Green Buys with Gift Cards.

If like me, you are armed for the after Christmas sales with a fistful of gift cards, you might be wondering what to buy. OK, maybe not.

Not unlike a lottery winner, or a kid in a, hmmm, dried fruit and nut store, I generally am at a loss on what to buy first. However, as one with no reservations about returning, re-gifting and removing from my home, as you might expect, I choose to use my gift cards…. however I choose, including buying presents for someone else.

As The Hamster’s birthday will approach much more rapidly than I anticipate. I’m returning to my list of crunchy kids' toys and CDs to decide which of those he did not receive for Christmas I should purchase.

I’ll also pick up gifts for those children with whose parents I have yet been able to schedule a suitable time to exchange holiday presents…so much more practical to purchase the gifts after Christmas.

For myself, I decided to use my gifts cards to purchase some green gifts that I would like to have received, but didn’t. Treehugger’s green gift guide was marginally helpful, but a bit too hip for me in many ways. I found an article on cloth handkerchiefs there which I loved, but cannot locate again (sigh) So, I’ve developed my own list of not too expensive extras I’d like to get this year! Actually, I should do this in November, so when someone asks me what I would like for Christmas, I don’t reply, “…ummmm.”


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Taming Holiday Tantrums

As the Christmas season unfolds, the level of excitement and stress seems to incrementally increase by the hour. Children act out. And? Or more appropriately, Duh?

Fortunately, as a condition of The Hamster attending pre-school at the local college, the last 2 years, I have been enrolled as a student in the child development department. Not only have I benefited from daily input from his teachers and mine, I’ve been exposed to a variety of skills for better parenting, including avoiding power struggles and managing the inevitable outbursts.

So, as the holidays go into full swing, I am better armed to cope with the “lousy local conditions” that lead to the inevitable tantrums. From Becoming the Parent you Want to Be , one of my favorite parenting books, “lousy local conditions” are described a those times when your child is: hungry, tired, too long in a child unfriendly place or over-stimulated or, from the book, :

“…four errands, no nap”, too long in the car seat, Wal-Mart, church…”

Since holidays involve most of the aspects of “lousy local conditions”, most of the time, they invite an unending series of tantrums. (Sigh).

So, in two years of parenting classes, what have I learned? First, read the situation correctly. Since “lousy local conditions” are often the problem during the holidays, accept it and empathize. Shuck personal annoyance and get down on the child’s level. Speak softly, though you wish to speak loudly and empathize, empathize, empathize.

Then begin to: “Sportscast” – in other words, describe the situation and what you believe the child is feeling (also known as active listening ). “I can see that you are tired and excited. You want to open your presents now. That’s hard”. “You have so much energy you want to run around and smack people, particularly your sister. I understand…” and on and on.

Privately, in class, we call this, “boring them to death”, since half the time, the child gets distracted and wanders off to do something else. This tends to happen more at the 2-year-old level; using this technique with older children yields a similar result. The conversation gives them time to calm down. The empathy helps them focus on you, not whatever havoc they were trying to create.

I had the opportunity to use this last night when my DS was running wildly all over my in-laws tiny apartment, in which we are staying. After him raising tempers in every room, I approached him with a restraining hug and softly inquired, “You are soo excited, aren’t you? You can’t wait to open your presents? I see you have a lot of energy. You are running around because you are so excited. Everyone is trying to get Christmas dinner ready. What can we do now while we wait, so we don’t get in everyone’s way? How about a story?” And so we went to read a story.
The “sportscasting” gave him the time to calm down. Halfway through he began to pay attention and agreed that hearing a story was a better idea. Speaking softly gave ME a chance to calm down and address the real issue – “lousy local conditions”.

I’m by no means a master at this technique, but some of the “Mommies” in my group are. This Christmas I give thanks that I have the opportunity to observe them and pass along this trick to other parents.



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Fairy Package Toppers

My first WFMW Wednesday post was on a package topper I frequently use, buttons. Now, as the holidays are rapidly approaching and I, of course am digging through boxes of disorganized wrapping paper, my thoughts once again turn to package toppers. This would be because I never seem to have the right ribbon and/or the creative ability to make something beautiful with it. So I turn to add ons.



One that is easy to make and generally evokes lots of "oos and ahhs" is a tiny fairy. You don’t need many materials or much skill to make these, which keeps them on my favorites list. Click on the video below and - enjoy!





Looking for other ideas? Last week I wrote about making salt dough ornaments. which One Stop Mom recommends using as package toppers - why didn't I think of that?Then there is Scribbit, who uses handmade tiny gift boxes to fill with a truffle or sweet. Yet one more thing to be thankful for this year, the ideas so generously shared by our fellow bloggers.



