That’s the question that my Riley chose to ask yesterday at her Pop Pop’s funeral. There was much discusion about whether or not Riley and Jack ages 5 and 3 respectively should attend the funeral at all. I was suprised to find that they really paid attention to the words the Pastor was saying. Riley spent the entire service in my lap, we rocked lightly and listened to people tell stories about her Grandfather.

 The only time she spoke to ask me if the Pastor was right… Does God really live forever? I told her that He did and she smiled and started the rocking again.

Jackie the little bugger was also listening but he had a bit more to say. Everytime the Pastor paused for breath Jackie was heard in the first three rows to say “Amen!” And at one point in mimicry of the Pastor and his big sister “He lives forever!”

There was quite the bit of hushing going on in the front row. Afterwords we went outside where Riley released a balloon into the sky, the string wrapped around a note that she’d written. As we walked towards the car she turned the conversation towards Pop Pop’s workshop up in Heaven. What do you think he’s building now.

It’s beautiful, this security she has in the knowledge of Heaven. If you were to ask me what’s Heaven, I could speculate or hope. But for Riley in her five year old surety, Heaven is as real as Home.

My mother started this tradition with me and continues it for Riley and Jack. Even when the sandwich is just pb&j my mom uses cookie cutters to make wonderful shapes out of the ordinary repast. We’ve all opened our luch boxes to butterflies, hearts, monster trucks and Christmas angels.

It always brought a smile to my face and it’s a great thing for a child to share with their friends come lunch time. Why not take it a step further? Include a short story in the lunch box about their sandwich for the day. Maybe this particular butterfly just got back from a faraway kingdom. What stories does it have to tell?

And if your child isn’t up to reading it themselves yet, maybe the teacher can read it to the class for them? It goes back to what I’m always saying, make everyday moments in your child’s life memories to be treasured. My mother did and they still make me smile everyday.

 I’m incredibly excited to meet baby Cecelia though. It’s been to long since I’ve gotten to love on an infant. How fast they grow huh? My mom and I have been reminiscing alot about Riley and Jack’s early years. It’s so sad to think about what’s come and gone.

I promise a more indepth post once the baby’s here but for now, I’ve got to get everything together for my job interview. Wish me luck!!

All you need is: 

Cut two pieces of waxed paper into the shape desired and lay one down flat on the work surface. Then settle your magazine pictures or leaves and flowers down where you want them. Next shave the crayons onto the waxed paper.

Once you have a nice layering of crayon shavings, match the second piece of waxed paper over the top of the first. Then lay some newspaper down on your ironing board and lay your creation on top. Carefully cover with a few more pieces of newspaper and iron the top sheet, so that the wax melts. Punch a whole in the top and use string or pretty ribbon to hang.

The final result is always pretty. And it’s my experience that kids love any chance to play with sissors. To make this activity into a longer one, you can start of with a nature hunt on a pleasant day, to collect flowers and leaves to decorate your art with.

That’s right, we’ve all seen the movie but apparently the whole “mean girls” concept is starting a lot earlier than high school. I started to think about this awhile back, when Riley came home from a beach party at school crying. When I asked her what was wrong she said, “The other girls said I was fat in my bathing suit.”

What four year old girl, tells another that they are fat? I was so mad I wanted to find these little girls and shake the snotty out of them. But I sat Riley down and had the whole “sticks and stones” discussion. I seriously think this is a problem that stems from the parents.

A preschooler should not know how to throw out barbs like that. A preschooler should not care about image or social standing. What are these kids going to be like into high school and into adulthood? Won’t they just teach their kids the same things? It’s this vicious cycle, and I think it’s sick.

Part of a parents job is to teach their kids values and respect and kindness. It breaks my heart to have to assure my beautiful baby sister that she’s nowhere near fat. And when she asked me why they said it? I told her the truth, they were being mean.

What else can you do but try to teach your kids right from wrong? So I’m gonna do my best to see that she learns kindness as well as how to stand up for herself when the sharks jump on her for showing that kindness. It’s a harsh world out there and sadly we’ve got to prepare kids to handle it.

