Popping Polkadots

Since I'm a Polkadot about to POP! This week we decided to do "Popping Polkadot Art!" My little man is not an eager artist, so I have to get creative with how I expose him to things arty.

So, we started with Popping Bubbles! We filled three small bowls with a tablespoon(ish) of liquid detergent in about 1 1/2 cups of water and three different food colourings. (If you are finding the colour is not leaving a very strong colour behind once popped onto the paper then add some more colouring.) We put a straw into each bowl and I challenged Ashton to see how high he could make the bubbles go. We then got our piece of paper and squashed the bubbles under it and the colouring from each bubble popping would make a print on the page. Ashton thought this was pretty cool and loved the pattern it left behind.

Ashton loves to blow bubbles at any chance he can get so he was very excited about this activity and actually asked to do it multiple times throughout the day and the rest of the week.

Next, we did Popping Balloons! This was a little more prep work, but very exciting when we finally got to do it! I watered down some poster paints and using a funnel, poured the paints into the balloons and blew them up. After I'd stuck the balloons and some sheets of paper to a tarpaulin we took it all outside! I then gave Ashton a big poster pin and told him to start popping. He was keen for the first pop, but then the paint exploding everywhere and gave him a bit of a fright. After the initial fright wore off he became quite intrigued with the paint splatters and loved imitating the sound of the balloon popping! I thought it was pretty fun!

As we walked inside to get cleaned up Ashton looked down at his legs and said, "Look mum, i got pretty legs!" And he did indeed ... the balloon popping splats had left quite the work of art on his legs, and my hands. . .  and our faces! LOL

We had a great time exploring these new forms of art, and popping everything pop-able in sight! Now there is only one thing left to pop and that is ME! 5 weeks to go! SO EXCITED!!! Watch this space! I promise to post photos!

What to do with your child's art work??? (This is what we like to do...)

• Take photos of each of his masterpieces and upload them to Snapfish.com and make a photobook compilation of all of his work. For the pieces that he was more involved in I include photos of the process he went through to create his final piece and write a little story to go with it.
• Keep the work in a folder and use it to make homemade cards for his friends and family's birthdays.
• Have a clipboard frame that you can rotate his latest masterpiece on. Keep it on display in the house until a new piece of artwork is ready to take its place! (This is an old picture frame painted to go with your home's decor with a little clip screwed in at the top. You can see an example of this here on my Pinterest page!)

What do you like to do with your children's art work? I'm always looking for new ideas!!!

A day at the beach

"Look mum, i draw a rainbow! 

I draw a rainbow in the sand! See Look!"

You can only imagine my excitement when Ashton put this own artistic creativity into action and decided to draw pictures in the sand with a stick he had found while we were at the beach with friends today!

The sand really was a perfect natural canvas to be drawn on at this point as well, as the tide had just gone out and the sand was super flat and pretty much untouched, since we were there first thing in the morning. 

I love that he was so excited to show off his masterpiece and saw it as something worth sharing! 

I keep saying I am so excited about Ashton doing anything arty... but I actually think my excitement for Ashton actually drawing or doing "anything arty" has shifted from being shocked excitement that he is actually doing engaging in artistic activity at all, to excitement over the fact that he is actually starting to do it on his own accord! My efforts to expose him and encourage him to develop his creativity is finally paying off!

 As well doing sand drawings while at the beach, Ashton jumped waves with his friends, built sand castles, chased birds, strutted around doing an 'undie walk' at the playground, and even let me bury him in the sand from the chest down! It was a great morning at the beach just letting the kids explore as they pleased and it was nice for us mums to be able to catch up with each other... in amoungst the sprints to the toilet, with three toilet training children, shepherding children back to our base or the playground, and feeding or putting babies to sleep! YOU TAKE WHAT YOU CAN GET RIGHT!

It was quite the active morning and Ashton was obviously quite exhausted by the end of it because... he feel asleep in the supermarket trolley on my quick dash into the supermarket on our way home!  That boy never ceases to amaze me, whether it be where he falls asleep or how he finds ways to tell me about his world! 

Toilet Training FUN!

This past week I decided to embark on the journey of toilet training with my little man! He is 2 years 4 months now and with our little lady due in only 10 weeks I was determined to get this toilet training done so I didn't have two children in nappies!

In my experience, toilet training is always given such a negative wrap and I can see why... poo's and wee's to clean up every 15-30 minutes is never fun. But I decided that I wanted to make this a fun adventure and positive experience for both of us... after all it is a big milestone for both child and parent!

