Kelle, Author at Enjoying the Small Things

Bumps and Bruises

September 3, 2015 By Kelle

This post is sponsored by Hyland’s 4 Kids Bumps ‘n Bruises.

With a house full of kids, a garage full of bikes and an abundant supply of energy around here, we’ve seen our share of boo-boos–mostly minor, but if we’re counting severity, Nella gets the trophy for those three head staples back in the day. Basically, for as long as I’ve lived in this house, there’s been a background track on replay of trip, fall, bump, run, crash, boom, cry.

Mind you, it’s overpowered by the more popular tracks of happy sounds, but if you added up every jump to soothe a bumped head, a stubbed toe, a funny-bone-to-coffee table, we’d have definitely earned some kind of scout badge for our parenting vest. Right next to my I Survived Horrendous First Day of Kindergarten Drop-Off badge and above the I Spent Six Hours Putting Together a Dollhouse badge. Oh wait, I never earned that one because I hoodwinked my dad into putting it together for me.

There are a number of ways to calm the wails of a child who’s endured some bumps and bruises, and I’m not going to pretend I always choose the parenting high road because, listen, I’ve totally sunk to “Listen, if you’re crying that hard over stepping on a crayon, it must be bad. I think we should take you to the hospital.” Sometimes I overreact (see also: talking in threes). Sometimes we resort to humor (“Brett, we have a Class 4 stubbed toe. Call an ambulance. I repeat, call an ambulance.“). But most of the time, all it takes is a little TLC and a diversion. I still remember my dad trying to make me laugh when I was a kid, after I fell or tripped or ran into a wall (circa 1985, looking at my cool new purple double-velcro tennis shoes–forgot to look up, it happens). Through my dramatic sobs, he’d try to find out what happened by suggesting the most bizarre catastrophes. “What happened? Did a Tibetan monkey bite you?” “Your head! Your head! Let me guess! A meteor hit you!” And without fail, I’d laugh–even if only for a second before doubling the volume of my wail.

So there’s a sweet little assistant for parents that takes care of the TLC and the diversion for boo boos–these adorable bruise buddies–Bumps ‘n Bruises with Arnica Ointment Sticks from Hyland’s 4 Kids.

They provide natural relief for pain and swelling while distracting kids with their funny faces and personalities. And they have names! Of course they do. Everyone knows painting your nails is enhanced when your polish has a cool color name (The Thrill of Brazil, Pink-ing of You!). And kid boo-boos are easily forgotten when you’re comforting them with Dot, Splat and Biff. A round of applause for their names, please. I mean, Biff! Yes! And their website gives them personalities (genius). Which is how we know that Splat is Dash’s spirit animal. His bio: “Splat is the speediest member of the Bruise Buddies – a splash of pure energy in a body built to move. Need to feel better NOW? Splat’s your guy.”

The bruise buddies are small and tuck in whatever corner will welcome them. So we keep Splat in the fridge, Dot hangs out in my purse, and Biff gets around.

Dash likes to use the ointment sticks for real boo-boos, pretend boo-boos and other people’s non-existent boo-boos.

Hyland’s was selected as one of the 31 brands for “Made to Matter–Handpicked by Target,” a product collection of leading natural, organic and sustainable brands. That means you can find our little bruise friends in Target’s first aid aisle and know that they are safe, made with simple recognizable ingredients, and the packaging is kind to the environment (the push-up tubes are made from 90% recycled paperboard). Happy earth, happy moms, happy kids.

And you can pull up this coupon when you’re at Target and receive $1 off Hyland’s 4 Kids Bumps ‘n Bruises with Arnica.

You can also check out Hyland’s 4 Kids website for more information on natural first aid and health remedies as well as some fun activities for kids.

