Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Road Trip! Part 1

After much planning and saving, our little family was able to finagle a trip to California for 10 days!  It was incredible... and much needed!  My poor husband does seasonal work and has been swamped.   My job has also been particularly challenging lately.

We decided to road trip it instead of flying, thinking it would give us a little more freedom.  I was not entirely convinced that was the right way to go, but it worked out wonderfully in the end.  Cameron did *so* well in the car!  I packed him a giant box of activities, snacks, new activities... I will post on those next!

We spent our first night in St. George, Utah since we couldn't leave until I finished my shift at the hospital.  Second night in Las Vegas, then Anaheim, Santa Monica, Pismo Beach, San Francisco, and finally Lake Tahoe.  I was hoping to head far enough south to see Sea World, but we just didn't quite have enough time.  Maybe next summer!


Here's a pic of our super excited little family walking through the parking lot towards Disney Land.  It was my hubby's idea to make that the highlight of the trip and I am so glad we did! At first I was thinking we should wait a year to take him there, since he really has never seen any Disney movies.  But he loved it, and I feel lucky to have given him so many exciting memories.  Um, no his shirt is not tucked in; it's just a funny angle:)


 On our way into the park, the Rainforest Cafe was trying to drum up a little business by having some animals out for the kiddos to see.  Cameron was so impressed by this little Cockatoo!  It said 'hello' and he was just floored!


 So apparently, there is this really awesome Lego store!  Cam has only been exposed to the  giant, beginner Legos and I was so excited to take him in the store and find some more developmentally appropriate toys.  He loved it in there!  We were in the for like, 2 hours and left with armloads of kits!  The wheels are turning for a Lego themed 3rd birthday party...


 Outside the store is a big ramp where the kiddos can build Lego cars and race them.  Cam and Dad totally bonded together, it was really sweet to watch :)  


 Below are just some random pictures taken throughout the park.  It was really so fun, but it was also *crazy* hot.  Over 100 degrees, and not too much shade.  I was trying to keep Cam out of the sun as much as I could, and give him lots to drink.  He did great for a toddler, but definitely had a few meltdowns along the way:)







Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Cloud Dough & Tool Table

Cloud Dough!

Another Pinterest find.  The recipe is for 8 cups of flour and about 1/2 cup of baby oil.  It's kind of a cool texture, but a little messy:)  Cameron played with it for a little while, but he still not liking his hands to be sticky or dirty.  I threw in a cookie cutter and some spoons to play with, too.  



And below is Cameron's newest most favorite toy:  his tool table!  I found it at WalMart for $19.99.  It came with all pieces except for the toolbox and hardhat.  I wanted to make one from an old side table and pegboard, but it was cheaper to just buy the toy.  It even has a chalkboard!







Cameron's New Classroom

Aaaah, Pinterest.  Thank God for you.  

I was starting to feel like Cameron's classroom area was quickly spiraling out of control.  The space was a classroom/guest bedroom/craft mess compilation...and it wasn't working.  I needed better organization.  There was craft stuff mixed with class stuff mixed with random stuff.  So I moved my desk and crafty stuff out of the bedroom and into the office.  It works *so* much better!  I was able to expand Cameron's classroom space, so that he now has 3 bookcases.  Right now, I have one devoted to insects, one on farms, and the bigger one to Montessori.  It is working out really well.  





I also over-hauled the closet in that room.  Sorry, future guests, but you will have to find another place to hang your clothes:)  I took Pinterest's advice and hung a clear shoe organizer on the door, and filled it up with Cam's ever-growing Arts and Crafts supplies.  



Here's another picture of Cam's space, sorry for the crap lighting.  I put in the uber expensive day-light bulbs and added 2 lamps, and the light still sucks.  I grabbed the beanbag from Target for like $20, and IKEA supplied the red lamp and white table.  My very new and very light carpet is already speckled with all kinds of toddler spots... I guess I will have to find a cute rug to put down:)  



Here's a close-up of Cam's magnet and Dri Erase board.  If you know me, you know I am obsessed with using magnets!  Such an incredible way to concrete concepts.  Yes I command-stripped it to the bed frame.  I'm sorry.  There was no other option.  

