HEART TO HEART NEWSLETTER
ENCOURAGEMENT TO WOMEN
http://heartfilledhome.blogspot.com
A categorized storehouse of information for you from past newsletters, plus another blog for recipes
Compiled especially for you with love by Lois Breneman   
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June, 2011 Fathers, Mothers, Miracle Blanket, Special Tips, Aluminum, Sponge-ability
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IN THIS ISSUE:                           
THE CHRISTIAN FATHER'S INFLUENCE ON HIS CHILDREN
FATHER'S DAY UNIFORM SHIRT
FUN KIDS' CRAFTS
 FUN SPRING CRAFT IDEAS
MOMENTS FOR MOM 
MOTHERHOOD IS MESSY.
MIRACLE BLANKET FOR INFANTS
KEY LIME PIE IN A CUP
SPECIAL TIPS AND TIDBITS
AVOIDING ALUMINUM IN OUR BODIES
USING THE "SPONGE-ABILITY" OF TODDLERS TO TEACH THEM SCRIPTURE VERSES 
SUCH A FUN ACTIVITY FOR KIDS - AT SO LITTLE A COST
PRECIOUS GEMS
                                  
  NOTE TO YOU 
         Although I try to get the newsletter sent by the first of each month,  it was impossible this time.  We arrived home from a vacation in  Missouri and a brief visit with family just yesterday, in time for me to  put the finishing touches on this newsletter today, in between  unpacking and laundry.  
        We thank the Lord for His protection as  we arrived for our first day of vacation about one hundred miles away  from Joplin on the very evening that deadly tornado hit.  How we pray  for those families in their devastation!  
        My husband and I were  able to see and hold our grandson, Andrew, once more, and enjoyed being  there again so soon after our last visit.  Andrew weighs about nine  pounds now and is doing great after a very rough start to his life!  He and his brother are absolutely adorable! ~ Daniel and Andrew's Grammie
THE CHRISTIAN FATHER'S INFLUENCE ON HIS CHILDREN
by Lois Breneman - 2011 - Heart to Heart
The    relationship a child has with his father greatly impacts his earliest    concept of God.  Whether the child's concept is positive or negative   depends heavily on the father's influence.  In the Bible fathers were   known to be the supreme  authoritative figures in their families.  With   just a word from the  fathers, they could determine the fate of their   offspring.  We see example of good godly fathers in the Bible, as well  as terrible examples.
Jesus must have known the tendency of  many fathers  to provoke their  children, frustrating them, even causing  them to lose  trust in their  daddies.  Mostly it begins with playful  fun, but can  sometimes go too far.  Tickling  is an example.  A child  might be  tickled to the point of desperation or  helplessness.  Even  toddlers  instinctively feel “tricked” when fathers provoke them to  the  point of  anger, whether is may be through tickling or another way.
Just  after Paul advises children in the  sixth chapter of Ephesians to  obey  their parents in the Lord because it  is right, he advises  fathers not  to provoke their children to wrath but  to bring them up in  the training  and admonition to the Lord.  Children  need to be able to  trust their  fathers in every aspect of life, just as a  child jumps  into his  father’s arms without any fear of being dropped.  This trust  needs to be  carried out in every aspect of the father/child  relationship.
Scripture also presents a tender side to  fatherhood.  Both Jacob and   David expressed and displayed deep sorrow  in the loss of their sons,   Joseph and Absalom in Genesis 37:33-35 and  II Samuel 13:35-39.
Both    Noah and Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, cared so much about   their  children that they followed God’s detailed direction in providing   escapes for  their children when danger was near (Genesis 7:5 and   Matthew 2;13-23).
Even   biblical  fathers made big mistakes.  Not one was perfect.  Eli did  not   discipline his sons and their extremely wayward actions were far  from  being in accordance to godly sons (I Samuel 2:12 and 3:13).  David   certainly did not  live an exemplary life before his children, sinning   greatly, nor did he spend enough time with  his children as recorded  in  II Samuel 12:13-14 and 24:10.