A Tale of Two Fawn: A Make Stuff Post

September 2, 2015 By Kelle

Since it’s officially September and in the Makebelieve Internet World we can be anyone we want to be and create our own reality, I am ringing in September with a giant party in the world’s biggest apple orchard, and you’re all invited. There are quilts spread out along every tree lane–go ahead, pick any one to take a seat–and it’s a wee bit chilly so bring a sweater. We’re passing around cider–freshly pressed–and warm donuts–the soft cakey ones rolled in sugar. It’s too early for the leaves to turn but if you close your eyes and listen to them rustling, you can imagine this entire orchard a golden sanctuary just a few weeks down the road. Let the kids run, taste the apples, listen to the music (folk band by day, string quartet by night), feel the wind in your hair, stay for the wine tasting and my mom’s chili later tonight.

Oh, hey September.

Since it’s 89 degrees here with a makeup-slides-right-off-your-face humidity level, my alternate plans for welcoming September include going to Michael’s. When I was in college and often feeling lost/homesick/out-of-place-at-a-Christian-school-tucked-between-cornfields-in-a-small-town, I’d skip class and drive to Jackson, Michigan, the nearest town with a Dunkin Donuts, a Michael’s and–if I was feeling really crazy–Applebees (woo-hoo! Girls Gone Wild!). Michael’s was my happy place, especially when I had just returned to classes and seasons were mid-shift. Occasionally I’d splurge on colored pencils or cinnamon-scented sticks, but usually I’d go simply to walk the aisles–my favorite, the sticker aisle where, back in the day, you could find packs of Susan Branch stickers, categorized into themes like Summer Picnic and Autumn Baking. Don’t know who Susan Branch is? Leave now. Just go. Click out. Just kidding.

Susan Branch is a happiness maker, a self-taught artist, a purveyor of “enjoying the small things”–writing and painting little bits about cooking and gardening, entertaining and family, from her studio that–wait for it–“overlooks a picket-fence garden in Martha’s Vineyard.”

A sweet friend who came to a book signing brought me the sweetest gift a few years ago–Susan Branch’s Heart of the Home Autumn book, signed just for me.

I pull it out every September and dive into the pages, remembering why I skipped classes for a coffee and a pack of stickers–because her curly letters and her watercolor wildflowers and her sketches of little couches and quilts and teapots and biscuits made me feel at home. Even then–when I was stuck between school and homes and dreams, not yet a real adult and unsure of where I belonged (note: still not a real adult and lose belonging footing from time to time), her art made me excited to one day create my own home in a way that felt intoxicating. From stickers, yes stickers! The power of tiny little shit!

I’m here now–home–and where can you find me come September? Back in Michael’s–high on things that make me happy, motivated to make art, make smiles, make home a little homier.

I skipped the pumpkins (not quite there yet), walked past the scarecrows, bypassed the skeletons and settled for two little fawn. Meet Bob and Phil. They’re brothers. Identical twins, actually.

If you give a girl two tiny fawn in September…she’s going to ask for a glass of milk.

What shall we make with Bob and Phil?

Well, I’ll start with Bob’s path. He’s a foodie, so we put him to work in the kitchen and before long, he found his throne atop a bed of chocolate cupcakes. It’s no golden meadow, but it’s 89 degrees here, so we work with what we have, okay?

Fall Foliage Chocolate Cupcakes

Inspired by the old candy melt method we used a few years ago for Dora cupcakes (ahhh! Those babies were so little!), I made fall leaf cupcakes for an after school treat to celebrate September this week. Any favorite cupcake and frosting recipe works. I made my favorite chocolate buttercream frosting for these: a stick of butter, heaps of powdered sugar–I never measure it–a teaspoon of vanilla, some cocoa powder and half-and-half to make it creamy. And yes, it’s fat free and really good for you–I knew you’d ask.

For the leaves, we used Wilton candy melts (orange, red, yellow and dark cocoa to pipe the veins).

Draw a few leaf shapes on paper and lay a sheet of wax paper on top (will work like tracing paper).

Working with one color at a time, melt a scoop of candy melts (we had lots left over) in a microwave-safe bowl for 60 sec. and then 30 sec. increments until it stirs creamy. Transfer to pastry bag or large Ziplock bag with a small hole cut in the corner, and pipe into leaf shape on wax paper.

