Learning Day: Light Box Fun

Dear Lyla and Lottie, Dad made us a light box for Christmas.  We bought all sorts of translucent things for it.  At first I wasn’t sure why we the whole concept of illuminating things was so exciting, nor was I sure you would.  I guess these developmental peeps know what they’re talking about because you BOTH love the light box and are very attracted to it.  It provides another element of engagement and another forum to learn from.  We have colored paddles, translucent tiles, numbers and letters.  This day Lyla and I spent over an hour in the tiny laundry room while you looked over the various tiles.  We talked about them and you would play in whatever universe you were in.  Then, Lottie woke up and joined us.  Oh man, she was like godzilla wreaking your creations.  Lyla, you were so patient with her but eventually said “Lottie needs to take a nap mom”.  Haha.  You’re so funny babe.  Lottie, can’t blame ya for wanting to wreak them!

Learning Day: Moon Sand

Dear Lyla, why is it that the messier that activity, the more you love it!  LOL.  This one is just flour mixed in baby oil, which gives it a thicker texture to make castles and such.  It entertained us for a few weeks!Oh boy you and Charlotte loved this one, and it made SUCH a mess.  We dumped, stacked, stirred, swirled, and every other thing possible with this sand.  At one point we buried every single one of your animals big and small.  Then I’d say the name of a particular animal and you’d dig until you found it.  With such pride you’d hold it in the air and proclaim, “I pound it!”.  You are awesome. And sometimes naughty.  When I went to nurse Char you took full advantage and started CHUCKING sand all over.  It was literally all over the living room; the bookshelves, the couches, carpet and the kitchen table.  I laughed and then wanted to beat you.  LOL  Love you babe. 

Charlotte, you loved this one too!!  I try to give you as many opportunities as possible to learn about your environment through touch, even though that usually leads to unintended consumption.  LOL  You were very curious about this moon sand and would thread it through your fingers with wonder.  I very much enjoyed watching you learn.  I eventually let you get totally nakey and sat your inside the sensory table and oh boy what fun that was!

Lyla was in a phase of wanting to wear her backpack everywhere.  LOL. 

Impromptu Bath

Lyla, one night we were baking and I let you play in the sink as a way of distracting you from dumping gallons of flour and who knows what all over the floor.  Somehow that turned into you getting completely naked and filling the sink with water.  Then, you asked to take a bath in the sink.  Sometimes I try to do things by the moment and think outside the box (not my forte).  SOO we went with it!  I washed out the sink, grabbed the essentials and Lottie, and went to bathing.  I didn’t get a picture but we got all your animals and you had such a good time giving them a bath too.  Lottie, you were slightly dangerous because you kept standing up!  I think you liked it though!

Learning Day: Stress Balls

One day we were stressed so we put play dough inside balloons to squeeze.  Jk!  They’re supposed to help with fine motor skills.  So far they’ve been more fun as a teether for Lottie. 

More fun with the Ho’s

Dear Lyla, for several weeks it seemed like the horses next door were always in the feeding corral whenever we wanted to go feed them.  It would be so frustrating for you because we’d go for a walk but not be able to feed them.  You kept saying “oh no!  Where’s the hos?”.  So one day when we came home I saw them out so we rushed over.  I even let you drive your car over.  Your courage has grown my dear!  You hardly flinched when the horses walked right up to the fence and stood bravely as you held out the apples and carrots.  It did my heart good.  I love these moments with you little sweetie. 

Learning Day: Homemade Crayons

This day we made homemade crayons this day.  I was surprised because you weren’t interested in unwrapping the crayons even though that’s the first thing you do when you color!  You silly girl.  Once I got them all unwrapped though, you loved snapping them in half to put them in the muffin tin.  Once they were cooked and cooled, you went right to town coloring all over the counter.  LOL

Learning Day: Lava Lamps Part II

We made lava lamps for the second time because we left ours at Grandma’s house in Idaho.  This time you chose yellow, but it didn’t show up well so I added a little red to make this really cool sunset orange.  This one turned out even cooler than the first.   You just LOVED adding all the alka seltzer packets at once so it’d gurgle up so high and almost over the top!  We kept this one on the table for weeks and would just throw some tabs anytime you wanted to.  I love this activity. 

Learning Day: Water Beads

This day we watched water beads grow!!  How cool is that?!  They’re these little colored beads that start out a little bigger than a grain of sand and can grown into the size of a big marble!  Just add water!  Of course you had to get fully naked for this activity.  Dumping is still one of your favorite activities, so this was naturally a hit!  We got all of our supplies including our animals, several bowls and stir sticks and went to creating things.  You kept saying “oh wow, LOOK!”. Lottie join in the fun as well.  I would let her feel the beads but of course they went right to the mouth so we had to watch her really close!

Since the beads continued to grow as they’re in water, we would check back at the table throughout the day and show each other what they looked like.  It was really fun and they provided a great forum for several days of imagination. 

Learning Day: Super Balls

Dear Lyla, we threw a little glue, borax and some blue food coloring (your choice) together make a super ball.  This activity ended up being more fun making than playing with later.  We loved pouring and stirring but kinda lost interest in the actual ball right after.  I thought it would bounce but it didn’t. Boo.  WE still had fun cooking as always!!

SLC Fun

Lyla and Lottie, we went up north for some fun with dad, a birthday party, and to help Uncle Zack pick out a wedding ring!  It was really fun.  We stayed in the Marriot Suites because Zach got us the governmental rates.  IT was so fancy, two flat screens and all sorts of amenities.  We had lots of fun.  Grandma Bet and Aunt Jackie even came down to see us!  You guys went swimming with dad while I helped shop for rings (which was really fun!) and then we went to Elsie’s birthday party and Build-A-Bear!!!  Oh my goodness was that fun.  Lyla you loved being with all those kids and making your own stuffed animal.  You pushed the foot petal for just about everone.  LOL  You chose the Penguin from Happy Feet.  His bowtie lights up blue!  Lottie you even got to make one! We made you a cute Doggie named spot.  Lyla, we named your Penguin Eric from Happy Feet but then dressed him/her as a girl in this really cute black tulle dress.  LOL.  Later that day we went to Shauna’s to hang with their family , Jax and Grandma Bet.  We ate Chinese food and hung out.  It was a splendid trip and I survived another long drive alone with you two crazy kids!

  :y