Kindness Countdown

I cannot believe how far we have all come since I first started the Ugga Mugga blog nearly seven years ago!  Your children, whom you began reading this parenting blog for have grown, matured and mastered so many skills over the years!  And you're gotten them there!  Congratulations!  Well done, Mama and Daddy! 

Mr. Mugga and I had a third baby and she and our other two children have grown to the ages of 10, 8 and almost 6!  How did that happen?  We set off on the adventure of home education, and have never looked back.  Martha now Irish dances and August and Hazel play soccer all in between Pokemon club, hikes, kickball games with friends, Confirmation classes, book club, visits to flea markets, and bike rides.  It's a busy, full and beautiful life.  But...

The homeschooling and activities coupled with my freelance writing gig and our actual family time has, unfortunately, made it nearly impossible for me to keep up this dear Ugga Mugga blog in the tradition I was once able to do (and that I greatly enjoyed).  It has become more of an occasional letter to an important penpal that I want to keep in touch with...checking in when big things happen in life, and enjoying each letter (comment or emails from readers) I receive in return. 

And so, as promised, I am checking in with exciting family news.  We have started a new 40-week adventure:  the Kindness Countdown.  What is it?  What does it do?  What does this all mean?  Let me explain...

My 40th birthday has been on my mind for a couple of years now.  I wouldn't say I feel old, and I certainly am not dreading turning 40, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel different as this milestone approaches in the horizon.  I clearly remember when my parents turned 40, thinking that it was a huge number...perhaps I'm viewing this birthday just a bit through those 16-year-old eyes.

As a result, I have been spending the past few months reflecting upon the many trials and countless blessings of my past 39 years of life, and have decided to do something big as I approach turning 40 (on June 30, 2015)...something that I hope will make many people smile.  That something is the Kindness Countdown. 

And so, I will be completing 40 random acts of kindness over the next 40 weeks...for complete strangers (and a few people I know) and documenting them to entertain and hopefully inspire others to spread the kindness in their own lives. 

Spoiler alert:  The first week's act of kindness was a family outing to the grocery store to shop for a local food pantry.  

To follow along on our kindness journey, "like" the Kindness Countdown on Facebook where I will post preparations, other inspirational findings and each week's random act of kindness as it's completed. 

And there's also a Kindness Countdown blog, which Ugga Mugga readers will find nice and comfortable and homey (it shares the same layout and design). 

And so, faithful UM readers, this completes the latest penpal letter from my family.  I hope this finds your family well and full of love!  Until next time...

xoxo,
Shannon

Ugga Mugga Events

My how time flies! As many of you have noticed, I've stepped away from the blog this past month...for many different reasons. With Thanksgiving, and now the countdown to Christmas, things have been busy. I've also started teaching some preschool art classes in my area and creating those lesson plans and projects on top of the homeschooling curriculum for August has taken some getting used to (although I've got that all down now). But the main reason for my step back from Ugga Mugga, the blog, is to focus on Ugga Mugga Events!

My new project is a culmination of all things I love: art, children, and creative event planning (my job prior to being called MAMA). I'm thrilled to say that I am now for hire if you're looking for some assistance planning your child's birthday party, or simply want me to help with the entertainment...in the form of a special craft keepsake!

If you live in Southeastern Wisconsin and want to work together (although I'll travel anywhere if you want to fly me out of this bitter winter weather!), visit www.uggamuggaevents.com to learn more! And for the rest of you, the blog will be back up and running now...I'm off to write a few posts now! Many exciting things to come!

Happy First Birthday!

I started writing the Ugga Mugga blog in January of last year. After I felt I had written a large collection of product reviews and concept pieces, only then did I open it up to the public. That's also when I began telling family and friends about it and asking for their help in spreading the word. I realized this morning that was one year ago this week!

I'm thrilled to say that Ugga Mugga is now read in all 50 United States as well as 102 other countries! To think there are people all over the globe reading about safe products and concepts meant to bring families closer together really warms my heart...and makes me want to improve each day.

So thank you to all of you who have helped to make this blog what it is today...and especially to all of you readers! Have a piece of cake for me today!

