Farm Preschool Unit

This week Logan and I started our first weekly preschool unit! This is something I am very excited about. Logan loves to learn and we are capitalizing on that early. I am recording our activities here for my own records, but I would love to share with you.
Logan is only two, so I am making an effort to keep this very simple. We are foremost having fun, and just happen to be learning along the way. If anything we try isn't fun, then we won't do it.

For our kick-off unit I picked a farm theme.

OUR BOOKS

Maisy's Morning on the Farm by Lucy Cousins
Biscuit's Day at the Farm by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Who Loves the Farm? by Sandra Sarver
Tractor Day by Candice Ransom
Bumpety Bump by Pat Hutchins
I Spy on the Farm by Edward Gibbs
Good Morning, Farm by Parachute Press
The Vegetables We Eat by Gail Gibbons
The Farm by Stuart A. Kallen
Farm Animals by Stewart Ross

MUDDY PIG
First we talked about what color pigs are, what sound they make, how they use mud to cool off, hoofs, snouts, what letter "pig" starts and ends with, and read about pigs.
He colored his pig pink,

then painted it with our coffee "mud" mixture.

http://www.two-daloo.com/muddy-pigs-painting-with-coffee-grounds/

MATCHING GAME

I made an index card to match each character from his barn. He loves to talk about what letter words start with. This game is a way of expounding on that interest and introducing the concept that after the beginning letter there are more letters that form a word.
Before he ever saw the index cards, we played with the animals and farmer and talked about what letter each one of them starts with. "Sheep" is a little tricky for him, as we are not introducing blends to a two-year-old!
The game included quite a bit of coaching, but he absolutely loved it!
No link for this one, it is a Lowly Nest original. :)


STICKY SHEEP
We watched this video about sheep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtP63IOhg1Y

This one was very simple. Cotton balls and contact paper. I want to recreate this activity using pom poms with later themes, because he loved it!

http://www.two-daloo.com/sticky-sheep/

T is for TRACTOR
This one was another huge hit! Logan loves tractors. This was his first time using glue, and he fell in love! I see more glue activities in our future. We read our tractor books before we made these.

 He loved the first one so much he wanted to make another one. I used the scraps to make a mini tractor. He is still playing with these!

http://totallytots.blogspot.com/2010/04/now-i-know-my-abcs-t-is-for-tractor.html

E is for EGG
When Mimi and Gramps visited they brought us some farm fresh eggs. Yum! I knew I wanted to do an activity with the eggshells. My mom thought of this one. Thanks Mimi! I drew these Ee's myself. I couldn't find a place to print letters like this anywhere!
We talked about chickens laying eggs and that egg starts with "e."

To be honest, even though I washed the eggshells, this activity completely grossed me out and I would not do it again. Logan kept asking to "shell more eggs" though. At least he liked it!

SHAPES GOAT
Before we made our goat we learned a little about goats, and talked about what shapes we were using to make our goat. I helped with the horns, ears, and goatee, and Logan did that cute face.

http://www.fantasticfunandlearning.com/g-is-for-goat-shapes-craft.html

Logan also learned about crops that grow on farms! My parents brought us a beautiful bounty from their own large garden!

 Mimi taught Logan how to shell peas. He worked hard for almost an hour. Then once he got down he kept coming back for more!

Our first week was without a doubt a success. Logan learned a lot, and had a blast!

Afternoon Stroll

This afternoon Logan and I went on a little walk. He is obsessed with this little bridge, and always wants to climb on it. When it isn't in the sun and blazing hot, I let him go for it. He absolutely loves being outside and we will definitely be taking advantage of the mild weather coming up this week! It only got to 85 today! 

I didn't even have him dressed cute, just in a too-big t-shirt and comfy at home shorts, but I still wanted to share these fun pictures.

Logan also discovered his shadow and had fun making it move!

Another Day, Another Splash Pad

Matt was off the past two days and we had so much fun doing summery things.

In two days we went to two different splash pads that I didn't even know existed a week and a half ago! It took Logan a little bit each time to get comfortable, but then he was running around with the crowds of kids like he was just as big as them. I think he liked climbing on the rocks even more than splashing in the water! We need to find some more places for our little monkey to climb! 

We also made our second trip to a local farmer's market. It feels so good to buy local! 

Our haul, small but delicious.

Summer is my favorite time of year. It makes me think of fun and the outdoors. I love being outside, and that is one of the things I dislike most about living in an apartment. We know we will be moving sometime in the next 6 months We aren't sure where, but criteria #1 is a yard! I dream of having a garden next summer and seeing my son run around in our own backyard!

 

Since Matt was off for two days the apartment is in a state of shambles. For some reason I let all cleaning go by the wayside when he is home. Too much fun to be had! Now I am off to whip things back into shape. 

One Year Old!

Didn't get around to monthly pics today, but still wanted to get this up. I'll add them in tomorrow.

Our first year with Logan came to a close today. 

Our little boy is one year old. 

Throughout the day today I cherished each moment with him, and remembered how much he has changed in the past year.The differences between a newborn to a one year old are remarkable.

