It's finished!!! I started taking pictures for this book in April and planned on finishing for O's birthday in July. I worked on it and thought I'd finish it in August. Then I put it down and didn't pick it back up until Sunday. I'm so happy to be finished with it, and O loves it! Yay!!!!
Chasing Cheerios
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Multi-age Grouping with an Only Child
How do you do mult-age grouping when you are using Montessori methods to homeschool an only child? With baby dolls, of course! Every time O does her puzzles, she makes sure that Tiny is nearby to watch. Yesterday, she even did hand over hand to teach Tiny how to do the puzzle.
Pipe Cleaner Work
The idea for this activity came from Montessori Mama's blog. We've done something similar using toothpicks, but this was a little more challenging. I cut the pipe cleaners long enough to stick out of the container, so she could pull them out after she finished putting them in. She really enjoyed this work!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Geometric Solids
I introduced the geometric solids to O today. I expected her to like them more than she did. I am following Gettman's instructions as to how to how to introduce them, so today we just felt them and experienced them. She was mainly interested in building a castle :)
Baby Doll Diapers
My mom and I have been working hard on O's handmade Christmas gifts :) We were glad to finish these baby doll diapers for Baby Emma. I made the small striped on by myself (except for the velcro. My mom sewed it on with the sewing machine after I tacked it). Unfortunately, I always forget about the seam allowance, so it's a tight fit. Fortunately, Baby Emma doesn't mind :) While we were working, my mom tried one of the diapers on Baby Emma, and she was concerned that it gapped a little in the back. I reminded her that we don't have to worry about leaks with these diapers :) I guess she was remembering our days (about 2 years ago) when we made diapers for O. These were MUCH easier, but we both enjoyed making the quilt much more than the diapers :)
Sunday, November 9, 2008
O's Doll Cradle...In Progress
Elliott and I have been working on O's doll cradle today. He was not at all excited about it, but he worked hard once we got started :) I drew out a pattern on a grocery bag and then traced it onto the board. Then Elliott cut everything out. It's a bit assymetrical, but hopefully O won't notice the imperfections :) I sanded it tonight, and I'm hoping to prime and paint it tomorrow.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
A Handmade Christmas
It's finished!!! Well...it's almost finished. We still haven't actually quilted it yet :) This baby doll quilt is a big part of O's handmade Christmas this year. We made it to match her "I Spy" quilt that we made for her last year. I am so happy with how it turned out, and I have to give the vast majority of the credit to my mom. Thanks, Mom! Unfortunately, O has already seen it, but I'm hoping she'll somehow forget about it before Christmas (not likely). We suggested that maybe we were making it for my niece, and O didn't like that idea at all! She said "Guh-guh make kilt for O!" We reminded her that she already had a quilt, and she said "O needs 2!" Now, I just have to convince Elliott to help me make her baby doll cradle!
Friday, November 7, 2008
O's Stage
O asked me to help her spread out her silks to make a stage. She had lots of fun dancing on her stage. I was just glad that she's feeling better (she's had a cold with a low grade fever all week). These playsilks are the best *toys* ever!!!
Costumes for O's Dress-up Suitcase
I also got great deals on several costumes. I was very excited to find the butterfly, cat, and poodle at Old Navy for 5 dollars each (regularly 22.50). The Cinderella dress came from Target, and it was not such a great deal even though it was 50% off. However, a "buh-loo dess ike Cindah-ella" is the only thing that O has ever really requested," so I couldn't really refuse that :) (we've been reading Cinderella very frequently in preparation for our upcoming Disneyworld trip). I can't wait to see her face when she opens it on Christmas morning.
After Halloween Deals
I've been looking forward to getting after Halloween deals for a LONG time! I'm putting together a suitcase of dress-up clothes and accesories for O for Christmas, so I knew that the week after Halloween would be the time to stock up. I got the wigs for around a dollar each, the gloves for 25 cents, and the face paint for a dollar :) I also bought fall cookie cutters that she can use now (for playdoh and maybe cookies), and Halloween foam stickers that we can have fun with next Halloween. I LOVE a good deal!!!
The Stairway
This is the last one I promise (for now anyway)! My mom and I hung these counting bird pictures in the stairway at O's level so she can enjoy them and count with them as we walk up and down the stairs. She's actually not very interested in them, but that's ok. I really like them, and they make the stairway much more interesting :)
O's Apron and Chef's Hat
Here are O's apron and chef's hat which are also hanging on a low hook in the kitchen. We also have her bibs hanging on a low hook so that she can get them herself when it's time to eat.
I wish I could put all of these prepared environment photos in one post, but I can only post one picture per post since I'm blogging through flickr :(
O's Coats & Sweaters
We hung low hooks right by the door in our bedroom (which is the door we primarily use since the main door is upstairs, and I don't like to take O down the outside flight of stairs), so that she can easily reach her coat when it's time to go outside. She loves to lay it out on the floor and flip it over her head to put it on "all by self!"
More from O's Prepared Environment
We hung hooks low on the side of our pantry in the kitchen for O's cleaning tools. She can reach them easily when she feels the need to swift, dust, or vacuum :)
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Another Shelf
Just in case anyone is interested...on this shelf we have O's lentil tray, her broom and dustpan (mainly used to sweep lentils), and her window washing kit. This shelf is right next to a sliding glass door that she enjoys cleaning often. All of the shelves in these recent posts are in the kitchen.
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