Beans and Pasta Shapes

A meaningful activity never has to be a big, fancy, deal.

In fact, at this age, lessons are so short and simple, that they are constantly happening.  Even when you aren't meaning too!  Which is why we should be thoughtful about our time and interactions with our little ones.  They are ALWAYS learning from you!  Scary!

I've been so bad about snapping pictures, blogging really.  But today I managed to snap a few of our post-breakfast fun!  

We read:

as a little introduction to our activity.

Then I grabbed:

• index cards
• pasta and beans (stolen from our sensory table)
• glue
• marker

I drew a circle, triangle and square then labeled it at the bottom.  As I drew, I talked about the shape and letters I was writing.

He chose to start with the circle.

I glued on the drawing and let him get busy with the pasta and beans!

We talked about the shapes, how many sides they had, and real life objects that are those shapes.

Did he finish all 3?  No.

Did he finish 1?  No.

That is how he rolls.

All of 5 minutes later, we hung them on our magnet board.  Glue dripping and all.

The most important part of crafty looking, glue, paint-ishy projects is the PROCESS, 

not the end product.

We had a good 5 minutes talking about these shapes, all while doing a little fine motor work!  That is what the process was about!

Travel Stroller Review

Disclaimer:  I do not usually feel qualified to write a product review because:

A.  I'm too laid back that I often just go the cheapest route.

B. Or I wing it...live without it.

But I'm too excited about this smart purchase that I have to share!

..........

Can I just tell you how naive I was originally choosing strollers well over 2 years ago.

I was swooned by the look, style, and millions of accessories available (for additional purchase, of course). 

I also thought that with our big, fancy, stroller I would NEVER need another stroller.  Especially one of those little rickety ones.  When experienced moms would rave about their "cheap little umbrella stroller"  I'd think..."I'm going to make my ONE stroller work for everything.  I'll never need one of those."

Well a few months into motherhood we began to travel again.  And the big stroller was impractical.  Impractical for going in and out of security in airports, in and out of taxi cabs, fitting in between the aisles of funky, exotic or ghetto (you choose) markets in Asia or boutiques in The Woodlands Market Street (again, you choose).

So we bought an umbrella stroller in China.  

It was "AMAZING."

Until it fell apart after a year.

But it did it's job.  Everything I asked of it.  And was well worth every 200 Yuan I spent.  ($30)

But after time, there were things it couldn't do like:

• Be cleaned.  The fabric was cheap, I respect that.  200 Yuan!  Come on!
• Cover my white, white, Vitamin D deficient child from the sun we'd see in these exotic places.  (Asia or Texas...you choose)
• Be strolled with outdoors.  This would send me raging and threatening to rip it apart.

So against my normal shopping behavior, I researched decent products...by asking for suggestions of Lightweight Strollers on Facebook from my closest 910 friends..  I got some amazing responses!

1. Maclaren

2. City Mini

3. Combi

4. Cybex Onyx

5. Maxi Cosi Perle

5. Uppa Baby G-Luxe

Well, I did it!  I made a decision!

Here is what we're driving on vacation:
The Uppa Baby G-Luxe.

Uppa!!

I hate shopping, so I set my limits to one store and decided to choose within their inventory.

They did not have most of the suggestions above.  I think only 2. So I'm not comparing by any means!  Ha!

BUT I'm super happy with my decision!

1. Super cozy seat.

2. Great wipe able fabric.

3. Lightweight.

4. Easy to fold!

6. STURDY!

7. Cup holder.

8. Shoulder strap...carries like a golf bag!

9. UV protective.

10. Great size basket!!  I can fit tons! Purse, camera bag, and Lunch Tote.

11. The handles can also be piled on with bags if need be.  And I need be quite often!

I'm so happy!  I'd give this 5 Stars!