For Logan's birthday he got to go to the pediatrician and get two shots. Isn't he lucky?

He is 31 inches tall and weighs 19.7 pounds. He is in the 20th percentile for weight, which is the highest his weight percentile has been since July. So, we were glad for that. He is around the 80th percentile for height. We have a tall and slim little boy!

It seems like in just that past week Logan has shifted from baby to toddler. He is walking more and more now. Probably about 40% of the time. Maybe more, but it increases every day.

He comes out with new words all of the time. At the pediatrician today they asked if he had at least two words. "Um, yea." He has tons of words! He also uses several baby signs. Books are still a favorite. I finally realized this past month that books are the perfect thing to give him in the car! Other toys end up thrown overboard, but he will sit and happily flip through a book. 

We have successfully made it through a year of breastfeeding and a year (almost) of cloth diapering. With no end in sight for either one. He still nurses 4-6 times a day. I wouldn't mind if we dropped down to two times a day, but I am definitely not ready to quit altogether. We are on Logan's time table as far as weaning goes. I don't even like to use the word weaning, because I don't plan on it. We will nurse until he decides he is done.  Barring him wanting to nurse til kindergarten. ;)

Monday is finally, finally, finally the procedure to close the PDA in his heart. I am so ready for that to be past us! I wouldn't be surprised at all if his nursing dwindles a little after he recovers from that. We shall see.

As far as sleep goes Logan has been doing pretty well. He still gets up in the night occasionally, but not every night. This past weekend he decided that before six was the best time to start his day. Luckily today he slept til 6:45. Let's aim for past 7 tomorrow, little man! If I could sleep til at least 7 every day I would be ok with that. Naps have been easy for a while now. It is so wonderful to know that everyday I have two almost guaranteed periods when I can things done (or get nothing done, depending on the day) without my little one tugging on me. 

This year has been absolutely amazing. I always knew I wanted to be a mother. And now I know how wonderful it really is. Through all of the ups and downs, sleepless nights, the crying and whining, smelling like soured milk for the first four months, it was a joy and a blessing. I've heard someone say that it is a privilege to be a mother, and I think I am inclined to agree.

Here's to enjoying every moment and savoring the next year as much as the first.

Logan's First Birthday Party!

This past Saturday we had Logan's first birthday party! It was a fantastic success. I had a ton of fun at the party and just as much fun planning it.

I picked the rainbow theme several months ago. Logan doesn't have many "favorites" yet, but what one year old doesn't love colors and balloons? Honestly I was so excited to have an excuse to decorate with crepe paper streamers and balloons myself. The whole party was so bright and cheery!

This cake was my masterpiece. I will be sharing my recipes and techniques soon!

For drinks we served chilled water bottles and the single packets of either raspberry lemonade or tea. This party was all about seeing how far I could make a nickel stretch. We used scrapbook paper and a sharpie to easily make these bottles more festive.

I chopped, sliced, and plated the fruit and veggie trays the night before. The morning before the party it was easy to quickly mix up the dips. I kept them super simple with two ingredients each. The veggie dip was sour cream and a ranch packet, and the fruit dip was cream cheese and greek yogurt.

These lollipop bouquets were the perfect final touch for the table.

I definitely have a thing for pennants and garlands. There are a few throughout our home. A rainbow pennant is even better!

When I came across personalized balloons in the party colors at Party City there was no way I could resist.

This wreath was a breeze to make. Crepe paper, scrap book paper, and wrapping paper. The "1" was stolen from an extra invitation.

The best part of the party was how much fun our little guest of honor had! He seriously had so much fun. He never once got upset or overwhelmed. Here is is clapping after the birthday song and candle.

Yum! About 20 minutes before party time I realized that I never made the banner for his high chair, but decided it was no big deal. As you can see, it didn't affect Logan the slightest bit.

Logan was so delighted with this cake. He wasted no time at all digging right in. A crowd wasn't going to keep him from eating!

The aftermath. In the spirit of full disclosure, he did not eat all of that cake by himself! It was a huge slice! Mama saved the day and ate a few layers. ;)

While we are getting all honest, wanting to make this cake may or may not be the entire reason for a rainbow theme... 

Logan's cousins were in attendance and the patio was dubbed "The Kid's Pavilion." We left the sliding glass door open and they were able to enjoy their cake and activities outside, but still be right there with us. 

There is currently an extra large TV camping out in our living room (anyone wanna buy it??) so instead of having that monstrosity in all of our pictures it was quickly turned into a fun backdrop for present time.

This sweet little chair was a big hit at the party. You never knew who was going to be sitting in it next.

All in all it really was the perfect party for our little man. Love him so, so much.

Currently - linking up with Harvesting Kale

Logan is currently...

Eating as well as he always has. Logan has been a good eater from early on, and I am so glad. Check out my Logan's Lunches post to see more of what he is eating!

Drinking from straws and loving it.

Wishing for fun and educational birthday presents! ;)

Loving practicing standing on his own. He gets so excited when he stands for a few seconds without any help.

