Toddler Talk: Shake It!

To continue with the theme of music mania, I have a fun gift idea for the young kids in your life. Perhaps for a baby shower gift (which is where this one was given) or maybe a present for that little one with a birthday coming up who already has a billion cars, dollies, and electronic devices....

....like I have said before, music is amazing! And an essential component of healthy development! Kids learn about concepts in math, social interaction, & large/fine motor skills by listening to music and by making music of their very own!

I see how my toddlers get excited when music comes on the radio and know that yours most likely do the same! Why not give the gift of music to the next toddler on your shopping list:)

Ok, enough talk! Here's what I put together:

INSTRUMENTS!

MUSIC!

A BUCKET!

The instruments were purchased at a few different stores (Creative Kidstuff, 10,000 Villages, Lakeshore Learning, World Market).

The CD's I had in my library of kid music and burned some of my favorites.

And just a side note: see my earlier post about making felt bags to 'wrap' all those instruments. From a crafter's mind, it's all about the presentation: Cute Felt Gift Bags!

I may have gone a little overboard with the number of instruments/CD's, but I was having so much fun putting it all together. I just couldn't help myself! For a more manageable gift (both in time and $), maybe just do 1 or 2 CD mixes of your favorite (kid friendly) tunes and a handful of shakers and clackers!

The bucket is handy for keeping all things musical in one spot for easy, on the go creativity! I suggest having many regularly scheduled dance parties/jam sessions with the kids to give them a chance to bust out the 'Music Bucket' and rock it....toddler style!

Toddler Talk: Sing a Song

Sometimes, we teachers are in need of a song to sing that helps the kids learn important concepts. There are a myriad of tried and true musical numbers that help kids master letters, shapes, colors and the like. Great, wonderful! But what are you supposed to sing when they are going thru a phase of 'I like to scream really loud inside because another kid just did and it was really funny, and now i want to do it again. Because I like to.'?

What do you sing then?

You make up a new and amazing song to the tune of Frere Jacques...because if you don't, your eardrums just may explode!

We were working on the goal of 'appropriate voice levels for all occasions' last week, and my dear co-teacher Christy busted out a little diddy she created that fit the bill just right:

The kids thought it was DELIGHTFUL and we sang it together all week! It was a great springboard for casual conversation about where to be loud and where to be.....not loud.

So, the next time you have an issue with your little kiddo (not that your kids ever have issues, I am sure they are perfect, lovely angels all the time just like mine) that you just don't know how to remedy, I highly suggest making up a song about it. No need to compose your own original score, just use a familiar tune and go for it. My toddlers are most definitely more engaged and open to learning new concepts when singing is involved!

p.s. one more song we made up (at least i think its an original) to the same tune is a fun way to rock the Peek-a-boo game:

Who is hiding, who is hiding?
Can you guess, can you guess?
Peek-a-boo its (name here).
Peek-a-boo its (name here).
Who is next, who is next?

Another crowd favorite that they could literally sing for hours! Happy composing:)

Doin' Stuff

Since last week's apartment re-arrangement, I have been spending most of my time going through all my 'stuff' and purging extraneous junk.

It feels so good to once again get rid of the things I keep 'just in case I might use them one day' but never do. I'm pretty sure I have talked about this before...but I highly recommend doing this once every few years (even if its just one closet at a time). You can even make a list of the things you want to accomplish...I like lists and to cross things off of lists. Also, recruit a buddy to help you be honest with yourself about the stuff you don't need but just can't seem to let go of. In the end, it is totally worth it!

Aside from the purging palooza, I did manage to have a few moments to get my creative juices flowing:

1. I finished my very first project via sewing machine. It's nothing fancy and an expert sewer might cringe at my 'technique', but I am excited none the less:

Mini sleeping bags and pillows for the baby dolls in my classroom. Hilarious, right! I have been on vacation for the past few days so haven't gotten the official report if they are a hit or not, but I am thinking yes.

2. New decorations for my room divider:

I have 3 visible panels that divide my bed and sitting area (which I have decided to call 'The Parlour' so I can pretend I am fancy like the ladies on Downton Abby). I found 3 random frames from a thrift store, painted them all gold and bought 3 new mats for inside the frames. Then, printed off some maps from the internets...I chose Minnesota, a map of Duluth (hometown), and a map of St. Paul (current town). I saw something similar with the State of Minnesota framing at a craft fair a few months back and just needed a place in my house to implement such a lovely idea. Mission accomplished and happy Wednesday!

