The minutes spent with your child each day don’t have to be extravagant to create treasured memories. In fact, some of the smaller moments spent with kids turn into the most monumental, treasured memories. Be intentional this month about spending time with your kids, sharing little activities, big events, or anything in-between.

With pleasant temperatures and outdoor play, May is a fun time of year to make family memories. Below are some activities to enjoy in the upcoming month.

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› Rock and Roll

My friend and In the Quiver contributor, Jeannie Waters, shared this memory on my Facebook page, and I have a similar suggestion in my upcoming book, 365 Ways to Show Love to Your Child: Turning Little Moments into Lasting Memories. 

Search for large rocks in the back yard (you may have to do a little digging in the dirt with plastic spoons or small shovels). Once you’ve found a collection of rocks, fill a small bucket with water and suds from dish detergent. Let your child scrub clean each rock with an old toothbrush. Rinse the cleaned rocks with a garden hose, and then lay the rocks on the driveway to dry in the sun. 

While the rocks dry, sit on the driveway and read the Bible story found in Joshua 3:14 – Joshua 4:24. Talk about God’s miracle when the Israelites crossed the Jordan River on dry ground. Discuss what the stones represented to the Israelites. Ask your child for examples of God’s faithfulness in their lives. 

When the rocks are dry, let the kids place them in a flower bed or somewhere in the yard, and tell the kids to think about God’s faithfulness each time they pass by the rock collection.

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› Plant a Memory in the Heart 

Purchase inexpensive springtime flowers in a variety of favorite colors and work together to plant them in the yard in the shape of a heart. 

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› It’s Raining Fun

Gather outgrown rain boots and rain coats and drop them off at a women’s shelter or fostering organization. Then shop together to purchase new rain boots and rain coats for the season. On the next rainy day, dress in protective outerwear and head outside. Dance in the rain and splash in puddles.

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› Special Dinner Guests  

Tell the kids you’re having a special dinner. Let them help you clean the house and prepare dinner that includes the kids’ favorite foods. Just before serving, have everyone change into guests-worthy attire, and then meet you in the dining room.

The kids will wonder who is coming for dinner, and when they realize there’s no extra place setting, tell them that they are your special guests! During the meal, profusely express your love for your kids. Remind the kids how important they are to the family. Also remind them that as much as you love them, God loves them even more!

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› Berry Special Memories  

Find time to pick berries as a family, and then work in the kitchen to make a fruit cobbler. Or press berries, strain the juices, and combine with ice cream for a milkshake. Or wash berries and add to bowls of cereal and milk.

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MAY you have a marvelous month turning little moments into lasting memories in the days ahead. 

 

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Julie Lavender loves making memories with her family that includes her high-school and college sweetheart, David, four adult children, one son-in-love, and one precious 18-month-old grandson. Julie is a journalist, author, and former homeschooling mom of twenty-five years who holds a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education. 

Julie is excited that her parenting book, 365 Ways to Love Your Child: Turning Little Moments into Lasting Memories, published by Revell, releases in October of this year. Julie has also co-authored two devotionals in the last six months with Michelle Cox; both were published by BroadStreet. 

She is a freelance stringer for the Statesboro Herald Newspaper, and her work is included in various magazines, like Guideposts and Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse Magazine, and on several parenting and homeschooling blogs.

Julie would love connections on her Facebook page or author page, and she would love even more if you’d join the conversation about showing love to a child on her Facebook Group, 365 Ways to Love Your Child (https://www.facebook.com/groups/607967430049843/).

 

 

in the Quiver