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Tuesday, February 9, 2010

The Olympics & Your Kids

Children hold a very special place in the heart of the Kingdom of Heaven.  It's important that we remember to cherish our children as Christ did.  Part of cherishing them is seeing them not just as these little helpless and needy people, but as creations of God with their own gifts and talents...and callings by God.  A great way to do this is to welcome them in to as much as we as responsible parents.  So, I'm suggesting you incorporate family time into Olympic time.  A great way to start is to begin by watching Cool Runnings with them.  See yesterday's post.  Bridge the divide between children and adults with fun and creativity.


Here are two super creative craft ideas that come from Kaboose - http://holidays.kaboose.com/olympics.html



 


Ceremonial Olympic Torch

By: Amanda Formaro
Difficulty: Very Easy
Age: 4 and up

Celebrate the Winter Olympic Games 2010 by making this super simple ceremonial Olympic torch craft.  Create your own games in the backyard with the help of neighborhood friends and some grown ups!
For more winning crafts, games, and throwing an Olympic party, visit our section devoted to the Olympics. Take our quiz to find out what your winter Olympics IQ is!

What you'll need:

  • 1 sheet of white construction paper
  • Clear tape
  • Red, yellow, and orange tissue paper, 12" x 12" square of each color
  • White craft glue

How to make it:

  1. Roll the construction paper into a cone shape, tape closed.
  2. Layer the tissue paper squares, red on the bottom, then orange, and yellow on top.
  3. Gather from the center of the squares and hold in your hand like a bouquet of flowers.
  4. Put some white craft glue into the sides of the opening of the cone.
  5. Place the tissue paper into the cone and let the glue dry completely.

Tips:

  • If you want a really tall torch like the real Olympic torch, use a piece of white poster board instead of the construction paper.
  • Instead of tissue paper you can use construction paper in the same colors. Simply cut them into flame shapes and glue inside the cone opening.
  • Have a piece of tape ready before rolling the cone, this way you won't be struggling with the tape while trying to hold the cone's shape. 

***NOTE*** Ham goes to a music class on Tuesday's and our project for this week was to make a homemade noise maker.  So...I combined the Olympic torch idea with a musical shaker.  I took wax paper, Basmati rice and a toilet paper role to make the shaker.  Then I used the poster board to make a bigger torch and placed the shaker on the inside of the torch.  I then put the fire/tissue paper on top.  The bottom is open and you can hear the sound of the shaker better at the bottom and the fiery sound of the paper on the top.  It turned into two themed music makers in one...and Ham loves it.



 

Chenille Snowboarder

By: Amanda Formaro
Difficulty: Easy
Age: 6 and up

Snowboarding is all the rage and so fun to watch during the Olympics! Kids will love testing their creativity while bending this chenille snowboarder into shape.
Celebrate the upcoming Olympics with these gold-medal crafts. Learn more about the athletes, try out sports printables or take an Olympic quiz!

What you'll need:

  • 1 jumbo craft stick
  • White and light blue paint
  • Paint brush
  • Toothpick
  • Chenille stems, 1 each in blue, yellow and brown
  • White craft glue
  • Scissors
  • Gold paint pen or black marker
  • Pattern

How to make it:

  1. Paint jumbo craft stick white. Let dry. (See photo.)
  2. Use toothpick dipped in light blue paint to decorate craft stick. Set aside to dry. (See photo.)
  3. To make the chenille man, use the pattern as a guide. First cut the yellow chenille stem in half. Cross them like a lower case letter "t" and twist together at the crossing point. Bend one arm up like it's waving, point the other one downward.
  4. Cut about 2 inches off of the blue chenille stem and set aside. Bend the remaining blue chenille stem in half to find the center. Starting at the center, bend each side up, then back down to form an upper case letter "M" to make the legs.
  5. Twist the bottom of the yellow body around the center of the leg section. Take 2" piece of blue chenille and wrap it around the intersection you just created.
  6. Bend the brown chenille into a circle and twist it around the "neck" of the yellow chenille. Trim off the excess brown and wrap any remaining around the neck.
  7. Write the word "SNOW" across the snowboard with marker or paint pen.
  8. Lay the chenille man on the table and add some white glue to the feet then place the snowboard on top of the feet. (See photo.)

Tips:

  1. Use your favorite snowboarder's colors!
  2. Chenille stems are sold by individual color and in large variety packs.
  3. Use construction paper to create a fun snow scene to which you can add your chenille snowboarder.


Grab the Button and Link Back to CGM for 5 Olympic Points towards your metal.  Click HERE for more details.


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Monday, February 8, 2010

Must See Movies to Tone You Up for the Olympics

 
A Movie Marathon of Olympic Proportions Just For You!   