Since we are doing farm stuff, I put some farm animal window clings and his animal match/sounds magnet toy up.  I keep a mirror, a magnetic eraser, and a magnetic bin for markers up, too.  I later added some butterflies that teach size differentiation, and some ladybug counting cards.  



Here's a shot of his lightboard that sits on the table between the bookcases.  I love this thing!  I first found out about them on a website devoted to teaching autistic kids, I think.  Great sensory ideas.  This one is from Michaels for about $20.  We use window clings, gels, Dri Erase markers, clear dishes with marbles, gems, sand... the list goes on.  Currently, we are playing with water beads.  Have you seen these crazy things?!  Our family is kind of obsessed with them:)  





Some cute and amazing mommy posted on Pinterest a seasonal Bucket List for her kiddos.  I loved that idea!  I see one million things I want to do, and have no real way to keep track of them.  I got a frame from Michaels and used a scrapbook kit from WalMart.  Not to toot my own horn, but for a crappy scrapbooker, I am pretty proud of this:)  The plan is to write on the glass in Dri Erase marker, but I want to find a cuter color first.  It is now hanging over his  lightboard table to remind me to do those activities!




I *finally* made a felt board that works!  Just a foam posterboard and like a yard of felt.  Oh, and a hot glue gun:)  It's good for quiet play with Cameron, but he is kind of a busy boy and gets frustrated with too many fine-motor activities.  So this is one we only play with for a few minutes before he starts trying to throw it.  *sigh*  As you can see, I made some trains, clothes and foods.  I want to do a Jack-o-lantern for fall and Christmas tree, too!





Random pic of Cameron's easel that's in his room.  He stopped playing with his magnetic gears (tear) so I took them down.  He loved those for so long, I ended up buying 3 seperate sets due to lost pieces.  So I put some Expo markers in the cup holder and set out his Thomas the Train magnets.  


Insects

This post is going to focus on our Insect unit, one that we are currently having lots of fun with!  Remember we just expanded Cam's classroom space, so he has more shelves available.  A Farm unit and some traditional Montessori shelves are also out right now.  

Many thanks to 1+1+1=1, 2 Teaching Mommies, Second Story Window, and Oopsy Daisy for the great printables. 


Music Time!  These buggy instruments were part of a gift from Cameron's favorite Aunt...well, she was until she gave him a giant drum full of noise makers.  Ha!


 We have had so much fun with this funny little work!  I cut out a tree shape and put a cup of ladybug and leaf foam stickers out with it.  I am really low on trays... I'm sure Montessori purists have just gasped and clutched their chests... so I used a clipboard.  It works.  


 Ok use your imagination... It's a caterpillar that you lace through an apple!


 Bug Sensory Bin.  This one was really fun to put together!  I did pinto beans and river rocks, along with all kinds of goodies from the back yard.  I bought a bunch of miniature insects in one of those Toobs I love so much, and scattered them all over.  I stuck a magnifying glass in there, too. 


 I found this idea online somewhere, I'm sorry I have no idea where!  Cameron organizes the bugs into bugs that Bite and bugs that Don't.  If I was artistic, I would draw little toothy mouths!  The tins are from Target's Dollar Spot, and they have a little chalkboard area!


 Another idea I can't take credit for:)  I printed off 2 piece puzzleds and taped them to big Legos.  Cam likes puzzles ok, but I thought these might be easier for him to manipulate.


 Check out this bug house I found at Target for $3!!  I love that it even came with a magnifying glass.  We are going to go on a bug hunt!


 I found this at my local grocery store and thought Cam might enjoy watching it grow.  


 I always put a out a cookie sheet with papers held down with magnets.  I threw crayons and stamps on this one... and took the stamps off after there were red and blue handprints all over my carpet.  Anyway, the stamps are from the Dollar Store.  




