Connecting Family and Seoul

A Summer Full of Nature and Play

2013-05-21T14:11:00.000-04:00

We've been waiting for summer. Wishing it into existence. This winter was long and bitterly cold. Hindering even. As soon as the warm weather began to break, we shed our coats and scarves, bound outside with enthusiasm, and gladly enjoyed the warmth almost every day since it arrived.

For us, summer is freeing. Being surrounded in the beauty of nature is not only comforting, but it breathes energy into our bodies and allows us the freedom to explore and become more playful. That's what summer is all about. Playing.

Playing with your family. Playfully enjoying the fresh fruits and vegetables from the Farmer's Market picnic-style in the backyard. Soaking up every playful moment from the time the sun begins to shine until the last flicker of a lightning bug signals the end of the day.

As we get deeper into the depths of summer, all of us could use a bit of help keeping our children active and the entire family connected with each other. If making the most out of this summer is one of your intentions for the season, I am excited to share with your two wonderful opportunities that I am honored to be a part of.

At-Home Summer Nature Camp

The first is for all you nature lovers out there! The Natural Nester has created an amazing At-Home Summer Nature Camp eCurriculum! In this curriculum, you will receive 8 weeks of kid-friendly lessons, outdoor activities, indoor projects, arts & crafts, recipes, field trip ideas, book & media suggestions, and more in a full-color PDF file that you can read on your computer screen or tablet, or print out!

There are 8 weekly themes that your children will be encouraged to explore with you, along with 2 bonus projects that can be completed at any time throughout the summer.

An Edible Garden ~ The Night Sky ~ At the Beach

A Spot in the Shade ~ Ponds & Frogs

Rain, Rain ~ Wildflowers & Bees ~ Sun Fun

To learn more about the ecurriculum or to download instantly, click here. (affiliate link)

The Playful Family Adventure

The second adventure for the season is brought to you by Shawn at Awesomely Awake as she continues to "inspire families to find their happy place." Starting on Monday, June 24th, Shawn is daring you to begin the ultimate family adventure in your own backyard. Her 4-week summer e-course simply encompasses joy.

If you sign up to become part of this family challenge you will be sure to find:

Emails filled with inspiration to remind you to slow down, let go and remind you to stay open to your playful spirit (it’s in there, I promise!)
Low-key but classic family fun ideas that won’t cost a ton of time or money — and won’t send you all over the earth searching for a good time.
Practical tips for implementing Playful daily routines — whether you work or stay home.
Live videos!
Easy recipes, traditions and rituals you can implement at any moment.
Creative challenges (playful dares) to encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and play — even when you are most reluctant.
A list of Awesomely Awake tools for being productive, efficient while still having fun, being creative and being playful.
A Facebook group of like-minded Mamas trying to live a happier, more playful life just like you!

To take part in Awesomely Awake's Playful Family Adventure

(or to learn more) simply click here. (affiliate link)

Go ahead....join us as we start our playful journey as well!!

Thank you so much for stopping by! If you enjoyed this post, please join us on Facebook. You can even explore our boards on Pinterest if you are looking for more ways to foster family connections through play and inspiration.

7 Simple Ideas for Creating Memorable Moments Outside {Days 190-196}

2013-05-06T18:54:00.000-04:00

We used crushed strawberries (that were past their prime) today!

Take a nature walk around your yard and stick any type of leaves or flowers that you can find onto a layer of contact paper. Cover with another piece to seal your collage!

Gather some items from your indoor kitchen play space and enjoy them outdoors for a change!

To find more ideas for creating memorable moments outside, please stop by our Outdoor Culture page.

Thank you so much for stopping by! If you enjoyed this post, please join us on Facebook. You can even explore our boards on Pinterest if you are looking for more ways to foster family connections through play and inspiration.

A Summer of Light, Laughter, and Peace

2013-04-21T21:30:00.002-04:00

"Pausing to listen to an airplane in the sky, stooping to watch a ladybug on a plant, sitting on a rock to watch the waves crash over the quayside - children have their own agendas and timescales. As they find out more about their world and their place in it, they work hard not to let adults hurry them. We need to hear their voices." ~Cathy Nutbrown

As the days begin to get longer and the temperatures start to warm , I've decided to follow my son's "agenda and timescale." Over the next couple of months it will be very quiet here on the blog. Instead of sharing practically each and every activity that we do, we will be taking a page out of Ralph Waldo Emerson's book and pledging to "Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience."

Instead of creating a long Summer Bucket List like we did last year, we will be taking it one day at a time, patiently and gratefully. We will be enjoying the day as it unfolds; without hurrying, without creating overwhelming expectations. Just living in the present for each other. Since this is our first summer in our new home, we are looking forward to creating a summer haven to enjoy together, as a family. We may not have a long list with activities that are just waiting to be crossed off one by one, but we will have a few ideas that will make this summer special. Many of them include exploring, walking together side by side, picnicking in the grass, playing, laughing, and just having fun.

I can't wait to see what this summer will bring. Although I won't be sharing too much on the blog, you are still welcome to follow along during our summer vacation through the (many) pictures I will be sharing on Instagram and the various updates given on Facebook.

Wishing you all a summer filled with moments of light, laughter, and peace!

8 Essential Board Books for Toddlers for Your Home Library

2013-04-14T21:57:00.001-04:00

Board books have become somewhat of a necessity during our daily (and evening) routine. Now that the weather is getting warmer, I look forward to gathering up a bunch and taking them outside to share on a blanket under a tree. Erica, from What Do We Do All Day? has put together a wonderful list of Essential Board Books for Toddlers that I know you will love! After you've read over the list, be sure to drop by Erica's blog for some more inspiration. Not only do I enjoy browsing through her amazing books list like, Haiku Poetry Books for Kids, but I always find awesome bird-watching activities since she has a bird lover in the family, too! Making and Keeping a Hobby Book and What's in the Field Bags? are two of my favorites!!

Reading to toddlers is one of the best ways to connect with them on a meaningful level. Kids love to snuggle up and hear their parents voices telling stories. My kids are well-passed the toddler age, but but we still enjoy our snuggle-reading time! These eight books were big hits with them when they were younger (and still are, actually!) and I'm so pleased to be able to share them with readers of Connecting Family and Seoul.

Board books are great to have on hand in every home library. Their sturdy construction will stand up to lots of abuse and the benefit is that parents need not worry about their kids handling books and ripping pages in enthusiastic response to a story. I've chosen board books for this list with engaging, exuberant text. I know you and your kids will love them. Happy Reading!

Trains Go. Toddlers love things that go and hearing their parents make silly sound effects. Trains Go is the perfect combination of the two! If you need a break from Donald Crews' classic book, Freight Train, this colorful board book is a great choice.

Orange Pear Apple Bear. Emily Gravett is one of my favorite author-illustrators and she really hits the mark with this deceptively simple book using only 5 words. Kids will love to see how the arrangement of the words affects the items in the pictures.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt. This is a classic book every parent should read with their child. Kids will love making the sound effects that accompany the family as they traverse different landscapes on their journey to find the bear.

