Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Hello Again




I have been so busy this month with working and my art exhibition. The opening reception went great! I was really surprised with how many people came out; some from Orlando and even Sarasota. It was so nice to get feedback on my artwork, meet new people, and see which pieces were the most popular. Plus, there was tons of delicious food to snack on! I even sold my first piece during this exhibition. It was the award winning piece entitled June Sunset. It was one exciting night!

For the months of November and December, I will have another display downstairs at Arts On the Park in Lakeland. I begin setup on that next week. Fun, fun.

Speaking of Fun, they are just one of the bands that are coming in concert this year for Next Big Thing. Next Big Thing is an annual alternative music festival that 97x hosts each year here in the Tampa area. This year it will be on December 1st. The bands include Twenty One Pilots, Imagine Dragons, The Joy Formidable, Flogging Molly, Paper Tongues, Of Monsters & Men, Grouplove, Fun., Silversun Pickups, Bush, and Rise Against! My personal favorites are Rise Against, Flogging Molly, Grouplove, and Imagine Dragons! Okay, never mind, I like them all. :)


Cooler weather is here. This means it's time for more bonfires and smores. I went to a bonfire Sunday night. There's something relaxing about sitting by the fire, soaking up the warmth, and getting the smell of smoke in your hair and clothes.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Reception and Gallery Exhibition Featuring Photography by Moriah Maddux

Art Prints
Check out my gallery exhibition during the month of October at Arts on the Park 115 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801. Reception is Saturday, October 20th, 2012 from 6-8pm. Refreshments and hor d'oeuvres are provided. All are welcome! Please come!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

September Already

Wow. Another year is passing by so very quickly. Can you believe it's September already? Me either. I had so many plans for this year. Looks like I better get to working on them. :)

Speaking of this past year, we have had sooo many new albums and new songs by some great artists this year. Some of my favorites included Lana Del Rey, The Fray, Silverstein, fun., Andrew Bird, The All-American Rejects, Shinedown, Lifehouse, Three Days Grace, Jason Mraz, Neon Trees, Train, John Mayer, Coldplay, Maroon 5, Linkin Park, Imagine Dragons, and so many more. That's not even the beginning of all the music that will soon be released. There's a new albums by Mumford & Sons, No Doubt, Green Day, Muse, Matt & Kim, Papa Roach, Coheed & Cambria, Taylor Swift, Stone Sour, and Flyleaf coming soon! I think it has been one really good year for new music. I'm sure that I've missed some too. What's your favorite album from this year?

This past month I fulfilled one of my lifelong goals. I am the proud owner of my very own iBook G4. Don't laugh. I love it! It is a great notebook/laptop. The 14" screen is crisp and clear. The system easy to use. And I got it for such a great deal. This laptop is perfect for anyone who wants to own a Mac but can't afford to spend a lot of money on one. You can find one online for less than $200. I needed it because the only computer I have is in my office. But since I work in my office all day long almost every day, I needed a portable computer to edit pictures on, check emails, and stalk people on Facebook with. :) So now I have something to do these evenings after work, instead of just reading and watching T.V.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Three Infant Toy Reviews


Bright Starts- Clack and Slide Activity Ball

The Bright Starts Clack and Slide Activity Ball is suitable for babies six months old and up. The ball is colorful and attractive. It is 6.9 x 1.2 x 11.5 inches and weighs three ounces. It has activities and sounds that your baby will enjoy. Some of the features include a spinning frog and caterpillar bead chaser, a spinning paddle with a mirror, a squeaker, clacking rings, a roller ball with rattle beads of many colors, and handles that have multiple textures for easy gripping. Your baby will love this toy because it has so many activities and sounds.

This toy encourages your baby to learn and grow during this stage in their life. It encourages hand eye coordination by getting the child to grasp the beads and move them along the track. By spinning different objects on the toy a baby will learn fine motor skills. The different textures on the handles develop the child’s sensory skills. The varied colors and noises help stimulate their curiosity and sense of discovery. The Clack and Slide Ball is good for early hand eye coordination, fine motor skills, cognitive, and sensory skills.

This toy has many features that will appeal to your baby. At this stage in your baby’s development they are learning to use their hands to manipulate objects. This toy appeals to your child because of the many different things that they can spin, move, and grip. They are also becoming more aware of their self and others at this time in their life. Consequently, your child will enjoy looking in the mirror on this toy. This toy will stimulate your baby’s mind with all the colors, activities, and sounds.

