New Years Resolutions Though the Eyes of a Child

by on January 11, 2012
in holidays & celebrations · 11 Comments

The following is by contributor Christen Babb of Nurture Baby.

Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.  ~Pablo Picasso

Ever miss that childhood wonder, the longing to discover the world around you,  and the desire to just “play”?  I sure do. So, in 2012, I resolve to be more like my five year old.

For many of us, 2011 was a difficult year. In all its stress and seriousness,  I for one forgot how to play.  Being a task-oriented individual, I tend to create a to do list out of the simplest goals just to see that precious check-mark at the end of the day.  Caught in the frenzy of check-marks, it’s easy to lose focus on relationships by placing greater attention on accomplishments.

This year,  I choose to simplify and relish the journey towards my goals alongside my favorite little companions.

Less doing and more being might be my hardest resolution yet, but here’s to those 2012 goals through the eyes of my five year old:

Explore

The grown up version of this goal might be interpreted as “read more”, but that sounds a bit like a chore doesn’t it? That one more thing to check off your list before going to bed each night? Not through the eyes of my five year old. She relishes new books, gets lost in their fantastical, make-believe plots, and stays up late to read them over and over…and over again. She has a voracious appetite to explore new subjects through reading that in turn builds confidence, strengthens communication, and inspires creativity. Funny, those benefits are universal and I’m hoping this grown up can reap some of them as well.

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Simple as That: The Sights, Sounds, Smells, and Tastes of Winter

by on January 9, 2012
in play learn explore · 6 Comments

The following post is by editor Kara Fleck

Last month marked the official start of winter here on my side of the world. The temperatures may feel unseasonably Spring-like, but the calendar says we’ve got lots of Winter left to enjoy yet.

This year, we’re experiencing the changes of the seasons through the eyes of a new baby as our daughter Mia takes her first trip around the sun.  This is her first Winter and, while she may not grow up to remember it, I know that I will.  Each changes of season leaves on impression on our older children, too.

As we strive to live a simple life, my husband and I try to be mindful of slowing down and being aware of what is going on around us – indoors and outdoors.  I want my family  to experience this time of year, not just as dates on the calendar, but as an opportunity to use all of our senses to really savor the season.

I thought it would be fun to share some of the different ways we can experience the sights, sounds, smells, textures, and tastes of Winter with our kids.

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Weekend Links

by on January 8, 2012
in showcase · 2 Comments

Simple (and Frugal) Fun: Dressing Up a Duct Tape Knight

by on January 6, 2012
in crafts · 20 Comments

The following post is by editor Kara Fleck.

If you are a regular reader of my other blog, Rockin’ Granola, then you have probably noticed that one of my family’s favorite crafting materials  is duct tape.  We love creating with this sturdy, sticky, colorful tape.  I thought it would be fun to share some of our latest creations with you.

Duct Tape Knight

We were inspired by one of my daughter’s favorite reads, Igraine the Brave and a booklet from CurrClick, The Shield and Buckler booklet.  Our own “Igraine” and her little brother, Sir Max the Bold, were in need of some knightly attire.


The booklet,which costs $1, taught us how to make duct tape shields using five gallon bucket lids.  But, you certainly wouldn’t need the booklet to get started.  Basically, you’re covering the bucket lid with duct tape and creating a handle on the back (also from duct tape) for your child to slide their arm into.

We made a shield for each of our older kids. The cost of each shield was just under $3.oo (each lid was 99 cents and the duct tape was approximately $6 – and we’ve got some leftover for future projects).

Duct tape comes in a wide variety of colors, so you can personalize this project for your kids. We chose red and chrome for this project.  My oldest daughter embellished her shield with Sharpie markers.

After our success with the shields, we began to experiment and design on our own knight’s gear. Recycling some cardboard to use as a base, my husband Chris made two different styles of knight’s helmets (I’ll share how he made those in a future post) and we’ve refined our shield decorating technique, too. 

The possibilities are limitless!

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Mini Racer: Making Books Active Play

by on January 4, 2012
in books and music · 14 Comments

The following post is by contributor Emily Carter of The Pilot’s Wife.

The season of shorter days and colder temperatures is upon us, which of course means more time playing indoors!

I don’t mind bundling up to get in some fresh air, but when things get really chilly, I’m on the lookout for something new to keep us entertained and warm at the same time.

My three year old, Miles, loves to read with us, and I really love finding ways to tie other activities in with our books.  I love a good art project, but this time I was looking for something more active to get that big energy out.

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