Letting go of control....

I am not advocating letting children run wild, with no training or direction. God gave parents the responsibility to protect and train children to grow into adults. However, I believe that this looks much different than we were led to believe.

~ RecoveringGrace :: The Tree of Knowledge

For me, it's all about getting rid of arbitrary rules... and being more deliberate in choosing my battles. There are so many times my flesh wants to resist or correct something my LO is doing... whuch has absolutely no basis. "Why not?" is a regular mantra around here.  Why shouldn't she do XYZ... !?  Is it because it's not safe/good for her... or is it just because it annoys me/etc...?

And if it comes down to a matter of personal preference... then I usually find it's because I need to do a little heart searching. Because, even though it would be so much easier to just assert my authority, and make her do what I want...  that's not going to teach her a thing. There is no communication, there is no respect! Just because I am the parent/grownup does NOT automatically make my comfort/priorities/preferences greater or more important than hers!  And, in the end, she responds so, so SO much more positively, when I treat her with humility & the respect she deserves!

Good reminder

This really resounded with me.  I needed this reminder! ♥

You are a marvel. You are unique.

“Each second we live is a new and unique moment of the universe, a moment that will never be again. And what do we teach our children? We teach them that two and two make four, and that Paris is the capital of France. When will we also teach them what they are? We should say to each of them: Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the years that have passed, there has never been another child like you. Your legs, your arms, your clever fingers, the way you move. You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel. And when you grow up, can you then harm another who is, like you, a marvel? You must work, we must all work, to make the world worthy of its children.”

~Pablo Picasso (Spanish Artist and Painter. 1881-1973)

Think about it...

***Warning... rant ahead! Proceed at your own risk!***

Priorities...

Travel on...

To bring up a child in the way he should go, travel that way yourself once in a while. 

~Josh Billings

"Parenthood is about raising and celebrating the child you have, not the child you thought you would have. It's about understanding that they are exactly the person they are supposed to be. And that, if you're lucky, they just might be the teacher who turns you into the person you are supposed to be."

~ The Water Giver

"Joe Hashabah"

 KB came to awhile ago, telling me about one of her imaginary friends, Joe Hashabah, who was "vewy, vewy sick!" and how we needed to pray for him. Me humoring her, says M'kay sweetie, we'll do that....   Not knowing that mere minutes later, she would come back, insisting that we pray for him "wight NOW!" So I bowed my head, closed my eyes, and listened as she prayed the most sweetest, sincere prayers for this "friend" of hers. She thanked God for Joe, asked Him to bless him, and to heal him fast, so we can "have fun an plway wif him verwy soon"

Thank you Lord for giving her a loving & caring heart... and helping her see the need for YOU in all thing...even those whose worth I overlook.

The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow... but the rainbow won’t wait while you finish the work.

~ Pat Clifford

But even better.... is when you homeschool and can incorporate the rainbow into the work... ;-) 

Washday - n. - the opportunity to learn colors & develop sorting skills! ;-)

Clockwise from bottom left corner: 

Brown/khakis, blues, greens, pink/reds (behind her), black/greys (in basket), and purple

Deals & Steals: Veggies Tales: "Incredible Singing Christmas Tree"

Any VeggiesTales fans out there? Download the "Incredible Singing Christmas Tree" album for FREE on Amazon!! :)

I don't know how long this deal will last (it may be today only?! IDK)  So go get yours now, before it's too late!!!

Here's the link!

 I downloaded mine already! It's awesome!  KB's favorite holiday is Christmas (esp for the music aspect of it)....  so needless to say, we're pretty stoked about this deal!  Actually, her current favorite VT's  album is another Christmas-themed one (A Very Veggie Christmas)...  so you could say I am also pretty excited for a little "change of scenery" (in a manner of speaking - lol).  Plus, I love the fact that this is audio.... so along with all the music, singing and fun[ny] dialogue/story... there is a fair amount of imagination required when listening to keep up with what is going on... :) 
  

A *huge* thanks to Jen  for the tip!!

*** UPDATE (12/22/10) - free album download still available!!! ***

Deals & Steals: $1/1 select Hyland's Homeopathy

Three $1/1 printable coupons for select Hyland’s Homeopathy for Kids....  

(good for: Teething Gel, Earache Drops and Allergy Relief.)

 

Print your coupon(s), here: Hylands.com: promo

For more info about Hylands, visit here:
Hyland's Homeopathy | Natural Homeopathic Remedies

Quote: To teach our children...

Our heritage and ideals, our code and standards - the things we live by and teach our children - are preserved or diminished by how freely we exchange ideas and feelings.  ~ Walt Disney

Book Review: Pancakes for Breakfast!

We received this book (among many others) in a big box of books which my grandmother (a retired school teacher) passed down to us. Having grown up with Tomie DePaola books, I  decided to keep this one mostly for sentimental reasons... but considering the more simplistic illustrations, and lack of written dialogue.... I never expected KB to take to this book - but, she LOVES it!

Quote: A Child's Gardner

I neat quote I came across the other day....
However, I am not sure who originally said it....

Book review: Momma, Will You?

Kb received this book back in October, as part of the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Program, through our library.  Some of the books we've received have been fabulous... others, eh, ok... with one or two getting passed right along.  But this one... it's definitely a WINNER (in so many ways)!! After reading it at least twice this afternoon, I can't help but sing it's praises. 

