Games and Puzzles: Where We Go, What We Do Part 3

There are all sorts of studies linking board games and jigsaw puzzles to heightened critical thinking skills,  logical reasoning, meta-cognition, intellectual intelligence, and enhanced social skills and while I am sure all of these studies are legitimate, this is not why we enjoy board games and puzzles. We just like playing together. It's fun.


We keep all of our board games and jigsaw puzzles in the living room. They were on an open shelf, but, well, it's looked cluttered and ugly.  So, I bought a cabinet with doors and now the game boxes are well hidden.



We own several board games, but this is a list of our favorites:

Chess
Monopoly
Hiss
Headache
Slamwich
Connect Four
Checkers
Kerplunk
Operation
Picturika
Guess Who
In a Pickle
Othello
Mastermind
Gone Fishing
Battleship
Rumikub


We also like to do puzzles.  Right now, a 100 piece puzzle is the perfect size for our kids to complete in one sitting. There are all kinds of jigsaw puzzles available. I try to look for puzzles with pictures that I think Bailey and Zack would be interested in. So, we do not have puzzles with pictures of gardens, houses, flowers, historical buildings. I look for pictures that are fun and interesting. We have puzzles of m&m's, glow-in-the-dark dinosaurs, cupcakes, ferocious animals, cute animals, a glow-in-the-dark ocean scene . . .


Our little family looks forward to evenings at home with popcorn and board games. It is a great way to spend time together!

Art: Where We Go, What We Do Part 2

OK, I admit it. I'm a huge art dork. I love art. I love making art, teaching art, looking at art, buying art, reading about art. There is something magical about transforming a clean white canvas into something beautiful. Art is one of my passions.

So, it is only natural that my children are surround by art. We try to do something creatively messy every day. Yes, you heard me, I said "MESSY". Those of you who know my pre-occupation with neatness will giggle when you read this. So let me explain - art mess is good mess. Clutter, laundry, dishes are bad messes. But enough about that. Let's get into the messy fun part!

My first piece of advice is this: buy the best quality of art supplies that you can afford. Sure, the kids may fly through them, but it is so much better letting them experiment with the "good stuff".

Second, get rid of those coloring books and craft kits! Now, if you search our household, you WILL find these things tucked away in a cabinet, but we save them for long car trips when we need something to do on the road! I prefer "open art". That is, BLANK sheets of paper and a collection of interesting found and purchased art objects.

Third, make messes. If you are a tad bit fussy, like someone I know, you can use plastic chopping mats, newspaper, or wax paper to cover your surface. If it's something super messy, take it outside or in the garage if the weather isn't co-operating.

We have two "art shelves" in the dining area, since most of our art is created at the kitchen table. One is for mommy, one is for the children. I keep theirs well stocked with things like watercolors, tempera paint, oil pastels, polymer clay, model magic, brushes, pencils, rolling pins, cookie cutters, dried beans, sea shells, yarn, shiny stones, buttons, pipe cleaners, scissors, glue, a spin-art machine, a small sewing machine, felt, scraps of fabric, water color paper, drawing paper, construction paper, origami paper, chalk, pom poms, tissue paper, foil, mod-podge, feathers, and more. I also keep a supply of blank canvases that we only use on special days. Things I do not include are stickers, craft foam, coloring books, and craft kits. There is nothing wrong with these things - they are just not my favorites.

I like to introduce new materials when they are available - interesting books to tear apart (gasp!), bubble wrap, stamps, cardboard, wire, old hardware, pine cones, bits and pieces of broken jewelry, post cards, tags, blocks of wood, lace, anything vintage . . . .

I keep things in clear, glass jars. If the kids can't see it, they won't use it and I want them to use it! Glass isn't the best option, though, for families with tiny ones! 

Beside the art shelf, there is a basket of art books. If the kids hit a creative wall, I encourage them to look through a few books. We have art books filled with artwork by Michelangelo, Cezane', Monet, DaVinci, and Rembrandt. We also have a beautiful book called Artist to Artist filled with art work by children's book illustrators.

If my little artists STILL feel uninspired, I lead them to the how-to books. They will chose a project and take off. It's interesting that their artwork will then take on a life of it's own and the finished product rarely matches the project they chose from the book. Individual creativity always wins out!

Bailey enjoys sewing, so for Christmas, Santa gave her a cute pink and purple sewing machine made by Singer. It is a finicky little thing and not something she can use on her own. If I am not able to sit down with her to sew, she will get out a needle and thread and do some hand sewing. If you have a little seamstress in your house, I highly recommend a book called My First Sewing Book. It is easy to read and filled with fun projects that can be completed with OR without a sewing machine.


My two favorite sources of inspiration are Create With Me and The Artistic Mother. Both are filled with ideas on how to create art WITH your children. I love to paint, art journal, and create mixed media projects. As soon as I sit down to work, I will have a little person sitting next to me wanting to "help".

Create With Me is a magazine. At $14.99 an issue, it is a little pricey, but very much worth it. It is my "go-to" source when I have little "helpers".

The Artistic Mother is written for moms who are artists and provides practical solutions for fitting art into everyday, busy lives.  It is beautifully written and very inspiring.

Art can also be a field trip or even a day trip opportunity!

The Amarillo Museum of Art is a beautiful place. It is small enough to enjoy in an hour, which is perfect for children. Admission is free and they have permanent as well as traveling exhibitions.

