Opinionated Girl vs. Wild, Wild World

Toddler Activities

2012-02-13T07:15:00.000-05:00

You know the great thing about toddlers and pre-schoolers? They learn something new constantly and they love it. Once a baby learns to squeal or coo or clap or jump, they repeat that action over and over again until it’s mastered. It’s truly a beautiful thing of which to be a part. When I taught at a pre-school, the kids bowled me over all the time from the simple things they enjoyed. Their happiness at a simple block structure or traced letter was simply uncontainable. (And cute, always cute.) Now that I have a toddler in my life (an adorable, intelligent stinker!), I am constantly drawn to activities that I know he will love. (Never mind that he’s content just to fill my rain boots with blocks over and over again…)

1. Hungry Caterpillar handprint art! Little guy loves to say the word “caterpillar.” // 2. Busy bags for toddlers, filled with all kinds of little tidbits of fun! Some ideas include: photos, small stuffed animals, finger puppets, lacing and beading activities.

3. Painting INSIDE a plastic baggie to prevent big messes. // 4. Making keepsake handprint art with two colors of paint.

5. A SHAKER!!! He loves to make noise and to hear music and shake his little booty! // 6. Painting with a potato and non-toxic paint (preferably homemade paint!) so that he can explore color and texture.

{links can be found on my Kidtastic Pinterest board}

Sensational.

2012-02-11T07:15:00.000-05:00

#truestory

Friday Fancies: Cat’s Out of the Bag

2012-02-10T07:15:00.000-05:00

Fiorello Havana – ASOS - $159.35 // Faux Croc Tuck Lock bag – ASOS - $62.67

Small Leslie – Kate Spade new york – Nordstrom - $318 // Charm Travel Magazine – Kate Spade new york – Nordstrom - $298

Bob’s Memphis Trip - Marc by Marc Jacobs – Saks - $528 // Eggplant for Every Occasion – Modcloth - $57.99

Skies are gray.

2012-02-09T07:15:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had one of those days where you just want to crawl into a dark cave and never come out? No? (Liar.) Here’s a few things that make me smile on a sunshine-less day in my spotted mind.

The opportunity to go home and throw my hair up in a bandana and get some studying done after dinner.

Helping one of my best girls find her wedding shoes for this fall in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Veganizing comfort food so that I can feel good in my brain, my heart, AND my belly. (Check out this recipe!!!)

Dreaming of comfy-cozy layered outfits like these for work.

Vegan Fledglings

2012-02-08T07:15:00.000-05:00

John enjoying veggie-packed spaghetti! // Our miniature herb garden in old glass jars (cilantro, basil, thyme)

John and I have been vegans for about two weeks now. I thought that being vegan would be expensive and difficult. When John mentioned that he’d like to be a complete vegan (versus our mostly vegetarian previous habits), I was taken aback. I didn’t know if we could do it. I thought we were likely to run into a lot of problems with our families, the kids, and coworkers. I thought we’d buckle under pressure and perhaps give up a few days into it. But we haven’t and here’s why: we like it. We love the compassionate lifestyle. We’re constantly researching online and in books (some sweet gifts from Adrienne and Nate). We are slowly using up and getting rid of our animal products and we’re against purchasing any more. We’re talking earnestly about how we feel and about converting our home to natural materials only, as possible.

Simple, quick, transitional meal for Kiddo 1 - “Chik’n” nuggets and a Fruitable

We don’t know everything… we’re just vegan babies, people!!! But we do know that we want to learn more and more and more and feel very certain that we have made the right decision for our family. Yes, this means that when the boys are with us they eat at least vegetarian, unless we’re at a restaurant and they order something different. We respect that their mothers have made other choices and that we are all working for the best interest of the kiddos… I mean, both kiddos are healthy and happy and there’s not much more you could ask for! Vegan eating in a blended family has by far been the toughest challenge because the things we eat and love may not be things that the boys eat and love and are used to in other environments.

