The Snowy Day

It’s nap time on this snowy day, so I have a moment to relax and reflect.  Staying inside with a toddler in this weather can be challenging without continuous activity.  I try my best to have some themed activities for our 2 year old son, Sage.

Today we read the children’s classic, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.   I am a fan of arts and crafts, so I chose to follow up with a winter crafts activity.   I strapped Sage in the high chair and pushed him up to the table covered with a plastic table cloth.  I put on his Ikea apron and put some card stock in front of him with Crayola washable finger paint in paper plates and two paint brushes.  I let him exercise his creative genius on the sheets of paper and left them to dry.

After the finger painted masterpieces dried, I drew an outline of a mitten on one of the pieces of the card stock and cut it out.  I traced the mitten onto all of the painted pieces and cut them out for Sage to embellish.

I placed a bunch of buttons in a paper bowl and some cotton balls on the table.  Putting Aleene’s Clear Gel Tacky Gluealong the edges of the mittens, I assisted him in placing the cotton at the edges to look like fur.  I then put dots of glue all over the mittens for him to add the buttons.

When his mittens were all complete, we hung them on twine from the 99 cent store with clothespins.  (Be sure to always write your child’s name, date and age somewhere on their projects.)

We will read the Spanish edition of, The Snowy Day after nap time ;)  Enjoy The Snowy Day.  

A Conversation about Service and the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Creating Legacies

Community Conversations

A Conversation about Service and the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. King’s life and work has inspired generations of Americans to serve and make the world a better place.  Each year we pause to reflect on his legacy of service and its meaning in today’s world.

Creating Legacies families gathered on Saturday, February 1, 2014 to read an excerpt from W.E.B. DuBois’s 1898 commencement address at Fisk University and talked about the personal and social importance of public service and civic engagement.  We look forward to more family community conversations in the months to come.  We hope that you will join us.

This program was made possible by New York Council for the Humanities

Man Up with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

Our little one just turned two and everyone has been warning us that we are in for trouble.   We already have to hide all of the pens in the house because our living room arm chair was the first casualty.  Since the vandalism occurred, we made sure to bring only washable crayons, colored pencils and finger paints into the house.  The antidote is the most important thing to have, Mr. Clean Magic Erasers – Extra Power.  You can find them in most local discount stores and definitely in your large general retailers.  The white sponge-like piece of foam is water activated.  Saturate the foam with cold water and lightly scrub the affected area.  As the stains disappear the eraser disintegrates.  Despite all forms of the NO!, we have already scrubbed our fair share of crayon masterpieces from the walls.  Mr. Clean Magic Eraser stays stocked in the house.  In fact it should be the goody bag gift for parents at every first birthday party.  “It’s toddler time,” as our friend Nina warned months ago, “you better man up!”

I am listening for YOU!

Happy New Year, Creating Legacies families.  I hope that 2014 is off to a spectacular start.  I have used this first week to be grateful for the blessings of last year and thoughtful about what I am being called to do in 2014.  In the past year discussions with my husband and my friends have challenged me to stop procrastinating and start writing about my unique perspective and life experiences.  I find myself yearning to read books about topics and titles that don’t seem to exist.  A few days ago, I came across this Toni Morrison quote, “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”  Just when I thought that I had some confirmation for what I am to do in 2014, my aunt gave me a Bible study to read that was entitled, “Commanded to Write.”  From my lips to God’s ears, the message is crystal clear!  I am sharing this with you, because I believe that I am not the only one to be held accountable to this conviction.  All of us have a story to share.  It is through our stories that our legacy is passed down for generations.  While historically, oral tradition is valuable and beautiful, we now have the means and ability to express ourselves indelibly.  Whether it is journaling for self reflection, a letter or email to a friend, a poem or song for inspiration, Face Book status updates and tweets or a novel for the NY Times Best Seller list, share your voice with someone.  It’s one of the most comforting things in life to hear a familiar voice.  Will you be that person on the other end?

Halloween Walk 2013!

Afrikan Zion Organic Roots Farm

Sis. Imani & Ras Obadiah
 

I am an August baby so I definitely love the heat of summer.  However, I absolutely love the beauty and the energy that autumn brings.  Last Sunday, I took my usual stroll, entering Prospect Park through the Parkside Ave. entrance taking our son, Sage to the Imagination Playground.  On the way there I was intrigued by an African American flag flying near a haystack showcasing painted pumpkins.

 

 

Sage began to squeal with delight, pointing frantically and yelling, “Apoo!” letting me know that there were apples in sight.  As we approached the farm stand, Sage grabbed an apple and took a bite.  So much for washing, peeling and cutting the fruit.  The couple at the stand gave a warm smile and handed him another, “apoo.” The lovely couple, Ras Obadiah and Sis. Imani bring farm fresh, organic produce to Prospect Park.  They travel directly from Vermont every Sunday morning through November.  Their harvest includes seasonal squash, potatoes, string beans, root vegetables, herbs, tomatoes, carrots and a seasonal mélange of other hearty crops.   Ras Obadiah engaged us in great conversation sharing the history behind his, Afrikan Zion Organic Roots Farm.

 

 

 

Some 30 years ago, Ras Obadiah left the concrete jungle of New York City for the verdant forests of Vermont.  Despite its urban splendor, Ras Obadiah explained the urge that he felt to leave New York and experience the sustainability of farming.  His passion for understanding the rich cultural history of the African American plantation experience brought him to the notable Daisy Jessica Turner’s homestead in Grafton, Vermont.  The daughter of former slaves, Daisy JessicaTurner was a storyteller and civil rights activist who kept her family story alive through oral tradition.  Ras Obadiah had the privilege of learning how to farm under her instruction.  He was Turner’s agricultural apprentice until she passed away at the glorious age of 104.

Whether it is to puree food for your baby or feed your whole family, farm fresh foods are about as good as it gets these days in the urban jungle.  With last week’s $10 stock of apples I made two apple pies, 2 jars of apple sauce, apple pancakes and apple cinnamon oatmeal.  I will be headed later for, “A Grass Roots Connection to the Organic Revolution,” to see what Ras Obadiah and Sis. Imani have in store.  It’s worth a trip to Brooklyn to enjoy the day.  Enter at the Parkside Avenue entrance to Prospect Park and, African Zion Organic Roots Farm, is planted next to the Drummers Grove.  Bring the family, enjoy the drumming, get your produce, visit the playground, and stroll through the foliage.  I will see you at Afrikan Zion Organic Roots Farm.  (Sundays  12pm-8pm now through November 2013)

For more information:

afrikanzion@gmail.com         H: (802)896-3443 or C: (802)579-0579

Check out more about Brooklyn’s CSAs (Community SupportedAgriculture)

Creating Legacies Family Day at the Prospect Park Zoo

Last Sunday, October 13, 2013 Creating Legacies enjoyed Family Day at the Prospect Park Zoo.  The beautiful autumn afternoon began with an exclusive visit to the Discovery Center.  The educational specialist, Delilah and our special guest, Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo led the children in an animal encounter with the resident rabbit. The Discovery Center’s play space ignited children’s imaginations to build a fire at the whimsical campsite and perform veterinary check-ups on animal puppets.  Following exciting interaction with children and adults, the little naturalists watched the Sea Lion feeding at the epicenter of the zoo.  Before running off to feed the farm animals, each child refueled with a snack bag including Happy Family Brands organicsuperfoods.   NYS Assemblyman Karim Camara shared in the day with his two children.  Creating Legacies thanks him for sponsoring the event so that families could participate at no cost to them.