Natalia is at that age where she wants to do EVERYTHING I do AND when I'm doing it.
While I'm fixing her hair, she's combing her baby doll's bare head. One day, Pete even got in on the action. What a good sport.
Bathing and bathroom related things...I don't need to say more.
Brushing teeth--she insists on doing it while I am. Somedays this is really not a good idea as my gag reflex is still quite strong.
Cooking, washing dishes...
Today I discovered a GREAT distraction! While making dinner, she was perched as usual on a nearby stool, and I dug out a blank recipe card and pencil for her. She was content for a whole 15 minutes as I dictated a "grocery list/recipe" for her to write down. Definately going to use this one again! :o)
The best part was that she was offering suggestions of things we "needed" and would say, "Oh Mom! You for-dot sum-ping!"
And of course it was hard to get a picture of her while sitting still, much less with her eyes open. So, then of course she shut her eyes on purpose! :o)
Today's weather has been gorgeous, but we've had a number of dreary, rainy days and this week may hold some more. We've been combating our stir-craziness with blowing bubbles in the bathtub. Tomorrow I may whip up a batch of edible playdough.
Here's a recipe I found in the LMHS cookbook:
1 c. peanut butter
1 c. corn syrup
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 1/2 c. powdered milk
Mix all ingredients well, adding alittle flour if too sticky. "Feeds" six children. :o)
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What other activities do you pull out of your hat to keep the kiddos busy during the rainy/cold months of the year?
5 comments:
Great ideas! Hannah just discovered the "fun" of doing dishes with mommy! I actually got all the dishes done this afternoon! We haven't yet been cleared for peanut butter, but as soon as we are... that recipe will be top on our list.
Hannah is also enjoying "helping" me with the laundry. Now I just need to convince her that the dirty clothes need to go into the washing machine BEFORE the dryer.
We were so stir crazy yesterday we went for a walk in the heavy mist/rain and played in the sand at the ocean.
I'll be eager to see what others have come up with.
I've never seen peanut butter as an ingredient for homemade play doh! Tasty! :)
Mmm, I have no suggestions as of yet. My boys have been bouncing off the wall with all this rain, though.
Dana, you reminded me of one of Natalia's newest favorite things--"folding" her laundry (aka making piles and bunching things up). She will even drag out a gift bag to stack them into like I do with her collapsable hamper.
She of course wants to help fold any kind of laundry, so it takes all of my creative power to get us to the completion stage of this task...but she's my BIG helper! :o)
My Top Ten List for Keeping Little Ones Busy.
1. Squirt a pile of shaving creme on the table. Let her play in it. It is alot like finger paint. Make sure it doesn't get in her eyes.
2. Have her color or paint pictures. Send them to family that live out of the area.
3. Look through your wedding album with her.
4. Go to Lancaster County Libraries website. Click on TumbleBooks sidebar. These are books that are read outloud. Sit her on your lap and enjoy! So cool!
5. Lay out a big piece of butcher paper. Dip her cute little feet in washable paint and let her walk over the paper.
6. It is never too early to start having tea parties together! Serve crackers, apple slices, and smarties. Serve milk or juice in a container she can pour. Create your own "tea names". Talk to her in an English accent.
7. Flannel graph- remember from when we were kids? I use it to teach bible stories.
8. Make sock puppets and put on a puppet show behind the sofa.
9. Teach her a finger play or simple song with motions.
10. Teach her your favorite "naughty habit or trick". I shared with my children the joy of squirting whipped creme straight into your mouth. It brings us endless giggles!
I hope you find something from this list! Heidi H.
Wow! Thanks Heidi--that list was great! :o) Loved hearing from you!
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