Custodians of Beauty

Coincidentally,  St. Valentine's Day falls on Ash Wednesday this year so we moved our valentine feasting and sweet eating to Fat Tuesday.  It has not been our custom to take the kids to Mass on Ash Wednesday, since it's not considered a holy day of obligation. However, we do try to keep things low key and prayerful to help us enter into the season of Lent. (This silly little poem rings true for Catholics. Remember, you can't spell valentine without Lent!) Our children have not reached the age requirement for fasting and abstaining, but we encourage them to offer up little sacrifices (ex. going to bed without a stuffed animal for one night, letting a sibling pick which Netflix show to watch, or skipping the Mc D's fries when out and about running errands.) So far, so good! They have willingly (no whining or pouting) given up their favorites, their treasures, and their comforts for Our Lord. What pure hearts, those children have. If only we could learn to love ...

When you are stuck inside with little ones, sometimes all the toys and books in the house won't satisfy them. They demand "new" stuff. Well, that's when you pull open your odds and ends craft bins or junk drawer and let them explore! Pom poms, corks, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks etc. Kids LOVE collecting stuff. Give them an empty egg carton or tupperware and let them fill it with their treasures. Watch them count, organize, and sort in their own little way.     Pom poms are great for the littles. They're soft, noise-free and aren't a stepping hazard. But be warned, if you let your toddler play with these, you will never be rid of them. You will find them in the oddest places. They're like tribbles . Cute and cuddly, but they multiply to no end. Corks are another soft and mess-free source of entertainment. I've been saving corks for a project, but haven't had the time to start it. Soon though, very so...