Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Miss Matched

Watch out New York, Paris.... this is hot off the runways of Ohio.

The girls learned quickly what it means to match a shirt to pants. I no longer get to choose outfits, because their latest skill involves matching clothes. Note to parents: when teaching your children to match clothes, follow it up quickly with a lesson on coordinating.

Move over Wenatchee shirt, and make way for Myrtle Beach, SC.

Happy matching.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Candy Necklaces

This is one of the girls' favorite projects. Now that they've gotten the hang of it and can do it with ease, I use it as a way to keep them occupied while I get things done.... like putting away groceries. Best of all, it isn't even candy. Shhhh, don't tell them that!



You will need:
Fruity Cheerios
1 mm. elastic cord
Scissors

1. Cut elastic cord to desired length.
2. Tie one Cheerio to either end of the cord, leaving an inch or two to tie the necklace when it is complete. This way when the child picks up the necklace the Cheerios don't all come sliding off.
3. Place Cheerios on cord, one at a time until there is about two inches of cord left.
4. Tie necklace and its ready to wear and eat!


It took the girls a little while to get the hang of it, but now they are pros. Lauren was about two and a half when we first started this project, and she actually picked it up faster than Abby, who is 15 months older.

At this age, for my girls, the fun is in the creation. For older children this makes for a great lesson in patterns and mathematics!






Monday, March 23, 2009

Getting Pooped

Lauren and I have spent hours outside this afternoon, busy with Spring cleaning. A few moments ago, while working the manual edger on the driveway & sidewalk, I came to an intensely thick patch of grass. I announced, without thought, that I was getting pooped. Also without thought, Lauren (always quick to assist) came right over and gave me a full-fisted gauntlet in the bung. "Thanks, Lauren," I said. "Not that kind of pooped."

Kids are so literal.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Cute as a Button Flower Pots

The girls and I like to make goodies for the neighbors, and came up with a fun one for spring! This is actually two projects in one and can be adapted to fit a variety of skill levels. It makes for a cheery display and a tasty treat!


Finger Print Flowers

You will need:
Construction paper
Acrylic paint--2 colors
Glue
Flower pattern (I traced a cookie cutter onto cardboard)
Green chenille stems
Scissors
Scotch tape

How to make it:
1. Trace & cut the simple flower shapes from construction paper.
2. Dip child's finger into acrylic paint & dap off excess. Then press onto each petal. Use a contrasting color to make a print in the center of the flower.
3. Tape green chenille stem to the back of the flower; spiral stems if desired.
4. Display in candy-filled Cute as a Button Flower Pot.


Cute as a Button Flower Pot

You will need:
Flower pots
Assorted Buttons

Glue

How to make it:
Glue buttons one at a time around rim of pot. Allow to dry for several hours.


Finishing Touches

You will need:
Large clear treat bags
Paper shred
Ribbon
Candy to fill pot (we chose Robin's Eggs & Peanut M&Ms)
Tag (optional)
We also added a stemmed egg to garnish (Michael's craft store--Easter section)

How to make it:
1. Place a small amount of paper shred in the bottom of the treat bag.
2. Nest the flower pot, filled with candy, comfortably in the paper shred.
3. Stick flowers (& garnishing egg) into candy.
4. Loop hole-punched tag through ribbon & tie bag around flower stems so the flowers themselves are sticking out the top of the bag.
5. Trim ribbon on each end and voula!

Happy Spring!


Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Lauren's Man


This is one of those moments that take your breath away. The girls have been busy drawing, and what does my little Lauren draw? A man! I really haven't taught them how to draw anything, so I can't take credit, but I believe my dad is responsible; they were busy drawing in sidewalk chalk together last week. While I realize some of you have children who create elaborate spreadsheets, can solve complicated math equations, or make a ridiculously delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwich, so this isn't that magnificent in the scheme of things, but it is the first time Lauren has drawn anything other than a circle. It's a big deal for us!


Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Making It On Her Own











When Kelly Clarkson laid down the vocals for her hit Miss Independent, she may as well have been singing about my beloved Abigail. I'm sorry, Abby; she prefers to be called Abby. I realize that the job of a parent is to teach your children how to make it in the world on their own, ultimately teaching them not to depend on you. What I did not realize was how soon my little Abby would not need me.

Little by little, Abby has taken the reigns on many areas of her life: bathing, dressing, tooth brushing, using the toilet.... and now she has decided she is capable of making her own bed. I've never really set a timeline for when the girls can start doing things themselves, we just kind of work our way into things. With most things, the girls tell me when they are ready to do it on their own. The same goes with bed making. This morning Abby took it upon herself to get her affairs in order on her own. No help. No thank you, Mommy.

I had no idea how it would turn out, but I am happy to say she took her time and exercised patience. And my Miss Independent did a great job of, for the very first time, making her own bed.

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Fairborn, Ohio, United States
I'm a teacher by trade, writer at heart & mom in every sense of my being. I never considered writing as a profession, but after I got married and began moving around the country, I began sharing my adventures, misadventures & updates through a sort of e-mail newsletter. I found a true passion in unconventional story-telling that has followed me into motherhood.