Our Summer Bucket List - Northpark Nature Center and Learning about Spittlebugs - End of Summer

Last week we went on a walk at our local Nature Center, and I found these bunches of bubbles on plants. I assumed it was some sort of insect but I didn't know what it was. My daughter shouts enthusiastically now, it was a Spittlebug!! 

Our Summer Bucket List - Northpark Nature Center and Learning about Spittlebugs - End of Summer

I remember being on a trip to Wisconsin Dells and feeling these six drops of rain falling on me from under the trees. However it wasn't raining. That trip was last year when I was already paying attention to the bugs around me. I still did not know what it was, until seen this at the nature center. 

They had a handout on programs they had which included learning about spittlebugs which I assumed was this little creature. 

Spittlebugs, Learning and Summer Fun Combined, First Week on Our Summer Bucket List 2015 

Free learning at nature centers, these activities eat up our day!

What do Kids Really Want? Shockingly Simple Reply. These are go to activities to make part of the everyday routine, because they already are.

What do we really want? What do our kids want? Love, comfort, food for my younger son. Recently a very nice list came out on Lifehacker for what kids really want. I was surprised and It may me make sure these items made it to my daily mommy list of things to do!

Here is a list of the top ten things students around the world said they remembered and loved most about their mothers. WOW, just WOW! Can you imagine, being able to have a list of things that you KNEW would make a positive impact on your kids and their childhood memories? Yes please! 

The following list has been incorporated into my daily, and I am happy to say some of these things have been my parenting sanity thru these years. I linked through to my blog pages on things we do already. . . 

Happy Reading! Happy Changes!! 

• Come into my bedroom at night, tuck me in and sing me a song. Also tell me stories about when you were little. (and when YOU were little...)
• Give me hugs and kisses and sit and talk with me privately. (yup, big one.)
• Spend quality time just with me, not with my brothers and sisters around.
• Give me nutritious food so I can grow up healthy.
• At dinner talk about what we could do together on the weekend.
• At night talk to me about about anything; love, school, family etc. (my older son and I talk EVERY NIGHT, I can't believe I haven't blogged about that yet!)
• Let me play outside a lot. (2 separate links.)
• Cuddle under a blanket and watch our favorite TV show together.
• Discipline me. It makes me feel like you care. (3 links, this is a big one for us.)
• Leave special messages in my desk or lunch bag.

As Simple as going for a walk together. Often!
Here younger son takes a few minutes to check out some ants
(this is before our bug collecting journey began.)

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/the-top-10-things-children-really-want-their-parents-to-do-with-them.html

Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud.

Summer Bucket list: Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo, First Day of Summer Bucket List 2015 > > My younger son graduated kindergarten, we actually call it the end of year celebration ceremony (we believe you don't "graduate" until high school and then college. We want to hold school standards in a high regard, and if the kids keep having these "graduation ceremonies" then they will start to lose their value. (Their 8th grade graduations will be recognized with a small family dinner at a restaurant of their choice.) 

Younger sons first day of summer starts this Monday, or my older son still has one additional week of school. I asked my younger son what he wants to do on his first day of summer, he said let's go to culvers for ice cream. I said are you sure there isn't more you want to do, we have a whole day of fun we can have, so he said let's go to the zoo. 




And so we did, on Monday we hit the zoo first thing in the morning with our popcorn made it home. We saw the animals that he wanted to see and that he picked. Baby girl did not mind at all her brother making all the decisions that day. Then we drove straight to culvers and thankfully since it's about 30 minutes from the zoo both the kids took a nap in the car on the way there. 

> > It was an all fun day! > > 

Tuesday we were bums, and got started on Father's Day gifts (which is coming up this Sunday) and I finished my sanding and painting of frames. Its gonna be a rainy week to boot. 

I had looked up some ideas on Pinterest and questions to ask the kid regarding their dad. And I knew I would make the handmade card for him. That night of making Father's Day cards, baby girl told her dad she's going to make him a card with the sun on it. Well that was not on our list, so of course we added that to the list and made her card the next day.

Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud


Lincoln Park Zoo, First Day of Summer Bucket List 2015

Enrolling in a Kindergarten Reading Study with UIC for Younger Son

Through our neighborhood school, we have an opportunity to enroll in a University of Illinois at Chicago study and reading and kindergartners. We read every night as a family either my husband or I will read to our five-year-old son and two-year-old daughter and then our older son will either read on his own, join us for the book. Currently we're reading the Harry Potter series (with breaks for other books in between) and I'll read outloud for all of us as a group together in bed. This year 2014, a questionnaire came home about are interested in enrolling in the reading study, we thought that it would be something interesting to do and participate in. So after talking with husband we decided to enroll.

