Science!

We spent the day yesterday at a science center. We had fun playing, and probably learned a few things too!

Spirit of Gratitude

For the month of November, I am getting into the spirit of gratitude in preparation for the Thanksgiving holiday at the end of the month. I have many things to be grateful for, and I find that it's hard to feel down or complain when I'm grateful. So here goes:

Today, I am grateful for boy play, which often includes digging, dumping, messiness, banging, clanging, climbing, running, and jumping. I'm thankful for the way it expends energy and teaches them all sorts of things, like spacial relations, physics, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and cause-and-effect. Most importantly, it's fun!

It's Corny

Is there anything more fun than scooping, digging, and driving trucks in a box full of corn? Not if you ask these kids.

Glow Bath

Glow sticks + bath time = super fun!

Serious Play

One of Ellis' favorite things is playing with dried pinto beans and colored pasta.  He dumps.  He scoops.  He eats.  It's a seriously good time.

Back in December, I had this brilliant idea to have a sensory-play themed playgroup at our house with our Attachment Parenting group.  I filled an under-bed storage tub and a sand/water table with 20 pounds of dried beans and 15 pounds of colored pasta (gluten-free, no less).  Then invited over 10 of our closest friends and their children.  Chaos ensued.  I'm still finding beans in random places throughout the house...

Which is why, as you'll see, we take this activity outdoors now.  It's a great time.  There's something about this type of play that is particularly engaging and fulfilling for Ellis--I don't know if it's the textures, the colors, the shapes, the ability to make a giant mess, or some combination of all of it.  As you'll see, Oliver rather enjoyed himself as well!