Sea Animals Day!

By OneMommy on June 22, 2012

Last week we had so much fun with our Pirate Day that I’ve decided to do a theme day each week this summer.

This week our theme day was based on sea animals and the following books:sea animal activities(Yes, that first book is a BIG book, divided up by habitats.  We focussed on the animals that live in the ocean – some of which weren’t mentioned in our second book, like octopuses.)

We started our day by reading our books and reviewing the facts about our favorite sea animals.

 

I decided the pond would be a great place to start our day – after all, we could practice swimming like fish and even see a few real ones!

We practiced moving like sea animals as we walked to the pond.

First we started as a school of fish.  We wiggled our hands together in front of us while making sure we all went the same speed and changed directions at the same time, just like a real school of fish.  Then we were octopuses – turning backwards and blowing through a straw to push ourselves through the “water.”ocean animal activityAfter that we were crabs, walking sideways and snapping our claws.  Finally, we had to be sharks!  Hands together and held up for dorsal fins.

We had a blast at the pond, and even caught sight of the elusive SW Ohio dog fish…shepsky lab

After fun at the pond we headed home for a tasty treat.  ocean animal snack

I tried using Jello molds for the first time, but they didn’t come out looking as nice as I’d hoped.  Thankfully, the kids didn’t care and had fun fishing for gummy sharks in the Jello.

Once we were refreshed, it was time for a quick craft.  I had a pack of sea animal sponges that I had found at Target.  I pulled them out to try some sponge painting.  ocean animal craft

They had fun painting animals on their mini ocean scenes.  (Looking for a more challenging craft having to do with sea animals?  How about a toilet paper tube octopus?)

Afterwards they took the sponge animals to the tub to do a little more swimming and get cleaned up!

 

I think they are hoping for another great sea day soon because when we went to the library this week we came back with 3 more sea animal books…  Or maybe my son just wants a shark day – that’s what all the new books are about.

 

What’s your child’s favorite sea animal?

 

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~OneMommy

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Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

By OneMommy on May 26, 2012

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

We spent part of our Saturday prepping the backyard into our summer resort.

The kiddie pool is up and ready.  The sun shade is up.  And the Kool-Aid is chillin’.

You’re all welcome anytime!

Hope you have a fantastic weekend to start your summer festivities!

And to all of you in the military, or who have loved ones in the military, a BIG thank you for all you do and all your sacrifices!

~OneMommy

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COSI and the USAFM

By OneMommy on May 19, 2012

Last year we went to Florida.  And while we may not be taking such an involved trip this summer, we do have a few places we’d like to take the kids to.  This weekend we hit two spots not far from home in a “mini-vacation.”

Our first destination was C.O.S.I. (Center of Science and Industry) in Columbus, Ohio.  We had lots of fun exploring the area designed for children up through kindergarten-age.  Of course, the first thing my little guy found was the train table…

I love the mural on the wall behind it!

And I just had to take a picture of the BEST vending machine I have ever seen…right there in the little kid area…Yes, those are diapers, pacifiers, sippy cups, baby meds, and even a toy rattle…  All the things you might have forgotten, lost, or for some reason need when out with a little one.

Tired from our C.O.S.I. adventures, we went to our hotel.

The only other time the kids had been in a hotel was on our way to and from Florida last year.

Let’s just say it was a hit.Not only did the kids have fun playing in “their corner” of the room, but I also braved taking them swimming when the husband ran across the street to Gander Mountain. (There is no Gander Mountain store where we live; it called to him…)

Oh, and the soap smelled divine – like fresh oranges.

A little boy I know thought so ,too…

Seriously glad I caught him in the act!

In the morning we hit the road – this time our destination was the United States Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.

(It’s free, by the way, always a plus!)

This was the first time the kids got to see airplanes up close.

Everyone kept asking if they were twins. Looking at them in the stroller, I'm beginning to see why!

There were even a couple of airplanes they got to try out!

