Kids

Every Child a Superhero

by Stacy on April 28, 2012

This post was written in honor of National Superhero Day (April 28th) and my friends in Pittsburgh lining up to take a stand against child abuse and trying to break a World Record for the most superheroes in one place at one time, here’s to being SUPER! The cape pictured in our photo is from Power Capes. Quick shout out to them as well for sponsoring the Super Hero Run today, we love our cape, mask and wristlets and that they offer them at great discount regularly on Zulily too!

I’ve given parenting a lot of thought these last 6 years, intentional thought, on how I wanted to raise my children and the type of grown up I want them to become. Having a child is such a monumental event in and of itself, but the responsibility to raise good stewards, kind citizens and contributors of society weighs heavy on me at night. I have a set of basic core values I instill in my children whenever possible, but as I got to thinking this week in the days leading up to National Super Hero Day … I realized really what I am trying to create in my children is the underlying desire to do and be good — a sort of everyday hero, if you will. Then I realized I’m probably not the only one, I mean don’t we all want the same for our children?

So, I came up with 20 ways you can help you child unleash their inner superhero. Simple ways you can instill kindness, inherent good and thoughtfulness and those qualities we look for in a stand up superhero. You might be surprised to find that those qualities we admire most about these fictional characters are so much of what we are looking for in ourselves. These qualities really aren’t that spectacular or superhuman at all, in fact, I’d argue to say we are all capable of living our lives this way!

20 Ways to unleash your child’s inner superhero

- Teach them to have Integrity, do the right thing even when no one is watching

- Give it all you’ve got, no matter what you’re doing give it 110%

- Try to see the good in people, even when it may be hard to find

- Whenever possible, lend a hand. Helping others is fruitful & rewarding

- You can do anything if you try, try, try. Believe in yourself

- In every situation, be the good guy. Trust your instincts and do what feels right

- Be strong in mind — keep a clear head, stay focused, be present and in the moment

- & body — eat to nourish your body, stay active and challenge it constantly with new activities

- Take the initiative- when something needs doing, get up & get started

- Be Resourceful. A little bit of creativity and ingenuity goes a long way

- Solve Problems – saving the day is all about solving problems. Brainstorm possible solutions, talk with others and keep an open mind

- Make a Difference – the smallest of gestures can make a huge difference in someone’s day. Seek out those opportunities and embrace them

- Overcome Great Odds – somethings are difficult, but chances are you will get through them. In tough times, endure and lean on family. In the shadow of insurmountable tasks, break them into bite size pieces and get started achieving your goals.

- Do something BIG – dream big and find a way to bring your dreams to life

- Take Chances – the only way to know if something will work, is to try. Don’t be afraid to fail. Take risks and take them often.

- Take a Stand – there will always be someone or something out there that needs a voice. Speak up.

- Change the World – the tallest mountains are made from the smallest grains of sand, chasms and canyons were carved in to the earth by tiny drops of rain and so can your efforts imprint themselves on the world. No effort is too small or done in vain. Do every deed with great purpose.

- Rock your look , we are all individuals — be your own person. Own who you are.

- Know your talents & USE THEM!

- Be AWESOME.

Note: As with all life lessons, the best way to teach is to lead by example

Got any lessons to add to this list? I’d love to hear them

Special thanks to these Super Mamas for helping me brainstorm this list: Crystal of Growing a Jeweled Rose, Maria of Mama Mia’s Heart 2 Heart, Cathy of NurtureStore, Bernadette of Mom to 2 Posh Little Divas, Laura of Play Dr Mom, and Kristina of Toddler Approved. Looking forward to featuring more great ideas from this post.

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Eco Art Camera: A Quick How To

by Stacy on April 20, 2012

Hey there folks, popping in real quick to share one of my children’s favorite craft projects with you and all Melissa & Doug’s blog readers (hi folks!!!! so glad you’re here, really! Hope you’ll stick around awhile and make yourself at home) This project comes to you just in time for Earth Day as part of a link up with my sweet friends Allie, Amy, Val & Zina.

