September 29

Wow Has it really been 6 months since I have posted? Time goes fast! I have been thinking about a meal planning thread - any interest?

I just added a new favorites Gadget - that I am SO excited about. Not so much for my blog right know, but I am excited about it because now I can follow some other cool blogs a lot easier!

Today is my first day as a "full time" in home child care provider. My almost 2 yo is being very silly.

Ideas for visiting a friend without toys

We are going to visit a single friend this weekend for the first time. He is a recent college graduate and has only been living in his own apartment for 2 months. He is very excited about our visit, but has shared the concern that he "has no toys."

So here are some ideas for visiting houses that do not routinely have children in them.

• Childproofing...
• Duct tape works wonders - it can cover outlets, and tape things shut
• Rubber bands (or a shoe string) will tie a media cabinet or kitchen cabinet closed
• I have no problem with asking a host or moving an item if I feal it is not safe for my children. The first items that come to mind are - scissors, keys, glass breakables and kitchen knives.
  
  
• Things to do when visiting....
  
• We went to a local thrift store and purchased a bag of toys - they are a stacking toy for toddlers kind of like Duplos, but not. Project 1, of course, was to wash and sanatize the toys. The will go with us on our visit, and be part of the housewarming gift. Then our friend will have something to do the next time we visit, and when other youngsters come over.
• Plastic containers can be great toys - they stack, dump, pour, lids need to be matched. Children can stir or pretend to bake a cake - and a quick trip through the dishwasher is all it takes to clean them up for regular food storage.
• Books - we went through our book collection to find about 6-8 books of which we have duplicate titles and topics...these to will stay at our friends house
• We are taking some Matchbox cars - these will come home with us - but they will provide hours of fun exploration
• We are taking a couple of favorite DVD's
• I have packed a shape sorter - this is from the toys the boys have not seen in a while closet.
• Hopefully the weather will permit play outside or visiting a nearby park.

I'm sure we will come up with a few more ideas on our trip - I'll let you know if there are some fun ones next week!

Where to keep the kid's art supplies

I am searching again for the best place to keep the kids art supplies...you know the pencils, scissors, glue, crayons, watercolor paint, finger paint, coloring books, plain paper...all that stuff that kids need to have access to at home. I tried having them in the dining room - but that did not work because they were to low and we had a baby in the house at the same level. I have one of those cube shelves from Target...that worked for awhile, the only problem was whatever we wanted was always at the bottom of the basket. So my latest try is a shelf in the hall closet. It is not located as close to the table as I would prefer, but I think it will work because things will be easier to access. To be exact it is the 2nd shelf in the cabinet, the 1st won't work because my 1yo likes to get things out and when the cabinet is open to say get out the vacuum he can reach the 1st shelf. We will give this a try. Maybe someday I can find a better storage piece for the corner of the dining room and then the "homework" station will return to its rightful place - near the family table.

Now the next challenge - were to put the stuff that was on the self that was vacated in the closet????

Happy Easter

He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

Hope you had a blesssed Easter with your family and friends.

We made duck for Easter dinner. The 2nd breast became lunch on Monday along with sweet potato, broccoli salad, and deviled eggs.

Bento, Bento, Bento

Last fall I was introduced to bentos on another blog. I asked my Lil Sis for more information, she was interested in learning to make them too! For Christmas she sent my husband 2 bento Boxes and some other accessories to play with.


My first bento (broccoli, jello, potato salad, ham, cherry tomatoes, kiwi)
















Today's Bento (tuna salad with nori trees, crackers, almonds and walnuts, broccoli, heart shaped hard boiled egg)

Unplugged Play

I wanted to share a cool book that I just checked out of the library. The book is called Unplugged Play by Bobbi Conner.

Why do I like this book?

• It is all about play without the focus on technology or batteries with toys.
• The book has multiage activites for ages 12 months to 10 years (Toddler Play, Preschool Play, and Grade School Play)
  
• There are all kind of activities that are no cost or low cost.
• There are party ideas, all planned out. After my 4year olds' last birthday party I SO need this section of the book!

Where was this book when I was Home Visiting - it would have been an awesome guide to give Home Visitors or Parents on the search for low or no cost activities using everyday items!

Mom, Can I help cook supper

Decided it was time to try some more blogging. One of these days I will participate in a carnival of breastfeeding or something fun like that!

My son is 4 and 1/2 - he just informed me that he will be 5 on his brithday, just like his friend, Elly. Last night I was working on supper and he asked if he can help. So what can a 4year old do to help prepare supper for the family? Tonight we had Open Face Tuna Sandwiches and Broccoli soup - both homemade. (Taste of Home, Quick Cooking 2002 Annual Recipes) He helped to put ingredients into the food processor to make the tuna salad. He helped spread butter on the buns and sprinkled cheese on the tuna before it went into the oven. He was excited to open up the Velveeta box and put the lid back on (of course the reward was a slice of Velveeta to eat!) He eagerly tried to help me open the package, as it was the first time it had been opened. Last night he successfully used the can opener for the first time! Guess I will have to be looking for other things that he can do to help prepare the evening family meal!