If there’s one area where Pari beats my passion and enthusiasm hands-down, it’s got to be cooking! Well, not that I don’t like cooking, but if I have to grade that interest against the dozen other things that I want to do, cooking goes way down my list. And yet, I do cook at least three meals a day. Oh well!

BUT, in the past one month, I’ve had to stay longer than I’d like to in the kitchen, as I’m playing an ‘apprentice’ to the little self-driven chef in our home!

Gosh, this girl – if I’d give her a super free hand in the kitchen, she would go on to cook all the meals. Plus tea, juices, milk shakes, ice-creams, cakes…. The list can go on.

The fact is – she LOVES every aspect of cooking. Even the tasks that sound like chores…

So, I’ve now made peace with the fact that a chunk of our homeschooling will happen on the kitchen counter.

Take a look at all the stuff she’s made this week:

1. Pasta in handmade white sauce – twice
2. Puri-Aloo Sabzi (fried bread with potato curry in tomato/onion gravy).
3. Ginger Tea – almost every single day
4. Masala Lemonade
5. Not to mention – she’s kneaded the dough, chopped the veggies and all the other side jobs! (rolling my eyes!)
6. Ah, and she insists on cleaning the dishes, too.

So, here’s the recipe (modified from here) for the Pasta along with the white sauce that we she made.

We made masala lemonade to go along with it (a la ‘Pizza Hut’!). She gorged on this meal watching ‘Doremon’- her fav show.

How to Make Pasta in Healthy, Homemade White Sauce

• [As in the first pic] In a pan (kadhai), add some butter and gently mix 4-5 teaspoons of wheat flour – one spoon at a time. All the while, keep mixing till it leaves an aroma and turns golden brown. Next, add warm (shouldn’t be cold – to avoid lumps) milk – about 2-3 cups – gradually – making sure no lumps are formed. The mixture will start thickening. You have to stir continuously or chances are high that lumps will show up.

• After a minute, sprinkle some pasta seasoning and salt.

• In another pan, saute some onion and garlic in olive oil till they turn light brown. Sprinkle some oregano.

• Add the sauteed onion/garlic to the white sauce. Also sprinkle some black pepper powder.

• Grate cheese over the sauce.

• Finally, add your boiled pasta in the white sauce and gently mix the whole thing. At this stage, use a spatula or a spoon sparingly. The idea is to fold the pasta into the white sauce neatly.

• Make Masala Lemonade and serve. Or, eat – straightaway as Pari did

Masala Lemonade - We made this in soda water instead of plain water (as in ‘Shikanji’). Added juice of two small lemons plus sugar to taste and some rock salt (kala namak). The rock salt really livens up the taste. Also improves digestion.

This is one dish no kid can resist. And, if your kid is like mine who wants to cook her own food – it’s not complicated or cumbersome to cook WITH them.

Do you cook with your kid/s?

PS: Here’s a cottage cheese curry recipe in white cashew gravy/sauce. Just occurred to me if I can use some elements of this gravy for a Pasta sauce? hmm…. No harm in trying!

Pari absolutely loves post-it notes. Since Avie (hubby) uses these a lot – to scribble ideas, To Dos etc. we have them around at home all the time. She never lets go of an opportunity to write on them. And writes all sorts of things - reminders (“I have to wake up early tomorrow”) to Birthday Messages to ‘lists’ or just random thoughts.

This past week, I spied a pack of purple post-its at hubby’s desk and was tempted to try out another art experiment! I asked Pari if she’d be interested to join me in this project.

She was inclined but she had already set her mind on learning the multiplication table of 5 that moment. So, she asked if she could write her multiplication table on those post-it notes.

Instantly, I suggested what if she could ‘illustrate’ her multiplication table using paint etc. I know it may sound manipulative on my part but then the idea excited her (if she wouldn’t have been, I’d have dropped the idea for her and carried along on my own. Honest!). And then, making Math fun can never be a bad intention, can it?

So, we sat down with two paper bags – to stick the post-it notes on. Yes, paper bags never cease to inspire me!

We arranged our post-its (on the bag) in the way that each fancied.

Pari arranged her post-its in orderly fashion but played with colour rotation. While, I pasted my post-its in an abstract manner.

Once we were happy with the arrangement, we went about gluing them – their sticky side down.

When it came to painting the multiplication table, Pari applied the concept we’d discussed – multiplication being lots and each lot containing a fixed number of elements.

So, she painted one triangle with 5 dots to articulate 5 multiplied by 1. Two hearts with five dots each to show 5 multiplied by two and so on.

She went on till 5 X 11. After which, I suggested she did something else for the space would not be enough.

I’d never seen such artful and colourful Math before!

Having done this much, she moved on to play outside leaving a table that inspired me to go clickety click!

The next day, she wrote some quotes – on the remaining post-its – from a book that I have.

And, while I sat at her table reading a story to her, she also picked some words that she liked and wrote them on the last row – simultaneously embellishing the words.

You might wonder whatever happened to My version of the post-it art?

Well, this is how it turned out. Post-its are best to do some zentangle art – something I really enjoy doing and is nothing less than meditation to me.

What do you think?

This is how it looks in white light (below)

Hung side by side on the living room wall are both of our paintings.

So, I now have one more fascination to do art on – besides my fetish for paper bags. I think one can really experiment with post-it art and the results can be satisfying, too. For one – the limitation of size/area can make you think out-of-the-box. Two – the use-ability of the sticky side can lend itself to display in ingenious ways.

Surprisingly, when I searched the internet for more ideas on post-it art, I didn’t find anything inspiring! hmm….

Have you done art on post-its?

It’s been a month or so since our Mud Pie Kitchen (read how it began) has been here and it attracts residents and visitors alike  - from every age group!

The other day, my mom and sis-in-law stopped by in the evening when Pari was busy in the balcony with her outdoor kitchen.

