Perhaps They Will Play?

Schools have shut down. Local facilities and places of worship are closed. Businesses and companies are preparing for remote working, shut downs, and implementing support for extended or unlimited sick leave. Grocery stores are packed with people and emptied of toilet paper, soap, hand sanitizer, kombucha. Kombucha? Really people? So I checked on Amazon. Nope. No toilet paper. But--fear not, I also checked several versions of OTC birth control methods and it seems that at least for the time being, those are still in stock--let's see what happens by the time we all have at least the next two weeks, if not longer, home with our kids. But in all seriousness, there are many and mixed emotions about this and none of them are wrong. But one of the questions that has come up again and again between parents, educators, schools and learning institutions is this: what will our children do?

There have been a variety of answers from around the globe but here's mine, right here from my couch: Perhaps they will play.

Yes, in the face of a novel coronavirus, I see the demise of play being only a novelty. Yes, the lines at grocery stores, drug stores and big box stores and ACMoore are out the door, but you know who gets to move to the front of the line? Play. Maybe, just maybe, if there is a silver lining to all of this it is that for the first time in a long time, or maybe even ever, people will play. Not just children, but grown ups, too! Without the hours filled by structured activity and scheduled routines, perhaps we will play.

And it may look and feel a little funny at first. We might be a little rusty. For some, this will be a whole new horizon. But somewhere, deep inside us all, is an inherent need, desire and knowledge of how to play. Yes, there is work to be done. Yes, our children need to learn. Yes, play is enough for now. So will I be setting up shop to homeschool my kids? Not quite. Will I be setting up activities to inspire my kids? Probably--but only because that is how *I* play. And will every moment be filled with plans and structure and sunshine and rainbows? Nope. Honestly, there are going to be moments here that are a total &#$* show because there always are! I just can't catch them on camera because I'm too busy flailing my arms and yelling in a loud, booming voice... But in between those less than Instagram worthy moments will be unstructured, unplanned, uninterrupted play.

And it won't look "perfect." There will be boredom and from that will come critical thinking and problem solving and creativity. There will be arguing and from that will come conflict resolution and relationship and connection. There will be messes. So many messes. And cleaning. So much cleaning. And scientific discoveries and experiments and concoctions and explosions. There will be glitter. There will be tears. There will be playdough and colors mixed beyond recognition. There will be laughter to the point of tears to the point of remembering that after 3 pregnancies, laughter to the point of tears is risky business during a toilet paper shortage. There will be trips to the park. There will be rainy days we put on our rain suits and rubber boots, grab our umbrellas and get outside anyway. We will see the best in others. We will see the worst in others. Fear does that. We will also see the best and worst in ourselves. Like I said, fear does that. There will be questions. So many questions. There will be talking. So much talking. There will be hopes and wishes and disappointments and frustrations and surprises and wonders and curiosities.

So lean into this play. Let it be the first time in a long time that you do. Let it be OK to not fill the moments or the minutes or the hours. Let it be OK to play a bit yourself. Let it be OK to fall apart like a giant block tower being knocked down. And get up again. Rebuild. Regroup. Remember. Remember what it's like to play for the sake of play. Not for "learning" or for "purpose" or for "product." Those things happen anyway, trust me! So dive into this. Lose track of time. Immerse in the deep waters of Pretend and Make Believe--whether you're revisiting an old and sacred space or entering this world for the very first time. You can dip your big toe in and then another and then your foot, your ankle, your leg. Or you can grab your legs at the knees and do a cannonball off the high dive. There's no wrong way to play. Be silly. Be dramatic. Be someone else. Be something else. Be joyful. Be authentic. Be speedy. Be still. Be gigantic. Be tiny. Be invisible. Be invincible.

I wonder what will come to mind in 20 years when we look back on this time? I wonder what will come to our children's minds in 20 years when they look back on this time? I wonder if this had happened sooner if ACMoore stores might have stayed in business with all the shoppers stocking up on emergency craft reserves? If you need ideas for play activities, you know I've got your back here. But also know that you don't need ideas for play activities. The definition of play in and of itself negates the whole "activity" end of it. Play is chosen. Play is natural and happens in its own space and time frame. Sometimes it moves with great velocity and zeal. Sometimes it looks a bit slower, more withdrawn, even sedentary. Move with it. Sit with it. Watch it and be in awe of it. This is the moment play has been waiting for. And since we're all home to stay, let them play, let them play, let them play!


Be well, be safe, just be! And as always...

Happy Playing!

How the Danish Concept of Hygge Has Inspired Me to Do Less

I first heard about the Danish concept of hygge (pronounced h(y)oo-guh) on a homesteading podcast a few weeks ago. (Don't even ask why I listen to podcasts about homesteading!) While there is no English word that directly translates, it is defined as:

"a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture)"

...and when I saw an online professional development course offered on adding hygge into the classroom, I was intrigued. I am adulting so hard right now that this is actually the only thing I bought on sale over the Thanksgiving weekend!

I have always had an appreciation for spaces in classrooms and homes that are aesthetically pleasing. I have not, however, always had a talent in implementing that. I get what I call Pinterest or Instagram Syndrome and from there, complete paralysis. Additionally, setting up shop in a small space and on a limited budget and with lots of little people involved brings forth unique challenges. I went into this course thinking I'd get some design ideas (and I did), but more of what I got was the distinct desire to do less.

I can remember some years back when I was running a peer group for parents and professionals working with children that "after hours" on session, a woman I greatly admire who was in her late 40s at the time shared the following:
"When I grow up, I want to do less." 
That expression stuck with me like gum to the bottom of a shoe.

Hygge is a word that is hard to pronounce, harder to define, but easy to implement. It is more about adding in elements that bring you joy and comfort rather than banishing everything that does not. It is more about connecting the sacred to the mundane rather than saving "special things" for "special occasions." And in these darker months, I have such a desire to draw in. Such a longing to slow down. But there's such a lengthy list of things to do from which very little, if any at all can be crossed off.

