I set up the banner on the floor, and I laid all the covers under the banner (see above).  I chose not to force this activity on my two youngest.  I simply set it up and walked away. My 2 year old was the first to notice this colorful and enticing activity.  He started to match up the letters when his sister age 4 saw him at play.  She came over and they worked together to match up all the letters.  The I on our banner was the only letter that I helped them with.



 They were pretty proud of themselves when they had all the letters matched up.

I love that they are starting to recognize letters and are able to match the letters to the sign.

Can't wait to celebrate my little man's birthday tomorrow!!

Monarch Caterpillar Lazing About on a Milkweed Plant.

We have a large patch of milkweed plants alongside our garage.  They are currently home to quite a few striped caterpillars whom I believe to be future Monarch Butterflies. The kids and I have been watching them eat up the milkweed leaves for several weeks now. So far we haven't spotted any signs of Chrysalis building, but these Caterpillars are definitely growing in size.

Monarch Caterpillar Chomping on a Leaf.

I bet in the next few weeks that these Caterpillars will start wrapping themselves up for their next journey of their life cycle.  Before they do, I took some time today to capture them in their current state. Whether they were alone, with a companion, eating or lazing about, we found them to pretty fascinating creatures!

Interestingly, my daughter, aged 4, also spotted a white hairy Caterpillar crawling along our lawn.  After looking at it closely and doing some research, I believe it to be a Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar.  Unfortunately it is a type of Caterpillar that can give you quite an itchy rash if you are sensitive to their barbs.  I got a pretty good photo of this one, who was quite social.  But we stayed away because we are not going to take our chances.

Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar on the move.

I think later today I may find our copy of 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' by Eric Carle and leave it out for my younger kids to find.  We may also have a little stuffed caterpillar too for them to play with.  Hopefully we can extend this experience a bit if they are interested.

As I was looking at my bookshelf, I also found a book that may be of interest to older kids and parents.  It is called, 'Hope for the Flowers' by Trina Paulus.  It is an easy read, with illustrations, but packs big thoughts about dealing with change through the story about a caterpillar.

Have you spotted any Caterpillars recently?  Please share in the comments.  If I spot any Chrysalis building I will be sure to share with you all.  Have a great day!

We were given a used drafting table awhile ago, and I've toyed with different uses for the table since then.  After a lot of experimentation, I've discovered that when the top is laying flat it is just the perfect size for our two youngest to stand and play at.  However, they like to sit and play too, so a few weeks ago we picked up two chairs at Goodwill for $4 that work perfectly with the table.  I like the addition of the chairs because now I can also do some activities with them at the table too without having to kneel down.

I've discovered that if we keep only one activity on the table then they are more likely to be inspired to play at the table. Yesterday, I set a bin of foam blocks on the table for them to discover.  When I saw my two year old sitting at the table building,  I asked him if I could build with him.  Sitting next to each other we had fun making towers and other creations.  He had the most fun knocking down the towers that I built.  He also got a little silly and pretended some blocks were eyeballs or ears as he held them up to his face.


Today my daughter woke up early, and to make sure she was quiet while the rest of us slept, my  Hubby setup some paper and drawing supplies at the drafting table.  She asked Papa to draw a house for her and then she spent quite a bit of time decorating the drawing.  When her little brother woke up, he immediately made a beeline for the table and got to drawing too.

I  love the size of the drafting table because it is perfect for so many activities.  Just last week we did a floor sized puzzle on the table.  I could sit on a chair and they could stand and work around me.  They have also used the table to paint, for playdough play and for small world play, amongst other things.  The table has proven to be very versatile.  We can also sit and play simple board games at it too!

We are using a gifted, second-hand drafting table and some thrifted chairs to create a fun and kid-friendly space in our home.   I love all the play and creativity that I see happening when my kids are working at "their table".  I also love that whenever they discover something on the table they feel inspired to play or create.  Whatever it may be.


I also see the drafting table as a place where learning happens.   Sometimes my kids are learning how to make a structure out of blocks or how to draw.  Sometimes they are learning how to problem solve or use their imaginations.  Most often they are building up their fine motor skills through their play and creativity. When we work together at the table to put together a puzzle they are learning about teamwork and cooperation.  So this drafting table represents learning opportunities too.

Do you have a kid's table or perhaps a piece of furniture that could be repurposed for play?  Please share in the comments.

The two youngest have been asking for days to go to the playground, but the temps this past week have been in the burning hot range of 80-90 degrees.  Today has been mix of sunny and breezy, so it was finally the right weather to go.  Earlier this afternoon, we gathered up water, hats, and a picnic lunch and headed to the playground. The kids were so excited!!

