Fall Apothecary Jars

This fall I filled my apothecary jars with nature.  The first one has Pumpkins, the second one has Twigs, and the third, Acorns and Moss.

Learning to spell Allison

How do kids learn to spell their name?  Usually they first learn the first letter of their name, then they learn to recognize their name written.  If they see a number of names they will be able to identify theirs.  But, to spell their name out loud is a bit harder.  When Allison turned 3 we want to teach her how to spell her name.  For a few weeks we said A is for Allison.  Then we went on to practice spelling her name.  She would usually A-L-L-A-B-C-D. Cute! But not the correct spelling.  We would practice a lot, while playing, in the car and while she was going potty.  Then we realized she could sing Mary Had a Little Lamb, the Alphabet, Jesus Loves Me, If Your Happy and You Know It, and so on. . . IDEA!  Put her name to a song!  So we did.  To help Allison learn how to spell her name my husband and I put the letters of her name to a song.  A-L-L-I-S-O-N.  Not a familiar song, just a little tune we made up.  It worked!  She learned how to spell her name in about a week.  

(Now she is practicing writing her name)

Easter Apothecary Jars

The first jar has a bunny that is a fuzzy piggy bank, the second has shredded crinkle paper, and the third has painted paper mache eggs.  Happy Easter!

Did You Know?

On Monday April 9, 2012, the First Family will host the 134th annual White House Easter Egg Roll.  Click here to find out more.

Connor the Climber

Connor started to pull himself to a stand by holding on to the couch, bench and the toy box.  Now a week later, he can climb up stairs.  I can’t believe it!  Yesterday my husband was behind Connor as he climbed up about 5 stairs in 1 minute.  He is not even 9 months old yet and he is climbing up stairs.  Boy am I in trouble!  (we have 3 sets of stairs)

Construction Paper Eggs

Happy First Day of spring!  Today to kick off the start of spring I wanted Allison to use a glue stick 100% by herself.  I cut out eggs out of paper and cut out some shapes and glues the shapes on to the eggs.  She had so much fun!  She was able to be creative and she loved that they were shapes she was glueing on.  Simple, easy to prepare, she felt like she was doing a craft and she had a blast!

Did You Know?

The first day of spring is March 20th!

Crock-pot Vegetable beef soup

I use my 6Qt Crock-pot.  

For me it is much easier to cook, bake, and do things around the house in the morning than in the late afternoon or evening.  On this particular day we had 4” of snow and I told Pinky Pie we could go play in it when she woke up from her nap.  After we played out in the snow we came in the house and there in the kitchen was our hot soup waiting for us. Great example of a good day to use my crock-pot! 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb. Stew Beef

1 1/2 C. Carrots (chopped, or whole baby carrots)

1 1/2 C. Celery (chopped)

1 1/2 C. Zucchini (2 zucchinis)

2 C. Broccoli (bit size pieces)

6-7 Red Potatoes (about 2 1/2 C.)

1 Yellow Onion (chopped)

12 Garlic Cloves (minced)

64oz. of Vegetable Broth

1 Can Diced Tomatoes 

2 tsp. Italian Seasoning

Salt & pepper to taste

Take Action:

1. Chop all your veggies

2. Brown the beef by dredging the beef flower, salt and pepper.

3. Put them in a pan with a little oil, just long enough to brown each side. Working in batches if necessary.

4. (Optional) Add all the onion to the pan and saute for 3 minutes then add the garlic for one more minute.

5. Put everything into the crock-pot with the lid on.  High for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-7 hours.

6. Enjoy! 

Browning the Beef

Sautéed onions 

All ready to start cooking!

Other Options:

1. Just add everything to the crock-pot and the beef will be shredded.

2. Don't add beef and you will have yourself a delicious veggie soup.

It is so cool to watch how babies learn!

Recently Little Bubs has been very interested in his hands.  Yesterday he was watching one hand move and I thought it was so cute.  I soon saw his other hand slowly move over and softly grab the hand that he was watching.  So cute!  

Tonight in the bath Bubs found some bubbles and thought they would be fun to play with.  He tried to pick them up but they wouldn’t stay in his hand.  With his hand open he was putting his hand in the water and lifting his hand slowly up, when his hand was out of the water he would slowly close his little hand.  I wonder what he was thinking!

It is so cool how babies learn about their bodies and new things!

Can a 3 year old “play” with a baby?

Yes, but they may need guidance in how to do so with gentle hands and a gentle heart.  We have to tell our 3 year old several times a day to be gentle with her little brother!  She loves him SO MUCH and loves to hug him!  The problem is, often times it is so tight around his neck.  We have a new rule that she can only hug him when we are holding him.  

A few things we have to remember!

She has to remember...

1. She is stronger then him
2. Ask if she can hug him
3. Will what I am about to do make him happy or sad

I have to remember...

1. To be patient
2. She needs to be reminded
3. Head off rough house with baby before it starts

Check back soon for "10 things your young child can play with a baby!"

Birthday Birdie

Here is what I came up with!  Birthday Birdie!

Inspiration

Often when I want to do a craft I need just a little inspiration to get me started.  This time I laid out some items and colors I wanted to use and it gave me an idea! 

February Apothecary Jars

I got these beautiful apothecary jars for Christmas and I will be changing what is in them with each month and holiday.  

I am starting with Valentine's Day.  The first one has a 1’ x 6’ silver drape, the second one has a red and silver garland, and the third one has sparkly red hearts of various sizes.  

Check back soon to whats “in” for spring and Easter!

Did You Know:

Did you know that frozen vegetables have the same amount of nutrients as fresh vegetables?

Show a Little Love

     Pinky Pie woke me up at 5:00am because she had to go potty.  While I was half asleep, she went potty, and went back to bed.  While I was saying goodnight again (anxious to get back in my bed) she said quietly, "Mommy I'm doing this" as I felt around, because I couldn't see, I could tell she was doing "I Love You" in sign language with her little hand.  Sweet little Pinky Pie, never too tired to show a little love.