So, with my addiction to filling up my week with constant outings and activities, I had to look at my calendar and find a week where I hadn't already booked in something each day and then made this my TOILET TRAINING WEEK... well actually I booked out three days! That was the best I can do, but the last two days I was still with him, I was just looking after 7 other children at the same time! (I've moved onto Polkadot child care duties while on maternity leave.) Booking out this week to really focus on toilet training was the best thing I could have done! I HAVE LOVED IT! I'm pretty exhausted, but Its been a joy!

So this has been the key points of my approach to toilet training that I feel has worked really well

• PLAN TO PLAY OUTSIDE - preplan lots of activities that will keep them wanting to play outside so that when the accidents happen, you don't care!
• EXPECT LITTLE on Day 1 - Day 1 is all about them getting used to the sensation of number 1's and 2's coming. Most of the time they don't make it to the potty (in fact Ashton didn't make it even once!) But if you aren't expecting them to make it there and your focus is more about them getting used to the sensation, then if they do make it to the potty in time, its a BONUS! This is not to say you don't try to get them on to the potty in time, but you just don't get upset about it if they don't.
• Go NO UNDIES! - If possible, let them go the day without wearing underwear, its so much less laundry and they get used to the sensation A LOT QUICKER! When they have underwear on they still have a security of knowing there's something there to catch whatever is coming out and they become less urgent to get to the toilet/potty.
• WATCH THEM LIKE A HAWK - The reason you need to block out 3 consecutive days and do nothings else other than focus on toilet training, is so you can follow them around everywhere they go and be ready to get the potty in place the minute they start displaying those signs of going 1's or 2's. Watching them like a hawk right from the work go, gets you accustomed to these cues as well.
• CELEBRATE LIKE YOUR CRAZY - When they do make it to the toilet/potty in time, celebrate and congratulate them like they have never seen you behave before. Do a song and dance about it, give them high fives, give them a special reward (up to you as to what you choose for their reward.) 
• GO OUT FOR SHORT TRIPS - Its hard to be housebound for 3 days! So, plan short trips away from the house... just to the park or down to the shops. Best to keep the outings, literally outings, so that if they do have an accident you're not having to do an embarrassing clean up job in public! These little outings help them get used to having to go pay attention to the signals of toileting even when they are out and can get distracted.
• TAKE A POTTY or SHOW THEM WHERE THE TOILET IS - Whenever you go out, take the potty with you so that at a seconds notice you can avoid the accident. These first three days are about having as much success as possible! If you don't have the potty make sure you show them where the toilet is (wherever you are) so that they know they can go and also where to go.

Our Funny Toilet Training Moments! (Most of these moments happened on day 2, it was a great day in our house!)

• On Day 2 Ashton started the day off with a roar, straight away he went wee's on the potty and I was ECSTATIC to say the least! Ashton was so taken with my performance he couldn't stop laughing... now thats saying something cause I'm quite a dramatic person at the best of times and he's used to it! LOL!
• After this first success on the potty I had to share it with someone and Ashton was keen to tell his Dad, so we decided to call him at work... well, I don't think my husband quite knew how to respond to the excitement or the topic that came through the phone to him when he was surrounded by all his work mates (90% of them men). We got, "oh good, ok... ok... good!" LOL. Poor guy! He later sent a text saying, "Contrats on the wee's in the potty!" ;o)
• Ashton had just finished going wee's on the potty all by himself, and as I started to do my congratulatory song and dance, he stood up off the potty, took one step back and took a bow! I ended up laughing so much I nearly wet my pants! - He continued to take a bow after every potty stop after that, as he knew it made me laugh! It made it a very humorous day!
• Towards the end of the day when he had finished another visit on the potty, he stood up, and with his hands on his hips and a big sigh he said, "Oh man, I so busy!" - Its a hard life when you're toilet training!

I know the toilet training journey is not over yet, but I feel like we have got through the hardest stage. I know there can be set backs. But I have to say, this toilet training journey is one I have enjoyed and valued with my little man. I have got to spend heaps of time playing alongside him, getting to know him that much better. I have laughed so much its hurt! And now I have a big boy in undies! 

What are you're toilet training tips?

An ecstatic Ashton after his first #2's on the potty!
 And him laughing at his crazy mum! 

Ashton taking a bow after one of his successes on the potty at the playground!

