Local beaches in the San Francisco make for a fun and easy getaway destinations for us. This craft is to treasure the time my toddler has spent playing on the beautiful beaches in the bay area.
Paper Plate Chicken Craft - Cock a doodle doo
Aloha!
No wonder that Hawaii is nicknamed "Paradise of the Pacific". Hawaii's diverse natural scenery, warm tropical climate, an abundance of beaches, and oceanic surroundings make it a popular tourist destination.
We went to Kauai (The Garden Isle of Hawaii) for our toddler's second birthday and fell in love with the place. The spectacular Na Pali coast, lush green drive to Ke'e beach, majestic waterfalls and beautiful beaches were the key attractions for us.
But, for our toddler, Kauai's feral chickens were of utmost interest. You can find roosters and hens with a brood of chicks literally everywhere in Kauai.
No wonder that Hawaii is nicknamed "Paradise of the Pacific". Hawaii's diverse natural scenery, warm tropical climate, an abundance of beaches, and oceanic surroundings make it a popular tourist destination.
We went to Kauai (The Garden Isle of Hawaii) for our toddler's second birthday and fell in love with the place. The spectacular Na Pali coast, lush green drive to Ke'e beach, majestic waterfalls and beautiful beaches were the key attractions for us.
But, for our toddler, Kauai's feral chickens were of utmost interest. You can find roosters and hens with a brood of chicks literally everywhere in Kauai.
Looks are deceptive. So are the camera phones.
Collecting memories is an integral part
of our everyday lives. And it isn’t difficult to guess the easiest and most successful
means of doing so. Yes, it’s our camera phones.
The rise, affordability and
accessibility of good quality, in-built camera phones have paved the way for a
convenient way of recording information. Scores of pictures can be taken for
any chosen event in our lives. We might not always revisit them but a snappy
moment is often irresistible.
I have particularly been unable to
resist the temptation while bringing up my kids. It’s hard not to reach out for
your smartphone when you find even their little acts adorable. Taking pictures is
more like a reflex action. Whether they are playing in a park, or messing up
mealtimes, ruining their art or just pulling faces, they are never more then a
click away. Camera is a constant companion.
And there could be lots of fun coming
from click time. Before you know, kids learn to pose and put their best face
forwards. They compete for attention and command more lens-time than the
others. “Take my pictures, mummy, with no baby”, often demands my 4-year-old.
But all that be for good fun. I am no advocate of using camera to boost
self-confidence. Only that it does sometimes lead to a pure fun-filled family
time.
My recent experience with my camera
phone is a case in point. It has a feature that recognises faces and indicates
what age and sex you are. Not many people will honestly tell a woman how old
she looks. So one morning, I thought, “Fair enough. Ask the camera. Let me see
mine.” I was almost itching for it to confirm that I looked younger than my
early thirties. It was a satisfying moment when it did; indicating that I was a
female in late twenties, sometimes early, when I tried too hard.
I had scored a point there and it was my
husband’s turn to take the test. Surprisingly, he too turned out to be in late
twenties (and a male)! He is a couple of year older to me, though. Almost
desperate to prove myself to him, I got into the frame again. But, I felt betrayed
by my new friend, when it indicated that I was 37 years old. My husband laughed
hard, as I was quiet flushed. And I wondered for a second what it was about the
idea of a younger self that I momentarily got carried away with.
Anyways, it was time for a litmus test.
So, I called my boys and put them in the frame. Shockingly, my older son,
barely four and a half, turned out to be a teenage female in the camera. And my
2-year old, showed up as just a few years younger, but still a female face.
We had a great laugh as we dismissed all
our unfavourable results. It was a good, hearty one in a long time. The whole
episode, complete with the morning pictures in our dishevelled avatars, will go
down the memory lane. We were just being ourselves, in our everyday lives, when
a camera brightened up the day for us. Thank you technology and your lovely
features that make life special.
That
night, just out of curiosity, I whipped out the camera phone again, and took a
picture of my sleeping tot. There was a huge smile on my face as he was still a
10-year-old female! Well, looks are deceptive. So are the camera phones.
Wonderful things kids say
Time flies, much faster with kids, as hours and days become weeks and months, and the little ones no longer remain little anymore.
My older son will soon be graduating from nursery, completing his first of the many educational milestones. It was not long ago that I was apprehensive about how he would settle in and get along with the nursery routine. It was hard to let go of his hand as he desperately pleaded to stay with me. After the initial hitch, he gradually gelled in.
Overtime, he has transformed into a kind, gentle and confident boy. Not great with words before, he can talk endlessly now, sometimes even with a know-it-all attitude. It is both amusing and reassuring to see them express themselves with pride and confidence. With all this in my head, the last few days have been rather emotional. I have been reminding myself of the things he did and said up until sometime back.
My older son will soon be graduating from nursery, completing his first of the many educational milestones. It was not long ago that I was apprehensive about how he would settle in and get along with the nursery routine. It was hard to let go of his hand as he desperately pleaded to stay with me. After the initial hitch, he gradually gelled in.
