Creative Mama

ZasinZebra.com, the home of Creative Mama and other pursuits

Episode 9: 101 Things in 1001 Days

32: How to Shake Things Up Jun 24, 2019

Show notes

When we were kids, Summer represented three months' worth of unlimited possibilities, fun, and freedom. Then we became adults and the reality of our year-round responsibilities caused us to put that hopeful expectation of a carefree season on the back burner.

But at what cost? We know that 'all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy' but maybe there's a way to still take care of business AND have a little fun.

If Summer (or any time of the year, really) has you feeling a bit lackluster, join us for Creative Mama [Episode 32] where I unpack 12 ideas for pumping a little more enjoyment into life.

As always, I'd love to connect with you through my website or Instagram, or you can send an email to abbi@zasinzebra.com

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People, Places & Things in This Episode:

"Scruffy Hospitality" post

ZasinZebra.com, the home of Creative Mama and other pursuits

Episode 30: Step Away from the Phone

31: Boredom Busters Jun 10, 2019

Show notes

Ahh, summertime! We love the freedom of summer, but not always the lack of structure. Too many unscheduled hours can cause us and our families to just grab a device and zone out to fill our time. Or maybe you are careful about limiting screen time, but you are starting to run out of ideas to keep your kids busy and it's only the second week of June.

Creative Mama [Episode 31] is here to help! I've created a printable of over 100 free-or-cheap ideas to keep your kids hands and minds occupied WITHOUT screens. Grab the PDF from the link below, and listen to the show to hear specific tips for a handful of the suggestions listed. Links to some of our favorite playtime products are also included below for your convenience.

As always, I'd love to connect with you through my website or Instagram, or you can send an email to abbi@zasinzebra.com

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People, Places & Things in This Episode:

"Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World" by Cal Newport

Episode 9: 101 Things in 1001 Days

FREE Printable: Boredom Busters

Episode 27: How to Read Aloud

Episode 7: Nasty Café & Other Screen-Free Imagination Games

Episode 25: Time in a Bottle

Tenzi, a great dice game for 1-6 people

The best wand for HUGE bubbles; easy for kids to use, too!

Perler Beads: you'll need pegboards and beads

This Bingo set includes everything you need to play. Our family plays 10-cent or 25-cent rounds to add a little extra excitement to winning!

This tie-dye kit has enough supplies (not including the shirts) for up to 5 people

One of the most-fun card games we've found: Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

ZasinZebra.com, the home of Creative Mama and other pursuits

30: Step Away from the Phone May 27, 2019

Show notes

As parents we are hyper-aware of how much screen time we allow our kids. When it comes to our own devices, however, we tend to justify our excessive use by pointing to how our technology makes us more productive or how we "have to" be on social media to adequately maintain our relationships with friends and family. But life hasn't always been this way.

In Creative Mama [Episode 30], I share some things I've recently learned about living life in the digital age. If you're like me, you're dismayed by how easily your free time disappears when there's a smartphone in your hands. Join us as we discuss some tips for getting our lives back and embracing more the relationships and activities that breathe life into us.

As always, I'd love to connect with you through my website or Instagram, or you can send an email to abbi@zasinzebra.com

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People, Places & Things in This Episode:

Job 1:20-21 (NIV)

"Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World" by Cal Newport

Yahtzee

((COMING SOON: Episode 31 about screen-free summer fun))

ZasinZebra.com, the home of Creative Mama and other pursuits

29: This One's for the Moms May 13, 2019

Show notes

Motherhood comes in a variety of packages and often evolves over time. It is all-consuming and exhausting and yet we can't deny that it has made us stronger, wiser, more compassionate.

For Creative Mama [Episode 29], let's celebrate the women who have shaped us, the women who have loved us, the women WE have become. Because although "Mother's Day" is a solitary square on a man-made calendar, we know in our hearts that every day is a day to celebrate the women in our lives.

As always, I'd love to connect with you through my website or Instagram, or you can send an email to abbi@zasinzebra.com

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People, Places & Things in This Episode:

Galatians 6: 9-10 TPT

ZasinZebra.com, the home of Creative Mama and other pursuits

28: Beauty Secrets No One Brings Up Apr 29, 2019

Show notes

When it comes to beauty and fashion tips, are you generally the first to know or the last? Often times, we find something "new" only to discover that our friends have been using it for ages. Why the secrecy?

Listen in to Creative Mama [Episode 28] as Abbi shares her latest and greatest finds in fashion and self-care. Perhaps you'll get to be the leader of the pack in terms of introducing these products and techniques to your girlfriends. At the very least, the secret will be out!

