Oh The Places We'll Go!: July 2011

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Monday, July 18, 2011

I have always heard about Kindermusik, but just couldn't find a time to try it out. Katrina and I decided to sign up Nicholas and Connor for a 5 week session to see how the kids liked it, and figured if they didn't, they could at least just play with each other haha. It was an ok class, although I think the kids seemed quite bored. It wasn't even on the topic they said it would be, and the age range was just too much (ages 0-3 years). Aside from that, WAY overpriced! I guess we can now say we tried it, and we did get some cute pictures out of it!!

Scarf dancing

Here Mom, I'm done

Love the face : )

Frog kiss, frog kiss...

Baa Baa, Baa Baa

Rain stick

This boy loves his books!

He probably could have danced with these the entire class

See?

Banging them together like hammers

Connor's turn!

I can't remember the name, but he loved the sound

His turn to strum!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Learning Together Playgroup

As I've said numerous times, the winter can seriously drag if you don't find something to do. I don't like staying home as it is, and when it's cold outside you really do become trapped in your house. I found a great playgroup through the Great Start Collaborative here in Michigan which is funded completely through grants. It was a six week session, once a week for an hour and a half. Did I mention FREE? They usually start with a circle time, a craft,stations you can rotate through, parent discussion time, a story and then a closing circle time with dancing and singing. They gave all kinds of handouts on recipes, songs, and just parent issues such as potty training. They give you so many tools and ideas to use at home that it's almost impossible to get bored. I highly recommend the series, and I'm looking forward to going to it with baby #2. I think I ended up signing up for three of these sessions total because Connor liked them so much! : )

Painting with cars

Rice Table

Dumping and scooping

Such a good helper!

Playdoh is next

Bear pizza

Rolling it our

On to the blocks...

Scouring for just the right piece : )

His finished product

Washing dishes

Trains

Closing circle time & instruments

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Pump It Up

While we were in Portland, we discovered a cute inflatable bounce place called Pump It Up Jr. I think I took Connor when he was about 1 1/2, and he loved it. He loved it so much, we ended up having his 2nd birthday party there! Luckily, when we moved to Michigan we were able to find the exact same place, without the "jr".

When we moved here I signed up for Groupon (if you haven't heard of it, you must!), and found a great deal. It was 3 pop in playtimes for $10 (it's usually $7 for just 1!) I figured it would be a good way to try it out without wasting a ton of money if it turned out to be a flop.

I remember walking in and thinking that those structures were a LOT bigger than I remember. The slides were huge, the obstacle course was so big I couldn't see him going through it, and they had a climbing wall. I was nervous. It was in that situation that I started to change my mindset. I've come to adopt the philosophy that the only way he's going to learn, is if he tries. I have to start watching from the sidelines instead of running along side of him. I take comfort in the fact that I even though I can't help him, I'm right there in case he needs me. Not only does it give him self confidence but me as well. Although Connor is older now, I still shudder and some of the things he does. I guess that's just being a mom : ) Even though I underestimate what Connor is able to do, he always seems to impress me. Now that, is a PROUD mom! : )

Here are some pictures of Connor and his best friend Nicholas. Enjoy!