tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33494889731911073832024-02-21T02:25:59.211-06:00Apple Shoe“Children are our most precious natural resource. Through a child’s eyes war, hunger, and all other horrors of mankind cease to exist; if only for a short while. It does not matter how much your net worth is, or when the next bills are due. To a child all that matters are the stolen moments filled with love, and maybe a little imagination.”
AppleshoeAppleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.comBlogger330125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-42592368376409380932017-02-06T08:55:00.002-06:002017-02-06T09:05:36.218-06:00One Last Goodbye<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello My Friends,</div>
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This is my last post in this space. </div>
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I have been putting it off for a while now, hoping I could stay. Life, however, is sending us on a different path. </div>
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I began this journey (and it has been a journey) seven and a half years ago, shortly after becoming a bride and buying our first home. This has been a sacred place where I have jotted down about our lives, crafts, soul, our TWO children we've had during our stay in this space, the loss of loved ones, and even my deteriorating health.</div>
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A few months ago my husband and I made up the decision that we need to move. I am no longer physically capable of staying in our beautiful home. Since we began this journey I have had to learn how to be a mother to a special needs child, and this home does not support his needs. Don't be sad for us. This is just a new chapter, a beautiful chapter. You see, we have grown. This is no longer the right home for us, so we are setting off to find a new one. Our current home is too large for the minimalistic lifestyle that we have grown into and now embrace. Our new home will come with many beautiful gifts. </div>
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The gift of financial freedom. A smaller home will cost less and likely we will just buy it outright. Wow! Right there. The freedom that it brings just to say (type) it out loud.</div>
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Less "stuff" to bog us down. </div>
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We don't use all the space in our home, so living freely and fully in our new space will be a beautiful blessing. "We" will grow to fit our home, instead of our "stuff" growing to fit the space.</div>
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Acreage. Room to run and play. Nature to hold in our hands. Chickens, and maybe one day goats!Nature is a great healer, and I believe that this move can only help my sons on their paths.</div>
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And not to be forgotten, the physical freedom to be in my home and easily leave whenever I want. Too often I have been stranded upstairs in our current home, physically unable to go downstairs or even leave the house.</div>
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Our cabin in the woods or forgotten farm house is waiting for us.</div>
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We are living our dreams.</div>
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This is no longer the right place for us, but the right place is out there calling. Soon we will find our home. Soon we will leave behind the ghosts that haunt this home. The pain that these last three years has thrown at us.</div>
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A new beginning.</div>
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When we find our home, we may yet start a new blog (or vlog) about our new homesteading journey,</div>
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but for now this is goodbye.</div>
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Thank you to all the amazing women I have met and grown to love these past several years. Thank you for the lessons learned. Thank you for the shoulders to cry on, the joy of being able to help at times, and all of the wonderful advice. Leave a message below (or email me as many of you like to privately do) with your email addresses to keep in touch, and when we start again I will give you the address for our new blog (or vlog). I will not post the new address here. Too many ghosts haunt this place, and we are leaving them behind. Please stay in touch. Thank you for joining us on our journey.</div>
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This is a last good bye to this space, but not you my friends.</div>
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Please come with us as we chase our dreams.</div>
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With all my heart, Shine on~</div>
Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-5239468686258763282016-10-22T16:57:00.000-05:002016-10-22T16:57:15.023-05:00A year ago today...or Then and Now.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A year ago today we welcomed you, our tiny Badger into the family. I saw your impossibly tiny ears and whispered into them as you fell asleep (and every night since) that I loved you. </div>
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You placed your tiny hands in mine. I know this is your way of telling me now that you love me back.</div>
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Your feet have grown so much and have taken you so far. You are only starting to take your first steps now. I wonder where your feet will take you as we step into this new year together.</div>
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My sweet little Badger. Happy Birthday. Know that my hands will never be to small to cradle your face or wipe away your tears. You are such a joy, thank you for choosing our family. We love your mellow spirit and your sense of humor. You can be quite a little ham sometimes. Happy birthday and</div>
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shine on my beautiful boy.</div>
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love,</div>
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~Mum~</div>
Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-2959802121460270472016-10-18T10:20:00.001-05:002016-10-18T10:20:27.450-05:00Too Many Pumpkins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lest week our lesson plans were based around <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Too-Many-Pumpkins-Linda-White/dp/0823413209">"Too Many Pumpkins"</a> by Linda White. I hope we did this book justice because it is one of my sister's favorites.</div>
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Our sensory bin was black beans and orange pom poms with spiral pipe cleaners. I added a woman and a cat to represent the woman and the cat in the book. A very simple bin, but it was well liked. Enough with the beans already! Ok ok, I hear you and promise that this week's bin is different.</div>
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Badger's wonder basket held several little pumpkins, but his favorite was the real pumpkin and he studied, played with, and nibbled on it all week. The woman and cat represent the woman and cat in the book, and there is even a tiny truck.. You have to read the book to find out how they all fit together. </div>
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Our Poem this week was "Five Little Pumpkins sitting on a Gate". The star stickers were hard for even me to peel off the backs, but Panda had fun placing them. Foam stickers are amazing for little hands and Panda had no trouble with them. This was great for getting him to use a pincher grasp on the stickers to get his hand ready for the proper hand hold for a pencil. It also was an exercise in following directions (stars go in the sky and pumpkins go on the fence). </div>
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We also had a pumpkin sitting in our living room all week to warm up and for the kids to explore. They both loved rolling it around and sitting on it and patting it to hear the hollow thumps.. Thursday we cut it open to see what was inside. My sensory seeking little man who hates sticky slimy things dove right in! I am so proud of him. </div>
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We then turned it into our happy Jack o' lantern. Panda says hello and bye every time we pass it. We did our 'normal' counting and letter exercises, but they had no pumpkin theme so I'm leaving them out, however one thing to note was that several days this past week Panda <u>asked</u> to work on them. This boy has such a thirst to learn. </div>
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Panda cut out this pumpkin (with minimal help) using loop scissors and then made a hand print leaf. He was so excited to be making a pumpkin that he didn't even mind the paint on his hand. Several times this week he has proudly pointed out his pumpkin and has told me, "I make Pumpkin". That is a big sentence for my little guy and it also shows pride in his accomplishment. </div>
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One last craft we did was to paint mini pumpkins. Panda had a lot of fun swirling the paint around and discovered that yellow and blue make green! Oh the excitement and giggle when he put those two together. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMAMcRB9Vnxn7kMR39D5AnLXoN05ytQZZzKPPhE6q6IL9wxiU9JzV8W0sFf4YcVCHRiQ6kzlUNGisSjOcp-pglKn9oSQ800cEKYB-OafZs9_5vdDyZIpGZjIGrbYd-7EffcsEX2r-wNxN/s1600/pumpkin.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxsAuN4HwEqVDyewO_pZlPckZeGwUxy_viIgDTzVQW44a-5Qbn39C18AbwysjllX0O70KCZXfPLItlLoIMK7g6A5Lu17l-iKUcmzFTYlrEQ1QlMiE3Jk0FQlhrCfnBhgIi8_jFs5R0Dyz/s1600/patch.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxsAuN4HwEqVDyewO_pZlPckZeGwUxy_viIgDTzVQW44a-5Qbn39C18AbwysjllX0O70KCZXfPLItlLoIMK7g6A5Lu17l-iKUcmzFTYlrEQ1QlMiE3Jk0FQlhrCfnBhgIi8_jFs5R0Dyz/s320/patch.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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We ended the week with pumpkin pancakes and a trip to the pumpkin patch. This was our second trip there this year. The first trip was real rocky. Panda darted here and there and didn't listen to anyone. This time he stayed close by and came when called. We didn't even have a melt down when it was time to go. All in all, this week was a success.</div>
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Thanks for reading. What pumpkin activities have you done?</div>
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~Shine on~</div>
Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-70126782920239217182016-10-11T10:33:00.003-05:002016-10-11T10:33:57.687-05:00Caps for Sale<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_qT7KH0THO6OFd8WIxF4rVLFWcrQiHu08WcKiMlSGjCgqo9FKxQJ-CPcRJtE-kJMONccS-tqmXdLHeRoTkN9ptEFn23WiLxAl9T89leoFKcmO4Fq_P7bgztGoiG_JlsfHHj8Kv0Ulbk8/s1600/book.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_qT7KH0THO6OFd8WIxF4rVLFWcrQiHu08WcKiMlSGjCgqo9FKxQJ-CPcRJtE-kJMONccS-tqmXdLHeRoTkN9ptEFn23WiLxAl9T89leoFKcmO4Fq_P7bgztGoiG_JlsfHHj8Kv0Ulbk8/s320/book.png" style="cursor: move;" width="239" /></a></div>
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Last week our lessons were based around this lovely childhood favorite. "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Caps-Sale-Peddler-Monkeys-Business/dp/0064431436/">Caps For Sale</a>" by Esphyr Slobodkina. Wow, this book held Panda's attention so well. He's still requesting we read it this week.. And so we do. We have about 15 books he requests I read every day. Thankfully they are all seasonal so I wont go crazy reading them before it's time to switch to a new season. But Hooray! His love of books has returned!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wBtqrRibf_s6Kgnu2ZIMYE62Wt-S_9bONBG3-E7wweNypGPrKIv7DwgNRrsi4_FFw9gvhT1wBzKPZnCMjYz-0y04YFJe_UOc4d_2BxDjgt1SEO30pDEycYFr_dfPe51cSo0s6zfJeNNo/s1600/bin.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wBtqrRibf_s6Kgnu2ZIMYE62Wt-S_9bONBG3-E7wweNypGPrKIv7DwgNRrsi4_FFw9gvhT1wBzKPZnCMjYz-0y04YFJe_UOc4d_2BxDjgt1SEO30pDEycYFr_dfPe51cSo0s6zfJeNNo/s320/bin.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our sensory bin was made up so that we could act out the story. I made a peddler, five monkeys, and way to many hats. We also included $0.50 because that is what the peddler says the hats cost. I will never sew another one of these hats again, but I am glad that I made them. Panda loved them. He loved decorating the monkeys, swapping hats, putting them on his fingers, just cradling them in wonder at the tiny hats his mum made. I got the idea and patterns for them "<a href="http://weefolkart.com/book-nook-caps-sale-directions/">Here</a>".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6I0NQlIuxBRsXDqVZM0WbrHOFLJm6y-V6jOTKDvVK4qXz2VLcLby7pPBviEFzZ7jyhWEYVNOwCCtIy3Mr4W4ranyiWUDyFbidbRoyrI299xZA1oFrE7s_5GN_VzWFdL5etwBhJuNa7MLX/s1600/counting.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6I0NQlIuxBRsXDqVZM0WbrHOFLJm6y-V6jOTKDvVK4qXz2VLcLby7pPBviEFzZ7jyhWEYVNOwCCtIy3Mr4W4ranyiWUDyFbidbRoyrI299xZA1oFrE7s_5GN_VzWFdL5etwBhJuNa7MLX/s320/counting.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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They even worked well for math manipulative's! Ok, so we're still working on number recognition, but still. He is only three, and that is pretty darn good.</div>
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The five monkeys were used for Math as well. We counted and acted out the children's rhyme of five little monkeys jumping on the bed. This was a huge hit and the reason why I made exactly five monkeys. It met him where he is at. I am learning that Panda learns through reenacting play games like this best.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6i2f92N_K8WXH7Fbjen3LyGul5fu1Cbk1oFMVQO-vBjLHEAW0NFmQYS2yI8iuxm8lqTF_riKePV-ROBcgpq5FVySzqVetW7LFeL-1NocMGBc_h0GwN9DEmEnspcBD0-sd57GNz5PMcJvZ/s1600/caps.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6i2f92N_K8WXH7Fbjen3LyGul5fu1Cbk1oFMVQO-vBjLHEAW0NFmQYS2yI8iuxm8lqTF_riKePV-ROBcgpq5FVySzqVetW7LFeL-1NocMGBc_h0GwN9DEmEnspcBD0-sd57GNz5PMcJvZ/s320/caps.png" width="239" /></a></div>
