Cupcake Toppers

If you've read the book My Heart is Like A Zoo, you'll probably recognize these little lions made from hearts.  We gave the book to Roscoe last year for Valentine's Day, just days before Merritt made his early arrival.  It only felt right to incorporate hearts into the theme of his first birthday party.

I used Microsoft Word to draw the four hearts in the correct proportions, and then traced the template onto textured card stock of different shades of yellow and orange.  After affixing 4 inch lollipop sticks to the backs I had some large hearts leftover and glued them to the back for added dimension. 

I need a roommate for Blogher '12!

I bought tickets to Blogher '12 as an early birthday present to myself and to kickstart my creative and professional flow as I enter into my fourth decade--yes, I'm turning 30 in August.

While I've wanted to attend a blog conference since the early days of Marbles Rolling, the timing has never been right.  I've had many ideas for this blog, big and little, that have remained unpublished for all kinds of reasons--fear, lack of time and commitment on my part, life with two under two.

I have a plan now to quit my job in the Spring (I know I've said this before!! Three different times, actually, but this time I'm really doing it!) and so I'm gearing up for some really exciting personal and professional opportunities and I'd really like my blog to follow along.  I signed up for an all day pre-conference event called PathFinders and I'm hoping to use it to finally realize my vision for this online space.

I'm looking forward to owning more fully the part of me that loves to write, alongside other women who share passion for putting words to experience and dreaming big from our little corners of the world. I can't wait to meet some new friends and see where this blog can take me, and perhaps more importantly, how I can use this platform to share more of myself as an advocate and educator (professional stuff that I don't write about here).

Perhaps the biggest thrill is that I'm leaving the kids at home with their dad. I've never left them before and I feel both brave and scared to be making the trip alone.  I'm a little nervous about how my nursling will fare while I'm away, but there are seven months between now and then.

All of this to say that I would like to find a roommate for the week.  Blogher is in New York this year and of course the hotel is as amazing as the price is steep.

If you're heading to Blogher too, and would be interested in rooming for all or part of the stay, please email me at marblesrolling AT gmail DOT com.

I hope to see some of you there!

You're invited, Merritt's turning one

We are celebrating Merritt's first birthday next month with a colorful lion themed party.  It will be a small family affair.  Details to come!

Roscoe goes to school

I've been looking into preschool opportunities for Roscoe, not so much for now, but maybe in 6 months and most definitely by the time that he turns four.

Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf are among the philosophies that I want to learn more about and I was happy to find that Richmond Waldorf offers a 6 week parent/toddler program that meets for two hours once a week. The sessions serve to introduce Waldorf education to parents, and to provide a transitional setting for little ones.

Today was Roscoe's first day of preschool, and he was pretty excited.  We were asked to bring a piece of fruit, some nuts, or a vegetable to contribute to the communal snack--Roscoe chose an apple.  We were told that class would not begin until every student was present so we made an effort to get there early and when we arrived we were ushered to a homey little space and greeted by a warm and soft spoken teacher.

Class began with a circle where our teacher shared three finger play songs about wintertime and a short story about a little boy who's family relied on candlelight during a power outage in a snowstorm.

Next, the parents set about crafting a "toy" for the children while the kids were offered free play among the play stations on the other side of the room.  Most kids (ranging in age from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2) opted to help at their mom's side, and so together we shelled walnuts and then made candles from walnut halves that we filled with beeswax and a wick.  The meat of the nuts was incorporated into the daily snack, and the kids seemed to take some pride in that.  Roscoe is impressed with the four candles that we made.  All of the children were mesmerized when, during snack, the lights were dimmed and the candles lit in shallow bowl of water.

I liked the contrast of work and play, and the gentle rhythm of the day.  Roscoe is very kinetic and expresses himself in very physical ways.  I think he will benefit from the peaceful environment and the emphasis on nature and natural play things.

After snack, the kids were offered more free time while the parents discussed Waldorf in more detail.

We're really looking forward to next week.

What preschool does your child attend, or in what preschools are you considering enrolling your child ?  I'd love to hear what you like about the philosophy that you've chosen.

Family Rules

Establishing Family Rules seems to be a popular exercise right now.  I liked the idea of thoughtfully crafting and displaying a set of phrases that capture the essence of our philosophy.

After taking a look at many versions (and borrowing from them some phrases that I really liked), I spent some time one morning to develop my ideas--it may be a work in progress, although what I came up with really resonates. It was a meaningful exercise for the start of 2012.

Perhaps our list will inspire you to think about (and even write down)  the values and ideals that are paramount to the way that you live your life and for which you aspire your children to live theirs.