Busy, Busy...Church Busy Bag (Quiet Bag)

Back again with another Busy Bag.  This bag has been inspired to occupy my girls who just graduated out of the 2's & 3's class at church.  So it could also be considered a quiet bag, to help them through our church service.  All items were purchased, rather than made.

Found a fun magnetic doll, just the right size for this little bag.
Dry erase crayons and a wipe off book from the dollar store. 
A magnetic board adds another drawing option.
For good measure I threw in a pen, which is a treat for my girls, and some scribble paper (can also be folded in endless ways).

Some lacing cards and a bit of a change.  Thread them in lots of fun ways.

These cute Bible cards came in 3 packs at the Dollar store.
And make popsicle stick puzzles is so easy and fun.  I just scour magaizes for colorful pictures and glue them to the sticks, then cut once dry.

Get creative and add things your kids will love and that will keep them busy, but QUIET!

Being Real As a Person

So, my blog is entitled "Being Real as a Mom", but today I have a more personal focus, "Being Real As a Person".

I left Bible Study this morning, and decided to grab some McDonald's on the way.  It's a "treat" for my girls to get their fries.  As I had finished ordering, I had a recollection of people doing Random Acts of Kindness, and paying for people's orders behind them in line.  I have never done this particular type of "Random Act", but thought I would today.  (I am not sharing this to boast; please, read on.)

As I left McDonald's a ton of things flooded me.  Here's the real me, the sinful me (all in my head/heart):

• "Come on, look back in the rear view to see the guy's reaction."
• "I wonder if he'll try to follow me to thank me."
• "I hope that God will return the blessing by giving our van a clean inspection tomorrow."
• "Should I call my hubby, and tell him what I did?"

Ok, so there it is, the shameful truth of my mind and my heart.  The interesting thing though is that this scripture came to mind, and interceded:

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, 

as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, 

to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received 

their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, 

do not let your left hand know what your right hand 

is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, 

who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."  ~ Matthew 6:2-4

 I don't expect reward, in retrospect, but our gracious Father is faithful to give it in this:  He gives me a fresh perspective, forgiveness, knowledge, and a fortified armor, and the hope that I can do better next time.
What a personal reminder, given that it is Easter week!  Thank you Jesus!

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith

—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

—not by works, so that no one can boast.

~Ephesians 2:8-9

"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

through which the world has been crucified to me, 

and I to the world." ~Galatians 6:14

Simplify & Organize

I don't generally do things that require lots of time.  I just never seem to have large chunks of time with three young kids.  So quick and easy is my motto!

Was going crazy over the eight boxes of open cereal in my pantry today, and realized that many of them were open because I like to make a cereal mix on the mornings when we have to head out in a hurry.  I usually scoop handfuls of several varieties and put them in snack cups for on-the-go eating.

It dawned on me today, that I could just combine the varieties in one of my cereal storage containers, and when I'm in a hurry I can save even more time by just pouring some out rather than taking the effort to mix on a busy morning.  Here's a picture of my mix: Cheerios, Yogart O's, Fruit Loops, Quaker Oatmeal Squares.  I have been know to add in raisins, craisins, mini-marshmallows, chocolate chips, banana chips, etc.

I had also been wondering what to do with my empty Puff containers.  I decided to put my baby cereals in them.  They are so much easier to pour from and will stay fresher.

CREATING BUSY BAGS - EXPANDED

creating busy bags

Fun activities that we can do on the go, or when I need them to do something independently.  Great to keep in the car and have handy at restaurants and in waiting rooms.  Many of the Busy bag ideas can be purchased rather than made, if you don’t feel that crafty.  If you plan to buy, check the Dollar Store, Michael’s or AC Moore, Target or Walmart Dollar and Cheap sections.

Fishing - Make:

felt, washers sewn inside, magnetic tacks, and plastic tubes and ribbon make the rods.

Fishing - Buy:

This Set was $3 at Toys-R-US

Roads and Cars:

created roads using Microsoft Word shapes and clipart, and Toy cars we Already had.

Popsicle Stick Puzzles:

Dollar store Popsicle sticks, magazine cutouts, and glue.  (These are double sided!)

Use Larger Popsicle sticks (from Michael’s) to make them larger and easier.

                          

Velcro Stick to Build With:

Large Popsicle sticks From Michaels, Ollies had some too, and some adhesive Velcro. 

adhere Velcro to the ends on both sides.

Button Boards:

Cut a piece of cardboard, find a piece of fabric, sew large buttons on, and then glue or sew fabric around the cardboard.

Tie some yarn around one button, and then let kids wrap the yarn around.  Endless paths it can take.

If you want, cut some felt squares, and cut a button hole.  Teaches kids how to do buttons.

Other Fun Activites:

Magnetic People/Faces – Found at Michaels

Sticker – Dress-up Dolls – Found at Michaels

Bubble Wrap – who doesn’t love to pop bubbles

Crayons and coloring pages or mini books – dollar store

Mini Lego Kits – Usually see these at Target

Mini Building blocks – Dollar stores

Magna Doodles – Cheap version at Dollar stores