My Little Muffin Maker

Today we read books, played with play dough and made coffee cake muffins. C loves to make anything and everything. She usually sings songs during our activities... that's when I know she is the happiest. :)

Very focused at stirring all the ingredients.

 "Stttttirrrring!"

 "Is that an egg? Is it white?"

 "Yeah, it is white"

 More stirring

 Let's not forget about our favorite Buddy

 Busy at work

 Smelling the batter

 Into the oven... do you see the smushed nose against the glass. C is very excited!

  

Dancing and singing during the baking. Still excited.

Trying to figure how the muffins are changing... very observant C!

 Back to supervising.

"MMMmmm, let me have one!"

 Delish!

 Buddy joined in on the goods.

 "No Buddy I do it"

 "There it is"

Buddy and his Big Sister

Swing Swing?!?

Charlotte LOVES to swing, as soon as we pull into the park I hear a shout from the back seat.... Swing? Swing?! Swwwwwiiiiinnnnnnnng!!! She can easily spend an hour in the swing. It is her favorite thing to do at the park. Sometimes we go to the park just for a swing.

People watching

Telling me NOOO Mama, she doesn't want her picture taken. Another favorite thing, saying NO! Ugh.

Oh Charlotte, won't you please smile for me. I swear she loves to swing!

Brady however could really care less, he swings or he sits and watches Sister have all the fun. 

What a goofy face, B Man. 

More Tot Trays

Here are this week's activities...

Spooning

Focus: Hand/eye coordination

Materials: plastic jewels, paint palette and spoon

 Small spaces
Focus: Hand/eye coordination
Materials: Dry spaghetti noodles and an empty plastic container with small hole openings (I found mine in my spice cupboard)

 

 She really liked this activity and went right to work when I pulled it out and modeled it for her.

 C took a break and belted out in song. Here she is singing into her spaghetti noodle microphone. Too funny.

 And back to work.

Cutting

Materials: Scissors and strips of paper

C needs a lot of coordination to learn how to cut, I envision this skill will take longer to acquire.

A Big Girl, B Man & Bears

This morning Charlotte insisted on dressing herself for the first time... which included last night's nightgown, a dress (used as a skirt) and pink leggings. Good thing we were staying home all day! Whew. As I was brushing her teeth and placing pigtails upon her little blonde head she spoke a few sassy words. Our morning conversation at the bathroom sink was more than amusing...

Me: Charlotte, did you dress yourself today?

Charlotte: Yes

Me: You are such a BIG girl!

C: Yeah Mom, I know.

Seriously?!? Charlotte is 2 going on 16. Sassy thing. What am I going to do with you?! Please don't grow too fast, you may be ready but I am not. Lol.

 Oh Bear, he is the most loved teddy bear I know. Bear is Charlotte bestest friend in all the world. He really is such a good sport as Charlotte drags him everywhere. His days are spent face first on the floor forgotten about or directed to sit and drink at a daily, sometimes hourly, tea party. Every night he sleeps in a head lock position underneath the arm of my first born. Every tear that is shed soaks into his fur. Every hug is forced from his owner. Above all you know that Bear is appreciated and cherished. Thank you Bear for being a part of our family.

 B Man and Ted, da bear

 Not quite the affectionate friends as Charlotte and Bear.

Someday soon Ted, you as well, will be loved by a cuddly guy named B Man!

Standing Power

 B Man is working on his standing power. His sister was much more independent by 10 months, I try not to compare too much because these kiddos are so different to begin with. Anyway, he prefers standing with assistance but sooner than later he will be on his own.

 Love those chunky thighs. So kissable!

 Pride at it's finest.

 He is thinking... "Mom, I know I'm cute"

"Mom, stop already with the pictures. The flash is burning my eyes!"

Whimsical Valentine's Cupcake Liner Wreath

WHAT:  Whimsical Valentine's Wreath , made out of cupcake liners!

WHERE: The tutorial can be found here, http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2010/01/whimsical-valentine-wreath.html.

HOW MUCH: Under $5!!! Yes, 5 bucks! I got all my goodies at the Dollar Tree. That place is awesome.

MATERIALS: a foam wreath, ribbon to wrap the wreath (I just used what I had on hand), 75 cupcake liners and embellishments or 3 of these little babies...

Now what do I do with the zillion of the leftover toothpick hearts? Hmmm. Ideas, anyone?

First Words

B Man said Mama for the first time on December 28th. It was a late Christmas present I might add. It was the best feeling in the world to hear him say my name first. It took all of 14 months before C said Mama. She is all her Daddy's girl.

Here is B Man today, completely thrilled with himself after we celebrated his new word UH-OH. Adorable.

10 months and 1 day old

Tot Books: Colors

This concept is brilliant. Tot books are mini file folders filled with information. When I taught 2nd Grade I had tons of file folder games that helped reinforced concepts, my kids loved them. I am so excited to create some Tot books for C. Check out this website for more ideas and best of all, free printables to create your own,  http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.com/TotBooksTotPacksALL.html I am aslo thinking this is a great tool to store in the car.

Here is mine I made up... I used 1/2 manilla folder, construction paper, markers, glue stick and contact paper for lamination, and velcro dots. C loved the feeling of ripping the velcro apart.

 The folder.

 The tot (hamming it up).

The task.

 

As you can see Barbie is learning her colors too. Lol

A quick jaunt into the playhouse tent as the attention span lacked today.

 Back to work.

 A job well done!

She loved it. Our conversation went like this...
Mommy: Where is the orange?
C: Where is orange?
C finds the orange.
C: There is orange! Giggle giggle and an added squeal and jump.
And repeat with remaining colors. I can't count how many times she occupied herself with this folder.

The bystander.
I am loving that  little belly that hangs over. Heheee. :)