Paying Attention

I am sure you have noticed a few things about this blog. For one, my kids don't have names. Second, a lot of the posts are older. That is because I moved them from my family blog over to this one. I am trying to get those over to this one so that I can start posting current ones. My goal is to post a new post everyday.

I would really like your input as well. If you have done any of these projects or have any other ideas on how to do them, then please let me know. I love to hear how it is going for you!

Tell your friends about this blog, become a follower...really take what you want and do something with your toddler! It is such a short time before they go to school so let's embrace it and watch them learn and grow right at the kitchen table! :)

Feet Flowers

After nap we rode our bikes and played outside for about an hour and a half and then came inside to finish this week's Art Project.

Last night we painted wee one's pretty feet and turned them into something...

Then this afternoon we practiced our cutting skills. I like to draw lines on construction paper or old bills and let the kids practice their cutting. It takes them a really long time and they are slowly getting better at cutting in the lines! This is especially great for times when I need them to leave me alone so I can make dinner. Well dinners that require a lot of preparation! :)

Then after the millions of little scraps of paper were cleaned up the kids got to glue them into a collage. This project is simple and fun. With some of the scraps I had my daughter finish our actual project for this Tuesday's Art Project.

Which is...

Feet Flowers! You can also trace their feet and make a bunch of creations, but since wee one is quiet and doesn't make the type of fuss a toddler would make when painting feet she got to be the star of the project! :) Cute huh? Did I mention that she has HUGE feet? :)

Original Post 4/7/09

Stained Glass/Sun Catchers

Today I tried Art Group for real! With my kids it is just another day but we invited my friend and her kids over. Their mother is a friend of mine from the Singles Ward and just happens to live down the street from me! I did the project and she brought a snack. After the project they played in the toy room.

This project was fun, but it made me realize that I should do something with paint or glue that involves more things next time. Sticking tissue paper on contact paper wasn't enough to keep them occupied, but it was fun and they look cute.

We are definitely going to do this again, well not the project but have people over for our Tuesday Art Group! I think I am going to do a more complex shape next time, like an animal where specific colors need to go in specific places. Maybe I will do eggs for Easter, that would be so cute!

Original Post 4/14/09

Horns/Kazoos

Today we made horns. Some call these kazoos but I have another way to make kazoos, ah another week.

This is what you need...
Wax paper, Construction paper, glue, tape, something sharp (wooden skewer) rubber bands, scissors, and of couple toilet paper tubes.

Let's construct...
First you cute the construction paper the width of the tubes. Then you glue the paper to the tube. For extra hold tape the seam of the construction paper to the tube.

This is my son making sure we did a good job. :) Crazy boy!

Then you poke holes into the tubes, so you can change the sound later. Like a horn.

After that cut the wax paper into a square, and put on the top of the tube. wrap a rubber band around the top and you have a horn! Blow into it for a tooting good time.Here is the finished product. This project was very easy and practically no mess. My son enjoyed the cutting the most. I recommend this to anyone with a toddler running around their house. Happy Monday!

Original Post 8/18/08

ABC's

I found this last year and I think it is so cute. Enjoy.

Original Post 8/27/08

Play Doh

I had a great time at C's! So did the kids, but I especially had a great time.

First the kids made salt dough hand prints.

SUPER CUTE!

Then we "cooked" our own play dough to play with. My son picked gween, because green is his favorite color...why? Its the color of money of course. (my father should be proud)

My daughter picked yellow because "Buzz" was on the package. (Buzz Lightyear)

Oh then C pulled out the play dough mat. I had never seen one before. I thought it was so cool! :)

After that the kids played outside, then in the basement where I got to ooh and aah at her CRAZY COOL Craft room, I am not going to lie...I am Jealous! I wanted to take a picture just so I could show my hubby how I want mine! :)

After that it was time to go, I was sad to leave. The kids were fine. I can't wait for our next craft day! :)

Recipe:
Traditional Play Dough
1 cup flour
1 cup warm water
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon oil
1/4 cup salt
food coloring (or use a packet of Kool-Aid for scented dough)
Mix all ingredients, adding food coloring (or Kool-Aid) last. Stir over medium heat until smooth. Remove from pan and knead until blended smooth. Place in plastic bag or airtight container when cooled. Will last for a long time.

The best part of the whole thing according to my son "we get to take the play-dough home? that was so very nice" Thanks C for another Awesome Art Day!

Original Post 5/12/09

Homemade Chalk

I swear sometimes my kids have such a thick accent I can't even understand them! Today their accent was from Boston. "Chaaak!" Yes we are making chalk. "Oh Mommy I love Chaaak." Okay, lets get our towel aprons on and have at it.

They weren't as dark as I would have liked.

It was VERY messy but they turned out pretty good. I should have let them dry a little longer. We started this project after my hubby left at 6:45 am. We tried them out at 11:30am and they were still a little soft. I let the kids use them and then I pulled out the good ol' crayolas. I now have our extra chalk on reserves for things like the park or what ever else we decide to use them on. I also let them sit in the sun for a bit to really dry them out.
We spent most of the morning outside.

