Kimberly Farmer - Sandpiper Creatives

One Creator, One Race, One Mission

Teach, Don’t Assume

We do our best to teach a loving attitude that “Jesus loves the little children of the world.” That’s a great start, but there’s more that our kids need to understand. With evolutionary theory infused into our culture, many caucasian-illustrated Bible Story books, society’s messages, and the term “races” being thrown around, our children may be feeling confused about why we all look different and how that does or doesn’t affect the value of human life. Fortunately, God has explained it in the Bible, and we can explain to our children from the truth of God’s Word rather than society’s opinions. Articulating why we all look different and why that’s cool, is really very simple. If you need a nutshell summary, watch this 7 minute video from Answers in Genesis titled “Why Do We Look Different.” From creation and the Tower of Babel to concentrated genes and current science, we can see that diversity isn’t so complicated.

by Kimberly Farmer

Christian Cards for Easter & Spring

Spreading Joy One Card at a Time

Christmas isn’t the only great time to send cards. Easter (Resurrection Sunday) & Spring-themed cards are a fun way for your kids to connect with family, friends, neighbors, and church members! We are sending some of these cards and postcards to older friends living alone and to cheer on our pastors and teachers who are working extra hard right now. Also, your local nursing home may be accepting mail for residents or staff! Make your own, or use ours!

by Kimberly Farmer

Dealing with Emergency/Crisis Times

Emergencies of all kinds happen, so there are all sorts of reasons you may have found yourself suddenly asking, “But what about school?” Whether you have suddenly found yourself at home teaching your children because of medical, financial, or legal reasons, or whether you made a quick gut decision to keep them at home for more personal reasons, you may be finding yourself now overwhelmed and wondering what to do next. Particularly when you haven’t already been considering it, planning for it, and talking about it, homeschooling can be an overwhelming thought, and depending on the time of year, it may be an odd time to be investing in an expensive program, especially if you aren’t confident in your research or situation. I realize there isn’t a blanket answer for everyone, but these suggestions may give you a solid place begin! First off, please know that there is hope and there are amazing resources, and you are going to figure this out. Don’t panic. Pray, think, reach out, and take it one decision at a time…

by Kimberly Farmer

Free Online Videos and Interactive Resources to Educate & Entertain

There are so many amazing free resources online right now! Thanks to all these and others who are providing free educational and entertainment opportunities for families! I’ve been gathering the ones I come across, and I’m doing my best to keep listings and links updated. Also, know that we have tried out some but not all of these resources. Resources are organized into general categories:

Art & Design
Bible
History & Places
Science & Animals
Stories & Fun
Early Learning

by Kimberly Farmer

Screen Bucks for Managing Screen Time

The Struggle is Real, Right?

When our kids jump on their video games, phones, computers, movies or other devices/screens, our heart cringes a little and we wish they were doing something productive or at least healthy or fun. But while our heart is bugging us, our exhausted brain and body is just happy to have a break from the whining or the noise or the attention.

But as we well know from our own time management issues, a “little while” on a screen very quickly multiplies into a lot of time, and even the most wholesome of content on a screen isn’t a healthy or happy way to do life. When screen time takes over, we eventually we see it in our kids’ attitudes, discontentment, and health.

If you’re like me, you may feel that a line has been crossed, and we can’t go back to the good ole days. But we can. It takes a lot of intention, may require creativity, and probably isn’t going to go over well at first, but it’s possible. So, if you are like us, and feel like screens are taking over your kids’ childhood, here is one idea to help us get started reclaiming a healthier balance. It took me ten minutes, index cards, and a marker to create Screen Bucks for my kids (the stickers were just to make them cute :). I have to tell you, when I am faithful to enforce and monitor this plan, it’s totally been working! It’s simple, but it has so many benefits!

by Kimberly Farmer

Celebration Banner

Do you have a special veteran you are honoring or maybe you want to send memorable mail to someone for a special birthday, anniversary, or other occasion? My grandpa (now age 94) was in WWII, so this year we made a banner to send him. We made it with copied photos, messages, artwork, and scrapbook paper all cut to 1/4 sheet size and threaded together using a hole punch and ribbon. It folded easily and neatly for mailing. It’s a fun and thoughtful way to say, “We remember. We are thankful. We love you.”

by Kimberly Farmer

Make Your Own Miniature Stove

My daughter loves to cook, bake, and experiment in the kitchen. She also loves to use her imagination and hands to create and invent. On top of that, she is great at using my phone to make videos/movies. So… it only stands to reason that she should make a video about a miniature stove she made! Watch this video, created by Ava, to find out about the materials she used and to get some tips for how to make and use your own miniature stove for just a couple dollars. Also, below you’ll find some photos of her adorable and tasty tiny food successes!

by Kimberly Farmer

Autumn Salt Dough Ornament Decoration

Here is a fun craft for autumn or really any time of year! We first made these when my daughter was three years old, but we pulled this idea out again recently, and made some autumn decorations. I enjoy making them, too! We need to make some for Christmas gifts! These make a great craft for the whole family and they are also a thoughtful gift idea if you want to add them to your guest’s place settings on Thanksgiving!

by Kimberly Farmer

Damaging Friendship One Assumption at a Time

Our church’s ladies’ group is studying the importance of friendship, and as I ponder and work to apply what we are learning, I keep thinking of a frequent enemy of growing friendships that we should all guard against – I’m talking about our tendency to assume.

by Kimberly Farmer

Middle School: Walking a Healthy Balance Between Structure and Freedom

As my oldest child experiences the middle school years, I find myself needing to transition and develop right along with her. One of the ways adjustment is needed is in the area of our daily routine. While a routine provides necessary structure, my child’s growing maturity reminds me that it is also time for me to introduce some freedoms. This is the perfect time for me to make adjustments, because she is mature enough to handle some freedom, but she is young enough to be trained in how to manage that freedom.

Giving our children structure and also giving them freedom may sound like an oxymoron, but in actuality, these important but opposite elements, which we the parents measure and determine, can and should work together hand-in-hand.

Why are both important? A structured day is necessary to our child’s daily success and sanity, while freedom to make choices and manage time and behaviors is important to experiencing eventual independence and happiness.

by Kimberly Farmer

Branches of Government

We are several BJU Press‘ Video courses this year, and one thing that I’m loving is that it is freeing up my time to do the fun, creative teaching that my heart wanted to do in previous years, but my energy-level just couldn’t deliver lately. But this year, I have had more flexibility thanks to this program. The Three Branches of Government were introduced during BJU’s Heritage Studies 4 course. It was well-explained and the corresponding worksheet was great, but there is still no way my children will remember the three branches of government without reviewing it frequently. How can they review in a fast, flexible, and re-usable way? Ta-da!… our Build & Remember Puzzle Chart! And next year, we will pull it out again for review, as my daughter delves into Notgrass’ Uncle Sam and You civics course!

Tell me more!

Sandpiper Creatives - Daily Progress Charts

by Kimberly Farmer

School Day Progress Tracking

During our homeschooling journey from kindergarten through now middle school, my kids have always thrived on two elements of scheduling:

1) The Day’s Expectations: My kids like knowing at the beginning of the day what is going to happen or what is expected of them. Seeing the plan helps them realize that their school work will eventually end.

2) Completed Work Recognized: My kids are more motivated during the school day when they can see their progress and feel that they have accomplished something.

The way I accomplish this has changed over the years, but some form of it is always a success. Let me show you what I did for the younger grades and then what I’m doing for the older elementary and middle school years, and then adapt these ideas to work for your family! Take advantage of the free printable chart (no card information needed)!