Showing newest posts with label kids. Show older posts
Showing newest posts with label kids. Show older posts

Dec 7, 2009

And we woke up to... snow!

Where we are in California, it never snows. So you can imagine how excited my kids were when they looked out the window this morning and saw the top of the swing set...



It wasn't much; just a dusting...



But it was enough for a snowball or two...



And a whole lot of smiles. :)

I hope you all have a great day! Mike and I are heading to SF, but I'll be back around here soon, with pictures of the book launch and signing. If you're in the Bay Area, I hope you'll stop by and say hi! (details here)

Talk soon,

Nov 23, 2009

And the whole crazy scene sort of reminded me of the time I woke up to crickets all over the house...

I'm telling you, the pet adventures around here never end.

Just this morning, my daughter called me up to her room saying her fish Carl had died. I got the net, scooped him out of the tank, and put him in the toilet.

I was just about to flush when she screamed,

"Wait! He's still breathing!"

Sure enough, even though he looked dead, his gills were still moving. Barely.

It wasn't easy getting him out.

It turned out to be quite the scene, actually--me leaning over the toilet stirring the water with the net to create a current so Carl would hopefully get swished back up to where I could scoop him, my daughter standing over one shoulder screaming, "Poor Carl!" and my son standing over the other shoulder shouting, "Get him, Mom! Get him! You have to save him!"

It took twenty minutes (I was not reaching my hands in there), but we finally got him out.

And the whole crazy scene sort of reminded me of the time I woke up to crickets all over the house...

----------


A Cricket or Two. Or Thirty

You’d think the mice were enough.

But somehow our kids came home from Grandma and Grandpa’s house with frogs.

It was my fault, actually.

I said they could.

However, I distinctly remember saying they could bring two.

They brought six.

I could’ve intervened, I know. But when I saw how tiny the frogs were, I figured, two or six--what’s the difference? They’re actually pretty cute.



Besides, it’s not the frogs that are the problem.

It’s the crickets.

A couple of days ago, Mike woke me up with a gentle shake and a…

“Gen, I’m so sorry, I have a meeting I can’t be late for and I just noticed there are crickets all over the house.”

Crickets?

Not exactly the sweet cup of coffee he brings upstairs most mornings. It took me a second to understand what he was saying.

See, we’d bought this thing for the frogs called the Bug Box.



It’s a whole little cricket ecosystem, all in one box. Tasty, plump morsels that stay fresh, too. And when it’s time to feed the frogs, you just open the little trap door on the side of the box, shake a cricket out, then close the door. Or at least that's what I did.

I even taped over it for good measure.

Apparently, crickets eat tape.




And after they escaped through the hole, they proceeded to gallivant around our kitchen. And our living room. And our dining room.





The picture doesn’t do the scene justice. This just happens to be the only cricket that would stop hopping long enough for me to get a shot.

I don’t know how many crickets come inside those Bug Boxes, but let me just say there was a great turnout at the cricket party at our house that morning.

The nice, little 6 a.m. cricket party.

There I was, on my hands and knees (without coffee, I might add), chasing crickets around with a paper towel and tossing them into the frog cage. Except for the crickets that were a little too fast or a little too big.

Those I might’ve pinched a little too hard.

At least the frogs were happy, though.

Even if I wasn’t.

Until I had my coffee.

Then I felt better.

Mostly.

Because, still, all that day and the next, we found crickets around the house. Running along the baseboards, lurking in the corners, hopping across the carpet.

And, call me weird, but that gave me the willies more than finding my daughter’s mouse in the laundry basket.

Way more. :)

Nov 22, 2009

Creating a family tradition with the Red Plate...

Welcome to Mom-Monday! I'm glad you're here.

With the holidays around the corner, I've been thinking about traditions.

Whether it's making Christmas cookies every year with my kids, drinking hot chocolate while we decorate the tree, going for late walks in the fog to look at Christmas lights, or letting the kids open a present the week before Christmas, I love doing things that make our family our family.

Things that we look forward to every year.

Which is why I'm posting this again from my archives.

If you don't have a Red Plate, I highly recommend getting one (or something like it). It's an easy way to start a family tradition that is meaningful and lasting...


______


Years ago, my mother-in-law gave us this beautiful red plate as a gift.


Apparently, among some early American families, when someone deserved special acknowledgement, it was tradition to serve them dinner on The Red Plate.