The Action Man's First Valentines Delivery

I'm not huge on Valentines day, not that I have anything against it, I've just never got into it. But after this Valentines Day, I might just be converted!

This Valentines Day was filled with LOVE!

I LOVE that Ashton actually painted the hearts... all 8 of them!

I LOVE that Ashton wanted to write his own Valentines messages!

I LOVE that all of the girls (each of his 6 girl cousins and his 2 girl friends) were so excited to receive their little gifts from Ashton, giving his lots of cuddles and kisses and excited dances!

I LOVE that I had no idea that this collection of goodies was awaiting me  on the table when I woke up on Valentines morning... with a text also waiting on my phone with another love message! 

I have the best men!!!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY EVERYONE!

Power Naps, Ice Blocks & Showers!

We are totally struggling with the whether to nap or not to nap issue at the moment! The Action Man just can't seem to get through the day without a nap, but he always wants to take one at 3/4/5pm!!! And this is just not conducive with having a decent bed time hour... or for giving Mummy some down time in the evening! TIPS ANYONE???

Anyways, in my efforts to keep the Action Man awake today, we decided to turn the lounge into an obstacle course. (I was desperate! and it was raining!) Then, during mid run through the course Dionne called and 'nec minute' Ashton is fast asleep on top of the couch!

I have to say... I was taken with the cuteness of the moment... and felt sorry for how tired he must have felt to fall asleep mid-climb. So I let him have a 10 minute power nap and then woke him up with an ice block incentive... in the shower! ;o)

Worked a charm... and he was in bed by 7:30pm! Maybe 10 minute power naps, and ice blocks in showers is my answer to this dilema! We'll see.

"I'm exploring the ocean!"

I had a rather proud Mummy Moment the other day while out at the beach with my little man. Let me set the scene for you a little bit. . .

The weather wasn’t fabulous, but it was Waitangi Day (our NZ national holiday for you non-kiwis reading this) and we were determined to get out and do something as a family. We had organised with a bunch of friends to meet at the beach and despite the windy, overcast weather we all braved the beach front to build sand castles and go for an impromptu exploration of the beaches rock pools.

My little Action Man (which has become his adventure name) was in his element, he set off, not caring where anyone else was to explore the pools and see what he could find. I just followed along behind him letting him go about his busy explorations.

Soon he started to get closer to the ocean, so I said to him, “Hey where are you going buddy?” He turned around to me and quickly said, “I’m exploring the ocean!” and then continued on his way. That is when my proud mummy moment began! I quickly got out my camera and started snapping photos of him “exploring the ocean!” After all, my son had just used the word “exploring” in a sentence, all on his own accord!

As he walked very adventurously through the rock pools he chanted, “going to the waves, going to the waves!” Pointing out sea treasures he found along the way. A few minutes later after we had stopped to check out a little rock pool he called out to me again, “Look Mum. I found a little waterfall. . . I build a bridge.” He was just loving having the time, freedom and space to explore as he wanted to.

Again we continued on through the rock pools, where he spotted some big seagulls playing in the water. As he got closer he called out to them while waving, “Hello seagulls!” He stopped and watched them for a while then turned to me and said, “Mum, I’m soo busy!”This sentence and all the had happened before it epitomized for me the concept that “play is work & learning” for children. In my little man’s mind, as he jumped from rock pool, to rock pool, turned over rocks, inspected seaweed, collected shells and watched the the seagulls at play, he was busy, he was working on doing what children should be doing. . .  figuring out his world and how he fits into it, what he loves about it and what he wants to learn more about.

As you can see from the photos, he wasn’t dressed for exploring the ocean. He fell in quite a few times and got quite wet. The weather was not fabulous, and it could have been easier to just stay at home and watch a DVD or do the usual home routine. But in braving the elements we got to have a great learning moment together. And I got to to hear those precious words that lets me know he is taking in everything I am trying to teach him about the value or learning. . .  “I’m exploring”

Singing in the Rain!

Ok... I'm going to really put myself out there for this blog, because it was one of those moments that I just couldn't let go "unblogged" (I may have just made up a new word!) 

SPOILER: Be warned... I have no make up on, my hair isn't brushed, and I am still in my pajamas! I look rather scary!

This summer has been pretty shocking this year! It feels like it has rained more than it rains in winter! In the beginning it was really getting to me. I had myself geared for summer outdoor adventures and I wasn't getting them! Then one day I decided, "I am not going to let the weather dictate my day or my attitude towards it!" 