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Plane Trip Tips

WFMW – Plane trip tips

I just completed a 22 hour trip with my 4-year-old, involving two flights, one 11 hours long, a layover and long snake like lines. I therefore thought it appropriate to write about traveling tips.

Since The Hamster was 6 months old, we have traveled each year to spend the holidays with Papa’s family in Europe. Though many parents pack a DVD player, I’m not one of them. I am not above letting him watch one movie en route, if available, however. My crunchier friends, I’m sure, cover the in-seat screen with a towel.

Early in my parenting career, knowing I wouldn’t go the movie route, I searched for travel tips from various sources. Baby Center.com articles and particularly their forums yielded some great ideas. One of the most useful was to bring one small toy for each hour of the trip. Pack each individually wrapped as a present or, in my case, in individual small brown lunch bags.

So, each year, I diligently put together my travel kit for our trip. I travel with a large backpack and my $13.00 umbrella stroller , selected specifically because I can take it into the cabin of the plane and, at that cheap price, I can just leave it somewhere if it becomes too cumbersome. (BTW – mine is not pink, but rather a gender neutral, blue, white and brown). Though he does not use a stroller too much anymore, it’s very helpful for long extended treks through Byzantine mazes in international airports.

Into the large backpack goes a complete change of clothes for him and a second shirt for me, in case of spills. Though, last trip, he spilled an entire glass of orange juice in my lap, so, perhaps a pair of leggings for me would be a good idea. I also pack snacks of nuts, dried apricots and dried cranberries. Since they no longer allow a bottle of water to be brought on the plane, I carry an empty water bottle and have the flight attendant fill it once I am in my seat. Great for “ear-popping” during take off and landings!

In a second compartment goes my small “travel purse”, a book for me, should he fall asleep and his entertainment. This trip I took the following: geared to 4-year-old taste.

One “storybook” – it’s much easier to carry one book with many stories than a number of individual books. This year’s selection was. Beatrix Potter Stories.

Three Hot Wheels cars

2 small tubs of Playdoh, available in the party section of most stores

One small wooden farm set

4 small wood puzzles packed in sandwich bags.

Book of mazes and pen

Pad of paper and crayons

10 pipe cleaners in various colors

Pack of cards – which is worthless, since he doesn’t like games…but I keep trying

Three stamps and pad from our Dinosaur stamp set

1 “Lovey” – this time his small stuffed bear.

Of course, as it was a night flight, he promptly fell asleep after dinner. I’ll be pre-packed for the flight home!

Check out more Works for Me Wednesday Tips at Rocks in My Dryer

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Crunchy Craft: Making angels

The roving wool is combed; the golden thread is at hand…now if I could just improve my co-ordination! This week we’ll be making our Christmas angels. We add one to the twig that hangs above our Christmas seasonal table each year. This is a tradition I picked up at the Waldorf playgroup we attended and have diligently followed…with mixed results.

You need a material not that easy to find at chain craft stores but, one that I find useful for many simple craft projects – Roving wool . Take yarn and go back one step. That is, raw sheep’s wool combed and carded, but not spun. So, rather than having strands, like yarn, you have soft wispy, threads of wool.

Sounds like a heavy duty, crafty type person, too much trouble material, no? Not really. I buy mine at our local Waldorf School or online and use it indiscriminately and often on a whim – it glues nicely on most materials, so one doesn’t actually HAVE to know how to do anything fiber-crafty to use it! My kind of material!

I now have made three angels made from roving wool. I learned from The Hamster’s Waldorf teacher, but you can find a tutorial at Echos of a Dream , a great site for fiber crafts, among other things

Anyway, give these angels a try. I find this to be a great craft activity to keep my hands busy after a holiday dinner. That is, keep my hands busy so I don’t fill them with cookies and candy. You can purchase roving wool in a variety of colors, here and on E-bay too!

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A Crèche of His Own

How lovely.

This morning while groggily reading a post at Rocks in my Dryer, I was inspired to tip toe into my DS's room and see how he had arranged his brand new Playmobil nativity set.

We bought this set at our local Target, specifically so he would not play with Oma’s crèche, which tends to annoy her. This is one of those “it’s not worth the argument” issues - Oma doesn’t like it…let’s just buy one for him.

Yup! All of the figures were still carefully placed around the manger He did mention to me yesterday, after he had opened it and assembled all of the pieces, that it was “just a decoration”, so I guess it will remain smack in the center of his room all season….a nice reminder of why we celebrate.

