Uneven Steven

When I had my second child, I was ill prepared for the lack of structured activities there are to do (simultaneously) with two children who are almost 3.5 years apart in age. I guess I just took for granted the unencumbered playtime I experienced with my first baby. By the age of two, she had been to swimming lessons, music & movement classes, kindergym, our weekly Mom & Tots group, and more. In comparison, by the same age, my son had made some baby friends at the Mom & Tots group... but that’s pretty much it!  The logistics of having two kids (or more) can get a bit tricky - how does one participate in a weekday baby swimming class, for example, and leave a 4 year old on the sidelines? 

I started to feel like my second child was getting the short end of the stick and I was desperate to replicate at home many of the same activities we experienced at formal playgroups.  So, I started to think - what did they offer that made learning and playing fun for kids? If you’re in the same boat, here are some tips for you; many are budget-friendly, too!

Schedule regular play dates
While playing with siblings is fun, it’s important for a kid to interact with friends their own age.  If you’ve been lucky enough to connect with the parents of your children’s peers, try scheduling weekly play dates. Try alternating homes (or choose to meet at parks, rec centers, etc when the weather is nice); it will make for a more exciting environment. I mean, who doesn’t love playing with different toys or hanging out in a fun, new place? ☺ Setting up consistent play dates is good for you, too… parents can often take turns supervising, allowing a few hours of free time to work, run errands or just have some “me” time.

Set up play stations
Toy and activity rotation is key here – a few tables set up with rotating activities each day (or a few times a week) is a great way to replicate the playgroup setting. My daughter is in kindergarten now and this is the norm in her class; she loves the variety and it helps inspire her learning.  One of my children’s favorites is modeling clay. They could play with this for hours.

Tip: scour garage sales and second-hand stores for inexpensive cutters, molds and other accessories for playing with dough.

Save some $$: making your own dough is fun and easier than you think. If they’re old enough, have your child(ren) help make it - kids love to get messy! Here’s the recipe given to me by the wonderful facilitator at my son’s current playgroup. It’s fantastic stuff – moldable, not too sticky or greasy, and lasts for a long time; simply store in a re-sealable plastic bag.

Donna’s Dough
2 c flour
2 c water
½ c salt
3 tbsp oil
2 tbsp cream of tartar
food colouring

- Mix all ingredients together in a pot (not a glass pot) and put on the stove on medium heat
- Keep stirring until mixture forms a ball
- Be careful not to burn!

Spark your creativity
Take advantage of amazing web resources like Pinterest to help ignite your imagination. It is a veritable treasure chest of the best crafts, outdoor activities, learning resources and more for kids. It really does distill all of the best ideas in one place, so be sure to use this amazing resource! And, while you’re at it, you can find awesome slow cooker recipes and quick, healthy meal ideas to make your life even easier.

Happy creating and playing with your children!

Great Reads for Kids

My kids love to read. I owe it to the fact that we have read to our children each night before bed since they were very little - a treasured tradition in our home.

Reading is a powerful thing - it can inspire a love of the written word, expand a child's imagination, and increase vocabulary. It is also one of the best ways to bond with your child in a meaningful, yet fun, way. And, I've found that it is one activity that my kids look forward to every night. Even if we have read a lot during the day, they love knowing that there will be cuddle time with Mommy or Daddy and a few favorite books before bed. It's such a special way to connect with them each day and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

I love discovering new books to share with my kids and, over the past few years, I've found many that have quickly become my kids' favorites. Here are a few of them...

1. Is There Really A Human Race? by Jamie Lee Curtis / Laura Cornell — a story about enjoying the journey and living life to the fullest, by helping and inspiring others, so that we leave the world a better place. (I find myself holding back a few tears each time I read the last few pages...it's beautifully powerful and moving.)

2. The Foolish Tortoise by Richard Buckley / Eric Carle — a sweet tale of a disillusioned turtle who learns that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

3. Ollie by Olivier Dunrea — one of many in the popular series featuring Gossie, Gertie, Boo Boo and friends, this book is all about waiting for Ollie to hatch... and realizing he will do it in his own time.

4. Miss Lina's Ballerinas by Grace Maccarone / Christine Devenier — a story about how change can be a good thing, with a wonderful rhyming narrative that little girls will love.

5. Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard — about a bird who wakes up cranky but, with some help from his friends, turns his day around.

6. Finn Throws A Fit! by David Elliott / Timothy Basil Ering — a hilarious depiction of a toddler tantrum that young children can relate to.

7. Fancy Nancy by Jane O'Connor / Robin Preiss Glasser — a beautifully-illustrated story about a charming little girl who loves being fancy and using fancy vocabulary, helping readers learn new words (and their meanings) along the way. My 5-year-old daughter has many books in this series (including many of the "I Can Read" stories) and she adores them all.