So I gave myself permission to drink tea while I do afternoon carpool. To knit while my children are still awake. I put in the effort and time to set up our play space with some of our favorite traditional December play themes. I even created a teeny tiny cozy corner for the kids to read and snuggle up in. And I also "cleaned up" the Eiffel Tower of STUFF on the side tables next to my own cozy space on the couch. And by "cleaned up," I mean I stuffed it all in a tote bag in the back of a closet location that shall not be disclosed. Because it was more important right now to turn on my salt lamp, light a favorite candle and be present with the people I set up this home for.

These winter months are filled with reasons to celebrate. Holidays, birthdays, gatherings and more. It's a great deal of fun and not necessarily designed for those of us who may be more introverted. So I cling to a favorite mug and the soft textures of wool yarn and re-reading the Little House on the Prairie books for the millionth time because I want to do less. And today--I will!

Today, the boys will have a coveted movie night. They will probably want to watch it in their new Cozy Corner. We will drink hot cider and eat peanut butter toast for snack. I might "get stuff done" or I might just slip my feet into some really warm socks, sit on the couch and snuggle up with a cozy kid or baby or ball of yarn...

Maria Kondo would probably have a picnic at my house. I've been told my living room resembles a preschool classroom; I take this as a compliment. But truthfully, following "rules" of interior design is not my strong suit. I'm a both/and kind of gal in every sense of the word. Which is why the concept of hygge speaks so much to me. There's not a specific definition of what is in the environment but rather the meaning that it holds to each person in that space. There's not a regimen of things to do but rather a feeling of contentment that should be present regardless of what you are doing. So I won't be minimizing my book collection to only 30 volumes (I balk at the thought of this), but I will be clinging more closely to things that spark joy in me and the people who spark joy as well. I love that the concept of incorporating hygge into a space involves making that space accessible to everyone in it (how Montessori of the Danish to include this!) I do have a decent skill set in setting up our home to be functional for the kids and sometimes the adults--but what gets lost in the shuffle sometimes is my own presence in it.

So today I will do less. And maybe tomorrow, too. And perhaps I'll play a bit instead of just watching from the sidelines. And maybe you will try it, too...

Happy Playing!

Parent Playtime: Make Your Own Geo-boards

 You were looking for another DIY project, no? Honestly, neither was I when I decided to build our own geo-boards. I've had the idea in the back of my mind for months now and in an effort to clean out the back of my mind so all of the more important tasks of this time of year could roll their way up front, I picked up a box of nails at the hardware store this week.

I am not handy with a hammer. I did go through wood-shop classes in middle school and that is where I perfected the art of batting my eyelashes at boys who were handy with a hammer. But when it comes to my own boys, I have a soft spot. And a husband with a to-do list a lot longer than it should be right now who doesn't need the added task of hammering about 100 nails into wooden tree planks... I do encourage and allow for woodworking activities here, and the boys also enjoy working on simple building kits with their Tatty as well.

They even built this quaint little xylophone we recently designated to the playgarden. (I'm pretty sure the neighbors love us--but at least this is our quiet xylophone...) I, on the other hand, like the idea of building and the finished products more than I enjoy actually building things and using a hammer and nails. I wish I could say I was not singing popular children's Pesach songs about slavery in Egypt while I hammered...but I can't. I wish I could say I didn't cuss like a construction worker when I missed and hammered my thumbnail...but I can't. I wish I could say the finished products don't look like I had a lot of help from kids in spacing and arranging my nails...but I can't.

But I can say that the boys love these geo-boards (phew!) and that it was worth the smashed thumb, the "creative" sound effects and the effort overall. And if you are potentially still interested in making your own geo-boards, here's how I made ours:

You Will Need:

• a wooden plank (I had several of these tree planks with bark edges from a craft supply store)
• a hammer
• nails (fewer than you'd think you'd need)
• patience (more than you'd think you'd need)
• possibly an ice pack
• rubber bands, yarn, string or loom loops

I used a piece of graph paper over the top of my wooden plank at the beginning to space out my nails. Then I decided to ditch the graph paper and just eyeball it once I got more comfortable/confident. However, if you do want to be exact, you can use graph paper and/or mark your spacing in advance. Then you're up to the hammering part. Hammer in a nail. Repeat. Repeat again. You get my drift? You'll want to make sure they are secure and as evenly spaced/straight as possible. You'll also want to find someone on Etsy who already does this and sells the darn things. That person will not be me--although I might just make one or two more for some really beloved nephews of mine.

Both boys had a great time with our new geo-boards the next morning. S is quite proficient at making shapes and designs. He even made several "pyramids" shaping the rubber bands into triangles of various sizes. You could work on letters, shapes and all kinds of things in this way. For Y, geo-boards and rubber bands are still a practice (albeit a very valuable one) in fine motor skill development. Here was his "loose interpretation:"

You can definitely purchase manufactured geo-boards, but I love the natural look of these. Older children can also help with hammering the nails with adult support and supervision. I love rubber bands the best when using these, but string, yarn and even cotton loom loops would work well with geo-boars. These would also be great to bring and use outdoors, though I am hesitant to leave them exposed to the elements for concern of rusting. Geo-boards are also a developmentally versatile material that can meet many fine motor, early math and early literacy skill targets as children grow and explore with them. While younger children can practice the skills of stretching and placing/removing rubber bands, older ones can explore shapes, patterns, letters, numbers and a number of other creative ways to use these materials. And when you DIY your own, the cost is little more than some scrap wood, nails and a bag of assorted rubber bands.

Happy Playing!

Make Your Own Melt & Pour Gardener's Hand Soap

Melt and Pour soap making is so easy, even I can do it! In fact, I've done it once before with these DIY Lavender Bar Soaps. It's a great way to save some $$$ on those fancy artisan soaps, to stock up on a vital household necessity using ingredients you're comfortable with and also makes for a lovely gift. I start my soaps with this oatmeal soap base, and with Pesach drawing near, using up the brick I had left in the pantry seemed a perfect way to contribute to the preparation project at hand...