A parent would choose to buy the Clack and Slide Activity Ball because of the variety of options it has for playtime. It will keep their child entertained. The toy is easy to clean and is portable. It is made of a thick plastic and is durable. It is attractive and will encourage their child to play and learn. However, the toy can get stuck on your child’s foot if they aren’t supervised. Overall, it is great toy for a child in this age group.
I would select to buy this toy because of the many great features it has. I love that it is easy to clean. It also is very reasonably priced. No batteries are necessary. I like that it is colorful and challenges a child mentally at this stage in their life. It will keep a child entertained for a long time. This toy is a great buy for any child.

Vtech- Rhyme and Discover Book

 
The Vtech Rhyme and Discover Book is for babies six months old to thirty-six months old. It is 10 x 3 x 10 inches and weighs 1.3 pounds.  It requires two AA batteries, which are included. The Rhyme and Discover Book has three light-up characters. Also, the toy plays seven nursery rhymes. It has four movable pieces. The Rhyme and Discover Book has many features.

The Rhyme and Discover Book helps develop your child’s fine motor skills, sensory skills, listening and communication skills. Your baby will learn to turn the pages of the, thus developing their fine motor skills. They will also learn to slide the movable pieces. The lights and colors will stimulate their sensory skills. Their listening and communication skills are refined by hearing the stories and songs. This type of toy is perfect for a child in this age group.

The book’s many features will appeal to your child. There are several pages that they will enjoy looking at. They will have a lot of fun discovering that the turn the pages turn. They can also press the characters and hear the animal sounds. It will encourage your baby’s imagination and creativity with the different colors and lights. Also, the music and songs will keep them entertained. Your child will find it fun to play with and it will help them to learn at the same time.

There are a number of reasons why a parent would want to purchase this toy and a number of reasons why they wouldn’t. First, the Rhyme and Discover Book is fun and educational. The book lights up and plays songs. It is also durable and easy to clean. The toy will be appealing to your child for many years. However, it is heavy. The toy doesn’t completely play all of the songs or read the entire story on each page. Also, the second volume choice is a little loud for little ears. A parent would want to weigh the pros and cons of such a purchase and decide if it is right for their child.

There are many other toys on the market to choose from that would offer the same positive aspects of this toy, but without the cons. Based on the safety issues of this toy, I wouldn’t want to run the risk of it smashing a baby’s finger or hand with the heavy pages. I also wouldn’t want to damage their hearing from the music accidentally being too loud. The safety of this toy is a concern to me. Also, I would like a toy that would teach my child the whole song and read the whole story on each page. Consequently, I personally wouldn’t select this toy because of the many downfalls it has.

Vtech- Move & Crawl Ball


The Vtech Move and Crawl Ball is for ages six months and up. It is 7 x 7.5 x 8 inches and weighs two pounds.  It requires three AA batteries, which are included. The ball has six animal buttons that tell their names and the sound each animal makes. It has light-up buttons of different colors that teach numbers and shapes. The Move and Crawl Ball is a great toy.

This toy encourages gross motor skills, balance and coordination skills, and cognitive skills through curiosity and discovery. The Move and Crawl Ball entices your child to crawl by moving sporadically around the room. It teaches them to recognize numbers and animals. It also helps develop their social and emotional skills by motivating them to explore. It encourages physical activity.  The Move and Crawl ball will challenge your child to take their basic skills to the next level.

Children love playing with the ball. The ball rolls and makes sounds to get their attention. Children love the many colors. It has lights and characters to entertain your child. The many activities will appeal to them. This toy is entertaining and educational at the same time.

Many parents would choose to buy the Move and Crawl Ball because of the many features it has. This toy encourages their child to move and crawl around. It’s interactive and educational. It teaches their baby numbers, shapes, and animals. The ball is durable and easy to clean. However, the toy is heavy and can accidently roll into their child. A parent may want to supervise their child to avoid undue injury. Overall, a parent would see this as a good toy to purchase for their child.

The Move and Crawl Ball seems to have more positive aspects than negative ones. It is fun, educational, colorful, durable, and easy to clean. More than one child can play with it at the same time and it encourages gross motor skills. A baby can play with this toy for many years. It will challenge your child mentally and physically. With all these great features, I think I would select this toy for my child to play with.

