Create & Celebrate Art Party!

This is at least 7 months late at this point, but I'm so proud of how Charlie's 4th birthday party turned out, I have to share! Let's pretend I've just been ruminating on the perfect way to present it...

When I asked Charlie what he wanted to do for his birthday, he quickly told us he wanted to, "paint with [his] friends." Done, buddy. After a few trips to Hobby Lobby, Amazon, and Target, Charlie's art party came together relatively easily.

Hobby Lobby had...

• Tiny easels (4 for $5)
• Washable paint ($1.50 bottle)
• Paint pallets (8 for $5)
• Chip board letters ($1 each)
• Paint theme cupcake liners ($2)
• Paint splotch wall decorations ($3)
• Black butcher block paper ($6 roll)
• 144 paint brushes ($5)
• Brown paper goodie bags (5 for $2)

Target had...

• Back to School sale markers, crayons, chalk, and paint brushes (various prices, all under a dollar)

Amazon had...

• ABC silicone molds for favors ($12)
• Smocks ($7.50 dozen)

All in all, I was able to purchase the snacks, supplies, favors, etc. for under $75. The back to school sales going on the months leading up to the party really helped out with the various art supplies used for favors and decorations. Crayons were a quarter a box, which I'm thankful for as we went through tons of them!

My favorite decoration for the party was the "cake." Since we planned to decorate cupcakes, there was no centerpiece to the food table. I saw this art supply cake on Pinterest and just had to recreate it. Thankfully, we had enough art supplies laying around to put it together at no additional cost. 

Another fun Pinterest find were these "spilling paint" can decorations. The empty paint cans were about $5 each at Lowe's and the plastic table cloths were from the dollar store. I used tripods (one was mine, one I borrowed) to prop up the paint can to look like it was spilling paint all over the food table. The space under the "paint" tablecloth also made for a good place to stash extra snacks, cupcakes, and supplies out of sight. 

To keep the kids occupied, we set up three activities for them - a chalk wall (black butcher block paper and chalk), a painting activity, and cupcake decorating. Alternating between the activity and free play time worked well for the kids and their parents. It seemed to mix things up and be just the right amount of entertainment while giving parents a break to eat and chat. 

Each child's station had the first letter of their name, smock, brushes, and paint in cut up egg cartons. I grabbed some small canvases as well in case little siblings wanted to do hand/foot print art. We included instructions on the invitation to come dress in clothes appropriate to paint in, which was appreciated by the parents. The paint was washable, but things happen!

I wasn't sure how the cupcake decorating activity would go, but they loved it! A plain cupcake along with little bits of different decorations (sprinkles, candies, Teddy Grahams, mini marshmallows, colored sugar, etc.) entertained them for way longer than I could have imagined. Clean up was as simple as dumping the excess decorations in the trash and throwing the paint pallets in the dishwasher.

Charlie's favorite part was blowing out his "4" candle. He had so much fun painting with his friends and playing the afternoon away. 

Each child got a splatter painted goodie bag with their name in crayons (tutorial on the way!) a scroll of paper, paint brushes, and of course their smock and painted letter. There were some beautiful masterpieces created that day!

The best part of this party theme is that the supplies to make it happen are easy to come by, inexpensive, and if you don't happen to need 100 tiny paintbrushes or big bottles of paint afterwards, can be donated to a daycare or preschool. 

Thanks for checking out Charlie's art party (and being patient with it's slow posting!) Even now, 7 months later, Charlie still talks about his paint party and has kept up his love of everything art. 

I'm Not Qualified for This Job...

Have you ever been thrown into a job that you were completely unqualified to do, but had to do anyway? I know that can describe parenting in general, but it's been extra obvious to me as of late as we continue to navigate Charlie's diagnosis and what that means for him.

The thing about Autism that I never realized before now is that there is no "Autism doctor." There is no one specialist that you go to for your Autism appointment to address your Autism at regular check up intervals. In reality, there is an unending list of therapists with varying specialties, a thousand theories and methods to address, treat, and even "cure" the disorder, and don't even get me started on getting all of this covered by insurance. There is literally everything from dieticians, to physicians, teachers, therapists, to heck...swim instructors, camp directors, and horseback riding programs, all toting their methodology as being best for children on the spectrum.

