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Are the “lazy days of summer” really “lazy” anymore?

Poofin — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 19:13:58 +0000

In the world of busy days, busy friends, busy kids, we often have not scheduled any time to be lazy. But being lazy may be the secret to surviving our self induced busy-ness! This brain and body downtime seems essential to spark our inner creativity! NY Times columnist, Tim Keider, writes,
“Idleness is not just a vacation, an indulgence or a vice; it is as indispensable to the brain as vitamin D is to the body, and deprived of it we suffer a mental affliction as disfiguring as rickets. The space and quiet that idleness provides is a necessary condition for standing back from life and seeing it whole, for making unexpected connections and waiting for the wild summer lightning strikes of inspiration — it is, paradoxically, necessary to getting any work done.” http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/30/the-busy-trap/?smid=fb-share

Something to ponder. Maybe in a hammock today…

Fun Friday: June 1

Poofin — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 15:02:07 +0000

One cute custom charm of “Queen Lila” created in the Poofin Factory by a little Poofin Princess Fan. (age eight)

Poofin — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 22:50:32 +0000

Chicago is not always able to acknowledge Spring. But this year in the city, Spring started blooming in February. Most of us here are weather skeptics and were not in full belief that those tiny crocus really was going to survive the early March icy winds. But this year, the late winter snow never came, the lion never roared, and the city and its suburbs exploded with Spring blooms! The flowering trees were dressed like young girls ready for prom, wearing gowns of fresh flowers and subtle perfumes. As we honor another Earth Day this week, take a moment to help your kids appreciate the pureness of Earth’s beauty as you walk the kids to school, relax in a park or even look out of the car window while waiting for a stoplight to change.

Natural Moms Talk Radio’s blog shares wonderful ideas on how kids can learn to respect the Earth, “When you are outside with your children take the time to highlight the distinct beauty of nature. Point out to your children the picture perfect blueness of the sky on a clear, bright day. In early spring find where lilacs or other pungent and lovely spring flowers are growing, and encourage the kids to sniff the unique scents of these spring treats. Cultivate a love for nature by awakening in your children an appreciation for the natural world. ” More ideas to help kids learn to respect Planet Earth can be found at http://naturalmomstalkradio.com/blog/natural-mom-articles/planet-earth

Happy Earth Week!

Happy Spring!

Poofin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:08:40 +0000

Friday Fun: Week 14

Poofin — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:00:41 +0000

Who’s in your favorite photo? Where and when was it taken?

Wordless Wednesday: Chocolate

Poofin — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:37:17 +0000

Spring Cleaning: The Toy Edition

Poofin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:00:42 +0000

When you have kids, it’s great to get them involved in cleaning their toys during spring cleaning. And you are the super parent if you can get through it with your kids actually wanting to purge some of their old ones. We wanted to share some great tips about cleaning and fixing your toys, with inspiration from Real Simple Magazine.

When Teddy needs to see the doctor: Every child that we know has a teddy bear. In fact, we know some adults who still have their childhood teddy bears and love them dearly. They provide a source of comfort for one and all. If there is a rip in your child’s favorite teddy, simply Google teddy bear hospitals. Some can diagnose your teddy via photo and you can send him or her off to be fixed for as low as $30. The same goes for dolls. There are a lot of places to send your child’s favorite toy to be fixed!
When action figures need their action back: Action figures are where germs grow. To clean them, just use dish soap and warm water. Denture cleaner can be used too. Just use a toothbrush to rub the grime out of the crevasses. For sticky stuff and crayon, use GooGone. Always test it in a spot your child won’t see in case of discoloration. If your action hero was maimed in saving his loved one, use hot to the touch water to bend the toy back into shape, use glue to repair broken limbs and repaint toys and call them battle scars when the paint isn’t exactly the same color.
When the stuffed need to be fluffed: For simple grooming for your plush friends, a lint roller or wire dog brush will usually do the trick. For bath time, loose dirt can be removed by placing a pair of panty hose over the nozzle of the vacuum and letting the machine do its thing. For spot cleaning, a soft wash cloth soaked with warm water and mild soap may just do the trick. For major messes, see if you can throw the stuffed animal in the washing machine. (Our Poofin is washing-machine friendly! Throw it in there and then air dry) If the tags been chewed off, take to the internet. Chances are you will be able to find the instructions or someone else may have posted about it. Popped seams and missing stuffing are easy fixes. Go get yourself an embroidery needle and some fill at the craft store and check out an online tutorial. Your child will love you forever.
When Barbie’s not such a beauty: Here comes dish soap to the rescue again! If Barbie’s hair needs to be washed, a little dish soap will do. And for unwanted knots, soak her hair in conditioner just like you would your little ones and brush out! For dirt spots, Real Simple recommends using De-solv-it. Does Barbie have ink stains? Use an acne cleanser with benzoyl peroxide to clear them up. Super glue will repair most cuts and breaks. And for bad smells, send Barbie to the spa overnight. Wrap her in tissue paper in a shoe box with dryer sheets. Ingenious!
When vinyl is a mess: Your daughter or son has been carrying around a vinyl doll, dragging it behind them on the ground. What to do! Use 409 cleaner and then give her a little armor all. A baking soda and water paste is what the American Girl franchise recommends. Benzoyl peroxide works for stains on vinyl dolls as well. To fix these dolls, contact the manufacturer and see if you can get a replacement limb. Let the professionals play doctor.

What are your tips to clean and repair toys? Share them with us on Facebook and Twitter!

Friday Fun: Week 13

Poofin — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:00:27 +0000

What is your favorite baseball stadium to take your kids to?

Creativity and Easter Go Hand-in-Hand

Poofin — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:00:34 +0000

There’s more than just dying eggs into pretty colors and using the infamous wax crayon to write your name on them. We found these innovative craft projects for the upcoming holiday on hands on: how we grow.

Jamie shared how her and her boys created this beautiful Easter cross.

But we also love the creativity in today’s post. Check out these other fun crafts for Easter! Your children will have so much fun making them.

What other creative projects do your and your children take on for the Easter holiday?

Wordless Wednesday: We Spy a Charm From Yesterday

Poofin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:00:47 +0000