Playschool TableTime

TableTime is one of those activities that accomplishes some "schooling" without feeling like school.  It also buys us about 20 minutes of children sit-down time.  We can do a few other chores in the room, while helping them minimally.  On this day, we only had three that were old enough to take part in TableTime.  If the toddler is still mouthing everything or just isn't ready to sit for 15-20 minutes, they get to play in the family room with one of us.  We made up five activities to be rotated through.. each one for three minutes  We keep a three-minute egg timer in the center of the table to keep us on task.

Here is a closer look at each activity that the children did on this day:

Scissors and index cards prepped for cutting practice!

A wooden puzzle.

Wooden beads to string on a pipe cleaner.

Self correcting sequencing puzzles.

 And "sticky sticks" and cards with a number on one side and a label and shape on the other.

We first saw this idea on Pinterest last year.  The children really enjoy making all types of polygons!

Be sure to check "Our Favorites" book-widget on the right.  You will find our weekly books there!

If you click through to Amazon and purchase a book, I will earn a commission.

I haven't received any money yet, but there is always hope!

Each week I joined several linky parties!  What a fun way to share and learn! 

Monday's Kid Corner, Hey Mom, Look What I Did!, Montessori Monday, Made by Little Hands, Homemade Mondays, Mama Moments Monday {Link Up}, Little Wonders' Days,  Mom's Monday Mingle,  Hip Homeschool Hop, Tuesday Tots, (tot school tuesday), The Tuesday Baby Link-Up, Keep Calm Craft On {crafting on}, Teach Me Tuesday, TOO Cute Tuesday, Open Call Tuesday, Backyard Farming Connection Hop, Waldorf Wednesday, It's Playtime, Mom's Library, We Made That Linky, What I Learned Wednesday, Super Link Party, Artsy Play Wednesday, Healthy 2Day Wednesday' Adorned From Above, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways, Kids Crafts,  Kid's Co-Op, Link and Learn, Thrifty Thursday,  Hearts for Home,  needle and thREAD, Made U Look, Natural Living Link-Up, For the Kids Friday, Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday, Read. Explore. Learn., Creative Learning on Friday,  Preschool and Kindergarten Corner, Friday's Nature Table, Creative Friday, Friday Flair Link Party, Shine on Fridays, Friday Favs, Outdoor Play Party,  Do Something Crafty, Sharing Saturday, Share It Saturday, Country Kids, Link and Learn, sharing creative, ideas {all weekend}, Show and Share Saturday, The Sunday Showcase, The Preschool Prekinder Nook, Fun Sparks, The Sunday Parenting Party

And each week I co-host two such parties:  The All Year Round Blog Carnival and Eco-Kids Tuesday Link-Up!

 

Bunny's Bento Box & Eco Kids Tuesday

As you already know, I recently bought Bunny a LunchBots.

I had intended to use it when we went on outings and whatnot.

But Bunny has decided that almost every meal should be eaten from it.

Since we are now eating gluten free & sugar free, I have been trying to come up with different things with to fill up her box .

Chick Peas, Orange Slices, Peas, and Parmesan Fish

Tomatoes, Apples w/ Peanut Butter, Chick Peas, Steak Strips, and Cheese Stick w/ Ketchup

Carrots w/ Dip, Cheese Burger Bites, Peas, and Chick Peas

Can you tell that Bunny likes Chick Peas?)

Welcome to this week's Eco Kids Tuesday!!

It is amazing how much we have grown in the past few weeks.  This past week we had 83 wonderful link-ups!!

This week I am featuring three Eco ideas that caught my eye! 

And then I have a special feature that I think is important reading!

First, the three features!

Lindsey of Apple of Mama's Eye shared how to keep your bathroom smelling fresh! 

We do this and it makes a huge difference!

Brown Thumb Mama shared a natural essential oil hand sanitizer!  Like Brown Thumb Mama, we don't like the chemicals found in the store bought types.  So glad she shared her recipe!

Simplee Sue shared a flu busting smoothie recipe. Influenza is rearing its ugly head here in our area, so this is a timely post!

And now for the special three part feature!!!

Creative Christian Mama has shared three posts on fever. 

All three posts are "must reads" for any mama, papa, well any person really!

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Thanks to ALL of you for sharing such wonderful ideas!  If you were featured please feel free to grab a button for your blog.  And please keep linking up great all your Eco-Kid ideas!

Now on to the party!!!  I hope that you'll share some great family-friendly posts that are also friendly for the environment. Some ideas include:

• Nature Activities
• Outdoor Activities
• Crafts made with re-purposed or recycled materials
• Sewing and DIY home projects
• Science Experiments
• Posts on environmental issues for kids or families
• Non-toxic living
• Homeopathic Remedies

Eco-Kids Tuesdays is co-hosted by Organic Aspirations and Like Mama~Like Daughter this means that anything you link-up shows up on both blogs!

Feel free to link up several of your posts.

