The Chew Crew Vs. The Stomach Flu

I know, I know.  It's not actually the flu and it isn't just in the stomach.  But for the sake of a catchy title, I'll be referring to the stomach virus as the flu.

And for the sake of any readers who are a bit sensitive, I will attempt to omit gory details and stick to generalizations.  Although, when you're talking about the stomach flu I doubt things can be too pleasant.

Nearly three weeks ago, we made a last minute trip to Montana for Christmas.  Our main goal was to be a support and hopefully an encouragement to my mom after my grandfather suddenly passed away.  I'm still not sure if we accomplished either goal because what we ended up bringing along with us was a lot of vomit.  Not exactly encouraging, you know?

Round One: A Decided Victory
Stomach Flu: 6
Chew Crew: 1

Claude came home from work on Friday evening feeling unwell.  He thought it was from some leftovers he brought along for lunch that day.  As it turned out, that was not the case.  He was sick for about four days.  Our first night of driving, about 30 minutes after everyone was asleep, Abby threw up.  We thought it was from being up late.

We arrived at my parents' house on Monday night.  After a very late bed time (something to the tune of 1:00am for the kids), Jeremiah threw up.  Again, we thought it was from being up late.

Then the next day...more vomit.

And then Christmas Eve was golden.  Except that the illness the little ones had the day before meant that we couldn't see family - a bit disappointing considering it's probably the only time we will all be in the same place again.  Sadness.

Christmas night, however, was a mess.  And I do mean that in every sense of the word.  Claude and my dad know the extent of that mess better than anyone else.  Joshua and Hannah were both down for the count.

Within a few days Rachel also had it. By this time we realized that the earlier patients did not eat bad food or get sick merely from staying up too late.  This was definitely a stomach bug and we were losing.  I was the last one standing, and that because of the prayers of some faithful friends.

After Rachel we thought that might be it.  We were ready to head home from Montana and we thought everyone was well.

Round Two: Down for the Count
Stomach Flu: 5
Chew Crew: 2 

Don't worry...I'll be more brief from here on out.

We were up very late packing that last night before heading home.  After just sitting down to chat with my very sleepy parents, we heard what we were dreading all week.  Joshua was sick...again.

The next day all three of our back row kids were sick - Hannah, Abby, and Jer.  And then Rachel decided to join in on the fun.

We stopped early that night, got a fairly expensive extended stay suite and did laundry until after midnight.

Round Three: The Victor's Strength Weakens
Stomach Flu:4
Chew Crew: 3

After a few more bouts of sickness on the drive home, we thought we were out of the woods.  Finally, we were in our own home, with a pile of laundry and a bunch of tired kids.  I can't remember if anyone got sick that first night, but it became clear very quickly that the stomach flu was not finished with us.

Abby, Jeremiah, Rachel, and Claude were the casualties this time around.  For the most part everyone was less sick than previously.

Round Four: The Underdog Takes the Lead
Still in Progress
Stomach Flu: 2
Chew Crew: 5 

We are hopeful that this will end.  Soon.

Abby and Joshua are the only two sick...so far.

Yesterday I went to war with the germs.  We have been disinfecting and cleaning and washing hands and all that jazz, but we needed to takes things to a new level.  Every hard surface that gets touched by little hands was bleached and/or Lysol-sprayed, scrubbed, and then disinfected for good measure.

I sterilized all of the water bottles, caps, lids, sippy cups, bottles, toothbrushes, and medicine cups I could get my hands on.  In case your were wondering, Nalgene bottles don't boil well...they shrink actually.  Oops. 

The sick kids have been confined to the master bedroom and bathroom and forbidden to touch anything other than their own cup and snack bowl. Since they both got sick again this morning, they are confined once more.  This time they are occupying the upstairs and the only healthy person allowed there is Mom.

Extreme?  Perhaps.  But there have only been 4 or 5 days in the last 21 where we have been vomit-free.  Now that is extreme.