After eating lunch and playing in the sun for awhile, we decided to cool off under a shady patch of Pinetrees. On the ground under the trees lay dozens of Pinecones.  My two little ones thought they looked fun to collect and play with.  They were quite resourceful and discovered that they could collect more at once using their hats to gather them up.  Papa later gave them each a shopping bag to collect the Pinecones in which made it easier to carry many at once.


My daughter, aged 4, pretended to put the baby Pinecones to bed in her hat. Her brother, aged two, loves to count things, so he spent time lining them up and counting how many he had collected.  They played with the Pinecones until they were cooled off and ready to climb and run around again.

I love how much fun they had playing in and with nature. It goes to show that the best things in life are truly free.  I also think today's family outing proved to be a success. Not only did they get to run around and move their bodies, they also did some imaginative play and even some counting too! Hopefully we can do this again soon!

There are always natural items just laying around on the ground.  What do your kids gravitate towards in nature and how do they play with them? Do you have a favorite outdoor space to take your kids?

The other night I chopped up peppers to serve with dinner.  I started by chopping  the tops off horizontally . As I set the tops on the counter, I thought they looked like flowers.  I knew that I needed to save them. So I stuck them in a plastic bag and tossed them back in the fridge, because Mama had an idea.















It's two days later, and I'm finally getting around to the peppers I shoved in the back of the fridge. They still look just as pretty and vibrant as when I first cut them.  So what did I save them for? Painting with Peppers!!

With the help of my two youngest, we gathered up finger paints, paper, newspaper, a Styrofoam tray and smocks.  My youngest also found a green Bingo dauber and an ink pad and stamp that he had to have too.  But he was being a forward thinker because the green stamper was quite coveted and came in handy.

After setting up a painting area in the kitchen and getting my 3 year old into her painting smock we were ready! My toddler was not interested in a smock.  He just wanted the mysterious green bingo dauber to play with.

My daughter loves to paint and she took right to messing about with the peppers.  Because little brother was coveting the green bingo dauber, she of course had to use it too! So there were a few tiffs with little brother over the green bingo stamper, and a few talks about sharing along the way.  But otherwise there was a lot of creating going on.

Seeing them getting into the paint and exploring different ways to use the materials inspired me.  I used the peppers to stamp out flower heads, then used the green stamper to make stems, leaves and grass.  My daughter saw what I was up to, but I didn't force her to partake in my project. She did ask me what I was doing though.


I think using the peppers to stamp out flowers would make a nice Mother's Day or Spring art project. You could add embellishments, attach a poem or even make a greeting card. Just putting that out there.

All in all both my littles had a good time messing about with the paint and peppers.  I even got to get a little creative myself. It was an easy activity to pull together, and it gave us something to do together.

I hope you find something that inspires you to do with your kids.  Remember sometimes the little things, like the tops of peppers, can lead to bigger things, like making memories with your kids.  Happy Mother's Day!

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My 3 year old Daughter loves when we tell her stories. As I craft an original tale, I usually take a moment to let her have an input in our storytelling adventure.  I might ask her what the name of a character should be or where they are going to go or who they will encounter.  There are times when she just wants stories told about characters from her favorite children's show.  One day I started telling her a story about a pesky cat who loves to pester the neighbor dog.  She loves to name dolls and cats Bob, so the cat became Bob and I named the dog, Barkley.  Since that first story I have told her a zillion stories about these beloved (by us) fictional pets.  Below I have included one sample story about Bob the Cat and Barkley the Dog. I encourage you to create stories with your child too. Enjoy!
Bob the Cat woke up from a nap and arched his back.  He hopped off the windowsill and sauntered into the kitchen. After getting a drink and something to eat, he decided to go outside. Out the cat door he went and peered through the garden fence.  He saw Barkley pacing around his house.  Bob shook his head.  'What is that dog up to now?' he wondered.  Bob loved to irritate Barkley, it was almost his sole purpose since he moved in next door.

My 13 year old wanted chocolate milk this morning, but we are out of milk.  I compromised by suggesting we make chocolate smoothies. My 3 year old loves to help me in the kitchen, so she immediately yelled, "I want to help!"

I gathered up the following ingredients:

• Hershey's Chocolate Syrup
• Juicy Juice Passion Dragonfruit
• Honey
• Vanilla Greek Yogurt
• Frozen Whole Strawberries
• Frozen Maine Blueberries

Daughter helped scoop out the yogurt and put the frozen strawberries into our Magic Bullet.  I didn't exactly measure anything, but I usually fill the pitcher only halfway.  If I were to guesstimate...we probably used a half cup of yogurt, 2 tablespoons of honey and chocolate syrup, maybe a cup or 2 of juice, and a half cup of blueberries and strawberries.  I cook visually, so if I like how it looks I go with it!

