Monday, April 30, 2012
Today.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
If I were...
If I were a crayon I should think that I would be a rather sharp crayon.
A green one perhaps, with a blue stripe, yes that would be my color. If I were a crayon, I would be everybody's favorite crayon. I would be the crayon that you would want to draw every picture with... every ocean, and every sky.
If I were a book I would be a book with just the right amount of drama, action and suspense, with a twist of romance. If I were a book, would you read my story? I should think that I would be the kind of book that you would want to read over and over again.
If you could be something... what would you be? Would you be a real object? Or perhaps imagine something to be? You decide because dreams are real, and reality is a lie.
A green one perhaps, with a blue stripe, yes that would be my color. If I were a crayon, I would be everybody's favorite crayon. I would be the crayon that you would want to draw every picture with... every ocean, and every sky.
If I were a book I would be a book with just the right amount of drama, action and suspense, with a twist of romance. If I were a book, would you read my story? I should think that I would be the kind of book that you would want to read over and over again.
If you could be something... what would you be? Would you be a real object? Or perhaps imagine something to be? You decide because dreams are real, and reality is a lie.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Emma-palooza!
The greatest day of the year is coming up this Wednesday, that’s right, it’s Emma’s Birthday!!
I love my birthday so much that it can’t last just one day, it lasts one week! So instead of celebrating for just one day we do something fun each day for the week leading up to my birthday, hence EMMAPALOOZA! Thankfully I have awesome parents who play along with my love of my birthday, making it even better! So here is a list of what we have done so far for EMMAPALOOZA!
Day 1 Shopping in Denver!
Day 2 Getting hair cut!
Day 3 Go-carting with friends, lunch and dinner of choice!
Day 4 Relaxing at home.
Day 5 New makeup!
The rest is to be determined, but for the most part I have amazing parents who love me a lot!
Happy Birthday to me!!
And a very merry EMMAPALOOZA to you!!
I love my birthday so much that it can’t last just one day, it lasts one week! So instead of celebrating for just one day we do something fun each day for the week leading up to my birthday, hence EMMAPALOOZA! Thankfully I have awesome parents who play along with my love of my birthday, making it even better! So here is a list of what we have done so far for EMMAPALOOZA!
Day 1 Shopping in Denver!
Day 2 Getting hair cut!
Day 3 Go-carting with friends, lunch and dinner of choice!
Day 4 Relaxing at home.
Day 5 New makeup!
The rest is to be determined, but for the most part I have amazing parents who love me a lot!
Happy Birthday to me!!
And a very merry EMMAPALOOZA to you!!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Mom.
Today is a truly inspiring day, my mother’s birthday. I know that most people don’t like their birthdays but my mom is different.
My mom LOVES her birthday, always has, and probably always will. In fact she loves her birthday so much that she doesn’t only have a birthday, she has a birthWEEK. Here are some sure fire ways to make sure YOUR mom has a great birthday!
1) NEVER EVER forget your mother’s birthday. EVER.
This is probably the worst possible thing you can do on anybody’s birthday, so don’t do it to your own mother.
2) Don’t try to cover it up.
If you do forget your mother’s birthday, don’t try to cover it up and pretend it was a joke. Mother knows all.
3) More expensive doesn’t always mean better.
Mom’s LOVE homemade gifts, so make her something personal.
4) Flowers. Always get flowers.
Whether you pick them yourself or have them delivered, moms LOVE flowers.
5) Try to do something that you don’t usually do.
Try to help do something; it could be anything from cooking to doing laundry to setting the table.
6) Do something different
Stick to traditions from when you were little, but also add new ones!
And THAT is how to make your mother have a happy birthday!
I Love you, and have a merry Birthday Mom!!!
My mom LOVES her birthday, always has, and probably always will. In fact she loves her birthday so much that she doesn’t only have a birthday, she has a birthWEEK. Here are some sure fire ways to make sure YOUR mom has a great birthday!
1) NEVER EVER forget your mother’s birthday. EVER.
This is probably the worst possible thing you can do on anybody’s birthday, so don’t do it to your own mother.
2) Don’t try to cover it up.
If you do forget your mother’s birthday, don’t try to cover it up and pretend it was a joke. Mother knows all.
3) More expensive doesn’t always mean better.
Mom’s LOVE homemade gifts, so make her something personal.
4) Flowers. Always get flowers.
Whether you pick them yourself or have them delivered, moms LOVE flowers.
5) Try to do something that you don’t usually do.
