Praises of a Wife and Mommy

Prolific author and poet Eileen Spinelli has written more than 40 celebrated books for kids.   Now she’s using her talent to reimagine a favorite Bible story in the new children’s book,  NORA’S ARK   (Zonderkidz; $14.99; February 2013) .  With beautiful purple-hued artwork designed by award-winning illustrator Nora Hilb,  NORA’S ARK  introduces an ambitious young girl who attempts to recreate the biblical story of Noah’s Ark in her own backyard. My Review:  I absolutely love the story line in this brand new children's book!  I know one time my kids and I reenacted the "Jonah" Bible story which reminded me of this story.   As a parent it is exciting to hear or see your child retell or react a story they have heard, and even more proud when it is a Bible Story.  Nora is an adorable girl who is pretending to be Noah and even though she does  not do it exact her imagination runs wild with the story ...

Happy National Play-Doh Day!  :)  Did you get the Play-Doh out for this special day?  I was super thankful that while we were gone our babysitter made some fun pink Play-Doh for the kids on Saturday.  :)   To add to the fun we got some googly eyes, and pipe cleaners and made some fun monsters.  :)  There is so much imagination that comes from Play-Doh!  :)  I remember playing with it as a child and loving it.  My childhood best friend had this paper doll set that we would design clothes from play-doh and play with for hours.  :)  Good times and fun memories!  :) Some parents are afraid of Play-Doh becoming a huge mess but really it is not bad.  As you can see we took our little table to the kitchen so no worries of getting it stuck in the carpet.  I also have seen many people put a table cloth under a table which is even easier as you can just fold it up and clean up is done.  :)  Think abou...

The imagination went soaring as my 4 year old played in a big Rubbermaid tub with some Styrofoam, noodles, water, and some of her bath animal toys.  Later she also added some grass and flowers.   My daughter created a sail boat that was in the ocean among many glaciers.  It was adorable as I sat back watching and listening.  She has "snow" falling on animals, she had boats sinking, she had animals saving other animals.  It is amazing to see the creative juices flow through our children.  :)  I encourage you parents to look around the house and find something that can allow your children to play, explore, and be creative with. :) 

I have mentioned that I work part time at the YMCA and my kids come with me since I work in the Mini Care, so parents can drop off their kids and go workout.   Well yesterday morning we had a very small crowd...only 4 kids!  The 3 older kids played so nice together and it was so fun to sit back and watch their imagination take over.  They put on a "princess and Prince" show to a huge audience of dolls.  :)  As you can see in the picture they took time setting up chairs and a stage.  :)  I love watching kids play without any suggestions from adults, just pure imagination and fun!