As it is also the beginning of gardening season here, lots of dirty hands are coming in the house. (Not to mention the rest of the body--these are great in the bath and shower as well.) Some folks like to wear gardening gloves and although I am often rather sensory averse to certain textures (and you'd think dirt would be one of them), I love digging right into the soil bare handed. But when I do get inside, I want something to rub those dirt covered fingers clean again and somehow I just feel better using a good ol' fashioned bar of soap. Even better if it's hydrating like oatmeal soap is! And even better still if it happens to include some of my garden harvest!

Last week, Y and I traveled to our local garden nursery for two plants. Parsley and chamomile for his Peter Rabbit Garden Birthday Party. Rookie parent mistake bringing your budding green thumber to a garden nursery for two things. He fell in love with a broccoli plant and spent a good 20 minutes running his hand over various herbs and smelling them. How could I (a plant hoarder) say no to just a few additional starter plants on our way out?

I did, however, promise myself that I'm not going to "save" my herbs until the end of the season this year, but rather use them throughout their production period and I got started right away with these Gardener's Hand Soap Bars:

You will need:

• 1 lb oatmeal soap base
• lemon, rosemary and peppermint essential oils*
• fresh lemon balm, rosemary, mint (I used spearmint) leaves*
• silicone soap molds
• 1 quart sized crock pot and metal mixing bowl in comparable size or microwave safe glass dish and microwave
• metal soap tins for storage (optional)

*I used this particular combination of herbs and essential oils, but you can pick and choose your own variety!

Instructions:

I use the crock pot method for melting my soap base but if you prefer to microwave your soap base in a glass dish, you can do that instead. Just work over a medium heat setting, stopping every so often over the course of 3-4 minutes to check and stir. In the crock pot method, I fill the crock base with water about half way to create a "water bath." Place your soap block (you can cut it down with a sharp knife for more even/faster melting if you wish) into a metal mixing bowl and slip it in over the water bath. Cover your crock pot and turn onto low heat. Once your brick is melted completely (you'll want to check every half hour or so to make sure you don't burn it), you can turn the heat off and add in several drops of your oils until you've reached your desired scent. Next, grab a small handful of leaves from each of your herbs and finely chop them into the mixture. I used kitchen shears for this. Mix your concoction once more (I like using either a plastic spoon or wooden craft stick) and pour into your soap molds. You can pop the mold into the fridge or freezer for faster solidifying, but it will work just fine to leave it out at room temperature as well. I happened to leave mine out and went to go pick up S from school. Once we got home and settled in for afternoon naps, my soaps were done and ready to be popped out of the molds and stored in metal tins.

Although I did this project solo, you could involve children with it. As it gets quite hot to handle, adult supervision and support is a must. Children can definitely help with selecting scents, cutting herbs, pouring in drops of oil and mixing as well as popping the finished bars out of the mold and into storage tins if you're using those. I think the one thing I love best about soap making is how excited everyone is to wash their hands well and frequently afterward! That's always a bonus...

You can store and use your Gardener's Hand Soaps at home or save a stash to mail out for mother's day. They would make an equally lovely hostess gift or gift for a gardener you know and love. So don't be afraid to get your hands nice and dirty out there as you begin prepping your soil for planting this season! Hands and children, for that matter, are washable--you'll just need a really great bar of soap when you get in.

Happy Playing!

Photo Friday: I Run a Nature-Based Playgroup and I Did Not (and Still Do Not) Always Enjoy Being Outdoors

If you've read a post or two here or know me personally, you can see that getting outside, especially with children, is something I greatly value. What you may not see or know is that I did not always love being outdoors and I still don't.

I created the artwork in the photo above after receiving an assignment in a 4 week course on becoming a natural teacher. The instructions were to use magazine clippings, words and pictures/photos to illustrate your vision, goals and inspiration for being an outdoor educator. As you can see, I followed the directions to a T. But honestly, I had a hard time even beginning. I even got S and Y on the job with a huge piece of paper, crayons and old gardening magazines, recycled seed catalogs, scissors and glue. Turns out, your kids can do your homework but it's still their work at the end of the day and not yours. And then, I suddenly (and finally) had a vision for my Vision Board. It's a simple statement that encompasses all that I do and am striving for, not to mention nature's loose parts, beads, glue, dried lavender buds and copious amounts of glitter... I plan to have my husband help me hang it above the door heading out to our back garden (#shortpeopleproblems) so I will see it every time I'm in the kitchen.

One of the things I frequently hear from parents in my playgroup, fellow friends and educators and even other parents I don't know personally is that they do not like to be outside. Some would even describe it as an aversion. I've taught in classrooms where teachers preferred to stay indoors with a child who needed extra assistance or to remain inside for some reason rather than come out with the class. And when it comes to running a nature based playgroup that meets in parks, I have heard plenty of temperature, climate and environmentally related complaints--yet, again and again, these families show up with their children. (It should be noted as well that I, too, have been "too cold," "too hot," uncomfortable from "too much wind" or "too many bugs..."). Why do we do it? Why do we get those kids to the park again and again? Because somewhere, beneath the layers of outwear and discomforts, we know that this is important. Whether it's the dose of Vitamin D, the fresh air, the space for our kids to run off steam, the peer pressure, the media pressure, or maybe some deep seeded memory of being four ourselves and running through a field of grass and blooming lilac bushes in a perpetual state of wonder, we are drawn again and again to the great outdoors.

I spent a lot of time playing outside as a child. We were a toss-em-out-into-the-backyard kind of family. I made mud pies and salads, I ate chives by the handful and smelled like an onion for the first 8 years of my life. I got bug bites and splinters and impetigo and skinned my knees and once I even fell in a tree with a branch caught precariously between my legs. I am not athletic. I didn't ride a bike without training wheels until I was 8. My dad taught me in what I'd describe as one of the best days of my life. The first time I went camping I was in the 4th grade and went on a weekend trip with the Girl Scout troop I was in.  I missed my mommy. There was a rat in the outhouse. Did I mention I ate something that didn't agree with me and spent a lot of time in the outhouse? I kept a stiff upper lip, but the lower one may have gone a bit wobbly here and there. I attended an incredible outdoor day camp each summer in the Heldeberg mountains in upstate NY. I remember loving it. My friend remembers me complaining a lot. You say tomato, I say tomahto....

