Library Trip

Finally! We have some fresh reads from the library. Now that Rascal is much more willing to sit through a book, I checked out a couple of books that Roo liked when she was his age. They are simply written, with engaging illustrations. When I sit down to read them to Rascal, Roo stops whatever it is she is doing, and comes over to listen too. So, I guess they're still favorites of hers even 3 years later. [As usual, all book cover photos are in the sidebar, for those of you who like to judge a book by its cover--literally! I know I'm one of those ;) ]

The first one is Blue Bowl Down: An Appalachian Rhyme. I can't remember how I first came across this book several years back, but I'm pretty sure it was purely a happy accident. One of those I-was-looking-for-a-different-book-when-this-one-caught-my-eye kind of thing.

It is a large book, with illustrations that fill each and every page in its entirety. When you read this one, it helps if you inject a kind of rhythmic, lyrical beat to the words as you speak them. Don't worry about how you do it, just do. When my husband reads it, he just reads it like he's reading any storybook. And the kids don't like it that way. They like the chant-like version they get from me. The book just flows better when you do it.

Regardless of how you read it, the sweet pictures of Mama and toddler making bread together is a comforting, homey scene. Every time I read it, I feel compelled to institute a regular bread making night in our weekly routine. I found the author's explanation behind the bread making tradition an interesting snippet at the end of the book.

My son's favorite thing to do when we read this one is to point out the playful kittens on the pages, as they are sometimes hiding! Overall, we find it soothing and calming. A great bedtime read-aloud.

Little House, Little Town is a bright and cheerful book. It follows the day in the life of a baby and the community in a busy town: turning on sprinklers, hanging laundry, running errands, riding bikes, climbing trees, and (as the book comes to an end) everyone heading for home and bed. I think my children like it because its pages are filled with familiar sights that they encounter in their own day.

The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear works so well on many levels: beautiful and humorous artwork, exciting and mildly suspenseful storyline, promotion of social values such as sharing. We absolutely love the adorable expressions on the sweet little mouse's face.

The next few books are geared more toward the 3-5 year old crowd, but my son will sit and listen to them too occasionally.

My daughter loves the My First Little House books. Unfortunately, our library doesn't carry all of the titles in the series. Of the ones it does carry, we have checked them all out at least once. This one, County Fair, was the last remaining book in the series that we hadn't checked out before. The reason being, it centers on Almanzo Wilder as a boy, not Laura Ingalls. My daughter is familiar and very fond of Laura, and I wasn't sure she would want to hear a story about this stranger named Almanzo. I was wrong. She enjoyed this book, but not nearly as much as she enjoys the stories starring Laura Ingalls.

On next to the "Sheep books," as we call them. There are more than a few books in this series as well. Sheep in a Jeep, Sheep in a Shop, Sheep Take a Hike: they are all hits around here. My daughter just turned four and loves rhyming words in our daily round. So, since these books have rhyming text, she is a fan. Plus, the pictures are cute and the sheep are given such human facial expressions! Lots of detail and things to point out, which makes reading more fun for her and for me.

So, those are are latest winners from our library trip. The library is such a wonderful resource, it's a shame not to make full use of it! Going to seriously try to get back to making our trips there a weekly event.

Watercolor Resist: Magic Pictures!

Watercolor resist technique is so simple that I can't believe I haven't thought of doing it earlier. I've seen it done and have done it myself, but have not introduced it to my daughter prior to yesterday. For those who don't know, watercolor resist involves marking white paper with a white crayon or candle, and then painting a wash of color over the paper, bringing to light the crayon design. The wax crayon repels the paint, thus exposing your picture. In fact, it's the same technique we used on our Batik Easter eggs this year.

First I gave Roo a white crayon and had her make a picture. But, since it is white crayon on white paper, she was less than thrilled with the results. I encouraged her to keep at it and fill her paper in as much as possible, so we would see a good design. Since she wasn't aware that we were going to go over it with paint, she couldn't understand my enthusiasm for what seemed like a lackluster art project. However, once we washed watercolor paints over the paper, she was a little more interested (a little, but not much).

Wanting to step it up a notch and grab her attention, I drew a few pictures of familiar objects: animals, trees, little girls on swings, etc. I didn't have the easiest time because it is pretty difficult to draw "blindly." I couldn't tell where one part of my design ended and another part began. It was like playing Cranium or Pictionary when you pick the card that says you have to draw with your eyes closed. I suppose I could have taken my white paper and white crayon into better lighting, but my 4 year old isn't picky and I didn't feel like getting up to hunt down more agreeable light. To her, the semblance of any object was better than scribbles.

