countdown to christmas

I wasn't organized enough to put together an advent calendar this year, so I made Elise a little "Christmas countdown" instead.  It started this morning, and will end on Christmas Eve.  Each day, Elise will open up a small gift that corresponds with an activity we can do together.

Christmas countdown gifts and activities:

day 1:  homemade barrette for E's hair - hot chocolate date
day 2:  zipper pull - winter wonderland walk
day 3:  snowflake paper punch - make snowflakes
day 4:  bird ornament - make bird feeders
day 5:  dog bone cookie cutter - make dog treats
day 6:  bubble bath - take a holiday bath (love this snow bath idea from Montessori Beginnings)
day 7:  sparkly bracelets - go on a Christmas light cruise

Stay tuned for updates on our holiday fun!  

a little tour: e's art area

I'd been wanting to set up a place for Elise to work on art in our house for awhile, so when I found this small rack and table at a garage sale, I cheered(!) and talked Hubs into carrying them four blocks back to our house.  I mean, really, how often do you find nice, child-sized pieces of furniture at garage sales?!  The table is a little tall for sitting at, but it's just the right height for standing, which is how Elise seems to prefer to work lately anyway.

the art shelf:

I've always debated whether it's better to set up actual art lessons, or just offer a variety of art materials for children to use as they please.  I ended up going with "lessons," since this is Elise's first time using these materials.

the art lessons:

sculpting with gingerbread play dough

Get the recipe here.  This lesson includes a rolling pin, biscuit cutter, and buttons in a tin.  The mat is a remnant of marine vinyl from a craft store.

drawing with crayons

I really appreciate the way these egg-shaped crayons encourage Elise to use a pincer-grip.  I purchased them here.  These are some very well loved crayons - minus the missing red egg!

sticking dots onto a blank card

I've seen this dot sticker activity on several Montessori blogs, so I thought Elise might like to give it a try.  Picking up the stickers is definitely strengthening her fine motor control!  I'm setting aside the decorated cards to use as thank yous for Christmas gifts.

all the art activities, in action  ;)

hunkering down

The weather here has taken a turn for the cold and snowy, so Elise and I have been laying low, staying cozy.  We are giving Elise a play kitchen for Christmas this year, so I've been busy knitting fruits and veggies to go along with it.  

What are your thoughts on play kitchens?  Elise enjoys working in our real kitchen, so at first I wasn't sure if she would get much out of a play kitchen.  After watching how creatively she plays with her dolls and stuffed animals, I think she will have a lot of fun pretending in a play kitchen, too.  I'll keep you updated!  ;)  

I found all the fruit and veggie patterns (free!) on Ravelry.  Do you knit?  I haven't knit for awhile, but I'm getting back into it.  I'm clementine on Ravelry if you'd like to be knitting friends!

spooning lentils through a funnel

My lovely friend Rachael took these photos of her son (and Elise's good pal!), Ezra, working on one of his favorite activities, spooning lentils through a funnel.  It looks so appealing - I can't wait to put together something similar for Elise to try!

When I was teaching, anything with a funnel was always a huge hit.

What concentration!

For bonus fine motor points,

Rachael said they worked together to pick all the lentils off the bottoms of Ezra's feet!  ;)

Thanks for the inspiration, Ezra and Rachael!

learning tower acrobatics

Getting in and out of the learning tower is as easy as...

When we first brought the learning tower home for Elise, I decided to model the proper way to climb in and out using the "ladder" on the side.  Climbing up was easy, but when I tried to back down, I realized I was too big and that I was stuck!  I struggled for a ridiculous minute or two before deciding that the only way out was over the top.  I definitely didn't want Elise to see THAT way modeled, so Hubs distracted her while I catapulted myself to safety!

Needless to say, I haven't been in the learning tower since.  As for Elise, she loves being up there!  She quickly figured out her own way of getting in and out, and although her technique is slightly unconventional, it works.  I admire her determination and independence - and upper body strength!  ;)