For Aidan's summer reading his non-fiction book of choice was AC/DC An Unauthorized Rockography by Heather Miller. It was a real pleasure to read this book along with him, as it was extremely insightful to learn about the history of rock and the culture that inspired/created it. One particular passage in the book talks about how "after a decade of turmoil in the 1960s, the 70s brought with it a focus on personal pleasures...many people were simply tired of the stress of war and were anxious to feel good again." I am hopeful that our society is also at a similar point. Maybe we are also getting tired of all the stress and negative emotions surrounding us...and maybe, just maybe, it's our time to 'feel good again'. Children are constantly taking cues from their parents, teachers and authority figures. In times of stress and uncertainty, it is up to us to lead by example. If we want to feel joy then we need to create more joy. According to groovyhistory.com, the famous hit song Joy to the World by Three Dog Night was written by Hoyt Axton. He had originally wrote the song anticipating it to be on a television special to promote peace and harmony in the world, but he had only written the first verse and the chorus. When his TV opportunity did not manifest, he eventually sold his song to Three Dog Night, and they filled in the rest of the lyrics. The song came out in 1971 just as the country was starting to embrace a new 'feel good' attitude. The chorus was catchy and the words rang true. (photo courtesy of Joan Marie Photography) Fast forward to 2020...when our world could definitely use more joy. Let us fill this younger generation with hope, excitement, pride, peace, love and acceptance starting now. Joy starts with you and me. From the conversations we have with our families and friends, to what we choose to post on social media, to the energy we put out there with our everyday encounters, let joy be at the root of it all and let's make this our time to 'feel good again". Joy to you and me, Shanna P.S.-To share a little joy, we have just made all episodes of Camp Hello Gardeners® available as a FREE resource for kids, families and educators to enjoy! These 30 minute video sessions are great to use at home, in school, on a virtual classroom, in a local learning pod, after school, or even on a rainy day! Click Here & Let's Grow! CLICK HERE TO WATCH ALL SESSIONS OF CAMP HELLO GARDENERS® & PREVIOUS SEASONS OF HELLO GARDENERS®

With a couple of weeks of back-to-school 2020 under our belts, our kids deserve a big round of applause! Rising to new responsibilities takes a lot of courage (especially when it requires you to wear a mask). From in-school, to local learning pods, to google classrooms, the efforts these kids are making are remarkable! After being disconnected from their teachers and classmates for so long some kids are finding it a little hard to get back into the groove. Here are some of their common concerns and what we can do to help them make this school year rock! In-School Student Challenges: "There are a lot of new rules to remember." In efforts to keep kids safe, schools have had to implement tremendous amounts of safety precautions in a very short amount of time, and getting used to new protocols takes time. It is important that kids are aware of what is expected of them and equally as important to know how to be patient with themselves. These new rules are new for everyone. After a little bit of time and consistency they will become more routine than rule. "It's hard to read my teachers facial expressions." Regardless of if a person is wearing a mask or not, most emotions read from facial expressions happen above the nose. In most cases, you don't need to see someones mouth to gauge how they are feeling. This is also a wonderful opportunity to remind kids to use and trust their own 'moral compass'; to help guide them through what feels right and wrong in their everyday experiences. "I get a headache wearing my mask that long." Most schools have implemented mask breaks for students and teachers. It is helpful for children to take advantage of this time and take some deep breaths. Check out last week's post for an easy breathing exercises for kids to do anywhere, anytime! Click Here (Click Here For Our Favorite Kid Friendly Masks) Virtual Student Challenges: "I don't get to be with my friends." This has been one of the most common complaints from kids over the last few months. Their fun has literally been masked and their socialization has suffered. Try and get creative with your kids as far as their friends go. Take advantage of the nice weather and use your best judgements for your family. This too shall pass. "It's too much screen time." .....Says no kid ever..until now! The amount of time children have to spend on screen during remote learning sessions can vary anywhere from 4-8 hours. During their sessions set 30 minute timers to remind them to get up and move around for a few minutes. If the weather is nice, have them go outside for brain breaks to visually take in some natural scenery. There are also several anti-blue screen glasses out for kids right now that can be a big help. "My family seems stressed when I ask for help." It's easy to get overwhelmed during these times, especially if you are also trying to work from home. Try and take a few deep breaths to center yourself before helping and remind yourself this is temporary. If things become too consistently challenging, hiring a tutor can be a wonderful solution. Check out one of our favorite virtual tutors and regular guest gardener on Camp Hello Gardeners by Clicking Here! Wherever your kids are learning this season, encouraging them to 'pull their weeds' (talking about their concerns, fears and frustrations) is extremely important right now. Their social and emotional well being plays a very big role in their academic success. If you don't have a copy of our book yet Click Here Our gardening team is here to help provide you and your family with tools and resources to help keep those gardens rockin' & rollin' all school year long! Rock On!

