H is for...

... hordes of helpers. My children love to "help" around the house. Sometimes I have to put aside my control-freakishness and let them help. I have to remind myself that done is better than not done (even if the "done" chore is not done perfectly). And I have to remind myself that there will come a day when they will not be so willing to help. They'll also move out someday, and I'm sure their roommates or significant others will appreciate it if I've taught them how to do laundry, vacuum, clean the toilets, etc. ;)

Places to go that start with H:
*towns/cities in your area that begin with H
*Happy Joe's Pizza
*Hiland Bakery
*Hu-Hot Mongolian Grill
*Hub Spot (cafe opening spring 2013 on the Principal Riverwalk)
*HyVee (either to buy groceries or to eat)
*harbor (if you happen to live near one)
*parks starting with H (Haubert Park, Hawkeye Park, Heritage Park, Hillside Park, Horizon Park)
*visit a Habitat for Humanity house being constructed
*Heartland Acres Agribition Center (Independence, IA)
*Heritage Carousel in Des Moines' Union Park
*High Trestle Trail
*Home Depot Kids' Workshops (offered the first Saturday of each month)
*Homemakers Furniture (just to wander through the rooms and enjoy lemonade and fresh baked cookies)
*hot springs (again, if you're lucky enough to live near one or be visiting one)
*HyVee Hall (check online schedule to see if any family-friendly events are happening; if not, just visit the Hall of Pride)

Things to do that begin with H:
*get out old Halloween costumes and play dress-up or peruse online shops for ideas for the next Halloween
*play Hearts, Hide & Seek, Hop Scotch, Hot Potato, or Cranium Hullabaloo
*read books like Harold and the Purple Crayon, Hippos Go Berserk!, Hop on Pop, Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!
*watch or read Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone
*listen to music by artists starting with H or songs starting with H (Hall & Oates, Harry Connick, Jr., Hawk Nelson, Huey Lewis & the News, "Henrietta's Hair," "Here Kitty, Kitty," and "Hey Hippopotamus," by Justin Roberts or "Hooray for the World," by Red Grammer
*watch other movies starting with H (Happy Feet, old Herbie movies, Hop)
*watch kids' TV shows like "Handy Manny"
*schedule playdates with friends like Henry or Hudson
*find an orchard or farm that gives hayrides
*learn the differences among hexagons, heptagons, and hectagons
*go hiking
*play hockey (air or street)
*go horse-back riding (Jester Park or Wheeler Horse Barn in Bondurant)
*wear hot pink (especially a halter top or a hoodie - depending on the weather)
*clean the house with all those helpers! :)
*hula-hoop

Foods that start with H:
ham
hamburgers
ham salad sandwiches
Happy Meals
hard-boiled eggs
hashbrowns
havarti
Hawaiian pizza
hero sandwiches
Hershey's kisses, syrup, etc.
hoagies
ho-hos
honey
Honey Crisp apples
honeydew melon
Honey Nut Cheerios
hot dogs
hot fudge sundaes
Hot Pockets
Hot Tamales
hummus
hushpuppies

Favorite "H" Bible verses:
"Being punished isn't enjoyable while it's happening - it hurts! But afterwards we can see the result, a quiet growth in grace and character." Hebrews 12:11
"'Honor your father and mother.' This is the first of the ten commandments that ends with a promise. And this is the promise: If you honor your father and mother, 'you will live a long life, full of blessing.'" Ephesians 6:2-3
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." Hebrews 13:16"

Here are the H's we found during L's ABC photography summer. The first is from the window in our front door. The second is part of a sign at Jester Park.

Letter I is soon to come!

*For those new to my blog, check out the beginnings of ABC Summers here.*