Haul from our first vegan shopping trip – Spent half as much as normally budgeted

A huge surprise was that the cost of food went down, even as the quality of our ingredients went up. I was one of the people who said that veganism must be hella expensive. Newsflash: It’s not. We eat whenever we want, from any number of raw foods or leftovers or occasionally treat-type items (Swedish Fish! BBQ chips! Ginger snaps!). We eat and live cheaply. I mean, we we previously on the heart-attack-before-forty-ramen-noodles-diet, so we KNOW what cheap means. You can be a cheap vegan. I promise.

Half a frozen banana, pulsed into ice-cream-glory

We never have to be hungry and we almost always fall into a calorie deficit by the end of the day, simply because the foods we eat are not naturally dense in fat or high in calories. We can enjoy extra treats and snacks with no guilt. I feel better. I feel stronger. I feel like I am really taking care of my body and my mind.

I am proud that my husband suggested that we give it a fair shake. I am proud to be the wife of a man who will push for what he believes in. I am happy that he will also let me take goofy photos of him with his mouth full and post them on the internet. I love this man and I love our life. I am proud to be compassionate. I am proud to be a vegan.

How to Help Your Children Survive Divorce

2012-02-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite blogs is The Curvy Girl Guide, an excellent wealth of information and positivity that gets shipped right to my inbox every day. The contributors are funny, insightful, and wise. The recipes are usually healthful and easily modified to a vegan diet. The stories are about “real” women as opposed to the illusion of the ideal woman created in the mainstream media. I find most posts relatable and interesting.

This morning, they ran an article called “How to Help Your Children with Divorce.” It is straightforward, clear, and concise. While The Curvy Girl Guide is not necessarily a divorce based resource, the simplicity of this article struck me in a big way. I immediately forwarded it to my guy so that he can check out the tips and compare them to his current attitudes toward the kiddos. Divorce is hard. Divorce with kids is even harder and good resources and support can be hard to find.

This article is a decent representation of some basic rules that would be beneficial to the kids because, after all, aren’t they the most vulnerable in this situation? For all my stepmom friends, these are good tips even for us. Everyone in a divorcing child’s life could benefit from reading and really understanding and grasping these simple (but not necessarily easy) tips.

Check out the article here.

For the love of pink.

2012-02-02T07:15:00.000-05:00

Pink blazers are not necessary items in a working wardrobe. They are purely a sartorial want. Does that stop me from saying that I NEED a pink blazer this spring? No, it doesn’t. I NEED a pink blazer for spring. Here’s some ideas of what to do with a pink blazer. (All images found on Pinterest and are linked directly to that source.)

Laid back with cuffed or boyfriend jeans, a striped top, and cute flats in a complementary or contrasting color. Both these shots are essentially the same look and I love both!

Pulled together with a preppy sweater-over-collared-shirt look in great colors to show your attitude and personality. I love the unexpected color pairings!

Glam with heels and a statement scarf, finished with a great bag OR over a perfect summery white dress with beautiful beachy hair. LOVE!

1. Nordstrom, Juniors $58 // 2. ASOS, Petite, $45

3. Urban Outfitters, $78 // 4. Coldwater Creek, $30

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT PINK BLAZERS?

Are they too “Elle Woods” for you?

Is it possible for things to be “too Elle Woods” at all?

Dear You, This. Love, Me.

2012-02-01T08:57:00.001-05:00

Dear Reader, I want you to take today and punch it in the face. Whatever your goals are, do twice as much. Whatever you want to happen, go out and make it happen. Listen to me! You are worth it. You are awesome. You are worthy. YOU. CAN. DO. IT. Whatever “it” is, you CAN do it.

Let me know how you’re punching today in the face… and how I can help. :)

Rainy Day Inspiration!

2012-01-31T07:15:00.000-05:00

I love the oddness of the rainboots with a floaty skirt above… It’s perfectly imperfect. I am so thrilled to have been able to order some new rainboots! I like the loose fit of boots around my calf muscle, which is slightly larger than the “average” boot will fit. Luckily, I found these cuties on sale at Torrid and had to order a pair in bright berry pink, so now I’ve been scouring the web for outfit inspiration!

