Body Art: Part 2

This time, we're using our feet!

I set up some used packaging paper (taped it down) and a bunch of paper plates filled with washable paints in our entry way.

I always have a bucket of soapy water and a towel on hand, but this time, I used a bigger bucket. It worked perfectly for when T was done; she was able to jump right in it and wash her feet off before walking around the house.

It didn't take T long for her to get her feet "wet". I could tell she loved the feeling of the paint oozing between her toes.

I wasn't sure what the final outcome would be. For some reason, I envisioned little feet all over the paper.

Instead, it didn't turn into much at all except for globs of paint everywhere that T rubbed over and over again with her feet.

But, this activity wasn't about the outcome of the artwork. It was all about the experience.

And, that's what art should always be about.

I can't express enough how much fun T had. She has already asked me to do it again.

Disclaimer: I recommend doing this activity outside (which I probably will do the next time we do this). If you do decide on doing it inside, use a tarp, drop cloth, or splat mat of some kind. Something not fabric like I did. T globbed on so much paint in the same spots that the paint soaked right through to the wood floor. Obviously, poor thinking on my part. All I can say is that I'm so thankful for the invention of the magic eraser!

Body Art: Part 1

Using your body to paint is always fun! But, since it can get messy, I make sure to keep a bucket of soapy water, a washcloth and a towel nearby. I actually usually do this whenever we are painting.

First, I had T use her forearm.

Then, she painted using her hands and thumbs.

She used her fists and thumbs to make a sun.

And, this is the outcome!

A beautiful Spring canvas perfect for decoration all season long.


Of course, there are many variations in how you may want to do this art project. Here is an example that my sister-in-law's daughter did because she liked the idea so much!

Isn't it cute?! That's why I love art. You can share your ideas and even though you do the same thing, it is never exactly the same as someone else's work of art. Art is unique, just like people.

If I could do it over, I'd have T use her thumbs for the tulips. I specifically asked her to not use them as I thought they would look more like tulips, but I think it would have been much cuter if she had used her whole handprint. I still think it turned out really cute and is a great keepsake.

Photo of the Week

Playdough Art

A Cardboard Home

My husband received a package in the mail recently and left the box it came in out in our dining area. When I noticed it, I immediately thought how the hole cut-outs looked exactly like big church or castle windows. Then, I had an idea and quickly began putting my imagination into realization. The end product turned out pretty well, I think.

As soon as I began constructing this little home for T, she saw me and was very excited to help. She immediately began decorating the roof with different shapes and colors.


And the back with some more artwork.

While, I worked on the inside and front garden area.

I admit, I really got into decorating this home for T. And she loves it! She's been playing with it every day since we made it together.

See the castle-type windows here?

We even made a barn for her farm animals (and My Little Ponies).

Kids always seem to love a cardboard box. A little imagination is all that's needed.

Snack Time

I found this idea on another blog, however, I don't remember exactly which one it was. Basically, I loved the idea because T is a snack grazer. She is constantly eating through out the day. I decided to use a muffin tin of assorted, healthy snack foods. At the time, I only had a muffin tin for 12 but now, I use one for 6.


It works great! T doesn't complain about any of the foods, because even if she doesn't want one thing, she usually has something else that she does want. And, I get to choose the snacks this way.

Photo of the Week

Little girls love dirt and worms just as much as little boys.

Shaving Cream

This is an activity I let T do on days with not much going on. Days that are begging to get messy. Because, some days do ask for this.


Feeling the texture...


making artwork...


exploring...


and most importantly, having fun!

Ken Robinson on Education Revolution

I wanted to share this video. I love the quote at the end. I really believe strongly in what he says and is worth your time to view.



"I have spread my dreams under your feet. Tread softly, because you tread on my dreams. And every day, everywhere, our children spread their dreams beneath our feet and we should tread softly." - Ken Robinson

I found this video at Teacher Tom. It is another wonderful blog that I can get lost in.

Letter of the Week

Letter L

'L' is for ladybug!

I don't take pictures of every activity we do, but rather, pictures of the activities T enjoys the most.

This week, she enjoyed tracing the letter L:


and this ladybug craft:

The ladybug cut-out only came with 8 spots, but I had to print out some more because she wanted to fit as many spots as she could on the wings. She wanted even more than this, but my limit was 16.

We played a new game this past week that I think we will incorporate into some of our letters in the future.


It's similar to Bingo. I read a word aloud and if it begins with the letter 'L', T stamps her paper. I just happened to have a leaf stamp for her to use, which was one of the words I read aloud.

I found the game print-out at Prekinders,
and our other activities from Confessions of a Homeschooler.

Mazes

Sadly, I don't have a photo for this week. Instead, I want to share a wonderful maze book that T just completed and absolutely loved!












My Book of Easy Mazes

Santa brought T this book Christmas morning. Mazes are one of T's favorite things to do and we will be buying another one of these books for her in the near future. I highly recommend it to other younger children (ages 2-3) as it is a great introduction to mazes with the perfect amount of difficulty. This company offers a lot of other maze books as well with different difficulty levels. (Just search on Amazon for which other ones you may like.)


Way to go, T!

Art on the Wall

When I saw this idea off Butterfly Wishes and Wonderland Dreams, I knew we just had to do it.

After T went to bed, I set everything up. The next morning, she was excited and started working on it first thing.

I just re-used some more packaging paper from packages I received by mail. Taped the paper onto the wall and set up her own little craft table.

I included, crayons, colored pencils, markers, chalk, stickers, glue and glitter glue, pom-poms, googly eyes, and shiny 'spangles'. (I guess that's what to call them...)

T loved doing this, so I put up another sheet of paper and brought out her paints.

Great idea and simple to do; my two favorite things!

Birdseed Cakes

So, even though Spring is right around the corner, it technically still is Winter. It actually snowed about a week ago here in the Northwest. T and I decided to not wait any longer on making these little treats for the birds. I found an easy 'how-to' off The Magic Onions and have been wanting to make them for quite some time.

T was happy to help and making these were quite easy. We just used some cookie cutters on a cookie sheet and had them set in the fridge so we didn't have to wait as long.

Didn't they turn out cute? We also made a birdseed tree, star, and flower.


T was very excited to help hang them up outside and really enjoyed watching the birds eat from our little treats.

I, however, am very ready for Spring to come. I even splurged a little and bought myself some tulips in anticipation.

Photo(s) of the Week

How could I pick just one?

T's Book Review

I chose to do T's book review a little different this time. My husband video recorded a video of T reading her favorite library book at bedtime. I wanted to share it with you as it shows how much she loved reading it. And, it's just cute.



Anna Dewdney is another favorite author of ours. We love her llama llama series as well.

T's favorite library books from last month include:
Nobunny's Perfect by Anna Dewdney
Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis
What Baby Wants by Phyllis Root
10 Minutes till Bedtime by Peggy Rathmann


Hope you check them out!