tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51421985941842346752024-03-13T15:08:54.865-04:00Claires Toddler TalesKeeping our families' appetite for photos and news well fed!Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.comBlogger377125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-38173717947806776912011-03-02T09:22:00.001-05:002011-03-02T09:22:00.192-05:00Feathering Nests<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TW5SZT8AcxI/AAAAAAAAM5Y/3BpI2jzpz5c/s1600-h/DSC_0381%5B11%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0381" border="0" alt="DSC_0381" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TW5SaNbC8lI/AAAAAAAAM5c/zUkffu-Yo8g/DSC_0381_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="172" height="185"></a></p> <p>During the past few months we’ve <a href="http://www.chalkinmypocket.com/2011/01/i-have-to-admit-to-housing-all-sorts-of.html">faithfully provided food for our little feathered friends</a> to help them weather the cold. Claire has spent many mornings <a href="http://www.chalkinmypocket.com/2011/01/how-to-get-your-kid-to-love-nature.html">engaged in observation while snug in her pajamas</a>. She’s laughed at the antics of the tree clinging nuthatches and the ever clever tufted titmouse, all from her perch in our living room window. To say we adore our little birds is an understatement.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TW5SbDwqNGI/AAAAAAAAM5g/WdoI0eVjzIc/s1600-h/DSC_0372%5B11%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0372" border="0" alt="DSC_0372" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TW5Sb9to5OI/AAAAAAAAM5k/3QBsjz0l0Xg/DSC_0372_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="315" height="328"></a></p> <p>Today, we are welcoming spring with homemade nesting material dispensers! I hope this will entice the birds to stick around through our gardening season eating bugs and laying eggs (hopefully where we can watch the chicks hatch). </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TW5SdY76i3I/AAAAAAAAM5o/Cz0sCDI_bjA/s1600-h/DSC_0381%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0381" border="0" alt="DSC_0381" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TW5SebNLNWI/AAAAAAAAM5s/rSTo8gMQZDQ/DSC_0381_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="250"></a></p> <p>We gathered a bunch of yarn, ribbon, dried grass and pillow fluff and stuffed it all into an onion bag. Hooray for recycling! Claire had a ball snipping the yarn into manageable pieces for the birdies. We also draped bits of yarn all over our bushes, it’s quite festive looking out there! </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TW5ShDFiapI/AAAAAAAAM5w/9omVrH0OVC4/s1600-h/DSC_0380%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0380" border="0" alt="DSC_0380" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TW5Sh7DR2kI/AAAAAAAAM50/AzbfG8Ykz90/DSC_0380_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="322" height="325"></a></p> <p>We’ve got our fingers crossed for lots of multicolored nests this spring! Every year there have been a few nests in the forsythia bushes, hopefully the birds will weave some of our colorful goodies into their creations.</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-41072199082319199062011-02-18T12:00:00.001-05:002011-02-18T12:00:59.181-05:00Painting With WaterHere is Claire hard at work painting with her Buddha board -- a consistent favorite since Christmas. I’ve enjoyed HOURS of quiet while Claire kept herself amused painting with water. And speaking of fun toys, I was recently contacted by CSN Stores to review an item on their site here! I’m sure you’ve seen them before – they have over 200 online stores and carry everything from <a href="http://www.allmodern.com/">modern office furniture</a> to cute cookware to children’s toys.<br><br> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TV6lwRGGicI/AAAAAAAAM28/aGfFVpeG1s4/s1600-h/DSC_0834%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0834" border="0" alt="DSC_0834" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TV6lxKQNK9I/AAAAAAAAM3A/IpGLKq1_ZY4/DSC_0834_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="426" height="299"></a> <p>I still haven’t picked out what I’ll review with my gift card, so check them out and give me some ideas! I’m of course leaning towards something from the arts and crafts section. There’s lots and lots to choose from.<br></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TV6lyKN4P3I/AAAAAAAAM3E/dgnmxnmVItM/s1600-h/DSC_0831%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0831" border="0" alt="DSC_0831" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TV6lyofktSI/AAAAAAAAM3I/JI-Ki9QgMwA/DSC_0831_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="369" height="589"></a></p> <p>We’re off to enjoy the warm weather now and instead of painting with water we’ll be splashing and sculpting with the mud. Mmmm…brown nature paint. Heehee!</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-9675399207416991302011-02-18T09:11:00.002-05:002011-02-18T12:14:36.269-05:00Oh My Sweet Beets! We Love This Dip.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TV5-D2-JZxI/AAAAAAAAM2k/f3bp49N--Sg/s1600-h/beet-photo%5B8%5D.jpg"><img alt="beet-photo" border="0" height="249" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TV5-ESqyu0I/AAAAAAAAM2o/53HTnZzJiOg/beet-photo_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="beet-photo" width="320" /></a><br />