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I had Panda walk around 'Slowly slowly' with caps on his head like the peddler and used this as an opportunity to practice "Stop!". This is a safety issue we have while out in public and it was such a nice and gentle way to work with him and meet him where he is at. </div>
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Our neighbors gave us this amazing chalkboard. We have been using it to work on letter recognition and precursors to handwriting. Thank you! He loves it. </div>
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I also found a few <a href="http://www.supercoloring.com/coloring-pages/stories-tales/caps-for-sale">coloring pages</a> on line that were great for our crafts and art projects this week.</div>
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I didn't forget about Badger. His wonder basket this week had a hat, two monkey puppets, a banana, and several differently shaped yellow blocks. He really has been enjoying the new skill of being able to put on and take off hates lately, the blocks were a wonder and puzzle for him, and he laughed like crazy when the "mum" monkey kissed the baby monkey puppet and nibbled on the banana. </div>
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We had planned to go too the zoo, but we are still down with a cold. So instead we had a monkey tea party outside. Wow! This was great for both boys. We were going to make monkey bread, but Panda did not like it, so we used what we had on hand. I bought a ceramic teapot at a thrift store and Panda was able to practice being gentle and careful and pouring. He was SO proud to be trusted with a "real" tea pot. There was great imaginative play done in our secret garden. Please and thank you were practiced and he even worked on sharing with his brother and monkey friends. The two of them had an absolute blast playing together. Tea Parties are back on our docket!</div>
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Thank you for reading. This week has been off to a great start. I can't wait to record about it in this space next week. Till then, Shine on!</div>
Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-87143763968391428752016-10-04T05:11:00.000-05:002016-10-04T05:12:53.339-05:00Badger's Wonder Baskets<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWCxOeB0i4xlcQM3qUlFw_4BuVNS1npfThUccd6W16HaukX0bQJdVzVJYUZCN9jsrezxbazIOOqhZ0BDA1R2qE9P45WsMtg_Cr3uCjj1_OnAKnnVr8_7cxW1DfDbaVOMqCWGnzaBBC0m2/s1600/untitled3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWCxOeB0i4xlcQM3qUlFw_4BuVNS1npfThUccd6W16HaukX0bQJdVzVJYUZCN9jsrezxbazIOOqhZ0BDA1R2qE9P45WsMtg_Cr3uCjj1_OnAKnnVr8_7cxW1DfDbaVOMqCWGnzaBBC0m2/s320/untitled3.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Last month when Panda started a more structured Preschool at home I began making wonder baskets for Badger to play with. These keep him occupied while I am working with his brother. I had planned on doing separate posts for Panda's school and Badger's activities... But that has been proving difficult. I will be adding these into my regular school posts from here on out. That being said; for <a href="https://appleshoe.blogspot.com/2016/09/apple-week.html">Apple Week</a> Badger's wonder basket held a chiming apple, and nesting measuring cups that he took great delight in stacking and unstacking and banging together. I found some silicon measuring spoons to add in. They have been a favorite teething soother all month. We also worked on sorting apples into muffin tins and tasted all sorts of apple treats together.</div>
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For <a href="https://appleshoe.blogspot.com/2016/09/talk-like-pirate-day-2016.html">Talk Like a Pirate Day</a>, Badger has a special one day pirate basket. He enjoyed playing with the boat the most out of this basket, so I followed his lead and gave him a bin of water to float the boat and splash around in while Panda was at therapy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvSun3IZDMVg3vg40qOZcrWVf2tBgUX6H3vtSHrinx0LqR2_in3ALr7ePUu2OjXOidrl0nFmVUut4PI2dnfgMbFeY-OVmc8SyD-KMH8If58ArX5acpxFXC_k2_SyXE1-itpUhrSMwILa8/s1600/Basket.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvSun3IZDMVg3vg40qOZcrWVf2tBgUX6H3vtSHrinx0LqR2_in3ALr7ePUu2OjXOidrl0nFmVUut4PI2dnfgMbFeY-OVmc8SyD-KMH8If58ArX5acpxFXC_k2_SyXE1-itpUhrSMwILa8/s320/Basket.png" style="cursor: move;" width="239" /></a></div>
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For our <a href="https://appleshoe.blogspot.com/2016/09/goodnight-moon.html">Good Night Moon Week</a> Badger had a comb and a brush and a bowl full of mush... errr... Make that a bowl and spoon. I also dug out a ball with a moon and a bunny for this basket. During the day we made a night sky by putting paint into a Ziploc bag and then smooshing the paint around.</div>
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For <a href="https://appleshoe.blogspot.com/2016/09/squirrel-week.html">Squirrel Week</a> I really wanted an acorn, but didn't have the time to stitch a felt one together. Instead I opted for several different wood slices, a squirrel, and a pine cone. Badger was fascinated with the pine cone. We spent most of our one on one time out on nature walks along the river this week.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvSun3IZDMVg3vg40qOZcrWVf2tBgUX6H3vtSHrinx0LqR2_in3ALr7ePUu2OjXOidrl0nFmVUut4PI2dnfgMbFeY-OVmc8SyD-KMH8If58ArX5acpxFXC_k2_SyXE1-itpUhrSMwILa8/s1600/Basket.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-tIfxAP2kon3y1cXCa2-lvw1solNlGAQ6IbYvc0MTPr7BOE2eUWjzjeerLoaE5Dc3m6eH3RIs4lFTHOqq_Ue5DUx6zqb0WKYSJ4jWCu17h1gR6LmGpnmFNNAr_LN1KuaU7Mdqy-0W8X1/s1600/untitled2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-tIfxAP2kon3y1cXCa2-lvw1solNlGAQ6IbYvc0MTPr7BOE2eUWjzjeerLoaE5Dc3m6eH3RIs4lFTHOqq_Ue5DUx6zqb0WKYSJ4jWCu17h1gR6LmGpnmFNNAr_LN1KuaU7Mdqy-0W8X1/s320/untitled2.png" width="239" /></a></div>
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And for Michaelmas and <a href="https://appleshoe.blogspot.com/2016/10/dragon-week.html">Dragon Week</a> I put together a basket with a knight, dragon, crown, shooting star, and a marigold dyed play silk. Badger is starting to take an interest in hats and had a lot of fun playing with the crown. We also have a wooden dragon pull toy that he had a lot of fun studying and pulling around the house. </div>
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I don't remember where I first heard of the idea of Wonder Baskets for Babies, but they are wonderful tools to keep on hand for safe and fun exploration. </div>
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Thanks for Reading and</div>
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~Shine On~</div>
Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-47537067611592650932016-10-02T21:52:00.001-05:002016-10-02T21:52:42.472-05:00Dragon Week<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOptZt0qJcWJyQiDE0sCvn6EMNxfnOB6Xj-pVdXW0l2czZxBp5DoouPZa3_TqEN-3PyeAbDaM3J7zn3SZgeaSl33B3WeHysfv7UHzhGTW0WHo_EwiEuj79qbHhttlK77BeDS_IoKwfEe5/s1600/book.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOptZt0qJcWJyQiDE0sCvn6EMNxfnOB6Xj-pVdXW0l2czZxBp5DoouPZa3_TqEN-3PyeAbDaM3J7zn3SZgeaSl33B3WeHysfv7UHzhGTW0WHo_EwiEuj79qbHhttlK77BeDS_IoKwfEe5/s320/book.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Last week we celebrated Michaelmas. Panda loves dragons so I worked dragons into all of our plans. This is the book we chose. It did not have the lesson of conquering your fears and letting your light shine as clearly as I would have liked for Michaelmas... But it did have the lesson that not all your plans in life turn out how you expect them to and That seemed to meet us where we are at right now. </div>
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I kept the acorns from last week's sensory bin and added horse chestnuts for this week's bin. Panda loves to peel the shells off and hold the glowing chestnuts inside. I used our book this week and the chestnuts to talk about how everyone is different and to find the beauty inside. As a Michaelmas gift I gave him a new Michael angel peg doll. It has been close at hand all week. On Friday we have little puppet shows. I used these peg dolls to perform a simple Michaelmas story. Panda was mesmerized. This is the first puppet show we have done that he has sat completely still for.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YQ0cWYMJthj5-hb_Jdp1UpIN7QumHUBRSHlZpY29f52_Y2-Q7GOqHC0S33-dJDzqdi4lJbI5gwJUC4FoXDdZ-_ph7EnJHSOqC3F8-UAFHXkyJu1Sp_lXqMONnIv1-X0Y-5GX62URZar7/s1600/baking.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YQ0cWYMJthj5-hb_Jdp1UpIN7QumHUBRSHlZpY29f52_Y2-Q7GOqHC0S33-dJDzqdi4lJbI5gwJUC4FoXDdZ-_ph7EnJHSOqC3F8-UAFHXkyJu1Sp_lXqMONnIv1-X0Y-5GX62URZar7/s320/baking.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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This year Panda helped make our Dragon bread. He carefully helped measure out all of the ingredients, pour, and stir..</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDaGiFUUdX21WmgpCrO6q1xbW-qmdhIDBV1c9zHlsfaR1mUqS6y3ddJ9GPlShjXF4rLdc2oqBO2WEQykbNuoMudIAt9qkxUXVhSp5zHkNC5NPBAifLHARpg6-BbE_BcI6u4fCx6LbEMhV/s1600/dragon+bread.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDaGiFUUdX21WmgpCrO6q1xbW-qmdhIDBV1c9zHlsfaR1mUqS6y3ddJ9GPlShjXF4rLdc2oqBO2WEQykbNuoMudIAt9qkxUXVhSp5zHkNC5NPBAifLHARpg6-BbE_BcI6u4fCx6LbEMhV/s320/dragon+bread.png" width="239" /></a></div>
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Then he helped form and decorate the dragon. He was so happy and proud to have helped. While the bread baked he sat in front of the oven (for half an hour) transfixed. He stroked the front of the oven <span style="font-family: inherit;">door and kept saying things like;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Fire hot dragon. I blow on it."<br /> "Don't worry dragon"<br /> "I made you"<br /> "I baked you hot"</span><span class="text_exposed_hide"><span style="font-family: inherit;">...</span></span><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> And the best one...<br /> "Don't worry little one. I eat you"</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPDFbqrxsxIjrIUo2jxqgtfNNzhAAK8_yY-_pdFC5feSOsq63eWRPks3i-YFCyIVPLalG8r4NammQwggGHpluaFwF2wUnAm-sWvBC4kf7wkqCyCEzcxiODR4rInQT8HtyuHvqTPVDHYaC/s1600/dragon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPDFbqrxsxIjrIUo2jxqgtfNNzhAAK8_yY-_pdFC5feSOsq63eWRPks3i-YFCyIVPLalG8r4NammQwggGHpluaFwF2wUnAm-sWvBC4kf7wkqCyCEzcxiODR4rInQT8HtyuHvqTPVDHYaC/s320/dragon.png" width="239" /></a></div>
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We made a fire breathing dragon tube. I found<a href="http://onelittleproject.com/paper-roll-dragon-craft"> directions on Pinterest</a>. Panda helped cut all the pieces out. He needed a lot of help because the tissue paper kept sliding out of the scissors, but he did make every cut. We practiced our letters on the tablet. It was not coincidence that last week the letter was "D" for dragon.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkyYqq8-PoLvEysswAdWVXfmmf8WVm7tMQAXfAzm0y9HxlvqWJpEfxpvel8cqk1BfPucNWiT6h5Aoj7g5pq1nd0p0Jl9ydpL5pD9VUKzzfSCSz5XSywNIqhVU5-Wr-qZB0bZtQDLOz0_L/s1600/painting.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkyYqq8-PoLvEysswAdWVXfmmf8WVm7tMQAXfAzm0y9HxlvqWJpEfxpvel8cqk1BfPucNWiT6h5Aoj7g5pq1nd0p0Jl9ydpL5pD9VUKzzfSCSz5XSywNIqhVU5-Wr-qZB0bZtQDLOz0_L/s320/painting.png" width="239" /></a></div>
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I presented Panda with this little dragon made out of paper plates and he ran right up and threw his harms around me in a giant bear hug... That is not normal behavior for my boy and it made me cry. He was so excited to paint this dragon. He picked out the paints and how he wanted it painted. He started to make stripes and then asked me to help him. I am so proud of how hard he worked on this little dragon.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEtPoOTxtI4iN93HqBYnSvwTPrMKTRHYGUpD7LuR8aUOh22kEXWzidK5MvxRnNG-Q4KYzrzl8L6G4ZG3QtC1VBF8gY-C1VUZFLyY1NAOnIxKeesgbRRqVPB1B5JtGJt1fFU9XjLsUcYx2/s1600/beads.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEtPoOTxtI4iN93HqBYnSvwTPrMKTRHYGUpD7LuR8aUOh22kEXWzidK5MvxRnNG-Q4KYzrzl8L6G4ZG3QtC1VBF8gY-C1VUZFLyY1NAOnIxKeesgbRRqVPB1B5JtGJt1fFU9XjLsUcYx2/s320/beads.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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One last activity involving chestnuts. While Panda was at therapy I drilled holes through several chestnuts to make beads. Panda loves to bead things. He was so happy when he came home and found this waiting for him. He sat right down and focused for about an hour. He would put beads on and take them off till they were just right. Then we practiced counting them. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPY5oyzz_MlYGbq5lC8Rxf6687sVZsmOVcXLwuI8A_AaVLL_2VUh0uI8aHKYKMKtB80_TsNQEAfL15XHJz-KrCBXcysqPYEKs7I443JxTm9xidQNwZXCYXNpwO3O63uxT62BcVnvSg3Szk/s1600/beads3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPY5oyzz_MlYGbq5lC8Rxf6687sVZsmOVcXLwuI8A_AaVLL_2VUh0uI8aHKYKMKtB80_TsNQEAfL15XHJz-KrCBXcysqPYEKs7I443JxTm9xidQNwZXCYXNpwO3O63uxT62BcVnvSg3Szk/s320/beads3.png" width="239" /></a></div>
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When he was all done, Panda gave the chestnut necklace to his brother. Badger has loved playing with it every day since. I don't know how long the nuts will last, but Badger has been loving practicing putting it on and taking it off and nibbling the smooth beads.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDqbY55bdlPjAbYmWzglsZ7sLWlq_h7tdcC18qmjDagL-jBjhLN1hP-fqbn1QzlYKF7dErixOesbz_jpvJM20mTb6bHasolt2GdGTL_J1wVThDMwpEKT8yy0bBB7AiTBg1SjeHZOy2DOr/s1600/michaelmas.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDqbY55bdlPjAbYmWzglsZ7sLWlq_h7tdcC18qmjDagL-jBjhLN1hP-fqbn1QzlYKF7dErixOesbz_jpvJM20mTb6bHasolt2GdGTL_J1wVThDMwpEKT8yy0bBB7AiTBg1SjeHZOy2DOr/s320/michaelmas.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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And that was our Michaelmas celebration and home school dragon week.</div>
