The Library

We have recently discovered that our library offers some pretty neat story times for kids. I was always afraid to take Chess b/c she might disrupt everyone, but this story time is specifically for toddlers under 3 years old. We have been going every week and having a good time.


waiting for the songs and stories to start


They have a little play time with different activities - this day was bubbles, obviously.


We usually read a few books afterwards.


One day Spot came. Chess was a little cautious at first.


But then she gave him a big hug.

Crayons and Paper

I love having a toddler who is getting more into arts and crafts. Not a day goes by where Chess doesn't ask for "cayons-paper" to color. We have done crayons, markers, pens, paints, stamps, glue, and noodle necklaces (fyi: Crayons come off a wooden table with elbow grease, but pen does not - any tips on that?).


I learned to draw Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Big Bird pretty well.


This is one of our first times coloring with the big paper underneath, which slides around like crazy. We learned to use painters' tape (like in the pictures below) to hold it down. It doesn't leave a sticky residue or tear anything up.


Pill boxes make great paint holders.


making Daddy's Valentine with a potato stamp


Plastic yarn needles are so much fun for toddlers. They are totally worth the $1.24 I spent on them. Chess loved threading the noodles and got to practice fine motor skills without getting frustrated.


the finished product

Thanks, Amy, for the roll of paper! It has been extremely useful.

Wordless Wednesday

Craftalicious

I am excited! Some of my friends and I have started a craft blog. Now I have a place to post all of my sewing and crafts, as well as see the creative stuff some of my friends are making. So, visit Craftalicious to see my first post, a quiet book I'm starting for my kids. Here's a little teaser:

Crafts

Lately I've had a ton of crafts and sewing ideas in my head. Especially lots of summer shirts for Chess, oh, and coordinating Easter dresses for the girls (I'm really excited about that one). I haven't had much time to get to them yet, but here are some things I've done in the past couple of months.


wall hangings in Lera's room


close-up of the owl


bow holder


before - $2.50 step stool from Target


after - a little mod podge and scrapbook paper, and a lot cuter


Valentine's Day wreath - I took a styrofoam heart, covered it in pink fabric, wrapped it in red lace, and hung it with a frayed fabric bow.


Chess likes it.


This is the before picture of something I'm in the process of making...play make-up! I'm cleaning out my old make-up containers, and filling them with nail polish. When it dries hard, Chess can pretend to put make-up on and not make a mess!

Most of these ideas came from some creative people I came across on that magical place called...the internet. I stored the ideas in my brain, so I'm sorry I don't have links back to the people. I don't think any of them will see my blog, but if they do, sorry creative people!

Wordless Wednesday