Melon Ball-er for Cantaloupe

I saw this little bit of advice once upon a time and its fabulous! We use a melon baller for our cantaloupe snacks. It just makes snacking easy (for mom) and fun (for the kids).

areyousureaboutthatblog Using a Melon Baller for well a Cantaloupe Melon Snack.

I halve the Cantaloupe, spoon out the seeds, and melon ball the rest. The seeds go in our compost pile, and melon balls are usually one in a few minutes, leaving just a few bits for tomorrow's breakfast accompaniment with a few frozen grapes. 

This just makes my "fruits at every meal" that much easier to accomplish.

Make mistakes. Breath. And Laugh.Out.Loud!!!

Early Math Addition Game with Dice: Math Facts Addition and Penmanship Practice all-in-one

My older 3rd grade son needs to continue learning his math facts (adding through answers to total 20). And flash cards are just so boring, but a necessary evil right?

Not so much. There's lots of ways to practice math facts without worksheets and flash cards. We got a nice dice game idea for my sons teacher. Roll the dice, shout the answer. We played a few times this way, my son loves the "pressure" to tell the answer out.

Now we have added a penmanship element. We have to write the addition problem from the dice and then write the answer. The first person to complete the math problem rolls again. If the other players still writing the previous math problem he might not even see the next roll, and that's okay, it's part of scoring. Whoever has the most problems written at the end of the game wins. We set the kitchen timer for 1 or 2 minutes, and off we go.

areyousureaboutthatblog Math Facts and Dice Game

The first game was a test... To "get the hang of it." But round two was fun. My son really caught on. He lost by one math problem less then I. In the test round he lost by 8. 

For round 3 my pre school younger son wants to roll the die too, so I had to wait to write the math problem until my son rolled his color die and said the color. It helped slow mom down for the 3rd grader to get a fair(er) shot at winning.

This adds penmanship practice, and math all in a fun game!

Make mistakes. Breath, reflect. And Laugh.Out.Loud

More sensory bags... Some Details on What to Use

Here's some things I've discovered while making our Sensory bags and Learning Trays.

-- Baby oil adds a richer color to the paint or food coloring.

-- Dollar store hair gel dissolves. But it's a nice science lesson on liquids and their forms. 

--Baby Oil will stay intact and floats on top of the water. Olive oil sinks and stays on the bottom because it heavier then water. And gel melts away, leaving only bubbles. All are a nice science lesson on liquids and their forms. 

As we filled our jars we used terms like:

Half

Full

h2o 

--Kids fill their own sensory bags or bottles with their pre selected items.

-- Kids first add "items to their jar, on their own they pour glitter and leftover beads and sequence. Maybe add a funnel for easier clean up. Parents usually have to hold the funnel. 

-- then Fill w 2 squirts of paint (infer paints are nice).

-- Don't add water to bags for walls or widows, it's too heavy and doesn't allow for finger play. Gel works better, alone, as does paint only in the bag. If you will tape a sensory bag to the table, Table bags are okay to add water too. 

-- Baby oil floats on top of water I bags and bottles. Adding a Cool effect and beautiful colors.

--Make a rice "I-spy" bottle without water. All oil. The "flow" of objects is smoother and again teaches about textures in liquids.

Have fun!! There are no mistakes here.

Make mistakes. Breath, reflect. And Laugh.Out.Loud

Old Mom meet New Mom

I used to be a far worse mother then I am now.

I have been reflecting on how I used to be very strict, very schedule driven, and a little uptight. And I always felt good outside with my son. Maybe because I was a little bit "away from it all" when we left the house. He got to run, and I got to breath fresh air.... or maybe it was something I was missing. Something I didn't "get" as a new mom?

Old Mom: when my son wouldn't fall asleep right away at night, I'd get frustrated. If he was thirsty, I'd say "no." If he wanted another story, I'd say "no." And he toss and turn, for 30 minutes or longer..... I'd feel frustrated.

Meet New Mom: one boy is now two boys, and how quickly has time gone by. we have a regular bedtime routine, and if for some reason one or both boys can't sleep, we bend the rules. Now I'll go to my kids bed and snuggle with them. If they can't sleep and they're thirsty we go to the kitchen together and get a late snack (full tummies sleep better). I read them one more book. I rub their back, and give them bunches of kisses. I've learned that saying no in these rare times (maybe 2-3x's per year) just keeps us BOTH up late... I'd rather have a snack, and snuggle until we both fall asleep.