With the sudden rise in families relocating and moving to new homes, we appreciate how periods of change like this can be challenging and emotional. Today on the #PullYOurWeeds Blog we have some tips to help you and your family say goodbye to your house with a joyful heart. Out with the Old: Young kids have a tendency to get attached to personal belongings and moving can be a big emotional shift. To help get them get excited for a new space, have them pick out old toys and clothing they no longer use to sell at a tag sale or to be donated. In exchange for giving up some of these belongings, have them pick out new bedding or some fun decorations for their new room. A little excitement goes a long way. Kids look up to us to gauge how they should feel. Encouraging them to imagine their new stuff in a new room helps to make a positive connection to a new home and detach from their current space. Looking for original & unique art? Click Here! Take A Tour: Before you move out have your family take a tour of your house and share their favorite memories from each room. If you have the opportunity to video document this moment.  This could be a very special virtual memory for you and your family to enjoy for years to come. Our videographer Kelsey can help you create a beautiful virtual tour with only your mobile phone! Click Here for contact info. Leave a Piece of You Behind: Kids always love the idea of a time capsule. They serve as a collection and representation of your life together in that space and time. It can be a small box with notes of your favorite memories or photos of your family in the house. This is a beautiful representation of honoring the roots you grew in your home. (Be sure to leave it as if nothing was buried there so it's nice and neat for the new owners. Garden beds make for a good spot or under a tree.) With Love: Leaving a special gift behind for the new owners is a wonderful act of kindness to show your kids. It symbolizes your love and respect for your home and recognizes your excitement for the new owners. Flowers and plants are bright and cheerful, or sometimes a care package of toilet paper, soap and paper towels can be fun too. Keep The Lines Open Moving can take a toll on a child's social and emotional well being. Sometimes the signs are subtle. Getting kids to open up and comfortably talk about how they feel is extremely important during these times. The You Are a Gardener® children's book is rooted in empowering kids with vocabulary and tools to help them identify, communicate and manage their emotions with positive results. Click Here to get signed copy today! Thank you to my longtime friend Kirk DeLaney (mom of our illustrator/videographer Kelsey & our head blogger Devin) who inspired this post. I am so excited for your new adventure...Onward! “The first step in getting somewhere is to decide you are not going to stay where you are.”~ Anonymous Quote

Hello Gardeners! This week we are introducing you to another member of the Gardening Team, crafter extraordinaire - Devin DeLaney. When the #PullYourWeeds blog launched, Devin came aboard to create crafts, breathing exercises, DIY tricks, classroom hacks, fun activities and more! Devin fills the blog with tons of resources for educators and families looking to embrace the 'gardening' lifestyle to share with their kids. Devin is a visual artist creating artwork through projects like Piece. and ifé jewelry, but her passion is helping kids explore their creativity through visual art and using art as a tool for mindfulness. She currently spreading seeds in an assisted living facility for kids doing activities! ☝️☝️These are some of Devin's favorite crafts and activities ☝️☝️ We've come such a long way since the early days of the blog - trying to make our own graphics, use our own images, and specify crafts so they are #PullYourWeedsApproved! You may remember Devin from the art episode of #HelloGardeners But most recently, you can find her in Session 4 of #CampHelloGardeners where she shows us how to make a custom picture frame with materials you can find around the house! * * Click here to sign up for Camp Hello Gardeners * * Thanks Gardener Devin for helping spread seeds of creativity! If you'd like to learn more about Devin, you can follow @ife_jewelry or @shopyourpiece on Instagram!

