Letter M and Marshmallow Painting

After nap-time and a quick trip to the mailbox it was time to explore the Letter M box.  Usually the first time the box is opened I let them explore without much interference. Other than then occasional explanation of how something works or the name of an item I stay pretty quiet. 

Mirror and Magnifying glass ( Hannah calls it a finding glass).

Clearly he knows how to use it.

This is a video of Ethan finding the letter M upside down.  Hehehehehe.

Today, we also painted with Marshmallows.

Ready to go.  I saw this at Childcareland.com

Hannah stamps away in blue.

Ethan very quickly mixed his colors.

Peering at the paint soaked marshmallow.

Squeezing the marshmallow with all his might.

I caught her just before she took a bite.

Hannah's marshmallow masterpiece.

Ethan.

Letter M

As promised, this week we will be working on the letter M.  As I prepared these activities it was a bit of a switch to think about how Ethan would also be doing these things along with Hannah and I.  Not only is he more than willing to be involved, he is also very insistent.  Here is what we will be doing for the letter M.  

Letter M: Mitten, mask card, M bean bag, mirror, monkey, medicine, money, marbles, magnifying glass, mushroom, music box, magnet, and the M letters.

Money Sorting (Loonies, Quarters, Dimes, Nickels, and pennies).  The coin in each little container is hot glued in place  for sorting reference.  They will easily pop off when the activity is all done.

Magnetic vs Non-magnetic items. The items can be sorted or just explored.

This activity is especially for Ethan.  Pipe cleaner pieces inside a bottle.
I saw this on Pre-School Play.

The pipe cleaner pieces will move up and down the bottle as he moves the magnet wand.

Mirror images.  I drew shapes (half the shape) on a card .  When the card is held up to the mirror,  the image is completed.  There are some extra cards for Hannah to make her own.

Happy face and a heart.

Rectangle and a triangle.

Stay tuned for some more M fun throughout the week.

Kristina

Linked to:
 1+1+1=1 Tot School

To Grandmother's House We Go.

As I said yesterday, we spent the last week visiting Andrew's parents and had a very good time.  We were cut short by a day due to driving conditions which was a bummer but better than getting into trouble driving home.  

Enjoying a graham cracker on the way up.

His cheeks were so pink. Happy to be eating.

Eyes on the road.

We had "Christmas day".

Which lead right into some relaxation for Daddy.

Playing in the tent.

Peaking out.

Hannah wanted to read ALL week.

Horsing around.  I'd say he caught a 26lb boy.

Hannah got up so very early in the morning.  So early I wasn't even up to take the picture.

Ethan and Hannah loved playing on Grandma's bed.

Andrew's Dad

Yes, I was there too.

Some "special" pudding for the car ride home.

We are Back!

It's true.  We are back from our week away and I am back from being away from my bloggy hiatus.  It's been nearly a month but the time went so quickly I can scarcely believe it.  As a family, we have really enjoyed some great concentrated family time both before and after the new year.  Let me catch you up on the happenings.  We had a wonderful time celebrating the Christmas.  My unspoken goal was to have a none rushed and Christ centered Christmas time.  While my husband might disagree on how busy we were for the holidays, I think we succeeded in both, which is partially the reason for the bloggy hiatus.

We enjoyed a great visit from Andrew's brother.  The kids loved playing with their Uncle.  Then after Christmas We spent a week away at Andrew's parents house (we got back yesterday).  Just before we left Hannah showed some interest in using the potty, so we have also been working on the potty training.  In addition, I have been planning the letters M-Z, as well as what will follow once we have completed the alphabet.

Stay tuned I have some pictures from our week away, some thoughts on potty training, and then on Monday  the kids and I will start letter M.

An example of true love.

Andrew and I are going on a date this afternoon.  I have been planning it for awhile and I am really  looking forward to it.  My mom is coming over to watch the kids and then we are going out for the afternoon.  This morning, when Andrew woke up he put on dressy clothes in preparation, as well as some of my favorite cologne.  He makes me smile.  Knowing that we still had a little while before we left I got ready but I left my pajamas on (dirty kid fingers).  I came down the stairs with my hair done, and earrings on and asked Andrew how I looked.  Don't squirm, I wasn't testing Andrew.  I know him well enough to know that this question does not make him anxious.  I knew he would tell me what he really thought.

He glanced up and gave my a sideways look, and comment that I looked nice but he should change because I had decided to go casual. hahahahaha  After making sure he knew I was wearing pajamas, his next comment was that if I had a headache and was more comfortable wearing my pajamas it was fine with him.  He added that he did like it when I dressed up but it didn't matter. hehehehehe I love Andrew.  He allows me to be me and it is a blessing from God to know that he loves me for who I am and not what I wear.

I did however, use a gift card to buy a new outfit and surprised him. :D

Gingerbread Houses

Yesterday, my sister came over to do gingerbread houses with the kids.  The best part was she had it already to go.  She made the houses out of graham crackers and milk cartons.  Royal icing was used to stick  it all together and to stick the candies on also.

Here is Hannah and Teresa already to go.

Ethan waiting.  If you look along the roof line you can see where Ethan has already taken a bite.

Hannah used a tiny little knife to put some icing on each candy and then she "glued " them onto the house.

Happy girl.

Ethan enjoyed eating.

Pulling off candies so he could eat more.

Enjoying the candy.

Wordless Wednesday-Hannah's first Christmas Card