Knoxville Kids' Directory Blog
Create Your Own Thanksgiving Chalkboard!Â
This is a fun easy project, to do with the kids, that is sure to add a personal touch to your fall decor.Â


Supplies:
• ClipboardÂ
• Black Chalkboard PaintÂ
• White Paint Marker
• BrushesÂ
• Orange, Brown and Green PaintÂ


Cost is under $10Â
Clipboards can be found in a two- pack at Walmart so you will have enough supplies to make two chalkboards. These make a great gift so why not make two!


Step 1:
After laying down newspaper or paper towels, paint board with black chalkboard paint using a small brush. Be sure to get the sides. Let first cost dry and apply a second coat.Â


Step 2:
Using a pencil write whatever saying you like.Â
Here we used, "We are thankful". You could also write "give thanks", or "today we are thankful for". Once you are satisfied with your wording trace over the pencil lines using your white paint marker.Â


Step 3:
Time to add the pumpkins! Using a small amount of orange paint, help your child dip their knuckles in the paint and stamp it on to the board. Next, help your child use their fingers to make a stem and leaves with the green and brown paint.Â


Step 4:
You're done! Just add a favorite picture, a cute note, even a Bible verse!
This is a great way to talk to your children about being thankful. Use chalk to add something to your list each day. What a great conversation piece for the Thanksgiving day table!


Love this idea but not up for a DIY project? No problem! My Four Bears has you covered. Available on Etsy!


Planning A Purposeful Summer
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27
Every May I find myself with a familiar pit in my stomach.
Instead of feeling the freedom of summer approaching – lazy mornings, later nights, poolside popsicles, fireflies and campsite chats – I FEEL PANIC.
Like… I HAVE BOYS TYPE OF PANIC
Give us about three days of idealistic summer bliss and after that it turns to six big brown eyes staring at me — “What are we doing today? Can I play media? I am so bored. We have to go run errands again? Can I watch a show? I’m hungry. Can we go somewhere? Mom? Mom? Mom? MOM! Can I play media?â€
You too?
So in effort to avoid mass mayhem and mama meltdown, I spend thoughtful energy praying over and creating a plan that will nurture my motherhood mission for the next two months.
Today I just wanted to share more about step one – devising my plan of action and KNOWING MY MISSION.
Have you thought about this?
We have the blessing of  24/7 access to our kids lives for the next eight or more weeks.  What an opportunity to engage and invest!  I really want us to see summer JUST LIKE THIS…  An opportunity. Not an imposition.
So lets pray first about this…What do you want to accomplish with them?  When they go back to school in August, what do you want them to say about their summer?  How do you want them to remember their time spent? And I am not just talking about their calendar. I am thinking more about their character.
Late May, I went to work writing a little job description for myself (insert proud grin!).
My job description is to LOVE AND LIVE FOR GOD. TEACH MY BOYS TO DO THE SAME BY LEADING BY EXAMPLE AND MAKING AN IMPACT IN THEIR WORLD.
Their job description is to Luke 10:27.
That’s it.
The greatest privilege as a mom is to introduce Christ to our children!!!!  To lead their hearts to Him in all things… When their feelings have been hurt by a friend. Or when they are overjoyed about honor roll.  Or when they are mad at their sibling…..  always directing them to the Cross for rejoicing or help.
And summer is a crash course in that. Â 24/7 Shepherding their little hearts to their God.
So before I go into Steps 2, 3 and 4 of Planning a Purposeful Summer, ask yourself this….
WHAT IS YOUR MOM MISSION THIS SUMMER?
WHAT IS THEIR “JOB DESCRIPTION†AS A CHILD?
Write it down. Pray it out. Come up with a scripture. Â Feel free to share too!
This is the most important piece! Â Start here and the rest will frame around!
--
Becky Crenshaw
https://beckycrenshaw.com
Valentine’s Day Chalkboard Picture Frame
Step 1:
After laying down newspaper or paper towels, paint the picture frame with black chalkboard paint using a small brush. Let first coat dry and apply a second coat. Allow frame to dry overnight.
Steps 2 and 3
Make varying lines on the surface of the picture frame using the chalk marker. Next, with a damp rag or paper towel, wipe over the surface of the frame to remove the layer of chalk. Repeat this process twice. This seals the frame with the "chalk" to protect the surface for continued use.
Step 4:
Use your ruler and pencil to outline your words. Be sure to have fun experimenting with different designs or doodles! If you don't like it, don't worry, just erase it and try again! Once you are happy with your lettering, move on to the next step!
Step 5:
Go over your design and lettering with the white paint maker. Be sure to use this marker only on the words you want to stay on the frame permanently.
Steps 6 and 7:
Add thumbprints to make a heart! Here we created an "O" to embellish the word "YOU", however, you could add hearts any where on the frame!
Steps 8-10:
Lastly, add what you love most about your sweetheart using the chalk marker. The best part is you can change it every day to say something new! When you are ready to erase, just use a damp cloth to wipe it clean and voila!
Love this idea but not up for a DIY project? No problem! My Four Bears has you covered. Check us out on Etsy!
You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook!
Summer Activities
Please check our Events for upcoming activities.
A few more we'd like to point out:
May 5th-June 30th, Thursdays, 6pm
Concerts on the Square
Market Square (Downtown Knoxville)
(865) 215-4248
www.knoxvilletn.gov/concerts
Live Music (check website for artist schedule)
May 7th through Sep 11th
All Knox County Splash Pads Open for Season!
Knoxville County Splash Pads
(865) 215-6600
www.knoxcounty.org/parks/rec_activities.php
Early May: Strawberry Picking
Early June: Blackberry/Peach/Blueberry/Apple Picking
The Fruit and Berry Patch
4407 McCloud Rd.
Knoxville, TN 37938
(865) 922-3779
www.thefruitandberrypatch.com
Head out to the u-pick fruit and berry patch for strawberries and many more fruits as summer arrives!
Free to pick, pay by weight for fruit.
June & July, Mondays & Thursdays, 9am-7pm
Safety City Knoxville
165 S. Concord St.
Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 215-7103
http://www.knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/police_department/support_services/safety_city_knoxville
The program will teach K-4th grade children about vehicular, pedestrian, bicycle and fire safety.
