Thursday, March 17, 2011

Arts & Crafts Activity: Sand Painting

The son of a friend of mine takes all these cool classes near where he lives in Brooklyn.  Last night, Bari blogged about the art class Asher was taking.  I thought it looked very cool.  I told her I wished I had the time and money to send Logan to a class like that.  She replied--"Aren't you and art teacher?? :)"  Well, yes I am , I told her, but while at times it may seem like my students are in fact infants, teaching high school kids is not the same as teaching a 20-month-old.

But, it got me to thinking.   So, I did some Internet research.  I wanted to try my hand at something before our spring break was over.  Well, first I ordered a book, First Art : Art Experiences for Toddlers and Twos, which I hope to use this coming summer.  Next, I looked at some websites.  With ideas in hand, Logan and I headed to Target and to Michael's.  We loaded up on some supplies.  We came home, played for a bit, had lunch, then Logan went down for his nap.  I thought it would be best to wait until after nap time to try our first at-home arts & crafts "experiment."

I read about using contact paper as the base to put things on like cut paper, pom poms, and other things like that.  I remembered that I had some colored sand left over from a ceramic piece I did back at UT. 

From there, it was game on.  I set up a the colored sand in cupcake wrappers (not the best idea in hindsight) and taped down a piece of contact paper.  I gave him the sand and let him go.  He dumped the sand while picking up the "cups", but then he spread out the sand and moved it from place to place.  When he was finished, I mounted the contact paper to a large piece of white paper.   I then taped up all the edges, just so no sand could try and escape.

It was a fun activity and one that we will try again.

Today's Arts & Crafts activity:  sand painting.

Discovering the sand.

Removing the cups from the tin was easier for him.

I think I'll pour some yellow sand here.

Now let's rub it around.

I'm all done Ma.

Logan's Sand Painting Masterpiece.




Now if only I can muster the courage for finger paints.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Austin Children's Museum

This morning the 3 of us went downtown to the Children's Museum.  I had heard from some friends that it was a ton of fun.  And, as luck would have it, Monday mornings are "Baby Bloomer" mornings.  The only people allowed in the museum are those under 3, with an adult of course.  So, the little kids have the run of the whole museum.  

There was a story time and a sing-a-long and finger painting.  Logan wasn't into the story time.  He kept wanting to go up and take the book from the storytellers--he loves books by the way.  Anyway, I think that is a no-no when it comes to the story time circle.  We held him for the sing-a-long.  He kinda stared at the singer the whole time, only clapping once.  I think he wasn't sure what to make of it.  We didn't do the finger painting...that is an activity I think I want to try at home sometime soon.

But, he enjoyed the rest of the museum.  He ran around and around.  He smiled and laughed.  It was a great time!!!

Thru the tube.
Eventually he went down feet first.
Sitting in the frog pond.  He loved the pond.
                                
Logan didn't realize he's a little too big for this slide.
Hello.  What's in here?
Logan is captivated by the sing-a-long singer
Reverting back to being a baby in his crib

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Sunday Afternoon with the In-Laws

Today we went up to visit Grandma Linda, Paw Paw, Aunt Karla, Uncle Rick, and Cousin Frankie. 

Logan had a great time.


He climbed on things.

He ran around the yard.
He got his eliptical on.

He found a hose.

He picked some flowers.

He found a new home.

He lounged around.
Loungin' just like Paw Paw


He spotted an airplane in the sky.



But his favorite things was Paw Paw's tractors.

Paw Paw and his 2 Grandsons