tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72862754213646422132024-03-21T08:31:42.999-07:00Hassle Free HousewifeWelcome to Hassle Free Housewife™! If you're like me, you want an organized, beautiful, well run home and happy family, but you don't necessarily have a ton of time and money to put into making it happen. That's why I created the Hassle Free Housewife. To share with you simple ways I found to have a well run home.
Live Well. Live Hassle Free.™
~Lynda, science teacher turned stay-at-home-mom
Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-42361990786273893772020-10-27T10:02:00.024-07:002020-10-28T21:17:06.902-07:00More HALLOWEEN FREEBIES Easy to download and print<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> I love Halloween so much! It gets my creative juices flowing. I've been scouring the internet for vintage images to edit and compile into spooky-glam Halloween print outs. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoMQ-y92WJvdm6LqwA_oKAQAvCKwN1J_SVyVgmH18tNattA3OmDbGTvmAxhYRnLek8xykXXxCkeELBFYTRHjK24PqjRP7-dDjX0E6rUTqrfJwx9A9s__MqYT1fWwCY2Rnr66NkQP7zf8/s1324/three+pics.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="1324" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoMQ-y92WJvdm6LqwA_oKAQAvCKwN1J_SVyVgmH18tNattA3OmDbGTvmAxhYRnLek8xykXXxCkeELBFYTRHjK24PqjRP7-dDjX0E6rUTqrfJwx9A9s__MqYT1fWwCY2Rnr66NkQP7zf8/w400-h156/three+pics.jpg" title="Halloween images" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Images below are in png format. Click the image to be taken to the google doc that you can download and then print to whatever size you would like. Images are in black and white. I think these would look great printed out on off-white resume paper to give it the effect of being from an aged, yellowed, book page.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I scoured the internet to find original, Victorian-era pictures to use, edit, and combine to create these high res images. I hope you enjoy them as much I do! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Skulls are spooky and timeless. </b>They are a Halloween decor must!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wX5I-YTUglJLgJMS0GDgY1EANGIoo5a5/view?usp=sharing" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2013" data-original-width="2048" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2WGo_Rce2hoBPeaK1xbRn9x9Qv8nTOOXK_Buqx6ltlbLghd7qsKC2NmSuVSF8ksZLQXrGEe26__xzJj__ERZmHxqh1CRx6LbyiyxE0HSjPg99PVV8JtfSSDm30BY06vfLnNpJWshUKQ/w400-h394/skull+with+victorian+square+frame+by+Hassle+Free+Housewife.png" title="Vintage skull print with Victorian frame" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Quoth the Raven, Nevermore. </b>Edgar Allen Poe is the epitome of Victorian Halloween perfection. So is this vintage raven image with oval frame.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yQEBbmoQBNYyXGtrlwuopGqTVxUWh5D6/view?usp=sharing" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1846" data-original-width="1464" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHgtz2LAgcNBqkn9nu58ZRIk3bo8kJm9hIfYoq-RhP3OiC95Ff4ZOPW182snSz5O9HhVHBds4sg7HziZHbXIdU_FCU0F1_LhZeXovrG4LRr53IlgHqsdij9v7UT_B-5KJm5w6mC3AUpg/w318-h400/Oval-Flourish-Frame+-+with+crow.png" title="Victorian crow/raven print with Victorian frame" width="318" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>This jack-o-lantern is #PumpkinGoals. </b>I love how it looks paired with this thick, square Victorian frame.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DJaztsTWRJ3R7y0llfRLRKedNmjIkdRw/view?usp=sharing" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1678" data-original-width="2000" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJxHs4ojw5fQkw_-jnAjPzfgV2_ypnKibCgALHnjospVDULlDRK2OkgVI_C9Ja-g5cL1bIgJrnrCAiXU7n9WATwMcilsA5GV1h0PDdZyxaYt2u7slHwe5yzorlMFDBcQ799agPmBhqK4/w400-h335/Jack+O%2527Lantern+with+square+frame+by+Hassle+Free+Housewife.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><b><div><b><br /></b></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Meow! </span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">What Halloween compilation would be complete without a cat?</span><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JB7PuEn9iCKHRUIzKEVqaE-zKI3NgApI/view?usp=sharing" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1222" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCOs9Zd5m_GdLj1F7srIs6IyOX6Vdt7HF0o9B9Btmx3Z8WJujLNaQflZmNBYpndzy17U6KsmEpInFVm6uY-UwIbXp2d8H06VeDTp-p39pU4-DXVpgUFmO6BL13xbg9_fjpRR0p_JTA5Y/s320/Cat+with+circle+frame+by+Hassle+Free+Housewife.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Whoooo loves this owl? </b>I do! So much.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yVYKfZsarlsiQkT1MXBFFq7krINOkXa_/view?usp=sharing" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1644" data-original-width="1768" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3taZm_nKuYFKtjNXbCXI_LteCcgD64cYLjXJKfIgbe9OuIcql8RQ_2Pmlg2L1R5pPZuprSrDr_FVpBVT7414MISsvd5RuQSVYkvamcDWqNYTiOZ2-KfITiq1-W3xbXsgIIHevIwaPZw/w400-h373/owl-hassle-free-housewife.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Creature of the Night. </b>I love how the beauty of the flowers juxtaposes with the creepiness of the bat!</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/18cnbLtBLwlaJBzh1CNDx8QmXqTbooLYK/view?usp=sharing" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1739" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9K6lTF9z7yQaDoPL150yhuqlcGaAO7XhE8o8QT_NQvpgAeNlRn_GwK1Xzk8MILUv_69oKqu1GsUpt78ufx9v1ltdCgZhuh5X8gddqj6JFKpGsSEHQvQ8DNRNLG8WlJbs2VkiDzRpfJw8/s320/Bat+with+rose+frame+by+Hassle+Free+Housewife.png" width="320" /></a></div><p><b><br /></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Calling all Witches! </b>You know who you are.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hxFQflX2aL2AWvnLj3xwV4dcUL-zgJ4R/view?usp=sharing" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2040" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-U2SGtnm-dlvoibkn1WdkhDC3JVNUgXz0i_JL49pXoLOBFdRP0AS9sQ3uDvVJjuWNxhXl72u2fnwoFdVmBHmT2QghmzZRov7w-QXjREgHvIHhF9Wm6hJeb2_Qs4vQQ33TOY6L4KAzr4/w319-h320/witch+hat+in+diamond+frame+by+Hassle+Free+Housewife.png" title="Witch hat in Victorian frame" width="319" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Witch Hat 2.0. </b>I couldn't decide which frame I liked better with the witch hat, so I will let you decide. Let me know in the comments which is your favorite!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1si9OQArAY0LmYuyLl4WJQ_sPhSG6UN5y/view?usp=sharing" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1928" data-original-width="1928" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBe05AWOnmy4rRW7-VmA1c-IcJJFjjKkNEk34R9_qxFvGGZD4R6Vruce_vmu_ilVrvLm0Ea4s9PGGfJgXci8BRyR1cMw2d3rmVIo4zHQlPOKTjk_wNOtSb_fW6qif-ij2ftD6332GLY8/s320/Witch+hat+2.0+by+Hassle+Free+Housewife.png" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><div><p></p></div>Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-48034769095990429382020-10-24T14:23:00.026-07:002020-10-24T20:12:20.834-07:00Social Distancing Halloween *Free Printable* Please Take One Trick-Or-Treat Sign<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Halloween is going to be a little different this year, but we can still have fun and be safe! Please enjoy this free printable. <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bf99yC5ENrrZRBXz7IGN0wYLCUq5roF-/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Click here to download. </a></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bf99yC5ENrrZRBXz7IGN0wYLCUq5roF-/view?usp=sharing" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="free printable black and white Halloween social distancing" border="0" data-original-height="1074" data-original-width="830" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56hsv71Y8SG0ntNcKtSwG3-wo95oGW5DQ75awsnTodCipaq5M-9ZDiarW4roRSFDQdh9w8WzoocIY2kk-DqqZ2hzqhcN3q7RnuO6G-70TUgdyRrOdpwf-0DkOy3JRN6b_lZq4hEWwqzE/w494-h640/Please+Take+One-+image+file+for+post.png" title="Please Take One Halloween Trick-or-treating sign" width="494" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Special thanks to all the contributors of <a href="http://FontSquirrel.com" target="_blank">FontSquirrel.com</a>, <a href="http://Rawpixel.com" target="_blank">Rawpixel.com</a> </span>and <a href="http://Openclipart.org" target="_blank">Openclipart.org</a> for donating their time and talent to make high quality fonts and images available to all at no cost! Resources from these websites were used in creating this free download.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-55544798084706814432020-03-26T15:11:00.003-07:002020-10-24T20:13:28.050-07:00Free Coloring Page- Doctor Pug <span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Hello Friends! </span><br />
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Here at the Hassle Free Household, we are in Day 13 of Social Distancing due to the Coronavirus pandemic. My daughter has been keeping herself busy with LOTS of coloring pages. I decided to turn our dog into a cartoon and make a coloring page of her dressed as a doctor. Sharing here for everyone to enjoy!</span><br />
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Just click on the picture below to be taken to the Google Doc to download the PDF.</span><br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gW7I8YAvDbgMLefM-HFk4PprGsHq7WhM/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img alt="free printable coloring page doctor pug dog" border="0" data-original-height="982" data-original-width="700" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwhYWXEWKABzMsBEeYcBR5rNwE9X7blnG6E-iazsuVBCZBzvcON_xnWigee1X2JiLwB1RcF9gxfYEfMH7jKXiuCO-3IuzKQg2cMWLVxVG2W8ZKb66TONmzpaB0r6aS02qNVXP_8p2Zd8/w285-h400/Coloring+Page+-+Pug+Dog+Doctor+-+by+Hassle+Free+Housewife.png" title="Free Coloring Page- Doctor Pug" width="285" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdjQN8trCAcsX4tXPxBEqUlAmIzaC3ZjexfVgOBpXywHm11NlE2xG5o0Q4rO1H2eTPmo6kJboankf5o5vsgPUKxUryEADc_l7VAXHUHwQnqvqEv6yL0vzEOPS8FRS8WPiIt-lvzqI0nU/s1600/TIpsy+at+bedtime.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="1600" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdjQN8trCAcsX4tXPxBEqUlAmIzaC3ZjexfVgOBpXywHm11NlE2xG5o0Q4rO1H2eTPmo6kJboankf5o5vsgPUKxUryEADc_l7VAXHUHwQnqvqEv6yL0vzEOPS8FRS8WPiIt-lvzqI0nU/s400/TIpsy+at+bedtime.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-50033075213078244362019-11-20T08:45:00.005-08:002020-10-24T20:16:55.085-07:00Holiday Hug Etiquette - Teaching Our Children About Bodily Autonomy<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">I've got so much appreciation for this graphic that a friend shared on social media. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuHsGEI481AHG9aGNNuDI-vaqIJ9wuCGSiAO9x3tJIhgCSaYRXb4Oq6a8uZ8Ac2fBSJ1ksqupbr5JHkfEF-_rc9mk-7E6dkSHeCgpggqGjGK_jVMg8gF-qLqcsup6uyo3FPnYsD3tAzM/s1600/78205698_10100655467157305_7609310863022882816_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="960" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuHsGEI481AHG9aGNNuDI-vaqIJ9wuCGSiAO9x3tJIhgCSaYRXb4Oq6a8uZ8Ac2fBSJ1ksqupbr5JHkfEF-_rc9mk-7E6dkSHeCgpggqGjGK_jVMg8gF-qLqcsup6uyo3FPnYsD3tAzM/w400-h308/78205698_10100655467157305_7609310863022882816_n.jpg" title="Holiday Hug Etiquette" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">Teaching bodily autonomy to children is important year round, but right now as we prepare for holiday season and spending time with loved ones, it's a great time for a reminder. Children must be taught that they have authority over their bodies. </span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Many of us grew up with family members whom we were forced to hug or kiss at family functions. I'm sure this was well-intentioned. Moms and Dads don't want to hurt the feelings of well-meaning grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles. Being a people-pleaser myself, I can certainly understand that sentiment. However, it's important that children learn that it's okay stand up for themselves when they are feeling uncomfortable. Please remember to put your children first, and to speak calmly and assertively for them if needed.</span></span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Forcing a child to hug a loved one might be harmless in the moment. However, it conditions children to ignore their needs and please others. These children are at higher risk of being victims of of sexual abuse as they get older. I know this might sound alarmist. But, so do the statistics.<a href="https://www.rainn.org/statistics/children-and-teens" target="_blank"> 1 in 9 girls and 1 in 53 boys under the age of 18 have been victims of sexual abuse.</a> These numbers are staggering. Fortunately, there are ways we can prevent this. Most child predators are known to the child, and take time to "groom" their victim. They don't molest a child on day one. The abuse usually starts small before it escalates. Children who know to stand up for themselves are less likely to be attractive victims to perpetrators. </span></span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">A second concern that I have, especially has a mom to a daughter, is that my daughter feel comfortable with her bodily autonomy when she begins dating. When I was teenager, I had friends who felt pressured to engage in activities with their boyfriends, even though they weren't really comfortable with it. They ended up regretting it later on. I don't want this for my child. I don't want my daughter growing up to think that she needs to put her physical comfort second to someone else, in order to be liked. </span></span><br />
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Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-17726963718020357712018-11-30T13:41:00.004-08:002020-10-24T20:13:55.557-07:00Easy Elf: Hot Air Balloon Arrival *with free printable*<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-mR-K6XQ0fQNOPeyZmX83WJIjE6BmSx4G2JrZYl1SZ5UcxJxJF7yv-huoBqqxUktVrD1fsEHj85V29Q0_uasOMbL89VJ22eS4_H8dnXniVhlsD6GJDJh18sq6USnXRa50P12jPTcqOI/s1600/Easy+Elf+Arrival+cover+in+Paint+-+edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1600" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-mR-K6XQ0fQNOPeyZmX83WJIjE6BmSx4G2JrZYl1SZ5UcxJxJF7yv-huoBqqxUktVrD1fsEHj85V29Q0_uasOMbL89VJ22eS4_H8dnXniVhlsD6GJDJh18sq6USnXRa50P12jPTcqOI/w400-h271/Easy+Elf+Arrival+cover+in+Paint+-+edited.jpg" title="Elf Arrival- hot air balloon" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">It's a bird, it's a plane, it's Cookie the Elf arriving from the North Pole on the Hot Air Express!</span><br />
