We discussed the true meaning of "giving" in the giving season in our sharing circle  today. The kids decided that true giving meant giving something to someone that would make them happy.  It did not involve money or expensive items.  
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One little boy said that he was giving a gift to his brother in that he would quit picking fights with him.  It would show that he really loved him (and this was the younger brother who always pestered the older brother).  One little girl wanted to clean up her room which she knew would really please her mom and one wanted to help fold laundry.  One little boy was going to wrap up dog treats for his puppy and take him on a walk.

Then we made "present" ornaments to hang on the tree or mantle.  The children wrote what the gift was on the back of the cards (with a little help sometimes) and decorated the front with snowflakes and seasonal stickers. What a sweet way of showing real love by giving a gift that someone would really enjoy. 

Tinker Beau (Tinker the Winker) sends holiday greetings.  He is my little baby who came to me with just one eye after being found on the street after an accident. Although he bumps into a few things and is bow legged and snaggle toothed, he is the sweetest little fellow in the world.  He just loves to be held and he will follow you anywhere.  He also loves to play with everyone and with other dogs.  He lost Figgy (Fig Newton), his buddy of seven years, just a few weeks ago after a rather long illness and he is adjusting to being "only dog".  We will probably find him a new playmate in the spring but it is a little too early now.  

I tried to find a Santa hat for his holiday greeting but, at this late date, they seem to be sold out....sooooo.....he allowed me to "decorate" him with a holiday crown made from our door wreath.  His expression seems to say that he thinks he looks silly in it and it didn't take long after this photo was taken before he shook it off!

Tinker asks you to remember the animals in your hearts and giving this year.  There are so many out there that need our help, and in this season and always, it is wonderful to remember them as they give us so much in return.

Children need and feel secure with boundaries, both physical and emotional.  It is important, however for us to have conversations about why the boundaries are there so they will understand and begin to think for themselves. No child likes to be told - "just because I said so".  For instance "Don't step off of the sidewalk at an intersection without waiting for me to be with you....why? a car could be coming that you might not see and you could get hurt."  Simple things make them start thinking for themselves about healthy boundaries.  

Emotional boundaries are just as important.  It is important for children to understand that they are free to set some boundaries themselves.  For instance, if the kids at school want you to do something that you don't feel good about  just say no.  Children can learn to listen to their own small voice inside and follow it and not the crowd. If they learn this early on, they will grow up to be strong and independent adults. 

I recently played a game with my young students about healthy boundaries.  We sat in a circle and went around the circle as each child gave an example of a boundary that had been set for them and then one that they had set themselves .  They told how the boundaries made them feel and why they thought the boundaries were good.  There were physical boundaries like "don't play with matches; matches can start fires and you can get hurt" and emotional boundaries like "say no to someone who wants you to be mean to somebody who doesn't fit in".  We then had a small discussion about these boundaries with all the children joining in.  Many said that they wouldn't like the bullying scenario because they wouldn't like it if it happened to them. That's the beginning of empathy for others.  

Because I am an artist and a very visual person, I always like to get the children to create something to take home.  We made "boundary markers" as a reminder that boundaries are important in life.  Each child used a foam door knocker to write down on one side reminders of good boundaries that they had in their lives and others that they might set up.  They then decorated the front side to make them "happy boundaries" and took them home afterwards.

We always hear of "a boy and his dog" and Timmy with his dog Bubbles in My Friend Timmy of the Lae Lae collection fits that description.  But what about "a boy and his cat"?  My grandson Hudson is an animal lover through and through.  He does not have a dog right now as his dog "Frankie" recently passed away.  But he does have Larry the cat and their relationship is very  loving.  Larry sleeps with Hudson and is always in Hudson's lap.

When I was visiting recently, Hudson and I were both on our computers; I on my MacBook Pro and Hudson on his I-Pad.  I looked up from what I was doing to see Hudson hugging Larry as he was playing with his I-pad on the floor.  It was a very sweet scene.  Hudson is quite the little active, rough and tumble boy but this scene reminded me of his gentle side.  In these pictures it almost seems as if Hudson is explaining his computer game to Larry as they play it together.  

Hudson has an older brother Enzo and they play together much of the time, but when Enzo is not around or needs his own space Hudson always has Larry.  He notices if Larry has food and he asks where Larry is.  He has Larry's well-being at heart and Larry wants Hudson's love and attention.  The positive bond between children and their pets is very rewarding and it helps to develop habits of caring and kindness that will remain all through life.

​This time last year I drew a little Sugar Plum Fairy for an invitation to a Miracle Babies event for mothers and children. The Miracle Babies mission is "to provide support and financial assistance to families with critically ill newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; and to enhance the well-being of women, children and their families through education, prevention and medical care."  What a wonderful mission and one that I truly believe in. Like the "March of Dimes" from years ago, the children brought their "Pennies for Babies" to the event to help the babies in the NICU and their families.  Children helping children and paying it forward!

This little fairy has remained a favorite character for me and I want to use her again to send out a message in this holiday season.  In looking up the stories of fairies throughout history, they are always magical creatures and creatures of enchantment.  "Wee folk, good folk, people of peace" according to Welsh folklore.  My favorite definition of fairies comes from J.M. Barrie's famous Peter Pan stories.  Barrie wrote, "When the first baby laughed for the first time, his (her) laugh broke into a million pieces, and they all went skipping about.  That was the beginning of fairies."  My little fairy has delicate butterfly wings and she has magical powers to bring about good in people and the world.  She dances in the gentle snowflakes and wishes you best wishes in the holiday season! 

Possibly my favorite book in the Lae Lae collection, A Birthday Party for Mother Earth, celebrates the diversity of the world and its people, animals and wildlife.  This book was inspired by my granddaughter Zoe when she was about five years old.  She told me that she wanted to have a birthday party for Mother Earth because Mother Earth had given us so much.  What a great idea - and so original!  It took me this long to get the book written.  In the book, Lae Lae and her little friend Beke (Bekele) who was adopted from Ethiopia, host a birthday party with their friends from around the world. Everyone brings something from his or her home country to celebrate.  Amalia, from Colombia, brings bananas and information about the hummingbirds that are so plentiful in her home country.  Amalia also shows everyone how to make a simple hummingbird feeder.

Although, the hummers are going south for the winter now (they can migrate up to 2000 miles to find a warm wintering and breeding area), I think that it will be a sweet way to create something very simple and fun in the spring.  Just using an old coffee cup instead of throwing it away will provide many hours of bird watching fun when spring comes. If you want, you can go on and build it now and decorate it to celebrate the holiday season.  Then "recycle" it as a bird feeder in the spring.  Enjoy!

I have not posted in a while as I have been working on my eighth book in the Lae Lae book collection.  And now it's finished and launched!  It is "A Birthday Party for Mother Earth" and it's dedicated to celebrating Mother Earth and all of her diversity; people, animals and wildlife.  It was inspired by a true life occasion that I had with my granddaughter Zoe, when she was about five years old, and her big brother Gage. I invite you to take a look as this book is one of my favorites.  I will randomly be drawing names for a free signed book each week through April 1st.

​More later.....