Baby's First Marks

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On a recent trip to our local favorite playground, I noticed that Kz was making marks in the sand. At first, I thought it was incidental, but after a closer look, I realized his marks were quite intentional. I typically engage in sensory play with Kz and while some of the activities we do are filled with fine motor benefits, I haven't prepared many activities that encourage deliberate mark making. What was I waiting for?

Once I caught on, we started exploring different mark making tools. Kz began writing with sticks so we compared the marks that different sized sticks could make.

This was the biggest stick we could find. 

When sticks became scarce, we got creative and made thick marks with a toy truck...

When Kz found these leaves, he immediately brushed the ground with them. I pointed out the unique marks they made.

He also practiced writing over some doodles of my own.

"Mom, what do you mean we can't draw with that one..."

Kz worked hard with several tools to create this drawing. He didn't seem too impressed with it, but I was one proud mama. We will definitely do some more intentional mark making and pre-writing at home. I'm sorry it wasn't on my radar, Kz!

The Very First Magic Moments Link-up!

WELCOME to the newest kid-friendly blog hop! We hope you'll take the time to share some of the magical moments you spend with your children. Big or small, we want to hear them all! I'll start...

For me, the most magical moments with Kz are the ones that I don't plan. Don't get me wrong, I am trilled when Kz is engaged in an activity I've created for him. I love to watch him learn, discover and problem solve. But there is something special about the learning and growth that takes place more organically. The first time you see your shadow, the sound of the rustling leaves in the trees, the sparkling reflection of the sun on the water... these moments are the most magical.

I searched the depths of my photo library and found so many snapshots of wonder, joy, laughter,  and love. It was hard to choose the most magical of them all, but here were a few that sparked an instant smile. 

Watching a flock of birds swirl above the river and quacking at the ducks as they swim by...

Exchanging treasures on an outdoor adventure...

Watching dandelion seeds float on the breeze...

Experiencing sheer joy as the wind hits your face...

Being a fly on the wall to the depths of the unknown..

Learning about family and the power of tradition through awe-inspiring candlelight...

Curious fascination in the things we see each day...

Saying hello to new friends...

And showing love to old friends...

Take a trip down memory lane by looking through your old photos. I'll bet you have a zillion magic moments, waiting to be remembered.

Now it's your turn! We want to hear about the magical moments you've had with your children. 

It's simple:

• Link a family-friendly post about a special event, big (or small) milestone, important moment, fun activity, wild story, parenting faux pas or lesson learned...anything you consider to be a magical moment between you and your child!
• Please be kind and link back by including the grab button below in your post or on your site. (Text links work for linking back, too).  
• Please, no links to promotions or giveaways. They will be deleted. (Mean moderator face)
• Spread the love! Check out other submissions, leave comments, and tell EVERYONE about our awesome blog hop!  

Stop by the other amazing blogs that are hosting this link party! 

Magic Moments Monday Host Bloggers:

• Play Learn Love
• Simple.Home.Blessings.
• House of Burke
• Kz and Me
• LalyMom
• and Pennies of Time

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Corn Silk Color and Shape Sensory Bin

You're going to think I've really lost it now, but you know my theory about using perfectly good food as a sensory material (If you don't, you can read it HERE, where I directly contradict myself by using spaghetti as a sensory tool), so I am constantly on the lookout for ways to use food extras. Anyway, when I was shucking corn for an impromptu BBQ, I started eyeing the silk. My husband could see the wheels turning from a mile away and said, "Can you at least finish shucking it before doing whatever your about to do with it." (Sorry hunny). So I did my duty, all the while making sure to save every strand of that corn silk.

It was so cool! Long, shiny, rubbery, sticky, stringy...perfect for sensory play! The best part is, it would have gone right in the garbage anyway, so why not explore it a bit first, right?