Two Updates are posted below on the program progress. 

The survey was pretty simple, asking you about your child's abilities in your opinion in reading and math. How well do you think they'll do over a long time. With reading and math. And it also asked about the parents levels of education. There was a questionnaire for myself and a questionnaire for my husband. The interesting part to me was that at the end of the survey they asked questions along the lines of gender bias and reading and math. Things like usually girls are better in reading. And then do you agree or disagree on the scale with the statement. Also boys are usually better in math. And then all children can learn. On the Parent sections of the questionaire your number to the statements were drawn differently along the lines of child intelligence and being able to change a child's intelligence and abilities in reading and math, and agreeing or disagreeing with those statements.

I strongly disagreed with my parent my statements. I think that both boys and girls can equally learn in math and reading. It has to do with simply supporting their abilities, and supplementing where they don't have strengths in certain areas. Ironically, my husband wasn't in the strongly disagree category he was in the one next to it disagree for some of the categories. I'm sure they'll be a dialogue about that at home later. As for today I got to pick up our iPad mini which had the app that we are to use four times a week preinstalled. It will keep track of our reading and the questions that we ask our son. The study is not keeping track of answers, which I thought was interesting. Because I think there is something to be said for children who are understanding what they're reading and what is being read to them. However there are questions at the bottom of the app for "we wines, little kids, and big kids. So I most certainly will be participating in all levels of the questioning just so we can challenge our younger son into some higher-level thinking.

If you are reading this post, please post a comment below on what you liked - or didn't  - about this read. Does the topic interest you and you want to know more? Submit a question and I am happy to tackle it.

Originally we thought we were required to read every night for 15 minutes with our child, now finding out when we picked up the iPad mini that we really have to simply read the daily passage and ask the question, and it's only four times a week so I don't anticipate the reading taking 15 minutes but I do anticipate that that conversation about what we read will take that long.

As for our younger son, I'll be sure to be telling him that he is a participant in the study. We will most definitely get a copy of the journal in which the study will be published. This way my kids can see on the backend of what it means to be a participant in the study in the work that is involved. Maybe if they choose to have scientific careers this study participation and understanding what is involved (logistics) is something that would interest them in the future?

Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud 




Update: 2015

We liked participating in the UIC Reading Study. The iPad came with a preloaded app called BLT (Bed Time Learning). The passages to read everynight were short - maybe 1-2 minutes to read with a series of one to four questions to ask and encourage discussion afterwards. You could also choose to record the discussion.

The passages were interesting subjects, and a few of them were timely with current events. However, spelling errors, at a graduate level program, are UNACCEPTABLE! Granted I am a detail freak - however when working with the public you build into the system some sort of cross check for spelling and editing. Then when I emailed the group help email, they said they'd get to it.....still waiting. We have the app and errors didn't get changed. Now that's unfortunate.

As for the reading, we snuggled with the iPad, which "felt" different then snuggling with the books we have. My younger son pointed out his "popcorn" words while we read - that was cool (disruptive, but good for him). There weren't the fun pictures that books have relating to the text. Instead it was 1 pic for the story. The questions were simple - having the child recall basic facts from the story. However when we read we discuss the story, favorite parts, how we felt, and ultimately it relates to a current event in our lives or a recent story .... the simplicity of the questions was a turn off for my son and I. But we continued reading passages and I'd ask my own questions.


Update 2016
My son met at the local library with one of the researchers. He answered a series of questions and we received a $25 gift card. Even tho we no longer participate in the actual reading of the app. he became part of something like their "non participant" control group. 
This year I received another questionnaire packet which I completed and mailed back. We are participating because Young Son said it was interesting and he didn't mind. 

DIY Elastic Laces for Gym Shoes

My older son wore these nice Adidas shoes twice, then his foot grew! So I kept them for when younger son would be ready to wear them. Younger son is anxious to wear them now, however, since we wear crocs all the time he doesn't tie his shoes yet.

I've seen these great elastic no-lace ties for gym shoes. There colorful and pricey  $5-10 for the pair, but they solve our problem of not tying shoes yet. Meanwhile I was working on my fur collar project, adding lining and elastic to run a scarf or necklace under the collar. That's when I realized I could use regular elastic for his shoes, and save a bundle. 

I guesstimated the length, laced up his shoes and loosened along the way. I didn't want the laces to be tight so the elastic has room to move and be flexible. If the elastic remained tightly laced it would probably break quickly.