1. Peppy with equally brightly colored pieces and dark tights, for contrast. Love! // 2. Chic with a piece that matches the bright color and layered neutrals. // 3. Polished with boot socks over tights and a grown-up jacket, topped with statement necklace.

4. Casual with buffalo checks and skinny pants. // 5. Quirky professional with a great dress, necklace, and classic jacket. // 6. Sleek with a monochrome outfit that lets the boots take center stage.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE WAYS TO WEAR RAIN BOOTS?

{all pictures found via Pinterest and are linked to that source}

Wise Words for Monday

2012-01-30T07:15:00.000-05:00

#TRUTH.

Saturday Shoes

2012-01-28T07:15:00.000-05:00

Gorgeous wedges! Love that pedicure, too! It’s beautiful and fantastic.

Leopard for the Leo in me!

Miu Miu sparklers, also beloved by Stephanie of Someday We’ll Be Smarter

Louboutins that are also bright pink and sparkly?! Um, yes! PLEASE!

Poetic License heels that give me cause to stop, stare, and want. I can taste summer just looking at these!

{all pictures found via Pinterest and are linked to that source}

Friday Fancies: Lovely

2012-01-27T07:15:00.000-05:00

1. Turtle Love Co’s silver laurel leaf ring, $165.00 // 2. Turtle Love Co’s silver laurel leaf keepsake necklace, $100

3. Prada Wedge Sandal, $490 // 2. Torrid Berry Rain Boots, $56.60 // 3. Kelsi Dagger Jordi Flats, $99

I ordered these rain boots! They sure will make tromping across campus in the rain a LOT more fun!

Try: This Stuff.

2012-01-26T07:15:00.000-05:00

So, Pinterest has pretty much taken over my free time. Free time is all my time that’s not already dedicated to family events including weekend visitations with the kiddos, homework, my college courses, and work. That’s not that much but it’s enough time that I have amassed a whopping 1392 pins as of today. {Check them out!} I separate my boards into distinct categories, with everything else falling into my Smorgasbord. (See what I did there? It’s a board? Smorgasbord?) Pinterest projects have inspired me to actually GET STARTED on things I have had planned for months (and sometimes years).

A few Pinterest posts inspired me to put together this magnetic makeup board, for clutter free storage in my regrettably small master bathroom. (Currently on the board: MAC Shimmer Moss, Nyx Champagne, Maybelline Gold, Neutrogena Mineral Powder, Neutrogena Healthy Skin cream foundation with SPF 55)

Home organization and decor posts insisted that I must (finally) organize my office space so that I can do my homework without screaming about how frustrating the mess in the area is. The binders catch our essential paperwork, correspondence, and records, while the bulletin board makes a home for little things. The three drawers hold small craft items, office supplies, and little mementos, with a shoebox full of cords and extra electronic bits on top for easy access. It’s come so far, but it’s go so far to go.

I CAN’T WAIT TO TRY:

These awesome ideas on my Daily Inspiration board. I have been pinning loads of outfit ideas, both for casual days and for days that I need to look more professional. A) I am hoping to upgrade my professional wardrobe slowly during 2012 to put me in a good mindset for test prep and grad school coming up. B) I’m growing out my hair, again, and I can’t wait to be able to throw it up in a ponytail again. I miss my long locks! C) Scarves are awesome!!! I love how they can add a pop of color to an otherwise standard, but cute, outfit.

I can’t wait for the opportunity to snatch my baby niece up and take lots of cute pictures to surprise her mommy! There’s tons and tons and tons of photography inspiration and I just can’t get enough babies!

I’ve also created quite a large DIY list of projects that can make me super happy to have around… and to give as gifts! :) I can’t wait to get this party started!!!

Mad Style for Men

2012-01-25T07:15:00.000-05:00

Honestly, this just screams “JOHN!” at me. He wet shaves every morning, which means he uses a real razor blade and lathers his own soap, as opposed to electric razors or plastic/disposable ones. He also desires a tattoo sleeve on his arm and enjoys a nice vest. Like I said, it all screams “JOHN!” to me. Wet shaving is incredibly cool, classy, and gives him a closer shave than I’ve ever seen before. The fact that these men in the above photo obviously don’t give a shit what people think and do what they like makes them Grade A Kickass in my book.