But Not the Hippopotamus.Boyton is a classic author who has loads of popular books under her belt. It's so hard to choose a favorite, but I love this one, not just because "hippopotamus" is such a fun word to say but because it celebrates friendship and ends with a clever twist.

Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book. All toddlers love lift-the-flap books and they are great for getting kids interested in books and involved in the storytelling. Dear Zoo keeps kids guessing when the zoo will send the perfect present and they will laugh to see how each animal doesn't quite fit into the box.

I Know a Rhino. For every child who has imagined his beloved toys come to life, swinging rhymes tell the story of the creative ways a young girl engages in pretend play with her stuffed friends.

Good Night, Gorilla. This nearly wordless book has so much going on in every illustration! Kids will love being "in on the joke" as a zookeeper says goodnight to the animals in his care, but the animals follow him to bed instead. Be sure to be on the lookout for the red balloon!

Ten, Nine, Eight. One of the most calming bedtime books ever written. Molly Bang's classic Caldecott honor book counts down backwards as a young girl gets ready for be with her father.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Erica (aka "Mom and Kiddo") is a SAHM to two very rowdy boys who love to read. She blogs at What Do We Do All Day? where she shares a new book list every Monday, like her popular 50+ Chapter Books to Read Aloud to Preschoolers, easy indoor activities that her kids have tested out in their tiny apartment and fun learning ideas for kids. You can connect with her on Facebook, Pinterest or Google+.

Thank you so much for stopping by! If you enjoyed this post, please join us on Facebook. You can even explore our boards on Pinterest if you are looking for more ways to foster family connections through play and inspiration.

{Learning Through Play} e-Books & Resources Sale: $9.99!

2013-04-08T01:00:00.000-04:00

Note: This special offer has now finished. To purchase any of the e-books or resources in this bundle, please visit the original author's blog by clicking through on the links below.

(Brought to you by Melitsa of Raising Playful Tots and Cathy of NurtureStore.) This week, I am joining in, along with some of my favorite bloggers and authors, to share the Spring Learning Through Play special offer that will last for the week of April 8th to April 14th only!!

We have put together a package worth over $130 – but available to you at a very special price – of e-books and resources, all based around Learning Through Play. This Spring Special Offer includes books, resources and an on-line course. This fabulous deal covers sensory play, outdoor play, art and crafts, positive parenting, learning to read and write, math and lots more. There's so much in the bundle it will give you ideas to use with your children all SPRING and SUMMER long. You’ll recognize the authors as the writers of some of your favorite blogs – check out the full details below to see who’s joining in.

The Garden Classroom by Cathy James of NurtureStore. The Garden Classroom brings you fifty-two creative and playful outdoor activities, giving you a whole year’s worth of garden-based projects to enjoy with your children. Value $9.99

ScienceArts by MaryAnn Kohl of Process Art & Treasures of Childhood. ScienceArts inspires children to explore the world of science through art with open-ended experiments. 141 pages of art experiments amaze & delight children as they discover the magic of crystals, light, constellations, plants and more. All scientific reactions and concepts explained. Value $9.99

The Playful Family by Shawn Fink of Awesomely Awake. The Playful Family encourages and challenges busy parents to slow down and spend quality time together with their children, regardless of their age. With nearly 100 ways to connect, engage and play together this easy-to-read e-book is a must-have resource for any parent interested in becoming more playful and happy while raising children. Value $4.99

Connecting Family through Creative Play e-Workshop by Gina Kimmel of Connecting Family & Seoul and Katherine Lockett of Creative Playhouse. Connecting Family through Creative Play is a 30 day e-Workshop designed for families who wish to connect with their children on a daily basis through simple, creative play. These ideas are perfect for parents looking to find a balance between the everyday responsibilities and connecting with your child in meaningful ways that fit into your family’s daily rhythm. You will receive daily messages from us in your inbox with inspirations to play, ideas for connection, and resources to help spark your imagination, including access to a private Facebook community. {Please note this course is running April 29th 2013 to May 28th 2013 only and you must register on the course before May 15th 2013} Value $25

Alphabet Glue: Volumes Nine through Eleven by Annie Riechmann of Bird and Little Bird. Alphabet Glue is a downloadable e-magazine for families who love books, and aims to help more families to incorporate creativity, imagination and all things literary into their everyday routines. Each issue contains leveled book recommendations organized by theme, bookmaking tutorials, story-building activities, and hands-on projects that complement favorite titles in children's literature or teach basic elements of science. Value $11

Alphabet Summer Learning Pack by Erin Wing of Small Types. The Alphabet Summer Learning Pack is a collection of flexible summer learning ideas organized around an "A to Z" theme. Use these resources to prevent the dreaded "summer slide" and build fun learning routines into your summer plans. Ideas are simple and flexible, so families can pick and choose the activities that work for their particular child and schedule. They provide opportunities to practice key literacy and math skills, and they leave plenty of time for lemonade stands and sand castles. Value $7

Pink and Green Mama Crafts: Backyard FUN by MaryLea Harris of Pink and Green Mama. Backyard FUN brings you 13 Art Lessons and Craftivities to create your own Backyard Fun Camp at home or in your classroom with step-by-step instructions, supply lists, and full color photos. The supplies for these fun and easy projects will come from your own art and craft stash, garage, hardware store, and recycling bin! Value $10

Alphabet Crafts by Allison McDonald of No Time For Flash Cards. Alphabet Crafts lets you create the alphabet from A-Z with fun crafts that promote more than just letter recognition. Kids will love making their own alphabet and forget that they are learning in the process. With 5 exclusive crafts never published on No Time For Flash Cards. Value $8

Alphabet Games by Malia Hollowell of Playdough to Plato. The Alphabet Mega Pack includes 12 hands-on games that teach children to recognize the names and sounds of letters - skills that are important for learning how to read. Each activity includes easy to follow parent instructions and helpful photos. The games are addictively fun for kids AND their families! Value $6

Raising a Creative Kid: Simple Strategies for Igniting and Nurturing that Creative Spark by Jillian Riley of A Mom with a Lesson Plan. Raising a Creative Kid will help you raise a creative thinker by simply setting up a creative environment, using intentional language, and nurturing mistakes. This easy read is full tips and tricks that will help you transform your environment into a creativity growth center. Value $7.99

5 minute reading tricks for raising rockstar readers by Amy Mascott of teach mama. Fifteen 5-minute reading tricks that cover everything from teaching names to what parents should say during read-alouds, from learning sight words to reading fluently. It’s about rolling out the red carpet for our rockstar readers. Now. Whomever you are, wherever you are, no matter how busy you are. Value $10

Parenting with Positive Guidance: Building Discipline from the Inside Out by Amanda Morgan of Not Just Cute. Parenting with Positive Guidance gives you the tools for understanding your child’s behavior and effectively teaching and guiding your child toward increased self-control while fostering a healthy parent-child relationship. 100+ pages of information you can start using today! Value $9

Treasure Basket Play by Melitsa Avila of Raising Playful Tots. Treasure Basket Play lets you learn step by step how to make your own natural sensory baby play activity with a Treasure Basket. Includes case studies and interview with a sensory play expert on using Treasure Baskets. Value $8.95

