Journaling with kids

Last time I visited my nieces in Las Vegas I took along journals for them. They loved playing with them and we had fun journaling sessions. Decided to make them new journals for this trip. Also taking along little journals that I will teach them how to bind using a simple pamphlet stitch. It was one of the things they were interested in - how do you bind a book? Fun times ahead.

Already bound journals:


Journals to bind:

Journal pages

I capture interesting quotes from books I am reading. I make a note of daily life. The highs and the lows. I use the time as a way to reflect on where I am at the moment.

Packing List

I use a packing list when I travel. Over the years, I've kept track of what I used and what I did not. What I wish I had brought. And now, use that list whenever I start to pack. I delete things per a specific trip, but find it easiest to start with a list than to simply wing it. Do you use a list?

These journal pages were created in Portland, Maine.

Collaborative Journaling

At my art journaling group yesterday, we did some collaborative journaling. The six women in attendance had created background pages as the starting point. Then every ten minutes, the books moved to the right until they ended back with their owners. It is a fun way to get outside your comfort zone. Every ten minutes or so a new set of pages arrived in front of you and you had to add to what was already there. Fun. This was how my turn page turned out. Nothing like the pages I create, but then again that is what makes it so cool.

Recent Reads

1. The Paris Vendetta
Was looking for a light read - but this was a little too light if you know what I mean. Not well written conspiracy theory book, and I love conspiracies. Do not bother.

2. The South Beach Diet
Fascinating read. Helped me connect dots. I find the body's capacity to heal itself encouraging.

3. 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up
Love this book. So many old familiars and quite a few I have never even heard of.

4. Shanghai Girls
Not as good as this book by the author, but I liked it. The story of two sisters who survive despite the odds stacked against them.

5. Watercolor Pencil Magic
Pure inspiration.

Random Musings

• It is rather incredible the effect the erupting volcano in Iceland is having on air travel. I feel bad for travelers stranded. Cannot even begin to imagine the chaos caused by the 95,000 cancelled flights. There is something rather ironic about countries sending ships to help move people about - kinda like we've gone back in time.
• The sex abuse scandals within the Catholic Church continue to escalate with news about the Pope covering up for his pedophile brother. The Pope. Who is supposed to talk directly to God. Where are the outraged congregations calling for a total overhaul of the system? Can one impeach the Pope?
• On a more positive note Kenyans did well in the Boston Marathon. Salina Kosgei finished third for the women, while Robert Cheruiyot was the first man to cross the finish line. Dang good finishes on all races too. Was singing the Kenyan national anthem all day. Umm, you might think that watching all that running would make me want to go out for a run. You would be wrong.
  

Reading with kids

1. Dingoes at Dinnertime
In Magic Tree House (MTH) # 20, Jack and Annie end up in Australia and learn about some of the unique animals that live there. Luke's fave part was the when the Joey climbed into Jack's backpack.

2. Civil War on Sunday
MTH #21 Jack and Annie are whisked back to the Civil War where they meet Clara Barton and save the life of their very own great-great-great-grand-father. Luke's fave part was the drummer boy.

3. Jonah read two books with help: Crab Trap and Frog Cops. These are part of a series for beginner readers.

4. Stop Bugging Me
A fun book that I have read to the boys over the years. There are textures to feel and they love shouting "stop bugging me!".

Signs

Have yet to download the pics from our trip to Maine, but here are some fun pics from downtown Portland. Love that town.

RIMS

The April photo theme of the month is RIMS. Here are four interpretations of the theme.

Recent Movies

1. Amelia
How, how could Mira Nair make this a boring movie? I love her other work. I love Hilary and Richard and am fascinated by Amelia. And yet. And yet. What was story that the movie tried to tell? I do not know. How does one make a story about an incredible woman boring? Sigh.

2. Girls Rock
Loved this little documentary. A week long rock n roll camp for girls aged 8-18. Girls are not Barbies - why does popular culture insist that they must be? For a wonderfully refreshing change of pace check this movie out.

Recent Reads

1. Eco Books
This is a fun book with interesting ideas. Who knew you could make a book using egg cartons?

2. Possession
Read this for a book club and it was a mental workout for me. It is not often that I feel that my education is lacking - and this was one of those times. Loved the story, the letters, the journal entries, the many voices. Struggled with the poetry - I must have missed that week in school. But kept at it - my way of celebrating National Poetry Month. There were at least a couple of words on each page I did not know - so my vocabulary is stronger for reading it. This is certainly not a young adult book - a pleasant change. I know that I saw the movie many moons ago - am going to watch it again to see how true to the book it is.

What are you reading? Anything good?

DeCordova

Last week had a lovely picnic and walk at the DeCordova. So wonderful the weather we have had lately. Happy that I got a chance to get out and soak it in.

Home Again

Back from a lovely trip to Southern Maine. More details on that to come.

This page was a reflection of age. Aging in particular. Why are so many people wiggy about their age? Never been an issue for me. I've earned every one of these dang grey hairs.

Ephemera

Here is my latest journal spread using ephemera collected on my travels. A snapshot of place and time.

Stamps

Don't you just love stamps? Such incredible tiny pieces of art. Here is the sheet I am currently using. So very cool.

Recent Movies

1. God on Trial
Incredible movie. Excellent script, direction and acting. Passionate arguments - debating at its best.

2. The Lost Room
If you are a Heroes fan, this mini-series is your kind of thing. There are magical objects that enable people to do interesting things. Fun.

What are you watching? Anything good?

Portraits

It's an easy thing to capture a person's portrait by capturing a head shot. An interesting variant is to capture something that is unique about that person. Here one such portrait of Susan. Love it.

April

is National Letter Writing Month.

Remember the days when we actually got interesting things in the mail, not just junk and bills (which could also be classified as junk I suppose)? Well, here is your chance to make someone's day. How else can you spread such joy for a mere 44 cents?

As a kid I used to have several pen pals. Remember those? I loved hearing about their lives, countries and oh the delight of those stamps from far away places! I do believe that those stamps gave me the travel bug I have to this day.

Yes, phones and email have made getting in touch much easier and more immediate. But I think something is lost in the process. Where is the magic of getting something in the mail? The cancelled stamps. The sense that the letter traveled through many hands, lands, oceans?

So, if it has been a while since you wrote a letter, or even a postcard, here is your month. Reach out and touch someone. Happy writing!

Reading with kids

Little Jonah is on a roll these days and his reading vocabulary keeps expanding. Love his excitement.

1. Biscuit Goes to School
These are a fun series of books about a puppy named Biscuit. In this book, Biscuit decides to go to school too.

2. Biscuit Wants to Play
Biscuit makes new friends with little kittens and helps them when they get stuck up in a tree.

3. Pat the Cat
Could not find a link to this book. Easy rhyming book.