Saturday, April 13, 2013

Trying New Things

I'm on the brink of my last week of maternity leave (which makes me want to cry, just a bit). This coming week also happens to April vacation, so E. is home. In addition to emotionally and logistically preparing myself to go back to work in a little over a week, I thought we'd take the time to try a couple of new things.

1.) Kiddo Yoga. I am by no means a gym rat, but I did take a couple of classes when I was in college - Zumba and yoga. I really enjoyed the relaxing, focusing effect yoga had on me. I'm naturally a pretty high strung, slightly frazzled person. Taking the time to look inward helped me channel my energy in more constructive ways once I left the class. I think most college students would benefit from a little time on the yoga mat, if only to get them through finals week or internships.

With all that in mind, I've been thinking to myself that maybe I (and college students) aren't the only ones who could benefit from the effects of yoga. While E. isn't quite as bad off as I am in terms of anxiety and high strung, little dog yappiness energy, she gets worked up pretty quickly and easily and can be on screech all day long until she crashes at bedtime. Practicing a little bit of yoga might be just the thing for both of us to relax, refocus our energy, and help us get back into our new normal next week when I return to work. If we really enjoy it, it's certainly something I'd like to continue even once I'm back to work, in the evenings.

I'll let you know how it goes.


2.) Finger knitting. Last spring I taught myself some of the very basics of knitting (casting on, knit, and pearl). After finding some pretty awesome blogs written by some inspiring and like-minded moms, I've been re-energized to begin knitting again and learn a bit more (like, I don't know, how to start and finish an actual project??). E. has taken a pretty big interest in my knitting (she's like me - she loves anything with pretty colors and nice texture). I discovered finger knitting some time ago online, and while it might be an overly ambitious project to start with my five year old (neither one of us are terribly patient people), I think it might be worth a try. I remember my mom teaching me how to hand sew (another project I'd like to take on with E. this summer) when I was probably five or six, and it was probably one of the best gifts my mom gave me. Years later I still hand sew (quilts, nursing covers, pillows, doll clothes, etc.) and it's a hobby I can share with my mom (and hopefully, starting this week and ending over the summer, she's finally going to teach me how to machine sew, something I've been reluctant to learn for years). I hope that knitting and sewing can be a shared between E. and I (and my mom, too!) for years to come.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Got Patience?

Source
It's two miles, just about, from the bottom of my driveway to the end of our road and back. The girl was going to ride it all. It wasn't her goal or plan, it was just what happened.

As she peddled along, pumping her little legs, navigating our slightly treacherous road, I did my best to keep back, to watch,remember, and enjoy everything around me. I had to stop myself a few times, the words "hurry up" caught in my throat. Why did we need to hurry? There wasn't anywhere we needed to be, no urgency to our chores at home. We could, and should, take our time, because our world rushes by us too quickly anyhow.

I walked along, several feet behind her as she sped ahead and started to relax. I realized something important then. There didn't need to be a goal or a plan. She didn't have one, she just wanted to have fun. Why did I need to have one? We were just out for a walk and a bike ride. We didn't need to get it done. Nothing needed to be checked off a list. I wasn't going to have to report to someone else later and say, "On this date we went for a bike ride. We went this far. It took us this much time." Maybe after so many years of having to be accountable, having to document everything, having to have a rationale, it's hard for to just let something be. (Note: A lot of my behavior comes from being and education major for four years - we need a 12-step program once we leave and enter the "real" world.)

When you feel like you need to accomplish something every time you break out an activity with you kiddos it makes playing hard. Stuff that used to come so easily to me as a child now become stressful, unhappy tasks when I enter it with a mindset of: "Now, what will the end product be?" It's tough to remember that these games we play, crafts me make, things we do, aren't for me, they're for her. What's more, just as much I'm not being graded on how everything goes, neither is she. Not by me, not by anyone else. Whatever we're doing, it's for fun. If something larger comes out of it, awesome, but if not...awesome!