Play Grow Learn Issue 2 by Christie Burnett of Childhood 101. Issue 2 of Play Grow Learn is packed full of playful fun with 55 pages and over 100 activity ideas. Includes ideas for creating family stories with internationally acclaimed author Hazel Edwards, an exclusive full colour, printable sea themed bingo game, 12 pages of active and outdoor play ideas, recipes, art, literacy, creativity, construction, imaginative play, books and more! Value $4

Spring Literacy and Math Activities and Games by Christine Lanyon of Scribble Doodle and Draw. Spring Literacy and Math Activities and Games includes 15 fun learning center ideas. Skills worked on include, addition to 8, patterns, counting to 20, measurement, number sequencing, abc order, writing 3 letter words, rhyming, syllables, compound words and more. Value $8

How to buy and download the bundle

You can buy the bundle on any device, including computer, Apple, Android and portable devices. You’ll get an instant download of the books and resources so you can start enjoying them straight away. The book will be sent to the e-mail address associated with your paypal account. The delivery system gives you 9 attempts at download within 120 hours, so you can buy now and do the download a little later if you prefer.

A note about mobile devices

Depending on the apps you have installed and your operating system you might be able to go ahead and download each book on your mobile device but if you have any doubts or problems, we recommend you use a computer to download the books and then share them to your mobile devices.

So, if you've been thinking about joining us for a Connecting Family through Creative Play workshop, you can do so now and also get all of these amazing e-books and resources for only $9.99!

{Photo Journaling} Sharing a Hobby with your Child

2013-04-04T20:58:00.000-04:00

Play takes many forms. Not only do we enjoy playing with cars, building houses with blocks, and amusing ourselves with sensory bins, but my son and I love sharing everyday rituals and creating along side each other. One of our favorite ways to connect through real word experiences is by sharing a hobby.

Even though my son is only 2.5 years old, exploring new hobbies has always interested him, especially because he loves mimicking myself or his father. In my spare time, I love to journal by combining pictures, photos, quotes, and my own memories or thoughts. Adding little mementos, along with a few stray bits and bobs, is something that relaxes me and brings me great joy when I revisit my entries at a later date. I figured that Grady just might enjoy creating his own little photo journal because it combines a few things that he also loves - pictures, stickers, and coloring.

Photo Journaling

Whenever I head to my desk to work on a new page in my journal, he can't wait to head over to his and get to work, too! I made sure to stock a shelf in our studio so that he would have access to his own materials. Below is a list of items that he has on hand.

~ his own journal

~ crayons

~ stickers

~ tape

~ photos

~ pictures cut from magazines

The basket that contains his photos and pictures gets stocked every couple of weeks. I go through my old boxes of photos and find doubles that he can use, old pictures that he would enjoy looking at, or special occasions that he's been a part of. Pictures of family members are a must, because he just loves telling me who is in each picture as he's flipping through them or putting them in his journal. Sometimes, I like to look through magazines in search of pictures for my own notebook and he sits with me, pointing to ones that he would like for me to clip for him, as well.

Most of the time we sit together as he decides which pictures to add. Surprisingly, he only selects about 4-5 at a sitting. I have been trying to teach him how to get pieces of tape off of the roll himself, but until he can do it without using a foot at a time, I hand him the tape and he places them on any page that he wishes, at any angle that he likes! Once the pictures are secure, he gets out his crayons and stickers to decorate. Sometimes he scribbles a few lines and other times he leaves them blank.

Storytelling

Sometimes we like to take his journaling a bit further and add in a bit of storytelling. We'll look at a picture together and I will ask him to tell me everything that he sees. No further probing, just a simple question repeated over again every couple of minutes. "What else do you see?" It's surprising to hear what he observes on his own. As he is talking, I will write down each item or action that he notices in the picture, even if it is a bit repetitive. (If your kids are a bit older, they can do a bit of the writing themselves.) This allows him to slow down. Notice the details. Think about what he recognizes and if he can relate what's going on in the picture to something in his own life. Once he is out of ideas, only then do I ask a few more specific questions.

We sometimes revisit these photos that he's taped into the notebook or the pictures that he's described at a later date and use them for a bit more creative storytelling. We can talk in depth about what the people in the pictures may be doing in the future or what they may have did right before the photo was taken. We even make up silly stories that just makes my little guy laugh sometimes, too.

At this young age, parents play an important role in helping children explore their interests, while encouraging them to try new experiences that may turn into a hobby down the road. It's as simple as sharing your passions with them. I don't know if Grady will continue to enjoy looking at photos and creating his own little journal alongside of me forever, but just giving him the opportunity may lead to further explorations and the development of a new interest that he may pick up in the future.

How to Create Engaging Learning Experiences for Toddlers

2013-03-27T20:31:00.000-04:00

“We can best help children learn, not by deciding what we think they should learn and thinking of ingenious ways to teach it to them, but by making the world, as far as we can, accessible to them, paying serious attention to what they do, answering their questions -- if they have any -- and helping them explore the things they are most interested in.” ~ John Holt

Over the past few months, I've spent a great deal of time thinking about how my son learns best. Throughout my observations, I found what keeps his attention and helps him connect prior knowledge to new information that is introduced to him. Many of his learning experiences happen through play, but several also can be transferred in everyday activities that we do as a family as well. Here are 6 approaches that I've found to be the best ways to engage my 2.5 year old, while he discovers life lessons and explores the world.

1. Pair play with real world experiences

My son's imagination astounds me every day. Whether he's pretending that he's going on vacation as he hauls his "suitcase" to the car or building a house out of blocks, he learns so much more when he can relate his play experience to something he has discovered in a real life scenario. Play becomes deeper and more detailed when children are introduced to real life counterparts and activities. Visiting the farm, watching a digger at a construction site, or adding each ingredient to a cookie recipe themselves helps them connect, relate, and visualize ideas when they attempt to transfer these situations into their play.

2. Don't isolate ideas

As a teacher, I always tried to integrate lessons throughout the different subject areas. When we were learning about Native Americans, we incorporated reading, math, cooking, art, and more into our class unit. The same goes for toddlers! Allow them to learn by incorporating ideas from all aspects of life. Nature can be used to create art, sensory experiences can help the little ones explore numbers, and books bring everything to life! Encourage them to use their toys in new ways - the wheels of a car is the perfect substitute for a paintbrush and sticks can be cooked up as a main course for the "dinner" they are preparing you. Get creative and allow them to see how living and learning is not done in isolation.

3. Share their passion

Allow your child to see your excitement as they show you their rock collection that they have on display in their room. If your child shows an interest in castles, help them find books that they can look through and see some that have been built around the world. Invest time into playing the activities that your children truly enjoy. If they seem to keep an interest over a longer period of time, help them find different avenues that they can investigate related to their passion. For a child that loves boats, constructing one with Dad could help them learn about the different parts that make up the vessel. If you have a bird lover in the family, look at the different types of feed that they eat and make your own bird feeders to attract even more birds to your yard! Your excitement will make them feel that their interests are worthwhile and important.