There are only a few rules:

Please follow both co-hostess' blogs, and visit some of the other posts and give them some encouragement!  Please stick to posts and photos not giveaways or items for sale.

By linking up, you are agreeing that Organic Aspirations or Like Mama~Like Daughter can feature your photos next week with a link back to your site.  

Please link back to my site using this button (once I get it fixed !!) OR simply text linking within your post!

Beachy Bunting

Nana and Pap went on a weekend getaway (for the first time since I was 7!!), so Katie stayed with us.

We did several little projects while she was here, including cleaning out my craft closet, hat making (with the knitting loom I got her for her birthday), baking, learning to french braid, and a little hula hooping.

I will post more about those later.

One of my favorite projects from this weekend is this bunting we made to hang in my living room.

We used twine, scrapbook paper, and a template I found on Pinterest

I have been wanting something to tie this wall of beachy stuff together.

A bunting seemed to fit perfectly.

Each week I joined several linky parties!  What a fun way to share and learn! 

The Children's Bookshelf,  Monday's Kid Corner, Hey Mom, Look What I Did!, Montessori Monday, Made by Little Hands, Homemade Mondays, Mama Moments Monday {Link Up}, Little Wonders' Days,  Mom's Monday Mingle,  Hip Homeschool Hop, Tuesday Tots, (tot school tuesday), The Tuesday Baby Link-Up, Keep Calm Craft On {crafting on}, Teach Me Tuesday, TOO Cute Tuesday, Open Call Tuesday, Backyard Farming Connection Hop, Waldorf Wednesday, It's Playtime, Mom's Library, We Made That Linky, What I Learned Wednesday, Super Link Party, Artsy Play Wednesday, Healthy 2Day Wednesday' Adorned From Above, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways, Kids Crafts,  Kid's Co-Op, Link and Learn, Thrifty Thursday,  Hearts for Home,  needle and thREAD, Made U Look, Natural Living Link-Up, For the Kids Friday, Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday, Read. Explore. Learn., Creative Learning on Friday,  Preschool and Kindergarten Corner, Friday's Nature Table, Creative Friday, Friday Flair Link Party, Shine on Fridays, Friday Favs, Outdoor Play Party,  Do Something Crafty, Tot School Gathering Place,  Sharing Saturday, Share It Saturday, Country Kids, Link and Learn, sharing creative, ideas {all weekend}, Show and Share Saturday, The Sunday Showcase, The Preschool Prekinder Nook, Fun Sparks, The Sunday Parenting Party

And each week I co-host two such parties:  The All Year Round Blog Carnival and Eco-Kids Tuesday Link-Up!

An Enchanted Childhood Playschool ~ February 18th-22nd ~ If You Give a Moose a Muffin

This week we rean an all time favorite of our family for many years : If You Give a Moose a Muffin.  And always a favorite activity to go along with this book is making muffins.  This time we made gluten-free, wonderfully hearlthy banana oat muffins.  Ingredients: bananas and oats!!

This makes me giggle ... I told Brady to smile ... and this is what I got!

While the oats were baking, we made homemade blackberry jam

(Yep! Just like in the book!)

blackberries

stevia

arrowroot powder for thickening

cook just a bit

A delcious, healthy snack!

Be sure to check "Our Favorites" book-widget on the right.  You will find our weekly books there!

If you click through to Amazon and purchase a book, I will earn a commission.

I haven't received any money yet, but there is always hope!

Each week I joined several linky parties!  What a fun way to share and learn! 

The Children's Bookshelf,  Monday's Kid Corner, Hey Mom, Look What I Did!, Montessori Monday, Made by Little Hands, Homemade Mondays, Mama Moments Monday {Link Up}, Little Wonders' Days,  Mom's Monday Mingle,  Hip Homeschool Hop, Tuesday Tots, (tot school tuesday), The Tuesday Baby Link-Up, Keep Calm Craft On {crafting on}, Teach Me Tuesday, TOO Cute Tuesday, Open Call Tuesday, Backyard Farming Connection Hop, Waldorf Wednesday, It's Playtime, Mom's Library, We Made That Linky, What I Learned Wednesday, Super Link Party, Artsy Play Wednesday, Healthy 2Day Wednesday' Adorned From Above, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways, Kids Crafts,  Kid's Co-Op, Link and Learn, Thrifty Thursday,  Hearts for Home,  needle and thREAD, Made U Look, Natural Living Link-Up, For the Kids Friday, Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday, Read. Explore. Learn., Creative Learning on Friday,  Preschool and Kindergarten Corner, Friday's Nature Table, Creative Friday, Friday Flair Link Party, Shine on Fridays, Friday Favs, Outdoor Play Party,  Do Something Crafty, Tot School Gathering Place,  Sharing Saturday, Share It Saturday, Country Kids, Link and Learn, sharing creative, ideas {all weekend}, Show and Share Saturday, The Sunday Showcase, The Preschool Prekinder Nook, Fun Sparks, The Sunday Parenting Party

And each week I co-host two such parties:  The All Year Round Blog Carnival and Eco-Kids Tuesday Link-Up!