This will slowly harden and then slide right off the wax paper, so make sure it’s thick enough and the leaf is completely filled so that it won’t break when stiff. As you repeat method with different candy melt colors, you can mix some of the colors and swirl with a small paintbrush for a “painted leaf” effect. This works better if you swirl them before candy melts harden. You can always remelt in the microwave if needed. Once hardened, melt a scoop of the dark cocoa melts, transfer to bag and cut an itty bitty hole so you can pipe fine lines for leaf veins. Once the leaves are good and hardened, you can carefully peel the wax paper back and pull them off. Push them into the cupcake frosting, and there you have it.

Bob loves his new place in the world.

And my kids loved the treats.

As for Phil–don’t worry, he’s happy too. More of a wildlife guy than a foodie, he settled for a fall terrarium job in the living room.

He can see his brother from his perch, and he’s with all his favorites–moss, toadstools, apple trees. Look at him. He’s so happy.

Also it’s important to note for the animal lovers that we care about wildlife very much here in the Hampton home which is why we developed our Wildlife Relocation Program, put in place to protect deer from potential predators who may pull them out of their terrarium habitats. Because of that program, Phil has been moved to a higher table in our home. We also have a candle relocation program because we care deeply about wax and wicks too. And kids who aren’t afraid of fire.

So, YAY September! Pull the apple candles out, perfect that pumpkin bread, send an invite out right this second for a dinner party at your home in three weeks. Get excited planning for it. Make stuff, bake stuff, wake stuff up–the sleepy creative parts of you that want to be fully alive this fall. Need inspiration? Buy some stickers. Or a couple little fawn. Don’t forget to name them.

It’s Homework Time!: 9 Tips for Creating a Cozy Study Space for Kids

September 1, 2015 By Kelle

This post is sponsored by Kohl’s.

Now that we’re back in the game of school schedules and homework, I’ve been wanting to designate a kids’ work area. Up until now, we’ve used countertops, the kitchen table and a very small kids’ table for homework and projects, but all of these spaces are in the main area of our home, open to distractions. They also function as eating areas, so there’s really no room to store supplies. I’ve been dreaming up a simple multi-functional space where resources are easily accessible–a space that would work for homework, art projects, crafting, quiet reading and Nella’s tutoring (our poor tutor has been sitting on a tiny kids’ chair, hunched over a small table–“I’m fine, I’m fine,” she keeps saying.). We recently did some rearranging to create an office space, and with lots of room leftover, I figured it was the perfect place to add a work area for the kids. With this all up in my brain, imagine how thrilled I was when Kohl’s approached me: “Hey, would you be interested in working with us? We’d love you to create a back-to-school space in your home.” It was like they were IN MY HEAD.

So we did what we do best–work with what we already have (table and chair) yet add some fun and functional new pieces to create a cozy, colorful space for our kids to study and be creative. Kohl’s made it easy and affordable by offering a great selection of home goods that were inexpensive yet on trend. From desks to lamps to fun accessories that match each child’s personality, Kohl’s has an array of products to help create an exciting place to learn and grow outside of school. The result? Two new functional kid nooks in our office–a creative desk space and a quiet reading corner.

Without knocking down walls, calling a designer or spending a lot of money, you can easily make a creative work space for kids. The bonus? Work is more enjoyable. Kids are no different than adults–I’ve had a few different work spaces over the years, and I enjoy writing and creating far more when my desk area is clean, when there’s good light and when the surrounding area is fun and creatively motivating.

Dreaming up a homework nook in your home? A reading corner? A project table? Here are a few tips for creating that perfect space for your kids.

Creating a Cozy Study Space

1. Go to the Light
Kids need to be able to see well while they’re working, especially in the evening, so make sure work areas are well-lit–a desk lamp, good overhead lighting, a book light for reading nooks. Sunlight was a huge factor in deciding where to put my own desk–it’s energy, happiness and motivation all funneled into super power sunbeams, pouring into my work space.

