(This picture isn't from Halloween but rather from a Wednesday night in June) My wife and I have a fairly new thing, we both get a night out a week. It’s not every week but we do try to do a little something for us. I play in a dart league in Acton on Thursday nights and Charlene goes out for … [Read more...]
The Way They Play – Part VIII
The other day, I overheard Madame in the tv room, playing by herself. I could hear what sounded like figurines dropping on the floor, over and over again, followed by her little voice, softly uttering, "Click!" Over and over again. I finally had to see what she was up to... Me: Um... what is … [Read more...]
The Way They Play – Part VI
I went downstairs to get some laundry sorted out the other day... I couldn't have been gone more than 15 minutes. When I got back upstairs, I found this:Me: Um... what the hell is all this, then?She: They're stepping stones.Me: *incredulously* They are?!She: Yes. I need them so I won't get burned by … [Read more...]
The Way They Play – Part V
This child loves mud.No. She loooooooves mud, holy balls.We head outside each day, and as soon as I've turned by back for a second, she's walking towards me with a plastic container filled with dirt and water, and she's busily stirring it with a little spoon. Or a stick. Or with her fingers.It is … [Read more...]
The Way They Play – Part III
We bought Ava Scarlett a bunch of wooden furniture pieces (by Plan Toys) at Christmas, and for her birthday, so she would have ideal living arrangements for her ever-growing collection of Calico Critters. All the stuff is arranged in an armoire we have in the TV room, all on the middle shelf, which … [Read more...]
They Way They Play
I find the mornings can still be rushed... or, perhaps they're relatively easy at 9:30 AM, but when I look up again and it's 11:05 AM and realise we have to be at camp in twenty-five minutes (where does the time go?) and I'm not quite dressed to leave the house for the day, and one lunch still … [Read more...]
L.E.E., or, why your man probably wants Lego for Christmas
Taking a page from The Man-ual, I am about to reveal something that us guys keep hidden from view... as much as it might hurt us to do so.There've been a few UrbanMom bloggers who've hosted Lego contests over the past few weeks. In fact, DIY's Sara is running a contest from now until November … [Read more...]
Closed: Win This Fabulous Prize Pack! Congratulations to Sarah!
Are you constantly saying "no" to your children? As parents we often get caught in a cycle of scolding and reprimanding. To help break this dialogue it's important to find activities where parents and children can connect in a fun and stimulating way. Sara, from D.I.Y. would like … [Read more...]
Warm Fuzzies
I've written before about Cam and Cuyler's relationship.Lately Cuyler has preferred more solitary play, opting to draw in his room, bounce on his ball , or play on the laptop. Whenever Cam or Eva try to engage him, they usually get his hand in their face and a loud "Go away! Leave … [Read more...]
The Problem with Playtime
I remember being a little girl and playing barbies in my room for hours. As I got older I would spend hours in my room reading. Reading progressed into playing on my computer. Even today I still crave my alone time. I guess that's just part of being an only child. Ever since Chase started actually … [Read more...]