Letter Learning

Addie has been very into letters and "reading" lately. She often grabs a book and pretends to read, or say letters she knows the names of, so, I figured if she has an interest... I am happy to fuel it! So, we started some "pre-school" this is merrily a 20 minute time (even that is a stretch for such a busy bee) where we sit at the table and do letter, number or shape flash cards, read a book, sing a silly song, and do a coloring page or craft. This week we did flashcards for letters A-E, and introduced number 1, and triangles. I am happy to report that after 3 days of "Pee-Skooo" she can identify the letter A, and will happily repeat the letters we have introduced thus far. What a smart little cookie!

 

Running a glue stick was her favorite new thing this week I would say...but she is always so proud of her big girl papers to show Daddy when he comes home from work. I was impressed with the amount of stuff on Pinterest for "2 year old pre-school" I am looking forward to fall and winter theme activities! Next week we will focus on the letter B.

 

A menu plan!!

A menu board! I am pretty excited about this project! It was very simple (and less than $10!) I started with a trip to a local craft store for kitchen themed paper/stickers/embellishments. I wanted something primitive to fit my décor, and was thrilled with the teal barn wood and jars! I made my display, added the letter stickers for the days of the week and then slipped it in a frame. The glass makes a perfect dry-erase board! This way I can use it over and over, and I can add meals easily, and erase them as I use them!! Even my hubby will appreciate this one..as by Wednesday I can usually not remember what I had that chicken for...

**I did make a menu board before, but it was a magnetic one, with slips of paper on a little slot with each meal on it...I felt that it got old writing out new recipes as I wanted to try them...only to throw them out because the recipe was a flop! I feel that this will be new an improved.

 

Operation Easter Basket

I tend to over think things, I’ll admit that. With Easter, I know that it isn’t important what she gets in her Easter basket. I know that the most important thing is that she understands that reason that we celebrate Easter. At the same time, there is a part of me that lives for these things. We certainly won’t go overboard for Easter, I tend to use holidays like this to slip in some necessities that we will soon need. Spring clothes, new sandals, a summer hat, swimsuit...all Easter gifts! This works well because I would generally buy her these items anyway, and she will certainly not need them before Easter. I tend to shop all year for all holidays, so when I see small things on clearance or for good prices I grab them up often for Easter baskets, stocking stuffers, etc. I buy as I see things rather than "Easter basket shopping" all at once. Here is what I ended up with!

I will tell you, I am not a fan of all the little junk toys in the Easter isles...or a ton of candy. So, I decided on the following; 

-Books (Because we read at least 3-4 each day)

-Little people princess set, to go with her castle!

-A new water bottle

-Two chunky necklaces (made by ME!! at Belly Buttons & Baby Bottoms)

-Bows to match her new clothes and chunky necklaces (made by Darling Diva Bow-tique)

-Twistables crayons

-Growing wash cloth (because we LOVE bath time)

Then for snacks...of course, a chocolate bunny (this will be rationed by mommy), mini m&m's, Mini Nilla Wafers and Gerber yogurt melts!

Here is the finished product!! 

**I also have plans to make her a pair of my bling flip flops as well, they will be cute with all her spring clothes!** Also available at Belly Buttons & Baby Bottoms I made her a pair last year and they were a huge hit...shes a shoe girl!! 

Happy Easter!! 

Princess, with a storage Plan!

Well, we are mid February..so I am beginning to Christmas shop! Basically this early I am just starting to save money, and compile a list of what I want to look for when I am shopping. My daughter will be 2 1/2 at Christmas this year, and she LOVES to put on anything....and I mean ANYTHING pretty. (She is not ashamed to grab mommy's pretty (clean) undies as a necklace) ...I of course quickly take them away and give her something slightly more appropriate in case the mail man brings us a package. Again. Anywho..because of this obsession of hers, I decided dress up clothes would be a perfect Christmas gift for her!! I always check clearance racks, and after Halloween I plan to grab a couple clearance princess dresses. But, then comes the STORAGE hurdle. I found a million ideas on Pinterest where you transform an old dresser into a gorgeous standing "closet" but...we are already crowded in with all her toys, so I needed something slightly..less. SO!!!! I went to Wal-Mart, and grabbed myself a good 'ol tote. Now I know, This is hardly fit for a princess. So I scowered the store for something to decorate it. I settled on wall decals! They are cute...and were on clearance! TAA DAA!!! A dress up storage tote fir for a Princess!

Here it is!!

Yes...I did decorate the bottom of the tote, and you will only see it when its empty...but, that castle was to cute not to use! And...I am sure it will spend lots of time empty...with all the dress up clothes strewn around my living room!! 

Christmas Cookies!

I am a huge baking fan, I love to bake and find new recipes (baking is NOT to be confused with cooking...cooking, I could do without) I love the whole Christmas season, and baking goes hand in hand. So I thought I would share how I do my baking. I like to have Christmas cookies at any given time during the month of December, so rather than baking 5466326 dozen cookies all in one day, I bake two kinds each week so we can enjoy them, plus, hubby doesn't mind having gluten free cookies ALL MONTH!! (Yes, ALL of my cookies are gluten free! Here are the ones I made this week!

^^^chocolate Crinkles^^^

 

^^^Sugar^^^

 

Open on CHRISTMAS EVE!

 

Growing up, my family always opened one gift on Christmas Eve, While I do love this tradition, I wanted the "gift" to be special...New pj's? A special stuffed animal to sleep with? A Christmas Activity? These sorts of questions usually leave me perusing Pinterest for the perfect plan. I stumbled upon this GREAT idea! "The Christmas Eve Box" Our Family's box contains;

 

 

  New Christmas Pajamas

  An Ornament

  A Christmas Movie

  Hot Chocolate Mix

  Popcorn

 "Movie Theater" Candy

      

You could certainly include anything in your box that's unique to your family, these are items I chose to include, I may include the "last" Christmas book in our Christmas book countdown as well. There are so many special ideas and variations you could do to make it your very own!

All in a festive box! I think as Addie gets older she will really look forward to this special box, it is a "gift" but it has a movie, and snacks, something to enjoy as a family as we await those final hours until Christmas morning!

25 Books of Christmas Countdown

        We are in 100% full Christmas celebration over here! I thought I would take the time this season and share some of our family traditions, recipes, and projects this season! I am a complete Christmas junkie! I plan Christmas festivities like a bride plans a wedding, and scope out Christmas gifts with the same enthusiasm as a toddler searching for Easter eggs. All my Shopping is DONE (I started in February) wrapped, and ready to go! The stockings are stuffed, the tree is up and NOW I am just enjoying every moment of the season!
        The tradition I want to share tonight is our book tradition, I chose 24 books with a Christmas theme, wrap each book and starting December 1st my little one chooses one book each evening to unwrap and read as part of her bedtime routine. I think its a very special way to countdown to Christmas, I use them same books each year and just wrap them again. Some are classics like The Grinch, Frosty, Rudolph, etc.) but others are just fun board books that will be replaced as she gets older.