After filling the Magic Bullet we blended for about a minute or until all the berries are pulverized. If it looks too chunky add more juice.  I served our smoothies with straws, so I wanted it liquid enough to be easily drinkable.

The result? My 13 year old said, "This is crazy good!", my 11 year old finicky eater drank it up, my 3 year old asked for seconds and my 14 month old grabbed my cup. So I think it was kid-approved.

I love any chance to get my kids in the kitchen and cooking, because I feel that learning to cook is a valuable life skill.  Smoothies are one of those kid-friendly activities that provides a great sensory experience too.  Do your kids ever help you in the kitchen?  Have you made smoothies together?  What do you put in your smoothies?

This is also an activity that Older Kids could do independently.  Also makes for a really healthy snack. Cheers!!

I love to reuse household packaging. I've made felt board pieces out of cereal box characters; made organizers out of food boxes; and bookmarks out of packaging too. At the moment my kitchen island is balanced by a tiny piece of cardboard too. Repurposing at its finest!

As I was sweeping, I found a popsicle mold package on the floor.  I set it on my counter as I swept. When I glanced over the holes in the package reminded me of eyes.  I instantly felt inspired to create.

I took out a black marker, scissors and construction paper.  I decided to cut the cardboard packaging in half.  Then I took one half and placed it on the paper. I drew dots in the holes for eyes.  This helped me to visualize an outline.  My first thought was a monkey.

As I placed the packaging on the paper in different ways, I came up with a few ideas. When I put both halves down on the paper, I decided to draw a boy and his mother.

I think kids would have a lot of fun with this activity.  It is pretty open ended.  They could first pick out a package from your recycling.  Then they could cut it up into shapes and then they could draw around the packaging. Sky's the limit!

This is a great creative and family-friendly activity.  So please share if you give this idea a try! Have a great day!

I've been on a drawing kick lately.  I've never considered myself to be especially good at drawing, but I want to get better. To help me, I've been exploring how to draw tutorials.  Sometimes I just observe a picture and start drawing an outline and go from there.

This morning, I drew animals and even tried my hand at pattern drawing.  I think they came out pretty good.
I drew with a black marker on tracing paper. Then I gave the drawings to my Daughter (3).  She colored them with crayons and chalk.

I think she made my drawings look a lot better.

                     




My Daughter loves any chance to use scissors. So she got right into this activity. You could also talk about the emotions of the plate people. Why are they happy? Why are they sad?

**BTW, I can't take credit for these activities solely. I saw these ideas on Pinterest.  I did however, draw the lion and faces, cut them out, and write up instructions.  I actually never read the articles attached to the pins. My apologies Pinterest people! 

Hope you feel as inspired as I was! I think your kids will love it! 
What quick crafts have you done lately with your kids?

                       
Today was a gorgeous day for October.  The sun was shining, and the outside was calling.  So we spent quite a bit of time out on our deck.

My youngest likes to climb.  He climbs on any chair within his reach. Mama doesn't like having to chase after him and put him back on the ground a zillion times.  So I decided to get creative with the chairs, and I used them to make a large Blanket Fort!

I brought out blankets and throw pillows. I started to gather up the chairs, and put on the first blanket when bam my 2 year old had to get in on the action.  After I initially setup the fort, things took a very different turn. Daughter had other ideas....

First, she threw the pillows on top of the blankets. The blankets fell off the chairs of course.  Then the play became focused on the chairs.  The chairs were lined up. They were decorated with pillows. Giant stuffed animals were brought out, and set upon the chairs. Little brother was manhandled and moved about also. Lol!
                                                    
This afternoon my oldest son spent some time playing out there with the littles. After he resetup the blanket fort my Daughter ate her snack underneath it, and my one year old laid down. When they were busy playing outside of the fort, Mama even hid under there to get a few moments to use my phone in peace. Haha!

I would have to say this was a successful activity.  Sometimes going old school is better than high tech activities.  They had such a fun time and got lots of fresh air too!

When was the last time you made a blanket fort for your kids? Have you tried making one outside?

But that is what I love about play.  It is different for each child and each person. It takes what you know and puts an individual spin on it.

Both my kids also learned that dry uncooked pasta doesn't taste as good as cooked. Lol!

I hope that this activity inspires you to come up with your own play experience.  Kids really don't need expensive toys to play with. Just use what you have on hand.

Do you let your kids play with their food?