8. Freight Train by Donald Crews —if you've got a little one who loves trains, this is a fantastic addition to your library. A simple story that describes a train and how it moves through the city and country. My two-year-old loves this book so much that he has memorized it and can read it to me!

I hope this list has inspired you... and if you have a favorite book, please let us know in the comments below. We'd love to hear about it. :)

Happy reading!

Keeping It Even-Steven

A few short years ago, my entire world consisted of my little girl. Hubby and I devoted all our time and attention to this one, perfect, sweet little being. Then, when we decided to expand our family, we were blessed with a beautiful baby boy.

 Immediately, the family dynamic changed and I started feeling guilt over not spending the same amount of time with my son than I had with my daughter. She went to Mommy and Me swimming lessons at 6 months of age; he didn't go until he was almost two! If she got a new toy, why didn't he get one, too? That was only fair and right, wasn't it? The guilt and even-Steven-ness of it all could've made me crazy...and it still almost does sometimes.

For the most part, I try and take a step back and realize that it's not about making everything "even", but about tending to my children's individual, unique needs as they arise. To make sure they know they're loved, cherished, taken care of and wanted more than anything in this world, is the best gift I can possibly give them. Sure, there will be times when one of my kids feels slighted ("She got an extra cookie!") or neglected ("You took him to the playground twice this week, and I never got to go!"), but I'll cross those bridges when I get to them.

For now, I'll focus on kissing, hugging, cuddling and playing with my kids. Then, hopefully, they'll be too distracted to notice.

Right Where I'm Meant To Be

My kids are forever amazing me. From their ability to make me laugh one minute, yet cry and throw up my hands in defeat the next, to the ways in which they are seemingly independent yet, in the same breath, want me - and only me - on a daily basis. There's surely never a dull moment in my house!

Some days it's like an emotional roller-coaster. One morning there's cooperation, hugs and high-fives, then the afternoon rolls around and it's like World War III has started - all because we ran out of chicken noodle soup for lunch! Yes, the toddler and preschool years can be trying, but also so precious.

Yesterday, my toddler grabbed my face and, for a second, I thought he was going to bestow upon me his newest trick - the head butt. (Lovely, isn't it?) Instead, he almost brought me to tears when he gave me the sweetest nose kisses ever... followed by a heartbreaker smile, dimples and all. What a nice surprise!

It's in these unexpected moments that I find the greatest satisfaction and fulfillment as a Mom. I can plan fun activities and outings, but the most meaningful moments happen spontaneously, usually when I'm least expecting them.  And, while I may sometimes doubt my decision to work from home so I can be with my children every day (late nights = tired Mama), these moments are like bright stars in a dark night sky.

They make me look up in wonder and realize that I'm right where I'm meant to be.

Springtime Silliness

When my daughter started Junior Kindergarten, the curriculum was “learning through play”. I’ve since read studies showing that kids learn mathematical skills, gain spatial intelligence and increase their creative thinking and problem-solving skills by playing. While TV has a place in our house (I’m a work-at-home Mom that really needs a few minutes to get supper made in the evening!), I try to encourage as much play as possible.

Not only does play help children’s brains develop, but it has other amazing benefits, too – it’s a great reason for us, as parents, to get down to their level and partake in some silly, fun, memory-making play time with our kids. I don’t know about you, but with all the craziness of life, I sometimes forget to do that! I need to remind myself daily to forget about my phone, email and paperwork, and simply enjoy playtime with my kids. It’s amazing to realize just how happy that makes them… that I have the power to make my kids’ day! That, in turn, makes my day! See how it works? ☺

So, do something good for your kids – and you! – by taking time each day for some silliness. There’s no better time to do that than in the grey, dark days leading up to spring. With all the snow/rain and dullness, a little silliness and fun is sure to brighten up any day.

Beating the February Blahs

It’s officially February, and although the weather is getting a bit nicer here, I’ve officially got a case of the February 'Blahs'. You know, the time of year when you just want to banish the cold weather and usher in spring; when you’re eager to shed the winter coat, boots, hat, scarf and mittens in favor of a t-shirt and shorts. And, most of all, when you don’t have to worry about bringing every possible cold-weather item with you when going out with your kids. I mean, really, the amount of stuff that you need in the winter is atrocious!!

So, what’s a mom (or dad / grandparent / caregiver) to do? Well, you can either stay inside and get really creative with fun kids’ activities, or you can bite the bullet and brave the great outdoors. If you choose the latter, you need a plan!