I double knotted the ends. We bought a good quality elastic, so we didn't have to worry about the ends fraying. I could've probably heated the ends if they did fray to seal them.

So far it's been two months and younger son is enjoying his gym shoes daily. And if the elastic breaks, I'll replace them again.

My Young Sons New Elastic Laces

Baby girl has tap shoes that are missing their pretty laces. We did something similar on hers, using hair ties. 

Make Mistakes. Breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud

Poem: 18 Months Old

July, 2010 (my younger son)

Stacking blocks,

So mundane.

Your first crocs,

You've outgrown them again!

Your first steps that you just took,

Your already "signing" book.

This time is precious because it goes so fast,

I know speechless doesn't last,

Soon you'll be talking and going to school,

Growing up fast just isn't cool! 

18 months old

(My Poetry)

by: Areyousureaboutthatblog Author
Not Authorized for Reproduction Without Permission

Make Mistakes. Breath, Reflect. and Laugh.Out.Loud

http://www.flickr.com/photos/107788096@N05/13219550435/in/set-72157642743968995

DIY Junior Bunk Bed Ladder, Under $8 for our Crib Conversion

Recently I converted our crib into a Junior bunk bed (here's how) for my younger son. He wanted a bunk bed for his birthday. As I browsed ideas online, I was troubled with the thought of spending money for two new beds (older son was going to get one too). Why spend $100 for a new metal bunk bed when we had a perfectly good solution at home. Now I just needed a ladder. He had been climbing in strenuously for a few weeks. Partially because bunk bed ladders and 3 or 4 step ladder cost $50 on amazon. I didn't save all this cash to spend it on a ladder! I did find a $20 rope ladder for indoor outdoor use, however I soon realized we had a resource right at home.

The boys have this wood building set, similar to Lincoln logs, however larger stronger solid pieces. When I was taking one of the sticks away from the boys, telling them these are NOT swords, quidditch brooms, (or insert you weapon of choice here) you realized how strong and solid these pieces were.

The rope ladder that I had ordered was made of slim pieces of wood for the steps. These pieces I had at home would definitely suffice. I knew I could attached them to the thick slats of the bed if I pre-drilled holes for the nuts and bolts (pre-drill so the wood doesn't crack). However I didn't want to drill holes in the "steps" because they wouldn't be as sound or stable to support my sons, and daughters, weight. So I decided to attached them using a bracket. We had to be creative, and the guy at the hardware store was helpful. He suggested copper pipe fittings to brace down the slats. they worked great.


DIY Junior Bunk Bed $6 Ladder for our Crib Conversion, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

So once I was inspired there was no stopping me....onto making our crib I mean Junior Bunk Bed Ladder.

What I needed:

- 2 wood slats for the ladder (from our Lincoln log-like set at home)
- electric drill for screws and to pre drill holes.
- electric hand saw to cut away unnecessary bed slats so my son could walk up the ladder comfortably.
- nuts and bolts to attach brace to slats ($1.50 for 6)
- brace / pipe fitting to attach the steps. I took a piece of my wood step with me to make sure the brace would fit around the wood and be able to sit flush against the slats where it would be bolted. ($3.50 for 5) Ironically when looking for the flat square like brace which I had in mind, it didn't exist at the big box hardware store. I asked an employee in his orange apron for help and he advised these copper or steel pipe fittings that plumbers use.

Total $3.50 for the brackets and $3.00 for the nuts and bolts. $7.50

The rope ladder is being returned. I am sure it's great. But I like my low cost homemade option instead.

Steps to installing my Easy Crib Ladder:

Guesstimating Spacing
I held up the wood pieces and eye balled there fit. I was playing moving them up and down guesstimating there spacing. Looking for problems. First, I wanted to be sure they would be long enough from the left side leg to a slat near the middle. Second, I also eye-balled spacing of the pieces as steps.

Cutting
I marked my wood pieces. Cut them with the saw (on the saw stand). After I sawed down the wood pieces I marked again where I'd like the pipe fittings, this time measuring for space between steps.

More Guesstimating
I didn't want my young son stepping to high or too short between steps - I wanted him to have a natural feel climbing up and down this ladder. My steps worked our to be about 9 1/2 inches apart. Allowing for the natural crib top rail (now on the bottom) to serve as the first short step off the ground.

You will also notice when I installed the most top rung, its slightly under 9 1/2 inches because I didn't want him to bump into the top of the crib mattress peeking through under the most top rail - see the light green sheet and the gap just above it.