Old Mom, Meet New Mom

Old Mom: Nearly 8 years ago I would rock my son to sleep while playing games on my phone. I'd struggle saying nursing didn't work. I'd tell him to "ssshhhh, be quiet, it's sleep time." I'd put him to sleep in his crib, waking at night to rock him again. Leaving him, alone, in his room to sleep. I'd feel frustrated.

Meet New Mom: now I lay down for naps and bedtime with my daughter. The first moments are for her, to look at her, and to enjoy our fleeting time together. I look at her when she nurses. I rub her head and back. She puts her fingers in my mouth. She'll say "hmmm mmmmn" (whatever she's attempting AS she nurses). And I say "yes" "um hmmm" right back. And then she drifts off to sleep. Next to me, tummy to tummy. And stays asleep all night! And wakes me with a cute "coo" or "mama." And were much happier.

Old Mom: I'd wouldn't let my older son come into our bed at night. We'd always snuggle while reading a book, in his rocking chair, in his room. Only a few times did he ask to come to our bed, and we always said no. I don't know why. And deep down it made me sad.

Meet New Mom: after young son was born, and co slept with us until 18 months, we realized how fast our babies grew up. So we started letting both boys occasionally fall asleep in our bed, and then we transfer back to their beds. Now, when baby girl makes 3 kids, we often let them fall asleep in our bed (Fridays and weekends are to be expected, often more, at least on "moms side" of the bed). And now I get hot faster, and often stuck, pinned, between sleeping kids, and I'm thrilled. 

Old Mom: I would say clean up time, and send my son to clean up. I'd come in and see the work wasn't done, I'd start to get angrier and angrier, and then yell at him that he didn't clean up!!! This continued thru my young sons learning to clean up. Sometimes I'd help. Then I helped more when I heard a song on my older sons cd about cleaning up: 

"It's a busy day there's so much to do, can you help me (child's name). Put the books back on the shelf so we leave it neat for somebody else.... You can reach where it's small, and I can reach where it's tall... 20 fingers is what you need, it's fun when it's you and me." I was frustrated. 

Meet New Mom: I know that "modeling" the behaviors you want your child to do is critical!! They need to see ME cleaning up, CARING for my things, HELPING them clean up, TELLING them where things go, and They PUT it away. Sometimes I have to watch dinner in the pan, or change a diaper, or tend to something (because there's always something), but I always help, for at least 1-2 minutes and start the "clean up time." Modeling the behaviors I want them to have. Yes it takes more time in the beginning but within a few months you stop yelling and seeing the kids doing what's expected! And do you know what? It's helped! I rarely yell (about) cleaning up. I've let go of "I'll do it" and instead say "let me show you how." What a Tremendous wonderful change for us!!

I am really learning every day. I know there are so many more examples I can give. Discipline, Schedule, and Hard Work all hold the same value for us as a family, but my approach to teaching these skills and maintaining our lives has - - - grown. I've learned from most of my mistakes, I hope to keep learning and changing. For my sake as well as there own.

I heard those interview with an author who resides with his family in New York City. The book was something about the Archway in Central Park. And entering the gates of Central Park. Anyway, this author was talking about how he tried so hard to do the best for his kids when they were little, and he tried to be the best dad and do everything "just right." And then his son, who grew up and said to his dad 25 years later, "Dad, when I was little you always used to do this one thing.... {Parents: insert here what you do}." The author said, we can try hard at a lot of things like home work every day, and tossing the ball around on Saturdays, but no matter how hard we try we will still do something wrong and something to "screw our kids up."

I laugh at this all.the.time! Especially when we are having really good family moments, and I'm looking at my kids lovingly in the distance, and it hits me. This moment, right now is great, but somehow I'm still making mistakes elsewhere in their lives. Don't think of this as twisted, it's simply true, so I use it as motivation. To keep evolving as a mom, to keep reflecting on my actions, and theirs. To keep thinking about how I can be better. I will make small changes here and there, because it helps to try and be better. Even if it's a little at a time.

 

 

Make mistakes. Breathe, Reflect. And Laugh.Out.Loud

Mommy "What's the Plan?" :My Momism

This has been a daily routine question in our house for years! Mommy What's the Plan for Today? I honestly can't remember how it started, but I know now I can't live without our daily "plan review." It was probably a "redirect strategy" when my Older Son was little. He would cry over something minor, and instead of going on and on over the matter, we redirect > "hmph, what should we do today honey?" or "let's go see what the plan is for today while we drink some juice, ok?"

areyousureaboutthatblog Whats the Plan for Today Mom? It' s a simple statement that
prevent meltdowns and keeps us aligned.

