Brick Building Challenges

 

A long while ago my children were in an email group that had daily brick building challenges, and it was an easy way to get their imagination gears working beyond the typical house and car they'd build. I cannot recall who shared the ideas, but I kept a list and added a few of my own. Recently I made a set of cards to set out for my children, one a week, for them to try this year. Because most of the ideas are not my own, I'd like to share them free for you to print and do with your family.

>>CLICK HERE FOR BRICK BUILDING CHALLENGE CARDS<<

**If you're interested in us creating a Catholic Brick Challenge set, please comment below! 

If you'd like to share images of your creations, you can send them to homegrowncatholic@gmail.com or visit me on Facebook

Summer Reading Challenge

 

My first child loved to read, all the time; couldn't get enough books. She read most everything I offered her, and gave me evaluation if I should offer it to her siblings. Most books I've chosen from my favorites, the classics, and reputable sources of recommendations. I thought this would be the pattern for all my children. 

Her personal library is significant, and we also have two family libraries in our home for books that aren't in bedrooms. We've donated baskets and boxes full of books that were not up to standard, and we still have a good sized collection of fiction and non-fiction. We've become more mindful over the years what we allow and what's a keeper.

(Other library pic coming soon, in reorganizing mode)

However, the next three teens have been a challenge when it comes to getting them to read the books I bought and put on their homeschool shelves as mandatory reading. Somehow, they missed the "you MUST read these this year" part of their assignments. They go on to read other books of low quality or questionable content by borrowing them from friends or a quick grab at the library. Other days they don't want to read because their curriculum is heavy on the reading. They're also SLOW readers.  I save negative consequences for more serious matters, and I've tried to be lenient and foster their love of reading whatever they choose. It's made for good discussion. So it's never been a serious matter for them to read everything I offer.

So how do I incentivize my children to read the books I took the time and consideration to pick out for them? 

Bring on the Summer Reading Challenge rewards system. There are enough books still on the shelves this summer that they chose to ignore, so I created this reward system, with their input, if they read those books. I'll also give them a small reward for giving me a written review of the books they read of their own choosing. With a reasonable goal of  2 good sized chapter books per month, another reward is given for reaching 6 books, with oral or written reviews. 

An Overview of the sheet: 

For every TEACHER CHOICE you read,  AND give an oral review, you earn: A REWARD TICKET [A day without chores. 1 Hour gaming/arcade OR Visit a Playground. Choice of family movie. Lunch out with Mom. Outing with Dad. Permission to sleep in.]

For every chapter book you read of YOUR CHOICE, AND write/type up a review, you earn:  Fill in the line with something they'd like. [such as time to paint, visit a museum, a round of golf, go to the pool, get a new something they've wanted, etc.]

For Reading 6 Books with Reviews: A Reward or Activity of Your Choice [Such as a Movie, Dessert, Friend Over, MP3 song, Outing, Kindle Book, etc… (up to $5 Value)]

Why not something the local library offers for a summer reading program? 

Because then we have to go to the library where they will ask for books that are not of the quality I want them to read. Books that  Charlotte Mason and GK Chesterton would consider better for starting a fire which to read a better book by. However, they may reserve books from the library on our list if we chose not to buy them. And they may still turn in the local library's summer reading program slips when we go to pickup. We do utilize the library for movies and audiobooks, especially movies made from the books they've read.

Why include book reviews for summer reading? 

That is how I can best evaluate that they read and comprehended the books. Also, because I often chose books with virtuous character development and meaningful content, there is more to discuss. Finally, the books I add were originally for during their school year, where I'd require the review. Notice, I gave the easier oral report for my book choices, and the more challenging written report for their choices. Yet, another incentive to gravitate towards my picks.

Whether you print out this free bookmark and rewards tickets, or devise your own, I hope it has inspired you in motivating those reluctant readers. If you have any other ideas for motivation or rewards, please share in the comments! I'd like to have a variety of reward tickets for them to choose from over the years.

Catholic Date Night Ideas for Married Couples

I've discussed with many couples how often we put time with our spouse lower on our priorities for a multitude of excuses. Well, I'm here to say it's time to shake it up and refresh your relationship with 144 ideas to discover your love and joy for each other all over again. Whether you're a newlywed, seasoned spouse or empty nester, you'll find something you'll enjoy together.

 

It's just the ticket! Created for the Catholic Christian couple in mind. 