After the Install, Troubleshooting
Even tho the pipefittings seemed to fit snug when I tested them with the wood pieces set against the Bunk Bed Rail and just before final bolt and nut installation, once I screwed and tightened everything there was still a "little wiggle" to the steps. I didn't want ANY MOVEMENT incase my sons cute little tow or skin of his foot was near the bracing he could get pinched. I realized I needed something like a little "shim," to help secure a snug fit. Similar to how construction installation works on a new door, or any wood working.

I hit the toolbox back in the basement and found little electric tube caps used in wiring. These would be too big, however that sparked the idea to use the plastic anchors (sold in picture hanging sets) to slip into the brace. I ended up pushing them in - one on each side of the brace - with my fingers first and (when the fit was still loose) hammering them in further. They went in nearly all the way with the hammer. And everything was snug. No pinched toes or feet :-)

I am happy to report that since this post my darling baby girl climbs up the bunk bed to join her brother for a book in the morning. I hear them often in my light sleep. Gosh I love those kids letting mommy rest a few more minutes....


Make Mistakes. Breath, Reflect. and Laugh.Out.Loud

Homemade No Milk Pancakes Recipe, I promised to make Pancakes and I have no milk!!

I made pancakes last night, with milk recipe, and I added a touch of cinnamon. Well, more then a touch. My younger son sampled them first. His eyes so big starring a the yummy pile on the plate. He took two ties and started coughing. The cinnamon was so strong it gave a sensation of a scratchy cough :-( To make our cravings go away I agreed to make pancakes again tomorrow. Here's how to Homemade No Milk Pancakes Recipe, I promised to make Pancakes and I have no milk!!

Homemade No Milk Pancakes Recipe, I promised to make Pancakes and I have no milk!!, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

So today, which is the day after our cinnamon pancakes, I promised him my regular sweet pancakes....

However I opened the fridge and we are out of milk - thank you internet access!!

Here's a modified version of a Recipie I found. It makes the batter a bit runny, and the pancakes are nice and light. I'd use just under a touch of the 3/4 cup of water.

No milk pancakes

1 cup flour

2 tsp sugar

pinch of salt

2 flat tsp baking powder

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp olive oil

3/4 cup of water

Optional: pats of butter

1/2 cup frozen blueberries (if you have fresh the pancakes will be less moist)

2 tsp sugar

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

Instructions:

Pre heat the pan on low. Combine the first 4 ingredients. I make a small hill and make a whole in the middle for the eggs. I scramble them and incorporate flour slowly. Then I alternate water and oil as I whisk - add vanilla - keep whisking and alternating. Guaranteed no lumps!

Let the batter rest. Combine in a bowl the blueberries and sugar. I don't add mine to the batter because they tend to sink to the bottom, so I prefer to add my blueberries Into the pancake ought after I've poured them into the pan.

After I run out of blueberries I start making pancakes with the chocolate chips.

Increase the pan heat slightly (between medium and low). Using a 1 cup ladle I make 4 small pancakes in my 11" pan. Add the blueberries, I add 5-6 per pancake, there nice and moist with this amount. Add pat of butter in the center of the pan. Do not press down at any point. 

After 1-2 minutes the pancake will start to brown. Flip the pancake. You'll need slightly longer on this side, the blueberries make the pancake extra moist on this side.

I put a plate on the stovetop (not heated) and stack the pancakes here. They stay warm this way. 

Yummy pancakes saved by water!

Make mistakes Breathe. Google a solution. And Laugh.Out.Loud

Creativity in Kids: Inspiration is Everywhere, If Parents Let Them Lead

My young son was inspired today... on his own. My mom job was to help him get the necessary parts. The cup he's holding in a musical instrument. His "guitar drum." He's been telling me all week his classmate Sean is having a "musicians theme birthday party" and "I just have to pick what instrument I want to have mom."

Creativity in Kids: Inspiration is Everywhere, If Parents Let Them Lead, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

I didn't receive any invitation to said party. However it's a frequent topic at home lately. So today we were watching Curious George on PBS and it's was an episode where a colleague of the man in the yellow hat made an instrument. Then the commercial break showed kids making their own instruments from bowls, pots, cups, and the almighty multi purpose rubberband!

Here's my sons guitar drum. Wearing his ninja headband, because at nap time we read Magic Treehouse Night with the Ninjas.

To learn more visit my blog at areyousureaboutthatblog.blogspot.com

Easy Kid Project: Bird Feeder

We are enjoying spending time with our cousin for a few days who is a new big sister to twins! While playing in the toy room (soon to be retitled play room) she noticed our soda bottle bird feeder outside hanging in the lilac tree. We planted this tree when we moved in, as a transplant from our first home. Its here so the kids can enjoy watching their bird friends come to visit, and eat.

