Our two Holiday Giveaway Winners are:

MEET THE “THE ENCHANTED CUPBOARD” GIVEAWAY

Magical Moments

Winner is: Laura Cowan

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Ramdom.org

MEET THE “THE WHIMSY TREE” GIVEAWAY

Leaf ID Memorty Card Set

The Winner is: Kindra Rondeau

Random.org

CONGRATULATIONS!!

While browsing through a crazy amount of possible commercial toys for my kids, I decided to stick with what I love, Handmade toys! My son is always asking, or getting memory games and they usually are simple cards with cartoon characters, which are usually lost or destroyed in a few months if not days.  I haven’t ever felt to excited about them for the simple reason that besides triggering a little memory they don’t provide the kids with any message to build their minds or their spirits.

Educating our kids is not only about feeding our kids’ brains with a boat load of colors, numbers and images, it is about giving them content that is also packed with an emotion, a purpose and a lesson to build the stepping stones of their future.

When I found “The Whimsy Tree” I almost fell of my chair out of excitement! They have the most beautiful and well crafted Handmade Wooden Memory Games I have ever seen!

Leaf ID Memorty Card Set

I received as part of a Product Review Process a Memory Game Set and it is simply breath taking!  Every piece is made with a great attention to detail and the most important thing for my family, it has a purpose, an emotion attached to it, and it can be used in many different educational purposes. The best of all, it can become a family heirloom that can be given through generations!

Today, I would love to introduced to all of you Brian, the hands and heart behind The Whimsy Tree, an Etsy shop with an Ecological Twist and lots of character!  This is Brian’s story:

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1. How did you start working on such beautiful handmade toys? Who taught you the art?

I have always enjoyed creating things.  I have been drawing and painting since high school, and woodworking was always an interest of mine.  The only thing keeping me from it at that time was the money to buy tools and the space to do it.  Once I had those things I started to focus on developing my skills.  I took classes through my local community college to learn the fundamentals of woodworking.  I also spent hours and hours studying and practicing different techniques.  As well as talking to and learning from more experienced craftsmen.

2. How do you choose your materials and design?

My background in environmental education plays a big part in how I choose my materials and designs.  All of the things that I create for my business The Whimsy Tree either directly  represent nature or are inspired by nature.  I work exclusively with wood.  I love the endless  possibilities and varieties of wood, and I believe that when harvested responsibly, it is a    sustainable alternative to other toys which are often made out of plastic.  I also try to use salvaged wood whenever possible.  For example, my barkless building block sets are made out of salvaged European Buckthorn.  This is a specie that I have become intimately familiar with while working for a conservation organization.  This shrub is a non-native invasive species that   wreaks havoc on local natural areas.  Conservation organizations work hard to cut this shrub down to give the native species a chance to survive.  I salvage this wood from the cut down piles before they are burned,  and turn this harmful species into something that I hope will be enjoyed for many years.

3.What are your thoughts when working on these beautiful pieces?

I concentrate on making something that will be cherished and enjoyed.  I try to put the same amount of care and attention into each of the toys that I make.  It makes me happy to think that in the near future the piece I am working on will be bringing a smile to a child somewhere.

4. What would like Parents to understand about Handmade Toys vs. Commercial ones?

Commercial toys are often manufactured over seas and then shipped over to commercial outlets in the United States.  This requires a vast amount of resources, and the toys are typically made using unsustainable materials.  When purchasing a handmade toy you are supporting an independent artist that uses drastically less resources to create their products. You are also getting a toy that was created individually with care and passion.

5. Which is favorite piece ever?

I know I should probably be picking a wood piece, but I have to go with a painting that I did a few years back.  It is an oil painting of a woodland scene that I  gave to my wife as a birthday present.  The scene is from the park where we took our first hike together.  It is probably the best painting that I have ever done, and more importantly, it brings back wonderful memories every time I look at it.

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Thanks Brian for your passion, your talent and for sharing them with all of us!