 
New Floral Version (2022)! A perfect gift for a wedding or bridal shower!

Created for the Catholic Christian married couple in mind. On the occasion of our 20th Anniversary, I wanted to share a new look for the CATHOLIC DATE IDEAS AND DEVOTIONS FOR MARRIED COUPLES cards. This PDF Digital File for you to print has 144 ideas to make date planning easier, and keep God at the center of your relationship. That's more than one idea per week for two years! It covers the five love languages, a variety of locations and price ranges, and encourages virtue. A sheet of blank cards included for personal ideas.

Celebrating St. Valentine's Day and attending weddings are always great reminders that we need to nourish our relationships with extra love and care. It's also a nice resource for those Phase 2 NFP moments. Not every idea is Catholic, but there are several cards that refer to praying together, visiting shrines, starting a novena together, gathering with other couples, renewing your vows, and helping ignite your desire to include your faith in any adventure you embark.

Colored categories include:

Faith Integrated Ideas

Inexpensive & At home Ideas

Outdoor & Active Ideas

Enriching & Cultural Ideas

Group & Community Activities

Tickets for Love Languages include:

Quality Time

Give a Gift

Affirmation

Physical Touch

Acts of Service

Acts of Faith

THIS PDF FILE IS ON MY ETSY SHOP

HomegrownCatholics.Etsy.com

VERSION: JUST THE TICKET

www.etsy.com/listing/763415000/catholic-couples-date-devotion-idea

VERSION: LOVELY FLORAL

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1184971140/catholic-date-cards-floral

This is a digital item, so you will be given a link for a PDF download. 

I suggest printing two boxes on 60lb+ cardstock, and cards on 30lb paper.

Now includes several colorful options for printing on the backside of the cards for a more finished piece. Use one or a variety. Add rounded corners for a professional look.

They look great with rounded corners!

THE CARD BOX

Print two boxes to hold all 144 cards!

Chose an image to print on the reverse side if you want the inside to be decorated.

Cut out as directed on the page.

 

The tabs should keep the box together, but you could glue or tape it.

With this many ideas, we'd have enough to last us a few years. However, I'd love to add to this collection. Please comment with anything else you've done that was a real hit for you and your spouse.

More ideas might include:

Plant a Mary Garden

Tour a new Adoration Chapel each week

Study a Saint

Start a Novena

Read the Love Dare

Read The Five Love Languages

Take a Dave Ramsey Class

Chose a Procrastinated Project to do during Phase2 (NFP)

Write new vows for your upcoming Anniversary

Make plans for your Silver (25th) Anniversary

Create a Pinterest board of things you'd like to do

Plan a Family Vacation or Activity

Hold hands in public today

Sit next to each other in Mass

Attend a Marriage Encounter

MARRIED COUPLES EXAMEN

Have I said I love you today both in words and actions?

Do I speak with words that are good, true, lovely, and beautiful? Or do I use harsh, judgemental, and condemning words when speaking to him/her?

Have I complained about my spouse (interiorly or aloud)?

Do I share with others information about my spouse that isn’t meant to be shared? Specifically failings or faults?

Do I give him/her the benefit of the doubt or do I always assume the worst?

Do I offer loving patience when my spouse is having a difficult time or do I lose patience and lack compassion?

Am I empathetic with my spouse’s sufferings?  

Have I held on to small hurts or harbored resentment or anger?

Do I choose to smile and bring peace to the home even when I don’t feel like it?

Am I a reflection of the unconditional love of God to my spouse?

Did I use my spouse in any way today as a means to an end?

Have I loved him/her as a child of God with intrinsic value?

Have I worked to make life more bearable for my spouse today?

Have I prayed with and for him/her?

Have I forgiven wrongs immediately or do I hold on to them?

Have I taken myself or my spouse too seriously and failed to be a source of joy?

Have I read, listened to, prayed about, or watched at least one small thing today to build up the relationship?

Did I do any acts of love or service for my spouse today?

Was I pure in thought while away from my spouse?

Have I kept unhealthy friendships or allowed others to take priority over my married relationship?

Have I supported or watched any shows or media that devalue Christian marriage?

Do I say I’m sorry and admit wrongs openly?

Do I blame my spouse for my own failings?

Do I cling to pride when my spouse brings up grievances or do I bear wrongs patiently?

Have I honored my spouse with my presence and time today?

Has gambling, video games, novels, movies, or other created things taken precedence over my marriage today?