Dreaming .... I wish I knew.

I am currently...

Eating clean...ish. I am trying very hard to anyway. Working toward that lifestyle change that everyone is always talking about.

Drinking kombucha! At least we will be soon. Finally got a scoby this week and we are going to start brewing our own. So many health benefits, plus not to mention delicious!

Wishing that time would slow down just a teensy little bit.

Loving this amazing spring weather. I want to be outside all of the time. The greens and pinks everywhere are so, so beautiful.

Dreaming about Logan's first birthday party. I am having so much fun planning it. I hope it turns out to be close to what I am picturing in my head.

Logan's Lunches: Eleven Months

I've decided to start a new monthly series about what Logan eats for lunch! He generally has the same thing as us for night time meals, but lunches usually aren't very well planned out. Here are a weeks worth of  his lunches at eleven months old.

Starting at the top left and going left to right:

1. Scrambled egg with mushroom, spinach, and bell pepper. Blueberries. Cheese. Avocado.

2. Peas and carrots. Tuna salad. Strawberries and blueberries.

3. Cheese. Turkey Veggie burger. Orange bites. Avocado.

4. Avocado. Peanut butter sandwich. Cantaloupe. Orange bites.

5. Steamed broccoli with cheese. Strawberries. Avocado toast.

6. Chicken salad sandwich. Sauteed mushrooms. Strawberries. Black eyed peas. 

11 Months Old!

It is so crazy that my little boy's first birthday is less than a month away! He is growing up so, so fast!

Lately two people have asked me when he is going to be two. Slow down people! We are still working on one! It will be interesting when we go to his one year appointment to see what his percentiles are now. I imagine his height is still quite high, and that his weight has raised a bit. 

His catheter procedure to close the hole in his heart has officially, for real, been set for May 20. We have to check in at 11:30, and he can't have any food or nurse any after 5:30. That's going to be hard for my little one. He still loves to nurse and often tugs on my shirt asking for it. Luckily we will have family members with us and they can help distract him. 

I have probably said this every month, but Logan just continues to be more and more fun. The weather has been back and forth here lately, as far as temperature, but we have been trying to soak in every warm and pretty day. We have been to a baseball game, the zoo, and to the park many times.

This month Logan has become a pro at getting a spoon and fork into his mouth. He isn't to the loading stage, but if you hand him a pre-loaded fork or spoon he doesn't delay getting that food down!

We have been using several baby signs for a while, and now Logan signs "diaper change!" He only uses it after you say "diaper change," but he does if almost every time. We do lots of clapping around here. Any time someone says "yay," even if it is just in conversation and not directed toward Logan, he will clap his hands. He also claps his hands when someone sings "If you're happy and you know it." He also points and waves now! He is very observant and loves to copy. When Logan saw Matt snap his fingers he rubbed his thumb and middle finger together just like Daddy! Except his didn't make any noise. ;)

Logan has lots of fun out and about. At the park he absolutely loves the swings the best. Sliding is ok and all, but could you please just put me back in the swing, please. From his swing he can see cars driving by and he loves to watch them. One day we made a dash for the park before a thunderstorm was going to hit and lower the temperature for several days. It was almost deserted, but the maintenance guys were mowing. Logan really enjoyed watching them work. His love for machinery is starting up!

Logan now has four teeth! The bottom two are almost fully in, and on top, the right incisor and the right lateral incisor are both just barely through the gums. He isn't always the most graceful teether, but I think he is getting better, because the first of those two just appeared one day!

I think we may have a little climber on our hands. He loves to climb all over Matt and me. I often sit in the floor with him, and he uses me to try to climb onto the couch! For a few days we had a mattress in the floor for guests, and he LOVED climbing onto that thing. Not so good at the climbing off part.... read: face plant. He has started to let go sometimes while he is standing, and stand for several seconds on his own. I predict he will be walking by his birthday.

There is no doubt we have a very smart little boy on our hands (we are not biased at all, no way, not us). He has several words now. He says, uh-oh, blueberry, Mama, Da-da, banana, num num(our word for nursing), Mmmmmimi, cheese, and a few more. At Easter Mimi got him a little egg that a little chick popped out of. When I played with it with him I would say "BOO!" every time I made the chick pop up. He started saying it too. The same thing happened when I was blowing bubbles with him and saying "Pop!" 

Another little cute thing he does is jump. When someone holds his hands while he is standing you can say "Logan, jump!" and he will widen his stance and bounce up and down. My favorite part is how he has to spread those little feet out before he can get his jump on.

He also has many animal sounds. He does monkey, donkey, horse, cat, dog, roars for a lion, makes the elephant sound with accompanying arm/trunk raise, and wrinkles his nose and snorts for pig. He gets very excited reading animal books. That played a large role in our decision to go to the zoo!

Whenever Logan comes across any form of clothing, hat, socks, shoes, pants, tops, he loves to try to put them on, and he knows where on his body they belong. I'm not sure if he is trying or pretending, but either way it is adorable.