Take your time to browse through Brian’s Etsy Shop, “The Whimsy Tree”. Please do not hesitate to contact him if you are looking for something you do not see on display. Artisans are usually very inclined to customize orders whenever possible. The Whimsy Tree is also on Facebook, check it out and become a fan!

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Here are the details for the Giveaway

• Giveaway will from Nov. 23 until Nov. 28th
• ONE winner will be chosen via random number generator and announced on Nov. 29, 2009
• You must include your email with your entry or your profile must link to your email address. (Your email will not be used for solicitation.) If there is no email address provided, another winner will be selected.

• Visit “The Whimsy Tree” Etsy Shop and find at least one thing you like about their products. Come back here and comment for your required entry.

• Follow The Whimsy Tree on Facebook back and let me know for an additional entry.
• Subscribe to Chic Mommy USA’s blog. Leave a comment letting me know you subscribed for an additional entry.
• Follow me on Twitter. Leave me a comment letting me know that you follow me on Twitter for an additional entry.
• Follow me on Facebook. Leave me a comment letting me know that you follow me on Twitter for an additional entry.
• Tweet about it! You may tweet about it as many times as you like. Come back and leave a link to your tweet for an additional entry. (Be sure to leave a comment each time you tweet about it so that every entry is counted.)
• Blog about it for FIVE additional entries! Make sure to link to this post in your blog post. Come back and leave me a comment with the link to your blog post post in it. Leave one comment for each of your five entries.

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Have fun, be blessed and bless other families by sharing the  Treasures found at The Whimsy Tree!

Happy Holidays!

Liseth

Chic Mommy USA

Beccijo is the Master Mind behind this wonderful shop.  Her love for nature, imagination and children have taken her through amazing experiences. Now a mother of 4 beautiful kids her Artistic Nature and creativity have found the perfect environment to nurture this gorgeous world of wood, color and imagination.  I love the way she manages to transfer into her toys all those amazing and magical moments experienced among the trees and fairies of her early years.

This is what Beccijo has to say about her inspiration and her toys:

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1. How did you start working on such beautiful handmade toys? Who taught you the art?

Beccijo & The Enchanted Cupboard

About a year ago I bought a blank set of family dolls for my daughter. Then I fell in love with the idea of the fairies. There were plenty of sellers making the family dolls, but no one had full playsets. I love how everyone selling wooden play dolls has a different style, and I work very hard at not competing with someone else’s idea. I really feel my doll series are born from me and my childhood. They are not just dolls, but have their own names, their own personalities on their faces and soon their own stories for others to read in book form.
As a child I was always encouraged to be creative, and I was always making toys for myself or others. I loved all the story books like The Little’s, and how the characters took items and reused them. I started drawing at 11 years old after I picked up some oil pastels and found a true love for art. My parents signed me up for art class at a local art studio. I was hooked and even won some Gold Key Awards from my first art show. I donated many of my art works to charity for auctions and sold my first painting when I was 17. I went off to study Art at college and was awarded, The Most Outstanding Student of Art for 1991, but commercial art was not for me.  At the time there was no other “real” way to make a living from your talent. Now I am a Toy Maker, and that title rolls so sweetly off my tongue. I have found a great passion for toy making and personal custom dolls painted to the likeness of other people. I love the personal side of what I do.

2. How do you choose your materials and design?

Beccijo's Workshop

I like natural materials, and use them as much as possible.   I have tried watercolors on the dolls, but I can not get the level of detail that is so important to me. So, my paints are acrylic, but they are only a small percent of the item. All my supplies are non-toxic and bought from U.S. companies.  Natural items just have a feeling of being “real”. My ideas and designs, as well as stories, come from everywhere and my imaginative childhood. I see the world in a very magical way. I have tons of little note books and scraps of papers with designs and ideas, but never enough time to make them all.
This year I have really focused on finding inspiration for toys for boys. I have 3 boys of my own, so I know there is a lack of good, fun, natural toys for boys. I have challenged myself to step out of my comfort zone.