Hello Gardeners! Taking deep breaths is the key to connecting your body with your mind. When you focus on your breathing you are taking your mind off your thoughts. When life gets busy, it's important to stop and take a breathing break. It's been a minute since we shared a breathing exercise, so today on the blog - in true #PullYourWeeds fashion - we have a flower themed breathing technique that is sure to help you slow down your thoughts and embrace the present moment. According to the University of Michigan's Health Department, "Deep breathing is one of the best ways to lower stress in the body. This is because when you breathe deeply, it sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax. The brain then sends this message to your body. Those things that happen when you are stressed, such as increased heart rate, fast breathing, and high blood pressure, all decrease as you breathe deeply to relax." For #PetalBreathing, find yourself a medium or large flower and hold it in your hand. With your pointer finger on your other hand, point to the base of one petal and slowly trace the petal up towards the tip - inhaling as you go. Pause at the tip of the petal, and then use your pointer finger to trace back down the petal, exhaling until you reach the center of the flower. If you don't have a flower available to you, feel free to use your hand - and trace up and down your fingers - or print out a picture of a flower (like this one below)! Hoping all of you gardeners out there are taking care of yourselves! Remember to breathe, make time for relaxation, and keep pulling your weeds! #StayOnTheBrightSide

We hear the expression 'fun learning' a lot but do we really stop and think about what goes into creating a successful and fun learning environment. Given the common concern of children being academically behind based on spring's school shut downs, virtual tutoring services are a wonderful solution to keep your kids on the right educational track. The one-on-one virtual experience can be extremely rewarding and also FUN! That's why we teamed up with Gardener Kiana Davis of Tutor Kids n' More. Her passion for tutoring and babysitting services are a shining example of how genuinely dedicated she is to fostering in the social and academic success of her clients. Kiana Davis -Owner & Founder of Tutor Kids n' More Kiana strongly believes in treating every child individually and making learning as fun as possible! She dedicates her time to nurturing one's own true passion for learning combined with an achievable goal setting process. Kiana's first virtual 30-45 minutes client consultation is free and she will also do in-person consultations on a case by case basis. To find out more about how Kiana can help your family CLICK HERE to visit her website. To watch Gardener Kiana's Camp Hello Gardeners® session CLICK HERE NOW! This camp session also features: Music class with Gardener Rachel, kid-friendly workouts with a certified fitness professional, inspirational stories, fun ways to fold napkins, how to make your own stress relieving bubbles, interactive games, DIY journals, mindfulness activities and more! TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CAMP HELLO GARDENERS CLICK HERE

Hello Gardeners! We are so thrilled to formally introduce you to our next #GuestGardener, Kelsey Jordan (formerly Kelsey DeLaney)! Where to begin? Kelsey and our author, Shanna, were friends long before You Are A Gardener® bloomed into what it is today. Kelsey's journey with #YouAreAGardener started with those beautiful illustrations you find throughout the book. She perfectly captured the spirit of our message portraying friendship, blooming gardens, and colorful spaces. If you haven't already, get a copy of your own today by following the link! Kelsey also happens to be the owner of KGD Films, a small business specializing in videography and social media/web/SEO services. So when #GardenerAnna wanted to make a web series that helped kids pull their weeds, Shanna immediately knew who to call, and #HelloGardeners was born! When we were no longer able to gather in our beloved greenhouse, Kelsey and Shanna put their heads together to figure out how to create video content. Here we are with #CampHelloGardeners! You can learn more about Kelsey and KGD Films by visiting her website and following her @kgdfilms. And last but not least, you can find Kelsey featured in Camp Hello Gardeners sharing fun drawing tips and 3 ways to transform your napkins into flowers! Be sure to sign up for Camp Hello Gardeners so you can unlock these fun segments along with so many more educational, sensory, gross motor, and creative activities! Sign up for Camp Hello Gardeners today! Thank you so much, Kelsey, for being a gardener from day 1! You Are A Gardener® could not have bloomed into the amazing and complex flower that it is today without the seeds you planted from the beginning.