When my eldest was 2 or so, I'd review our day at breakfast. "After breakfast we will go to the park, play a little, and then go buy milk." Enough information for him to handle, and get excited about his favorite parts.

Ironically I've found that my kids don't nag in other ways I've heard of - like the night before a big activity or trip - some kids can't sleep or ask there parents over and over, "so we are going to {insert name} place tomorrow right?" My boys don't do this type of nagging, and I think it's because through this process they've learned to control and temper their excitement.

Now my eldest is 8, and young son is 4, on weekends we sit at breakfast and review the day - the whole day. And if something comes up in the afternoon, I say "we have to review the plan, there's a small change." And thankfully meltdowns are a thing of the past (well, mostly, for plan change reasons we can manage!). 

There are days where my older son tells me "but you said we'd go to the store first." When I actually said "responsibilities first, then the store." Selective hearing? Maybe... It could be a new type of excitement and wanting what he wants Right Now! So I've started stating the plan and having HIM repeat it. That way we are on the same page. 

Even my husbands in on the routine. Since he works so much, sometimes Saturday morning is our first chance to touch base on what weekend adventures are in store for us. My kids giggle when dad says first "what's the plan mom?" I still don't know why the kids like so much when dad says that!? 

It takes a few minutes to walk through our days plan, but everyone knows what to expect and what's happening next - and that makes for happy kids and happy mom! 

Make mistakes. Breath, reflect. And Laugh.Out.Loud.

Our Thrift Store - New to Me - Mommy Shopping Rules for Children

Can I just say I love 2nd hand shopping! Saving money is a thrill... Especially when you get things on the "I need" list. But when you really want something and can save cash too, well move over cause I want some I that savings.

Spontaneous Teachable Moment

Have you heard of teachable moments. It's when you literally are doing something with your kids, shopping,... eating dinner,... going for a walk,... driving home from school,... and there's a moment where you see your child doing something, and its a spontaneous moment, nothing planned, where you realize that moment connects to something you can teach them. Maybe they make a comment about their friends behavior at school and it reminds you, the parent, of an incident with your child's behavior. In this "teachable moment" your child's in a self directed mindset on this topic and you can briefly use this time to highlight a quick lesson on "remember when you acted like your friend, see how it makes you feel. Can you understand how when you acted that way it made mommy sad too." Your child's in the moment, living the feelings you had before, what better way for him to understand what you were trying to convey at that time.

We've had several moments this summer like learning about what we thought was a hornet, but is actually a Cicada Killer Wasp. We would run away when we saw this late summer bug frequently flying around. But after a picture of the insect came up In my Facebook newsfeed From the Field Museum page I "like," we learned that we are in little danger from the Cicada Killer. 

Toilet Paper and Teachable Moments... Really! Get your science on

So today, as I was blogging about our summer Birthday Gift Treasure Hunt, my young son got a spontaneous bloody nose. "Mommy my nose is dripping blood." So I quickly went to him and moved him over to the grass and told him to "pinch your nose" while I ran in for a napkin.

Well we use cloth napkins at home. So I quickly grabbed a roll of toilet paper. Back outside son doing good, and I give him a clump of TP to plug his nose, "keep pinching it" I said. I sat him down next to me and instantly wanted to help him understand what's happening. 

I was calm, him too, and I said "are you okay? You know sometimes we get a bloody nose when it's dry like the air is today. And our nose gets dry inside, but our nose likes to be wet. Did you stick your finger in your nose?" He said no.

"Inside our nose," I continued, " we have little blood vessels. See my veins here in my hand, they carry blood inside our body. We have teeny-tiny veins in our nose called capillaries, and if these teeny tiny tubes get dry, they can crack and what happens?" He stared at me, "my nose drips blood?" Yes that correct!!

I get the water hose and rinse off the blood drops on our sidewalk and stroller. No photos here folks. I realize he needs to know "if your friend, at school, or your neighbor, every gets a bloody nose or a cut where blood Comes out, don't ever touch the blood. Just go and get their parent or another adult like your teacher

For help." Why mommy? "Because blood carries sickness and disease sometimes, so we don't want that sickness touching you body. So you shouldn't touch the blood. Okay. Is that a deal?" 

"Just my bloods okay [to touch] right?" he said. "Right," I replied.

Meanwhile I'm taking his tissue away and his nose has stopped bleeding. I show him it's a "little blood drop." Then I twist the tissue to get into his nose to wipe away the blood. "This will tickle while I clean up the blood that's stuck in your nose." I showed him the tissue when I was done, "see how it was just a few drops of blood, and even less on this side."

"Okay mommy, can I go play now." And that was the end of our Teachable

Moment.

