Scrapbooking Fun

We took a Scrapbooking Class at the Beltsville Community Center last week- bound to be our new hangout- and we really enjoyed it. I've taken a recent interest in Scrapbooking but didn't know how to start, so I signed my ever-so-creative 5 year old up for the class and we learned together.

I love the idea of making pictures with real, tangible materials and don't know why we didn't really get into this before. But, now that we know, I'll be stocking up on Michael's coupons and adding scrapbooking supplies to the budget.

Image Source: Creative Scrapbooking Supplies

A NOTE: the class we took is totally for kids, I just watched, learned and lived vicariously through them from a distance. I propped a book open in my lap and pretended not to be there because I didn't want to hover too closely so that my 5yo could work on interacting in a classroom environment that's not our homeschool group, with unfamiliar faces.

Okay, now that that's out of the way, here comes the recommendation that you try it with your kids, too. I liked the vibe of the class and would love to continue to go, provided there's space when we register. It was amazing seeing little boys embrace their creativity right alongside little girls and coming up with great things (read: it's not just for girls!). All the kids were so willing to help out and I was ever-so-touched by their generosity.

A class, for many reasons, is a good place to start BUT is not absolutely necessary. You can search online for scrapbooking tutorials or ideas of things you can make. It's so open-ended it can be anything you want it to be, just let your ideas flow. And it doesn't have to be costly, either.

As I mentioned above, if you go to Michael's or some other craft store, you can find the supplies you need to get started pretty cheaply ($1 for diecuts and stamps)- don't forget their weekly circular coupon! I was even told to go on Freecycle and request supplies there, because someone in your community may have some things they're willing to part with. The great thing is, little ones as young as 2 years old can do it, as for them, it would simply be a matter of pasting cut-outs or pictures of their choice to the background of their choosing. Let them have fun with it, no matter the age.

From Mommy's Heart: Letters to My Kids

Image Source: 123RF

I attended one of the greatest playdates-slash-homeschool-get-togethers ever recently and while the other moms and I were connecting beautifully, one of them shared a letter she had written to her kids while they were a little younger with the purpose of giving them something to read and hold on to when they are grown. Some of her kids even read them now and fully enjoy the stories of when they were little.

She suggested I try it too, instead of going with my tendency to go overboard by trying to scrapbook and dress it up (in the limited amount of daylight hours I have, no less), she and another mom said, "Just get the memories down on paper and you can do all of that later".

Needless to say, I was over-excited and I happily took her up on it. It's the best thing I could have ever done and I want you to try it too. It can be as long or short as you'd like. My only regret is that I didn't start sooner, but there's still room for anecdotes.

Image Source: 123RF

Because of the deep love and connection I have for/with my girls and all the time we've been blessed to spend getting to know each other, I really get all teary-eyed when I write the letters and read over them because it helps me see how beautiful a thing Motherhood is.

It's made me closer to them and it helps me get through those days that they're going absolutely crazy and driving me there as well, because I have recalled those beautiful memories that made me fall in love with my kids in the first place. As long as I have those swirling around in my head, I find my patience lasts much longer and my compassion really comes through before my anger does.

Before I go, I want to share one I wrote with you so that if you choose to do this, you can get an idea of where to start. Although, just like with homeschooling, there's no one way to do this and the more creative you can get, the better it all will be. I would love for you to comment back and let me know any other things you've come up with that myself and others might like to implement or just appreciate. And remember: Don't edit! Write from your Mommy's Heart.

From: Mommy's Heart

To:Yusrah & Safiyyah

March 11, 2011

 Re: When You Hold My Hand

 Dear Yusrah,  

I love it when you hold my hand. You hold it like you'll never let it go. It's the best thing in the world;^) Your little soft fingers are so warm and when they curl around mine I feel so secure. I hope you do, too.

Re: When You Read To Me & The Things You Say

Dear Safiyyah,

I'm so proud of you and how well you are reading these days. You are doing a phenomenal job!! I love that you are reading to ME now, after all the books you've patiently listened to me read to YOU all this time. I just watch your eyes move over the page and am in awe that you not only learned that from me, but you're teaching yourself new things because every day you get better. Something you should know about Mommies: We always, always worry. And, I worry constantly if I'm doing this homeschooling thing just right. Thank you so much for the reassurance, it's right on-time and I'm excited to keep learning with you, My Baby.

 * * *

 On Wed, we were traveling around to our different activities and I used my GPS to find the easiest, quickest way around since we went to three different places.

When we were on our way to the new Big Girl Story Time at the Howard Co. Library, I was fussing at the GPS for trying to send me the wrong way when you said "Mommy, if you know how to get there already then why are you listening to your GPS?"

All I could do was laugh and say "Yes, baby, you're right. I was just trying to see what the GPS would say in case I hadn't thought of a faster way to get there. But, you're right." and I called and shared it with Grandma who laughed equally hard. Some days I think Allah made you all so much smarter than us.

Under Construction: Please Stand By

I got the crazy idea to re-design my blog and I picked today of all days to do it. If you see some different things going on with the design, please either (1) overlook this and feel free to browse around because all the content is still the same OR (2)come back next week when the prettiness returns and I'm done trying on new looks. Thanks for stopping by!