4. Have materials available

Whatever their interest may be, it's always good to have materials available that can add to their play experiences. Props for pretend play, "equipment" for building and constructing play scenes, costumes, books, loose parts, and open-ended materials are essential. Most of these items can be found around the house in your cupboards or closets. Blocks, items found in nature, ordinary household objects, card board boxes, sensory materials, and art supplies are always at the top of the list for my son. It's important to have open-ended materials within your child's reach, so that while in the midst of imaginative play, they can use them to make their ideas more elaborate and true to life.

5. Tap into the five senses

Toddlers are most definitely multi-sensory learners. If you are able to add an extra sensory experience into any type of play or learning situation, it may help your child remember and connect more thoroughly. You, yourself know that smells can trigger memories of our youth. Hearing a song can bring you right back to the time when you first fell in love with it or a moment when something meaningful happened as it played in the background. Encourage your little ones to touch, listen, and look closely as they explore. Pick small flowers in the grass. Smell them. Feel sand between their toes. Squish cookie batter in their fingers. Listen for birds as they greet you in the morning. Discuss illustrations that you see in books. Transfer water from cup to cup and see how much each one will hold. As the seasons change, you have the opportunity to awaken their senses each time you walk outside!

6. Discuss everything

No matter hold old your child is, and whether you think they are listening or not, explanations are always beneficial. Even if I think my son is a bit to young to fully understand a concept, I still try to introduce it on his level - by incorporating prior knowledge and connecting it to what he already knows. Explain the why. The how. Tell them why something is important. How if affects others: plant, animal, or human. Talk about different ways that tools can be used. Experiment. Point out the details and revisit concepts at a later date. Reading fiction and nonfiction is a perfect way to engage them and help their understanding blossom. Toddlers are like sponges. Even if they aren't paying the least bit of attention to what you are saying, it still manages to sink in and come up at a later date more often than not.

How do you try to engage your toddler? I would love to discover and implement more ideas during our playtime! Leave a comment if you'd like to add to the list!

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{Celebrating the Spring Equinox} Hope~Growth~Renewal

2013-03-21T11:17:00.000-04:00

"I will greet this day with love in my heart. And how will I do this? Henceforth will I look on all things with love and I will be born again. I will love the sun for it warms my bones; yet I will love the rain for it cleanses my spirit. I will love the light for it shows me the way; yet I will love the darkness for it shows me the stars. I will welcome happiness for it enlarges my heart; yet I will endure sadness for it opens my soul. I will acknowledge rewards for they are my due; yet I will welcome obstacles for they are my challenge" ~ Og Mandino

"The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul

is apt to revive also.” ~ Harriet Ann Jacobs

"The ending of [anything] may appear as the darkest night, but it is merely the Winter season - the time of renewal and rebirth that precedes the new planting - the beginning of the next great cycle." ~Jonathan Lockwood Huie

"Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again."

~Sarah Ban Breathnach

Thank you so much for stopping by! If you enjoyed this post, please join us on Facebook. You can explore our boards on Pinterest if you are looking for more ways to foster family connections through play and inspiration!

Monday's {Mini} Family Adventure ~ Spring Thumbprint Art

2013-03-18T20:11:00.000-04:00

Inspired by one of Mama Scout's Monday Missions to Start an Adventure Fund ~ a fun way to bring magic into our week. We save up our loose change for seven days and turn it into a fun family adventure to celebrate Mondays!

Spring is in the air. Alright, technically it was snowing this morning and way too cold for me, but I like to think spring is just around the corner. Since we've not quite yet reached seasonal temperatures, I thought we could brighten up our house with a bit of spring inspired art until that time comes.

Last year we made a couple of prints, including robins and flowers, so this year we wanted to try a couple of different ideas. We started out by getting two pieces of construction paper, our paints, and markers to have a bit of fun. The whole family made thumbprints of various colors all over the paper. After our prints dried, we talked about all of the different spring-related pictures we could make out of them. We each had a hand in creating our collage of prints and are looking forward to hanging it on the fridge to brighten up the kitchen!

We also made a trio of hyacinths that were inspired by a design I saw on Meet the Dubiens. I simply drew a stem and each of us took turns making purple prints to create petals for our flowers.

Finally, we let Grady get both his feet and hands into his work. I saw this amazing peacock print on Sweet and Lovely Crafts and had to give it a try. We used a leftover piece of canvas and started with an upside down footprint for the body. We added a few hand prints to create feathers in different shades of blue. After both of those areas dried, Grady made green, gold, and blue thumbprints over the feathers to add a bit of design. Glue a couple of googly eyes and draw on some legs and you have yourself a peacock!

So modest!

Thank you so much for stopping by! If you enjoyed this post, please join us on Facebook. You can explore our boards on Pinterest or you might like to register for our Spring Session of Connecting Family through Creative Play e-Workshop if you are looking for more ways to foster family connections through play and inspiration!

My Son's Love of Cooking and All Things 'Food'

2013-03-16T11:36:00.002-04:00

Food sustains us. It awakens the senses and nourishes our bodies at the same time. We slowly begin each day, around the breakfast table - sometimes silently connecting as we fill our bellies, while other mornings are lively and animated as we decide how to spend the rest of our day. As a stay-at-home, mom I cherish the mornings with my little guy.

If you think about it, food has so many more benefits in addition to keeping us going each day. It's peace offering. An act of kindness. A lovely addition to a celebration. Food is a soft embrace and an act of generosity. The food that graces our plates may be an extension of our family tree or a totally new experience introducing us to cultures we've just begun to explore.

My Foodie

There's no need to be a master chef for food to be such an considerable part of your life - you just have to to know your way around the kitchen to a certain extent. Ever since my son was little, he had a love-love relationship with food. So many more varieties have touched his palate than mine, when I was growing up. Mealtimes always brought a smile to his face and it was (and still is) entertaining to watch him as he truly savors some of his favorite foods.

Food and Play

His infatuation with all things food, quickly transferred over into his play experiences. Almost daily he engages with his toy kitchen that we have set up and stocked in our playroom. Many of the tools stay put in his cooking space, but we also love to switch out the "groceries" to fit the holiday or season that is approaching.

Learning through Discovery

As I watch him concoct meals in his little space and experiment with materials that he is given, I've witnessed such wonderful qualities making themselves known during this time of unstructured play. Sometimes I find several dishes filled and set at the table for his stuffed animals to enjoy - he is always thinking of others and caring for them. He doesn't hesitate to share his food with me or anyone else that may be nearby.

He gets excited at the prospect of helping his dad or I in the real kitchen - contributing to his own meals in any way that he can. Life skills such as scooping, measuring, pouring, and mixing can be honed during this time. A look of pride always comes out when he's helped prepare a meal that others will be consuming.

At this young age I encourage discovery and assistance from him, whether it is in his kitchen or our family's. As he grows, I can only hope that this passion for food advances, or at least still lightly flickers inside of him. To have a man that knows his way around the kitchen and enjoys working alongside his family as he nourishes, gives comfort, or helps prepare a surprise, is truly a gift.

