Music: Another alternative to TV

If you haven't noticed yet, our kids (Sarah and I's) don't watch TV. We both know that there will be a day when they do watch TV, but that day just hasn't come for us yet. (Sarah, I hope you don't mind me speaking for you too!!) And please know, I am not judging you if your kids have their favorite shows and know their cartoon line up. It's inevitable, I'm just trying to prolong it for as long as I can.

My twins will turn 18 months old this week, and I love the fact that they don't point to the TV and shout Elmo, or Dora.
Instead they run to their CD player and point.
So we dance! A LOT

And the 2 second pause that comes in between songs really makes a certain somebody really mad.
They love to throw their hands up and twist! Hudson has even thrown in some new dance moves with Jumping to the beat. And Luke likes to clap along or shake his whole body. I even dance with them too. (With the blinds down, and the door shut!!) It really is fun!

Our new favorite CD this week:
Meet the Rizers

It's kids Christian Rock. They sing short scripture versus to catchy tunes. I even don't mind listening to it in the car. I find myself singing along with it too!
I ordered it off itunes, for like 10 bucks.  I think my favorite is Luke 11: 9-10, and the theme song of course!!

Another one the boys really like:
VeggieTales 25 Favorite Sunday School Songs

There is just something so sweet about Hudson getting overly excited EVERY time he hears He's got the Whole World.

Anyways, we have been really busy since we dropped our morning nap 3 weeks ago, so I feel like my blogging has been taking a hit. I just wanted to share some music that we love. 

What music do your kids love?? I always need more CDs in my life!

Guest Blogger: Confetti Eggs

Just a little something to change it up around here!

We have Tara, from Exactly the Same but Different, sharing a fun Easter time activity!

Just a little information about Tara: We met in college during our education block. From then on, we made sure our schedules match each semester! It was really fun having someone right along with you during those classes! We also got our first kindergarten teaching jobs in Fort Bend ISD at schools a few miles apart! And, just like college, we made sure we signed up for all the same in-services too. We shared ideas from our own classrooms and were in each other's weddings. She is extremely creative and I cherish her friendship.

Homemade Confetti Eggs or

"Fetti Eggs" as Cade likes to call them

Materials-

Hollow eggs (rinsed and dried)

confetti

glue

tissue paper

watercolors

Cade is a big fan of the pre-made confetti eggs that are out on the shelves this time of year. In fact, over the weekend we went through 2 dozen confetti eggs.

Here is a quick tutorial on how to make your own confetti eggs.

To hollow out your eggs, simply take a knife and carefully poke a hole through the shell. Work your way around, creating an opening the about the size of a nickel. Empty out contents, rinse and dry.

Once dry, paint your shell. We used "dot" markers since I couldn't locate our watercolors. Before starting I reminded Cade, who is 4, the differnce of gentle and hard pressure so we would be sure to not crack/crush the egg.

After he was done decorating we then filled our egg with "confetti"... we used sequins!

Once filled, we topped the egg off with a (pre-glued) tissue paper square. Allow to dry and then let the fun begin!

We decided to "crack" ours over the sandbox so that the next time we play in that area we can find "treasures".

Additonal activities- Cade starting writing his name using glue. We used left over sequins to decorate with but you could make it more sensory by using cinnamon or kool-aid.

What fun!! Thank you so much for sharing this with us! I feel the need to list all the things you could do with your egg cartons now........

Applesauce and a Terrarium!

I'm back...kind of. :)

To continue our tribute to Johnny Appleseed we made Blender Applesauce and a Baggie Terrarium.

Blender Applesauce; it's quick, easy and healthy!

Yup, that's it!

Ready to go!

Blend away! Enjoy!

Save those seeds!

Baggie Terrarium:

1. Wash the seeds.

2. Wrap them in a wet paper towel.

3. Place in a baggie and hang in a window for sunlight!

4. Check every few days and keep towel damp.

We already have little sprouts!