Fred Rogers once said " Love is at the root of everything-all learning, all parenting, all relationships...love, or the lack of it." With things seeming so off balance lately maybe love has gotten a little lost along the way and maybe it's up to us to get it back on track. (Original Chalk Art by Gardener Anna) Research shows that people who are positive in their approach to others and to life in general are less likely to be stressed or anxious. Spreading more love (putting more positive energy out there) not only helps your own mental well being but it can also positively effect others too. The more you engage with spreading love to others, the more they will be inclined to do the same. I have always been an upholder of the expression 'lead by example", so today I have come up with a list of things our family is doing to help spread some love and do our part to make our world a brighter and more peaceful place. Send Someone A Letter: The art of writing a letter to someone is a form of communication that hopefully will never be lost. It is a beautiful and often unexpected gesture that touches the recipients heart and lets them know they are in your daily thoughts. Letting friends & family how know how much you appreciate them in a written letter helps you count your blessings and confirms the importance of a relationship. It is also a wonderful skill to pass on to younger gardeners who are more comfortable with electronic communication. Want to learn how to address and send a letter from Gardener Anna? Follow the link to sign up for #CampHelloGardeners Session 1! Special Delivery: Make up a special treat bag for someone for a surprise pick-me-up. Celebrations are always a wonderful reminder to treat someone but sometimes it's fun to put together an unexpected gift for an unexpected reason. We happen to love making self-care packages as a reminder to take time out for yourself! To find out more about a special delivery Anna received...Click Here! Kindness From Your Kitchen: Show someone you care by mixing up a little kindness from your kitchen and when you double the batch you double the love you can spread. Bake some cookies for your friend, make a meal for an elderly neighbor or even fix up a picnic basket for a working mom working from home. Cooking has always been a beautiful form of self expression and is a wonderful thing to share with family and friends. Getting the whole family involved is also a beautiful way to introduce young kids to help spreading some love. For a quick, easy and tasty breakfast cookie recipe from Gardner Aidan...Click Here! Pay Someone A Compliment: Compliments can go viral....literally I have seen it happen. From paying a compliment to a stranger in line at the store, stopping someone on the street to say you like their shoes or even just smiling at a stranger is a positive output that is most likely to be paid forward! Finding something to compliment someone on also sparks creativity and encourages you to look at someone from a positive point of view. There are so many ways to spread love through random acts of kindness. What are some of your favorite ways? Send us an email to flowers@youareagardener.com #SpreadTheLove

Hello Gardeners! We are always on the lookout for recipes that support a healthy lifestyle, are fun + simple, and accessible to gardeners of all ages. Cooking and preparing food is such a wonderful way to teach young gardeners life skills, learn about food science, explore creativity, and gain responsibility. Today on the blog, we are making chocolate-dipped Peanut Butter Pretzels. This salty, sweet treat is sure to put a smile on your face.’ Here is what you’ll need: Pretzels (we recommend the grid-shaped ones) Peanut butter (sub sunbutter for allergies!) Dark chocolate chips We are essentially making peanut butter sandwiches, but subbing bread for pretzels. Spread a small dollop of peanut butter on one pretzel and place another on top. Next, melt your chocolate chips, then dip one side of each pretzel sandwich in the chocolatey goodness. Place the dipped pretzels on a plate or parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes or until chocolate and peanut butter harden up a bit. This activity is #PullYourWeedsApproved because it’s: A healthy, snacking option! Okay, yes, a plate of fresh veggies is better, but if you are craving a sweet treat, this has protein and antioxidants. A fun #STEM lesson! What’s better than learning about #ReversibleChange and melted chocolate? Supportive of all ages and abilities. This #NoBake treat requires minimal supervision! Thanks for snacking with us, gardeners. Be sure to let us know what you think by commenting below, tagging us @youareagardener, or emailing flowers@youareagardener.com.