Claude and I are exhausted.  The nights are long with many interruptions.  Every cough, hiccup, sneeze, or strange sound sends us aflight.  Who needs to be cleaned up now?  To say that we are done with this thing is the understatement of the year...make that both years (2014 and 2015).

Now consider the kids.  They are the ones actually being sick most of the time.  They are also ready to be done.

This war must end.  And the Chew Crew must come out the victors.

White Christmas

Apparently I made a "typo" on our little car note.  I'll blame it on sleep deprivation.



A couple of weeks ago the kids and I took a trip to the local post office.  The woman helping us struck up a conversation with Joshua.  They talked about Christmas and all the things he was looking forward to.  He said he wanted snow.

As we left the post office the woman said to him, "I hope you get that snow you're hoping for on Christmas."

It's been a few weeks and we had to drive 2,500 miles, but from the looks of my parents' back yard, I think we will be enjoying a white Christmas after all.

 



Grampa, Claude, and the kids built this fort in the yard yesterday.  That was before the snow started falling.

 

 



Early last week I received a phone call from my mom.  My grandfather had been taken to the hospital and things didn't look very good for him.  By Tuesday he had gotten worse, and on Wednesday he passed away.  It all seemed very sudden.

As we had updates from parents through the week, Claude and I were talking about whether or not we should (or even could) travel to Montana to be with my family during this time.  On Wednesday afternoon we decided that we could do it.

We have talked about taking a road trip this way for quite some time, but it always seemed out of reach.  The driving time is about 36 hours - not a short trip by any stretch of the imagination.  To have the time off work and the money to afford the trip never seemed like a realistic possibility.

But last week we realized that with Claude's days off over Christmas and New Years, we had the time.  But time is not the only resource needed for a long road trip.  After a long distance move and buying a new vehicle, did we have the money for the trip?

Yes, we did, because God's provision abounds even in the midst of major expenses.

On Saturday morning we loaded the kids in the van and started driving.  Joshua and Hannah were so excited about the trip that they got up around 5:30am, dressed themselves, changed Jer and Rachel's diapers, and even got the little ones dressed.  Amazingly, we left on time that morning!

We told the kids how many days we would be driving, but some of them still thought we would be at Grampa and Gramma's house that night. 

 

We tried to only stop three times each day, including our overnight stop.  Of course, we had some unplanned stops, but the entire Crew only unloaded three times a day.

 

These photos were from our last day at a rest area in Sheridan, Wyoming.  I think I can understand why people move out there.  It is some of the most amazing scenery I have seen!

After three very long days of driving, we are enjoying time with family.  The kids are enjoying playing with cousins, getting to know the dogs, and playing outside as much as possible.

 

 

We do, after all, have a very long return journey.

 



Merry Christmas!

Toddler Bible Lesson, Christmas, Part 4

Welcome to the Christmas Toddler Bible Lesson Series at Bible Basics!  I'm glad you stopped by.  If you're wondering what we're up to in this ongoing series, check out this introductory post.  For a growing list of toddler and preschool Bible lessons you can take a look at the Bible Basics page.

Since Christmas is right around the corner I wanted to share with you the ways in which we have taught our toddlers and preschoolers about the birth of Jesus.  This is a perfect time to focus on the reason for all of the Christmas holiday hype and to help your young child understand what it’s all about.  Plus, Christmas lessons are fun for everyone!

Today we are finishing up a four-part lesson series focusing on Jesus’ birth.  You can find the first three lessons here, here, and here.  This is another fun activity that I always enjoy doing with toddlers and preschoolers.  They get a kick out of the different items to feel and smell and I enjoy explaining the significance of the gifts Jesus received.

WISE MEN GIVE GIFTS TO JESUS
Matthew 2:1-12

Memory Verse: Choose one that fits your child’s age and ability.

“The angel said to Mary, ‘You will have a son.  You will name him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God.”  -Luke 1:31-32

“Today…a Savior has been born.  He is Christ the Lord.” -Luke 2:10-11 (simplified)

Lesson Focus
Wise men gave special gifts to Jesus.

