Matching Mittens

The cold weather (and I mean well below zero) has inspired our reading games this week. D's current favorite is Matching Mittens. He has done it everyday that I had it out.

He even likes the version I made for N.

Brother Robots

Robots have been very in style around here lately. We made this version out of left over Christmas boxes. I drew and cut the shapes and then left the boys paint on glue and glitter. DMan found all of the eyes and buttons from our art junk box. I got this idea from Allie and she used magnets so her children could mix and match the parts. Great idea, but I couldn't find any extra magnets so I just used brads for the arms and legs. I think they are pretty cute!

Wax Resist Painting

I have been meaning to try this for some time now. You need paper, water colors (water and food coloring works too), a white wax candle, and a paint brush.

First, rub the candle on the paper and then paint with the water color.

It's a pretty cool effect..... Dylan got frustrated right away. In hindsight, I should have used a white crayon rather than a wax candle since the candle was too awkward to hold. He ended up writing "zoo" with the candle and just using it at the top of his picture. Then he just went on drawing.....

Nathan gave the candle a try, but then decided to make "Monster Houses" instead.

I am going to try this again with crayon and write secret messages to the boys. I think that will be a big hit.

A Routine, So Refreshing

Don't get me wrong, I love the hustle and bustle of the holidays, but it is so nice to be back to the life we live the other 11 months of the year. So back to the norm for us. I set out activities and the boys do them at their leisure. Both boys were so excited when they saw all of the activities set up downstairs.

In keeping with out fish theme, we played a new fish reading game today. DMan chooses a fish with a word on it and then puts him in the fish bowl with the coresponding picture. I use this game with my violin students all of the time, except I use a bucket and fishing rod and let them actually fish, but that just doesn't work with a curious baby around. I think DMan will get a kick out of that. I'll have to give the fishing pole version a try when Logan is napping.

DMan was helping Nathan "read" the fish. Too cute. (He also demonstrated pooping on the potty to NatMan. I am really hoping that NatMan catches on to that lesson.)

Also I placed out the Unifix cubes, but only had one black, two burgundy, three orange, etc. I set out all of the cubes in a pile, not stacked. I was sort of curious to see what DMan would do with them. Turns out, he used them the same way he does the cuisenaire rods, first he stacked them and then placed them from zero to nine. He wanted the cubes to stand up, so he went and found some blocks to support his "steps". It is so nice that he works through problems on his own now instead of throwing himself on the ground out of frustration like he would have done a couple months ago. Okay, he still throws himself on the ground, but it has gotten much better.

Then he ran off with the cubes and used them as part of a tower.

And a road, with bridges and slides and traps....

I have debated starting some letter of the week program with Nathan, but I think I am going to hold off for now. Perhaps we'll start after his birthday. I think him not knowing his letters is an issue is best solved with time. So we'll see how things are going then. Right now he is just happy to do all of the activities with DMan.

Aaaannnnnd, He Builds

Walking in his brother's footsteps, Nathan builds. ALL DAY, EVERYWHERE. I am constantly astonished by all the creations the boys come up with. We could get rid of all of the toys except for building blocks and pretend kitchen (after all, Mom needs her pretend coffee each morning) and the boys wouldn't know the difference.


TownHouses with stairs so Santa can bring presents. You know, in case his sleigh is broke down.

The Snowman Game

Dylan is really loving this game these days. Nathan likes it too, but gets frustrated that his drawing skills aren't what he wants them to be. I really feel for him, he is at the stage where he knows what he wants to make, but can't quite get there. I think I am going to make a felt version for him sometime soon.

Start with three circles for the body of the snowman. Roll the dice then draw on a piece of paper the element that corresponds to the number you roll. When we roll a number that we already have, we just draw a snowflake. After the first few times playing it we started to add variations....cowboy, snow women, small snowman, fat snowman, astronaut. Lots of fun for the post Christmas lull going on here.

ETA and wouldn't you know, a couple days after I posted this, I find a link to the exact version I need for Nathan. Now I just need to find time to make it.