Valentine's Day

Well, the Valentine's play date was postponed for now.  The Norovirus has been making its way through our little group of friends.  Some friends were unknowingly exposed last weekend at a birthday party and then it was spread at yoga on Monday.  By Tuesday we realized the connection and decided we needed to keep the babes away for an extended period of time.  Although we were at yoga, Braden and I somehow managed to escape it (thankfully, because it sounds AWFUL). 

Braden & Conor

So, instead of a big play date - we had our own little mini play date.  I helped one of the moms by watching her son, so she could work for an hour in Lewiston.  The boys had some fun with the magnetic numbers, played with the Valentine sensory bin and then they each painted a valentine.  

Fun with magnets

Valentine sensory bin

My little valentine

Time to paint

After Conor left Braden and I had lunch and then we made a nice Valentine's Day treat for Mike!  Pistachio bars.

     

Crazy, Cool Friends

On Tuesday night Braden and I worked on Valentine's for his little friends.  On Thursday we have a Valentine's Day play date where we will exchange them.  

Because we had such success with the handprints, I decided to try similar project.  We did little thumbprint hearts using blue and red stamp pads. Braden did not have as much fun pressing down with the thumbprints and we had to do a lot more this time.  So, we had to take many more breaks in between, but we were able to finish them (22 in all).  

Playing with the stamp pad before we get started 

Thumbprint Hearts

Helping with the markers

Helping organize the "crazy" straws

The front

The inside

The look of a complete Valentine

HUGS

Braden and I had a very busy morning.  I was up early getting a bag, the car and lunch packed so that we could run a few errands before our new yoga class.  Then I found myself waiting around for Braden to wake up (no complaints here).  He finally woke up around 8:15 and we were able to get out the door by 9.  

Our new class was in Kennebunkport at a fellow mom & baby friends house.  We are doing it on a trial basis for the next four weeks.  This week didn't go so well, because the instructor was expected the kiddos could follow directions and do more of the yoga poses.  It ended up being a little too advanced, so I think (hopefully) she will focus more on mommy yoga and incorporated a few things to keep the toddlers entertained.  

After lunch, and nap Braden and I worked on changing the dinosaur sensory bin to a Valentine theme.  

Bye Bye Dinosaurs

Red Spiky ball

 

Hiding the ball in a heart box

Trying on all of the necklaces

He had fun digging around in the paper.  I tried to show him how to put the necklace on my head, but he decided he wanted them all for himself.  But, of course his favorite item in the box was the red spiky ball.

Then I decided to see how Braden would do with a little hand print project for Family Valentine's.  He has been much better lately with our painting projects, so I had high hopes.  And we had a breakthrough - he did great!  At first he was upset that I put paint on his hands, but he had fun saying "1, 2, 3..." and slapping his hand down.  After the first few rounds of reapplying paint he started holding his hand out for more!  Yahoo!

SPOILER ALERT:  Pictures below of us working on the project, so if you want to have your Valentine be a surprise - don't look!

Before he realizes what we'll be doing

"Yucky" he says about paint on his hand

Trying to wipe the paint off

Successful hand print project so far

My little helper

Playing around with the finished product

Measuring his arm span

"A Hug From Me To You, Happy Valentine's Day Love, Braden"

Week 5: "Valentine"

Valentine

February 11th - February 17th

Crafts/Activities:

Family Valentine's (don't peek if you want it to be a surprise!)

Friend Valentine's - for Thursdays Valentine play date

Tissue Paper Hearts

Heart Symmetry Art 

Toilet Paper Roll Hearts

Sensory/Discovery:

The base of the sensory bin this week is Red, pink, and white confetti for a Valentine's theme.  I also included a box full of foam heart shaped stickers, 10 empty plastic hearts, some beaded necklaces (pink, purple and red) and then threw in the red "spiky" ball (which of course is Braden's favorite part.  

Sensory Bin - similar idea

Sugar Scrub - possibly make for the moms at the play date

Valentine's Day baking (it is a surprise??)

Valentine's Day play date with friends

Sensory bin play

Sensory bin play or maybe some red or pink play dough to add to the collection

Snacks:

Heart shaped mash potatoes for dinner

Heart shaped honey dew melon

Heart sandwich

Heart cookies (molasses Daddy made over the weekend - Braden loves them)

Alphabet:

"V" - Valentine "H" - Heart  "L" - Love

Books:

Guess How Much I Love You

Somebunny Loves You 

Miss Spider's Wedding

If You're Happy and You Know It

Unlovable

An Off Week

I had good intentions last week to focus on "Friends" and "Friendship", but some of our plans were cancelled.  It also is a much harder concept/topic to do with a toddler.  So, it is something we will try again in a few months and I think I will incorporate some random acts of kindness.  

It was also just an overall busy week with lots of sewing for me.  So, I will just sum things up with a few photos!  

Interesting hair day

New learning tower

I want to help!

Watching the Super Bowl

Super Bowl Bingo

Water table fun with Sage

Water table fun with dad

Big hugs for momma

Dino Feet

On Thursday night I made some dinosaur feet out of small foam sheets, but the glue needed some time to dry.  So, on Friday night we tested them out.  They lasted about 5 seconds before Braden reached down to grab them and ripped them right off!  

Warm Winter Day

Walking in the snow

On Thursday it was really warm for January, so we had some play time outside.  Braden had so much fun I had to practically drag him in for nap time.