Maddycakes Muse

So much for keeping up with this blog. *sigh* Today I have a good reason to update. A very generous lady on the West Coast is celebrating the 12 days of Christmas by giving to others! Not only that, but she has the most fantastic specialized party business and an eye for creativity!

PLEASE check out Michelle & Maddycakes Muse: Maddycakes Muse

Spa Party 2010 Complete!

I admittedly thought the mother of my daughter's BFF was a little bit off her rocker when she suggested a 'spa party' for our 7 year-olds. We feel very fortunate that Paige has a very nice group of friends...but, I wasn't sure if we could pull off a 'spa party'!

After weeks of planning, but not getting stressed out or going 'over the top', the girls were simply delighted to spend the day together. I was delegated as the "craft lady" and I don't think anyone caught on that I am definitely not crafty! *smile*

First on the agenda were thumbprint flower t-shirts. I must give credit to Disney's FamilyFun website for this one. I think they turned out cute, but judge for yourself!

The aprons & craft table:



Friends hard at work:



Finshed products:






We also made a present for mom to have "spa (special pampering alone) time" for Mother's Day:



After making bookmarks, the girls were off for Fruit Kabobs, sparkly punch & then facials, pedicures, & manicures! Oooh la la!

Spa Party...ooh la la!

The itinerary and activites are set for next Saturday's spa party. Six girls, t-shirt painting, craft for mommy's day, nails, toes, facials, finger sandwiches, punch = endless memories! We are very excited.

AGPA

If you're an American Girl fan living in NW PA, please check out the group I started on Facebook. Since we are at least 5-6 hours away from the closest AG Place, we must resort to online shopping and local events to get our fill.

Check it out: AmericanGirlofPA

Look who's coming to our house!

AND....




I bought both of these girls from AG collectors for amazing, irresistable prices (2 equal to the price of one new). How am I ever going to wait to give them the girls...what's the next holiday anyways? *snicker* Back to school is in August. Even though oldest daughter didn't get her first 18" American Girl doll until she was 7, I think I'll probably cave with the youngest daughter. Heck, we can always just send the doll to the AG hospital if something goes seriously wrong. I hope my girls play with dolls forever.

Maybe I need AGA (American Girl Anonymous)!? I know that I am just as infatuated with these dolls as my girls are...where were they when I was growing up?

Dehydration?

My children never cease to amaze me. I pick up the 5 year-old first each day which gives us time in the car to talk exclusively about her day. Usually I hear about the "letter factory", who's birthday it was today, the playdoh creations, books and songs....however, today was a stumper! I was asked, "Mommy, what is dehydration?". Wow. How do you explain that in kid terms? I managed to pull something out, but it took some quick thinking on my toes! Where is that book with all of the answers anyways?

Just say YES! to AG

The Christmas of 2008 my oldest daughter was six years-old and in Kindergarten at the time. About two weeks after Christmas, as I was tucking her bed she began to sob. "What, pray tell, could be the matter?", she replied, "I'm the only kid in my class who didn't get a Nintendo DSi for Christmas!"

Oh dear, I was not prepared to engage in a conversation about the disintegration of innocence with my little girl, plus she probably would've looked at me a bit funny. However, I did attempt to explain to her that Mommy and Daddy would rather she enjoy playing with dolls, coloring, drawing, playing with PlayDoh instead of a video game. As her big brown eyes looked into mine, I asked her how many of the 15 children in her class received a Nintendo DSi for Christmas....to which she replied, "3".

So, today as I read this article: Girls Abandon Dolls for Web-based toys, I stay true to my words from two years ago. I hope my girls play with dolls until they're in college! I agree with Kadaba that "...ditching doll play says just as much about the erosion of childhood - as well as imagination and attention spans, argue some - as it does about the multitude of gadgets and activities that vie for children's spare time."

Just say YES! to American Girl dolls!

Love Tank

Is your "love tank" on full or could it use a little fill up? According to Adam Khoo, kids who have high self-esteem feel they get a lot of love from others and also for themselves - but not in a selfish, self-centred way.

At the same time, they feel a high level of confidence in their own abilities. They have the "I Can Do It!" attitude.

For a child to have high-self esteem, all five of their emotional needs: love, acceptance, importance, recognition and independence must be met. They must have a full love tank.

Although this sometimes drives the husband nuts, one way that I like to fortify my girls' self esteem is by giving them "choices"...sounds simple, I know, but it's often taken for granted by people. This empowers them to have the opportunity to make decisions and also to accept responsibility for them.

How do you fill your child's love tank?

Adam Khoo Articles

April Showers...

"Hark, I hear a robin calling!
List, the wind is from the south!
And the orchard-bloom is falling
Sweet as kisses on the mouth.

In the dreamy vale of beeches
Fair and faint is woven mist,
And the river's orient reaches
Are the palest amethyst.

Every limpid brook is singing
Of the lure of April days;
Every piney glen is ringing
With the maddest roundelays.

Come and let us seek together
Springtime lore of daffodils,
Giving to the golden weather
Greeting on the sun-warm hills."
- Lucy Maud Montgomery, Spring Song


Spring is definitely upon us...each day brings new surprises in weather, blossoms, blooms, and excitement. Yesterday we reached a high of 78 degrees with sunshine, today it's cloudy, drizzily, and 50...tomorrow will not exceed 40 and they're even calling for some snow showers.