{this moment}

{this moment}  - A Friday ritual inspired by SouleMama. A photo Several photos capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Crafting Along

This week Papa asked me to do him a favor.

He was getting really tired of our comforter getting wadded up inside of the duvet cover.

I got out my snap pliers and made quick work of adding snaps to the corner to keep it in place.

I used long pronged snaps to go through the comforter.

Seems to be working great!

Wonderfull (Full of Wonder) Wednesday

Yummy healthy food is a wonder-full thing!

Bunny's new LunchBots came in the mail.  She, of course, insisted on having her supper in it....

sliced apples w/ peanut butter, cherry tomatoes, chick peas, steak strips and a cheese stick with ketchup.  

Our new gluten and sugar free, almost totally organic eating is so much fun!

She is a happy girl with a happy belly!

Each week I joined several linky parties!  What a fun way to share and learn! 

Monday's Kid Corner, Hey Mom, Look What I Did!, Montessori Monday, Made by Little Hands, Homemade Mondays, Mama Moments Monday {Link Up}, The Children's Bookshelf,  Little Wonders' Days,  Mom's Monday Mingle,  Hip Homeschool Hop, Tuesday Tots, (tot school tuesday), Tactile Tuesday,  The Tuesday Baby Link-Up, Keep Calm Craft On {crafting on}, Teach Me Tuesday, TOO Cute Tuesday, Open Call Tuesday, Backyard Farming Connection Hop, Waldorf Wednesday, It's Playtime, Mom's Library, Kid Lit Blog Hop, We Made That Linky, What I Learned Wednesday, Super Link Party, Artsy Play Wednesday, Healthy 2Day Wednesday,  Mommy Club Link-Up,  Adorned From Above, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways, Kids Crafts,  Kid's Co-Op, Link and Learn, Hearts for Home Blog Hop,  Thrifty Thursday,  needle and thREAD, Made U Look, Natural Living Link-Up,  Family Fun Friday, For the Kids Friday, Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday, Read. Explore. Learn., Preschool and Kindergarten Corner, Friday's Nature Table, Creative Friday, Friday Flair Link Party, Shine on Fridays, Friday Favs, Weekend Whatever, Outdoor Play Party, TGIF Linky Party,  Do Something Crafty, Sharing Saturday, Share It Saturday, Country Kids, Link and Learn, sharing creative, ideas {all weekend}, Show and Share Saturday, The Sunday Showcase, The Preschool Prekinder Nook, Fun Sparks, The Sunday Parenting Party

And each week I co-host two such parties:  The All Year Round Blog Carnival and
Eco-Kids Tuesday Link-Up!

Melt my Heart ♥ Eco-Kids Tuesday!

I have been striving to get outside every day.

No matter how cold it is out.

We have actually been lucky and, though the nights are freezing temps,

the days have been mostly tolerable, and some even rather warm.

We have great adventures while out for our walks

On this, one of our warmer days (hence no gloves),

we spent a great deal of time cracking ice in one way or another.  

Stomping, throwing, sliding across, falling.

Cheering, shrieking, laughing.

And sometimes a few tears followed by helping, hugging, and hand holding.

All true ice breakers.

...

There are many different kinds of warmth.

The most obvious that have to do with temperature.

And the less obvious, but just as important.

A child needs both in order to grow properly. 

My little icebreakers are quite heartwarming. ♥

Now, onto the Eco-Kids Tuesday Link-Up!  Welcome!!  Eco-Kids Tuesday is growing by leaps and bounds!!  Last week we had 63 great posts shared with us at Eco-Kids Tuesday! I enjoyed each and every one of them.  It is getting harder and harder each week to pick just a few features! 
Here are three of my favorites:

madebyjoey shared the sweetest flower pots!

Geocaching is something I have been interested in...whohastimefortthegym tells us all about it!

These edible sugar flowers by Happy Whimsical Hearts are gorgeous!

Thanks to ALL of you for sharing such wonderful ideas!  If you were featured please feel free to grab a button for your blog.  And please keep linking up great all your Eco-Kid ideas!

Now on to the party!!!  I hope that you'll share some great family-friendly posts that are also friendly for the environment. Some ideas include:

• Nature Activities
• Outdoor Activities
• Crafts made with re-purposed or recycled materials
• Sewing and DIY home projects
• Science Experiments
• Posts on environmental issues for kids or families
• Non-toxic living
• Homeopathic Remedies

Eco-Kids Tuesdays is co-hosted by Organic Aspirations and Like Mama~Like Daughter this means that anything you link-up shows up on both blogs!

Feel free to link up several of your posts.

There are only a few rules:

Please follow both co-hostess' blogs, and visit some of the other posts and give them some encouragement!  Please stick to posts and photos not giveaways or items for sale.

By linking up, you are agreeing that Organic Aspirations or Like Mama~Like Daughter can feature your photos next week with a link back to your site.  

Please link back to my site using this button (once I get it fixed !!) OR simply text linking within your post!