Do I love as Christ would have me love?

Prioritizing Your Marriage

Written July 25, 2013 by Melissa @ Homegrown Catholics

I remember in the first year of our marriage, our refrigerator door was bare except for a dry erase board where every morning my husband wrote me a love note. Just a few years later it included potty training charts, finger paintings and ABC magnets. In that same time my task list went from a little post-it note to a
notebook page. In recent years, that same task list is now the prominent paperwork on the fridge door and tablet. Drawings get neatly tucked away, and love letters are few. That place for cherished things is now focused on what needs to get done. If it wasn’t for the food inside, I swear they’d avoid that area. While the “to do’s” of chores, schoolwork, yard work, and phone calls are important, I’ve somehow made them a prominent point of my life. What does that say to my family about where my focus is? What does it show of what we have accomplished? Where do we then share our love notes?

The list of priorities in most Catholic and faith-filled families is “First God, then Spouse, then Children and Family, then Others, then Self.”  While my task list is filled with great objectives, it is missing these categories all together! Perhaps we, who cherish our task lists on our fridge or on our electronic devices, should come up with a new way of prioritizing our tasks. It might look a little like this:

What I need to accomplish today

1. Spend time with God.

2. Love my Spouse by:

3. Enjoy my children as we:

4. How can I connect with others?

5. Taking care of myself.

6. This needs to get done too:

A Printable Task List is available HERE

I have a lot of self help books. After looking on my shelves there are plenty books about my faith, being a mother, about children, health, and homeschooling. Yet, there are only two books about being a good spouse. Somewhere along the line I forgot to add my marriage to my task list. When we become busy people and parents, we often forget to schedule in time with each other. That can leave you feeling as if you have a roommate more than a spouse.  When you take care of your car with regular oil changes, washes, waxes, adding gas, vacuuming, etc it will last longer, wear out less, get better mileage, and you are proud to be seen in it. Others see your car and notice your care of it. When one person in our neighborhood washes their car or mows their lawn, it’s like a chain reaction of all other neighbors doing the same. The same can happen with our marriages. As we nurture it with regular care and tune ups where needed, it will last longer, wear out less, get better mileage, you will be proud to be together, and others will be inspired to nurture their own marriages.

Those two books I have about marriage are great resources. They helped us realize that in order to have a better relationship, you can’t focus on changing the other person or be waiting for them to do something – you instead need to first change how you approach your spouse, take time to learn about him/her, and make the first move. Learn what is their love language (how they love and want to be loved), as well as what ways can you best show your love.

• The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
• The Love Dare by Alex and Stephen Kendrick

So when I put together my new task list, what might it include for loving my spouse?

• Read about improving my marriage 
• Go on a Marriage Encounter (www.wwme.org ) 
• Renew our vows 
• Be intimate with each other 
• Be open to life (www.ourcatholicmarriage.org/family/life/) 
• Be the first to: 
• Go in for a kiss 
• Roll over to snuggle 
• Change the diaper 
• Stop arguing 
• Ask how his/her day went 
• Leave love notes: 
• Next to the task list or on the calendar 
• In his lunch box (that you packed) 
• Write “I Love You” in permanent marker inside the lunch box 
• On the bathroom mirror, steering wheel, fridge or bouquet 
• Thank you notes 
• Doing a chore the other might usually do 
• Have a regular date night: 
• A long walk 
• Coffee at a café 
• Kids at Grandma’s night 
• Dinner and a Movie 
• Dance lessons 
• Adoration Hour together 
• Bowling 
• Join a team or volunteer together 
• Get a sitter to go shopping 
• Dating with Kids: 
• Family movie, but you sit next to each other 
• Eat at a fast food with a playland or picnic at the park, kids play and you two can talk 
• Have the kids plan your date
• Have the kids make and serve dinner 
• Other ways to be together: 
• Wake up together and pray 
• Making meals or washing dishes together 
• Rosary before bedtime

Prioritizing your marriage by adding it to your task list, calendar and heart will eventually become part of a regular maintenance plan. Coming up with ideas together and writing them down will show your spouse that to you they are important and cherished. Checking off those tasks will have a whole new level of joy and appreciation. If the list is getting too long, perhaps some projects could be moved to a separate “It can wait” list to make room for what matters now. You should never be too busy for the real priorities in life.