Try to help do something; it could be anything from cooking to doing laundry to setting the table.
6) Do something different
Stick to traditions from when you were little, but also add new ones!
And THAT is how to make your mother have a happy birthday!
I Love you, and have a merry Birthday Mom!!!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
IT
Everybody has one major fear, something they fear over everything else. For some people it is spiders, or snakes, or ping-pong balls (I don't actually know anybody that is afraid of ping-pong balls, but there's got to be somebody out there). For me it's clowns, I am absolutely terrified of clowns. Happy clowns, sad clowns, creepy clowns, quirky clowns, I am terrified.
Everybody knows about my fear, especially my parents. Ah, my clever, clever parents. In my family we always do funny presents for Christmas, like little kid toys and funny things like that. Well this year my parents gave me the movie IT. If you are not aware of this movie, it is pretty much the scariest clown movie ever. IT's name is PennyWise, PennyWise the clown, he haunts the children, pulls then into the sewer, and eats them. Since it is a Stephen King movie, the clown never dies. Even worse, there is no ending, no final word on the whole movie. I recommend watching the movie for this to make more sense.
Very funny right? No, not funny at all.
I love my parents, but I'm pretty sure they have scarred me for life.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Resolutions
New Years resolutions... everybody has them:
Quitting caffeine
Joining a gym
Walking their dog
etc.
I find it very hard to take these resolutions seriously. Nobody keeps these, why? Because habits are hard to break, it takes thirty solid times of doing something right to break the bad habit. Thirty days. That's January, pretty much a whole month. I think that you can try to hold onto your resolutions but rarely do you REALLY want to do them. If you are going to start doing something different, you have to want it to be different. Be you and be happy. That is my resolution, be happy, I think I can manage.
Quitting caffeine
Joining a gym
Walking their dog
etc.
I find it very hard to take these resolutions seriously. Nobody keeps these, why? Because habits are hard to break, it takes thirty solid times of doing something right to break the bad habit. Thirty days. That's January, pretty much a whole month. I think that you can try to hold onto your resolutions but rarely do you REALLY want to do them. If you are going to start doing something different, you have to want it to be different. Be you and be happy. That is my resolution, be happy, I think I can manage.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
I know it’s impossible for most parents to actually afford all of the cool stuff that gets written up. Heck, most of us can’t afford it either, and we’re envious of the person who scored a review copy of a cool board game or awesome gizmo. So while we love telling you about all the cool stuff that’s out there, I understand that as parents we all have limited budgets and we sometimes need help narrowing down our wishlists.
So to help you out, I’ve worked really hard to narrow down this list to five items that no kid should be without. All five should fit easily within any budget, and are appropriate for a wide age range so you get the most play out of each one. These are time-tested and kid-approved! And as a bonus, these five can be combined for extra-super-happy-fun-time.
1. Stick
What’s brown and sticky? A Stick.
This versatile toy is a real classic — chances are your great-great-grandparents played with one, and your kids have probably discovered it for themselves as well. It’s a required ingredient for Stickball, of course, but it’s so much more. Stick works really well as a poker, digger and reach-extender. It can also be combined with many other toys (both from this list and otherwise) to perform even more functions.
Stick comes in an almost bewildering variety of sizes and shapes, but you can amass a whole collection without too much of an investment. You may want to avoid the smallest sizes — I’ve found that they break easily and are impossible to repair. Talk about planned obsolescence. But at least the classic wooden version is biodegradable so you don’t have to feel so bad about pitching them into your yard waste or just using them for kindling. Larger, multi-tipped Sticks are particularly useful as snowman arms. (Note: requires Snow, which is not included and may not be available in Florida.)
As with most things these days, there are higher-end models of Sticks if you’re a big spender, from the smoothly-sanded wooden models (which are more uniformly straight than the classic model) to more durable materials such as plastic or even metal. But for most kids the classic model should do fine.
One warning: the Stick can also be used as a sword or club, so parents who avoid toy weapons might want to steer clear of the larger models. (On the other hand, many experts agree that creative children will just find something else to substitute for Stick, so this may be somewhat unavoidable.)
Finally, something that does grow on trees.
You could put someone’s eye out.
2. Box
Another toy that is quite versatile, Box also comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Need proof? Depending on the number and size you have, Boxes can be turned into furniture or a kitchen playset. You can turn your kids into cardboard robots or create elaborate Star Wars costumes. A large Box can be used as a fort or house and the smaller Box can be used to hide away a special treasure. Got a Stick? Use it as an oar and Box becomes a boat. One particularly famous kid has used the Box as a key component of a time machine, a duplicator and a transmogrifier, among other things.
