The boys I watch (H,T, & N) are now three years old and getting more and more interested in cooking and crafts. Though we have had a very busy month of dr. appointments, birthday parties, family in town and zoo classes - - I had so many things I was looking forward to presenting to them. I wanted to post some of these earlier, but just exchanged presents with the my Nanny-family and finished projects this week.
If you care for young children, your kids don't yet understand that Christmas will end today. The tree may still be up, lights in the neighborhood, and treats on the counters. Why not leave the reindeer antlers on the car one more week, and use their excitement to teach and experience the things that you were too busy to do before Christmas!
All of these can be changed to be wintery or just a treat to help transition. I am wondering what will happen with the boys, who are now professional present openers when the presents are all gone! (Anyone else been hit by "Hurricane Wrapping Paper" this week) I'm going to ease out of this season!
5. Christmas Cookies
Depending on their age and attention span grab the pre-made rolled cookie dough or make from scratch. Last year the boys were 2, and I brought in cookies I'd decorated at home, but this year I let them help me through the whole process. First we stopped at Krogers and they got to pick out their icing color. T picked blue, H picked red, and N picked green. Through the grocery store we talked about the "ingredients" (for our project there are only 2 - cookie dough roll, and icing! - lol). We went to the pay yourself aisle and they watched me scan the food, and we counted out the change and dollars. The boys were silently captivated. (Mental note do this quick stop more often.) [Quick Rant: I truly believe as full-time Nannies we need to give our kids the real-life experiences of going shopping, errands, and eating out. These social experiences are key; starting early helps them in their world!] So, we come home, get Christmas music playing in the kitchen, and I do all the prep work before getting all three boys on stools at the counter. We took turns using the rolling pin and making the dough "flat". It is amazing how well-behaved and well they follow directions when there is a NEW experience to figure out.
They even patiently waited for their turns! "Swiper" (N) did steal bites of cookie dough when I wasn't looking...."Ummm, I liiiiike cookie dough!" he would say each time. Each boy got to choose which shape they wanted to cut out and scoop up on the cookie sheet. We definitely had some awkward looking cookies, but the boys were very proud of "my snowman" or "my candy corn" (T meant "cane").
At snack we got to decorate with the icing they had picked at the grocery store....believe me they remembered the colors they had chosen! Still eating cookies the next day they claimed "my star cookie". So cool to see them take pride in their work.
4. Paper Plate Snowman
I created this little project because the boys are such fans of Frosty this year. All that is needed is some construction paper, paper plates, tape, glue sticks, scissors and a sharpie. My method was to pre-cut all the features in different colors. I also one at nap while they were asleep, and hung it up with my name on it. The boys woke up and noticed it right away, but we waited until the next day or so to make theirs. Family in town = busy boys! Because there are three of them, I broke this down into steps and let them each do one item at a time... for example we constructed the snowman's head first. N choose his color hat, then T, then H. Then N got to glue, then T, then H. This way I can teach them individually but together. I used mine as a model so they understood what they were making as they did it. I'd say, "Look N, where does the snowman's nose go? Between his mouth and his eyes? Can you put his nose between his mouth and his eyes?". See we are doing more then making a craft, we are learning words like "between", we are thinking about the face, we are following directions, and we are letting them be creative. When doing are I never say, "Oh no, don't do that, do this!" It's important that they get to express themselves.
After they did each piece I taped them together and hung by the kitchen table where we do a lot of dialogue.
For the last couple of weeks, we occasionally talk about "Whose snowman has a yellow (as H would say "Lellow) scarf?" We are getting our colors down! Easy fun with paper plates! Because of this craft, when I sing "Frosty the Snowman, N corrects me if I sing "button nose" - - he adamantly tells me..."No, Geyuh, CARROT nose" and even points to the snowman hanging on the window. Like, "DUH, Greta!" At preschool, the boys made ornaments out of small paper plates. They cut out the center and put their picture in it. decorated the outside like a wreath and put the date on it. Another great idea!
3. 2009 Year in Review CD/DVD
Last year I made the boys a CD of all the music that they liked to listen that previous year called "2008 Gr8s". This is something that they can keep for the future and know the music that they liked. We haven't done this years yet, but it's on the agenda for next week. So, if you can think of a clever title to go with 2009, let me know! On thing that I did get to before Christmas was a DVD made on my new Macbook Pro in iMovie. A couple of month's ago their Mom and Dad brought out their Wedding slides/Wedding DVD. They boys loved sitting and watching it (over and over) and saying "MOMMY...DADDY.....MOMMY & DADDY!" That gave me the idea that they would probably love to see themselves on TV and all the people that they love. So I took an hour course at the Mac store and learned the basics of iMovie. I gathered pictures, some video, and some audio from their first 3 years! I used their favorite songs and great memories! The boys watched themselves... H smiled and stared, T said "It's T!!", Noel liked the baby pictures, especially the one where they are "Keye-ing". I am a picture fool, so it was fun to go back over the years and think what would the boys want to see - silly picture of food in their mouth, messy cake faces, their cats and neighbors animals, etc. I only hope that their parents aren't sick of my gift as the boys can get a little obsessive about their new shows! Ha ha. If your children are older, let them make a digital or paper scrapbook, teach them to use a program, or write down a list of their best memories of the year. Ask them what they would like to do again this year and teach them how to make goals. (Thinking out loud: I should do a High5 on this for the new year...) Goals should be on paper, and kept where you can be reminded. For older children who like to write, start a blog with them. You may just be encouraging a future published author. It is always healthy to remember the lessons learned and start the year fresh.
2. Salt Dough Ornaments
This was my first time doing these ornaments, and I must say it was ALOT easier than I had expected. Ingredients needed: flour, salt, water. Also need: toothpicks, glitter/paint, ribbon, microwave. The family I work for loves ornaments; I get a few this year. Since it is a nice tradition, I thought that this would be a nice gift from the boys to their parents, and each set of grandparents.Following the directions, I let the boys dump in ingredients. I let each boy choose one cookie cut out.
H chose the snowman, T the Christmas tree, and N the star....sometimes I am really surprised at their choices! Since we made the cookies and ornaments on the same day, their was a litle confusion with the dough. Even after my warning, when N tried to eat it a few times, he did not like it (that's the 1 cup of salt, ha ha)...."I no like that, Geyuh." It took a few swipes for him to learn. After they were cut, I cooked in the in the microwave with toothpicks in them for a ribbon hole. They decorated with their choice color glue-glitter pen. I was so proud that T wanted a "green Christmas tree".
I took the ornaments home, added the ribbon, wrote the names and dated them, wrapped them up for each person and brought back for
Christmas. They boys tried to eat the finished cookies when Mom & Nana opened them! Even though Christmas is over, the tree may be still up. Send them in the mail, no one will mind the late after-Christmas gift. Here is the recipe.
1. Marshmallow Snowman
The easiest craft/snack. We did this one last year when the boys were two and I plan to do it again this winter. Simply get the stick pretzels to use as connectors arms. Let the kids use their fine motor skills and get a sweet treat. We laughed hysterically when H accidentally made an obscene snowman last year.
So why not extend the fun for one more week! Who knows what memories will come about...Enjoy some creative time!
Merry Christmas everyone.
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