Its a very snowy day in the big city - we had a new 4 inches of snow fall over 48 hours when this storm passed. In the top right you can see the finished bird feeder circles - made from Pipe cleaners and circle cereal (we used a generic whole oats brand). It was COVERED in snow the next morning. However its been several days since, and the city has warmed up - and our bird friends gobbled these treats up!

Easy Kid Project: Bird Feeder, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

Easy Kid Project: Bird Feeder, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

We used pipe cleaners and cereal circles to make bird feeders. Our cousin inspire everyone by making patterns. She chose brown, color, brown, color.

Easy Kid Project: Bird Feeder, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

I had to hold baby girls pipe cleaner, but she practiced her fine motor skills as she looped the cereal on.

Easy Kid Project: Bird Feeder, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

The girls put the feeders on as bracelets instead of "just" carrying them to the play room. We hung our feeders on the lilac tree near our window so we can easily see the birds enjoy their treats when we sit and play.

Easy Kid Project: Bird Feeder, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

We will be sure to shake the snow off for the birds easier access as the storm passes.

Make Mistakes. Breathe. Reflect. And Laugh.Out.Loud!

Traveling with Kids, Beyond Packing Backpacks. My Young Son and the Camera, It's Not Just Taking Pictures, It's Complex Preparation for Life.

My younger son did get crazy bored when we were nearing approach for landing ... so I let him enjoy time with my smart phone camera. He took pictures, set them in the frame, and really took his time to snap EXACTLY what HE wanted in the picture.

Kids are constantly learning. I know he won't become an expert photograpaher just because he is using my camera here but he will learn something. Or it's the start of him learning something. I can remember the moments my dad took a moment to let me look thru the lens and snap a pic. Those moments were few and far between. I hope to give my kids waaaayyyyyy more of those moments.

Traveling with Kids, Beyond Packing Backpacks. Getting Kids "mentally" ready for long trips is just as important. "How to Talk to kids" about your upcoming vacation., a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

Again, the kids are learning about photography. They have NO IDEA what happens when you push the pic button.... Here he is learning about what's in the frame, lighting, etc. experimenting is how kids learn. I knew in this moment, it wasn't about a quality photo, it WAS about my son learning for himself - what will happen and how his pic will look.

Traveling with Kids, Beyond Packing Backpacks. Getting Kids "mentally" ready for long trips is just as important. "How to Talk to kids" about your upcoming vacation., a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

Then we went thru and deleted the ones he wasn't pleased with. I can only say this was a sanity saver for mom, but also he learned about cameras, the importance of staging and setting up your photographs, the frame (what gets "cut out"), lighting, and then, reviewing pictures to see how the photographs turned out (because as we all know they don't always turn out...). We talked a little bit about why certain pictures were too dark, or had parts "cut out."

Traveling with Kids, Beyond Packing Backpacks. Getting Kids "mentally" ready for long trips is just as important. "How to Talk to kids" about your upcoming vacation., a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

Taking GOOD pictures IS NOT a simple thing. Yes you can point and shoot. Which I often do. But I want my kids to understand what "process" means. SO when they do pursue hobbies, crafts, and projects throughout their lives, THESE MOMENTS - a simple photograph on an airplane awaiting landing - helps build the skills they need to be successful. Look at all the factors described involved in taking a photograph... those are all steps in a process. That's A LOT for a kid to understand and grasp. Yet, broken down in to small "teaching moment" chunks, its very doable. For mom and son.

Make Mistakes. Breathe. Reflect. and Laugh.Out.Loud!

Homemade White Clay: Why we need to Fail with our kids

Homemade White Clay: Why we need to Fail with our kids, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

Don't you love finding those great homemade crafts on Pinterest. My Pinspiration "White Clay" activity caught my eye because of the gorgeous bright white color of the dough. And the cute cookie cutter ornaments made with the dough, and the ability to paint the baked ornaments.... Yada Yada Yada!!! All looks nice on the PIN.

Venting time: can't do any if this fun "white clay ornaments" and painting them afterwards if the dough flakes and when you finally do get an ornament made it disintegrates coming out of the oven. Vent complete.

We totally enjoyed the mixing, measuring, stirring and talking about our science, err um, I mean fun craft. I squeeze I learning everywhere we can!!! We ate lunch as the dough cooled for about 10 minutes or so.

