Concoctions

Last week we were stuck inside with bad colds and I suggested we make playdough.  Unfortunately I didn't realize till Adrien was happily standing on the kitchen stool that we didn't have any flour.  I channeled my grandmother who let my sister and I as children mix together (and sometimes cook!) whatever ingredients we wanted, in whatever proportions we saw fit.  We would make a terrible mess, but we loved it.

  

 For his first concoction we used a pretty safe mash up of ingredients: crunchy peanut butter, powdered milk, honey, oil, powdered sugar, water and cornstarch.   Much much more fun than regular old playdough making! 

Love Bug Valentine's

Danyelle's (www.dandee-designs.com) valentine's are just about the cutest thing ever.  When I saw them I knew I had found the perfect cards for Noodle's play school group.  Above is my stab at them!  Check her's out and print your own here.

Grandmother Winter

And we have flurries!  It has been a relatively snow free year in Brooklyn, so any bit of white is very exciting!  In celebration of the snow I bring you one of our favorite winter books, Grandmother Winter.    A tale of the woman who brings on the snow with a shake of her down quilt.

Winter Visit

We are still  dreaming of the snowy days we spent with cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents last week!

Candlemas

We are mid-way through the winter season today.  Smack between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox.   More light, more life, more warmth is on its way!

Trees in Winter

I am a sucker for factual children's books with great illustrations.   Winter Trees by Carole Gerber is one of these books.  It follows a boy and his dog through a snowy forest.  He plays among several trees noting what makes each one unique.  Full disclosure: Noodle declared it boring.  I am hopeful next year he will enjoy it!

Snowman Felt Board

If you haven't tried making felt board pieces, a snowman scene is an easy first project.  Just trace three circles--use different sized cups, inside of tape rolls, etc and freehand the rest.   The hat, nose, arms and snow are all very forgiving shapes.

I am hoping to come up with a cute story to go with this guy, but for now we are just taking him apart and putting him back together. 

Dance Like Snowflakes

Dance Like Snowflakes

(sing to the tune of Frere Jacques)

Dance like snowflakes

Dance like snowflakes

In the air

In the air.

Whirling, twirling, snowflakes

Whirling, twirling, snowflakes

Here and there

Here and there.

Ice Cube Fun

We added a tray of ice cubes to the Noodle's water table playscape this week.  A fun addition! 

Simple Cork Boats

I needed to fill some rainy day time and these simple cork boats were a good distraction.  They started out without sails.  Just shapes cut from a few cork tiles that used to hang on my office wall.  Adrien floated them around in the morning.  Then we decided to make sails.  I cut triangles of fabric, coated them with glue and folded them around toothpicks.  Ahoy!