It was only for a short while that they could watch and gush over it. For soon enough, first my mom, and then my sis-in-law – both were playing alongside Pari!

Continue to read and see some pics of their creative play…

Mom was making all sorts of sculptures with the clay-like mud. She and pari were brainstorming and working feverishly. This sight was utterly heart-warming. Two ladies – generations apart – were most comfortable playing along-side with the same tools!

Well, THAT is the effect of free play – especially mud.

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy the creativity and camaraderie between these ladies!

Making mud ‘kebabas’ on skewers. Oh well, those skewers are actually from the broom I use to clean the balcony

That’s my mom seriously focused on some sculpting. As a girl, she liked making beautiful clay ‘shivlings’ and idols.

This was good fun and learning trying to form mud balls and then balancing and stacking them on the skewer.

While I was engaging Sarah in our five senses nature box, Pari stacked her ‘kebabs’ with help from my sis-in-law

Are you tempted to play along, too?

As the song “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac played on my ipod, its soulful words filled my heart with a dull ache – a misery that I could not recognize immediately but it did not seem a stranger to me either.  I heard it once with moist eyes; the second time with a big lump in my throat; the third time around I just needed to connect with myself and figure out what was going on. And that’s when I opened the word document and started writing…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YDZTudbX5o&feature=fvwrel[/youtube]

I request you to listen to this song even if you’ve heard before. Thank ya, friends Sorry, I don’t intend to make you feel pensive but then this song is one of those that speak to our saddest thoughts and hence so sweet (“our sweetest songs are those that speak of our saddest thoughts”).

Here are the lyrics to the song if you’d like to save…

My Personal Interpretation of the Song

These words, like all works of art and poetry, may carry different interpretations for different people.

To me, these words sounded so close to life as they immediately made me think of my mom and all that she went through her life – as a girl child in this male-child-obsessed Indian society; as a woman trying hard to please, serve, meet expectations and prove herself at every turn; and as a mother – fighting to provide – material and emotional security – for her children.

The words from this song portray her life as though written for her. She “climbed a mountain” that life was – rocked by adversities that never knew a fullstop; reaching the peak (of life) when she “turned around” she “saw her reflection” that showed an emotionally drained, physically battered and fatigued person. And then the disastrous “landslide” in the form of her drastic heart surgery that “brought her down”. Down, yes, but not out.

She realizes that she “built her entire life around her kids” and now “the children are older”. They have their own lives, families, dreams and goals. She feels lonely, companion-less and worst of all – purpose less.  

She often tells me she yearns to seek her identity and wants to know that “time makes one bolder”. I want her to know this, too, and want her to live a life afresh for her own sake – not for anyone else. I want her to invest in HER happiness and not get trapped in the rigmarole of OUR lives.

This is one story that I have been a part of – indirectly and often – directly. But, there are many more ailing mom-hearts waiting to be healed. There are millions of such stories of mothers and women (well, men, too!) who go on living for others – without knowing their own desires, motivation or aspiration.

They have never known what caring for their own selves may mean.

You might find it strange that I, of all people, should say all these…

…when I probably am living my life incredibly centered around my child! I’m homeschooling my daughter, my blog is focused on my journey with her as a parent; even some of the trips that I take are to learn more about unschooling, conscious parenting etc. Whoa!

Yes, all of that is true. My life is centered around my kid. But, I haven’t chosen this life without deliberation. I mean, it’s not any societal norm I’m following; it’s not any mommy responsibility that I’m ought to fulfill; it’s not any guilt that I’m succumbing to; it’s not an attempt to look good as a mom.

It’s a calling from my heart that I couldn’t have ignored for long. It’s what makes me complete with my heart and soul intact.

And, in reality, this has opened up so many facets of my own persona that nothing else could have. I’ve discovered my earnest love for art, nature, photography, writing and so much more – due to my keen desire to create a loving, creative learning environment for Pari. It’s been good for Pari but it’s been even more fulfilling for me.

No matter which corner of the world we live – we mothers – our lives will centre around our children.

But, we often forget that we are humans, too – with our own ambition, hobbies, passions, goals and hey – health! We don’t have to become ‘messiahs’! (Although, even as I write this, it feels as though we mothers ARE – after all – messengers of God….)

Even then, I’m sure God did sprinkle some glittery-dreams in the dough that he shaped our hearts with!

And those glitters travel up to our eyes and make them dream and sparkle every now and then reminding us of what we are meant to be – other than the mothers we are striving to become…

Yes, our children are a big part of those glitter-dreams. But, if we pause to stare long and hard – some of the glitters sparkle differently – and longingly – at us – imploring us to explore our heart.

For if we explore, we may stumble upon an artist, a singer, a dancer, a photographer, a writer, an activist, an entrepreneur, an environmentalist, a healer, a naturalist, a chef!

Should we not muster up the courage to strike a conversation with these talented people within us?

I can’t say for all, but I know for myself and for so many of you – that we can’t be happy just being mothers; even awesome moms. We need to be good to ouselves, too, to feel truly happy in our skin.

And, truth be told – I neglect myself way too much (my health, especially) to claim that I’m doing what I’m recommending.

Are we taking care of ourselves - our mind, heart and body; our purpose and dreams? In one word  - our happiness!

Let’s face it : a happy – and healthy – mom is the best gift to her child. While, a drained out, irritable, sulking, depressed mother leaves the worst effect on her child.

Hence this article is applicable to me as much as it may be applicable to some (or many) mothers around the world.

Sheena Iyengar, in her book ‘The Art of Choosing’, writes –

“The ability to choose well seems to depend in no small part upon our knowing our own minds.”

Exercise 1

I’ve phrased 18 questions which, if you choose to answer (to yourself), will help you understand yourself better and come face-to-face with your innermost thoughts.