Then I had her use the darkest colors from the watercolor set and "uncover" the magic picture hiding on the paper. Once I put the whole "magic" spin on it, she was game! And we made (or shall I say, I made and she painted) a dozen pictures. She loved the anticipation of waiting for me to come up with my idea and draw it while hiding behind a "wall" of books at the table, ensuring that she wouldn't see what the magic picture was going to be until it was unveiled with watercolors. The more secrecy and excitement I displayed while drawing a picture for her (shielding it from her eyes from every possible angle), the better!

When my sister came over to visit with her six year old son, we tried the activity again. I handed my nephew a piece of paper onto which I had drawn a farm picture (I did this before they arrived). I didn't tell him anything about it, just handed it to him and said, "Here's a brush. Go paint." He wasn't in the mood to paint, but once he got started and saw an emerging picture, he enthusiastically declared this a winner. My sister and I churned out drawing after drawing for them to discover.

Normally, I don't like to play such a major role in art projects. I don't like to impose the idea on kids that art has to look like something specific or recognizable. Generally, to me, the more abstract, the better. But, since 90% of the art projects we do around here are free-form and child-led, I think a diversion from that is perfectly acceptable once in a while.

An art project that requires only 3 materials and lasts more than 5 minutes? I'm all for that!

Today, Inside. Today, Outside.

In this "Today, Inside/Outside" series, I will be turning my attention to simple snapshots that capture something memorable about our space that particular day inside and, well, outside!

I seem to find myself caught up in a whirlwind of daily demands and activities that steal the living-in-the-moment focus that I've been attempting to implement. Most of the photos in these Inside/Outside posts will probably not appear magnificent to the casual observer. That's okay. They will most likely represent the moments that I want to remember long after this day has passed. Perhaps they will be photo glimpses of something I'm hearing, smelling, creating, touching, eating, seeing. Maybe simple or significant or silly or heartbreaking or peaceful or thrilling or once-in-a-lifetime moments: frozen in time for my overloaded/overthinking brain to recall and reminice about someday down the line.

I'm always on the lookout for ways to slow down and look around me, to find that treasure hiding under the surface, waiting to be discovered. That's the main reason I take part in The Simple Woman's Daybook. It forces me to be present and note what I see, hear, think. This is like that, except in pictures. With a few words or no words at all, depending on what the photos are saying to me that particular day. So, without further ado...

Today, Inside:

Despite the hand in the picture frantically grabbing for a cookie, these cookies could not be classified as "the best oatmeal cookie recipe" that the article claimed they would be. Never mind, it did give me a chance to spend some one-on-one time in the kitchen baking with my 4 year old helper. So even though the recipe was a flop, I don't regret the time we spent making them.

Today, Outside:

"Tiny swimming pools for the fairies," quipped the girl who loves all things magical, when she saw these on the lid of her sandbox this afternoon.

Summer Book Basket review

Well, we're more than several weeks into summer and I just recently changed out the Spring books for ones celebrating the Summer season. I know, I'm just the model of efficiency and organization, aren't I? Just one of the many things I haven't managed to stay on top of these days, I'm afraid. Mother Nature, however, is keeping pace with the changing seasons: it's been hot and sticky and our air conditioner is getting quite the workout. The links to our newest crop of books are below and the cover pictures are in the sidebar if you're interested.

The first book added to our basket is, of course, Summer by Gerda Muller. I just love these wordless board books. The detailed illustrations fill up the whole page, which is very eye-catching to my little ones. I love how we see new little things each time we flip through the pages. I also adore how this series of books focuses on the simple pleasures; sort of the quintessential "do's" of each season. Be it winter, spring, summer, or fall, each season has activities and experiences unique to that particular time of year. These books highlight that in a delightful way!

The next two books are part of a series known as Percy the Park Keeper by Nick Butterworth. They are: Percy's Bumpy Ride and After the Storm. Roo is quite taken with these books. They are clever and cute and feature animals as the main characters (along with Percy, of course). Every time we have a storm or Roo sees a downed tree on our walks, Roo will say, "It's just like in the book, After the Storm." I can safely assume that a book has made its impression on her when it comes up in daily conversation. One of the highlights of these books is the fold-out pages. The one in the back of After the Storm is especially impressive: a fun little conclusion. Plus, it's done in great detail and HUGE.

I left All the Places to Love in the book basket because most of the scenes contained within could occur in Spring or Summer. For instance, the blueberry picking and sailing bark boats down river come to mind as summer activities. So, this book seemed appropriate to carry over from the Spring book basket.