At some point, a great deal of my outdoor life was commuter based. Getting from the door to the car. Getting from the car to the door. It wasn't until college that I began to take up and try out hiking, biking, all-season camping, snow shoeing, even skiing (which I HATED), hunting (equally unsuccessful), jet skiing (that was fun), canoeing (not as fun), and a bit of gardening here and there. Here's what you should know: I love that I did all of this. I did not always love it when I was doing it.

I'm the kind of gal who would talk your ear off about how much I wanted to go camping. Then I'd buy a tent and pitch it in my living room and microwave a s'more. Then, I'd finally go camping and the first time I tried to pee in the woods, I'd miss just a little. Your flashlight got a little wet in the process but I dried it. My clothes didn't fare as well. Once we got home, I'd go back to talking your ear off about how much I love camping, but the reality is that I loved the idea of it. I loved the accomplishment of sticking it out. I never loved the actual act of it and I don't know that I was ever truly present in it.

I also loved hiking. I lived for 5 years within walking distance of a great lakeside hill with a 2-3 mile trail. I hiked it frequently and became comfortable and confident enough to love it. I learned to like things outdoors if I could repeat them enough to become comfortable and confident. Familiarity is my security. But novel hikes were always a challenge. Similar to camping, they were events I looked forward to and glorified, complained about while I was there and then raved about after I got home.

The first Pesach after S was born, we went and stayed by friends of mine from my college years. During Chol Hamoed (the interim days of the holiday) the family invited us to go on a little nature walk. It would be stroller friendly, we'd take the kids and a few snacks and some water. They looked up the location on an app on their phones.

Ok, so as it turns out it wasn't stroller friendly. It was not a little nature walk ona trail; it was a freakin' mountain. Here I am in my leather boots (great hiking shoes), a skirt (cuz you can do it in a skirt), wearing a baby (cuz you can do it wearing a baby) and my sheitel (wig--because why hike in only one set of hair when you can hike in two?) and below is a photo of what we actually did on our little nature walk...

Never. Ever. Again. I'm so glad I did it. I climbed a freaking mounting in a skirt, wearing a leather boots and a baby and a sheitel and I am never ever doing this again. I brought home a sense of accomplishment. My husband brought home Lyme Disease. Never. Ever. Again.

But what if on a daily basis, you don't enjoy being outside? What if you are averse to it altogether? I love to garden and I love seeing my kids play and I even feel playful with them out there. But I don't like bugs so much (I try to fake it till I make it). I was supposedly severely allergic to bee stings as a kid and I'm still afraid of bees. I plant a pollinator's garden every spring. I dress like the photo above year round. Minus the leather boots, sometimes with a hat or scarf and not a sheitel. Are you hot in the summer? So am I. I hunch my shoulders up to my ears whenever it's raining because for some reason I think this will make me stay dryer or warmer or something like that. And even though I have a garden and sometimes in spite of me having it stuff actually grows, I'm not very good at it. I am better at keeping humans alive, watered and fed.

And then I wonder. I wonder back to those early days of being happily tossed out in the yard and the years that followed when I walked two feet with my shoulders up to my ears between the car and the front door, cursing under my breath because it was raining. What happened? I don't remember. But when I watch my boys outside, grinning from ear to ear, eating freshly picked strawberries, falling down and skinning their knees, making mud pies, catching raindrops on their tongues, hoarding sticks and interesting rocks and picking wildflowers from the side of the road--I don't want their shoulders to go up to their ears when it rains. I don't want them to forget why they stopped liking to play outside because I don't want them to forget why they liked it in the first place.

And here's how I tackle my own aversion to being out there... I don't know if these ideas work for everyone or if they will work for you, but it works for me:

• What's your WHY: I have mine, what is yours? Why is it important to you to get outside? If it is for your children and or students, I commend you. I also encourage you to find a why for yourself as well.
• What do you love? What is something you love to do? Are you a knitter or crocheter? Do you love coffee? Do you enjoy reading? Are there things you love to do indoors you could bring outside with you?
• Find something out there that draws you in: If it's flowers, a garden, listening to the birds, an interesting tree stump, a particular park or spot--find something that draws you in again and again and seek it--again and again. If you can, bring a bit of it in with you, whether it's cut flowers in a vase, a photo of a sacred space, a smooth rock, a particular shell...
• Make the space a reflection of you: If you have a yard or outdoor space, treat it as you would your bedroom or living room. Make it a reflection of you. Have things out there that you love, that inspire you to return, that bring you joy.
• Check in, not out: One thing I struggled with often both as a teacher and parent was my tendency to see outdoor time as one to check out. Rather than being engaged with the act of being outside, I was engaged with prep work for my class or catching up with correspondence at home. I'm not saying never to use outdoor time for these purposes, but rather to try and set some time to intentionally be with yourself outside. To notice and observe the experiences of being there without judging them--even if it includes some feelings of discomfort. And even if it does include feelings of discomfort, also notice other elements--sounds you hear, sounds you don't hear, smells the remind you of something in your childhood but you're not sure what, a bird splashing in a puddle, a cloud shaped like a T-Rex... 
• Go with a friend: Like company? Bring some! 
• Go alone: Like solitude? Take some.
• Have a mission and/or destination: if "just going outside" is not your favorite, make it part of a larger mission or destination. Go outside, and... Choose an activity you love to do out there (even if it's not an "outdoor activity") or choose a destination at the end (a favorite coffee shop or boutique). There's nothing wrong with coupling a less preferred activity with a little reward. And if you can make the brain connection between being outside and reaching that reward, you can spark some of those neural connections to develop into muscle memory; you may find you need less of that reward to feel the good feelings of being outside. And, coming from true experience, it's OK if some of the time--and even all of the time--those good feelings of being outside don't come until you're back indoors!

Happy Friday and Happy Playing!