Make mistakes, breath, reflect, and Laugh.Out.Loud

The days are long, but the years are short. So live each (Teachable) Moment NOW.

A Birthday Treasure Hunt

My big boy is has just turned 8 years old. I didn't know what I was going to get him, but I always have the best of "last minute luck." I get an idea in my head and BOOM there it is, I'll see the potential for what I need to make my idea happen. Mostly out of the box thinking. But I believe we can train our minds to be more open to seeing the potential in things. Below you'll see my spontaneous treasure  hunt map. It was a great addition to his birthday experience, but really, you can have a treasure hunt for a bag of candy for NO Reason on an Any Day of the week

We were at the Salvation Army in Indiana and I found this kids trampoline for $9.99. I didn't want the large ones in our yard because, well there HUGE. My uncle has one at our former house and its a pain to work around. Don't get me wrong, if you don't have a garden to manage (front and back), our kids activities and supervision, a dog to collect poop everyday, and picking your seasonal harvest of red currants, cherry tomatoes, pumpkins and  have I mentioned weeding all season! Well, I do enough and the headache of a big trampoline - no thanks.

But this little beauty is small enough for baby girl yet enticing enough for my 8 year old.

That's it hidden under the blanket I always keep in the trunk. My son was with me in the car when I picked it up.

I also picked up this card - sitting on a shelf into clear view. How awesome. I knew instantly I'd make a "treasure map" with clues for m son to hunt down his new gift.

So the next morning while I was making breakfast I made a instant treasure map. First using two color if pen and later highlighting areas in a third color. I usually don't use more then 3 colors on anything because it'll look too busy.

This is a map of my moms property in Indiana where we celebrated my sons birthday. He chose "an experience" this year instead of a party. The experience was spending 4 days at my moms, having ice cream everyday and going to the beach, alot!!

I also had a "clue keeping" page for

My young son to help in the adventure.

My older son stopped to take Notes of the clue hints, the other two tagged along.

When they found the trampoline there was some fuss, but birthday boy went first and the other two waited (fairly patiently) for their turns.

Notice were all barefoot fairly quickly.

The days are long, the years are short, enjoy every moment NOW.

Making a MESSterpiece

I've never been a mom to worry about my kids getting dirty or messy. Childhood is the time to experience dirty hands, face and feet because, lets face it, when were older your boss or significant other ain't havin' it! When I was little my mom tells me that our family pediatrician always said "Happy kids are dirty, and barefoot." Well my babies have obviously taken after me because we certainly do both.

My husband actually can't even walk around barefoot because his feet are so sensitive to pebbles and the concrete. We think that since his mom grew up in a poor country, having shoes (and wearing them) was a sign of wealth. There was NO walking around barefoot, period. My poor MIL probably thinks I'm nuts, but then again that could be why she always buys the kids gym shoes.



areyousureaboutthatblog Barefoot is Best!

We are playing outside - totally barefoot.

But that's an aside. We also love getting messy, well within limits.

My young son wanted to paint water colors one afternoon. So we did. I took out our large tray and we got to work. Baby girl too. After a little actual drawing time with their water colors, he wanted to "Do it with my fingers mom." Of course I said. So finger painting began... Then "finger tips" became "fingers submerged in paint"... which became "let's mush it all around our hands..."

areyousureaboutthatblog Making a MESSterpiece... Full On and IN

Areyousureaboutthatblog Baby girl loves MESSterpieces too.

Midway through this experiment - both kids were set up within my sight on the kitchen floor. So when they started getting silly I reminded them "only touch the paint and paper - nothing else or were closing shop!" He understood and baby followed his lead.

When the painting project was winding down, I realized the kids hands were COVERED IN PAINT, which is perfect to make HANDS PRINTS!!! So I quickly grabbed some fresh paper for "mom's project time" and took these hand prints, making use of some very well colored hands for a keepsake piece...to come, after cleaning up. 

areyousureaboutthatblog Making the Most of Painted Hands

Eventho the kids know how to wash their hands with soap and water, I was extra concerned about my walls. So I told the kids to "fold their hands with fingers locked up tight" (interlaced) and I escorted them (by holding their hands in the air so they wouldn't get the urge to touch anything). Into the bathroom and I turned on the water, I handed them the soap, I pulled the sink stopper plug to fill the basin and let them splash around and wash up. 

Life is good with kids who can freely and safely - within boundaries we parents establish - experiment and explore there messy fun world.

Make mistakes, breath, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud!!

The days are long, the years are short. Enjoy life now, in the moment!! Even when it's dirty!