3/30/11

Sensory Tub!!!

As most of you know, I am a teacher, Early Childhood (birth to 3rd), I love it, I truly feel that because of early childhood I am a better person and most definitely a better mother. I always thought I would be in a kindergarten classroom but God had other plans, 3rd grade it was and 3rd grade I am loving. I was intimidated at the thought of teaching 3rd but wow, I really love it and I am amazed daily with what my kiddo's can do and how wonderful each of them are.

One reason I was drawn to kindergarten was because of the creative activities and lessons I could plan (which you can do in 3rd too) so I am now running a mini kindergarten class in my home. I love it and my girls enjoy it also!!!

I decided to create a sensory tub for my girls. I am going to change it out monthly and I will have a monthly theme. This month I chose Easter/Spring. I put plastic eggs, pastel pom poms, bright colored cups (different sizes). I also created cards with the letter L and A on them (these are the letters that I am reintroducing and reinforcing this month), I also numbered stars 1-5 (these are the numbers we are currently working on, Londyn has got them and Livi is close).  I also added pictures of bunnies and a picture of themselves (they love recognizing and naming their sissies). The last thing I added was rice for filler.

The girls played in the tub for about 30 minutes straight tonight, exploring, observing, and problem solving. It was awesome! We probably had about 10 minutes of silence because they were thoroughly engaged in exploration. I will not always keep the tub out but I will bring it out several times a week and add new items that I find here and there (Target dollar spot is the best, they have such thematic items). It is a little messy but so worth the clean up!!! Stay tuned, I've got big plans for the May/Birthday tub!!! We all know how crazy I am about birthdays!



 Stuffing her eggs with pom poms.

 Deciding how she can get her hands 
on something she wanted...
 Filling her cup with rice and eggs.


 Fun! Fun! Fun!

Side Note: The girls have been talking to each other nonstop. It is in their own little language and it is music to my ears. They will literally talk and then wait for a response from the other and then converse continually. The most common time they carry on is in the morning/at night in their crib, in the car, and in the playroom when they are playing together!!! Geeeezzz, I love these sweet girls, I am truly blessed!!! Praise the Lord!!!!

3/19/11

Spring Break: Part 2

Spring Break is coming to an end and I can confidently say that the Cox family enjoyed every second of it. On Wednesday, my girlfriends and I took our kiddo's to the Oklahoma Science Museum... Awesome!!! I love that place, I could have fun there and as for the girls... well, see for yourself!!!

 Water Play!!!
Look how cute they look in their smocks!






 The gymnastics room was a blast!
Summer classes, sign us up!!!


DADDY!!!
We also went to daddy's work to visit him and have lunch. The girls enjoyed visiting and loved exploring his office. 
Pictures...
The girls would prefer to play with
daddy's calculator and ipod dock.

ZOO
I was so excited to take the girls to the zoo because they are at the age where they name the animals by giving the their sound. 
Example: Lion: Rrrraaarrrr, Cow: Moooo, Snake: SSSSSSSssss, Owl: Whooooo
The zoo was fun but it was packed with people and the wind practically blew us over. All in all, we had a great time, Jody Kenzie, and I definitely made the best out of a challenging situation. We all decided that next zoo trip we will take a day off work instead of joining everyone else on spring break.



 The gorillas were awesome!!! He came right up to 
us and gave us the stare down. The girls LOVED it!
 We finally found an area where the girls
could get down and stretch their legs.
Have I mentioned that they demand
their independence these days!

Fingerpaint
We gave finger-painting another try and well... my girls would rather use a paintbrush. They gave it a chance but in the end they reached for the paintbrush. Funny thing is, when I was little I too preferred to stay clean... if I got water on my shirt you better be prepared to change my clothes because I would insist. So, they come by it honest!

 Not happy about the yellow paint on her hands.
Today we stayed home and did some spring cleaning. We are in the process of selling our home right now so it was a perfect day for cleaning and gardening. 


I hope you all had a wonderful week, back to work next week and closer to summer break!!!

3/15/11

Spring Break: Part 1

So far we have had an incredibly exciting spring break. We have played until we couldn't play anymore and then, we played again.

Spring Break is a preview for our upcoming summer and I can't wait!!!! I love my job but I am ready to spend each and every day with my girls, soaking up their love and showering them with all of my attention. Come on summer, get here soon... please.

Spring Break: Part 1 
If you have yet to visit this amazing playground in Norman, you must add it to your to do list. This park is incredible, three different play areas, swings, musical instruments, the ground is made up of turf, and when summer hits they will cover it with a tarp. It is awesome and as we approach it my girls shout from the backseat PAY (play)!!
This girl is a playground Queen!!!
Little Miss Daredevil!!!
 And yes, she LOVES her sunglasses!
 This little love is much more cautious when
it comes to the playground. She follows the 
rules and doesn't get too far from mommy/daddy.

 Her Preference
 And Hers

 SNO CONES
One of my most favorite things about summer is sno cones. My favorite is salty frog from Eskimo Sno, I can finish of the jumbo before I make it home. I was so excited to introduce my girls to the sno cone world. They LOVED it, I got them a wedding cake/silver fox combo (my second favorite)!!!

 Melt My Heart
Cookies
One of our favorite hobbies, cookie decorating. My girls love to decorate their own cookies. As you can see Livi loves the icing/sprinkles and Londyn cares more about the actual cookie.

ORR Family Farm
Today we met our friends out at the ORR Family Farm for some fun. The kids loved it. We saw the animals, played on the playground, rode the carousel and the train. It was a definite hit and we most definitely will be visiting again.









 Quick, I need an older sibling!!!!
These girls were such an awesome help,
can they come live with me? Thanks Girls!!!



 Somebody liked the shades... LOVE IT!!!!
Home
Of course we are playing lots at home. Right now we are into, reading (of course) puzzles, cooking (fake and real), musical instruments, stacking, ball play, water play, jewelry play, shape bucket, and attempting trike riding (our feet don't quite reach the petals)!



Stay Tuned 
Lots of FUN things planned for the remainder of the week.
Have a safe and fun Spring Break!!!