3. What are your thoughts when working on these beautiful pieces?

Magical Moments

As I paint, the stories flow from my mind and these little miniature worlds come to life. When I am making custom dolls that look like people I think of great happy thoughts, of their dreams coming true. I really believe that “things” can hold a positive or negative feeling. I like to paint after my husband and children are asleep. Late at night the world is peaceful and quiet, and all the work and troubles of the day melt away. I can sit, create, and dream. As the holidays come upon us, I get so excited about all the children that get to open my toys on their holiday morning. I just love seeing the photos customers send me of happy children holding my toys like treasured gems.

4. What would you like Parents to understand about Handmade Toys vs. Commercial ones?

Little Hands Great Imaginations

Toys, playing, and using ones imagination is the foundation to all education. If a child does not grow up using their imagination they lose out on more then just creative play. The life and birth of a toy is just as important as the toy itself. Something created in a lab, poured in a mold, and boxed in more material then the toy has is what most kids will receive. Other children will receive a toy lovingly made by hands of an artist who charge a fraction of the true cost to make the item that will last for generations. With every stitch and brush stroke they put love into each toy. They lovingly bring that toy to life not only for their love of their craft, not only for the child they dream will love it, but for the earth that their creation brings it no harm.  Love and dedication is added into every aspect of their work even the careful packaging, as they get the toy ready for it’s new home.

Although it is wonderful to think globally, when you buy handmade you are supporting America. Do we only want our worth as a Nation to be that we are a nation that stimulates the world economy? If you want to see real economic changes buy local, buy handmade. You are supporting real people, real families, not just a company when you buy handmade.

5. Which is favorite piece ever?

Magical Moments

This is very hard, as they are all so personal to me. The fairies have been with me the longest, and they are who I most would want to bring to life if I could. So I would say if I could miniaturize myself and join the merriment of a midnight dance in The Fairy Ring, life would be good. To sip tea with Lavender and try Petunia scones and wear silly hats like Daffodil would be a real treat.

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Now, here comes the best part!! Beccijo has already been recognized by Nickelodeon! I guess they are going green, eco, and natural! Congratulations Beccijo! We are very proud of you!

To celebrate her creativity, her talents and her shop, we are going to be running a fantastic Giveaway of one her natural toy sets.

Here are the details for the Giveaway

Wow! I remember baaaack in the day when Holiday shopping was so much fun but unfortunately with the passing of the years it has become one of the most complicated and stressful time of the year.  Many of us get completely lost in the craziness and once again are blindly robbed of the joys it should bring us.

One of the things that I have learn to really really really dislike is having to deal with my kids unlimited gift requests! Oh my LORD!!! As proven last night, anything he could think of, he had already gotten it at some point in life and he is just 5!!! The toy was either in an untouched bin, was broken 2 days after he got it, or I had had to banned it because of toxicity!

As I was trying to share with him, it is not about the AMOUNT of toys you can squeeze in one day, it is about the sentiment behind them and the memories build during the Holidays.  He still did not buy it but well, I will continue drilling it the best imaginative way!

Now, this is my Holiday Mission this year. When thinking about the meaningless and some many times even harmful toys that we currently find at all commercial shops and being a crafter myself, I decided to peruse through hundreds of pages on Etsy  until I found those toys that give you the feeling of “I really really really LOOOVE this!” and I found them!!!  Oh my Gosh! I was so delighted to see the talent behind these toys, the love that was put into each of them during their creation and the many scenarios in which our kids can spend countless hours of “Great-old-fashion-FUN!”

These were the Etsy Shops and Artisans I chose to share with you! I am so very proud to have met them and today I want to introduce them to you and every week I will be featuring one of them, with a more detail story and guess what A GIVEAWAY!!! YES!!! Isn’t this fantastic! They are all the best!

