I’ve noticed an explosion in imaginative play this past year. From gnomes over the summer (thanks to the beautiful book we checked out from the library) to today’s obsession with fairies, the world of this preschooler seems filled with magic. Claire spent days working on fairy houses on our front porch. She’s used rocks, sticks and leaves and is now begging us for a … Continue reading Fairy houses and my thoughts on Disney’s Tinker Bell
Getting dirty is a skill set Claire especially excels at. The muddy project Claire is working on in the photo above was inspired by a book we checked out from the library about gnomes. Claire was enthralled by it, and I must admit that I was as well. Growing up, I absolutely Gnomes by Will Huygen LOVED the Nickelodeon show “David the Gnome.” Turns out … Continue reading Garden Gnomes and Garden Toads
The day after I blogged about Claire amusing herself swinging from vines and sculpting with mud I read this article: Girls who play in dirt grow up healthier according to researcher Young girls who play in the mud tend to end up healthier than those who don’t, according to a researcher at Oregon State University. (AP Photo) A dirty tub is the least of … Continue reading In Praise of Mud
Blanket forts, tree houses, tucked away closets…it’s obvious that the kiddie crowd loves to have places and spaces to call their own. Claire is no exception. Santa dropped this cardboard house off at Christmas and for the following 4 weeks Claire meticulously colored and embellished it in her own style. Now if you’ve spent any time at all here at the blog, you know … Continue reading The Happy Monkey House
There’s a great article on Wired.com by GeekDad Jonathan Liu about the 5 Best Toys of All Time. While I wholeheartedly agree about the joy of sticks, boxes, twine and above all dirt — there is a glaring omission from his most excellent article: Tape. And lots of it. Case in point: Claire’s version of London Bridge. Constructed completely on her own in a quiet … Continue reading Why I should buy stock in scotch (tape that is)
I love when other parents share what their children enjoying playing with – it always helps me figure out what to introduce into our own toy rotation. One of Claire’s favorite art tools since Christmas has been the Buddha Board. Everyone loves it! I’ve caught Dan doodling away many times and it was a big hit at Christmas dinner with all the grown ups. This is … Continue reading Loving Our Buddha Board!
There are days when we’re stuck inside all day – due to weather, illness or just my general lack of enthusiasm about completing laundry. On those days, I find it pays to have a special “something” up your sleeve. My newest device? The sensory bin. I knew that kids went gaga over those bean filled tubs in the preschool room where I used to work so … Continue reading Keeping A Toddler Happy Indoors
Chalk In My Pocket 