Johnny Appleseed Day

This is Suzie posting for Sarah. China has blocked them from facebook and blogger! Boo!!

Johnny Appleseed Day is celebrated twice a year, fall (September 26) and spring (March 11). So it's time to get your apple on!

In short, Johnny "Appleseed" Chapman was an American pioneer nurseryman. He introduced the apple tree to large areas of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. (Wikipedia for more.) He is so special that he gets two days a year! Wow! The fall date is his birthday and a great time for apple-picking while the spring date is for appleseed planting. You have to plant to pick, right?

There are SO many great activities that you can do centered around apples it is ridiculous. I want to share so many with you!!

Read This: The book below is a favorite because of the great illustrations:

Sing This:

Johnny Appleseed

Oh, the Lord is good to me,

And so I thank the Lord,

For giving me the things I need,

The sun, the rain, the apple seed,

The Lord is good to me,

Amen !

First we observed and talked about the different apples. (This is a small apple. This apple is green. etc.)

Then he initiated a taste test.

He preferred the red.

Next, we did a little apple painting. I have a video of how to do this, because I couldn't take pictures, but I'll have to show it later. You put paper in a box-type container. (We used a rectangle Tupperware.) You blob the paint on the center of the paper and roll the apple around the box. Add in different colors and different apples!

Once again, things got a little messy! But we had fun!

This is defiantly process art but cut them into the shape of apples to hang around for a couple of days!

You Win Some You Lose Some!

Sometimes, your lessons will flop.

Even at 7am before they even had a chance to get started.

And sometimes, you let your kids sleep in Christmas pajamas in March because you think no one will ever see them.

Hickory Dickory Dock

Well, I think I am going to keep it going this week!

I really have been wanting to do this nursery rhyme because I have had a really fun idea in my head for a few weeks now!

Did you know there are 12 verses?

Hickory Dickory Dock,
The mouse ran up the clock.

The clock struck one,

The mouse ran down!

Hickory Dickory Dock

First read through: Point out the clock and mouse in the pictures. Talk about UP versus DOWN.

Second read through: Ask why would the mouse be running up the clock? Who could be chasing the mouse?
And....After multiple times of reading this rhyme.... change it up!

Hickory Dickory Dock,
The mouse ______ up the clock.

The clock struck one,

The mouse _______ down!

Hickory Dickory Dock

It doesn't matter what age your child is. You can pick a new verb and read it yourself. Or have older your child pick a verb and re read it. 

When introducing verbs, use the word verb. Tell your child it is an action word, and then have them try to do some! (Skip, hop, jump, shake, wiggle, slither, tip toe, run, dash, twirl.)

Now here comes the fun idea that has been stuck in my head!

Grab some painters tape or electrical tape, and make some lines on your floor. (Straight, Zig Zag, dashed.) I did different colors because I like adding in color words where ever I can! (See if they can follow more instructions!!)

Sorry for the bad pic, its night time here, and I have no light!

Okay, the idea here... Think Gross Motor learning!!

Have your kids crawl or walk on the lines. Then try having them use different action words! Hop on the dashed line. Slither on the straight line. Run on the zig zag. Just have fun with it. Ask your child to pretend they are a mouse going up the clock.

My kids are in bed, but I know first thing in the morning, they will be either trying to rip the tape up off the floor, or they will be running all over it. So, this could be hit or miss. But you just have to try new things sometimes!

Clean Mud

You never know what to expect when you discover something like this:

"Caaarr-ter!! Are you hungry? Time for lun...???? Carter?"

"Busted!"

He bolted!

This was the beginning of his new love for toilet paper. So, let's play with toilet paper! We made some Clean Mud!

Can also be used as "snow".

I know that I love this way more than Carter does. It feels wonderful! You can mold it, smash it, and throw it ;) just like mud!

Here is the recipe:

Make sure and lotion up after playing with this concoction it can really dry out your skin.