My Son+Dinosaur Train=Valuable lesson in Team Spirit

It's no shock that kids love cartoons, but have you ever paid attention to what they are learning. I'm against "stupid cartoons" like Spongebob and such that have NO educational value and NO social benefits. Shows like Dinosaur Train, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Special Agent Oso, Imagination Movers, Veggie Tales, Gigi, etc. have an educational value and show kids how to interact with others. YES THIS IS THE PARENTS JOB! No, I don't believe the TV should be a baby sitter. But let's be honest, if you have to balance the checkbook, pay bills, or make an important phone call it's a benefit to have their full attention engaged for 30 minutes.

The kids have found the show "Dinosaur Train" while visiting Nana and Papa. This show is awesome because the kids learn about Dinosaurs, they learn more phonics skills by learn multiple syllable words like "Daspletosaurus" "Tyrannosaur" "Stygimolchs" "Brontosaurus" "Corythosaurus". Plus they learn about the science of dinosaurs and what a palaeontologist does.

"TEAM PTERANODON" photo from www.poptower.com full credit is given to them for the photo.

From the "storyline" of the show, Matthias has learn something that I never paid attention to: "Team Pteranodon" (see Pteranodon for the pronunciation).  The mom and dad Pteranodon will say to their kids "let's go team Pteranodon" and "way to go team Pteranodon".

Matthias has said  "This is cool. I like the idea of brothers and sisters and mom and dad are a team. Mom are we a team? Can we be a team... like team matthias, halle, malachi, mom, dad? Oh wait.... we are Spurlock right? So we can be "TEAM SPURLOCK". Does that sound cool mom?"

 He didn't give me a chance to answer any question. He thought his questions out loud and solved them all  without help. So now we are "Team Spurlock". He really likes the idea of creating a team spirit in the family.

In businesses, they create a "team spirit" to accomplish goals and better the business as a whole. (Here's an article from the UK about Developing Team Spirit)  Motivational speakers encourage creating positive environments (Here's a blog by one of the nations' newest but most motivational speaker's I've heard: Matt Maddix). Tangent time: Use these "5 Things our kids NEED" to help you create that "team spirit".  Sports and other organizations will tell you that "Team Spirit" is a vital part of their achievements (See Importance of Team Spirit). I'm not a sports person but I'm sure my husband (Matthew Spurlock) can educate me on team building in sports and in the Army.

EVEN THE BIBLE SAYS:  Matthew 12:25 Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, "Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. (NLT) and Mark 3:25 And if a household is divided against itself, that household will not last. (God's Word Translation).

So by just the evidence the Bible presents: CREATE A TEAM SPIRIT=CREATE A FAMILY THAT WILL LAST. Create an environment that will bind everyone together in a loving spirit and keep the family strong.

Well, leave it to God to have a child and a dinosaur teach a mom a valuable lesson in creating a positive attitude in the home. Thank God for kids... a Pteranodons. Now introducing "Team Spurlock"

Getting organized: Using a calendar

One of the keys to getting organized is to use a calendar so you don't forget important dates.
Don't have too many calendars around the house then you get confused. I suggest 2-3 at the most: 1 Electronic Calendar like on the iPhone or other smart phones. The other 1-2 should be a master calendar that everyone can see. I have 2 one on the wall of my kitchen that EVERYONE can see. It has everyone's appointments, tests, quizzed, trips, birthdays, etc on it. My personal master calendar has everything about everyone on it PLUS bill due dates and amount due. 

1. My personal master calender is a monthly/daily type.  I use the monthly for an overview, then I use the daily for my "DO IT NOW" lists. 
2. Check calendars DAILY! I check them the night before so that I can get clothes, diaper bags, paperwork, etc ready for the next day. Then I put it all by the front door so I have it in one spot ready to go.
3. Use your calendar to plan your menus to prevent excess spending on take out. 
4. Purposely plan to call/email a friend during the week. 
5. Plan your Bible reading and your self-improvement reading. 
6. Set your goals on your calendar and your checkpoints.
7. Anytime something changes, change the other calendars.