The Enchanted Cupboard

The Enchanted Cupboard: WOWW!! I simply loooove her shop.  She is fantastic Artist, a mom, homeschooler and overall an Amazing Woman from Bedford, PA.

Her dedication to bring to our families handmade toys that would touch hearts, change lives and truly nurture minds and souls is fascinating.

Every piece is made with careful planning, lots of love and infused with laughs! Her talent and gorgeous miniature toys were selected by Nickelodeon Parents Connect! Yeap! they are going Natural! She was also hand picked by Etsy as the best toys for Stocking Stuffers! Much better than candy!

Hey! there is a fantastic coupon going on for a 25% off any purchase. Follow this link to see the details.

The Whimsey Tree

The Whimsy Tree This shop belongs to another fabulous family! Brian and Jennifer.  With the talents and knowledge gathered through the years this wonderful shop came into existence! Thank you soooo much guys!

Brian uses her knowledge in environmental education and her talents and love in woodworking to create this magnificent Memory Sets. All of them are handmade and hand carved using beautiful Nature themes to incentive our kids memory to learn, remember not only images but the fact that we are ONE with nature.

Rapunzel's Garden

Rapunzel’s Garden When I saw her dolls I just wanted to go back in time and be 3 or 5 again! These dolls are simply BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!

To this day, I have not been able to ever see my daughter attach to any of her dolls. May be because they look so “soulless” …. they just look like another piece of plastic and fabric but after they are taken out the box immediately loose their magic.

I am sure her dolls will bring to your children the love, the magic and the enthusiasm to play, imagine, and simply enjoy the comfort and love that a friend like this can bring to their life.

This is just the first part of my selection! But stay tuned! I will have more info and the best part of all. Tomorrow I will be posting the FIRST REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY!!! WHO WILL IT BE??? WHAT WILL IT BE???

I hope you enjoyed their shops and their Art as much as I have! Little by little will get to know more about this wonderful artists and we will be able to help them spread the word of their great shops by sharing this information with our friends and family!!

I just did with all of you and I am feeling great! One more step toward a  meaningful Holiday Season and happier kids!
Many Blessings,
Liseth

a.k.a ChicMommyUSA

This is one of the fabulous things I have to thank to the Waldorf education my son is receiving at the Sunrise School of Miami.   The curriculum places a great importance in these changes in nature. We are One with the World that surround us! When our lovely World changes, we change, whether we notice it or not. The important thing is to become more sensitive and perceptive and this will it help us to adapt and to grow as caring and loving human beings. We are not really supposed to just run through the minutes, we are meant to fully live each one of them, learning to love and to share as a community.  In true Waldorf tradition we celebrate the festival of Martinmas. This  festival revolves around the virtues of Saint Martin.  This verse relates beautifully the story we share on this day:

St. Martin, St. Martin
St. Martin road through wind and snow
On his strong horse his heart aglow
He rode so boldly through the storm,
His large cloak kept him well and warm.

By the roadside, by the roadside,
By the roadside a poor man arose
Out of the snow in tattered clothes
“I beg you help me in my plight
or else I’ll die of cold tonight.”

St. Martin, St. Martin,
St. Martin stopped his horse and drew
His sword and cut his cloak in two
One half to the beggar man he gave
And by this deed his life did save.

Martinmas Lanterns

We make unique handmade paper lanterns that will be used for the Lantern walk on the evening of the “Martinmas Festival”. We all participate in the excitement of a story – told under the stars by a bonfire and as a community we then enjoy a lovely potluck of homemade soups and breads.  There is singing and a sense of warmth and giving.  Martinmas is a traditional European celebration that is cherished by Waldorf students worldwide and it creates this much needed  sense of love, community and it certainly makes us look inside ourselves to prepare us for what it is to come.

What are you planning on doing during this lovely Autumn Time? How are we, as parents, going to help our kids understand the importance of balance, love, nature and life?

From our open hearts we wish this part of our lives helps to enrich yours….

