Sock Puppets with Daddy

My apologies for our brief hiatus.  This family has been quite busy, lately...leaving me little time to tell you about all that's kept us from blogging.  Fortunately, though, Daddy has been helpful and creative during this time, too.  Today's post is some evidence of that.  Every once in a while, Daddy gets some "crazy" idea that I honestly wouldn't have thought of (but probably should've :-p).  On this particular day, I was working on a different project with some new fabric markers, and Daddy decided to take them for a spin, too.  We were about to throw out a bunch of socks that had seen better days.  Daddy decided to use the Crayola fabric markers and make a puppet.  

He admitted that he'd like to make some improvements (as any good engineer would) should he repeat his efforts...but I think the face and laughter is a big enough stamp of approval to call this a success.

Piggy Banks?! Well, that makes cents ;).

So, it's probably no secret (especially since the posts have slowed down a bit) that we've been really busy, lately.  During the few unscheduled times that we have, we are still trying to find new activities to keep us entertained.  It's a bonus if it's something that keeps the little man entertained long enough for me to get something accomplished, too.  Sometimes, I very much over think things and miss the easy options that are right in front of me.  

I'm sure I'm not the only mother that wouldn't think it the obvious choice to give your toddler a ceramic piggy bank to play with.  Up until a couple days ago, in fact, it was perched high upon his dresser.  Well, while cleaning his room up, I placed in on the floor, and he was very insistent on exploring it's contents...and much to my surprise, taking the money out and putting it back in through the slot occupied him until Mommy was ready to be done.

This game was such a hit that he now asks to go upstairs specifically to play with his piggy bank.  He even made Daddy help him with it, one night after bath.  Like I said, it wouldn't have been my obvious choice of things to give my sixteen month old, but it is a helpful reminder to try and see the world through a child's eyes.

Playing with your food (containers)

For a while, now, we have been saving empty food containers for when our toddler wants to "help" us in the the kitchen.  We tape the boxes shut and have stuffed some of them with paper to help them hold their shape.  That way, we can send the little man to "his" cabinet when he wants to help/play and not worry about having to clean up the aftermath.

  

Next step: Teaching him to put the boxes BACK in the cupboard when he's done :).

Better (and cheaper) than the zoo!

Okay, I'm not going to lie.  Taking my child shopping is definitely not my idea of fun.  He doesn't like to sit in the cart, and if you let him walk around, he will not hold your hand (in fact, he's more likely to bite it, lately) and will more than likely go in the opposite direction that you're heading.  So, if it's beyond avoidance, shopping trips are carefully planned and as quickly executed as possible.  

Today's trip, though, was a welcomed change of pace.  Granted, we only went to two stores, and one of the two met the description above (in that the trip was executed as quickly as possible).  In fact, our trip almost ended with one store.  I went back and forth about whether or not we should just head home.  I mean, I'd have to drive across a parking lot AND a road, deal with no left turns, no u turns, and buckle/unbuckle a squirmy toddler one more time.  

Why am I writing about a shopping trip on a blog dedicated to activities I've done with my toddler?  Well, this is one of the easiest, cheapest activities we've done yet, and I'm fairly positive that anyone could handle this one.  

After waffling back and forth, I decided that a trip to PetSmart to see the animals might be in order.  I thought he'd be most excited about the cats up for adoption, but really (as I'm sure his Uncle Matt would be thrilled about) the fish were the biggest hit.  Fortunately, the store was pretty quiet, so I was able to let him "run" around and go back and forth between animal displays without feeling like a nuisance.  Plus, everyone thought he was adorable, so that helped, too.

We visited all the animals...even the giant ones hanging from the ceilings, and even stopped by the grooming place, but ultimately, we always came back to the fish.  He'd say, "Wow!", scream with delight, and even go up to anyone else who came to look at the fish to "tell" them about his favorites.  Forty minutes later, we were finally able to leave.  Perhaps a fish tank is in this boy's future.  Don't get any ideas, Uncle Matt ;).  Don't worry.  We'll consult you when we're ready for an aquatic addition to our family.

Upcycling with Laminators

Several months ago, I was cleaning upstairs and came across a gift card from my baby shower (Yes, the shower that happened almost two years ago).  I decided that I'd use it to buy a laminator for making activities.  So far, my only laminating project has been our family member flashcards I put together before our big trip home, this summer.  I can't say for sure that they worked, but he did seem to take to people quickly, so I don't think they hurt.  Regardless, my cleaning upstairs today inspired more laminating fun.

