Ok…so a 13-year-old boy had a lot to say about creativity and education these days and I really hope you will check him out first and foremost:

http://thinkjarcollective.com/articles/13-year-old-on-creativity-and-hackschooling…

It is no secret I am attracted to bright shiny things. No, not jewelry (though that's good, too). But what I mean is special projects, fun new adventures, artistic challenges, and things that are new and exciting. Who isn't, right? But admittedly, I can sometimes fall behind on the daily routine of life because I would rather start a new sewing project, plan a birthday party or clean out the basement, instead of simply catching up on laundry, sweeping the kitchen and organizing the sock…

In the “Grow Creativity!” article, Candace Hackett Shively shares four aspects of creativity: fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration. This article…

Happy 1st day of december mommy bloggers!

I created a calendar to celebrate, and get into the holiday spirit.

 …

This is a quick tutorial for making Greek Yogurt Finger Paint. It is beyond easy to make and super quick as well.



This paint is perfect for introducing…

Last night we got together with some good friends. The scene was idyllic, Mayberry-like even, as we sat on their front porch watching our kids ride bikes up and down the street, play in the sandbox and eat watermelon.

“How’s StealingFaith going?” asked the man of the house.

“Pretty good,” I said. I told him the most surprising aspect of the stats: on any given day internet surfers from every continent visit StealingFaith (except Antarctica – penguins don’t…

We all know about the importance of play for the emotional growth and development of children. It can enhance their imagination, increase social skills and boost self-confidence. So why don't we place more value on play for ourselves? According to a recent study by the Families and Work Institute, ½ of American women don’t have enough time to spend on themselves and the activities they enjoy.

Early on, girls tend to be collaborative, communicative and caring – you can see it…

Original post at AZ Mom of Many Hats Blog

 …

Have you ever had a great idea, but you stopped before you even started?

Maybe you thought you weren’t good enough, or that it was never going to work out, or that you didn’t have the means to do it, or you feared that everybody would think you were crazy?

Or you wished you were…

10. It's Fun!

9. You Create something, even though it looks like an alien mass of Legos.

8. It gives you time away from your husband and his belching as long as you are doing it in a room with no…

If you sing are you a singer? If you create art are you an artist? If you write are you a writer?

People define themselves by what the do for a living. At various times my job title, for paid work, has been:

• Child Specialist
• Camp Director
• Director of Human Resources
• Cake Decorator

I've never been paid to be a church trustee, a Le Leche League leader or President of the board for a local choral group but I've worn those titles, too.…

My husband and I recently visited a holiday art show open house.  What made this experience inspiring and interesting was the family we met inside.  We found out about the event online and decided to check it out while we were already in the neighborhood.  My mom was an art teacher and artist so I have always enjoyed viewing the creative expressions of others.…

“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status quo. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things...”



I have just read an interesting and moving article by Melissa Sher called, ‘Lessons Learned from Steve Jobs: How this late visionary reminded me to play’.  In it she considers all…

If you have ever practiced yoga, you know that in the beginning, it hurts.  

You can't believe how sore you are from just stretching, but if you keep it up, you become more flexible the next time you dress in pajamas and take out your mat.

No, this isn't about my new online Yoga…

When your kids are eerily quiet for any extended period of time, nine times out of ten it's because they're trying to burn your house down.  But every once in a blue moon, the stars all align, and the pip squeaks somehow actually manage to..... *gasp*..... play quite nicely together.  Sure, you might have to pay them for that momentary bit of peace and quiet, but we…

I just stumbled across a link to the destined-to-be-viral Grand Rapids LipDub of Don McLean's American Pie.(An article about why 3,000+ people came out to make this video, here.)



Anyhow, I'm not moved to watch YouTube videos and clips…

There are some things in life that frustrate me more than others.



People who drive 15 miles under the speed limit and then want to ride your bumper when you pass them; people who feel the need to tell you every single bad thing about a person or a place before you ever meet or experience things yourself; and people who can’t…