Activities For Your Kids

"Boy, n.: a noise with dirt on it." - Not Your Average Dictionary

     So I was getting my old bike ready for a quick ride with my 'Lil Man and he asks if he can help. I remember wanted to help my old man with stuff as a kid. I never really got my hands dirty with tinkering. Either dad wasn't interested at the time, or I wasn't when he offered. I've made a little promise to myself, that of all the activities for kids out there, teaching mine to use tools would be one of them.
     There is a cool tool kit for girls at Target here that 'Lil Miss has been begging for.Currently 6 years old, and she wants her own hand tools. Interesting. As for 'Lil Man, he grabs the cordless drill and hits anything he can! I'm trying to encourage it, 'cuz I'm still nervous around anything with more than four parts. The thing is to get them to try stuff, get dirty, learn how things work, etc.

Good luck, and keep the soap handy.

J.

A Loving Big Sister

"Is solace anywhere more comforting than in the arms of a sister." - Alice Walker

   I glanced over the other evening to see 'Lil Miss  with her arm around her little brother. Pride and love welled up inside for the love that she shows him. I think of the rivalry that existed between me and my three brothers (yup,...there were four boys), and the lack of lessons learned without a sister in the family. Our 'Lil Miss has already shown us she has the right stuff to be a great big sister.
   I can't tell if our little chats about sharing, loving, protecting and so forth are sinking in. They may have a small part, but I really feel that it's in her true nature to be that way. Hearing her kindergarten teacher say that she's been looking out for the boy who lovingly torments her daily confirmed it. She looks out for the underdog, thinks a lot of others (as well as herself, let's be real!), and so forth.
   It was just a treat to see. Let's hope it lasts.

J.

Baking Cookies With 'Lil Miss

"Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate." ~Sandra Boynton

   So it's been awhile since a good post, so I thought I owed a good one. 'Lil Miss has begun to inquire about baking, and we've been including her in said past time. Recent to this post I came across an AWESOME song by Hudson, called "Against The Grain". A short film of my gal making chocolate chip cookies came to mind and I had the whole thing scripted out in my head in no time. The result is the above short film. We followed the recipe for the traditional chocolate chip cookies from Nestle Tollhouse. When we finished, 'Lil Miss asked, "Can we take them around to our friends?" I love her enthusiasm for new things, and I love her thoughtfulness for others. Try baking with your kids. You'll love the results,...all of them.