By the way, notice the cool feature Target has on their site. By clicking “Find it at your local store” you can check inventory levels of particular item at a store near you. What a blessing for last minute holiday shopping!

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Friday Play Date – Unstructured Painting

My apologies to Susan at Friday Playdate for the title of this post. The pre-school The Hamster attends meets Monday through Thursday. Friday is play date day. At least one, sometimes a few, often many friends show up each Friday, hence the title of this post.

We have a rather large playroom, converted from a storage room and a big grassy area in front of our house, so we usually gather chez moi. This works well for me as I have one day a week that that I am NOT in my car.

Yesterday I wrote about the salt dough ornaments The Hamster and I baked for our tree decorating play date. After baking and cooling, the kids painted them. It was interesting to see the children’s approach to creative projects.

Several children carefully made red and white candy canes. The Hamster painted a green star that was then over painted white and then purple – which he made while mixing the blue and red together to see what would happen. Obviously, he's in the “unstructured” camp.

There have been quite a few news articles recently, about the value of unstructured play. Play WITHOUT adult provided structure or direction, and no technological gadgets.

Researchers have found that unstructured play reduces tension, increases sensory awareness, stimulates creativity, develops confidence, increases emotional stability, and develops social skills…and unstructured play with an object leads to greater creativity in developing uses for that object. (source )

In other words…kids learn thorough self-directed experience!

Sounds good, no? Good, but not easy. The hardest part of parenting unstructured play, I’ve found, is keeping my mouth shut and my hands off the project. “Now, dear, let’s try and paint on the ornament, NOT on the table…oh wait…”

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Unintentionally Organic Ornaments

Take one non baking Mom, a recipe for salt dough ornaments and a rapidly approaching play date. Mix thoroughly.

This week we decided to invite some friends over and decorate the tiny tree in the playroom.

My friend Tan, suggested making salt dough ornaments, the kids could paint and hang on the tree. Since I don’t bake, the only flour I had in my cupboard was Organic Pastry Flour bought in a fit of domestication and never used and Organic Rock Sea Salt that I received as a gift. Since this recipe only had 3 ingredients, I decided to go whole hog and use bottled water too!





Is organic important for non-edible ornaments?






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Kids Tablecloth

This was so much fun last week; I think I’ll do Works for Me Wednesday again.

While I often indulge in all wood, natural furniture for my DS, when it came time to purchase a play table for him, I went the cheap route. Toys R Us; on sale; particle board with laminate top. Despite this, particularly un-crunchy, start, the miniature table now stands, homey and inviting in our kitchen – call it: transformation by fabric.

Until recently, not a seamstress of any sort, I stumbled upon this idea serendipitously during a visit with a friend. It’s turned into both a quick way to refashion The Hamster’s table and, at the same time, celebrate the season du jour.

Cheap and easy are the ideas that work best for me. This is both. Every once in awhile I visit my local fabric store and buy a yard of colorful cotton fabric, frequently on sale. Jo Ann’s usually has a nice selection, so does Wal-Mart, which surprisingly, has a great sewing section- though not online, for some reason. If you watch the sales, you can purchase a yard of fabric for $1.99 or so. Check the remnants and sale section of the store.

A yard of fabric seems just the right size for most small play tables. We have two - a square one in the kitchen and a round one in the playroom. Simply throw the whole yard over the little table and voila, instant tablecloth.

If you want to get fancy, you can hem the edges. It’s a quick seam job, though I’ve never actually done this. The Hamster is usually so excited about the new “tablecloth" that we simply toss it over the table. As long as you buy a fairly sturdy material, it shouldn’t unravel until after quite a few trips through the wash. Then, of course you have “play cloths” for making doll clothes, masks and sashes. Since fabric is more absorbent than laminate, it also makes clean up after the inevitable, food, juice and paint spills easier too.

We’ve now amassed a considerable collection of these “tablecloths”. Pumpkins for Halloween, nutcrackers for Christmas, bunnies for Easter and a cute pirate one that I like but he doesn’t…anyone want a yard of pirate fabric?

Maybe Shannon, at Rocks in My Dryer wants one...

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Heard at the playground – Discussing Beethoven

More CDs I love

Though, we spend less time at our local “Tot Lot” than when The Hamster was younger, we do find it the optimal place to go when we have an hour or so to kill and nothing in particular to do. Rather than drag him along as I run my multitude of errands, I occasionally remember to be a little less selfish and take him to the playground.

