Firework-inspired art for toddlers

Inspired by the shape and color of fireworks, we created some patriotic art work!  We used the “doodle paint” recipe (flour, salt, water, paint) in squeeze bottles--- the girls (Little Roo and a friend) were able to squeeze and drip paint onto coffee filters.  We talked about how to turn the bottle and wait for it to drip or squeeze it, as well as the colors and the shape of the coffee filter.  I mentioned the colors of the American flag and we can see one out the window.   They don’t know what fireworks are yet, and probably won’t be up late enough to see them this year.  For them it was about exploring paint in a new way, on a new paper. The texture of the paint is also different because of the salt, when it did get on their hands we talked about how it felt rough, not smooth like finger-paint.  I like to keep projects open-ended, but get inspiration from holidays, seasons, interests, etc. When this paint dries, there is a bit of a sparkle to it from the salt!

w

two hands!

waiting for the blue to drip!

To Gift Or Not To Gift??

Why is it so hard to respect a “no-gift” request for a child’s birthday party?  I am serious….I will be making a similar request when Little Roo turns two in a couple months, so why when I am asked to just come to celebrate a little boy turning one do I immediately think “I should at least get him something little?!”  I think there are many reasons to make the request of friends to skip gift giving.  Financial burden, child already has plenty of toys, parent wanting to ensure toys fit with their philosophy, burden of time and effort-- to name a few.  That being said, traditions become hard-wired in us and we can’t imagine a birthday without presents or cake.  We know that this child is going to get presents, even if it is not from us. Yet, we still have trouble respecting the parents’ wishes, which would actually make our lives just a little easier. The first party Little Roo was ever invited to had a “no gift” request, which I promptly I ignored.  Some of the other party-goers listened and I, in turn, unintentionally made them feel bad for not bringing a gift.  I was excited for the party and thought that I would never be able to show up without a gift.  Nearly a year later, Little Roo has a lot of friends that will all be celebrating birthdays every year.  From my perspective, I have started to realize that can really add up!   This time around, I decided to make a little something for the birthday boy instead….I guess I would still feel bad showing up “empty-handed.”  I made a small batch of play dough, stuck it in a cupcake liner and added a candle.  This would also make a cute party favor!  What are your thoughts on birthday parties with "no gifts??"

Sidewalk Painting!

All you need is a paintbrush, water, a sunny day and a sidewalk!!   Sometimes the hardest thing to come by in New England is the sunshine!! This fun activity is a no-mess (although depending on how much your child likes getting wet, may require a change of clothes) way to paint.  When the picture dries up, paint another, and another, and another. Older kids can time how long it takes to dry and then compare to other days findings.

When I taught preschool, the children also enjoyed “painting” the climbing structure, picnic table, fence, etc.  It can be fun to mix water painting with chalk for a different spin on the creativity!  

Simple Sorting for Young Toddlers

Toddlers learn so much from just living and playing!  If your toddler is anything like mine, they also like simple tasks and activities that they can feel successful at accomplishing. Aside from puzzles, shape sorters, and stacking rings, here are some of our favorites!  When we have had a stretch of time at home, I often quickly pull together an activity to engage Little Roo that happens to introduce her to a learning concept or skill.  Most of these activities were thrown together from items around the house (even better, in my opinion!).

Basic Color Sorting  Our first color sorting activity, I took shapes from a shape sorter and corresponding colors of cardstock and showed Roo how to make matches.  We use stacking cups and pom-poms for a similar activity.

she often puts it in the incorrect spot first and says, "no!"

"yes!"

so proud!

Freight Train Cut and Match  I had made felt train cars inspired by Donald Crew’s book Freight Train.  There was a stack of magazines about to go in the recycling bin.  I decided to cut out vibrant colored objects from the magazines and have Roo place them in the train car of the same color.  Older children, who have experience with scissors, can help find and cut the pictures themselves. 

Buttons or Pom-Poms and an Egg Carton  Roo opened a drawer of scrapbooking supplies and pulled out a small container of buttons.  I rummaged around to find an empty egg carton.  I let her explore on her own, and wouldn’t you know? She placed one button in each opening! How’s that for one-to-one correspondence?!  You can also put colors or numbers at the bottom of each egg holder and have your child sort colored buttons or pom-poms or when they are older count and place the corresponding amount in each spot. (Make sure your child is no longer placing items in their mouth if you are going to use buttons or pom-poms or just watch them very closely!)