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">Just blow up some balloons, tie some string and hang Elf below and you're ready to start another holiday season with Elf! </span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">I printed the "North Pole Hot Air Express" sign on regular paper and then taped it on the balloon. The sign is holding on well. </span><br />
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eFj4HWnDliqQ62ZZ_eaWMkqRLQRNMos2/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Click here for the PDF download. </a>Page 1 is the sign. Page 2 is the acknowledgements page.</span>Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-59150931748004380032017-11-27T13:49:00.001-08:002017-11-27T14:02:17.293-08:00Candy Cane Christmas Ornaments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEO1QxEMHnLXSYGDQXI4qm_GDOUvj3EKguKsHsfSMO26t1FfPUlaPM6Udb5uEDRUQUcn8LTPHBtWRejSLMz2Zhbgi8G9n_riB-58DPtJAHvrrHdd5fyi8TYi16Bjrn5uaFCRXA7_-h63g/s1600/candy+cane+christmas+ornaments+title.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="671" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEO1QxEMHnLXSYGDQXI4qm_GDOUvj3EKguKsHsfSMO26t1FfPUlaPM6Udb5uEDRUQUcn8LTPHBtWRejSLMz2Zhbgi8G9n_riB-58DPtJAHvrrHdd5fyi8TYi16Bjrn5uaFCRXA7_-h63g/s400/candy+cane+christmas+ornaments+title.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">These are becoming a family tradition! This is the third year in a row my daughter has made these. As soon as the tree came out this year, she asked to make more candy canes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is such an easy craft. You just need some pipe cleaners (I break them in half) and some pony beads. I've tried using both green and black pipe cleaners. I think the green pipe cleaners look the best, but you can use any color you want! To secure the pony beads on the end, we just wrap some extra pipe cleaner around the pony bead on each end.</span><br />
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Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-19835226203285230172017-08-26T22:41:00.000-07:002018-01-25T19:39:40.765-08:00Letter of the Week Crafts- Part III: Letters L-N<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Welcome to part III of Letter of the Week Crafts! </span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><br /></span></i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><br /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"></span>Thank you for visiting my page about alphabet crafts. Here are a few tips before you get started: </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To get your child more excited about the craft, and to make it more of an educational activity, I recommend visiting the library ahead of time with your child to pick out and read a book about the craft topic. For example, for letter G, you could read </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">The Grumpy Ladybug </i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">(by Eric Carle), together.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Letter</span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">L</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">is</span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">for</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ladybug</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This week is all about q-tip painting fun! To prep the activity, I cut a letter L shape out of black, and a circle, cut in half out of red. Then, mini-me got to work dot painting with q-tips.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">To finish off, she glued the letter L to a green background, and added google eyes, antennae, and legs. Then, I finished it off by using two paper fasteners to attach the wings.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3svjoYrSKw37rl72lubvKRASmmOg6qf-6bS9kEg8fgMkZuSdDIL-VWM2beaALknXJV9O5XW2kwbMdESeyBfxjUCDkxj6czcKsRezS2Q-_oLVOdf0P4pQHIcUkiy_sSkF-FVWTLH_tJUQ/s1600/lady+bug+cropped+and+edited+letter+L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1597" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3svjoYrSKw37rl72lubvKRASmmOg6qf-6bS9kEg8fgMkZuSdDIL-VWM2beaALknXJV9O5XW2kwbMdESeyBfxjUCDkxj6czcKsRezS2Q-_oLVOdf0P4pQHIcUkiy_sSkF-FVWTLH_tJUQ/s320/lady+bug+cropped+and+edited+letter+L.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Letter M is for Mountain</span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This week is all about cutting and pasting!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fun with shiny stickers! What could be more fun? Bonus for the grown-ups: super easy set up!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-30870615942843793262017-05-15T11:49:00.001-07:002020-10-24T20:15:35.016-07:00FREEBIE! Step-by-Step Number Formation Practice *Handwriting Printable* <script>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXs8f-wH7EJmljCjZ2F1Xltgjyai2fsLVMGRNawRz8lJ40LLPtvOcaokhrdWB6KXpMPPgLg0D1x0moluMb3R7-p9H3nqxTbdb1HUmjA2esrO90vJSsHMP-lrON_OOjJGNEJkYnn-6Tgxg/s1600/lifestyle+photo+numbers+9+and+10+formation+-+Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXs8f-wH7EJmljCjZ2F1Xltgjyai2fsLVMGRNawRz8lJ40LLPtvOcaokhrdWB6KXpMPPgLg0D1x0moluMb3R7-p9H3nqxTbdb1HUmjA2esrO90vJSsHMP-lrON_OOjJGNEJkYnn-6Tgxg/w320-h320/lifestyle+photo+numbers+9+and+10+formation+-+Copy.jpg" title="Step-by-Step Number Formation Practice" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Step-by-Step-Number-Formation-Practice-Handwriting-Printable-3085792" target="_blank">Click here to download for free from the trusted website Teachers Pay Teachers.</a></span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">INTRODUCTION:<br /> In this resource, students learn number formation step by step, and then have room to practice on their own. Students may write directly on the sheet, or the pages can be inserted into plastic page protectors and written on with wet-erase-markers (see photo above). <br /><br /> Since formation is broken down step by step, this resource is also great for correcting formation in students who have bad habits and need to "relearn" how to correctly form certain numbers. They must complete each step in forming a number before going on to the next step</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">PDF DOWNLOAD INCLUDES:<br /> -One sheet for every two numbers 1-10. Handwriting lines are 1.25 inches.<br /><br /> NUMBER 9 HAS TWO VERSIONS, so that you can customize the resource to your classroom. Basically, version 1 has fewer strokes (compare to Handwriting Without Tears*).<br /><br /> TEACHING TIP: put sheets in page protectors, and let students practice with wet erase overhead transparency markers (such as Vis-A-Vis markers).<br /><br /> PRINTING NOTE: Set page sizing to "fit". (Practice pages should be printed in landscape orientation. Chart should be printed in portrait orientation.)</span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br />CREDITS: The penmanship font, HelloNoTears, is used under license from TpT store Hello Literacy. The handwriting lines were generously provided by TpT store Dancing Crayon Designs.<br /><br /> *This product is not endorsed by or associated with Handwriting Without Tears. Handwriting Without Tears is a registered trademark of No Tears Learning Inc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Step-by-Step-Number-Formation-Practice-Handwriting-Printable-3085792" target="_blank">Click here to download for free from the trusted website Teachers Pay Teachers.</a></span></div>
<br />Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-85521497441787013682017-03-30T16:38:00.004-07:002020-10-24T20:15:59.143-07:00Easter Vase<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">Florist vases are so much fun to decorate with! I have several large glass florist vase that I use to decorate for various holidays. Over the years, the Hassle Free household has seen several versions of the Easter vase.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRVVnhfApRWLA9JoUYcPoqBbqwTb3ARCvQxAaLheIOsOdcdF-_laY6TYeA-bGMmfSr6lxcH6E_83VH5SDh4m1vgh34CzUsHBsYeU0cpFA4iQIRmKay-ygS3cW0sZTYN-DvF5OQQqXZAQ/s1600/Easter+Vase+collage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRVVnhfApRWLA9JoUYcPoqBbqwTb3ARCvQxAaLheIOsOdcdF-_laY6TYeA-bGMmfSr6lxcH6E_83VH5SDh4m1vgh34CzUsHBsYeU0cpFA4iQIRmKay-ygS3cW0sZTYN-DvF5OQQqXZAQ/w400-h200/Easter+Vase+collage.jpg" title="DIY Easter Vase Decoration" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">This is such an easy way to decorate- just fill a vase with some Easter eggs, maybe some Easter grass, and tie a bow around it. </span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">The vase looks great setting on a shelf or as part of a table centerpiece. Have fun with it and be creative!</span><br />
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<br />Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-44605459285447411702017-03-19T14:19:00.000-07:002017-03-30T08:15:06.692-07:00Letter Formation Practice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPCGQv2IxELkp5D1yuxObz1NXzhVMi_7csYfsWtR3cSH3d0ZqfTlV2hwXy4hg3yDUQqg1LBrb7J-sYy41_rQ7qKWuTv67pUJvuyoLQf4-anigCLKdbH0hLVuqSIKZvCkCHIieZ6kkzcw/s1600/letter+formation+practice+cover+v3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPCGQv2IxELkp5D1yuxObz1NXzhVMi_7csYfsWtR3cSH3d0ZqfTlV2hwXy4hg3yDUQqg1LBrb7J-sYy41_rQ7qKWuTv67pUJvuyoLQf4-anigCLKdbH0hLVuqSIKZvCkCHIieZ6kkzcw/s320/letter+formation+practice+cover+v3.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">INTRODUCTION:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This resource was developed to be used either in a classroom setting or in a homeschool setting. The child will learn letter formation step by step, and then have room to practice on their own. I created this resource because I was frustrated by watching my child struggle with worksheets that show all steps for each letter at one time. This can be very confusing for students. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Since letter formation is broken down step by step, this resource is also great for correcting letter formation in students who have bad habits and need to "relearn" how to correctly form certain letters. They must complete each step in forming a letter before going on to the next step.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">SOME LETTERS HAVE TWO VERSIONS, so that you can customize the resource to your classroom. The following letters have two versions of the lowercase formation sequence: A, D, P, R, U. Basically, version 1 has fewer strokes (compare to Handwriting Without Tears*) than version 2. </span><br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2M9cE1BgePwR3FsRXF5aXRRZEU/view?usp=sharing"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Click here for FREE download of A/a Version 1</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- This version only has one stroke for lowercase "a".</span><br />
<span id="goog_1105312628"></span><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2M9cE1BgePwUlBGWVJsbDBibEE/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Click here for FREE download of A/aVersion 2</span><span id="goog_1105312629"></span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- This version has 2 strokes for lower case "a".</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Letter-Formation-Practice-2368613" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Click here to download full alphabet from my Teacher's Pay Teachers store.</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">PDF DOWNLOADS INCLUDE:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-One sheet per letter (includes upper and lower case), with room for tracing and room for practice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-Two page reference chart for students that includes all letters (in both versions)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">TEACHING TIP: put sheets in page protectors, and let child practice with wet erase overhead transparency markers (such as Vis-A-Vis markers).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">PRINTING NOTE: Set page sizing to "fit". (Practice pages should be printed in landscape orientation. Chart should be printed in portrait orientation.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">CREDITS: The penmanship font, HelloNoTears, is used under license from TpT store Hello Literacy. The handwriting lines were generously provided by TpT store Dancing Crayon Designs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">*This product is not endorsed by or associated with Handwriting Without Tears. Handwriting Without Tears is a registered trademark of No Tears Learning Inc.</span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-409824853119883722017-03-15T16:08:00.005-07:002020-10-24T20:17:48.233-07:00Mermaid Hair<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">When I was a girl, I used to love braiding my wet hair into lots of thin strands at night, and then un-braiding them in the morning to see what beautiful waves had formed while I was sleeping. Plus, how nice is it to wake-up with already-done hair?! I decided to continue the tradition with my daughter. Read below for instructions on how to achieve this easy hairstyle.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ksKSKO0fiTI54iisPbMf-A0toYfa3CDVrErPVjHKYbvtyGxILxB5qYe-7ZrrtOSns43px28yF7oZYLJgurwgtxGDImMSBoP0Je_kYYA4_uRrazWkxPpQ_4ARSzd1H4utfmYKLqHul9Q/s1600/Mermaid+Hair+Collage+v2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ksKSKO0fiTI54iisPbMf-A0toYfa3CDVrErPVjHKYbvtyGxILxB5qYe-7ZrrtOSns43px28yF7oZYLJgurwgtxGDImMSBoP0Je_kYYA4_uRrazWkxPpQ_4ARSzd1H4utfmYKLqHul9Q/w400-h320/Mermaid+Hair+Collage+v2.jpg" title="Mermaid Hair- overnight hairstyle" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">To create these waves on my daughter and myself, I did about 8-10 braids in damp, combed, towel-dried hair before bed. Sometimes, especially on thin areas, such as the sides of my daughter's head (see photo above showing braids), I find it easier to start out with three braids near the scalp, and then join those three braids into one super braid, as the hair thins out as you work your way down the braid. </span><br />