I loved the idea and, right away, Mike and I started using the plate for birthdays.

Then one time I decided to set it out when he got a promotion so we could celebrate.

And on Father’s Day.

And on our anniversary.

When our kids were no longer babies, we started using The Red Plate for them too… for birthdays...preschool graduations...the first day of school.

This year, on Mike’s birthday, the kids and I surprised him and set his place for breakfast before he came downstairs.

My daughter got a nice placemat, my son climbed up on the counter and got one of our fancy water glasses , and I set out the good silverware.

“Get The Red Plate, Mommy!” they reminded me.

They were excited.

Because, for them, the plate doesn’t just represent something to eat on. It represents tradition.

And making someone feel special.

And family memories.

We even have two Red Plates now--one for our son, and one for our daughter.

So that, many years from now, when our kids move out, I’ll be able to pack those plates up, wrap them securely in tissue, and send one off with each of them.

And when I do, I’ll probably cry, remembering all the times we’ve used the plates, and all the memories they represent.

But mostly, I think I’ll be happy, thinking about the day my kids might decide to unwrap the tissue and start building family traditions of their own. :)

________



What about you? Do you have a fun tradition in your family? I’d love to hear about it!



If you haven't already, leave your URL in the link list below so other moms can stop by your site. Just a simple way for moms to come alongside other moms.

Nov 17, 2009

And the next thing I knew, we were driving home with him in the back seat...

Remember how I didn't think I'd be able to tell my daughter no to adopting a kitten because she's been working so hard to save her money for one?

Well, I couldn't.

Meet Charlie...





When my daughter and I went to the SPCA a few days ago, just to look, we saw him in the front lobby...



with a sign on his cage that said, "Ready to go home."

And the next thing I knew, we were driving home with that little guy in the back seat, my daughter crying and laughing at the same time because she was so happy.

She paid for everything herself, even down to the food and the litter box.

$81.00 that she'd saved.

It was precious, and I loved seeing her reap the rewards of her hard work.

I have to admit, I'm actually glad now that she came up with the idea.

Because this little guy is growing on me.

When he's not helping me revise my novel,



he's doing a good job keeping me company...



And why would I want to say no to that? :)

For more "Wordful" or "Wordless" Wednesday photos, stop by Angie's Seven Clown Circus or 5MinutesforMom.

Talk soon,

Nov 12, 2009

Casts, cats, and making a difference...




1. Happy Friday, everyone! I hope you've had a great week! My daughter got her cast off recently...

She cracked me up when, on the way to the doctor's, she said, "I can't wait to see what's inside my cast, Mom! I ate a donut today and I just know I got some sprinkles in there!" Yikes.


2. Exciting news! The book I told you about is out. You can read more about it here and check out the book tour schedule here! Super fun stuff. I can't wait!


3. On a serious note, stop by Val's site to read about a five-year-old boy with cancer and help make a difference by sending him a Christmas card. This story seriously tugged at my heart, and I was so proud of my kids for making cards for Noah after I told them about him.


I hope you'll join us in reaching out to this boy and his family. (The address and more information is over at Val's site.)


4. Along the lines of making a difference, do you want your kids to have a better understanding of the hunger and hardship that so many children around the world face every day? Check out Compassion's Web site for kids. It looks like a great tool and a neat way to help kids see how they can make a difference.


5. If you haven't before, be sure to stop by my friend Stephanie's (Metropolitan Mama) site. She does the Tuesday Tours, which is a great way to find out what's happening on the Web, and she's recently written an e-book. I'll be telling you more about her and her book this coming Mom-Monday, but in the meantime, pop on over there and say hi.

6. If you have a minute, stop by Kathy's site too for her Fessing Up Fridays. Looks like fun!

7. Last, remember when I told you how we lost our cat Chester and how my daughter made a box to save money for a new kitten? Well, yesterday she had a bake sale to raise money for her cause. I was really proud of her. She came up with the idea, baked the brownies, and set everything up herself (and this time, there was no kitchen disaster).





When she first started the whole, "I'm saving my money to buy a kitten," thing, I wasn't sure about it, but how can I say no when she's working so hard? She even asked me to take her to Target to look at prices for cat food and litter. Which I did. And which I'll be writing about soon because it was one of those mom-moments that really had an impact on me. :)

Have a great weekend, everyone. I'll see you back here for Mom-Monday!
For more 7 Quick Takes, be sure and stop by Jennifer's Conversion Diary.

