Simply Mel(Formerly Mama Monoblogs)

Paintbrushes+Water= Fun, Peace and Quiet

Although you wouldn't be able to tell it by the weather today, our weather here in MA has been pretty decent as of late. We've even had some hot days! We've wanted to take advantage of the nice weather so we've been outsite. A lot. So much, in fact, that I'm afraid we're all starting to get a little bored with it. If you've been to my house or seen this picture that Katelyn took on my blog-

 
you know that we have a nice yard and are not lacking for fun stuff to play with, on or in in our yard.
But, alas, I have two certain someones who seem to have lost the ability to keep themselves entertained outside as of late. It's actually getting kinda frustrating! I think once I start driving again (in a month woohoo!!)and can take them different places they may stop acting like caged animals. But for right now, they wonder aimlessly outside and pester me non stop for stuff that are not options at that moment. And if they do find something they want to do (bikes, play ball, swing) they do it for a total of 5 minutes and they're " aaall donnnne". I've tried to take my Bible outside and do some reading while they're playing, or journaling or catching up on my first Ted Dekker novel. But- nope! I can't get past five words at a time before they're demanding requesting  to do something different. So, I've had to pull from my vast many-years-of- preschool-teaching creative resources for different things for them to do while outside. Here are pictures of  one of the activities they really enjoy and that actually keep them pretty occupied. And a big bonus- it's not messy! 

PAINTING WITH PAINT BRUSHES AND CUPS OF WATER!!! 

(what do you mean "that's it?")

 

Here Katelyn is demonstrating her water art on the deck. The girls truly loved painting everything on the deck. We actually were able to draw some elaborate pictures before the water evaporated.

 

Madelyn loved painting the stairs of the deck. And the grill. And the door to the house. And the dirt..

 

 

So...if you have any little someones who are looking for something different to do on a hot day you could give painting with water a shot. And then maybe you could make a little headway in the stinking Ted Dekker novel you've been trying to read.

Or maybe that's just me!

Painting Outside Pictures

Oh, how we love to paint outside. The girls like it because they know they can get messy. Mommy likes it because the mess stays outside. And if we get rain, the rain washes whatever is left on the deck away! Which equals less clean-up for me! This was also Madelyn's first experience with painting. She loved it! And wore it. The girls picked up some rocks in the yard and had fun painting those. We used them as paper weights for a couple of days!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inexpensive(or FREE)Preschool Activities For Stay At Home Moms 1

Many moms these days send their 3-5 year old children to preschool be it once a week, five days a week or something in between . Some churches offer Mother's Day Out programs that I know many moms take advantage of. I have none of these options. I don't know of any MDO programs in my area and preschool is super expensive in Massachusetts, as I'm sure it is in other areas too.  As much as I think Katelyn would benefit from a going to preschool a couple of times a week we just can't afford it at this point. So, I've had to become creative and find social and educational outlets for Katelyn(and Madelyn) so we're not stuck at home all the time.(Let's forget for a moment, that that is what is happening to us right now but won't be that way forever. Ahem.) I was a preschool teacher for 10 years and worked with infants up to age 5 so I have a few ideas up my sleeve when it comes to preschoolers. I'm going to share with you some of the things I do with Katelyn right now and hopefully if you are looking for some ideas it will be of  some help to you. I may even to an "activity of the week" kind of thing. We'll see.

Social, Gross Motor and Get- Out -Of- The- House- Activities

-Our library offers a ton of children's programs. I've been pleasantly surprised since we live in such a small town. If you've never done so, check out the children's programs at your library. You could be pleasantly surprised as well. We usually go to Toddler Time every week and the girls have a blast. The children's librarian does puppets, a couple of stories, songs, dancing, shakers, bells and all sorts of music and movement. It's a wonderful time. She also pulls out toys for the kids to play with in the middle of the room before Toddler Time starts and then pulls them out at the end and tells us whoever is last should turn out the lights. It's a great way for children to learn social skills and interact with other children.Our library also offers craft times and toddler tea parties.It's really cute. Not only are the programs nice, but the children's area of the library is a wonderful place to hang out . I always end up chatting with another mom while my girls are playing. There are games, puzzles and toys to pull out and play with. Your library can be a great resource for preschool and social activities.

-Our library also offers free passes to several local and educational  venues. We've gotten free passes to the zoo and I know they offer free passes to the Children's Museum and The Butterfly Place. You just have to give them a specific date that you would like them for and they'll see if the passes are available for that day. Once you go you then return them to the library within the next day or so.. If you can get to these venues for free they are a super way to get out of the house and for your kids to have some educational fun.

-We go to a playgroup once a week. It's run at the Rec Center in the town where we go to church. Many playgroups put out fliers and notices.So check your library, local Rec Center, pediatrician's office, and church bulletin boards for notices about local playgroups. You can also go on www.meetup.com and search for  others who are looking to start a playgroup in your area. If you can't find one, start one!! I started a monthly playgroup in my home and now we've actually moved it to my church since there is more space. I knew I couldn't handle planning a weekly one so I figured a monthly playgroup was a more manageable option.

-I schedule play dates as frequently as possible with other moms who stay home. It's fun for me and fun for my kids. During the Summer we try to make play dates outside or at parks and playgrounds.

-Whenever I can, during the winter especially, I take my girls to indoor play gyms. This lets them get some energy out and is a fun way to spend a morning. If you don't have the money or don't want to spend the money, many malls have those play areas you can play in for free. Take advantage of that!

- I used to attend MOPS(Mothers Of Preschoolers) at a church in my area. MOPS is a wonderful way for mothers and their preschoolers to meet and have fun.Here is an excerpt from their website:

"MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers. MOPS International exists to meet the needs of every mom - urban, suburban and rural moms, stay-at-home and working moms, teen, single and married moms - moms with different lifestyles who all share a similar desire to be the very best moms they can be! MOPS recognizes that the years from infancy through kindergarten are foundational in a mother-child relationship and are filled with unique needs.

MOPS helps moms through relationships established in the context of local groups that provide a caring atmosphere for today's mother of young children. MOPS also encourages and supports moms through resources such as books, this website and the MOPS International Membership. "

 I know many moms who go to MOPS. The reason I don't go anymore was because I wasn't really clicking with the group of moms at the church the MOPS was at. Madelyn was also still an infant and I wasn't comfortable leaving her for very long yet with the elderly ladies who were in charge of the infant room. The activities and discussions for the moms were great. I encourage you to try to find one in your area. Their website is www.mops.org.

I'll stop here for today. In my next post I'll give you some ideas of activities I do at home.

What are some inexpensive(or free ) preschool  ideas you have for those of us who don't have the option of sending our children anywhere? I'd love to read them!

 

 

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