So, when I woke up this morning (Saturday) and the rain had come to play AGAIN, I said to Ashton, "Hey buddy, you want to come and sing in the rain with me."

His reply was very enthusiastic, "YEAH, OK MUM, LETS GO!"

We rain straight outside and I taught him how to sing "I'm singing in the rain!" with the extra "Tuffa taffa" actions at the end of each chorus. Ashton loved it! He copied every move and created his own, dancing around the deck lifting his head to the rain, feeling the drops fall on his face! 

It definitely was a precious and paradigm shift moment for me! I am determined even more now to never let the weather dictate my attitude towards the day... seize every moment to play!

Mixing Stirring Adventures

"Mum, I do mixing stirring?" is a phrase a hear quite often at the moment. My little man is turning into quite the chef. He doesn't mind whether he is cooking with sand and water, with real ingredients to experiment, or making something that he can actually cook. As long as he has a bowl, a spoon, some measuring cups and something to mix up, he is a happy camper.

So I thought I would share just a few of our Mixing Stirring Adventure ideas with you today, and a few pointers on how to make these pockets of play, great teaching moments!

* Sand/Dirt and Water (a great place to start for mixing adventures - go to the beach if you don't have a sand pit or dig a hole in your back yard.)

* Colour Mixing (Whether you use different coloured water or paints)

* Experimental Cooking (Give your child lots of different ingredients from around the kitchen and let them go for GOLD! Good ingredients for interesting changes are, baking soda, vinegar, flour, corn flour, coco, food colouring... obviously this should be supervised at all times, and don't just give them the whole box, give them quantities you are happy for them to use. Sometimes you may choose to just give them two or three of these ingredients to explore at a time.)

* Real Cooking (Let your child help you cook the dinner or bake some special treats.)

* Give your child proper cooking utensils (this will really make them feel like they are cooking! NOTE: The oven was not on in this photo)

* Talk to them about what they are making (Ask them questions like "What does it smell like?" "How long will it take to cook?" "What does it taste like?" "Who are you cooking for today?" These questions will help develop and articulate their play.)

These activities are golden for teaching moments around:

* Chemical Change (what happens when different ingredients mix together)

* Volume and Measurement (as they mix in the different amounts of ingredients)

* Imaginative Play (as they use pretend ingredients or set up a restaurant etc.)

Sometimes you have to step back and let the kitchen get a little messier than usual, just make sure they help you clean up as part of the activity. I have loved sitting back and watching my little boy explore the many different ingredients and seeing his imagination come alive as he prepares his culinary surprises for his family, friends and toys! "Ok mum, I make a cookie for you! Oh Yummy." "Ok Rocket, here's your rocket soup!" (Thats Rocket from Little Einsteins.)  The possibilities are endless!

Do you and your child/ren have a favourite "Mixing, Stirring" activity you like to do together?

Christmas Pixies

It is a bit of a Christmas tradition in our family to go “Pixing” each year to families we want to share special Christmas treats with. Ashton has been really into cooking lately and was determined to make some cookies the other day. . .  so I asked him who he would like to share his cookies with and our pixie list was formed.

Now, traditionally a true “Pixie” would be that you sneak up on the house, leave the treats on the door step, knock on the door/ring the door bell etc. and then sprint your heart out to get away from the house before someone gets to the door and sees you. The idea behind it all is that you become an anonymous bearer of Christmas goodies.

So, this year we went a little less traditional since Ashton had made the list of who he wanted to gift his cookies too… they were all his friends and cousins and not only did he want to give them the cookies but he wanted to see them and play with them too. So we called ahead of time to make sure the kids would all be awake and let them know we were coming, but to keep it a surprise from the children. We did the typical sneak up and explained to Ashton we were going to give them a surprise and that he had to be really quite. . . so he tip toed the whole way, holding his cookies, whispering “Ssshhh, cookies!”

Once we had placed the cookies and knocked, we ran as fast as we could to our hiding places to wait for the children to find us. Ashton was  beside himself with excitement! It was like combining all of his favourite things into one activity, his cousins, treats and hide n’ seek! Life couldn’t get any better! When the children finally found Ashton the squeals of delight and excitement were overwhelming, as they they talked about the cookies that were left and the chase that followed!

Its these kind of activities that make Christmas so absolutely exciting and fun! Do you have any fun Christmas traditions of giving? Do share!!!  And Merry Christmas everyone, from POLKADOT CARLY!!!