“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, It’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, And that enables you to laugh at life’s realities.” ~ Dr. Seuss

Last month, I wrote a different type of New Year’s Resolution post — one that focused on more balance, joy and play rather than deprivation, which is the usual theme. 

What I’ve discovered over the years is that if I don’t check back in on what I wrote down, then the process of writing down goals or resolutions — new year’s or otherwise — doesn’t do a bit of good.

So, let’s have a check in, shall we? How are you doing in your quest for more balance, joy and play?

To refresh your memories, here is the list of items to pursue with abandon in this glorious year, 2012.

What should you Do More of in 2012:

1. Laugh (to the verge if incontinence)
2. Play (like your life depends on it)
3. Dance (whether there is music or not)
4. Hike
5. Skip
6. Hop
7. Jump (for joy)
8. Frolic
9. Make time for your friends
10. Garden
11. Walk barefoot
12. Sing
13. Soak in a bubble bath
14. Stargaze
15. Camp
16. Make s’mores
17. Bike
18. Cook
19. Be kind
20. Travel
21. Try new things
22. Trust yourself
23. Shoot for the stars
24. Be fearless
25. Dust yourself off and begin again

What have you been doing to make sure you put some LIFE into living?! Please share.

I took a break from blogging for a few weeks to regain some balance. It was really important to give myself that time to have some fun and make time for friends and play. Definitely recharged my batteries.

Play on, my dear friends. Your life, as it turns out, depends on it.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

 photo credit: wolleydog

New Year’s resolutions are often filled with Do Less Statements (eat less, drink less…). This year, turn 2012 on its ear with Do More Statements!

What should you Do More of in 2012?

1. Laugh (to the verge if incontinence)
2. Play (like your life depends on it)
3. Dance (whether there is music or not)
4. Hike
5. Skip
6. Hop
7. Jump (for joy)
8. Frolic
9. Make time for your friends
10. Garden
11. Walk barefoot
12. Sing
13. Soak in a bubble bath
14. Stargaze
15. Camp
16. Make s’mores
17. Bike
18. Cook
19. Be kind
20. Travel
21. Try new things
22. Trust yourself
23. Shoot for the stars
24. Be fearless
25. Dust yourself off and begin again

And always remember, Danny O’Dare wants to dance with you. And so do I.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

Danny O’Dare by Shel Silverstein

Danny O’Dare, the dancin’ bear,
Ran away from the County Fair,
Ran right up to my back stair
And thought he’d do some dancin’ there.

He started jumpin’ and skippin’ and kickin’,
He did a dance called the Funky Chicken,
He did the Polka, he did the Twist,
He bent himself into a pretzel like this.

He did the Dog and the Jitterbug,
He did the Jerk and the Bunny Hug.
He did the Waltz and the Boogaloo,
He did the Hokey-Pokey too.

He did the Bop and the Mashed Potata,
He did the Split and the See Ya Later.

And now he’s down upon one knee,
Bowin’ oh so charmingly,
And winkin’ and smilin’–it’s easy to see
Danny O’Dare wants to dance with me.

 photo credit: Elaayna

photo credit: celine nadeau

This year, instead of vowing to go to the gym more or give up caffeine, make a resolution that will impact your physical and mental health and that of your children – PLAY MORE!

Make a resolution to:

1. Get down on the floor and play with your kids more often.
2. Pick up a new hobby or dust off an old one.
3. Laugh harder and dream bigger.
4. Start a garden in your yard, on a balcony or in window boxes.
5. Get in the kitchen and cook with your kids. Start a family recipe book together!
6. Unplug and connect with your family. Substitute game night for another night in front of the TV.
7. Spend more time in nature – hike, ride a bike, camp, fish – whatever you and your family enjoy.

Need a little inspiration? Check out this beautiful video that will have you ready to head outdoors and enjoy a beautiful day with the children in your world.

Happy, happy 2012, my friends! xoxo

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

TGSG Note: It’s time for my yearly “ask” from Santa. Fingers crossed! xoxo- Bethe

Dear Santa:

In light of the economy, I am keeping my list rather short this year. (Um, that is, unless the  Sir Ken Robinson action figure I have been dreaming about has finally become a reality. If so, please put that near at the top of my list. If you think about it, 11 really is a reasonable number.)

I promise I have been a good fairly well-behaved girl this year. Surely you cannot will not hold a little road rage spirited comment action in the direction of morons on the road other drivers against a nice girl like me.

Anyway, so back to my list — there’s one more thing: I would like to share these gifts with all my readers and all the kids in the world, too. (Well, except the Sir Ken Robinson action figure, should it become available. I suspect that might cause some head-scratching and quizzical looks across the globe.)