The  best earthly father is  one  who has a close fellowship with the Heavenly  Father through the  daily  reading of God’s Word where he can find His  unlimited wisdom and   instruction to live the life God wants him to live  (Ephesians  5:15-20).
God's Word teaches fathers the importance of making their children feel wanted (Psalm 127:3-5).  
They are told to instruct their children (Deut. 6:1-9; Prov. 4:1; and Prov. 6:20).
Fathers are instructed to train their children (Psalm 78:5-7; Prov. 22:6).
Fathers are told to correct their children (Prov. 13:24).
The  shelter and security given by the father should provide freedom for his  children to grow and develop.  Children need to be allowed to face  challenges and tasks that teach responsibility, rather than being so  overprotected.  
A   mother has an important part in fashioning a good father, by showing   love, acceptance, and treating him with respect, a vital need of all   men. By allowing and encouraging him to be the leader in the home, and   not taking that role herself, she shows respect for his authority,   rather than undermining it.  The wife's encouragement, reflective   interaction and supportive interest in her husband's role as the leader   of the home make all the difference in the world to him, helping to   build him up and make him a wonderful father, as well as a wonderful   husband.
FATHER'S DAY UNIFORM SHIRT
by Amanda Formaro - www.familycorner.com - Used by permission
We've    all seen the homemade shirt and tie cards that are made for dads  who    work in the office, but what about the dads that don't wear a tie to     work? If your dad works in the blue collar sector, then this adorable     uniform card is perfect for him!
 What You Need
 1 sheet of blue construction paper
 dark blue marker
 scissors
 glue stick
 3 buttons
 white craft glue
 What you do
 Roll blue construction paper so that each end touches each other, then crease to fold. This will create the shirt. 
 Cut a piece of white construction paper to fit inside the blue shirt, just enough to cover the back panel. Glue in place. 
 Fold down the corners of each blue flap to create the color (see photo). 
  Draw a rectangular pocket on the right side flap with pencil, then      outline with blue marker. Use scissors to cut the top of the pocket      open. 
 From the remaining white construction paper, cut a piece small enough to slide into the pocket and write "#1 DAD" on it. 
Daily Fun 
Dog Card
 Make a dog shaped dog for a dog lover. Paper Flowers (School-age)
 Follow the pictures to fold paper and create a unique flower. 
When  I think of Spring I think of butterflies, caterpillars,  flowers, pin  wheels, rainbows, fresh fruit and veggies coming soon,   and pretty much  anything with color.  Speaking of caterpillars Garrett  and Lexi have 4  pet caterpillars that they caught and named.  One has  even made a  small cocoon.  They tell me it will be a moth and are a  little  disappointed.  It is SO neat to see God’s hand of creation  everywhere  we look!!!
Here are some fun things you can do to make your Spring a little more Springy.
Shown  on Valerie's blog: Fruit rainbow (This was included in Heart to Heart  before, but this picture shows the whole beautiful story), butterfly  snack, flowers to display and flowers to eat, pinwheels, Cheerio  rainbow, cupcakes and butterfly note cards.
MOMENTS FOR MOM 
by Elisabeth K. Corcoran - June 2011 - www.elisabethcorcoran.com - Used by permission
 
My   daughter came home with her freshman course schedule this week.  I   almost fainted.  I am in complete and utter denial that Sara is going   into high school.  My son likes to point out that she’ll be able to get   her driver’s permit this year.  He does that to watch me either tear up or freak out, depending on my mood.
I do not have young children anymore.  And there are days when I barely even remember what having young children feels like.  
So I’ve got one concept for you today.  Cherish.  Soak in.  Remember.  Be intentional.    And I say all these things knowing that I’m sure someone said them to   me.  Knowing that I didn’t always succeed in doing them.  But my hope  is  that you listen more carefully than I did.
It   is more than a cliché that time flies.  I remember enough about the   little kid years to remember that I sometimes thought the day I was in   would never end.  And now I look back and realize that there are   hundreds of days and thousands of moments that I can’t even recall,   because they all went so fast.
What   I would give for one day – in the middle of my life right now – of   going back in time and reliving a typical stay-at-home mommy day with my   toddlers.  Just one day.  
