Wednesday's Words

A few profound thoughts...

We have a neighbor that gave me this mini-booklet thing with fun sayings. Just thought I'd share a few:

1. Why is 'abbreviation' such a long word?
2. Sometimes I wake up grumpy; other times I let her sleep
(I told Kyle he should have this quote because I am NOT a happy waker upper)3. I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be without sponges.
4. Eat right. Stay fit. Die anyway.
5. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.
6. On the other hand, you have different fingers.
7. If you don't like the news, go out and make some.
8. No matter where you go, you're there.
9. This statement is false.
10. The word "gullible" isn't in the dictionary.
11. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
12. I intend to live forever. So far so good.
13. What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
14. Corduroy pillows: They're making headlines!
15. Honk if you like peace and quiet


Hope you had a few smiles and even some laughs!

Thursday's Thing to Do: Color "I SPY"

Hello Everyone!  I had an idea to share....so I am back to posting...at least once.  :)  Thank you for all of your well wishes...  this pregnancy has been a little rough, but completely worth it.  Only about two more months until our little GIRL arrives.  We are all so THRILLED!!!!!

One of the basics for children to learn is color recognition.  Here's a fun game that's pretty simple, but kids love!!!

Start with basics of Red, Blue, Yellow, Black and White.  Gradually add other colors.  Keep in mind that most kids learn Brown and Gray last.  (If your child is grasping certain colors, but never seems to be able to be able to differentiate between other certain colors on a regular basis, like blue, red, green, etc. over an extended period of time.  Don't get frustrated.  Check with the eye doctor, color blindness is common especially in boys, and isn't a huge concern.)  

Have a color "I SPY" hunt

Here's how it works: Find a red piece of paper, show your child that it's red, say that it's red, have him or her repeat the color name, and have him or her look around your home to find as many other items that are red as they can.  As they get better at colors, you can add variety to this game.  

Variety Examples:

•  If you have multiple children, you can make it into a team game...working together to find as many as they can taking turns.
• Make it into a competition game.  See who can find 5 or 10 items of that color first, or set a timer for one or two minutes and each one finds as many items of that color as they can.  (The tricky part, is they need to be able to count first too...) 
• This can also be used as a "game" while grocery shopping to try to keep their attention on something instead of pulling all the fruit snacks and cookies into the basket, or hitting their sibling....
• Have a box or bag with small pieces of various colors of paper.  One at a time, pull out a random color and  have them look for something of that color.
• Use creativity in mixing this up

***Note:

Thursday's Thing to Do: Going on a Trip & an FYI

I used to play this game as a kid and totally forgot about it. 

Thanks Melissa for the idea!!!

We go wood cutting every saturday for anywhere from 5-7 hours. Well, while my husband is cutting the wood we try to stay entertained away from the danger. So I have had to get creative. This last week we played "I'm going on a trip and I am taking..." You start with A and go all the way to Z. Each person adds one item to the list, and says all the ones that have gone before. We got pretty creative. It was the perfect boredom buster! And it is SOOO Good for your Memory!

The FYI:
For those of you who are following (and have emailed me to see if I'm okay) ....I haven't posted for a while because life has changed a bit.  I use to get several posts ready each morning before my son woke up.  However, I am now sleeping until he wakes up because I'm pregnant and exhausted.  Yes, pregnant....those of you who are jumping up and down out of shock and excitement and know what a miracle this is for us...thank you!  We're very excited!!!  I'm feeling wonderfully sick and everything seems to be going fabulously well.  Our little one is due May 22nd.  Our four year old is ecstatic to have a baby in the house and every night hugs my tummy and says "Goodnight Baby".  It's adorable.  So, with that in mind, I'll still post, but it won't be quite as regular for now.  Your suggestions, questions, and ideas are always welcome so keep them coming!!!  I love hearing from you!

Friday's Favorite: FREE- National Geographic Kids

My brother gave my son the coolest Christmas gift a few years ago (and keeps giving it each year)....National Geographic Kids Magazine.  He gets several issues a year full of amazing information about animals, kids in other parts of the world, and it always has an idea for a mini-experiment.  I'm glad my brother always gifts it to my son, because I'm a penny pincher and don't know if I'd buy it myself.  However, there is also a fabulous website full of all kinds of interesting things to learn, activities to do, and all kinds of wonderful things you're sure to love.  There's cool stuff on this site that will interest toddlers up to older kids (and even us kids in older bodies).  If you're not up for buying the subscription, or even if you are, the website is a great FREE way to learn more about the world around us. 

Hope you like it!
Here's the link:  National Geographic Kids

fyi: I've added the link to my sidebar under Fun and Helpful Places to Go

Thursday's Thing to Do: Paper Plate Tambourine

can you tell it's well loved?

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
- 2 paper plates for each tambourine
- Stapler and Staples
- Dry rice, beans, or macaroni, etc.
- Things to decorate (crayons, stickers, or any other fun crafty things you have around the house)

HOW TO MAKE IT:
1.  Lay one plate on the table, put in about 1/8 cup of dry rice, beans, or whatever else you think would sound awesome when shaking it.
2.  Lay other paper plate on top (so the middle area is hollow) and staple around the edges to hold it all together.
3.  Let kids decorate as they please. (if using glue, make sure it's dry before playing with it.)
4.  Play music, make up songs, turn on the radio and dance and play the tambourines...just have fun and be creative!!!

***Note: I use paper plates instead of plastic, because the plastic ones sometimes have sharp edges and could cut little hands.