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">You should braid as close to the ends of the hair as possible, because the unbraided ends won't be wavy when dry. In the photo above, I used small elastic hair ties to secure the braids, but barrettes can also work well, as long as they won't unclip easily at night while you are sleeping.</span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">In the morning when you take the braids out, you don't need to brush your hair. If you want, you can run a pick or wide tooth comb through your hair, but make sure you don't over do it. Combing too much will cause you to lose the definition in the waves.</span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">In addition to making the mornings easier, my other favorite part of this method is that it requires no products and no heat! This style won't damage your hair or leave product residue behind.</span></div>
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<span face="Verdana, sans-serif">Disclaimer: My daughter and I both have naturally wavy hair. If you have naturally very curly or very straight hair, your results may very. If you try this, or have a question, please leave me a note in the comments! I love to hear from readers.</span></div>
Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-82930149154338468952015-12-07T22:10:00.001-08:002015-12-15T22:30:39.619-08:00Holiday Decorating with Pinecones<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialh7Jrj1oN0aO4TfoZMrwo1Ga_DGC4s91eEKidsyrKmh7pXf1FUZTA_iII23IiSVwfRbHLAD9vYxiMwQ1Q_HRJgVEidq_4KLo0-zuiOpkKEWhxG7KvqGXEH3Rw8_Ka4KHT4eKEiLqeWk/s1600/pPinecone+PicMonkey+Collage+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialh7Jrj1oN0aO4TfoZMrwo1Ga_DGC4s91eEKidsyrKmh7pXf1FUZTA_iII23IiSVwfRbHLAD9vYxiMwQ1Q_HRJgVEidq_4KLo0-zuiOpkKEWhxG7KvqGXEH3Rw8_Ka4KHT4eKEiLqeWk/s400/pPinecone+PicMonkey+Collage+1.jpg" title="Holiday Decorating with Pinecones" width="326" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Instead of buying and later having to store a stock pile of Christmas decorations (which is not hassle free!), I thought it would be fun to start a yearly family tradition of pinecone gathering and decorating. My daughter had a blast collecting pinecones at the park. (Also, I like to think the groundskeepers appreciate having fewer pinecones to mow over!). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once we brought the pinecones home, we baked them in the oven to kill any bugs and to dry out the sap. We cooked them on foil-lined baking sheets.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Bonus: This will make your house smell like an evergreen forest. Perfect winter time scent!</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eZkn_COR5QK0oc5HZYxuulkqPuHVgWWrGifLfDkD_dWv4cJjzvcAeW2Gu2H3SMx4mV9f3FtjpbuzL2KoLNMyphxTAvb0CaCE8NlG3ZMsDahSAd7aLvIZePKoUcY6tpACpoB4jvyOI_w/s1600/baking+pinecones+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eZkn_COR5QK0oc5HZYxuulkqPuHVgWWrGifLfDkD_dWv4cJjzvcAeW2Gu2H3SMx4mV9f3FtjpbuzL2KoLNMyphxTAvb0CaCE8NlG3ZMsDahSAd7aLvIZePKoUcY6tpACpoB4jvyOI_w/s400/baking+pinecones+edited.jpg" title="Bake pinecones to kill critters and to dry the sap before use in decorating" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">GET</span><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">CREATIVE</span><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">AND</span><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">HAVE</span><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">FUN</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The next step is to be creative and decorate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The following are a few ideas to get you started. Some you may want to do on your own, and others you can get the kids more involved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My new obsession is gold spray paint! I used one coat of paint (Rust-Oleum in metallic bright gold) on some of the pinecones. Love love love. You can decorate your tree with these, or use them around your house.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrcTfOWOTCoXM_SH5vjS8s6Prus5ixznGz3UtfGpaEwugzi4rns8kFXAIdzSfXO-Xs1g8h56FU99IXPHfwe9PYpoo7XQpH0efWObIac5TlNdBH8FoETPzZgVtJauBefLabqdDgZGxcy0/s1600/gold+pinecones+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrcTfOWOTCoXM_SH5vjS8s6Prus5ixznGz3UtfGpaEwugzi4rns8kFXAIdzSfXO-Xs1g8h56FU99IXPHfwe9PYpoo7XQpH0efWObIac5TlNdBH8FoETPzZgVtJauBefLabqdDgZGxcy0/s400/gold+pinecones+edited.jpg" title="pinecones spray painted gold" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We tossed some gold painted cones and some unpainted cones together into a vase and tied a ribbon around the vase. (We tried going all gold, but it was a bit overwhelming, and all brown was a little boring.) Easy peasy centerpiece or shelf decoration. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You can find this type of vase in most floral departments. As a bonus, you can use your vase year round for centerpieces. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dump out the pinecones when you are done with them and use your vase for the next season. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fill it with colorful Easter eggs in the spring, citrus fruit in the summer, and gourds in the fall. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEina-pRlr_KPvYOHCEL9GmeepOarTH2lhyphenhyphen2lwEClr8w83G_2Y_tFJgp4UWxPFxiG1qJfqTLtkWY7rQfxwJP4wbEWL_Xi_K0EjGy6zgyP6zuqKzLjj0PtcaZxQ8Qo9Oh4A6hF_k7wzlbppE/s1600/brown+and+gold+pinecones+in+vase+edited+with+rounded+corner+frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEina-pRlr_KPvYOHCEL9GmeepOarTH2lhyphenhyphen2lwEClr8w83G_2Y_tFJgp4UWxPFxiG1qJfqTLtkWY7rQfxwJP4wbEWL_Xi_K0EjGy6zgyP6zuqKzLjj0PtcaZxQ8Qo9Oh4A6hF_k7wzlbppE/s400/brown+and+gold+pinecones+in+vase+edited+with+rounded+corner+frame.jpg" title="pinecones in flower vase " width="288" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Roll the pinecones around in some white paint, and you've got an instant snow-covered look. <i>Tip: It may be easiest to hold the pine cone from the bottom for this. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you are really ambitious, after the paint dries, you can roll the pinecones around in some glue, and then sprinkle on some Epson salt to add texture. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The "snow" covered pinecones are perfect for decorating a Christmas tree, or for embellishing garlands and wreaths!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">For a fun craft idea to do with a young child, just gather pinecones that are opened, and add craft pompoms!</span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">We didn't need any glue for ours. My daughter just stuck the pompoms in place and they stayed. However, if you want to, craft glue should also hold the pompoms in place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-40960045206435589382015-11-04T13:59:00.000-08:002015-11-04T18:12:45.536-08:00Repurposed Pumpkin Turkey<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Tu_k2MZ9EbeS9tNovXDf1O6qNabImpQbVPNAzeBHL2QYCgHjbhSBic4k9kmq6R8ydpYKRzuSMiZOUOycNgyfWRfm22PRdmVlSo2AJ5_2H1OgIzJjT5IucFrJ2TBZ1DVhus0XeclJz6M/s1600/repurposed+pumpkin+turkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Tu_k2MZ9EbeS9tNovXDf1O6qNabImpQbVPNAzeBHL2QYCgHjbhSBic4k9kmq6R8ydpYKRzuSMiZOUOycNgyfWRfm22PRdmVlSo2AJ5_2H1OgIzJjT5IucFrJ2TBZ1DVhus0XeclJz6M/s400/repurposed+pumpkin+turkey.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Somehow, the pumpkin my daughter painted for Halloween survived into November without being smashed or going bad. To celebrate, I thought it would be fun to transform her gourd into a Thanksgiving decoration. Thus, the Pumpkin Turkey was born.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Nail Holes</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The first step is for parents only, but don't worry, it's easy! Take the fastest nail you can find, and hammer holes where you would like your child to add the feathers. If all you nails you have are too thin, you can just hammer the nail in the same area a few times to make a bigger hole. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Note: For my daughter's pumpkin, we thought it looked best laying on it's side with the stem out. However, every pumpkin is different, so just position it in the way you like best!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Feather the Bird</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Let your child insert the ends of the feathers into the holes. You should be able to find feathers at any craft store, or the craft department of places like Walmart. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Make Your Turkey Face</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Use a compass or bowl to trace a circle that is proportional to the size you want on your pumpkin. This turkey's face is made out of construction paper, but you could probably also use poster board or felt. You can draw or glue on eyes and a beak. For this bird's beak, we used a diamond shaped piece of yellow construction paper folded in half, and then glued onto the circle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For the wattle (red dangly thing), we just painted the stem red (we used finger paint because that's what we had on hand, but craft paint or tempera paint would probably also work if you have that). You could also draw and cut one out. Underneath, we cut out a brown piece of construction paper for the neck. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I pinned the construction paper to the pumpkin with a couple of sewing pins. They actually went in really easily by hand. No hammer was needed for this step.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Materials:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">pumpkin</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">hammer and nail</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">face: paper, poster board, foam board, or felt</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">eyes: google eyes or marker</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">glue</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">sewing pins</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">red paint</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">feathers</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-10851688906804659622015-11-01T15:05:00.011-08:002020-11-22T10:31:46.004-08:00Christmas and Stocking Stuffer Gift Ideas for Two and Three Year Olds- Under $20.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf53xqmVZjLXZMndNwJlFIJ-VStqpkuvwRlmb7uYLVHAF86whxNZ5OPpkiBQx45LTNzeNzEqJnkzOz7rUe1a8ZHT3ePdI8W1cJiiiEZ9aKZwyc0n2qGWza2bJfF7xT8WLz0q_ieYQwzeI/s1600/gift+ideas+-+smaller+file.bmp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf53xqmVZjLXZMndNwJlFIJ-VStqpkuvwRlmb7uYLVHAF86whxNZ5OPpkiBQx45LTNzeNzEqJnkzOz7rUe1a8ZHT3ePdI8W1cJiiiEZ9aKZwyc0n2qGWza2bJfF7xT8WLz0q_ieYQwzeI/s400/gift+ideas+-+smaller+file.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Christmas is fast approaching! If you don't want to drain your wallet but want to pack a big punch with your gift giving for the toddler or preschooler in your life, try out these ideas! Please note that there are affiliate links in this post. However, these are all products that have been tested, approved and loved by my child!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Lacing Cards are great for helping young children develop motor skills and for helping them prepare to learn to tie their shoe laces. The best ones I've found are the Eric Carle lacing cards. They are inspired by the author of the Very Hungry Caterpillar. These are well constructed and have different lacing patterns on each card. As a bonus, they get your kid interested in rereading all their favorite Eric Carle books!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #990000;">Craft Supplies</span><br />
<span>Craft supplies are great for helping a child develop creativity, coordination, and pre-writing skills. Here are a few go to staples:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I've had really good luck with the Crayola brand line of washable markers (and crayons) actually living up to their name and being washable.<span><br /></span>
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<div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Cookie cutters and stamps are great manipulatives for kids to use when playing with play-doh.... help them build those motor skills! </span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=hassfreehous-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0881YYMK5&asins=B0881YYMK5&linkId=95173dc36e648a70e6c67e98586da455&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
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<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Do a Dot Markers are a </span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">fun way to paint. You can also find a plethora of "do a dot" printable educational activities free on-line.</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Make sure the little one's fingers stay safe while learning how to cut! These scissors are a great introduction to cutting paper, without cutting little fingers! What I love about the Fiskars brand preschool training scissors is that they have an optional "training lever" that opens the blade after each cut. This was really helpful when my daughter was first getting the hang of using scissors.</span> <span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"> </span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Other craft supply gift ideas include: </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">stamps and stamp pads. The stamps can also be used on play-doh!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">finger paint</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">water colors</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">a smock to wear while painting</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">googly eyes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">construction paper</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">felt in various colors</span></li>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #990000;">Books</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Books are always great! Kids love them and they help develop literacy skills</span><br />