Ways to Encourage a Love:

Sensory Play:

Mixing Feed for Farm Animals

Cooking with Herb Play Dough

Outdoor Cooking Creations

{Pretend} Holiday Baking

Cooking with Items Found in Nature

The Bunny Bistro

Helping in the Kitchen:

Tea Party for Loved Ones

Baked Oatmeal Nests and Eggs

Toddler Made Snack

Baking Bunny Cakes

Holiday No-Bake Cookies

Toddler Space in the Kitchen
Making Mealtime Memories as a Family

Rediscovering Yourself Amidst Motherhood: A Book About Me

2013-03-11T21:34:00.002-04:00

There are so many moments that have touched my soul and made me into the person that I am today. So many people that I have encountered. So many treasured objects that have been passed down through the years. All of these have become a part of my history without my knowledge at the moment they entered my life.

Each of these footprints of the past have seeped into my being - given me hope or grounded me in reality. Opened my eyes or transformed my way of thinking. Pushed me to my limits or given me the courage that I needed at the ideal moment in time. There are so many memories and dreams that I pushed aside or kept locked deep inside, only so that I could focus on a new dream - a fresh path I've taken.

Motherhood.

With motherhood comes more joy and wonder than you could even have imagined. You are enamored with this little life that is entrusted in your care for. As a mom, you want to focus on ways that you can sustain them, build a foundation that will help them grow, bring love and delight to their life. Your world becomes filled with treasured family moments, along with twists and turns at every corner. Often times, however, motherhood comes with a tiny shift of the person you once were. Many of the pieces of your life are forgotten or put aside. Those significant moments that seemed like they just happened yesterday, they become a faint whisper of your past. Those dreams or ideas that once filled you with such excitement are relinquished, if even for a short time.

I'm happy to say that you can rediscover yourself along the path of motherhood. All you need is your Mamascout leader to guide you.

I've had the absolute honor of being a part the first session of Mamascout's new e-Lab - A Book About Me. Amy's prompts and support (along the with entire community that became a sisterhood in itself) helped bring clarity and hope back into my life. She's helped me reach deep into my past, evaluate it, and refocus my goals, not only as a mother, but as a person in her 30's who has much of her life still ahead of her.

Throughout this lab, I documented loves and fears and memories that I had growing up. What I was left with was much more than a journal. What I was left with was the beginning of a vividly documented map of myself.

Not only is this 'book about me' something that I will treasure and add to in the years to come, but it is also a gift for my son. Children do not always know the experiences that shaped their parents into the Mom and Dad that they know in their lifetime. Either they are not ready to hear the full story or they may not even been interested until they are older. Even then, many memories are forgotten - many stories skewed with the passing of time. One day he will be ready. If that day comes when I am too old to remember or when I'm not around, he will have this book to tell him who I am. Who I was - deep down to my core. I've left a piece of me for him to explore. The thoughts and musings that consumed my everyday, ordinary life.

I invite you to take the next step and join Amy in the second session of her lab. Without a doubt, I can say that you won't be disappointed. Take that leap. Rediscover yourself, not only for your kids, but more importantly for the woman that you used to be.

To find out more information about the lab or to register, be sure to click here.

{Family Collaboration} Nature Art + Creative Prompts

2013-03-09T20:32:00.000-05:00

If you've been following along, you know that our family just loves taking nature walks together. Often times we collect signs of the season and other times we simply journal our findings through the lens of a camera, both Mom's and son's.

Spring is just around the corner. We can feel it in the air. During this last nature walk we decided to collect a few of that last remnants of winter. The dead leaves that had fallen, the tops of devoured acorns, and some dried up tree branches that my son thought would be perfect to use as walking sticks.

After spending a nice afternoon collecting a few odds and ends, we brought them back to the house and waited for Daddy to get home. We wanted to use our items to create a work of art, and thought that we could design one together as a family. A nice, relaxing way to connect after dinner. After a long day of work and play. I set up a small 'invitation to create' using the bits we collected, and a few extra supplies from our art room.

~ Nature findings

~ colored glue

~ white glue

~ a glue gun (for Mom and Dad)

~ a piece of cardboard

We worked together arranging the leaves and twigs on the cardboard and then I used a glue gun to make sure everything stayed put. After the glue had time to cool off, we took turns splattering the pink and purple glue over the piece of art that we created together. It was as simple as that. In the morning, we proudly hung our creation on display in our living room. A bit of color added to the final passing of winter. A promise that spring is certainly on it's way.

{Creative Prompts}

In addition to making a mixed media nature collage, here are a couple of prompts that your family could use when designing a piece of nature art together:

~ Draw a map of the area that you explored on your walk. Attach your artifacts on the map in the approximate locations that you found each of them. Adorn accordingly with additional materials, if desired.

~ Use as many items as you can to create a imaginary creature. Your finished artwork could be a picture or a sculpture.

~ Break apart or crush the items that you collected outside. Draw a scene together and use your bits to add texture to your picture.

A Healthy Spring Snack for Kids {from The Pleasantest Thing}

2013-03-06T21:39:00.002-05:00

I am thrilled to have one of my favorite bloggers here today sharing a special springtime snack with you! Carolyn, from The Pleasantest Thing writes about, not only yummy snacks, but also wonderfully creative ideas for storytelling and nature play. Be sure to stop by her blog after trying out this quick and easy recipe!

I’m always looking for fun snack ideas for the kids. I decided to make strawberry cream cheese and graham cracker sticks. It was a simple snack, and it took very little effort to put it together.

The ingredients were:

1 heaping cup frozen whole strawberries
1 package cream cheese (we used whipped)
graham crackers or graham cracker sticks

Put the cream cheese and the strawberries in a food processor, and process until smooth. We used whipped cream cheese, which made slightly runny cream cheese spread. If you wanted it thicker, just use regular cream cheese.

I spread the cream cheese onto some of the graham cracker sticks, and served them on a platter along with sliced strawberries.

It was a delicious snack!

Carolyn is the writer at The Pleasantest Thing, a website focused on play. She shares play times full of laughter, learning, and imagination. Join in their fun on Facebook, Pinterest, Google Plus, or Twitter.

Thank you so much for stopping by! If you enjoyed this post, please join us on Facebook. You can even explore our boards on Pinterest if you are looking for more ways to foster family connections through play and inspiration.

Books and Nooks ~ A Day of Reading

2013-03-02T13:11:00.000-05:00

Our Day Absorbed in Books:

The morning always begins with a few stories shared by Mama and son...

These are the selections that he made for some reading after breakfast...

One of our all time favorite books nooks can be found at the bottom of the stairs. You'll find a basket of stories, a blanket, and a few stuffed friends to share books with...

Another special nook was created in his room. Here we are lying under the leaf, enjoying story time together in the afternoon...

I just love seeing his nose in a book...

Time to utilize our books in another way - great for adding a roof onto the house we just made...

A bedtime ritual - these two books are read every night by Mama and Dad....

Stop and Notice the Details {Project 52}

2013-02-25T07:36:00.000-05:00

This week, as part of Awesomely Awake's {Project 52} we

stopped and noticed the details.

The single cloud in the vast blue sky during our walk in nature...

The patches of ice draped over the rocks near the river...

