mamaguru

Home Sweet Preschool: Wind Activity #1

Here’s a fun activity for the preschool set to learn about the power of wind. 

Materials

baking sheet or large tray
straw
dish of sand, salt or cornmeal (Use what you’ve got!)
dish of water
various objects of different weights (pom poms, feathers, beads, beans, dried pasta…)

 1.  Have children practice blowing out of a straw.  It’s important that they know not to suck in for this activity.  Blow on each other’s skin and see if it tickles.  Point out that we can feel wind, but we can’t see it.  All we can see is how it moves things.

2.  Talk about how some objects are heavy and some are light.  Invite them to make predictions about which objects will be easier or harder to move with the power of wind.

3.  Experiment.  Have them select items to blow across a tray.  Have them place the objects on the far end of the tray and blow them across to the other side. Encourage them to make observations and test their predictions.  Older children can keep a chart, but little ones can just enjoy the process.  Let them experiment for as long as they’d like.

4.  You can team up with two straws and make a race with same objects (ttesting force) or different objects (testing weight).  A strip of masking tape can be used to create a finish line.

5.  Place your sand dish on a tray to contain the mess.  Show children how the wind can blow designs.  This is a great time to introduce pictures of sand dunes and deserts.

6.  Place the water dish on a tray and experiment with making bubbles down below and ripples on top.  This is a great lesson to tie to the ocean or waves.  If possible, visit a large body of water to see it on a grand scale.

Get Literary!

Here’s a classic poem to read about the wind.  It is by one of my favorite children’s poets, Christina Rossetti.  If you haven’t shared her work with your kiddos yet, I encourage you to do so.  Her poems have stood the test of time because they are so wonderful.   Poetry is fantastic for children.  It showcases the musicality of language and the playfulness of words.  Children who are read fiction, nonfiction and poetry will have broader minds, richer vocabularies and better reading habits.

Who Has Seen the Wind

Banana Wontons

Tired of the same old-same old when it comes to dessert?  Here’s a fun, tropical recipe that’s sneaks a little nutrition in to boot: banana wontons!  I like to serve these when I’m make Sweet Potato Wontons and I have left-over wonton wrappers I don’t want to waste. 

If you’ve never worked with wonton wrappers, I highly recommend you give them a try.  My family and friends always gobble up my Sweet Potato Wontons, but you can also use them as dumplings in soup or a fast way to make homemade ravioli.  Most stores sell them in the produce department next to the tofu. 

This recipe is a technique, not a hard and fast rule.  Adjust your quantities as you see fit.  These are best served immediately and lose their delightful crunch as time passes.

Banana Wontons with Two Dipping Sauces

1 banana, diced
2 T chopped walnuts
1 T brown sugar
1/4 t cinnamon
1/4 t fresh nutmeg
tiny pinch of salt
about 12 wonton wrappers
frying oil (I use grapeseed, but canola is another good choice.)
sweetened condensed milk or warmed nutella for dipping

1.  Mix together the banana, nuts, spices and dash of salt.

2.  Place wonton wrappers out to make an assembly line.  Get a pastry brush with a small dish of water ready.  You may also sprinkle some cornstarch on a plate so the prepared wontons won’t stick before they are fried.  Place one tablespoon of the banana mixture on the center of each wonton.  Don’t be tempted to overfill, you will just create a frustrating mess.

3.  Use your pastry brush to place water on the sides of the wrappers.  Fold them over into triangles and pinch to secure them.  Place them onto the cornstarched plate until ready to fry.  If not frying right away, cover with plastic wrap so wontons don’t dry out.

4.  Pour about a 1/4 inch of oil in a large skillet and heat until the oil is shimmering over a medium high flame.  Place the wontons in the pan in batches, turning when golden, (about 1 1/2 minutes on each side).  When done, place them on a cooling rack so excess oil can drip off. 

5.  You can dust with powdered sugar just before serving.  These are best eaten fresh, although make sure they’re not too hot for little ones.  Sweetened condensed milk is a favorite dipping sauce in this Cuban household, although warmed nutella is also very nice.  Enjoy!

Healing Myself

I’m nervous to put this out there:

I have an autoimmune disease. 

I’ve written about it before, but not in about a year.  I’ve had symptoms that match lupus and rheumetoid arthritis, but conflicting blood work.  My current diagnosis is: atypical rheumatic disorder.

It costs about $600 to be told that.  It means nothing.

I have tried acupuncture, massage, cupping, diets, fasting, exercise, medicine, salt-water soaks, prayer and willpower to rid myself of my symptoms.  It is hard to know what works, because the nature of autoimmune diseases is that they flare and remit.  That means if I make a change and feel better, the change might have made a difference or it might just be a time in between flares.  Needless to say that makes it extremely frustrating to endure and difficult to treat.