Overtime, he has transformed into a kind, gentle and confident boy. Not great with words before, he can talk endlessly now, sometimes even with a know-it-all attitude. It is both amusing and reassuring to see them express themselves with pride and confidence. With all this in my head, the last few days have been rather emotional. I have been reminding myself of the things he did and said up until sometime back.
On that note, here is a little poem I wrote for his fourth birthday, just so I can remember his little bits that brought smile and humour to our lives. They have been picked from his everyday life, expressed in his own language. It is interspersed with pretend roles, scholarly advice and self-admiration, pretty much of his idea of himself.
There is an attic in my tummy
I am not Adhiraj. I am Andy from the museum.
Voosh to the dinosaur clock, to the time of Paraceratherium
Now I am in a racing car. Vroom Vroom..Oopsie..my tyre is flat.
And now I am swimming in my bathtub. Look at my hairstyle- what’s that?
Paper birds don’t talk. I think its just imagination.
Dinosaurs don’t exist anymore. I need their fossils for my collections.
Whales don’t have lifts inside. That would be quiet funny.
What about you, Adhiraj? “There is an attic in my tummy.”
I am a big boy. THIS size, not small height, got it?
I can tidy up cause my friends are coming. I am very excited.
I always speak the truth. I never say, “I don’t know”.
I want my birthday come fast. Then I will be four.
If we want something, we always need to ask.
Let’s do a race. Yeah, I wined. I don’t like to come last.
I dreamed about healthy food – milk and yogurt, very yummy.
Shall I have a chocolate, please? There is an attic in my tummy.
I will wear my willies today. It’s rainy and muddy in my nursery.
I don’t like to get late. Mummy, we have to catch a bus, let’s hurry.
I hang my coat on my peg. Good-bye, Mummy. Bye, baby.
How’s your day, son? “I played in the garden with Joseph, Thomas and Ronnie.”
It’s not good to push, pull or snatch, or shout or ruin somebody’s play.
Mummy, please be quiet and listen to what I say.
I think we can go outside to play now. It’s morning and sunny.
We have a picnic on the blanket. There’s an attic in my tummy.
I love you more (than) all the monster trucks in the world.
You are my best friend. I can always count on you, mum.
My daddy is very good at fixing things. He is awesome.
Papa, shall be go to Tesco please? Buy toys from the toy section?
Baby – he is a cheeky chap. That’s not the way to do it, little one.
He has done a mega poo. He broke my construction. He ruined my fun.
We four are genius. It’s my favourite story, what’s your best bit, mummy?
Are you cooking lasagne or pasta? There is an attic in my tummy.
There is an attic in my tummy
I am not Adhiraj. I am Andy from the museum.
Voosh to the dinosaur clock, to the time of Paraceratherium
Now I am in a racing car. Vroom Vroom..Oopsie..my tyre is flat.
And now I am swimming in my bathtub. Look at my hairstyle- what’s that?
Paper birds don’t talk. I think its just imagination.
Dinosaurs don’t exist anymore. I need their fossils for my collections.
Whales don’t have lifts inside. That would be quiet funny.
What about you, Adhiraj? “There is an attic in my tummy.”
I am a big boy. THIS size, not small height, got it?
I can tidy up cause my friends are coming. I am very excited.
I always speak the truth. I never say, “I don’t know”.
I want my birthday come fast. Then I will be four.
If we want something, we always need to ask.
Let’s do a race. Yeah, I wined. I don’t like to come last.
I dreamed about healthy food – milk and yogurt, very yummy.
Shall I have a chocolate, please? There is an attic in my tummy.
I will wear my willies today. It’s rainy and muddy in my nursery.
I don’t like to get late. Mummy, we have to catch a bus, let’s hurry.
I hang my coat on my peg. Good-bye, Mummy. Bye, baby.
How’s your day, son? “I played in the garden with Joseph, Thomas and Ronnie.”
It’s not good to push, pull or snatch, or shout or ruin somebody’s play.
Mummy, please be quiet and listen to what I say.
I think we can go outside to play now. It’s morning and sunny.
We have a picnic on the blanket. There’s an attic in my tummy.
I love you more (than) all the monster trucks in the world.
You are my best friend. I can always count on you, mum.
My daddy is very good at fixing things. He is awesome.
Papa, shall be go to Tesco please? Buy toys from the toy section?
Baby – he is a cheeky chap. That’s not the way to do it, little one.
He has done a mega poo. He broke my construction. He ruined my fun.
We four are genius. It’s my favourite story, what’s your best bit, mummy?
Are you cooking lasagne or pasta? There is an attic in my tummy.
Farm Animals Puppet Craft
Singing and music play an important role in child's development, language, and reading skills. In addition to developmental benefits, it's soothing, enjoyable and a fun way to learn.
From a soothing lullaby to swaying on a nursery rhyme, my toddler always enjoys music. "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" is one of my daughter's favorite rhyme. It's a nice song to teach kids name of the animals and the sound they make.