The sun streaming from above as the clouds embraced the world around us...

The intense look that my son gave as he worked on hammering nails into a bar of soap for fun...

The small dabs of icing that splattered his lips as he chowed down on a small cupcake...

The vibrant rainbow of colors adorning this lorikeet at the aviary this weekend...

The intricate carvings on the side of an old school building as we drove home....

This week as you play and connect as a family, I encourage you to do the same.

What details are escaping you as play with your children each morning or sit around the dinner table enjoying each other's company at night?

Birthday Morning Traditions {from Coffee Cups and Crayons}

2013-02-20T19:03:00.000-05:00

I am so excited to have Megan from Coffee Cups and Crayons guest posting on Connecting Family and Seoul today! Birthdays are a special time in our household and we love finding new traditions that you can share with your children - especially during Birthday Week! Here are a few that are special to Megan and her family.

Family traditions are very important to us. They build shared memories and experiences that connect us to each other and with each other. They become part of our family story and the ritual of the traditions brings comfort and excitement. Especially on birthdays!

When my brother and sister and I were younger my mother would decorate our bedroom doors with crepe paper while we slept on the night before our birthdays. It was exciting to wake up and see the colored paper announcing that it was your special day.

When I had kids I continued the tradition and through the years we have been to add to it. When my oldest was two and very interested in balloons we taped two balloons to the middle of her door. Eventually this turned into making their new age out of balloons in the middle of their doors with the crepe paper around it.

Another birthday morning tradition in our family is pancakes! My husband makes each kid special pancakes in the shape of his or her new age and then we sing to the birthday kid and he/she gets to blow out candles on the pancakes. My husband may have to do a couple practice pancakes to get the number right, but it is worth it to see the excitement on their faces.

Don't forget to stop by Coffee Cups and Crayons to check out some of Megan's creative ideas for the parties that follow these birthday morning traditions - just click here!

What types of birthday family traditions does your family have?

Megan Sheakoski is the creator of Coffee Cups and Crayons, a blog that shares fun and useful ideas for modern parents. You can follow all of her learning activities, kids crafts, and party inspiration on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and G+.

5 Boredom Busters for Toddlers

2013-02-13T14:03:00.000-05:00

As a stay-at-home mom, I often try to balance structured and unstructured playtime with my two year old. As he gets older, he has found ways that he enjoys playing independently, but as the day wears on he tends to need a bit of help from mom. After lunch and during that long stretch of time until dinner, I often find that he needs support and creative inspiration to keep from allowing the boredom and crankiness to set in. Here are a few ways that we stay active, creative, and learning indoors, when we can't head outside to play!

Blocks {Game}

Whether you have Duplo, wooden, or cardboard - blocks are a wonderful item to keep around the house for imaginative play. Lately, we've been building our share of houses, walls, and bridges with the Mega Blocks that my son got for Christmas. Another use that we have found for them is creating a fun game that gets my son moving and building at the same time!

For this game, all that I did was set a bell on top of the table and toss blocks around the living room. (If you don't have a bell, you could use anything that makes noise - a tambourine, a buzzer, or even an empty oatmeal container to bang on!) Then, I showed my son how to find a block, set in on the table, and ring the bell. He then went in search of another block, placed it on top of the other, and rang the bell again. This repeated until all of the blocks were gone and he had built a little creation by adding one block at a time. After a game or two, he decided to make up his own rules, but enjoyed playing just as much!

Salt Trays

We've had a lot of snow recently at our house and my son just loves waiting for the plow truck to visit our street. One day, after he had watched the road being cleared and salted, he asked me if he could scoop up snow inside.

This was such an easy activity to put together. All you need is a tray, a jar of salt, and few trucks to plow with! (It's easy to sweep up afterwards, too.) If you don't have enough salt, rice would do just fine! Or if your child isn't into trucks, here's another simple idea for playing with salt from Creative Playhouse.

Creative Tables

Experimenting with art supplies is another great way to break up your day. Search the house for any type of materials that you child can create with. Let them have free reign and see what develops!

For this activity, I set out torn construction paper pieces, paint, glitter, glue, paintbrushes, and a side that I cut out of a cereal box. My son has used many of the materials before in one way or another (except for torn paper), so this time I just let him experiment and create his own masterpiece.

Color Sorting

Grady is still working on learning his colors, but he loves to "match" any type of items he can find. We've used these foam shapes in several activities this year including painting with shapes and learning how to sweep, so we pulled them out again for some color sorting.

We grabbed a few bowls from his play kitchen (Tupperware would be perfect, too) along with the blocks and began sorting. I placed one of each color in a separate bowl and asked my son to sort the rest! This can be done with any object lying around the house - pom poms, cereal, toy cars, etc. The possibilities are endless and it helps improve color recognition during play!

Balls {Toddler Created Activity}

On the days when we're stuck inside because of the cold weather, I always try to find an activity that will allow us to burn off some energy. One day I decided to bring a few different sized balls and a laundry basket upstairs to do just that!

After rolling them back and forth and chasing them around the living room, my son made up a game of his own! We would roll them as far away from ourselves as we could, then he would run around collecting them, and set them in a group on the floor. He would then hide them under the laundry basket until Mom would find them and roll them away, starting the "game" all over again. A super-simple activity that is easy enough for a 2 year old to understand! Why not try setting out a few items with your bouncy balls and allowing your child to come up with a silly game on their own?

Thank you so much for stopping by! If you enjoyed this post, please join us on Facebook. You can even explore our boards on Pinterest if you are looking for more ways to foster family connections through play and inspiration.

Monday's {Mini} Family Adventure ~ Building a Wooden Boat

2013-02-11T20:03:00.002-05:00

Constructing

Tonight's mini adventure combined two of my son's current passions: vehicles and construction. We came across this boat-making kit at a local craft store and thought that he would enjoy putting it together with the family! The next time you're out and about looking for yarn or glitter, be sure to stroll past the items that they have in their $1 baskets - you never know what you'll find!

This actually became a two-night project, since we had to build the wooden boat in steps. Everything that was needed - the sandpaper, paint, glue, and wooden parts - were included in the box, so all we had to do was get started! The first evening consisted of sanding and gluing all of the pieces together, while the second night was spent painting and putting the final touches on the boat. I am always amazed at the seriousness my son shows with any type of project he is involved with.

Educating Through Play

I am always amazed at the seriousness my son shows with any type of project he is involved with. It seems as if the more hands-on projects that we do with our 2 year old, the more he learns certain life skills such as:

patience ~ it takes time to read the directions and put parts together or take them apart
procedural knowledge ~ there are many steps involved to several of the projects we do as a family
delayed gratification ~ not every activity or object that we construct is ready to play with or use immediately

Aside from being a wonderful skill building experience, my son was just excited to get his hands involved in the entire process, as well as having a new vehicle to add to his collection!

If this is the first Monday {Mini} Family Adventure that you've seen, be sure to click here and explore all of the fun we've been having on Mondays!

