Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Chasing Cheerios
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Setting Up Our Nativity
For our 1st advent activity we set up O's nativity scene. She was excited and has enjoyed playing with the set. She insists that one of the shepards is a nurse and that baby Jesus is sick :) We also started painting handmande gifts as part of our 1st day activities. I'll post more about this later.
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
O's Advent Calendar
We FINALLY hung the advent calendar last night! We've been doing an activity each day, but I didn't have the ribbon I needed to hang it until yesterday. To make the calendar, I used a book of punch out boxes that we put together a few weeks ago. (I bought it last year after Christmas for 50% off). I was excited that Elliott joined me in building the boxes. It's fun to have him involved in crafting :) I'm not that happy with how the calendar turned out since it looks a little flimsy. It's definitely not one that will last for years and years :)
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
O has enjoyed the our activities each day. However, she was surprised to find a piece of paper when she opened the first box. She asked "where's choc-choc (chocolate)? where's toy?" I was quite surprised, and I think she may have gotten a little spoiled with treats while we were in Disneyworld :) I told what the note said and that the activity was her special surprise.
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
O has enjoyed the our activities each day. However, she was surprised to find a piece of paper when she opened the first box. She asked "where's choc-choc (chocolate)? where's toy?" I was quite surprised, and I think she may have gotten a little spoiled with treats while we were in Disneyworld :) I told what the note said and that the activity was her special surprise.
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Friday, November 28, 2008
My Christmas List
Elliott and my mom always ask me for a Christmas list for myself, and I always have a hard time thinking of anything to go on it. It wasn't too hard this year because I had a few things in mind :) Here it is:
a thermos with a pop-up top and straw from Target (I LOVE my kleen kanteen, but the top is annoying. A straw top would be so much easier to use, and I'm sure I would drink more water if I weren't so annoyed by the top!)
laminating paper
Dr. Sears Vaccine Book O is selectively vaccinated on a delayed schedule. She's actually almost caught up with her shots, but I'd like to have this book as a reference, especially if we ever have any more children.
Kids Knitting One of my New Year's resolutions for last year was to learn how to knit. It hasn't even come close to happening, so I'm hoping this book will help me come closer to this goal for the next year :) It has great reviews, and since it's written for children maybe it will be easy enough for my old brain to understand :)
a sticker maker I have big plans for this sticker maker! I plan to make stickers for O using photos, illustrations from old books, pictures from magazines, etc. However, I need to make sure the sticker cartridge has repositionable adhesive in it instead of permanent, so I won't have stickers permanently decorating every surface of my house!
That's it! Yes, I'm boring :) So...what's on your list?
a thermos with a pop-up top and straw from Target (I LOVE my kleen kanteen, but the top is annoying. A straw top would be so much easier to use, and I'm sure I would drink more water if I weren't so annoyed by the top!)
laminating paper
Dr. Sears Vaccine Book O is selectively vaccinated on a delayed schedule. She's actually almost caught up with her shots, but I'd like to have this book as a reference, especially if we ever have any more children.
Kids Knitting One of my New Year's resolutions for last year was to learn how to knit. It hasn't even come close to happening, so I'm hoping this book will help me come closer to this goal for the next year :) It has great reviews, and since it's written for children maybe it will be easy enough for my old brain to understand :)
a sticker maker I have big plans for this sticker maker! I plan to make stickers for O using photos, illustrations from old books, pictures from magazines, etc. However, I need to make sure the sticker cartridge has repositionable adhesive in it instead of permanent, so I won't have stickers permanently decorating every surface of my house!
That's it! Yes, I'm boring :) So...what's on your list?
O's Christmas List
I have to admit that while I try to minimize the amount of "stuff" that O has, and I strive to give her more handmade gifts than bought gifts, I do LOVE toys. I have a great time making O's Christmas wish list each year, and I'm so glad that her grandparents always request a list (otherwise I wouldn't make one). I enjoy researching toys and reading reviews. I have pretty strict criteria for the toys that go on O's list...no plastic, no batteries, no characters, made of wood, heirloom quality, open-ended, inspires creativity, etc. However, their are ALWAYS exceptions to my rules :) I make a LONG list so that O's grandparents can choose something that they like, and so they, hopefully, don't feel like I am just telling them what to buy :) Her grandparents usually buy 3 or 4 things off her list. We are VERY lucky that O's grandparents are respectful of our "criteria" for O's toys :) So here it is: (I'm copying and pasting from the email that I sent to O's grandparents. Although I have edited it a bit within the last week.)
Toys and Puzzles
rainbow blocks O loves her unit blocks so much that I think these will be a welcome addition to her open ended, creative block play!
