easy to make sun-catchers :)

What child doesn't LOVE to squeeze the glue bottle??  That is exactly what they get to do with this project.  This was our first attempt at making suncatchers, so we only did one.  Just lay some wax paper down, choose a cookie cutter shape, (claire did a flower), let them squeeze lots of glue (clear elmers glue) inside the cookie cutter, once the bottom is all covered in glue they can add colored beads.  I got a huge container of them at hobby lobby.  They were $7.99, but I used an internet 40% coupon and got them for cheap!  Only make a single layer with the beads.  Then it's time to cover them with glue :)  I put a heavy book on top of the cookie cutter when we were done to make sure the glue didn't leak out too much.  Set it on the counter and wait for it to dry.  Don't get in a hurry though, it takes a couple days to get dry all the way through.  When dry add a string and hang in the window :) 

shaving cream painting

Bath time with a toddler is always fun, but why not add a little extra excitment tonight?  We colored men's shaving cream with food coloring in a tupperware container.  What a cheap, fun, and educational night in the bathtub!  Not only will your toddler get to explore their senses with the foam cream, but also colors and color mixing.  And believe me this will get them talking up a storm as they explore new things to do with it.  Claire started with a paint brush, but quickly went to using her hands.  The walls were painted, shower door, faucet, and her whole body.  She even started dipping her animal bathtoys in the foam to wash them.  I think she enjoyed clean up as much as making a mess.  I didn't let her sit in the foamy water too long b/c I didn't want it to irritate her skin.  She loved having the water running to fill her cup to wash off. 

We then turned on the shower for the final clean up.  Have fun!

                                                                    materials

playtime

                                                                      

clean up time :)

Making Colored Beans

I'm always using what I've learned as a kindergarten teacher to help me enrich Claire's environment at home.  In the Fall I turned her water/sand table into a corn table by simply adding field corn and bringing it inside.  She never gets tired of playing with it!  Today I decided to color a bag of northern beans I had in the cabinet to create a new sensory tub for Claire to play with.  Not only is this fun, but also super educational.  It's a very inexpensive way to foster vocabulary, motor skills, problem solving, & social development :)  And along with everything else; a hands on way to create memories while encouraging learning. 

Claire and her animals helping gather supplies.

Place beans in a zip lock baggie (double bag) add a tiny splash of rubbing alcohol and about 4-5 drops of food coloring depending on how dark a color you want.  Seal bags and let your toddler shake, squeeze, and toss around the bag until all beans are colored.  Happens quick!

Lay flat to dry on paper towel to absorb extra alcohol.  I turn on the vent above the stove b/c it does smell a bit like alcohol. 

After drying, this batch took about an hour.  I put it in a tupperware container and Claire started scooping with her plastic spoon to fill her tea cups.

An after thought was adding the table cloth to put it all on.  Here she is feeding all her baby animals at her zoo.  The color does slightly come off on hands so keep it off carpet or fabrics.  A super easy and fun way to get it off hands is to simply wash your hands with shaving cream :)  Works like a charm!  If any rubs off on hard toys a baby wipe easily wipes it off. 

Hiding objects in a sensory tub is another excellent way to encourage learning.  Some examples are: Letters, Numbers, Colored Tiles, Money, Animals, Shapes, ect.

Christmas Festivities

Claire watching for Santa :)

at great uncle ron and great aunt carol

pretty in lights

1st gingerbread house

New House

We are moved in and have celebrated our first Thanksgiving and Christmas in our beautiful new house.  We miss Florida, but love the house and property that we have now.  Looking forward to a vacation to FL though sometime next summer :)

Barn

Fireplace decorated for Christmas