It’s been a while since I last published a real blog post. By real, I mean, not an advertorial or a press release. That’s because I’ve been very busy ironing out the changes I will be doing on the blog. Yep. There will be changes. Clue 1: A new design. Clue 2: I’ve been painting. Clue 3: I’ve been having (and loving) lots of coffee!
I’ve also been very busy spending quality time with the minis. I felt really guilty after reading Janet Lansbury’s article about creative alternatives to our kids’ TV time. Although I am aware of the dangers of using “electronic pacifiers,” I still use the tv, iPad and iPhone to keep the kids busy while I cook, clean, work or rest. These things have been very effective, I tell ya! I can do my thing for hours if I wanted to without the minis bugging me. BUT, it’s not very healthy.
I started making an effort to encourage good ‘ol creative and independent play in the past days. The minis didn’t welcome it at first (they constantly asked for the tv!), but eventually started to enjoy our activities. Well, that’s the case for my 2-year old. She is a born artist like her dad so getting her to paint or create stuff from paper is not very hard. She can go for hours with just a used, blank folder (teach recycling to your kids early on!), a paint brush and her watercolor paint.
The Little Man, however, is a different case. He doesn’t seem to enjoy painting, coloring or playing with his trucks. He just wants to, well, watch tv. In fact, would you believe that aside from Mama and Dada, the other word he learned to say is TV? NOT GOOD. He does like taking long walks with his dad — but usually on his stroller because he doesn’t like walking too much. He also likes to dance with his sister and I, but that only happens when Hi5 is on.
I have yet to figure out what my boy is really interested in. Perhaps he’d enjoy making music, like me? I’ll definitely give that a try as soon as I get my violin’s strings changed.
Anyway~ I’m enjoying all these artsy stuff we’re doing. Our activities are taking me back to my childhood days when I used to paint, draw and try crafts I used to see on Art Attack. I am happy to see that our princess enjoys the same thing A and I love. I just hope our boy will start appreciating these things too. If not, then that’s fine. I’m sure he’ll discover his own passion in no time. 🙂
Oh! And while the minis are learning to enjoy creative and independent play, I have also made it a point to learn a few things. I’ve been reading a lot about photography (and practicing a lot too!) since one of my goals this year is to go on complete manual mode with my SLR. A is teaching me various painting techniques as well because I really want to improve my painting skills. As of this writing, we’re working on wash paintings! I also enrolled myself in Maya Adam’s Child Nutrition Class and have challenged myself to #JustCook. I’ll write more about the course after I finish it, so watch out for that.
That’s what we’ve been up to! What’s keeping you busy?