Rainbow Rice

As much as we LOVED our moon sand, it was becoming a big mess and I was really tired of constantly cleaning it up.  Not that this new one will be all that messy, but I won't feel as dedicated to keeping every morsel because rice is readily available...moon sand is hard to find!  And it turns out that this stuff pours way better and he has spent the last hour playing in his Rainbow Rice tray!

It was actually quick and fun to make.  You just need some rice (got big bags on sale at Safeway), food coloring, rubbing alcohol, and a Ziplock!

He enjoyed helping, while he wasn't distracted by Dad's new helicopter.  It is an easy activity to have them help with.  I used four cups of rice, a couple tablespoons of rubbing alcohol, and however much food coloring I needed to make the desired color.  Shake shake.  And let dry (I let it dry overnight).

Made Me Smile

Came across this during my internet trolling today and it made me smile...because when we hit a change or hiccup in behavior or routine...I often find myself screaming internally (or at my own mother) "I Don't Know What To Do!" or "Am I Making The Right Choice!".  So...this made me smile!

Paint Movin'

So our paint project moved from our table top to the window!  And we love it there too!  The lights shining through really adds a whole new cool look to it!  I almost threw them out and Jackson started to panic...so I stuck em to the window :)

You should really try this fun, clean way of using paints!

Dinner and Peas

Like I mentioned, we are introducing more cereal and a few foods to Sawyer.  Last night we tried some peas...and he didn't even flinch. 

Cupcake Bakin'

Yesterday I had a cake smash in the studio and Moose came down afterwards while I was cleaning me up and watched me throw out pretty much an entire cake.  He looked devastated!  Why oh why would someone throw out perfectly good cake?!  So...I made him a deal, if he helped clean up, we would go upstairs and make cupcakes.  It was fun.  He is such a helper and wants to be a part of EVERYTHING!  I was stirring and he had his spatula...and he started impatiently saying 'My turn?  My turn?  Me stir it.'!  Okay, and stir he did!  Does making cupcakes take longer with a 2 year old involved - Yes.  Does it make a bigger mess - Yes.  Is it well worth the teaching and fun and memories?  YES!!!

Everything is a teachable moment...and it's always way more fun when it's happening as your having fun!  Lining the cupcake pans was a counting exercise as well as a puzzle!  Measuring and dumping ingredients was good dexterity practice!  AND, stirring was a good lesson in how to clean up!  The whole process is a good turn taking and listening exercise as well!  It's well worth the time and energy.

I love this boy!  He LOVED wearing his tractor apron...and I loved seeing how cute it was on him!

Yummy Yum

Yummy Yum!

This week we are going to focus more on feeding Sawyer some solids.  He has been ATTACKING the spoon today.  We are hoping with some consistency from us, he will feel more full at night!  And in return, he will have better rested parents!  We even introduced peas tonight and he gobbled it up...no hesitation!  Wonder if he's gonna be a big eater like his big brother!

 

These photos are from breakfast...there are more from dinner, but those are still on my camera!!!

Honestly, his eyes absolutely melt my heart!

Painting with a Twist

 I saw this idea once and couldn't wait to try it...and with our busy day - I thought it'd be a good time!  I kinda thought maybe he didn't care much for it, but then it was the FIRST thing he wanted to do after nap time!  I have found Trev and I have been playing with it too!  I like it because it's CLEAN!  And it's something that can stay a while... 

Simple small supplies...paint, ziplocks, tape and optional white paper!

Here is without the white paper...

I thought the white paper made the colors pop more and made things more visible.

One station was plain ol' tractor green paint with some trucks that he could make tread marks through.

One bag was blue paint with some quinoa seeds in it for texture.

Up close...

I set this up so that Trev could study and Moose would be entertained while hanging out with his Dada.

This one I put red and yellow paint in so that he could mix colors and see orange.

I thought this was awesome...it's still sitting on my table and I plan on doing it again.  I also read that adding other substances to it adds some twists too, like shampoo, baby oil, etc.

Buddies

I love these two together.  I hope that the friendship lasts and these two buds grow to be the adorable lady killers I'm sure they'll be haha.  Aren't they handsome!?