The other day I overheard Anna talking to her Grandma how she was worried if she would be able to wear a mask all day at school when she goes back. Hmmm...this sounded familiar. In my post last week “I took my own advice”, I mentioned how I was “worried” about my kids wearing masks all day at school. In times of stress and uncertainty, our kids look to us to gauge how they should feel. Our output creates the foundation for their confidence in uncomfortable situations. Clearly, this is an example of how I initially did not embrace this myself and my kids were adapting the same outlook. Since then I have made a consistent effort to speak more openly and optimistically about wearing mask all day in school in front of Anna and Aidan. We talk about how a mask provides kids the protection needed to see their friends, meet their teachers and safely go back to an environment that they have always enjoyed. It is a strong and brave act that not only keeps them safe but helps keep others safe too! Wherever our kids are headed this fall, their bravery to embrace such rapid change is a heroic act in my eyes. Let’s take a minute and give these kids the accolades and praise they deserve for rising up to this new school year. They are the gardeners planting seeds to ensure a brighter future for us all. Let’s take a moment and be grateful for their efforts! If you have an inspiring back to school story and you would like to share with our community please send an email to flowers@youareagardener.com. Stay bright! Shanna Truffini Click Here to Purchase Your Signed Copy

It's the dog days of summer...it's hot and you are looking for a cool craft to keep your kids off a device and engaged in positive play! Sensory activities that involve ice are a wonderful way to chill out on and beat the heat. Some of the best learning happens when kids get hands on and create! This tactile, icy activity engages the senses and creates a beautiful finished product. Pouring the liquid in the ice tray is a wonderful way to develop confidence and coordination skills. This artistic process of ice painting is rooted in creative expression that encourages emotional exploration as well as scientific thinking. To learn how to make ice paint with Gardener Anna & Gardener Aidan on Session 4 of Camp Hello Gardeners® CLICK HERE! This 30 minute video session also features: Learn all about improv from an actor, make your own picture frame with a local artist, easy & creative recipes, art class with our illustrator, inspirational stories, interactive games, mindfulness activities & more fun!

All kids have stress, that's just a natural fact but these days that seems to be on the rise. With the uncertainty of what back to school looks like, things feeling out of control and familiar routines being disrupted, young kids have more emotional weight to carry than usual. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process in which children and adults learn skills /tools to effectively identify, communicate and manage their emotions in a positive way. This empowers one with responsible decision making, empathy awareness, positive relationships, strong communication skills, goal setting/achieving, self appreciation, self awareness and so much more. In times of stress and uncertainty one can never have enough SEL skills/tools. Educating and empowering children with strong SEL roots can be easy and fun...so much that they may not even be aware of the long term positive benefits they are acquiring. The more tools they have in their 'emotional toolbox' the more prepared they will be when they encounter uncomfortable feelings and big emotions. Examples of SEL activities include: yoga, cooking, music, art, meditation, games, sensory play and more. Each session of Camp Hello Gardeners® features 10+ activities all rooted in SEL practices and delivered in a fun, bright and uplifting 30 minute video series. Click Here to Learn More! The lifetime benefits of social and emotional learning are immeasurable. Giving our children the gift of knowing they have the power to control the way the feel and the tools to help them get there can lead to a much brighter tomorrow. According to research a consistent approach to SEL at home and in the classroom offers the following: academic success, fewer behavioral problems, positive social relationships, stronger problem solving skills and overall feeling of self confidence. Our gardening team is here to help you implement fun and easy social/emotional learning skills at home: The You Are a Gardener® children's book Camp Hello Gardeners® SEL programs for elementary teachers & students Hello Gardeners® Videos The #PullYOurWeeds Blog @youareagardener