Caramel Chocolate Milk

Even a 3 year old has taste when it comes to making milk.  When I opened the fridge to get him some milk he asked “can we put some of that caramel in it”. He was looking at the caramel ice cream topping.  “Sure”, I said.  Then he looked at the chocolate syrup and said, “some of that too?”  “Sure”, I said.  He liked it so much that when his Aunt came by, he asked if he could make some for her too…because “I know she likes caramel.” 

    

                                                                          

We made it four times today.

jeannie

Tracking dinosaurs

Keeping up with a 3 year old has been challenging.  He is very imaginative and fun.  On a particular morning we were watching Dinosaur cartoons when he asked if they were pretend or real.  I explained that they were real a very long long long time ago.  “When you were a kid?”  LOL  No, even before that!  I told him the cartoon dino’s were a little different in that they didn’t talk and play together quite like that.  I pulled out a couple of books from my stash and some plastic dinosaurs to play with. 

We played a match game with the plastic pieces and one of the books.

Then we lay on the floor to play dinosaur valley.  We had great fun feeding them pretend greens and drinking from a bowl on the floor. 

Later in the afternoon we cooked mini cupcakes (because little boys like to eat little food) and topped the cupcakes with the dinosaurs.  He thought it was cool but a little silly since “dinosaurs don’t eat cupcakes, silly”.  But the measuring and stirring was a good opportunity for some really basic math like show me 3 eggs, 2 beaters, 1 spoon.  

At naptime one dinosaur slept cradled in his hand.  Sweet!

A Grand Art Show

Phase one:  Create.
On a series of cold and windy winter break days I kept the little grands.  The five year old is quite imaginative.  I was sent on little missions outside to find perfect rocks and sticks.  There was a constant need for clean water to rinse brushes and expert transformation of paper bags to suitable table covers and note cards.  There was also a great need for plenty of paper towels when baby grand (the 2 year old) washed his rocks more often than painting them.

Phase two: Ask friends and relatives to participate.
After several hours of these activities little grand handed me a hand written invitation on a folded piece of brown paper bag. The front reads “ Party at MeMaw’s. Open. (translated…because she has only completed a semester of kindergarten) The illustrated inside reads, “Free cookies, games, pet horses.” At this point, if you don’t already have cookies on hand… make some. Conveniently for me her mom had sent some tiny sugar cookies along with many bottles of sprinkles. We took a break from the art world and entered the kitchen and cookie decorating world. That was loads of fun and entertainment for both her and the baby grand who enjoyed tasting them more than decorating. Oh, yes, I also sent a text message with attached photo’s of the invitation to the Aunts & Uncles so they could plan to drop by the Gallery tomorrow.

Phase three:  Set up a display.
We rearranged the dining room a bit and began taping up the art.  It is all in a row about eye level to a 5 year old around the walls.  On the window ledges are the painted rocks.  On the dining table is a plate of sugary cookies and napkins.  Little grand greeted the guests as they arrived at the door and took them on a tour.  She explained the idea and subject of each piece before inviting them to take a cookie.  It was really quite sweet.  I am looking forward to a trip to art gallery during the school Spring Break.  We will dress up in our Sunday best and go for lunch in a very “grown up” place.

Thank you for attending our Art Show.

You can see where I party link up here.