Just Like Me Toddler Photo Doll Girl/Boy Set with Terrific Twins Clothes (felt paper doll made using O's picture) I think O will be thrillled to see herself as a paper doll! This is such a neat idea, and I think that since O loves to play dress up so much that it will be neat for her to dress up a doll that looks just like her!
block buddies
These blocks are so cool, and it's a great brain building exercise. I don't think amazon has a very good picture of the blocks, but www.mindware.com has better pictures if you are interested.
body puzzle Since O is very interested in veins and bones, I think this puzzle will be thrilling for her. I am sure she will learn so much from it.
yoga kit for kids O loved doing yoga months ago when we had a kids yoga library book, so I think it will be a fun addition to our morning routine to do yoga. I especially think she'll like pretending to be the different animals.
kids PVC free yoga mat
dollhouse nursery furniture
dollhouse accessory set
dollhouse furniture playground
marble runaround
All-in-One castle This is such an amazing toy. I wish I could see it in person! I think this is one that could definitely be passed down to O's children!
Nesting water waves
rainbow glockenspiel
magnetic labyrinth
Paint cups
Stories on CD
Jim Weiss Sweet Dreams cd
Jim Weiss Animal Tales
*Jim Weiss Good Night
Jim Weiss Fairytales
Montessori Materials
binomial cube
http://www.montessorioutlet.com/cgi-bin/item/S-021-1/search/Montessori-Outlet-Binomial-Cube
third box of color tablets
http://www.montessoriequipment.com/Color-Tablets-p/s.006.1.htm
baric tablets
http://www.montessoriequipment.com/Baric-Tablets-p/s.008.2.htm
thermic tablets
http://www.montessoriequipment.com/Thermic-Tablets-p/s.009.1.htm
metal insets with 2 stands http://www.montessoriequipment.com/Metal-Insets-p/l.411.1.htm
Games
Hello from around the world memory game O LOVES matching games, and I really like that this game uses actual photographs. I think it will be fun for her to learn how to say "hello" in so many different languages!
soundtracks game
Tell Me a Story cards
Toys and Puzzles
rainbow blocks O loves her unit blocks so much that I think these will be a welcome addition to her open ended, creative block play!
Just Like Me Toddler Photo Doll Girl/Boy Set with Terrific Twins Clothes (felt paper doll made using O's picture) I think O will be thrillled to see herself as a paper doll! This is such a neat idea, and I think that since O loves to play dress up so much that it will be neat for her to dress up a doll that looks just like her!
block buddies
These blocks are so cool, and it's a great brain building exercise. I don't think amazon has a very good picture of the blocks, but www.mindware.com has better pictures if you are interested.
body puzzle Since O is very interested in veins and bones, I think this puzzle will be thrilling for her. I am sure she will learn so much from it.
yoga kit for kids O loved doing yoga months ago when we had a kids yoga library book, so I think it will be a fun addition to our morning routine to do yoga. I especially think she'll like pretending to be the different animals.
kids PVC free yoga mat
dollhouse nursery furniture
dollhouse accessory set
dollhouse furniture playground
marble runaround
All-in-One castle This is such an amazing toy. I wish I could see it in person! I think this is one that could definitely be passed down to O's children!
Nesting water waves
rainbow glockenspiel
magnetic labyrinth
Paint cups
Stories on CD
Jim Weiss Sweet Dreams cd
Jim Weiss Animal Tales
*Jim Weiss Good Night
Jim Weiss Fairytales
Montessori Materials
binomial cube
http://www.montessorioutlet.com/cgi-bin/item/S-021-1/search/Montessori-Outlet-Binomial-Cube
third box of color tablets
http://www.montessoriequipment.com/Color-Tablets-p/s.006.1.htm
baric tablets
http://www.montessoriequipment.com/Baric-Tablets-p/s.008.2.htm
thermic tablets
http://www.montessoriequipment.com/Thermic-Tablets-p/s.009.1.htm
metal insets with 2 stands http://www.montessoriequipment.com/Metal-Insets-p/l.411.1.htm
Games
Hello from around the world memory game O LOVES matching games, and I really like that this game uses actual photographs. I think it will be fun for her to learn how to say "hello" in so many different languages!
soundtracks game
Tell Me a Story cards
A Lesson for O
Just in case there is any confusion...this post was written last Friday :)
We think it's important to teach O from an early age that it's better to give than receive. Last year, we filled a shoe box with goodies for Operation Christmas Child. This year we've (us and our extended family) adopted a family with 7 children under the age of 7. I told O about the family today, and I explained to her that we are buying toys and clothes for these children because they don't have many toys or clothes. Elliott gave O a few dollars, and O, my mom, and I went to town to quickly shop at the 3 dollar stores (this is a small town, and the only stores they have are Family Dollar, Dollar General, and Super 10. At least we didn't have to worry about Black Friday craziness!) O was not excited about buying toys that she did not get to keep at first. She picked out a doll that she felt like she just HAD to have. Luckily, we convinced her easily that she didn't need it since Baby Emma was waiting for her at home :) O was proud to show our purchases to my sister when we got home, and she said they were for the "other children and not O." Phew! I was afraid she wouldn't understand and would think that she got to keep the toys once we got them home. She also donated 2 dollars to St. Jude's, but I don't think she really understood that concept. Oh, well. At least we've started young :) I've also told her that when we get home (we are still at G & G's house) that I want her to go through her toys and books and choose some items to donate to kids who don't have as much as she does. She did not like this idea AT ALL, so we'll see how it goes!