Even men should know, it’s the little details that matter. The handkerchief, the Wayfarers, the great wingtip throwbacks to a better time… those are all noticed and appreciated. Plus, these things are just iconically awesome. Classic, guys. Bring sexy back, please!

Speaking of sexy, here’s Ryan Reynolds fully clothed. The man knows what he’s doing with a stocked closet! The layers! That hat! The convenient cross body bag that doesn’t identify him as either straight or gay because it’s a bag, not a statement about sexual orientation! Seriously, love me some Ryan Reynolds because he’s funny, he’s easy on the eyes, and knows how to dress. It makes a difference.

Casual and cool. Yes, men can do layers. In fact, it would make me happy if more men did because this outfit is awesome. I love it. Cardi over flannel looks comfy and laid back and I pretty much love it.

All in all, I just wanted to share some ideas for the fellas… Basically, it’s attractive when a guy does whatever the Hell he wants and avoids falling into unfashionable traps by thinking that guys shouldn’t care about how they look because that makes them gay. It doesn’t. And so what if someone is gay? That doesn’t matter either. People are people, people!

What will happen if gay marriage is legalized?

2012-01-24T07:15:00.000-05:00

WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT JUST AN 'EFFING MINUTE!!!!!!! You mean to tell me that if gay marriage is legalized that gay people will get married? What effect does that have on straight people? You mean to tell me that it has NO effect on straight people? None, whatsoever?

Oh, I thought that all along.

{picture via pinterest, follow me here}

Disney Obsession: Healthy or not?

2012-01-23T07:30:00.000-05:00

I have a long, well-documented obsession about Disney Princesses. I hated Bambi, despised Dumbo, and avoided any and all viewings of Pinocchio. I was only okay with watching a) The Sandlot, b) The Little Rascals, or c) a movie about princesses. I’m not too proud to admit that I’ve recently popped in a couple of worn out VHS tapes of my favorites or that I’ve seen both Tangled and The Princess and the Frog (without justifying it by watching with my baby sisters) and loved both. I just love these movies, like so many other girls.

However, I hate to admit that I don’t know if I want to share these movies with any future female offspring that I may have. I’ll admit that a large percentage of my childhood was spent playing MASH on scraps of paper and drawing hearts around my crush’s name. I was, in a word, boy-crazy. I don’t know… some kids are just more developed than others and some are encouraged along the way by the media, their peers, and sometimes their parents. If you raise a girl to think the only thing that matters is finding a mate, then that’s all she’s going to strive for. If you tell a girl the only way to catch that mate is to look beautiful, she’s going to obsess over how she looks, what she wears, and how she’s viewed by those potential mates, even if they’re only eight years old!

They will also buy into the gender archetypes that these characters are placed into, where the woman is weak-ankled with love for a man (Megara), will give up everything for a man (Ariel), is made to do all the cooking and cleaning because men can’t and shouldn’t be expected to (Snow White), should wait for a man to make his move (Sleeping Beauty), should love a man for imprisoning her because he loves her (Belle), or should aim for a rich man to make all her problems go away (Cinderella). The only exception to this rule being Princess Tiana, a new princess, from The Princess and the Frog who dreams of owning her own restaurant and finally her hard work pays off. However, this story also has it’s own fluffy pink princess creature whose daddy buys her anything she wants or needs. (Charlotte “Lottie” LaBouff)

In a forum that I belong to, I noticed a recent discussion about the maturing of young girls at a much faster rate. Some people have a hard time wrapping their minds around it but take a look at the world around you… it’s happening. I know that my baby sisters are much farther along in the development process than I was and I was a particularly early bloomer among my peer group. I have a younger cousin that’s light years ahead of where I was at her age. How do we combat the early blooming? How do you help kids see beyond the content of the media they’re going to be exposed to at young ages and continuing throughout their lives? You can’t shelter them always. You shouldn’t shelter them always. So what do you do?

How do you feel about Disney and the Princesses?