We had a great time coloring and playing outside again today!

I even managed to convince my son into letting me trace him! This was one of my favorite things to do when I played chalk outside as a kid.

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Plaster of Paris
• 1/2 cup of water
• powdered tempera paint
• Something to use as a mold *

Directions:

Mix the water, Plaster of Paris and powdered tempera paint. The more tempera paint you add, the deeper the color of the chalk will be. Then pour the mixture into you mold.

Toilet Paper Roll: A toilet paper roll works as a mold. Just seal one end with duct tape and pour the mixture into the mold and let it dry. You can line the toilet paper roll with wax paper so that the chalk will easily slide out.

We used film canisters AND Mini M&M containers as well as the TP Rolls... this made the chalk skinner and easier to hold. Plus the plastic made it non-stick!

Another successful Art Tuesday...(Fist clenched and swinging up and down with knee in the air)...YES!

Original Post: 4/21/09

Why

I am starting this blog so I can keep track of all our projects AND so anyone can bust the boredom with their toddlers! If you have questions please contact me at ValerieWitte (at) yahoo (dot) com.

Craft Closet Basics

Computer printer	*Paint brushes
*Computer paper (white & colored)	*Hole punch
*Construction paper	Paints: tempera, *watercolor pan paints, *watercolor pencils, *tempera paints, poster, finger paints
*Crayons *erasable colored pencils or *traditional colored pencils & *white and color chalk	*Glue stick *Washable glue
*Craft knife (for adults)	Wood craft sticks (small and large)
*Pencils with eraser and pencil sharpener	*Scissors: Fiskars, Crayola, Office Depot (extras: shaper scissors)
*Washable felt-tip color markers	Cover up: old t-shirt
*Dry-erase color markers (great for penmanship practice on covered tracers (D'Nealian or Standard block with sheet protectors)	File box & files to organize activities and materials
*Tape & tape dispenser	*Stapler
Extras
Stickers	*Hole punch brass fasteners
*Pipe Cleaners	*Wax paper
Paper plates Standard 9" and dessert size	*Paints: acrylic and fabric
Easel or butcher paper	Plaster of Paris
Poster board to use as a portable easel or bulletin board	Liquid starch
Clear contact paper or laminating sheets	Used craft sticks (from Popsicles)
Glitter in small shaker container or Glitter glue	*Wiggly Eyes Round (Assorted colors & sizes)
Cotton balls	Cookie cutters (100 pc. set)
	Tissue Paper (various colors)
Recyclable Materials for crafts
* Note: Print black and white craft templates on scrap paper. Trace the templates over decorative wallpaper from old catalogs or scraps, left over pieces of construction paper, wrapping paper or foam sheets.
Cardboard tubes (sanitary, paper towel or wrapping paper tubes)	Catalogs, newspaper and old comic books
Drinking straws	Clear plastic soda bottles & caps
Paper bags: lunch size & grocery size	Baby food jars
Cardboard: cereal boxes, etc.	Old cookie sheets
Sand paper scraps	Paper cups (foam or paper)
Styrofoam trays	Old socks
Newspaper	Milk cartons
Large & small boxes and lids (shoe boxes)	Wrapping paper & wallpaper scraps
Yarn, ribbon or string scraps	Clean sponges
Plastic containers (margarine cups, etc.)	Frozen juice cans & lids
Old sheets or old pillowcases	Throw-away paper (junk mail that one side is clean for printing)
Empty match boxes	Aluminum foil scraps
Some large glass jars & jar lids	Corks
Old file folders	Old pasta-assorted
Tissue paper boxes and gift boxes	*Felt or fabric remnant pieces
Materials from Nature
Smooth stones or pebbles	Driftwood
Fresh or dry leaves	Dried grasses
Pine cones	Twigs
Sea shells	Nuts
Sand	Dried beans
Wood shavings	Popping corn
Egg shells	Dried flowers
Bird seed and other seed	Dried Beans

I am sure there are several things that I forgot, so comment on what you think is missing

Article

Tips for working with kids:

Encourage all art projects as a process, not product
activity. What may be a mess to you, could be a
new planet, zoo or the next NASA spacecraft to your
child. Allowing our children to explore on their own,
not only develops creativity but teaches problem solving,
spatial relationships as well as cause and effect.
Skills they'll need later for math and other academics.

Refrain from showing examples of a completed project.
Especially, that which has been completed by an adult.
Provide the supplies and instructions, they'll do the rest.

Resist asking "What is it?"...Instead try
"Tell me about it"

Avoid automatic praise such as "that's beautiful" or
"very good". Asking your young artist how they feel about
their creation and the experience of making it will build
confidence and language arts skills

Easy Cleanup
When working with a group. You may find it easier to rotate a
bucket of warm soapy water, for hand washing, or have
disposable hand wipes available. Provide a clean towel,
or paper towel for drying.

I feel horrible because I can't remember where I got this, but thought it should be shared!