I request that when answering these questions, you be absolutely true to yourself. I encourage you to write down the answers so you can go back to them later. Here are the questions:

1. Do you feel you can’t clearly and firmly spell out what your talents and abilities are?
2. Do you often find yourself impatient, irritable and stressed out?
3. Do you feel in your heart of hearts that you are “sacrificing” or compromising your happiness/interests/passions for your children or family or any other reason?
4. Do you think you and your partner do not spend quality time with each other?
5. Do you drag your feet to work (as in your job/business) every Monday?
6. Do you think you are working primarily for money and that enjoying work is secondary and may happen later in life?
7. Are your talents and abilities under-utilized in your job?
8. Do you tend to bottle up your feelings?
9. Do you often let others make your own choices? Are they thrust upon you by people or situations?
10. Do you think (for mothers, primarily) you have let go of a thriving career because of child rearing?
11. If yes, are you resentful that you decided to let go of your career due to kids?
12. Do you think you should have sought an alternative career that better suited your changed priorities (keeping child in mind)?
13. Do you think you are often escaping from your innermost feelings?
14. Do you think you are “putting up” a happy and perfect front even when your heart feels otherwise?
15. Do you feel sadness and regret for yourself when you see others pursue their interests and passions feverishly?
16. Do you refrain from acknowledging and praising somebody’s talents and achievements because it makes you feel insecure?
17. Do you think you are capable of more and better things than you are currently doing?
18. Are you of the mindset that you will follow your dreams (devoting time to hobbies, starting a blog, writing a book, starting a business) when the kids grow up?

Having gone through this introspection, I hope you had more no’s than yes-es. But, if you had many yes-es, I recommend that you take the time to introspect. May be have a heart-to-heart talk with someone you really really trust and someone who understands you instinctively  - and figure out what’s not in tune with your true self.

What is it that’s draining your spirits and inhibiting you from taking charge of your life and happiness.

Exercise 2

Now, take these eight scenarios and questions to dig deeper into yourself. I’m quite sure these questions will lead you magically to the core of your heart.

1. If you could get one full day to yourself and everything else (your work, home, kids, To Dos) was taken care of, what would you do?
2. What help, suggestions, expertise do friends/family/colleagues come to you for?
3. If you could change one habit/trait/aspect of yourself, what would that be?
4. If you could undo one event/decision/action in your life, what would that be?
5. What are those beliefs and values that you will never part with come what may?
6. If you could choose someone as your life mentor/coach/guide, who would that person be?
7. Which relationship in your life gives you unmeasured happiness?
8. What’s the one desire (hobby/passion/skill/learning/cause) that you would regret not pursuing to your heart’s content?

Connect those answers and what you will get is a portrayal of your true self – reflecting your innermost thoughts, longings, sadness and joys.

Your kids will make you proud, for the mother that you are – no doubt about that.  A mother who’s there to play, hug, cuddle, listen, advice, laugh – and – create beautiful memories with her children.

But, you have every right to be proud for being the person that you are – to YOURSELF – worthy of your care, respect, time and commitment. Commitment to your own health, fitness, goals, dreams and not to forget – FUN.

Now, your turn!

I want you to share one answer from the questions above

And the question is -

If you like this article, please consider sharing with a mother you know (may be your own mom) who needs more than just a gentle push to create time for herself and reach out for her dreams. It’s never too late….

Slowly but surely I’m ticking off some of my long pending projects that have also been very close to my heart. And, in doing so, I’m feeling much peace. Really, procrastination drains my spirit, I should know and understand clearly – once and for all.

First, it was the mud pie kitchen. Then, a BIG chalkboard that I’d envisioned having on one of the bigger walls in Pari’s room.

This chalkboard (6 feet by 4 feet) , I’d been really, really wanting to have  - to serve as the ‘voice’ for each of us. I’d visioned it to be a place in the house where Pari and I would stop by any time we just felt like giving an outlet to our thoughts – in the form of words, doodles, zentangle, poems – whatever.

We have a smaller one for years now, which has been useful, too.

But I knew that a wall-sized canvas/writing area would inspire at so many levels. It’s basically about the “space”. When an entire wall transforms itself into a space for self-expression, no one can remain untouched.

You feel invited, inspired and raring to go.

It serves as a wonderful place for discussion and brainstorming.

And, well – also as a means to tackle boredom. (wink)

Yeah – all of THAT was my vision rather than creating a classroom at home. No way. Far from it, I’ve been encouraging Pari to use it in all sorts of ways for HER to challenge ME. Like – throw an un-scramble challenge at me; sketch a shape that I can zentangle inside; write a math equation that I can solve!

So, she thinks, she’s the one in charge rather than me. No way would I want her to think that I’m out to TEACH her and that her learning is under my control.

Nope.

I want to motivate her to be in charge of her own learning.

(In the picture below, I wrote that poem from our collection while Pari drew Daffodils to illustrate the line from the poem – “and sometimes clouds have a daffodil hue“)

The chalkboard has also been a wonderful get-together point for her with her friends.

They play teacher/school games! Oh well!

All said and done – the teacher games seem to be the most popular among kids, especially girls!

I’ve noticed that sometimes (well, these days – often) when Pari is not motivated to write using paper pen/pencil, she gets a fresh bout of motivation (and ideas) when I mention the chalkboard.

Especially with Hindi (our mother tongue), which she’s never keen on writing. The chalkboard lends itself beautifully to many word games encouraging her to write a ton of words – all the while under the impression that she’s playing! (wink)

In the photo below, I play a game with her in which she needs to decipher the code (solve the riddle) and write it in Hindi. She thinks she’s playing a detective. Each time she deciphers the code, I give her a “code-hugger hug” – whatever that means! But, it’s the high point of the game for her – with lot of  giggles and pride!