We think it's important to teach O from an early age that it's better to give than receive. Last year, we filled a shoe box with goodies for Operation Christmas Child. This year we've (us and our extended family) adopted a family with 7 children under the age of 7. I told O about the family today, and I explained to her that we are buying toys and clothes for these children because they don't have many toys or clothes. Elliott gave O a few dollars, and O, my mom, and I went to town to quickly shop at the 3 dollar stores (this is a small town, and the only stores they have are Family Dollar, Dollar General, and Super 10. At least we didn't have to worry about Black Friday craziness!) O was not excited about buying toys that she did not get to keep at first. She picked out a doll that she felt like she just HAD to have. Luckily, we convinced her easily that she didn't need it since Baby Emma was waiting for her at home :) O was proud to show our purchases to my sister when we got home, and she said they were for the "other children and not O." Phew! I was afraid she wouldn't understand and would think that she got to keep the toys once we got them home. She also donated 2 dollars to St. Jude's, but I don't think she really understood that concept. Oh, well. At least we've started young :) I've also told her that when we get home (we are still at G & G's house) that I want her to go through her toys and books and choose some items to donate to kids who don't have as much as she does. She did not like this idea AT ALL, so we'll see how it goes!
A Lesson Learned...
I'm learning more and more about sewing everyday. Last night, I learned a very valuable lesson...it's sometimes a good idea to turn the sewing machine off before threading the needle! I was threading the needle while O was standing beside me drawing on a piece of paper. Somehow she stepped on the presser foot without realizing what it was, and that needle started moving FAST! It scared me too death, and we all screamed, but luckily I wasn't hurt :)
O's Handmade Doll Carrier
One our major projects for O's Christmas is a baby carrier that is modeled after my Beco. O loves to ride on my back in the Beco, so I hope that she'll love to carry her babies on her back, too.
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
After we finished the carrier, we decided to make a drawstring bag to store the carrier in. O is going to have a very organized diaper bag! I actually had nothing to do with the making of this bag. My mom made it while babysitting O and my niece. She's a busy lady! Thanks, Mom!
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
To make this carrier, I looked at my Beco for inspiration. O was asleep (and I didn't want her to see the carrier), so I used one of her shirts to figure out the size of the pattern. I cut the pattern from newspaper (and, of course, I almost forgot to allow for the seam. Luckily, my mom reminded me). I cut the fabric, sewed it front to front, leaving openings for the straps. To make the straps, I measured around O's waist with a ribbon and over her shoulders. I cut strips of the fabric, folded it front to front, and ironed it. Then I pinned it and sewed it. Once the straps were sewn, I pinned them in the carrier and sewed all around, leaving a small opening to turn it. I tacked the velcro onto the straps and left it for my mom to finish :) I was surprised by how quickly we made the carrier. I didn't even try to do the top stitching :) That was definitely a job for my mom, and she did a GREAT job! It's amazing how the top stitching changes the whole look of a project and makes it look SO MUCH better! Thanks, Mom!
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Another fun thing about this carrier is that it is reversible. Also, we used velcro on the straps, so she will have lots of room to grow. I hope she won't grow out of this carrier for at least 3 or 4 years :)
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
After we finished the carrier, we decided to make a drawstring bag to store the carrier in. O is going to have a very organized diaper bag! I actually had nothing to do with the making of this bag. My mom made it while babysitting O and my niece. She's a busy lady! Thanks, Mom!
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
To make this carrier, I looked at my Beco for inspiration. O was asleep (and I didn't want her to see the carrier), so I used one of her shirts to figure out the size of the pattern. I cut the pattern from newspaper (and, of course, I almost forgot to allow for the seam. Luckily, my mom reminded me). I cut the fabric, sewed it front to front, leaving openings for the straps. To make the straps, I measured around O's waist with a ribbon and over her shoulders. I cut strips of the fabric, folded it front to front, and ironed it. Then I pinned it and sewed it. Once the straps were sewn, I pinned them in the carrier and sewed all around, leaving a small opening to turn it. I tacked the velcro onto the straps and left it for my mom to finish :) I was surprised by how quickly we made the carrier. I didn't even try to do the top stitching :) That was definitely a job for my mom, and she did a GREAT job! It's amazing how the top stitching changes the whole look of a project and makes it look SO MUCH better! Thanks, Mom!