Project Fail, White Clay Dough
Recipie we followed:

Bright White Clay Dough

Ingredients:
2 cups of baking soda
1 cup of cornstarch
1 cup of water

Directions:
1. Combine baking soda, cornstarch and water in a medium pot and stir over medium heat until all ingredients are dissolved.
2. Continue to stir over medium low heat until mixture thickens.
3. Once thick, immediately remove from heat and transfer mixture into a mixing bowl. Be careful, mixture will be hot!
4. Cover with a cold damp dish cloth until cool enough to knead.
5. Knead dough until soft and smooth. If mixture is too dry, add a few drops of water at a time and knead until a softer, workable consistency is reached.
6. Roll out dough to 1/4" and cut into shapes as desired.
7. Bake finished creations on a parchment paper covered cookie sheet in a warm oven (I do mine at 175 degrees F for about two hours, flipping them over about half way through baking.) Allow to cool completely in the oven.
8. Once completely dry, finished creations can be painted with acrylic craft paints and sealed with a craft sealant.
9. Wrap unused dough in plastic wrap to keep it fresh.

We did make the dough by heating ingredients in the pot. My first tip that is failed was the smooth texture of our version. It should have been "stickies" and looked more lumpy. And just as every good scientist knows, you will learn during the process, and learn from your failures.

Here's younger son enjoying the warm dough.

Here my younger son is enjoying how warm it is to his hands. He's been under the weather so mommy's homemade chicken soups in the pic too.

My next indicator of failure was the lack if bonding in the clay / sticking to the table and not as pliable as it should be.

Younger son loved playing with his "mountain." He wasn't into ornaments and cookie cutter shapes. He instead had the "cat" eat the "fish" but applying one cutter image over the other. And I can't say enough about the gross and fine motor skills needed to push, press, pinch, and shape the dough.

He was not frustrated - as was the adult in the room (me) - with the dough flakes, pieces and chunks that were falling off said mountain.

Baby girl enjoyed watching us, and touching the warm dough. Otherwise he was more into the cookie cutter shapes, and less into playing with the dough.

I rolled out the dough, into thicker and thicker segments. The cookie cutter shapes would break apart. Then the dough would stick to the table. Just frustrating. Add the flaking dough and it was not fun (for mom).

However baby girl loved flaking pieces all over the floor. And throwing cookie cutters on top.

Afterwards I took my dozen ornaments in animal shapes into the oven for 60 minutes at 175.

Here's our table after the experiment. Younger son is putting flakey dough remnants into a Baggie (so older son can enjoy after school).

And like our favorite clean up time song says: "you can clean where it's small and I can clean where it's tall." For the first time my 4 year old used the vacuum cleaner and picked up the flakey pieces. Baby girl and I wiped up the table each with our own sponges.

Cleaning may have taken longer then the entire project - cooking and molding together.

As for the baking, everything went smoothly. Then I removed the ornaments, and as the tray cooled I nudged one, and the leg came off. I nudged the duck beak and it flaked apart. All the pieces disintegrated. All of them. And the little rolled "balls" of dough we thought we'd make marbles from, they cracked, and dented. So interesting flops all the was around.

But even with the failures, we had fun. And we lived a real experiment. We need to fail with our kids too. Talking about our projects. What we were making. How it felt. It was "fun mommy." And then as you know real life doesn't work 100% of the time. So my kids also need to experience failures so they know how to handle disappointment. And they can learn to persevere, and try again, and again until we reach success. And you can't beat that.

The flop
We think we didn't add enough baking soda. My younger son remembers adding 1 cup of everything instead of a single 2-cup ingredient.

We will revisit this project. And try a smaller batch recipie. It's a low cost flop, but a high impact failure experiment... Again positive for my kids experiences.

Make Mistakes (like I did). Breathe. Reflect. And Laugh.Out.Loud. It helps with coping skills and failures.

Young Son Wrote the Word "MOM"

Young Son Wrote the Word "MOM", a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

I am so completely crying right now. As we eat our lunch my young son wanted to color in between bites.

After I prepped our lunch and took a few bites, I look back at his sheet and he wrote "MOM." That's his first written word, besides his name.

"Where did you learn that word?" He replied "it's in your necklace.

Paper Chain Links Project to Help "Count Down" our Return

My husband and I are going on a Once on a Lifetime trip Overseas. I am having major anxiety at the idea of being away from my kids for two weeks. Especially considering I haven't been away from them longer then 1 to 2 nights!! So to help them cope with missing us we are making a "Count the Days" paper link chain. I don't know yet what will help me cope with missing them?

We kept this project super simple, so we don't drag out the longing and missing that will be going on. We kept it positive and used the crafting time to talk about our feelings and the fun things they will be doing at grandmas house.

