tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507416570158919032024-03-09T21:46:39.576-05:00My New NormalAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-11460934951083895812014-05-13T14:40:00.001-04:002014-05-13T14:40:09.064-04:00Jogging Stroller Scare - What I've learned<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
Sometimes I feel like the worst mother in the world. This morning was one of those times. It was a gorgeous day to run, overcast and in the fifties, and so I loaded the boys in the double jogging stroller, left twenty minutes early for Will's school, and ran them through the gorgeous brook path and up to Will's school through back streets.</div>
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I didn't want to block the pathway to from the sidewalk to the gate with my double wide stroller during drop-off, nor did I want to maul all of the grass (the school is in a home, so it's really the director's front yard!). So I left Andrew in the stroller off to the sidewalk and walkway, with the wheels on the edge of the grass of the director's front yard. It was slanted sideways, I figured it wasn't going anywhere. I should have put more thought into it.</div>
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I know the brake on my jogging stroller isn't great - it's a hand-me-down stroller from my uncle which I've been so grateful for, because it works amazingly well, and it saved us the $700 - $1000 we might have spent buying our own. (Or more likely, I just wouldn't have gotten into stroller running at all.) But it's over a decade old, and it probably has thousands of miles on it, and the brake should be looked at. I've never prioritized it, because I usually just run, then come back home, and it's always just parked empty on my porch.</div>
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I wasn't thinking about that at all when I pushed it onto the grass and parked it, then headed down the walkway to drop Will off.</div>
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The stroller was on grass. Then there was sidewalk. Then MORE grass. Then the road. I was going to be less than a minute giving Will a hug and sending him into school, right? (I say this like I thought about it. I really didn't. I just put the stroller where it wasn't in the way of other families and felt like it was far from the road, and then I started to drop Will off.)</div>
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One minute turned into two while I talked Will out of the heavy jacket he didn't need to be wearing and gave him a hug, and then I heard yelling and turned to see Andrew rolling backwards...</div>
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Off the grass.</div>
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Over the sidewalk.</div>
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Through the next patch of grass.</div>
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Into the road.</div>
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Across the road.</div>
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Into a parked car.</div>
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"NOOOOO!!!!!!!" </h1>
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I freaked out. I ran. If someone had been coming, besides another parent waiting to pull out of a parking spot who saw the whole thing, would I have been fast enough? I don't know.</div>
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The rest is a blur. Another mother holding the stroller so I could say goodbye to a now stricken Will, and cry all over the preschool teacher who gave me a hug when I started to lose it, and get paper to leave a note because I scratched the car Andrew's stroller rolled into.</div>
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The preschool director sent me a lovely text reassuring me... but I still wanted to crawl under a rock and hide from Social Services who some small part of me felt should come take my children away because Andrew could have been hurt and I can't bear the thought of something happening to him.</div>
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I cried to Will's teacher. I called and cried to Greg. I'm crying to you.</div>
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None of that really matters, though, none of that makes it better.</div>
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What will make it better is learning from this and being a more cautious parent in the future.</div>
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I won't be haph-hazard about where I park a stroller with a child in it, ever again.</h2>
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<strong>Another close call & Lesson Learned: </strong>A few weeks ago, Will ran out into a parking lot in front of a car while I yelled at him from ten feet away, powerless to reach him in time. That was a horrible experience. Since then, we hold hands, we talk about how important it is to stay next to me in parking lots and on sidewalks, and even Andrew looks for cars and says "not safe" when we're in a parking lot. I've taught Will to keep a hand on the car and stand next to me while I put Andrew into his car seat in a parking lot so he stays right next to the car. I've responded thoughtfully and consistently, and there hasn't been another close call. I hope there never will be. I know I'm working hard to teach my children to be safe around cars... and never be far enough away from them to respond if they forget.</div>
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I do a lot of things right</h2>
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Today, I did something stupid and dangerous... I left a stroller with a faulty brake unattended near a street. I'm lucky Andrew is ok. I feel guilt, remorse, and shame. I need to use this experience to be more careful in the future and never let it happen again, and then I need to move on. One way I can do that is by remembering all the things I do right.</div>
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<strong>You'll never know what safety precautions you take with your children that PREVENTED something bad from happening.</strong> As mothers, we only know when we mis-step, and that horrible accident or close call occurs.</div>
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Yesterday, I went to the beach with the boys and took my babysitter with me so that I wouldn't be alone with two children near water with no lifeguards. What disaster might I have prevented there?</div>
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How many times have Will or Andrew mis-stepped on the stairs, only to have my hands sturdy them from behind?</div>
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The first time Will showed interest in climbing over the side of his crib, we converted it to a bed. Did we prevent a concussion?</div>
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I watched Forks Over Knives and switched our family to a whole foods, plant-based diet. We'll never know if we're preventing them from a cancer diagnosis in the future.</div>
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Deep breaths</h2>
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Andrew is fine.</div>
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Every parent I know has a story like mine, when something happened to one of their children that they felt they could have prevented.</div>
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Every parent I know does countless things, every day, to try to keep their children safe and happy.</div>
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I'm going to take some deep breaths, I'm going to learn from this, and I'm going to keep on doing the best I can, every single day.</div>
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Please - watch where you park your stroller. Think about where your knives are on the kitchen counter. Don't drive your kids somewhere if you're exhausted. Don't text or fumble around to take a phone call when you're behind the wheel. Supervise your kids near water. Make the BIG safety things, the ones that save lives, a priority.</div>
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I'm not saying we should live in fear (let your kids climb the playground structures!) - but if the worst case scenario is death, let's take it seriously.</div>
