Archive for the ‘Parent Notes’ Category

I was tickled to death today when I found in the archives of Twitter a message that I had been tagged for an Honest Scrap Award by @AlisonKerr of Loving Nature’s Garden.

To accept this award (which I do!) I must reveal 10 honest things about myself that you wouldn’t know by reading this site… hum…  And then I must tag 7 blogger buddies.

To those I tag, I apologize in advance if this kind of thing is terribly inconvenient. I have enjoyed reading the lists of others and am excited to share about myself.

1) I spend most of my time with children; I am very uncomfortable in a room full of adults. I do love to socialize, but do so carefully.

2) Half a margarita and I am wasted.

3) I have lived in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Illinois, Michigan, New York, New Mexico, Arkansas, Texas, Guatemala and Australia.

4) I am a Grey’s Anatomy addict. I record every show and watch them endlessly.

5) I support local businesses and think large chains are damaging to a healthy society… that said, I LOVE Starbucks coffee.

6) I am ignorant to pop culture; I grew up without TV and often feel like a total social outcast cause of this. Thus #4 is particularly interesting to me.

7) I have a problem with books… I buy too many, own too many, and need to build an addition onto my house to accommodate them.

I don’t know how to turn off smiley faces in word press, so since this is #8, it has a smiley face. (If you had paid attention to my other lists to might know this, but I find it amusing). Can anyone help me?

9) I am in love with Matt Damon and have watched Dogma too many times.

10) I have a weakness for chocolate (I like if it’s organic, milk, dark or white  … if it’s chocolate I’ll eat it) and Ben & Jerry’s Mint Chocolate Oreo.

Drum role….

Tag… you’re it!

1) Erin of exhale. return.to.center is a neighbor and wonderful blogger. She is full of helpful tips, thoughtful reflections and exciting adventures shared with her family on their small homestead on the rural edge of suburbia.

2) Debi of Go Explore Nature is a woman after my own heart. She writes of her nature adventures with her boys in southern California. She is full of energy, great ideas, is a prolific blogger and I bet if we lived closer we’d likely go on a few adventures together.

3) Amber of strocel.com I am in awe of her. I seem to “run into” posts of hers all over the Internet. I can’t believe it. Plus, she comments everywhere. I know from reading her blog that she occasionally forgets things, and has two small children, but I am amazed at her writing, her insight, her vast energy and am intrigued to find out more!

4) MJ of TurnItUpMom I love the byline of her blog. “May you be happy, May you be free…” The next part’s my favorite, but you’ll have to stop by and check her out to see what it is! We are kindred spirits of sorts as we love to dance with our children.

5) Suz of Slow Family Online, her pictures are amazingly beautiful and her blog is full of inspiration and surprises; with a wealth of experience raising children in a slow family kind of way.

6) Jaime of Steady Mom is a recently publish author, with three kids and such grace in parenting that I often wish I could be a fly on the wall in her house to observe with out intruding… and see how she does it all so beautifully. I can’t wait to read her book or find out some “other” things about her.

7) Suna of Lobster Monkey is an “old” friend from college. I was ecstatic to find her blog and be able to follow her through her days… but the reality is I barely know her despite this connection, she has become this inspiring, crafty, mindful, dedicated mother and I’d love to know a more about her.

That’s a wrap. I realize that I have only tagged mothers, women like me working to get through the day with children, be true to ourselves and our families. So please take it as a compliment that I am so interested in finding out more about you… and sharing a little bit about myself too!

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

I love outdoor play. I find that my children are happier, calmer, more content and helpful after a good session of outside play. These past few weeks of winter have been tough for even me to get outside.

It takes at least 20 minutes to get two 3 year olds, one 18 month old, a 7 month old and a mother ready to get outside with snow pants, jackets, boots, hats, and gloves; then after 10 minutes outside one 3 year old inevitably declares, “Shannon I need to go potty.”

So I, baby on back, big bulky coat, snowy shoes, trek inside to attend to the bathroom issues. Nine times out of ten, the wonderful play that was happening outside is so disrupted that we end up back inside… undressed and running wild.

So today I decided to think of things I could do with kids inside that don’t involve the TV or video games and that encourage creativity and play within the confines of my home. Here’s what I’ve came up with:

1) Build a fort. Today every toy in the house ended up under the dining room table. It became a store, a doctor’s office, a restaurant through the creative, genious, imagination of three year olds.

2) Family yoga. I love the CD’s Happy and Cozy by Shakta Kaur Khalsa with some lovely songs that lead children (and families) through yoga poses. Yesterday, we let off a lot of “steam” dancing and practicing yoga in our living room.

3) Tell stories. (With emphasis on the telling) I enjoy making up stories, sometimes they are silly, sometimes they have a deep meaning, other times, they are just simple ramblings that I make up as I go. I love to allow the children to add their own ideas to the story.

4) Play games. Active games like hide and seek, red light green light, Simon says help burn energy with some structure. Other games such as memory, puzzles, board games use more mental energy, and focus.

Kids need to feel important and valued.  Being with mom or dad or a special caregiver who is engaged with the creative play of children is part of experiencing a healthy childhood.

