Train Up Tuesday: I HEART Resourcefulness!

Okay, this really isn't a deep subject, but I love resourcefulness. Sometimes I get mistaken for someone who is creative, when in reality, I think it's just that I'm cheap....er, thrifty...and don't like throw too many things away that I think I could use for another purpose (don't worry, I'm not THAT bad!...you'll never see me on one of those hoarders shows). I prefer the word "resourceful" over cheap and thrifty, though.

Things that get me excited? Well, Pinterest (naturally). But also, I recently found myfridgefood.com. You can check off what you already have on hand in your pantry and fridge and voila! SEVERAL recipes for you to make based on your list! (Okay, so, if you don't have very much on hand, I suppose your list would be pretty short.) I made fried cheese...yeah, just shredded cheese fried in a pan. My kids loved it...why couldn't I think of THAT on my own?!

I also recently read an email sent to me on the hundreds of uses for coffee filters. And guess what? When I was making said fried cheese, I was out of paper towels....so....coffee filters fit the bill that day :)

So what's the point of this and how does it relate to kiddos? Train them to be resourceful! Yeah, I know that's simple and seems like common sense, but I think that today's kids have missed out on learning "street smarts" and resourcefulness. We have gadgets and gizmos for everything these days. Many kids are super busy with so many "things" and activities, and when they do have the rare moments of being bored, they aren't encouraged to be left to their imaginations.

We all know the best 5 toys of all time include a box, a stick, and a string. If you have to "give" something to your child to encourage imagination and resourcefulness, start with those basics. When your child asks for something she doesn't have, suggest an alternative in using something she already owns. Make a game of coming up with as many different ideas or uses for one toy, tool, or gadget. Pretend you are an alien from another planet and trying to figure out what the gadget is. Look for open-ended toys to encourage play.


It's in boredom and in times of "want" that creativity and resourcefulness really blossom! Think of the great inventions and stories that come from these times! Don't sell your child short by not allowing him to use the gift of time and the things around him and in his head to do or make something spectacular (in his or her own world).

Train Up Tuesday: PLAY!

I know most of us are overwhelmed by Christmas cleanup. Did you wake up the day after wondering...where on earth are we gonna put all this stuff?! I declare, even when we as parents tighten things up and give only what matters most, kiddos still seem to receive more than we (or they) can imagine!

Of course, we need to tidy up and get back to "normal", but while you are doing that, don't forget to take some time to play with your little ones and enjoy the season. They won't be little much longer. Besides, how can you resist playtime when you have little ones dressed for the part? ;-)


Hope your days have been "merry",
Ashlie

Trian Up Tuesday: Lunch with Charlie Brown

If you've been following a while, you may remember my fondness for Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving. Last year, Glenda (one of our RWAV contributors) commented that she looked forward to watching the movie with her granddaughter and eating the treats shown in the movie. That inspired me for this year!

So...I arranged a play-date for my boys and their cousins....at my mom's house (hey, it's much easier to do these things when you don't have to clean a play room before and after the event ;-). We watched Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving (why, yes, I do own the video) and as they watched, I began plating their treats - popcorn (which happened to be crunch n' munch because the new Jiffy Pop won't work on glass top stoves :( ), pretzels, jelly beans (and m&ms and skittles...for those who can't chew the jelly beans), toast, and ice cream. Oddly enough, the moment I served the last scoop of ice cream, the scene where the Peanuts gang prays before their "meal" began playing. "Divine" timing? Perhaps ;-)


They had a GREAT time! We also dressed them up in Native American inspired apparel and let them run around outside to play in the leaves...to get the sugar high out of their system (right before naps, too!) ;-)


Even though it has already aired on network television, you should still be able to pull it up on hulu.com (I checked earlier on Monday and it was there). So, if you're looking for a fun activity to do (that is easy to pull together...did I mention I have a 7 week old and 2 other boys ages 5 and 2 1/2?!), this is a winner.

Also, if you are looking for an opportunity to share the truth about Thanksgiving, be sure to check out a couple of last year's posts: Lessons from the Mayflower and 5 Kernels of Corn. I plan to continue our new tradition of the 5 Kernels and share the poem featured on Raising Real Men when we do.

What fun things are you doing with your family this holiday?

-Ashlie

Train Up Tuesday: Embracing Silly Imaginations

One thing most children are blessed with that, unfortunately, many of us adults have lost (or misplaced) is a silly imagination. I’m blessed to be a part of a family that still has a good grasp of theirs. :)

A few years ago, I started noticing towards the end of summer, farmers would bale hay as usual, but then a day later, they would be wrapped in a white plastic covering. I thought they looked like ginormous marshmallows! I kept the thought to myself until my husband and I were on our way to work one day. Then, I casually said, “All of the sudden, I have a craving for a huge rice crispy treat!” It took him a few seconds, but then he got it. ;-D


Now that I we have two young boys, we call them “marshmallow farms” when we see them this time of year. We pretend that we’d like to eat the huge treats. That always brings smiles and excitement as we pass by these fields.

This year, it hit me. What if we go to one of those fields one day with our own marshmallows and take some fun pics? So, this weekend, my oldest son and I (on our way to a mother-son date at our church), stopped by such a field. He was super delighted.

Hugging a "huge marshmallow"

Tossing real mini-marshmallows in the sky

So, why blog about it? Just to encourage you to embrace silliness and imaginations, to be a part of it, and to plan on ways to enhance these simple times where all that is needed is a playful mind. :) Also, it lets your kids know that you have another side besides just being caretaker or teacher. Perhaps you really were a child like them once.

What silliness have you been up to lately? Blog about it and post a link in the comments!

Have a lovely, goofy week,
Ashlie