While I wonder at her innocence!

Not to mention – it saves piles of paper each day.

Isn’t it symbolic then that our chalkboard is green and not black!

Another related article on the topic of self-learning that you might find helpful:

Giving Creative Freedom to Your Child

I’m beyond thrilled to introduce to you our mud pie kitchen! Ever since I first saw it on ‘Let the Children Play‘, I’ve been yearning to make one for Pari. I knew she would love it. It has all the elements of play that’s close to her heart (in fact, to any child’s heart!) cooking, getting touchy feel-y in mud and water, making pretend dishes, washing utensils and – well – feeling oh-so-busy!

So, we finally have it – on our balcony!

The amount of delight this has brought to Pari is inexplicable and immeasurable! Really.

This makes me kind of sad and cross with myself that I took so long to set it up. What was I thinking? Is it some rocket science that I needed to decode! (insert rolling eyes!)

But, now that it’s here, I’m giving a pat on my back that I finally got down to doing it without any further engineering.

Yes, this was one project that I’ve slept over for long! I kept thinking I’ll get a wooden kitchen made by the local carpentar (who never has the time!) Or that, I need to get some milk crates to create storage. Or, I must get some really nice soil/dirt from the nursery to get started. And hey, don’t laugh at my ambitiousness – I was even secretly planning to grow a patch of grass on my balcony. Well, it’s still there on my agenda. But then, I’ll go easy. Take baby steps..

After all, the pictures of mud pie kitchens that I’ve seen all over the mommy and teacher blogs are just so inspiring and good-looking – to say the least. They have a mud puddle, pretend kitchen, washing sink. And, not to mention – a lush green backyard!

All my vision, ambition and creativity is fine. But, I should have known that all the creative details are what WE long to create – for the love of our children. The children will play with as much fervour with just a basic set-up, given that it should trigger their imagination and awe.

Now I know that Pari would have been as thrilled with just some mud, basic tools, containers. It would not have mattered to her that they are in the backyard, on balcony or in the bathroom. Bathroom! Aha - there I go again – I just got an idea! (your turn to “roll your eyes”. Go ahead, do it!)

Okay, I know you want to see the pics now. Here you go…

These are from about 10 days back. Since then, lot more has transpired in our outdoor kitchen. I’ll keep you posted about the tinkering, progress and innovations happening there.

Some of the essential ingredients to make a mud pie kitchen as engaging as possible – besides of-course MUD -

• Source of running water
• A decent-sized counter that serves as the live kitchen
• You can set one up using bricks and place a ply board or marble slab to serve as the counter
• You can use an an old worn-out table
• I’ve seen some using wooden crates stacked one on top of other
• Trays, large- and medium-sized spoons, spatulas, rakes, tools to dig etc
• Cookie cutters, moulds
• Natural elements to decorate – dry leaves, twigs, dried pods, pinecones
• Some storage space  - to keep things back where they can find the next time

As you can see, we got going with whatever we had at hand. A terracota pot – placed on that large plastic drun served as another counter besides the old table and the ply-board top.

Some coconut shells that I’d saved for exactly this purpose was the most used tool! (Oh, I use quite a bit of coconut in my cooking!)

As you can see, we started off without a counter. I had her play on the ground  - over an inverted plastic tub as the base. But, after a while, I got the old table out from our store room. To expand the base, I placed a large rectangular piece of plyboard – about 2 inches thick. And, beyond that point – we just kept adding more and more elements!

Those cookie-cutters proved so engaging! She made a bunch of cookies or muffins in different shapes.

That white mould came with our microwave to make idlis (rice pies). But, I never used it much for I prefer the traditional way much more – over a gas stove.

A tray to pretend-bake mud cakes

Any more ideas to make out mud pie kitchen even more exciting and engaging? Please share.

The last time we went for a nature walk, we came back with tons of ‘finds’ or ‘harvest’ as Pari and I like to call! We were going wild with ideas for what to do or create with our nature collection.

One of the ideas that really struck a chord was to make a 5 senses nature sensory box! This idea sprung from the ‘Garden of Five Senses’ here in Delhi that we’ve visited often.

Actually, I’d been wanting to convert our big square balcony into a five senses playscape for Pari. And, I’m getting there, too, step by step. (more on that later)

But in the meantime, this 5 senses box is meant to be a bonus – to bring nature indoors and play with.

Besides, the whole process of putting it together has been very joyful and soothing for Pari and me.

(You might wonder about that mehendi/henna on her arm! Well – she’s very fond of it and wants me to apply not just on her palms but on full arms. Quite a task it is! Even so – good for me – ‘cuz I LOVE applying mehendi to others; on my own hands, too, but then I don’t have the patience to let it dry for couple of hours!)

So, we first laid all our finds on a big tray and sifted through the piles and piles of dried fruits and flowers of the Casuarina trees (Whistling Pine or River She Oak), dry leaves, twigs, feathers and other nature’s elements. 

Then, we sorted them into trays and bowls.

Next, we got a large box and laid it on the floor.

This process was where we let the creative juices flow. I told Pari that we’re going to create a garden in the box, which would enable her to play using all five senses.

We talked a little about the five senses and how each plays a role in helping us experience things.

These are some of the things we used to explore each of the sensory pleasure.

Sight – we tried making the whole thing as beautiful and colourful as possible. Pari brought out her princess cut-outs and decided to make the garden a home for her princesses!

I told you, she’s riding the princess wave of her childhood at this time!

We found a gorgeous peacock in our scrap box, which we’d made long time back (from card stock).

Pari also placed a toy princess, queen and king to complete her princess family.

Smell – Rose petals, lavendar sachet – we wanted to make it aromatic and invigorating in a gentle way. Not overpowering.