The iPhone: When I set appointments in my iPhone I set 2 times with it. Either 1-2 days before AND 1-2 hours before. ALWAYS SET REMINDERS!

Organize Toys with Ziploc and Plastic Containers

Toys groups by type/color in Ziploc bags then placed in a plastic storage bin.

What's one of the hardest rooms to organize? THE KIDS ROOMS/PLAY ROOM. All those toys. All those parts. All the mess!  With children ages 3 and older, those who are old enough to know NOT TO PUT PLASTIC BAGS around their mouth and head. This little tips is a MAJOR help to keep from losing little parts and keeping all the pieces together. Ziploc Storage Bags and Plastic Bins!  I use ziploc bags with the "zipper" on it so the kids can easily open and close them. I use quart and gallon size bags. Using the bags makes it easy to group toys together according to type and not be searching every where for all the little piece.

Toys in Ziploc bag with all the pieces in one bag.

Great Breakfast Ideas:

Instead of sugary cereal for kids try these options. Great for kids and adults:

Juice fresh fruit into excellent juice:
Apple and Carrot (or Purple Carrot)
Banana, Apple, & Strawberry
Dragonfruit & Stawberry
Orange & Pineapple

(tip: for school age children don't just give juice because children, esp boys, need a full stomach. when the stomach empties they can because restless)

Eggs, Multi-Grain Toast with Fruit Spread (not jelly/jam), and fresh fruit
Nuts/Seeds and Fresh Fruit
Cooked Oatmeal with dried berries (blueberries, raisins, and craisins)
Uncooked Oatmeal with milk and bananas
Omelet with cooked Kosher Approved Meat (like elk sausage or turkey bacon), cheese, and diced tomatoes and/or diced bell peppers.
Granola Bars
Yogurt with Granola and dried fruit
Yogurt with Granola and fresh fruit
Fresh Baked Biscuits (whole wheat) with honey and butter (not margarine)

(I can't make omelets well so I make an "inside out omelet") I scrambled all the eggs, then melt the cheese, then add the meat and veggies. Tastes GREAT!!!

Acting Out and Wisdom About Parenting

Matthias is starting to act out more, but he's learning quickly that mom isn't giving in and will NOT tolerate bad behavior. We do a lot of talks with discipline if needed. Direct defiance is the only action that requires a spanking (according to Dr. James Dobson). I personally believe that a corporal punishment should be the last resort, but I believe it is necessary. Too much will not make it effective. Children will determine "why try I'm just going to get in trouble".


Parenting is not all about behavior control. It's about giving them training them and teaching them in a way that what they believe is deeply rooted in them so that their behavior reflects their values. If you teach your children core values they will respect them.

I want my children to be respectful and loving. We must model for them who we expect them to be. If we want 2-faced Christians in the church, then we live a double life. If we want to raise little gossips, we gossip so our children will learn how.

Activities In and Around Colorado Springs for Fun

CHURCH

Focus on the Family
CHURCH
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
CHURCH
Garden of the gods
CHURCH
Dinosaur Museum in Woodland Park
CHURCH
Country Drive in the Mountains to look for Deer, Elk, and other Wild Life
CHURCH
Tour a health food store to talk about eating healthy
CHURCH
Drive around the military bases and look at the Jets, Planes, and Tanks on display
CHURCH
Go to the park
CHURCH
Go to the gym
CHURCH
Go to the "play areas" at the mall
CHURCH

Hmmm.... I mention church alot! Why? Because in the church is where children NEED to be. We rarely miss church. My children have grown to love it so much. It helps them to see "their friends" (which is just about everyone in the church). Going to church consistantly gives your children a sense of belonging and a love for church. It will become a habit for them to go to church regularly.

If you don't have a church to call home and you live in the Colorado Springs area, please contact me about our wonderful church. They have been the ones who help me make it through the tough times. As soon as I walk in the door, my children run go see their friends and I know without a doubt my children are safe.

Two Companies every person should know about!!!

There are 2 companies that I believe every person should use:








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