For a while I thought I had it under control.  I loosely followed an anti-inflammatory diet and had strong exercise and sleep routines.  Regular salt-water soaks reduced my pain significantly.  At the end of last summer, a flare burst in my body and I never fully recovered.  For me flares mean chronic pain, exhaustion and pronounced arthritic symptoms.  My body feels heavy, like all the trace metals in it are suddenly magnetized and pulling me down towards the Earth’s core.  It is hard to find motivation to do anything more than the absolute necessary work of each day.

I haven’t felt like myself in nine months.

I haven’t felt good in nine months.

Not even for a moment.

Recently, a new symptom popped up: a topical allergic reaction to nightshade vegetables.  Nightshade vegetables are a class of vegetables which contain a compound called solanine, which triggers inflammation in many people.  The most common nightshades are eggplant, potatoes, ground cherries, peppers and most regrettably, tomatoes.  There is a strong link between arthritis and nightshades.  I gave them up for a short period last year, but didn’t notice a change, so I added them back.  This last week, my hands have blistered, calloused and cracked just by touching them.  Even after touching them for one minute and washing my hands with soap, they continued to sting for an hour afterwards.  The flare that never quite ended started at the end of summer, also known as, tomato season.

If nightshades cause this strong a reaction to the briefest contact with my skin, what might they be doing inside my body?

I’ve done a bit more research and I learned that it takes one to four months without nightshades to notice a difference.  I did not eliminate them for that long before and I wasn’t careful about hidden sources, so it’s worth a shot.  As a foodie, the thought of life without tomatoes breaks my heart.  As a person with an autoimmune disease, the thought of life without pain elates my spirit.

I live on baited breath.

I am about to embark on a detox program in hopes that I will come out of it healed.  I will begin with a juice fast, followed by a raw food diet with a slow integration of other anti-inflammatory foods.  I will compliment this with daily cardio and a detoxifying yoga routine.  Salt has been extremely effective for pain relief, so I will use it daily as well as massage.

In the past I shared a weightloss diary with my readers, but I ended up feeling stressed about not getting my desired results, especially when flares interfered with my ability to push myself.  I hesitate to broadcast any diet or self-improvement plan, because I don’t want to repeat that experience.  But this is the truth of my life.  I have not been able to follow through with many ideas I have for mamaguru.com because of this pain.  I also know that autoimmune disorders are on a rapid rise and those of us suffering from them need answers and support.  I hope this detox ends with a healthier, happier me, but if it does not, that’s valuable information too.

I have one more tomato-based recipe to share later next week, but then it’s back to the kitchen to get my creative juices flowing.  I hope to learn some fabulous new recipes and cooking techniques as I wean my cuisine from tomato dependence.  As daunting as this detox seems, I’m also exhilarated by the motivation to broaden my cooking skills and the fingers-crossed hope that I just may wind up healing myself.

Please wish me luck, keep me in prayers and send wonderful recipes my way.  I’ll update you about my progress periodically.

Namaste,

Rebecca

Who Needs Heaven?

I live in paradise

with angels

right now.

Matheson Hammock Park, Miami

Preschool Skill: Transferring with Tweezers

Some of our favorite activities involve transferring objects from one tray to another.  These activities strengthen finger muscles which are essential for writing.  They also cultivate concentration and practice using tools.  It always amazes me how much attention a child will give such a simple task.

Here Max is using tweezers to transfer puffs from a berry basket to an ice-cube tray.  The twelve spots in the tray motivate him to use precision in a way that a simple bowl to bowl transfer does not.

My Darling Max,

Today you are four years old which means you have travelled around the sun four times!  It also means that I have been a mother for four years which is fitting because today is Mother’s Day.  When you lived inside my body I thought that you might be born on Mother’s Day, but you weren’t.  You waited until your exact due date two days later.  Because of the timing, your birthday will land on Mother’s Day every so often which is fine by me.  I’ll share any day with you, any day at all.

You were a wonderful three year old!  This is the year that your confidence really shined through.  Up until then people sometimes called you shy, but I always knew the loud, playful part of you.  Now the world does too!  You approach kids on the playground with by smiling and saying, “hi!” or sometimes you just laugh-scream and dare them to chase you.  It’s so beautiful to watch you navigate the world as if you owned it. 

If I had one word to describe you this year, it would be competent.  You can do so many things well: ride a scooter, kick or hit a ball, sing a song (You know so many), peel a carrot, scrub mushrooms, write your name, follow directions, cut with scissors, throw a ball, ride a trike, use the bathroom, eat your vegetables, paint a picture, climb, run fast, balance, jump.  Oh there’s so much more.  You’re good at just about everything.