Nov 10, 2009

Over the river and through the woods, to Grandma and Grandpa's house...

We went to visit my mom and dad a couple weeks ago and had a great time.

It really is over the river and through the woods to their house. And there are so many fun things for the kids to do, like play in the tree fort...



ride the zip line my dad set up (that swings the kids into the branches at the bottom--they love it)...



relax in the hammock...

and swing on the swings...


Mike had fun with my dad, working hard to make ice cream on the bicycle powered ice cream maker...


and my mom and I had fun talking and catching up...


(Isn't she beautiful?)

It was a great weekend and we're already looking forward to going back!
For more "Wordful" or "Wordless" Wednesday photos, stop by Angie's Seven Clown Circus or 5MinutesforMom.

Talk soon, :)

Nov 5, 2009

8 Great Tricks for Parenting Toddlers...

Ah, toddlerhood! It's a time when kids test boundaries, and test their parents in the process. So how do moms and dads survive? Find some practical tips in my article over at Sacramento Parent Magazine.

I hope you have a great weekend, everyone!

See you back here for Mom-Monday!

Nov 1, 2009

What moms are saying...

Welcome to Mom-Monday. I'm glad you're here!

I'm working on a future post, and I wanted to use this Mom-Monday to get your input.

If you have a minute, I'd love it if you'd leave a comment and finish any (or all) of these sentences:


The best part about being a mom is...


The hardest thing about being a mom is...


Being a mom today is...


I'm looking forward to reading your responses. (If I end up using yours, I'll be sure to list your name and link to you if you have a blog.)

And if you haven't already, leave your URL in the link list below so other moms can stop by your site. :) Happy Monday, everyone!

Oct 28, 2009

The World-Record corn maze, and a fun lunch with friends...

Welcome to Talkin' About Thursdays! Today we're talking about Fall get-togethers...



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Every year, we go to the same pumpkin patch--Bishop's Pumpkin Farm. We've been going there since the kids were about three and it's become sort of a tradition for us.

And even though I'm big on tradition, I thought it might be fun to do something different this year. You know, mix things up and be a little spontaneous.

So, on our way home from visiting one of my best friends near San Francisco, we stopped at a pumpkin patch we'd never been to. We never even knew about it until we saw the signs off the freeway.

As we drove, I could tell the kids weren't sure about the whole thing. We followed the signs, listening to them groan in the backseat about how, "this pumpkin patch doesn't look the same as Bishop's," and, "what if it's not as much fun?"

"It'll be fun," I promised. "It's good to try new things."

And when they saw this sign, they perked up a bit...



because it's not every day you get to visit a pumpkin patch that's been in the Guinness Book of World Records, right?

It turns out the maze was huge...



You can't see it very well in the picture, but at the top of the corn field is a green bridge. Just to give you an idea of how big this maze was, there were four bridges like that, all spaced about the same distance apart.

You enter the maze through one bridge, navigate your way (using a map that you get at the beginning) to the next bridge, then the next, and the next, until you find your way out.

Well, that's how it's supposed to work, anyway.

I should've known when we going into the maze and saw a boy talking on a cell phone trying to explain to someone on the other line how to get out, that this was going to be a challenge.

But about twenty minutes into it, when my daughter the map-keeper, "sort of lost track," of where we were, I started to realize what we were up against. And I started to think that we might be in that maze for hours.

Maybe even days.

As we wandered around, it felt like we were going in circles.

In fact, I'm pretty sure we were.

But apparently, I was the only one who was concerned.

The kids were having a ball, running back and forth, guessing which way to go. And Mike's so easygoing that he just took up the rear and went with the flow.

I was (beyond) relieved when a family (who looked like they knew where they were going) came up the path.

"Follow them," I said, walking faster.

"You can't follow them," my daughter said. "That's like cheating!"

Fast forward a half-hour...

in which I tried to follow the people in front us without looking like I was trying to follow the people in front of us, and in which the kids got mad at me because, "you're going too fast, Mom," and in which I became more and more convinced that we were going to spend forever in that maze...

and we finally found the first bridge.

There were a bunch of people on it sharing maps, discussing strategy, and copying notes on which way to go...

and it became very clear that the maze quite possibly was an all-day event.

While I was proud of my kids for wanting to go all the way to the end no matter how long it took, the fact was we still had the drive home, and we hadn't planned for a corn maze of this...ahem... magnitude.