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The boys are still napping, so I'm going to make myself a cup of tea and wash my face... which, as my mother promised me many years ago, always makes you feel a little better.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-65684584025450404762014-03-17T13:18:00.001-04:002014-03-17T13:18:39.287-04:00St. Patrick's Day Craft!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSX3EeQP89AGtEbOpChXOQG0tlJ43NhuY7maD3cnmVq1sM5OR4UMVlAe-wGrD_j7rVJUxmhC7pRJ2eKMiav0K9FYUvtVVMHhDFKTNS7FdocHauzzfNlH9OUpRYNZLEDU2IeGyCSfTuklXD/s640/blogger-image-1965675326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSX3EeQP89AGtEbOpChXOQG0tlJ43NhuY7maD3cnmVq1sM5OR4UMVlAe-wGrD_j7rVJUxmhC7pRJ2eKMiav0K9FYUvtVVMHhDFKTNS7FdocHauzzfNlH9OUpRYNZLEDU2IeGyCSfTuklXD/s640/blogger-image-1965675326.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>Happy St. Patrick's Day!<div><br></div><div>I am lucky enough to have my in-laws visiting, and my mother in law (who was an elementary school teacher for years and years) did the cutest craft with Will and Andrew!</div><div><br></div><div>She took green construction paper, drew a shamrock, and had them glue pieces of dried flowers and acorns she'd scavenged from the front yard.</div><div><br></div><div>It was quick, it was fun, it was super cute, and they loved it start to finish!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR45IA3Jhgszun1SypdzMdr5b40QBjQjk1Ec_3kJr-vi32YvCYIf52MiE3qZlc6Wiwx28rvYHwwNrQjOJWgRRdNB1qMyyeCZUQ3nOrtj3Y5O3HK4_LVWra3-c4ZTvNy3ntthFnLVMumwek/s640/blogger-image-1885670778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR45IA3Jhgszun1SypdzMdr5b40QBjQjk1Ec_3kJr-vi32YvCYIf52MiE3qZlc6Wiwx28rvYHwwNrQjOJWgRRdNB1qMyyeCZUQ3nOrtj3Y5O3HK4_LVWra3-c4ZTvNy3ntthFnLVMumwek/s640/blogger-image-1885670778.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Make them a green smoothie and their day will be complete!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOmCIwI68SdLRgSXF4bQzEAZO146vOlxiXNevzpuiwTTIxdW7lct9a5BJtvEeI-NScSrsGNUk_BUfcuHvXo2MN1TbRPkt0m1OMkPYHkJo10A0XGKQ_RPV0i3hrd0IVRB-V0lL2GzZrJ6N/s640/blogger-image-270136987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOmCIwI68SdLRgSXF4bQzEAZO146vOlxiXNevzpuiwTTIxdW7lct9a5BJtvEeI-NScSrsGNUk_BUfcuHvXo2MN1TbRPkt0m1OMkPYHkJo10A0XGKQ_RPV0i3hrd0IVRB-V0lL2GzZrJ6N/s640/blogger-image-270136987.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-37508090606056721002014-02-14T16:47:00.001-05:002014-02-14T16:47:21.068-05:00I Love You More Than Bacon: Why We're Vegan And I Love It<h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 1.5em; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
Happy Valentine's Day!</h2>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.iamrunningthis.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/bacon.jpg" href="http://www.iamrunningthis.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/bacon.jpg"><img alt="bacon" data-mce-src="http://www.iamrunningthis.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/bacon-768x1024.jpg" height="786" src="http://www.iamrunningthis.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/bacon-768x1024.jpg" style="border: 0px currentColor;" width="590" /></a></div>
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In our kitchen window sits a little black sign with white lettering that reads "I LOVE YOU MORE THAN BACON."</div>
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I bought the sign after Greg and I saw it in a little shop on Cape Cod. At the time, there was very little I loved more than bacon. I loved bacon so much I had started frying up two pieces of it each morning to eat with an egg and toast, even on week days. I bought the best, most expensive, antibiotic free, nitrate free, hopefully slightly humane bacon that money could buy, and I loved it.</div>
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More and more though, I started to notice that when I ate lots of sugary or greasy foods, I didn't run as well. I ran slower, it was harder, I enjoyed it less.</div>
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Then one of my friends recommended a book to me,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Superfood-Smoothies-Delicious-Energizing-Nutrient-dense/dp/145490559X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1392413033&sr=8-3&keywords=julie+morris" href="http://www.amazon.com/Superfood-Smoothies-Delicious-Energizing-Nutrient-dense/dp/145490559X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1392413033&sr=8-3&keywords=julie+morris" target="_blank">Superfood Smoothies</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>by Julie Morris. She told me that her kids drank the chocolate kale smoothie like it was a milkshake. I bought it, and my bacon and egg breakfasts started to be replaced by whole foods smoothies, with protein and omega-3 rich chia seeds, leafy greens and spicy ginger, mango or pineapple for sweetness, and a creamy texture from frozen bananas that dairy can't compete with. I felt better. I had more energy.</div>
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When I started using twitter to connect with other runners, I began to read tweets from some vegan runners, like @forkstofeet and @chinarunner. Brandon's blog,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="www.forkstofeet.com" href="http://www.iamrunningthis.com/wp-admin/www.forkstofeet.com" target="_blank">Forks to Feet</a>, credited the documentary Forks Over Knives with improving his life and his running.</div>
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I stalled. I put roasts in the oven and served them with two sides. I waffled.</div>
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Greg went out with friends one night last October.</div>
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I opened a bottle of red wine.</div>
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I watched<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="http://www.forksoverknives.com/" href="http://www.forksoverknives.com/" target="_blank">Forks Over Knives</a>.</div>
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I watched<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.getvegucated.com/" target="_blank">Vegucated</a>.</div>
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I will never eat meat again.</div>
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There are three main reasons I've given up eating any animal products.</div>
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<strong>1. Health</strong>. After watching Forks Over Knives I now understand that it's not necessary or healthy to eat animal products, and that by doing so I was putting our family at higher risk for cancer, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis... at least.</div>
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<strong>2. Environment.</strong><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Eating less meat is critical to our environment. The UN has asked us to eat less meat in order to help reduce global warming - google it for articles in 2008, 2010, and 2013. My favorite cookbook author, Mark Bittman, did a TED talk titled<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="http://www.ted.com/talks/mark_bittman_on_what_s_wrong_with_what_we_eat.html" href="http://www.ted.com/talks/mark_bittman_on_what_s_wrong_with_what_we_eat.html" target="_blank">"What's wrong with what we eat"</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>where he makes a compelling argument for reducing our meat consumption to help the environment. Both Forks Over Knives and Vegucated address the environmental piece. Don't take my word for it... look for yourself. I no longer believe that grass fed is enough.</div>
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<strong>3. Cruelty to animals.</strong><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> The conditions of inexpensively raised livestock are horrific. The slaughter of free-range, humanely raised animals is still slaughter. When I watched the section of Vegucated where they showed how cows are artifically inseminated so they'll get pregnant and produce milk, and then their babies are dragged away to become veal, I vowed never to consume another dairy product again. I nursed both my children. How was it that I could have been so inattentive that I never thought about what it would be like for another sentient creature to be forced to produce gallons and gallons of milk, not even for their own offspring? My working friends were so relieved when they weaned their children and didn't have to sit at a breast-pump anymore. How can I make cows live a life of giving milk for another species, one who is less healthy for drinking it? I didn't know until I watched Vegucated that male chicks are often thrown away in trash bags because they won't lay eggs and there are too many roosters. I won't eat eggs anymore, either. It's not just the cholesterol. It's not just the earth. I can't know what I know and WANT to eat those things.</div>
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<em>I still keep that sign up in our kitchen.</em></h2>
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It's message means so much more, now.</h2>
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<em>It means Dear Earth,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>I love you more than Bacon.</strong><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> Dear sentient pig,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>I love you more than Bacon.</strong><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> Dear body, and health of my family, I love you more than Bacon. Dear moral compass,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>I love you more than Bacon.</strong><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> </em></div>
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<em></em> </div>
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I feel like I took the Red Pill in the Matrix, and I've broken out of some ignorant illusion to which I can never, ever go back.</div>
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I thought I would miss it, but I can't look at animal products and feel an appetite anymore. Not knowing what they do to my health, what they do to the environment, and what animals suffer through to bring them to us.</div>
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I love coconut milk, almond milk, and soy milk. </div>
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When I drink wine, I crave olives with a rustic loaf of bread. I have not found a texture or craving that could not be filled by plants. Eating whole foods, minimally processed foods and avoiding refined sugars and oils as much as possible has been an important part of my new-found energy as well, thanks to what I learned from Forks Over Knives.</div>
