Christmas Wreath Project for the kiddos

Let's practice our fine motor skills, shall we? :)

Careful, it's very tempting to eat the materials  :)

Steady...

Must admit, a certain 4yr old was not patient enough to finish, so momma had to step in :)

template found here

Pinterest Finds for Jacob

Pinterest is my latest addiction.
I've come across so many neat ideas for crafts and such.

Recently I discovered a couple of learning activities for Jacob and since he's starting kindergarten next August, I thought I would give them a shot.  No pressure, just peaking his interest.  :)

Lately he's been pointing to words and asking us what they say.
So when I came across this idea on Pinterest, I knew I had to make one!  

please don't judge my drawing skills, i clearly don't have any!  i wish i could free-hand and jazz it up a bit, i know it looks sad.  :(


I wasn't sure how to explain/teach/educate, but I said each word aloud on the top row, and seriously, after the first time, Jacob could repeat most of them.  And each time he got it right, he pulled a car into the spot.

He didn't like using just one car, so at one point the entire board was covered with cars.
So I then asked him to back out a car and tell me the revealed word.  And he could with minimal help!

Now I want to find these words elsewhere (i.e. book, magazine, packaging, etc..) and see if he can recognize them.  How fun!  :)

Next is a fun activity for the Christmas season!
Jacob's teacher at pre-k encouraged us to work with him on his cutting skills.
So when I came across this idea, I knew it would be perfect!
I made our version with a cupcake topper of Santa's face glued to an Excel spreadsheet that I cut to size.
It's not perfect, but it will work! ;)

After each day, he's to cut along the line.  Pretty neat, huh?  :)

Hopefully all of the hours time I spend on Pinterest will pay off! :)

Thanksgiving {small} Recap

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.
We traveled to my parents house and spent a couple of days with them.  

I only took a couple of photos while we were there...

My mom had her table nicely decorated.

A couple of desserts on the buffet table.  

I think that picture is at least 30yrs old.  

I'm glad she still has it, maybe she'll give it to me someday ;)

After lunch, the kiddos played.

And made some crafts.

And that's where it ends.  

That's all I have to show for Thanksgiving 2011.  :)

**********

I have put away all the fall decorations and Kris has pulled Christmas down from the attic.  

Jacob is so excited!

I have a feeling Levi is going to be into everything.  

We shall see!  Prove me wrong little man!!! :)

how is this comfortable? 

Fireman Birthday Party!

Saturday we attended a birthday party for Jacob's good friend, Caleb.  

Melody had the cutest table setting with a fireman theme.

But before the party at his house, we met at a nearby fire station to take a tour!  How cool is that?!

All the kids enjoyed climbing in and out, in and out, of the fire truck. :)

The firemen were so nice to all the kids!!

We had a wonderful time!  

And just because...   :)

Thanksgiving Program

I just love all the cute little keepsakes Jacob brings home from school.  

I can't wait to add this one to his file box.

Today was Jacob's Thanksgiving Program at school, his first ever.

He walked in wearing his hat proud!

"Hey mom!"

He did a really good job singing all the songs.

"Alright, show's over"

Proud of himself :)

Momma, Daddy, Meme and Levi were proud of you too, little Pilgrim!

School Pictures

As I mentioned in my last post, Jacob's pre-school had pictures made a few weeks ago, and I thought his turned out so cute!

{I apologize for what looks like fuzz on his sweater.  Apparently the glass on the scanner needs cleaning!  HA!}

They were so kind to let me bring Levi and let him get his picture made with big brother.

I cannot look at this picture and not laugh!!!!

The crinkled nose gets me every time!!!!   

Oh boys, momma loves you so!!!!

Storing School Paperwork

I came across this idea on Pinterest on how to organize your child's {keepsake} school work and just knew I had to make one for each of my boys!!  

Now that Jacob is in Pre-K, he brings home lots of cute paperwork, so this works perfect.  

Her version is better color coordinated than mine, but it works ;)

I got my file box at Office Depot.

I love the free labels you download to make a folder for each grade!

What's just as cute is a cover sheet per folder/grade!!!  Also a free download!!

Jacob had school pictures a couple of weeks ago, the above is a sneak peak.  :)

More on that later.  

Isn't this great?!  I just love it!  I'm all about a free printable!  Go check it out! :)

Books are fun!

We received another package yesterday.  I wonder what it could be!?

Two little books!

He asked if Levi could have one.  So thoughtful!! :)

There was a nice note inside from 2 little girls from Oklahoma City- so sweet!

Today our doorbell rang again.

He sure is enjoying opening the packages!  :)

It's not too late to join the children's book swap if you're interested.  

Makin' Muffins

Jacob asked Kris if they could make some muffins.  So sweet!

I reminded them they needed their hair nets, per Meme. :)

He's such a good helper

He was so excited.  Oh the little things in life :)

Ta da!

Children's Book Swap

A children's book swap is circulating and I entered Jacob.

I thought it would be so fun for him to receive packages in the mail.

He got his first book today!

He received "The Littlest Pilgrim"

How appropriate, eh? :)

The premise is to send 1 book to a child, add your child's name, then send to 6 friends and they do the same.

In return, your child should receive 36 books for sending 1 - if everyone participates.  

I totally understand that not everyone can do this.  I bought our book to send online to avoid the post office.  I had a couple of friends unable to join, so I'm needing a few more participants.
If you're interested, please email me and I will forward you the directions.

Should be fun!

kestewa@hotmail.com

Final First Friday

Last night was the final First Friday at our downtown Square.

With the toyland theme, you can imagine how many kids were there!  It was very over whelming!
Every parent was constantly making sure they had their kids!
Between all the corralling, I was able to snap a few pics.

Jacob saw this exact same toy in the toy catalog by Target, and naturally wants it for Christmas.
But I can probably guess Santa isn't going to bring it with its $60 price tag.

The Power Rangers were there, not sure if Jacob knew who they were.

Batman was there too!

Got to see a really big crayon :)

Kate sorta got her picture made with Barbie :)

'Big' Little People

We have this same dog at home, but a tad smaller ;)

The highlight {and our main reason for going} was to see Mater!

And McQueen!

They were roped off, so we couldn't get next to them for a picture, but we sure did try!

Jacob asked me if McQueen talked.  hehe!
The place was NUTS, but I'm glad they got to see them.

p.s.  Thank you Levi for being a great sport and sitting so well in your stroller while momma whipped you around shoulder-to-shoulder crowds and maneuvered you over heavy electrical cords which may have caused some whip lash.  You're the best!