And this is maybe what I would do differently if I could, maybe what I would tell my younger, more tired self…
Your   children are absolute gifts.  Your children adore you.  Your children   are watching you.  Your children are more important than laundry, than   vacuuming, than time on the computer.  Your children need you to love   them well, need you to mean what you say and say what you mean.  Your   children need you to love Jesus with all your heart.  It’s okay to sit   on the couch with them and cuddle for five more minutes…in just a few   years, they may not want to do this. In just a few more years,   everything will feel different.  Just sit.  Just watch.  Just listen.    Just take it all in.  
And   I’m saying this to myself today as I look down the road and realize   that in just a few more years, my kids will be gone, on their own.  I   still need to just sit, just watch, just listen, just take it all in.
Pray for eyes to see your children the way God does, and then…enjoy them. 
This  week, I was supposed to log on to my summer courses and  introduce  myself, with a brief description of my life.  As all of my  classmates  posted about their awesome jobs in the military, or the  Pentagon, or  for the FBI... I was trying to figure out how to describe  my life.  I  finally posted up something lame like Hi, my name is  Lauren and I  stay at home with my two young kids and I enjoy exercising  and baking  and reading, and I look forward to learning with you all. But then I thought that seemed so... insufficient. Here is what I should have said.
Motherhood is so messy. If you walked in my house today, you would notice...
... that while it is clean...ish...  there are hallmarks of children everywhere.  Handprints on windows (and   walls!), art on the fridge, a smattering of toys in random locations,   sippy cups drying in the sink, and mismatched flip flops flung off by   the back door...right next to the backpack in the floor...where it shouldn't be.
You   would also notice that at 2:53 pm, I'm eating lunch while paying bills   in a rare moment of quiet.  And I'm about to squeeze in a few phone   interviews while there is no background of Elmo and "MOM!  Mom!  Mommy!  Momma!  Lauren!"  Next to me, on my desk, you would see a bouquet of pink baby roses   that my sweet girl picked out for me in Kroger last night and came home   shouting "Happy Mothers' Day!" even though that day is long past.  You   would also see a pair of broken sunglasses, smashed by chubby baby   hands.  And a few books of a political nature that I've yet to crack   open for next week's summer courses.
You  wouldn't  see an ipod anywhere, because I'm pretty sure it was  misplaced by  someone pretending it was a cell phone.  And there is a  colony of ants  feeding on toddler crumbs under the dining room table  (where do they  come from so instantly?!).  You would notice that "Going  on a Bear Hunt"  and "If You Give a Moose a Muffin" are on the couch,  because we've only  read them 734 times since Saturday, when we checked them out from the library.
You   would notice that while I completed the Ironman (26.2 miles running,   112 biking, and 1.2 swimming), I still have the signature baby pooch   from carrying two little humans within me.  I quit kidding myself that it would go away quite some time ago.  You would probably notice a smudge of snot on my shoulder from   comforting a baby's boo-boo, and see a small streak of mascara under one   eye where I got the sniffles in the car after hearing a song about   making memories with your daughter.  And there might be a chance that I   look tired.
Motherhood is messy.
In   spite of all of those things, you would probably also notice the  myriad  of pictures plastered to the walls, and the preschool progress  report  on proud display.  You would see a sweet homemade candle holder  with  daisies painted on using fingerprints, and if you stuck around  long  enough, when naptime was over... you'd see me greeted with huge  smiles  and bear hugs and "Mommy, what are we doin' next?!"  You would  probably  hear some sort of singing and tons of giggles.  Dinner would  be served  on plasticware.  There would be games played, kisses given,  and bedtime  prayers.
Motherhood  is messy, but I wouldn't trade  it for any other job in the entire  world.   Not even the freakin'  Pentagon.  I'm so thankful for these  silly monkeys that let me have the greatest. job. ever.
MIRACLE BLANKET FOR INFANTS
This is a swaddling wrap for infants.  It helps them sleep really well, so it's a great gift for tired moms too!  Thanks to Meagan DeLong in North Carolina for this wonderful information!   Be sure to click on the miracle wrap website to see how to wrap up your sweet baby for a good restful sleep!  This reminds me of the phrase, "Snug as a bug in a rug!" 