And the next time she comes home crying because someone was mean to her? I’m going to hug her and listen to her, then remind her that people can sometimes be mean and they can also be wrong. Teaching her to hold her head high is the best tool I can give her. Don’t think that my mother didn’t have a few words to say to her teacher, though. Mama bear protects her babies.

Here’s one of many articles I’ve found pertaining to this subject online. It’s more of a problem than you’d think.

http://marriageandfamilies.byu.edu/issues/2006/Winter/20061.News0306.pdf

Adorable little smile huh? This is my nephew Holden on his brand new bicycle. I have to say it’s a pretty neat bike. It’s got this handle so you don’t have to hunch over to guide your darling toddlers, not so steady steering. Also, as you can see it doubles as a coat rack as well as a purse hanger. Always good things when you’re on the go.

 The handle actually guides the front tire, so it’s not at all awkward to push. It’s also got that neat little storage bin at the back, for you to put in their favorite blanket or a mini-picnic. Or you know, for them to actually use. Toddlers being the little hoarders that they are. Also it’s got a bell, so if you’re one to get head aches from loud, shrill noises I would suggest not clueing your little guy or gal into this particular feature.

 All in all though I’d say it’s a winner. And if getting your little guy his first bike is gonna bring out a smile like that, I’d say it’s definitely worth it. You can find this bike at Toys R’ Us. At least that’s where they got his. Kudos to my mother-in-law, Holden’s most favorite grandma ever who gifted him with the bike.

Oh yeah, the primary colors are all the rage in the toddler circles. So it looks pretty cool too… lol.

I don’t know if it was the sound or what, but for more than a month he would scream and shake everytime it was time for a bath. We were completely thrown for a loop, but all we could think of was trying to entice him with bath appropriate toys and games. Basically we tried to show him how much fun bath time could actually be.

And after awhile it actually started to work. We went on grand sea voyages and pirated other ships. We read stories and played basketball. It was a blast and it sort of revamped bath time for those in our house. Riley’s five now and she thinks that baths are for babies, being a shower girl herself. But Jackie loves every new adventure that we dream up when he’s in the bathtub. Below are some pics of some of Jackies all time favorite Bath time toys.

What adventures happen during bath time at your house? Do you explore the high seas or just color on the walls? This is one of those things that I always try to remember when it comes to spending time with my brother and sister. Fun doesn’t have to be for special occasions only. Make the little every day things you do with your kids into something special. I can’t help but think that they will thank you for it later.

That’s right it’s sticky, it’s messy and it creates tiny little monsters like the one above. It’s also incredibly fun to make and squish with your kids. Edible playdough is one of Riley’s all time favorite things to make, play with and eat.

It’s a lot of fun for me too. Not to mention it’s really cheap and it combines snack time and play time. Well to be honest you’re gonna need to add bath time in there too. Wipees just don’t cut it with this stuff.

All you need is:  3 1/2 cups Creamy Peanut Butter
                             4 cups powdered sugar
                             4 cups powdered milk
                             3 1/2 cups corn syrup

Just mix it all together and knead with your hands. Then break out the cookie cutters and dig in. You should probably line your table first though. Pretty soon you’ll have your own little monster to take pictures of . Cute huh?

So yesterday I was cruising the net, when I came across this post on a parenting forum. A mother was asking what you should do when your family is upset that your son wants to play with babydolls.

Seriously? Why would anyone be upset that my nephew Holden (picture above), loves his babydoll? I think it’s really cute. Not to mention he’s going to have a baby sister soon. It’s kinda like practice for him.

I don’t know, saying a boy shouldn’t play with babydolls is just as bad as saying it’s wrong for a girl to play with a G.I. Joe. I don’t see any reason for gender specifity when it comes to toddlers and preschoolers. Not to mention the fact that I think you give them the wrong idea when you snatch things out of their hands and tell them  it’s because only girls or only boys can play with that toy.

Would it upset you to see your son cuddling a babydoll? Would you care what the rest of your family thought?