Touch

• We used some flax seeds to play with for their silky smooth texture, bulk and sand-like flow
• These flax seeds were not edible any more because they had turned rancid just a few days after I bought from the store. (obviously, they were not stored well in the grocery store).
• I would like to mention here that I’m very conscious about using food items for play purpose. I use them sparingly. 
• We’ve used this batch of flax seeds over and over again
• Before Pari wants to play, I keep them in the refrigerator for a while so they turn cold and feels really rejuvenating to touch 
• So, the flax seeds you see in this box are super cold – another sensory experience besides the ticklish flowy texture of the seeds themselves
• The pleasure a child feels when the seeds run between the fingers make them do this back and forth 

• We also added other elements to enhance the sense of touch – lace, dry pods, leaves and feathers – to tickle and giggle!

Hear – I added couple of tin lids (of used glass jars) – to strike against each other and peculiar sounds, a small box filled with beads – to shake; some shells – for some clunky sounds. Even the flax seeds make a gentle rhythmic music as if sand flowing under waves!

Taste – Okay, yes – we included this part, too! Pari wanted to add tid bits from some cake decoration stuff that we got a while back.

I don’t ever use any icing or flavoured and coloured decorations for my cake but when Pari bakes with me, she likes to make it fancy, So we got a small bottle of those colourful stars some time back. Goes without saying – she couldn’t resist popping in her mouth when playing in the sensory box!

Not just Pari, even I couldn’t resist myself from playing with this five senses nature box that afternoon.

Pari played with it the whole day and late into evening.

Couple of days back, my niece – Sarah, was here, and she was pretty curious about this sensory box. She seemed hesitant initially but soon I could see that she was eager to explore it bit by bit.

Toward the end, she grabbed a fistful of the flax seeds and regaled in ‘pouring’ it into the box standing upright! My sis-in-law (bhabhi) sighed that my floor was getting messy but I told her not to worry.

This mess is nothing when I compare the delight on the face of these little ones! Nothing gives me as much joy as watching them play unrestrained and fancy-free! And, sensory play is one such that invites them to engage whole heartedly.

This is the 3rd part of my series on nature and kids and how to connect the two. Read the previous articles in this series.

This ‘50+ ideas to enjoy nature’ article has become the most popular article on my blog – ever – inviting thousands of readers since last week! Thank you to all of you who read, commented and shared.

And, the first one in the series - 

• Why Children Need REAL Nature Experiences – Away from TV

My ‘made with love’ link-up party is back this month. And, it’s a very special edition that I bring to you.

With Mother’s Day around (May 13 here in India, U.S., Aus and more), I’m dedicating this edition to all the mothers around the world – who, no matter which corner of the world they live – their love, their prayers, their hope, their care – continue to make this world more humane, more tender and peaceful.

I was having a look at all the ‘me time’ entries from the previous link-up so I would feature the ones that stood out to me.

But, well, I was confused!

(Read on to see what some of you made. Also, see my creation – to celebrate MY ‘me-time’! And then, link up what YOU made.)

Confused because, every creation that a mommy linked up was made by her - in love for her child and family!

So much for your/my ‘me time’!

Got it mommy; got it! You don’t seem to have a moment when your child is not on your mind. No wonder, the child walks in even in your ‘supposed’ ME TIME.

What can I say? I’m like each of you…I understand you inside out on this aspect

Have a look at these entries from last ‘made with love’:

EVERY creation comes straight from the heart  - for the kiddoo or the family!

• This loveable sensory story box that Rebekah at Golden Gleam made for her daughter
• These nutritious and delectable nutri bars that Srishti at Prolific Cooking made keeping in mind her 1.5 year old doll – Sarah
• This baby and daddy hand print gift for – Father’s Day!
• This mom made musical chair monsters and was so proud and satisfied when her kids played to their heart’s delight!
• The dino exploration park made by Ashu at Green Crafting Kids – I’m sure she was reliving her childhood through this gorgeous creation!
• And, this breath-taking nature study kit – all – for the kids!
• This Valentine’s keep-sake frame that Glittering Muffins made for her son!
• Finally, this gorgeous doily printed T Shirt made by Esther for her daughter!

And, now this month’s featured entry

A felt car mat made by the mumma (at the Iowa Farmer’s Wife) – as a Christmas gift to her child  - is a shining example of what goes into a mum’s carefully planned ME TIME!

She slept less; burned some midnight oil to make this stupendous play mat.

I’m amazed by the number of lovely details in this rectangular colourful piece. Check out her blog for the step by step pictures and the story.

The fact remains that the little ones are in our hearts and thoughts, every living moment!

*Big rainbow hugs to you all for your relentless, gentle love and creativity*

These words about motherhood are by far the most apt description I’ve ever come across…

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.

Now a creation from my own ‘me time’!

I’ve been yearning – for ages – to try out silk dying on eggs. I’d seen somewhere long back and want to link back but can’t remember for the life of me – where I’d seen.

To do this, I’d have wanted to buy some scraps of silk from a thrift store but never quite got around to doing it. Hence, decided to try with the only piece I had – a left-over from a dress I got tailored for Pari couple of years back.

First I had Pari blow out the egg for me (here’s the technique of you want to know). She loves doing this and felt proud and satisfied that she was able to help me in my art time! So be it!

In the meantime, I boiled some water in a large bowl and added one table spoon white vinegar to it.

Now, I wrapped the egg shell with the silk tie dye fabric tightly.

I also tied a stone/river rock to the other end so that the egg would immerse in the water and vinegar solution and get soaked nicely.

All the while, I kept the flame low.

After 20 minutes or so, I removed the egg from the water and unwrapped when it wasn’t hot enough.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw the egg dyed in the gorgeous magenta of the silk with neat and clear tie and dye patterns!

Do you think this egg is symbolic – of new life that we mothers bring into this world? I feel so…

This is just the beginning. Now that I’ve tasted success, I’m going to try with more silk scraps. I’ve got to find some with intricate patterns!