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<div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Below is a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/shop/hassle-free-housewife?listId=2BUVV6GVPG7JX&ref=idea_share_inf ">link </a>to some of the books my daughter and I have really enjoyed reading together. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/shop/hassle-free-housewife?listId=2BUVV6GVPG7JX" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="2280" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmP_TlUnSQx1zOY24ARJJWrk8eInY87eAwd_uoXsodffxm2vEEeC4ZDq8WS830ODPH-vBg868XD2hvQSFp0BbaFe-MOetYTe2Q9B99uUBDWML2ATSfjrUnhXmaOsz5LpPV3GHG6oahHQ/w400-h143/book+monster.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></blockquote></blockquote><div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">Reusable Stickers</span></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">These are basically window clings. They come with backgrounds that you can put the stickers on, or the child can place them on a window or mirror. This is a quiet activity that doesn't take up a lot of space, so it's a perfect gift for a child heading on a long car or plane ride!</span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span><br /><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=hassfreehous-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B01K76FI1C&asins=B01K76FI1C&linkId=2f98050492d735c13f5d63f04e464eab&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #990000;">Lego sets and Lego animals</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">For the child in your life who loves Legos and animals! I wish they made Lego animals when I was a kid! They connect on to regular Duplo Lego bricks. (For those of you who haven't gone Lego shopping for awhile, the Duplos are the bigger brick Legos that are designed for younger children).</span><br />
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</iframe></span></div>Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-42872316343906432622015-10-29T15:43:00.000-07:002015-10-29T15:45:23.789-07:00Ghost Pops- The Hassle Free Version of a Halloween Classic<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is a cute, fun treat to pass out to treak-or-treaters or at a Halloween party.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyPLnRto77SHAykD2VUFYHzshyphenhyphenBQIuyqHn9iRUhP49_Yx2o8K5F8Wb-cGVIAKw_nGYWs4U4gb8Kd_grA8fybAsquO1xj4lXbRwg80BBd1RcPDPADf58J6gsSAEc_Gu3biXmd5oXwbfqo/s1600/ghost+pops+presentation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyPLnRto77SHAykD2VUFYHzshyphenhyphenBQIuyqHn9iRUhP49_Yx2o8K5F8Wb-cGVIAKw_nGYWs4U4gb8Kd_grA8fybAsquO1xj4lXbRwg80BBd1RcPDPADf58J6gsSAEc_Gu3biXmd5oXwbfqo/s320/ghost+pops+presentation.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For this craft, we used:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tootsie Pops</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Coffee Filters</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ribbon (1/8 inch width)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Googly eyes (we used the self-adhesive kind.) You could also draw on the ghost faces with a marker</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Shoe box (optional)</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For these ghosts, two coffee filters were used to make sure they were fuller and less see-through. The ribbon tied around the bottom of the sucker was cut to about 14 inches in length. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You could also use tissue instead of coffee filters, and yarn instead of ribbon. However, I think the coffee filter and ribbon looks nicer, and is still very inexpensive! Plus, the ribbon is easy for little hands to untie.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />After that, just add googly eyes, or draw on eyes, and a mouth, if you want. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the presentation, you can use a Philips head screw driver to poke holes into the lid of a shoe box, and then insert the sucker sticks.</span><br />
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<span id="goog_422011257"></span><span id="goog_422011258"></span><br />Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-66897994177868980382015-10-29T01:16:00.002-07:002015-10-29T01:24:35.978-07:00Itsy Spider Pumpkin Decorating Halloween Craft<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This activity was inspired by googly eyes! My daughter wanted to add lots of eyes to her mini pumpkin, so we decided to get out the pipe cleaners and turn it into a spider. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhwscJ_mDC1FpdqaSF4nbBGNFD3ruYNTwacVHJT8FTeZicaj_KJ9gvq3K4v4KGEsEJiBWcbCc62M8H7A98H66JtuPqVPZdL5_8AwNC3rXJOr0X6Nb-fFGnGYigEfvpXnMGMXYCgo5RYE/s1600/IMG_6193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhwscJ_mDC1FpdqaSF4nbBGNFD3ruYNTwacVHJT8FTeZicaj_KJ9gvq3K4v4KGEsEJiBWcbCc62M8H7A98H66JtuPqVPZdL5_8AwNC3rXJOr0X6Nb-fFGnGYigEfvpXnMGMXYCgo5RYE/s320/IMG_6193.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the eyes, we used googly eyes that have adhesive backs. My daughter stuck the eyes onto the pompoms and they actually stayed on surprisingly well! Then, I hot glued the pom poms to the pumpkin. After that, my daughter wrapped the pipe cleaners around the stem of the pumpkin. That's it! Super easy. Super cute.</span><br />
<br />Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-27873862910982828602015-09-20T11:45:00.002-07:002017-03-15T15:56:35.583-07:00Skinny Pumpkin Smoothie- yummy way to eat your veggies!<span style="color: orange; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fall is here- time to mix up a Skinny Pumpkin Smoothie!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Jamba Juice's seasonal pumpkin smash smoothie tastes amazing! But, if you don't live near a Jamba Juice, or don't feel like driving, here is pumpkin smoothie recipe you can make at home. Just add the ingredients in the blender, mix, and enjoy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Tip: I like to put the ice and milk in first, because if you add the yogurt or pumpkin first, it can be too goopy for the blender blades to get through easily.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 cup ice </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">1/2 cup skim milk (or soy milk if you prefer)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 cup frozen fat-free or low-fat frozen yogurt (I just use refrigerated yogurt and stick it in the freezer 20 or 30 minutes before I make the smoothie).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/3 cup canned pumpkin</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 tablespoon sugar (or 1/2 tablespoon stevia if you want to reduce calories)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon cinnamon</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon pumpkin spice</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Recipe makes about 3 cups.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkRUljPH-gIGU_pFONP6lmR2qgRyzXp_58Njo7bD1eTOUDLrJ8PIAl-FwOfOTjnJHFRhRLESrNDHMqoKZ8_iJCu2EHa13mihZqkJLllia9MqwKbVTVArMqmxSKf2vhyphenhyphenYFrGsKid5YHPs/s1600/pumpkin+smoothie+in+purple+cup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkRUljPH-gIGU_pFONP6lmR2qgRyzXp_58Njo7bD1eTOUDLrJ8PIAl-FwOfOTjnJHFRhRLESrNDHMqoKZ8_iJCu2EHa13mihZqkJLllia9MqwKbVTVArMqmxSKf2vhyphenhyphenYFrGsKid5YHPs/s320/pumpkin+smoothie+in+purple+cup.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-10955708769322786322015-09-03T18:44:00.001-07:002017-08-26T21:43:09.400-07:00Letter of the Week Crafts- Part II: G-K <script>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Welcome to part II of Letter of the Week Crafts! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"></span>Thank you for visiting my page about alphabet crafts. Here are a few tips before you get started:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To get your child more excited about the craft, and to make it more of an educational activity, I recommend visiting the library ahead of time with your child to pick out and read a book about the craft topic. For example, for letter C, you could read <i>The Very Hungry Caterpillar </i>(by Eric Carle), together.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For letter templates, I really like the free ones found on the <a href="http://rubberstamping.about.com/od/templates/ig/Upper-Case-Alphabet/" target="_blank">Rubber Stamping website</a>.</span></li>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Letter G is for Grass</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This week's craft is pretty simple, but what preschooler doesn't love a project that involves cutting and gluing?!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fa7CmnWOXotAuSqFr73xlmsStKwiyRC2VzRzIQ0Ay4r1qKBcE6y5kRnARgpVEyE78GRgcN1gIThaRrkbZRNGGP4VXKfO5k7JCF98Di1u_H30y3r2K5RfnSCMZXaRrI2Hm7iYzQ-VTKI/s1600/g+is+for+grass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fa7CmnWOXotAuSqFr73xlmsStKwiyRC2VzRzIQ0Ay4r1qKBcE6y5kRnARgpVEyE78GRgcN1gIThaRrkbZRNGGP4VXKfO5k7JCF98Di1u_H30y3r2K5RfnSCMZXaRrI2Hm7iYzQ-VTKI/s320/g+is+for+grass.JPG" width="255" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The letter G is cut out of green computer paper, and the "grass" is green construction paper that has "fringe" cut into it. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Letter H is for Hearts</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">More cutting and pasting practice! Note: your child may need help rotating the paper while they cut out the hearts.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5Li2aZjbpqDmZ0NzbuFaQrM_rak_78YA_eu4lXycg7TTi87SzDZHxz5bj30vyXCW-RlGA5MA-oRBPr9ejojl43hZvadTKq8AkroALzpFczW_e_TFtMg3kEvV9BzlAPHNYXfrVlx0vqM/s1600/IMG_6035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5Li2aZjbpqDmZ0NzbuFaQrM_rak_78YA_eu4lXycg7TTi87SzDZHxz5bj30vyXCW-RlGA5MA-oRBPr9ejojl43hZvadTKq8AkroALzpFczW_e_TFtMg3kEvV9BzlAPHNYXfrVlx0vqM/s320/IMG_6035.JPG" width="221" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I is for Insect</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">First, I have to admit the photo below looks a bit like Mr. Hanky the Christmas poo. But, on the other hand, you can tell that it is authentically made by a young child! The process is what is important most, here! The insects aren't going to look perfect and that's okay. They shouldn't.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To make this activity a little more educational, we discussed the three main parts of an insect's body (in order, they are: head, thorax, and abdomen). We also learned that the eyes and antenna (feelers) are found on the head, and the six legs (and wings if present) are found on the thorax. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwQG3dhBNjMefKL5cSfG5ZLyTP98sSiTaRGf_Y6nxtv2JgV1GSchparSIkvMC4hMW0_nrldFS1U5pwI4PbZ1F1BgDHgJEef12rGE919irn7MmBx3cbHQO7rrDZO5274Z3UWl__50bb4A/s1600/IMG_6207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwQG3dhBNjMefKL5cSfG5ZLyTP98sSiTaRGf_Y6nxtv2JgV1GSchparSIkvMC4hMW0_nrldFS1U5pwI4PbZ1F1BgDHgJEef12rGE919irn7MmBx3cbHQO7rrDZO5274Z3UWl__50bb4A/s320/IMG_6207.JPG" width="246" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: large;">J is for Jellyfish</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cM_7QwgKBgfUCkvqSIVjUy5ptti9CkTjZo-YNleLluE/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Click here for J is for Jellyfish free printable template</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ElBgUv3cs7vBxKk8qm04w82ZMyITU1R0_IXYhzDDBywF64PwnNP5A6DUhuIBzCTL-NXMx_BnQxJTs_M4nANlbuedgONGs01WVH5x5X0O7HjKvDPd2UeSIlSu6uHARtLOLiI9czlJKVI/s1600/j+is+for+jelly+fish+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ElBgUv3cs7vBxKk8qm04w82ZMyITU1R0_IXYhzDDBywF64PwnNP5A6DUhuIBzCTL-NXMx_BnQxJTs_M4nANlbuedgONGs01WVH5x5X0O7HjKvDPd2UeSIlSu6uHARtLOLiI9czlJKVI/s320/j+is+for+jelly+fish+-+Copy.JPG" width="224" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My daughter taped curling ribbon to the jellyfish bell to make the tentacles, but you could also use glue and yarn! The eyes are goggly eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">K is for Kitten</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This activity is super easy! Use the free template below. Just cut and paste! <i>Meow.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKR8eVF1ZKId27DHTs3lOcW7ZG8mORXO92S8fiko14ABf4Of6bNtv2SMScBPlIYxeOu0X1GF6wQSkiWpLQjM_v8R_l6Gazt0Oc4geNiYyWK6HHxx5l7rTClgdP6L7Xriv_7-qtfU8KLmY/s1600/K+is+for+Kitten.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKR8eVF1ZKId27DHTs3lOcW7ZG8mORXO92S8fiko14ABf4Of6bNtv2SMScBPlIYxeOu0X1GF6wQSkiWpLQjM_v8R_l6Gazt0Oc4geNiYyWK6HHxx5l7rTClgdP6L7Xriv_7-qtfU8KLmY/s320/K+is+for+Kitten.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: small;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2M9cE1BgePwNEk3cXhHUlJpaGs/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"> K is for kitten free printable template</a></span></span></div>