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I'm grateful to know what I know, and I will never go back.</div>
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We're vegan, and I love it.</div>
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Happy Valentine's Day!</h2>
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Who do you love more than bacon?</h2>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-726217831215115262013-12-07T21:56:00.001-05:002013-12-07T22:42:17.102-05:00Involving Young Children in Decorating for the HolidaysThe more I try to incorporate Montessori ideas into my home, the more impressed I am with how much my children are capable of learning and doing, and how happy it makes them to have the power and ability to do things for themselves.<br />
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Things take more time, but if I plan for it, I usually have plenty of time. I would rather do fewer things and let my children participate more fully in each of those things, and that realization has shaped the way we're decorating for Christmas. We're decorating a little at a time, and enjoying the process even more than the results.<br />
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As we decorate for Christmas I try to regularly ask myself, what can my toddler and preschooler help with? <br />
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Maybe help is the wrong word, because "help" implies that, well, it's going to be <i>helpful</i>. Since my children are so young, a better question might be "how can my children participate?" How can I get them involved, help them feel ownership, give them the pleasure of participating in our holiday traditions? <br />
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When I think of it that way, it reminds me that <b>they're not here to help me decorate, I'm here to help them</b> <b>participate. </b>It's my job as a parent to find ways for them to feel helpful and included. I'm sowing the seeds for children who will be legitimately helpful, independent, and capable later on. More importantly, I'm helping them have enormous fun and make beautiful Christmas memories NOW!<br />
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Greg and I love doing things with Will and Andrew as a family, and that means finding as many things as we can that little hands can do. Greg is a natural at this... I often have to think about it. I'm really happy when I do :)<br />
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Luckily, there's a lot! Here are some examples. Happy decorating!<br />
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What can your little one's hands do?<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-58268324996939207732013-12-04T08:00:00.000-05:002013-12-04T08:00:08.913-05:00Tip: Use a Coat Rack to Help Young Children Decorate Holiday Wreaths<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not how I would have spaced the ornaments, <br />but it'll make me smile every time I come home :)</td></tr>
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It's December, and since we celebrate the Christmas tradition, that means it's time to decorate! I love having the kids help, because they have so much fun being involved.<div>
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Greg ordered a wreath from the boy scouts, and it recently arrived ready for us to decorate! </div>
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I used a low hanging hook on our coat rack as a stable place to hang the wreath where Will and Andrew could reach it.</div>
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I pulled out a small number of decorations, kept it simple, and was sure to supervise while they hung the breakable ornaments on the branches. They would hook them where they wanted them, and then I made sure each one was secure.</div>
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Afterwards, Will eagerly helped to vacuum up all the pine needles while I hung the wreath on the front door.</div>
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If you're feeling less brave, or don't have time to clean up a potential mess, you could always use less breakable decorations. Outgrown mittens on strings make adorable wreath decorations!</div>
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I figured that while I had time to supervise them, it would be good to give them the chance to handle delicate decorations. If one fell and broke, we could talk about how some things are breakable, and what to do if something breaks. (Stay really still until a grown-up can pick you up so you don't cut your hand or foot, put shoes on before you vacuum, etc.) I didn't have to have that conversation because they were so careful, but I knew I had time to deal with the mess if it happened, and it's always good to teach kids how to handle breakable things.</div>
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Wreaths are such a great thing for kids to decorate, because they're smaller projects than a tree, and with the help of a coat rack they can reach the whole thing! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He loves helping SO MUCH!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-13076843990057523722013-11-24T20:39:00.001-05:002013-11-24T20:39:48.318-05:00Two good kitchen tasks for preschoolersPreparing food is easier when I can do prep tasks ahead of time and include the boys so they're content while I'm working - today for lunch they eagerly took turns brushing dirt off mushrooms, and washing the brussel sprouts.<div><br></div><div>I was amazed to find that even my 21 month old was able to effectively get dirt off the mushrooms with the brush, then set the mushroom on my cutting board for me and let his brother have a turn. Color me impressed!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAtpwM-Z-uYfqJcVrN2-9q8qpx6eWwM93qvTizbpvw6BF5pb_gfOaFBz_GccHPOG8MFPMU0du83eEeO5bbyM2pEUIhFv_QtuucrYK6sGfKVjeOeL59JTa6LnFYVDE7AIDhwY1qwqg7OA4/s640/blogger-image-1420942963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAtpwM-Z-uYfqJcVrN2-9q8qpx6eWwM93qvTizbpvw6BF5pb_gfOaFBz_GccHPOG8MFPMU0du83eEeO5bbyM2pEUIhFv_QtuucrYK6sGfKVjeOeL59JTa6LnFYVDE7AIDhwY1qwqg7OA4/s640/blogger-image-1420942963.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Washing fruits and vegetables is a no-brainer task to let kids do - but I particularly liked brussel sprouts because there were so many individual, sturdy items to wash.</div><div><br></div><div>I wish I could tell you they then ate both foods... But that didn't happen. It was more likely than if they hadn't been involved!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLh7wRimbP0JCWC46Th3xiDa0xSrwyqfIVM3KjLK1yzHDSaNAYGdsdkZ2oNXOXjp7PN9LdUjdX3xD4fcyyJuPVuLne3m2p2FoNvfQs2RxIOZAXQl019LWI89DeH67MIdowTCer_EEWgRez/s640/blogger-image-727861206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLh7wRimbP0JCWC46Th3xiDa0xSrwyqfIVM3KjLK1yzHDSaNAYGdsdkZ2oNXOXjp7PN9LdUjdX3xD4fcyyJuPVuLne3m2p2FoNvfQs2RxIOZAXQl019LWI89DeH67MIdowTCer_EEWgRez/s640/blogger-image-727861206.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-43575616577545352132013-11-17T10:52:00.001-05:002013-11-17T11:06:04.918-05:00My kitchen aid dough hook finally has a purpose!<div>
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I've always been a fan of kneading my own yeast breads - I enjoy it too much to automate the process. No bread machine, no dough hook; just old fashioned bread making in our house.<br />
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But it's hard to let a one and three year old knead bread. They need really clean hands, and they lose interest long before the job is done, reducing the "we did it" feeling to a "we helped" feeling. Still good, but when I use a dough hook, they can add every ingredient to the bowl if I measure them first, turn on the mixer, watch it knead the dough (they watched an entire five minutes... mesmerized!) and even oil the bowl for it to rise in.</div>
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Inspired by Will's Montessori preschool, I try hard to let the kids do as much for themselves as possible. In the day to day rush, it can be hard, and I don't always do as well as I like.</div>
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Making bread or cooking with the boys is an exercise for me to work on letting them do everything they can, helping as little as possible. They carry the ingredients to the counter, wash and dry their own hands, dump everything into the bowl, and help clean up.</div>
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It takes A LONG TIME. That means that for a good hour, they're not making a mess or fighting with each other anywhere else :)</div>
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Note: the brandy in the photo was for a fig log I made - not to help me get through the supervision process, I promise :)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-29824644530625252022013-11-01T15:58:00.002-04:002013-11-01T15:58:47.338-04:00Guest Post: Will's HalloweenHi. It's Will. Mom's pretty busy so I'll be doing some guest posting.<br />
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Yesterday was Halloween. I like Halloween.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my little brother Andrew. He is not big.</td></tr>
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You can carve pumpkins to look like faces. You will need a grownup to help with the knife. I made a scary face and Mom tried to carve it on a pumpkin for me. She did all right. I probably could have done it myself, though, because I am 3.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad did Andrew's pumpkin. He is sticking his tongue out.</td></tr>
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I got the pumpkin seeds all ready to go in the oven for roasting. You need to get them out of the pumpkins, wash them, then pat them dry. Then you mix them with salt and a little olive oil and put them in the oven at 350 for 20 minutes or so. A grown up can stir them sometimes while they are cooking because they are VERY HOT.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom tried to help me dry the pumpkin seeds, but I could do it all by myself.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuicZqUe0KTMCkbvg7U2w-yFeNpqYeXjVzZzImlkM8q7LiW9_7jTPg78umdgPWw3gZpZ0Y5X3dQujRZhX7ASx93aazwHy5eLosJBVRwShsy1_61kp81lOK403HY200OyKShhtpqso7UwW/s1600/DSC01260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuicZqUe0KTMCkbvg7U2w-yFeNpqYeXjVzZzImlkM8q7LiW9_7jTPg78umdgPWw3gZpZ0Y5X3dQujRZhX7ASx93aazwHy5eLosJBVRwShsy1_61kp81lOK403HY200OyKShhtpqso7UwW/s400/DSC01260.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mix the salt and olive oil on really well. Wash your hands first. <br />Then you need to wash your hands again. They will be sticky.</td></tr>
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When people ring your door bell, you can open your door and hold out the bowl of candy and they will take some. They wear costumes. Sometimes they smile at you. If they ask you how many they can have you say "one". Otherwise you don't even have to say anything. When you open the door and hold out the bowl they know to take the candy. When they are done taking the candy you can shut the door. It is nice to say "Happy Halloween".<br />
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Then after dinner you can go to other people's houses. They will have candy. You say "trick or treat" or "Happy Halloween" and then you can take some candy and put it in your purple pumpkin and eat it later.<br />
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Try to eat as much as you can right after you get home, because after Halloween is over you will only get one piece a day at snack time and that is not a lot. Two would be better. Or five.<br />
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Did you have a good Halloween, too?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-15581670654721075182013-10-30T13:52:00.001-04:002013-11-17T10:53:28.315-05:00Photo of the day: Our Montessori Closet<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvnriSGjgvW7gVA8q0han8mOYAPUJnqdo5glT2A3A4t4Ic2c7dBEVDPzTTm_8qigkL3owhCE13T4YVTqmEChvms9jz1ZcX0kpkdJayc5AsAsrY1iwlRE9aks_1O-UaTj8IIdi0yKF71Rn/s640/blogger-image-313410780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvnriSGjgvW7gVA8q0han8mOYAPUJnqdo5glT2A3A4t4Ic2c7dBEVDPzTTm_8qigkL3owhCE13T4YVTqmEChvms9jz1ZcX0kpkdJayc5AsAsrY1iwlRE9aks_1O-UaTj8IIdi0yKF71Rn/s640/blogger-image-313410780.jpg" /></a></div>
It's really great if you can arrange your child's closet so they can reach their own clothes. The more they can do themselves, the less frustrating it is for them to be little and have so many things they can't do or decide for themselves.<br />
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We've hung all Will's clothes where he can reach them, and I'm so glad. It teaches him responsibility in caring for his own clothes, and helps him feel empowered by letting him choose what to wear.</div>
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It's awesome.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-45579267409495148802013-10-29T14:13:00.000-04:002013-10-29T14:13:57.960-04:00Painted Halloween Pumpkins!I painted Halloween Pumpkins with the boys - they had a wonderful time, didn't eat too much paint (*cough* Andrew *cough*) and they've lasted for several weeks on our counter as a great Halloween decoration.<br />
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The activity itself probably lasted for under ten minutes, but that didn't make it any less fun :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmIXPme5nWWF6_OWBLwAmLQ_M3RsnaPw737hXIAUiuX1aJkASNYf-55EFhDQtZd7ijRqu5oj2_zWaIT_l9ne6xRIj2C_voX6h7U9QoaSvi_UkeyA6ryibslkJJXMdhOXjFhdZAESiLdhk/s1600/IMG_9477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmIXPme5nWWF6_OWBLwAmLQ_M3RsnaPw737hXIAUiuX1aJkASNYf-55EFhDQtZd7ijRqu5oj2_zWaIT_l9ne6xRIj2C_voX6h7U9QoaSvi_UkeyA6ryibslkJJXMdhOXjFhdZAESiLdhk/s400/IMG_9477.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylml2-0vxx2wM8Xb_CRhY5hzvTb7OazgUYjjgnmfJLIcfiEajp0fjvoYQQtNckkLzPRz7nsSahn-YskIC2Mpq1ADtbwNbPbZ9bCiaby2e4dmlymkT87unn3xZgYDYppyvNqFj8opoHRHU/s1600/IMG_9486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylml2-0vxx2wM8Xb_CRhY5hzvTb7OazgUYjjgnmfJLIcfiEajp0fjvoYQQtNckkLzPRz7nsSahn-YskIC2Mpq1ADtbwNbPbZ9bCiaby2e4dmlymkT87unn3xZgYDYppyvNqFj8opoHRHU/s400/IMG_9486.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLlYelwgo3q65OYK22_-dVut88rUeAFBTsuJ_uG_2bvO478wSFBR6yxWPZ6moSX7Ywtd794W5qOzu7-KKlmNXO5k2m4YRxNlCcxmcEd1CW3d3ISXi0wVB9ZjGZfzAtp2IgrZNjXzQM3C9/s1600/IMG_9498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLlYelwgo3q65OYK22_-dVut88rUeAFBTsuJ_uG_2bvO478wSFBR6yxWPZ6moSX7Ywtd794W5qOzu7-KKlmNXO5k2m4YRxNlCcxmcEd1CW3d3ISXi0wVB9ZjGZfzAtp2IgrZNjXzQM3C9/s400/IMG_9498.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-62619576615785114092013-10-08T12:30:00.001-04:002013-10-08T12:30:53.730-04:00Apples!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GK6pZ9Fw97X5LqB4UPnkcVyChQD-nlEPl_L_xV2BiKPh3RNnjDRbXad62-RLu_Bp4sQnYeDvSLhgIg6BOEklNFAPP2lpKPlxaFYQdizhpxguNObl1CcKdBOyje2F-Ogg-FN-b9p27SB9/s640/blogger-image-1108136314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GK6pZ9Fw97X5LqB4UPnkcVyChQD-nlEPl_L_xV2BiKPh3RNnjDRbXad62-RLu_Bp4sQnYeDvSLhgIg6BOEklNFAPP2lpKPlxaFYQdizhpxguNObl1CcKdBOyje2F-Ogg-FN-b9p27SB9/s640/blogger-image-1108136314.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>Give your kids apples.<div><br></div><div>For dessert.</div><div><br></div><div>Sweet, crunchy, and an event when they have to wait until after lunch!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLl82wixF5VyFGhOHS3NfomkwCxWwx_jD6FTB57Mn5H_rLBu5RZgU_CMIgyOJUf8wdnEK25IGm3QxXLYqiKuMjmWEfQ_aT0AAi1bY-aeOJ3uQxhlURoTa3vlnCuUNkUg9VWaXC_b_HPGNj/s640/blogger-image--1767230964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLl82wixF5VyFGhOHS3NfomkwCxWwx_jD6FTB57Mn5H_rLBu5RZgU_CMIgyOJUf8wdnEK25IGm3QxXLYqiKuMjmWEfQ_aT0AAi1bY-aeOJ3uQxhlURoTa3vlnCuUNkUg9VWaXC_b_HPGNj/s640/blogger-image--1767230964.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-51808944746460587082013-10-02T22:12:00.001-04:002013-10-02T22:13:47.732-04:00Idea for embellishing a lunch box<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijU1hgMtQFxWXl1NmPUEQa2Ras9DHmtPgyvZ8C766E816HnMry3z5ZaEU4XcEROcuprJw07_N-i-6TkJfh3SbAC7DO7GnsgGDuXUBtEr6lnEzIEjpOzRFJYkFSZLlFsNwC8ATCDceTNfGP/s640/blogger-image-756189748.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijU1hgMtQFxWXl1NmPUEQa2Ras9DHmtPgyvZ8C766E816HnMry3z5ZaEU4XcEROcuprJw07_N-i-6TkJfh3SbAC7DO7GnsgGDuXUBtEr6lnEzIEjpOzRFJYkFSZLlFsNwC8ATCDceTNfGP/s400/blogger-image-756189748.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I don't like going to the mall. I don't like being inside, under fluorescent lights, I don't like driving the busy, divided highway to get there, I don't like using my precious babysitting time to be there, I don't like dragging my complaining kids in the stroller who want to get down, run away, and fondle everything over $100 that they can reach.</div>
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So, I kind of put off getting Will a lunch box for his first lunch at school. He'll be staying at his preschool for a little extra time just one day a week, and having lunch there. That way, since his normal school time is only 2 hours and 15 minutes, I'll have a chance to get more done with Andrew one day a week.</div>
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Only, he needs a lunch box. And all the other kids are probably going to have SUPER CUTE lunch boxes. Because what parent doesn't want their adorable little preschooler to have the coolest lunch box ever that will make them smile at lunch time? No parent. We all want that.</div>
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Except I didn't go to Pottery Barn kids, or Hanna Andersson, or even manage to Amazon Prime one from Skip Hop in time for tomorrow. I didn't even hit up the local toy store, Magic Beans, that I'm sure has lunch boxes.</div>
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Epic.</div>
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Fail.</div>
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So I did what any parent would do in the eleventh hour, after all the stores have closed, the night before their child's first school lunch ever. (I may have been in denial, because this seems like a big deal, Will actually eating a meal without me...)<br />
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I rummaged around the house.<br />
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I found a lunch box of Greg's. (Sorry, honey.)<br />
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I found colored duct tape in the basement. (Huh? Ok. Cool.)<br />
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I spent over half an hour making the best darn duct tape train I could, and cut out Will's name in bright letters to label his lunch box.<br />
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Is it from Pottery Barn? No. Did it cost a lot? No. Is it, from an artistic perspective, of any merit whatsoever? No.<br />
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Will he love it? Probably. Does it have his name on it in big, bright letters for the teachers to see? Definitely. Will any other kid there have the same lunch box? Hell no.<br />
