{this moment}

Inspired by SouleMama, {this moment} is a single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

{this moment}

Inspired by SouleMama, {this moment} is a single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Theme of the Week: Germs Make Me Sick!

Cadence and I have been talking about what she wants to learn about during our theme weeks, and the answers have been a little surprising.  For a girl who is usually dressed in a tutu and can spot a Disney princess a mile away (but will quickly tell you she's too young to watch the movies), the first thing she said was germs!  And worms!  And snakes! 

Anyway, so we're doing germs and sickness this week.  It's kind of light on activities because this weekend is Matt's winter break so he'll be off work a few extra days (and may I also say this is the first weekend he hasn't had to work in 4 (!) weeks.  Lately, when it's been a long day with the girls, you might find me dazed on the couch chanting "summers off, summers off").  We'll be focused on doing fun family things!

I used to do a "sick" storytime, and it's hard to find songs and rhymes that go with this topic - or at least that I like.  Some great books, though.

Reading: Germs are not for sharing by Verdick, Bear Feels Sick by Wilson, and Don't You Feel Well, Sam? by Hest

Singing: Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

Pretend Play: Doctor Kit

Watching: "Doctor Dora" - Dora the Explorer, and "Steve Gets the Sniffles" - Blue's Clues

{this moment}

Inspired by SouleMama, {this moment} is a single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Changing table hack

Since Piper started rolling over back in December, changing her diaper has become considerably more difficult.  One day recently, I was reading a baby magazine and saw a changing pad with a toy bar attached, like this one here.  I don't remember seeing one of these in any stores, especially not when we were buying things when Cadence was coming, but it seemed like a great idea. 

I remembered that our pack 'n play came with a toy bar we've never used, so I dug it out of Piper's closet to see if it might fit on the sides of our changing table. It's not super cute, but it fits perfectly.  Now Piper is entertained during changing time.  She's happy with the elephants now, but I can change the toys out later, either using those plastic toy links or some toys from the other items in the house that have velcro toy bars (bouncy seat, swing, and activity mat).

The cutest little baby shoes...

...that I've ever sewn.  Socks are fine for keeping baby feet warm, but socks and little cloth shoes are better.  Little ruffled shoes! 

I used the pattern and tutorial here.  As I've mentioned before, I get like 5 minutes every few days to do anything crafty (besides knitting which I can do on the couch hanging out with Matt after the girls are in bed).  These took some time, but they weren't hard and I am so pleased with the result.

Fancy baby.

Teething baby attempting to eat dress.  (Dress handmade by Matt's mom - thanks, Dassa!)

Sweet little feet.

Theme of the Week: Valentine's Day

We're not much for subtlety around here so our theme this week is Valentine's Day.

Reading: Little Mouse's Valentine by Dave Ross, Sweet Hearts by Jan Carr, Barney's Happy Valentine's Day by Guy Davis, Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney (we'll read the board book version we own and the online one read by the author), and The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn (also online at Barnes and Noble)

Letter Awareness: V

Art Projects: Heart Flowers, and Heart Animals from this month's issue of Big Backyard,
Painted Symmetry Hearts

Action Rhyme: Make a Heart

I put my hands together,
This is how I start,
I curve my fingers right around
and I can make a heart!

Music: Musical Hearts Game

Watching: Barney: Be My Valentine

Extras: Some Valentines printables from here or here

{this moment}

Inspired by SouleMama, {this moment} is a single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Theme of the Week: Dinosaurs

We held over our dance theme for a bit so it was more like a week and a half, so dinosaurs will be too!

Here's some of our activities -

Reading: Edwina, The Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct by Mo Willems, Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs by Byron Barton, and Stomp, Dinosaur Stomp by Margaret Mayo

Letter Awareness: D

Math and Art: Shape Dinosaur

Watching: Dinosaur Train

Singing: Dino-Pokey
Extra: Dotty the Dinosaur Flannelboard Rhyme (from my old storytime supplies)

Deal of the Week

Today before we went to storytime we stopped into CVS, and I got a great deal on Tom's of Maine Wicked Fresh Mouth Wash.  It was on clearance for $2.79 (though not labeled as such - I read about the deal on Hip 2 Save and verified the price on the scanner), but also triggering $3 in ECBs.  So basically CVS gave me "money" to take this product home!  I'm not sure I've ever gotten a deal this good without a coupon.  If you have a chance to stop into CVS this week, check to see if your store has this deal too!