Multi-age Play Ideas

Posted on June 15, 2013 by Ann

My older kids don’t always include the baby in their play. There are just some activities that are not very baby friendly. They go in their room and shut the door. What do they do in there? Lately the have been coloring, playing board games, and having “book club”. Usually it is fine for the baby too because she has things that she likes to do that they don’t, like trying on everyone’s shoes, getting into the cabinets, or pulling books out of the bookshelf. My favorite though is when they all come together and play!

Here are some of the activities I have observed my multi-age kids (7, 5, and 1.5) enjoy together. Continue reading →

Read with Enthusiasm

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Ann

Your baby brings you a book. She sits up on your lap and together you hardly get through 2 or 3 pages before she wants to get down. Does this sound familiar? Your baby might be at a stage where she is just more interested in exploring and that is fine but maybe you want to be a little more proactive because you know how important reading is. I wrote about encourage your baby’s interest in reading here. I wrote about reading with enthusiasm but what what does that mean in practical terms? What are some things you might actually be doing when reading with enthusiasm?

If you are having trouble reading the poster you can view it as a PDF and print if you like…

Read with Enthusiasm Poster

Please share this poster with someone you think it could help and please share YOUR read with enthusiasm ideas!

Unlock Your Baby’s Inner Bookworm

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Ann

Reading to Babies

If there is something you want to learn about you can find it in a book. Want to travel the world? Go there in a book! You can even travel through time or to magical worlds. Reading exercises your brain, increases your vocabulary, and is free (with a library’s card). I would guess kids who like to read do better in school too. Continue reading →

A Powerful Appeal

Posted on June 2, 2013 by Ann

I love communities with power lines underground. You might not even notice the lack of utility poles but you will probably notice something just seems nicer. We have above ground power lines in my neighborhood and I joked about their resemblance to trees here but in reality they compete with the trees. For a few years in a row we had frequent power outages from storms so this past year the power company/s came though with bucket trucks and wood chippers and cut back the trees. Lately I have been noticing how strange the trees look. Trees probably don’t have feeling but who really knows. They do look a little sad. So today, to quote from The Lorax, “I speak for the trees” and make the case for underground power lines!

Babblings

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Ann

First of a little update on my weird symptoms. I am feeling progressively better all the time. I still have times when I have symptoms with intensity behind them but it is less intense and lasts a couple hours instead of a couple days. I feel stronger but my left arm, which had the worst symptoms, seems the least back to normal. It moves in slow motion when I type. Even though I am feeling better I must admit I feel suspicious and fearful, looking over my shoulder for its return. Continue reading →

Building Letters

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Ann

DIY Letter Construction Activity

Doodles and Jots has its first guest post today! Please join me in welcoming Crab, Crab, Fish who has a very fun and education game to share. Check it out…

If you are into building stuff than you will like this activity!

What you’ll need… a handful of popsicle sticks and string (we used yarn). Have your mom cut a couple of the popsicle sticks in half and one at the 2/3rds mark with a utility knife. Cut a few lengths of string (one at 12 inches and two at 6 inches). And then start building!

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This post is linked up with It’s Playtime at Kids Activities Blog. Check it out for lots of great playtime ideas!

Easter Surprise

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Ann

Easter Egg Paper Craft for Kids

I have a super duper quickie last minute Easter craft for you today! Print out the following PDF: easter surprise then cut out the chick and egg shapes. Trace the shapes on construction paper. Use a light color for the egg if you plan to decorate it. Cut out two egg shapes but only add the crack to one. Cut out the chick shape and give it an eye and orange beak. Next add a perimeter of glue on the inside to one egg shape. Then sandwich your chick between the egg shapes. Make sure to center your chick so it doesn’t get glued too.

Or…

Skip the crack all together and let the chick or chicks peck their own way out!

Happy Easter Friends!

P.S. I did it! This is egg post number 12!

Egg Cups

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Ann

We eat eggs about once a week. We might have them for a late breakfast on a lazy Saturday or sometimes we make “breakfast for dinner”. It is usually scrabbled but sometimes we change it up with soft boiled eggs.

I have been seeing eggs made in muffin tins for a while on Pinterest and I thought maybe I will finally get around to trying it for my egg series (this is number 11 if you are counting)!

Here’s how I made mine… Continue reading →

eggcautic

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Ann

Easy Egg Encaustic

We used to go out for breakfast on the weekends all the time before kids but since kids it is not as fun for me. I don’t know about your kids but my kids don’t like restaurants and all the waiting, even though we bring activities and restaurants hand out crayons. I also prefer eating a little lighter in the morning and maximizing my weekend time. So I guess I get antsy too but my husband still really like to go I acquiesce once in a while. That once in a while was this past weekend… Continue reading →

Inspiration for the Bunny

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Ann

Egg Shaped Gifts for Easter

We woke up this morning to many inches of the white stuff outside but I am going to power on anyway with spring posts and my egg series! Today is a round up of egg shaped gift ideas. I am going to skip the obvious and edible ones and share some fun toys for both kids and grown-ups. Are you an Amazon prime member? Buy them with my affiliate links and I get a little money and you get them fast!

So let’s get on with it and do some egg shaped shopping! Continue reading →

Doodles and Jots

Ideas for, diversions from, and celebrations of family life from a creative mom

Category Archives: Ideas