Where do you even start? What is right for your child? I'll be the first to admit - right now, I have no idea what is best for my child. I don't know what he needs; I don't know how he's feeling and he won't/can't tell me.

While we are waiting on his medical assistance paperwork to be approved (commence breath holding...) all we can do is try to support his anxiety and behaviors at home. The struggle never seems to end though; is this because he's four and four year olds are unruly at times? Or "is this the Autism..." Which just feels awkward and dehumanizing to think of in that way. Essentially wondering, is this normal? Should we challenge him on xyz because it'll help him grown and learn? Or will challenging him on this particular thing hurdle him into a panic attack?

Might as well flip a coin, because your guess is as good as mine.

The truth, a truth I can't seem to get through my head, is that it doesn't matter what typical development looks like anymore. Typical is not necessarily typical for Charlie. Sure, he'll adhere to some trajectories, but for the most part, he is going to be on his own path through his own forest. Maybe my frustration isn't frustration at all; maybe it's fear that we will lose him in that forest.

As the past several months have gone by, Charlie has started to shut out activities he once enjoyed like puzzles, Legos, and coloring (not writing, just coloring). He spends an obsessive about of time each day focused on letters; spelling, saying, writing, pointing out letters. 

Most attempts to leave the house have turned from resistance to sobbing meltdowns. Over the past few weeks, he's developed a few new stim/tic type behaviors that friends have suggested, coupled with the shutting down behavior, could be anxiety from moving and/or Ginny's surgery. It breaks my heart to know he's hurting or confused, but doesn't know how to process or communicate it.

This is where I feel unqualified for this job. I don't know how to help him right now. I want to think that getting medical assistance and starting some kind of therapy or getting a TSS will be the magic bullet, but I know it won't be. It's only part of the equation.

They say that a bumblebee, when considering the laws of aerodynamics, shouldn't be able to fly, but being unaware of those laws, it flies anyway. So much of this has to do with us, Jeff and me, realizing and accepting that to Charlie, his world is completely normal and any insinuation contrary to that comes from us and others around him. Even if I can't do anything else right now, I need to keep reminding myself of that.

Wubble Bubble Ball Review

**This post is sponsored by Wubble Bubble Ball. We were provided a Wubble to kick, punch, pull, squish, and squash, free of charge. All opinions are my own and I don't review products I wouldn't use myself!**

On the list of "where was this when I was a kid" is the Wubble Bubble Ball. I'm sure you've seen this thing on TV and wondered the same thing we did - can it actually get beat up like that and not pop? Charlie and Ginny put it to the test!

The Wubble Bubble Ball was invented by NSI President Frank Landi when his children wished they could play with a bubble without it popping. Made from a secret super stretchy plastic, the Wubble is just that - it looks like a bubble, it moves like a bubble, is incredibly lightweight, but it doesn't pop like a bubble!

When we received the Wubble in the mail, it came in a neat little box with a battery operated pump, inflation guide, mail away replacement kit, and instruction booklet. My favorite part? No nasty plastic smell! After I gave "jobs" to my "helpers," it took about 5 minutes to inflate the Wubble and get it set up. The instructions were fairly clear as far as instructions go, but if you have trouble inflating it, you can always check out this handy tutorial video. The Wubble can be inflated up to 3 feet tall (!!!), but I kept it around 30" so it wasn't towering over Ginny.

The smaller the Wubble is, the stronger it is (since it's stretched less) - something I hoped would protect it against my less than gentle children who were begging me to bring it outside to play.

Outside we went! What fun this thing is!! The Wubble is so different than any other ball or toy we've played with. You can literally grab a handful of it and chuck it in the air or at the floor to bounce it. The noises it makes when you hit it, kick it, or bounce it are hilarious and incited many, many giggles.

My two love to whack the Wubble with their hands, making it vibrate and ring out a whacky hollow sound. And as long as you keep an eye out for sharp things, you're good to go - no need to worry about it popping. Since it's light, even Ginny can lift it up and throw it or kick it, which she loves.