Many Blessings,

Liseth

Chic Mommy USA

Here is one of the songs! If you click on the image it will direct you to a wonderful mom whom plays and sings the music for us! Enjoy!

I tried as much as possible to live by example, teaching my kids to respect nature, we are a WHOLE with it, without it we will not survive! We were meant to live together in harmony. I teach them to reuse, recycle, pick up garbage and not throw away garbage without proper disposal. We have made reusable grocery bags and reusable produce bags all with the hopes with entice others to follow and place in them the seed. May be my grandkids will someday enjoy the benefits!

I have been very blessed for the friends and people that I have got to know, and one of them is a parent in our beautiful Waldorf School in Miami, Esther. She is the founder of a fantastic Nonprofit Foundation called “Kids Love Mother Earth”. She is the most passionate environmental mommy I have met and her commitment in raising conscientious kids and parents brought her foundation to a lovely reality.

Their website http://www.klme.org is packed with beautiful pictures, nature sounds and awesome information for kids of all ages to actually engage and actively participate in the protection of our Beloved Mother Earth! The group of people behind this foundation truly care about the world we live in, and they have make it their job to protect it and to teach others to do the same. Take some time to visit this site along with your kids and share the knowledge!

As part of the efforts of “Kids Love Mother Earth” they have partnered up with a group of green activists in Miami to celebrate this Saturday, October 24th, 2009, the “International Day of Climate Action”.

This is the Press Release shared with us:

Saturday October 24th, 2009
Green District Events
“MEET THE LEADERS”
Today’s Leaders Meet the Future World Leaders
Miami, Florida- Green District Events is a concept created by Green Art USA as a networking
event that will benefit the Green Art Center (GAC) and other organizations involved in the
Green Movement. On Saturday, October 24th, the event will support Kids Love Mother Earth
(KLME), a nonprofit organization, as it unveils their first publication. The event entrance fee is
free, the entry ticket is as many plastic bags as the public can bring. These plastic bags will be
used as part of an art installation, which will take place on the 350 wall, supporting the
350.org international movement, occurring on the same date.
The day starts with family friendly events, bring your blanket and enjoy “Arts in the Park”
where there will be performances, fun activities for the children, a presentation and on how
plastic is destroying Mother Earth by Ban the Bag, pizza donated by Pizza Fusion and the
highlight of the event will be “story time” in which the book “Mother Earth Needs Our Help”
will debut. City Year will act out the story and a special surprise guest will be the storyteller.
Children and their parents, are invited to join a panel discussion, starting at 7 p.m., on
“saving our community – saving our planet” in which children, the future leaders of the world
will ask questions of the present leaders. The event starts promptly at 4:00 p.m., space is
limited RSVP is strongly suggested at info@greenartcenter.org. Following the panel discussion
Green District Events invites those in attendance to socialize and network as in past events.
The affair ends at 9 p.m.
This day is made possible by the generous support of the City of Miami, Grolsch, Coverings,
Pizza Fusion, Eco Chamber, Basix 6 Vitamin Water, Whole Foods, Kool Bamboo, Chef Amarylis
Guindin, owner of Galerie Gourmet and, Chef Julie Grand.
Green Art US an organization supporting and actively engaged in environmental promotion,
sustainability and the better use of natural resources, recycled and reused materials through
art projects and events. Green Art Center provides leadership by supporting and actively
engaging in environmental development, sustainability and the better use of
natural resources, recycled and reused materials through art projects, emerging media, and
original scholarship. And, Kids Love Mother Earth a grass-roots non-profit organization
dedicated to building the foundation, an environment, where children will experience the –
“Mother Earth” to child relationship – and vice versa.
####
If you would like more information about this event please contact (305) 607-7724 or e-mail
a.morales@klme.org and info@greenartusa.org.

Now, it is my pleasure to invite all you to attend this beautiful event. It is time to make a stronger impact in our kids future! Let’s teach them, engaged them and help them understand that everything we do today will paint the color of the world we will enjoy in the future.