Hope this is  not too much to ask, but I think you will agree — they are all really MUST haves. (And BIG thanks for the extra space in the sleigh this year!)

All I want for Christmas is:

1. The perfect stick for roasting marshmallows
2. A rainbow in the sky over a glorious rain puddle
3. Cool moss under my feet
4. Sand between my toes
5. The perfect red maple leaf to press in a book
6. Berries, ripe for the picking
7. Good kite-flying weather this spring
8. Lots of earthworms in the garden soil
9. A jar with holes punched in the lid for catching (and releasing) critters
10. A shiny new nature journal

xoxo – The Grass Stain Guru

PS: Love to Mrs. Claus and the reindeer. (Especially Vixen, who let’s face it, gets a bit of a bad wrap.)

PPS: The home-baked cookies should not be seen as a bribe. But, did you notice I carefully I coordinated their little outfits? Just sayin’.

 photo credit: GlynisArt

Challenge Update:  I am excited to tell you all that the #XmasBoxChallenge now has prizes thanks to the nice folks at OgoSport! See below for details! Have a creative and happy holiday, all! ~ Bethe 

I have a challenge for you all. 

After the paper is all torn and the bows are tossed aside. After the stockings are empty, their booty blundered by skilled hands, no matter how small. After the buzz of Christmas fades into night and the hangover from all of the holiday excess kicks in (for kids and adults alike!), I want you to step back and get back to basics.

Here’s my idea…

Take the Christmas Box Challenge!

1. Gather all the cardboard boxes leftover from the holiday bonanza. Big, small — whatever you have.

2. For younger children, they should need no encouragement — just let them at the boxes and see what they get up to. Push them, build forts, create puppet theaters and everything in between.

3. Get tweens, teens and the adults in on the fun too! Make it a bit of a contest. Set a 60 minute time limit see who comes up with the most outstanding cardboard box creation!  Set up as many categories as you like — most useful, funniest, etc.

4. Share your Christmas cardboard box creations with me — and Twitter! Use the hashtag #XmasBoxChallenge — and post pictures if you can! If you have a blog, I would love for you to challenge your readers to join us and post about your family’s Christmas Box Challenge.

Prizes:

• 1st prize: $100 + an OgoBild POD set + 1 Mezo Disk Set
•  2nd prize: $50 + An OgoBild POD set
• 3rd Prize: An OgoBild POD set

Deadline: 

To be considered for the prizes, all entries must be posted by January 2nd. 2012.

How to enter: 

There are three ways you can enter The Christmas Box Challenge and enter to win great prizes!

1. Tweet pictures of your creations with the hash tag #XmasBoxChallenge

2. Post pictures of your creations to OgoSport’s Facebook page and tag them #XmasBoxChallenge.

3. Blog about how your family took the challenge! Post a comment with a link to this post and/or post a link to your blog post to OgoSport’s Facebook page and tag them #XmasBoxChallenge.

Want to see just how fun a box can be? Check out Simon’s Cat. And trust me, us humans find them just as entertaining when we give ourselves permission to PLAY like we mean it.

Look, even advertisers get the magic of a cardboard box!

I would love to see this idea really take off, and even become a holiday tradition. Help me spread the idea and don’t forget to use the #XmasBoxChallenge hash tag.

Happy holidays, my friends. You mean the world to me. xoxo

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

Nature. Wildlife. Critters. Life just isn’t the same without them — especially childhood. That’s what inspired my Mystery Critter series oh so long ago. And here we are at our 79th case together. Can you believe it?!

So put on your best thinking caps and let’s get to it. And remember — no peaking at the answer before you take your guess!

CRITTER CLUES:

So what am I?! 

Make your guess then go here for the answer and more interesting facts.

Did you get it right? 

If not, no worries. You will have another chance soon!

For some extra fun for the kids, check out the great site Earth Rangers. Critters really are amazing!

Remember, when looking for wildlife, keep your eyes and ears open! Look high and low, and most importantly, enjoy yourself.

Exploring the natural world with children is a special treat. Get lost in the wonder and awe that only Mother Nature can provide.

What critters can you spot in your neck of the woods? Be sure to tell us!

And don’t forget! Join the Wildobs community and share your wild adventures with the world.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

 photo credit: matsber

Once upon a time the universe decided I was a good little guru and I had the great good fortune of meeting Penny Wilson. As all too infrequently happens in adulthood, within five minutes I felt like I had known her forever, but more importantly, knew I needed to know her for always.

A playworker. A trainer. An advocate. Penny wears many hats, and luckily for all of us her most recent hat is that of a TEDxEastEnd speaker.

So spend a few minutes with my friend Penny and challenge yourself to keep both water and sand in your cupped hands.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

TGSG Note: There is nothing I like more when readers become part of the family, and that’s just what reader, blogger and great mom Stacy has become. I know you will be as delighted and inspired by her story as I was. Make sure to follow her on Twitter @STeet and check out her bio below.

Thanks for sharing, Stacy! See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

When I heard Bethe had an opening for a guest post, I literally *jumped* at the chance. I first stumbled on to the #playoutdoors twitter stream sometime in 2009, and I have been hooked on her and everything she stands for ever since. As a mother of three, an Environmental Science major and a homeschooling mom I fully embrace any effort to connect a child with nature.

I planned to tell you all about the Park a Day challenge my kids and I are doing this summer with KaBoom, but when I saw Bethe’s post on International Mud Day last week it brought back a flood of memories so strong in my mind there was no way they could go unspoken.

The story begins in a crowded mini van on a hot summer day in Central Texas. My husband is away on business, again. Errands are done, kids are cranky and mommy could use a little break. We’re about 35 minutes from home, but there’s a favorite park of ours just minutes away … I turn the car around. I’m relishing the idea of getting them all outside, burning off some energy and maybe even relieving a bit of stress myself.

We were about 500 yards away when the heavens opened up and the sky fell down on top of us.

A torrential down pour, I cruised passed the kiddie park, still coming down in sheets. I slowed a bit near the slides, the rain was only getting harder. But, it was now or never I had to do something. I made my choice and pulled in to the playground parking lot.

Families were still scouraging to get their belongings and children in to the dry abyss that was their cars and looked at me more than a little strangely as I put the van in park. I looked back at the kiddos, their eyes wide wondering what was going on. I asked if they still wanted to play at the park and so began our day outdoors.

We huddled all together and sprinted for the play structure. We were soaking wet and laughing and enjoying every second of it! Soaked already, we made a split decision to take our shoes and socks off and get really good and dirty.

At first the kids were were cautious, not quite sure if they were going to get in trouble, but after a few twists of the arm from Mom -I convinced them it was all OK and we got right down to business.
It was a Texas thunderstorm, powerful but brief. It didn’t take long for the waterworks to stop and the real fun to begin.

We found a few empty containers on the grounds, relics of picnics gone by and turned the slide in to our very own mud kitchen. We were whipping out cakes and muffins with the greatest of ease.

We played for hours, till almost dark. Using all of our senses to explore the park in a whole new way and while this memory has been some time ago now, it is still every bit as vivid in my mind as it is in these photos.

Just me and my littles doing what we do best: laughing, be silly, getting dirty and playing together. Life is good. Oh Texas, how I wish it would rain! We could use another afternoon like this.

Guest Blogger Bio: Stacy is seeing the world in a whole new way – through the eyes of her children. She writes about the little things, the big things and all the “stuff” in between at Kids Stuff World.

Many of us on the east coast are prepping for a hurricane — power outages and lots of indoor time. I say, along with the batteries, bottled water and canned food, be sure that your emergency preparedness kit includes some fun.

Make sure to add cards and games — whether you have children or not. Play helps reduce stress and games that require a bit of strategy and concentration can help you focus on something other than whats going on outside.  I personally find coloring very relaxing, so crayons and paper or a gorgeous coloring book always make me happy.

Here are 5 ideas for indoor play this weekend and beyond:

1. Pitch a tent — inside! Let the kids pretend they are camping, complete with sleeping bags and granola. Having a place to zip out the world and pretend will be a welcome escape and invitation for fun. No tent? No problem! Let them make a tent or fort out of sheets, tarps or tablecloths.
2. Have a story circle. Read a favorite story aloud and then as a family, make up the next chapter of the story. Vary this based on the ages of the child as needed. You can have one person in the circle start a story and then pass it on to the next person to chime in or simply have people shout out story elements (like an improv show) to the story teller. 
3. Kick it old school with cards and board games. Dust off family faves like Uno or Manopoly or take the time to teach the kids games you loved as a child. Focus on fun, not competition.
4. Have a sing along. No, i’m not kidding. Pretend you’re sitting around a camp fire or are on a road trip and sing together. Have an acoustic guitar — even better! Music has amazing powers to help us relax and is a great escape.
5. Make a mural. In the basement? Why not add some color and beauty to a drab wall? if not, butcher paper, printer paper — whatever you have on hand can be used to make a family masterpiece together. It will also be a great reminder of how you are all able to pitch together and weather any storm.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

 photo credit: rickprokosch