We are taking a little break from the usual onslaught of adorable kid pictures to talk about something else: fun things to do with adorable kids!
Actually, I want to talk about a book that a friend of mine wrote called Fed Up with Frenzy . Could there be a better title for me? I always feel frenetic.
Suz and I met online (its still weird for me to say that) and have kept in contact through blogs, the Children and Nature Network and Facebook . She blogs at Slow Family Online .
Suz has been living a slow lifeone in which she and her family take the time to smell the metaphorical roses. From parking a couple blocks from her daughters school so they could walk in to kindergarten together, to saying no to some of the countless activities that fill most kids lives.
By making choices to eliminate a couple of organized activities and commitments, we made time to take long family hikes, make televisions out of shoe boxes, and float origami boats down a local creek after the spring rains. By shifting away from the culture of hurriedness, we made time to open our lives to enhanced wonder, connection and joy.
Did you hear that? Enhanced wonder, connection and joy.
Now shes sharing some of that wisdom with us in her new book. There are 360 pages of:
Slow Activities
Slow Games
Slow Kitchen
Slow Garden
Slow Nature
Slow Seasons
Slow Celebrations
Everyday Slow
Slow Parenting
Reading through these activities and songs and games reminded me of YMCA summer camp that my brother and I attended. Im sure it will remind a lot of people of their childhoods.
While there are tons of slow activities to help families bond, I am going to share only one. Its just a little blog after all. Its from the Slow Seasons chapter.
Spooky Ghosts
Youll need: Old sheet or approx. 1 yard of white fabric; 3-4 wooden dowel or other sturdy stick; twine; markers or felt squares and craft glue; pencil; scissors; pillow stuffing; lace, hats, fabric ties, and other decorations are optional.
Place a ball of foam stuffing in the inside center of the fabric. Form into a round shape, for the head, and tie it at the neck with the twine, so that the rest of the fabric flows down.
Place the dowel up into the head until it is secure.
Personalize your ghost with or ghosts by adding other used or homemade items. Make a large bow tie by folding a felt square in half and gathering and tying it about its center before looping it around the ghosts neck with twine. Or ad a top hat to one ghost and a veil of black lace to another to create a scary bride and groom!
Pulling one idea out of so many is tough because it doesnt give you the full picture, but trust me, youre going to want to check this book out.
And if you are lucky, you can have one for free! Suz sent me an extra copy to give away to one lucky reader, so leave a comment and Ill draw a winner in a week or so. Its a slow giveaway.
UPDATE: And we have a winner….Catherine!! Congratulations!
My lovely bride would be quite pleased to have this in her reference library. It won’t do anything about her feeling that she’s not going to win Mom of the Year, but it might give her a few good ideas to keep her and the adorable kids sane. By the way, how did you know we had adorable kids?
Great read so far! I just bought the kindle version yesterday.
I am a FB fan of Slow Family and would love to win the book. Thanks for the opportunity and I also enjoy your blog.
Meggan commented and I accidentally deleted it! Consider this her comment…
I’m looking forward to reading this book. I’ve heard really good things and can’t wait to get my copy.
Ooh soooo need this book! Thanks for the chance!
So glad Twitter led me to you today. I would love to read this book. I talk about similar topics with teens and about ‘seeing and celebrating the sacred in daily life’ on my website and forthcoming book. Slow living makes time for laughter, for discovery of who we become in each others company…and builds resilience between each family member. Thanks for today’s post. I look forward to reading more. xo Suzi
As a single, homescholing, stay at home mom to three, I have been looking for a way to slow us down. I want us to be closer, to strengthen the ties that bind, to build our family unity. I would love to have a resource like this book.