I   looked  it up  online and it seemed like people are making Miracle   Blankets with a stretchy   material.  I think Jersey Knit would work   well.  I've  used it to make  a  moby-style wrap before it and it works   great for that.   Other  people  online mentioned using muslin, a woven   knit, or crinkle  gauze.   We got  our moby wrap at Babies R Us and  I'll  bet you can find it  at  other  baby stores as well.  
Hope this is helpful,
Meagan
You will need:
24" of 60" wide stretchy knit fabric
You will cut your 24" of fabric into these pieces:
Main Body: 14” wide x 22” long (stretchy along 22" length)
Pouch: 14” wide x 12” long (stretchy along 12" length)
Arm Wraps: 8” wide x 12” long (stretchy along 8" width)
 Longer Side Wrap: 10” wide x 36” long (stretchy along 36" length)
Shorter Side Wrap: 10” wide x 21” long (stretchy along 21" length)
Here is an online tutorial I found; click on the pictures for the directions. *One     seamstress mentioned that she used this tutorial but "changed  the     direction of the stretch in the tutorial. The stretch now should go      across the 8" width instead of down the 12" length. This should help      contain those little wigglers better."
 KEY LIME PIE IN A CUP
Thanks to Michelle Haines in Virginia for this recipe!
(Note  from Lois: Those who prefer more sweetness could simply add more  organic sugar or honey.  Be sure never to give honey to babies under one  year of age, because it may cause botulism, which can be deadly.)
24 oz. Plain Yogurt
Juice of 2 small limes
Zest of 1 lime
2 Tbsp. organic sugar or honey 
Oh     my goodness is it good! If you want it thicker, use strained or  Greek    yogurt. Tossing in a little chopped mint is good too. Putting  this    mixture into an ice cream maker, and topping with berries, even   better!
SPECIAL TIPS AND TIDBITS
Solution for Using Less Sugar in Fruit Pies  ~ If you  add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in a fruit pie, you  can cut down  on the usual amount of sugar needed and still have the  desired sweetness  in the finished product.  If the recipe calls for one  cup of sugar,  used just half a cup!  This works in fruit crisps as  well.
How to Make an Effective Stinkbug Trap  ~ A simple and inexpensive solution to conquering the stinkbug  problem!  All you need is an empty liter bottle, razor blade, electrical  tape, masking tape, and LED light.  Thanks to Cindy Hodges in Virginia  for this great tip!  
  
Sweet Peach Tea  ~ If you haven't tried Celestial Seasonings Peach Tea, you're missing  something so delicious, even if you're a not a Southerner!  Add a small  amount of stevia for sweetening, and you'll have a wonderful refreshing  sweet tea without sugar or harmful artificial sweeteners or calories!   Peppermint tea is another favorite of mine!  Make a whole pitcher and  refrigerate.
Sea Salt  will not cause your body to retain fluid as regular salt will.  Sea  salt can be found in many grocery stores right next to regular table  salt, in a similar round box with a spout, or it can be found in health  food stores.  Since salted butter does not contain sea salt, one could  purchase unsalted butter (on sale, of course) and add sea salt and olive  oil to it, mixing it in a blender for a much healthier and spreadable  butter.  
Quart Jar with a Pouring Spout ~ Save  your empty round salt boxes for this great tip.  Using an empty, round  salt box, lay a lid from a canning jar on top and trace around the lid.   Cut out the circle from the cardboard top of the salt box, including  the spout.  Put this cardboard lid on the top of the canning jar and  screw on a canning ring.  Use pint or quart-sized canning jars with  spouts for pouring dry substances, such as bulk sea salt, homemade  mixes, as well as herbs and spices.
Oatmeal Bought in Bulk for Good Health and a Good Price  ~ We purchase 25 or 50 pound bags of old fashioned rolled oats for much  less per pound than the boxes on the grocer's shelf.  When our one son  picked up some for us at a great store near his home before coming for a  visit, the cashier seriously asked if he had a horse!  We all know  whole grains are so much healthier and much less expensive than boxed  cereals.  My husband eats oatmeal almost every morning and I love to  make granola with it as well.  I store the bulk rolled oats in oatmeal  boxes that were saved from prior purchases.