As always, I'd love to connect with you through my website or Instagram, or you can send an email to abbi@zasinzebra.com

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People, Places & Things in This Episode:

ZasinZebra.com, the home of Creative Mama and other pursuits

Old Navy Jeggings

Tinkle razors

Facial shaving for women

L'Ange brush with boars hair bristles (the one I own); less expensive alternative by J&D Beauty

My current favorite hat for bad hair days (major brownie points with the hubby for this choice)

My two favorite dry shampoos: powder for dark hair or light hair; and spray

Hairstylist Jasmine Rae's hair training tips

27: How to Read Aloud Apr 15, 2019

Show notes

We've all heard the science that says reading aloud is the best thing we can do for our kids' development, no matter their age. But even when we understand the why, we sometimes get tripped up by the details of the how.

Join us for Creative Mama [Episode 27] as we discuss ideas for incorporating this habit into our family life without feeling overwhelmed by one more thing we "should" be doing. I share the 7 best tips I have found for making read-alouds manageable and fun.

As always, I'd love to connect with you through my website or Instagram, or you can send an email to abbi@zasinzebra.com

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People, Places & Things in This Episode:

Little House on the Prairie Audiobooks, read by Cherry Jones. Definitely start with book 1!

OverDrive app for borrowing ebooks and audiobooks

Libby app for borrowing ebooks and audiobooks

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White

Lego classic bricks set

Play-doh, perfect for keeping little ones quietly occupied

Our favorite marker set for coloring

The best tool for making healthy microwave popcorn (our favorite reading snack)

Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater

Mr. Popper's Penguins, the Jim Carey version

The Read-Aloud Revival Podcast with Sarah Mackenzie

The Read-Aloud Family book by Sarah Mackenzie

SOME OF OUR FAVORITE BOOKS:

Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boynton

Al Pha's Bet by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (honestly, ANY books by AKR, she's hilarious)

Polar Bear's Underwear by Tupera Tupera

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina

The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak

Wild About Books by Judy Sierra

Our Tree Named Steve by Alan Zweibel

I Am Jim Henson by Brad Meltzer (any of the 'I am' books in this series are excellent, but Jim Henson is our personal favorite)

Three Tales of My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

Of course, any of the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling!

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Our favorite joke book for kids

ZasinZebra.com, the home of Creative Mama and other pursuits

26: Joke's On You Apr 01, 2019

Show notes

We often equate adulting to being overly serious and focusing on accomplishing boring (but necessary) tasks. And yet we've been warned that 'all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.' Many of us are searching for ways to be a "fun mom," and I think we tend to over-complicate what that looks like.

How can we strike a balance between responsibility and silliness? How can we show the people around us (especially our children), that it's possible to be dependable AND fun? It doesn't have to be one or the other. And it's easier than you think to get started.

Join us for Creative Mama [Episode 26] as we share some of the ways our family connects through humor, harmless pranks, and games that get us laughing.

As always, I'd love to connect with you through my website or Instagram, or you can send an email to abbi@zasinzebra.com

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People, Places & Things in This Episode:

Rubber bugs for playing pranks

Googly eyes

Flashlights for nighttime hide-and-seek

Jim Croce's official website

ZasinZebra.com, the home of Creative Mama and other pursuits

25: Time in a Bottle Mar 18, 2019

Show notes

So many of us chronicle our baby's every milestone: their first word, the day they took a couple steps, their first tooth. But what about the rest of the family? Do we commemorate our ever-changing seasons with all their excitement and moments of joy and development?

It needn't be complicated, but it can sure be fun! A time capsule is a great way to celebrate the current version of yourself, and (when you revisit your treasure box) to remind your future self how far you've come and how much you've learned and grown.

Join us for Creative Mama [Episode 25] as we break down the steps for creating a time capsule that perfectly encompasses your life as it is now and looks toward the future with great hope.

As always, I'd love to connect with you through my website or Instagram, or you can send an email to abbi@zasinzebra.com

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People, Places & Things in This Episode:

ZasinZebra.com, the home of Creative Mama and other pursuits

24: Share Your Mess Mar 04, 2019

Show notes

In a world of before-and-afters, overnight successes, and boss babes who are crushing it, we can find it easy to believe the lie that people only care about the end result.

But what about all those little daily habits that inspire you to press on? What about the struggles that teach you lessons you might never learn if the goal was quickly or easily reached? Isn't there value in the in-between?

Join us for Creative Mama [Episode 24] as we outline three huge benefits of sharing more than just the highlights of life.

As always, I'd love to connect with you through my website or Instagram, or you can send an email to abbi@zasinzebra.com

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People, Places & Things in This Episode: