Along the path we have been on, we are now including our Video Channel, where you can see some of the sillyness live!
While the banner is brand new, and we have lots of fun videos for you to enjoy - especially about insects, life with kids, and traveling.
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Thank you Fans: Our Most Popular Posts |
YOUTUBE CHANNEL AMI STUDIOS CHICAGO
Our family has had many adventures through the years. Mom, the @Minstr0Interior had an a-ha moment . . . Suddenly I See what we will have filled our life with, ADVENTURES! We travel, craft, sing, dance, collect insects and spend loads of time together. Sometimes too much time together. Our kids have recently begun to document their own adventures, and so this channel was born. Enjoy our adventures. Or not. WANT MORE? If there is a blog post accompanying this video we will share it here. Sometimes we will include the ingredients list of the craft or recipe, or the itinerary of our trip. In the meantime click play.
From our family: 👍 + 🙃 + ❤️ ( Thumbs up, emoji face, hearts! )
See It Live >>> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2mGpujQIVgxdfTImFnQuLA
Thank you Fans: Our Most Popular Posts
In our countdown to the most popular posts, we won't keep you waiting for Number One. Instead we will start with Number One!
#1. . . . . over 1,160 views!
Friday, March 28, 2014
A Mom's Guide: How We Started Bug Collecting, Our Family Hobby
Our families bug collecting started simple enough. My older son found a dead bee at grandpas house around 2007. "Mom, can we keep it?" "um, ...sure. Why not?"
Little did I know this would start a terrific family hobby. Who knew bug collecting was a low cost, nearly no cost way to learn about nature, science, nurturing, ethics, and really a tremendous amount of learning and bonding for me and my kids, year round! I'm sure your thinking this is GROSS! At first I was a little creeped out by these tiny creatures, all be it dead, laying around my home. But once we started reading about collecting bugs, and then grabbing library books on how bugs live - well drop everything! It's truly an amazing other world right under our feet.
Little did I know this would start a terrific family hobby. Who knew bug collecting was a low cost, nearly no cost way to learn about nature, science, nurturing, ethics, and really a tremendous amount of learning and bonding for me and my kids, year round! I'm sure your thinking this is GROSS! At first I was a little creeped out by these tiny creatures, all be it dead, laying around my home. But once we started reading about collecting bugs, and then grabbing library books on how bugs live - well drop everything! It's truly an amazing other world right under our feet.
#2 .... over 940 views!
Friday, March 28, 2014
Mommy made Childrens Book Inscription for a First Birthday gift
I love making handmade gifts for family and friends. I especially love making things for little kids because you often can get a glimpse of their genuine appreciation of the gift. Their innocence, their simplicity, their truth - because if they don't like you, you'll know! Same goes for the gift! My go to birthday gift is books. For the last baby shower I attended I gave baby to be a "library starter set." For my little twin cousins first birthday I chose a the classic children's book "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein. The rest of the Handmade Gift is here, as the handmade card.
Keep reading for
Thank you Fans: Our Most Popular Posts
#3 .... over 490 views
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Crib Converts to a Junior Loft Bunk Bed for Younger Son
Younger Son wanted a bunk bed for his birthday. And then Older son wanted one too. We started talking more and more about his birthday and we decided we would celebrate on our trip to Jamaica (which you can read about our Packing Guide for Travel with Kids on that trip here). We tabled the bed discussion so I could start my mommy homework. A low cost bunk bed option. I never want to spend a lot of money. And, soon, I'll start posting all the furniture - PERFECTLY GOOD FURNITURE - that people put in there alleys around Chicagoland. I have a few pieces in my home, sshhh, don't tell husband.
#4 .... over 440 views
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Sensory Bins and Bags: I Spy, Ocean Blue and an African Habitat
I discovered the world of Sensory Bins! Not only amazing for the kids but pretty wonderful to put together for them and watch them play, and play, and play.
Sensory Bins and Bags: I Spy, Ocean Blue and an African Habitat
First we made a sensory bin. Thank you Pinterest for this blog list of some great sensory bins. Since my son was 3 years old he loves playing with small toys (you know the ones with warning labels not for under 3 years old). Ya those! Well he is very into fine motor skills play and is well aware of not putting things into his mouth. So I grabbed my newly empty bin (from my Lenten Giving Up on Giving Up Clean Up) and added some bulk bought rice that is ages old. Even now at age 4 he loves those small figurines, so I grabbed a few miniature animals and trees.
