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I drafted a blog a week ago that will never be released. In the time since then and since my last writing so much magic has occurred for my family. My desire to be heartfelt and transparent requires more intimate interactions so this will be my final posting.

This past Saturday marked 32 years around the SUN for me ✨✨✨ The following day I had a beautiful home birth of our smallest Princess Layali words can’t express the joy of that experience or adding her to our lives.

Living in the moment and reflecting simultaneously is the best description of the space of time I Liv in. I’m elated about the growth of my family and receiving the manifestations of experiences that I have prayed for.

I am more motivated now then I have ever been before to move boldly in the direction of my passions.

To stay connected: Follow The Tribe

#WeLoveLiv #SwenSquared #LovelyLayali

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💛 Lynice

Soulful Sunday!

  

WeLove The National Book Festival 2015

I love an annual event that you can experience differently every year! While always enjoyable, I feel really charged up about my experience at yesterday’s National Book Festival! The event yesterday was massive per standard. Arriving via metro is always encouraged ,and for my family interest heading directly to the children’s floor is always our first and usually only area of interest for the day. Highlight of the children’s floor are the Scholastic area which this year consisted of storytime, fun family photo booth, character encounters, coloring, balloon figures, free books which ran out way too early for the smaller kids as well as an active vision board that allowed kids to express how reading empowers them.

   

Because we enjoy good eats I must highlight the Caribbean food vendor that every year provides affordable, flavorful and filling eats! Yummy my vegan bowl was too good! Back to the books… AARP provided free books signed by the author, totes with giveaways, photo booth, 3D virtual reality glasses to demo as well as a cool ass 3D printer that I obviously now NEED in my life. 

 The little chess and knome pieces pictured took 20 min each to print… Imagine printing mini versions of your loved ones! How futuristic!

Wells Fargo had a massive space to engage families. 

   
      Panning for gold, lassoing horses,  super comfy storytime set up. After each storytime the children were gifted with the book or horse stuffed animal that was read about.

HIGHLIGHT alert!!! Yesterday we met Sonia Manzano! AKA Maria from Sesame Street!  

 

Words can’t even describe! My Mother, Myself and My Daughter have long been apart of the Sesame viewership legacy. To meet a beautiful , humble soul that feels like they had a major role in raising you is exciting and humbling!  

  Becoming Maria is the new memoir she put out! Check her story out!

National Geographic also had a area focused on planets and space discovery. We are definitely excited to add space camp to her activities once Liv becomes of age for the program.

   
 

Just when we thought our day was concluding we headed to the evening poetry slam! My God! The Young Kings that spoke so genuinely and courageously inspired me! I feel honored to have heard their strong words and for my daughter to have been exposed to such strength! Kids are so important! They are to be valued and heard always!

Words For My Daughter

WeLove The Beat of Her Drum

Rituals. Malcolm X Park. 2-9pm

Of all the pics and videos I captured nothing can fully convey the supreme goodness that happens during the Drum Circle in Malcolm X Park every warm Sunday from 2-9. God is present. Love is thriving. People are united. If not visible anywhere else in this world the pure goodness of human life is present at this time. Be sure not to deprive yourself of these moments.

Words For My Daughter

 

As Liv grows and reflects on the type of mother that I am to her my wish is that she will confidently express how I will always support her in whatever direction she chooses. The precious nature of a Mother Daughter relationship is never for me to dominate her… I am constantly learning from her and educating her with what I am knowledgable on. Daily I’m researching to answer her many questions because I never want to give her false info. Facts only over here! (so routinely I will tell her ” let me look that up so I can best answer you”) Her inquisitive nature and patience with me as I gather all the tools she requires to grow humbles me and encourages me daily. I love being a mommy and I am blessed to do life with my little human!

Words For My Daughter

  

WeLove Meaningful Books!

  

Thrifting is life! Many days along side my grandmother and parents as a child I was constantly in a thrift store or at a yard sale looking for unique items. As I got older and initiated these excursions myself I’ve gone through phases of items that I was targeting. Now that my little person is here ,and especially because I homeschool I literally get a high from the amazing learning tools we have acquired as well as the beautiful books that we get to add to Liv’s library. I spend quite a bit of time digging through shelves inspecting books for perfection. Making sure they are odor free and free of any markings or rips…. Most importantly I seek out books with educational value, special interest, meaningful content as well as characters that visually represent our family. 

Each book pictured above was in pristine condition with excellent content and for the entire set I spent about $2 *pops collar and does a little dance* “In God’s Name” highlights the quest for everyone to connect to the most high, while many may call the creator a different name the book concludes with everyone acknowledging that they are all a reflection of God and each name can be applied and at that point of unity they truly had reached a place of communion not just with each other but with the most high as well.

I scored an awesome Spike Lee Joint guys! I’m pretty sure I squealed and clicked my heels right there in the aisle. “Giant Steps to Change the World” highlights the accomplishments of courages thinkers and doers of the past and present while challenging children to develop their own plan to impact the world!

The Kwanzaa book I purchased is full of history, activities and recipes. We are currently learning about animal and insect life cycles so the Caterpillar to Butterfly book was a timely addition and lastly “Just for Today”  is a fun story of parental bears that abandon their stressful adult chores to simply enjoy the day with their cubs… no yelling… No shoes just fun and love.

What are you reading to your little ones?

WeLove Nature

 

Nature is Amazing! I am constantly learning and connected when I am at a park! This week we had the opportunity to attend a Educational puppet show and learning through artifacts session at Watkins Regional Park. This was a fun interactive way to educate your littles! If your homeschooling your child this is a golden opportunity to get a minimal cost enrichment. Here Liv is standing out at the pond with her nature center teacher holding a frog egg mass. There are many parks with amazing weekday and weekend programs that the entire family can enjoy be sure to check out your local park service.

Habari Gani?

Last post of 2014! What a blessing to move forward in life! To have another day to love to create to learn! Below is a photo recap of a few things that have been keeping us busy!

Winternational was a gathering of many embassies, opening up there customs and treats to us this winter season. Liv got her first henna tattoo and enjoyed dancing to the live music! It’s always wonderful to experience new cultures without even getting your passport stamped!

Zoolights is an annual must! Armed with Starbucks hot chocolate and blueberry muffins we had a blast!

This was the first year I have ever celebrated Kwanzaa! I feel so blessed to be sharing these principles with my child early on connecting with a community of like minds on various levels!
Eagerly anticipating 2015 and beyond!