The Panhandle Plain Historical Museum in Canyon houses some incredible art galleries as well. The museum is HUGE, though, so I recommend making one trip for just art and go back a few days later to enjoy the rest of the museum.

Another treasure in our city is the Sunset Art Gallery. It houses the galleries and studios of over 60 local artists. They sponsor several events throughout the year including the "First Friday Art Walk".

We are within driving distance of The Citadelle in Canadian. This little-known gallery in an unlikely place is the home to the most impressive art collection in the Panhandle. Who would have ever dreamed?

We also live close to Tulia, the home of Kenneth Wyatt. His gallery is in his home, so call before you make the trip! If he is in town, he will either be mingling with the visitors or in his studio, painting. He is very warm and friendly and loves talking to children about art. 

When we return from one of these wonderful places, the kids walk in the door and head straight for the art shelf. It never fails.

My great "wise one", Zack, has now become an art critic. He is an astute student of art and has some very strong opinions. Yesterday, when telling him about our plans to visit the Theodore Wadell exhibition, he said, "Well I hope this is a good one. The last artwork we saw was horrible. Some people have lost the art of art." I have created a monster - I have created an art critic!

So, now it is your turn -

What do you do to keep your children creatively happy?

Where to Go, What to Do

It's funny how one tiny blog can start such big conversations. I posted about video games a few months ago and that little blip on the computer screen started something. It started a small movement, of sorts, to get out and do more. There have been questions, though, about what to do.

So, it the spirit of living a video-game-free lifestyle, I will start posting my own practical guide to keeping kids creative, active, and entertained. This is not an end-all guide on how to have fun with your children. Heavens, no!

You are the only expert on how to raise your children. I do not claim to be a parenting guru! I am however, the best, most knowledgeable, and insightful expert when it comes to raising my children, Bailey and Zack. So, this is just how I do things. This is not necessarily how you should do things. But maybe, just maybe, it will give you some ideas.

Be watching for my next post. I promise to post details of our fun, messy, outdoorsy, artsy, educational, busy days. But, also keep in mind that I am always on the hunt for new ideas. So, please play along by adding your own fun activities in the comment section! Let's keep the conversation going!

Just a Voice

He was just a voice on the radio - a nice voice, but still just a voice. He was famous in his corner of the world. Girls were dreamy-eyed when you mentioned his name. He had a following, but I was not part of that following. To me, he was just a voice.

My best friend, though, she was part of his following. She spoke of him almost daily. "He is so great," she would say, "You should listen more!" So I listened. He was funny. He was clever. He had a nice voice. I didn't see what all the fuss was about.

Until this day, my birthday, 20 years ago. This was the day my world would turn upside down.

My friend arranged a live, "on-air" birthday wish from her favorite morning show hosts. My phone rang at 6:30 that morning and I groggily answered.

"Is this Melissa?"

I recognized the echo-y voice from somewhere.

"Yes?"

"Hi this is Kris and Rod from the morning show!'

"OK."

"Your friend, Grace, called and told us today is your birthday!"

Who were this people and why were they so happy at this hour?

"OK."

Laughter on the other end of the line. Stupid radio people.

"Well, we just wanted to call and wish you a happy birthday! Is there anything we can play for you this morning?"

"No."

More laughter.

"So, tell me, Melissa, were up and listening this morning?

I think they know the answer to that one.

"No."

Belly laughs on the other end.

"Well, tune in when you wake up OK? Maybe in another hour or two? Happy Birthday, Melissa!"

"OK."

"That was great! That was classic!"

That was annoying. I went back to sleep.

My friend recorded the entire conversation on a little black cassette tape and played it at my birthday party. I was still a little annoyed by the whole thing.

He wasn't annoyed by me though. He claims that phone call was the beginning. He claims that after that crazy conversation, he knew he had to meet me.

My friend introduced us a few weeks later. We were both able to put a face with the voice over the airwaves and it was love at first sight. He became much more than just a voice and I knew I had met the love of my life.

20 years later, I can still say, that annoying, early morning, FCC-rule-breaking  phone call from those loud radio guys is the best birthday gift I have ever received.

I love you, "Chris Carmichael."

Gratitude List

Have you read Jesus Calling?  We have the original and the children's version. I get up early and read before the kids scramble out of bed, then I share each day's reading with Bailey and Zack over breakfast. It is a great way to set our day in motion.


A few mornings ago, I read this:

"I want all your moments to be punctuated with thanksgiving."

I have not been able to escape from this statement. I am a very busy mom. I am always running, always planning, always striving. I am always doing something, but very rarely is that something taking the time to be thankful. Yet, this is what He desires.

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-8

I make lists - lots and lots of lists. I make grocery lists, to-do lists, reading lists, lists of creative ideas, lists of school projects to try, lists of new recipes, lists of music to buy. When I have run out of things to put on my lists, I make lists for everyone in our family. I like to make lists.

Today, I am starting a new list; My Gratitude List.

cornflakes with bananas and Jesus Calling

holding my husband's hand

the mocking bird that sings outside my window, even before sunrise (there has to be a lesson  in that somewhere)

brushing Bailey's long, black hair

purple salvia transplanted from my grandmother's garden

 

bike rides around the neighborhood on a pretty, pink bicycle

blank canvases

my neighbor's cat, Tom, who stops by for a daily visit

teaching my children at home

before and after photos (yes, the remodeling is slow, but so worth it)

mud on Zacky's bare feet

daily phone calls from Mom and Dad

egg drop soup

private jokes


yellow columbines that I didn't think would grow