Mike and I explained to the kids that if we wanted to be able to explore the rest of the pumpkin patch, we had to turn back.

Needless to say, they were disappointed that they didn't get to finish the maze (you should've seen some of the pictures I took after that, both of them grumpy and frowning). But even though our effort at spontaneity was sort of a flop, the day was gorgeous, the kids got to see some pretty big pumpkins,


and we promised them that, next year, we'll go to Bishop's. :)

On a more positive note, I had some friends over for a Fall luncheon not too long ago and we had so much fun.

We talked,

and had lunch...





and so much fun catching up that we lost track of time (we've known each other forever and hadn't seen each other in a while).

We took a couple pictures too. Here's one of me with my friend Nicole...



And here's another one with Nicole, and my other friend Jen. (The picture's blurry, but I had to share it anyway because Jen's little girl took it and we made her take at least ten shots to try to get one that worked. This one came the closest.)



So here's to Fall get-togethers, everyone! In spite of corn maze detours and blurry photos, time with family and friends is always a good thing!

Want to join the conversation? Write your own Fall Get-Together post, link back here (you can copy my button at the top of this post if you want), then come back and enter the URL in the link list.

Don't forget to read and comment on each other's posts, too. I look forward to hearing what you've been up to!

Here's the schedule for next month's Talkin' About Thursdays:

November 5th - Your favorite place to relax. Is it a quiet corner in your house? The shore? A spa? If you haven't had any relaxation lately, go get some, then post about it!

November 12th - Your favorite vacation. Where do you love to go? Do you have pictures from the last time you were there? What do you do while on vacation?

November 19th - A good read. What's a great book you've read lately?

November 26th - off for Thanksgiving (but be sure to take pictures because on Dec. 3rd, we'll be talking about what we did for Thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to seeing how you celebrate.)

Talk soon!


Oct 25, 2009

And then you realize they are pedaling on their own...

Welcome to Mom-Monday! I'm glad you're here.

We try to say prayers as a family every night. It's part of our bedtime routine with the kids and I love the time together--the four of us in either my son or daughter's room, usually on the floor, the lights out, and the craziness of the day settled, for the moment.

I love hearing the things my kids pray for and the way it gives me a glimpse into their hearts.

And I've realized something lately.

Praying with them has helped them to learn to pray on their own.

The other night, after the kids had gone to bed, my daughter came back downstairs to get a glass of water.

After she filled her glass, she walked over to me and gave me a hug.

She held on for a little while.

And before she let go, she whispered,

"Dear Lord, Thank you for Mommy and Daddy and my brother."

It was one of those mom-moments where you're caught off-guard in the sweetest way.

And it was such a neat thing to see something we do regularly with our kids become something my daughter did on her own.

Her youth pastor talked about this in a parent meeting not too long ago. He gave an analogy that I loved, saying that raising a child is a lot like teaching them to ride a bike. For a while you run behind them, pushing them and holding on tight.

And at some point, you start to let go.

Slowly.

Tentatively.

You might even run beside them, your hands on the handlebars or the back of the seat, just in case, hoping they'll remember what you've taught them about balance, and putting on the breaks, and watching where they're going.

And then...

you realize they are pedaling on their own.

Sure, they'll fall every now and then.

And you'll need to be there to dust them off and maybe kiss a scraped elbow or two.

But it's an awesome feeling to see them ride.

Whether it's something like praying on their own, cleaning up after themselves, or reaching out to others, it's rewarding when you see the things you're trying to pass on to your kids become part of who they are and what they do.

It's heart-warming to see them care about others and their world, not because you tell them to, but because they really care.

And it's a beautiful thing to have your ten-year-old daughter whisper prayers of thanks in your ear. :)


What about you? Are you seeing your kids start to pedal on their own too?

If you haven't already, leave your URL in the link list below so other moms can stop by your site. :)

Oct 20, 2009

Flies and fly traps and my son's apparent fascination with them...

My son loves pets. All kinds--snails, frogs, mice, and even pet eggs that you, "have to keep in the fridge because it's cold and that's where they like to sleep."

Unfortunately, he likes pet flies too.

A while ago, he caught what he called, "a cute little fruit fly," and made a home for it (in one of my food storage containers), complete with sugar water and a pile of animal circus cookies, "in case he gets hungry."





Fortunately, the fly didn't last long.

But that didn't stop my son from looking for another pet.

