Notes From a Small Town

Costumes

Last year, we asked Ronan wanted he wanted to be for Halloween. He said a bear. So, I procrastinated and found myself looking for a ready-made bear hat a couple of days before Halloween. (In my defense, Calum was still pretty young). He ended up seeing train conductor overalls and decided that was much cooler. Whew.

This year, we asked again...starting in September. It changed from a lion to a character from the Wizard of Oz (in hope that we would agree to read it to him this year instead of next). And, finally, he settled on a turtle.

Thank goodness I have an engineer-minded husband who likes to create costumes for his kids. He cut out the shape from cardboard (we still have a ton of moving boxes). Then, he and Ronan taped it, paper-mached it, and painted it. We put the finishing touches on the details the night before his school festival. I made the pants.

Most importantly, he really liked the costume. And, we think he actually looked like a turtle. Calum was a lion - borrowed from a friend - thank goodness. They are both so adorable. Really.

And, now I must go and throw away most of the candy...

Handmade Easter gifts

We all came together this weekend for good food with family and friends. There was lots of thanksigiving and joy for the season. Easter baskets were filled - in the nick of time - and spinach pies were made and delivered to the table. And, there were lots of handmades for the kids.

 

First, we dyed eggs with all natural materials. From left: roasted beets, red cabbage, curry powder, turmeric and a spinach/cilantro mix. We steeped the veggies and herbs for an hour with boiling water...and the eggs were soaked for four more hours in the fridge. Not too much instant gratification here, but very nice results.

The green deepened the next day and the red cabbage was a big dud. And, I needed to mash the beets a bit more. But, of course, I had some handmades that I needed to finish.

 

Pom-pom chicks...you can't have a mama hen without some babies! (From the book, Creative Play for your Baby). They were pretty easy...I ended up felting them to keep the yarn from pulling out of the pom-poms.

And, what has become my Easter handmade tradition : mama-made people. Last year, it was a fireman. Initially, I couldn't find one that I liked, so I made him. This year, our minds have been on farming and urban homesteading. There was very little thinking about this year's doll: a little farmer girl seemed like the perfect addition. She's already working on her animal husbandry.

(Joe made the wooden gates too...we all got in the handmade act. More on that project later).

perfect gift?

This past week we have seen nothing but a flurry of child-sized bodies in a constant state of motion. Throw in lots of sand, sun and water and you have yourself the makings of a memorable reunion with family. And a very, very tired mama.

Yes, I am exhausted, but in a good way. It's a wonderful feeling seeing the bond being formed as everyone meets their newest cousin and scrambles to wash their hands in order to be the first one to touch/hold/talk to him for the day.

And, of course, being witness to the extreme joy, excitement and anticipation exuding from my eldest son is pretty amazing as well. Although these cousins live a day's drive away and it's been over six months since we've seen them, the play picked up as if no time had passed. It sure didn't hurt that they came bearing big brother gifts.

Yes, that would be a puppet - a shark to be exact. One of their gifts to Ronan was a puppet show that they made up themselves. And, in the end, Ronan was presented with the puppets and a chance to put on the show as well.

The storyline was a bit difficult to follow (if you were over the age of five), but you have to give them kudos for stringing together a story with a monster, a shark and some small robot aliens. A memorable gift for a memorable visit...and, of course, the recipient was quite appreciative.

Happy weekend!

Imaginary Play - Dr. Ronan

Initially, I was interested in the Waldorf philosophy with regards to its arts education. I didn't think I was doing a good job of relating my interest in creative endeavors to Ronan.

Now that I've created a more welcoming arts atmosphere, Ronan has been much more receptive to free drawing and coloring. But, there has been an added benefit to all of my research on Steiner and the Waldorf Philosophy. I've realized the joy in imaginary play. (Ronan, being three, has known about this joy all along).

Creative play is not something that comes easy to me. I think that I may be drawn to the Montessori philosophy because it is quite concrete and practical. But, I've also read the research that says how important unstructured play is to children. It can help them work out problems or scary situations, as well as reinforcing ideal behaviors, such as being gentle with new babies.

I just finished reading this book, and I devoured it in a matter of days. She pretty much sums up our parenting style and discusses a lot of the ways children use play to work through social situations. Much of her philosophy, I have discovered from Peaceful Parents, Peaceful Kids, Lost Child in the Woods, and the Positive Disciple books by Jane Nelsen. Taking Back Childhood offers the best from all of these worlds.

(That would be a G-diaper insert and some handmade bean bags)

For me, imaginary play comes easily when it is something I can wrap my head around (using a previous story as a starting point or a real-life situation). Apparently, it's a good starting point for Ronan too.

Upon returning from my prenatal visit, Ronan and I spend over an hour playing doctor. He took my blood pressure - multiple times - and on both arms simultaneously. (Trust me, that was a picture I wish I could have gotten).

Then he measured my belly- at first with a pretend measuring tape and then he found my dressmaker's tape (hidden in his room?). I was declared quite fit, especially once he listened to the baby's heartbeat.

And, this is where I could personally see the value in this type of play. At my visit, Ronan covers his ears when they use the doppler. I'm guessing it might be too loud, but at home, he made the sound of the heartbeat and was quite thrilled to hear the baby.

We will definitely be using play as a way to discuss social situations. At this age, there is only so much listening a child can comprehend.

Have a wonderful weekend!