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Does your family have any Michaelmas traditions?</div>
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Thanks for visiting and</div>
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~Shine On~</div>
Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-19844684035591279612016-09-27T18:09:00.002-05:002016-09-27T18:09:47.631-05:00Squirrel Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepMfllc90M1ZWsFIVCLQwXuN7UT-cym-jrge5zKjVaWHirc3-oyx5dGQHX2-YBNrokedZsFpeXbr3eT43YkCauQWgiVvkwWJVyIDHn94zhoj2_yWWtKxfqVTyPstweizbah3tMEQ_vuVq/s1600/book.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepMfllc90M1ZWsFIVCLQwXuN7UT-cym-jrge5zKjVaWHirc3-oyx5dGQHX2-YBNrokedZsFpeXbr3eT43YkCauQWgiVvkwWJVyIDHn94zhoj2_yWWtKxfqVTyPstweizbah3tMEQ_vuVq/s320/book.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Last week I scrapped our plans for a "Runaway Bunny" week in favor of a squirrel themed week. Panda has been loving watching the squirrels scurrying around outside. This was the perfect opportunity to follow his interest.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbW6kBLxFHPGmeG-pswlqUOZp0Aee5pMZzynI3azOMvCOZeASRqE44h2t7WIUbpx-0Rr6MXrL6fnbSf84_4FUpBoPLOuqsovnkB8x3wwANtD4_LxqbPlvOYMtI_xszcByZkqvfafWx4R0/s1600/sensory.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbW6kBLxFHPGmeG-pswlqUOZp0Aee5pMZzynI3azOMvCOZeASRqE44h2t7WIUbpx-0Rr6MXrL6fnbSf84_4FUpBoPLOuqsovnkB8x3wwANtD4_LxqbPlvOYMtI_xszcByZkqvfafWx4R0/s320/sensory.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our sensory bin was made up of many different types of acorns. Panda liked pretending to feed the figurines the acorns and picking the acorns up with the tongs. Badger liked the sound they made as he pushed his hands back and forth through the nuts, and the sound they made as they hit the tub when he dropped them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHhOkJ2QY8qJMC1y4C-jUb5kIgi9R38GwjX79vEPWcUMxsGxxwxKOJlQbqCcUwCGlAL-ce4U7H53SY0UVXM3FtdvCJXpYveuurszAbgAofHM48wkHcKzhKP_nT13UTmdEfLxhTeKa6Yur/s1600/counting.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHhOkJ2QY8qJMC1y4C-jUb5kIgi9R38GwjX79vEPWcUMxsGxxwxKOJlQbqCcUwCGlAL-ce4U7H53SY0UVXM3FtdvCJXpYveuurszAbgAofHM48wkHcKzhKP_nT13UTmdEfLxhTeKa6Yur/s320/counting.png" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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We did simple counting and number recognition exercises.. He loves counting, but I'm not sure if the number recognition part is sinking in yet. Our letter recognition was mainly done on the tablet. There was a small break through last week. Panda brought the tablet up to me and actually requested, "A, B,C,E Please". So something is sinking in.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvqSJjvK1-iUvNW2ZN8nbInnkPF4Wd835C0CleyH5W7kst_h-U_Ozx0FIKUF85aow3OlF7LD3gWyFyNNXubHOQDRJwuaPWJFjU8gAjgNMnNo5de7sG63QiMUk-uYQwy8PTn7MIArQe0OR/s1600/game.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvqSJjvK1-iUvNW2ZN8nbInnkPF4Wd835C0CleyH5W7kst_h-U_Ozx0FIKUF85aow3OlF7LD3gWyFyNNXubHOQDRJwuaPWJFjU8gAjgNMnNo5de7sG63QiMUk-uYQwy8PTn7MIArQe0OR/s320/game.png" width="239" /></a></div>
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I found this game at a thrift store over the summer. Panda and I take turns matching colors and picking acorns up with the squirrel shaped tongs. </div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthM7DlYeyexnXEf9qJJ5tqeMvCq3Bqx1i4mexCrOqLF7DTgo_WWg8nQI2NxY6kRsDvVrmOOF5gIvhz90HdUk_njIHTN3UhgI4gdtB7PSvhdEo-8p0fgW7ml5-rsa_15rC7Ks8lCb2ilpz/s320/leaf+prints.png" width="239" /></div>
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We welcomed the first day of Autumn with a nature walk to collect leaves, which we later used to make leaf rubbings.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLy7Ik4Budby05TNmZXu2NtXZZy1Ac2AxIBxGRnlbDNMPiDmJQklnfHcKxd3p8_Nt2ODXOLAMquTNg4vIDoAosKcE6FM5EcXKN9qXwSyNf5fiey7HPQQzHUGaVhEcGxz5pR2RBgK7IUG7T/s1600/dot+art.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLy7Ik4Budby05TNmZXu2NtXZZy1Ac2AxIBxGRnlbDNMPiDmJQklnfHcKxd3p8_Nt2ODXOLAMquTNg4vIDoAosKcE6FM5EcXKN9qXwSyNf5fiey7HPQQzHUGaVhEcGxz5pR2RBgK7IUG7T/s320/dot+art.png" width="239" /></a></div>
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I found free Autumn themed dot art pintables on <a href="http://www.theresourcefulmama.com/fall-dot-painting-free-printables/">"This"</a> blog. Our Dot markers kept splattering, so we opted for some paint, and a pom pom on a clothes pin for a brush.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkAuaQc_S8vSGj9xIttYtchZnzJhkSTV88eF2xCsyMPvxKpjTIOdo3aXDK13OcDYhCJvJ67V9_MZ8W43mwQ7IDjFIjSPqZ3_fzAIPGsfgzAL1VCvMb2Vcyi1CZsr8rr11r6Ch4whYlDb8/s1600/natureexploration.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkAuaQc_S8vSGj9xIttYtchZnzJhkSTV88eF2xCsyMPvxKpjTIOdo3aXDK13OcDYhCJvJ67V9_MZ8W43mwQ7IDjFIjSPqZ3_fzAIPGsfgzAL1VCvMb2Vcyi1CZsr8rr11r6Ch4whYlDb8/s320/natureexploration.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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The last thing on our list that we were able to complete was a nature study. One of our neighbors has a chestnut tree. The chestnuts were Panda's favorite treasure in the stash. He enjoyed the feel of the shelled chestnuts and experimented with sizes by checking to see if he could fit different nuts back inside the different shells. The cylinders in the picture have lenses for viewing. Some of them are magnifying and some have different color lenses. Last week was a bit rocky due to sickness, baking madness, and graduations, so much of this theme will be carried on throughout this week. This will also let me finish up a few things we weren't able to complete.</div>
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Thanks for stopping by. </div>
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~Shine on~</div>
Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-58741119044237162292016-09-22T16:50:00.002-05:002016-09-22T16:50:46.702-05:00Goodnight Moon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17lVgSBC41XcjWeLd7JVZblRSYdrktRYYviHHHLGSa_qDX_x1H1Y-UWyrNADHB_LEB9XYJH0XAY8rVeO_iNOLuHuP2VkYvFA_lOXZUl1BfAwBvI6o-MPzC66gyKni1HeE88SSFRNNUwfs/s1600/book.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17lVgSBC41XcjWeLd7JVZblRSYdrktRYYviHHHLGSa_qDX_x1H1Y-UWyrNADHB_LEB9XYJH0XAY8rVeO_iNOLuHuP2VkYvFA_lOXZUl1BfAwBvI6o-MPzC66gyKni1HeE88SSFRNNUwfs/s320/book.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hello, a bit delayed because of <a href="https://appleshoe.blogspot.com/2016/09/talk-like-pirate-day-2016.htm">Talk Like a Pirate Day</a> on Monday, but here is our homeschool lesson based off of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Goodnight-Moon-Margaret-Wise-Brown/dp/0694003611">"Goodnight Moon"</a> by Margaret Wise Brown.</div>
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Our sensory bin was filled with every element from the book. It was a lot of fun to play 'I Spy' while reading the book. </div>
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As luck would have it, I found this game at the thrift store over the summer.</div>
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There are several different ways to play and it will grow with the boys. Right now, Panda enjoys taking turns finding cards and matching them on the boards.</div>
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I don't like a lot of screen time for my boys, but this app is worth while.</div>
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Panda's OT was using this during therapy before we switched to his new center and he loved it. Basically you trace letters and once completed 'fun things' happen. Flowers bloom along the letter, soap suds bubble, a train races over it, rockets blast off... That sort of thing. It is wonderful.</div>
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This was a sorting activity. There are tiny wood stars, large wood stars, and medium sized plastic stars. It took a little work, but he did this activity on his own and had a lot of fun.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Eu31ozjZcQnHode8g_yPvaZ6o6Y5UR9wcCzlwON-wwSGSL4H1sGxp9KE4QAm5e0P9_yHN9_2gcvrXKnn8XR9QI8bnuSIB7aB3xQDQAl8c4Ud_jO5pfSXRogN2JI2WziSPo18rdKfZlhI/s1600/stacking.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Eu31ozjZcQnHode8g_yPvaZ6o6Y5UR9wcCzlwON-wwSGSL4H1sGxp9KE4QAm5e0P9_yHN9_2gcvrXKnn8XR9QI8bnuSIB7aB3xQDQAl8c4Ud_jO5pfSXRogN2JI2WziSPo18rdKfZlhI/s320/stacking.png" width="239" /></a></div>
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Then we counted and stacked the stars for math. </div>
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We didn't get around to all of the art activities I had planned (I over plan art activities), but here is the calm down bottle we made with stars. Both the boys love it, so it will probably stick around for a while. Panda helped pour everything in. </div>
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These paper plate bunny ears, Panda cut out. I had to help guide his hands, but he did the work. We use <a href="https://www.amazon.com/American-Educational-Products-P-125--Scissor/dp/B00LRZ5BEM">loop scissors</a>. They are easier to manipulate with tiny hands. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3t_NffFp0YnXIAaE3fY0D5Eu63peJ9ZpfUGobTRW2D7UgdHJjn-lcgXGSuTfjz6Qm5wIf_L20kS5fLmnLwHFVFeq0A1SeI2cJoN3ZCX755Ukw14RYTrYUWwfwFOWePjs6SpIEBjOdqL7o/s1600/mooncraft.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3t_NffFp0YnXIAaE3fY0D5Eu63peJ9ZpfUGobTRW2D7UgdHJjn-lcgXGSuTfjz6Qm5wIf_L20kS5fLmnLwHFVFeq0A1SeI2cJoN3ZCX755Ukw14RYTrYUWwfwFOWePjs6SpIEBjOdqL7o/s1600/mooncraft.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3t_NffFp0YnXIAaE3fY0D5Eu63peJ9ZpfUGobTRW2D7UgdHJjn-lcgXGSuTfjz6Qm5wIf_L20kS5fLmnLwHFVFeq0A1SeI2cJoN3ZCX755Ukw14RYTrYUWwfwFOWePjs6SpIEBjOdqL7o/s320/mooncraft.png" width="239" /></div>
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This is the last of the art projects we made. It was done in several stages. First Panda painted the moon and star. After they dried, he painted the other side. Then he had to paint the star with glue and sprinkle glitter on it. When it was dry he had to do the other side. I helped with the ties, but the lions share was done by Panda.</div>
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And that was our "Good Night Moon" week.</div>
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Thanks for stopping by.</div>
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~Shine on~</div>
Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-80825786939918731192016-09-19T20:54:00.001-05:002016-09-19T20:54:12.619-05:00Talk Like a Pirate Day 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ahoy there my hearties! Today tis Talk Like a Pirate day. Any land lubber can tell you that today tis one of me favorite holidays. </div>
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So, just for today we had a special school plan. The boys received a treasure of dollar store pirate coloring books, and crayons. My sister and her family found a brand new pumpkin potato head pirate at a thrift store, and stickers I've had sitting around for years that I keep forgetting about.</div>
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Our book, might not be the best pirate book around, but it was one we had on hand. Every page is filled with tiny details and it was fun to play the 'I spy' game with the boys. We read it outside... Actually we spent most of the day outside.</div>
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Badger had his Toddler Tuesday wonder basket filled specially for the day. Hopefully I will start posting about his adventures soon. </div>
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We tossed our gold doubloons pillows into the treasure chest and counted them as we tossed. </div>
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We practiced taking turns and learning about balance with this game. I have had this game for about 15 years now. It's amazing that the pieces are in as good of shape as they are still.... But then again, we don't normally pull it out except for Talk Like a Pirate Day.</div>
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Then because there needed to be a big treasure hunt, we went on a nature scavenger hunt. I found a lovely printable nature hunt free online <a href="http://www.makeandtakes.com/hiking-scavenger-hunt-printable-for-kids">"Here".</a> On our hunt we saw many different beetles, a tiny duck, and several different types of seed pods... But the mosquitoes descended before I was able to get any pictures. </div>
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We finished our day up with a pirate sensory bathtub. Badger liked the seashells. Panda liked the boats. Both of them ignored the coins, but loved the cookie scented bubble bath... Yum.</div>
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And that, me hearties, is how our adventure be.</div>
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~Shine on~</div>
Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-66270105032783017262016-09-12T17:28:00.003-05:002016-09-12T18:51:26.475-05:00Apple Week<div style="text-align: center;">
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We're back! Last week was our first week officially homeschooling. We've jumped up a notch from our Toddler Tuesday school days. This week our book of choice was "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Farmer-Annie-Monica-Wellington/dp/0142401242">Apple Farmer Annie</a>" By Monica Wellington. This happens to be one of our favorite fall books. It has vibrant pictures with adorable details, such as places where you can count apples, see the many varieties of apples, the lifecycle of an apple and so forth. It's not on the BFIAR book list, but it was a good and familiar book which made it a good jumping off point.</div>
