Valentine's Collage

In December, we made winter solstice lanterns. We used tissue paper, glitter, sequins, Modge Podge and a balloon. We placed a tea light inside the lanterns and they glowed beautifully. After a month or so of being looked at and carried around they were starting to look a bit beat up so I decided to cut them up for a valentines collage. The tissue paper was beautiful with all the glitter Lulu had added. I did't want to see it go in the trash. We used cardboard as a base, added more sequins and homemade confetti. I showed Lulu how to use the hole punch and she went to town punching holes in the tissue. Afterwards I showed her the confetti stored inside the hole punch. She loved that. I let her pour on the glue and have fun. After she glued the pieces down I let her squeeze more glue on and then sprinkle on sequins and confetti. We punched a hole at the top and added a ribbon for hanging. I think we may do a heart later this week. So here we have a L for Love & Lulu.

Playdough

Lulu got a playdough (or claydough as she calls it) extruder for Christmas. It entertains her for long stretches of time. I am amazed. Here is some of her work.

Notice that I limit Lulu to colors that make other colors. When using clay or paint I try to limit her palette so she will discover what happens when you mix primary colors together. If you give them too many colors they end up making mud. Even very young children know when something turns from beautiful bright colors to yucky greenish brown. They get frustrated. So limit them to 2-3 colors for now.

Magnetic Doll Clothes

Lulu & Emme got Magnetic wooden dolls for Christmas. Lulu, esp. loves playing with them. Unfortunately, they come with only so many outfits. Lulu wanted more outfits and that got me thinking... I created a skirt and bow for Princess Elise using a magnetic frame backing (which is sticky on one side) and some ribbon, paper and iridescent tissue paper. I used one the skirts as a template and two seconds later...Princess Elise had a new outfit. Fabric scraps would work well.

Ice Sculptures

Very messy but fun!! Lulu & I had food coloring under our finger nails for a while. Building with the ice cubes didn't work so well but Lulu had fun just playing with the cubes and when we were done we threw them outside. The next day it had snowed again so while I shoveled the driveway Lulu hunted for "Gems" in the snow. It got me thinking that instead of trying to build with the cubes they would make great eyes & mouth for a snow man. Lulu would love using them as decoration for a snow princess. So next time it snows we are going to try this again. Another fun snowy day activity is the squirt bottle filled with colored water. Lulu makes painting in the snow. This keeps her busy while I shovel.

These are the paper projects we completed from the TOYMAKER website. Lulu colored them and I cut them out and assembled them. The little bag was the perfect size for her homemade soap.

Treasure Soap

Inspired by Snow Globe Soap on Alpha Mom site. This was so easy, quick and fun. My 3yr. old loved helping add the color, scent, sparkles, soap shavings & of course the treasure. It also helped that it was pretty quick to set up so she could see the results soon after the project was done & cleaned up. She is very proud of her creations and wants to make more. We have already given away most of the bars. GREAT TEACHER GIFTS!! We plan on making Valentines soaps. The initial investment was about $25 for mold, coloring, glitter, scent, glycerin, and treasures. I had the ribbon & bags. This was definitely a fun project and my sister's 8 year old daughter wanted to make some after she saw Lulu's...so great for all ages.

Lulu's first ballet class!

Great Site / Free Printable Paper Projects

http://www.thetoymaker.com

I already printed out the Fairy Box, The Bear wagon, and the Habitat for Humanity House (Which I am going to have the girls color then I will assemble. I love this site!! I'll post pictures later.

Boo Boo Socks

Easy Activity / Boo Boo Sock
We filled some out grown socks with rice, sewed them shut, and placed the matching sock over as a cover. Store in freezer bag and in the freezer for bumps and bruises. Great because they are soft and don't feel too cold so Lulu & Emme love holding them. Thought it would be cute to do with mittens. Mis matched sock would work well too. Lulu helped fill the socks. We used a homemade funnel (a paper plate, made into a cone, taped, with the end snipped off.)

New Years Time Capsule...thought it would be a fun tradition to place favorite moments from the year, accomplishments and hopes for the coming year(s). Lulu had fun sticking foam shapes to the outside of an old plastic container some toys had come in. As the girls get older I think they will look forward to contributing to the time capsule. We set the open date for 2018 when Lulu is 15 and Emme is 13.