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Another fun thing about this carrier is that it is reversible. Also, we used velcro on the straps, so she will have lots of room to grow. I hope she won't grow out of this carrier for at least 3 or 4 years :)
A Handmade Tissue Holder
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Since I don't want O's doll diaper bag to be disorganized, I thought this handmade tissue holder would be the perfect place for her to store her doll's cloth wipes :) I followed the tutorial on Skip to My Lou, and the tissue holder was incredibly easy to make! It's the first thing I've EVER sewn completely independently (on the sewing machine)! I'm very proud :)
More Handmade Gifts
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Regular readers of this blog probably know that my mom and I are making a doll diaper bag full of handmade items for O for Christmas. Here are a few recent projects. Last night I made 2 cloth baby wipes and a burp cloth. They are so tiny and soft :) My mom did the top stitching...I tried to do it and almost ruined them. I'm getting better at this sewing thing, but I still need a lot of practice :)
Floam is Fun!
My friend, Becca, has been telling me about floam for a while, and we finally tried it! I planned on making homemade floam eventually, but when I saw it in the dollar store, I decided to go ahead and buy it. It's fun and a nice change from playdoh (although we still prefer playdoh). It's a bit more firm than playdoh, and it's somewhat difficult for O to roll flat, but she still has fun with it :)
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Story Time Felts
We LOVE the Terrific Twin Toddler Felt Dolls! My 4 year old niece, M, and O (28 months) were very excited when I told them that I had a new toy for them to try out this morning. They played with the dolls for quite a while. I love how focused and quiet they were while playing! My sister tried to get M to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade on tv, but she didn't want to stop playing with the dolls. She finished her dinner quickly and immediately went back to playing with the dolls :) O and I had fun playing together, and I really like that the dolls are thick enough that you can dress them and then walk them around like they are figurines. We had so much fun!
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
I really like that the dolls are made of VERY thick felt. This makes it easier and more fun to play with them like figurines instead of on a felt board.
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
This is the tote that the dolls are stored in.
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
M LOVES the dolls even more than O does. My sister is definitely getting her a set of the dolls for Christmas! I love buying gifts for O that are well-made, open ended, and inspire creative play. These dolls definitely meet all of my criteria :) I also really like the photo dolls in felt. These dolls would be a fun keepsake :)
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
I really like that the dolls are made of VERY thick felt. This makes it easier and more fun to play with them like figurines instead of on a felt board.
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
This is the tote that the dolls are stored in.
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
M LOVES the dolls even more than O does. My sister is definitely getting her a set of the dolls for Christmas! I love buying gifts for O that are well-made, open ended, and inspire creative play. These dolls definitely meet all of my criteria :) I also really like the photo dolls in felt. These dolls would be a fun keepsake :)
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
An Upcoming Review
I just received a set of the Terrific Twins Toddler Felt Dolls from Story Time Felts, and I can't wait to write a review on them for all of you. I've been very interested in getting these dolls for O because I love paper dolls, but I'm afraid that she is a little young for them (28 months). Felt paper dolls are the perfect solution! I emailed the owner of the company asking if she would send a set of dolls for me to review. I wasn't really expecting to hear back from her at all, so imagine my surprise when she emailed me back within 10 minutes and said she'd love to send the dolls!!! I was shocked and happy :) The dolls arrived while we were at Disneyworld, but Elliott brought them to us tonight (we are still at O's Guh-guh and Grandpa's house). I was immediately impressed by several things: the dolls and their accessories are packaged in a see through bag (I love it when toys come with storage bags!); I was expecting the dolls to be made of regular felt, but they are actually VERY thick and sturdy; and the clothing and accessories are adorable and very well made (read here to see more about the product and process). I can't wait until tomorrow when I show the dolls to the girls (my niece and O). I hope they love them as much as I do. I'll let you know!
A Few Musical Instruments
I always try to buy musical instruments when we travel, and I was very pleased with the instruments I found at Disneyworld. Most of them had tags stating that they were handmade in places such as Ghana and Indonesia, and that a portion of the proceeds are donated to the communities in which they are made. Hopefully, that's true and not just a gimmick to get people to buy them! I was especially excited about the thumb drum! I've been looking at these online and in catalogs for a long time, but I'd never seen one IRL. I think we are going to have lots of fun making music soon. O might wake up to a stocking full of musical instruments on Christmas morning!
A Few Souvenirs
I was really excited to get O some neat items for her dress-up suitcase while we were at Disneyworld. I was looking forward to buying souvenirs in the World Showcase at Epcot, but I was disappointed at 1st. Then I found a hat and parasol in China. They were both reasonably priced, and I think she'll love them. The red hat came from Africa in the Animal Kingdom. I was surprised by how reasonably priced everything was. I was expecting outlandish prices for souvenirs since it's Disneyworld :)
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)