What you need:

-scrap paper, we used colorful construction paper
-kids scissors, one per child
-markers and crayons
-a ruler
-a pencil
- a glue stick

Mom used the ruler to draw out straight lines on the long side of the paper - roughly 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch wide pieces. Each child would get a piece and start cutting along the line. My 7 year old son showed me his "creative wave cuts" he learned in art class. The 4 year old cut the same wave lines, however unintentional.

areyousureaboutthatblog.blogspot.com cutting our paper strips

areyousureaboutthatblog.blogspot.com cutting our paper strips

Then my oldest and I wrote "messages" to each other and the things as dictated by my younger son. They each colored "art" onto 1-2 strips as well.

areyousureaboutthatblog.blogspot.com writing our messages

Last we glued the paper strips into loops with the words facing out. Then I explained to the boys that Each day we are away from them they will rip off one loop and read the message.
 
*Little MATH BONUS *:
- We needed to count on the calendar how many links, or many days, mom and dad will be away.
- Then we started cutting the strips, and half way thru cutting, we "guesstimated how many more we would need."
- I explained that after they rip off one link, they can "count how many days are left until mom and dad return from their trip."
- Another math bonus is the kids started measuring the length of the chain compared to their height.

Areyousureaboutthatblog.blogspot.com starting to measure our Paper Chain

- Then we estimated how many links it would take to get to their respective heights. It was a wonderful sidebar of learning.

What my kids don't know is I included a fun activity message in two of the strips to encourage they (and grandma) have some extra fun. One strip has a "nature scavenger hunt" (inspired from Pinterest) activity paper clipped in and the other tells them to use there glow sticks that night.

Some of our messages/reminders to each other and include:

"I wonder if mom bought my Japanese Fan and Sumo Wrestler toy yet?"
"Baby girl, don't pull your brothers hair!"
"Mom, we love you!"
"Go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt! Mom included your checklist."
"We probably miss our Babcia and Ciocia at home, let's call them and see how they are doing."
"Mom and Dad Love you and Miss You Bunches! We can't wait to see you soon!"
"Go to the beach today. And if you did already/did that yesterday, then go eat ice cream instead."

Areyousureaboutthatblog.blogspot.com Surprisingly a wonderful coincidence,
the Paper Chain is as tall as my young son.

I am certain we will all enjoy our time away from each other. And I will certainly enjoy returning home to my darling kids. In the meantime, I think this Paper Chain will keep them remembering a fun project with mom!

 

"The Days are Long, the Years are Short."

My story in Poetry: Breastfeeding is hard

So, here's what our society doesn't talk about....sometimes breastfeeding is hard.

Everywhere I read about "just always put baby on the breast," no schedule is needed. And usually baby eats every two hours or so, for roughly 20 minutes each side. 

Ha! 

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In the early 8 weeks my babies would eat CONSTANTLY. My routine was eat for 5, 10, 15 minutes, nap for 10 -30 minutes, eat, nap, eat, nap. So I affected my confidence wondering if somethings wrong. I accepted and loved staying home, I don't need to leave to house, or go to target - I'm here just to care for the baby.

As a mother of three, I wanted to nurse all my babies. With each one there was a small problem here or there.... And I wasn't able to EB (expressly breast) feed.

My poem goes into how this was a challenge, but I made it out of those dark few weeks, realizing that just have the baby at the breast is a wonderful feeling in itself. Yes, there are concerns. But let's talk basics. You Are Feeding Your Baby, Offering a Snack, It's Lovely.

My story in Poetry: Breastfeeding is hard

But for now, here's my poetic take on why:

Breastfeeding is hard

Just put the baby on the breast
And make sure you get plenty of rest
Eat an extra 500 calories a day
And drink lotsa water as much as you may.

Rest ? What's that
I'm exhausted all. the. time.
Eating requires cooking
An for that I'd have to hear you whine

Feed the baby on demand,
A schedule is not at hand.
She'll eat at least 20 minutes on each side,
Just go with the feeding tide.

What's this 20 minute thing?
Baby eats only when she's not sleeping,
at the breast, in my arms, but not at night,
I've been up so long I greet the day light.

Watch the baby to show their satisfied,
6-8 diapers a day u what you'll find.
Rest when baby rests, and watch that she IS getting enough.
As your nursing relationship develops.

My baby cries, ....alot.
It's not colic, and it's her, or my frustration. this is tough.
We found the latch sweet spot,
But it doesn't matter when nursings not.

