Getting calm

I often think about and discuss ways to help Bea, at two and a half, acknowledge a big emotion and get back to calm after her top blows over with big, loud uncontrolled feelings. I hadn't thought about the idea of helping her keep a calm state of mind throughout the day in a preventative sort of way.

Here are some suggestions this interesting blogger gives that resonate with me. Even though our day moves similarly to hers with art, playing outside, and hugs, having the preventative outlook helps my frame of mind. It seems as I grow wiser in this parenting business, some things are certain, there's no real recipe and what worked a few times may not work the next few times.

It is certain though that we are learning Bea's rhythms and even as her needs change, there are things about her personality and needs that I can't quite put my finger on but are more of an instinct that I know about this spirited child that help some of the time navigate through this messy, boisterous and outspoken, wildly emotional, independent and shockingly beautiful age of two. I can barely get through a few hours without enveloping myself around her.

I still lose it sometimes. I still feel crazy sometimes. I still want to run into the backyard with a wine glass in my hand, empty and ready for a squeeze sometimes, but less because I notice if I can remain calm and patient, we all do a little better so I guess that takes a little practice on my end too and a lot of personal care time and may I be frank about how important that is. It's vital for the success of being everyone you are to everyone in your life including yourself. I think I am learning that.

I have these really wonderful friends that remind me that we are human and that it is okay for our children to see these very emotions in us
so I guess it is how we handle these big, alive, human emotions that matters most because we aren't capable of canning them every single time and if we try to and fail what is left is a whole heap of guilt and isn't that a feeling most of us are trying to break away from?



















Here's that link, Tips for a calmer toddler.

Crafts

Making, merry making, always making, sleeping, eating, playing, making, always making.

Now for some finishing, hopefully, really soon.

I cherish the imagination of children.

We adults sit and the child gathers food (iris leaves) for papa bear and mama bear and she, baby bear no little bear, brings the real food to the blanket.

I drape wet clothes over the rope a few yards away from our picnic blanket and am purposefully silent, a new thing for me. It is purposeful so she has time to play in her own world without me. "Mommy, play hi?" she asks. "I am putting laundry up to dry right now. You play," I say. This casual statement is a bit of a question inside of me, hoping she doesn't have one of those m e l t d o w n s about it. She doesn't. We are all happy.

We had a very rough one the other day. I wasn't feeling sturdy enough to stay in the bubble of tantrums, miscommunications, house chores, and all so we packed the car up and headed to Kelly Point Park, a nice sandy beach spot nearby where the Willamette river meets the Columbia river.

It was the perfect medicine.

 Bea is an artist.

Bea is busy with ideas and play. She is best kept outside, near her tea set, or next to one while they do the dishes. You can cheer her, if sad or upset or mad or all of those emotions by giving her little chompers or some fresh purple play dough.

That first picture of the variegated camellia really caught my eye! There are a million varieties of the stuff. Now our homeland sprouts peonies, roses, and the like; lilly of the valley, peppermint galore, and bright orange poppies. Soon we'll see daisies, lilies, flowering lambs ear, and tall, tall grass everywhere. It is a heavenly time!

Love to you all!

How to make a bouquet.

Bea learned a special skill from Auntie Lauren and Louise last night. It might warm your heart!

Oobleck.

Here's a recipe: http://www.livescience.com/21536-oobleck-recipe.html

Here's the cool part, "Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid; it has properties of both liquids and solids. You can slowly dip your hand into it like a liquid, but if you squeeze the oobleck or punch it, it will feel solid."

It is awesome.