Wax-O-Glas Window Crayons

Great Gift for Boys and Girls!

Here is a great small gift idea for your friend's children...or stocking stuffer for your own next month.

These non-toxic Wax-O-Glas crayons by Lyra are made for drawing right on windows for special holidays, birthday celebrations and rainy days. The artwork will then easily wipe off with a dry or wet cloth.

Included are 10 crayons: black, brown, dark blue, dark green, light blue, light green, red, violet, white and yellow.

Available at artstuff.net for $8.88.

Birthday Candles

I just came across these hand-painted birthday candles featuring ages in numbers...put two together for adult birthdays! I love the fun colors and design.

So much effort is put into having the perfect cake for birthday party themes...why should the candle not be just as adorable?!

Available at modernlola.com for $1.95 each.

B Simple

I'm a big fan of note cards and my children are big fans of farms...so we all love these cards. And my kids love to see their names on things...instant ownership!

The blank format makes them perfect for makeshift invitations, thank yous, or simply thinking of you cards. Great for birthday parties...as a gift I mean.

And if your little one isn't into farms, there are plenty of other designs to choose from such as trucks, pinwheels, surfboards, ice cream cones, fish and butterflies.

Available at bsimpledesigns.com where a pack of 20 cards runs $30.00.

Dumpling Dynasty Kits

I just found these great little kits from Dumpling Dynasty and thought you'd want to see them too! In each little tin you get everything you need for the designated activity. Here are a few examples:

The Pigtail Kit shown here includes ribbons, barrettes, bows, a comb and a mirror...any little girl's dream!

The Explorer Kit includes a torch, compass, rope, magnifying glass and a young explorer's notebook...perfect for your young Indian Jone's enthusiast!

There is also a Baking Kit, Shoe Shine Kit, First Aid Tin, and Sewing Kit. I think these would make great little birthday party gifts to keep on hand or something to have tucked away for raining days.

Available at strawberryfool.co.uk for $29.75.

Garden Can Kits

These great Gifts That Bloom gardening cans are a perfect activity for young ones with a love for the outdoors! Everything they need to start their own garden is included in the 3.75" tall recyclable container: a 2.5" recycled garden pot, enriched soil mix and nutrients, and the premium seeds. All they need to do is add water and sunlight to enjoy their pint-sized garden.

Here are just some of the plants available: organic tomatoes, peanuts, sunflowers, lavender, apple tree, redwood tree, catnip, organic herb garden, and a fossil dinosaur plant! These are a great birthday gift to keep on hand for children or to tuck away for a lazy day with your own child. And remember, children who play in the dirt, are happy children!

I found a nice selection of the garden can kits at hellagoodproducts.com where all cans are $10.00.

Appaman Plus Minus Shirts

My son's birthday was this week and as he proudly wore his "4" shirt, I thought, I should add these great shirts to the blog so other children can advertise their age with pride!

Every birthday my children wear a new Appaman Plus Minus shirt with their age boldly shown on the front. I love the strong graphic and their great color combinations and my children love showing off their growth! And we both love how amazingly soft these shirts are!

Plus Minus shirts are available in short sleeve and long sleeve options as well as a boy fit or girl fit. And then after those specifications, you choose between a selection of colors. I've usually found a pretty good selection of these shirts at Small Concept. But to find the perfect sleeve length, fit and color combination, you may have to search around the web...they usually sell out fairly quickly!

Warning: Once you buy one, you'll most likely suffer from my annual addiction!

Empire Silver Birthday Candle Holders

I bought this set of silver circus birthday candle holders before my son's first birthday three years ago and each year we take out the one's used in years past and add another one. I think that traditions like this make birthdays even more special for children...they get to see that they've grown another year older and reflect on years past.

These are made in the United States by Empire Silver, leaders in fine silver since 1946...they make only the very best products. Even the box these come in is special and nostalgic and gives a sense of importance.

These would be a great baby or birthday gift and are sure to be loved for years and years as they get passed down for generations!

Available in circus animals at Cottontails for $34.99 and available in firetrucks and trains at The Silver Queen for $19.99.