fine motor |

Christmas Traditions

December 4, 2015 By Callie Leave a Comment

Ask my Dad and he’ll tell you we don’t have any traditions. He’ll also tell you I’m obsessed with them. I love how every family can start their own traditions and bring some along from their family of origin too.

Of course you saw earlier how we cut down our own tree. Our first year as a family I was barely mobile and the only reason we even had a tree is because my mom brought her fake tree over and fully decorated it. Childbirth was not my friend.

The second year hubs insisted we not spend that ridiculous amount of money and go to Home Depot for our tree. I was insistent on taking pictures and look how lovely they turned out.

I had this one made into a mug-no doubt! That’s just how we roll!

So we have cut down our tree for the second year just like I did when we lived in Massachusetts and trekked out like Christmas Vacation and picked our tree.

Next up was writing Row’s letter to Santa. Now Row has a speech delay so she can’t exactly tell me what she wants but she does have a slight Minnie Mouse obsession so we will go with that.

I gave her this adorable Santa kit complete with paper and envelopes from International Arrivals-now don’t be surprised you know I love their stuff.

She set to work! We have a possible lefty on our hands!

We used this time to talk about Santa and how he comes down the chimney and about being kind to others and having a serving heart like Jesus. We also talked about how Santa is Saint Nick and how he has many different names. I finished my writing she wanted everything Minnie Mouse and she happily pranced away.

International Arrivals has a variety of Santa Sets and there are more than one paper and envelope in each. You can also order matching pens! Oh and while you’re there get some of their amazing things for stocking stuffers. Puffy Pens!

What are you Christmas traditions? More of ours coming soon-it’s like a peek into our house. I love that!

International Arrivals sent us these kits to review but we totally love them so all these opinions are completely my own.

Weekend Wrap Up

January 12, 2015 By Callie Leave a Comment

Ahhh another close to another weekend. I’m so over winter and gloomy and rain. I wish it would just snow…ahh snow..

This weekend we got all the Christmas officially out away and started putting up Valentine’s!

All Christmas returns done!

I have to admit I have been actively cleaning and all the kitchen drawers are done…..but only the drawers. I also worked on the second shelf in the pantry and would have done the third but the store was completely out of the wire baskets that matched the others I had used and well it just doesn’t feel right for them to not match. Does anyone else have that neurosis? So project on hold until matching wire baskets can be found. I so hate stopping a project midway through but I’d rather do it right than rush it.

I put up my Valentine’s Day Department 56 houses-yes I have Valentine’s and Easter and Halloween on top of my Christmas ones.

We made a trip to the mall and had some Dr. Popcorn aka crack. It’s so good-sweet butter baby!

I have been scrolling pinterest for our next project and I’m sure you have been too.

Oh and playdough is happening over here-obsessed she is.

This new week marks the first week we will be back to our official routine so my alarm is set for Ibloom and let the craziness begin.

Fall Sensory Tub

October 9, 2014 By Callie 1 Comment

It’s Fall ya’ll and what better way to rake in Fall then with an inexpensive sensory tub!

This week has begun with a bang! Ibloom mommy group focused on parenting and the traps of being enough as a mom, as a wife, as a woman! It was wonderful. We talked about comparison and how comparison steals joy. So true. One thing I know myself and many others do is compare our children’s abilities. Are they walking, talking, do they know numbers and colors?

Now you all know I’m a play advocate. Let them be little and play. Let them learn to build social emotional skills. That is what is lacking. Alphabets can be taught at school social emotional now that’s a different story.

I love to find fun ways for Row to explore through sensory play and learn! It’s also an easy activity for her to do at the high chair when I’m working in the kitchen. Luckily my mom is usually over when I’m cooking but it’s fun for her should I need something for her to do to keep her busy. This is a keeper-she actually seeks out this tub and cries to play with it.

All of the supplies were bought at the dollar store. See my previous post about shipping the dollar store.

Simply make your base-I used beans and Fall colored pasta. Add in Fall items such as fake gourds, pumpkins and leaves and bam Fall sensory tub.

Why do we do sensory activities for two reasons. 1. It allows our toddlers to explore the world around them through their senses. I can also talk to her about colors and textures, weight, sorting you name it. Don’t overload-it’s fun! 2. Many toddlers, especially boys are sensitive when it comes to sensory activities. This is a chance for them to explore in a safe environment and bring down those sensory phobia walls.

Sensory tubs are so easy!!!! You can add or change. I plan on bagging the supplies for this one and upcoming tubs to use for next year as well!

On the home front Row and I hosted a Toddler Halloween party today. It was so cute! Row’s birthday is this month but I didn’t want to miss out on Halloween. We all dressed in black and orange and brought treats for the kiddos. They attempted to trick or treat each adult but ya know. They had a blast as you could have told by the giant mess. But we loved it!

I also finished my mantle and hutch decorating this weekend! I love Halloween! Notice the hutch is only decorated so low-uh hum.