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</span>Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-72381290793592911092015-08-08T22:42:00.000-07:002016-03-20T18:43:07.250-07:00Alphabet Letter Font Sort: Preschool Printable<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Alphabet Letter Sort</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibadqQO-7vfvE_6-MDwfzb7pIGRfK1yF-FcTBTUi-BvbaA8ZdrP9JB5DTEWNrz3M77TvZyhPGgQ6S6WA2eTLMB6jWZUB1ZEpHSGtXTkDjYRR16jwf5pPTkmbMLzK9k4_eWuCoU51RVDdc/s1600/letter+A+font+sort.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibadqQO-7vfvE_6-MDwfzb7pIGRfK1yF-FcTBTUi-BvbaA8ZdrP9JB5DTEWNrz3M77TvZyhPGgQ6S6WA2eTLMB6jWZUB1ZEpHSGtXTkDjYRR16jwf5pPTkmbMLzK9k4_eWuCoU51RVDdc/s1600/letter+A+font+sort.png" title="Letter A font sort- download whole alphabet printable for free!" /></a></td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Full-Alphabet-Font-Sort-Printable-lower-and-upper-case-letters-2457842" target="_blank"></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Full-Alphabet-Font-Sort-Printable-lower-and-upper-case-letters-2457842" target="_blank">Click here to download the full font sort from my Teachers Pay Teachers page.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Providing a print rich environment, as well as pointing out and discussing letters and signs in the environment with your child, is a key to developing early literacy skills. However, various fonts, such as signs on buildings, or even in some books, can be confusing. I created this free printable to help your child learn to sort and identify different letters of the alphabet as well as to learn to recognize different fonts (including a variety of serif and san-serif fonts). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I started out using this as an activity to help my daughter practice sorting lower and uppercase versions of the same letters. This printable can also be used to sort different letters, especially ones that might be confusing for your child (such as capital "M" and "W," or lower case "b" and "d"). As your child progresses, you can also use this to have them sort vowels vs. consonants.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6FE3jV1-3dInTdLefdODB5CqpYtb6rMZlvnfnLLUtsKBwgDLSRK0FCLT7bflp0Cg_5w7YsS_c502AZnPkAoqngYmCciF5JYO_0DVUdje_FiBxeUHIYvhJ6AyOQJlVXqGUKMDyeq5WKM/s1600/alphabet+sort+activities+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6FE3jV1-3dInTdLefdODB5CqpYtb6rMZlvnfnLLUtsKBwgDLSRK0FCLT7bflp0Cg_5w7YsS_c502AZnPkAoqngYmCciF5JYO_0DVUdje_FiBxeUHIYvhJ6AyOQJlVXqGUKMDyeq5WKM/s640/alphabet+sort+activities+collage.jpg" title="Alphabet Sort Activity Ideas for Preschoolers- download the printable for free!" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-88263851324880710612015-07-31T16:24:00.000-07:002015-11-27T18:33:44.105-08:00Letter of the Week Crafts- Part I: A-F<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1Z7POg62b2QcJY88PZTQskziOCaiEysTuopYbooq2dF7ed0qu6g2oUxon5UcYaEYIBdsl-bvAwsbCOQ0Yi_f8xi4pXZaRAVUDkOx065JMvB0rykoPexcg-R5IQsGAg7YdzhydRKUZiU/s1600/letter+of+the+week+crafts+A-F+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1Z7POg62b2QcJY88PZTQskziOCaiEysTuopYbooq2dF7ed0qu6g2oUxon5UcYaEYIBdsl-bvAwsbCOQ0Yi_f8xi4pXZaRAVUDkOx065JMvB0rykoPexcg-R5IQsGAg7YdzhydRKUZiU/s640/letter+of+the+week+crafts+A-F+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"></span>Thank you for visiting my page about alphabet crafts. Here are a few tips before you get started:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To get your child more excited about the craft, and to make it more of an educational activity, I recommend visiting the library ahead of time with your child to pick out and read a book about the craft topic. For example, for letter C, you could read <i>The Very Hungry Caterpillar </i>(by Eric Carle), together.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For letter templates, I really like the free ones found on the <a href="http://rubberstamping.about.com/od/templates/ig/Upper-Case-Alphabet/" target="_blank">Rubber Stamping website</a>.</span></li>
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Letter A is for Ants</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhg9mnN1_i86PTXYkzSnvP5o3qMB6ev7qgMaTbq2585FQ29bU1lCbxtr9G0RGhPM04k_5mwm4_x7c4f7a8fdQ2UVDp5lEDsY1299-Jpt_Fu10J3mCkxkcjg8-B5l76tI2BbKqVx-zHYQ/s1600/a+is+for+ants+craft.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhg9mnN1_i86PTXYkzSnvP5o3qMB6ev7qgMaTbq2585FQ29bU1lCbxtr9G0RGhPM04k_5mwm4_x7c4f7a8fdQ2UVDp5lEDsY1299-Jpt_Fu10J3mCkxkcjg8-B5l76tI2BbKqVx-zHYQ/s320/a+is+for+ants+craft.JPG" title="Letter of the week preschool craft- A is for Ants" width="260" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is the set up: The kiddo colored some mailing label stickers black, to make the ants' bodies. She also helped me cut "fringe" on the bottom piece of green construction paper to represent green grass.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Letter B is for Bumble Bee</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is great for beginners with scissors, as they can help cut out the bee's stripes. This would also look cute with googly eyes and pompoms on the ends of the antennae.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGuA1TLDBvDij0FXyovCRTTslYT5uspG79KqG9YrZTvXQgyuozWs4rYTjr8WPB38v2CSKPd0J2Y1A7T6981GcRuMMigSxiMJVOGsXtohA12KdZw_9ceqInx_zdzKozwN45MtSCgZ7ixE/s1600/b+is+for+bumble+bee+craft.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGuA1TLDBvDij0FXyovCRTTslYT5uspG79KqG9YrZTvXQgyuozWs4rYTjr8WPB38v2CSKPd0J2Y1A7T6981GcRuMMigSxiMJVOGsXtohA12KdZw_9ceqInx_zdzKozwN45MtSCgZ7ixE/s320/b+is+for+bumble+bee+craft.JPG" title="Letter of the week preschool craft- B is for Bee" width="253" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: large;"><strong>Letter C is for Caterpillar</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">We had so much fun with caterpillars, that we decided to do two caterpillar crafts this week! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIqzebcVgtst6stOdx-wB1W39pmqlnV0EIvqfMIpPS8FzKPB7h6h6LQScZStOZvoHrITpjKzPZnV-5I2rkJoF99xf8CpM8zSVjuMGkZs4ixvknMmFFmlAgT_pPNMC9l4iqyFNpDYl-1g/s1600/c+is+for+caterpillar-+finished+felt+caterpillar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIqzebcVgtst6stOdx-wB1W39pmqlnV0EIvqfMIpPS8FzKPB7h6h6LQScZStOZvoHrITpjKzPZnV-5I2rkJoF99xf8CpM8zSVjuMGkZs4ixvknMmFFmlAgT_pPNMC9l4iqyFNpDYl-1g/s320/c+is+for+caterpillar-+finished+felt+caterpillar.JPG" title="letter of the week preschool craft- c is for caterpillar" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GhpAef3fNRW9BjIpziPw6zCssT9WuKBbYUI5jnEhNzbBvHX6-P8tIwfTyDzfS3virI0LT0eDzBK__egrx8h4a0kvMi08qVthG7KFedTkG471jzibVuuEQyEZkDqSv4BZBivVQkpmAtQ/s1600/c+is+for+caterpillar-+finished+paper+and+sticker+caterpillar-+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GhpAef3fNRW9BjIpziPw6zCssT9WuKBbYUI5jnEhNzbBvHX6-P8tIwfTyDzfS3virI0LT0eDzBK__egrx8h4a0kvMi08qVthG7KFedTkG471jzibVuuEQyEZkDqSv4BZBivVQkpmAtQ/s320/c+is+for+caterpillar-+finished+paper+and+sticker+caterpillar-+cropped.jpg" title="letter of the week preschool craft- c is for preschooler" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">The first caterpillar is made from felt and pompoms. Since my little one is a novice with scissors, I did a lot of the cutting, while she did the gluing. I started out by laying some pompoms out on paper to trace around them to make the pattern. Then, I pinned the pattern to some felt and cut it out. Please ignore my messy tracing. For an older preschooler with more advanced cutting skills, you probably want to let them do the cutting, and make a nicer pattern for them! I did the same with the leaf. As a pattern, I traced a leaf from a page of Eric Carle's "Very Hungry Caterpillar." </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYkM59hPxZIQbWsUvew43nxcMeEHOqoQXxgDVjlCH_tdIPBbgXlawnJ_3VwORZuSqaf2KjD99AiPa7Nap9o8-IVZU06ac8sGPUj5pGyXjpWuz1WMNUynLVidlPZtQPHSq0YDNhLLvGSw/s1600/c+is+for+caterpillar-+tracing+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYkM59hPxZIQbWsUvew43nxcMeEHOqoQXxgDVjlCH_tdIPBbgXlawnJ_3VwORZuSqaf2KjD99AiPa7Nap9o8-IVZU06ac8sGPUj5pGyXjpWuz1WMNUynLVidlPZtQPHSq0YDNhLLvGSw/s640/c+is+for+caterpillar-+tracing+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">We used Elmer's nontoxic craft glue to glue the pompoms to the felt and the caterpillar is holding strong! He is currently hanging on our fridge with all pompoms in tact. The only thing I hot glued was the pipe cleaner. For the pompoms on the antennae, my daughter just poked them onto the end of the pipe cleaners and they stayed in place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">For the second caterpillar, my daughter decorated office supply stickers and used those as the body of her caterpillar, and then drew on antennae and legs.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Letter D is for Dog</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This felt puzzle can be taken apart and remade over and over! My preschooler is having a lot of fun with this.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fMKCon_O-7kVC4UG8v_DtaunmseKw31nSYmgeMBfeCHyRkDzCX_xp4OIS8JVZQUDR57bxhiZ5wVuHfYAPGorlnj9TIyFjePMiBXtufZnRxDn7_zKrkg3Ou_dCUffFTTtIP1cXwrZGJ0/s1600/d+is+for+dog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fMKCon_O-7kVC4UG8v_DtaunmseKw31nSYmgeMBfeCHyRkDzCX_xp4OIS8JVZQUDR57bxhiZ5wVuHfYAPGorlnj9TIyFjePMiBXtufZnRxDn7_zKrkg3Ou_dCUffFTTtIP1cXwrZGJ0/s320/d+is+for+dog.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To cut the dog out, I mostly used the pattern I found on a blog called Miss Maren's Monkeys. <a href="http://missmarensmonkeys.blogspot.com/2010/10/letter-d-d-d-dog.html" target="_blank">Click here for the pattern.</a> I adjusted the pattern a little by also cutting out some spots to make a Dalmatian. Also, instead of cutting out the inner eye circle, I hot-glued large size google eyes onto the outer eye circles. Miss Maren's pattern was originally for construction paper, but it works just as well with felt! You can do it either way you like. To make it easier to cut out the felt, I pinned the pattern pieces to the felt. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Letter E is for Egg</span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This craft is fun because there are so many different ways you can do it! You can decorate your egg anyway you want. Glitter, rhinestones, color with markers, fingerpaint, etc. Mine used water colors. I also tried to use scotch tape to make it a tape-resist painting (I put scotch tape in the shape of a lower case "e" on the egg before my daughter painted, and then rubbed the paint off the scotch tape when it dried. However, it's pretty hard to see! Oh wells. The kiddo had fun!)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpMcSzSnqrwoU8jLHS6urHaahA1fIZ7E8R6RIEWeWMMcay1VHeNAnS17UaIhLxGi5Cg5cQvpba-6isGbrugb-0rvb0UCv1mkkcnJJ7vZLBt-HWdus6hD4W8DpZDpyDuxnZQmGk3VLaX4/s1600/e+is+for+egg+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpMcSzSnqrwoU8jLHS6urHaahA1fIZ7E8R6RIEWeWMMcay1VHeNAnS17UaIhLxGi5Cg5cQvpba-6isGbrugb-0rvb0UCv1mkkcnJJ7vZLBt-HWdus6hD4W8DpZDpyDuxnZQmGk3VLaX4/s320/e+is+for+egg+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The first step was to cut out the <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2M9cE1BgePwM1N2QW1nbkE5NW8/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">egg pattern</a>. We used a manila folder for the egg, but card stock would also work. After my daughter was done painting the egg shapes, I also taped a little extra paper onto the corner of the egg where the brass fastner attaches the two egg pieces and the background paper (we used purple construction paper). </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Letter F is for Fox</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This week's letter had a pretty easy set up. To prep, I got a couple of white feathers, and we colored the bottom red (using a non-washable red marker) and left the top white, so that it would look like the tail of a red fox. The black nose is a craft pompom and the rest of the fox is construction paper. My daughter used all purpose craft glue to attach the pompom nose, and regular old Elmer's school glue for the rest.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfIKKDLzdfcTysX8f92zUD86CKu_OLF2Lu8aEA1BQTucZgvsaiwCcC0FolAiPSTUZ8WFAED9AFu2zxBf19x3oLQjxG6J2K3Rp_DKdQnDpoDbayCdWIgRBc7-65kdAAaLzZaFFqQMGz5Q/s1600/F+is+for+fox.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfIKKDLzdfcTysX8f92zUD86CKu_OLF2Lu8aEA1BQTucZgvsaiwCcC0FolAiPSTUZ8WFAED9AFu2zxBf19x3oLQjxG6J2K3Rp_DKdQnDpoDbayCdWIgRBc7-65kdAAaLzZaFFqQMGz5Q/s320/F+is+for+fox.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Check back every week as I will be adding a new letter craft every week!</i></span>Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-89863079308130720422014-11-17T14:40:00.005-08:002015-08-09T04:09:00.863-07:00Toddler Tested and Approved: Top At Home Two Year Old Activities<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Toddler Tested and Approved-Two Year Old Activities</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3zp7Ntl6JmX8iUwyPYuhxXeiD4a2k9IJkaOzeKsIfFzYB5gbPnElrjfK4RSvLwNeNxlWZDbQN5dqH-nTIGSKYDQ5RI3pOPvz9yOo242meyCMliEL-l06uLjqB6yKfyhuCLzLe8jH0k8/s1600/two+year+old+activities+part+I-+PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="two year old" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3zp7Ntl6JmX8iUwyPYuhxXeiD4a2k9IJkaOzeKsIfFzYB5gbPnElrjfK4RSvLwNeNxlWZDbQN5dqH-nTIGSKYDQ5RI3pOPvz9yOo242meyCMliEL-l06uLjqB6yKfyhuCLzLe8jH0k8/s1600/two+year+old+activities+part+I-+PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" title="Toddler activities that are easy to do at home" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm always searching for a good idea of an activity to do with my two year old. Sometimes she loves the activities I come up with, and sometimes they bomb horribly! Now, I will share with you here the top toddler activities so that you can try them at home with your little ones.</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Please note: There are a few affiliate links on this post. However, I only link to products I have used and love!</span></em><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Shape Jump:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Draw shapes on the ground with sidewalk chalk (or, as an indoor activity, outline them on the ground with masking tape) and call out a shape for your child to jump on.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-461aIq86Ayw/VGVDMX4o1hI/AAAAAAAAC3w/99QT9qiYvv0/s1600/shape%2Bjump%2Bon%2Bsidewalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-461aIq86Ayw/VGVDMX4o1hI/AAAAAAAAC3w/99QT9qiYvv0/s1600/shape%2Bjump%2Bon%2Bsidewalk.jpg" title="Shape jump kinesthetic activity for toddlers" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Montessori-Inspired Pouring, and Spoon and Tong Transfer Activities:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I've been reading up on the Montessori educational method, and it's emphasis on teaching independence. Using everyday household objects like pitchers, spoons, and tongs to manipulate and move small objects will help your child learn everyday skills as well as develop find motor skills. The materials I use here are just an example. You can use whatever you have on hand! Also, you can start out with easier to manipulate objects and move to harder to manipulate objects as your </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">child's skill level increases. For example, you could start out spooning cotton balls or craft pompoms (shown below) from one container to another, then use beans, and eventually progress to spooning smaller objects, such as rice.