An urge to share

“Bamboletta” means ‘little doll’ in Italian and is a term of endearment that parents use for their children. This was my father’s nickname for me throughout my childhood.

At Bamboletta dolls we handcraft a variety of different dolls to suit every age. We create truly unique dolls, each of them emerging from fabric and wool with entirely different ‘personalities’. At Bamboletta we put a bit of a modern spin on traditional dolls.

I just had to post this picture and show off these incredible dolls I found. Christina is a work-at-home-mom in Cobble Hill, BC, with two delightful boys, a wonderful husband, and an incredible gang off women supporting her art. The Bamboletta dolls are sold online at Natural Pod or can be custom made by the creator. I think they are beautiful and unique and full of life and sparkle. I can't wait to have a little girl (or boy - she makes darling boy dolls as well) and a small collection of Bambolettas!

I guess it just shows to go ya

Those very same kids I was so excited to see outside playing on Thursday evening were at my house this weekend... Uninvited... Twice. They climbed on my husband's truck, poked around in our garage, teased our dogs and who knows what else. When I asked them to leave our proeperty they shouted back at me; what they said I have no idea, but it didn't sound nice.

My husband followed them into the woods between our neighborhoods and "talked to them," threatening to talk to their parents, so maybe we won't see them again.

What's with kids? No respect of personal property? No respect for adults?

The ever-popular, "Well, when I was a kid..."

Why don't kids play outside anymore? I was shocked at how few children were outside last night after work - it was a beautiful evening, and only about 55 degrees - a downright perfect evening (for January) - and I saw only ONE child outside. He was playing tee-ball by himself. I felt sorry for him, and then I got angry. Why, when I was a kid, we used to stay outside until our noses were caked with snot and our fingers were cracked and bleeding - all year long. We played tag, we played basketball, we even swung at the playground into high school. But today? I rarely see kids outside and when I do it's only in their front yard with their mommys and daddys. How can they live full, productive lives without getting wind burn and bruises from long hours causing trouble with the neighborhood kids?

An even greater concern is this: If there are no neighborhood kids to play with on a daily basis and I am forced to create activities for my children, how long until I become the only interaction my children receive outside of school? Shall I go door-to-door asking if Jimmy or Tommy or Suzie or Apple can come out and play? Where are the moms and dads yelling at the kids to "Go outside!" as was so often heard during my youth. What's going on here?