I've never been one to be a fan of the saying, "It's the journey, not the destination." I don't like cliches, for one, and for two, it's always clashed with how I've done things...but maybe I've been doing some things wrong. In parenting, in play, there is no distinct destination, and when you reach it there isn't some welcome celebration. You're kids are gone and while you might have labored all this time to help them arrive at adulthood, you don't get to enjoy it (at least not close up) - they do. That's why you make the most of the journey and worry less about the destination.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Fresh Air

I cracked the bedroom window the night before last, the cool breeze felt good in our stuffy bedroom. When I woke up the next morning, the babe mewling from the co-sleeper and the girl sprawling across two-thirds of the bed (my husband had long since left for work), I could hear something I hadn't heard for a long time, creeping in through the open window. Birds. Chirping. Life. While I blearily sat up in bed and got ready to nurse the babe, I knew today we would need to be outside.

Source
Early spring in Maine can be unforgiving. The calendar may say April, but our yard is still mostly covered in snow. And that westerly breeze that knocked out our power the other night? It gives quite the chill! But then you also have days like today, when you know there will come a day when the grass will be green again, the lakes will be free of ice, and coats will officially be able to be packed away until next fall (which I will fully embrace after a hot summer). It's these days you want to snatch up with the kids in tow, because, who knows, you might be snowed in a day or two later!

We couldn't get out right way - there was school to get to, fabric (those play silks I mentioned) to trim, and cloth diapers to fold. But as soon as my car pulled into the driveway (windows all rolled down), we hopped out, busted out the bike and the Moby and walked (well, the girl rode her bike).

We walked and rode two miles!

It felt amazing to be outside without the burden of heavy winter coats, have the sun warm our faces, and to just move our bodies. I felt the dust of winter just fall off with each step. It also helps that we live in a naturally beautiful area with views of the hills around us. And we all came home, baby, girl, and mama feeling refreshed and with new, happier dispositions. It's amazing what a little movement will do for a kid (even a baby) and her attitude.

What have you done to shake off winter lately?

P.S. I just discovered this wicked cool blog this morning that had some really fun movement/dance activities for kids. We have a rainy day coming up and I'll have to give them a try!

Friday, April 5, 2013

Jammin'

I'm turning into a renaissance mom. I've mastered the realm of literature (there is very little I would say I'm a master in, but I've got kids books covered...trust me). Now I'm moving into the world of music, kids and otherwise.

We're obsessed with Pandora's Children's Indie Radio. Okay, I'm obsessed with it. The girl likes it well enough because it has the guy from the Curious George movie (Jack Johnson) and the babe listens to whatever I tell him to listen to. But it really is a great station for kids and grown ups a like if you're into softer, acoustic tunes (you know, like Jack Johnson) and, for some reason, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons (and anything else from that generation). I love me some Frankie (as well as Sam Cook, the Beatles, Frank Sinatra, and Louis Armstrong...all of whom have popped up on this station along with the singers you'd expect). 

That said, there are some songs that don't show up on this station that have nonetheless become family jams, for better or worse. They usually pop up on the radio on our way to preschool and that means the girl, babe, and I have to sit in the car and jam out until it's done and then be late(r) to school. 

These our some of our jams (don't judge too harshly):

1.) Gotye, Someone I Used to Know

The girl may or may not refer to this song as the one with the naked man.

2.) Of Monsters and Men, Little Talks

I sing really loudly (and badly) to this song. The girl let's me. That's love. 

3.) Mumford and Sons, Little Lion Man (the edited version...the video below is not)

Who hasn't fallen victim to Mumford and Sons catchy, folksy tunes? We certainly have. 

4.) Fun., We Are Young

Well, we are young, aren't we?

5.) Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Thrift Shop (the edited version...the video below is not)


This song is totally hysterical and awesome. I love how it celebrates thrifty-ness over commercialism. I'm not wicked into rap, but I love Macklemore.