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The base for our sensory bin this week was GF oatmeal and cinnamon sticks. This was by far one of the most loved sensory bins we've done yet. There was a lot of oatmeal rain and burying the little apples. I did have to keep an extra close watch on Badger with those bright, shiny ,chokeable apples; but it was worth it. They were both excited and ready to play productively for about a half hour every day with the bin.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnmGm6uKrylMaK9Z4e3W9_XbUNgaY3wfC6D8feL5RBU5A4fE0fLEGyIkBtQq-3fVYy2kOWc3h5bQk1jh0UsWBaaI_sL-H4kbwgsUPPUShE3hiquyNOtcJXCZI5EVSaAQR590UZyGkF2rb/s1600/unnamed6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnmGm6uKrylMaK9Z4e3W9_XbUNgaY3wfC6D8feL5RBU5A4fE0fLEGyIkBtQq-3fVYy2kOWc3h5bQk1jh0UsWBaaI_sL-H4kbwgsUPPUShE3hiquyNOtcJXCZI5EVSaAQR590UZyGkF2rb/s320/unnamed6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here are the art activities that we managed to make last week. Most are self explanatory, but the red blobs were supposed to be apple prints.. They didn't turn out well, but we had fun and Panda is proud of them; that's what counts. I did have a few more crafts but we didn't get around to them. We were going to stamp our arms in brown paint and make an apple orchard. Then use our finger prints to make green leaves or red apples. I also wanted to make a "stain glass" apple using tissue paper and clear contact paper, but I misplaced my tissue paper.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fr6nsAkqDWi-P6Ldfx2Ml0GrlfVfbEb_jAbkZK021igdq-ejDixHBbN0zKbPY4jDv6uv0Ab_TZyv7IhT-ijdDXgfljN7EITgTGu4t7vvVPCZa-A8oZ9e4ZW6FxH5fCEX0AikZ2NGkTNc/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fr6nsAkqDWi-P6Ldfx2Ml0GrlfVfbEb_jAbkZK021igdq-ejDixHBbN0zKbPY4jDv6uv0Ab_TZyv7IhT-ijdDXgfljN7EITgTGu4t7vvVPCZa-A8oZ9e4ZW6FxH5fCEX0AikZ2NGkTNc/s320/unnamed.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Our salt tray was so lovely and scented with cinnamon... But this did not go so well. I think I pushed a bit to far. Panda loved the tray and making shapes, so we scaled back and practiced shapes and handwriting readiness skills. We will still focus on letter recognition,but we wont be writing any letters for a little while. He just isn't ready.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidr6gF3dwgLTqYkJBUGzD_IwcKtkR8EkgnE5Ry8tF9hhascgnxwfy-WgTseH0q05xG3V9J0XjxDWMMbRb3wQpOI0R-G4KDeFKrTAz_aeICTXNMSo0Po80GH0Dd8fBUYElZkxTJfNY0LkQJ/s1600/unnamed+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidr6gF3dwgLTqYkJBUGzD_IwcKtkR8EkgnE5Ry8tF9hhascgnxwfy-WgTseH0q05xG3V9J0XjxDWMMbRb3wQpOI0R-G4KDeFKrTAz_aeICTXNMSo0Po80GH0Dd8fBUYElZkxTJfNY0LkQJ/s320/unnamed+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We had more luck with this activity. I drew a Dot to Dot 'A' and Panda traced over it with chalk. Then I had him trace over it again with a q-tip and water. There are two sides to this slate (it belonged to Bear when he was a boy), so we were able to practise 'A' four times in one sitting.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRGKX6CAbKml_qqLviBbeBRj4W40qQToxmfavJlbnaHVA2zKVgap0aludpeJeXUf6YJh0aG49wLLlFMfEhbUDhUgKoijc0S3CVoUAQHabYnKvN3pqDulgbbkw1K9aiZmjooPXiTyVL0pF/s1600/unnamed+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRGKX6CAbKml_qqLviBbeBRj4W40qQToxmfavJlbnaHVA2zKVgap0aludpeJeXUf6YJh0aG49wLLlFMfEhbUDhUgKoijc0S3CVoUAQHabYnKvN3pqDulgbbkw1K9aiZmjooPXiTyVL0pF/s320/unnamed+%25285%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I found this idea on Pinterest. Panda really enjoyed this activity. The red apple is actually GF play dough. There are "seeds" (black beans), "stems" (twigs), plastic worms, and leaves from a real apple tree in this wonderful invitation to play. We also used the tray to dissect an apple and put skin, stem, seeds, core, and flesh all in the different compartments while talking about the parts of an apple and taste testing different varieties. I don't have a picture, but we also baked a few batches of apple muffins, apple crisp and had cider as special treats this past week.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UHvMq6sGPahpG71bI83EiSh6VQlO4UV43ys7aqKCXFl6qnBkWwS1B4CU7usk33fOMQMor9_0L3k1MF8MMM72JhNAOGdYejf9BZk_qOfJ_Pulplvn3Wum4rHtLDtr649LAjIR0COiai_G/s1600/unnamed+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UHvMq6sGPahpG71bI83EiSh6VQlO4UV43ys7aqKCXFl6qnBkWwS1B4CU7usk33fOMQMor9_0L3k1MF8MMM72JhNAOGdYejf9BZk_qOfJ_Pulplvn3Wum4rHtLDtr649LAjIR0COiai_G/s320/unnamed+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For math we counted and sorted apples with these <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-LER1023-Attribute-Apples/dp/B006SDC9VG/ref=sr">Attribute Apple</a>s. I love them. There are three different sizes and colors. Some apples have leaves, and some have worms. These are one mighty teaching aid to have on hand. Both boys loved just holding them. In this picture we went bobbing for apples. Panda used the tongs and Badger used his hands. </div>
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This was a simple color sorting activity that both boys enjoyed.</div>
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Our song for the week was "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKmFHRrkFuQ">Way Up High in an Apple Tree</a>". We liked the song so much that we might keep it for our opening circle time song.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofRF1c5HdeI21t_9JhwOx3-ay_aY44inuLbvLb4pn2a5G5NqrkUs0XvyDHLhcRiQA0bbolEU8YdY2WQuh9iQ3IL0v9RfvQ4Kjr_2F-VI5q55hQnWXb3JtdGTS08QEXbD20AYelMlr3_iO/s1600/unnamed+%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofRF1c5HdeI21t_9JhwOx3-ay_aY44inuLbvLb4pn2a5G5NqrkUs0XvyDHLhcRiQA0bbolEU8YdY2WQuh9iQ3IL0v9RfvQ4Kjr_2F-VI5q55hQnWXb3JtdGTS08QEXbD20AYelMlr3_iO/s320/unnamed+%25288%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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This was a simple game I found on Pinterest. It was supposed to be a memory matching game but Panda isn't ready for that. Instead we took turns flipping the caps over to see who could find the most apples. Turn taking is going to be a big social skill we will be working on.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWp7uXYZjaxfZiCO0B2OE_4Unwcz3WjmiZlICVxNjVh1PS9HjrM7_vrc-IfTFU3cUehNFQW26mgV0ArYoQ0V9oJkMFx2qqJP-vX8KIR7KKljCOb-WM3XVhgejUkBNUFkkDHrWd_6n0Tg5S/s1600/unnamed+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWp7uXYZjaxfZiCO0B2OE_4Unwcz3WjmiZlICVxNjVh1PS9HjrM7_vrc-IfTFU3cUehNFQW26mgV0ArYoQ0V9oJkMFx2qqJP-vX8KIR7KKljCOb-WM3XVhgejUkBNUFkkDHrWd_6n0Tg5S/s320/unnamed+%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We finished the week with the Apple Star story. I want to do a puppet show each week, but I kept this week simple by just telling the story and sloooowly cutting the apples up. Panda was entranced and thrilled to pieces when I showed him the stars in the centers. We were also supposed to have a field trip to the apple orchard, but they aren't open yet for the season. All in all I think our first week went rather well. What have you been up to? Stay tuned, I will be bringing back Toddler Tuesday. Staring Baby Badger!</div>
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Shine on,</div>
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P.S. I would have posted links to the Pinterest items, but I'm not on my normal computer and am having Pinterest difficulties. I'm sorry about that.</div>
Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-34206303970004188252016-09-09T17:41:00.000-05:002016-09-09T17:41:09.730-05:00A New Beginning <div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-1TfEN3PvVAbjqMH7Du8N9iDkPyzOsrkN_n67q_ytTdZmyI07rLhQ0M2E5GIWh28OamuLeQ1KTc7-iVVRZxGQRDQuH3ON77OPPGuckAZSu_2IA76COFKnjUE2uQhTO3gtXiy9HDjMYTi/s1600/unnamed+%25282%2529+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-1TfEN3PvVAbjqMH7Du8N9iDkPyzOsrkN_n67q_ytTdZmyI07rLhQ0M2E5GIWh28OamuLeQ1KTc7-iVVRZxGQRDQuH3ON77OPPGuckAZSu_2IA76COFKnjUE2uQhTO3gtXiy9HDjMYTi/s320/unnamed+%25282%2529+-+Copy.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
It has been such a long time since I have had time and peace to type here in this space. This past summer I've been trying to decide if I should close this blog and start a new chapter or forge on ahead. Life has changed so much since I started this blog. Then I thought, this space I've carved out is about <u>Our Family</u>. This space has always served to keep me on track and to record events to look back on. I don't want or need to give that up. We're here to stay. And so...</div>
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At the beginning of the year Panda was seeing several different therapists all at different times and my dream of homeschooling was going up in smoke. He gave up reading books and started hitting himself. As the reality of what it means to be a parent of a "special needs" child burned itself into us, hope dwindled further and further away. I was burned out and needed some respite. It was a bad summer.<br />
But!<br />
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I am so happy to announce that this week he started therapy at a center where all of his therapy will be handled at the same time and place, every day! The only available slot was during the morning, so I had to pull him from the school districts program. By default we are now homeschooling in the afternoon! Next week I will begin blogging again about our school week, but for now, we are back and in action. I can already feel the peace and rhythm rushing, cascading, flooding back into our home. Panda loves the center. Their teaching style resonates with our wishes for Panda. He has stopped hitting himself, and for this entire week he has brought me book after book to read. One night he brought me twenty bedtime stories. If there is ever a good reason for staying up late that was it. I know we can't always do that, but finally I feel like my boy has been returned. The future is looking very bright.<br />
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Panda and Waldorf do not mesh. It's a sad fact that I have to honor. I love Waldorf and there will be several aspects of Waldorf in our home and educational life, but it's time to honor how my son learns and let that 15 year old dream go and embrace a new one.</div>
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So what does our Education Plan look like?</div>
<b>Before Five in a Row</b> is the backbone of our education plan.<br />
Basically we read a book every day and base all of our activities off of that book. Very similar to our Toddler Tuesdays. Some books we will be using wont be on the BFIAR list, but the process is the same and easily applied to any book.<br />
<b>Waldorf</b> (because I can't let it go completely) will be used for our daily rhythm and art. We will also be using Math Gnomes. They aren't exactly Waldorf, but often the two get thrown together.<br />
<b>Reggio-Emilia</b> will be used for science- and his therapy center is also Reggio-Emilia based.<br />
<b>Montessori</b> will be used for life skills.<br />
<b>Charlotte Mason</b> will be utilized for early reading and focus.<br />
(yes Mouse, this should all look very familiar. It was a good plan, and fits us well).<br />
But lets not forget Badger. He will even have baby school (soon to be the rebirth of Toddler Tuesdays) to keep him occupied while working with his big brother.<br />
Perhaps I shall name our Home school Frankenstein Academy because of all the different styles we have cobbled together. Lol.<br />
Deep Breath.. And THAT is everything that has been happening in our world, and a glimpse into what is to come.<br />
Shine on!</div>
Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-16262884272811756452016-06-26T09:08:00.000-05:002016-06-26T09:08:06.770-05:00Summer Solstice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome Summer! Before another day slips by I want to record our Summer solstice events. I've been absent to long and my computer is not working right so bear with me while I record pictures that were unable to be edited (grin). First we started by making </div>
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this 16 pointed Waldorf star.... Ah hem... With many errors, but it looks nice so I went with it. I might redo it later. I found the instructions <a href="http://www.deschdanja.ch/kreativ-blog/134-zauberhafte-fenstersterne-ii">"Here"</a></div>
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We also made a sun out of yellow lunch bags.. There were a million tutorials online how to do this..<a href="http://blog.hwtm.com/2011/07/diy-tutorial-brown-paper-bag-stars/"> This blogger</a> has easy to follow instructions. She used 5 paper bags, I used 7.. But other than that it's all the same.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5li7-DNyJryN8Gx8GtVpQdtZV1WawFTqVSNagA8MNwUX2mYpUIhf8izHgfgtw1BcSTEo0d9Ypr8215lDGabX1uch7HpNXYN57k8jv-jE1QWicFHoUycNmly8ONeq6iDqL4IWih9nCZ57Z/s1600/IMG_9689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5li7-DNyJryN8Gx8GtVpQdtZV1WawFTqVSNagA8MNwUX2mYpUIhf8izHgfgtw1BcSTEo0d9Ypr8215lDGabX1uch7HpNXYN57k8jv-jE1QWicFHoUycNmly8ONeq6iDqL4IWih9nCZ57Z/s320/IMG_9689.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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During a long drive in the country we picked roadside flowers for crowns and decorations. Panda even helped make a <a href="http://appleshoe.blogspot.com/2016/06/sun-banner.html">Sun Banner</a> to put up.</div>