What do you think?

Now, it’s your turn for a show and tell. Link up your lovely creation below. (Please do not link more than two posts).

If you don’t have a blog, feel free to post on Mommy Labs’ facebok page. Can’t wait to see what you made!

This blog hop is co-hosted by:

• Angeliquefelix – Check out her cute heart mobile
• Rainy Day Mum – Her button lady Bug is a piece of delight!
• Starting this month, we’re thrilled to have Patricia at Colours Dekor join us as the co-host, too!

Friends, today, I’m sharing with you more than just a blog post or an article. Through these 5o+ thought-provoking ideas and 32 pictures, I share with you the secrets to my lasting pleasures. The pleasure that comes with my curious interaction with the natural world.

This earnest joy, I always strive to share with my family and especially with Pari. For it is by exploring and appreciating the mysteries of our nature and mother earth and by developing a love for it – early on – that our children will experience pure bliss of the mind, heart and soul.

And, they will cherish their childhood and go on to love life with a passion that does not come by being surrounded with the artificial world all the time.

Sunday – April 22 – was Earth Day. I had meant to do a few posts last week focusing on ‘kids and nature’ – a series that I started a week back. But unfortunately, I could not write anything on the blog the whole of past week due to a small surgery on my arm. (nothing to worry friends; I’m fine now).

The truth is – more or less – every being longs for nature.

More so kids. They may not crave it like they crave chocolates or toys. It’s sad that they may go on living without even implicitly understanding the lack of nature in their lives. But, this deficiency might go on to impact them in the short and the long term, which we adults may never realize. We may look for the reasons in all the wrong areas and factors.

When, in reality, the effect of nature (or the lack of it) on the young mind and health is intense and immediate.

Nature opens up opportunities for free play for children like no other medium can. And, it’s the free play or the unstructured play without adult intervention that’s the most enriching experience for children. The elements of nature not just soothe them, they also bring out their imagination and creativity in more ways than an artificial setting ever can.

This article is an insightful read on why children’s outdoor play and learning spaces need radical rethinking. It advocates designing them in a way that the spaces encourage stimulating engagement with nature. I can’t agree more! ‘Let the Children Play’ is by far my favourite play-based blog that tirelessly advocates adding natural elements in children’s playscape.

In the book called – ‘Last Child in the Woods‘, child advocacy expert Richard Louv, directly links the lack of nature in the lives of today’s generation with some of the most disturbing childhod traits. He calls it – ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’.

Speaking from experience, one very important learning I’d like to share with you…

To go out with your children for a nature walk or a nature study, one doesn’t need to be an expert by any means. Far from it, it’s much more beautiful and enjoyable when the parent and the kids are learning together – in spontaneous, unstructured ways or sometimes by prior planning.

I, for one, am always learning along side Pari.

There are trees and birds and blooms that I cannot identify. There are sounds that I can’t recognize. I turn to Pari to take note of it so we can get home and google or find out by referring to a book.

So, I’m far away right now from being an expert guide on nature.

But, I AM something else that’s very very relevant in this whole experience

Which is – I bring along with myself a keen sense of wonder! When I’m with Pari on our nature walks – be it in the woods or merely gazing at trees and birds from our balcony – I am wonder personified. I can’t help. My curiosity is infinite. I get awe-struck at anything and everything in nature (and outside its realm, too!) And, I think my curiosity is my most powerful creative tool.

I whole-heartedly agree with what Rachel Carson wrote in her award-winning classic – The Sense of Wonder:

“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.”

So, here are my 50 heartfelt thoughts on how to enjoy nature spontaneously – using all five senses.

I’ve included a number of pictures to make the reading more visual and transport you to the natural world.

I think there’s no barrier of age to enjoy and be healed by nature. No matter how old your child – 6 years or 6 months – he/she will accept the world of nature – intrinsically. The key is to sharing and enjoying together rather than we setting out to ‘teach’. 

Whether you’re out in the woods for a nature walk early morning, taking a walk in the neighbourhood, playing on the beach, lounging in your backyard early evening, or sitting in the balcony, porch or on the terrace late evening – doing nothing – you can soak up some nature in the simplest – and most spontaneous – of ways. Ways that are not going to cost a thing. They will only need your wholehearted engagement and …?

Yes, you got it – a keen sense of wonder.

1. Get up at the crack of dawn. Early rising need not be a habit. But, pick a day when you want to savour the light, colours, smells and sounds of the twilight – with your child.

This experience for a child with his/her parent comes with infinite joy and awe. You never know – the hues of the early morning sky might even inspire you to paint!

2. The birds sing the loudest in the crystal clear early morning air. I wonder why they prefer this time. Have you tried calling the birds?

Don’t be surprised, we actually can call them and invite them to come close to us. Certain sounds make them curious and they may allow themselves to come in our vicinity. This video shows how to do a bird call. Doing this is FUN!

3. Then walk into the woods. The toadstools make a pretty picture, don’t they?

Who knows, you might even spot an elf under them (as that poem goes...!) If not, make a nature wand like this. Wave. And, voila…!

4. Count the trees!

I’ve read that Christopher (Robin) Milne, whose father wrote the Winnie-the-Pooh story books for him had said, when he was a kid, his father would drive him down to the woods every summer for two months – “just to count the trees”! Classy example of doing nothing and just being….!

5. Climb the trees…

This old-fashioned play can never  be dated! It can keep entertaining children from one generation to another for the no-holds-barred fun, thrill and challenge that it offers. Not to mention – the connection with nature.

6. Swing from a branch

It’s primitive! It takes us back to our origins as homo sapiens! No wonder it’s thrilling!