How to Wear Jeans

2012-01-20T18:15:00.000-05:00

Jeans, jeans, good for your butt. The more you wear them, the more you don’t know if you’re doing it right. Answer: There’s no wrong way to wears jeans, my friends. They’re like the cool, awesome cousin of uptight, bossy work pants. It’s been jeans week at work and it’s been real, y’all. It’s been real. Everyone’s been more relaxed and laid-back and I’ve been wearing out all my best outfit ideas on jeansy-jeans days and now I have to get back into the swing of professional clothes.

While I have you here, why don’t you check out this awesome post on looking taller in flats? Maybe you six-foot-ladies with the great legs don’t need this little tidbit but little ol’ me found it very helpful.

5 Simple Rules for Happiness

2012-01-19T18:15:00.000-05:00

On the road to happiness, there’s thing’s you’ll learn. I can’t claim the credit for simplifying the process down to five easier-said-than-done-rules, but I found this on Pinterest (follow me!) and knew that it was worth sharing. For me, this process also involves God. Maybe it doesn’t for other people but it does for me. I’m human, I assume all my readers are human; we are going to make mistakes. We’re going to get started off on the wrong foot sometimes. We’re going to put our foot in our mouths sometimes. We’re going to freak out and lose it sometimes. HEY! It’s okay. I promise.

5. EXPECT LESS: The key to being happier with what you have is lowering your expectations. Don’t expect people to behave the way you want them to. Don’t expect events to always go as planned. Don’t expect to get a perfect grade on every assignment. Don’t expect to win every case. LET GO A LITTLE BIT. I promise that you’re going to be a happier and more fulfilled person. As for me? I’m guilty of violating this on a daily basis, but I’m trying.

4. GIVE MORE: I’ll expand on this one. GIVE AND EXPECT NOTHING IN RETURN. One of the very best ways to a) lose friends, b) ruin your own happiness, and c) make people angry with you is to give a gift and have high expectations about how it is to be returned. If you expect a four year old to just be filled with glee at a new present and instead they love the box and can’t be coaxed to say thank you… you’ve just ruined your happiness. If you give someone a large gift and then expect them to babysit on a last minute’s notice any time you need them to… you’ve just ruined your own happiness. Stop sabotaging yourself. Seriously, it’s stupid.

3. LIVE SIMPLY: Kids can show us the greatest example of how this works. Kid A has all the coolest gadgets and always wants new things as they come out. Kid A feels like he/she deserves new things all the time. Kid A doesn’t know the value of a dollar, the value of hard work, the value of saving, OR how to entertain him/her self without a gadget or cool new thing. Kid A is disappointed whenever there’s something he/she can’t have. Kid B knows that his/her parents can’t afford new things very often. Kid B knows not to ask for many new things. Kid B has learned how to entertain him/her self with playing outside and enjoying the things that he/she does have. Kid B learns how to make the best of things and how to take care of his/her few things so that they can last. Which kid is happier? Which kid do you think would grow up to live a happier life? There are certainly middle grounds, these are two extremes, but I think it applies to adults as well. This is how kids in third-world countries can still be happy, even with everything that’s happening in their lives. This is how kids can be satisfied by playing with boxes!

2. FREE YOUR MIND FROM WORRIES: Seriously, it’s okay not to worry about things sometimes. The silly-crazy-wonderful man that married me, my partner, has to often remind me to STOP WORRYING. (Also, to quit biting my nails, but that’s another story.) I worry about everything. I worry about things happening in the next hour, the next few days, the next few weeks, the next eight months, and sometimes, on my worst days, what is going to happen in twenty-three years. (What is my stepson’s wedding going to be like? Will we like his wife? How is my career going to go? What if we make a change to the house and then it won’t sell because of that change? Will I be able to have kids when we want them? What should we spend on the tax refund that we haven’t filed for yet?) I am a compulsive planner. I can’t stop myself. I like things to be just so and it helps me keep my mental stress fairy at bay. Usually. Sometimes even the planning isn’t enough. Again, I’m working on it. It doesn’t do any good to worry. I’m going to worry myself into a heart attack if I’m not careful. Let’s ALL try to stay away from anxiety related heart stress. That’s a good goal, right? Just let some things go. Pick your battles. This is important for all your stepmommas out there, trust me!