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhqc5K234qlG5g5zXiBQSY4zswsP2S1IXPsB5f3NNUGLXttwLGSxFyexHjk9gly0osdiEgcD_rOBo4m0g90JK7qPruu8K0LKY8ZyJjM65aY_H9epAqgJ0gmx_s1DLb5hjcx5fkh3fHyk/s1600/pompom+tong+transfer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2Z35eIL1RNH8eX6_UAjUcUYetzxl2uYuZP-ZIGPtLMRn6g_k3LSC-PEUrAUTPoRVZaWwCFHA0QbUzgGfAWkB8ixe_EHtuBqsDggsQ77hacR3HOMYQNVmc_vcFhE3rSsoFs_B74MGqDI/s1600/Montessori+Practical+skills+activites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="pouring, tongs, scooping, pompoms, pom poms" border="0" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2Z35eIL1RNH8eX6_UAjUcUYetzxl2uYuZP-ZIGPtLMRn6g_k3LSC-PEUrAUTPoRVZaWwCFHA0QbUzgGfAWkB8ixe_EHtuBqsDggsQ77hacR3HOMYQNVmc_vcFhE3rSsoFs_B74MGqDI/s1600/Montessori+Practical+skills+activites.jpg" title="Montessori Practical Skills Activities for toddlers" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Montessori-Inspired Popsicle Stick and Felt Color Matching Activity:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This was really easy to set up. You could buy colored popsicle sticks. Or, if you can't find any (I couldn't), just use permanent marker to color the ends of the popsicle sticks. Then, fold a piece of felt in half and cut around the popsicle stick in the desired shape then sew or hot glue together. My daughter spent so much time playing with these and matching them up! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GDMqMUWaoGRLA3iGRBd1YYtL_O-koHIm7fJ0dGXMUyRo44ljTao8zCZ0adQo8mKlIkU_EET_P9FDmDoof2zHNcr5tMyBYb7BAxcoaUC-G9em1YlQzFUoVVnNd9CIiVX3KFMlTGVSZMw/s1600/popsicle+and+felt+matching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GDMqMUWaoGRLA3iGRBd1YYtL_O-koHIm7fJ0dGXMUyRo44ljTao8zCZ0adQo8mKlIkU_EET_P9FDmDoof2zHNcr5tMyBYb7BAxcoaUC-G9em1YlQzFUoVVnNd9CIiVX3KFMlTGVSZMw/s1600/popsicle+and+felt+matching.jpg" title="Montessori inspired felt color matching with popsicle sticks activity for toddlers" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For more Montessori activity ideas, this book is a great resource:</span><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=hassfreehous-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0312018649&asins=0312018649&linkId=7ELBV7322FVCZQB6&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Water Painting:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This is another super easy activity. Just give your kiddo some water and some brushes and/or sponges to use to "paint" with water, and let them have fun decorating the patio, sidewalk, or driveway!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckFThKMI2EuOsNjPmvut8X32JOPH3pfg94KaTJScCHpkbnALvPuF7p0MKiUhZjK9TIOBeIo6_N_L5_AHOhOFMEm_NJb5FBW6lcny3IdCrJRSxXvhH166elygB9o7TGDKO2qrCYpLg1oY/s1600/water+painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckFThKMI2EuOsNjPmvut8X32JOPH3pfg94KaTJScCHpkbnALvPuF7p0MKiUhZjK9TIOBeIo6_N_L5_AHOhOFMEm_NJb5FBW6lcny3IdCrJRSxXvhH166elygB9o7TGDKO2qrCYpLg1oY/s1600/water+painting.jpg" title="outdoor water activity for toddlers" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Watering the Alphabet Letters:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Here is another self cleaning activity! Following the Montessori method, I color coded the letters (vowels are red; consonants blue), but you can do it however you like! Just use sidewalk chalk to draw some letters on the ground. Then, give your child a watering can and call out a letter for them to "water." If you are interested in learning more about the Montessori method and how it can be applied to learning the alphabet, I highly recommend visiting the website called <a href="http://livingmontessorinow.com/2010/09/07/in-what-order-should-you-introduce-letters-to-your-preschooler/" target="_blank">Living Montessori Now</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYXonvIf0BGsKXj7cRlDd8qusenWtgp84C5NYujOrV6as-O1FtvQNfmuluvn9VDbgo-eAiRrig8vD962iGtEfEUiYv1J7BFUxVraIWiU_0_Il0lwUJg5DTuS5nedZiMViXdZToDkp1rY/s1600/watering+alphabet+letters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="can be adapted to follow Montessori" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYXonvIf0BGsKXj7cRlDd8qusenWtgp84C5NYujOrV6as-O1FtvQNfmuluvn9VDbgo-eAiRrig8vD962iGtEfEUiYv1J7BFUxVraIWiU_0_Il0lwUJg5DTuS5nedZiMViXdZToDkp1rY/s1600/watering+alphabet+letters.jpg" title="watering the alphabet letters activity for toddlers" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sensory Play:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Toddlers love to use their whole body to explore the world, and sometimes that means getting their hands dirty! Don't be afraid to let them explore. I often use food items (such as jello or yogurt) for sensory play, because I don't have to worry about my daughter eating it. Although, I think her favorite sensory activity is to play with wet sand! Another favorite is to let her play with baking soda and vinegar- this allows you to incorporate some science into your sensory play!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHT0OGj8hqsMCiiwXXm7f22bEXGzdtoDy3SyU8Ze_AT7rogWcff8z8ZD7aopLxuLpKPZRV-g46HXS7cN-6GQBPI0S7SH_FzeMGv7sQnygWDMxemYFuifTnZ3oC8i2MqEICG0WNcNbQBM/s1600/Sensory+Play-+PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHT0OGj8hqsMCiiwXXm7f22bEXGzdtoDy3SyU8Ze_AT7rogWcff8z8ZD7aopLxuLpKPZRV-g46HXS7cN-6GQBPI0S7SH_FzeMGv7sQnygWDMxemYFuifTnZ3oC8i2MqEICG0WNcNbQBM/s1600/Sensory+Play-+PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" title="Sensory play acitivity ideas for toddlers" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Reusable Stickers (window clings):</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">My daughter has spent hours and hours playing with these! They also helped her learn vocab (especially with the "habitats" set- she learned the names of many animals). They come with laminated backgrounds you can use, but they also work just as well on windows and mirrors. They come in great for days when you are stuck at home when the weather is bad or the kiddo is sick. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgJJ6mjHWxnM7xPr18YuFdVeFxOw0CQ5IE_rgLqSErp-qu-lV_rsX9-8zaLJriw6iLBuNfS9okbr2erffjMYB8Qc76qoyYBeQ6lGTAXQWlEfgAlcRUog-FHCnoCrUp2e_yj6-j2JW5N8/s1600/sticker+cling+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="rainy day sick day toddler Melissa and Doug" border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgJJ6mjHWxnM7xPr18YuFdVeFxOw0CQ5IE_rgLqSErp-qu-lV_rsX9-8zaLJriw6iLBuNfS9okbr2erffjMYB8Qc76qoyYBeQ6lGTAXQWlEfgAlcRUog-FHCnoCrUp2e_yj6-j2JW5N8/s640/sticker+cling+collage.jpg" title="reusable window clings stickers for toddlers" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">These are the ones we have:</span><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=hassfreehous-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00606FVTS&asins=B00606FVTS&linkId=VRQUCWS6LK27227L&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Fun with Balloons:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There is so much fun to be had with a $1 pack of balloons! I like to buy the 12 inch party balloons. You could:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Blow up a balloon, without tying it, hand it to your child to let the air blow in their face (which you could turn into a science lesson!), or let the balloon go to watch it fly around the room as it deflates</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Throw the balloons, punch them, kick them, tie them from a string and pretend you are boxing- all these activities help your child develop develop motor skills and coordination!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Play catch.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Play the "don't let the balloon touch the ground" game.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Rub a balloon in your hair and use the static to stick the balloon to the wall.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Draw silly faces on deflated balloons, then watch the faces stretch out as you blow up the balloons.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Take a balloon outside on a windy day and see what happens when you throw it up in the air.</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> </span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUEEZf8isu5vfOYufcjmGLPE69Fizv8vCZZ7dCf9f4lFDA7gVKUwqUifrSTDL3xujivl-eAzAF1BL567Ge5LFf8ajgkeBnZ-o96qoHdOj1BnT3PhO-lSa33FsJa1eg4v3EUDYE5Uzwxg/s1600/balloon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUEEZf8isu5vfOYufcjmGLPE69Fizv8vCZZ7dCf9f4lFDA7gVKUwqUifrSTDL3xujivl-eAzAF1BL567Ge5LFf8ajgkeBnZ-o96qoHdOj1BnT3PhO-lSa33FsJa1eg4v3EUDYE5Uzwxg/s1600/balloon.JPG" title="balloon play ideas for toddlers" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">(Just a reminder: balloons are a potential choking hazard, so make sure you supervise closely!)</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"></span><br />Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-17359544916921813862014-07-18T20:16:00.000-07:002014-07-19T19:11:17.636-07:00Pre-literacy Activities<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Pre-literacy Activities for Toddlers, Preschoolers, and even Babies</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Introduction:</span></u> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">These are called pre-literacy activities, because realistically, you aren't going to be teaching your baby or toddler to read. However, helping them build their vocabulary and getting them exposed to and interested in letters and written materials will help them be prepared when it is time to learn how to read. Most of the ideas on this list are for toddlers and preschoolers, but some you can also do with your baby.</span><br />
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<li><span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Talk with your child about your day. One of the best ways to help your child develop language is simply by speaking with them!</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Listen to and dance to music with your child. We like to listen to free kid's music stations at <a href="http://pandora.com/"><span style="color: #2288bb;">Pandora.com</span></a> (they also have aps for your mobile device), or borrow CDs from the library. My daughter's favorite Pandora stations are the Disney channel and the First 5 CA channel.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Visit the library and let your child pick out which books to bring home.</span></li>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I9nCF2q8uoU/U8skpy8GgJI/AAAAAAAACQQ/TZZtw_uyrgI/s1600/IMG_4749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I9nCF2q8uoU/U8skpy8GgJI/AAAAAAAACQQ/TZZtw_uyrgI/s1600/IMG_4749.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Attend library events, such as story time.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Describe the items and talk about the colors you see at the grocery store.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Talk about the weather with your child.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Sing nursery rhymes and finger plays (such as "Itsy Bitsy Spider").</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Sing the alphabet song.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Look at a family photo album and name the people in the photos.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Act like an animal! Walk like a duck, jump like a frog, walk on all four like a doggie, meow like a cat, etc.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Put your child's name on the wall in his/her room and talk about the letters in the name.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Talk about signs you see.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Collect leaves with your child, and then sort them by size and color.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Ask your child many questions through out their day to keep them engaged.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">At bath time, talk about what sinks and what floats.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">At bath time, as them to point to various body parts. Or, as they get older, ask them, "Where is ______?" You could also have them point to body parts on you. Or, in our case, a very patient pet dog!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Categorize and label their toy containers with both word and pictures. This will help them associate written words with tangible items. As an added bonus, this will also help keep your home more organized!</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j9aW5hf9kVw/U8shqYzY-kI/AAAAAAAACNw/t_iyPi1sBoo/s1600/IMG_4746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j9aW5hf9kVw/U8shqYzY-kI/AAAAAAAACNw/t_iyPi1sBoo/s1600/IMG_4746.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MfEZsm7L34o/U8siRAGEEvI/AAAAAAAACP4/1QYUf8tkQUo/s1600/IMG_4744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MfEZsm7L34o/U8siRAGEEvI/AAAAAAAACP4/1QYUf8tkQUo/s1600/IMG_4744.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><u>Final Thoughts:</u> Interacting with your child is one of the best ways to help develop their language skills! Even if they aren't old enough be talking yet, you can read to them, talk with them, and sing songs with them everyday. <a href="http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/10/the-power-of-talking-to-your-baby/" target="_blank">Research</a> shows that the more words a baby or child hears, the more words they will learn, which will help them be more prepared to do well in school as they get older.</span><br />
