Floor Quilt

This quilt was a long time in the coming.  I tore a pattern for an embroidered crib bumper out of Marie Claire Idees magazine years before we had babies.   When I was expecting our oldest, Colleen started embroidering.   When Noodle arrived the bumper was half done (a bumper is really really long!) and it was stuck in a cabinet.   I had been trying to figure out what to do with it since. 

Turns out that bumper really wanted to be part of a quilt!  The Little Miss' floor quilt was made of all items I had on hand.  The twelve large squares are cut from old curtains and extra bumper fabric.  A fleece blanket is sandwiched between the topper and a backing.  And the bumper embroidery makes an extra special edging.

Jar O' Lanterns

I saw these Jar O’ Lanterns in this month’s Family Fun Magazine.  They are a fantastic project to do with little little ones.  We opted not to put a tea light inside.   

The House Mom and Noodle Built

We have to make room for more projects on the shelf, but I couldn’t toss this one without getting a few pictures.  We made this a couple weeks ago at our mom and tot art class.  The session was titled “Our House is a Very Fine House”.  It is a masterpiece of popsicle sticks, tape, model magic, pompoms and glue.

Apple Farmer Annie

Apple Farmer Annie is one of our new favorite fall books.  It is a simple story about how Annie grows and harvests apples in her orchard.  She makes lots of treats to sell along with the apples at the farmer’s market.  The illustrations are vibrant.  The text is straightforward. And it is a bonus that she drives her truck right into NYC to sell her bounty to us city dwellers.

Preschool Playground NYSCI

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If I were a lady of means I would have a replica of the Preschool Playground at the New York Hall of Science installed at my country estate.  I love every ounce of it: the low rolling hills, tall grasses, woven and wooden objects to climb on, colorful plexi panels to peer through.  It is fantastic.

The Preschool Playground adjoins the ultra-cool big kid playground at NYSCI.  It is a recent addition, built to meet the increasing numbers of younger visitors coming to the center.

Stand Mixer Bubbles

I had been meaning to bring the water table inside for a while now, but an afternoon storm last week forced the issue.  We were going to need a post nap activity and playing in bubbles from the stand mixer was a perfect rainy day distraction. 

 My bubble making method is pretty loose.  I put a couple tablespoons of dish soap in the mixer and turn it on high.  I add just enough water to get the bubbles going, let the mixer run for about 30 seconds, then add more water.  I repeat the last step till the bowl is filled with bubbles. 

 It took about three bowls full of bubbles to fill the water table. 

Knit Love

Our little ones have a few wonderful knitters in their lives, but none compare to Nan!  My mom, their Nan, always has a project going for one of them.  She knits with intention and love.  This one skein kimono sweater was made for the Noodle.  It was his first sweater.  Here is the Little Miss wearing it for the first time. 

Apple Rhymes

Two Apples

If I had two apples, (hold up two fingers)

what would I do?

I'd keep one for me, (point at yourself)

And give the other to you! (point to child)

Five Red Apples

(fill in the blanks with the names of family and friends)

Five red apples in a basket by the door, 

Little ________ took one, and then there were four.

Four red apples were still enough for me.

_________ took one, and then there were three.

Three red apples, and what did I do?

I baked one in an apple pie, and then there were two.

Two little apples but before the story is done, 

________will make some applesauce, and that leaves one.

One little apple, I'll put in a sack.

I'll give it to __________ for an afternoon snack.

Bronx Zoo

We planned our Bronx Zoo trip for the first day the city schools were back in session.  Such a fabulous idea!  The zoo was empty—perfect for a fast moving two year old and  newborn in need of frequent snack breaks. 

Painting at 6 am