Welcome to Connected Through Play! We're thrilled to have so many curious hearts joining us this week and what a perfect time as the Unplug and Play summit goes live this Sunday! @Terry Landa is drawn to the heart of what we do here, and with grown children and grandchildren in her life, she's ready to bring intentional play into those precious moments. @Kathryn Nichol from Newfoundland is healing her own inner child while building beautiful memories with her 5-year-old granddaughter Charlotte and there's real magic in that journey. @An Rouss, a mom focused on helping her child grow well, shares that goal with so many here. @Yuen Ying Tam, a spiritual seeker from Norway, is here to deepen quality time with children. @Patti Underwood came through @Betty Jo Winters and has five grandchildren she wants to nurture thoughtfully. @Lucy Millar with her two boys (7 and 10) is searching for fresh play ideas. @Chloe Purcell, a homeschool mama in Las Vegas, is seeking educational activities and community. @Cynthia Rodriguez from New York, a single mom of two teenage boys, wants to reclaim playful connection. @Lisa Campbell wants to get her grandkids (5 and 1) engaged away from devices. @Krista Melanson, a chef and relationship expert with three kids, is passionate about cooking together and connection. @Julie Husch, an Arizona outdoors family, wants to connect with her two boys (10 and 14) in the kitchen. @Ann Adams, mom of seven with kids ages 6–17, is here for practical play inspiration she has a wealth of experience to share and learn from.

The calendar is filled. The classroom is almost ready. Our speakers are preparing. And Unplug & Play is beginning to feel very real. On Sunday, we stop talking about what is coming and start cooking, creating, questioning, experimenting, and playing together. You do not need to attend every session or create the perfect summit plan. Choose the experiences that make your family curious. Add one that stretches you a little. Leave room for something unexpected. The complete schedule of live events is waiting in the calendar. Take another look today and tell us: Which session has already earned a place on your family’s must-do list? P.S. While you are waiting, why not explore the active classrooms?

Thank you @Dan Mowinski for alerting me a spammer slipped through. If you received a DM from Ursula don’t respond. She has been banned and reported.

Last week, I shared a simple homemade ice cream recipe and asked for your favorite flavors. I also teased we'd have something more in-depth and here we are. For the full activity, along with variations by age go to the Curious Kitchen Lab in the classroom and select #Ice Cream Magic Ice alone is cold, but ice mixed with salt becomes even colder. That extra drop in temperature is enough to turn a sweet liquid into creamy homemade ice cream. Gather Your Gear: Ice Cream Mixture - 120 mL (½ cup) milk, half-and-half, or a combination - 15 mL (1 tablespoon) sugar - 1.25 mL (¼ teaspoon) vanilla extract Freezing Mixture - About 700 g (3 cups) ice - 75 g (⅓ cup) table salt or coarse salt Supplies - 1 small zip-top bag - 1 large zip-top bag - Kitchen towel or oven mitts - Measuring cups and spoons - Bowls and spoons - My Science Notebook (optional) Optional toppings - Cooled caramel from From Sugar to Caramel - Sugar crystals from Crystal Makers, if prepared using food-safe materials Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before handling food. Check both bags carefully for holes before beginning. Steps 1. Combine the milk, sugar, and vanilla in the small zip-top bag. Press out excess air and seal tightly. 2. Fill the large zip-top bag with the ice and sprinkle the salt evenly over it. 3. Place the sealed small bag inside the large bag and seal the large bag tightly. 4. Wrap the bag in a towel or use oven mitts. The outside will become very cold. 5. Shake, roll, and gently turn the bag for 5 to 10 minutes. 6. Check the ice cream. Continue shaking until it becomes thick and creamy. 7. Remove the small bag and wipe away any salty water before opening it. 8. Scoop the ice cream into bowls. Add optional toppings if desired. 9. Watch how your ice cream changes as it begins to warm.

Welcome to Connected Through Play! We're so glad you're here! This community just got a whole lot brighter with all of you joining us. I've been a bit remiss in welcoming our new members and wow wait until you see who has joined us. Pull up a chair, explore the classrooms and Play Prompts and ideas and let us know how we can help you have more play in your day. @Jasmine Foster is searching for fresh ideas to keep her curious 15-month-old engaged and exploring the world around them. @Isabell Hie has an 18-month-old daughter she's excited to nurture as fully as she can. @Andrea Nichol is a primary teacher and mum of three looking for creative ways to connect with her neurospicy kids. @Erika Clough is navigating a high-conflict divorce and wants to open a line of connection with her 5-year-old daughter, especially through crafts. @Ágnes Molnár has a 3.5-year-old boy and a 2-month-old girl and is excited to dive into play with both of them. @Sophie Oborne is a mum of three (ages 6, 3, and 5 months) working to help her older two play better together, check out her Skool community Wonderers Club. @Bianca Evans has five children with a 2-year-old at home and knows how critical these early years are. @Kenney Purchase is here for his nephew and his own inner child, see his Skool community Imagination Station. @Andrea Neel has a beautiful niece and is always looking for ideas to challenge her mind. @Samantha Davenport has kids aged 14 and 8 and wants to encourage more play at home. @Michelle Lightly has a 5-year-old daughter and is looking for creative, nature-based ways to play with less screen time — @Samantha Davenport, @Michelle Lightly, and @Sarah Cooper (who's working to reduce her 10-year-old son's screen time after dealing with chronic health issues) could all share strategies on reclaiming play from devices. @Sarah Cooper runs The Essential Oil Circle — definitely worth checking out.