After what has been a wild and wonderful ride, it's time for a change. If you'd like to go on this new journey with me, please, come along... You can find me at JOHNNA LAFAITH starting January 1st, 2017!!
CHEERS
Earlier this month I came across an amazing company, Fort Boards, on Instagram. Forts have always been a big deal around here. Tent forts, box forts, bed forts. You name it we are probably into it. I've always loved fort kits as well but my kids are too hard on cardboard sets and it seemed like it would ultimately be a waste. When I saw that Fort Boards made something super sturdy and not paper I was pretty intrigued.
The truth is, I struggle with video games and TV and the amount of influence they have on our day. Growing up I didn't watch a lot of TV. Mostly I watched a worn out Robin Hood VHS and played outside or in my room. I had a huge imagination. I'd write whole stories in my head and spend hours acting them out. I called the trees my friends and even dressed them. Sure, I watched TV and played the Sega Genesis with a lot of enthusiasm, but I was equally - and sometimes moreso - that over the moon for using my imagination. I want that for my kids. I want them to experience life and create things. There are plenty of sick days and snow days and blah days for vegging out to a marathon of shows... in the mean time... let's play.
The truth is, I struggle with video games and TV and the amount of influence they have on our day. Growing up I didn't watch a lot of TV. Mostly I watched a worn out Robin Hood VHS and played outside or in my room. I had a huge imagination. I'd write whole stories in my head and spend hours acting them out. I called the trees my friends and even dressed them. Sure, I watched TV and played the Sega Genesis with a lot of enthusiasm, but I was equally - and sometimes moreso - that over the moon for using my imagination. I want that for my kids. I want them to experience life and create things. There are plenty of sick days and snow days and blah days for vegging out to a marathon of shows... in the mean time... let's play.
Layla spent hours in the house we built. Her and Boris read books and chatted about whatever foxes chat about. It was pure chaos when the kit arrived, but after everything calmed down I think it was a lot of fun to for her to hide out and dream little dreams. It's so important to play... to play with your kids and to let them play alone. Let them be little, let them be excited. Tomorrow while they're all at school I'm going to build different things to surprise them with. It's going to be great having this for Spring Break. As I sit here and finish this post I am giggling over the story line that's unfolding on the porch where we chose to set up the fort. Some "toys" are a lot more than toys, aren't they.
What kind of imaginative play do your children love?
What kind of imaginative play do your children love?
*This is a sponsored post but as always the opinions are my own.
It's an honor to partner with companies and individuals who believe in the things I hold so dear.
Since adulthood Chicago has been one of those "dream cities" for me. Coming from a small town, not only is Chicago HUGE, it's also full of extraordinary things. I couldn't possibly have known (and still don't) just how much this city has to offer, but I sure did believe in it's potential. I was supposed to make a trip there, earlier this year. It fell through and life took over. By the time things had settled, the time for a visit to Chicago had passed, but I had a feeling it was coming... and boy did it.
A super spur-of-the-moment idea, Jes and I - in perfect poor planning style - threw together our belongings and hit the road in search of a change of scenery and a reason to be excited again. We needed it. Both of us, for our own separate reasons, but equally as much and I love that we didn't stop smiling for even a moment.
Sky Deck was everything to me. I've been wanting to go up those 103 floors and stand inside the ledge for such a long time. It really is overwhelming to see the city so small beneath you... and to know that you are small. It's humbling, exciting, and wonderful. I wish everyone could do it. At least once.
There are trains everwhere, and pigeons and cars. There are huge
buildings and towering signs. All these things create the most magical
light that washes over the city. I kept thinking how every photo I took
was going to be beautiful because the city was already beautiful. It's
crazy to be in something so full of life and commerce where the signs
all harken back to some times in the past that you only see in
editorials or on period-themed tv shows. I thought many times, that if
my grandmas didn't hate crowds they'd probably feel as "big city livin"
as I did, if not more.
This city is so vibrant. It's green, there is so much plant life. Trees, gardens, parks everywhere. The ground is alive and thriving. It's clean too. And bright. All these alabaster buildings touching the sky, popping with brilliant lines and beautiful colorful signs. It's breathtaking. It's hard to even look away. But it's also alive with humans and kindness. Everyone there was friendly. So many smiles were exchanged and no one pushed or shoved there way anywhere. We all crossed the streets together, aware of everyones space around us. Hellos, and nods were all around us. Hotel staff, Greeters, Police, Locals, Tourists, EVERYONE had some way of making you feel like the city was hugging you. I loved it. And it was so unexpected.
I'm planning on snagging this Chicago Bucket List from Etsy soon. There are so many things I'd like to experience from the tucked away gems I've been researching, all the parks, conservatories and the beach and even other touristy things. I love that everyone else is snapping pictures because I'm really enjoying opening back up to that world of photography.
I'm so thankful for this weekend and this city.
I'm so thankful for this weekend and this city.