Make It At Home Monday: Melt & Pour Oatmeal Lavender Bar Soap

I have a truly guilty pleasure for artisan soaps. You know, the really expensive handmade ones you find at Whole Foods, local farmers' markets or food co-ops? The ones that cost several dollars a bar and then inevitably get sucked down the drain still half intact when the kids are in the tub? So, looking for another fun handcraft to try out at home, I stumbled upon several recipes to make your own melt and pour bar soap. For pennies on the dollar, I whipped up a batch of quick and easy (and quite lovely, if I do say so myself) oatmeal lavender bar soaps.

This is a simple project you could do with children and/or adults. It's also been a great way to encourage good hygiene and more hand-washing here as we are in the peak of flu and virus season and it's been running rampant around S's school.  If you'd like to try it out yourself, here's what you'll need to know:

Melt & Pour Lavender Oatmeal Soap

Makes 12 bars, but you can cut the recipe in half or increase as you wish.
Materials: 
*I am including links to items I purchased from Amazon, but these are not affiliate links

• 2lbs oatmeal soap base (I purchased this one)
• 1 tsp lavender essential oil
• 1-2 TBSP dried lavender buds (you can purchase these in bulk or harvest from your own garden if you're lucky!)
• silicone soap molds (I have these, but you can even use a silicone cupcake mold)
• crock pot or microwave safe glass dish & microwave

Directions:

I used my typical crock-pot method to make my soap. I also cut the recipe in half to make half a dozen bars. You can use a sharp knife to cut your soap base into smaller chunks beforehand if you wish, but mine melted just fine in its 1lb block form on the low setting in our crafting crock pot. I also filled the ceramic base with a bit of water to create a water bath and placed the soap base in a metal mixing bowl fit over-top for more even cooking. I did check up on it and stir intermittently to prevent burning. I removed the bowl from the heat source before it was completely melted and stirred remaining lumps.

In the microwave version, you'd place your soap base in a microwave-safe glass dish, such as a Pyrex measuring cup and you will want to cut down your block of oatmeal soap base into 1 inch chunks. Heat on a medium/high setting for 3-4 minutes, stopping and stirring intermittently to make sure the soap base is melting but not steaming and burning. You'll want to remove it from the microwave before it is completely melted and stir any lumps out.

Now with either heating method, you're ready to add the lavender essential oil and buds. Mix to incorporate and you're ready to pour into your molds. I set a couple of vinyl placemats down on my counter top first to catch any spills and protect the counter from the heat. This mixture is hot and should be done by an adult with proper precautions! Now you can add in any individual scents you wish (see "variations") or sprinkle on some additional lavender buds (optional). Let your soaps set for about an hour at room temperature or until solid. You can speed up this process by transferring the mold to your refrigerator or freezer. When they are hardened completely, they are ready to pop out and gift, store or use. I love these tin soap containers for storing soap and lotion bars.

Variations:

You can individualize scents by adding in other essential oils you like. I love the combination of lavender with lemon, mint or rosemary oil. You can also change up your scent altogether. I think a peppermint rosemary soap would be absolutely lovely, for instance. Swap out your lavender oil for peppermint and rosemary essential oil and your lavender buds can be replaced with dried rosemary leaves. Or try a floral soap with dried flowers and an accompanying floral scent.

A safety note about essential oils: Just because something is natural does not mean it is always safe. Please take precautions when using essential oils both on yourself and especially with young children. Essential oils should not be taken internally by anyone of any age (unless they are cooking grade essential oils used in baking) and they should not be used directly on the skin without being diluted. When introducing a new oil even through a carrier oil, soap or lotion, please keep allergy safety in mind. You may wish to test a small skin patch before lathering up with a new soap or lotion. I recently learned that there is a risk of respiratory distress associated with the use of eucalyptus and peppermint oils with children under the age of 2 (these are commonly found in OTC products like Vick's Vapor Rub for congestion). There are a lot of online sources about the use of essential oils, some backed by companies who sell them. I believe they are well-intended and I even purchase oils for myself from one particular company, but I also refer to reliable, evidence-based resources for information about safe use.


I have really found a love of creating some of my own health & beauty and home care items. It is a way for us to have fun and be creative while also living more frugally and knowing what ingredients are in the products we use and gift. These soap bars would also make a lovely gift, especially paired with a bar of Melt & Pour Body Balm! Handcrafting with and/or for your family is a wonderful way to preserve the joyful memories of our summer garden while patiently waiting for spring and I can imagine how that will expand again as we move into this next gardening season and the harvest it will yield.

Until next time...

Happy Playing!

Parent Playtime Post: Quick Knit All-Purpose Cotton Cloths

This is the perfect quick knit project if ever there was one. I created the pattern late in the summer because I wanted transition from using paper napkins to cloth ones in S's school lunchbox. Standard cloth napkins are way too big for the school setting and the standard size of kid tables. I wanted something small and friendly to kid sized hands, mouths and spills. I also thought it would give him a little feeling of home during his school day to find something handknit by his Mommy at lunchtime. I knew I ran the risk of him accidentally losing some or throwing them away (so far the damage hasn't been too bad). I was not too surprised either, to see that he is so environmentally conscious he still only uses his sleeve to wipe his mouth and that most of the time, these little guys come home still neatly folded in half in a triangle shape right in the bottom of his lunchbox! Nonetheless, I often use them with a spritz of my easy homemade all-purpose cleaner (about 1 part rubbing alcohol to 10 parts water) to clean out the inside of his lunchbox each day and subsequently the dairy side counter-top after I prepare and pack his lunch for the next day. They even do well with warm soapy water to scrub out midweek yogurt spills when you don't have time to run the washing machine and still have a dry Paw Patrol lunchbox in the morning!

Yes, these Quick Knit All-Purpose Cotton Cloths have and do it all. They are great little napkins. They have a fabulous scrubbing action from the texture of the garter stitch. They are thick enough to soak up spills and soft enough to wipe tiny little hands and mouths on the go. They make a great travel wipe as well with a bit of soapy spray or water. Use them as washcloths, dishcloths, for cleaning or even dusting. And the best part is how quick and easily they knit up. I keep a ball of cotton yarn and size 7 needles in my cars for long trips when I'm a passenger or unplanned waits at the doctor or when I arrive too early for preschool pickup (which rarely happens these days). Because they are so quick and easy (and cost effective) to knit up, it's easy to stitch up an abundance of these little buggers. They make great gifts, have plenty of household uses and you won't feel [too] bad if a few get lost in the hustle.