Here are some helpful tips to help get you out of the house in the winter…

1. Create a “travel bag” and leave it by the door
Have your bag ready with all of the items you normally take with you, such as sippy cups/water bottles for the kids, snacks, diaper bag/change of clothes & travel activities (colouring books & crayons, games, etc.). Ensure this bag is always ready to go, so that you’re not scrambling around at last minute.
2. Assign each child his/her own cubby or box 
Mittens, scarves and hats are a lot easier to find when they have their own “home”. Teaching children to put these items back in the same spot each time they enter the house helps ensure they’re easy to find each time you want to leave. In my house, we have the “mat” rule… boots stay on the mat, not only to keep the house clean, but so that we know where to find them when we’re ready to leave again.
3. Keep extra wipes and a few snacks (like granola bars) in the car
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve looked in my diaper bag and found an empty container of wipes, I’d be rich. That’s why I always have a small emergency stash in the car; same goes for snacks. Nobody wants a whiny child because Mama forgot to bring the goldfish crackers! ☺

I hope these tips help you get out of the house a bit more this winter - even if it is just to visit your local rec centre! Staying in the house can be fun, but we all need a change of scenery and it feels good to get out and have an adventure now and then.  Stay well!

Two Against One

As of late, I've noticed the dynamic in our family slowly changing. There's an insidious element creeping in that I'm not sure I like. It's called independence.

My youngest, at 16 months, is just starting to exert a little independence - walking, screaming when he doesn't get his own way (love that one! ;), wrestling with his sister... you get the drift. Having gone through this stage already with my first child, I didn't fully understand how having baby #2 go through it would affect me - until now.

Last night, at bathtime, my two *angels* ganged up on me!  After supper they were both plopped into the bath and, shortly after, my little one started lightly splashing. That's all it took for my 4-year-old to instigate a full-on water war and, before I knew it, I was wet and both kids were laughing hysterically. It was like they were in on their own little plan... against me! It was a moment I'll never forget - not because I was soaked, but because I took a moment to enjoy their camaraderie and laughter instead of getting annoyed at the mess. My only regret is that I didn't get it on video. What an amazing memory to capture and show them when they're older!

I like the fact that my little guy is maturing and becoming his own little person, but I guess I didn't expect it to hit me like this. He really IS growing up. He isn't a baby anymore... and that makes me kind of sad. My baby years are over and, despite not loving certain parts of it (sleepless nights, seemingly endless diaper changes), there are other parts I wish I could hold on to forever. He's my littlest baby and his growing up signals the end of an era... but it's also the start of a new one. And, by the looks of it, he and his sister will have a lot more chances to gang up on me.

I guess it's two against one now (at least when hubby's at work). I'd better get used to it... and keep the camera nearby at all times! I don't want to miss another moment.

Modern Storytelling

You know those rare occasions when you stumble upon something so cool, so inventive & so fun that you just can’t keep it a secret? And, when it’s also educational and FREE… well, my dear, you’ve got a winner!!

I had one of those moments recently when I came upon an email a good friend sent me some time ago, suggesting I check out a story-crafting website. It’s a wonderful concept, and I wish I had checked it out sooner - but sometimes there’s just not enough time in the day. :)

So, when I finally did check it out, I was completely astonished at how brilliant it was!

The website is Storybird.com, and it is nothing short of awesome! It offers so many different avenues for kids to explore their imaginations – and is beautiful, to boot! Not only can you send a story to someone (great for grandparents), but you and the special kid(s) in your life can craft a story together – even if you’re miles apart! It’s a great way to engage with them in a collaborative, fun way that also builds great memories and reading skills.

With Storybird the possibilities are endless! So, go online and start making a memory with your favorite kid.  :)

Also check out Storybird’s blog and follow them on Twitter (@storybird).

My Most Important Job

Right now, I’m trying to get work done…but I’m just a little distracted. You see, someone decided to wake early from his nap and now I’m being coerced to play by a little crawling munchkin who alternates between climbing my leg and leaning in to plant sweet baby kisses on me. What’s a mom to do? :)

I could tell you this is a situation that is leaving me feeling torn, but that would be a lie. Truth is, there’s nothing I’d rather be doing than playing and cuddling with my baby. I want to savour this time with my son, because he won't stay this little forever and I’ll never get these spontaneous moments back again. 

It’s times like this when it really hits home just how much our kids rely on us; it’s up to us to ensure their happiness, security and well-being. The weight of that knowledge is tremendous, but the pride I feel in having such an awesome responsibility overrides everything else. This is the most important job I’ll ever do. Period.

So, yes, work is important; I won’t deny that. But sometimes you’ve just got to go with your gut and do what it tells you. And, at this moment, it’s telling me that my little guy needs his mama – and I’m happy to oblige. 

101 Things To Do With Your Toddler

My last post was all about engaging with my kids in a more meaningful way. Well, today I stumbled upon a great blog - Counting On Me - and one of their posts entitled “101 Things To Do With Your Toddler”. What a fabulous idea! It’s like a bucket list for your summer with the family…

I am going to have fun with this and see if I can check each activity off the list! How about you? ;)