We call it the Eco Art Camera because it is part art project, part craft project, made of 100% recyclables and all around awesome. Seriously, my guys played with these things for months before they eventually pulled the buttons and lenses off, then we added them back to the recycle bin and who knows what’s become of them now.
Pretty cool right? I was kind of impressed with them to, especially considering what we used to make them:
- an empty box of macaroni and cheese
- the lid from a large jar of spaghetti sauce
- half of a toilet paper roll
- a water bottle lid
- scrap pieces of aluminum foil, newspaper and string

As you’re about to see, tape and tempura paint were also used liberally …

We started by wrapping our box in newspaper and then using our favorite painting technique (not finger painting, but whole hand painting – the messier the better) to cover the newspaper and give the camera it’s color. You could skip this step altogether if you’re pressed for time, but it was my kids favorite part and what gave this project so much personality.

Wait for the paper to dry, we set them outside and went to the park for awhile.

When you get back wrap half of a toilet paper roll and a small piece of cardboard in aluminum foil – a piece of a cereal box or the inside flap of the macaroni box will work just fine. Tape the toilet paper roll to the flat piece of cardboard and then attach the new shape to the front of your camera to make the lens.

Separate the outer plastic ring from your spaghetti sauce lid and hot glue it to the top right of your box to create a viewfinder, anything could be used here really – feel free to get creative with it.

Glue the water bottle lid to the top of the box to act as your shutter.

Carefully glue your neck strap on to the sides, this was the only piece of this project I had to keep fixing for my guys. I never did come up with a really secure way to make it stay … maybe you will! And then you’ll be so kind to tell me about it Thanks.

That’s it, that’s all there is to it. Hand the camera over to your budding photographer and let them get busy snapping. There’s so much fun to be had.
These were a prominent part of our playroom for a very long time, until a toddler got a hold of them. If treated properly, they will last a long time. And if not, they’re simple to make so you can always whip up a new one using items from your recycle bin!

Happy Earth Day weekend folks, tell me have you ever made something using items from your recycle bin? If you have a post or a photo leave it in the comments section, I’d love to see it!

Let me know if you have any questions about any of the steps and do me a favor and join me on Facebook, I’d love to chat with you there.

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Silly, yet serious

by Stacy on April 15, 2012

Silly, yet serious.

That’s the best way to describe this little one right now. One minute she is all smiles and giggles and and the next she’s soulful; deep in contemplation, so quiet and demure.

She’s changing everyday, yet it is me who seems foreign to her. It’s a delicate time for the two of us, I catch her looking at me with those big blue eyes, so uncertain and so speculative. I can feel her beginning to pull away from me now — not quite sure how my role as a mother is going to fit in to her big, new and evolving life.

I knew this time would come for us, but I never dreamed it would start so soon. I feel as if we’re in the middle of some pre scripted dance routine, one I’ve danced a time or two before … yet in much smaller shoes. My first reaction is to hold on tight and never let her go, but I know that is not, nor can not be the answer. Instead, for now, I’ve chosen to show her how much I love her at least as often as I tell her. To listen to what she’s saying and offer her the biggest gift I know how: all my heart and all of my head. I can use these two not to lead her in life, but rather to guide her down this new path she is carving out as her own.

Most of all it seems these days I am hoping. Hoping that some how, some way deep down on the inside, she gets me. Gets me in a way I never really got my Mom, at least not until I was a mother myself. I’m also hoping she might stay my sweet and silly serious little girl for just a little longer …

What special moments did you capture this week?

<div align="center"><a href="http://kidsstuffworld.com/category/stuff/life-in-an-instant/" title="Life in an Instant" target="_blank"><img src="http://kidsstuffworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/LIAI_150_2.jpg" alt="Life in an Instant" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

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Something bright & shiny

by Stacy on February 28, 2012

We whipped up something bright & shiny for you,
Hop on over to Quirky Momma to find out how we made these fun, reflective art collages.

Someone’s pretty excited about it.

Read our first Quirky Momma post here, and be on the look out for more fun posts we’ll be sharing on Quirky Momma in the future.

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Valentines for the Kids

by Stacy on February 9, 2012

Valentines Day is just five days away, are you ready? Yeah, me neither …

Thank goodness I helped put together this beautiful Pinterest board with the superest Mom I know, Val of Frugal Family Fun. It’s chocked full of inspiration for DIY ideas that can be done on the cheap and almost at a moments notice … perfect for procrastinators like me.

Here’s a few projects I’m going to try and make happen around here

Color by Number Valentines (by one of my favorite Pinners!)