The Box may be the most expensive item on my list, available from many retailers and shipping companies, but they can often be had cheaper if you know where to look. Amazon is one of my main sources of the small- to medium-sized Box; I include one with virtually every order I place there. If you don’t mind second-hand toys, the grocery store, bookstores and recycling centers are also great sources for Boxes. Oh, and the best place for the extra-large version is an appliance store (though sometimes they’ll try to sell you an appliance along with it, which could get pricey.)
Note: If you’re in a pinch, Laundry Basket is a similar item and can often be substituted for Box in some instances, though it’s generally not as great for costumes (other than a turtle). And if you’re thinking of using Box for your next building project, Mr. McGroovy’s Box Rivets make a great optional accessory.
What do you put Box in when you’re done playing with it?
3. String
Kids absolutely love String — and when they can’t find it, sometimes they substitute other things for it such as scarves or blankets, but what they’re really after is String. Now, I should start off by saying that String is not intended for toddlers and babies: it is a strangulation hazard and your kids must be old enough to know not to put it around their necks. However, when used properly your kids can really have a ball with String.
The most obvious use of String is tying things together, which most kids love to do. You can use it to hang things from doorknobs or tie little siblings to chairs or make leashes for your stuffed animals. Use String with two Cans for a telephone (and teach your kids about sound waves), or with Stick to make a fishing pole. You’ll need String for certain games like Cat’s Cradle — there’s even an International String Figure Association for lots more information. String is a huge part of what makes some toys so fun — try using a yo-yo or a kite without String and you’ll see what I mean. Try the heavy-duty version of String (commonly branded Rope) for skipping, climbing, swinging from trees or just for dragging things around.
Although you can buy String at a store, it’s generally sold in much larger quantities than your children will probably need — usually kids are happy with roughly two or three feet of it. I actually have no idea where it comes from, because I don’t remember buying them any, so it must be pretty easy to come by.
It really ties everything together.
There’s a reason “no strings attached” is a benefit.
4. Cardboard Tube
Ah, the Cardboard Tube. These are kind of like the toy at the bottom of a box of Cracker Jacks — they come free with a roll of paper towels and other products but you have to wait until you get to the end of the roll before you can finally claim the toy. (Perhaps this explains why kids — who love the small size — go through toilet paper so quickly.) The small- and medium-sized are most common, but the large versions that come with wrapping paper can be more difficult to obtain — I had a roll of Christmas wrapping paper that lasted about three years before my kids finally got the Tube. There’s also an extra-large size that is sometimes sold with posters, and a super-sized industrial version which you’ll generally only find from carpet suppliers. (Of course, carpet stores aren’t toy stores, and while their product also goes by the name Cardboard Tube it’s hardly the same thing and probably shouldn’t be adox: considered a toy.)
My kids have nicknamed the Cardboard Tube the “Spyer” for its most common use in our house, as a telescope. (Or tape two of them together for use as binoculars.) But if you happen to be lucky enough to get a large size, the best use is probably whacking things. Granted, Stick is also great for whacking, but the nice thing about Cardboard Tube is that it generally won’t do any permanent damage. It’s sort of a Nerf Stick, if you will. If that sounds up your alley, look up the Cardboard Tube Fighting League — currently there are only official events in Seattle, San Francisco and Sydney, but you could probably get something started up in your own neighborhood if you wanted. Or if you’re more of a loner, perhaps the way of the Cardboard Tube Samurai is a better path.
Obviously if your own kids are younger you’ll want to exercise discretion about these more organized activities, but it probably wouldn’t hurt to provide them with a Cardboard Tube or two just so they’ll get used to the feel of it. You never know if your kid will be the Wayne Gretzky or Tiger Woods of Cardboard Tube Fighting, right? Best to give them the opportunity so that if they show some particular aptitudes they’ll have that early advantage. And if not, well, there are still plenty of people who enjoy playing with Cardboard Tubes casually without all that pressure.
Comes free with purchase of toilet paper, paper towels, and wrapping paper.
Doesn't hold up to enthusiastic play.
5. Dirt
When I was a kid one of my favorite things to play with was Dirt. At some point I picked up an interest in cleanliness and I have to admit that I’m personally not such a fan of Dirt anymore — many parents (particularly indoor people like me) aren’t so fond if it either. But you can’t argue with success. Dirt has been around longer than any of the other toys on this list, and shows no signs of going away. There’s just no getting rid of it, so you might as well learn to live with it.