 These are my favorite!!  I found an insect flashcard pack at Target's Dollar Spot and used them for matching along with the Toob bugs.  It worked out so well, I had to split the activity onto two trays because it was too overwhelming!  The top picture shows the buggies on the cards, and the pic below is just the cards.




Another present from Cam's favorite Auntie!  Apparently, it sucks up bugs and keeps them in a clear plastic chamber.  Then you can inspect your bug or put it into a nifty Paul Frank bug house:)


 Random bowl of squishy spiders.  I haven't decided what to do with it... maybe put them in a sensory bag with hair gel or something...


 Our bug books.  I would like to do some extension crafts to go along with the Eric Carle ones...


 Here is a pic of the insect bookshelves.  Cameron has had such a good time with these activities!  I am chomping at the bit to get some Autumn units together, but he is enjoying these so much, I might leave them out a little longer.


Below are pictures of the Insects Binder.  Sorry they are crooked:(  Again, I threw in some pre-writing practice sheets and 3 part puzzles. 


This one has some insect related songs with props, and a cute color matching activity.  I painted water bottle caps and drew smileys on them, then had Cam put the 'bugs' into the color-coordinating jars.  So cute!! 




 "Look Mamma, caterpillar!"


Farm Unit

So I re-worked Cameron's classroom space recently and he now has a much more organized, learning-conducive environment.  I was so thrilled, I went to work setting up a few new units for him.  This post is dedicated to Farms.  

*All printables are from 1+1+1=1, Oopsy Daisy, 2 Teaching Mommies, Second Story Window


Little People Farm tractor and trailer... he LOVES it!  He named it the Farmer in the Dell:)


Farm sensory box.  This was a little kit from the local grocery store for like, $3.  It came with the landscape the animals are standing on; I just taped it to a paper tray to keep everything together. 


 The Dollar Store has these great scissor practice kits, this one happens to be a farm theme



Spooning eggs into an egg carton.  Sometimes the very cheapest, last-minute ideas are the favorites!


 More Momma-Baby puzzels 


Shaping Play Doh into eggs. 


 Melissa and Doug chunky puzzle.  These are really too easy for him, but we have WAY too many of these to stop using them!


 I laminated cute farm characters and glued them onto popsicle sticks. We position them in Play Doh and pretend to do farm stuff.  Play Doh is Cameron's favorite, so I've been trying to incorporate it into as many activities as possible.  Someday we will make our own.  


3 Part Puzzles from a box of flashcards


 4 Part Puzzles mounted on cardstock and laminated.  They are a little difficult for him still, so I don't push him into playing with them. 


Our collection of Farm books!  The tractor book is actually the very first book I ever bought for him when I was still pregnant.  I can't believe it is still in one piece!  Farmer Mickey is another one of his first ever books from his great Grandma.  The Almanac is from his farmer's-maketing Grandpa.  


More printables from mommies who are more creative than myself:)  I am trying to use Lapbooks like 1+1+1=1 recommends.  They are just the right size, and they sure are cute!


Sorting


 More sorting


 Cutest ever ladybug counting cards!!  


 Cameron loves this project!  I laminated the farm animals and put magnets on the back.  He matches the shadows so well and never gets one wrong.  I'm so proud of him!


 Here is the Farm section of bookshelves.  Currently, he has another just like it that is devoted to insects and then a larger bookcase that houses traditional Montessori works.  I have been so happy with this space after moving my craft desk out.  He calls it his 'cwassroom' :)


 I put together a binder full of worksheets from those above-mentioned amazing blogs.  All the pages are put into page protectors so he can re-use them.  I keep a Dri Erase marker and small eraser in the binder.  Many of these pages are pre-writing skills, and he does pretty well with these.  


 Sorry, not sure why this one is side-ways!  This pic just shows that this is where all of the papers, cards, and lapbooks are kept.  I have found that with a rambunctious toddlerboy, you can't just leave paper anything sitting out:)  Below is a good example of the pre-writing skills worksheet.