This popsicle stick craft is inspired by the amusing animals on the Old MacDonald's farm.
For your convenience, this post contains affiliate links to the products mentioned. Read our disclosure policy for more information.
MATERIALS:
Popsicle Sticks
Paints
Foam Sheet (Pink, Orange, Black)
Buttons
Wiggles Eyes
Brown color Thread
Scissor
Black Pen
Glue
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Paint the Popsicle sticks and let them dry. (Pink for Pig, Brown for Horse, White for Dog)
2. Cut out the shape for ears and mouth (only for horse) from foam sheets.
3. Glue wiggle eyes and ears.
4. Glue pink button for pig's mouth, black button for dog's mouth and orange foam sheet cut out for horse's mouth.
From a soothing lullaby to swaying on a nursery rhyme, my toddler always enjoys music. "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" is one of my daughter's favorite rhyme. It's a nice song to teach kids name of the animals and the sound they make.
This popsicle stick craft is inspired by the amusing animals on the Old MacDonald's farm.
Inspired by: Crafts by Amanda - Craft Sticks Farm Animals
For your convenience, this post contains affiliate links to the products mentioned. Read our disclosure policy for more information.
HOW TO MAKE ANIMAL CRAFTS?
MATERIALS:
Popsicle Sticks
Paints
Foam Sheet (Pink, Orange, Black)
Buttons
Wiggles Eyes
Brown color Thread
Scissor
Black Pen
Glue
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Paint the Popsicle sticks and let them dry. (Pink for Pig, Brown for Horse, White for Dog)
2. Cut out the shape for ears and mouth (only for horse) from foam sheets.
3. Glue wiggle eyes and ears.
4. Glue pink button for pig's mouth, black button for dog's mouth and orange foam sheet cut out for horse's mouth.
Sister Finger, Sister Finger, Where are you?
It’s nice to have a pair of kids. As wonderful
as it is to be a parent, it appears to be better to have siblings. They are
believed to determine a child’s character traits and shape the personality he or
she is going to develop into. They contribute to shared experiences during the
childhood years and if all goes well, translate into lifelong memories and
friendships.
But who is to say whether or not it is better to
have same sex siblings? Or do the same-sex siblings have the desire to have
another sibling of the other gender? Or whether it impacts the overall
understanding of and interactions with the other sex as they grow into adults?
Or for that matter, the roles and options they see for themselves growing up? Bringing up two pre-schooler boys, 2 years
apart, I think they are quite contended with each other. They seem to be normal
kids who play and fight; trying to understand and include each other’s
personalities into their everyday routine whilst also carving out separate
identities for themselves. Their toys haven’t changed much. Cars, monster
trucks, building blocks, dinosaurs, robots, etc. have continued to rule my
shelves. Perhaps because the play has continued to be dominated by my older son,
with the little one playing catch-up.
However, sometimes they get curious about the
concept of sisters. Not very long ago, realizing it was something we didn’t
have in our family, he commented, “Mummy, can we buy a sister please?” He was
later explained that people couldn’t be shopped for unlike most of the everyday
stuff. He later enquired why we couldn’t get one from the hospital unlike his
baby brother. We told him he should be happy he still had a brother. Until
almost a year ago, he would, in jest, refer to his girl friends as sisters.
The reactions of my toddler to the absence of a
‘sister finger’ have been more amusing. He is currently very keen on nursery
rhymes. The ‘finger family’ rhyme has been his favourite for sometime. As the
song progresses to the ‘sister finger’, which is depicted as the ring finger on
the hand, he emphatically says, “Ti, No”. In his limited vocabulary it means
that we don’t have a sister finger. Sorry about that little fella, but as I see
it, you will have to contend with the four of us for now.
Gradually, as they grow up, they should both
get comfortable with the family dynamics between the four of us. I hope that they
can still be appreciative and respectful of the sensibilities of the fairer
sex. Schooling and social interactions are expected to give them a wider view
of life. A lack of a sister shouldn’t be that big a deal.
And
after the dust has settled, what if it’s just me, wishing for a more feminine
touch to my life as the boys paint my house blue!
Olaf Pencil Topper
What should we make today? I asked my daughter. "Snowman Olaf", she said. So, there we go.
My daughter has come to adore the movie characters of Frozen. She can listen endlessly to Frozen's song "Let It Go" and tries imitating Elsa's dance moves :).
Inspired by movie Frozen, here is our Olaf Pencil Topper.
My daughter has come to adore the movie characters of Frozen. She can listen endlessly to Frozen's song "Let It Go" and tries imitating Elsa's dance moves :).
Inspired by movie Frozen, here is our Olaf Pencil Topper.
Inspired by this Olaf craft from The Idea Room
Mom & Tot Bracelet Set
My daughter is my partner for life to talk about fashion. And how can a team of two girls resist intrinsic love for accessories even when crafting? Therefore, we decided to craft this lovely bracelet set for us :)
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