Lean babys head back, nipple to nose,
Get plenty of breast tissue and on she goes.
Chin first, then her mouth,
Nursing shouldn't hurt even if at first it's a little rough.

My DD latches fine at first,
But then suddenly there's a burst.
Off she slides, and pulls down her chin
And suddenly her lower lip flips in..

See a Lactation consultant and get some help,
Don't worry you ARE making plenty of milk.
Take a supplment like fenugreek or domperidone
You'll smell like maple syrup, an through this you are not alone.

I'm taking 15 pills a day,
Pumping like crazy and my milk stays away.
Baby's latching, on a very red nipple and breast.
And my 3 month old is putting me to the test.

Don't give up, your almost there.
Your making milk, and baby's loving your care.
All babies cry? Look at her diapers and weight gain,
Just thinking you don't have milk is making me insane.

What sux is I'm not enjoying my time with you.
I'm stressed and pumping and supplementing but no more milks
coming thru.
But I just don't know how to give up, I keep going on, but for what?
and it's torture not enjoying this time, but I won't quit, I just can not.

Don't listen to those who ask, "is she getting enough?"
"She's so small, this must be rough."
"I can't believe your doing 'that' when you have those other two."
"Give a little formula so she'll sleep for you."

I'm worried, your crying and It's week number 8,
Your not satisfied and you're not gaining weight.
A few ounces is really it, you didn't gain a lot.
But I keep going because wet diapers you have got.

I'm still here nursing, offering both sides,
I've arrived here satisfied knowing I've tried.
You get the antibodies when you drink my gold,
And night nurse, skin to skin it's best I've been told.
And in the daytime hours we use an SNS,
your not hungry and more content at my breast.
This is a happy baby, she feels satisfied,
And doesn't have the hunger inside.

Out getting groceries I can offer you a snack,
Or at my breast you'll take a nap.
A happy baby is what I want,
This is a good place from what I first got.

Yes I'm bummed out this isn't what I planned,
But some nursing's better then none, it's liquid gold In Hand.
It's not my fault you were tongue tied and a pallet that's high,
A recessed chin, argh! I have no more tears to cry!

Breastfeeding is hard, it's a constant attachment.
But your not a failure if you can't tackle it.
Successful moms even say it's hard, having an infant constantly keeping you behind bars.

I don't know where 20 minutes came from,
There's only a pattern in this hum drum.
So give your baby what you can,
let them suckle and feed very often.

Most women who make it past the 6 week mark,
Will make it outta the dark.
And Feel a joy like no other.
For that of an infant and her nursing mother.

My story in Poetry: Breastfeeding is hard

Here I am nursing my baby girl for nap time and my young son plays in the background.

My story in Poetry: Breastfeeding is hard

As a mother of three, I wanted to nurse all my babies. With each one there was a small problem here or there.... And I wasn't able to EB (expressly breast) feed.

With my oldest I was turning his head toward the breast (not aligning ear, shoulder, hip). So he couldn't swallow right...Imagine drinking through a pinched straw. The LC wasn't at the hospital over my weekend delivery and I saw her two weeks later, where I expressed drops... of... milk...

With my second son I was simply freaked out that he was constantly at the breast. I was so concerned he wasn't satisfied...even tho he did sleep after nursing. He wasn't gaining weight "quickly enough," so at two months I started supplementing with a SNS. I also pumped after nursing and took fenugreek (15 pills a day). I also took domperidone for two months, which helped my nighttime supply for sure. We expressly night nursed, which was a satisfying nursing relationship.

Now with baby girl, and a ridiculous amount of reading I was determined to EBF!!! She nursed great in the first few hours. Only lost 7% body weight. This was it, success! But as we left the hospital the LC said she was seriously Tongue Tied. Once home she was gaining 1-1.5 ounces a week. The WHO standard for EB fed babies is 3.5-7 ounces a week. At one week she was clipped. But her lower lip kept turning in, I'd flip it out, she'd flip it in. She has a recessed chin impacting the latch. Then my nipple was lipstick shaped, she also has a high palette and wasn't taking in enough breast or having the nipple hit the roof of the mouth...

Aaaaasrrrrrrrrggggghhhhhh!!!

Can you see that I knew what was wrong and I couldn't do much about it. She wouldn't sleep after nursing, and cried the most from all three babies. She was hungry. So we also supplement with the SNS and night nurse. Of course, I also pumped after nursing and took fenugreek (15 pills a day). When I skipped a feeding or night pumped I consistently had two ounces. She suckles to nap and lotsa snacks. She gets the most breast milk, and we have a happy nursing relationship.


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Make Mistakes. Breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud