I re-use it!!

I know it is sad but I am not good at being Green. One thing I am good at is finding a new life for old stuff. Here is some things I reuse for our table time (Tot School).

Juice boxes I just started saving them. They are strong and it was the right size for the pens. I will be finding more uses for them I am sure.

I am sure we all reuse bubble wrap.(Girlygirl use to hate the noise but loves it now)

It is hard to see but that is one of Girlygirl's paintings made into cutting strips. I save the piece she cuts and give then to her to glue later. I have tried to let her cut and glue at the same time but it hasn't yet worked for her. Play-doh tubs work great for holding things on her trays. I also use the smaller one for sorting or with a small wet rag for painting (this keeps the water cup from making a mess). I save all our lids above she used the to glue below I traced and cut them out for her circle collage.The lacing card is made out of a cracker box and a painting Girlygirl did. I use old food tubs for lots of stuff to store stuff or to hold things on the tot tray. In this tub is cut paper and glue stick.

A cigar box become letter box.

Egg cartons are great. We us then lots we made Easter bunnies this year with them but no picture. Above: is was we use for counting. Below is pattern matching.The mail box is made from a tissue box.The jar is hold all kind of old stuff.We painted news paper hearts for Valentine's Day. I know I do reuse other stuff and I am do an other post about it someday. I just don't want this to be too long or is it too late. Anyways what do you reuse in your tot school or just with your kids?

Three Ways to Get Cheep Sand Toys

I was at Target to buy a gift Girlygirl always likes to look the toys and it is cute to hear her say, "I save money. Not Mommy's money. OWN!" Anyways we went down the lisle with the summer stuff. I was shocked at the price of the toys. So when I got home I thought I'd let all you know what I do to keep sand toys cheep. I would say spend the money to get one nice shovel for each child. I have noticed that with shovels it make a big differences. Other than that here are a few things I do.

1. The Dollar Tree has great cheep sand buckets. At least last year the did they are big and come with a shovel. (the big kids broke them a lot) 2. Save your plastic food tubs; butter, peanut butter, sour cream, etc. are great. The size are fun to making castle (at least for me) 3. A few years ago I had a ton of formula scoops. Whenever I brought them every kid that the pack loved them. I wish I saved more but I trying to get my sitters to save theirs. If you start save your stuff now your kids will have fun all summer at the beach, park or in the back yard sand box.

Remember to play in the sand with the kids they will like it more even if you have nothing. What is your or your child's favorite sand toy?

Back Yard Scavenger hunt

If you have read my 100 free things to do with kids post then you may have say that I said do  back yard/living room scavenger hunt. You do not need to have stuff to hide. Just make a list of this for your children to find. Maybe get them a bag to hold the stuff. For older kids you can have them draw and write about what  they find if you want. You can make it so the learn new stuff of just have fun. Here are some thought about what you can find.

• sticks-tell how many or how big
• flowers-name a color
• rocks
• toys you have
• water hose
• bird-tell the kind
• leafs-tell how many or what kind
• weeds
• animals-your pet or something that you see off ten in your backyard like a cat or bunny

That is all I can think of right now but you could add to the list if you have more ideas. This would be a great way to get your kids outside and moving. Here are a few great list that I found online.

• Earth day nature Hunt
• Camping Scavenger Hunt- Some will work for things in your back yard too

Happy hunting.

Cheep ways to get Toddler top 10 Favorite Playtimes

Girlygirl loves to play but lots of times is not sure what to do without being shown what to do. After lots of play time with me and all the kids I have cared for she is starting to pick her own favorites here is this weeks top 10 favorite things for Girlygirl to play:

1. dolls-we got most as gifts. A great way to get doll clothing that will last is to buy Preemie or newborn baby clothing.
2. dress up-we have lots again some where gifts but I did buy most of them. We go to garage sales all summer great place to get old clothing and really dress up clothing for cheep.
3. painting-not that cheep and I have not found a good get paint. Girlgirl loves to paint and we do it weekly.
4. trains-I got a wood track for Ikea. They are great and work with Tomas the trains but way cheaper.
5. cook-She has lots of play food and plates she loves to make food for everyone here. She also likes to help in the kitchen.
6. ride one toys-she has lots i think 5 for outside and 2 in. All the outside ones where found on trash day. The 2 inside where gifts.
7. books-we also asking for them as gifts. I so look for good deals every where we go. You never know where you will find a good book at a great deal.
8. color-She likes makers best but when I say no she will use crayons. We got ours at the back to school sales and at the Dollar Tree. We use both paper and coloring books.
9. bags-not sure why but having a bag full of stuff brings Girlgirl great joy.
10. going to park-free and great fun.

Remember to let your child do it themselves that is how the learn but play next time them. They will learn from what you do.

Doll Bath

I have read about letting your toddler give their babies a bath. Today we did and Girlygirl loved it. I just filled a toy tube 1/4 wit water and soap. Gave Girlygirly a a doll to wash. It was easy and she did if for about 20 min. That is always good. When she got up I told she had to be done no coming back. We then cleaned up together. Here are some cute pictures of her playing

Top 5 Activities For Toddlers

Top 5 Activities For Toddlers

1. Bag things up-it doesn't have to be a bag Girlygirl likes a her toy shopping cart and rolling bag best.
2. Ride in the Laundry Basket-just put them in push or pule them around. Be a bus, a car, or a train to make it even more fun.
3. A big box-to hide in, color, make a house or whatever they can do.
4. Glue-now this one is messy but they love it. You just need per-cut paper and glue. To help Girlygirl but paper in the right place I tell her to hide the glue.
5. Bubbles-no more needs to be said

Homeschool Preschool: The Jar part 2

Here are some pictures of Girlygirl playing with the jar.  She loves the stuff and it make her have to use her imagination.

Be a kid too!!

One thing that kids love about me is I will take the time to be a kid too. Sometimes it is great fun other it is just fun to see their joy. Go for a bike ride with your kids but don't be the mom race them home. Sit down and do the craft with your kids. Play dough is still one of my favorite thing to do with kids. I can distress this way. Get in a water fight or maybe start a mud fight. Laugh when your child plays a joke on you.

Day Tirp with the Kido

The other day I was reading a book and it list all kind of things to do with the kids when they are at home with you. I am going to copy the list so you and I have it when we are looking for things to do.

• Fire Station-we just did this with our play group although girlygirl is too young. Five (one girl I baby sit). Had tons of fun so did the other preschooler.
• Artist Studio
• big building down town
• auto body shop
• bridal shop
• dairy
• farm
• hospital-see the babies
• Library-I let each kid pick out two books and I get one to read Five when are waiting to pick Big Sis (other girl I baby sit) from school. Would be great to do before bed with older preschoolers. Five loves it.
• movies-find the cheep ones near you
• museum-find the children one. we have one not too far from here and all three girls love it.
• newspaper
• nursing home- bring gifts, go more than once get to know the people
• park- have a picnic, go weekly or daily
• pet store-one with pets are fun ask if you can pet the dog or cat
• plays-I see many for young ones but haven't tried it yet
• police station
• restaurant-try to set up seeing the back in a less busy time
• work-visit daddy's or a friend's
• zoo