Granola Snack Bags to Eat on the Run  ~ After making a big batch of granola, I like to package a lot of it in  Ziplock snack bags with a plastic spoon inside.  That makes a great  snack while riding in the car, relaxing on the beach, having fun  sailing, hiking, or even shopping or running errands.
Popsicle Molds  don't need to be ones you buy!  Prescription containers or even  containers for breast milk (when no longer needed) provide a perfect  mold for homemade popsicles.  You may want to ask friends and relatives  to save some containers for you.  Remove the lids, line up on a tray,  and add the popsicle recipe (hopefully a healthy mixture).  Then for  holding up the popsicle sticks (saved from previously bought popsicles),  lay waxed paper over the top of filled containers, with a knife make a  slit for the sticks in the center of each mold.  Insert the sticks and  freeze the popsicles for a delicious treat!  Although the waxed paper should  hold the sticks in place, you might want to set a timer to check them  before they completely freeze, in case any of the sticks are not  centered and straight.
Potato Salad Trick ~  Elinor Wright in Virginia told me how she thought of a new way to make  potato salad quickly, other than that quick potato peeling trick  mentioned in the newsletter earlier (check the categories on the blog to  locate it).  After the potatoes and eggs were cooked and peeled, but  still whole, she used a potato masher with square dividers for dicing by  pressing it down once through each potato and egg.  She said it worked  great.
Egg Carton Lunches ~ Wash Styrofoam egg  cartons with hot soapy and water.  Fill each of the 12 sections with  food, such as nuts, raisins, granola, grapes, almond butter (for dipping  grapes into), crackers, small cookies, cheese cubes, bites of a cut-up  sandwich, etc.  A single food may take up more than one section.  Place a  napkin roll on top with any plastic utensils needed to eat the foods  provided and secure with rubber bands.   These are great to take on a  picnic, a road trip, or just for a fun and different lunch!
Double Batching with a Friend for a Night Off  ~ If you have a good friend who is also a close neighbor, you could  help each other out by providing a night off from cooking!  Sound good  to you?  You would each cook a double batch of a main dish or meat on  a different night each week - one for your family and one to share with  her family.  Whatever the number in the largest family, each would cook  double that amount, possibly even providing leftovers for hubby's lunch the next day.   Each would chose one night a week (or every other week) to cook and  share with the other, giving you both an almost free evening of cooking.  Before you begin, it would be a good idea to get together and  make a list of possible dishes to make, so both families are happy with the food choices.
Heart-Shaped Muffins or Cupcakes  ~ In this age of cupcake craze, you can make heart-shaped cupcakes and  muffins.  Line a muffin tin with baking liners.  Place a small marble in  each muffin tin, between the baking liner and the muffin tin (not  inside the baking liner).  Pour in cake or muffin batter, filling half  to two-thirds full, and bake as directed.  
Seashell Magnets  ~ Either find or purchase shells. Finding them myself is such fun!   Purchase a package of small magnets.  Using a small amount of hot glue  on each shell, glue them to the magnets.  Hold it for a few seconds  until secure.  These are fun to make and fun to give away.
AVOIDING ALUMINUM IN OUR BODIES
by Lois Breneman - 2011 - Heart to Heart
Baking Powder without Aluminum 
Most  baking powder contains aluminum, which research tells us can cause  Alzheimer's Disease.  Patients with the disease have been found to have  larger amounts of aluminum in their bodies.  Rumford Baking Powder has  none, but you can quickly make your own to save money by mixing 2 parts  cream of tartar with 1 part baking soda and storing it in small  amounts.  
But the least expensive way of all is this, because you use 25% less of the ingredients with good results:
You can substitute 1/4 tsp. baking soda + 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar for 1 tsp. baking powder for good results!