Summer of Family Fun

A Summer of Family Fun. Dedicated to our #Adventures4Eddie

This post is all about Summer Fun with your family! There are a few highlighted Saints to join you on your journey. I'm not sure I could cram this all into one summer, but instead I plan to come back to this list year after year to find a new adventure. Please comment with any links or ideas you have, too! I want this list to grow and be shared, because we're all in this together.

 

We have 8 children, currently ranging from ages 5 months to 17 years old, so it was important that the activities incorporated all age groups. In 2017 we lost our 5yo son, Eddie, in a tragic back yard accident. He loved being outside, creating, and spending time with the family. He often reminded us in his own way when it was time to step away from our tasks and just have fun. Since then we've gained a renewed spirit about letting go of the excuses and fears that keep us from having adventures with our children. We're visiting new places, trying new things, and continuing the focus on our faith and family - but with much more vigor than before. Sure, there are days I let the excuses be the reason we just stay at home without any pressure to go big, and that's good too. A good read-aloud, family rosary, card game, or a puzzle can satisfy our interests.

Every time I write up a list, lesson plan or take pictures of our family activities, I am thinking someone out there would enjoy this too. Thank you for your encouragement as you join the conversation with your comments. Check out all the ideas and lesson plans on this web page, and join my daily sharing of ideas and inspirations on  www.facebook.com/HomegrownCatholics .  You can follow our family's adventures on  FB Adventures4Eddie as well as the St Brigid's Academy blog  If you have 4 or more children and homeschool, join the conversation on our Facebook support group: Homeschooling a Largely Blessed Catholic Family .

I'm keeping things short - so I can get back to my family! I'm praying for you, dear families and friends, that your lives be full of JOY and ADVENTURE as you take this journey towards our eternal home.

STAYCATIONS & LOCAL ACTIVITIES

Cork Map  &  Destination Pins 

- Blanket Fort Sleepover

- Family Bike Ride, check out a new trail

- Rent a Pontoon to cruise, fish or swim

- Go Geocaching!

- Visit a New Playground each week

- Attend your church summer camps

- Grandma's Day Camp

- Attend your Parish Festival & City Fun Days

- Visit a Theme Park

- Visit a Working Farm or Zoo

- Check out your local movie theater's summer kids club

- KidsBowlFree.com

- Attend a Parade, or better yet be in one!

- Visit your local Farmers’ Market. Check if they have a kids program.

- Any road trips must include sing-a-longs, car games, audio books, and roadside picnics and pitstops!

- Create Chalk Villages and Homes

- Raise Butterflies

- Build a Puzzle together

- Frisbee Golf

- Host a Teen Extreme Game Day

- Mini Golf

- Make a Home Video or Commericial

- Field Sports

- Relay Races

- Play Flashlight Tag

- Get Artsy

- YOU GOT THIS!

SPECIAL CHALLENGES
*Garage Sale Challenge: Everyone gets $10 to spend. Awards for Best Deal, Most Unique, Silliest Outfit/Costume, etc
*Photograph Scavenger Hunt: Capture a scene from a unique angle; a unique subject; or choose a theme (boredom busters, my city's highlights, sunrises, little & unnoticed, chores before & after). Share your collage!

*Fly Over My Favorite Place: Paint a morning or evening sky. Decoupage an image of a famous monument or place. Add a painted image of a hot air balloon. Paint or decoupage an image of you in the air balloon!
*Senior Moments: Design inspirational and colorful placemats to bring to a senior home. Choose a short story or selection of poetry to read aloud to seniors. Sing to them. Play chess, cards, help with crafts, etc. Whatever your talent, share it with the elderly.

We do this as part of our #Adventures4Eddie 

and you can see this, our story, and more activity ideas 

at www.facebook.com/Adventures4Eddie/

*Adventure Rocks: Paint Inspirational Rocks and leave them on trails, near geocaches, or at different places you visit.  (Tag your pictures with our hashtag!)

READING CHALLENGE

- Have afternoon tea with storytime.

- Library’s Summer Program

- Create a Lego Scene for each book you read. Photograph it.

- Create bookmarks using a cutout photo of yourself, friends or family.

- Find a new book at a thrift store, or library’s free shelf.

- Video chat with a friend, reading a book aloud to one another. Be dramatic!

- Memorize a Bible verse. Make a poster and hang it up where you’ll see it often.

- Draw the characters of a book that is not already illustrated.

- Host or Join a Book Club

- Redesign a book cover. Print and recover your book.