Watch out world, OneMommy is in a F-16!

 

Now we’re home, and I’m already thinking ahead to our next little trip.

 

Are you planning any “mini-vacations” this year?  Got any suggestions?

No matter how short the drive, don’t forget to bring along things to keep little ones entertained in the car!

 

~OneMommy

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Paper Plate Turtle Puppets

By OneMommy on May 6, 2012

We have had an assortment of “temporary pets,” thanks to our daughter.  One of her favorites (or should I say 2 of her favorites) were turtles.

With the warmer weather bringing all kinds of animals out, I thought we’d try our hand at making a few turtles of our own.  (Bonus:  You can easily turn them into puppets!)

paper plate craft

The preschooler's finished turtle ~

  • First I assembled the necessary pieces for each turtle:  1 paper plate, 4 legs, head, and tail. turtle craft
  • Then the kids colored their turtle shells (back side of the paper plate) with markers.  (With older kids you could have them try to replicate a box turtle design (or other turtle shell), but with little ones I just let them get artistic.)
  • Then we flipped the plate over and taped the head, legs, and tail to the “shell.”    (I opted for tape instead of glue so we could play with our creations right away.)
  • Finally, to make it into a puppet, use a 1 inch thick strip of thin cardboard (think cereal box), fold the ends and tape it to the underside of the shell as shown.
paper plate puppet

Clear tape would be better, but I used masking tape so you could see how we taped it.

Simple to make and pretty cute!  (I’m talking about the turtle, but I have to say the boy is pretty cute, too!)toddler turtle craftThe kids had lots of fun making their turtles “crawl” on the floor, wiggle and dance, and in the case of my son’s turtle – drive trucks!

 

Happy crafting!

*Shared on Delicate Construction, It’s Playtime, and ABC and 123 Learning Cooperative

 

 

~OneMommy

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Chocolate-Covered Pretzel Bird Nests

By OneMommy on April 23, 2012

 

 

Do you like sweet snacks or salty?

Me, I like a little of both.  And since we had some jellybeans left from Easter, I decided we’d try an edible craft today and make bird nests for them!chocolate covered pretzels

To make your own little bird nests all you need are pretzel sticks, chocolate chips, and, of course, jelly beans for eggs.

  • I had the kids break the pretzel sticks into 2-3 pieces each while I melted the handful of chocolate chips in the microwave.  Be careful you don’t burn the chips!  (Heat them for 10-15 seconds at a time, stirring between until smooth.)
  • Next you toss the pretzel pieces into the gooey chocolate and coated them.
  • Drop them by rounded tablespoons onto a clean dish. (Wax paper would be even better!)
  • Then add 2-3 “eggs” to each nest.
  • Pop them in the refrigerator briefly so they won’t be a gooey mess and enjoy!  (You can also put them in the freezer, but you’ll want to let them come to room temp. afterwards so the jellybeans won’t be too hard to eat!)

Great and easy kid snack for this spring – have fun crafting!

 

Shared on Delicate Construction, Sew Can Do, Sumo’s Sweet Stuff, Trendy Treehouse, LIl’ Luna

~OneMommy

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Cha-Ching! Playing and Learning Together

By OneMommy on April 20, 2012

Well, I found one -

 

The catamarangermy daughter wanted.

toy cash register

No, not the toy saw... Look past that - there! It's a catamaranger! (a.k.a. cash register)

They had tons of fun playing store, with a little guidance from Mommy.

I suggested they shop for food from the play kitchen, but little man opted for tools.  (Just goes to show you, that the love of hardware stores runs in little boys’ blood.)

He had a fun time selecting which tools to put in the shopping cart. playing pretendAnd big sister liked ringing them all up with the little scanner that actually beeps.

And of course, taking her little brother’s money…pretend play

After a few runs they switched roles.

It was fun  listening to them as they played in their pretend world.  That’s the magic of childhood – hopefully something they hold on to for a long time.

~OneMommy

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