Project
Sensory Gift Bags

Materials
- Small gift bags (I usually use paper lunch bags but have sometimes found gift bags in dollar bins at various stores.)
- Pennies or other coins (Although I have never had a child at home or in the classroom put these in their mouths, you can replace this with aluminum foil or construction paper cut into circles if you are concerned about choking.)
- Tea bag
- Perfume or cologne
- Fabric scrap

Directions
1. Give your child a small gift bag.

2. Give your child a few pennies or other coins.  Explain that this is the “gold” that was brought for Jesus.  Talk to your child about how gold is a valuable gift that was given to kings.  Tell him that Jesus is the King of kings.  Place the pennies in the gift bag.

3. Give your child a tea bag.  Let her smell it and tell her that this represents “frankincense” that was given to Jesus by the wise men.  You can explain how frankincense was the sap taken from a certain tree.  It was used for healing and the Israelites burned it in the Tabernacle at the place where God promised to meet with them.  It is a special incense that reminds us that Jesus became our Emmanuel: God with us.  Place the tea bag in the gift bag.

4. Finally, give your child a piece of fabric.  Place a small drop of perfume or cologne onto the fabric.  Ask him to smell it.  Explain that this perfume represents “myrrh” which was given to Jesus by the wise men.  Myrrh was more costly than gold.  It was used when people died to prepare their bodies for burial.  The myrrh reminds us that Jesus came to die on the cross for our sins.  Place the fabric scrap in the gift bag.

5. Use the gift bag to talk more about Jesus’ birth and the ways that the gifts the wise men gave point to the purpose God gave Him in coming to earth.


How We Go Through the Lesson
1. Recite or sing memory verse.

2. Read Bible story.  We use the Beginner's Bible, but you can choose a children's story Bible or "grown-up" translation that suits you and your family.

3. Recite or sing memory verse.

4. Craft or project.  Depending on the day of the week this may be a project like the one above or it could be a coloring page or something completely different.

*Repeat the lesson almost every day.  This could mean doing it on weekdays or taking one day to work on the project, saying the memory verse together throughout the day, and reading the Bible story before bed each night.  It doesn't matter when or how, but the repetition is key for toddlers to retain the lessons presented to them.


When you give your children gifts at Christmas, what significance do they have?  Do they direct your child’s attention to Jesus?  How?

Toddler Bible Lesson, Christmas, Part 3

Welcome to the Christmas Toddler Bible Lesson Series at Bible Basics!  I'm glad you stopped by.  If you're wondering what we're up to in this ongoing series, check out this introductory post.  For a growing list of toddler and preschool Bible lessons you can take a look at the Bible Basics page.

Since Christmas is right around the corner I wanted to share with you the ways in which we have taught our toddlers and preschoolers about the birth of Jesus.  This is a perfect time to focus on the reason for all of the Christmas holiday hype and to help your young child understand what it’s all about.  Plus, Christmas lessons are fun for everyone!

We are already half way through a four-part lesson series focusing on Jesus’ birth.  You can find the first two lessons here and here.

SHEPHERDS WORSHIP JESUS
Luke 2:8-20

Memory Verse: Choose one that fits your child’s age and ability.

“The angel said to Mary, ‘You will have a son.  You will name him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God.”  -Luke 1:31-32

“Today…a Savior has been born.  He is Christ the Lord.” -Luke 2:10-11 (simplified)

Lesson Focus
Shepherds worshiped Jesus.

Project
Tactile Shepherds and Sheep

Materials
- Construction paper
- Marker or pencil
- Cotton balls
- Fabric scraps
- Yarn, string, or pipe cleaner
- Glue
- Star stickers

Directions
1. Draw a simple picture of a shepherd and 2 or 3 sheep on a piece of construction paper.