7. Observe the tree bark; its colour, texture

8. Oh – and the hollows of the trees! Don’t forget to survey them

They are often a treasure trove for the adventure seeker. Bugs, insects, nuts, eggs – even birds – never underestimate the surprise…

9. Collect fallen leaves, admire their hues, textures, shapes…

10. Collect fallen fruits, acorns, pinecones.

Take them home and make a five senses nature tray

11. Watch the squirrels scurry up and down the tree taking their eatables along…

12. Look out for the ants. You might find them gorging on a dead moth!

13. Listen to the birds making music overhead. Can you identify them by their sound?

14. When looking up, linger a while. Can you see a beehive? A nest, may be? You never know!

Or, a ripe fruit about to fall? It’s mango season out here. I’m reminded of those days when I aimed pebbles at a plump mango hanging from that huge, shady tree in my school campus!

15. Follow the winged friends in flight

If you have a camera, try capturing this fleeting moment. It’s challenging but exciting. Their flight through the vast expanse remind how priceless is freedom…

16. Go hiking up the hills. Come down rolling!

17. Admire the birds enjoying water

18. Don’t leave in a hurry! You might get to enjoy some of their antics…

19. When you get back home, make a bird feeder to invite birds from your neighbourhood to a sumptuous lunch!

20. Slosh your feet in muddy water if it’s a rainy day.

Or simply dig up a drain in a sand pit and enjoy the glorious mess!

21. Spot the fishes wriggle and twirl so swiftly. Notice how they huddle together.

I wonder if their heads collide. Or, if there is ever a stampede under water!

22. Smell the distinct scent of the greens and the aroma of the first rain on the parched land

Our sense of smell has the power to establish memories and trigger emotions.

23. Feel the rain on your face.

You’ll be tempted to leave your mouth parted! Drink the nectar drop by drop.

24. Hear it drum on the window pane.

Tap your fingers to match its rhythm..

25. Watch the birds in the rain. Note how they sit quiet and still – their feathers doused and dripping

You might get tempted to go out of the house and get drenched. Don’t hesitate…

26. Imagine shapes in the moving clouds. You never know what you might picture!

27. Now that you’ve seen the big picture – the clouds, the rain, the trees – get up close and personal and discover the fine print! Grab a magnifying lens and poke your nose closer

Do you get snow where you live? Then, explore snowflakes and discover their fascinating structure. Look closer into the mosses and you’ll find hundreds of living creatures that look the size of predators! A magnifying lens brings nature closer in such incredible ways!

28. Observe the reflections in water – reflections of trees, clouds, moon, flying birds! Oh, and your own

29. Sit by the water quietly to spot a frog or a toad.

What might it be thinking? Or, saying? Can you weave a story around it?

30. Why stop at just one frog. Go frog hunting.

Is it single? Or, in pair? – as it’s often seen during spring.

31. Sit for hours gazing at this intense mystery of nature – the ocean

Listen to the waves crashing on the shore; the sands washing away; the shells as they clang against each other and unravel the secret within their souls with a song on their lips…

32. Let the uproarious sea-wind soar your spirit

Yeah, it more than just whistles. It sings the loudest songs and makes the waves dance with sprightly passion. The sight makes my heart skip a beat. Always!

33. Notice how your shadow dances on the shore

Is it long, short, bulging, lanky, wavy?

34. The child’s impressions on the wet sand are much to be curious about!

Encourage him/her to observe how deep are they, which will tell how heavy or light are they compared to the adults’

35. Feel the waves massage your feet; the sands gliding under your feet; pulling them inward

36. When you go back home, create some music with water! Yes, it’s gallons of fun – literally!

37. But hey, Don’t leave yet. Wait for the setting sun to paint the horizon in myriad hues of red, orange, saffron, purple.

If this sight is not sheer poetry, what is? Talking about poetry, I think there must be a gazillion poems written about the ocean! And yet, it’s an enigma…

38. Look for the migrating birds in the painted sky

The geese as they set upon their journey forming a ‘V’ (for victory?) is a sight that makes me nostalgic each time. Have you seen the movie – ‘Fly Away Home’ ? It’s heartwarming!

The sea-gulls – how they make the majestic ocean look poetic and poignant!

39. I’m sure you’ve collected shells every time you’ve gone to the beach or have gathered rocks by a river side. Isn’t it so therapeutic?

Makes you go – aaah and oooh each time you find one with a unique colour, shape or texture. I can go on doing this activity day-long and into the sunset and then the very next day…

40. Next time you go to a stream, try poring through the shallow water to explore life beneath

Water weed, mosses, lichen, tadpoles, snakes – the possibilities are vast. And, intriguing

41. Water IS an enigma! And, the best mode of play. Today, give a break to the bathroom.

Instead, get a shower in the backyard or in a park – with the sprinkler. We did that. The delight your child will feel is unfathomable (see the second pic from top)!

42. Talking about a shower, having one under a waterfall can be the most exhilarating experience

Drive a little away from your city to look for one. In the rainy season, even the smallest waterfall can come alive. The chilly, breezy outburst will make you go wild with ecstasy. Every person – no matter child or adult – must experience this joyous rapture of being out there – exposed to raw and naive nature

43. Marvel at the mystery of the night sky.

Imagine the stars communicating with you as they illuminate the celestial space

44. If you have a binocular, on a clear night, the thrill of seeing a star from close quarters is beyond words!

Never mind that you can’t identify its name. Let that not bother you. Just the notion of getting close to this far away astral beauty is an ethereal experience!

45. What do you see in the moon?

As a child I often pictured a chariot driven by number of horses. Each time I fabricated a new story with the cart and the moon!

46. Listen to the sounds outside in the dark hour. You’ll notice they are distinct from the day-time sounds.

It’s also a time when you feel closer to the cosmic space. You might feel transported to one of the heavenly bodies…

47. The dark hour is also a time to use your sense of hearing to its best effect.

The birds are silent now but the insects are having a musical party. Their chorus is worth listening to – one voice at a time.

