Max Cooks

When I was a kid, we used to "cook" food for the skunk that lived behind our house. We'd mixed all sorts of ingredients from the kitchen, then we'd set it on the back porch for the skunk. I saw an activity here that reminded me of my childhood past time, so I thought I'd give it a whirl with Max this weekend.

I put a big wrapping paper storage bin on the kitchen floor, along with the supplies I quickly grabbed: a small sauce pan, a whisk, a wooden spoon, a measuring spoon, and a strainer. The ingredients we used were flour, a cup of water, baby carrots, and some spices.

Jeff and I got the spices as a house warming gift from our apartment complex back in 2005. And they've never been opened. I figured this would be a great way make use of these spices that have been taking up room in my pantry for the last 7 years.

Max enjoyed pouring and stirring and mixing in the ingredients.

The mess was minimal, and when we were done, I just picked Max up and took him right to the tub. We will definitely do this again. I look forward to adding more ingredients next time!

This Moment

Three of Maxwell's favorite things: his Aunt Megan, baby Gwen, and balloons!

This Moment (a day late)

Water Pouring Activity

This morning after breakfast, Max poured his cup of milk onto his plate (like he does most mornings). Afterwards, he gave me his little evil grin and asked for more milk. Of course I said no. But then I thought about it, and decided to give him water in a 1/2 cup measuring scoop. Then I moved his highchair into the kitchen, cleared the tray of breakfast, and gave him his cup and measuring scoop.

Max poured the water from the scoop to his cup and from his cup back to the scoop for over 20 minutes. He would have gone longer but I had to start cleaning up to get to work. He did such a great job pouring the water, I was really impressed. I had to refill the scoop several times, because he did spill some every now and then. And I had to clean up the tray after each time, cause then he liked to splash around and make a big ol' mess. But it was a stress-free activity that Max got a lot out of.

I didn't take any pictures, because while Max busied himself with the water, I used the time to load the dishwasher, run upstairs and start some laundry, and clean up the kitchen. Things that would have normally taken me an hour because Max would have insisted on helping.

When we were done, I gave Max the paper towel and asked him to clean up. He then ripped the paper towel to shreds.

But he had a great time doing it, and tearing is another great fine motor activity.

We got Max a water table for his birthday and I'm so excited to watch him explore with it. Water is a great learning tool, and Max LOVES playing in the bath, so I know the water table will be a hit. The only issue may be keeping him dry!

Art Time

The other night, I came across this website (I think Lia pinned it on Pinterest), chalk-full of great art activities and creative play ideas. I have slowly been perusing the list of activities for ages 1-4, and have come across a lot of great ideas.

I did this one at school first, and we had such fun in class, that I decided to do it at home too. At work, I simply used double sided tape to stick the con-tac paper to some construction paper, but I wanted something more permanent for Max's art, so I used spray adhesive to stick con-tac paper to card stock paper. The spray adhesive worked VERY well and will do that next time in class.

ANYWHO. Then we gathered the items we wanted to stick on our paper. In class, we did 'P' collage items, and they were just simply perfect. Full of pink and purple buttons, ribbon, stickers, and 'P' items, like paperclips and pigs. At home, I just quickly cut out some magazine pictures, grabbed some left over yarn that's been lying around, and other odds and ends.

The final product. This is a good fine motor activity, and lots of fun. I look forward to collecting better collage items, and having Max help me collect things. I think we'll try a nature one next, Max has been interested in leafs lately.

And this is a painting Max did this morning. Isn't it great??

This Moment

We took our first trip as a family to the Pima Air and Space Museum last weekend. We had a great time- Jeff especially. We even bought a membership so we could pop in whenever. It's closer than the zoo or the children's museum! And we could even bring the dogs if we wanted!

This Moment

uuuugh, I was a bad mommy this week. I didn't take a single photo of my boy. But he's also been sick, and who wants a picture of themselves when they're not feeling well??

I did take a picture of my ultra sweet husband attempting to save some of Maxwell's books.

Max's humidifier leaked one night, all over the shelf where I keep his nicest books- way up high where he can't reach them without adult help. But I managed to ruin them in one night, because I didn't want the little green light on the humidifier to bug Max so I quickly turned it after I put him in the crib for bed. When I got Max up in the morning, the top shelf was a puddle. I was heart-broken.

Jeff tried ironing one of the books because he knew I was quite upset about the whole thing. The ironing didn't work, btw, so don't bother if you're ever in the same situation. Of the books, it looks like only one will probably have to be trashed. Two others were pretty water logged, and will forever be marked and damaged, but still readable. And the other couple of books look like they'll be just fine, with just slight water marks. It could have been much much worse, and I'm just happy the water didn't leak to the other three shelves of books.

And I'm super lucky to have a husband who is willing to iron books for his crazy wife.

This Moment

Painting Dada's Birthday gift

A Short Work Story

As I was buttoning one of my students pants the other day, I noticed they were wet by the waistband. So I asked, "Patrick, why are your pants wet?" The answer I received: "my penis was out of control!" while he gestured with his finger like a loose, one might even say out of control, fire hose.

I love 5-year-olds.

This Moment

Go Dada. Max catch.