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I also made a Midsummer "Maypole". Panda loved this and had a beautiful moment of awe and stillness inspecting it. We had no delusions that he would happily dance around it, so we chased him and jumped around and around it instead</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOeURzc4PSN5N1Nw8S49GUt4xHgW7lcn15ZBw-GbC5CfRiHTG2hyphenhyphen3bSfINo8dl0ipS5632OSGsYnqSNWH4hgtn3XtEF0dKFRBI4H6fSDj7LRf_-imhxFOSwfijvtVlY1w-2d-_0vOYMcIj/s1600/7a05995f-0ed5-48a6-83f8-7d7cea68e7a2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOeURzc4PSN5N1Nw8S49GUt4xHgW7lcn15ZBw-GbC5CfRiHTG2hyphenhyphen3bSfINo8dl0ipS5632OSGsYnqSNWH4hgtn3XtEF0dKFRBI4H6fSDj7LRf_-imhxFOSwfijvtVlY1w-2d-_0vOYMcIj/s320/7a05995f-0ed5-48a6-83f8-7d7cea68e7a2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Once everything was decorated we kicked the fun off with a color fight! I found directions on how to make colors with cornstarch from <a href="http://www.mysimplemodestchic.com/2016/05/diy-color-powder-for-color-fight.html?utm_source=P-1170">"This"</a> blogger.. But didn't have time to make them and just ended up using some nontoxic powdered paint I had laying around.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeScZIQ-d1ixYLQip0A-KXnwjfn9zQtAUBVAnCP_ceS5ZlwBNqj9pSmb2BRqbzc92wptRzw3AXtTwFJTa4H56X2P2Fdsbb2BDE23xXKTs39ASsC5XZhptVIv-H8VnAbQ9M75XcTDFwcQJ/s1600/737d382c-1899-4057-909c-f48208162356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeScZIQ-d1ixYLQip0A-KXnwjfn9zQtAUBVAnCP_ceS5ZlwBNqj9pSmb2BRqbzc92wptRzw3AXtTwFJTa4H56X2P2Fdsbb2BDE23xXKTs39ASsC5XZhptVIv-H8VnAbQ9M75XcTDFwcQJ/s320/737d382c-1899-4057-909c-f48208162356.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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It took a little to get Panda going, but then there was no stopping him. I can tell this is going to be a new family tradition for us. I feel that it honors this festival and my boys wild and free spirits perfectly.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGWWuosQUL4VzKMA1WfAqTWxlaGQy180I2_hPI-_cWatShb5bSL5ED-Et78Q0GmORs167bcuk8xivhbp7rRIOlr33n27EMDSfXfl7axNC8eHcg1V1ZgmuvY5p9KqctUJBjguohO06DV7q/s1600/4de2f5bd-7d74-4718-a892-4af26a9dd74b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGWWuosQUL4VzKMA1WfAqTWxlaGQy180I2_hPI-_cWatShb5bSL5ED-Et78Q0GmORs167bcuk8xivhbp7rRIOlr33n27EMDSfXfl7axNC8eHcg1V1ZgmuvY5p9KqctUJBjguohO06DV7q/s320/4de2f5bd-7d74-4718-a892-4af26a9dd74b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I wish there was an "after" picture. We had so much fun. Really, you have to try this.</div>
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After we cleaned up from our fight (I didn't want either of my boys rubbing color into their eyes), we went back out for Panda's first official bonfire. We were a little nervous, but he handled it very well. He also made his first Smores. We use Smoreable gluten free crackers and Enjoy life chocolate chunks to make it safe, but the end result is just as yummy. I don't have a photo of our finale.. But as the night sky bloomed above us we set off on one more "First" adventure that is sure to not be a last. We took the boys to go catch fireflies! Oh what an adventure that was and a perfect kick off for summer..</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIg57duVSTbDou9IA0CEtFSfnxAVo9QKfANiYnak1jv3Bl4Lydm3N8hztYjcjSMRCgYYVDrCxY-JHomSqtNzIBr8U7JSdDjq2Uh1UZGGcCdI1ssEtm7MmmI2f6u8D4kE6EFwpQG41RuOKo/s1600/dea4be4d-2268-4267-a3fe-b7a050ec4888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIg57duVSTbDou9IA0CEtFSfnxAVo9QKfANiYnak1jv3Bl4Lydm3N8hztYjcjSMRCgYYVDrCxY-JHomSqtNzIBr8U7JSdDjq2Uh1UZGGcCdI1ssEtm7MmmI2f6u8D4kE6EFwpQG41RuOKo/s320/dea4be4d-2268-4267-a3fe-b7a050ec4888.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So Happy Summer Solstice!</div>
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P.S. Bear will never forgive me for this photo, but I had to put it in. It's a horrible picture of us... But a Beautiful picture of "Who We Are".</div>
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Shine on!</div>
Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-69806759797047368742016-06-22T11:05:00.000-05:002016-06-22T11:05:13.847-05:00Sun Banner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5kevlWCG77UPpojaX07Y49RW0Bc1DTYUuKeWLIYgkGyYDWLHHjB8WadQMVnuhL0Ps5-jIaG5hzhRoldbUW05zsnVGCY0jWMnDU5WncsRnzoFPgFHWM_yv2v0I98RouoldcoCPvTiTs7X/s1600/7fdba48a-748d-4e57-9106-0b2b81b99b49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5kevlWCG77UPpojaX07Y49RW0Bc1DTYUuKeWLIYgkGyYDWLHHjB8WadQMVnuhL0Ps5-jIaG5hzhRoldbUW05zsnVGCY0jWMnDU5WncsRnzoFPgFHWM_yv2v0I98RouoldcoCPvTiTs7X/s320/7fdba48a-748d-4e57-9106-0b2b81b99b49.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Hello. I know I have been absent a lot lately and I don't see an end of this anytime in the near future, but I wanted to share this banner that Panda and I made for the Summer Solstice</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuQh5AGDTJYvayDq-5zoy2ijo_NR56JnJm77WDoLTE_3xmGQH9Jl5efjYc9MDWZBxM0Ka0GdKN36BRAMfgTTgAbEv45VElrU7u0v4MklQzpvTCIYKSynMtYqRliLje69dLTxjRLY6hT6L/s1600/223e65f3-5171-4d3f-958e-4975a70ab05f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuQh5AGDTJYvayDq-5zoy2ijo_NR56JnJm77WDoLTE_3xmGQH9Jl5efjYc9MDWZBxM0Ka0GdKN36BRAMfgTTgAbEv45VElrU7u0v4MklQzpvTCIYKSynMtYqRliLje69dLTxjRLY6hT6L/s320/223e65f3-5171-4d3f-958e-4975a70ab05f.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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. I cut up an old flip flip in the shape of a sun and hot glued it to the bottom of a jar. I used a jar so it would be easier for Panda to hold. I cut a whole bunch of burlap triangles and then we just went to town stamping. When they were dry Panda helped me stitch them together with yarn and a simple running stitch. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKr4kufZRawAr406RxCl7HRYyzOttuVm9D4x3P4haehc8S1DNSgMI2LVl89QKipn8k4xUlN8iz-0TiMR5gPgFSeBYZ1D1kG5JF0H-b7UMD2ZzBZydmcp5FN7OxMs17S03QDyE4CVT-JrIo/s1600/IMG_9692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKr4kufZRawAr406RxCl7HRYyzOttuVm9D4x3P4haehc8S1DNSgMI2LVl89QKipn8k4xUlN8iz-0TiMR5gPgFSeBYZ1D1kG5JF0H-b7UMD2ZzBZydmcp5FN7OxMs17S03QDyE4CVT-JrIo/s320/IMG_9692.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Such a simple project and it turned out so sweet. I hope to have our Solstice pictures up soon... Soon will be determined by my boys. Shine on!</div>
Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-8147761502877581632016-05-02T12:45:00.002-05:002016-05-02T12:45:43.887-05:00April 2016 Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eu_L5ImxakOMjPc96GlDZAqDM-HCP9F19Joqxd-A38kbLBIRR0TA33OyvF0t4B4ojVG-j3S8vgNaPYUWsHsIcQCPttjRJToJ2DB4M3tsnwDCGa7rKrS6zY3CdhXKIqm7yJh77HlxF1Or/s1600/e96787e7-0bb4-4fe7-901a-5210ab80f2e0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eu_L5ImxakOMjPc96GlDZAqDM-HCP9F19Joqxd-A38kbLBIRR0TA33OyvF0t4B4ojVG-j3S8vgNaPYUWsHsIcQCPttjRJToJ2DB4M3tsnwDCGa7rKrS6zY3CdhXKIqm7yJh77HlxF1Or/s320/e96787e7-0bb4-4fe7-901a-5210ab80f2e0.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
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April is over, May is here. Panda, you are now 3! Where has the time gone? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoShwbtwehc8aHtBCAQBNq9UoHg-GKuR1Gw7U1XUEBN4gQUm0iEWsdM-MfGieBBlQG9EGm7otoNHl1d37uulYve7OkMs5_X9DIXrFHc3lG0acX4rtDPKly0ho743lGFoDDq_zO45pNKmCo/s1600/4148aa16-53b8-462d-bd61-fca4c45aaa86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoShwbtwehc8aHtBCAQBNq9UoHg-GKuR1Gw7U1XUEBN4gQUm0iEWsdM-MfGieBBlQG9EGm7otoNHl1d37uulYve7OkMs5_X9DIXrFHc3lG0acX4rtDPKly0ho743lGFoDDq_zO45pNKmCo/s320/4148aa16-53b8-462d-bd61-fca4c45aaa86.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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You are such a funny and inquisitive little boy. The other day I was watching you carefully carry bowls of water to and from your play areas outside. The look of concentration on your face held me spellbound. You built tall stick structures and watered them down, patted the mud into place. I would love to know what was going on in that secret world of yours, but I'm to old now to understand. Instead I will sit back in awe and watch you work. Quietly, purposefully, and with all your heart.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9cOegTf6cnljSSdrh29okTnb0aYS7gu-F-OC8BA4fD8uD5EyFBRw8nYPFGEIgb9K1PBrvEASX0zU4fu8cfhOo5Ju-qSqZH-RUn3twD2MQrkssuJdWCNDREBxSb0pFhN5KsepAniSqjt0/s1600/f0923129-9464-4068-897f-736ebdcf45cf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9cOegTf6cnljSSdrh29okTnb0aYS7gu-F-OC8BA4fD8uD5EyFBRw8nYPFGEIgb9K1PBrvEASX0zU4fu8cfhOo5Ju-qSqZH-RUn3twD2MQrkssuJdWCNDREBxSb0pFhN5KsepAniSqjt0/s320/f0923129-9464-4068-897f-736ebdcf45cf.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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I don't know where this new year will take you, but I know you will face everything it brings head on. Happy birthday sweet Red Panda. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVl82Ugy3A6hOPAPqH9KQywTiDNeudQ4ONauc-Jc7UIryaLtr9JrElGbFqJV_ONC4IX75H4UzbM4Pa57cc7sjUU0e0BXgf4nrJ6AjIVW95kpR56L-3itoPmGHb6xOzhFsK5euwn_klfFIO/s1600/3b8d17b3-b1f0-4dd3-a46e-161e30d80e0e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVl82Ugy3A6hOPAPqH9KQywTiDNeudQ4ONauc-Jc7UIryaLtr9JrElGbFqJV_ONC4IX75H4UzbM4Pa57cc7sjUU0e0BXgf4nrJ6AjIVW95kpR56L-3itoPmGHb6xOzhFsK5euwn_klfFIO/s320/3b8d17b3-b1f0-4dd3-a46e-161e30d80e0e.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Badger, you are now six months old.. Half a year has gone by. Again.. Where has the time gone?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Cds_dWzGqFZV0IAWbflc9X8Yai_uRZ3qTrYKkBK9nv4sVKgReDK17Blc_WHqFBUfnTY_AIOp0TKs0j5eIuRQGdz_Qfa7Y-iankrrTaJRbQbcx5E4cUg_c8pK3iuiW1ghim0G6fGuB4Uc/s1600/923636d9-3e5e-49ff-bfd5-e4f1e37138b5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Cds_dWzGqFZV0IAWbflc9X8Yai_uRZ3qTrYKkBK9nv4sVKgReDK17Blc_WHqFBUfnTY_AIOp0TKs0j5eIuRQGdz_Qfa7Y-iankrrTaJRbQbcx5E4cUg_c8pK3iuiW1ghim0G6fGuB4Uc/s320/923636d9-3e5e-49ff-bfd5-e4f1e37138b5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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April was a rough month for us all. We all kept getting sick. Tummy bugs, flu, strep throat. You gave us quite the scare with a high temp, but things are finally on the mend for us all. Now all we have left is a pesky cough that just wont leave.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMjOzn7EQkMUpGb8d00lR3At6c5SMThwgCCBcc70-Phu9QI8KBFRt-vqPv1rqgu7r1dpiEJcL9gbw_H9Wcayisnkp4Jj5o0PRUiJ8cicGDV9v_EZjOM5M2J1Lo1BBSjeIx7JY2N4NFS6J/s1600/f390e54b-0e93-4cf5-9eb5-6d75b6063790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMjOzn7EQkMUpGb8d00lR3At6c5SMThwgCCBcc70-Phu9QI8KBFRt-vqPv1rqgu7r1dpiEJcL9gbw_H9Wcayisnkp4Jj5o0PRUiJ8cicGDV9v_EZjOM5M2J1Lo1BBSjeIx7JY2N4NFS6J/s320/f390e54b-0e93-4cf5-9eb5-6d75b6063790.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Through everything you remain my happy little Badger. You've started making adorable kissing noises and you are rolling all over the house. We started you on baby oatmeal, but you still have issues swallowing so we've pulled back a bit. I can't wait to see what the next six months bring.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZgkqfKFIvs2K9yzhLMZHVux0xQS3ra8UvIVNei_ekwFpTZiPuWn-gKGZ2lDbsdENDpygqAeHREe7oc-DJR6Y6cvg8jju8LTFf5zR0kHIKecaaeLjV1o7OO6fnGXmjWhsJxzU-olN7ZFF/s1600/bb314fc1-9967-4511-985f-5f6c3c1bda4b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZgkqfKFIvs2K9yzhLMZHVux0xQS3ra8UvIVNei_ekwFpTZiPuWn-gKGZ2lDbsdENDpygqAeHREe7oc-DJR6Y6cvg8jju8LTFf5zR0kHIKecaaeLjV1o7OO6fnGXmjWhsJxzU-olN7ZFF/s320/bb314fc1-9967-4511-985f-5f6c3c1bda4b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our journey is only just started. Shine on my beautiful quirky boys.</div>
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Love, </div>
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~Mum~</div>
Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-87440759077270674782016-04-10T18:09:00.000-05:002016-04-15T12:44:03.471-05:00DIY Peg Doll Maypole<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR85U_7h2E7NLRGTCjqUV78vDCoESZxlA-JVCLeFbsmAPJGP_jZ82DnOwoJ7co_wbVakMX4D60Ad5p4JQNkGSNvOWJhrILnmw9jQHML7Sc1wlVpaHAlxKm65AMpybUxvxiXYqVSkDEeZ9b/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR85U_7h2E7NLRGTCjqUV78vDCoESZxlA-JVCLeFbsmAPJGP_jZ82DnOwoJ7co_wbVakMX4D60Ad5p4JQNkGSNvOWJhrILnmw9jQHML7Sc1wlVpaHAlxKm65AMpybUxvxiXYqVSkDEeZ9b/s320/1.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Hello, I'm so very excited to share this tutorial with you. Panda's birthday is coming and this year we are giving only handmade gifts to our boys. Panda loves his peg dolls and things that move. Mayday is coming and so the idea of a Maypole popped into my mind...</div>
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But It Had To Move...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LJjMmOi2jG_HT0cSOH9quRarzjkqg3Xp7SVivfhyphenhyphenqWOqVWf2CkJvg5En9-k2Q_neL649UIcbePUYQ7F1LDffDjDboK3KfFqOaKv02mrNSAKbdAX6g1thpS35Kh2qe1G5y3kAC4HuSeNX/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LJjMmOi2jG_HT0cSOH9quRarzjkqg3Xp7SVivfhyphenhyphenqWOqVWf2CkJvg5En9-k2Q_neL649UIcbePUYQ7F1LDffDjDboK3KfFqOaKv02mrNSAKbdAX6g1thpS35Kh2qe1G5y3kAC4HuSeNX/s320/10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I used:</div>
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a blank wood clock face (bought at a craft store and squirreled away years ago),</div>
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a thin circle of balsa craft wood</div>
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two wood wheels</div>
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a chopstick</div>
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ribbon</div>
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a circle of felt (not pictured)</div>
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and six rainbow colored plastic caps that fit the bottom of Panda's peg people.</div>
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(I had everything on hand except an orange and a purple cap.. Those I made Bear search High and low for much to his dismay.)</div>
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First widen the holes on the wheels with a drill to make the chopstick fit. Then hot glue the chopstick and one wheel to the base. The wheel gives added stability to the pole. The green caps in the picture are just a hair taller than the wheel to help keep the second wood circle level for the next step. They <u>are not</u> glued down.</div>
