Angel Wings for your Dollfriend®

Every Day is Father’s Day!

I have a wonderful Father’s Day story for you this year!  Since Via E is about healthy and educational play for girls, it seems that my eyes can’t help but glimpse precious girl moments everywhere I go. One Saturday, I arrived with my husband and son to a local school yard where we meet with a running coach who is helping my son compete in one of the toughest football leagues in California.  As we approached the track, I saw a set of pig-tails streaming behind a girl who could not be more than seven years old.   She was running that track as if she was a mini Olympian.  As she came around the track, my eyes found a proud father who was apparently coaching her.  It was priceless to see them together.

Another week went by and this time as I passed the big shade tree that often sheltered parents during the training sessions my son participates in, there were four little girls talking and giggling under the tree.  I thought to myself…I wish I had some coloring books for them to help keep them busy while they wait for their brothers to finish training.  But much to my surprise all four of them got up and chased each other onto the track.  Joining them were three proud Papas!

On your mark, get set…go!  And they were off!  Brooklyn, Sadie, Regan, and Maya raced around the track.  Maya and Sadie led the group as they added their footsteps to the kaleidoscope of footprints made with each pass.  I couldn’t help but to participate by secretly cheering each of them around the track.  I finally rose from the camping chair that my husband sat out for me to ensure my comfort during my son’s two hour training session and walked over to the circle of fathers to ask if I could tell their story.  At first I think they thought I was a bit crazy, but after reviewing our blog they agreed to let me share this father’s day story to you.  The best part is that this story keeps writing new adventures every day…you can see the evidence of this when observing the way each girl looks at her father.

Here’s to fathers everywhere and all of their wonderful times being the best dad ever.

Happy Father’s Day!

Alexis Letter to My Friends

Scholar-Ship Craft for Girls and Boys

What you’ll need

• Half-gallon carton
• Heavy duty large straw
• Tape
• Cereal box
• Glue stick
• Paper
• Your A Papers from school
• Crayons or Markers to color your design

My Scholar Ship is a modified version of a boat craft I found online at: http://spoonful.com/crafts/love-boat .

How to make it

1. Start with a clean carton. Cut off the plastic spout or tape the cardboard spout shut.
2. For the bow, cut a 3¾- by 10-inch strip from a cereal box, fold it in half, and tape it in place as shown.
3. Use tape and a glue stick to cover the carton with paper. Cut a mail slot in the ship’s top to store all your A papers from school.
4. Use a glue stick to add stripes to the sides  (Be sure to color a design on them first.)
5. Poke a small hole the deck and insert the straw.  Now tape your best A paper to it making a sail for the boat.

Be creative and have fun!

Don’t forget to send me a picture! Email it to Alexis@Via-E.com Or Post your picture on My Friends’ Stuff Art Board on Pintrest. (You first have to follow the board before I can add you to make your own posts)

Alexis Letter to Friends — April

Color Alex’s World Activity for Girls

Alexis’ books are called Alex Stories.  Alexis likes having two names because they show her feminine side and her sporty side.  When Alexis is at formal events or school she goes by the name of Alexis, but when playing with her friends and exploring her friends call her Alex.  Alex is a special nickname that only her friends know and use. Do you too have a nickname too?  In the picture below you see Alexis and her Storicolor®, storybook Alex picture.  They are in front of her home in São Paulo, Brazil.  Bring the home to life by coloring it.  You can find more pictures to color in the Alex Storicolor book, Ten Acts of Kindness, found at www.Via-E.com.

Print the image below to have some coloring fun!

Alexis first letter to her friends–January 2014

Craft for Girls–Clothing Mannequin

I found that Alexis clothing is easier to store using this paper mannequin.  They are fun to cut out and even more fun to dress!

Paper Carryall Bag Craft for Girls

Since most girls are thinking about Trick or Treating about now, I thought this paper bag craft might make for great dollfriend fun!  Color your own design and follow the directions to assemble your own Trick or Treating bag for dollfriends.  This is a fun craft for any time of the year!

The Hands of Time…

The last post I wrote of the many lessons I received during car rides with my dad and how that influenced me to do the same with my children.  I thanked my dad in that post not knowing that he would suffer a massive stroke the very next week.

I’ve been a bit preoccupied the last few weeks.  It has been a rollercoaster of emotions.  Dad made it through but now needs much rehabilitation.  He sleeps a lot and since my time with him is best in the early morning before I start my work day at Via-E, I found that the most natural comfort I could give him was to crawl into his hospital bed, hold his hand and talk to him…even if he isn’t awake to listen.

Today I was looking at his hands…they are still much larger than mine.  As I tapped and stroke his hand it occurred to me that my hand next to his still showed the time—next to his, mine looked like a child’s.  That struck me as I reflected on holding my 14 year old son’s hand just the night before.  I was thinking my hands were looking so old next to his and how short we are on time.

Holding hands is such a precious way of saying, “I like you” or “I care about you.”  We transfer love, compassion, friendship and time.  Perhaps that is why I designed my Alexis dollfriend’s right hand so that it will wrap around a little girl’s finger if she inserts it into Alexis’ palm. If you rotate her lower arm just a bit, you can place another dollfriend’s hand in hers so they too can hold hands.

My goal for you and every person, young and old, who comes to play at Via E is to know that you are loved.   Every time you hold a dollfriend’s hand I hope you find joy.

From my heart to yours,

Ellen