Cornflake Cookies for Valentine's Day

2013-02-08T14:19:00.000-05:00

Today I'll be chatting alongside Krissy from B-Inspired Mama and Cerys from Rainy Day Mum on Google+ this afternoon! We'll be sharing a few fun ideas that are perfect for hosting a Valentine's Play Date for the little ones! You can watch the video live at 1:00 p.m. EST today or anytime you wish right here on Connecting Family & Seoul!

With Valentine's Day just right around the corner, I was thinking back to some of my favorite cookie recipes that I made as a child. When I was in Girl Scouts, my mother helped me make a no-bake cookie that won first prize in our Bake-off! These Cornflake cookies have always been a favorite of mine around the holidays, so I thought it would be the perfect recipe to introduce to my son this year - with a few minor changes to make them a bit more festive for Valentine's Day!

These cookies are perfect for my two year old to make because of the simplicity and style (or shall I say, lack of style!). Since they are a drop cookie, it doesn't matter how big or little or crooked or lumpy you make them. Wherever the ingredients fall, there is your cookie. With that being said, let's get to the recipe!

Cornflake Cookies

3 cups Cornflakes

1/2 cup of peanut butter (or soy nut butter)

1 cup of Wilton Red Candy Melts, 12-Ounce

1 teaspoon of cocoa

2-3 drops of red food coloring

1/4 cup of Craisins

*If you do not have Wilton Red Candy Melts, you can substitute 1 cup of vanilla chips and add extra food coloring.

First, add 3 cups of Cornflakes to a large bowl.

In a saucepan, add 1 cup of Candy Melts (or vanilla chips), 1/2 cup of peanut butter, and 1 teaspoon of cocoa. Melt over low heat until smooth and creamy. Add a couple drops of red food coloring.

Pour melted ingredients over Cornflakes and mix gently. Add 1/4 cup of Craisins to the bowl and stir.

Drop cookies by teaspoon full on a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper. When you are finished, place the cookies in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before sampling.

Enjoy!!

Sensory Play with Cars ~ Guest Post at Dirt and Boogers

2013-02-06T07:28:00.001-05:00

Toy cars are always at the top of my son's list when it comes to items that he enjoys playing with during the day. Since we've been stuck inside due to bad weather for the past couple of weeks, we've been trying to come up with some simple, inventive ways to incorporate cars into sensory play. We decided to go on a little scavenger hunt around the house to find objects that we could combine with his car collection in order to have some fun. If you have a child that's a fan of cars, you can find several of our ideas over at Dirt and Boogers today! While you're there, be sure to take a bit of time to explore all of the wonderful ideas that Amanda has shared on her blog as well. She has been such an inspiration to me when it comes to sensory play and creativity!

Beginning in March, Connecting Family and Seoul will be offering a FREE monthly newsletter for our readers! You will receive a full month of simple, frugal activities that are perfect for moments during the day when you think, "What can we do now?"

To sign up for Toddler Boredom Busters, please click here.

Connecting Family through Creative Play {e-workshop}

2013-02-04T06:37:00.001-05:00

Connecting Family through Creative Play is a 30 day e-Workshop designed for families who wish to connect with their children on a daily basis through simple, creative play.

I think as parents, we all hope to help create special memories for our children that will last a lifetime. I remember as a child, the memories that shine the brightest are the moments in which my family simply had fun together; laughed together: when we packed up a picnic basket and headed to the mountains or when we dug out the crayons and someone colored right along side me.

This workshop is designed to take those simple, cherished moments of childhood and sprinkle them with a bit of creativity and ingenuity to help make play more meaningful and engaging for the entire family.

Connecting Family through Creative Play was born out of the everyday conversations of two stay-at-home Moms (with children under the age of 5) looking to find learning opportunities for their children, imaginative ways for them to explore art and media, novel ideas for play, ways to connect with them on a deeper level throughout the day, and the list goes on and on. This e-Workshop will be a way that we can continue that conversation with you. One of the moms will be myself, of course! The other is a dear blogging friend, Kat, from Creative Playhouse. Both Kat and I will be working alongside of you during this 30-day creative play journey, that hopefully will continue on long after the workshop ends.

Speaking of Creative Play:

We both believe that play incorporates much more than simply sitting on the floor and interacting with toys (although that is a very important part!). It also includes:

~ artistic expression (such as experimenting with watercolors or play dough)
~ nature exploration (play with nature items or even finding ways to simply enjoy the outdoors)
~ celebrations of everyday moments
~ real world experiences
~ games
~ talking and sharing memories with your children
~ sharing each other's passions
~ learning through play
~ sensory experiences (hands-on play that awakens the five senses)

This e-Workshop is for you if...

**You would love to find ways to get the whole family involved with play.

You would like to discover techniques that incorporate play into the current rhythm of your family.

You are looking to find a balance between the everyday tasks that fill up your to-do list and connecting with your child in meaningful ways.

You've ever felt frustrated by the the monotony that sometime creeps into your days.

You already enjoy making connections with your children, but are looking for some fresh ideas.**

You are a stay-at-home mom, working mom, grandmother, educator, or child-care provider to any child under the age of 5. (Although children under 5 are our main focus, many of the ideas and activities can be adapted and found very beneficial for older children, as well!)

How does it work?

~ You will receive a daily message from us in your inbox with inspirations to play, ideas for connection, and resources to help spark your imagination.

~ You will get access to a private Facebook group where you can connect with Mamas all over the world and share your thoughts, ideas, and concerns along the way {optional}. If you don't feel comfortable interacting with a group, you are more than welcome to do so through private emails with myself or Kat.

~ You may work at your own pace throughout the course, employing these ideas into your life whenever you feel inspired to try them.

We hope that at the end of this workshop, you will be armed with many new, creative ideas for bonding with your children and bringing joy to the everyday lives of your family.

There are no current sessions available for registration at this time.

~~Register now~~ and "Pay-What-You-Wish!"

We feel so passionate about helping families connect with their children through play that we hope to offer this course in a way that will fit your budget and be worth your time. Please enter any amount from $10-$50 after adding this e-Workshop to your cart.

Kat is a work at home mum of 2, to Jake (3) and Poppy (1), and hails from the UK. She blogs creatively about her two passions, play and parenting, at Creative Playhouse and her collaborative blog, Mummyology. She received her B.A. in Performance Studies and earned an M.A. in the Arts. Her background includes early years education and special needs (with a focus in autism.) To learn more about Kat, click here.

Gina is a stay-at-home mom to Grady (2.5) and has recently moved back to her hometown in Pennsylvania. She started blogging in 2011 as a way to record her family's memories and share ways to foster connections through play and inspiration. She received her B.A. in Sociology and a M.Ed. in Elementary Education. Prior to becoming a SAHM, Gina taught 4th and 5th grade in the public school systems. To learn more about Gina, click here.

Lunar New Year Activities for Toddlers

2013-01-30T06:47:00.000-05:00

Picture credit: Design by Aly

Hat belonging to a traditional hanbok worn on Lunar New Year.

Lunar New Year, or Seollal, is the most important holiday celebrated in Korea. Falling on the second new moon after the winter solstice, Koreans begin preparing for it's arrival days before the start of the lunar calendar. This year, the celebration begins on February 10th and extends into the following two days. Below are a few ways that our family will be learning about and celebrating Seollal in 2013.