2. Make it Comfy, Cozy
When I taught fifth grade, my students loved when I let them take a project to the rug or find a cozy space to read other than their desk. You can easily create a reading nook with some pillows, a blanket, a rug and a basket of books. We found a super comfortable backrest pillow and a sweater-knit throw pillow from Kohl’s that together, tucked in a corner, created a cozy floor nook. Keep clipboards on hand, and kids can use the same space to take homework to the floor. And a little insider tip? Call the nook the Secret Reading Nook, and your kids’ interest in spending time there will instantly double. Kids love secret things.

3. Lots of Accessible Books
Baskets, storage totes, old suitcases–any of these can be used to keep books out in the open, a welcoming invitation to read. Keep favorites in it, but switch them out for variety and interest. Make sure to include on-level books including picture books, board books for toddlers, chapter books for bigger kids (within their reading level) and non-fiction for fact-lovers. Florida has a Sunshine State Reader program where a suggested list of the best new reads is released each year, so I just refreshed our library with several new chapter books from the list.

4. Keep the Basics on Hand
There’s nothing worse than going to start your homework and having to search for paper or a pencil that’s not broken with a chewed-off eraser. Always keep your study area stocked with the basics: paper (stackable trays work great for storing both lined paper and plain paper for drawing), pencils, erasers, and a pencil sharpener.

5. Add Resource Tools
Other great things to keep in your study area: a student thesaurus, pocket dictionary, ruler, scissors, math manipulatives, flash cards. I like having these things on hand because if I tuck them away in a cabinet, I’m likely to forget they’re there and not use them. Since we’ve kept our flash cards out on our desk, we remember to spend a few minutes practicing every night. We also keep preschool workbooks in our study area for practice with Nella and Dash (you can often find them in dollar bins) as well as some occupational therapy tools–fat pencils, grips, etc.

6. Store Creative Utensils
The great thing about study spaces is that they can double as creative art spaces. We found an awesome wood utensil caddy at Kohl’s that holds everything in one place–crayons, markers, colored pencils, glue, scissors, etc. And it can be easily moved to other places without making a mess. When the kids aren’t using our new spaces to do school work, they can use them to draw, make art, form Play-Doh structures, color, etc.

7. Personal Touches–Express Yourself!
This part was our favorite–adding the fun stuff. Lainey loves the light-up heart marquee in her desk space, and we had fun personalizing the wall hanging by adding photos and color. I hung a strip of designer wrapping paper (adhered with wall putty, easily removable) above the desk and added some positive message prints we found at Kohl’s, great encouraging reminders for creative work time. Without overwhelming a space with distractions, you can neatly arrange a few prints, taped photos, positive messages and kid artwork to make a study space unique and personalized.

8. A Display Board
A bulletin board, magnetic wipe board or chalkboard works great for posting reminders and due dates. We transformed a great wall hanging we found at Kohl’s into an expressive display board simply by taping up some photos and slipping some S-hooks through the slats to hang things. Now we can hang weekly spelling lists, project requirement lists and important communication/dates from the teacher so that we don’t forget.

9. The Perfect Ambience
Your space is created, your kids are ready to work, everything’s in order. Just a few last touches to set the tone for a positive learning environment. A few optional additions to include in the room of a study space: house plants (research shows plants enhance productivity and reduce stress in the workplace), an essential oil diffuser (try citrus blends for “waking up”, lavender to calm or rosemary for focus) and an audio player and speaker for kids who might benefit from some background classical music or audio books. Also, I always burn a candle at my desk when I work, and Lainey has inherited my candle love, so when I’m working in the office with her, we’ll add some candlelight to our work session.

Creating a cozy study space is a fun challenge and one your kids will enjoy helping with. We all love our new study nooks and are grateful to Kohl’s for working with us and providing all the accessories we needed to make our space unique and colorful.

The following accessories are all from Kohl’s:

Desk Area
Large wood slat wall art (the open slats are great openings for S-hooks so you can hang things from it!)
“I love you to the moon and back” block print
“You are my Sunshine” framed print
Yellow picture frame
Heart marquee
Utensil caddy
Geometric rug

Reading Nook
Black backrest pillow
Chaps cable knit sweater pillow
Geometric rug
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie book and stuffed animal