Sequins & Sofas: A New View

For the past year, I had been toying with the idea of home ownership. I saw a bunch of really great properties with oodles of potential...even put offers on a few!

But the market has taken a turn for the 'better'....which means home prices are rapidly increasing.... yaahhhhh! Wait a minute. Not such great news for a little preschool teacher with a limited moola supply.

Long story short, my home ownership plans were put on the back burner (for now) and I was feeling like I needed a change of scenery.

Moving is a lot of work. So to start, a few gals came over to my teeny studio last week and helped me rearrange my current dwelling. And I have to say, it feels so rejuvenating and exciting to change it up!

I went in with a tentative plan in my head of what I hoped would work. The before layout:

The new gameplan:

I should have taken pictures of the move in action...it was truly hilarious to maneuver all my furniture around in such a small space....with 3 other people added to the mix...but alas, no documentation of the process. I did however manage to snap some before and afters:

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

I really am excited to walk into my apartment every day after work and enjoy my newly created home. I think I am feeling content to continue to be an apartment dweller....although I have just realized that possibly searching for an apartment with 1 actual bedroom might be a fun change of pace...with a little more space. We will see what the future holds!

And just a little encouragement for you peeps feeling stuck in your space....don't be afraid to change it up. Give yourself a new view...it could be magic!

Sequins & Sofas: Flower Girl Fun!

I have a lovely young friend who recently had the duties of 'Flower Girl' to attend to at a wedding! She had a beautiful dress, fancy shoes, pearly earrings and a pretty bouquet of flowers...the only thing needed to complete the ensemble was a sweet little up-do.

I have had a handful of experiences with doing hair for weddings in the past and asked her if I could do hers for this special occasion! She was excited, so we got to work...it's really not all that hard if you have a little guidance on the basics:

This 'Do' started with a low ponytail.

I took small sections of hair and curled each one (this can be done to the whole head of hair before securing the ponytail if you prefer).

Next, I just grabbed one curl at a time, found a happy place for it and secured with a bobby pin near the base of the ponytail (it serves as an anchor for the pins to hold tight).

Keep going...

A few more....

Add a little home made flower (see my earlier post on how to make one for yourself: Fancy Flower)....and this girl is ready to roll! So beautiful and so simple! Don't be afraid to give it a try for your next fancy soirée. Piece of cake...wedding cake, ha!

Sequins & Sofas: 5 Things

A few more delights that bring a smile to my face:

1. Seche Vite Clear Base Coat/Top Coat- Recommended by my friend 'L' who is an excellent nail technician and all around lovely lady. It gives a nice string base for any color and the top coat keeps the color long lasting.

2. Plug in chandelier- I got this one at Target on a clearance shelf for like $25. Every girl needs a chandelier in her room....even if you are a renter and can't actually install a real one...just plug it in!

3. Tupperware Modular Mates- They come in all kinds of sizes (and 2 lid colors I think). I use them for all of my bulk items like sugar, flour and rice. They keep my foods wonderfully fresh...love.

4. Simple Sugars Facial Scrub- My friend 'A' gifted me with a tub of this fun little product. She had tried it out and thought it might work for me as well...we both have sensitive skin that is often less than cooperative with us. I gave it a go and found it to be very gentle and moisturizing...did not make me break out and left my skin feeling baby soft. I think it is only available online...google it.

5. Norwex Eyeglass and Optic Cloth- Available only thru their company and a consultant I think. But if you ever are invited to a party, this is one little item that I definitely recommend and use every day! I got one for my glasses and another for my iPad screen...$8.99 each.

Sequins & Sofas: Girl Power!

My niece and nephew have been sharing a room for the past few years...but it has come to the time for the dude to have his own room:

Sister B has been brainstorming ideas for the girls' new room and I wanted to throw my two cents into the ring to try to help. I was bored one morning, so I channeled my inner 4th grade diorama building self and put together a possible schematic:

....Walls and floor.

....Beds, wall stripes and blankets.

....A few accessories.

....Bed canopies and pillows to finish it off.

We'll see how the final product comes out...which ideas she runs with and if my little art project was helpful or not! Either way, it was fun to put a vision down for a possible design. I can't wait to see what she decides....these lovely ladies deserve a special new space:

Oh and here's the room now...stay tuned for the transformation: