Creativity and learning

For fun indoor activities like reading and writing, I keep a pink basket in our living room filled with supplies. Beli knows she can find puzzles, crayons, construction paper and some of her favorite books. One of them is this fun poetic book titled, How does Antuntun live?

Now that she is 27 months old I have noticed she is more interested in 'reading'. Before she would turn the pages and tear some in the process and not really paid attention to the characters in the books. But now, when hubby reads to her, Beli pays attention and wants to know what Antuntun, the main character is doing.

She also likes the Dora book, she mimics the action of Dora and the monkey by putting her hands on her face and saying 'I know."

This is also a fun book about a little girl named Ana, this is Beli's favorite page because the policeman is saying, "STOP." She knows this word very well because everyday when we leave the apartment and exit to the parking garage to access our car we say, "Beli stop, are there cars? look to your left now to your right." She thinks it's fun to stretch out her hands and scream "STOP!"

Coloring at grandma and grandpa's home with her frog and puppy dog. Hmmm, I just noticed she doesn't have any medos nearby.

And when Beli is not writing or coloring she loves helping out in the kitchen. A few days ago, I tried, for the second time in my life, to make flour tortillas. I gave her some dough and she was entertained for at least half an hour. She made circle and star shaped tortillas while I worked on stretching out my irregular round tortillas. Here she is showing off Mommy's not so round tortilla. I think after my 10th try I should have the technique just right.

As a new parent I'm loving this new stage of her life, who knew that coloring would teach her the concept of sharing or that reading Dora's bedtime wishes would help with expressing her emotions.

A Mistress of Spices and Celery

This morning as I was washing dishes a grin appeared on my face. You might think I'm crazy, but let me explain. When we had recently moved to Croatia from Colorado I complained constantly to my husband because our apartment didn't include a dishwasher. I know, I was spoiled. He said it was a commodity and most homes didn't have one and I would eventually get used to the idea. Ten months later, he was right, we really don't need it but then again he does most of the dishes most of the time!

Back to the grin on my face, I was feeling happy and content with our current lifestyle, in spite of being unemployed (but that's another post to be written later) and as I pruned some of the yellow leaves from the celery plant sitting on the kitchen counter I was inspired to take this photo.I decided to pair it up with the current book I'm reading, The Mistress of Spices by Chitra B. Divakaruni since the colors blended well together.

My mother-in-law purchased the celery root to use it in soups but it was so pretty with its stalks blooming from its bulb that instead I placed it inside a small container with water and I'm hoping it grows more roots so I can transplant it outdoors. So far it hasn't wilted. I will add that having a toddler makes it difficult but not impossible to keep plants indoors. The one large plant I do have has been tortured by Beli and sits in a corner lopsided, yet it continues to thrive.

As I was doing some research about growing celery I came across a study that said having indoor plants improves concentration and reduces stress. What do you think, do you have plants in your home, and if so, do you agree with these findings? I personally have to agree, remember my grin? I mean who smiles when they are washing dishes?