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Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-65048860131834555262014-06-25T11:16:00.001-07:002015-08-09T04:10:42.491-07:00Easy Educational Activities for Toddlers (18-24 months and older) That You Can Do At Home<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">To develop creativity, as well as motor, language, and counting skills.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qWlwLdJNkG6tp-n4L2FG5tI8VTliaofBTNOPfJ-MqvJkVe-SQpoOTZkk4PyNjf0IS-ZtOEVDrWq2s8eukHPEHcB9EuSP4kUuAi5L2dUGv9W_GRQRZmNx__74xMEpfemcWWM_WAbfWdE/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage-+DIY+toddler+activities+18-24+months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="activity ideas" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qWlwLdJNkG6tp-n4L2FG5tI8VTliaofBTNOPfJ-MqvJkVe-SQpoOTZkk4PyNjf0IS-ZtOEVDrWq2s8eukHPEHcB9EuSP4kUuAi5L2dUGv9W_GRQRZmNx__74xMEpfemcWWM_WAbfWdE/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage-+DIY+toddler+activities+18-24+months.jpg" title="DIY easy at home toddler activities" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I'm always searching for new activities to try with my daughter. Often, the "toddler" activities I find on the internet are actually meant for older toddlers and preschoolers. This list has been tested and approved by my toddler daughter for younger toddlers. (Which isn't to say that older children couldn't enjoy them as well!) Here are a few of her favorite activities that are very simple and make use of things you may already have in your house, so they are cheap or free. No fancy toys required!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Shaving cream and food coloring as bathroom paint:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kS4LvOYADO0/U1q1UWjjE3I/AAAAAAAAAv0/nD9QDWMdaEY/s1600/IMG_20140422_205338_046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kS4LvOYADO0/U1q1UWjjE3I/AAAAAAAAAv0/nD9QDWMdaEY/s1600/IMG_20140422_205338_046.jpg" width="320" /> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a7vypiVxBk4/U1q8cfeEq6I/AAAAAAAABR8/d6Yxd9O1Mp4/s1600/IMG_20140422_211420_877-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a7vypiVxBk4/U1q8cfeEq6I/AAAAAAAABR8/d6Yxd9O1Mp4/s1600/IMG_20140422_211420_877-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Not only does this help your child work on motor skills, but this also allows him/her to be creative. You can also teach your child how to mix primary colors (red, blue, yellow) to make the secondary colors (purple, orange, green).</span><br />
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<u>Directions:</u> Just mix some food coloring into shaving cream. You can use a few drops to make a lighter color, or add 5 or 6 drops to make a bolder color, like I did. I used an old muffin tin as my "palette" and added some water color brushes.<br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Sponge Shapes = Bathtime Fun and Learning!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQJusebshbi9vwss3s3itEYWnAriRlWzo8LwFoNUYgxusUPERS_ngKy3yNq3ZNUPijXIKp8VRiPkS7hNqBy2xof8JGXd7VMY743hD3ZgnajKx3JoVy5qNj5tbk-CebXdITQp9IHHDyoU/s1600/IMG_4647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bath time activity" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQJusebshbi9vwss3s3itEYWnAriRlWzo8LwFoNUYgxusUPERS_ngKy3yNq3ZNUPijXIKp8VRiPkS7hNqBy2xof8JGXd7VMY743hD3ZgnajKx3JoVy5qNj5tbk-CebXdITQp9IHHDyoU/s1600/IMG_4647.JPG" title="teaching shapes to toddlers" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCqV5k_YfpdVCOaQLnFxnLoyWBkgPYq7AI233s2eogppSdxxMHsNG9tO8AMVKMgAUzIyjIOBI3_4h1DMI1ZIvMUWGW_C5kFx50dS2yFLWcH-Rwcy2Uun0cPHhvliy6UnLg3T85Yqwatc/s1600/IMG_4650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I came up with the idea for this when I saw floating foam alphabet letters for the bathtub. I was searching for a fun way to teach my daughter about shapes, and decided to make my own bath toys out of kitchen sponges. My goals initial goals were to help her with name and recognize shapes, but she also has fun sticking them to the wall. These sponge shapes can also be helpful if you are playing a game of "Does it sink?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><u>Directions:</u> You can really make these anyway you want, but here's what I did: I used colorful kitchen sponges (the kind that don't have a scrubbing surface on one side). I drew the outline of the shapes onto the sponges with a washable marker, and then cut the shapes out with a pair of scissors. Super easy.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRX90T3Y6F1cM_ZtM17X8YXOAuBPhId30pobdOdFjtMENQ_mg1Yk8HFiEMgQ2cwZPrcotcy-19Z8Q-yvdkwuyD-sTd-lsgl-XjObG4y3Q0X28b_l9CUhgJAsJ3StJMFahVLMFTy6kY-g/s1600/shape+sponges+directions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRX90T3Y6F1cM_ZtM17X8YXOAuBPhId30pobdOdFjtMENQ_mg1Yk8HFiEMgQ2cwZPrcotcy-19Z8Q-yvdkwuyD-sTd-lsgl-XjObG4y3Q0X28b_l9CUhgJAsJ3StJMFahVLMFTy6kY-g/s1600/shape+sponges+directions.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Cut up fabric to make "tissues" for empty wipes container</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L34UJNlYHkQ/U10y5qxQLqI/AAAAAAAABuk/JlaHL1URT7w/s1600/IMG_20140425_132429_795-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L34UJNlYHkQ/U10y5qxQLqI/AAAAAAAABuk/JlaHL1URT7w/s1600/IMG_20140425_132429_795-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><u>Directions:</u> </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Select your material. I find that something with a bit of texture works best (an old flannel sheet or some felt scraps). If you use a smooth fabric, the pieces won't stick together very well when your child tries to pull them out of the wipes container.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Use a baby wipe as a template, and cut your fabric squares to the same size as the baby wipe.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Fold the fabric tissues the same way that regular tissues are folded in a box. Pull the top one out, and let your little one go nuts!</span></li>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2GQBboo9k5g/U1vd83ppC3I/AAAAAAAABt8/RUAvCu401ME/s1600/IMG_20140425_132024_989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2GQBboo9k5g/U1vd83ppC3I/AAAAAAAABt8/RUAvCu401ME/s1600/IMG_20140425_132024_989.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pipe cleaner fun!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7BjQLg9j7fT8hwnk0MErL3r7pk9yucEZ6RjU82nLN0NOKa2Oy0OPq0WMSUmrOd1HXlNm1yQ0rVkjRmC5Rno97cA5Qm4wmiPPHNq6Qid0eeVme3_lWDIVZ_tyL7QrI_eO2DYlaz57QmE/s1600/pipe+cleaners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7BjQLg9j7fT8hwnk0MErL3r7pk9yucEZ6RjU82nLN0NOKa2Oy0OPq0WMSUmrOd1HXlNm1yQ0rVkjRmC5Rno97cA5Qm4wmiPPHNq6Qid0eeVme3_lWDIVZ_tyL7QrI_eO2DYlaz57QmE/s1600/pipe+cleaners.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Toddlers enjoy pulling the pipe cleaners out of a colander. You can also help them make bracelets and ankle bracelets. The pipe cleaners also provide a great opportunity to talk about colors and practice counting. Just make sure you supervise closely so that your kiddo doesn't poke him or herself.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Froggie pompom drop</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eSRCNaZt_xk/U8QZXBsESWI/AAAAAAAACM0/K0eefoERdes/s1600/IMG_4732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="fine motor skills and cause and effect for toddlers" border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eSRCNaZt_xk/U8QZXBsESWI/AAAAAAAACM0/K0eefoERdes/s1600/IMG_4732.JPG" title="froggie pompom drop toddler activity" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><u>Materials:</u></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">large, clean empty bottle</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">scissors</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">pompoms</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">tape (I used masking tape because that's what I had on hand, but I think red electrical tape would look even better!)</span></li>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">My daughter loves pompoms! One day, she was dropping pompoms into a water bottle, but had a hard time getting them back out. So, I decided to take an empty 2L bottle and cut a hole in it for her to get them back out. I then put masking tape around the edges so she wouldn't cut her hand on the edges. I decided the hole looked like a mouth. Since the bottle was green, I decided to turn it into a frog face! But, you could do any animal you want.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This activity helps develop fine motor skills. You could also use it to teach colors and counting.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Pompom scoop and transfer</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72Nqymqi5Cw2xTmzFsYB7MBWHz5hbtiOv8eFYFHewz4523mBON3sIRAnHxFWK22kk0NCwtDvntEibt_iRQSwbcsQ_cdQ-7qqAFgTOfnw0Co6gXfaBK_9QSS024PGSWr4iPXZsi-HQ1v4/s1600/pom+pom+scooping+and+transfer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72Nqymqi5Cw2xTmzFsYB7MBWHz5hbtiOv8eFYFHewz4523mBON3sIRAnHxFWK22kk0NCwtDvntEibt_iRQSwbcsQ_cdQ-7qqAFgTOfnw0Co6gXfaBK_9QSS024PGSWr4iPXZsi-HQ1v4/s1600/pom+pom+scooping+and+transfer.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I've been reading up recently on the Montessori education method and it's focus on teaching independence and practical skills to young children. This is a fun way to help your toddler develop motor skills and work with kitchen equipment. I used two bowls, a large spoon, and craft pom-poms, but if you don't have pompoms you could also use beans, cotton balls, or anything else that you have handy!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Counting!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We count all the time. Here are some of our favorite counting activities:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><u>Swing Counting at the Playground</u> One of my daughter's favorite games is to count when I'm pushing her on the swings at the park. I count 1-2-3-4 with small pushes, and then give her a really big push on 5. She has started counting with me and gets really excited when she knows the big push is coming on 5.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><u>Counting Songs</u> are a great way to practice counting. My daughter's current favorite is "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed." <a href="http://www.songsforteaching.com/numberscounting.htm" target="_blank">Click here</a> to visit the "Songs for Teaching" website for more songs and finger plays that teach counting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><u>Counting in your Environment</u> Count whatever you see! Cars in the parking lot, birds on a branch, legs on a dog.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Empty and refill the dishwasher and other chores:</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">My daughter loves to copy what I'm doing. One of her favorite things to do is take objects in and out of the dishwasher. She also likes to "help" me dust, sweep, and do the laundry.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pre-literacy Activities:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7286275421364642213#editor/target=post;postID=1735954491692181386;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=0;src=postname" target="_blank">click here for a link to a list of pre-literacy activities</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Start a Conversation!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">What are your toddlers favorite activities? Share in the comments below!</span><br />
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<br />Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-53301154736660236992014-04-18T21:13:00.001-07:002015-02-02T16:44:33.433-08:00Moving Checklists<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Moving Checklists: </strong>3 checklists to use at various points in time before your move!</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As soon as you know you will be moving:</span> </strong><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Get Lean and Mean! Get rid of stuff you don't need. Donate, sell, trash.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Many organizations, such as Salvation Army will actually come to your home to pick up clothes, household items, and small furniture.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You can often donate books and other media items to the local library</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Don't forget to get a receipt for tax purposes. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Research moving companies, truck rentals, etc.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">BBB has a rating system for many companies, even ones that aren't "BBB accredited" they also show you how the long the company has been in business. The longer the better! Companies who have stood the test of time tend to be more reliable.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For local moves, you will most likely be charged by the hour, plus mileage, and any fees</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For long distance moves, you will most likely be charged by weight. For a long distance move, you will want to get a binding estimate ahead of time.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Gather packing supplies (boxes, tape, sharpies, old newspapers or bubble wrap, etc)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Make a list of people and organizations you will need to contact with your new address once you move. Technically, you don't need to make this list right now. But, it's easier to do it now than 1 week before your move. Trust me on this one</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Depending on how far away you are moving, you may want to make a "bucket list" of things you want to do and people you want to visit before you leave your neighborhood.</span></li>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Things to think about starting 4-6 weeks before your move:</span></strong><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Stop buying in bulk (this is not the time to buy 4 months worth of tissues at Costco!)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Start using up things that are dangerous or difficult to transport (such as frozen food, bleach, ammonia) </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Throw out any expired items in your house! Check your medicine cabinet, bathroom, spice rack, kitchen shelves, etc.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Put in notice, as needed to local business you have contracts with (such as: apartment complex, landscaping company, and health club).</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Schedule transfer of service with utility companies.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Request time off work if needed</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For a local move, make arrangements for someone to care for your pets during the move.