July 25, 2013 by Allison Hendrix

The Awe Journal

That noise of life that so often overstimulates my sensitive brain, I listened to it today. I broke it down and paid attention. I heard laughter, LOUD laughter, resulting from my children being reunited with their neighborhood friends. I heard the song of birds and when I looked, I saw a bright red cardinal making a nest in my oak tree and two woodpecker pecking away nearby. I heard Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah” on my radio and a ding on my phone from a friend that missed me. I started to hear the beauty in my noise and it suddenly didn’t feel so chaotic.

The Awe Journal {the House of Hendrix}

I worry that the rush of life keeps my family from seeing the beauty sprinkled throughout our day. I intentionally try to limit my children’s activities and schedule in down time, but in reality, we are still all over the place.

Last year in a quest to teach my daughter to notice the beauty surrounding her, I had her create an Awe Journal. It was a place to record those things in her daily life which she found beautiful, however she defined it.

She took an oversized spiral notebook and made a cover.
She defined what “awe” meant to her.

As we went about our day, she noticed things she found extraordinary…a pink sunset, the intricacy of a spider web, a double rainbow, the kindness of a stranger to an irate customer.

She often captured the moment by taking a picture with my phone. We’d print and tape the photograph into her journal.
Other times, she drew a picture from memory.
She would write a descriptive paragraph about it. Other times a poem. Sometimes just one sentence.
She added Bible verses and drawings. There were no rules.

How to make an Awe Journal [the House of Hendrix]

She now looks now for beauty everywhere…and she always finds it! I get tickled when she says in her pre-teen way, “Hey Mom, look. Total Awe Journal material”.

One night driving home from soccer practice, we experienced a marvelous lightning storm without any rain. Lightening was surrounding us every few seconds. She took video with my phone. It was truly awesome. As we stopped our car to just look up and watch the incredible display in the sky, we were both reminded of the power of God. We were reminded just how small we are in the universe and for that moment simply sat in awe.

Be stunned and amazed, blind yourselves and be sightless” (Isaiah 29:9)

“Stop and consider God’s wonders” (Job 37:14)

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June 28, 2013 by Allison Hendrix

Kid’s Driver’s License and Test (for bikes)

We were at Legoland this week and my children wanted to ride the electric cars. Before a child was allowed in the car, their picture was taken for a “Driver’s License”. Upon receiving this Driver’s License (which was nothing more than a business card with some blanks), my youngest son’s entire demeanor changed. He felt responsible and trusted. He wanted to make sure he obeyed each and every rule because he had been entrusted with this license. This small card was the highlight of his day and really boosted his ego.

You never know what is going to click with children. This license did, so I decided to use it for my benefit. I created a “Driver’s License Safety Test”.

If a child passes, they will be rewarded a “Driver’s License for bikes and scooters“. It’s proof that they know the safety rules of riding a bike/ scooter. They understand the license can be revoked if a rule is not followed. To have your very own Driver’s License can be a rite of passage, a step up in responsibility which develops confidence.

It is a great tool if a child is receiving a new bike or scooter. The license can represent the responsibility that comes with it. It is exciting. The expectations are clear. Happy Riding!

Kid's Driver's License and Test (for bikes and scooters). - have your child take a simple "driver's safety test" and award them with their very own printable Driver's License. great way to teach responsibility. [the House of Hendrix}

printable Driver’s License (for bikes and scooters)

Kid's Driver's License and Test - Your child takes a simple "driver's safety test" and then receives their own printable Driver's License. Great way to teach responsibility. [the House of Hendrix}

printable Driver’s Safety Test

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April 26, 2013 by Allison Hendrix

Teacher Gift Ideas

Thank you for not being "impatient" with us this year

Impatient Plant – Plant a simple impantien into a bright colored plastic pot. Tape a card onto a pencil and stick in dirt. Tie a ribbon. Cute and witty.

Lantern – We bought a lantern from Target and fill with chocolate covered pretzels. Attach a card with a reference to the teacher being a “light” in your life.

Personalized Starbucks treats – I bought cups from the dollar store and a package of chocolate covered shortbread from costco. I personalized these labels with each teacher’s name from this link. Printed them on sticker paper, cut and attached. Great way to start any day! Tea Jar – Fill a canister with tea and then print this label from www.lifecreated.com

Personalized Heart Poem – I asked my child what they love about their teacher, typed in his reply on this link , and it generates a heart shaped card. Print and give. You can never go wrong with a child’s sweet words.

I am Blessed

I am Grateful

Say it with socks – ” I am Blessed and Grateful for you!” – These socks from Notes to Self are my obsession at the moment. Here’s an affiliate link Hand Picked strawberries – with a cute tag “I couldn’t have picked a better teacher”(from Dixie Delights).

photo from “Hello from the Natos”

Homemade Cookie Dough – Wrapped adorably in parchment paper, a favorite cookie dough has always been a well received gift. You can write a recipe directly on the parchment or print it out. You can also print the label from Nato’s photo from this link. double-chocolate-chews-l

Munchins – Cute idea from the Happy Home Fairy to bring in Munchkins with note. Click here to print their note.

“Orange you glad it’s summer” Printable – I found the printable over at Coley’s Corner and you can attach it to pretty much anything. Thanks to them for allowing us to use it.

Gift Card – “A teacher can’t survive on apples alone…” – I saw this months ago as a Christmas gift but think it’d be just as cute for a year end gift.

cake pops

Cake Pop Stand – after packaging each cake pop in plastic bags from Michaels, we wrapped a styrofoam rectangle in wrapping paper, stuck them in, and made a sign. Great Grab and Go treat when lots of teachers are involved.

Personalized Gifts – These ideas are easiest if you have a die cutter machine. Here are some ways we personalized an inexpensive item which are just so much fun to receive.