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Next, drill a hole into the wood circle, slip it over the chopstick. and then glue the second wheel at the top of the chopstick. The wood circle should move freely. </div>
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Hot glue the ribbons to the top of the wheel and around the side. I wanted to be sure they were firmly glued in so they would last through my boy's not so gentle play.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOTUoVOM_2SP02Mvu64QsOJnMI8fIme1RZyAeGAPBIBYzbTKKTLwcmRp0peBTB0Q942UBjyhvPm0GttUl18nzP1U1Vyo4rX6pN0PsN00TBGLuH1HyxkoM-zG4DhhwZtrc3n9_CafQ6pnl/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOTUoVOM_2SP02Mvu64QsOJnMI8fIme1RZyAeGAPBIBYzbTKKTLwcmRp0peBTB0Q942UBjyhvPm0GttUl18nzP1U1Vyo4rX6pN0PsN00TBGLuH1HyxkoM-zG4DhhwZtrc3n9_CafQ6pnl/s320/6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pull the ribbon down and glue it just so there will be enough room to add the cap. It should be just taught enough that when the green caps are removed from underneath the wood circle does not rest on the wheel, but hangs freely.</div>
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see? The slack disappears once the cap is glued on.</div>
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Almost done now.</div>
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Last of all I added a circle of felt to the bottom of the base to keep the wood from scuffing tables. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/eJgKqEn4MIs/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eJgKqEn4MIs?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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SPIN!!</div>
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Ta DAH! I can't wait to see the look on his face when he opens this up. Let me know if you make one. or have some other Peg People ideas. I would love to hear about them in the comments below. </div>
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Thanks for visiting.</div>
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Shine on!<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8D3j8P1upLk/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8D3j8P1upLk?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<span style="color: red;"><b>VIDEO</b></span><b style="color: red;"> UPDATE </b><br />
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Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-22821247658398311502016-04-05T07:59:00.000-05:002016-04-05T07:59:48.085-05:00Toddler Tuesday: Knights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Knights, one of Panda's favorite things. Last week one of his therapists suggested using knights as a motivator for him, and things have been working out rather well. Our sensory bin this week is a dish with water and water beads (I have been excitedly waiting for him to be old enough for these), and a scattering of knights. Panda loves splashing and watching the beads bounce and scoot around in the water. When he is done with the bin it's his job to mop up the water.</div>
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While Panda is playing with his bin, Badger gets to roll around this bottle . He loves watching the beads float and sparkle in the lights.</div>
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To start our day out, first Panda has too cut open envelopes to get to his knights. This was also suggested by his therapist. We will be getting a pair of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Westcott-Lightweight-Self-Opening-Scissors-10239/dp/B000093IQK/">Loop Scissors</a> for smaller hands, but until then these work okay.</div>
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One of the things we focus on in life skills is learning how to dress himself. His therapist wanted to work on snaps with him. So I made these felt chains with snaps. So far he isn't interested, but I'm hoping as the week goes on his interest will perk up. Its also a great fine motor skill if he does find interest.</div>
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We are making shields. Panda's task is to trace shapes. I was going to have him cut them out, but cutting the envelopes at the start of the day seems to be enough for him for now.</div>
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When he is done with his shield we hang them up on this banner. It is going to look incredible when they are all filled up. I'm thinking about leaving it up as a birthday decoration.... And then maybe pulping the paper to make homemade paper. (seriously, I love these projects, but I think we will be murdering an entire forest before this subject is done).</div>
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We are also working on number recognition. Panda can count to 16, but his number recognition is a bit shaky. Still, that's pretty impressive for 2 years old (he ain't 3 yet folks).</div>
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We're also working on letter recognition, I don't expect him to spell, but he has been picking up on letters lately. Each week we will choose one word and focus on what letters are in the word. This week (and next) we will focus on his name. The number and letter cards are leftovers from when our store closed. I'm glad we had a set of each left. They are thin balsa wood. sanded smooth and then words and letters were wood burned in.</div>
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We are also practicing for a knights tournament... I had to figure out a tie-in... At therapy his therapist has a log swing that she uses to help with vestibular and proprioceptive input. She rocks him side to side, and back and forth while he throws bean bags into a barrel (also great hand eye coordination). I took that and recreated it at home with what we had. Balancing on the exercise ball is great for his sensory diet, works on balance, building core muscles, and feeds his need for movement. Then he throws balls into a basket. Panda LOVES this activity....</div>
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And that is what we are up to this week. Next Tuesday I will let you know how things are going. I will also have a few other activities that there just wasn't time to prepare this week. Till then, </div>
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~Shine on~</div>
Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-48995179437912174232016-03-31T10:13:00.000-05:002016-03-31T17:11:27.941-05:00March 2016 photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Where did March go? So many things happened. We added this new sweet ride to our family. It's not that Panda can't walk, it's more to keep him contained. He has developed an unhealthy habit of running off in parking lots and down the street. We're working on it, but for now this keeps him safe and keeps me from loosing my mind.</div>
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My Sweet Red Panda, this is the year where you start waking up and discovering that you are your own unique person. It has been a journey. </div>
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Lately you have been refusing solid foods and have lost the ability to use silverware. The doctors say not to worry, but I retain the mother's right to do so (I should also mention so not to worry any one that we have several therapists working with us on these issues). You never were a big eater to start with and now you have fallen into the 23rd percentile weight for your height. Which is another point. You are two years old and the height of an average 4 or 5 year old. My skinny tall boy. Please start eating soon.</div>
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A tummy bug hit us right after Easter which did not help with your feeding issues one bit, but you seem to be pulling out of it. We met with a preschool teacher and saw your "classroom" for this fall. To say I am not impressed in an understatement. It's taking everything I have not to pull you from the program right now. The teacher started out by explaining to us that they take a regular preschool curriculum and "scale it waaay back". Seeing that academically you already surpass the needs of a basic preschool this bothers me to no end. However I do believe that you will learn better with people your own age around you...Hopefully I can come to grips with this soon and figure out what is truly best for you.</div>
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Your sense of adventure is amazing and will carry you far. It's not fair that you have to go through so many therapy's and that you are being forced into a public school this fall, but you seem to be taking it in stride. We will be adding more therapy into our regiments and you will be attending a day treatment center soon. It will be hard to let you go off on your own. My mother's voice screams that it is to early, but hopefully all this early intervention will help you in the long run.</div>
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Oh my Badger, This was a month of firsts for you. First Saint Patrick's day, First Easter. First time really playing outside and swinging. You aren't to sure of the sun, but as soon as summer hits, I know you will love the grass....</div>
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First food, Oatmeal... I wanted to wait another month, but a spoonful before bed has been making you sleep so much better,</div>
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You are now rolling around the house with the greatest of ease and happily exploring your world. You will be crawling in no time the way you scoot around. And that smile... I have never known a baby to smile as often as you. What a lucky Mum I am to wake up to these toothless grins EVERY morning.</div>
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Five months. Where did the time go? You are now wearing 12 month and at times 18 months onsies. Though you can still wear several of your 0-3 month pants, you are now starting to wear 3-6 month pants. My funny stubby legged baby. You may never win a track race, but you will go far. You steal the heart of everyone you meet.</div>
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So that was March. Plagued by sicknesses, overrun with appointments, and yet we're still here and still going strong. Life is a journey. I can't wait to see what April brings. </div>
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~Shine on~</div>
Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-87204350073647362732016-03-28T16:42:00.000-05:002016-03-28T16:44:54.173-05:00Easter Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello, I hope you all had a Happy Easter weekend. This post will serve as a recap of our weekend and our Toddler Tuesday for now. I will post "March Photos" of the boys later this week. Our bin was a simple bin with plastic eggs and spoons from the dollar store and white beans. Panda liked stacking the egg shells, using them like cups, and stuffing beans into them to make noisemakers. A pretty good success.</div>
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Our Spring books made their annual debut along with our spring stuffed animals. Badger has been loving the butterfly. I don't have a photo, but another thing we have been working on is the word "Stop", so we have been hopping around like bunnies and using the words "stop" and "start". This will help him with words, and also hopefully keep him from running off in parking lots and into the street. </div>
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We've been using these rainbow colored eggs for color matching games. Matching the shell halves together and also filling them with small color corresponding objects like cars and peg people and such.</div>
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Easter was a huge success. Panda received a homemade weighted therapy bunny and three peg people knights. Badger received a puzzle ball and bunny eared rattle/teether. Both of them also received some seeds for planting this summer. I made cookies and chocolates that were safe for Panda, but we kept that part small. Only one cookie and two pieces of chocolate. I don't think he felt cheated at all.</div>
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After spending a lovely afternoon at my sister's house we returned home for our wooden Easter egg hunt. This year Panda really got into hunting for the eggs and kept looking for them long after he found the last one. When he realized he wasn't going to find any more he started re-hiding them. It was a moment to cherish. I'm glad we started using wooden eggs a few years back instead of plastic ones. The thrill for us is in the magic, wonder, and excitement of finding the eggs, not what is inside them. How did you celebrate? Did you celebrate? </div>
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~Shine on~</div>
Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-57163836992322998972016-03-16T07:16:00.000-05:002016-03-16T07:46:05.118-05:00Saint Patrick's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Saint Patrick's Day! Tomorrow is one of my favorite holidays, and while we've been busy I couldn't let it slip away without some fun activities. We've had three sensory bins these past two weeks. This one is split peas and a few peg dolls. It was also Panda's favorite tray.</div>
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Uncooked oatmeal, green sugar granules, with shamrock confetti pieces. Panda got a kick out of hunting and digging for the shamrocks.</div>
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Green mashed potatoes from dollar store instant potato flakes. I'm positive that this isn't food, but it was a lot of fun to play with.</div>
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Our book basket this month.</div>
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We tried making cork shamrock stamps, but this activity was frustrating for both of us. The stamps kept shifting so we had to give it up.</div>
