Wow. I’m tired and feeling a bit brain-dead. As much as I’ve wanted to wrap up my series on being mission-minded, I haven’t had the time or energy to pull it together.
Why, you ask? Well, yesterday wrapped up what I affectionately refer to as ‘crazy birthday week’. In our little family of 5, there are 3 birthdays within a week of each other. We now have a 4 year old, 6 year old and me – an undisclosed year older.
For Keegan’s birthday last week we had the opportunity to all go to a baseball game with Oma and about 100 law students who are wrapping up their summer internships for the Blackstone Fellowship. The boys loved it, although Keegan was a bit embarrassed when all of the law students (and several surrounding sections) sang Happy Birthday to him! Embarrassed in the best kind of way of course, since he shyly recounted the story several times the next day.
The flurry of summer baseball inspired the boys to pull out their play silks for some ‘take me out to the ballgame’ kind of fun.
I mentioned earlier how much I love play silks. Play silks are creativity inspiring toys that promote open-ended and imaginative play in a way that ‘scripted’ toys often times cannot.
Several years ago, I bought a whole bunch of them and gave my boys a few each year at Christmas and then would wrap up a pair of them for many of the birthday parties we attended. They were always a huge hit, even if the parents were a bit skeptical on the entertaining value of a piece of silk. (You can see them in action at our house here, here and here
I would always include a note laying out their many uses to give some initial inspiration. Some of the ideas included: playing peek-a-boo, a doll blanket, sling, wings, cape, a river, pretend picnic blanket, a turban, pirate’s headscarf, skirt, toga, belt, fort, etc… Maybe I’ll have to add baseball diamond to the list!
These 35″x35″ silk squares are a perfect toy from birth up till about 10 years old. They are perfect for peek-a-boo since they are so light and are perfect for all kinds of costumes and forts that can even entertain an older child. At our family reunion a highschooler even donned a cape and chased Xander around! 🙂 They range in price from $7-14 depending on where you buy them. A Toy Garden is my favorite place to buy them for both quality and price.
I love these play silks so much, that I’ve decided to give my last two new silks away to one lucky winner! With gifts on the mind, this seems only natural! There is a lavender purple one and a salmon orange-pink one.
To enter, simply leave a comment and tell me how you think your child would enjoy playing with them. If you follow or subscribe to my blog you may leave an extra comment for an additional chance to win. If you don’t have a blog, make sure and leave an email address so I have a way of contacting whoever wins!
This contest will have to be limited to those with a U.S. or Canadian shipping address.
A winner will be randomly selected next Friday morning, August 20th at 8am, Pacific time.
I’ll be back soon with the last two parts in my series on being Mission–Minded.
disclosure: I was not compensated in any way for this review or give-away. I just like them THAT much and want to share the love…
I follow AND link to Cultivated Lives 🙂
With an almost one-year old, I know it’s the perfect time to introduce playsilks to our play. She uses them in a music class for dancing and playing and LOVES them. We’d love a pair and the colors couldn’t be better!
My kids would LOVE these!! My baby would play peek-a-boo, my daughter would turn it into a princess something or a babydoll blankie and my two older boys would be superheros! You peeked my interest when you mentioned packing them on your trips. I subscribe to your blog on my google reader does that count for two entries???
YES. Google reader counts!!! Please make sure and leave an additional comment if you subscribe in reader or follow in google friends connect. I’ll be using random.org to select the winner on Friday after I’ve deleted my comments to this post!
I am a follower of your blog via GFC-danellejohnson
danellejohns at gmail dot com
I believe my kids would use them to interact with the new baby that will be in the house soon.(Sept 7) I think it would be a great way to bond the kids together.Peek a boo and such.
danellejohns at gmail dot com
I have your blog link on my blog…does that mean I follow??? If so, here’s my 2nd entry. 🙂
In this house…they’d be used for dress-up (mostly princesses) for sure!!! 🙂
Heather, that’s awesome. You can find some amazing things at thrift stores sometimes. I looked for a while, but was never able to find any, but I’ve heard that you can and that is certainly a steal!
Of course this contest is open to both Grandma’s and those with babies!!! Be sure and leave a second comment if you ‘follow’ or subscribe to this blog!
I emailed your link to my sister the first time you wrote about the silks and we think it’s a fabulous idea. Since I hadn’t seen any around here, I headed over to the thrift store and bought two colourful scarves for $2 each! I washed them up and my children became butterflies 🙂
And I follow you.
And we’re still doing postcards. If you reply to this email I can send you my address.
My kids are huge dress up fans, so I’m sure it would be used for that A LOT!
Have a super girl here who would love a purple cape to join in with her brothers while they play super hero!
true true, Mrs. Lewis (=
Happy Birthday to your clan! I remember that everyone’s birthday’s are close! I have only seen these at your house and they are great! Who would have guessed? I imagine our kids would love to use them for making dresses, headbands, doll blankets, parachutes for army guys etc…
I follow but I don’t know if Averi is ready to play with those yet… you can decide if I am competition ready (= She likes blankets though…
I’m glad you did this giveaway….because now I am a “follower” : ) I can’t believe I wasn’t following before!
How fun!! And Happy Birthday to ALL of you 🙂 I am sure my kiddies would love them for so many things…making forts, wrapping up babies, using as accessories, etc.
You have birthdays like my family does 🙂 Three of my children’s birthdays are in February!
My Children would use those silks for just about everything! From blankest for their dollies to using them to dance around with 🙂
I’m a follower.
We love them for dress up!
do grandmas get a chance to win too:)? We would definately use them for singing and dancing and praising the Lord! Maybe as a tail to be an animal or play chase with them hanging out of our back pocket. If you can grab it you get it!Then i’d ask you if you would come and demonstrate these play silks with the grandmas club:)i’m a follower too:)
p.s. i am a follower 🙂
i love, love, these!! abbie would love to have her own colors 🙂