1. FREE YOUR HEART FROM HATRED: The mother of all ways to be happy is to free yourself from hatred. Hating someone doesn’t harm them, it invades your soul and mind and heart in persistent and agitating ways. Actively despising someone is like covering all your positives and happy thoughts with a heavy, scratchy, awful blanket. Don’t allow someone you don’t like to take over your life by devoting time to thinking about all the negatives. I’m working on this, too. I can say positive things about the people I don’t like. I’ve looked into Byron Katie’s The Work and the free worksheets are fantastic for helping you work through your inner problems if you have an open mind. Karma cleanse your life and start thinking about things differently. All people are worthwhile. All people have positives and negatives, even you! Work on yourself! In other words, do you and let other people do them.

{all images were found via Pinterest and can be found on my boards, along with the source and extra information}

Resolutions are old-hat.

2012-01-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

A resolution is an old tradition that involves making some sort of magical wish, supposedly to come true in the following year, that one usually abandons before the first two months have passed. I hate the fact that the new year is so full of hope and promise and we usually throw away our greatest ideas and goals before we give them a change.

This year, I’m making just a few resolutions and they have to do with that baby up there. The picture above is merely a few days after my surgery. Instead of staying home and resting, I was ecstatic to make the trip into town to see my new niece Erin. She was born in August and I was so happy to be a part of welcoming her into the world. I made time to stop and enjoy the moment with my new family and to be so pleased that mother and baby were happy and healthy. Katy, my sis-in-law, was so strong and so brave. I will stop and experience more happiness, more bliss, more enjoyment. I will love more.

This year, I will stop and smell the coffee. I will take time to enjoy the little moments with my husband, with our kiddos, and alone. I will make time for friends and loved ones. I will reach for my dreams unapologetically. I will spend more time loving and less time focusing on negative things. I will return to a church family and put myself into His work. I will support people that need support. I will give what I have to those who need it more. I will stop apologizing for being human but will instead strive to become a better person.

Reflecting on 2011

2012-01-03T15:35:00.000-05:00

In 2011, I learned a few lessons. I met some new people. I loved more. I laughed more. 2011 was also a hard year, ripe with conflict and adversity. It was a hard year financially. It was a hard year emotionally. I got divorced. I got remarried and became a Walker. I had a terrifying surgery that left me with a few complications. I gained two kiddos to love.

We made plans to make a drastic move and the plans were changed for the better of our family. I added countless members to my family, from Hawaii to Montana to Arizona to Oklahoma to Taiwan to right here in Georgia. I have a more diverse, more interesting, more loving family than I could ever have imagined. I was retained as a permanent employee instead of temporary. I registered for a new school, for a new degree program, and learned that I have less than two years to graduate before I can apply to the graduate program of my choice at Georgia State.

This crazy man in the paper bowtie became the reason that I get out of bed in the morning. Seriously, my morning motivation would be nothing without him. Together, we started attending a new church, with intentions to join. We have begun to outline what we want, as a couple, and what we believe that God wants from us, and to go after those things with our whole hearts. Our marriage has to come first and above all else, another lesson that I learned in the year 2011.

What does that mean for Opinionated Girl? It means that I’m back, ladies and gents. I’m here and I’m here to stay. You may notice some changes here and there, a shift in content to focus on my projects and DIYs, my successes and setbacks, and life in general. In the coming year, I’m not letting anything slow me down and you can take that to the bank. More on 2012 tomorrow…

Belated Happy Halloween!

2011-11-09T17:07:00.001-05:00

We had a Halloween party for Kiddo 1 and his cousins Gabbi and Leila. Also in attendance were Grandma (also known as “Momo,” which she doesn’t like, and “Oma,” which she does like), Auntie Katy, Chris, and baby Erin. We ate pizza, decorated cookies, made red velvet “dirt” cupcakes with worms, made glow stick lanterns, made up “scary” stories by lantern-light (that were more hilarious than scary), carved the above pumpkin (named Steve), and had a mummy obstacle course. Kiddo 1 won the obstacle course race, wrapped up as a mummy in toilet tissue. Gabbi told lots of stories that involved grappling hooks, while Leila focused more on families and haunted houses.

