We arrived in Anchorage

In the last two weeks I have graduated college with my B.A. in Elementary Education, packed up my entire house without the hubs help, and flew my two little ones and two dogs to Anchorage by myself. To say it has been a whirlwind would be an understatement. Thank you for still tuning in since I have had to neglect the blog world in the last couple of months. Simply survival mode!

I am so excited for our new adventure here in Anchorage, AK. I am even more excited to be reunited with my hubs (he came up Sept 1st for work). It has been a LONG time since we could be a family on a daily basis. I have tons of plans and ideas to do with the kiddos so tune in for TONS of post with craft/learning goodness! However, I first have to wait for all of our belongings to arrive. It is going to be a LONG two weeks.

Exploring the backyard

Sunk down deep

Snow cave caused by meltwater

Exploring our neighborhood

Home Sweet Home

Babies First Sensory Bin

This past summer I was busy making sensory bins for my five year old and sensory baskets for my baby. The baskets were designed towards larger items for safety sake. Some previous tot sensory baskets were: color theme, letter theme, shape theme, and nature theme. To see all the previous tot baskets click here. Sensory bins on the other hand were filled with more miniature items and fillers. Sensory bins for my oldest ranged from back to school, construction, beach, holidays, and more. You can see those here. I have gotten away from making them lately because I am in the midst of a huge move. I am eagerly anticipating making sensory bins and baskets later this Spring.

As I was busy making a craft with my 5 year old I realized I needed to keep my 15 month old occupied. He is too young for many craft supplies and I had no sensory baskets on hand. What I did have was beans, poms, two cups, heart containers from the Dollar Tree, a heart ice-cube tray, and a casserole dish to put everything in. Yes, it did end up with a Valentine's Day theme, but it was unintentional. Honestly, I was frantically throwing things in for him to stay quiet. It took me about three minutes to put it together. I was sweating bullets handing it to my little monster. He loves to shove everything in his mouth or throw items across the floor. Suprisingly, he used it just like a sensory bin is intended to be used. He got busy pouring and transporting, he even put beans in the containers to make shakers! I was blown away. Now about 8 minutes later it did end up on the floor, but I take my successes when I can get them.

Brother had to get in on the action and show him how it is done.

I am looking forward to trusting him with smaller items, but I think the majority of his sensory experiences will still be similar to baskets I have put together in the past. Look for more ideas of sensory play in the next few months.

Current Update

I am so ashamed that I have only written twice this month. It is really telling how often I have done supplementing at home with the boys-not much. In 5 weeks I will be boarding a plane to move to Anchorage. Before that time I need to back up the house, finish student teaching, finish my state/school final project, get the boys and dogs ready for the move, and make about a million calls and plans. Can you tell I am overwhelmed!

My hubs found our new home in Anchorage today. I am so excited! It is the biggest home I have ever had the privilege of living in. One of my wants is making a playroom. I am thinking about converting the formal living room into a playroom, since we don't need a living room & a family room. I am trying to figure out how to do this and yet not have the main living space not look cluttered and dirty. I am also trying to decide on layout and storage. I can't wait until we are unpacked and playing in our new home.

Thank you for being supportive and I promise the posts will return with a vengenous in April. Your patience has been astounding!

Rock Sale

 One of my five year-old's favorite "game" to play is what he calls Rock Sale. It is something he created almost two years ago. He gets out some of his favorite, polished rocks and puts them out in an organized way. Next he calls out "Rocks for sale! Who wants to buy some fancy and beautiful rocks."  I am then instructed to make an inquiry about his wares. He attaches a dollar amount to the rocks ($100 each and $1000 for the Pyrite-it is gold after all). Then I hand him play money and he gives me change. After this interaction he wants to switch roles. It is silly but he loves it. He asks to play this almost monthly. It is so fascinating the things kiddos come up with and enjoy!

Cookie Break

Sorry I haven't blogged much lately. I am at the crucial part of Student Teaching where I am teaching full days and trying to work on my exit project for graduation. All while I began packing for our big move to Alaska in 7 weeks. I have been neglecting my Mommy super powers and haven't done much supplementing at home. I have mustered enough energy to read with "A" most nights. I am so proud of him. He went into Kindergarten with no reading other than the word cat under his belt, and now he is reading level H books (end of 1st grade). I can't get him to pass his second grouping of sight words though.

As busy as I am some times it is fun just to take a time out. "A found a Valentine's Day Sugar Cookie Decorating Kit. The easiness appealed to me and it was a blast just to spend that quality time together, plus the cookies didn't taste bad either ;o)

I am looking forward to having more moments like this with the boys in late Spring in our new home. I am hoping we can get a playroom and that I can start Tot School. If you don't hear from me please know that once summer nears I will return to blogging with some ferocity.

Dream Jar

My five year old has pretty awful dreams. All night he will be calling out, thrashing, kicking, and hitting. Luckily, sleep walking hasn't came into the equation yet! I always feel so bad for him. As a parent it is one of those helpless situations.

All though I have read many books to help "A" with bedtime fears none of worked as well as The Dream Jar by Lindan Lee Johnson. An older sister helps her fearful little sister by making her a "magic" dream jar. That way if the little sister has a nightmare she can wake up, pick a dream from the jar, and change the nightmare to fit her new and better dream.

Next "A" and I got busy brainstorming so happy memories or thoughts that he may want to use to change is bad dreams into good ones. We wrote slips that include riding roller-coaster rides, Mom's kisses (my favorite), playing with Daddy, magic wands, etc. and then rolled them up like in the book. I got a baby snack jar and "A" decorated it with some happy stickers. I added some fun confetti to the jar for a sprinkle of magic. "A" loves his jar and every night he picks a slip to help him have good dreams. It has been working-so far! At least the feeling of helplessnes has ceased.

One of his worst dreams is of dinosaurs out to get him. This way he changes the scary dino into a sweet pet.

2nd major dream is normally vampires (not sure how he even knows about them). This way the teeth are gone and they can be friends. This was his ideas

And of course every boy should dream they have their own car to drive away in.

Tape Roadways

I am working on being more of a "Fun Mom", which doesn't always come easy to me. With my long hours of work and school I am trying to sneak in play times that my son won't easily forget. When I saw this on Pinterest I knew I had found a winner. I just bought masking tape and proceeded to make roadways all through out the living room and dining room. The more furniture you tape up the better. Then matchbox races here we go!

"A" driving on his road

Don't you love the randomness of things on my floor-like deodorant. Ahh-life with a 15 month old.

Parking Lot

He is such a ham ;0)