A couple weeks ago, I came downstairs to find him in the kitchen, and this on the center island:





(Notice the glue on the counter.)

When I asked him what he was doing, he said, "I'm making a fly catcher, so I can save them instead of swatting them."





I explained that, in fact, I didn't want him catching and saving flies.

At all.

Ever again. (And then I had him clean the counter.)

But the no-fly rule was harder to enforce than I thought.

Because when I looked up at the fruit bowl...





I realized it had a big clump of tape in it--sticky-side-up--waiting for the next unsuspecting "pet" to land.

And the tape wasn't just on the bowl, either. He'd posted little fly-traps all around the kitchen--the fridge, the dishwasher, even along the edges of the counter.

"Those are so when they land, I can catch them without hurting them," he explained.

I guess I should look on the bright side and appreciate the fact that he has such a sweet heart and doesn't want to hurt even a fly. But I will tell you that Mike and I are starting to think getting a dog might be a good idea. :)

For more "Wordful" or "Wordless" Wednesday photos, stop by Angie's Seven Clown Circus or 5MinutesforMom.

Oct 11, 2009

What being a mom means...

Welcome to Mom-Monday. I'm glad you're here!

Being a mom means a lot of things...

It means a million mismatched socks in the laundry basket.



And the lid off the toothpaste.

It means trails of clothes down the hallway.

And pets,


more pets,


and even frogs and crickets in the house.

It means fingerprints on the walls--right by the front door.



And running the dishwasher every day. At least once.

It means driving around with pictures on your car window.



And goldfish crackers and baby wipes (and apparently more socks) in the back seat.


It means a trunk full of first aid supplies and folding chairs for soccer games.

And an endless pile of shoes by the garage door.



But...

It also means going to the park and swinging on the swings for the first time since you were a kid.

And shopping for tiny shoes that are so cute you can barely stand it.

It means trips to the library and hours of reading books.

And going to places like Disneyland.

It means watching Finding Nemo and Charlotte's Web and Charlie Brown specials.

And rediscovering who you are by remembering who you were as a child before the ups and downs of life changed you.

But mostly,

being a mom means...

sweet hugs,

and butterfly kisses,

and a love that's so big you can't even begin to describe it with words. :)

What about you? What does being a mom mean to you?

If you haven't already, leave your URL in the link list below, so other moms can stop by your site and say hi on Mom-Mondays. It's a simple way for moms to come alongside other moms!

Sep 27, 2009

Five Ways to Get Your Kids Exercising

Welcome to Mom-Monday! I'm glad you're here.

As moms, we want to do whatever we can to give our kids an opportunity to have a healthy, productive life. We save for their college educations. We take them for regular doctor appointments. We try to make sure they eat the right foods.

But what about exercise? Is it part of our kids’ daily lives?
Not only are kids who exercise regularly less likely to become overweight, they also have less of a risk of developing type 2 diabetes and have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels than kids who are inactive. In addition, studies show that they sleep better and handle physical and emotional stress more easily.

And here’s a key thing for us moms to consider: the exercise habits our kids form when they are young will likely be the ones they’ll carry with them into adulthood.

So how can we help our kids to get moving?

1. Limit TV. Any mom knows that TV can make kids sluggish and cranky. So turn the screen off. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, kids under the age of 6 watch an average of 2 hours of TV a day, while kids and teens from 8 – 18 years spend almost 4 hours a day watching TV and almost 2 additional hours playing video games or spending time on the computer. Set limits on the amount of TV time allowed in your house. Find what works for your family and create a schedule for no TV on weekdays or weekends. The time freed up will open doors for other activities and a change of scenery can go a long way in turning that sluggishness around.


2. Get up and out. If your kids are young, be intentional about taking them outside regularly. Take advantage of local parks and nature trails. Climbing on a play set and swinging from the monkey bars can be great exercise for young kids. If yours are older, plan a hike and have them invite a friend. Or get them a new football or Frisbee and toss the first throw. Find out what sports or activities your kids enjoy and sign them up. Look into your city's Parks and Recreation department and see what classes or teams are offered. Have your kids try a variety of activities until they find one or two that they love.


3. Drive less. Is your kids’ school within walking distance? What about their friend’s houses? If you have young children, walk with them instead of driving. Leave the stroller at home, and leave the house early so you have time to stop and let them look at bugs or smell the flowers without being late. If your kids are older, add something they might consider fun. Walk to the movie rental store and let them pick out the movie or video game. Ride bikes to soccer practice and have them lead the way. They may not be enthused about the idea at first, but your example can be contagious. And it’s good for the environment too.


