Splat painting - Sponge painting- Finger painting

I kept seeing the splat painting going on in blog land almost everywhere lately. I loved the idea and finally got around to trying it out with T.

However, T had another idea in how she wanted to create. She had no interest in using the spatula I provided when I showed her how to splat the sponges with it. Instead, she chose to get her hands "dirty" and grab the sponges themselves and she began sponge painting.


I have no problem with this as like I've said before, it's the process of creating that matters. I'm just here to provide the tools and encourage creativity.


After a few minutes of sponge painting, she quickly forgot the sponges all together as well. She began glopping her hands with paint and just gooping the paint between her fingers.






She also decided to paint some other objects that were around her besides the big sheet of paper.

Grass-

Sidewalk-

I brought out the bucket of soapy water, a sponge, and a towel for her to clean off herself. It was quite messy but she really enjoyed herself. It was quite the sensory experience, I think.

Photo of the Week

Carefree Days

Richard Scarry

When I was a young child, I fondly remember reading my Richard Scarry books. One of my favorites was Richard Scarry's Animal Nursery Tales. It contains classic nursery tales, such as The Three Little Pigs, The Gingerbread Man and Three Billy Goats Gruff, among others.

I got rid of a lot of my childhood toys and books, including Scarry's Nursery Tale book. Although, thankfully, I did keep some of his Golden Books and other memorable items, such as my rocking horse my dad made for me, my big Raggedy Ann, and child-sized rocking chair.

Three months ago, I placed this book on hold at our local library and we finally were able to check it out this month. It sure brings back memories. I love that T enjoys reading the stories as much as I did as a child. I think her favorite is the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

I also wanted to share this Scarry book I bought for L this past Easter, I Am a Bunny. The cutest book EVER. (I am partial to books with adoreable illustrations.)


I love Richard Scarry's books because they have always held my attention and they are visually appealing. Definitely check out his books if you haven't already.

I also came across these classic Golden Book stories on youtube. I wanted to share these even though they aren't all Richard Scarry stories. I have fond memories of all of them. T also enjoys watching these little stories on the computer.
Nursery Tales (It has 4 parts)
Scuffy the Tugboat
What Was That!
The Poky Little Puppy

Letter of the Week

Letter N is for Nest

and

Letter O is for Octopus

Once again, I used the wonderful and free letter of the week printouts from Confessions of a Homeschooler. Check out her blog if you haven't already. I love it!

Letter N coloring page and letter O tracing page.


Size sorting the octopuses into small, medium, and large.



And, one of T's favorite activities; poking holes along the lines using a toothpick. This works best on the carpet.


And I don't remember if I shared this or not yet, but if you go to Starfall and click on 'ABCs', you will find ABC printouts at the very top of that page. Or you can just go here. I usually print out just the first page.

Photo of the Week

Baby L likes his avocado.

Ken Robinson- The Gift of the Human Imagination

Another video of Ken Robinson. I find his speech's so inspiring that it's hard for me to not share. He speaks about how important it is to educate a child's whole being.

Window Crayons

T has been decorating our windows with her artwork for about 2 years now.
Window Crayons

T's window drawings over the past couple years...
















And, they are still a hit.

Flour Girl

My little girl loves to help me in the kitchen. Every time she sees me cooking or baking, she asks to help. And, I usually let her. A few nights ago, as I was cooking dinner, T grabbed a bowl and the salt and pepper shakers and began experimenting. She then asked for the flour, which I also had out for dinner. Then, asked for some water. She made her own little concoction and it kept her quite busy and entertained while I finished cooking.


It was a little messy, but was completely worth the joy that it gave T. She felt proud of her final product and even tasted it.


A few days later, I saw a post that used flour in their sensory box. (I look at so many blogs, it's hard to remember where I saw this idea from.) So, I turned T's rice box into a flour box.


T was captivated!


She asked for a mixing spoon. Silly mom forgot it.


Feeling...


Scooping...


Sifting...



A little chef in the making...

Photo of the Week

Love

Storytelling

Have you ever created your own story and told it to your children? A few months ago, I began doing this for the first time with T. She immediately loved it and demanded more right then. So, I told her another one. And another one. We have continued this just about every day now. A few days after me telling the first story, T began telling me stories of her very own. She has such an imagination and it's so cute to watch her mind think up different scenarios. She can go on and on and on.



I cut the video off because otherwise it would have been too long. Like I said, she can go on for awhile...

I encourage all parents to try this with their young children. Don't be afraid; you'll be surprised how the stories just come to you. And with children, the stories don't have to be elaborate. In fact, they're better when kept simple.

"A homemade story is a gift from heart to heart."- Sharifa Oppenheimer

Frog Pond

At this year's Easter egg hunt, T happened to receive 4 little froggies in her Easter eggs. Around that same time, I saw a frog pond scene at Let the children play and another one at Prekinders. Inspired by these, I came up with my own creative scene just for T.


I used her new rainbow silk scarf she also received from the Easter bunny as a table covering to make the scene more irresistable to play with.


I often set things like this up during T's nap time so it's a surprise when she wakes up. Mainly, because I often have a harder time keeping her occupied in the afternoons and it makes things more exciting and new for her.


Since that first day, the frog pond has been both inside and outside, the water has been turned blue with these, rice from her rice box has been thrown into the tub (and also has turned blue), and toys have been added and taken away through out the past 2 weeks.


I think it's about that time for the frog pond to be taken away and replaced with something else just as new and exciting. I just haven't figured what that something else is going to be yet.

Photo of the Week

Outside play with cousin A

T's Book Review

T had a hard time picking just one favorite library book this past month. Her response when I asked her was, "I like all of them!"

But, after discussing it with her a little more, she did finally decide on just one favorite for her interview. She chose, If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Numeroff.



Why was this book your favorite?
That's cause he only makes the cat spill sprinkles.

What happens in this story?
The little boy gives a cat a cupcake. He wants sprinkles and he spilled!


T also really enjoyed reading:
Fancy Nancy by Jane O'Connor "It's my favorite." - I thought for sure this would be her choice as we read this one more than any of the others.
Duck on a Bike by David Shannon
Red Riding Hood by James Marshall

But, like I said, she really enjoyed reading all those books I listed. She had a hard time choosing which 3 to read each night before bed.

Celebrating May Day

Yesterday, we made a craft in celebration of May Day. I never had done anything for May Day before, but this year I have been so excited for Spring, that I just really wanted to do a little something.

So, in honor of the traditional basket of flowers left anonymously at doorsteps, we made our own little flower vases to hang on our doorknobs.

I let T decorate some construction paper. The idea was for her to decorate two pieces of paper for two difference vases, but she really insisted that I do one and she do the other. So, I did one too.


She drew flowers, a polka-dotted sun, and clouds of many different colors.

I then folded the paper into a cone and taped it in place with double-sided tape. I hole punched both sides and strung yarn through the holes for it to hang. A few weeks ago, I had picked up some "spring flowers" from the craft store that were on sale. We used those so we can have our flowers hanging on the door knobs for as long as we like.

Here's mine hanging at our front door:


And, here's T's hanging on her bedroom doorknob:


I absolutely love how they bring spring into the home.
And, yesterday was a BEAUTIFUL day spent mostly outside in the warm sunshine. Perfect first day of May.