References

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Guidelines for Selecting Toys for Young Children


Guidelines for Selecting Toys for Young Children

Finding the right toy may seem daunting. There are tons of articles on how to select the right toy. It’s important to find the right one for your child. You may wonder where to start. This article examines the main guidelines to consider when selecting toys. Here are some of the most important things to look for.

First, ask yourself, “Is the toy safe?”  A toy should be well-made, shatter-proof, and easy to clean.  When painted, it should be painted with lead-free paint.  It should be labeled as flame resistant or flame retardant, if made of fabric. Don’t buy a toy if it or the parts can be easily swallowed. Read labels, safety messages and instructions to make sure that the toy is safe for your child.

Next, consider how durable the toy is. Will it break easily? Does it feel solid? Are there parts that will break off or get lost? What is it made of? By examining a toy well you can get an idea of how long it will last.

Lastly, think about if your child will find the toy fun and will learn from it.  Look for a toy that will be attractive to your child. Will it stimulate them to think? Will it challenge them? Also, make sure the toy won’t frustrate them and read reviews on it. The toy should be enjoyable and educational.

These are a few of the things to keep in mind when selecting a toy for young children. Remember to use these guidelines when you’re choosing a toy.  First, find a toy that is safe. Second, look for one that will last. Third, find one that is fun and educational.  If you follow these simple steps, you will find a toy that is safe, durable and fun to play with.


References

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Tropical Storm Debby

Tropical storm Debby just made her way through Florida this weekend and pounded my neighborhood with rain and wind. I didn't watch the news so I didn't have any idea about Debby until Sunday night. Turns out that I had helped my sister move in the middle of a tropical storm. How's that for a nightmare move? :) We were fine though. It just meant lots of rain and wind. I did enjoy sleeping to the sound of the rain tapping on my roof. Plus all this rain means I don't have to water my garden!

Arnold and I
I found an old picture of my sister and I a couple of months ago and saw this old stuffed animal that I absolutely loved as a kid. It was this little stuffed monkey by Russ. My friend Tim helped me figure out what kind of stuffed animal it was and where I could buy one. I can't seem to find the exact "model" I owned but I found one on Ebay the other day that was such a deal that I just had to buy him. He's adorable! The one I owned before had a bottle in one hand but this new one has a banana. It still is a great replacement. Isn't Arnold so cute?!? (That's his name)

Today, while working, I managed to finish a Kirby keychain I was crocheting. These projects seem so easy, until you actually try to do them. Then they end up taking hours to finish. But they are worth every minute because 1st-they help me make it through the workweek, 2nd-they give me a sense of accomplishment, and 3rd-they're fun and unique.

I ended up making a jam out of the cactus pears. I just cleaned them, boiled them, blended them, strained them, and then added sugar, lemon juice, and liquid pectin and bam! I had jam. It is so delicious too. Especially on a toasted bagel with cream cheese.

Monday, June 18, 2012

The very first one...

I've had blogs before. They never really worked out. I published anonymously with a poetry blog that no one ever seemed to read but me. Now I don't blame them, who reads poetry blogs anymore. I had another blog that was about three posts long and it wasn't public. I suppose that's more of an online journal. :) Then lastly I had another that only lasted about six months. I usually forget about them.

I just bought my own place and have finally begun to feel settled. Yesterday I spent a large amount of the day unpacking the guest room, which I have filled with all my photography stuff. My office is full of my art stuff and work things, of course. But to me the most important room to have clean and organized is my living room. There's something about walking in your house and seeing a nice clean living room. If my living room is crazy, then you know I am little stressed. But if it's clean then I am one happy girl. I wonder if anyone else feels the same way?

Yesterday, I picked four prickly pears or cactus pears. Someone asked me if they were safe to pick. But I reasoned if they can sell them in the stores then surely anyone can pick them and eat them. Boy was I wrong! They aren't called prickly pears or cactus pears for no reason. My left hand was covered in the tiny hairy fibers that stuck to my skin. I tried to remove them but i still had some left. I had to sleep with my hand above my head. But, at least I had some good dreams. So today I found an article that explains how to pick these prickly pears and clean them without hurting yourself. Here it is...

http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/prickly-pear-zmaz76soztak.aspx

Also check out my photography site...
Moriah Maddux's Photography