How I Found Time to Read my Novel While the Kids Did Self-Portraits

Thursday, October 25, 2012

How I Found Time to Read my Novel While the Kids Did Self-Portraits

The other day I was dying to read my book. I hardly ever get to read while the kids are awake, but I was reading Gone Girl: A Novel, and I couldn't put it down. So, when my daughter asked if she could do a "project" I knew I wanted to come up with something that would keep her busy for awhile so I could sneak in a few pages (Does that make me a bad Mom? Too bad! Haha)
So, I got out the long butcher paper (Spectra ArtKraft Duo-Finish 67004 Spectra Artkraft Duo-Finish Heavyweight Paper, 48" x 200-ft. roll, White) and I taped two long pieces to our kitchen floor. I told the kids to lay down, and I traced them.

Then we started adding stuff. I helped her draw a dress for her self-portrait. Then she started adding the flowers to the dress and I have to say, that the more we drew, the more things she came up with to add. By the end, her imagination really took over. On her self-portrait, she drew:

A face
Hair
A dress with flowers
A necklace
A purse
She traced herself holding her favorite doll
A "friendly ghost"
The sun
Shoes and socks
The carpet she was standing on
A grasshopper on her head (long story. We had pet grasshoppers this summer)

Even Little Buddy had fun on his, although I did most of the work while he coached me.

The good news is that, after the project was over, they scampered off and played by themselves for thirty minutes, and then I finally got to read my book in peace! It really is amazing how willing they are to play alone after we do a project. They finally get the "Mommy" time they crave and they feel fulfilled, leaving me time for dishes, laundry, and more importantly, novels! For more ideas on how to get more free time by providing your kids with challenging projects, check out my new book! I teamed up with Susan Case, a former Kindergarten Teacher, and we provide you with hundreds of ways to keep your kids busy, but in productive ways, so that they are learning while you get your precious free time!

Did you enjoy my post? Don't forget to vote for me by clicking the banner below. You can also enter your email address below to receive all my updates! I really appreciate your support!!

Want to see all my posts? Put your email address here to become a subscriber!

Blog Gadgets

3 comments:

Spanish PinayOctober 26, 2012 at 4:20 AM
Great idea! this will definitely be one of my projects with our little one soon :)

Spanish Pinay
ReplyDelete
Replies
Susan CaseOctober 26, 2012 at 5:38 AM
This is so cute! Love it! Glad you had a chance to read something besides Strawberry Shortcake.
ReplyDelete
Replies
OneMommyOctober 28, 2012 at 7:41 AM
I've been wanting to do that with my kids for a while now -- love that you got to get some reading in that way!
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

Oil Disclaimer

ESSENTIAL OIL DISCLAIMER:
I do not claim to be medical practitioners. I do not diagnose, treat or prescribe any medical treatment or advice. You should always discuss treatment of medical conditions with your medical practitioner before using any alternative therapies, natural supplements, or vitamins. The following safety precautions are guidelines only. You should consult with an aromatherapist about essential oil usage and always inform your primary care physician what you are using as they may not be conducive with his/her prescribed therapy and medications.
ESSENTIAL OILS RULES FOR SAFETY:
1. Keep Essential Oils in a secure place away from children and pets.
2. Use a variety of essential oils and rotate those which you use often to avoid sensitization and irritation. If you use a blend for 3 days, take a minimum of 3 days off and use an alternate blend those 3 days.
3. The following essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy: Single Oils: Basil, birch, calamus, cassia, cinnamon bark, hyssop, Idaho tansy, jasmine, lavandin, mugwort, rosemary, sage, tarragon, thyme, wintergreen. Synergistic Use the following with caution: Single Oils: Angelica, cedarwood, chamomile (German/blue), cistus, citronella, clary sage, clove bud, cumin (Black), cypress, davana, fennel, bay laurel, marjoram, mountain savory, myrrh, nutmeg, peppermint, rose, spearmint, vetiver, yarrow.
4. Read and follow instructions carefully.
5. Always take precautions with using Aromatherapy.
6. Unless otherwise stated, never use essential oils on your skin without diluting the essential oil with a carrier oil. A skin test is recommended prior to use. If you experience any soreness, redness or irritation do not use the blend.
7. If an essential oil or essential oil blend gets into your eye, flush the eye immediately with a carrier oil or cold milk. Seek medical attention if the stinging and/or irritation continues.
8. Do not use more than 2 drops of the following essential oils when used in a bath the first time: Aniseed, Black pepper, Camphor (rectified), Citronella, Clove, Eucalyptus globulus, Ginger, Juniperberry, Peppermint, Sage, Spearmint, Thyme.
9. If allergic to certain foods, do not use essential oils or carrier oils that come from those foods.
10. The following essential oils should be avoided if you have epilepsy: Cajeput, Camphor, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Peppermint, Rosemary
All information, content and product descriptions contained within this site are for reference purposes and are not intended to substitute advice given by a pharmacist, physician or other licensed health-care professional. We do not advise you use the information contained within this website, or any other site for treating a health problem or disease or to make a self-diagnosis, without talking to your doctor. Actual product packaging and materials may contain different information than shown on this website. Contact your health care provider immediately if you suspect that you have a medical problem. Information and statements regarding our products have not been evaluated by the FDA.

Thursday, October 25, 2012