Art Special & Resources

I have an opportunity at work to do something different. I am going to begin sharing a 30 minute art special once a week. This has been very exciting and fun to plan, as i have no formal art training. I have never considered my self artsy-or having the ability to be art-like. Since I work work with 5 year olds, I am basically introducing art concepts for the kids to capture the "love of art."
Since I try to complete one "project" weekly with my own kids at home, it has been a perfect opportunity to try out each special at home first. The first 2 lessons took place before we got the new camera. My sources are:
Paint Adventures! (art and activities for kids) by Kathy Savage Hubbard & Rose C Speicher
Other books to be added
http://pinkandgreenmama.blogspot.com/

Camp & Passions

Last year, I attended an ACA Midstates workshop titled "Life After Camp" The speaker addressed what do you do when your time in camp has come to an end. What do you do when your life has been so intertwined & ignited by the passion of camp and your life path detours you away. She shared how she went from camp work into the corporate world. She happens to work for a museum. She suggested creating a life map. She shared how she wrote down on a time line her life. She encouraged us to do the same. Looking for reoccurring patterns of happiness. At what times in your career & life did you feel fulfilled? This was a great exercise, then came the A-Ha moment- even though you leave camp, you CAN figure out how to incorporate camp into your everyday life. Sounds deep (& possibly silly) if you do not have camp running through your veins. She shared how her involvement with ACA fulfills her & keeps her feeling in touch with the camp world.
As I have spent the past year reflecting on this workshop, I have come to some conclusions. The first was to give myself permission to love camp! It's okay to love camp, even when you are not personally involved. I was almost embarrassed to share this part of my life with my co teachers. They would think I was crazy. The second realization was I can have my life & Camp too...without having to move to Michigan & live on a property (in a tiny house in a large woods) I love living in the Chi & I can continue to live here & still love camp!
I can have camp in my early child hood directed life! I can teach children my favorite camp songs! (camp songs drives my passion!) I can pull from my camp background to offer advice for parents leaving our ECE bubble to venture into their first camp experience.
I can also have camp in my personal life- we are going to family camp this year at camp that I worked at!
Next: Creating a mission statement for your life
one of my favorite camp pictures!

Fitness

Fitness Update

Before going on Blog Hiatus, I was in the beginning stages of getting back to being healthy.
Here's my update. I have kicked it into full gear. I was inspired by another blogger who was sharing her success and hardships with the Jillian Michael's Shred DVD. I thought-wow good for her, i could never do that...
But you know what? I decided to stop whining about being overweight and take control. I completed the 30 day Shred, Have started eating very healthy & am now moving into a different exercise regiment.

Sites that we love!

http://lovemylifex4.blogspot.com/


http://filthwizardry.blogspot.com/
http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com/
http://pinkandgreenmama.blogspot.com/
http://www.notimeforflashcards.com
http://childcareland.com/
http://lapbooksbycarisa.homestead.com/index.html
http://quirkymomma.com/
http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/
http://cleanmama.blogspot.com/


http://tvfreetoddlertime.blogspot.com/
http://mommypoppins.com/ny-kids/99-sensory-activities-for-any-child/

This sites are amazing, most I am able to use for work ideas also!

day 4

walked/ran around the Arborteum for awhile with kids. (then onto Halloween events- but spared myself the candy!)

Day 3

Well folks, day 1-2 proved to be a rough start. Instead of working out on my lunch break on Wednesday, i ate a carmel sucker & popped my filling out- Lesson Learned- work out instead of pigging out!
Didn't work out on Thursday at all
However, Today- Friday-Day 3- i kicked butt!
Full workout in fitness center- 10 mins of hard work on the eliptical (aka- the killer leg machine) several reps of various exercise on the machines. my proud moment was the 20 sit ups on each side (focusing on 1/2 oblique stretch at the top) YAY!
I just need to keep the motivation!

Day 1

Feeling very motivated to bring back my exercise focus. I think the last 2 weeks of restricted activity has renewed my desire...even though i feel i am almost allergic exercise.
Day 1-part 1
walked the dogs for 20 mins, not what i would call a consistently brisk walk (since the Boys stop to urinate on everything)
Part 2- Plan is to get in the fitness center during my lunch break & work on core muscles