We're not the only ones who have enjoyed the Wubble Bubble. Target selected the Wubble Bubble Ball as a 2014 Top Toy for the Holiday Season. It was listed among other popular toys and games that are sure to be on every holiday wish list (read: if you see it on the shelf, grab it before it's gone!) The Wubble Bubble Ball is also a Family Fun Toy of the Year Award winner. The 25 winners are featured in the November 2014 issue of Family Fun Magazine. The Wubble has also won numerous toy awards, including an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, a National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, a Mr. Dad Approved Award, a Parent's Choice Award, the Dr. Toy Best 100 Picks Award, and more!

For both inside and outside play, I'd have to agree - this is going to be one hot toy this holiday season. The Wubble Bubble Ball is available at Target, Toys R Us, Amazon, and on their website, in both red and blue. The Wubble is tough, but nothing is indestructible. Luckily, they have a lifetime guarantee. If something happens to your Wubble, don't fear! You can get a replacement for $6.99 (cost for shipping/handling).


Check out the Wubble Bubble social media outlets for the latest news and product updates.

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Preschool Brain Games

Some of Charlie's favorite activities right now are brain games; counting, colors, puzzles, and problem solving. Preschoolers have thirsty, curious brains that want more information and to know why (Why? But why?!) He has tanagrams, counting pieces, and puzzles of all sorts, but his absolute favorite game right now is Bunny Peek-a-Boo by SmartGames. When I saw this game at Blogger Bash back in July, I thought it was cool, but once we started playing with it, I knew he was going to love it.

Bunny Peek-a-Boo may sound like a game for infants, but it's a brilliant learning toy for kids ages 2 and up. It's simple; the child choses a card and uses the four pieces of the puzzle to replicate it. There are four levels of difficulty (starter, junior, expert, and master) with a total of 60 challenges. These are some examples from each level that Charlie and I put together...

This toy has incredible longevity; it has multiple, age appropriate challenges for kids to try and master over the years. It also has a tremendous educational benefit; in addition to learning concepts like above, below, inside, outside, behind, in front of, etc., kids can practice logical reasoning, planning, fine motor, and visual-spatial skills.

Here's what else we love:

• Sturdy, colorful blocks made of wood, not cheap plastic.
• Chunky pieces, sized just right for little hands. 
• Only four pieces means less to loose and easy to travel.
• Lots of challenge cards to keep you busy, but you can also come up with your own. 

We use this little box from WalMart to store our Bunny Peek-a-Boo and cards, though it's more often out being used than stored away! Right now, Charlie can do the Starter challenges and some of the Junior challenges. He loves testing me and Jeff on the Master cards and, I'll be honest, some of them take a bit of thinking!

If you're unfamiliar with SmartGames, definitely check out their site. All of their toys have this kind of educational quality, creativity, and uniqueness. When I met them at Blogger Bash, I was incredibly impressed with the variety of toys and products they offer. If you're looking for a unique birthday or holiday gift for a preschooler in your life, Charlie recommends "Bunny Puzzle" with enthusiastic excitement!

Getting the Most Bang for Your Space with Step2

**This post was sponsored by Step2 and contains links to their products and media outlets. The products being reviewed were provided to me by Step2, free of cost. All opinions are 100% my own and I do not review products that I don't believe in or use myself.**

Just like furniture that can serve multiple purposes, I like it when toys are versatile. When you live in a small space, that space is valuable. When toys pull double duty, work for multiple children, and are made to last, they become worth that precious square footage.

It's tough to find toys like this, to be honest. Often, toys have one specific purpose, for one age group and/or gender, and that's about it. This is why I love Step2 toys. Not only are they high quality, well priced, and easily found at local stores, but so many of them are versatile and I am happy to give up apartment space for them.

The Step2 Deluxe Canyon Train Table is perfect for apartment living. Though the piece it's self is larger than most other toys we have, it is well worth the space it takes up.

Here's what we love:

• It is large enough to accommodate multiple children playing at it, but still compact. 
• It's colors are gender neutral (at least I think so).
• It was very easy to put together and the stickers were forgiving if I didn't place them just right the first time.
• The roads are open tracks, meaning any smaller vehicle you have will fit; no special track kits or vehicles to match up. 
• It does well being wiped down or when cleaning up spills (ask me how I know this!)
• There is a lot of open space under it for bins of cars and trains. 
• The table top makes it a toddler play space for blocks, coloring, or even a kid's table at Thanksgiving!

