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I have decided to hold off on a structured homeschooling routing until Lucas is a bit older, I think around four. I want him to be a kid right now, and I want to enjoy him being a kid. (Please note, I don’t think homeschooling at three or younger is a bad choice, it is just not the right choice for us.) I think there is too much pressure on kids these days and I believe that is part of the problem. I fell the way things were done when I was a child it seems as though we focused on learning at a slower pace but really mastering that knowledge. I can still tell you about all the letter people, what centers we had and how the day went when I was in kindergarten. You know back when we had naps, hands on learning centers (not worksheets) and a focus on the kids, not numbers.
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We have a ton of toys. In fact, when people come in the house for the first time, they usually comment that it looks like a daycare. Well, I will admit that I may go over board when it comes to the kids toys. But the reality is we need them, we enjoy them, we play with them! They do not attend daycare, they are home with me all day, and while we spend a ton of time outside, we watch very little TV and so toys are good. Toys are fun.
We build with blocks, make garages, skyscrapers, carwashes. We play farm house, construction site, trains you name it. But it is starting to get a bit crowded, even with two playrooms. I recently went through and pulled out broken toys, and categorized the toys in plastic bins and baskets. Everything has a place except large toys like the BBQ grill, tool bench and pizza station and riding toys etc.. So everything must be put away before we open another bin. Total lifesaver at the end of the day, and Lucas is starting to learn about cleaning up. Yay!!!
When I did the revamp, I also took out some toys that weren’t getting played with very much and put them away for a rainy, or cold, day. One was this Ikea tent. Lucas just want really using it anymore.
Well it has been cold here and we have been sick – the kids and I had a cold then I got a wicked eye infection and just felt crappy. Combine the cold with a sick mama outside is pretty much a no go. We have been limiting out time outside, which makes for bored little boys. You can only play trucks and trains so long. So I busted out the tent and we set it up with a bean bag chair, some blankets and books. We spent a good two hours in there, and Liam and Lucas played in there after that!
It is still up in the playroom and we have been reading books in there all week. It is nice cause it is a quiet spot and Lucas seems to get that – he is very calm and relaxed in there. So it has been good in that sense too. When things get to wound up we just head on over there and chill out for a bit.
Next week it is supposed to be warmer and I feel much better so we will resume outside marathons. But I think we will keep the tent out a bit, they just love it so much.
Do you cycle toys? Do you have a system?
So I have been MIA… Again. The problem is this – I work online for a living. I do content management for a few celebrity and parenting sites and then I also run my Social Media Consulting and web design business, which we are just starting and trying to build.
I work hard but I also need family time. I am with the kids all day but I also feel it is important for us to all have a few hours together at night. That leaves me working till 1, 2, 3 am and man, I get burned out. I love this site – it is my passion, and I do hope to build it up. So please bare with me!
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Lucas has started being really picky about eating. I know he is hungry (his cranky mood is a dead giveaway lol) but he will wait to eat. I’m talking an hour and a half or more will pass before he even looks at his food. And often times, he would not finish breakfast.
I usually offer a waffle and fruit, a granola bar and fruit or peanut butter toast and fruit (and sometimes a smoothie). I don’t know if he is bored with the routine or what, but hungry and cranky toddler boys are a bit much to deal with on the daily basis.
So today I tried something new – giving him his snack and his breakfast options in little bowls all at once. And you know what – he dove right in!! He has peanut butter toast, a few chips, oatmeal raisin cookies and an orange.
Of course he walked over and said “Oh chips, I want one!” But he quickly loved on to the peanut butter bread.
Yumm-o!!!
Do you get stuck in food ruts?
So today we’re waiting for the maintenance man and we could not do our usual routine of going outside. The kids got an art easel with paint, crayons and markers for Christmas and I thought it would be a good idea to do some painting.
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Happy New Year to all of you! We had a very calm New Year, home with the kids, who were up later than usual because of the fireworks, but then they finally passed out right before midnight and Jon and I watched the ball drop together. It was perfect. Calm and perfect.
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Today we had a blast making Thanksgiving Turkey hats. Check out this simple craft for toddlers!
We are all into Thanksgiving here in the Elly house. I am in love with the holiday season, it is my favorite time of year and I am just thrilled to share that passion with my kiddos. I love doing crafts, decorating, baking – just feel like it is such a special time for family. I am always looking for new ideas and things to do with the kids. Not everything works, but most can be altered for your kiddos age and no matter what, you come out having had some real fun, and more importantly, with special memories.
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 I am always on the hunt for arts and crafts for Lucas and I to do together, hence my addiction to Pinterest. Which is where I came across this wonderful idea for a Gratitude Turkey. Little Family Fun posted about their annual tradition, and I love it!!!
We did this project yesterday and it was super fun – Lucas loved it and I loved talking with him about all of the things we have to be thankful for. This is definitely something we will be doing each year, and I plan on saving each one to treasure!
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For today’s Toddler Tuesday we started to make a robot!! We used two empty diaper boxes and glued colored construction paper around him. I used an old cake tray and a foam frame from the dollar store along with cute stickers, also from the dollar store. We still have some work to do but I think he’s going to turn out great!!
We need him Robbie the robot and we’re going to leave the arms and legs so daddy can help too.
I’ll put up a detailed account of how we made this cool robot after he’s done.
 Today Jon and I each took Lucas out for a little special time of his own. He loves Liam and is a great brother, but we could tell he needed some individual attention. He has been having a few more meltdowns than usual, which could just be his age, but it was clear that he was struggling a bit.
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