#5 .... over 260 views
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Breastfeeding, A Collection of Tips from Several Years (okay, A Decade) of Nursing
"Breastfeeding is not a destination...it is the Journey, it is the Process" - Me
When you hear that to successfully breastfeeding you need to "get a good latch," what does that look like? Or have you heard of using "breast compression" to help encourage milk flow - how do you do it and how to know the breast is compressed in the right shape? While the information in this blog cannot replace a good lactation consultant or the advice of someone who's successfully breastfed, this blog is a collection of tips, video links, perspectives, and clarity on advice NOT commonly found everywhere else. You won't find this compilation of tips anywhere else. They are Breastfeeding Tips from several years of nursing three kids. Let's jump into these easy to remember tips and reminders on what breastfeeding looks, sounds, and feels like.
When you hear that to successfully breastfeeding you need to "get a good latch," what does that look like? Or have you heard of using "breast compression" to help encourage milk flow - how do you do it and how to know the breast is compressed in the right shape? While the information in this blog cannot replace a good lactation consultant or the advice of someone who's successfully breastfed, this blog is a collection of tips, video links, perspectives, and clarity on advice NOT commonly found everywhere else. You won't find this compilation of tips anywhere else. They are Breastfeeding Tips from several years of nursing three kids. Let's jump into these easy to remember tips and reminders on what breastfeeding looks, sounds, and feels like.
Breastfeeding, A Collection of Tips from Several Years (okay, A Decade) of Nursing
#6 .... over 250 views
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Salt Glue and Paint Toddler Project
Yet another Pinterest inspiration. The original idea came from here at Hands On As We Grow. Love her icy paint idea. So we had to try our own version.
Materials you will need:
-- Tray (to catch the salt and possible paint spills)
-- Glue
-- Construction paper or sturdy paper - any color
-- Paints, we used professional grade water colors and drenched in water. I would recommend craft acrylics watered down for an even deeper color.
-- Salt, we used koscher salt for a more gritty feel, but regular table salt will do
-- Paint brush or eye/ water dropper
Materials you will need:
-- Tray (to catch the salt and possible paint spills)
-- Glue
-- Construction paper or sturdy paper - any color
-- Paints, we used professional grade water colors and drenched in water. I would recommend craft acrylics watered down for an even deeper color.
-- Salt, we used koscher salt for a more gritty feel, but regular table salt will do
-- Paint brush or eye/ water dropper
#7 .... over 220 views
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Limit Kids TV Time with a No TV Schedule
So if I limit T.V. time, What should my kids be doing?? A big part is you learn as you go. And as you pick up tips and tricks taking a moment to think about HOW to Include these ideas into your own home.
My older son is now 7, and I have come to realize some mistakes I've made in raising him.
When I wrote the blog below on a schedule for toddlers, I was very proud of the fact that I limited his TV tube time. He actually didnt watch any TV or kids videos until he was almost 3. This was before iPhone an IPad too. And now I realize that was a big mistake.
Our youngest son did get some TV before age 2, mostly watching along side his brothers TV/tube time. So the youngest had early exposure to television.
Nowadays when my kids do get to watch TV for Friday movie night or cartoons on Saturday morning, the older one is completely plugged in (or zoned out). While the 3 year old can tune in and out to come get a drink from the kitchen and even gets bored with the shows.
My older son is now 7, and I have come to realize some mistakes I've made in raising him.
When I wrote the blog below on a schedule for toddlers, I was very proud of the fact that I limited his TV tube time. He actually didnt watch any TV or kids videos until he was almost 3. This was before iPhone an IPad too. And now I realize that was a big mistake.
Our youngest son did get some TV before age 2, mostly watching along side his brothers TV/tube time. So the youngest had early exposure to television.
Nowadays when my kids do get to watch TV for Friday movie night or cartoons on Saturday morning, the older one is completely plugged in (or zoned out). While the 3 year old can tune in and out to come get a drink from the kitchen and even gets bored with the shows.
#8 .... over 199 views
Sunday, January 1, 2017
In Depth Interview, with God
In Depth Interview: With God
Show Title: In Depth With ...