One of the best parts of this year has been watching you play with Jack.  You are truly best friends.  You create games and worlds that Daddy and I can only marvel at.  Sometimes you fight and we are shocked at how quickly you boys can turn violent.  Luckily, you get along most of the time.  You boys share the same sense of humor, the same interests and now bunk beds.  I am certain that the best gift we will ever give you was your brother.  Before nap each day you put your arms around each other and then you give Jack a brother kiss.  It is my favorite part of everyday.

You have spent a lot of time figuring things out this year.  You ask me lots of questions, especially at meal times, about whatever is on your mind.  The wheels in your brain are so obvious when you’re thinking.  You scunch up your forehead, pause and then nod when something finally makes sense.  You also have ideas of your own and love to share them with me.  If I’m ever too busy or short with you, you get upset.  I have learned to take the time to listen to you.  Your ideas are not only important to you, but also important to me.  Lately you’ve been struggling with understanding how and why some animals eat others and if that makes them good or bad.  Every time you ask a question or make an observation, I see that you put one piece of the puzzle in its place.  It’s not all there yet, but you’re working on it.

Speaking of puzzles reminds me of our activities.  That’s what we call school.  You have learned so much this year.  You’re pretty good with numbers and letters.  You love science and geography!  Never on the face of the earth has there been a three year old so adept at naming the parts of a fungus or listing the traits of living things.  Recently your artwork took a huge leap forward.  You understand how to color in the lines and also how to create a picture from your imagination!  This is important because you used to just scribble and I wondered how you would learn to create art.  It was when you were drawing rainbows at St. Patrick’s Day story-time that you suddenly made the connection.  Something clicked in your brain and from that moment onward it has been amazing to watch you draw.

You also wrote a story.  Not by hand, but you dictated it to me out of the blue.  Here it is:

Once upon a time there was a boy who was walkin’ without his mama.  He went by a bush and behind the bush there was a big, BIG WOLF! And so the boy started runnin.  He run and run and run and RUN!  And then he stopped walkin’ and the wolf ate him.

I love that story!  Even more, I love that you create stories!

This is the year that you became a builder.  Legos, bristle blocks, wooden blocks.  You finally loosened your obsession with trucks enough to see how fun it is to create something.  You like to make barges, tunnels and cranes.

As I write this it sounds so funny, me telling you what you like.  But I am the gatekeeper of your memories and I have no idea how far your mind will stretch back when you are older.  I suppose now that I’m aging and starting to forget things, this act of preservation might be for me too.  But it’s hard to imagine forgetting the best years of my life, which of course, are the ones I’ve spent with you.

Happy birthday my darling boy.

Love,
Mama

 

Attn. DADS: How to Plan the PERFECT MOTHER’S DAY!

(This is a repost from last year to help out all the moms and dads. Please feel free to pass it along.)

Let’s face it: mamas are the holiday planners in most families.  We shop, we bake, we plan, we organize, we record, we everything.  The rest of the family bumbles around and sometimes manages to help.  The problem is that when Mother’s Day rolls around, we are not in charge.  People who never plan anything are put in charge and judging by the furious credit card swiping that happens on the day after Mother’s Day, it’s not the most successful celebration.  That’s OK.  I’m here to help.

This is a fool-proof guide to planning the perfect Mother’s Day celebration on any budget.  Every Dad needs to read it and follow it.  Please distribute this checklist widely, even the best dad could probably use a few pointers.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO TO CELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY IS TO PLAN SOMETHING! 

ANYTHING! 

THE PLANNING PART IS WHAT MATTERS MORE THAN THE ACTUAL PLAN.

The perfect Mother’s Day should include:

1.  A homemade gift from the children 
Many schools will plan this project for you, but if they haven’t, pull out the art supplies and tell the kids get to work.  Obviously babies aren’t capable, but a clay hand impression or even a card that says “mommy” with a traced hand on it will be cherished.  Teenagers can simply write out the reasons they love mom.  You could also take a picture of the kids and frame it.  The point is that it comes from the kids.  

2.  A gift for her as a person, not a mom 
Flowers, jewelry, spa gift certificates are all wonderful.  This can be anything she would like for herself.  It should NOT be something for the home or kitchen unless that is her particular interest.  If you don’t know what the gift should be, her mom, her sister or her best friend knows.  ASK. 

3.  Family time
A planned activity for the family to enjoy together.  This could be a meal you, the kids or a restaurant prepared.  It could be an outing to a park or the movies or a game night.  Anything, as long as she gets to enjoy everyone being together. 

4.  Personal time
Give her a few hours to herself.  A manicure, a gift card for shopping, an arranged lunch with her friends or simply the space to do what she loves (like reading a book in silence) will be greatly appreciated.