I feel a little less overwhelmed by the weather now. We will always go outside as much as possible, but knowing that I have a few great tricks in my back pocket leads to peace of mind.

Sometimes though, I really do wish I was a seed and could sleep through the winter.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

 Coveralls: This past week, I went from yoga class to shoveling manure in a matter of minutes.  When I was knee deep in s**t, it occured to me that coveralls would be a great item on my gift list.  Since some ladies go from indoor activites to outdoor activities on the drop of a dime, these warm, durable, doesn’t matter if they get dirty, coveralls can come in mighty handy.

Dr. Hauschka Products: I had the awesome opportunity to get a facial using these wonderful products. I fell in love with the relaxing fragrance of the Lavender Bath Oil. A touch of these products soothes any skin type and moisturizes even the driest skin (from a summer of gardening and a winter of hauling wood!). The gift boxes are affordable and give a wide variety of choices for mamas!

Muck Boots: Well, you might guess at when I added these to my list… let me share the picture, yoga pants, sneakers, and knee deep in wet manure.  I spent a good 15 minutes cleaning off my shoes at the end of the day but still have to remember to take those sneakers off when I go to a friends house. Not great.  These boots could solve my dirty sneaker problem pretty quickly!

Hot Cocoa: Here in Rhode Island we had a gentle dusting of snow this morning reminding me of how wonderful it is to curl up on the couch with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa.  Yummy! I like to know that my joy and serenity is coming without expense to other’s, so Fair Trade Cocoa is my favorite! And what mom will turn away chocolate?

Snugly Pajamas: When I was little, my parents would get my brother and I one nice shared present from Santa, then we’d each get some socks and new pj’s.  I always looked forward to a fresh set of ‘jamas to cozy up in after Christmas. Us mama’s who spend so much time nurturing others, can really use a special bit of self-nurturing… these just might fit the bill.

Maple Syrup: Really this is a staple in every house.  I love maple syrup on my pancakes and sometimes even on my ice cream! We sweeten most of our baked goods with it too.  As a consumable gift, it a great way to keep down the clutter and a cute jar like this one can have lots of uses once the syrup’s gone!

Bomber Hat: A cozy, warm, hat (or hat, scarf, glove set) is a great gift for mama’s who spend lots of time outside with the kiddos.  It’s warm- maybe a little dorky- but stylish in an outdoor mama kind of way.  Maybe just calling it really functional, fun and cute is the most straight forward description.  I have looked high and low for a hat like this… yup I sure hope one ends up in my stalking!

Relaxing Music: Music, meditations or books that can help mom kick up her hard working feet and unwind is a wonderful reusable, valuable gift.  This particular CD is a Kundalini Yoga mantra that honors the divine feminine  and the mother energy.  A great way to strengthen mama from the inside out!

Travel Mug: Many moms spend lots of time on the go shopping, running errands, taking the kids here and there.. buying chicken food! When I am out on the town I like to stop and get a special drink, but I really don’t like it when I clean out my car and there are tons of paper cups.  A personalized ceramic mug could make the most special gift for that special woman.

What’s on your Christmas list mama’s?

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

This time of year the darkness sets in so early that candles can be a really fun activity that can represent “lighting the way to a new year”.

Shopping List:

• Candle Wicks  (available at craft and hobby stores)
• Beeswax (available at Amazon- might be available locally too)
• Other needs:
• Small sized coffee cans
• Newspaper
• Lots of pot holders
• A large pot
• Sturdy twigs

1) The beeswax comes as a big block; chop this up into small pieces that will fit into coffee cans.

2) Fill a pot with water and place cans of beeswax into the pot. Don’t let the cans float (remove some water if they do).

3) Allow the wax to melt in the cans. (Adding fresh chunks as the wax melts).

…….While the wax is melting.

4) Cut 12 inch wicks. Tie one end of each wick to a twig.

5) Remember to check on your melting wax! When the cans have 6-8 inches of  melted wax, remove from the heat and place on a newspaper-covered area. (Note: use newspaper it’s a mess otherwise).

6) Dip the wick into the wax while holding onto the stick. “Dip it down; pick it up.”

7) Allow the wax to harden on the wick then re-dip… over and over and over again. Till the candle is large enough to fit in a candle holder. (To flatten the bottom of the candle, use wax paper and with each dip tap the candle on the wax paper- it will make the candle a tad easier to use in a candle holder).

Once you’re done, save the cans for next year (you can remelt the wax that’s left inside) and keep the newspaper for a fire in the wood stove (the wax on the paper will help the fire ignite).

Add some education to the process? Make honey cakes, use beeswax and talk about the gifts from the honey bees!

For more information or for guidance on making candles in a classroom setting, read Earthwaysby Carol Petrash.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

I ventured out of my habitat this morning and am inspired to write a bit of a rant because I’ve gotta get this off my chest.

Why’d the anti-abortion community get the phrase “pro-life”?… it really doesn’t seem like these folks are really “pro-life” at all.  And, although in conventional terms I guess I am “pro-choice” come on, who isn’t? (That’s WHY we have 6 different kinds of ketchup at the grocery store).  I definitely am not “pro-abortion”.