This is a photo that I found online while searching for decor and I can’t find the original source. (If you know where it is, please help!) We did something similar and made a monster each for me, John, and each kiddo to put in our windows.

Delicious red velvet cupcakes, before decorating.

The following day, we noshed on leftover pizza and had grilled cheeses. We finished up our sock monsters that we started the day before. From left to right, meet the family: Laurel, baby Erin, Deputy Daddy, Bob (wearing a mohawk and camo tube top), Mrs. M (the bride), Mr. M (the groom), and Susan the actress.

We had so much fun and hope to make lots more gooftastic memories just like these! :) It’s hard in a blended family, particularly one where there’s been so many changes for all the members, to create new traditions that everyone loves. The vote was unanimous to make our Halloween party an annual event because we all had so much fun and got to know each other a little better in the process. Cheers for new traditions and for all the love that’s felt in our home!

Thoughts on education (Montessori/Waldorf)

2011-11-04T14:08:00.001-04:00

Lately, in the throes of Christmas planning and shopping, I’ve been reminded of the techniques and schools of thought that I learned about when I was working the preschool environment. Those beautiful 3-5 year olds that I taught were fantastic and they taught me as much as I taught them. When I was a Sunday school teacher, I don’t think I quite appreciated the amount of information that those kids were able to give to me; I was much more focused on what information that I had to impart to them. The contact I had with children in Peru (some pictured above, 2008) left me ruminating about how all children are alike in certain ways, across the globe. Learning comes from the same places, across the globe.

Having the kiddos around has really changed the way I think about a lot of things. I am reminded that children are naturally curious creatures and that their desire to learn is unparalleled. If approached in the right way, children desire to learn and to work and to be productive instead of viewing learning as something to be dreaded and avoided at all costs.

The Waldorf and Montessori methods share some similar goals and ideals and I find that both of them seem particularly interesting and useful. The Waldorf method emphasizes imagination and learning through cooperation. Competition takes a less valued place in the classroom and students are encourage to discover new thinking processes. The Montessori method has more specific stages and emphasizes freedom within limits while respecting the child’s natural psychological development.

I do believe that structure, time-management, and goal-oriented learning that is common in public education has it’s place in today’s world, I also think that foundations of learning provided by these different types of school are beneficial and can help a child into a more successful future. Students from Waldorf schools and Montessori schools consistently outperform students from more conventional setups in all arenas other than standardized testing. Standardized testing is a joke.

Both the Montessori and Waldorf methods forgo electronic means of learning, such as television, recorded music, and computer play, on the principle that these forms of learning are ineffective and can actually hinder growth and development on many levels. Both methods incorporate “practical” forms of play, encouraging children to learn to be a part of the society and contributing to the household. The “homelike” environment of the earlier Waldorf schools is beneficial in training children to emulate adult activities so that they will learn how to do those things for themselves and become more productive in general.

I am not a mother, it’s true, but I have extensive knowledge and experience with children. There is nothing I love more than helping a child learn and seeing them grow through that learning. I hope that one day I can help my children learn using these principles of growth and development, by slowing myself down to their pace and letting them actively learn using the “discovery” model and by limiting their materials to ones that promote growth and stimulation over entertainment.

RESOURCES: Our Montessori Home (Toys Part 1, Toys Part 2), Michael Olaf

Missed you!

2011-10-21T08:08:00.001-04:00

What have I been up to? I have been making crafts, cracking down on wasted time, and trying to get my life back in order. Montana? It’s not happening. John and I decided that staying here would be better for the boys in the long-term. It was a super tough decision but the decision was made mutually and we are both making the best of it despite our initial disappointment.

John and me in our game gear to support Kiddo 1’s football team. Goooo Broncos! They are, as of yet, undefeated. Broncos whipped the Redskins last night, 32-13.