6.) Rapper's Delight from The Wedding Singer



This one is my husband's fault - he told the girl that the old lady rapping in the beginning is her Grammy and that the man is her grandpa Mike)

These tunes not up your alley? Maybe not, but here are some suggestions -
Cool bands/singers that do kids stuff that is really listenable:
Barenaked Ladies (Snack Time is a cool album)
Elizabeth Mitchell (not the actress from Lost)
Yo Gabba Gabba soundtrack (current bands playing kids songs)
Jack Johnson's Curious George soundtrack
Jewel (her album of lullabies is so sweet)
Kidz Bop albums (they cover current popular songs in a more kid friendly way and/or with more kid friendly lyrics)


Thursday, April 4, 2013

Silky Goodness

The girl's birthday is Monday. She'll be five. I can't quite believe it. For one, it hardly seems as though enough time has past since she was born, and for two, I hardly feel old enough to be a mother of a five year old who will be registered for Kindergarten in less than a month.

But her birthday is coming whether I want her to grow any older or not, which means presents. This year, though five is one of those big birthdays, my husband and I decided to go light. We know she's going to get lots of stuff from her grandparents and aunts and uncles. She may not be the only grandkid any more, but it's clear the arrival of her baby brother won't stop her doting family members from spoiling her. She also just got a ton of stuff in February and March from well meaning friends and family who wanted to have a gift for her as well as the baby when they came to visit. All very nice, but we've officially accumulated more toys than a Toys 'R' Us warehouse. I really don't feel like adding to the hoard. 
Baby Brother modeling Big Sister's birthday gift

With that in mind, I decided play silks would a great gift. Now, these probably aren't exactly like the play silks you can buy on Etsy or through Waldorf-based toy stores, either online or in person. Those are a bit lighter, more scarf-like, and are way more expensive than the $24 I spent at Joann's Fabric. While searching for some to buy online I saw prices as high as $75 for six, rather small silks. I love my daughter, but there was no way I was spending $75. I also saw tutorials on how to hand dye your own silks with Kool Aide. Awesome idea, much less expensive, but I have a newborn - it would have never happened. 

So, as mentioned, off to Joann's I went and I bought six 2 foot pieces of satin in a variety of colors. Then I found a seriously adorable little wooden chest and a glittery foam crown, deciding this year, the girl was going to get a princess treasure chest filled with beautiful silks and a crown to match. 

I'm really excited. 

Okay, what's so cool about play silks? Well, if you're a four-almost-five-year-old girl, you like silky, shiny, pretty colored fabric (this goes for 25-year-old girls, too). They are filled with endless possibilities, from fancy dresses, super hero capes, baby blankets, or backdrops for Barbie's next fabulous gala. And since my daughter is constantly getting into my fabric stashes, I thought it would be great for her to have her own stock to play with. 

I first heard about play silks when researching the Waldorf philosophy of education back in college. While I'm not completely sold on all things Waldorf, there are definitely aspects I love, particularly the strong emphasis on imaginative play and storytelling. In my opinion, more than any other toy that's considered a "Waldorf toy", play silks are the best, most open ended, most easily recreated, and can translate with any kid, even if you have nothing to do with this particular style of education. 

Pieces of fabric are right up there with balls and sticks as kids' first toys, and they are certainly kids' first imaginative play toys. How many of us built forts or created costumes from old sheets and blankets? The silks take it one step further by adding a really nice aesthetic and texture that helps keep kids coming back for more and more. 

So this is my first Waldorf toy and the first gift I've made for the girl (though I really did absolutely nothing...I don't know how "homemade" it actually is). Next project I'd love to take on that's Waldorf based and hand/homemade?: 

These hand kites can be found here on Etsy. 
I think these hand kites look so cool and so much fun. I can totally see the girl having a blast picking out ribbon colors, helping me tie them to a dowel or other handheld wooden object, and then sprinting around our yard this summer like a little sprite.

Stay tuned to see how everything goes over on Monday. I'm hoping the girl is just as excited as I am!

