Chronicles of Summertime: Day 4

Day 4:

Today was a very rainy day. We decided to make some multi-media artwork. First we got out the crayons and markers, then added some paint. Snugglepuppy creatively used many methods of painting including finger painting, brush painting, and stamping. I was surprised at how he was able to describe and label what he was painting. I dictated what he said on the paper. 

We did some gross motor in the basement where Snugglepuppy jumped on the trampoline, played in the ball pit, and played some baseball. That didn't last long though so we came upstairs and looked at some of the library books we got yesterday. 

Then we worked on the alphabet a little using the iPad and some magnetic letters. I showed him a letter on the ABC app and he had to find the correct magnetic letter to match. 

Then he stacked up the letters and made us each an "ABC Sandwich."

It was not a bad day despite the fact that we weren't able to go out at all.

Ocean Sensory Bin

This week, we finally made the ocean sensory bin with jello that I have been planning forever! There were a few fails on my part though that made it not turn out as planned, but we still had fun anyway and that's all that counts.

First of all, I had to use 8 boxes of jello and it still only turned out to be this much. I waited too long to add the sea animals and therefore it messed up the smoothness of the top (to give it the appearance of water).

Here is one of our sharks. Also, I tried putting these flat plastic glow-in-the-dark fish in, but not realizing that it would be very difficult to get enough light to them to make them glow once the jello set. But it's ok because we decided to take this messy project outside anyway.

He was a little tentative to put his hands in at first.

Then I showed him that he could eat it.

That really got him going and that's pretty much all he wanted to do after that.

We had a fun, messy time.

I finally got him to dig out some of the fish and he started making a pile of them on the bench, so I got him a bowl to collect them in.

Here's little man all jello-ed up!

Here is the aftermath!

Afterwards, we used the jello boxes to build with!

Enjoy and happy jello-ing :)

Toy Organizing HELP needed!!!

Ok guys, so I am very embarrassed to show these photos of my house, but I need help in figuring out a cheap way of organizing my son's toys. Keep in mind, I have been on Summer break for almost 2 weeks now. 

The main problem is, I cannot realistically expect him to clean up his toys if there is really no place to put them or any order to them. I need more storage. This was fine when he was crawling and couldn't get into things on his own, but now that he is all over the place, I really need to get this straightened out. 

Here is the current state of my living room:

 Here is the current storage in my living room:

 Here is my storage in the family room:

The containers are just too big and he never gets to the bottom to play with those toys. I am thinking some short shelves with some smaller containers on them. Please give me any ideas you have. I would also appreciate if you know anywhere cheap to get shelving/storage. I am planning to check Good Will and some yard sales. Oh, I am also looking for a child-size table and chairs as well.

HELP! Please leave any comments below.

April TEACH Nominations!

Here are the winners of the T.E.A.C.H. awards for April!

T-Thrifty

Interactive Book

We Can Do All Things

E-Educational

How to Make a Compass

Quirky Momma

A-Artistic

Crayon Resist Painting

Happy Whimsical Hearts

C-Creative

12 Ways to Repurpose Household Items for your Kids

I Can Teach My Child

H-Hands-On

Waterbeads and Goop Messy Play

Make, Do & Friend

Congratulations to those who were featured. Please feel free to grab one of the buttons below!