That's right, this train table is also a play table! I love the sleek white board that fits perfectly on top; it's easy to put on and take off, it covers the toys underneath making for a quick "clean up," and makes for a super versatile and sturdy table. The table top is wipeable and stands up to a bit of scrubbing after sticky hands or rouge crayon marks.

Charlie and Ginny have loved playing with train tables at the library and friend's houses, but I could never bring myself to buy one because we also had a small picnic table for them to build and color on. Plus, many train tables have small pieces that are fun for Charlie, but not safe for Ginny. So, two train tables then? A play table and a train table? No, that's just silly. Just too many things in one small space. This table is appropriate, safe, and entertaining for both of them to play on together - no matter what they're doing.

To corral all of the toys we have, we needed a toy box. We've done the bins and buckets and they work well for small things, but we've begun collecting larger toys and stuffed animals that really needed a home. 

The Step2 2-in-1 Toy Box & Art Lid fits the bill perfectly. Growing up, I had one of those toy boxes that was, well, just a box with four equal sides and a lid. Things would get lost down in the abyss constantly and we'd have to almost dive in head first, legs up in the air, to grab them. That being said, I absolutely love the shape of this toy box! 

At first you'd think the shape would make it hold less, but you'd be wrong! This thing holds a ton of stuff and it's easy for both kids (even Miss Shorty Pants) to get things out without the head first dive. 

Here's what we love:

• The shape makes it easy for even small children to get toys out. 
• Since the lid isn't a hinge type and lightweight, there isn't a chance of it falling on little fingers or noggins. 
• There are two storage bins on top to hold small parts or favorite toys for quick access.
• When purchasing, there are three color options (primary, pink/purple, or neutral tones) to match whatever space you need it in. 
• While it's obviously not it's purpose, the lid is sturdy enough to stand on (which my kids do constantly, despite my efforts).
• The lid doubles as an easel, lap desk, or display for artwork. 

That's this toy box's secret! Using the orange paper clip, you can hang pieces of construction paper on the front of the desk so children can color or display their artwork. The lightweight lid can also be taken off and used elsewhere as a lap desk to color, do puzzles, etc. We love this part! My kids love art, but easels are HUGE and we do not have room for one. 

The storage bins on top hold art supplies so they don't go rolling away and the height is perfect for both kids to enjoy. 

With such little space, I can be pretty picky about what we bring into the house, but both of these toys have been such wonderful additions to our home. I appreciate the thought and quality that goes into everything Step2 makes. Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for updates about products, fun contests, and more! 

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Art Party Update

Invitations are out and there's only about 3 more weeks until Charlie's 4th birthday party! I swear, planning my wedding was a chore, but for some reason I LOVE planning kid birthday parties. Seriously, someone hire me. ;-)

I mentioned a few weeks ago that Charlie requested to "paint with friends" this year for his birthday, so an art party is on the schedule. This will be his first party with little friends from daycare and with their age, it'll also be the first year that we have actual activities vs. throwing a bunch of toys out to keep the toddlers occupied.

I did a little googling for inspiration for the invitation. I didn't find exactly what I was looking for, but I had a general idea ahead of time, so that's what I went with; an artist pallet with party info on the paints. I made sure to include a little message about wearing paint clothes - don't want any angry, unprepared parents at this party! Printed on card stock and cut out, I punched two holes and threaded a thin paint brush through. The brushes were $1 for a dozen at WalMart.

With invites out, next comes activity and menu planning. I started on the hunt for birthday supplies at the dollar spot in Target. Sometimes they have Crayola themed stuff, but no dice. I headed to Michaels, but even with coupons things were on the expensive side and there wasn't much I wanted to use for decorations. I hadn't been to Hobby Lobby in a long time, so I figured I'd give it a shot. Come to find out that not only did Hobby Lobby have decorations, but they had an entire line of art themed birthday supplies and decorations! Ugh, I love to hate to love you, HL.

I scored some tiny easels to mark food and drinks, streamer decorations, punch outs to hang up, cupcake liners, and stickers that look like paint drips. I also found big chip board letters on sale for $1 each for the kids to paint. I bought the first initial for each kid and will just return the letters for whoever cannot come. While we were shopping, Charlie found a chip board music note that he simply fell in love with, so I figured he could test out the tempera paint on it.