4. Make it fun. Create opportunities for exercise to be fun. Come up with a contest and join in. Who can do the most pushups in a minute? Who can swim the fastest lap in the pool? Race your kids to the mailbox. Or have them race each other. My kids love it when I judge their cannon balls, rating them from 1 to 10. They’ll keep jumping in and out of the pool until I tell them to stop. When kids are focused on a goal or trying to win, especially if they’re trying to beat their parents, exercise can be twice as fun.


5. Set an example. Maybe the most important thing we moms can do to encourage our kids to be active is to be active in our own lives. Make exercise a priority, even if you can only fit a ten minute walk or a thirty minute exercise video into your day. It will go a long way in reducing the stress that often comes with parenting. And don’t go overboard or burn yourself out. Our kids pick up on our attitudes, so simply make exercise a positive part of your routine. Invite your kids to go bike riding or play tennis. Bring them to the gym with you. Go for an evening walk. Kids learn more from what we do than what we say, and a child who grows up seeing his or her mom or dad living actively will most likely follow in those footsteps.

Or should I say running shoes?


______


**I recently wrote the article above for a magazine and soon after, saw a post over at my friend Kellie's called, "Why Do You Want to be Healthy?" In it, she shared some of her personal reasons and I wanted to share a couple of them with you. I think they are a powerful reminder of the opportunity we as parents have to give our kids a positive example of health.

"Health is responsibility. My mother died at age 59 – far too early for my taste. She lived a life of ill-health, most of which was by her choice. I choose life. I choose responsibility. I choose my golden days to be spent with my children, grandchildren, and even my great grandchildren.

Health is legacy. The example you by live has an impact on every one around you. Your actions speak to your world, and your DNA is passed along to your offspring. The health footprint you leave is your legacy that will live longer than you will."


So what about you? How do you fit exercise into your busy day, or what are the challenges you've faced in trying to do this? What are some of your kids' favorite activities? Do you have best practices you can share with other moms? I look forward to hearing your tips and thoughts. :)

If you haven't already, leave your URL in the link list below, so other moms can stop by your site and say hi on Mom-Mondays. It's a simple way for moms to come alongside other moms!


Sep 15, 2009

The not-so-mini disaster

We had a neighborhood party in our court on Labor Day.

I decided to bring cupcakes and brownies.

And my daughter decided it would be helpful to surprise me and make them ahead of time--while I was upstairs getting ready.

Remember the mini-disaster I told you about when my kids baked cookies a couple weeks ago?

Well, this one was not-so-mini.

I came downstairs to find her working happily in the kitchen, three different bowls of ingredients going on at once, and five (FIVE) boxes of cake and brownie mix open.



She even had the cupcakes ready to go in the oven...



It was one of those moments where you walk in the room and it takes you a minute to realize what's happening.

And once I did realize, I had to take be careful about my reaction. "What are you doing?" I asked, trying to sound...ahem...pleased.

"I'm helping you!" she said proudly.

Even though it took a while to clean the kitchen, and we had to throw one batch of brownies out (the one in the clear bowl in the first picture) because it had a tad too much water in it, the rest of the desserts turned out great.

And it's the thought that counts, anyway.

Right? :)

For more "Wordful" or "Wordless" Wednesday photos, stop by Angie's Seven Clown Circus or 5MinutesforMom.

Talk soon,

Sep 8, 2009

Paintings, Popsicle Sticks, and Shoes...

Whenever my ten-year-old daughter can grab a minute to paint...



or design paper outfits (that she hangs on the canopy of her bed)...


or create scenes out of popsicle sticks...



she does.

And remember how I told you she's saving money to get her own kitten? She recently decorated a box for that too...



But I think my favorite project of hers this week was the shoes...



She colored her tennis shoes with Sharpies and even had her friends sign them later in the week. (I think she might actually start a new trend...)

I love how she looks at ordinary things and sees possibility.

I love watching her smile when she gets inspired to create, paint, or color.

And watching her inspires me. :)


For more "Wordful" or "Wordless" Wednesday photos, stop by Angie's Seven Clown Circus or 5MinutesforMom.

Talk soon,

Related Posts with Thumbnails
MyCup2Yours and articles posted copyright Genny Heikka.