Baking Soda as an Effective Deodorant 
Avoid  antiperspirants altogether, if you want to avoid aluminum.  For an  effective alternative, simply put about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of baking soda  in your hand.  Add a few drops of water to make a paste, and rub under  each arm.  Crystal stones are also available, but sometimes cause a rash  and cost quite a bit more.  Baking soda can get rid of and prevent underarm odor for  several days with just one application.
Avoid Aluminum Cookware and Bakeware
Or  if you do have aluminum bread pans, it would be helpful to line them  with waxed paper so you do not ingest aluminum.  For aluminum cake pans,  trace a circle of waxed paper for the bottom each pan to avoid aluminum  and to ensure that the cake will come out of the pan very easily.
USING THE "SPONGE-ABILITY" OF TODDLERS TO TEACH THEM SCRIPTURE VERSES 
by Lois Breneman - 2011 - Heart to Heart
We  all know how toddlers are like sponges in that they constantly repeat  what they hear.  That can surely keep the parents and grandparents on  their toes.  Toddlers memorize sections or entire story books that are  read to them, things they hear on television, and even entire  commercials.  So why not use that "sponge-ability" of theirs for a much  more rewarding and even an eternal benefit?  Hiding God's Word in their  hearts!  
When  I spent a month with our three year old grandson recently, I was amazed  at how quickly he learned these first five scripture verses!  Our  children were the same way when they were small.  So Mothers, take  advantage our those young minds that are able to memorize so quickly!   Later those scriptures will still be in their heart, ready to pop up  when they need them the most.
A convenient way for you to include  teaching scripture memorization might be to do it just before story  time.  Then review at home throughout the day or while driving in the  car.  If the references are too difficult to begin with, teach your  small child just the first part of the verse for now, and as he grows  older, add more, then the references.  But you might find those little  tots will surprise you as they learn long verses as well as the  references without any trouble at all.
Writing down the scripture  verses and making a little booklet out of the ones he memorizes will be  a rich treasure.  Including just one picture for each scripture will  help your child be able to quote a verse with only a look at a picture.   Laminating the pages and hand sewing them together with ribbon sewn in  punched holes along the left side will tie it all together and be  cherished by both the child and parent for years to come.
The  following are just a few scripture verses to begin this exciting journey  with your children or grandchildren, but there are so many more that  would be appropriate for young children.  
Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another. - Ephesians 4:32
Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. - Ephesians 6:1
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure and whether it be right. - Prov. 20:11
When I am afraid, I will trust in Him. - Psalm 56:3
We love Him because He first loved us. - I John 4:19
Casting all you care upon Him, for He cares for you. - I Peter:5:7
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. - I Peter 3:10
   
For     God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that     whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life -     John 3:16
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God - Romans 3:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord - Romans 6:23
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. - James 4:8
As  a supplement to your own parental teaching of scripture memorization,  Steve Green also has several enjoyable CD's with scripture put to  music.  You may be surprised at home much children will soak in the  scriptures and learn many principles from God's Word as they listen  while they play with their toys!  Mary Rice Hopkins also ministers to  children and has many CD's available for little ones (www.maryricehopkins.com).  So why not let Mary or Steve fill your children's minds with eternal values, while you catch up on some housework? 
SUCH A FUN ACTIVITY FOR KIDS - AT SO LITTLE A COST
by Lois Breneman - 2011 - Heart to Heart
"Tricky Worm" (1 worm) at Dollar General for $1 
"Squiggly Worms" (1 large worm and one baby worm) at A.C. Moore for $1.50
 
These     worms are furry, soft, colorful, and have googly eyes.  You jerk   the    worm along with an invisible thread.  So much fun!  You can make  one     crawl out of a slipper or shoe, out of a hole in an afghan, out  from a  shirt sleeve or collar, up through   the crack under a door  (my  3 year  old grandson's idea).  It's  fun just looking around   for  places to  make your worm mysteriously craw  out from, and seeing the    reaction of  others.  
Even older children  would love this interaction,  as  they play with their younger brothers  and sisters!