In fact, a note on all handcrafted items you gift to your kids: they may get lost. They may get damaged. They may get rejected one day and beloved the next. If you are the type to become really attached to something you created (I am), this might be an exercise in breathing deeply and letting go. Opting to send your little guy to school in the first ever sweater you knit might not be a good starting point. Opting to stash a cotton cloth in his lunchbox is probably a safer bet!

So if you'd like to whip up one or two or six dozen of your own Quick Knit All-Purpose Cotton Cloths, here's what you'll need to know:

Materials:

• 1 skein 100% cotton yarn
• This will make multiple cloths. Common brands are Lily Sugar and Cream or Walmart's comparable item, Peaches and Cream yarn. They come in a variety of solid and variegated color options, even self striping. There are often sales and coupons available for craft supply stores on these products. You can go with all one color or collect a few. I may have collected more than a few, but I use this yarn for a variety of projects. 
• size 7/4.5mm straight knitting needles
• I really prefer the feel of bamboo, but any straight needles will work
• yarn needle & scissors for finishing

Directions: You will be working this project diagonally. The y/o at the beginning of each row will leave a little hole that creates the outer border pattern.

abbreviations: 

K= knit

y/o= yarn over

inc. = increase

dec. = decrease

K2tog = knit 2 together

st = stitch

Begin by casting on 4 stitches.

Increase rows:

Row 1: Knit across

Row 2: K2, y/o to inc. by 1 st, K to end of row. You should now have 5 stitches.

Repeat Row 2 until you have a total of 25 stitches. You will now begin your decrease rows.

Decrease rows:

Row 1: K1, K2tog, y/o, K2tog, K to end of row. You should now have 24 stitches. Your y/o will preserve your border pattern, while knitting 2 together both before and afterward will decrease your stitches by one each row you work. 

Repeat that row until you have 4 stitches remaining.

Knit across row.

Bind off.

Weave in and trim tails.

Parent Playtime Post: Knit Your Own Swift & Simple Wrist Warmers for the Whole Family

 Oh the woes of gloves and mittens and keeping the family's hands warm all winter while also keeping your fingers functional. First there are the morning mitten wars. Both boys want the orange mittens. There's only one pair. Ok, so each one gets one orange mitten and one blue one with an orange stripe. One kid can put his gloves on independently, the other needs help. Now that his fingers are all snug as a bug in a rug, S can't buckle his seatbelt independently anymore! Has Y lost yet another glove or is he just striving to look a bit more like Michael Jackson? And my hands are freezing on the steering wheel--I really need something I can drive to preschool drop-off in...

Enter my DIY Swift & Simple Wrist Warmers for the Whole Family! I knit up my first pair for S (see children's version*) last winter. He insisted on wearing only one because he wanted a wrist brace like one of his favorite teachers who had injured herself in a skating accident. She, a fellow knitter, also appreciated a gifted set of knitting needles, skein of self-striping yarn and a copy of my adult sized pattern for her birthday gift from S a few months later!

I wanted a pair, too, so I whipped up my own--perfect for driving to preschool on those cold winter mornings! And this year, we have lots of hands and lots of opinions on fashion. It was easy enough to knit up a few extra pairs of wrist warmers for the boys using partial skeins of yarn I had leftover from other projects. Another benefit to these is that they are great for very little ones first learning to put on mittens and gloves. Since either end will fit their hand and wrist, they can't really go wrong. A thumb hole in the side seam allows them to poke through their thumb, an important skill preceding being able to put on mittens and eventually gloves, but without the challenge of also fitting it in a tiny, enclosed compartment. Lastly is the benefit of having warmer hands but access to your fingers for buckling carseats, picking up sticks and stones, for driving, jotting down notes on the go or texting and typing. You'll still need another warmer and more waterproof option for extended outdoor winter play, but these are just right for a trip to the car or a playtime on the playground at school. If you'd like to knit up a pair (or two or half a dozen...) for yourself and/or the kids, here's what you'll need to know:

Swift & Simple Wrist Warmers for the Grownups

You will need:

• 1 skein soft, worsted weight medium (4) yarn
• US 8/5mm size straight needles
• yarn needle

Gauge: 18 stitches = 4” in St st

Directions:

Leaving a 12” beginning tail for sewing seam, cast on 31 sts.

Lower Ribbing Row 1 (Right Side): P1, *k1, p1; repeat from * to end of row.

Row 2: K1, *p1, k1; repeat from * to end of row.

Row 3: Repeat Row 1. 

Body: Work in St st (knit on Right Side, purl on Wrong Side) until piece measure 7½” from beginning.

Bind off loosely. Cut yarn, leaving a 12” tail for sewing seam.

FINISHING: With beginning tail, sew side edges together for 3”, beginning at lower edge. With ending tail, sew side edges together for 2”, beginning at top edge. Leave 2” between the two seams open for thumb. Weave in ends. Repeat for second wrist warmer. Note: Top edge will roll to outside.

ABBREVIATIONS: k = knit; p = purl; st(s) = stitch(es); St st = Stockinette stitch

Swift and Simple Wrist Warmers for the Littles
This pattern is provided in two size options. The smaller size is suitable for toddlers/preschoolers and early school aged children. The larger option in parenthesis is geared toward older, school aged children.
You will need:

• 1 skein soft, worsted weight medium (4) yarn
• US 8/5mm size straight needles
• yarn needle

Gauge: 18 stitches = 4” in St st

Leaving a 12" beginning tail for sewing up the seam, cast on 16 stitches (20 stitches).

Bottom of Wrist Warmer: Rows 1-4: Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat across row. Work first 4 rows in this ribbing pattern. 

Row 5: Knit across

Row 6: Purl across

Body: You will continue to repeat rows 5 and 6 to work in stockinette stitch for a total of 10 rows (12 rows for the larger size).