Sitting on the bookshelf was an old airplane desk calendar of Adam's.  Considering my son's current fascination with planes (okay....obsession), I figured it could be well utilized.  As I said earlier, my son would look at airplane magazines for hours if the person helping him could stand it (or bedtime didn't arrive).  I decided that this new book would make a good "travel-sized" version of this for when sitting still might be beneficial.  

So, I laminated the pages, punched holes, and bound it with a ring.  

he loves this book as much as the magazines. I'm sure it will be a great tool to keep on hand in our diaper bag.  The only downside is, we can only use it in places where "WOW!" and "OOOOO!" isn't disruptive :).  

Cotton Balls and Egg Cartons

It's amazing how quickly good intentions can turn into piles of hypothetical crafts and activities.  Today, it became my mission to justify the egg cartons that had colonized atop our refrigerator.  Serving as double duty, this activity also happened to help rid us of the almost empty bag of cotton balls taking up space in a bathroom cabinet.  

Oh, and it also improved my son's motor skills, so he can someday help his father build the hypothetical airplane of his dreams (my justification to my husband about why we should keep the egg carton and cotton balls within reach of a 16 month old ;)). 

Masked Shapes Painting

Some people say, "Like father, like son."  In this house, we like to ensure it.  After taking the son to the EAA AirVenture (the mecca of all airshows) this July, he is thoroughly obsessed with airplanes...just like his daddy.  He'll sit and look at airplane magazines for hours, and never tires of saying "WOW!" every time he sees one.  All this being said, I was really excited for today's art project.  In fact, it was the first time in a while that I actually eagerly anticipated him waking from his nap (once it had surpassed the hour mark, anyway).  

We tried several methods of applying paint: hands, brushes, drumming, dumping paint, rubbing the paint cup on the canvas, etc.

Once we were done painting, the canvas looked like this (above).

While the paint was still wet, I removed the contact paper that I had earlier cut into the plane and cloud shapes and applied to the canvas.  This plane is Daddy's favorite plane, "The Spirit of St. Louis."  I was happy with how it turned out.  My son (and his daddy) said, "WOW!"

Kool-Aid Play Dough

For weeks, I had been staring at a pretty rough, battered packet of Kool-Aid on the floor of our walk-in pantry.  I had full intention of picking it up and disposing of it, someday, but that would involve expending what little energy I had left on bending over and walking to the trash.  Thank goodness I have friends that are often more motivated and creative than I am, or that Kool-Aid may have continued it's lonely existence...or an even worser fate.

Thanks to the inspiration of a fellow mom, I decided to try my hand turning the tired beverage mix into play dough.  Here's how:

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups flour
1/4 cup salt
1 (4 g) package unsweetened Kool-Aid powdered drink mix
1 cup boiling water
1 1/2 tablespoons oil
-Mix flour, salt, Kool-Aid until blended.
-Add oil to boiling water, mix with spoon until cool enough to knead.
-Continue kneading until color is blended.
-Store in air tight bag or container in the refrigerator.

It was a hit...especially when we got some textured toys out to press into it (and when I made his favorite red, furry monster that he's currently obsessed with).

Again, toddlers will eat anything....especially when you give them play dough the day after cookie dough.

Baking With Toddlers

After a week that seemed harder than most, I confided to my husband that I was stuck in a horrible maternal rut that involved not enough coffee and too much television.  While it didn't at all contribute towards a cleaner house, I decided to take his suggestion and attempt baking with my 16 month old.  I learned some important lessons through this adventure:

A toddler will eat ANYTHING, regardless of how it tastes (even Crisco).

Everyone likes to lick the beater.

There's no mood (or mess to clean up) that a chocolate chip cookie can't fix.

We'll call this one a success.

Toddling Towards Sanity While Mothering a Toddler

If you've found yourself here, you're probably in the same place I am: muddling through the insanity we call motherhood.  Inspired by my toddler and encouraged by some important people in my life, I've decided to share this journey with you.  My hope is that, through some creativity and intention, I can find more ways to enjoy more moments.  Thanks for joining me in this grand experiment.  Hopefully, through sharing our successes and our failures with you, we can inspire you get up on your feet towards sanity, too.