Quick Tid BIt

We've been busy as usual here, but I wanted to poke my head quickly into blog land to share this link with you. I just found the Educators Outlet and I am really excited about some of the things in their catalog. But the most exciting thing is the sale they are having now.

Their clearance is 80% off list price. Plus on top of that they are offering an additional 50% off until tomorrow(you will see this discount when you check out). The prices are unbelievable. You need to go. Even if you are not homeshcooling they have some great games and puzzles perfect for birthday gifts.

Happy shopping!

My First Sewn Outfit

This past weekend I was inspired by a bit of red, heart shaped lace. I decided to make a valentines day outfit for Esther. Here is how it came out...


I am not the best at sewing, but I think it came out pretty good. I used a pattern from JoAnn Fabrics for the top. And I made the pants out of the sleeves from a shirt of mine that had a hole in it. I just kind of took the sleeves and pinned them on her, then sewed them up and used elastic for the waste-band. I will definitely be making more of these shirts since it was so easy and it turned out really cute.

Tot School - February 7, 2010

Esther is 39 Months old

Since reading this post almost a year ago I have been wanting to do it, but was waiting until I had a good supply of buttons and I could find the book. I had ordered The Button Box from our library and it finally arrived. After reading the book I presented Esther with her very own box of buttons. To say she was excited would be an understatement.

The buttons I had bought at Michaels. They came all together in a bag and it cost $4.00

She spent time just looking through them, sorting them and playing with them.

Later in the week we used them for counting. I am sure they will be brought out again for many more learning adventures.

We also used our Kumon tracing Book for the first time. She loved it!! In fact I had to stop her after several pages so that she would be excited to do more the next day.

We had a guest with us one day so we all got to paint with kool aid

As well as play dress up for a tea party.
We learned about Daniel and lion's den and made this stuffed lion craft. I tried to take a nice picture but the lion was too busy drinking Esther's milk.
For our science time we learned all about out skin, why we sweat, and our fingerprints.

We also played with poker chips.

It has been a year since I first started Tot School and this blog, (Happy Birthday me!) and I can't believe that not once have I shared how much I LOVE poker chips! We use them for so many learning activities. For some reason my kids love the feel of the chips as well as the sound they make when they clink together.

This week Esther used poker chips to practice her shapes. I would start a shape for her and she would finish it.

She also practiced her patterning.

Little Man Elijah also has started joining us. Here he is with the very first Tot Tool I ever made.

I took a frosting container (any plastic container would work) and I cut a slit in the top. I used duct tape to cover any sharp edges. When you push the poker chip through the slit it makes a great clinking sound. Once they're all in you shake it for good measure, then open it up and start all over again. Both my kids love this toy and it occupies them for quite a while.

That was our week for Tot school to see what other are doing click the button below.