All Natural Play Clay

Marmee taught preschool for many, many years, and used to make homemade playdough for us, all the time! - I forgot how easy and fun it is! Plus with homemade... you no exactly what's in it No worries about funky ingredients or toxic colorings! So, if some ends up in your curious toddler’s mouth.... it's perfectly fine! (though the taste probably won’t be much to her liking)

The October 2009 issue* of Family Fun Magazine recently contained an excellent recipe for All Natural Play Clay. I especially like this one, because you don't have to have cream of tartar on hand. ... nor do you have to cook anything. And since there is no stove involved... children can be part of making it too!

The other part of the article, that really caught my attention, was the tips on coloring the dough, using common [natural] kitchen ingredients, such as cocoa powder, beet juice, paprika or turmeric! Hmm...I wonder what other colors we could figure out...? Perhaps, blueberry juice for purple... ??

*if you happen to own a copy of this magazine, the article can be found on page 18 of the issue.)

Ingredients
1 C flour
3/8 C salt
1 T vegetable oil
Natural Dye (see below for colors)
Directions
In a bowl, combine flour and salt. Pour in oil & natural dye and stir well. Knead dough for a few minutes. If clay is too soft, add a bit more flour. Store the clay in air tight containers in the refrigerator.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Natural Dye:
Brown: 3/8 C plus 1 T hot water, 4 T cocoa powder
Fuchsia: 3/8 C hot beet juice
Orange: 3/8 C hot water & 1 T paprika
Yellow: 3/8 C hot water & 1 tsp. turmeric

• Here’s a link to the online recipe. It’s almost the same as the magazine recipe, but the magazine recipe included a tablespoon of vegetable oil too... as well as those natural dyes I mentioned! :-)
  
• In light of the season, this is one I definitely want to try... a recipe for Pumpkin Pie Play Dough... Mmm!!
  
• Arm & Hammer even has a cool pdf where you can get ideas on how to use your play clay. Their version is slightly different but if you want a little longer lasting it would work too. Click HERE for that PDF

Free book monthly, for children 5 & under

Dolly Parton Imagination Library: Free book each month for children 5 and under

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is a program available in many areas which offers a free book, mailed to each month to the child's home, for anyone aged 5 and under.

I just was made aware that is is available in our area, and signed KB up... but I have heard from many different readers that the books they send are good quality and that it's definitely worth your while to sign up if your area offers this program.

To read more details and see if this program is available in your area, go to the website, here.

Let Them be Little...

Let Them Be Little ~ Billy Dean or Lonestar

I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand.
You felt so good in it; no bigger than a minute.
How it amazes me, you're changin' with every blink.
Faster than a flower blooms, they grow up all too soon.

So... let them be little,
' Cause they're only that way for a while...
Give 'em hope, give them praise,
Give them love - every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let 'em sleep in the middle,
Oh, just let them be little.

I never felt so much, in one little tender touch.
I live for those kisses, your prayers an' your wishes.
An' now you're teachin' me, things only a child can see.
Tonight, while we're on our knees, all I ask is:

Please.... Let them be little,
'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give them praise,
Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let 'em sleep in the middle,
Oh, just let them be little.

So innocent, a precious soul:
You turn around, an' it's time to let them go.

So, let them be little,
'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give 'em praise,
Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let them sleep in the middle,
Oh, just let them be little.

Mmm...
Let them...
Be little.

B has been working such long days, and late nights lately... I have gotten a small glance at what it's like to be a "single parent"... and boy! Let me tell you... it's not easy, nor is it fun! (How do parents do it, when they just need 10 minutes to themselves and have no one to pass the baby off too?) ~ Anyway, it was nearing the end of a loooong day... and the closer bed time seemed to creep up... so did the end of my patience. As the result of said long day, in conjunction with KB breaking through new teeth.... she was being rough, testy (getting into everything she *knows* she not supposed to), needy, clingy, and well, plainly... a little stinker! She was pushing every one of my 'buttons' imaginable... and the more I tried to correct her/refocus her/help her, the more she seemed set on doing the opposite. I was starting to get quite frustrated - it was SO not cute anymore! - when this song came on to Pandora. Wow! What a way to set things back into perspective ! Children are only little for such a short time. Though I realize, as parents, it's our responsibility to teach/train them to do do right.... but we also need to be sure to balance that training with a bit of grace - just like the Lord graciously and patiently bestows upon us - his children. We waste so much time/energy getting upset over things that in the big picture, really aren't that big of a deal. Relax, have patience, give grace, and... just let them be little! What a beautiful, gentle [and much needed at the time] reminder!! And while some might say it purely coincidental the song came on when it did... in the words of Albert Einstein: “Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.” - So, thank you Lord for that gentle correction of my heart!

Anamalz!!

I just found the *cutest* line of wooden animal toys....OMW! I am totally in LOVE!! They are handmade wooden toys, made by a company called Anamalz: Environmentally friendly animals... designed in Australia.... made with organic maple wood and textile products. ... painted with water based paints... and absolutely adorable!!

Within their "anamalz range"... there are three different catergories of animals: FarmAnamalz, WildAnamalz, & AustralianAnamalz... which each contain 7-10 adorable animals. And the really cool thing... they are only $6-$7 [an animal] on Amazon!! Not a bad deal for quality wooden toys!! ~ I added a bunch to KB's wishlist! ;-)

What's your motive?

Our personal green changes came from our desire to live simple, frugal lives for reasons besides the environment .. besides money even. One of those was not wanting to raise our children as consumers and to instill in them a love of the important things in life - like people, not things - without depriving them of childhood joys.

-YarnTotingMama