We have been busy in the best kind of way this week! I think this has been one of our best weeks yet. It was the perfect mix of play and learning.
I still can’t decide how I feel about it being 80 degrees outside when we are this close to Christmas. I should be used to it by now, but somehow it still seems strange. I really can’t complain though. We have all been enjoying the time outdoors.
During our nature walk last week, we collected some pine needles. We used them to create a pine needle and pom pom sticky wall for sensory play and learning activities this week. It was a fun way for the big kids to practice making the letter L, our current focus letter.
We also used the pine needles for a painting activity. At first we were all a little unsure of how much we liked painting with the pine needles, but soon the kids figured out ways that worked best for them. They had lovely masterpieces when finished.
We’re still learning about the forest. This week we focused on learning about bears. One of the kids’ favorite projects was creating a torn paper bear cave. We used it for so many activities this week…pretend play, story retelling, math games, and letter games. I love when we get that much use out of a fun craft! I plan to share a more detailed post about these activities later in the month. (Anyone else feeling like they have more ideas to write about than they have time to write? Few more hours in the day, please?)
I am loving the extra family time together as we do our advent countdown activities. If the kids chose one activity that was their favorite, I think they would all choose the Christmas tree cone decorating.
It’s tough to choose my favorite moment from the week, there were so many wonderful ones! I think the look on Tinker’s face when I realized she was eating the candy from our hot chocolate experiment, instead of putting it in the hot chocolate, was priceless. I laugh every time I see the picture.
I think this picture is my favorite. You know those moments when the kids are quiet and you think, “Uh oh?” Well, the girls were quiet, so I went looking for them. I could hear them down the hall, so I stopped to listen (and grab my camera). I heard Lovey “reading” a counting story to her sister. They were both so cute as one played teacher and the other played student. When I turned the corner, I found them sitting in our rocking chair just like this. Sweet loves!
If you missed any of this week’s post, check them out.
Daily Updates to Our Advent Activities
Christmas Sensory Bin and Ways to Extend Learning
15 Favorite Christmas Song Books
Learning About Forests: Nature Walk and Animal Tracks
Hedgehog Craft & Book Activities
Have a great weekend!
Savannah
Shaunna, Thanks for adding this post to Its a Wrap. I hope you’ll return this week.
Sarah
I am enjoying reading through your blog. It makes me want to be home with Hannah more and more. Thanks for all the wonderful ideas for Christmas.
Shaunna
Thanks so much for reading along and taking the time to comment. Personally I am loving being home with the girls, but it may be helpful to know that there are also new challenges and frustrations that don’t always get shared here. Plus, I still think teaching offers the best of both worlds. I hope you find some fun things to enjoy with Hannah when you are home. 🙂
Full Time Wife Life
How CUTE that they were reading together! We are from up north and live in FL now so I understand the “is it really Christmas” feelings too 🙂
Shaunna
I thought it was such a sweet moment, too! Welcome to FL!