Top of Wrist Warmer: 

Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat across row for 2 more rows. Bind off, leaving a 12" tail for sewing up the seam.

Finishing: With beginning tail, sew side edges together for about 1/3 of the way up, beginning at lower edge. With ending tail, sew side edges together about 1/3 of the way down, beginning at top edge. Leave the remaining third in the center between the two seams open for thumb. Weave in and trim ends.

NOTE on yarn and washing: These can be handwashed or machine washed on a gentle cycle. Make sure, however, if you happen to use 100% wool that you do not machine wash on hot, as this will felt and shrink your wrist warmers! I recommend a washable acrylic/natural blend that will be soft against the skin and withstand your laundry machine, especially for the littles!

Happy Playing!

Parent Playtime Post: Knit Your Own Kids' Cozy Cowl

When it comes to getting kids to dress appropriately for the winter weather, I've learned a thing or two. And still know nothing that works consistently all of the time with every kid! But one thing that does help encourage our seemingly cold blooded critters to bundle up out there in the winter is having options. LOTS of options. First there's the kid who wants to wear the puffy winter coat everywhere, maybe even inside, but it's not car-seat safe. Then there's the one who has a favorite hat. And the one who wants no hat, and only a hood. And the one whose mittens must match. And the one whose mittens must never match. And the one who will wear only one mitten. (Have I mentioned this is all the same kid?) Options. Options. Options.

And then came the scarf obsession. Y especially loves scarves and S took a liking to them as well when we had our dramatic play skating rink up. But to be quite honest, a long scarf on a short kid is just about the most impractical item for bundling up out there. Introducing the cozy cowl... a quick knit, perfect for family members of all ages and sizes. It's a great project for the seasoned knitter who wants something quick to whip up and easy to put down. It's a great project for the beginning knitter or even first-time knitter! It's even a great project for an older child first learning to knit independently.

Using my favorite leftover skeins of soft, chunky yarn, I whipped up a quick collection of these for the boys. Options are a mom's best friend. The little guy who loves Cookie Monster Blue today will feel in the mood to wear only shades of grey tomorrow... I liked them so well I decided to use up a skein of colorful variegated yarn I had leftover from last year's fingerless gloves to make my own version--a slightly longer infinity scarf to double wrap around my own chilly neck!

If you'd like to try your hand at knitting your own Kids' Cozy Cowl, here's what you'll need to know:

Materials:

• 1 skein or a partial skein of your favorite soft, chunky yarn
• Choose your favorite color or a variegated option. I find that working with striping yarns can make a project go faster as I eagerly await the color and pattern change! Since this will go right against the sensitive skin of the neck and upper chest, I do recommend something soft and not a potentially itchy wool or scratchy acrylic. If your little ones have sensitive skin, you may wish to opt for natural fibers.
• straight knitting needles in appropriate size
• I would recommend using the size suggested on your skein of yarn but you really can't go wrong here with this simple knit if it's a bit larger or smaller than suggested, so long as you're comfortable knitting. I also prefer wood options to metal, but use whatever you like!
• wide-eyed blunt needle for finishing

Instructions:
Cast on 20-25 stitches, depending on how chunky your yarn is. You want your cowl to be wide enough to cover the neck and to roll down a bit on either side (that's the cozy factor) but not so wide you'll lose your kid in there!

Row 1: Knit across
Row 2: Purl across
Repeat rows 1 and 2 to work in stockinette stitch until your piece measures long enough to fit comfortably over the head of the child or person you're making it for. Keep in mind that there will be a bit of stretch and give. You want it to be cozy. You don't want it so cozy it chokes you! You may need to test your length on your child's (or your own) head!
Bind off.

Finishing: with the "wrong side" (bumpy side) out, stitch together your ends to create a seam using the tail of yarn from either side. Weave in your ends and trim any remaining tails of yarn. Turn right side out and voila! 

Variations & Optional Additions/Modifications:

One for YOU: You can make cozy cowls in adult sizes, too! Just work your piece a bit longer for a comfortable fit. Turns out I have a really tiny head and neck, so I can share my kids' cozy cowls. They also function quite well as a headband if your ears are cold or can be pulled up over the mouth and nose for a quick thaw in really frigid temps!

Infinity Scarf: For a feminine more grown-up variation, knit your cozy cowl double in length (or even longer if you wish) and create your own infinity scarf. Wrap it around loosely twice for a longer scarf or more (length permitting) to get a bit more warmth and coziness.

Add Your Own Flair: Sew on a fun button or add a unique pin. More advanced knitters might wish to work in a ribbed stitch or cables. Very beginning knitters might be more comfortable working the project entirely in garter (knit) stitch. 

A Note to Beginning Knitters or Older Children: This is a great project for first time knitters. If you or your older child are new to knitting, there are great books out there and--even better--great videos and tutorials online. Better yet? Find a relative or friend who knows the craft to teach the basics! This project can be worked entirely in garter (knit) stitch as noted above if you're new to knitting and haven't yet learned the purl stitch. Additionally, soft, chunky yarns are very forgiving to errors. Don't sweat the mistakes, embrace them as the beauty and charm of the craft! Your kids won't notice the dropped stitch or unplanned line created by a repeated purl row. They will just be so pleased to have something cozy, warm and one of a kind!

This project is so quick and simple. You can make one. You can make a dozen. You can take it on the go and even knit one up on a long car trip (presuming you are not the driver and that you don't get motion sickness). They make a lovely gift and [very slightly] increase the chance that your little ones will be bundled and appropriately prepared for the cold windy days of winter!

Happy Playing!

Make Your Own Melt & Pour Body Balm

Parents and Caregivers, it's time for YOU to play! I'm veering a bit off course from children's play activities this week to offer some playtime posts for you, the grown-ups. We all know that as parents and/or caregivers, self-care is important--vital, even. And yet, we often put our own interests and projects on the back burner as we tend to necessities of everyday life. So I'm devoting some space in my day and here on my blog to some adult-friendly fun. Of course, we all have different interests and hobbies. If my hobbies of choice don't happen to be yours, I encourage you to pursue your own creative interests. If you don't know what those are yet, try some of the activities here or, better yet, get lost perusing Pinterest boards! There's a hobby waiting just for you! Some of these activities will yield gifts for you. Some will yield gifts for children! Some will be able to be adapted so children can help if you wish and some are even great beginner projects for older kids to try.