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

The Wonders of the Library

Source: http://www.tchps.org/homes/dt_50.htm
I am a reader. Like, I lovelovelove reading and books and places that have books (like schools, bookstores, and, of course, libraries). I was a pretty lame kid and my favorite place to hang out (and the place my parents would ground me from as a teen instead of the mall) was the library. As an adult and parent now, I naturally gravitate towards libraries when searching for a place to drag my kids.



Benefits of the library (when you're a parent):

  • It's free. Never turn down anything that's free, unless, like, it's a disease. 
  • It's usually pretty quiet. Now, kids aren't always quiet, but I know with my daughter, she's far more inclined to be quiet if everyone else around her is  - the library usually has this effect on her. 
  • Libraries usually cater to children in some way. Whether it's a reading program, a playgroup, or just a nice, clean space for kids to play, libraries are usually well equipped for hour long (or longer) visits that won't feel like a chore. 
  • Free magazines, books, and wi-fi! I love this. Not that we don't have all those things at our house, but it's different, and in my case, if the baby is sleeping in the Moby and the girl is happily looking at books or playing, I have some time to rest my brain and enjoy some reading that's not infused with an elephant and pig. 
  • In keeping with the free, libraries, at least in our area, frequently offer passes to children's and art museums and zoos. For our family, it's kind of a big, expensive trip to get to the museums in our state, so taking out the expense of the pass is a help. 
  • You meet other potentially like minded parents and their kids. It's like the hot spot club or bar you might have trolled in your pre spouse and kids days, looking for a hot date (can you tell I never actually did any of that...I met my husband in high school). 
Another tip? If you live in a fairly rural area like we do, check out lots of libraries, not just the one in your town. I've found that you can easily get another library card if your fairly local, either for free or for a small fee. We have library cards at three libraries, including our town's, and all three offer different activities throughout the year. I'll probably expand our library card holdings over the summer to include my parents local library and possibly the library in one of the much larger towns in the area that offers a larger variety of activities. 

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Happy International Children's Book Day!!

Source: http://www.ibby.org/index.php?id=269#top

Don't you love social media? It wasn't until I logged onto Facebook this morning while the girl was at preschool did I learn via Roald Dahl's fan page that today is International Children's Book Day. Here's a link to a little extra info about the day and the group who promotes it (the International Board on Books for Young People, or IBBY).

I don't think I need to tell anyone about the importance of literacy in kids' lives. I know here in Maine we have a wonderful program called Raising Readers and many school districts, including the one I work for, put on literacy nights or have on going programs for families to participate in throughout the year. So, while I think we all know the importance of literacy in our children's lives, I don't think we can be reminded too much.

In young children, even tiny babies like my little guy, hearing a story and looking at the pictures (especially vivid, high contrast pictures) stimulates important parts of a young child's rapidly developing brain. It's common sense that if a child is exposed to lots of language early on, his own language will expand more fully. I'm not saying that if you read to you infant every day he'll be speaking full sentences by nine months, but when he does start speaking, he will have access to a wider, more precise vocabulary, which will only benefit him further on in life.

Plus, reading aloud, even if the benefits were nonexistent or minimal, is a great way to play with you kids, at any age. There really isn't a better or easier way to build a sweet memory with your kids than curling up at some point in your day, snuggling together, and cracking open a book.

How to get the most out of reading with your kids.