I'm sure I have more books on the shelves that I could place in the Summer Book Basket, but I would never get this post up if I tried to make this an exhaustive list. Pretty soon, we'll be due for the Autumn Book Basket, and I didn't want to skip over our summer choices. So, short and sweet it is!

Nature Bracelets

We were driving around house-hunting (yet again) today, and I thought of a little craft to keep the little ones busy while we stopped at each house to scout out the property. Although, calling it a "craft" is a stretch, as it is far too simple to really qualify as such.

When I was young, my sister and I and our neighborhood friends would make these nature bracelets. They are basically masking tape loops around the wrist, onto which you stick bits of nature: flowers, grass, buds, tiny stones, sticks, and moss. Really, anything (well, as long as it's not too heavy) goes! I even recall sticking expired bugs and butterflies to mine when I was about 6 or 7 years old (after I had sadly left them too long in the glass jar home I made for them).

So, once we reached the first property today, I wrapped a loop of masking tape around Roo's wrist. Then, for durability, I wrapped a second loop directly on top of the first. I sent her off to gather and stick whatever she could find. The hills were blooming with wildflowers, so we were not lacking for materials.

I think I may have gotten a little over-involved in the project, picking out the prettiest flowers when Roo seemed to be gravitating more toward sticks and stones. In hindsight, I should have let her put whatever she chose on her bracelet, instead of focusing on making it look good (to me). I guess I couldn't help myself -- I got caught up in reliving childhood memories or something. We will definitely make more of these bracelets this week in our own backyard, and I promise to restrain myself from taking over: just set her free and let it be completely her own creation.

For once it wasn't raining on our house-hunting expedition (we had been 7 for 7 when it came to rain/sleet/hail while on our little day trips scouting out future houses).

I can never see enough barns -- how I would love to own a horse again someday!

A Man on a Mission:

Even Rascal got in on the "jewelry"-making: collecting sticks and pinecones and bringing them to us.

Now all she needs is the dress and she's ready for the prom! Just kidding. Thankfully, we have quite a few years before we have to worry about that!

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...July 27, 2009

Outside my window...two of the largest robins I have ever seen, sitting side by side in our tree. The jungle-like vines growing on the fence we share with our neighbors have sprouted some bright red flowers. There must be 100 of them scattered about!

I am thinking...about my Mom and how she's doing after having foot surgery last Friday. She's an amazing athlete and a woman who never sits still for a moment. I'm sure the 3 weeks of prescribed bed rest is going to be very tough for her.

I am thankful for...good friends and the great conversations that are generated during get-togethers (gee, could I cram more words into that sentence that begin with 'g'?)

From the kitchen...hot cocoa with mini-marshmallows (yes, even in July's heat), blueberry and strawberry smoothies for breakfast, chicken salad sandwiches for lunch, and taco potatoes with a side salad for dinner.

I am wearing...white tank top, black cargo pants, no shoes. My hair up and out of my way so I can hit the piles and stacks and full laundry baskets this morning.

I am creating...new lightweight pants for my children to protect their pale Irish skin from the harsh sun and the nasty mosquitoes gathering in our yard, thanks to the wet summer we've had.

I am going...to the library this afternoon. It's been too long since we've had new books to sift through and snuggle up with around here. The kids love to snuggle on the couch under the blankets to read with me, even in the summertime. *Ugh* Why the heat doesn't seem to bother the little ones like it does grown-ups, I'll never understand.

I am reading...still working my way through Heaven on Earth, taking some cues from the book and trying to come up with a new rhythm for our days.

I am hoping...to lessen my husband's stress level by doing some little things this week that I think he would appreciate: making some of his favorite snacks, keeping the kitchen clutter to a bare minimum, and maybe even encouraging him to go do his own thing when he gets home from work (instead of promptly handing the kids over to him so that I can have some "me time").

I am hearing...Rascal pushing Roo's doll stroller down the hall. The air conditioner just kicked on. "Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole on the radio (that song, by the way, was the Daddy/Daughter song we danced to on my wedding day. A fun memory to recall this morning!).

Around the house...it's Monday, so that means clean sheets on the beds to start the week. I also have to mix up a new batch of homemade cleaning solutions.

One of my favorite things...Lately, Roo will say to me at random moments during the day: "Mommy, do you know how much I love you? Let me tell you: I love you and love you and love you and love you and...it just keeps going on and on...and on!" Oh, how I love that child!

