Very Hungry Caterpillar

Very Hungry Caterpillar
by Eric Carle
Very Hungry Caterpillar

Materials
Finger Paint
Brushes
Empty Toilet Paper Rolls
Googly Eyes
Pipe Cleaners
Headband
Aluminum Foil
Any other “crafty materials” you have lying around


My neighbor and I are both stay-at-home moms and though we love being home with our kiddos, she and I will admit-we sometimes NEED A BREAK! My wonderful and smart neighbor came up with a terrific idea, kid swapping; for one day I’ll watch her daughter and the following week she’ll watch my oldest son for a day. It’s an amazing, wonderful, relaxing… experience being able to grocery shop, run errands or clean without a “helper” or the horrendous three temper tantrums (yes, as of yesterday my “baby” is a three year old, but more on that in another post). The last time I watched Little Miss Alexa I had a theme day planned for the kiddos, Very Hungry Caterpillar; I made caterpillar antennas for each child using a headband, pipe cleaners and aluminum foil. We read “Very Hungry Caterpillar”, then headed outside where I had the kiddy table setup with materials for the kids to make their own caterpillar. Once their caterpillar works of art were complete I reminded them that the Very Hungry Caterpillar turned into a butterfly, I painted their hands and using their handprints we made butterflies. For lunch I served frozen peanut butter & jelly in the shape of a leaf (okay, it was actually a spade cookie cutter but the kids didn’t know that), ants on a log (peanut butter celery with raisins), strawberry shaped fruit gummies and for dessert autumn leaves.

Five Minutes' Peace

My final book of the week is for all the moms out there that need “ME TIME”, I think everyone can relate to this story. I apologize I don’t have any pictures, besides the poor quality camera phone picture, or activity to occupancy this book.

Five Minutes' Peace
by Jill Murphy

"Mrs. Large just wants five minutes' peace from her three rambunctious elephant children, that's all. But what meets her eyes one morning when she enters the kitchen? "The children were having breakfast. This was not a pleasant sight." Pure understatement for a mealtime mess that includes an overturned cereal box, a dripping jar of honey, crushed soft-boiled eggs and on the littlest one, the wearing of a once-full bowl of corn flakes. So Mrs. Large lumbers off to the bathroom, tea on tray, newspapers in bathrobe pocket. But her bubble bath isn't soothing for long; she's soon joined by three visitors. Lester wants to play a tune for her on the flute. "Must you?" Mrs. Large asks. Laura wishes to read out loud. "Just one page," says Mrs. Large. The toddler offersand he will not be refusedall his bathtoys. Then they hop into the tub. Mrs. Large heads for the kitchen and finds exactly three minutes and 45 seconds of peace. This book is pure joy, one that parents, not just children, will want to keep on hand; Murphy's frazzled mom will find a soft spot in every reader."

Lets go on a Mommy Date

A couple years ago my mom recommended Karen Kingsbury, yes-she also writes children books, and I quickly fell in love. My first Karen Kingsbury book was “Let me Hold You Longer, I've enjoyed all her books that I've read thus far...then again I enjoy almost any book that has me in tears by the end :). I had a difficult time deciding which of her books to include in my book week but then I remembered how I very much enjoyed the message of the this book:

Let's go on a Mommy Date
by Nancy Tillman

On the Night You were Born

Another favorite in our house, the first time I read this book I was reading through tears.

On the Night You were Born
by Nancy Tillman

Harold and the Purple Crayon

If you haven't guessed by now, we choose books that can be made into activities!

Harold and the Purple Crayon
by Crockett Johnson

Pete's a Pizza

Pete's a Pizza
by William Steig

Green Eggs and Ham

An "oldie but goodie" book that can be read and then turned into wonderful weekend breakfast (Green Eggs and Ham Recipe) fun with the family!

Green Eggs and Ham
by Dr. Seuss

I Love You Through and Through

What child doesn’t love books; in honor of the littlest book worms, I give to you BOOK WEEK! My first choice is a book I hold near and dear to my heart, my sister presented this book to Benjamin upon his entrance into the world, the cardboard pages are worn but we continue to read it at least once a month. Knowing the time was coming that I would have to tuck the “original” copy away in Benjamin’s memory box and a new copy would need purchased; I stumbled across O My Family's blog and a seven month project is underway. I ABSOLUTELY loved her idea of posting pictures that reflect the words from the book, the light bulb turned on and I began working on a “I Love You Through and Through” photo book for each of the boys and plan to give them their personalized book on their birthday.

I Love You Through and Through
by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak

Create Your Own Coloring Book

Create Your Own Coloring Book

My toddler absolutely LOVES to color, it's one of the few activities that will occupy him for 45+ minutes at a time, my only problem with his coloring addiction is he goes through coloring books like there’s no tomorrow or paper ends up all over the house. I came up with the simple solution of creating a coloring book, I Googled coloring pages of his favorite shows (Thomas the Tank Engine ["Tommy"], Bob the Builder and Curious George), merged all the files together creating an 80 page PDF document and I designed a simple but nifty personalized cover. I sent the files to a local printer, requested 100 blank pages added to the back and spiral bind the "book"...instant coloring book that cost a few bucks, while cutting down on paper clutter.