One year. It's wild to say that out loud. When I started Connected Through Play, I had a simple belief: that play real, genuine, joyful play is how we actually connect. Not through perfect moments or polished highlight reels, but through showing up, trying things, laughing at the mess, and doing it all together. This past year, you've proven that belief right a thousand times over. You've shared your wins and your learning curves. You've cheered each other on. You've built something that actually *feels* like community not because we forced it, but because you chose to be here and to be real. We've learned that connection isn't complicated. It's a game night. It's a question asked without hesitation. It's someone saying "me too" when it matters. You've given that to each other, and we're grateful for it. To everyone who's been part of this, whether you've been here since day one or you just found us, thank you. This space exists because of you. Here's to another year of play, growth, and showing up together. Stick around. Bring a friend. Let's see what we build next.

I’ve shared some of my coloring book pages and now, I’d love your feedback on a coloring book cover. I’ve mocked up two ideas and as a parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, teacher, etc. I’m curious if one or the other calls to you. If you have time, and feel comfortable leaving why or why not, even better. I prefer I added one more option. Oops.

Here’s one to get your creativity flowing as we head into the weekend. The conference has been eye opening and I’m ready for home but not quite yet. See what you can create this weekend. We all know that rooms have rules.Floors go on the bottom. Doors belong in walls. Beds don’t usually hang from ceilings. What other rules do rooms have? Today, one of those rules has to go. Your goal is to ask yourself what kind of room could I build if something about it were completely impossible? Gather Your Gear: Pick Your Building World Use a building system you already enjoy. This could be blocks, LEGO, or other building bricks. Maybe it’s magnetic tiles or dollhouse pieces. Think about toys, cardboard, paper, clay, or other craft supplies. Of course you can mix completely different things together. Your room can fill a tabletop, fit on a tray or exist on a single piece of paper with a few objects added on top. There is no special supply list. Build with your world, your way. Steps 1. Break one rule. Decide what’s impossible about your room. Maybe gravity goes sideways. Furniture belongs on the ceiling. The door is underneath the bed. Everything is tiny except one enormous chair. Or invent a rule nobody else would think of. 2. Start building. Don’t worry about making a perfect miniature room. Build enough of your impossible world to start seeing the idea come alive. 3. Make the impossible obvious. Add, move, flip or rearrange things until your broken rule becomes part of the room. Change your mind whenever you want. 4. Somebody has to live here. Add a toy, figure, imaginary creature, finger character or simply pretend someone has arrived. Now play. Move through the room, use the strange furniture, climb the walls or discover what it’s like to live where your rule is normal. 5. Mess with the world. Turn the whole room around. Move the furniture. Add another character. Change something while someone else is playing. Or leave your impossible world exactly as it is and come back to it later.

Trying my hand at some food safety items for the 3-8 year old set. What would you keep? What would you change?

@Paulette Ng got me thinking, if you have kids in your life, under age 9, would you find a coloring book centered around food of interest? I was prototyping some ideas and would love your feedback.