Spring is a season that always has been overshadowed by Autumn (my favorite!); however, as I've aged (*ahem*) I've grown a deeper appreciation for the new life that Spring brings with. And, a greater excitement when little things happen like the daffodils my daughters plucked from the side of our house last night.

Life is so wonderful.

Smart Cookie

Today's posting is inspired by Roy Armstrong's article "How to raise a smarter child". Personally, there are days when I think my children are smarter than Mom. Their innocence, sense of humor, vocabulary, self-esteem, on a whole is much more advanced than I ever imagined at their ages. My 7 year-old's 'homework' in 1st grade and her navigation of a computer are clear examples of how far our education system has come over the years, as well. Armstrong also mentions the importance of open discussions and assessing nutrition as our children mature:

As your infant reaches childhood, you can promote intelligence by providing a stimulating intellectual environment. This includes having books in your home, reading to your child regularly, and talking to him/her constantly. These conversations should mature along with the child, and once they hit adolescence, start openly discussing deeper issues and encouraging them to assess their views on civil rights, politics, the media, etc. In regards to nutrition, you should moderate your child's intake of sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, and be wary of school cafeteria food, which is often less than ideal. High-protein breakfasts before going to class are a must.

And perhaps the best thing you can do as a parent is to stay actively involved in your child's intellectual growth - keep up with what they're learning and how they're doing. This shows them that not only do you care, but you place great importance on education!

Even though life is busy, we attempt to always sit down and have family meal time. We talk about our days: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The ability to focus attention on important things is a defining characteristic of intelligence.
Robert J. Shiller

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

This characteristic trait, value, symbol, word has been coming up repeatedly in life these days, so I thought this would be a great topic for Tuesday. In fact, my daughter and I talked about the importance of this yesterday when I picked her up from school. She apparently had an incident with another girl (a 2nd grader) in which the little girl was pushing her under the water in the pool when nobody was looking. My daughter doesn't understand how someone can be your friend one minute, then so cruel the next. Later in the day, this girl (we'll call her "Sara") asked if she could be her best friend when my daughter's best friend isn't around. The only thing I could think of on the spot (it takes me time to process usually) is that this little girl, while older than my daughter, may feel a bit envious of the friendship Paige & her little best friend have? As an observer, I've seen Sara often bully other children which is common at that age while learning how to navigate the world especially if nobody redirects the energy.

In an article by Elizabeth Hamilton (The Importance of Teaching Respect to Kids), she tells us that, "Like most of us, bullies want to be admired. They want people to think they have great worth - that they are important. They seek recognition. The trouble is that they go about their pursuit of recognition in the wrong way. They employ tactics such as name-calling, fighting, and stealing to make others seem small and insignificant. Subconsciously, they appear to decide that the more people they bring down, the more they will raise their own worth."

Instead of seeking attention or self value from bullying others, there are ways for children to gain esteem in positive ways. That's OUR job as parents, teachers, counselors, staff members....to role model respect to the children, our leaders of tomorrow.

With that, I leave you with a challenge for today. Do something good that makes you smile today - self respect is the starting block.

“Don't rely on someone else for your happiness and self worth. Only you can be responsible for that. If you can't love and respect yourself - no one else will be able to make that happen. Accept who you are - completely; the good and the bad - and make changes as YOU see fit - not because you think someone else wants you to be different.” -- Stacey Charter

Happy Easter

We couldn't have asked for a more wonderful day than we've had so far. The girls woke up just before 7AM and were extra excited to find the spring gifts from Mom & Dad (American Girl Bitty Twins). The best part is that they weren't expecting them, but were certainly surprised! Next they were off to find their Easter baskets from the great Easter Bunny and then the egg hunt ensued! The E.B. left a note telling them to look outside...in years past there's still been snow on the ground, it was a great surprise to have a sunny, 60 degree morning. We've enjoyed the day and now we're off to the park. Happy Easter!

Interesting Article

For today, from an article by Jeff D. Opdyke, "The 15 Money Rules Kids Should Learn":



This is a very important topic to me as an adult learning daily how to be a good parent (they do NOT come with an instruction manual!). Since I didn't have the best example growing up (financially speaking), I don't always have a 'healthy relationship with money' as the author states as an essential of becoming a successful adult. He states that amongst other responsbilities as a parent, "...you also have a new obligation to teach your children about money so that they grow into adults who are at home in the financial world and who have a healthy relationship with money."

We've been talking about starting a small allowance for our children, tied into small tasks/chores around the house. They're 5 & 7, so we figured we'd start with things like helping Mom and Dad load/unload the dishwasher, feed the cat, and put clothes in their hampers.

From the list above, I especially like #8. It states that you should only spend 50% of what you've put into the Piggy Bank at any time. Love it! This will be a tough lesson for 7 year-old. Money definitely burns a hole in her pocket and she loves to get the most for her money (e.g. she'll buy 5 things at the dollar store with $5). The 5 year-old is going to be my miser. She'll save until she can save up enough to buy the gadget she's had her eye on. Parenting is so exciting!

It's a start.

Spring Saturday

The naked earth is warm with Spring,
And with green grass and bursting trees
Leans to the sun's kiss glorying,
And quivers in the sunny breeze.
~Julian Grenfell



On today's agenda:

on the deck coffee sipping;
singing bird listening;
egg coloring;
sidewalk chalking;
park visiting;
bike riding;
essences of Spring enjoying.