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Get up to date on all health and maintenance appointments (doctor visit, dental visits, vet visits, hair cuts, vehicle oil change, etc.). This step isn't necessary, but it will make life easier in the long run because you will give yourself more time to find new service providers after you move. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Gather copies of health records, school records, etc.</span></li>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The final few weeks and days before moving day:</span></strong><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Notify <a href="https://www.usps.com/umove/" target="_blank">post office</a> and others of your new address. If you have a long distance move, and won't be able to receive your mail on the first day after you move, you can often request that the post office <a href="https://holdmail.usps.com/holdmail/" target="_blank">hold your mail</a> at your new place.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Confirm date and time with moving company.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Pick up any items you lent out or sent out (dry cleaning, items lent to friends, etc.)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Return any items that don't belong to you (library books, rented cable box, etc.)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Prep your pets</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If you have dogs: groom them. Personally, I like to wash my dogs two days before I take them on a road trip. They shed like crazy the first day after I wash them. If I do it two days before, the shedding is back to a normal, but they still smell nice in the car. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Make sure you fill any prescriptions you will need</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Pay any bills that are due soon</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Do a move out inspection with your landlord, if you have one, or with new buyers if you are selling your current home.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Make a list of everything that will going in the car with you, and set these items aside</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">items you will need in the first few days</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">important documents</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">valuables</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">pet food, bowls, toys, leashes, liter box</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">tools to reassemble furniture</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">entertainment for the kiddos</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Set aside cleaning items (such as broom and vacuum) that you want to be packed last so that you can clean up when leaving and moving in </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Defrost the freezer if you are moving it</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Stock the fridge with cold beverages for you and your movers.</span></li>
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Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7286275421364642213.post-50555401292656549282014-03-30T21:57:00.001-07:002015-02-02T16:46:20.784-08:00Moving Tips<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Moving Tips.... from someone who has done it too many times!</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have moved quite a few times in my adult life. Some were easier moves, such as across town, and some more challenging, such as moving across the country (and into a small apartment from a much larger house!) Like most people, I still hate moving and packing, but I have learned quite a few tricks to make it go smoother. I would like to share some of my tips for organizing a move. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My tips fall into three categories:</span> </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>Declutter </em>(you can do this anytime!)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>Plan ahead: Figure out what you need to do, including researching and managing your movers</em> (if you need to hire help)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>Pack your boxes in order of priority</em> (items you use often should go into the same boxes)</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQfZ11ZMUMGLxgSIajYAC_n6St3N3kzODnYTsmFMkslv-wcYdumrmO6guZmDFHlpudhqd8P5dn6wbl81KFawLo1i1fLYz1Z26EWtjQImFZGofH-hBEFcTYLY3MWEe_Fu2FOwy8BJ8bp4/s1600/moving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQfZ11ZMUMGLxgSIajYAC_n6St3N3kzODnYTsmFMkslv-wcYdumrmO6guZmDFHlpudhqd8P5dn6wbl81KFawLo1i1fLYz1Z26EWtjQImFZGofH-hBEFcTYLY3MWEe_Fu2FOwy8BJ8bp4/s1600/moving.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Contemplating a move? </span></b><br />
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<i>Time to Become Lean and Mean!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As soon as you even think you might be moving, it's a good idea to start evaluating what belongs in your life. Personally, I think it's therapeutic to do this even if you aren't contemplating a move. I feel lighter when I get unnecessary things out of my life. However, it becomes extra important if you may or will be moving. If you have the time, start sorting through your items before you start packing! If you don't use it, throw it out! Or donate it, or sell it. Small items are easy to sell on Ebay. Large items, like unwanted furniture, can be sold on Craigslist (just use safety precautions!). Also, donate, donate, donate! Goodwill and Salvation Army are good places to donate clothing and household items. Local libraries often take used books and media. They will either add them to their collection or sell them to raise funds. You may also be able to find local charities, or friends, who need your items as well. When donating to charities, don't forget to ask for receipts in case you decide to itemize on your taxes. (Get rid of stuff and get break on your taxes! Win win!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After moving so many times, and throwing out so much "stuff" that has accumulated, I have learned to really value what's important to me and what I can live without. Now, I actually enjoy purging unwanted items. I feel lighter. I used to waste so much time organizing, and working around items that I never actually used. Following the "lean and mean" motto can also help you save money and become a smarter consumer. So, once you've purged, and have completed your move, keep up with your commitment to be lean and mean! If you see something cool at the store, but you don't have a definite purpose for it, don't buy it.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Start Prepping!</span></i><br />
<i><br /></i><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7286275421364642213#editor/target=post;postID=5330115473666023699;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=0;src=postname" target="_blank">Click here for my moving checklists</a></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a set moving date? Do you need to hire movers to help?</span></b><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do your research on moving companies</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I recommend that you ask around for referrals. If you're moving into or out of an apartment, the apartment leasing office staff might be a good place to start. Chances are, they've heard stories of the good, the bad, and the ugly of all the movers in the area. If all else fails, you can go online and read reviews. However, keep in mind that anyone can write a review on the Internet. Try to find a company that has a lot of positive reviews over a period of time. They more likely are well established and reliable. Also, check the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints against the company. Even if they aren't registered with the BBB, they will often have a profile and rating on the BBB website. This site can also tell you how long the company has been in business. I also recommend using a moving company who background checks and insures their workers. Finally, find out what materials they will include. Even if they aren't doing the packing for you, many movers will supply things like wardrobe boxes for you to borrow (which is fantastic, because they are not cheap if you buy your own), and plastic wrap for your dressers to keep the shelves closed (so you don't have to go through the hassle of emptying and packing the contents of your drawers).</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Scheduling and obtaining an estimate</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Are you hiring help? It's best to schedule a moving company 3-6 weeks ahead of time. They tend to book up quickly. This is especially true if you are moving on the weekend or at the end or beginning of the month, or during busy moving season (which is usually the late spring and summer, unless you live in a super hot climate). If you are doing a long distance move, you may want to get a binding estimate before you schedule your move (most companies' estimates are good for 30 days).</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Moving day is here! Time to meet your movers.</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It never hurts to "grease" the wheels on moving day. In other words, don't forget to take care of your moving people! Let them know you will tip them well if they do a good job. Also, I like to have bottled water and Gatorade on hand for them, especially when moving on a hot day. I know some people may think tipping and providing refreshments is unnecessary, since you are all ready spending a bundle on the move. In my area, moving costs exceed $35/hour/person for loading and unloading. But, keep in mind, the moving company is taking most of the profit, not your individual movers. So, I think it's only fair they be rewarded individually for their hard work of moving all of your most precious belongings.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Packing! </span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prioritize what items you use the most before you start packing</span>.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have recurring stress dreams, nightmares if you will, about packing. I hate it! However, if you are smart about it, you will save a lot of hassle on the back end when it comes time to unpack.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Label and pack not just by room, but also by priority</span> </span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I think it's pretty standard to label your box with the room, and make notes of what is in the box. (Although, I recently saw someone moving out of my apartment with like, 10 huge boxes, and not a one was labeled with even the room. So, maybe this isn't common sense for some?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After picking a room and designating a box for that room, what work for me is to go in that room and pack the items I rarely use. Then, I label the room on the box, make some notes to myself about what is in the box (pretty standard), and then, I write "Low Priority" on the box. That way, after the move, I know I can take my time getting around to opening the box. After packing low priority items in each room into corresponding boxes, I move onto "Medium Priority" and final "High Priority" boxes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This strategy will also save your sanity! You can pack those low priority items weeks ahead of time and barely notice they're packed away. Meanwhile, you can leave your silverware till the day before.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The low down on color coding</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm not gonna lie, I love color coding things. However, I would skip color coding boxes by room unless you are the only one doing the unloading during the move. Your movers (whether professionals or helpful friends) are not going to want to have to remember that pink means living room and blue means kitchen. It will be so much easier for them if you just write "kitchen" on the box of full of pots and pans and "living room" on the box full of DVDs. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, if you are just color coding for yourself, go for it! I'm thinking of using green, yellow, and red stickers for my next move: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: lime;">green=</span> <span style="color: lime;">high priority</span> (GO ahead and unpack right away)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: yellow;">yellow</span><span style="background-color: yellow;">= medium priority</span> (PROCEED WITH CAUTION- unpack after all the green boxes are empty)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">red=</span> <span style="color: red;">low priority</span> (STOP- unpack these boxes last)</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Number each box and make an electronic document listing what is in each box.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I used to write notes to myself each box, about what was in each box. Unfortunately, I wouldn't know how the boxes would be stacked in the new place, so I would end up writing a huge list on the top and several sides of the boxes, just to make sure I would be able to read the list no matter what way the boxes ended up being arranged. What a pain. Now, I just type out a list on the computer and then e-mail it to myself. (box #1=coffee maker, toaster, plates ; box #2= jewelry, scarves, shoes) An added bonus is that this labeling method is more secure when you have an unknown movers taking care of your items. A box labeled "#2 bedroom" is a lot less likely to go mysteriously missing than a box labeled "expensive jewelry and latest Apple product." (Not that movers would steal your stuff, but it's just better not to put the temptation out there, right?)</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best wishes on your move!</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What moving tips do you have? Please share in the comments. I would love to hear your suggestions!</span><br />
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<br />Motsie321http://www.blogger.com/profile/10617820749445559628noreply@blogger.com2