Animal and Book Matching  I noticed that the set of little plastic animals we own coordinates with some of Little Roo’s chunky animal books.  We match them, placing the animal on top of the book.  This is a perfect activity to throw in the diaper bag, we pull it out while waiting at a restaurant or doctor’s office (5 small books and 5 plastic animals have a lot of playing potential and since the books are small they aren’t too cumbersome!).  We also find other animals in books to match with animal toys.  If you don’t happen to have books that match, you can print photos to match with any of your animal toys.

Roo (now 20 months) loves to complete these tasks. What toddler doesn’t like to clap for themselves??  She learns so quickly and amazes me everyday by how much she has learned and changed in her short 20 months of living!  I look forward to spending more time with her and finding teachable moments in her every day play! 

Family Meal Monday---Sweet Potato Soup and Kale Chips

There is nothing like a rainy day to make a batch of soup!  We have come to realize how much extra sodium is in packaged soups.  Last fall/winter I began broadening my soup making repertoire.  One of our favorites is Sweet Potato Soup.  I portion some out for Little Roo (allowing time to cool) and then add in chipotle peppers (I am kind of obsessed with them!) 

 I put some dried fruit and nuts in the bowl before serving the soup.  A little sweetness and crunch in the soup is delicious! 

 As you can see, I had a willing helper in the kitchen, mashing and sampling the sweet potatoes.  Luckily, the girl loves to wash her hands so we alternated smashing and washing.

The only other adaptation from the recipe we make it that my husband prefers a thicker, chunkier soup so rather than blending the soup, I just bake the sweet potatoes until they are really soft and mashable and don’t blend it at all.

We recently came across a huge bag of kale at BJ’s for a very small price.  I knew that it was a super food, but I hadn’t ever used it in my cooking.  I banked on Pinterest providing me with some great ideas!  I found making Kale Chips so easy, and they turn out crunchy, and yummy!! I don’t like the smell in the house as they bake, but it is a small price to pay for nutritious food.  Other seasonings can be used; I like them with chili powder!

Refrigerator Re-Do

I was tired of the outside of my refrigerator looking like this:

So, I used a little scrapbook paper to create some visually appealing places for a grocery list, artwork and a weekly menu.  I had them laminated at Staples, added some clothespins and viola! I use dry erase markers for the menu.  I am still undecided about the photos (love the actual pictures, but I am not sure if it makes it too busy?)…maybe some color ones instead of the black and whites?

Family Meal Monday--Veggie Burgers and Sweet Potato Fries

I love cooking for my family.  Finding healthy meals for everyone can be tricky.  There are almost too many places to search for recipes.  I will be sharing recipes (either my own or, more often, from other sources) and how I adapt them to meet the needs and preferences of two adults and a toddler.   We strive to eat at least one meal a day together as a family.  My husband doesn't always work the same schedule, so sometimes our meal is breakfast and other times it is dinner, on the weekends it is usually all three!  Coming together as a family and connecting over a healthy meal is a habit we knew we wanted to start with little Roo from the beginning.

First up—veggie burgers and baked sweet potato fries.  As vegetarians, we do enjoy veggie burgers, and my favorites tend to be home-made black bean burgers!  I found this recipe and love the flavor the spices bring to the burgers.  I mix in shredded zucchini and carrots to add a little extra nutrition to the meal.  Chiptole or other peppers will add some heat, if you like it!  Serve with fresh spinach, tomatoes, and avocado.  I find a bun is not necessary, the burgers are super filling.

Adapt for the younger set: make the burgers into “meatballs” (for some reason “veggie balls” just sounds weird to me).  I separate some of the mixture out for meatballs prior to adding anything spicy.  Sprinkle with a little cheese for the reluctant eater.

Sweet potato fries—These baked fries made from sweet potatoes are delicious and good for you!  I used chili powder, nutmeg, and chipotle to season ours. With the little ones in mind, you can place the cut sweet potatoes and seasoning in a large bag and let them shake it up, if they like to help in the kitchen.  I reserved a few and sprinkled with just a bit of cinnamon for Little Roo.

Any requests? Should I write about the actual process making the meals, if they aren't my own recipes? I would love feedback!