- Create "Blackout Poetry:" Photocopy a page of a book. Blackout words leaving only those that create a poem. Black out completely, or intertwine a corresponding image.

- Read to a sibling, friend, elderly, hospitalized, or a pet.

- Read one whole book of the Bible, or do a Bible Study.

- Read "St Patrick's Summer: A Children's Adventure Catechism"

- Pick a book of Saints and write a personal prayer, asking for the intercession of your favorite Saint.

 

 St. Jerome & St Catherine of Alexandria, Patron Saints of Librarians, Libraries, Teachers, Archivists

WHERE WILL YOUR FEET TAKE YOU?

- Plant and Tend a Mary Garden of flowers

- Plant and Tend a food garden, learning about food preservation

- Take a barefoot beach walk

- Get a pedicure at home or a spa, or gift a pedicure to someone you love.

- Footprint painting

- Game: Find objects in a tub of Orbeez with your toes! Race a friend.

- Shopping with friends, find a unique/fun pair of socks!

- Go for a nature walk. Bring a journal and pencil along.

- Draw an architectural sketch of a space on grid paper, using your footsteps to measure it.

- Decorate flip flops with tying on fabric scraps.

- Join a summer track team.

- Nature Scavenger Hunt

- Build a Sandcastle

- Learn dance moves online or in a class

- Host a Field Day with friends

St. Servatus, Patron Saint of Feet
St. Christopher & St. Archangel Raphael, Patron Saints of Travelers

WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR

- Invite neighbor friends over to have a Driveway/Sidewalk Chalk-Fest. Eat popsicles and get creative! Watch “Sidewalk Artists” online to get inspired.

- Neighborhood Fun: 4-Square, Catch, Biking, Playground, Tag, Human Knot, Kickball…

- Setup a Neighborhood Picnic/Potluck

- When mowing the yard, offer to mow your neighbor’s lawn.

- Write a Pen Pal

- Offer summer babysitting service.

- Everyone enjoys a good Smore over a campfire!

^Click image to visit our homeschool blog

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Mark 12:31

THAT’S SEW INTERESTING

- Sew crafts for future gifts or donations

- Weave items from nature on a stick and string loom.

- Make Daisy Chains with dandelions, clover or other flowers.

- Sew your own clothes and accessories: skirt, dress, boxers, hair tie, bowtie, library tote, adventure satchel, makeup case…just to name a few ideas.

- Sew many ideas and patterns online. Visit www.pinterest.com/HGCatholics/needle-arts-for-kids/

- Embroider a set of dish towels or napkins

 

 St. Anne, Patron Saint of Housewives

YOU NAILED IT

- Build a: balance board, corn hole game, washer toss game, bike ramp, picnic table, lap desk, yard dice, mini golf course, a new invention.

- There are many Shop Class & Engineering ideas online. Start looking here www.pinterest.com/HGCatholics/shop-class/

- Learn woodworking in simple steps from peeling carrots, to carving soap blocks and creating stamps from potatoes, to whittling a walking stick, to cutting using a jigsaw and arm saw, and then onto bigger projects.

- Pick a few engineering projects to create using things around your home.

St. Joseph the Carpenter

WATER WEEK

- Homemade slip n slide using a large sheet of plastic, landscaping stakes. and a hose. Add soap to slicken the run.

- Make homemade popsicles! Our favorite silicone mold can be found here: Popsicle Mold Link

- Create a watercolor nature study of your favorite summer places

- Have a Squirt Gun Fight

- Fill waterguns with watercolors or watered-down tempura paint, and spray a canvas

- Have a rainy day spa day (inside or outside!)

- Have a carwash in your swimsuits

- Visit a local pool, lake, waterfall, river, waterpark or splashpad

- Go fishing, boating, canoing, or other watersports

- Blow bubbles, creating homemade wands

- Water Balloon Fight

- Run through your sprinklers 

St. Nicholas, Patron Saint of Sailors

St. Adjutor, Patron Saint of swimmers and boaters

 

Bl. Peter Gonzales, Patron of sailors

https://www.tomie.com/news/2018/4/14/new-st-peter-gonzalez

You can write out this list on your calendar (schedule in the fun), or perhaps create a Summer Countdown with a display like this:

Thank you for visiting my post. I hope to add to my growing list of family activties, so your comments are helpful. Check out all the ideas and lesson plans on this webpage, and join my daily sharing of ideas and inspirations on Facebook  www.facebook.com/HomegrownCatholics

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