Suggested Viewing Schedule:
------------------------------------------------------
Monday Night:  Cool Runnings  
Tuesday Night:  The Cutting Edge   
Wednesday Night:  Blades of Glory  (Suggested for Adults Only)   
Thursday Night:  Miracle    
Friday Night:  Olympic Opening Ceremonies @ 7:30pm EST.


 I have long enjoyed these movies which boast fabulous winter Olympic flare.  Each one is filled with tremendous amounts of laughter and each one with fluffy warm endings...even that weird selection, Blades of Glory.  ;-p  Read below for brief reviews.  I have checked Netflix and each film is currently available through them so be sure to request them quickly for the marathon (none are available for instant watching on Netflix however).  Click on the movie cover to go straight to Amazon to purchase.  There is also the original movie trailers for your viewing pleasure.


  
 1993  /  Rated PG

This is a great movie for the WHOLE family.  I remember watching this movie with my parents as a kid and just having a ball with it.  To this day, my brother and I still quote Cool Runnings on a consistent basis.  I should say, we quote Shanka on a consistent basis.  Cool Runnings has everything you want in an Olympic movie: great characters, great story of adversity and perseverance and its paired with the heart of Disney.  This movie is packaged with an unexpected ending, but one that is good for children of all ages, even adult children, to experience.  It's got Jamaicans.  It's got Ice.  It's got AWESOME WINTER OLYMPIC MOVIE written all over it.  Did I mention this movie has the late, great John Candy?  At his best!





  
 1992  /  Rated PG

Just in time for Valentines Day and the Olympics this is a double whamming of romantic comedy meets winter Olympic radicalness!  (Shhh...I know I made that up but I'm trying to bring back the word Rad).  Anyway, anyone who has ever seen this movie totally understands the double and triple meanings of "Toe-pick".  There is passion, love, tension, commitment, anger, betrayal, heat...and that's just off the ice.  The skating is fun, the competition is funner!  There are a couple of could-be questionable scenes for the "family" but just keep your eye out for it if this is something that concerns you.  Otherwise, kids of ALL ages are in for a good time with this movie.  Note:  Others may disagree, but I do not recommend the sequels to this movie.  They make my nostrils flare...and that is not some righteous flarage! 


 




  
 2007  /  PG-13

Oh Will Ferrell in glittery multi-colored spandex...whatever WILL we do with you?
This movie is inappropriate, crude and often absolutely hilarious.  Ferrell plays Chaz Michael Michaels who, along with Heder go from being men's individual skaters to a men's pair (through a very interesting set of circumstances).  I do not recommend this movie for kiddos and some adults, so view this movie responsibly.  :-)  It's a good laugh though and it helps us laugh at some of the quirkiness that is human beings in competition.






  
 2004  /  PG

 Miracle is one of my all time favorite movies.  I can watch this movie over and over and never get tired of it.  Triumph over adversity is the very essence of this movie and what makes it sweeter is that it is based on the real story of the "Miracle on Ice", the 1980 USA Hockey Team at the Olympics in Lake Placid.  Do I love hockey?  Yes.  Do I love hockey players with hypnotizing Bostonian accents?  Yes, Yes.  Do I love hockey players with adorable Minnesotan accents?  Well...Yes.  Do I love Kurt Russell?  Ugh...sure...especially in this movie!  Heart and Hockey.  I can't watch this film without crying and I sat in a theater filled with men who were also balling, so I know its not JUST me.  This is truly a moving movie.  Often used in sermon illustrations, Miracle highlights the very championship nature that exists within each of us.  I give this movie Five Hockey Pucks for recapturing the greatest moment in sports history.  Do you believe in Miracles???



 



Have you seen one or all of these movies?  
Do you have a favorite?  
Which one do you plan on watching before the winter games? 


Come back tomorrow for some great Olympic ideas for the kids.  Happy Monday y'all!


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Sunday, February 7, 2010

On Fire - Preparing for the 2010 Olympics


 2010 Winter Olympics: February 12th - February 28th

 There are few things I enjoy watching on TV more than I enjoy the Olympics.  As a kid I would pretend I was in the Olympics.  As an adult I pretend I have enough money to actually watch the Olympics in person or hop on my Wii and pretend I'm in the Olympics.  As a humanitarian I enjoy the short time we have as a world every two years where we actually realize we are all a part of one whole and unified creation...under God (whether some choose to acknowledge that part or not).  And yes, I tend to cry during the Olympics because I love watching people conquer adversity with heart and perseverance. 

Since October 30th, the torch has been making its way to Vancouver where the 2010 Winter Olympics cauldron will be lit this Friday, February 12th.  NBC will be covering the games and will broadcast opening ceremonies beginning at 7:30pm EST.  Go to http://www.nbcolympics.com/ to find out more about local scheduling and TV times.  This site allows you to put in your zip code and your TV provider in order to give you the most accurate schedule.  For a broad schedule of the games, go to the main website of the 2010 Winter Olympics, http://www.vancouver2010.com/ and/or http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-schedule-results/.



