Ever since our Mad Scientist Laboratory, I have been collecting more empty squirt bottles, looking forward to some colorful water play.  This week the weather has been perfect for lots of outdoor play, so I grabbed the food coloring, plenty of squirt bottles, empty liquid soap containers, and spray bottles and set up this invitation to play:

Along with plenty of colored water, I had a few clear plastic bowls, jars and spoons for mixing colors.

They couldn’t wait to get started!Along with getting to see what happened as they mixed colors, they also worked on muscle coordination needed to use a few eye droppers I had set out, twisting caps, etc.

They REALLY liked the liquid soap containers (guess that explains why we’ve gone through so much soap lately…), which, even after several rinses, still had enough soap residue to create a foam when pumped.

I had a large plastic bin set aside to pour the water in when their mixing bowls became full.  By the end it was a greenish-brown color with a coat of soapy foam on top.  My daughter REALLY wanted to play in it…

They played for almost an hour, and would have played longer but I had dinner to make and opted not to fill the empty containers back up.  It will definitely be something we do again, soon!

What types of water play do your kids enjoy?

Shared on these great sites.

The post Colored Water Play first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

I was staring at a basket of laundry, willing it to put itself away, when I heard, “Mommy, will you take a walk with us?”

Looking at the clock, I saw it was almost lunch time.

“Sure, Sweetie.  You guys wait on the back porch and I’ll make lunch to take with us,” I answered, leaving the basket of laundry for the cleaning fairy to put away.  (She hasn’t been here in a while; anyone know where she’s at?)

I made a few p.b.&j. sandwiches, tossed some grapes and bell pepper slices in a baggie, tossed in an almost empty bag of pretzels and filled a bottle with water.

My picnic partners were ready and waiting on the back porch.

Like so many picnics, we wound up at the pond.

After eating, it was time to play and explore!

Notice the clothing change?  Yep, I actually thought ahead of time for once and grabbed a change of clothes for my daughter and some shorts for the little guy.

By the end of our trip to the pond they were both sandy, very wet, and excited about some tadpoles we had found.

It is simple moments like a picnic with my babies that I am thankful for this week.  I’m looking forward to many more of them this spring and summer.

Leave a comment telling me what simple moments you are thankful for this week.  I can’t wait to hear from you!

If you have a thankful post of your own, be sure to link it up with us.  I’d love it if you let your readers know you linked up here!

The post Thankful Thursday — Simple Moments first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

Dandelion days.

A sea of golden yellows dots the yard; they seem to have popped up over night.  Having just learned, “April showers bring May flowers,” my son repeats the phrase to himself as he explores each flower.

For that is what they are to him:  flowers.

He hurries to bring me one, proud to be giving Mommy the flower.

And I treasure it.

As he races to collect more, I think about how fast this time will pass.

Soon the yellow flower heads will turn white, and then they will disappear.  After a while there will only be the greens left.

And, all too soon, my son will stop bringing Mommy dandelions.  He will see them as weeds, or maybe he won’t even notice them at all.

One day he will be bringing another girl flowers, forgetting all about those days long ago where Mommy was his number one to bring flowers to.

And so I treasure each and every yellow flower, carefully placing them in water, trying to make them last as long as I can.  And they are more beautiful to me than any vase of roses ever was.

***

Looking for a simple craft to celebrate all those spring flowers?  How about a cupcake flower or a toilet paper tube flower?

The post Dandelion Days first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

Happy Thursday!

One day closer to the weekend and time for some happy thoughts!

This week I am thankful for spring weather!

We have been able to have several picnic lunches this week. Our first was a walk to the pond, where my son was excited to find that Papaw had brought back the box of construction trucks and other sand toys, ready for some serious play this season. It was hard to contain his excitement long enough to get him to eat!

Although it was still sweatshirt weather, which meant Mommy had to remind them to stay out of the water several dozen times, we all had fun reuniting with the sand toys.

We have also gotten to picnic at the park — no sweatshirts needed that day!

I lost count how many times they went down all the slides. And the grin on Monkey’s face while I pushed him on the swing? That was priceless.

Have you gotten to enjoy some outdoor time yet this spring? I’d love to hear what you’ve been up to!

And, if you have your own Thankful Thursday post, or other post related to being thankful, I’d love to read it! Link it up below, just be sure to link to your actual post.

Linked up this week with Black Tag Diaries, The Fontenot Four, and Six by the Bay

The post Thankful Thursday — Spring Picnics first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

And with the official start to fall, I thought it fitting that autumn get the spotlight this week.

 ***

Dear Autumn,

Summer was unusually hot, and super dry.  I want to thank you for bringing the cooler temperatures.  You have also brought with you some much needed rain.  Thank you for that.

The leaves are just starting to begin their yearly show.  I look forward to seeing them in all their glory:  the golden yellows, fiery oranges, and brilliant reds.

I can already picture them crunching beneath us as we hike in the afternoon, a sound that always makes me think of fall.

And I can hear the laughter of my children as we jump in the endless piles.

Not to be left out, my senses of smell and taste are thrilled each year by the fall harvest:  juicy apples, fragrant in the sun, and bright orange pumpkins….  And  I can not forget the delicious desserts that seem to abound from them this time of year!  (I’m partial to pumpkin cheesecake…)

For the beautiful foliage display, the sounds and laughter from playing in the leaves, the delicious smells and tastes, and the cooler weather that allows more time outdoors, thank you.

***

This post is loosely based on Mama Kat’s writing prompt:  Fall is here! List your top 10 favorite things about this Fall season.

What is it that you are thankful for this fall?  Leave a comment, or link up your own Thankful Thursday post below!  (Be sure to link back to There’s Just One Mommy!

Also shared on Black Tag Diaries
 

The post Welcoming Fall first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

When’s the last time you went out and just danced in the rain?  The last time you cut loose and jumped in a few puddles?

Usually I spend Monday mornings working on my cleaning schedule, but when  my youngest preschooler said he wanted to “go outside and sing a rain song,”  how could I resist?

Out we all went, me still in my nightshirt and the kids dressed in all their rain gear.  I didn’t originally plan to stay out long; after all, I hadn’t even gotten dressed yet!

But something magical occurred.

Dancing on the wet pavement, laughing with my little ones, it was like being transported back to childhood.  Clean sheets, laundry and running the sweeper were soon forgotten.  Instead there were puddles to splash in, rain drops sparkling on flower petals, and even a praying mantis seeking shelter on our window screen.

We spent the better part of an hour just dancing and walking in the rain.

And all that cleaning?

It waited for me.

After all, there is always something that needs cleaned, but my little ones?  They won’t always want to go singing in the rain.

The post Singing in the Rain first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.