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Love you, Will. Doing the best I can.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-10915611921546482532013-09-20T14:30:00.000-04:002013-09-20T14:30:05.108-04:00Happy 30th... to me :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I turned 30! And I'm still alive. I'm only mildly surprised. I realize I've just alienated all of you who are over 30... except perhaps you remember feeling the same way. After all, when you turn 20, you have 21 to look forward to. When you turn 30 you have... umm, well you see my point.</div>
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To celebrate, I ran my first half marathon on the last day of my twenties, something I'd been training for for four months. (Read about my journey on my other blog, <a href="http://www.iamrunningthis.com/" target="_blank">www.iamrunningthis.com</a>)</div>
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My husband then surprised me with a birthday party where he rented a bouncy house and invited all of Will's playgroup friends and some of our favorite neighbors over for a wonderful afternoon of fun, complete with Qdoba catering so none of us had to cook or clean up from dinner. The toddlers ate like champions, the weather was perfect, my parents were in town and helped with everything, it was a wonderful time!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9RPm3H3vZd3Hh-i6t71AIuEk6J-FZ8FTzbBXlqiNmw2sGWertAiDfv34cViL2fLs2KXcxYGvHsaLrQ3bKAFv9Ieu_nrwmgvQcpXH28Aq_h4wgSSw21L8-p8FihrM13gOZlcy3yWXON-q/s1600/20130915_20130915-Kelly_30_Birthday_Party_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9RPm3H3vZd3Hh-i6t71AIuEk6J-FZ8FTzbBXlqiNmw2sGWertAiDfv34cViL2fLs2KXcxYGvHsaLrQ3bKAFv9Ieu_nrwmgvQcpXH28Aq_h4wgSSw21L8-p8FihrM13gOZlcy3yWXON-q/s400/20130915_20130915-Kelly_30_Birthday_Party_9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you're looking for the perfect gift to give anyone who is having a big birthday, my mother spent hours and hours putting together an amazing photo book of my last thirty years. Since I grew up before the world of digital cameras for the most part, she had to recruit my Dad's help in transferring images from slides and prints, as well as choosing from hundreds of images and organizing them to tell my story.</div>
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It was such a heart-warming, powerful, and beautiful gift. Many of these photos, since they were in slide format, I haven't seen in years. Even the recent ones were often from their cameras rather than ours, and it was fun to see memories I shared but different photos than the ones we have.</div>
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My friends at the party enjoyed laughing with me over photos of my teenage years, and smiling at what a happy childhood I had, which is very obvious from those early pages.</div>
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It almost... almost, makes it easier to leave my twenties behind ;)</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-35643193551747779132013-09-08T17:43:00.001-04:002013-09-08T17:43:23.251-04:00Yeah... We hired a babysitter on a weekendThis was such a revolutionary idea the first time we did it, but there's a lot to be said for hiring a babysitter on the weekend!<div><br></div><div>We had lots of family time, friends over yesterday, a long morning at the playground today, car washing and a snack this afternoon... And then 3-6 with a babysitter so Greg and I could have a break and get stuff done.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_NaQQA0td8I_uKsFhG1bQYiUD5aZpaSjwELVUPwla_SG38QzOsb3Y8H8tuGOHEvczhimfSol4kYOzTEJvR9gXISI3NSZTLoWsmS92AtP7amHJUkEeA7QwyO6bOnihsiwKWXJdm2YcFr3/s640/blogger-image--240786380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_NaQQA0td8I_uKsFhG1bQYiUD5aZpaSjwELVUPwla_SG38QzOsb3Y8H8tuGOHEvczhimfSol4kYOzTEJvR9gXISI3NSZTLoWsmS92AtP7amHJUkEeA7QwyO6bOnihsiwKWXJdm2YcFr3/s640/blogger-image--240786380.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I wrote a post for my running blog and tackled a closet that was driving me crazy, he went for a swim and is trying out running shoes.</div><div><br></div><div>(Wow, they didn't even use it as bonding time... Yikes!)</div><div><br></div><div>I know. We're rebels. We love it.</div><div><br></div><div>And in fifteen minutes, we'll have a nice meal together as a family and then bath and stories. What a great day :)</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-16778558724785874252013-09-06T07:16:00.001-04:002013-09-06T07:18:01.782-04:00Teaching toddlers to empty the dishwasher<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6BbFAJgzsdjuXdbcJn2r3qPYkB6f-UWsxzt8PUhJLccCwhSuPJOmqqNyk_GAXrTVGvMgb31zbBj3KkGJVSyO3dOZ840YvhwHYmm-R-KQUz4schU-9JxSFcWqHCXWVX3qtWr9EttrMZOJ/s640/blogger-image-1302200701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6BbFAJgzsdjuXdbcJn2r3qPYkB6f-UWsxzt8PUhJLccCwhSuPJOmqqNyk_GAXrTVGvMgb31zbBj3KkGJVSyO3dOZ840YvhwHYmm-R-KQUz4schU-9JxSFcWqHCXWVX3qtWr9EttrMZOJ/s640/blogger-image-1302200701.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>I've been trying to embrace Montessori principles in our house, helping the boys learn to do things for themselves when I can.<div><br></div><div>This morning, I discovered that they were both very eager to help me empty the dishwasher! Will, almost 3, has helped me in the past. But this was the first time they both helped together.</div><div><br></div><div>Will emptied the glasses one by one, carefully setting them on the counter under the cabinet they go in.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IkLZJLrwK8SZguZeK7E3Q8SY_uaEXe2MaImm6Ru0rchNYEo6xoYHO-2zSjS3LhmJFdpdX_Cq1ZfqEYO52zx5bukschBKFs0e3bBaA6qksNMW1UWO-xlna8VasWOPNP8JJyvyIKLGNqTP/s640/blogger-image-640663072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IkLZJLrwK8SZguZeK7E3Q8SY_uaEXe2MaImm6Ru0rchNYEo6xoYHO-2zSjS3LhmJFdpdX_Cq1ZfqEYO52zx5bukschBKFs0e3bBaA6qksNMW1UWO-xlna8VasWOPNP8JJyvyIKLGNqTP/s640/blogger-image-640663072.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Andrew took utensils out one by one and chucked them into the silverware drawer. </div><div><br></div><div>Yes, I had to rearrange the silverware and put the glasses from the counter into the cabinet... But for the whole time I emptied dishes, it was quiet, they were happy, and each felt like they contributed something. And you know what? They did.</div><div><br></div><div>I didn't think an 18 month old could help... Makes me wonder what else they can do that would please them and help me!</div><div><br></div><div>Sort napkins from clean laundry?</div><div><br></div><div>Andrew set the table along with Will?</div><div><br></div><div>Teaching them to be part of the household helps all of us!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-33963531864183460212013-09-02T12:41:00.001-04:002013-09-02T12:41:03.748-04:00Teething strategy - napkin!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvmZ0rcy91d5GzMXOf89FE9VhO6t408T6mwLODek17voJ2HHm4M6q7wEqzn256iZIP2uZgYWE3JLH6p18PSROMK6lxQ6m7Gy0gdRtlc7mO5AtCaF_zqdYgwX5jVaCHcJCcX9u6vGJ0PY0/s640/blogger-image-926943149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvmZ0rcy91d5GzMXOf89FE9VhO6t408T6mwLODek17voJ2HHm4M6q7wEqzn256iZIP2uZgYWE3JLH6p18PSROMK6lxQ6m7Gy0gdRtlc7mO5AtCaF_zqdYgwX5jVaCHcJCcX9u6vGJ0PY0/s640/blogger-image-926943149.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsXHca-ZVWwOaym76xRXgZEFMFrnRO77MeCXhV8DvtghuqACGplPJS-3IleerEEO63XaKh3CP9CrouSr3hY2RhsI-67QUo74tbVKkVgVpWt1QrujiIYTQZgjjs3o-upqHlW_ADNZ1J91T/s640/blogger-image--255999467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsXHca-ZVWwOaym76xRXgZEFMFrnRO77MeCXhV8DvtghuqACGplPJS-3IleerEEO63XaKh3CP9CrouSr3hY2RhsI-67QUo74tbVKkVgVpWt1QrujiIYTQZgjjs3o-upqHlW_ADNZ1J91T/s640/blogger-image--255999467.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-57467264567265160982013-07-24T11:11:00.002-04:002013-07-24T11:14:06.774-04:00Pineapple Kale Smoothies - I Love It When I'm Wrong<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I read A LOT of parenting books. A lot. Probably too many. Anyway, my recent favorite is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Positive-Discipline-Preschoolers-Years--Raising-ebook/dp/B000OVLKEK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374677569&sr=8-1&keywords=positive+discipline+for+preschoolers" target="_blank">Positive Discipline for Preschoolers</a>. It came recommended by Will's preschool for next year, and it's amazing. It's built on the premise that parents need to be kind but firm with their children, and that many of us go back and forth between being kind without enough firmness (letting our kids walk all over us) or being too firm without enough kindness (erring on the side of strictness). </div>
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This book is one of the first books I've read that's given me confidence in every parenting situation. By just repeating the "kind but firm" mantra in my head, I am better able to decide how to respond to each situation. Before, I felt like I read so many parenting books that I was unable to decide in a given moment how to apply the advice, or what the author of the book would tell me to do. <br />
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The book had a lot of chapters that summarized concisely the advice on a given topic that I'd read whole books on, and wouldn't have needed to, if I'd just read this book first. <br />
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I would recommend this book to any parent, grandparent, or teacher of small children. <br />
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But I digress. This is about pineapple kale smoothies. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looks disgusting, right? that's because it's HALF KALE.</td></tr>
