Don't get mad....Get the Camera.

How many of you are repulsed by what you see and would take one good look at this and put an end to it right away?

It gets better. 

It started with painting seashells...

Then Little Man asked me if he could paint his arms like an army guy. Are army guys painted?

"Um,  I don't know... I am thinking about it..." I responded as tried to buy some time and quickly scanned the scene to see what the worst thing that could happen. The paint was toxic free and washable right? Was it just about the clean up that I was worried about?

 "Well, okay but we will have to wash you off before you go off and play."

Begins to paint his arms immediately.

He obviously was excited and proud of himself.

He then looked at me with a grin and began to paint his face...did I say he could paint his face? 

I guess I didn't specificy and obviously when you are going into battle you will need some face paint to really blend in.

Could I really be mad at such a cute little face? So,  I just grabbed the camera instead.

The best part was watching his reaction when he saw himself in the mirror. 

The laughter was priceless.

But let me share with you a few things I have learned from not only using paint in my work but at home.  A few things make messy projects easier.

1. Put down a roll of plastic that you can throw away or reuse for easy clean up.

2. Paper plates and cups are great just to throw away without having to rinse out.

3. Baby wipes and paper towels that are close by make it easy to clean up spills and  hands- that is unless you child decides to paint his entire body- then you may need to use the sink...or bathtub :)

4. Remember it's just paint- washable paint at that. No need to get upset over a little mess.

This day came in perfect timing because I just received an email from a fabulous magazine called Seeing the Everyday- (you have to go check them out- I love the giant photos and messages- I have talked about them before!) about experiences people have had where they choose to not get mad but just grab the camera.

 You can read about it here.

If you have any experiences like this you can post them on their FB Wall here.

besitos, xo

World of Thanks- GIVEAWAY

I attended a Play Therapy conference a few weeks ago and they had some great vendors selling toys and books for children. I was in heaven.
 I came across this:

It was just what I needed to get Little Man involved in saying Thank You to others and understanding the meaning of gratitude. 

We went through a list of people we wanted to thank and he just loved creating his ocean with all the fun sea life stickers. 

He even wrote a little secret message that only he could read. A child is never to young to learn what gratitude is.

We are making progress even at out nightly gatherings. Every night we go around and talk about what were were grateful for that day. At first he didn't get it. Then he would point to me and say, " I am grateful for mommy." But now he can branch out and think of different things he is grateful for. It is always fun to listen to what a two year old is grateful for.

I

So- who wants one of these fun Thank You card kits??


Well good news!  I AM GIVING AWAY a set- The North American Animal Kit so you can make Thank You cards with your kiddos!

You are going to love how well made and fun they are for you and your kiddos!

It's free for you- all you have to do is enter here:



a Rafflecopter giveaway

besitos, xo

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween. Enjoy this day!

{Little Man's "Four scary ghosts"}

 *Halloween Art Made with paper paint and googly eyes!

{Little Man's Spider and Spider Web}

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for $100 worth of cloth diapers and products right here!

Besitos,

xo

Candy Corn Feet

My sweet neighbor watched Little Man yesterday evening while I was teaching a parenting class. When I came home I found this. 

Is this not genius? 

And super easy and cute.

Just paint their little toes with yellow, orange, and white...

and stamp their feet...so cute!

Great sensory activity for kids as well!

Now,  I just want to munch on those feetsies! 

I love October.

Besitos

My love for my BabbaBox and GIVEAWAY CLOSED

It came. 

The package I have been waiting for.

The BababaBox from BabbaCo.  

I must tell you how excited I was- it was like Christmas!

 I carefully opened the box lid...

Peeled back the cute little sticker...

To find that the theme this month was: "The Way I Feel."

My favorite topic!

...And there it was a magical box full of activities, creative crafts, exploration games, and a book all revolving around feelings!

I mean there was EVERYTHING...

...from a little tiny glue bottle to a pair of scissors! I never had to get up once to find something I needed. 

It was ALL THERE!

In one of the "Explore" sections we found the coolest "Feeling Finder" shades. 

 You and your child can put them on and explore and identify how other's are feeling. As a mental health counselor working with children- I can't tell you enough the importance of teaching our kiddos to learn how to "read" the facial expressions of others. It activates the part of the brain that increases emotional intelligence and increases their empathy and self identifying their own emotions. 

There was also a "Feeling Journal" where your child can track the feelings they find that day. Like if they see mommy laughing- they get to put a happy face in their journal. But watch out-if mommy is grumpy- (they go hide in the closet) then they put the mad face on.

Genius. 

Then, we made sock puppets and acted out many different feelings. 

 

Playing sock puppets with one hand while trying to take photos in the other- nearly impossible. But believe me- those sock puppets Henry and Wilma followed us everywhere throughout the day. 

Love it.

And as if BabbaCo didn't think of everything already...they included a little gift for me. 

Awwwww... I heart them.

And wanna know the best part?? 

You can get one.

BabbaCo is giving one lucky WeedstoWishes reader a FREE BabbaBox!!

*Offer ends Monday July 30th*

Lots of quick options to enter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck! and Enjoy!

besitos,
xo

My Date with our Summer Jars.

It is time for my annual summer list .
You know the list that little man and I must complete before summer is over. We almost completed the list last year!

And this year I have made Summer Jars to help us get started.
I will be showing you how to make these lovelies next Tuesday on How Does She.  So, get excited.

Our Summer list?

Fly a kite

Dandelion blowing

Catching butterflies

Swimming

Sprinklers

Water fight

Camping in the backyard

Making a fort

Blow bubbles

Make sandcastle

Stare at the clouds

Picnic

Go to the Zoo

Go to the art Museum

Finger Paint

Sidewalk chalk

Scavenger Hunt

Bike Ride

Feed the birds

Roast marshmellos

Camping
Fishing

Rolling down a grassy hill

Walk the dog

Hopscotch

Bug catching

Pinterst craft

Paper airplane contest

Plant flowers

Learn to paint something new

Learn to draw something new

Scrapbook

Photo walk

Slip n Slide

Water balloon fight

5 dollars at dollar store
Water Park

Have a Happy unbirthday
Make Homemade Lemonade
Make homemade bread
Photo Walk
Downtown Walk
Farmers Market
Plant something
Italian Sodas
Go on a hike
Botanical Gardens
Ice Cream in Hyde Park
Snow Shack visit
Sew something
Play Horseshoe
Throw a football around
Frisbee
Summer vacation
McCall, ID
Service Project
Bon Fire
Soccer Game
Try a new park


Words from Cristi the Counselor:
 I can't stress enough as a counselor working with children how important it is to continue a routine in the summer. Too often children who seem to do well during the school year struggle in the summer due to a lack of structure and boredom.  I am not saying plan every waking moment- but plan activities that still keep your children challenged, learning, working, creating, playing, and exercising. Not only will they be that more prepared for the next grade but they won't come to you grumbling about being bored.

HowDoesShe.com has some great and FREE printables for a reading activity for your kiddos-  Check it out here- it made me wish Little Man was reading so we could get started on this fun game!

Some ideas to keeping kids engaged in a summer routine are:
-Plan ahead and create a daily schedule (see here for my visual schedule tutorial)
-Have a set time they wake up every morning- same with bedtime.
-Pay to play- work first and then play.
-Don't forget  to schedule special play time
-Hang a sign on your outside doorknob that tells neighborhood kids when your kids are and are not available to play.
-Limit TV time
-Create a Summer Jar (check out Howdoesshe.com tomorrow for tutorial)


Don't let this Summer get away from you!

Seize the day. 

I want to know what's on your Summer list?

Besitos

xo