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Just An Ordinary Mommy
Friday, September 28, 2007
Preschoolers are fun!
Raising Peanut has been different than raising my other girls. Not because she's adopted, but because she is such a tail-ender. My other girls were all born within two and a half years of each other, so they naturally played together.
It's different with Peanut. Tibs is just over 7 years older than her and Jellybean isn't home yet. Tibs and Peanut play very hard together most of the time, but there are days or times when Tibs just doesn't want to play. Those "empty" times are what has thrown me for a loop. It's taken some adjusting on my part, but I feel like we're getting there. I don't always have time to be a "sit down and play" mom, but I am trying to be more creative in helping Peanut learn to play independently.
Here are two ideas we tried yesterday....
Recently I read in a book that preschoolers love to pretend paint. The book said to give them a bucket of soapy water and a large brush and to let them "paint" the front steps. I was doubtful that Peanut would really love this, but we got out the "paint" and I let her at it. Here she is intently "painting" (please excuse the "shirt", my dd's friend sewed it for her and she wouldn't take it off!)...
I was surprised when this little girl sat outside diligently "painting" for an hour and half! Yes, an hour and a half!!! She had so much fun that she asked to "paint" again later in the evening. And the neat thing was, she was totally involved the entire time and intent on "painting" all the steps.
While she was outside, I thought it would be fun to make her a batch of finger paint. I loved them when I was a little girl and this child is my artistic one. I've never actually "made" finger paint before, but I was game to try. It was surprisingly easy and the nice part is that the finished product is non-toxic and seems like it would clean up easily too. We didn't get to try them out yet since she was so busy "painting" the steps, but maybe today. Here's a picture of the finished paint...
And here's the recipe (Taken from my Dining On A Dime cookbook):
*1 pkg unflavored gelatin
*1/2 cup cold water
*1/2 cup cornstarch
*1 1/2 cups cold water
*liquid dish detergent
*food coloring
Dissolve the gelatin in 1/2 c. cold water. Set aside. In a medium saucepan, add cornstarch, then slowly stir in 1 1/2 c. water until well blended over medium heat. Cook until it boils, becomes smooth, thickens, and turns clear. Add gelatin mixture and stir well. Pour into containers and add a drop of liquid dish detergent. Add food coloring until you get the desired shade. Store covered in the refrigerator 4-6 weeks.
I'd LOVE to hear other ideas for preschoolers that use imagination!
And just for fun, here's Tibs (right) and her friend (left) busy doing school together yesterday morning. It was so fun having this kiddo here for the last two days, and I'm going to miss "M" when she's gone!
Have a fun day in your neck of the country!! :) |
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Saturday, September 29, 2007 - just have to say... ;-)
I will have to get some gelatin to try the finger paints...so fun!
thanks for your prayers, they mean so much and have SOOOO encouraged my hearts.
Giving thanks for blogging sisters!
(((hugs))))
Kimmie
mama to 6
one homemade and 5 adopted
http://overthemoonwithjoy.blogspot.com