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The chapter in the book about preschoolers and eating mentions that kids are much more likely to try new foods that they've had a hand in preparing themselves. (I've read this a lot of places, and I know it to be true, but it can be hard to let Will assist in food preparation when Andrew inevitably wants to help, too, and they end up pushing each other on the stool and fighting over kitchen spoons.)<br />
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One of the anecdotes in the book is about a preschool teacher that had kids make pineapple kale smoothies. The ones involved in the preparation tried them, said they were great, and went back for more. The kids in the class next door who hadn't been involved wouldn't touch the stuff.<br />
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Hah, cute story, I thought. There's NO WAY that Will would drink a pineapple kale smoothie, even if I let him make the entire thing himself. That's the most stereotypical, new age healthy mom, trying way too hard, why don't we eat chia seeds, oh my goodness bread is bad for you, kind of drink you could make.<br />
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So I decided to try it. I googled "pineapple kale smoothie" and got about 3,700 recipe results. (No seriously, this sounds disgusting, but it's totally a thing. There are A LOT of recipes online for this.)<br />
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I took the number of recipes to mean I could do whatever I wanted, so we dumped a can of pineapple juice in the blender with some ice and kale and Will zinged the @#*$) out of it.<br />
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And then he drank it. All of it.<br />
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Wow. I love it when I'm wrong.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The moment I thought for sure I was right!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4CiFHTT_BFF1BQCjqPPsJ9do7FoVuYEN_wmhM2IHGppo6XDADPnKS7TUvTI5WkPLVFn_OoIsloyt9yxQidABgZEEKfGgZQP4UBFB6luQ-Adw7UP-j4fsSU9Zyf8x7ZAwi3TF5kk5M-rH/s1600/IMG_7672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4CiFHTT_BFF1BQCjqPPsJ9do7FoVuYEN_wmhM2IHGppo6XDADPnKS7TUvTI5WkPLVFn_OoIsloyt9yxQidABgZEEKfGgZQP4UBFB6luQ-Adw7UP-j4fsSU9Zyf8x7ZAwi3TF5kk5M-rH/s320/IMG_7672.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huh. Really? Seriously? Ok. <br />
(They actually aren't that bad, pineapple has A LOT of sugar in it.)</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-84643853680345602132013-07-16T15:40:00.000-04:002013-07-16T15:42:55.385-04:00Mimi & Grampa's Solar Power Heated Kiddie Pool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pQPibboyjcFamnZHLja9NKw6k9pq9tJZLDSydddsoZoHKLDB6-dljlxSRIiFGIJmE9PQPVTvAG3w3Yw-95Xmj78XlwZLrk1YfidGr4eqRMiqrlOS25XBQlyIQrsrlZxicQ3rQYK-VCok/s1600/IMG_8186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pQPibboyjcFamnZHLja9NKw6k9pq9tJZLDSydddsoZoHKLDB6-dljlxSRIiFGIJmE9PQPVTvAG3w3Yw-95Xmj78XlwZLrk1YfidGr4eqRMiqrlOS25XBQlyIQrsrlZxicQ3rQYK-VCok/s400/IMG_8186.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
My parents have a warm water pool on their deck.<br />
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I can't make this up. My parents got a kiddie pool on their deck for when the boys visit, and it's got heated water in it that keeps them submerging and splashing and swimming all afternoon! They recently installed solar panels on their roof, which means that during the day when it's sunny they get tons of hot water at no additional heating cost. So my Dad, being the inventive genius that he is, hooked up a hot water line to his hose. Now he can flip a switch and put hot water through the outdoor hose to wash his cars or fill the kiddie pool for his grandchildren. All on solar power. They had the water warm enough for the boys that they were tossing in ice cubes and letting the kids play with them because the temperature was like bath water. INSANE.<br />
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How cool (warm?) is that!<br />
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The only problem for me is that I'm going to have to bring out tea kettles of hot water to mix into my kiddie pool on the deck or the kids won't want to use it! <br />
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They had such a great time in it, it's no wonder Will woke up this morning and wanted to go back to Maine. We got home yesterday. It's a long car ride. He says he'd still like to go back. Now. (I kind of would too.)<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-31086520983768454742013-07-11T15:55:00.001-04:002013-07-11T15:55:55.949-04:00removable chalkboards for menu planningI'm still in love with those removable chalkboards! They're called wallies and you can find them on amazon. I've got two on my fridge now that I'm using for meal planning, and it's been working great. <br />
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I used to get overwhelmed trying to meal plan for an entire week at a time, so now I meal plan and grocery shop for three or four dinners at a time, and that's it. I don't plan specific lunches, instead, I pick up some lunch and snack options and keep an updated inventory of what's available using the chalkboard. <br />
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I've found myself feeling calmer because I'm planning three meals at a time, which is manageable to shop for in one grocery trip with two toddlers. I don't waste as much food because I'm shopping with purpose, and because I'm keeping track of my lunch and snack options so I remember without opening the fridge door that I've got blueberries in there.<br />
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I don't even make a grocery list all the time - I just snap a photo of the meal plan and reference it when I'm at the store. I then e-mail the meal plan to Greg so he doesn't go out for a burrito on his lunch break when I'm making enchiladas for dinner. <br />
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I've even started a folder on my computer for meal plan photos that I can reference later when I need some inspiration for dinners.<br />
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Yay, chalkboards!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-80109472015872027242013-07-09T10:34:00.000-04:002013-07-11T15:26:05.461-04:00Why I Love MontessoriWe're sending Will to a Montessori preschool next year, and I couldn't be more excited. Since I'd never heard of Montessori before I had children, (despite a master's degree in secondary education... wish I'd had more early childhood development classes!) I thought it might be worth mentioning Montessori here.<br />
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Montessori is a style of education that focuses on letting the children be leaders in their own education. Rather than paraphrasing better articles on what Montessori is, if you're interested in learning more you can check out the Montessori 101 page from Will's school for next year: <a href="http://www.thechildrenshouseofwellesley.com/Montessori_Childrens_House_of_Wellesley/Montessori_101.html">http://www.thechildrenshouseofwellesley.com/Montessori_Childrens_House_of_Wellesley/Montessori_101.html</a><br />
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<b>Things I love about Montessori:</b><br />
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The choice it gives children to pursue their own interests, which I believe cultivates curiosity by rewarding it, and makes education fun<br />
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The guideline for parents to "never do for your children something they could do for themselves" which has inspired me to take the time to help Will learn to do things like assist me with setting the table, clear the table, get his own shoes on, put himself down for his own nap after he has a diaper (with plenty of hugs first of course) and other things that give him a sense of pride and actually make my life easier.<br />
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The way that Will is visibly happier when he's included in things like mixing up pancakes (which he then eats more of) or putting together a step stool. By taking the time to encourage him to learn and try things he's interested in, even when it would take me half the time to do it alone, I've increased his happiness, decreased his tantrums, and gained a little helper around the house.<br />
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When I first visited a Montessori open house, I was a little freaked out. They had counting cubes designed for four year olds, and no toys. Isn't childhood a time for kids to be kids? Where are the dress up clothes? But when I started to really think about the things that interest Will, I realized that he would love a school where he gets to make the applesauce for snack using a food mill, or learn to do laundry, or practice using a real screwdriver or vacuum cleaner. I have plenty of things for him to play with at home. Why not send him somewhere where they'll teach him letters if he's interested, and if he's not, he can go pour liquids, or work on different metal hinges, or other practical life skills that toddlers are intently interested in but don't always get access to.<br />
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By the time Greg and I left the open house, we were frantic to get our application in the mail.<br />