LOCATION:

COVERINGS CREATIVE COMPLEX

7620 NE 4th Court, Miami FL 33138

Time:

4:00 PM to 9:00 PM

I have been actively looking for my parenting Manual and somehow I am coming to the scary realization that, hum… may be I lost it at the Hospital!!??? Oh Lord…. where is it!!??&%$(^^@@ oh Man! wait I had them at Home!

My kids are my biggest treasure and also my biggest challenge! Now, I understand what my MOM had to go through raising 5 kids with different personalities, tastes and needs. I love you MOM!!

I have three kids, “C’ my eldest, he is 5 years old and going to Preschool; “M”, she is 3 and she is still at home with me; and the little one, “G” only 9 months.  I don’t know where my kids got this from … but they do have a BIG personality, filled with great imagination, humor, dance and lots of energy.

There are days though when my laughs turn into loud voices, and my hugs into time outs, and my kisses to resentment. It is not easy to be a parent, it is not simple to understand what goes on in their little minds. There are nights that I just crawl into bed and sob kissing their sleepy faces and asking forgiveness for having been a grumpy mommy. Sometimes, I feel tired of being the Captain giving instructions, orders, lists and more. I just want to sit and be one of them, but then, if I do that, who in heavens will guide these three souls through the ups and downs of life with no direction?

Yeap, that is when I remember that I am the MOM. I have to give orders, I have to guide, I have to teach, and unfortunately many times I will have to punish too. But HOW DO I DO THIS THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY? A way that will help me be at peace? A way that will make my kids feel understood and loved? How do I go about even helping  them understand who they are so they feel good about themselves?

Let me tell you! I stumble into heavy brick walls many times but I am so happy that I had the time today to write about this and share this resource with you.  You also know, I love MOMTV. It has become a part of who I am. There, I found this wonderful professional, Sharon Silver from Proactive Parenting . I simply looooved her approach to parenting. In every show I have been in, I surely identify withe the topics and every single time I have found a tip and a great technique to use in raising my kids! Thanks Sharon! Your dedication and knowledge are very appreciated around this neck of the woods!

As taken from her site: “Sharon Silver is a mom, an educator, and a powerful speaker. Her sense of humor and teaching style make her easy to listen to and creates a trustworthy environment for learning. Her mission has always been to create programs that help parents focus on what else can be done instead of going straight to punishment. ProActive Parenting^TM is the result of that mission. With an education in Parenting and Early Childhood Development, four certifications as a Parent Educator, and practical experience as the mother of two young adults, there’s very little she hasn’t seen.”

She is truly fun and her advise has hit the nail in the right spot every time at home! If you are like me, a mom trying to do it all and do it right, take some time to listen to her show on Momtv, Proactive Parenting LIVE. You can also visit her website, it has an incredible amount of online tools and podcasts that can be useful in your own personal parenting journey, www.proactiveparenting.net You can also follow Sharon on Twitter @ProactvParentng

This is shout out based on admiration and as a big thank you to Sharon for helping me understand that I am a good mom trying to do my best, and that I always have way for improvement! My kids deserve it! What about yours?

Wishing you a Happy Healthy Motherhood!

Liseth

a.k.a chicmommyusa

Well, got to face it! Halloween is around the corner and even though is not my favorite holiday, it is for my kids. Financially, I am really not in the spot where I want to spend $100 in costumes that they will use once, so this year I want to be more resourceful and work ahead of time.

Many of you know, I like to sew, but the secret is I cannot do much without a Pattern and Instructions in front of me. I am not much of a designer. So, in lieu of the needs and circumnstances, I want to post some fun a great link to easy to make costumes for all ages. Who knows, may this year I will get the courage to dress myself up (my kids still think that I am the Bad Witch of the West! I’ll better use the uniform ah?!).