First off, playing with Dirt is actually good for you. It’s even sort of edible (in the way that Play-doh and crayons are edible). But some studies have shown that kids who play with Dirt have stronger immune systems than those who don’t. So even if it means doing some more laundry (Dirt is notorious for the stains it causes) it might be worth getting your kids some Dirt.
So what can you do with Dirt? Well, it’s great for digging and piling and making piles. We’ve got a number of outdoor toys in our backyard, but my kids spend most of their time outside just playing with Dirt. Use it with Stick as a large-format ephemeral art form. (Didn’t I tell you how versatile Stick was?) Dirt makes a great play surface for toy trucks and cars. Need something a little gloopier? Just add water and — presto! — you’ve got Mud!
Dirt is definitely an outdoor toy, despite your kids’ frequent attempts to bring it indoors. If they insist, you’ll probably want to get the optional accessories Broom and Dustpan. But as long as it’s kept in its proper place, Dirt can be loads of fun.
Cheap as dirt.
Dirty.
I absolutely love this blog which is why I re posted it from GeekDad. I hope you enjoy reading this!!! Thank you!
So to help you out, I’ve worked really hard to narrow down this list to five items that no kid should be without. All five should fit easily within any budget, and are appropriate for a wide age range so you get the most play out of each one. These are time-tested and kid-approved! And as a bonus, these five can be combined for extra-super-happy-fun-time.
1. Stick
What’s brown and sticky? A Stick.
This versatile toy is a real classic — chances are your great-great-grandparents played with one, and your kids have probably discovered it for themselves as well. It’s a required ingredient for Stickball, of course, but it’s so much more. Stick works really well as a poker, digger and reach-extender. It can also be combined with many other toys (both from this list and otherwise) to perform even more functions.
Stick comes in an almost bewildering variety of sizes and shapes, but you can amass a whole collection without too much of an investment. You may want to avoid the smallest sizes — I’ve found that they break easily and are impossible to repair. Talk about planned obsolescence. But at least the classic wooden version is biodegradable so you don’t have to feel so bad about pitching them into your yard waste or just using them for kindling. Larger, multi-tipped Sticks are particularly useful as snowman arms. (Note: requires Snow, which is not included and may not be available in Florida.)
As with most things these days, there are higher-end models of Sticks if you’re a big spender, from the smoothly-sanded wooden models (which are more uniformly straight than the classic model) to more durable materials such as plastic or even metal. But for most kids the classic model should do fine.
One warning: the Stick can also be used as a sword or club, so parents who avoid toy weapons might want to steer clear of the larger models. (On the other hand, many experts agree that creative children will just find something else to substitute for Stick, so this may be somewhat unavoidable.)
Finally, something that does grow on trees.
You could put someone’s eye out.
2. Box
Another toy that is quite versatile, Box also comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Need proof? Depending on the number and size you have, Boxes can be turned into furniture or a kitchen playset. You can turn your kids into cardboard robots or create elaborate Star Wars costumes. A large Box can be used as a fort or house and the smaller Box can be used to hide away a special treasure. Got a Stick? Use it as an oar and Box becomes a boat. One particularly famous kid has used the Box as a key component of a time machine, a duplicator and a transmogrifier, among other things.
The Box may be the most expensive item on my list, available from many retailers and shipping companies, but they can often be had cheaper if you know where to look. Amazon is one of my main sources of the small- to medium-sized Box; I include one with virtually every order I place there. If you don’t mind second-hand toys, the grocery store, bookstores and recycling centers are also great sources for Boxes. Oh, and the best place for the extra-large version is an appliance store (though sometimes they’ll try to sell you an appliance along with it, which could get pricey.)
Note: If you’re in a pinch, Laundry Basket is a similar item and can often be substituted for Box in some instances, though it’s generally not as great for costumes (other than a turtle). And if you’re thinking of using Box for your next building project, Mr. McGroovy’s Box Rivets make a great optional accessory.
What do you put Box in when you’re done playing with it?
3. String
Kids absolutely love String — and when they can’t find it, sometimes they substitute other things for it such as scarves or blankets, but what they’re really after is String. Now, I should start off by saying that String is not intended for toddlers and babies: it is a strangulation hazard and your kids must be old enough to know not to put it around their necks. However, when used properly your kids can really have a ball with String.