48. The next day, early morning, you might want to look for dew drops on the flowers and leaves in your backyard or in the neighborhood.

Their softness will tinkle the senses in your finger tips!

49. Nature has a great sense of colour and style! I can’t help but admire the colour matching that goes on in the natural world.

The term is camouflage but it looks fashionable, too! Keep an eye out for such colour and pattern matching games!

50. Don’t over-schedule your child. Take the time to observe and absorb

Slow down and tune up to nature’s rhythm. Rejuvenate your soul. Keep alive the child’s most precious gift – his/her sense of wonder!

This time spent together in each other’s company – in the most natural setting – also does wonders to the bond we share as a family, besides the life-long bond that we create with nature.

At # 51, I’ll leave you with these words that stirred my heart and soul!

Quoting once again from the book – ‘The Sense of Wonder’ – that I’m currently reading and loving!

“What is the value of preserving and strengthening this sense of awe and wonder, this recognition of something beyond the boundaries of the human existence?

Is the exploration of the natural world just a pleasant way to pass the golden hours of childhood or is there something deeper?

I’m sure there is something much deeper, something lasting and significant. Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life. Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”

Your thoughts? 

How do you renew your own delight?

What gives your soul infinite joy?

P.S. I urge you you to share this post among your family and friends circle to help create awareness about the supreme importance of nature in the lives of our children. Thank ya. I love you

Starting today, I’ll be sharing a series of articles on bringing nature into our lives – sharing the why, what, how, when. It’s going to be interesting – that I can assure you – with lots of pictures!

In the first of the series, I share my thoughts on why it’s important for our children (and us) to have REAL nature experiences – away from merely the vicarious pleasure of watching nature on television. 

Television, I have to admit, feeds a certain interest of mine. And that interest is – good storytelling. Yeah, I have a soft corner for stories. And, I satisfy that interest by listening, watching, narrating them myself, by writing and ofcourse –  reading.

I like to watch Discovery, National Geographic Channel (NGC) or Animal Planet – not only for the rich content on nature, wildlife, adventure but also for their storytelling.

Really, I love their commentary/narration of a scene or an incident. Those commentaries capture my interest and imagination. They have stories, suspense, storytelling skill and intriguing information as well.

And the visuals! Well, yes, those visuals are extraordinary and exotic – something that’s far far away from the city life that we lead! Argh….

Having said all this, I absolutely believe that watching nature programs on Discovery or NGC is NOT going to give us and our children REAL nature experiences.

On the contrary; and rather frightening – they may even distance us from nature – actual nature – even further.

You may ask why?

Well, for one, authentic nature experiences mean – CONTACT with nature.

It means being WITH and WITHIN nature to feel, touch, smell, listen, observe, explore. To experience it with all five senses.

Television content merely gives us vicarious pleasure of being in nature.

It provides entertainment. But, that entertainment comes wrapped in a guise. It also makes us think that by watching such content, we’re forming connections with nature.

We may be prone to treat this virtual nature time as a substitute for all the nature walks we could be otherwise taking.

Sure, these programmes give us joy but they will never be able to help us form a bond. Because our FIVE SENSES are not engaged. We watch our small screens come alive with the greens and we all let out a collective “aahhhh…” and a drawn out “wooooow”. But, never once will we FEEL the pleasure of being close to nature.

Worse still – the Discovery channel programs make Nature seem so EXOTIC. And, so REMOTE. 

Really, this is even more worrisome. When we see those gorgeous locales and the rawness of the wild – we think only THAT as nature. And, we pine for it. We feel bad that such type of nature is not in our fortune .

I feel that way, too – to be honest.

Which is a WRONG thing to think!

Our kids may end up forming an impression that nature is not accessible to us because it’s so far away in the forests of Amazon or in the wilds of Africa. They may grow up without realizing that even the veggie and flower plants or a couple of trees in their backyard are nature and they are equally precious. Or that – the trees dotting the street in our neighbourhood are something to take notice of, look up at, spot the birds perched there and admire…

Agreed – some nature seem much more exotic than others. And, that type of nature may be pretty far away. Sure, the BIG five of Africa are enchanting but they’re also inaccessible to many of us. The corals are indeed rare and remote: down-under.

But, the truth also is – nature is so close to us. We don’t need to go anywhere far and remote to enjoy such experiences.

It is right there in our backyards. Or, in parks, gardens, forests, or National Parks.

Nature is beautiful even when it does not seem exotic. And, it is peaceful, soothing and healing even when it’s not exotic.

All we need to do is make a conscious effort to get closer to nature – know it, appreciate it, explore it.

The nature time on small screen is fine. It gives us so much information to chew on.

But, for nature to soothe us and heal us and for the kids to develop a love – we have to get closer to nature. And enjoy in so many intuitive, impromptu, unstructured and structured ways.

Being out and about in the greens – this is the most effective way to some of the problems that kids in today’s world are facing, including, stress, obesity, lethargy, demotivation, lack of imagination and even depression.

Virtual nature is NOT the solution.

Feeling the soil under their feet and the wind in their hair; listening to the rustle of the fallen leaves and taking in the scent of the wet soil – all these are pure joy to the senses that we must have our kids experience….

Next up in this series, I share ideas (with photos) on how to enjoy Nature Walks in an unstructured, spontaneous ways.

Have you seen our Earth Day Celebrations blog hop? It’s going wild and green with ideas and projects to celebrate the Earth. Check it out. You may also link up your own Earth Day project.

Some of the ideas that stood out to me from the blog hop:

• Create an indoor meadow via Nurture Store
• Observing new growth on something that seems dead via Rainy Day Mum
• Celebrate the Wind via Mama Nature
• Make a Nature Collage via Greening Sam and Avery