If you have “some” sewing experience and can maneuver through enlarging patterns this link has a few ideas such as multi-functional “cape”, a “robe” to transform into wizards, kings, queens and more, a “coverall” to turn into anything you could think of. Also, “wings“and all sort of “hats and beards”.

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=1178

I love Parents Magazine they have thought about almost everything on possible kids costumes. Here, you can find projects where you don’t need to sew at all. Only thing, you gotta think “Outside the Box” even when you are dressed into one. These are ideas brought from moms to moms. I loved the “cookies and milk”, the black kittie, and if they are stuck into cartoons, the “Thomas the Train” was pretty neat.

Other cute ideas:

Who would have thought of dressing up as a “Fluffy Cloud”? This one is super cute!

This Owl costume is fantastic! Super creative and it comes out great!

Tell me this, who would not love a Gold Fish?

With regards to Halloween Costumes for Babies, the options are infinite. Parenting magazine has a super cute collection of easy to make Baby Costumes. Check them out at their Halloween photo gallery. No sewing necessary here!

Some other cute things I am always trying to find, are the accessories. Last year I got the Spiderman Suit without the shoes, and it was a nightmare for a little perfectionist!  So, for the last minute missing accessories, check out this list:

- Elf shoes

- Witch Cape

- Fairy Wings

- Little Devil accesories: Tail & Horns

-Frankeistein’s head

Well, anyone knows this can go forever!!!!! There are so many good ideas ideas there but I guess this could be a good start.  I personally, do not like scary things and I try to stay away from scary costumes. But, whatever your choice is, ONLY ONE SUGGESTION!! Keep it AGE APPROPRIATE!! There is nothing worse than a cranky baby, a kid afraid of his reflection or tween looking like a ….well you know what I want to say….

Let’s make it about Family, Memories and good times!

Many blessings!

Liseth

Chic Mommy USA

Today, I want to ease up, breathe deep, play with my daughters, pick up my son at school. I want to laugh and not regret! I want to love and not overlook! I also want to continue my work, finish my projects and achieve my professional dreams knowing that GOD has all under control, that my blessings are stored for me for the right time, and that food, shelter and protection will always be HIS GIFT.Right now I am breastfeeding my daughter, while I am trying to brush my older daughter’s hair, adjust my blog’s layout and write this post. At the same time the dog is scratching the door to go outside, the phone is ringing and my kitchen is a mega mess.  I am sure many of us have been in this position at some point in our lives, but how do we know when too much is way too much??

In my case, too much never is never out of the ordinary. Too much is my last name, my hair do, my lunch and probably dinner.  Too much, are my hopes, my plans, my projects and my dreams.  Too much are my errands, my things to do and things to cook, and please do not forget that piled up laundry!  Is it motherhood in itself too much? It probably is, but let me tell you, I cannot imagine myself any other way.  For a minute or two or five I envision time for myself, to sleep late and do everything without rushing… but then I see the silence, the absence, and the empty spaces. I cannot imagine my life without a crowed bed every morning with feet and hands popping out of every corner. I cannot imagine not having cookie crumbs, toys, and dead lizards in my purse. I cannot even begin to picture a life without crayon pictures on my walls and floors, or cries, and funny faces.

Yes, motherhood can be too much! But it is too much love and too much fun to sit and get crazy because I cannot do everything else.

Many blessings to all you Great Mommies! I know I am not alone in the journey.

Liseth

My son attends a wonderful Waldorf Oriented School, in South West Miami that is simply a Little Heaven on Earth. They have so much fun learning while “playing among beautiful things“. One of those beautiful things are Play Silks in different sizes and colors. It is so amazing to see how their imagination simply explodes in fabulous games, from pirates to princesses, from Kings to farmers. An infinite amount of possibilities.

Trying to find cool things to do this summer, we decided to get some blank silks from Dharma Trading Co. Got some supplies and started a new branch of our learning and our family business.

If you are crafty and want to give it a try, follow this How Make Play Silks  Tutorial.