The most obvious use of String is tying things together, which most kids love to do. You can use it to hang things from doorknobs or tie little siblings to chairs or make leashes for your stuffed animals. Use String with two Cans for a telephone (and teach your kids about sound waves), or with Stick to make a fishing pole. You’ll need String for certain games like Cat’s Cradle — there’s even an International String Figure Association for lots more information. String is a huge part of what makes some toys so fun — try using a yo-yo or a kite without String and you’ll see what I mean. Try the heavy-duty version of String (commonly branded Rope) for skipping, climbing, swinging from trees or just for dragging things around.
Although you can buy String at a store, it’s generally sold in much larger quantities than your children will probably need — usually kids are happy with roughly two or three feet of it. I actually have no idea where it comes from, because I don’t remember buying them any, so it must be pretty easy to come by.
It really ties everything together.
There’s a reason “no strings attached” is a benefit.
4. Cardboard Tube
Ah, the Cardboard Tube. These are kind of like the toy at the bottom of a box of Cracker Jacks — they come free with a roll of paper towels and other products but you have to wait until you get to the end of the roll before you can finally claim the toy. (Perhaps this explains why kids — who love the small size — go through toilet paper so quickly.) The small- and medium-sized are most common, but the large versions that come with wrapping paper can be more difficult to obtain — I had a roll of Christmas wrapping paper that lasted about three years before my kids finally got the Tube. There’s also an extra-large size that is sometimes sold with posters, and a super-sized industrial version which you’ll generally only find from carpet suppliers. (Of course, carpet stores aren’t toy stores, and while their product also goes by the name Cardboard Tube it’s hardly the same thing and probably shouldn’t be adox: considered a toy.)
My kids have nicknamed the Cardboard Tube the “Spyer” for its most common use in our house, as a telescope. (Or tape two of them together for use as binoculars.) But if you happen to be lucky enough to get a large size, the best use is probably whacking things. Granted, Stick is also great for whacking, but the nice thing about Cardboard Tube is that it generally won’t do any permanent damage. It’s sort of a Nerf Stick, if you will. If that sounds up your alley, look up the Cardboard Tube Fighting League — currently there are only official events in Seattle, San Francisco and Sydney, but you could probably get something started up in your own neighborhood if you wanted. Or if you’re more of a loner, perhaps the way of the Cardboard Tube Samurai is a better path.
Obviously if your own kids are younger you’ll want to exercise discretion about these more organized activities, but it probably wouldn’t hurt to provide them with a Cardboard Tube or two just so they’ll get used to the feel of it. You never know if your kid will be the Wayne Gretzky or Tiger Woods of Cardboard Tube Fighting, right? Best to give them the opportunity so that if they show some particular aptitudes they’ll have that early advantage. And if not, well, there are still plenty of people who enjoy playing with Cardboard Tubes casually without all that pressure.
Comes free with purchase of toilet paper, paper towels, and wrapping paper.
Doesn't hold up to enthusiastic play.
5. Dirt
When I was a kid one of my favorite things to play with was Dirt. At some point I picked up an interest in cleanliness and I have to admit that I’m personally not such a fan of Dirt anymore — many parents (particularly indoor people like me) aren’t so fond if it either. But you can’t argue with success. Dirt has been around longer than any of the other toys on this list, and shows no signs of going away. There’s just no getting rid of it, so you might as well learn to live with it.
First off, playing with Dirt is actually good for you. It’s even sort of edible (in the way that Play-doh and crayons are edible). But some studies have shown that kids who play with Dirt have stronger immune systems than those who don’t. So even if it means doing some more laundry (Dirt is notorious for the stains it causes) it might be worth getting your kids some Dirt.
So what can you do with Dirt? Well, it’s great for digging and piling and making piles. We’ve got a number of outdoor toys in our backyard, but my kids spend most of their time outside just playing with Dirt. Use it with Stick as a large-format ephemeral art form. (Didn’t I tell you how versatile Stick was?) Dirt makes a great play surface for toy trucks and cars. Need something a little gloopier? Just add water and — presto! — you’ve got Mud!
Dirt is definitely an outdoor toy, despite your kids’ frequent attempts to bring it indoors. If they insist, you’ll probably want to get the optional accessories Broom and Dustpan. But as long as it’s kept in its proper place, Dirt can be loads of fun.
Cheap as dirt.
Dirty.
I absolutely love this blog which is why I re posted it from GeekDad. I hope you enjoy reading this!!! Thank you!
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