5.  Do the grunt work.
If you have babies, you’re changing all the diapers.  If the house is a mess, you’re in change of getting it clean (Hint: delegate to children!)  You are responsible for all meals.  Yes, it’s a pain.  You plan a lovely breakfast, and then you have to make dinner too?  That’s what everyday is like for mama.  Even if you wind up ordering pizza for dinner, that’s alright.  The point is for you to take the initiative to keep the house running for one day.

Regarding Other Mothers

1.  There are other mothers in your life whom you need to celebrate.  If you live near either of your parents, figure out what you are doing for them and when.  If your wife wants to cook dinner for her mom, let everyone know (including your wife) that you are in change of brunch for her.  Make sure that there is one time in the day that is completely devoted to the mother of your children.

An easy way to make this work is to go out to brunch or serve mama breakfast-in-bed, and then have everyone over for a BBQ dinner you prepare.

2.  Whatever you do for other mothers, you need to do greater for the mother of your children.  If you give a single rose to all the women in your family who are mothers, your wife gets a dozen.  If you give them all a dozen, she gets 2 dozen.  The exception to this is your own mother for whom you can get something special, although it should not be greater than your wife’s gift.

That’s it.  That’s all I’ve got.  If you follow my advice you will make the mother of your children very happy and she will be bragging on Monday.  I hope this doesn’t sound condescending.  I know a lot men are wonderful and full of their own ideas.  I just want all dads to be informed about what mamas really want, so you can make it special for her.  By the way: MOTHER’S DAY IS MAY 13th.

5 for 5

To Andres on our 5th wedding anniversary,

The story is you and me became we. 

Today is a day that seems like it should just be the two of us.  That’s what all the experts say.  Make time to date your spouse.  But the us that we became five years ago has grown from a party of two to a party of four.  My heart changed forever when our darling boys were born.  There is not a single part of me that doesn’t include them, not even my love for you.  Just yesterday as I watched you and your two shadows mow our lawn, my heart exploded with joy.  Yours did too.  I know because we exchanged a glance.  No, that’s not true.  I knew what you felt without even looking at you, because I know you.

And so, when the babysitter cancelled and the available options got too complicated, it seemed perfect to take our boys along with us on our anniversary date.  I told them about it and they are excited.  They will wear buttoned-down shirts, but you will have to pick up the tab.  I will be their first date at the place where we shared our first date.

It’s not ideal, but it’s a deal we stuck to make it work.  If nothing else, marriage teaches you how to share, and we have become adept at adapting.  Here’s what else it’s taught me: 

Love is simple. 

It is not complicated or confusing.  (Relationships can be, but not love.)

Love is not divisive.  There is not one love for children.  Another for lovers.  And another for humanity at large. 

Love encompasses all.

Love is something real that I can touch.  A hand.  A cheek.  But love is also something mysterious that I can’t grasp.  Something ephemeral that enters my heart without warning and sometimes catches in my throat, waters my eyes or sends a shiver up my spine.  (Still!)

Love is a choice.  Something to accept.  Something to give.  An invitation and a command to let all else go.

Love is not one thing.

Love is everything.

And to me,

everything is you.

Happy anniversary, my love.  Here’s to another five, fifty, a hundred more!

Yours,
R

To My Wedding Guests

Five years ago you celebrated Andres’ and my love when we were married.  Many of you travelled thousands of miles to attend our wedding.  Others overcame the hurdle of the Cuban concept of time and managed to make it to the church in time.  When I walked down the aisle, I was overcome at the sight of all of you, all of that love in one room, which is the reason I smiled ear-to-ear throughout the ceremony.  I had expected to be emotional and solemn, but all I felt when I stepped into the church was joy.

Pure joy.

And it was not just because I was marrying my true love, but because as I walked down that aisle, I was suddenly struck with knowledge that I had always been loved.  Every moment of my life passed in an embrace of love I never fully understood until that moment.

For that, thank you.

I know I sent out dutiful thank you notes as I received our gifts, but I want to express my gratitude once more.  For your presence and your presents.  Many of the gifts we received are a part of our daily lives and I still remember who gave us such-and-such as I whir the food processor, toss the salad and set the table each night.  Other gifts only come out for special occasions and are polished and admired before creating a holiday that is utterly beautiful.

I wonder sometimes if you know how much those gifts mean to us.  When I buy a wedding gift, I scan the registry for my price point, make my selection and forget all about it.  It’s the bride who spends the time painstakingly assembling items that she thinks will make her home lovely, not the actual gift-giver.  And so, in case you have forgotten what you gave us, please know that I have not.

Thank you for your love and for making our home lovely. 

Love,
Rebecca