Let's kick off with a great one for your winter dry skin:

DIY Melt & Pour Body Balm

This project idea was actually born out of a recurring and stubborn patch of eczema S keeps getting on his leg. While on a visit to family up north, I had my stepmom, a pediatrician take a peek at it and Nana offered S some beeswax balm to put on it. S is very particular about lotions for some reason. He never minds sunscreen but never wants any type of lotion or ointment on. I think this feeling increases when a "boo-boo" is involved. I peeked at the ingredients on Nana's special balm and realized I could probably make it at home. In fact, maybe if I did make it at home and let S decide on a scent he liked, he might even want to try some. (He also might not, and that's OK, too.)

I searched Pinterest and subsequently a few blogs for simple recipes and combined/adapted a few to create my own. I decided to test it out on my own before getting S involved. I got out our crafting crock pot (remember our melt and pour beeswax candles?) and plunked in the first few ingredients. I turned the heat to low and went about my day. Parent Playtime Projects are best when they can easily be ignored or quickly put down! After picking up S from school and getting both boys ready for their afternoon nap, I returned to my now melted ingredients and set out to pouring a bit into empty metal tins. To each individual tin, I added a combination of essential oils I liked. I carefully transferred them to the refrigerator for faster cooling (this gets very hot so be careful!) and within 15 minutes it was set and ready to use, store or gift away!

So, if you'd like to try your hand at your own Melt & Pour Body Balm or some variations thereof, here's what you'll need to know:

Ingredients and Materials:

• 3 oz beeswax 
• You can sometimes find this in craft supply stores or Whole Foods type places locally. If you happen to know a beekeeper, even better! If not, you can rely on Amazon and purchase bricks (as I did) or pellets, which melt faster.
• 4 oz coconut oil
• You can buy coconut oil now in almost all grocery stores.
• 4 oz shea butter
• This can also be ordered from Amazon or purchased locally if you find it.
• essential oils
• I really prefer the "real" stuff here to artificial scents. Essential oils can be pricey, so I'd recommend sticking with one or two you really love if you're just starting out.
• crock pot or double boiler or microwave safe dish
• I use a "crafting crock pot," a small crock pot I devote solely to crafts like this. Keeping a kosher kitchen means that anything I cook in my dishes and appliances must be kosher as well. Since cosmetic grade items don't always fit this bill, I reserve a crock pot for my cooking and some secondhand or inexpensive cookware for the process involved. I'd also add that beeswax and other ingredients can be hard to get off of your cookware, so I do recommend having a separate pot for this if you are using the double boiler or microwave method as well. I have a comparable sized metal mixing bowl that I found at a thrift store. It fits right inside the crock pot so that I don't have to use the ceramic insert itself. 
• measuring cup, spoon, potholders, thick place-mat or towel to cover your workspace
• Don't use your favorite potholders and place-mats here in case of spills!
• empty metal tins and/or silicone molds
• You can order or purchase silicone lotion/soap molds or empty metal tins. I've seen molds and tins even at places like Dollar Tree or Walmart. You can also use a loaf pan lined with parchment paper in a pinch!

Instructions:

Melting Your Ingredients:

Crock-pot Method: Create a water bath by filling the ceramic insert about 3/4 full with water and placing a comparable sized metal mixing bowl inside. Measure and add your beeswax, coconut oil and shea butter into your metal bowl. Cover and turn heat on low. Let your ingredients melt completely but be careful not to overheat beyond that as it will smell a bit burnt. (Yes, I learned this the hard way and also, not to use the high setting to speed things along!)

Double boiler Method: Measure out and combine your beeswax, coconut oil and shea butter. Melt your ingredients in a double boiler on stovetop.

Microwave Method: Disclaimer: I haven't tried the microwave method as I don't have a microwave, but presumably you should be able to create a water bath using microwave safe glass dishes and melt your ingredients that way. I'd recommend using a lower heat setting and short runs of time in there just to be sure you don't overheat them and burn it.

*If you keep a strictly kosher kitchen, please consult with a knowledgeable rabbi or source on Kashrut before using your stovetop or microwave!

Pour Time! Here's where the fun starts. Carefully handle your melted ingredients (they are HOT!) and pour into your mold of choice. If you are using tins as I did, you'll pour directly into the tin and add your scent. Warning: The container will be very hot once you pour in the mixture! Add a generous number of drops of your favorite essential oil or combination thereof into each tin. Similarly to that method, using a silicone mold you will also pour in your mixture to each compartment and then add your scent. You can make each bar the same scent or change it up! With this method, once completely cooled, you will pop your set mixture out of each mold and have your very own body balm bars. You can store these in tins from there.

To cool and set you can either leave the filled tins/molds out at room temperature until solid or pop them in the fridge/freezer to speed things along.

Now you're ready to use, store or give away your body balm! Since there is no water in this recipe, it stores well long-term. It can melt, though, so do keep it out of direct sunlight and extreme heat. If you've used the direct-pour method into tins, you'll use the warmth of your fingers to soften the body balm and scrape a bit out for use. It can be used on hands, body and even chapped lips. If you have used a silicone mold, you'll be able to warm the bar in your hands and then rub it in. Now here are some suggested scent variations:

Some of my favorite scent combinations are lavender & rosemary, lavender, lemon & peppermint, lemon-peppermint and...

Vapor-Rub Body Balm: Combine eucalyptus, peppermint and rosemary essential oils for an all natural alternative to commercial vapor rubs.

Kid-Friendly Boo-Boo Balm Bar: While this is a project definitely more geared toward adults and older children, you can get little ones involved in selecting a scent for their own boo-boo balm bar. Maybe if he creates his own signature scent, S will want to try it out on his boo-boo! (And maybe not...)

Happy Playing!