Empowering Children

I think, therefore I am - Descartes

I've been thinking a lot about positive affirmations. We all know that our thoughts affect the way we feel. Even young children understand that mean words are hurtful. So, I've been thinking about ways to incorporate positive affirmations into my son's life.

I immediately thought of Louise L. Hay whose book made it's way 'round my creative circle of friends...New York City...1988. I still remember that and how we used record her affirmations onto our answering machines. We had such fun calling each other to find out what was being affirmed each week.

I am completely tickled to discover that Louise wrote a children's book and I am humbled to have received a review copy. "I think, I am!" is a powerful picture book, illustrated by Manuela Schwarz, that makes the whole concept of positive affirmations accessible to young children by demonstrating how to change negative thoughts into positive ones. The authors (Louise L. Hay and Kristina Tracy) present a situation that is likely to happen to a child, then introduce a positive affirmation...

"Have you ever done something you wish you hadn't...Keep positive and say to yourself, I learn from my mistakes and move on".

What a powerful tool for children to take with them into adulthood!

Another treasure that we recently discovered is the award winning Wizkidz DVD by kindred mama, Pamela Pedder! On the surface, this may appear to be a goofy kid show, but on deeper level, it's a treasure trove of inspiring and positive thoughts to nurture healthy self esteem. My son LOVES this dvd, and instantly caught on to the powerful messages within. During dinner, he excitedly told his dad about the "cant" characters and about the secret spell that makes them disappear - smiles. The songs are gloriously affirming. One particular song is running on continuous loop in my mind...

" I can. I can do anything if I just put my mind into it. I can do it. I can. I can be anything I dream of. I just throw my fear out. I have no doubt that I can. Yes, I can."

I was so inspired by by these creative women that I decided to make my son his own set of affirmation cards. I used one of our favorite photos from a very tender moment. I have 2 extra sets in my etsy shop where you will also find more information about the cards and the whole story behind the photo I chose.





























*And speaking of empowering children...Monday is the kick off of Mighty Girl Art! Please click on over for a peek in the Mighty Tipi all next week! It's going to be magical...

Guide From Beyond: Stick Bug

Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond. - Rumi

Seems each time a good storm blows over, we are blessed with one of these otherworldly guests. Early this morn, S found a Stickbug nymph in the exact same place where we met our first such creature 2 years ago. He literally jumped for joy as I went to the basement to retrieve our large observation tank.

For more info on these gentle critters, read this.


















Thank you, Walking Stick, for your silent wisdom.

Full Soul & Water

That summer all the world
was soul and water, light glancing off peaks...
And I learned to stand and wait
for you to swim to me. - Michael Simms


This is the boy who once screamed over a drop of water on his face.
This is the boy who just learned how to swim under water.
This is the boy who went down "THE BIG SLIDE" in the deep end.
This is the boy who passed his test and got his swimming certificate.

It's been a full week.
Full of achievements.
Full of excitement.
Full of adventure.

Full of joy.

Babysitting for our neighbor's boys and having a grand time of it. The hike to the pond and playground. The domino rallies and fudgesicles.

A playdate with a cherished old friend...two boys finding their rhythm and laughing wildly about who knows what.

Day tripping with newish friends to the National Aquarium to visit the sharks and jellies.

The exciting and powerful storm that came out of nowhere.
Making it home safely.

Beautiful Stuff!

"Children construct their own intelligence. The adult must provide activities and context, but most of all must be able to listen." - Loris Malaguzzi

I'm grateful to have the opportunity to review, "Beautiful Stuff" by Cathy Weisman Topal and Lella Gandini. Beautiful Stuff chronicles the experiences of 2 teachers who were inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to learning. It is a terrific resource for parents who wish to bring the Reggio Emilia philosophy into their home. There is plenty here to inspire you, the photographs, the quotes by the children, as well as the projects themselves. Beautiful Stuff demonstrates how to foster a child's innate creativity with the use unusual found materials, many of which can be found in your recycle bin. The focus here is on process not product. It is a beautiful and natural way to learn...through experience and reflection.

Feeling inspired by the aforementioned book and also by Polyglot Theater, I cleared out the basement to create a large open space. I brought out all the moving boxes that were flattened in the storage closet to use as large building blocks. On the hottest summer days, all the kids from the neighborhood come over to our house to build enormous castles and mazes and all sorts of wondrous creations.

I discovered several benefits to this form of play. The littlest ones must work together as a team in order to move the largest boxes. In fact, they ALL must work together as a team to accomplish their goal, otherwise they have random piles of boxes rather than a piece of architecture. However, one must be patient and let them discover that for themselves as they all scramble enthusiastically to build.

Soon after, they came to me with a squabble. I listened...

then I spoke:

I believe that all of you can solve this conflict and work together on this project. I can solve it for you and tell you what to do but then I'm not giving you all a chance to use your power. If I solve the problem, I'm taking your power away and using mine. If you all talk about the situation calmly and find a solution that you can all agree on, then you are all using your power.