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and instead we made leprechaun coins from bottle caps. This was an exercise in following directions and it worked out pretty well. First he had to dip them in the glue, then the glitter, and then put them on the sheet to dry..</div>
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We counted green coins and put them into our pot of gold (tea light holder).</div>
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and had yummy treats </div>
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Lots of yummy treats... I will have to post this recipe later. I finally invented a good cookie cutter cookie that is safe for Panda (egg, dairy, and Gluten free).</div>
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Even our mystery jar got into the holiday spirit. This is a newer therapy tool we have been using. Panda can't unscrew this lid on his own, so in order to get one of the objects out to play with, he has to say "open" and what object he wants. It has been a wonderful tool to help draw more words out of him. I'm sorry I've been away so much. Therapy has taken over our lives. I'm not sure when things will calm down, but it sure felt good to sneak away this morning<br />
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. Take care, happy Saint Patrick's day, and shine on!</div>
Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-6158668361632128612016-03-04T00:30:00.001-06:002016-03-04T00:33:09.813-06:00February 2016 Pictures<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYy0HDmnNGDqfxYqM1y7n3LO3drg0mjv4_RbuA91hSCwtIlFcCgDvnKJw9UKCDAKXGTFVA2fGjRjhNTyODHW4q6yDFccpAljdlRQarvXKa1ksPfVyhaV1iLt9S_6qT_gZnAbaJiy8zKGon/s1600/IMG_0403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYy0HDmnNGDqfxYqM1y7n3LO3drg0mjv4_RbuA91hSCwtIlFcCgDvnKJw9UKCDAKXGTFVA2fGjRjhNTyODHW4q6yDFccpAljdlRQarvXKa1ksPfVyhaV1iLt9S_6qT_gZnAbaJiy8zKGon/s320/IMG_0403.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9Rwb-y2ZndZpYXE1ODU3P-lnr6WnFGZdn-k9Hgh4JHNc2Vf7vL7ElJIafIb_1Wib4_b7LQgpBmmWC3LZb-IfIMmOaPUEki7p8Xm6JBxqQu425n-wRYFnCEt4pB6JWoOuOrliCfFMpOox/s1600/IMG_0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9Rwb-y2ZndZpYXE1ODU3P-lnr6WnFGZdn-k9Hgh4JHNc2Vf7vL7ElJIafIb_1Wib4_b7LQgpBmmWC3LZb-IfIMmOaPUEki7p8Xm6JBxqQu425n-wRYFnCEt4pB6JWoOuOrliCfFMpOox/s320/IMG_0406.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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My beautiful Boys. I should be sleeping, but this year I want to be sure to capture your monthly pictures. February was a nightmare of constant appointments and this is the only time I can find to post these pictures. We still have appointments nearly every day and are on the road more often that I would like, but we are figuring out our new "normal" and Panda is getting the help he needs. This has been a rough one on you Bud. We will get through it. Thank you for bearing with us. And Badger, thank you so much for your light. Even on the roughest days you continue to smile and greet each day with a belly chuckle. Never have I known a more contented baby. You both continue to help us shine even when our lights are low. Thank you for choosing our family. I have a feeling that the two of you are going to be an unstoppable team.</div>
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Shine on.</div>
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Love,</div>
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~Mum~</div>
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Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-61050799339795569992016-02-02T08:03:00.003-06:002016-02-02T08:04:01.006-06:00Candlemas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32l2EGm_aOXNJErumpHarZpDSPyynK9mtzyxdHC3BcBWrACIIT2LnMqsWHIv7ycwqCd9Ju2QRgAAec6veJOPmz3eaZH9WNLHWpOOUANrUuDKEN7NtPKBI0R44d6plHYROSaS6M_mLI5jm/s1600/IMG_7647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32l2EGm_aOXNJErumpHarZpDSPyynK9mtzyxdHC3BcBWrACIIT2LnMqsWHIv7ycwqCd9Ju2QRgAAec6veJOPmz3eaZH9WNLHWpOOUANrUuDKEN7NtPKBI0R44d6plHYROSaS6M_mLI5jm/s320/IMG_7647.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Candle candle burning bright</div>
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Winter is halfway done tonight</div>
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With a-glowing</div>
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We are knowing </div>
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Spring will come again </div>
Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-79913414962802683812016-01-29T20:38:00.002-06:002016-01-29T20:38:42.054-06:00January 2016 Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFYIya9vOk68CazzMgT9Wfhvwil65ay9BJI4TAsKr5Zkc-358Bjaxcem5Y_PaheQAyn6oY-WlOZdXnYUMEm1Yfg0S_b_7_Z6TS8sOJXBpe4gSz3wHLgT-nPWwpzKD4WRFaNT1d_qDDBpD/s1600/rest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFYIya9vOk68CazzMgT9Wfhvwil65ay9BJI4TAsKr5Zkc-358Bjaxcem5Y_PaheQAyn6oY-WlOZdXnYUMEm1Yfg0S_b_7_Z6TS8sOJXBpe4gSz3wHLgT-nPWwpzKD4WRFaNT1d_qDDBpD/s320/rest.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've seen many ways of recording special moments over the years on blogs. I've tried capturing special moments from each week, but I always fail to keep going for a whole year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNg94UQzumsnI0MYPYWrMHsCs01qOjmIfKza1aGXBNg8CpN84XvLMi48q1vxRlA_TIuxErYFpaTGH3rRmeHERsdHKNbcvotwQeJj9FI_RAEROEEoBuTrVz1MLQMjdqqQHfgsQUFwHa6vJk/s1600/apple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNg94UQzumsnI0MYPYWrMHsCs01qOjmIfKza1aGXBNg8CpN84XvLMi48q1vxRlA_TIuxErYFpaTGH3rRmeHERsdHKNbcvotwQeJj9FI_RAEROEEoBuTrVz1MLQMjdqqQHfgsQUFwHa6vJk/s320/apple.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
So this year I've decided to take pictures all month long and share a few at the end of each month to recap and capture this year with my boys.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SMRUtWFX1k-CGkY1KY6dx9YkOi4q3_uZpwmQBDwPmfz0x-Oh5y9hf8fUf1ticp941oPnZsQ2UNtLLORpAJqYU2MIk0BBiZ761b6Vg9mnhimce8ePADh7i996_0-DtZkWGvwoXUevLX6B/s1600/together.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SMRUtWFX1k-CGkY1KY6dx9YkOi4q3_uZpwmQBDwPmfz0x-Oh5y9hf8fUf1ticp941oPnZsQ2UNtLLORpAJqYU2MIk0BBiZ761b6Vg9mnhimce8ePADh7i996_0-DtZkWGvwoXUevLX6B/s320/together.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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The two of you love each other so much, it is a truly special bond to see forming.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSd_PpvXFfcFITCT4jppBRildMWalUOkNPEt5T8tpNwnrunCBb_WGIHcuabXOlQG_4dB-Ad9_T7twhAtkZKsbYiQtV7xTkYwKiwFE6XgEel279UMKuV5nHXjabLCLjEhS1EtUbA3cY15Y8/s1600/IMG_0286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSd_PpvXFfcFITCT4jppBRildMWalUOkNPEt5T8tpNwnrunCBb_WGIHcuabXOlQG_4dB-Ad9_T7twhAtkZKsbYiQtV7xTkYwKiwFE6XgEel279UMKuV5nHXjabLCLjEhS1EtUbA3cY15Y8/s320/IMG_0286.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My sweet Panda, so full of life..</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZaX2xD7ZL6pfExJSuTFd2J8c1UtFslbxvBVvWH1nQ20zu2eiTVCUPy6qoJv2msFdgqD2wrbKfvH0T-foxMaqY_388YW_lLFGQzGO0Dd_AQBMg4faJdLjeLMTuV0OTd2ZklCf_UP15CLI/s1600/Panda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZaX2xD7ZL6pfExJSuTFd2J8c1UtFslbxvBVvWH1nQ20zu2eiTVCUPy6qoJv2msFdgqD2wrbKfvH0T-foxMaqY_388YW_lLFGQzGO0Dd_AQBMg4faJdLjeLMTuV0OTd2ZklCf_UP15CLI/s320/Panda.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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You may be full of wild energy, but you are also given to moments of incredible serenity.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhic7WfL6WQU2AhcTXLpBAiACz3rmK32oeEvZzEgyqt6HhvQcz7HA7mu93ZbrtB6Bi8b-N4rcSwcCvEXNf7vsAeNSq-sFjSoV3RfnI_IFB47lxAiM8PTu_mizUNfe1yZAl7Vqz1gWGKOy03/s1600/seals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhic7WfL6WQU2AhcTXLpBAiACz3rmK32oeEvZzEgyqt6HhvQcz7HA7mu93ZbrtB6Bi8b-N4rcSwcCvEXNf7vsAeNSq-sFjSoV3RfnI_IFB47lxAiM8PTu_mizUNfe1yZAl7Vqz1gWGKOy03/s320/seals.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Your first visit to the zoo. You stood entranced by the seals for their entire feeding and checkup. I've never seen so so enthralled before. It was magical.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0rsKkqVEsM6r2k7pbvuF1zs1PAsEvhjmTEcoB-G-5phldbAu5H8DXgz3jQKP4YGPNTrAsWyYaTQud3-r4ulC453EFmry__y4tCL8aNLwHjzXSetoUpCrpYmt123Pd3Z9V3y9UB3KVt6v/s1600/cave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0rsKkqVEsM6r2k7pbvuF1zs1PAsEvhjmTEcoB-G-5phldbAu5H8DXgz3jQKP4YGPNTrAsWyYaTQud3-r4ulC453EFmry__y4tCL8aNLwHjzXSetoUpCrpYmt123Pd3Z9V3y9UB3KVt6v/s320/cave.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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We certainly are on a journey together. Oye, 5 hours at children's hospital and a new path for us all... Some changes may break my heart, but your smile and spirit always seem to mend it. You are one incredible little boy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2oYW4O3NptVRavlLCBEEuOazWq1Cbn0CdEZlF3rG2w5j5O5Ebsl4xNU-K6IZzFddnn8dPpjtWVGVfmwJ-xnqlpiK42tKltADNykXGGk3xwZXaFTPZHpTakzOrX1o0IH03-pW-uWFjDN6/s1600/smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2oYW4O3NptVRavlLCBEEuOazWq1Cbn0CdEZlF3rG2w5j5O5Ebsl4xNU-K6IZzFddnn8dPpjtWVGVfmwJ-xnqlpiK42tKltADNykXGGk3xwZXaFTPZHpTakzOrX1o0IH03-pW-uWFjDN6/s320/smile.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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My dear Badger, so full of smiles. I've never met a more happy baby than you. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_CkTbHzWCq-RLmw5sSqBpKi4UPYiR86xeg-QgPSq9bgD9BdV4uoKhZCYaMXuLOBngsh1bAG90aFLS46TY686DhmWeR-H-_RC_Ey5HFEJmzFniTa7nVq5QNHGcpMYnzzuLsX8tZ02WzPZ/s1600/IMG_0370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_CkTbHzWCq-RLmw5sSqBpKi4UPYiR86xeg-QgPSq9bgD9BdV4uoKhZCYaMXuLOBngsh1bAG90aFLS46TY686DhmWeR-H-_RC_Ey5HFEJmzFniTa7nVq5QNHGcpMYnzzuLsX8tZ02WzPZ/s320/IMG_0370.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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You are now 3 months old. Oh the places you will go my wee Badger.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DwwHS6KGfZJFXVAfYGGl5Z0AiINtonZi-_UmxlQKgeDZzxYcR8BTmc8mAvVVKpiLOqsqR50257AyjwvaKdgka-ue3Fx1Rq2ObHmThedzKibOTKle07kCZvrdFMq3jX1Lmrn8fxPzYzuO/s1600/IMG_0304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DwwHS6KGfZJFXVAfYGGl5Z0AiINtonZi-_UmxlQKgeDZzxYcR8BTmc8mAvVVKpiLOqsqR50257AyjwvaKdgka-ue3Fx1Rq2ObHmThedzKibOTKle07kCZvrdFMq3jX1Lmrn8fxPzYzuO/s320/IMG_0304.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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With that we head into February with our eyes wide open....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUyJyV1GGYDSHypZc5M8NDKw8GNVyZP1MXznIATR5lFsI3P3YqJLWAQ4A5fbOpoHeHDCi88CsrPLwJgq4UPTipFafdJFcgTB1cDcyXD6DRK7A7H2qn7FCGeM7eNoYx3ribHrKEvSmBcEv/s1600/idontdomondays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUyJyV1GGYDSHypZc5M8NDKw8GNVyZP1MXznIATR5lFsI3P3YqJLWAQ4A5fbOpoHeHDCi88CsrPLwJgq4UPTipFafdJFcgTB1cDcyXD6DRK7A7H2qn7FCGeM7eNoYx3ribHrKEvSmBcEv/s320/idontdomondays.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Most of the time...</div>
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~Shine on~</div>
Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-79048527943960669352016-01-19T09:16:00.003-06:002016-01-19T09:16:47.708-06:00Toddler Tuesdays: Gingerbreadman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmMToYk4YqThQzXzJBpd0A2BMv-uIMMG9HyuH0pSai1xJda_K2H374AwloOBPjs3mfth4JmwhRLg07XqbByO-55CP149KUIGt9jTayHFv72ZoLjM6zC5HUKlsMUoIg4HRXOwn7nqF5gIP/s1600/sensorybin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmMToYk4YqThQzXzJBpd0A2BMv-uIMMG9HyuH0pSai1xJda_K2H374AwloOBPjs3mfth4JmwhRLg07XqbByO-55CP149KUIGt9jTayHFv72ZoLjM6zC5HUKlsMUoIg4HRXOwn7nqF5gIP/s320/sensorybin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ahh gingerbread week. I have been looking forward to this "lesson plan" for months. Yesterday... Things did not go as planned. Panda could only be described as feral. He was a three foot tall tornado of terror yesterday. Tipping over everything (and I do mean everything.. furniture included), yelling, hitting, biting, ripping, dumping, eating half his books, breaking things, climbing the walls, tables, chairs, like a possessed monkey.. I have no idea how to tame his destructiveness right now (ideas are most welcome). We also had to cancel our annual gingerbread decorating party because we are all sick;</div>
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<i><u><b> but today is a new day. </b></u></i></div>
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So, for our sensory bin we have <a href="http://www.housingaforest.com/homemade-gingerbread-play-dough-recipe/">gingerbread play-dough,</a> cookie cutters, and a rolling pin. Simple, and smells so yummy. Although I get the distinct impression that the dough would have turned out better if I didn't have to use gluten free flour.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVyQ4A0FlNQ4Y3-hyt8CXxsdeWbs7oFMqbyD5US_fLVGkbfgNZGBPhd4PK9j61L98vlLGJpOeREiVXpbZAQDslpJ5CNBII56I4AH2Ngl1MdkMbyfFE1NemPOKjprFW8URL6iGbW1HtQNX/s1600/gingerbread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVyQ4A0FlNQ4Y3-hyt8CXxsdeWbs7oFMqbyD5US_fLVGkbfgNZGBPhd4PK9j61L98vlLGJpOeREiVXpbZAQDslpJ5CNBII56I4AH2Ngl1MdkMbyfFE1NemPOKjprFW8URL6iGbW1HtQNX/s320/gingerbread.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We baked up some yummy treats . I was worried that our book this week might be a bit to wordy, but giving him one of these little handsome fellows to munch on during book time did the trick, and was the only time he sat still all day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMjj-1sIFihnQTetHT8-MHQgtqBvijh3JAIyOumkz2_ztcd7U7aPULl9LqZR3cMoE_xmVjilmlBCQLTTn_QkbtAyjatPHUeqHr0sitUEAZsytiRUQaSMu5fnrbOFqX2ZoDlArC5C74vXj/s1600/bites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMjj-1sIFihnQTetHT8-MHQgtqBvijh3JAIyOumkz2_ztcd7U7aPULl9LqZR3cMoE_xmVjilmlBCQLTTn_QkbtAyjatPHUeqHr0sitUEAZsytiRUQaSMu5fnrbOFqX2ZoDlArC5C74vXj/s320/bites.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We also made these<a href="http://thebigmansworld.com/2015/10/30/no-bake-gingerbread-latte-bites/" rel="nofollow"> yummy morsels.</a> Instead of rolling them into balls I used a mini gingerbread man cookie cutter.. Panda was not impressed. They have a curiously strong flavor, but Bear and I like them. We will try another batch and substitute Honey for the molasses later. In the mean time all of Panda's food is being cut into cookie shapes and that has helped dramatically with his eating issues.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kaF4G_82_XKVXPqWdULJhrhIWrI8vzRGqWwoZBcOwDIlHrHxmZG7RfknI0XtIm-plR0IxIsMhr9y0D8u5BYhHlCHJ5GmWmGOu1R7eV2Xj1xBL7ALVD1PzMzCG3PvM52R9HSsWwZR-yyL/s1600/counting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kaF4G_82_XKVXPqWdULJhrhIWrI8vzRGqWwoZBcOwDIlHrHxmZG7RfknI0XtIm-plR0IxIsMhr9y0D8u5BYhHlCHJ5GmWmGOu1R7eV2Xj1xBL7ALVD1PzMzCG3PvM52R9HSsWwZR-yyL/s320/counting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I swiped these ornaments from our Christmas stash for a simple counting game. I could have printed gingerbread clip art out, but why do the extra work when I had these laying around? </div>