Reading

We just love incorporating Korean holidays into our family traditions, so this year we are starting early by reading one of our favorite books about the activities and traditions of Seollal entitled, "This Next New Year" by Janet S. Wong. This story takes you through one multicultural family's festivities of Lunar New Year, which coincides with a few that we share as a family as well! This beautifully illustrated book is filled with hope and optimism that are brought to life by a little boy eager to start fresh.

Sweeping

One tradition that most families share is cleaning the entire house to "sweep away the bad luck." They do this as an attempt to start fresh, so that's exactly what we'll be doing as well. Since my toddler loves to help out with the chores, I thought we would get a bit of practice in before the start of the new year!

To help my little one sharpen his hand-eye coordination and work on a basic life skill, I found a small broom and dust pan that was perfect for him. I had a package of foam blocks that we used just last week to paint with shapes and thought they would be easy for him to sweep up. I simply dumped the foam shapes on the floor and showed him how to guide them into the dustpan with the small hand broom. Since the next step is usually tossing the dust into a garbage can, I found a tub that he could use to dump the blocks in as he "cleaned up."

Bathing

Just as it is important to clean your house, personal cleanliness is a focus as well. We'll start out by giving my toddler a bath the morning of Seollal, instead of waiting until bedtime, and dressing him in a brand new outfit (to symbolize a new beginning).

Until then, we thought it would be fun trying out a creative bath before the big day by coloring it red with Crayola Color Bath Dropz. I've been wanting to add glitter ever since I saw a post that Creative Playhouse shared on Bath Activities for Kids during the start of winter. So before dinner one evening, we tossed in a red color dropz, added some bubbles, and sprinkled in a bit of red glitter for shine! He had so much fun in the bath!

As we get closer to the start of Lunar New Year, we will also gather a few provisions that are custom to serve during the holidays: tangerines and fish that are said to bring good fortune. That evening, our son will also be presented with a red envelope containing "lucky money," and a small gift such as a new book to commemorate the beginning of a fresh start in our household ~ the Year of the Snake!

*This post contains affiliate links.

Thank you so much for stopping by! If you enjoyed this post, please join us on Facebook. You can even explore our boards on Pinterest if you are looking for more ways to foster family connections through play and inspiration.

Monday's {Mini} Family Adventure ~ Disassembling a Cassette Player

2013-01-28T19:57:00.000-05:00

Disassembling a piece of technology and exploring its inner workings can tell you so much about how a machine works - no matter how outdated it is. With that in mind, I gathered up our spare change for the week, and headed to the Salvation Army to see what I could find. Luckily, I came across a Fisher Price Cassette Player, exactly like the one I had when I was little! I knew my son would just love pushing the buttons and carrying it around, and I couldn't wait to see if it worked.

Not long after dinner this evening, my husband and son set out to collect the tools they needed to deconstruct our new treasure. We started by putting a few batteries inside to see if it would run. As luck would have it, the tape player worked! Then, we got down to business.

Upon closer examination of the cassette player, we were able to see the push buttons and remove them, investigate the volume control, and watch as the motor and pulley revolved from the inside. Grady also found out that the belt that helped it spin was rubbery and flexible when he spontaneously removed it from the pulley! Luckily, we were able to reattach it easily.

We wanted to dig even deeper, so we whipped out the flashlights to take a closer look. He inspected all of the nooks and crannies and liked putting random parts of the cassette player in every spare space he could find.

My husband also gathered a couple of loose parts that were similar to those found in the machine so that Grady could manipulate them and see how they work. My son absolutely loved this activity! He was so serious about the whole process and truly wanted to help his Daddy disassemble the cassette player from square one. I know we'll be revisiting this mini adventure soon!

Thank you so much for stopping by! If you enjoyed this post, please join us on Facebook. You can even explore our boards on Pinterest if you are looking for more ways to foster family connections through play and inspiration.

Snowfall

2013-01-26T21:33:00.001-05:00

The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event.

You go to bed in one kind of world and wake up in another quite different,

and if this is not enchantment

then where is it to be found?

~ J.B. Priestley

Toddler Space in the Kitchen + (Giveaway!)

2013-01-22T07:12:00.000-05:00

Lately, my son has started to find his independence in the kitchen. He absolutely loves helping me cook and is often eager to set the table before mealtime. Since he thrives on doing things "all by himself," I decided to set up a small space in our kitchen that was entirely kid-friendly. I have an floating island in the center of my kitchen that is the perfect level for him and has just enough room to store his own personal items.

Inside he'll find a shelf that contains his cups, plasticware, plates, and bowls so he can set his place at the table or grab a bowl for snack time. The bottom shelf has two tubs filled with healthy snacks that he is allowed to pick out during certain times throughout the day. I also added a mixing bowl, a couple of kid's cookbooks, and an apron to the handle of the cupboard, so that whenever it's time to cook or bake he can have his own tools to help Mama. It's always a wonderful feeling to see his pride and independence take shape in the smallest of ways.

Now, for the fun! If your kids love to help you in the kitchen or you're looking for more ways to involve them with mealtime prep, look no further. Here's a giveaway that I know you're sure to love!

Do you dream of a dinnertime with delicious food, smiling faces and fantastic conversations?

Isn’t it easy to lose the joy in preparing our food and bringing everyone together for family dinnertime?

Season’s Eatings is an online course that helps bring back the joy, fun, and connection around food and family dinnertime. For the month of February, Leah Cherry of Skill It is leading the Winter session of this delicious and delightful experience.

At the heart of Season’s Eatings is delicious food. Each week you get recipes for two family dinners with step-by-step instructions and suggestions for which part your little chefs can help. In addition to the recipes, there are printable grocery shopping lists, table-setting tips, and family dinner table conversation starters.

More than just a class, it is community that celebrates the beauty of cooking together as a family. Participants in Season’s Eatings gather and connect in a private Facebook group to ask questions, share successes, and post photos of their finished dishes. And each week you’ll hear from a featured writer who shares their thoughts and unique perspective on the joys and pleasures of the family dinner.

From wherever we happen to be, we gather at one big table, laughing, talking, and celebrating over bowls of steaming soup and plates of roasted vegetables. Bringing joy to our families, one dish, and one day, at a time.

Season’s Eatings –the Winter Session – takes place from February 4^th – 25^th, 2013.

ABOUT LEAH CHERRY
Leah Cherry teaches children and their families how to cook, sew, make and grow – traditional talents that remain essential for living well today. She started Skill It to create a community that celebrates the joys of a handmade, home-cooked life. Skill It’s signature online class, Season’s Eatings, is offered four times a year to create joy, fun, and connection around food and family dinner time.

~~To be entered in this giveaway, simple leave a comment by answering the following question:~~
~~"What is your child's favorite snack?"~~

All are welcome to enter!
Entry will be chosen by a random number generator and the winner will be notified by email.

Please submit all entries by Friday, January 25th, 2013, 8:00 p.m. EST!

Congratulations, Lousie!

Please provide me with your email address by 2/3/13 to claim your space!