There was a momentary hush then they went right to it, trying to learn what works for everyone. There were girl forts and boy forts each with their own passwords, but separate forts meant smaller forts. Eventually they began to realize that they needed to work as a group, organize, design, delegate.

It was wonderful to witness!

*For S, building with large boxes meets the requirement of "heavy work" which is part of his sensory diet while also engaging his imagination and creativity.

Real Boy

Always let your conscience be your guide - Jiminy Cricket

Mama, what does conscience mean?
It is the part of you that tells you what's right and what's wrong.

Do animals have conscience?
I don't think so but, they have instincts?

What's instinct?
It's the part that helps animals survive...it warns them of danger, tells them to run away, tells them when it is safe, helps them find food, water, shelter.

Oh...(pondering)

People have both, Satch, instinct and conscience.

What does "let your conscience be your guide" mean?
It means to listen to what your conscience is telling you...it will always tell you the right thing to do.

Summer Smackerels

“When having a smackerel of something with a friend, don't eat so much that you get stuck in the doorway trying to get out.” - Winnie the Pooh

It's that time of year again...time for sun tea and lemonade, grilled corn and kiddley smackerels that you can pop in your mouth on the way to the pool. Here are some summer snacks found in our nest...

















Thread organic grapes on to lollipop sticks and freeze!

















Flatten whole grain bread with rolling pin and remove crust. Spread with organic nut butter. Julienne organic apple and place lengthwise on bread to form a row approx. 1 inch wide. Roll bread tightly into a tube. Cut into 4 pieces like sushi.

Other combos:
~Fig & Goat Cheese
~ carrot, cucumber and edamame hummus
~ sweet potato and tahini
~ broccoli slaw and white bean hummus
~ bean dip and shredded cheese

*I like mine with sprouts.

1 cup organic nut butter
1 cup organic dry milk (unsweetened protein powder will do)
2-3 T raw organic honey (enough to make it stick together)
sprinkle of flax seed (or roll them in it)

Handful of carob chips optional (because is makes my son happy)

Mix all ingredients until blended. Roll into little balls.
Refrigerate or freeze if you prefer!

These sweet little protein bombs are perfect fuel for busy summer fun. The original recipe found all over the internet uses 1 cup of honey and some recipes add additional confectionery sugar. Way too sweet for me. This works better for us.


These fit perfectly into little hands and they can make it themselves. Truth be told, I don't like to bake...except for bread, muffins and cookies. I only make cake for birthdays and I never make pie. I just don't enjoy it, so I don't do it. This is a no bake, kid friendly solution...

Break organic graham cracker in half to form 2 squares. (recipe for purists)
Spread each piece with organic cream cheese. (recipe for purists)
Top with 4 banana chunks and close the top.

I'm always looking for kid-funky food to delight my son...so tell me, what summer smackerels are you munchin'?

A Great Day For Worms

"Creativity seems to emerge from multiple experiences, including a sense of freedom to venture beyond the known." - Loris Malaguzzi

"It stopped raining, it's a great day for worms! Lets dig!", he shouts then begins to sing, "out there in a world outside of Yonkers....". He pauses then asks, "What's Yonkers?"

"It's a city in New York", I reply.

"Oh...do they have puppet shows in Yonkers?"


"I don't know, I suppose they do", I say.

(He digs a few holes, but finds no worms)

"HEY! I know, lets bury some treasure!", he shouts.

We run home to get a container and the camera. He puts a bouncy ball in the container and closes the lid. He digs a hole in the far corner of the playground, places the container in the hole, buries it then marks the spot with 3 small rocks.
















"These are the clues", he says in a stern voice, "Go to the back of the playground. Go left. In the corner by 3 rocks", then adds, "I'll draw a MAP!"

Come play at the Childhood 101 We Play link up

Bits of Becoming

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse, "it's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

-Margery Williams (The Velveteen rabbit)

Hauling out the soft rug for a Mancala marathon on the deck, the playful sound of glass stones, smooth and cool to the touch, dropping into a wood tray while casting colorful shadows that look like tiny turquoise lagoons....

Magic soups, brews and potions of mud and herbs, stirred and steeped on the hot sidewalk, a haunting olfactory combination of basil, mint, chives, and chamomile "to keep away bears"....

















Fairy houses and magic rocks that appear and disappear with mysterious messages left behind in chalk from passersby...

Daily visits from all manor of winged folk...








Refreshing bubbley of orange and lemon...

(bit by bit we are becoming)

The Pursuit of Happiness Picnic

(scenes from our annual July 4th picnic)

We hold these truths...

soakers...

water balloons...

bubbles...

forts and fairy houses...

sidewalk paint...

hammocks...

sacred and undeniable.