A few plans for the rest of the week...My sister and her son are coming over to play tomorrow. I have big plans for sewing (I always have big plans for this, but seem to always fall short of completing said plans!). Continue house-hunting, the novelty for which is wearing off fast. I just want us to find the right house for our family soon or shelve the whole idea for now and make the best of where we are currently.

A picture thought I am sharing...Mommy's Little Helper scrubbing potatoes for tonight's dinner. I love that she's at the age when her "help" really is helpful to me! I didn't have to go back and re-scrub any of those potatoes. Now if we could just fine-tune her mopping and dish-washing skills... Only kidding, of course. I need her to learn to vacuum and cook meals first. :)

Be sure to swing by Peggy's place to read more Simple Woman Daybooks or to add your own!

The Story Behind the Book

I'm going to be honest and admit that I'm not a Shel Silverstein fan. If anyone out there reading this is a fan, I certainly don't mean to offend. The above book, The Giving Tree, is the only book by Silverstein in our possession. And my second admission: I used to frequently hide it under our pile of books, hoping my daughter wouldn't see it and bring it to me to read. Eventually, I put it completely out of her reach. I was thinking of saving it for a day when my children are older and we can talk about the book and its varied messages. However, she asked me where it was on several occasions. So, reluctantly, I brought the book out again and put it in our book box. It's now back in the regular rotation. *sigh*

So I suppose you might be wondering why I even have the book in the first place. Well, the truth is that this book and I have a little history together. And maybe I'm holding onto the book as a way of holding on to the memory.

Not too long ago, Roo handed "The Giving Tree" to me and asked me to read it -- again. Dutifully, I did so. When I had finished, she asked me where the book came from. Did we buy it? Did we get it as a gift? And I told her this story:

When I was in third grade, I entered a creative writing contest. I wrote an entry for the short story division and another one for the poetry division. I loved to write and my parents encouraged me to submit my work and see what happened. I remember not wanting to do it. My writing was, to me, private. Even at that age, I felt a bit exposed and vulnerable sharing my thoughts and ideas with "the world." Kind of the way I feel about blogging!

But I recall my Mom telling me that sharing my writing is like sharing a gift, and I should be proud that God makes it possible for me to put my ideas into words on paper. Such a "mom" thing to say, isn't it?

Quite unbelievably, I won for my short story and my poem. There was a big ceremony downtown in a large conference hall. You know the ones, with the stadium seating and a tiny little stage/platform down at the bottom? I should probably clarify here that I wasn't the only person being honored that day. That would be something, wouldn't it? All that fanfare for little old me?! :) No, I only represented the children's division. I remember seeing big kids (junior high and high school) there for their respective awards too.

Anyway, the day is as clear in my mind as if it happened just yesterday. I was wearing a turquoise blue dress with a white lace collar and a fake pink rosebud at the neckline. I had on white tights and white patent leather shoes. My mom had set my hair in rags (does anyone remember the rag curls from way back when?) the night before.

I was sitting there in the stadium, on the aisle. I was vacillating between nervous excitement and nausea. I hated being the center of attention (unless at home, however. I worked hard at being the center of attention at home, as my parents and my sister will attest). Being noticed in public was something I always avoided. As I sat there listening to the speaker, my mind drifted off....Why did I enter this contest? Why did I have to win? No one said anything about this ceremony when I entered the contest. If I had known I'd have to accept my award in front of all these people, I wouldn't have come. What if I trip and tumble down all these stairs to the bottom? What if I have to say something? What/why/how... etc. etc. Ah yes, leave it to me, even in the third grade, to suck the joy out of a situation by worrying excessively. Some things never change.

The speaker finished her speech by reading aloud a children's book clad in a green cover. Any guesses? Yes, it was "The Giving Tree." When she had finished reading the book, she called my name and invited me to come down to the stage. She shook my hand, congratulated me, and handed me a blue ribbon, a certificate, and "The Giving Tree." I managed to squeak out a "thank you" before hightailing it to my seat. And I didn't even trip.

So, that very same book, handed to me many years ago, still resides in this house. Why it resonates with my young daughter, I don't know. Maybe she likes it because she likes trees. Maybe it's the simple line drawings. Or maybe it's because she knows there's a story behind the book. Lately, she's very interested in hearing tales about my own childhood. Sometimes the best stories don't come from books, but from bits and pieces of our past, shared with the little people of our future. It helps my daughter get to know me better as a person, not just as her Mommy. She gets a kick out of the idea that Mommy used to be a little girl too. It's opened up a whole new dialogue between us that is so exciting and fun. And she's in for a treat -- I have no shortage of stories waiting for an eager audience (my dear husband will be so relieved, as my chattering will now be divided among several sets of ears!).