Not only did the paint stick and spread well on the chip board, but it dried super fast. Perfect! Ginny got in on our little paint experiment too, but mostly just to make a big mess.

I also found tempera paint for $1.50 a bottle and small pallet trays to use as "decorate your own cupcake" plates a la Pinterest. All in all, I'm into this party about $40 so far for decorations and activities. I'm hoping to find child size smocks to personalize for the kids' favor, but so far I have to choose between expensive or poor quality. There has got to be something in between!

Image credit: Hostess with the Mostess

Other than painting letters and decorating cupcakes, there will be a few toys out to play with as well as a crayon drawing wall VERY well protected with butcher block paper. That should be fun and reinforce not drawing on the walls, right? This party is full of positive messages. I also want to create a birthday banner for behind the cake table with the butcher block with splatter painting (kids can't have all the fun!)

I also hope to make on of these "cakes"with art supplies we already own, cutting down on cost while still making for a really fun centerpiece.

As for food, the party is at 2PM, so the food will be light. Veggies, fruit, crackers, cheese, all manners of dips, a few snacky appetizers, a few sweets, and cupcakes for dessert. Voila! I'm a huge fan of ordering party trays from Giant, so that part will be easy and since we're not making a crazy complicated cake this year, I'm anticipating it to be fairly low key. Ya know, aside from the 10 or so four year olds running around with paint!

To Do List

• Design, print, and send invitations
• Buy decorations
• Find a birthday shirt/outfit for Charlie
• Paper goods
• Supplies for letter painting activity
• Butcher block paper for walls
• Smocks for kids
• Order party trays
• Figure out appetizers and drinks
• Balloons
• Make thank you cards
• Other things I'll think of later........

I'm super ridiculously excited for this party and keep finding the coolest stuff on Pinterest. Follow along as I go pin happy!

Follow Jen (All Four Love)'s board Charlie's Birthday on Pinterest.

Pumpkin Picking is....Scary?

October is a favorite month in this house; fall, leaves, pumpkins, a birthday, an anniversary, and the coolest holiday of the year! It also ends up being one of our busiest months of the year, but busy isn't always a bad thing. One thing we always try to do is go pumpkin picking.

This year, Jeff was away for the weekend with friends, so I thought it would be a good idea to take the kids to the pumpkin patch by myself.

Hahahahahahahaha

Isn't that hilarious? We all survived, thanks to some help from family friends who met up with us there, but man oh man. It was a long 90 minutes at the farm, and not for the reason you'd think.

When it comes to trying new things and going with the flow, Ginny is a champ. She loved the petting zoo, the hay ride, and spent a good half hour walking around the field trying to pick up as many gourds as she could. Generally, a happy, excited kid.

Then there is the preschooler. Oy vey. Terrible two's weren't that terrible and the "threenager" stage has only crept in very recently. So, what, fearsome fours? What is going on here?! Charlie didn't want to get out of the car, wanted to go home. Then he liked the petting zoo, but threw an unholy fit about getting on the hay ride and had a panic attack the entire way out to the patch. Thank goodness I had someone to hand Ginny to so she didn't do laps around the trailer while I held Charlie. I felt so bad for the kid; he genuinely didn't want to go, but what could we do? We can't pack up and go home every time he doesn't want to do something. All I can do is speak calmly, but not in way to make him think there is a reason to be scared, and encourage him to take baby steps. The other part of me can't help but think, "It's a freaking hay ride. Chill." It's easy to think that way when it's not me that's upset, but sometimes I just have a hard time wrapping my mind around the things that make him uncomfortable.

Once we got out to the patch, he was fine (until we had to go back again), but I just don't understand this new stage of his. Maybe he was tired, maybe he was not into the whole pumpkin thing, but this stage has seriously got to end - for his sake as much as mine. I want him to enjoy the things we're out about doing. It breaks my heart that he wants to sit at home.

Oh well, whine over. Here are some pictures I got from when we were out in the patch. At least he enjoyed that part! I promise, despite all that it WAS a fun day and I'm glad we went. Hopefully, he will enjoy painting his pumpkin more than he enjoyed retrieving it.