I'm going to be blogging and yes, even "vlogging" (video blogs) about the Olympics, so be sure to make CGM a daily stop for Olympic commentary and read what others have to say too.  In honor of the Olympic games, I will be awarding (in image form) a Gold, Silver and Bronze medal to the three top commentators on CGM during the games.  Each day you comment, you get a CGM Olympic Point.  The three with the most points will receive medals during a very special closing ceremony.  Fun, fun, fun!!!
 
So let's get ready for the games!  Tell me what you look forward to watching the most: Shaun White shred some serious slope during snowboarding competition, couples figure skating that DOES NOT include Will Ferrell in tights, hockey at its finest (one word: Miracle)?  Something else?

Coming This Week:
Monday - Must See Movies to Tone You Up for the Olympics
Tuesday - The Olympics and Your Kids (A Must Read)
Wednesday - A Special "Guest" Article on Maximizing Your Health w/ Confidence
Thursday - Finding God in Competitive Sports
Friday - Opening Ceremonies


Grab the CGM Olympic Button






(Let me know you put this on your blog or FB and you'll automatically get 5 CGM Olympic Points to go towards your medal).

Be sure to stay tuned to my Olympic coverage via CGM and my Twitter (click here to follow).  Also, follow the official Olympic Twitter at http://twitter.com/2010Tweets.




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Wednesday, February 3, 2010

My Awards Show

I'm so humbled and overjoyed!  While I've been in Kansas City chaos over the last several weeks, I've been honored to receive several outstanding recognitions from my bloggie peers.  I'd like to give a huge shout out to my most fabulous of fabulous ladies, the ones who have given me the awards.  You LOVE me, you really LOVE me!  Many huge thanks to:

 
This award is being passed along to those who put a little Sunshine in my day:

 
"A prolific blogger is one who is intellectually productive… keeping up an active blog that is filled with enjoyable content."
5.  Wylie @ Shout a Joyful Noise! - I have to give this right back...she's great!

 
Happy 101 Award from Believer @ Miscellaneous Matters who also gave me the Sunshine Award.
"For positivity & creativity that inspires others in the Blog World" 

Um...this hilarious award is self explanatory
2.  Baptistness @ Much More Than Mommy - Right Back Atcha


Okay lovelies...spread the praise around to those hard working blog writers who inspire your everyday.


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Friendship & Luv

Photography by Jen Curtis

"Friendship colors the very air we breathe.  It is everywhere around us.  We can see it in the eyes of old women in the kitchens of the women they love.  We can hear it in the voices of one young woman giggling to another over the phone.  We can feel it beating in our own hearts on lonely rainy days in faraway places when, most alone, we are haunted by the memory of those who have walked through life with us, and walk with us still.  Friendship binds past and present and makes bearable the uncertainty of the future." 
Joan Chittister, The Friendship of Women: The Hidden Tradition of the Bible

I have been tremendously blessed by the women in my presence over the last month.  Whether they were across from me at dinner, next to me in class lecture, present with me through the power of prayer, related to me or the voice on the other end of the phone, I have been blessed by friendship.  There hasn't been anything dramatic or earth shattering in my personal life where these friends have 'had' to step up.  These women have just been beacons of light in my life because they chose to be, because they wanted to be, because they are sweet rubies.  How have you been touched by the love of a friend, new or old?  How have you reached out and loved a friend recently?  Did you feel God working in that?

Friendship is a gift from God.  Not just a gift given to us but a gift we have been empowered to give to others.  It's not enough to be the receipient of the love of a great friend.  It is a blessing to simply be a great friend.  Sometimes being there for someone is difficult, not because you don't want to be, but because your schedules are out of sync, busy, chaotic, untamed.  Maybe its been hard for you to be there for an old friend who you've grown distant from.  It could be that you're not sure how they will respond to your act of love.  You might even be afraid of rejection.  Or maybe you're still hurt over a previous dispute and you haven't yet humbled yourself to the act of forgiveness.

There will never be a shortage of reasons why "not" to do something, but God will never run out of reasons why we should.  Don't be afraid to keep old friends, make new friends, renew weathered friendships and rejuvinate stagnat ones.  Step outside your comfort zone to discover friendships that cannot only revitalize you but transform you.  Attempt to befriend someone you might not typically reach out to and watch God work within the both of you and reveal the beautiful blessings that await you.  Most importantly, do not neglect the most precious friendship of all, the one you have with Jesus.  Let that friendship be a model and an example for all other friendships.

Friendship is a gift...cherish it.

One who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but one who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends. Proverbs 17: 9

No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) ones own life for their friends. John 15: 13

You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do. John 15: 14

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. John 15: 15

Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; so does the sweetness of a friend's counsel that comes from the heart. Proverbs 27: 9

God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to Gods promise, and the Lord can be depended on); by God you were called into companionship and participation with the Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1: 9     



Photography by Jen Curtis




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