Preschool Activities

Here are some activities that Jem (3 1/2) likes to complete when I am doing school with big sister. We have watched Jem go through a learning explosion this past month.  She has learned her letters and sounds mostly by watching and listening to us do school.

Please note that at the beginning of the school year I thought that I wasn't going to be able to teach her, she didn't want to learn, and now she's at the school table before her sister asking for activities to do. This is so exciting to see!

 Matching colors, lacing beads, and pattern work.

 Putting stuffed animals into categories and counting.

 Finding the right letter for the words. Big sis likes to help with this and so does our dog!

 Threading colored pasta necklaces, this is a big hit.

Homemade lacing cards.

Linking to:

It's a baby......

It's a baby GIRL! Can you imagine shoe shopping with three little ladies? This is a photo of me and baby taken at 21 weeks.  This is also the first time we ever found out what we were having.  Jem wanted a girl and Olive wanted a boy.  I really thought we were having a boy as the heart rate was 130 and the pregnancy started out totally different, but what a fantastic blessing.

CSN Stores

CSN has over 200 online stores where you can find anything from this cool swing set, to strollers, to educational toys. I look forward to posting my review on a special gadget that Olive and Jem have been wanting for a long time, a rock tumbler.  I have two little rockhounds who are always filling their pockets with "beautiful jems."

When you get the chance be sure to check out CSN and everything they have to offer. 

Finally Learned To Crochet

So this is my third time trying to teach myself how to crochet. I actually made something this time and it's pretty easy if you stick to the basics. I learned by watching videos on U-Tube and checking out Just Like June's site, thanks for the help.

Do keep in mind that I was trying to make a hat for the new baby, but I am glad that Olive can enjoy it. She actually has worn it everyday since I gave it to her.

Valentine Songs and Rhymes

Five Big Valentines
Five big valentines from the corner store,
I mailed one to a friend and then there were four.
Four big valentines, lovely ones to see,
I mailed one to Mommy and then there were three.
Three big valentines, red, shiny, and new,
I mailed one to Grammy and then there were two.
Two big valentines, as happy as can be,
I mailed one to Daddy, and he gave a kiss to me.

Special Friend
(Mary Had A Little Lamb)
You're a special friend of mine
Friend of mine
You're a special friend of mine
Be my Valentine.

I'm a Little Valentine
(I'm a Little Teapot)
I'm a little valenitne
Red and white
With ribbons and lace
I'm a beautiful sight
I can say, "I Love You"
On Valentine's Day
Just put me in an envelope
And give me away.


Ten Little Valentine's
One little, two little, three little valentines
Four little, five little, six little valentines
Seven little, eight little, nine little valentines
Ten little valentines in a row.

Six Great Chapter Books

My six year old daughter loves for me to read chapter books to her before bed. We read a chapter or two a night and she always begs for more.  Head on over the The Homeschool Classroom to read about these amazing books.

Valentine Holder Ideas

We have a fun Valentine Party to go to today! Here are some our valentine box creations that I think turned out super cute.  

Olive's garden of love:

                                                                    Jem's tissue paper heart:

                                                       This is last year's creation of a kitty:

Bird Feather Study

Can you match the feather with the bird?

Scroll to the bottom of this post for the answers.

My girls love watching birds! We have really enjoy exploring the books above and matching the feather with the bird. Thank-you Grandmom for finding all these feathers in her North Carolina backyard.

(Top page answers:) 

Blue Jay, Robin

   Hawk, Wren

Woodpecker, Goldfinch

(Bottom page answers:)

Mocking Bird, Crow

Tufted Titmouse, Dove

Chickadee, Cat Bird

Happy Birding! Be sure to join the Great Outdoor Bird Count starting February 18th.

Natural Suburbia

The Edible Rainbow

 

I have been placing a colorful food tray out before meals and for snack time. The girls like to help me find healthy munchies that make-up the colors of the rainbow. 

Rainbow Food Ideas:

Red: cherry tomatoes, cherries, cranberries, apples, berries

Orange: bell peppers, orange, melon, cheese, crackers, carrots

Yellow, bananas, peppers, pineapple, cheese, crackers, apples

Green: celery, kiwi, grapes, avocado, broccoli, peas, apples, melon

Blue: berries, grapes

Purple, grapes, dried plums

Borax Snowflakes

Here is a quick look at how our Borax snowflakes turned out. I think they look lovely hanging from the window. Be sure to check out my post on snowflake activities. 

Have a wonderful day!