Making Time for Friendships

I decided to pull myself out of my mothering funk and encourage my boys to invite friends over on Wednesday and Thursday this week.

It was a rousing success.

My oldest invited a friend over on Wednesday, and the kids had a blast showing him around our place. I kept my daughter occupied by mixing up a batch of brownies in the kitchen while the boys went crazy in our basement playroom. After lunch, we all went outside in the yucky weather for a big game of soccer. Then, we appreciated the added bonus that he lives in our neighborhood by walking him home.

Yesterday, my younger son had his turn. He is new to the world of making friends from school, and it has been a journey finding the right sort of kids for him to befriend. He had a terrific time. They played non-stop with the Playmobil castle downstairs and spent their outdoor time riding bikes through puddles and playing a raucously muddy game of tag.

I was fun for me to see the boys with their friends. We spend so much time at school and evening activities that I rarely get the chance to see what a few friends will do with a quiet environment.

On Wednesday, my younger son was so willing to follow along with the bigger boys and do his best to play what they wanted to play, I emerged from the experience with a greater appreciation of his generous nature and easygoing manner.

On Thursday, though, while my second son played with his friend, my oldest was irritable. He chafed under the expectation that he had to let his brother lead. It left him out of sorts. I guess I hadn't realized before how much a part of my oldest's identity is tied up with being in charge. So I pulled him aside, much as I had done with my youngest the day before, and let him help me with a kitchen project -- cherry pie. I let him do all the gathering of ingredients, measuring and mixing. We spent some time with the math involved in cooking. He was in his glory (and the pie turned out great!)

Both days were a learning experience.

In the end, I found that fostering friendships was worth the time and trouble for my boys. We all gained from it (especially after eating brownies and pie!) Even though our weather remains dreary, new friends provided what we had been missing -- the excitement of something new.

Both boys said they had a wonderful time and they'd like to come over again. One even called after our visit to see if my boys would join his Boy Scout troop. So, our new friend adventures will continue.

I'm glad.

- Midwest Mom

Rainy Day Activity: Homemade Play Dough

Rainy days have an interesting rhythm to them -- slow and quiet and thoughtful. A rainy day is a welcome change from the frenetic pace we usually keep. As the drops drum gently on our windowpanes, we watch the birds hopping around the bird feeder, trying to stay dry. Rainy days, like today, are days for board games and reading books, for puzzles and building blocks. They are days we just feel grateful our home is warm and dry -- our little haven.

I like to set aside a few special activities for days like this. Homemade Play Dough is one we love. We got the recipe a few years ago from our favorite Kindergarten teacher.

I help the children to make it, allowing them to measure the ingredients and carefully stir the pot on the stove. Once the mixture needs to be kneaded, many hands make light work.

Here is what you'll need:

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 tsp Cream of Tartar
2 cups water
2 Tbs oil
3 tsp food coloring -- blue, red, green, or yellow

And here's what you do:

Mix together the first three ingredients in a medium-size saucepan. Add wet ingredients (water, oil, and coloring) and mix together. Stir and stir over low heat on the stove -- don't stop! The mixture should thicken until it becomes like mashed potatoes. When it does, turn off the heat and dump the mixture out on a floured board to knead it.

I knead the first few turns, until the mixture cools a bit and becomes easier to handle. I fold the dough toward myself and press the heel of my hand into it. Then, I turn it a quarter-turn. Again, I fold the top down toward me and press. Then, I let the kids try their hands at it.

When the dough is the right consistency, they can play with it right away or you can store it in an airtight container. As long as it is put away after playing, it stays pliable for a nice long time.

Maybe even until the next rainy day.

- Midwest Mom

Rainy Day Craft: Caterpillar Friends

I love caterpillars. So do my children. In fact, now they keep them as pets. I'll explain.

Last week, we went to pick pumpkins with NanaJane and Grandpap, and my youngest daughter found a bright yellow beauty laying in the grass. It had eye spots on the top of its head that made it look almost cartoonish. She wanted to hold it, so we had her hold her hand out flat, hoping she wouldn't squish it.

She was fine until the little fella started to walk across her hand. That funny feeling gave her the willies and she turned her hand upside down and vigorously flung the little guy to the ground. (Fortunately for him, she doesn't stand too far from the ground.) He fell into some soft hay and quietly crawled away.

When we got home, we looked our caterpillar friend up on the computer and found out that he will become a Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly.

A few days later, we had a rainy day, and my children started talking about our caterpillar friend. My seven-year-old is crazy about bugs, so he was wishing he'd brought the little guy home. I decided to do this small craft with them so that they would each have a caterpillar friend -- and no creepy crawly feeling!

Supplies:

Popsicle sticks or tongue depressors

Yarn puffs in various sizes and colors

Googly eyes

Elmer's school glue (I use the gel. It's easy to work with and less messy.)

Have your children choose 5-6 puffs and line them up to make their caterpillar. Glue them in a line on the tongue depressor. Choose which end will be the head and glue on the eyes. Allow the project to dry for at least 12 hours.

Once the caterpillars are dry, the popsicle stick will help your children to play with it without ruining it. They are simple, fun little friends, and it is so cute to see how they will bring their new "little buddy" around with them to play.

- Midwest Mom