Marbles Museum

We are fortunate to have an amazing children's museum located in Raleigh. Marbles Museum offers classes on Tuesdays for toddlers. It is a great opportunity for G to interact with other children, explore new things, and Mommy gets ideas for activities to do at home.

 The sensory table was filled with rice and beans this week. G loved scooping them into pots and pans and stirring them around. It was also fun to scoop and practice pouring.

 There were also children size brooms and dustpans so the kids could practice sweeping up when rice went over board.

 G just liked filling the dustpan up with rice. :)

 They also had a table with GAK (which is a mixture of borax and glue) They colored the GAK blue and put plastic animals inside. G loved digging through the GAK to discover what animal was hidden.

 Some of the children were more timid with touching the GAK so it was great for them to have a chance to try something new.

 G loves getting messy as you have probably figured out by now. She went to town! I would hide the animals again and she would dig them out again. This went on for a good 10 minutes.

 Painting! I always enjoy their messy station. Today there was black paper and white paint. They also had cool little puff balls that made a great design. This is always the station that is the hardest to replicate at home for me. She is the least interested in it and it requires the greatest clean up energy.

 I always let her try it once, but after that I steer her clear of this table. If she would stay longer and enjoy it I would totally be willing to clean up, however I am a reasonable Mommy. If all she wants to do is smear her hand in paint and run off - then it's a no. You've got to use your brain. :)

 Their kitchen/house chores area had a vacuum! G loved pretending she was vacuuming the floor. At home she usually helps me, literally under my feet, so it was no surprise she loved having one that was G sized to push around.

 We are really working on "pretend" play and how that means you don't really eat the "pretend" food and it is finally working! This girl takes small bites in the air next to the food and puts it back down. It has taken thousands of times gently correcting her and modeling appropriate pretend behavior, but I think it is finally paying off. :)

Our class at Marbles goes for 4 weeks so I will keep updating on the new stations so we can remember these ideas for home!

Smell the Roses

We totally forgot G's high chair when we went over to have dinner with her Uncle T. Luckily we thought quick on our feet and decided to have a picnic. G could run around outside and enjoy the weather and have lasagna on Uncle T's lap.

 The beautiful weather sure does create a positive and happy energy in my small child. :)

 After dinner I could tell G still had a lot of energy. So we took her up to a shopping plaza near us that has a really great green space. G loves smelling all the flowers and looking at everything.

 A highlight is walking on this narrow brick wall. The danger thrills her, terrifies me, but thrills her - so we let her do it.

 Some parents are very over protective not allowing their children to do anything where they may get hurt. I have chosen a more laid back approach. We will certainly have more bumps and bruises that is for sure, but I believe this will also create an incredible independent and confident young lady. She knows she can do anything and that Mommy believes in her. Even when she falls.

 Heading back to the car. We are consistent with G that near cars she must hold a hand. She doesn't always want to but eventually she will get the correlation. Car = hand being held.

We have an obligation to our children to fill them up with love and confidence. The world will take care of letting her know she isn't perfect. Right now she needs to know that she is.

Indoor Swimming Pool

We had so much fun swimming with some friends this morning.  I couldn't resist a front and back shot of this bathing suit. I love the ruffles!

 One of our friends had a water camera and it was so cool! We got to take up close pictures in the pool and even got one under the water.

 This is coming out of the water.

 Underneath! She is a water girl for sure.

 All smiles.

Gorgeous Morning

Take the time to slow down and allow yourself to go toddler speed. Now sometimes this means running as fast as they can down the path, sometimes it means turning on a moments notice and running the opposite direction, off roading is usually  involved as is checking out different things in nature!

 I ask her lots of questions while we explore like, "where are we going?" or "hmm it looks like we are surrounded by bushes, do you think we should go back?" but I allow her to be the one deciding and she loves it.

 Now please understand this is not an every day all the time activity! That would drive a person mad! But I do try and set aside some time each week when G gets to be the boss.

 Yup, still loving the swings. I do tell her after 10 minutes or so that we need to find a different activity so my arms will not fall off. :)

 She found an old stump and she loved it! Her knees looked pretty scraped up after attempting this climb but she was so proud.

 Toddlers notice things that we miss as grown ups until we slow down at their pace. G LOVED this bridge, and at first I couldn't figure out why. Then I realized it was the sound. She would run from one side to the other because it made a really great thudding sound as her feet hit the boards.

 Slowing down and enjoying these moments with my daughter has made me appreciate life so much more.

Stuffed Animals

It doesn't take millions of dollars or fancy trips to get great smiles on their faces.

 Recently G has been obsessed with all things animals and dolls. So one morning I got her up on the couch and just started covering her up with furry and fluffy friends. She LOVED it!

 Not only did she constantly look from animal to doll to animal, but she was getting attention this age so desperately needs.

 I want my daughter to know that I see her and that I love what I see.

 Best morning.