We attended a super awesome vegan Lovecraft themed birthday bash at cousin Adrienne and Nate’s house in ATL. At left is the diverse and awesome drink list at the “coffee” bar. At right, you’ll see the “Community Announcements.” The theme was like a Cthulhu Coffee House vibe, with Lovecraft nursery rhymes, a Lovecraft/Zombie coloring book, delightful company, and some of the best damn food I’ve ever eaten. Seriously. The best.

And I created these adorable sock monsters as a Halloween gift for Kiddo 2. Aren’t they adorable?! I’m still working out the details of how to make them the best and how best to affix their cute little decorations but as soon as I master the sock monster, you’ll be able to find them on my Etsy.

Red all over.

2011-10-06T14:51:00.001-04:00

I chose this outfit today based purely on the slightly colder weather we’ve been having and it felt great… in the morning. By the afternoon I was flustered and hating the fact that I put on fall clothes when Georgia’s afternoons have obviously not realized that summer is over. I spent most of the afternoon with my sleeves rolled up and trying to forget how hot those tights were, even inside my usually wintry office. I better just enjoy the rest of warm weather before I’m in Montana battling yetis and building igloos.

Outfit Details: Red shirt, can’t remember // Skirt, gifted // Black tights, Hue via TJ Maxx, 2pk for $10 // Booties, Target, $25 // Butterfly necklace, gifted // Total outfit cost: $30

I pride myself on the thriftiness with which I dress, but sometimes it doesn’t equate to a trendy outfit. I’m seriously okay with that. I’m working on building a working closet that I can mix and match with pieces that work with the body I have now. I’m not trying to fit into any “itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikinis;” I’m proud of my body and everything it does for me on a daily basis. It carries me wherever I go. It helps me hug the ones I love, hold baby hands, shake hands with new friends, lift, bend, stoop, carry, walk, run, dance, skip, hop, sing, and laugh.

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Snackaroni and Cheese

2011-10-05T07:30:00.000-04:00

My eldest stepson, Kiddo 1, is what you might call a picky eater. He doesn’t like to try new things very often and he has to be coaxed into even taking just one bite of something unfamiliar. At John’s request, I’ve been working on finding Kid-Tested, Dad-Approved recipes that get him eating more vegetables. You can read here where we snuck spinach and carrots onto a pizza blended into the sauce and he didn’t even notice. We decided that sneaking veggies into food was good as far as getting him nutrients… but it’s not really teaching him anything. He still thinks he’s eating regular pizza!

Dad, Kiddo 1, and I made homemade macaroni and cheese over the weekend, including a blend of broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower. We introduced Kiddo 1 to the NINJA, our food processor, and let him take an active step in Ninja-fying the veggies, so you can’t see or taste them in the food. Great idea, no? He totally got it. He was so proud that he was going to be able to eat veggies and not notice them.

The two guys talked about knife safety and used what I affectionately refer to as John’s “Rambo” knife to slice fresh cheese to be grated into the crock pot. Once all the ingredients were mixed together, you couldn’t even see the vegetables. We used the noodle shape that Kiddo 1 picked out, since he really loves the shell shape. He tasted it and declared it “pretty good.” Five steps in the right direction. We’re proud of you, Kiddo, for voluntarily eating veggies and for helping us cook.

Picky Eater Snackaroni and Cheese, adapted from The Crockpot Girls Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients:

16 oz pasta noodles, uncooked
2 eggs, lightly beaten
16 ounces sharp cheddar, grated
8 oz mild cheddar, grated
12 oz milk or unsweetened soymilk
12 oz evaporated milk – NOT condensed
1 bag frozen veggie mix, cooked and pureed – We used cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots.
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Stir together all wet ingredients, including veggie puree.
Pour noodles into crock pot, uncooked, and mix with wet ingredients.
Top with cheese, mix very well.
Add salt and pepper.
Turn Crockpot on HIGH for 1 hour. Check to see if noodles are done.
ONLY cook until noodles are done for a soft, cheesy macaroni dish similar to shells and cheese. If you want a drier macaroni, cook two hours, stirring occasionally.