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A simple match the shapes puzzle...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYq-rDfw-lV-XEVpxsogg7Q5ML2vuQBrDHtoL97Hlu_MirZCdFCKf3G1hWRID-XWLK-SlUBHZTXSZIsJ5EPJ66MuufWVpQovepBt4d2HwxFOQsmRYKw4bS95DtIiBXmbqAR_1h8oZ5c4k/s1600/play.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYq-rDfw-lV-XEVpxsogg7Q5ML2vuQBrDHtoL97Hlu_MirZCdFCKf3G1hWRID-XWLK-SlUBHZTXSZIsJ5EPJ66MuufWVpQovepBt4d2HwxFOQsmRYKw4bS95DtIiBXmbqAR_1h8oZ5c4k/s320/play.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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and on the flip side an invitation for play, since our build your own snowman activity went over so well last week. This opened up a lot of opportunities for words and working on his speech therapy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEsNVs2PJbaZ4f_cWH0kSxd1m7Lz4DZK3KONznXrhv6ycXnBsLh598soc5vU0CCVH_72FCI93y6BjI05GRf-GOuJfH17lo3uchSZSSzhiluSwHCYxXjUUUpefHgMbDX9l27wBe6sFlJId/s1600/salt+tray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEsNVs2PJbaZ4f_cWH0kSxd1m7Lz4DZK3KONznXrhv6ycXnBsLh598soc5vU0CCVH_72FCI93y6BjI05GRf-GOuJfH17lo3uchSZSSzhiluSwHCYxXjUUUpefHgMbDX9l27wBe6sFlJId/s320/salt+tray.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A salt tray for precursor to handwriting activities. I scented the salt with ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Panda likes this tray. It's like a bonus sensory bin to him. His favorite thing is to use the rolling pin on it and hear the salt crunch.. Not its intended purpose, but it works.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYb2VllGWLzvcx8J0odq2pGtnR0XJFDJL5Q2To4Qsjv3r6ChT5Pz0uTqUT-1SpJi6QSOWTYYCnLQRDxwlbysUU6DtF8ay-FaLqBNIQAJUq2NyM_lGj_t3kKhaUEFgYayb7nQ355q0hQ7vV/s1600/gingerbread+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYb2VllGWLzvcx8J0odq2pGtnR0XJFDJL5Q2To4Qsjv3r6ChT5Pz0uTqUT-1SpJi6QSOWTYYCnLQRDxwlbysUU6DtF8ay-FaLqBNIQAJUq2NyM_lGj_t3kKhaUEFgYayb7nQ355q0hQ7vV/s320/gingerbread+house.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And last of all... sigh... our gingerbread house.... We planned on making a tent for Panda's birthday to replace his old tent, so we made the frame for it ahead of time to decorate for a special treat this week..... Sigh...</div>
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He LOVED the tent, but I have to redo this as he has ripped all the paper walls down before noon yesterday...That was my mistake.. But I said I would blog about what worked and what didn't when I started Toddler Tuesdays.... Paper was a bad idea. I almost think that is what set him off yesterday. The sound of the paper when hit, and torn was to much, and he does like to eat paper.... Well.. it is supposed to look like an edible house too.... There is also the feel of the paper.. It may have been to much.</div>
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I will be remaking this to look the same, but I will use felt instead of paper. Then we can reuse it every year for the gingerbread decorating party and it will withstand his punching, kicking, tearing, biting, and being sat on a little better. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Zs-aOJ_PVgUqeKgVxPhyphenhyphenR8-r0_p_qEoa77nQSiLngyIQIZuIFDEfTyW1gVScpN8Xbj_zGmRc2HktyeGjj__dtJcRiWcP_MKidZF3yRsaOiZLk_6M5Ll_Wk5LjcVeqwW52aXCx7jzzRwU/s1600/lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Zs-aOJ_PVgUqeKgVxPhyphenhyphenR8-r0_p_qEoa77nQSiLngyIQIZuIFDEfTyW1gVScpN8Xbj_zGmRc2HktyeGjj__dtJcRiWcP_MKidZF3yRsaOiZLk_6M5Ll_Wk5LjcVeqwW52aXCx7jzzRwU/s320/lights.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Have a blessed, wondrous, healthy, and Calm week. What is going on in your home? I would love to hear about it in the comments, or send me an email. </div>
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~Shine on~</div>
Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-91687696163662481282016-01-13T20:08:00.002-06:002016-01-13T20:08:53.643-06:00Toddler Tuesday Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Q-cI5Rlqr7ROrHsYCY9LD5fTV7o4kYJ3Fe061s4XqEp4uSusUqYo3_eSCNb5athyphenhyphenXqPluMjq-xVudGyPqn6ZL0Hkfo49YyMPDdZ8AB6xojA7q1rJoCtSeLgfEF6am7-bWt28ctSEOXag/s1600/table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Q-cI5Rlqr7ROrHsYCY9LD5fTV7o4kYJ3Fe061s4XqEp4uSusUqYo3_eSCNb5athyphenhyphenXqPluMjq-xVudGyPqn6ZL0Hkfo49YyMPDdZ8AB6xojA7q1rJoCtSeLgfEF6am7-bWt28ctSEOXag/s320/table.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hello, recapping how our week has gone and how this week is going. Switching to every two weeks really has been nice for us all. For the New Year we've brought back the Nature table! Right now it's pretty simple and more of a "nature display" just to get Panda used to the idea.. It has been well received, but we are having some trouble keeping things on the table. This is why we are doing a trial run with simple things. It wont be any good to have acorns and small rocks scattered on the floor in later seasons for Badger to find and choke on. (legos and animal figures like these are my two plastic toy exceptions... funny how they BOTH ended up on our<u> NATURE</u> table)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaTi0S5T32s5PSz8vFggjOVmRGDJhPPucvd-quJwDcpZRt4pNPuRi89ICztiVL5nHqcvatQSXyrTLP0BWNCgYKTM6TwPiCzXfAGw4UMZIbhv0Zh1luXnTyMfbG43KdCq-bpFDGSUO0QyZ/s1600/snowman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaTi0S5T32s5PSz8vFggjOVmRGDJhPPucvd-quJwDcpZRt4pNPuRi89ICztiVL5nHqcvatQSXyrTLP0BWNCgYKTM6TwPiCzXfAGw4UMZIbhv0Zh1luXnTyMfbG43KdCq-bpFDGSUO0QyZ/s320/snowman.jpg" width="314" /></a></div>
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This is a Snowman That Panda built all by himself. He really likes this activity, but could care less about the dice. The q-tip snowflakes were nice, but this activity really captured his attention. He also LOVED the snow painting.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYGizbCPM2s_8n6uZm42LP9-3cLDLIbnRIpdzyloBe9IHMMoG9zn04QzlEl3iHRFPV1sOo4t0Cr_BBzZOcWFHaCR3yT463vKJsHFjGJ3-HIvIa1iNl4PuTWfQjpZwSceTWqZGxcBKLPUS/s1600/blocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYGizbCPM2s_8n6uZm42LP9-3cLDLIbnRIpdzyloBe9IHMMoG9zn04QzlEl3iHRFPV1sOo4t0Cr_BBzZOcWFHaCR3yT463vKJsHFjGJ3-HIvIa1iNl4PuTWfQjpZwSceTWqZGxcBKLPUS/s320/blocks.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Panda is sick... again, so we've done a lot of window activities. He loves light. This is him working with his light blocks. They glow like jewels.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6Sxmc53WACAbAcVYvKITZ93zXCCF5GxM11jHhl-cfxpYnHRzGnI7uQZtvcCq8NPrrIiRPbkw9D0U-X1WwjZ3cciTxjCKcmw4-doJfEF1jGE2dh-6dGF-FXmmUpG8UYf_hWkpkTE63nL1/s1600/window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6Sxmc53WACAbAcVYvKITZ93zXCCF5GxM11jHhl-cfxpYnHRzGnI7uQZtvcCq8NPrrIiRPbkw9D0U-X1WwjZ3cciTxjCKcmw4-doJfEF1jGE2dh-6dGF-FXmmUpG8UYf_hWkpkTE63nL1/s320/window.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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The precursor to handwriting dissolved into "lets scribble on the windows", but that has been fun too. I just hate to push the little guy when he is under the weather.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGDkU13WjUMLLYK8u6tjZEkcMSODhoPbNyJh7z3JPE6bRcMYeQ1nW7t_t4vbSQ42EAmG1ZDjggL5QkTwacIRh8ivLZ05uXOFAnswDY6WEbJGGFkMrXcDT3JzudPO3Q0SsmeRjOroQv6OF/s1600/wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGDkU13WjUMLLYK8u6tjZEkcMSODhoPbNyJh7z3JPE6bRcMYeQ1nW7t_t4vbSQ42EAmG1ZDjggL5QkTwacIRh8ivLZ05uXOFAnswDY6WEbJGGFkMrXcDT3JzudPO3Q0SsmeRjOroQv6OF/s320/wall.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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And this is our therapy wall. It is going to change somewhat over the next few weeks as we figure out what is needed but it works like this. </div>
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-The white board works like a white board. Right now I have a Winter verse on it.</div>
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-Above that there is a list of EVERYTHING we do during the day in fifteen minute increments. Oye! This is homework from Panda's therapists. I hope they don't ask us to do this again next week. </div>
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-Next to that is Panda's food chart. I'm sad to say he is still not eating enough to make me happy, but his food issues are sloooowly improving. </div>
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-The yellow envelope under that holds a million little pictures that Velcro to the outside to give him choices of activities when he is having a hard time focusing, and on the timeline underneath to tell him what is going on next during the day. </div>
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-There are pictures of clothes for getting dressed, a hairbrush for brushing his hair, a plate for meals... That type of thing. </div>
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-The pillow hands refocus him when he is stuck on something. We have him run to hit them and then try to redirect him to a new activity while we have his attention.</div>
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-at the bottom of the wall is a pile of his seasonal books. Moving them over here has rekindled his interest in books and I often find him sitting on the carpet flipping through them.</div>
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There you have it. Our therapy wall.... for now..</div>
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As for the rest of the activities, they are going well, but we've been making a lot of trips to the Nature Center during the day instead of focusing on our "school".</div>
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Sometimes you just need to get away. I love our Nature Center. They have several explorations tables set up for little hands, a giant tree in a puppet corner that you can go inside of and poke the puppets out of holes, a sand table with rubber-stamp animal tracks, huge observation windows, and so much more.</div>
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I hope you are all having a good week. What are you up to this week while we are out playing hookie?</div>
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Shine on.</div>
Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349488973191107383.post-38483065564265411162016-01-05T06:16:00.001-06:002016-01-07T05:33:34.017-06:00Toddler Tuesdays: Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrULlY2GKXRDG9Wnv_Yvo47PFMkIUXGOdmGgsehwM3HtM90Cn_JtPWJE2i0OTebXz93NEtUI_yCriwlnMGrf2rM5cXLfjbgbVGp5dhMiuV5Me_hjP2wvy6Wp-oCzJoIjjK-DPSNGH6oCok/s1600/bin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrULlY2GKXRDG9Wnv_Yvo47PFMkIUXGOdmGgsehwM3HtM90Cn_JtPWJE2i0OTebXz93NEtUI_yCriwlnMGrf2rM5cXLfjbgbVGp5dhMiuV5Me_hjP2wvy6Wp-oCzJoIjjK-DPSNGH6oCok/s320/bin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Winter has finally arrived! For the next two weeks we will be working with a winter theme. This week's sensory bin is filled with shaving cream, winter animals, a sled, shovel, and snowflake.</div>
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There are a few books we will be reading, but this book by Gerda Miller will be our main focus. It is a word free picture book and it's my hope that by talking about the pictures together we can draw more words out of Panda.</div>
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Relying heavily on Pinterest this week I found many variations of this activity. A simple counting activity with snow balls. We also used Cheerios and that was more motivating for him. </div>
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I found this fine motor skill activity "<a href="http://www.playdoughtoplato.com/holiday-busy-bags/">here</a>" with free printable cards. </div>
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There were several variations of this activity on Pinterest. I made a dice with snowman parts found <a href="http://homegrownfriends.com/home/build-a-snowman-game/">"here"</a> and snowman parts to assemble out of felt and buttons. Panda likes to assemble the snowman, but could care less about the dice. Maybe when he is older we can try again or make a game to see who can assemble a snowman first.</div>
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This activity is a precursor to handwriting. I found the idea <a href="http://lookslikespiltmilk.blogspot.com/2012/01/winter-montessori-style.html">"here"</a> and pared it with Panda's love of drawing on the windows. These window crayons are amazing! Unlike window markers there is no smell and clean up is super easy,</div>
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Painting snow with food coloring is an activity that I've been wanting to do with Panda for a while; and now that the snow is here, we can. We are also trying a new therapy story board, but I'll post about that next week and let you know how this week went. Till then, shine on!</div>
Appleshoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784996670449237303noreply@blogger.com9