December 2011 Archives

1. Plan more trips - By this I don't mean an elaborate travel schedule, although we do have a trip to Italy in the works. It does mean getting out in my own state (or even in our neighborhood) and discovering new places as a family.  

2. Try new foods - I love finding new places to eat, especially if they offer new tastes and fit a modest budget. It's great for kids to experience foods of the world and it's especially fun when it can be something new for the whole family.

3. Less time in front of a computer - I waste too much time in front of a small screen. Not only do I loose track of time, but I feel guilty about it. Next year, I will have more discipline and less guilt. Setting an alarm is key.

4. Out with the old - Becoming minimalists has been a long-term goal of ours. We have been trying to whittle down all the stuff that we own so we do more with less. Now the project starts in earnest in 2012.

5. Enjoy each day - I hope this doesn't sound too "out there," but I'm trying to end each day appreciating something about the past 24 hours. It's so easy to let each day pass without any thought to what's transpired. I want to make more of an effort to feel grateful for at least one thing every day.

Do you have any goals for the next year?

I'm actually a bit dubious when it comes to kids' music. Sure, your kids like to listen but do you? My answer is often "no," but now that I've listened to Raffi on heavy rotation I've discovered it is music even the most resistant parent can enjoy. 

Raffi has been around since I was a kid, so I wonder why it took so long for me to appreciate his music. His songs are not only catchy, but the lyrics are witty and memorable. I also appreciate his commitment to children's and environmental issues. Kellan started singing along the day after I bought the songs. It reminds me how quickly children learn through music. Too bad you can't put algebraic equations to music!

Does your preschooler have a favorite song or album?

 

 

A couple of years ago, we had candles that looked like birch trees that we used at Christmas. A few minutes after lighting them, we smelled something burning. With all the activity going on in the house, we got distracted. The candles were clustered too close together and a smaller candle completely charred the side of one of the taller candles. We felt pretty silly. We also felt fortunate that it didn't start a fire. 

According to the National Candle Association, households report fifteen thousand fires each year, mainly because of inattention to basic safety precautions. If there's one thing you should always do when you light candles, make sure you have them in your sight. Keep them in a heat-resistant container on a stable surface where children or pets cannot reach them. Never leave a candle unattended. A bit of extra caution goes a long way toward a safe holiday.

This is not the case with Kellan's new favorite book The Curious Garden. It is a feast for the eyes and a delight to read out loud. The story is about a young boy who nurtures a small patch of green space into an urban garden that spreads throughout his city. The story is an inspiration for both children and adults. Each page offers something new for kids to discover in the illustrations every time you read this book. Best of all, it's well written. I don't mind when Kellan asks to read it over and over again. 

Do you have a favorite book to read out loud?

Maybe it wasn't the most fun we've ever had, but it was fun. We got away from the crowd toward the front and searched the quieter area deeper into the tree farm. Erik hid behind tall noble firs while Kellan looked for him. Finally, we found a tree that wasn't too big and wasn't too small, and looked good from every angle. Then Erik got busy cutting. 

When we got back home, the work continued. We had to get the tree in the stand, untangle the lights and hang the decorations. We played Christmas music all afternoon and Kellan sat under the tree so he could smell the pine needles. It was a good day! 

Do you have a favorite holiday tradition?

I had a chance to really stop and notice my husband and son in action while on a walk recently. That's them looking for birds. They have the same look on their faces when looking at far off birds. They also make a similar "thinking" face. My best friend once showed me a picture of her, her dad, and grandfather standing in the exact same way while looking off in the distance. When I was a little girl, I was always told I looked just like my dad. Must have been the bushy eyebrows. 

It's interesting to see how we rub off on our kids. They arrive with their own distinct personalities but it's fascinating to see more subtle influences, whether intentional or not.

I am never excited to see packing peanuts. It's non-biodegradable and difficult to recycle. You also don't want that stuff around small children. Even at his age, Kellan is always tempted to bite into them. I understand that it's an easy way to fill up space and protect the contents in a box, but there has to be a more Earth-friendly way. 

The cheapest way to fill boxes is with shredded newspaper. If you don't have a shredder, it works just as well to crinkle the paper. I am also holding on to clean egg cartons to help fill up space inside a box. It can easily be recycled with the cardboard. I've even read a suggestion about using actual popcorn since it's lightweight and biodegradable. 

If you do get an abundance of packing popcorn, you can look up places in your state that recycles that material. You can also search online for companies that sell green-alternatives to polystyrene and other plastic packing supplies.

It's actually not that hard to make a kid famous these days. With social media and YouTube, parents post videos of their kids doing everything from singing a hit song to acting loopy after dental surgery. Some parents have cornered the market on instant fame. 

I enjoy sharing my experiences as a parent, but I think I'll save potentially embarrassing videos of Kellan for another time. Maybe for a girlfriend in the distant future.