  • Pick a quiet, relaxed time to read. Reading aloud should not be rushed. You should not feel stressed. Everyone involved should feel like they can really invest the time and make it a quality experience. 
  • Have a special, comfortable spot to read. We like to read in Mama and Daddy's bed, snuggled up with our own pillows and special stuffies. Maybe you have a comfy sofa or the rocker-glider in the nursery?
  • Let the kid(s) pick the books, but...
  • Don't read something out loud (a lot) that you really can't stand. Yes, this is for your little ones, but it's also for you. It's not going to be a fun time if you're reading a book you really, really can't stand. Obviously, you give in once in a while, and it is beneficial and a pre-reading skill for kids to hear the same book several times in a row, BUT, don't make yourself miserable. 
  • Reading is more than saying the words. I really hope to do a how-to video soon on reading aloud, but for now, I'll say this. First of all, talk to your kids about what your reading in the story. I'll be the first to say this doesn't happen every time we read a book, but if something interesting or relevant pops up, or the girl has a question, we talk about what we're reading. Reading aloud is an awesome way to weasel in some extra learning or to address an issue that's happening in your family's life. Secondly, and maybe this is just me with my slight dramatic flair, but reading aloud is a performance. You do not have to be a great Shakespearean actor to be good at reading aloud, but you have to be willing to put some emotion behind it. Kids are a million times more responsive if you are able to try to do that. Check out some books on tape to get an idea of what might sound good (the Skippy John Jones books on tape are hilarious, and Jim Dale who narrates the Harry Potter books is freaking amazing). (P.S. I realize not everyone has great fluidity in reading aloud. A lot of that comes with practice. If you're just starting out and are not great at reading aloud, it's okay. The mere fact that it's being done is awesome.)




Monday, April 1, 2013

Back with a Baby

While two blog posts hardly legitimizes a hiatus, I have in fact taken one, if only because I had a few other, slightly more important things to do...Like make this:


My lovely little boy has arrived to join the rest of our family, making everything pretty much perfect (although, this being the second "good" baby in a row, I wouldn't mind going for a third). Now that he's been home for a bit, I'm ready to hit the blogging scene once again, which makes this blog a new priority, though, admittedly, it's pretty low on the totem pole at the moment (i.e. don't expect too much from me for a while). 

Since my boy's arrival, I've been striving to figure how this whole two-kid parenting gig works. They aren't lying when they (whoever that is - possibly my mum) it isn't easy. We're very blessed in that our daughter is a bright, sweet kid, but even the brightest and sweetest have a limit when it comes to a new baby brother. At times, she's gotten pretty sick of him and the amount of time and attention he takes up. And, admittedly, I've gotten pretty sick of being in constant demand, either from the baby or the girl. It can make for a pretty grumpy household! 

But now, a little over five weeks in (and naturally with only three weeks left of my maternity leave, of course), I'm starting to figure out a system. It will change, as things with a young infant and four-almost-five-year-old are pretty fluid, but to have something in place helps a lot, especially in terms of attitude, mine, the kids, and even my husband's. 

Here are some things that have helped us adjust to this new season of life: 
  • Having a routine, or at least specific things that are guaranteed to happen, like school or other activities (visiting the library, a play group, spending scheduled time with friends or family). It's helpful to have something in place to structure the rest of your day around, if not for you, for the big kid. 
  • Setting aside quiet time. We have "quiet time" (a.k.a. nap time) in the afternoon, after school and before supper. My daughter sits in her room and can play quietly, listen to music, or look at books. The babe and I go in my room, nurse, and he takes a nap, I may join him, or I read or get some quiet chore done, like fold laundry (or write a blog post!). 
  • Get out! The biggest thing I realized that will help improve my mood and the kids', especially in the stretches of time during the week when my husband is gone at work, is getting out of the house. Even if it's just to the grocery store, I know that leaving and being with other people helps immensely. 
  • Baby wearing. When trying to get anything done, but particularly when doing something with my daughter and the baby just won't sit in his swing or bouncy seat, a sling, wrap, or carrier is a life saver (I use a Moby wrap and love it). 
  • Taking one day at a time and trying my hardest to enjoy each one. My maternity leave is going to be over all too soon, and the last thing I want is to feel like I spend the whole leave feeling rattled and unhappy. But if one day doesn't go well, you can't let it keep you down. 
I'm sure as time goes on I'll be able to add to this list and it will change, too, as I go back to work, and then change again over the summer. In this constant adventure I'm sure I'll pick up lots of other little tips and tricks.