I drove by Planned Parenthood this morning, all along the street were LARGE images of aborted fetus’, neatly propped up by well-meaning anti-abortion activists. Most of the images were very distorted, unrealistic and gross. I was horrified when I came to a full stop at a stop sign with my 3 year old son gazing out the window at these pictures. And the organizer stood by our car, a huge grin on his face, trying to hand us a leaflet. (I have studied the teachings of Ghandi and Dr. King and had to pull from this non-violent foundation to keep from ramming into this guy.)

Then, I got to thinking about how it would be for me if I was stuck with the “choice” of abortion and had to walk by these people. I am now convinced that anyone willing to go through that and actually follow-though is amazing, brave, courageous, and a lot of other things…. Is it really more responsible to bring an unwanted child into a world of violence or abuse?

I will not join a picket line to hand out “pro-abortion” pamphlets either. I feel that choice is between a woman and her God.  And I can assure you, the guy grinning at my son was not “pro-life”; anyone with any sense would be embarrassed to have a child see those pictures.

With great relief I turned the corner to head home.

Back home to my natural habitat:

We watched a big tractor working on our street.

Did a little work in the garden.

Looked at some beautiful fall flowers still blossoming (and dying) in our yard.

Watched a blue jay eating at our feeding station.

Baked cakes in the sandbox.

And ate a “tv” lunch of fresh eggs and quinoa.

And THAT is what childhood is meant to be.

I have limitless gratitude that I was ready to be a mom when my time came; and I know my son is the one that benefits the most from this.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

“Perhaps because Rhode Island is the second most-densely populated state, Rhode Islanders have always promoted efforts to protect the natural areas that define their state through support of state and local bonds and creation of parks and preserves. The Ocean State boasts over 300 miles of coastline, and, thankfully, supports a number of growing efforts through conservation groups, schools and political leaders to get children out-of-doors to connect with the nature that they find in their communities. But like every state, Rhode Island can do much more — in fact, it could become the leading state in the children and nature movement.”

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Playing in the leaves is to fall as sledding is to winter….. thankfully we have an abundance of leaves to enjoy.

Want a productive Green Hour?  Here’s a top-notch, fun, chore that’s a sure way to burn some calories (for mom or dad) and keep the kids happy and in the fresh fall air.

No trees in your yard? Here are some other fun ways to enjoy the crisp air… and speaking of crisp, apple season is almost over, have you gone picking this year?

Who do you think jumped in those leaves right after him?  What’s your favorite apple crisp recipe?

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

I have just returned from my  children’s yoga teacher training.  It was fabulous. This weekend focused on a Body-Mind Centering approach to anatomy. 

I am astonished at all that goes into movement and the human body.  So starting, literally, from the ground up, I want to share some thoughts about feet.

Recently, I was on a jaunt in the woods and I noticed the beauty of the earth beneath my feet.

The pine cones, pine needles, leaves, sticks, and stones, all crunched as I stepped across them. I noticed the forgiveness of the earth as it bounced back after each step.

In some places, the moss-covered the ground with sweet softness and acted as a gentle cushion.

Branches, stumps, rotting fallen trees served as little obstacles to negotiate.

My feet held me up, confidently no matter what the terrain. As an aspiring yoga teacher I got to thinking about doing yoga in the pine trees and how different the experience would be to doing yoga on the wooden floor of a studio.

This weekend I revisited these thoughts as I learned about the feet, which are uniquely designed to navigated these irregular surfaces. So different then the hard concrete or wooden floors on which we usually walk or stand.

Standing upright with strength on any surface is as natural for our bodies, and especially our feet, as breathing.

How is it for you to stand strongly despite the uneven surfaces of life?

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Sunday was a rainy, yucky, fall day that was perfect for a yoga adventure. It wasn’t too difficult to find excited grandparents for a couple hours of care, and Jeremiah ended up learning new baking skills in the processes. Lucky guy; the cookies were delicious!

I thoroughly enjoyed a kundalini yoga class and was renewed and rejuvenated!

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

One of my favorite blogs Steady Mom, has “put out there” a 30 minute challenge for us mommy bloggers; here’s my post.

Timer’s set and here I go:

Earth worms are some of the garden’s most handy helpers. Last year for my birthday my mother set me up with a wonderful worm compost bin for in my kitchen, about a month ago I cleaned out the old castings and started over with kitchen scraps, newspaper, and peat moss.  This post is designed to guide my readers towards making a worm composter of your own.

First, get a 5 gallon plastic tub.  Fill it 2/3rd full of peat moss, newspaper ripped in 1 inch strips and a couple handfuls of dirt. Add fresh kitchen scraps, ideally vegetables and fruits, but some grains are great too, no dairy or meat please!  Then add about a half pound of red wiggler worms. Mix it up… continue to add kitchen scraps, let the worms chew ‘em up and poop out castings!  This is a delicious cocktail for house plants, seedlings, seed starter, or the garden.

These healthy red wigglers came right out of our garden and the children put them into the bin.

Worm compost bins are fun and educational for children, and the castings are a  great treat for the garden.

Off to cuddle my toddler!

Bookmark It

Hide Sites