When I finished extracting the silky strands from the corn husk (which was super easy by the way), I decided they needed some color. I separated them into four different bowls and mixed in a few drops of food coloring. I used rubber dishwashing gloves to do this because food coloring really gets in the skin and is terrible to clean. It rinsed right off the gloves with water. Let the color dry a bit or you will be stamped with food coloring as soon as you touch it due to the non-absorbent nature of the silk. I let it stand for about an hour and it was good to go. To spice things up even more, I added shapes that corresponded with each color in the bin. Now it was time to play!

Note: The strands break fairly easily and you DO NOT want to be cleaning this stuff up off your floor or your carpet, so take this activity outside.

Kz pulled the strands and mushed them around, looking at the web of silk that stuck between his fingers. He flung large piles of silk and giggled when they landed on the grass (relieved to have his hands free again). He searched for his shapes...

And worked hard to free them from the corn silk, too.

What crazy things have you been using for sensory play?

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12 Flower Activities Perfect for Spring {Weekly Kid's Co-op #6}

Spring is in the air and the flowers are in full bloom. Here are 12 flower-themed activities for kids from the Weekly Kid's Co-op!

1. Pounded Flower Prints - Life with Moore Babies
2. Planting Flowers - Frogs & Snails & Puppy Dog Tails 
3. Montessori Inspired Flower Activities - Living Montessori Now
4. Spring Banners from Leaf and Flower Pounding - Buggy and Buddy
5. Painting with Flowers - Frogs & Snails & Puppy Dog Tails
6. Picasso Inspired Flower Craft - Rubber Boots and Elf Shoes
7. Connecting Nature and Art Flower Craft - KC Edventures
8. Hand Print Flower Bags - We Made That.Com
9. Hand Print Flowers - We Made That.Com
10. Flower Beading - The Usual Mahem @ B-Inspired Mama
11. Muffin Cup Flower Craft - Squarehead Teachers  
12. MYO Flower Fairies - Mama Rosemary 

 Come link up this week by clicking READ MORE below! Please check some of the other amazing ideas at the Kid's Co-op and don't forget to link back by grabbing the button! 

 

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First Outdoor Play

While we are due for one last snowfall tonight, the late day sunlight and blossoming bulbs are proof that Spring is just around the corner. I am a big fan of outdoor/nature play for children so I've been dying to get outside with Kz, especially since he's never crawled on the grass before!

So, when we scored a freak 50 degree day last week, we snagged our chance...

It was so much fun to be able to just plop Kz down and let him roam free. While we've tried to make a pretty expansive play area in our home, there are the inevitable no climb-zones and occasional gates that block off any unsafe areas. I pictured him seeing the front yard as miles and miles of open land just waiting to be explored. Until, of course, he headed straight for the muddy flower beds. Then I was like that annoying GPS lady, recalculating his route at every wrong turn.

Kz LOVED all the crunchy leaves on the ground. He stopped and touched every one he could find. If one was particularly lovely, he would sit up and examine it more closely. Then, inevitably, he would try to taste it. Uh oh. Here comes that annoying lady again...


When Kz was doing something he knew he shouldn't (like eat leaves), he would take off crawling as fast as he could away from me. Like so...

Then, when he thought I wasn't looking, he'd do this...

Yup, that's a leaf.

I distracted him by collecting some special items like a clover, a twig and a rock...

And he found some special things on his own...

Kz also got some quality male bonding time with Daddy. They played ball...

Looked at things from a different perspective...

And rolled around as boys do...

Finally, I stole some precious moments of my own...

 

I can't wait to do some more exploring outdoors with Kz. For younger babies, bring a blanket outside and lie them on their backs. They will love looking up at the moving clouds in the sky and the rustling leaves on the trees. Bringing bubbles outdoors is a guaranteed good time for babies and toddlers alike. Kz was more interested in feeling (and tasting) his way through as much area as he could cover. On the next beautiful day, we will collect some natural materials in a bin to keep. That way we can explore nature indoors even on the gloomiest days!