2. Glue cotton balls onto the sheep’s bodies.

3. Glue scraps of fabric on the shepherd as clothing and a head dress.

4. Glue a piece of yarn, string, or pipe cleaner in the shape of a staff in the hand of the shepherd.

5. Place star stickers across the top of the construction paper.

How We Go Through the Lesson
1. Recite or sing memory verse.

2. Read Bible story.  We use the Beginner's Bible, but you can choose a children's story Bible or "grown-up" translation that suits you and your family.

3. Recite or sing memory verse.

4. Craft or project.  Depending on the day of the week this may be a project like the one above or it could be a coloring page or something completely different.

*Repeat the lesson almost every day.  This could mean doing it on weekdays or taking one day to work on the project, saying the memory verse together throughout the day, and reading the Bible story before bed each night.  It doesn't matter when or how, but the repetition is key for toddlers to retain the lessons presented to them.



What fun Christmas Bible lessons do you enjoy teaching to your toddler or preschooler?

You can find this and other great resources for your toddler/preschooler at Mom's Library Link-Up (True Aim Education)

Toddler Bible Lesson, Christmas, Part 2

Welcome to the Christmas Toddler Bible Lesson Series at Bible Basics!  I'm glad you stopped by.  If you're wondering what we're up to in this ongoing series, check out this introductory post.  For a growing list of toddler and preschool Bible lessons you can take a look at the Bible Basics page.

Since Christmas is right around the corner I wanted to share with you the ways in which we have taught our toddlers and preschoolers about the birth of Jesus.  This is a perfect time to focus on the reason for all of the Christmas holiday hype and to help your young child understand what it’s all about.  Plus, Christmas lessons are fun for everyone!

Last week we started a four-part lesson series focusing on Jesus’ birth.  You can find the first lesson here.  This week’s craft is perhaps my all-time favorite.  Toddlers and preschoolers love these little potato babies!  They are a great way to re-enact the Christmas story and reinforce what your little one has learned.

JESUS IS BORN
Luke 2:1-7

Memory Verse: Choose one that fits your child’s age and ability.

“The angel said to Mary, ‘You will have a son.  You will name him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God.”  -Luke 1:31-32

“Today…a Savior has been born.  He is Christ the Lord.” -Luke 2:10-11 (simplified)

 

Lesson Focus
Jesus came as a baby.

Project
Potato Baby and Lunch Bag Manger

Materials
- Potato, washed and dried
- Scrap of fabric (I bought a pack of cheap dish rags at Target, cut them in half, and they ended up being the perfect size)
- Rubber band
- Permanent marker
- Paper lunch bag
- Easter grass or shredded paper
- Craft sticks
- Glue

Directions
1. Wrap the potato in the piece of cloth by securing it with a rubber band.

2. Now draw a face on the potato using the permanent marker.

3. Before unfolding the lunch bag, cut the top portion off (the cut should line up with the bottom folded part of the bag).  Make a manger out of the paper lunch bag by filling it with shredded paper or Easter grass.

4. Glue craft sticks on the outside and bottom of the paper bag.

5. Place the potato baby in the manger, saying “After baby Jesus was born, Mary wrapped him in strips of cloth [dress potato baby] and gently laid him in a manger [place potato baby in the manger].”

6. Encourage children to play with their potato babies.  If age appropriate, encourage them to take care of the baby.

How We Go Through the Lesson
1. Recite or sing memory verse.

2. Read Bible story.  We use the Beginner's Bible, but you can choose a children's story Bible or "grown-up" translation that suits you and your family.

3. Recite or sing memory verse.

4. Craft or project.  Depending on the day of the week this may be a project like the one above or it could be a coloring page or something completely different.

*Repeat the lesson almost every day.  This could mean doing it on weekdays or taking one day to work on the project, saying the memory verse together throughout the day, and reading the Bible story before bed each night.  It doesn't matter when or how, but the repetition is key for toddlers to retain the lessons presented to them.


How would you teach the lesson about Jesus’ birth?


You can find this and other great resources for your toddler/preschooler at Mom's Library Link-Up (True Aim Education)