dust, and get rid of clutter. There are even songs for getting moving in the morning, and snuggling up at night.

You can order the digital download here.

“When Mommy’s Home with Me” Cover

“When Mommy’s Home with Me” Cover

onceadayamazing

It’s official! My first children’s book has been published by Cedar Fort Publishing and is set for release on March 14. Here’s the cover, illustrated by Kinsey Becket.

About a decade ago, I started a couple stanzas of this book. I am so grateful to be able to share the finished project in March 2017. It is about wonderful moms who give the best of themselves to their children. I’ll keep updates coming!

You can pre-order the book on Amazon now! Click here.

I Didn’t Know you Slept Below

I Didn’t Know you Slept Below

onceadayamazing

I didn’t know you slept below.

We came to visit like the rest,

Where headstones tell the history

Of those who didn’t make it west.

I said the stories; tried to tell

The little boys who climbed the stone

Of “blessed, honored pioneers,”

Not knowing I spoke of our own.

Did you listen from above,

Truly glad we finally came?

As I spewed history to my sons,

Did you listen for your name?

But we just threw a blanket down,

Played with the kids and had a snack.

We snapped a picture by your grave,

Your name emblazoned on the plaque,

Then drove away.  You stayed behind-

Your life given for my own.

Please forgive my tourist heart-

I didn’t know you slept below.

I wrote this poem after discovering that my ancestor died at Winter Quarters, Nebraska during the mass migration across the United States and was buried in a mass grave. A well-known sculpture now marks the burial site. I visited the site years ago with my husband and two sons, before I knew about my family history. I had no idea he slept below.

winter-quarters-statue
The statue that marks the mass grave where three of my ancestors are buried.
Stop, Redirect, Reinforce

Stop, Redirect, Reinforce

onceadayamazing

Hello, overreaction! I constantly find myself exhausted, in the middle of a battle, thinking that I never should have engaged. When I remember one of the most basic parenting strategies, I can usually avoid power struggle catastrophes that leave everyone unhappy and battle-sore.

It’s called STOP, REDIRECT, REINFORCE. This is ground-level strategy for babies and toddlers who don’t understand cause and effect consequences, but can also come in handy with older kids and teenagers. This is not for big misbehavior that seriously harms people, but works great for 90% of all run-of-the-mill, junkie kid behavior.

STOP the inappropriate behavior
REDIRECT the child to good behavior
REINFORCE the good behavior

It might look like this:
Your toddler is handling your newborn a bit aggressively
STOP “We need to be gentle.”
REDIRECT (show how to touch nicely) “Can you rub her feet like this?”
REINFORCE: (smile!) “Good job! She likes it!”

Your future little league champ is throwing rocks on the playground
STOP “No throwing rocks. That can hurt people.”
REDIRECT “Here’s your football. Toss it to me!”
REINFORCE “What a throw! That’s lots safer.”

Your teen is watching an inappropriate show
STOP (push pause) “Hey. I’m not feeling so great about that show in the house.”
REDIRECT “Let’s see what else is on.”
REINFORCE “Thanks, hon. Want some popcorn?”

It doesn’t always work, but you’d be surprised how often it does! Next time your littles are pulling the dogs tail, jumping on grandma’s couch, or sneaking cookies before dinner, try the STOP, REDIRECT, REINFORCE strategy. You may just get the behavior you want…and avoid going into battle.