Set up a puppet show, using a cardboard box, with a hold cut out for performances.  If   a child   holds the fuzzy worm in his hands with about 3-4 inches    sticking above his hands,   another person can jerk the thread, making   it  look like the worm is   dancing all around in the child's hand.  You   can also have two worms talking to each other, quoting scripture   verses, with the child or you doing the talking, of course.  Two or   three worms dancing on the floor to music is hilarious.  
Tips:
1) The worm looks more realistic if the string is jerked in short, gentle jerks.
2) In case the string breaks, invisible thread can be used to make a quick repair.
3)   By making the invisible string much longer, you could have fun by   making the worm crawl from across the room, when others in the room have   no idea about your prank!
4) Give names to the worms which come in different colors.
Good Uses for the Squirmy Worm:
1) A great inexpensive surprise or reward for your children!
2) A great activity for an older child to have fun with younger siblings!
3) A wonderful trick for a babysitter to have up her sleeve!
PRECIOUS GEMS
Ladies,     thanks so much for your permission to include these Precious Gems!   Kids say the funniest   things!   Please keep sending them to be  included in Heart to Heart and   the blog, http://heartfilledhome.blogspot.com.  I just LOVE them!  Children's minds are so imaginative, aren't they?  It seems like they continually keep coming up with new lines!
 After     sleeping very uncomfortably in a too small bed with a snoring dear     hubby, I decided to sleep in our guest room to get a couple of nights  of    peaceful sleep.  My very observing (doesn't miss a thing) 6 yr.     daughter Jacqueline said, " You know if you keep sleeping here, you are     not going to get to kiss daddy and go on dates with him anymore!"  I     assured her that I was still kissing daddy and enjoying dates even     better now as I had got caught up on my sleep.  ~ Robyn in Chile 
I     just finished putting "tape circles" on 5 yr. old Austin's hands and     feet per his request so he could "stick to every wall like  Spiderman."  ~   Jennie in Ohio
Austin (5): Mommy, open your mouth!  
Mommy: Open my mouth?  Why?
Austin: Just open your mouth, Mommy.
*Mommy opens mouth.*
Austin: (Talking into my mouth) Hi Baby.  Hello, Baby.  How are you doing in there?  You'll be out soon! ~ Jennie in Ohio
Nap  time is over and Anna (3) informs me, "Mamma, I didn't sleep at  all!   But it's okay ... I'll be on the lookout for tiredness." ~ Lauren in   Virginia
As     I unfastened my four year old granddaughter's braids and ran my    fingers  through her wavy hair, I said, "Wow, how pretty your hair is!"     She  leaned into the mirror.  "Yeah, and it looks even prettier with a    smile  on my face." ~ Eileen in Virginia   www.eileenrife.com 
The following four gems are by 3 year old Savannah, daughter of Lauren in Virginia:
"Mimi, I asked Jesus into my heart."
"You did?  Were you with your mom?"
"No, I was supposed to be taking a nap."
"What did you say?"
"I   said hello, God.  I have been very bad.  I need you to come into my   heart and wash it clean.  And then he said yes ma'am.  And I said thank   you.  And God said you are so very welcome."
Hmm.
"Dad, I don't want you to come to my preschool program."
"Why not?"
"Because you are on crutches and when my friends see you, they will all point and laugh."
"Mom, that girl eats a lot.  And if she keeps eatin' like that, her gonna get a big ol' belly when she grows up!"
"I don't want to take a bath because I don't want to wash off my tan!"
"Your tan won't wash off."
"Oh good.  I love it.  On my legs, I'm black.  But my bottom is just like a little white girl!"
Daniel's     (3) daddy was carrying him downstairs one morning, along with some     other items, when Daniel looked at him and said in wonder and  amazement, "I didn't    know you could hold a trash can, underpants, and a little boy at the same time!" ~ Lois
Daniel's     mommie thought she had left her glasses in a certain spot, but later     found them on the bookshelf and asked Daniel (3) if he had moved them to the bookshelf.  He replied, "No, I don't move expensive glasses."  Smart kid! ~ Lois
My     grandson, Daniel (3), spied a bug crawling on the floor and was    chasing  him with a shoe in his hand.  After a short while he reported  to us, "He   stopped!" ~ Lois