Just in time delivery...

What a great day for our art supplies to arrive.  Stormy weather calls for indoor painting.  And, to keep it exciting...we passed on our usual tempera and finger paints and tried out our new liquid watercolors from www.discountschoolsupply.com. 

Watercolors, paper, spray bottles, bingo bottles

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, a tub with reds, pinks, hearts, and coffee filters seemed appropriate for beginners.

She wasn't too sure (and neither was I) about the new painting techniques, but she quickly settled into a rhythm.

Tomorrow we'll try dropping another color on her dried art for some added interest...and then, create some special "Happy Heart-Day" crafts.  

Getting Outside

Ella likes to walk her Dag-a-roo on a leash these days, although I think it's mostly the other way around.  Today, we felt like getting outside before the rain comes.  So, off we went on a leisure walk to the neighborhood park--pulling the wagon behind us.  The wagon serves as a carrier of our stuff on the way down and a vehicle for one tired little girl and one lazy dog on the way back.

Dag likes the freedom of roaming the park without a leash, Ella was eager to find some bugs for her new bug box--a Christmas gift from the Livesays.   Mom likes how tired they both are when we get home.

Her box is now filled with rolly pollies and worms, which reminds me...I need to go set them free. 

Daddy taught her how to balance (our park used to have a great slide and seesaws before a tree took them out).  Leaves lots of room for being creative!

Can't think of a better way to spend an afternoon!

We Felt Like It...

Last February, we had a lot of family fun making felted soap with Ella--using this tutorial:
http://rhythmofthehome.com/felted-soap-tutorial.  The soft roving wool, warm water, and bubbles--together--were a great entertaining and sensorial experience.  Plus, felted soaps are perfect for toddler bath time (eliminating the need for a washcloth).

Daddy, Ella and Aunt JuJu

Finished Product

Left over wool...

Making "small things with great love!"

Salad Spinner Art

While Ella was napping, I pulled out my salad spinner to spin some lettuce.  It occurred to me that the spinner could also be used for an art project.  So, I traced the bottom of the lettuce basket onto art paper and made multiple circles.  Then, pulled out tempera paint and waited for my girl to wake up... and give it a spin.

She tried one color, multiple colors, spinning fast, and spinning slow; she'd grab the knob and away she'd go!  Fun time.  

Dreaming the Night Away

The twos bring about a lot of change for little ones--and parents, too.  Restless nights.  Growing pains.  Holiday Change to Routines.  The Will.

Nothing like a little tent and some colored Christmas lights to help her dream the night away.

Sleep tight sweet girl...

More Sand Play

The sand trays were such a success yesterday we moved on to a sand bin today...

Learning to open different containers

Honing fine motor skills 

She could have played all night!

My floors will forever be gritty, but I've come to realize that that's okay;).  

Sand Trays

Simple, fun, and easy clean up... 

Practice letter writing

Trace objects

Add caption 

Draw/doodle

Ella's Eve

Ringing in the new year--toddler style...

A few days ago we started making New Year's Eve party favors to help celebrate the old and new.

We used clear contact paper and colored tissue paper in different shapes

Added a little corn and beans

And wah-lah...noise makers.  Those curly things to the left are party hats (MarthaStewart.com)

The balloon bag is filled and ready to drop at the toddler countdown (7:30 p.m), and the white grape juice spiked with a bit of ginger ale is ready for her bubbly toast.

Anticipation...

A little sparkler training with dad 

And the magic begins!  

Sparkly shoes for dinner on the town

Fireworks and Friends...

Cambree and Ella watching the daddy and "bop" fireworks show

Countdown and Balloon Drop

 Daddy/Daughter Toast..."to a happiness that knows no bounds."

Wishing all of you a memory-filled New Year with those you love!