Yesterday we went with our usual cohorts, the children of another “Not Quite Crunchy Mom”. The Hamster immediately climbed to the highest point on the climbing structure and was followed by his slightly younger buddy. Engrossed in conversation, hanging on the bars, they hardly noticed as I eventually wandered over to check on them.

Suddenly, a head swiveled and a tiny 3-year-old voice rang out from the climber, “MC, we were just discussing Beethoven”! Sometimes you just have to preen at the playground!

Their topic of conversation was a CD they had listened too the day before; Beethoven Lives Upstairs, from the Classical Kids CD collection. We have several from this series and I have them on my Cruncy Kids CD list at This Next.com. The Hamster finds them mesmerizing.

Exciting and sometimes true, stories featuring the named composer are interspersed on these CDs, with bits of period history and of course, musical selections. Great as a break from music CDs in the car, we also find that he is interested in listening to them over and over at home too, picking up new information each time.

Despite the lack of clear, conclusive evidence that the “Mozart effect” really works, I’ve been buying my son CDs but, not videos, featuring classical music, since before he was born. We started with Baby Einstein , and graduated to the Classical Kids CDs when he turned 4. I’m a fan of Baby Einstein CDs There’s something charming about Mozart played on a xylophone with bells and a tambourine. How’s that for accessible?

So, The Hamster might not become smarter, or better focused or perform better at spatial relations tasks some day. But, he already can identify music by selected composers and often surprises us when listening to the local classical radio station by yelling out, “Hey, that’s Beethoven!”

He’ll be a standout in the intelligent conversation crowd at the playground.

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Not Quite Crunchy Holiday Tipping?

I’m winnowing down my holiday shopping list... only a few more presents to buy. I usually catch myself right before Christmas and remember that I have forgotten to buy presents for those who make my life easier and/or bearable; my mailman, my hairdresser, my child’s teacher and depending on year and financial situation, my personal trainer, cleaning service and manicurist.

An article about exactly that topic caught my eye recently, helpfully reminding me of my duty. My husband doesn’t necessarily understand this gift giving tradition – “your hairstylist? “. But, then again, his visits last 15 minutes and dont involve sensitive dyes and a soothing head and neck massage.

Typically, I do not give cash in an envelope. For those service providers who have children (that I know about) the gift selection is relatively easy. I can rarely resist sharing some of my favorite crunchy toys . I’m usually comfortable believing that they have nothing similar in their children’s toy box.

For those without children, rather than add to their collection of amusing but rarely desired: decorative items, trinkets, body lotions, gourmet food, jewelry or housewares, I give gift certificates. A great one-stop source, Christmas Gifts.com features offerings from some of my favorite sites. Walter Drake for housewares and tools, Oriental Trading Company and Magic Cabin for toys and crafts, and Spring Hill Nursery for plants. Christmas Gifts.com features plenty of other sites to meet all but the most eccentric taste. OK- perhaps it's not the place to shop for your tattoo artist.

I also like these sites for gift certificates, though you have to go direct to get them. Rosie Hippo for crafts, Chinaberry for books and Magazines.com. One of my favorite gifts, magazines give year round - though you may have to query the intended recipient to see if he or she receives the publication of interest already.

Sadly, one of my favorite bookstores Alibris does not yet offer gift certificates. Oh well, maybe next year.

The technologically challenged require a bit more energy, crowd fighting and fuel usage. Locally, I like to pick up gift certificates to Home Depot, Target and Blockbuster though sometimes those too can be purchased online for in-store use.

When all else fails, relative to time, knowledge and exhaustion, cash in an envelope still DOES suffice. Of course, I’ll have my 4-year old create a picture and decorate the envelope with stickers…just to add that personal touch.



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Crunchy Kids Christmas Gifts

More Toys for kids

It’s White Rabbit Time…”I’m late; I’m late, for a very important date….” We leave for the holidays in less than two weeks and I have yet to finish my shopping, which for me means purchasing online. I’m rather picky about my choices, though I vacillate between crunchy gifts and expedient ones.

I’m rather good at buying crunchy gifts for the children on my list. I just follow the “three things rule” my DH and I developed. If it’s open-ended; I love it. I wrote a long post about the toys I was planning to give The Hamster for Christmas that explains my philosophy…well, my developing philosophy anyway.

Today I was planning to share some gifts I’m giving other children.I will continue to add items this week. This will be handy as the early “spring birthday” season comes around…when I forgotten all of the great gift ideas I had around Christmas.

Since I’m picky about toys, I might also use this as a registry when the Hamster’s birthday comes around, so we don’t receive lots of toys I’ll have to whisk away after a short playtime.

Once again, I was sidetracked while writing a post. I intended to write about gifts for service providers…oh well, maybe tomorrow.




