K.I.S.S.

The truth is … kids are not going to automatically clean up after themselves and being mad about it is fruitless.

But … sticking to a simple posted strategy, that is discussed daily, really works.

Problem is … you can’t give up after a few days and expect them to remember on their own.

As the adult, you should know this.

It’s really that simple.

The Handprints Poem

“Sometimes you get discouraged
Because I am so small,
And always leave my fingerprints
On furniture and walls.
But everyday I’m growing,
I’ll be grown up someday,
And all these tiny handprints
Will simply fade away.
So here’s a final hand print
Just so you can recall,
Exactly how my fingers looked
When I was very small.”

Children need love, especially when they do not deserve it. ~Harold Hulbert

Don’t know the source for the photo, just found it in my archives.

Stumbled upon  … They All Call Me Mom and had to share, with more than a few loved ones.

Nine kids … each one needing attention, appreciation and love.

I will never know what it’s like to spread myself that thin but I love the idea of a mental recap at the end of the day … seems like a great way to plan to do it better the next time:)

So you say it's your birthday ...

Kid’s birthday parties are so much more creative, than years past.

I remember my dad always making sure that I had my favorite carousel birthday cake.

Mom must have been the one behind the packet of balloons that she would blow up, tie and rub on my brother’s head, so that she could attach them to the wall.

Throw in a few party people, Pin-the-Tail on something, ice cream and we were good to go.

Now, I get the honor of watching my kids have birthday parties for their kids and while some of the birthday party themes are very similar to my memory, others are off the grid.

So, in the true spirit of partying, I thought it would be appropriate to share some of the cool kids birthday party ideas that I stumbled across.

Naturally, my personal favorite is having a Mosaic Tile Party for kids … ages 6 & up. You can read about how-to DIY here. 

Then there’s Martha and her perfectly perfect Kids Birthday Party ideas.

and if that wasn’t inspirational enough …

If you still can’t think of a creative kid’s birthday party, after visiting Babble’s 25 Unique Kids Birthday Party themes, then there’s no hope for you

Magic Decal Transfers

Will admit to my addiction of glass jars, imprinted glassware and glass canisters.

There, I said it.

So you can imagine how excited I got when I stumbled upon this FREE printable for DIY canister decals.

In fact, Kristine at The Painted Hive has even provided step by step instructions to make it easy squeezy:)

Now it’s just a matter of getting my printer to play nice with me.

A child's attitude toward everything is an artist's attitude. -Willa Cather

Creating isn’t about being perfect.

It’s about starting from scratch and adding the necessary materials to turn that idea into a personal creation.

I can’t think of a better way to spend time with the kids, while exercising an abundance of skills and building a sense of pride, in all that partake.

That is of course if everything that you or the kids make are deemed beautiful in your eye’s … no matter how they look.

It’s not brain surgery, it’s paper, glue and glitter.

There’s a ton of “creating with kids” inspiration on the web and a few favorites of mine are CHILDHOOD 101 … Asking Questions Which Encourage Creative Thinking and if you click around you will possibly end up sharing messy arts and crafts for kids @ the Filth Wizardry but be sure to check out No Time for Flash Cards for great craft ideas for the whole fam.

What are you waiting for … copy the craft directions and get out the glue.