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Even if you don't decide on a Montessori preschool, there are a lot of great ways you can implement some of the Montessori ideas in your own home. A great book is "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Raise-Amazing-Child-Montessori/dp/075662505X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y" target="_blank">How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way</a>" by Tim Seldin. Will's preschool recommended it to me, and I've already enjoyed making some changes in our home to make things more accessible for Will and help him do things "all by himself".<br />
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There's so much he's capable of doing, if I give him the chance... and it's better for both of us!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok they're probably not getting that clean. But the kids are having a great time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He loves brushing his teeth now that he has a stool to reach the sink and do it all by himself... hopefully his enthusiasm now will continue! He can turn the water on, get his toothbrush, put toothpaste on it, and brush his teeth. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will can poke the egg yolks with the whisk to break them, whisk the eggs with the oil, then gently stir the dry ingredients in for pancakes.</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-88119928008520066612013-07-05T14:31:00.002-04:002013-07-11T15:26:10.904-04:00Face-timing with MimiWe live two states away from our children's grandparents, and it can be really hard sometimes. Not only do we not have the support of family nearby, we also miss out on a lot of little moments where the kids are growing and learning and changing and Greg and I are watching it alone.<div>
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At the same time, it makes our trips to Maine to see family extra special events that we look forward to and talk about long afterwards. </div>
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We're also lucky to live in a time where technology is an amazing tool for staying connected. I email my parents, my in-laws, and even my grandparents' and Greg's grandmother photos of the kids on a regular basis.</div>
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We call often, and both sets of grandparents have an i-phone so they can Face-time with Will.</div>
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I am all about minimizing Will's screen time (he doesn't watch any t.v.) but when Will face-times with Mimi and I listen to them while I make dinner, I realize that this is the opposite of stereotypical screen time where a child is passively entertained. They talk about their day, Will asks to see things in Mimi's house, and she walks all around and shows him things, pausing for him to process them, and then talks about them.</div>
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Will puts the phone places and plays hide and seek with her. Mimi shows him the collection of plastic beads he likes to play with at her house, and pretends to push them through the phone. "I got it!" I've heard Will exclaim. "Can you send the white one, next?" </div>
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Their conversations are filled with creativity and imagination, and real connection. Whether Mimi is getting a ride on Will's firetruck, or showing him what her pets are doing, I know he's thinking and interacting and working on both his creative and his social skills. </div>
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Here's what Mimi said to me about it recently in an e-mail:</div>
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<i>When I FaceTime with Will, I often think of Mr. Rogers and how he would show something and then just let his audience look at it awhile to process it and then ask a question or say something about what he was thinking or feeling.</i><br />
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<i>I try to remember to do this with Will: show all the steps when going to the attic, up the stairs, past Merry, close the door, pull down the stairs, turn on the light . . . Push the beads (imaginative play) through the phone.</i><br />
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<i>You get it.</i><br />
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<i>It can make for better quality screen time, I think, than just a talking head.</i><br />
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<i>In today's tech, we need to practice ways to make things slow down and have more meaning.</i><br />
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Will is so into it that he's taught some of Mimi's tricks to his other grandparents, who now get asked to push things through the phone when they're face-timing with him!<br />
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All I know, is that it compensates a little for the hole in my heart that exists when you raise your kids apart from your own family. It also can make a big difference in my ability to get dinner on the table without any tears.<br />
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And whenever we visit Maine, there's no question that Will and Andrew have an extremely close relationship with all their Maine family, despite the distance. I think the phone calls, the face-times, and the postcards and mail my family sends all help.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZ9G1xLLJSYRlA3WfMKiYmiNSKI-CatBweF3P3gTH-INyi0X5hjycNV9TlcKSQq0LNs7USoYBEelHkhgMfOuiLr65kuSKGzY1WUeBgFTAtSsZAdQ5Gw-8-Tx8y6EGhdoaUAuyWrhpM-AE/s1600/IMG_7684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZ9G1xLLJSYRlA3WfMKiYmiNSKI-CatBweF3P3gTH-INyi0X5hjycNV9TlcKSQq0LNs7USoYBEelHkhgMfOuiLr65kuSKGzY1WUeBgFTAtSsZAdQ5Gw-8-Tx8y6EGhdoaUAuyWrhpM-AE/s400/IMG_7684.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mimi takes Will up the bleachers for his first baseball game on a recent trip to Maine</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will's Nana is a former school teacher - she's got some great tricks up her sleeve too for connecting to kids and teaching them creativity :) He sure loves spending time with her.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Mxm9_NWY2CKHqLjoPdxEHXYNAnQwICed5M0iHcuArNNtQGkfdIfrjYUNREiz5_NdMKp8a_7p-mUgleQbCyCBlT_tC_CrBN2FSVITZNTaG4ufx_Q5lkE9z-ebi0PpsSa5vzj4MeQ13QbS/s1600/IMG_7833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Mxm9_NWY2CKHqLjoPdxEHXYNAnQwICed5M0iHcuArNNtQGkfdIfrjYUNREiz5_NdMKp8a_7p-mUgleQbCyCBlT_tC_CrBN2FSVITZNTaG4ufx_Q5lkE9z-ebi0PpsSa5vzj4MeQ13QbS/s320/IMG_7833.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A special trip to my Dad's parents' camp with both sets of grandparents - moments we cherish </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VaWeek4lQ7Qo7ozocRDTwdM0zxb4AzEebkQPgJhd9YtedNnZchsz-U0z-IUOVXnNdqEuwYf1jkM2cp4nuIMh7uS3Ep0rQoZoYDBl8pbTWIMMeKvZIurKvU_-umH1Put97ie3tXks0kU2/s1600/IMG_7661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VaWeek4lQ7Qo7ozocRDTwdM0zxb4AzEebkQPgJhd9YtedNnZchsz-U0z-IUOVXnNdqEuwYf1jkM2cp4nuIMh7uS3Ep0rQoZoYDBl8pbTWIMMeKvZIurKvU_-umH1Put97ie3tXks0kU2/s400/IMG_7661.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grampa has a lot more bravery and patience than I do!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknrq7sO9AGXid66BqSqjFRFZVZ6INfBXuEuEqOiLeOpH0OXoMrxtyrD2reNttufoetqIthYvi8TFh-i0qfbDP6cL8SXo5eJJMEodZRQZdqKpOQUQRlz1lNT909ukRNdwb7feeUS-_PFfh/s1600/IMG_7263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknrq7sO9AGXid66BqSqjFRFZVZ6INfBXuEuEqOiLeOpH0OXoMrxtyrD2reNttufoetqIthYvi8TFh-i0qfbDP6cL8SXo5eJJMEodZRQZdqKpOQUQRlz1lNT909ukRNdwb7feeUS-_PFfh/s400/IMG_7263.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gardening with their great-grandmother on a week long trip to Maine in June</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-12844987581169758782013-07-01T10:25:00.002-04:002013-07-01T10:25:33.133-04:00Homemade Canopy for the Deck<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9ATnRpOPSm01nlo23KQ1jFB_ZuzhAJBSQE6gKx_jYdMIE13UeaRqg2KacEiC_wLcPIHJkGt97z4Y-kv2gbImyuSxnnDddanNM5zAoAKUXzGMVbHOT4ao7AJT5vDj2CDSZu-DQ-Gn9w1h/s1600/IMG_7288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9ATnRpOPSm01nlo23KQ1jFB_ZuzhAJBSQE6gKx_jYdMIE13UeaRqg2KacEiC_wLcPIHJkGt97z4Y-kv2gbImyuSxnnDddanNM5zAoAKUXzGMVbHOT4ao7AJT5vDj2CDSZu-DQ-Gn9w1h/s400/IMG_7288.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our deck canopy, which can go up or down in about five minutes</td></tr>
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Greg and I recently had one of those stereotypical sitcom husband/wife moments where I cornered him, smiled really hopefully, and pointed emphatically to a picture in a magazine of something I wanted him to make for me in our backyard. <br />
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<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/971903/drop-cloth-decor#970829">http://www.marthastewart.com/971903/drop-cloth-decor#970829</a><br />
(Oh, Martha... ruining men's weekends everywhere.)<br />
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"It looks easy, honey! I know you could do this. Wouldn't it be perfect to have more shade on the deck?!"<br />
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Meanwhile, poor Greg is probably thinking, "Here we go. She'll never even use this. The magazine staff had a perfect location for theirs that didn't involve putting any holes into the side of THEIR house. There goes my afternoon. Every Sunday for a month."<br />
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Luckily for me, I was right in thinking that my engineer of a husband could most definitely figure out a way to put up a canopy on our deck so our boys would have a large shady area to play.<br />