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Quick Gift Idea

I keep discovering different blog activities for every day of the week. Usually I pass, primarily because I can’t think of anything to contribute. Since between birthdays and the holidays, we’ve been in serious gift giving mode the last month or so, I did find that I had a “ Works for me Wednesday” at Rocks in My Dryer , contribution this week.

Often I find that while I have selected the perfect gift for one of the Hamster’s friends, I feel, for one reason or another – it’s not enough. I admit, I bow to peer pressure and worry that my present will fall short of expectations. So, I keep a stock of handy little, add on, presents around for those times.

One great gift to tie on the top of a brightly, if sometimes sloppily, wrapped present is a bag of buttons. This works for his preschooler friends and my not quite crafty friends too.

Since the Hamster was old enough not to swallow them whole, we have kept a basket of buttons around. He uses them in his stories, as coins, rocks and tiny tables. He dumps them out as snow or rain and runs his hands through them just for the tactile joy. I do too, sometimes – it can be quite soothing.

Bags of assorted buttons and the tiny net bags in which to pack them can be found at most craft stores. Look in the wedding section for the bags. The buttons may be in sewing but are often with the beads and sequins. Admittedly, I use wooden buttons for my crunchy friends…but “not quite crunchy” types like plastic too!

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St. Nicholas - You're Early!

Last night, we had our St. Nicholas day celebration . My DH and I planned carefully. However, due to our total inability to keep anything straight and communicate in any ordinary fashion, I think we celebrated too early.

I blame it on him. As an Irish-American, I’ve only started to celebrate this holiday since The Hamster has been old enough to enjoy it. My DH, on the other hand was raised in a country where they DO celebrate this holiday.

Last night at dinner, he was musing about stories from his boyhood. Each year the children put shoes or preferably boots on the doorstep for St. Nicholas to fill with toys and treats. They left a carrot and some hay for his Horse (or Donkey) and, perhaps a cookie for old St. Nick.

So far, so good, the Hamster’s shoes were out. He had recycled some hay leftover from our scarecrow and found a carrot for St. Nicholas’ horse. One of Papa’s candy bars waited for St. Nicholas himself.

Then my DH mentioned that St. Nicholas usually came in the evening. The jingle of his horse’s bells alerted the children to his arrival and they rushed out to catch a glimpse…. What? I thought it was like the Easter Bunny – he came in the morning!

Change in plans. Papa and son went upstairs to turn on an emergency video, Sesame Street Learning about Letters, while I descended to the playroom to prepare the shoes, find something resembling “bells” and fill a tiny stocking with marshmallows. Then back to finish my glass of wine, before the bells jingled.

Whew!

Nothing beats the look of joy on my 4-year-olds’ face as he tumbled down the stairs at the sound of the bells. St. Nicholas filled his shoes with an orange and a golden walnut (spray painted last year and discovered in an old box of Christmas decorations), two tiny Lego sets – one of a Santa and one of an elf, and the marshmallow filled stocking. An Elsa Beskow Book and a stuffed penguin were propped on the side.

The video was abandoned; the Santa assembled and we all went to bed. See you next year, St. Nick.

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Making a Seasonal Table

I’m really jazzed about my seasonal or nature table. It’s a simple concept really. Devote a small table or stand or the middle of the dining table to a celebration of the season. Use natural materials that bring the outdoors inside and create a reverence for nature for the children of the house. Ta Da!

While seasonal tables can get quite elaborate, they differ based on the age of the children in the house and one’s willingness to allow the younger ones to rearrange the components. I have a high tolerance, so my seasonal table (above) is somewhat ragged…but well loved.

Most “crunchy types” start with “silks” plus felt and fabric, that can be picked up at a local fabric store. The silks are somewhat cheaper if they can be purchased in bulk. I buy a pack of 20 every once in awhile and use some for my seasonal table and some as dress up accessories for my DS.

On the silk can be arranged something as simple as a collection of bark, twigs, shells, polished rocks or pinecones or something as elaborate as a an including small dolls, miniature boats, tools or tables. Many of these items can be purchased at a craft store or use dollhouse furniture and accessories.

I change my seasonal table 4 times a year, once for each season. I add to it and change the components to match the holidays that fall within the season. We’ll start this winter with a
St. Nicholas day display of a small wooden shoe and a felt St. Nicholas … when I get around to making them.

As it gets closer to Christmas, I’ll probably add a red silk and put a little Santa or maybe a small wooden crèche on the table. One book that I have leafed through in the past gives great ideas but, be prepared to be "crafty".

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