Where: New York City
When: Sunday, October 24, 1999
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Announcer:
Good Evening and Welcome to tonight's program In Depth With our special guest; God! This evening's program will be shown uninterrupted thanks to God who has purchased all the commercial time. Our program was filmed earlier this afternoon for tonight's special broadcast.Opening:
Tonight we will be asking a few questions to the Being that needs no introduction. God requested to be here this evening to answer some questions that have been bombarding Him through the prayer lines recently. The Lord said that tonight's half-hour format is quite sufficient to answer the questions He feels need addressing. Per God's request, we are in New York City's Central Park amongst man and nature.Interviewer:
Good Evening God, and thank you for selecting our program to use as your method of communication to the world.God:
#9 .... over 150 views
Monday, March 7, 2016
How to Talk to your kids about Current Events, Gun Control, and other very uncomfortable things. Talking to kids about abduction. How One Mom did Start the Conversation...
You know how Facebook friends post on current events and you don't chime in, that's me. I do click "like" to scope out and follow the post, and comments. To see where the pulse of America is (okay my circle of friends America, and their friends). It's perspective... And it gets me thinking about what is happening in the world around me.
I also realize that this is the place that I note my reflections and said Facebook Post. Recently a facebook friend had a post on gun control. I don't always chime in, I leave it for the here... But this time I did comment. I commented? Me? I don't know why. And then I wanted to delete my comment when I had to run out and left the deleting for later. And when I got back to Facebook, my Comments had comments...
I'm definitely not conservative, but on this issue I am. Or I am liberal? (I am the daughter of a hunter and let me say venison - yum). I feel my job as a parent is to prepare my kids for what life has to throw at them. And when these public "health and safety" issues arise my position is constant: I try to teach my kids to constantly be "defensive." And my comment was in this zone, prepare your kids.
How to Talk to your kids about Current Events, Gun Control, and other very uncomfortable things. Talking to kids about abduction.
How One Mom did Start the Conversation...
I also realize that this is the place that I note my reflections and said Facebook Post. Recently a facebook friend had a post on gun control. I don't always chime in, I leave it for the here... But this time I did comment. I commented? Me? I don't know why. And then I wanted to delete my comment when I had to run out and left the deleting for later. And when I got back to Facebook, my Comments had comments...
I'm definitely not conservative, but on this issue I am. Or I am liberal? (I am the daughter of a hunter and let me say venison - yum). I feel my job as a parent is to prepare my kids for what life has to throw at them. And when these public "health and safety" issues arise my position is constant: I try to teach my kids to constantly be "defensive." And my comment was in this zone, prepare your kids.
#10 .... over 115 views and the honorary poem runner up with 110 views
Thursday, January 19, 2017
When Fear is Around, a poem
"When fear is around" A Poem
Story behind the poem:
The inspiration behind the poem. When we observe people around us I always say we are outsiders looking in, inside their box. Imagine the world you live in. It is different then mine. Your community, your office. your house. That is "your box." If I were to look inside your world it would like like me taking the lid off the top of the box and looking inside. I am looking into your box. Inside your world.
When we live in our own box, we see things from our perspective. But when an outsider looks into the box they will see things very differently. When my husband and I chat about life, the kids, or work, his perspective is different then mine. We look into eachothers boxes and sometimes see things differently. And that can be helpful, and eye opening (after the frustration of being told how different I am).
and the honorary runner up ...
The shootings in Chicago have gone insane. And while this was during the Obama administration, I was deeply affected. We discuss the why's at home. White privilege, poverty, cycles of abuse and the insanity of shootings. What do we tell the children? We talk about these issues openly. And then I deal with my kids saying they are scared when we know we are safe at home. This is not our world, but it hurts my heart.
One day, this will change.
One day, this will change.
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are here because of you! "
LIFE IS STILL EXCITING AT OUR HOUSE!
With more insects. . .
AMI Studios Chicago
It's mostly baby girls videos and here slime making, she spends time with friends on coloring activities and make good choices while having fun. During the covid stay at home orders - she had many many many facetime pandemic playdates - we made time work for us and not be bored.
When the museums open up - we will definitely take our vlogging camera to make more videos like Peggy Notebart nature Museum - a great way to see Insects
Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud.
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