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Luckily for Greg, he's an engineer so while his concerns about us not having the best place to attach the canopy were valid, he solved them with some ingenuity, extra poles, and zip ties.<br />
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Yay, summer! Yay, Greg :)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWRJz3Nw-6z39nQxSN2VLrxWpv60AJjkKqPkxsc2MokWZSqfRvOKFef6A6qO_a0i4O_pyu8OTeTPhBrJdUGotEpy0D73xHd5aRq8aRispvkuc0eCQ12oXc2VaibyH8aI5nuqzJ_jjFBkr/s1600/IMG_7289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWRJz3Nw-6z39nQxSN2VLrxWpv60AJjkKqPkxsc2MokWZSqfRvOKFef6A6qO_a0i4O_pyu8OTeTPhBrJdUGotEpy0D73xHd5aRq8aRispvkuc0eCQ12oXc2VaibyH8aI5nuqzJ_jjFBkr/s400/IMG_7289.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys enjoying their shaded deck on a 90 degree day recently. <br />The shade keeps their feet from getting too hot on the deck as well as reducing their sun exposure.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJdhdwfmpsYq8uCoqKpbVg0qdANyJytAqFobVaeB3Qy6kz0hI6KXFqsu4U-tSmUyjNg0cvJlCN43KHm6evJhfST16ogObh26VZOqd2TjKA63ZgnKqeUFNWLQ-CQE8cTmN8g-ELjtKnxDz/s1600/IMG_7294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJdhdwfmpsYq8uCoqKpbVg0qdANyJytAqFobVaeB3Qy6kz0hI6KXFqsu4U-tSmUyjNg0cvJlCN43KHm6evJhfST16ogObh26VZOqd2TjKA63ZgnKqeUFNWLQ-CQE8cTmN8g-ELjtKnxDz/s400/IMG_7294.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got my husband to drill a hole in the side of our beautiful house. <br />This was not easy. He's wonderful.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbPQaPPR72103i4Y644Any6X2z8x7vP4B6EBrxOoiRCLzZBV32Wa7J3yUlEjIZSJBNQb3HUcIbMgKAjL2fYJGF1jyil-0rWruHyBNQdBo64XwC8YQYOOwiU1y7i-IuXdnaW2Xd4Lb4ar8/s1600/IMG_7295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbPQaPPR72103i4Y644Any6X2z8x7vP4B6EBrxOoiRCLzZBV32Wa7J3yUlEjIZSJBNQb3HUcIbMgKAjL2fYJGF1jyil-0rWruHyBNQdBo64XwC8YQYOOwiU1y7i-IuXdnaW2Xd4Lb4ar8/s400/IMG_7295.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still need to paint the other half of the pole! <br />He attached it with zip ties so the poles can be easily removed for a gathering or at the end of the summer season. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0D_w1sIKKmgS8SkCRXYSuA92TjqaLDvkSByeMtY4iHGRRa7dSrdn-tzAi7srLrW7TWCflQYvZeVWJDAJXbto3AGTxruH4GYYv5HLD9KHdJX0jPgqmquOQnW2nL16QrYiq4uWOJUt91eUf/s1600/IMG_6910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0D_w1sIKKmgS8SkCRXYSuA92TjqaLDvkSByeMtY4iHGRRa7dSrdn-tzAi7srLrW7TWCflQYvZeVWJDAJXbto3AGTxruH4GYYv5HLD9KHdJX0jPgqmquOQnW2nL16QrYiq4uWOJUt91eUf/s400/IMG_6910.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew knew Dad needed some help.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsddMHGQfODOTFYK-au8J7A5SGNwV-VkUYjjqNE73Gso2RfSPXvBFkArLym0iuvQV7bVNFAl6ev8221U1xwvetH7zYgOCdn42d54RJEzGXa0KoBNsh97ZzzVZrUBf9CLsRrFt5KYrEFit8/s1600/IMG_6913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsddMHGQfODOTFYK-au8J7A5SGNwV-VkUYjjqNE73Gso2RfSPXvBFkArLym0iuvQV7bVNFAl6ev8221U1xwvetH7zYgOCdn42d54RJEzGXa0KoBNsh97ZzzVZrUBf9CLsRrFt5KYrEFit8/s400/IMG_6913.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luckily he was on hand to give assistance.</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-82414454771257453622013-06-27T13:44:00.002-04:002013-06-27T13:44:22.678-04:00fun with removable chalkboards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-D0QVaZXbkyzBNXbe3XbkHgZTvMxqUt-GNSg2cpTL3eTDxqe7KYNKViUioJQEvZRlbxVC5Of_JU8RdmLF4TYlYecOP0YHSWvBDXnZzguXtS9udJVRW-VixmgPo_Awig_9JgPtIxSMczZz/s1600/IMG_6964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-D0QVaZXbkyzBNXbe3XbkHgZTvMxqUt-GNSg2cpTL3eTDxqe7KYNKViUioJQEvZRlbxVC5Of_JU8RdmLF4TYlYecOP0YHSWvBDXnZzguXtS9udJVRW-VixmgPo_Awig_9JgPtIxSMczZz/s400/IMG_6964.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I just discovered <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wallies-Stick-Chalkboard-Sheet-Slate/dp/B0016KQZGQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372354941&sr=8-1&keywords=wallies" target="_blank">Wallies</a> - they're like the post-it-note of chalkboards... they're thin, removable, chalkboard stickers essentially that come in various sizes.<div>
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I love them because I can use them wherever I need to keep track of things, and remove them whenever I'd like without worrying about holes or tape marks.</div>
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Chalk is great because if Will or Andrew gets hold of it and writes on the furniture or wall, it wipes off cleanly and easily, unlike dry erase markers.</div>
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I just used them to label Will's dresser to help him pick out his own clothes more easily in the morning! I took the 8 by 11 sheets and cut them into quarters to be a good size for labeling each half of his dresser drawer.</div>
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He loves it, despite my mediocre illustrating capabilities :)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-48876784883262709312013-06-17T14:19:00.000-04:002013-07-11T15:26:16.383-04:00Teaching your toddler not to be afraid of thingsI am not a huge fan of spiders or bugs... especially in the house. But when I see one while the kids are around, I try to remember how much they learn from my example. I don't want them to be afraid of bugs because I screamed when one caught me by surprise, or take a cavalier attitude towards other living things because they saw me kill one. So we talk about how bugs live outside, and how neat they are, and count the spider legs once I've caught them in a glass to take outside. And if we see a bee outside, we talk about how they don't like to be touched so we need to stand back, but also that it's wonderful how they help our flowers grow.<br />
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Who ever would have thought I'd be pretending to like spiders.<br />
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The things we do for our kids, right?!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehvwrwJMRre1GwpEr0Xd0lFcIABVhyphenhyphenujwaOB69U35FSbGD8Jn1OHPcq7Rr3WjeplKNbUvJmZoYNmD8QfQiOPctMBuT8lLxw6xB0JJzrdO39yslKfLYH6Jn8Cy6iHSTsAPbFhNzc5MLtcu/s1600/IMG_7037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehvwrwJMRre1GwpEr0Xd0lFcIABVhyphenhyphenujwaOB69U35FSbGD8Jn1OHPcq7Rr3WjeplKNbUvJmZoYNmD8QfQiOPctMBuT8lLxw6xB0JJzrdO39yslKfLYH6Jn8Cy6iHSTsAPbFhNzc5MLtcu/s400/IMG_7037.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love how this bee is helping our flowers grow. (I actually really do love bumble bees.)</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750741657015891903.post-12044893033308156532013-06-13T07:28:00.003-04:002013-06-13T07:28:52.999-04:00Putting out new toys for the morningRecently we've started to keep our toys more organized. We have them sorted into labeled plastic containers and in cabinets in our kitchen that have child locks on them so that the kids can't get out every single toy they own simultaneously and create chaos.<br />
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Lest this sound cruel, they can have any toy any time, as long as they put away something they're not using, first. We try to keep only a few bins out at a time. Cars and blocks go great together, or musical instruments and stuffed animals, for example.<br />
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This has been great for two reasons:<br />
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1. The house doesn't get as messy and the toys stay together so you can actually build an entire shape sorter or put Mr. Potato head together - so many toys are only functional when you have most of their parts!<br />
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2. The boys actually engage in more focused and creative play because they're not faced with choosing from all of their toys all at once, all the time. When they get bored, they find something new to do with the toy that's out, rather than just switching instantly to a new toy. I've seen my son "cook", plate, and serve the parts to one of his stacking toys for over twenty minutes, which never happened when everything he owned was out all at once.<br />
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We took it further recently and started putting something fun out for them to come down to in the morning, maybe a toy they haven't played with in a while, or something set up differently and fun for them. Greg is best at this, and I think it's fun for everyone :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcN5E1Q4ZoBwEDdbuuaspFMcH65bH7EH0ZIRjLvGFTRnVZxOcNjeW5HI2LrQ4fcsNXEIO3udz2GQH92Yv_7XKeXmQe71P6eHTon6JVfKshC4aiKB-TCZxV2gRSPNswiGv4spAtIWbMc4ny/s1600/IMG_7073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcN5E1Q4ZoBwEDdbuuaspFMcH65bH7EH0ZIRjLvGFTRnVZxOcNjeW5HI2LrQ4fcsNXEIO3udz2GQH92Yv_7XKeXmQe71P6eHTon6JVfKshC4aiKB-TCZxV2gRSPNswiGv4spAtIWbMc4ny/s400/IMG_7073.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes Greg makes such cute setups for the boys that I wish they wouldn't play with them!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0a2uGmaZy0YOBlU-GEFlOvLAYTMbux_U7L5-NMKM4crRDN6aoLEc6c9lcU3ad8cW7nUYLG3oCtqIJFSeegJi8EQTQBsUoZC_OMEVjlhvzu3rtV786-xrtDOKAUMR4f5qpPGO-gDw4j5G/s1600/IMG_7066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0a2uGmaZy0YOBlU-GEFlOvLAYTMbux_U7L5-NMKM4crRDN6aoLEc6c9lcU3ad8cW7nUYLG3oCtqIJFSeegJi8EQTQBsUoZC_OMEVjlhvzu3rtV786-xrtDOKAUMR4f5qpPGO-gDw4j5G/s400/IMG_7066.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Focused play</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08522126848083990612noreply@blogger.com0