We grow old because we stop PLAYING.

 I was 9 years old when I was watched the movie "Hook" with Robin Williams- you know the one I am talking about? "Looky looky- I've got a hooky." Anyone? I remember specifically promising myself that I would never turn into a boring stuffy adult who had forgotten how to play. Never. 

But somewhere along the way- play became less and less a part of my life. Why is that? It wasn't cool  to play with dolls or barbies anymore. Then eventually- I stopped imagining all together...that is until high school when I had the opportunity to volunteer at a center with troubled kids. I re-discovered the magical world of play and imagination again! That entire year I was on the ground playing, observing, and just being a kid. I was hired right out of high school and started my first "real job" that summer and my love for working with children was born. 

 We once knew how play before- why don't we do it anymore? 

For us adults...it takes PRACTICE!

The more you sit on the floor and are 100% available- your child will let them into their world and you will once again have a glimpse of the magical world of play and pretend.

I love it.

besitos, xo

Teaching your children GRATITUDE through photography.

I just love when I can sit here in silence while BOTH my kids are sleeping. MMMM.... so refreshing to just be alone for a few moments before these two wake up and life gets hustling and bustling again. We all need a little moment right? I can actually hear my thoughts in my head.
Well...I have a thought I have been wanting to share for some time now and that's teaching children how to have a grateful heart.

Want to incorporate gratitude in your child's life? Give them a camera.

Ask them to snap shots of things they are grateful for and see what they come up with. Heck- do it yourself and see what you come up with! If they are too young to really get what gratitude means- tell them to shoot things they love and that make them happy. Most kids can understand that. 

Babbaco has their gratitude boxes you can buy which includes this camera. Little man snapped shots last week...

And I am just DYING to see what is on this camera! With being sick all week we haven't left the house much and I haven't made it to drop off this disposable camera! Sheesh-I forgot what photography was like back in the days when you had to WAIT for your photos! It's so hard!!

Anyhow- we are going to paste his photos in a little mini gratitude journal. So, get a camera and start letting them take some photos. I will show you what we come up with once the photos are back!

besitos 

xo

Never too young for art...

Two years ago (wow has it really been that long?) I was at Babies R Us feeling overwhelmed about what to register for my first baby. My therapy with kiddos had been with ages 4 and up- so I was totally clueless about babies.

So what did I do? I joyfully went around scanning the things I knew...

TOYS AND ART SUPPLIES. 

Forget the bottles and diapers- I was ready to PLAY!

 My friends laughed at me when they saw the random list of items and probably were a bit concerned of my cluelessness (is that a word even?) about the needs of infants. 

But I just knew that one day I would incorporate art and play in the daily lives of my children.

 That is important to me. 

 I really believe a child (supervised) is never too young to engage in some form of expressive art. 

It is a way that they can explore their world, process their feelings, build their self-esteem, and learn about their surroundings. Here are some things we learned in this 10 minute moment of drawing. 

#1 Learning to SHARE and ENGAGE with others

#2 BONDING with each another

#3 LEARNING about the colors as he repeated them to me.

#4 Practicing on the FINE MOTOR skills

 #5 Feeling PROUD of his accomplishments

For those of you who are wondering what we are coloring with...I discovered these babies.

They are triangular to help with little man's grip and they also don't need a lid (the ink is inside)- all you do is press down and the ink then comes to the surface! They are fabulous!

Now go and add some art in your daily life!

besitos, 

PS. DON'T FORGET TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY TO ENTER FOR BIANCA MERKLEY'S NEW ALBUM....GO HERE TO ENTER! SHHH THIS IS A SECRET BUT THERE WILL BE MORE THAN ONE WINNER SO THE ODDS WILL BE IN YOUR FAVOR I PROMISE!!

The magic of the glittery pink recorder.

I am the first one to admit that not all parenting methods work for every situation and every child. That being said...I am pretty convinced the book "Playful Parenting" can be applied on a daily basis.

This morning is a prime example. I wake up thinking I am doing such a fabulous job as a mom- getting up before anyone wakes to go to the grocery store, making a HOT Breakfast (see post here), and setting the mood for the start of a new day...I am thinking that my son would wake up bubbly and excited to eat a delicious stack of blueberry pancakes... um not so much.

Instead, he woke up grouchy and inconsolable (weaning off the bottle has been a rough road for this kid) throwing himself on the ground...crying...throwing things. It was quite a sight...one I have never seen from my own child.

There I was in the kitchen trying to hold it together (but act like it was affecting me) and trying the old "ignore" trick while he rolled around on the floor. I tried leaving the room to further ignore his behavior... nope... he followed me around clinging to my legs. I tried picking him up to hold and rock him- worst idea yet- he wiggled and squrimed right back on the floor where he threw an even BIGGER tantrum... And the reason? That is still unknown.

At that point I had run out of ideas and found myself stuck. Then I saw a very hot pink glittery recorder on the ground...

...and I picked it up in one hand and carried the squirmy little boy in the next arm and in the best conductor voice I called out, "All a board" and we proceeded to march around the room to the beat of the sound of the glittery instrument.

His crying came to a halt... but a dead halt...he became very still....and maybe even cracked a smile...maybe. Then, to my surprise he took the sippy cup (that he had early thrown on the floor) and it was then when we began breakfast... just like I had originally envisioned.

Okay people- I am convinced. I really heart this book now. I love it so much that I think I will extend this giveaway for one more week to get a chance to write more about what I learned from it and the power of play in parenting and also to give you a chance to spread the word!

So new ending time is NEXT FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 2nd.

All you have to do is follow this blog and write a comment  about a favorite childhood memory. Go HERE for details on the giveaway and to enter a comment! I am loving the memories.

My childhood memory today is: sitting up on a barstool and watching my grandpa make us the most fluffy and delicious pancakes I ever have had. mmmm.... I miss you and your pancakes grandpa.

xoxo,

 

The final product...

We pulled out one big box, scissors, markers, paint and glue... 

 

...and then Vuala!

   Best day ever. 

xx- Cristi

There is more to a box than a box...

empty boxes= fun

A huge shipment of Proof inventory left our dining room full of Boxes... hmmm... check back tomorrow to see what we do with these lovelies.