After I’ve shoveled a gourmet PBJ or delectable macaroni and cheese into my mouth at lunchtime, I have started picking up a book to read to the kids. Right now we are reading one chapter from My ABC Bible Verses by Susan Hunt and one chapter of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is my favorite book of all time and an absolute MUST READ (along with the rest of the series). It’s also easy reading and has short chapters, so it’s perfect for the lunch table.

My ABC Bible Verses by Susan Hunt is more of a short kids’ devotional book. I’ve seen it on lots of blogs, pulled it up on numerous Google searches and have had it in my wishlist for ages. And I am kicking myself for not ordering it earlier!

Each chapter is just 2 pages long with a verse beginning with a letter of the alphabet, a short paragraph explaining the verse and a very pointed and articulate fictional story about a brother and sister who use, memorize and experience the verse. It ends with some questions and prompts to quote the verse. It’s so practical and applicable that I feel like it was written about my own kids!

We’re reading one chapter a day and are only on the Letter E, but I am amazed at how well the kids know the verses already! Here’s Asa telling them all to you…{we memorized them in the NIRV instead of whatever the book is using…}

Not bad, eh? OK, so he’s really stuck on the Letter A, “A gentle answer TURNS ANGER AWAY!”

You’ll definitely want to pick this book up if you don’t have it already. If you’d like some more ABC activities based on this book, head over to 1+1+1=1, she’s got a whole series called Raising Rock Stars based on the book!

photo by: ozyman

We went to an apple orchard on Saturday. It was so beautiful to see all the trees full of apples. But it was more fun to pick and eat them! We picked a peck of apples (whatever that is) and then bought 2 more bushels. If you don’t know how many apples that is…well, let me tell you, it is A LOT! I have apples everywhere in my kitchen. We eat apples for every meal. We’ve made an apple pie, apple muffins and even an apple sausage quiche. Today we are going to conquer applesauce!

Since we’re up to our eyeballs in apples, I thought an apple verse might be a good idea. But does the Bible say anything about apples? Actually it does! The Bible refers to US as the apple of God’s eye! Isn’t that awesome? Then I found another verse in Proverbs 7:2 that asks us to make God’s Word the apple of OUR eye:

Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.

Today we did a little apple stamping. This isn’t a new idea, in fact I think we’ve posted about it before on the blog. But I did add a new twist—I put those little corn cob holders in the top and the kids could easily pick up the apple to stamp it! Works for me!

Then we cut out the apples, glued them to some red paper, punched holes and ran a piece of yarn through them for a memory verse banner! Isn’t it pretty?

As we made our apple stamps and banner, I tried to explain the “apple of my eye” phrase to the kids. We looked closely at each others eyes until we could see our reflections in them. I told them only a special person you loved could see the reflection–someone CLOSE to you.

Then we talked about how God is that close to us and he calls us the apple of His eye. After we read the verse a few times we talked about keeping God’s Word and his laws close to our eyes and our hearts.

Then (and this is kind of a stretch AND mixing metaphors) I cut the apple around the equator and showed them the pretty hidden “star” inside. (Lydia said it was a flower, of course!) We talked about how it was hidden and close to the middle of the apple. I explained that God’s Word should be THAT close to us and our hearts!

Like I said, it’s a little bit of a stretch, but I think it helped them understand the point of keeping God’s Word close!

linked to

someday crafts

I struggle with finding good Bible resources for my three-year-old. Usually, the things I see are beyond her developmental stage or are just really boring!

So, I was excited to come across this site the other day: ABC, I Believe Christian Homeschooling and More. It offers a comprehensive set of activity ideas, lessons, and printables to go along with a Bible verse. Each verse corresponds to a different letter of the alphabet.

This is not simply a “print out a worksheet” sort of site. Each letter has a set of detailed instructions and explanations for various activities in the areas such as penmanship, art, science, math, etc. There are even lists of recommended books that go along with each animal. (You know I love that!)

The lessons are divided into different age groups, so you can focus in on your child’s specific needs and abilities. This appeals to me so much because I rarely do something the way it is suggested in a book. I love having options, taking them all into consideration, and then crafting something specifically suited to my daughter’s interests and abilities. This site makes that process so much easier!

I have to tell you, I was super excited when I first started looking through the site, but then was a little disappointed when I realized that only the first four lessons are free. After that, you have to pay for the rest. The cost is $12.95 which seems to be a bargain for the massive amount of printables, crafts, and step-by-step instruction provided. I don’t know yet if I will buy the rest of the series. I’m waiting to see how Juliet responds to the first four lessons.

At any rate, I wanted to share this great resource with you. Maybe you’ll fall in love with it like I did and buy the set, or maybe you’ll just enjoy the first four lessons! There’s enough in those to keep you busy for a few months, I think!

Do you have any great online Bible resources for kids to share with me?