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Beets thrived last year in my garden. Tucked under the soil, they were safe from the deer and Claire’s busy little fingers. My cherry <a href="http://www.chalkinmypocket.com/2010/10/future-foodie.html" target="_blank">tomatoes didn’t make it to the table</a> with my daughter’s constant snacking and let’s not discuss my zucchini plants that didn’t produce ANY zucchinis. This is three years in a row I’ve had zero luck with the most “prolific” of garden veggies. I was led to believe that zucchini were like the rabbits of the veggie kingdom. What on earth am I doing wrong?<br />
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<a name='more'></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TV5-FTF6g_I/AAAAAAAAM2s/raB8C-5pAM4/s1600-h/DSC_0321%5B7%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0321" border="0" height="204" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TV5-F7JfpkI/AAAAAAAAM2w/AM1Gjo_bS5Q/DSC_0321_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0321" width="320" /></a><br />
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I slightly modified the original recipe because I had tahini on hand and no fresh garlic (shocking, I know). <br />
<ul><li><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TV5-GySsebI/AAAAAAAAM20/QkCe4PmU8Ig/s1600-h/DSC_0327%5B10%5D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="DSC_0327" border="0" height="294" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TV5-HRE6rJI/AAAAAAAAM24/QVOc3qKr4HE/DSC_0327_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0327" width="236" /></a>1 Large Beet, <a href="http://www.chalkinmypocket.com/2009/09/pretty-in-beet-pink.html" target="_blank">Roasted and Peeled</a><br />
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<li>1 Can White Kidney Beans (Drained and Rinsed)<br />
</li>
<li>1/4 Cup Olive Oil<br />
</li>
<li>1 tsp Lemon Juice<br />
</li>
<li>1 Tbsp Tahini Paste<br />
</li>
<li>2 tsp Garlic Powder</li>
</ul>Throw it all in the food processor and pulse until smooth and creamy. <br />
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We like to enjoy our hummus with cut up veggies and pita chips. This hummus has a mild flavor, even with the tahini in it. I think toddlers would find the color quite appealing, it’s unusual to find a savory food this shade of pink! I’m blessed with a kid who isn’t picky about her food, but I’m thinking this would be a great way to introduce beets to a picky eater. <br />
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Forgive the watermarking on the images but I've found some of my stuff cut and pasted onto other people's blogs. How annoying! If they're going to swipe my photos they're going to be forced into taking my name with it now. I've got the originals and will happily send them along, just email me or I'll set up a private Picasa site or something.<br />
<script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1">
</script><fb:like font="arial" href="http://www.facebook.com/ChalkInMyPocket" show_faces="false" width="450"></fb:like><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-43145904728926970022011-02-14T19:07:00.000-05:002011-02-14T19:07:07.045-05:00Painting in the Tub<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZ27GewyOH419Zi7w392cV7VSFG0VZKLGWosZbS1woMEYVUmvN0y9uwVUNzk1j4C3rh175x3J6fDLHHsRcdPyG1rSPbcC_QN05glHhLmAxc8BztRdPiqW4SczKVr7fTrub0iZ3Um0vo_Y/s1600/Collages3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZ27GewyOH419Zi7w392cV7VSFG0VZKLGWosZbS1woMEYVUmvN0y9uwVUNzk1j4C3rh175x3J6fDLHHsRcdPyG1rSPbcC_QN05glHhLmAxc8BztRdPiqW4SczKVr7fTrub0iZ3Um0vo_Y/s400/Collages3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A colorful bath from this past weekend. Happy Valentine's Day!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-55269133863682204732011-02-11T23:14:00.000-05:002011-02-11T23:14:55.517-05:00Happy HeartsGlue and tissue paper make for a happy child.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSndn9Vt8GPXQi47tnnUbQPScgB19KMRiMcppY3hBw3CV-ZNqQjIebT-G82BuKx-LDU7hHfhk3W35X2VQ6GhpEuKAjRFXtoMQvMzHNx-071JlB61qz7UHtS2SDbvyUUzowAMGOwk6M4wIZ/s1600/DSC_0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSndn9Vt8GPXQi47tnnUbQPScgB19KMRiMcppY3hBw3CV-ZNqQjIebT-G82BuKx-LDU7hHfhk3W35X2VQ6GhpEuKAjRFXtoMQvMzHNx-071JlB61qz7UHtS2SDbvyUUzowAMGOwk6M4wIZ/s320/DSC_0196.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-45783080801521925902011-02-11T06:34:00.008-05:002011-02-11T06:34:00.206-05:00Art Project Roundup<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="DSC_0865" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUw651a1xjI/AAAAAAAAMwI/IZtnBtr5KsM/DSC_0865_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></div><br />
We've been in full swing over here crafting up pretty pink things for Valentine's Day. The full scoop and "how to" is over at <a href="http://www.chalkinmypocket.com/search?q=valentine">Chalk In My Pocket</a>, but I thought everyone would love to see a few photos of Claire and the end results of some of our projects.<br />
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<a href="http://www.chalkinmypocket.com/2011/01/spray-paint-valentines-cards.html">Spray Paint Valentines</a><br />
<img alt="DSC_0800" height="200" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUTO0pajaMI/AAAAAAAAMtQ/4OAARG79qKs/DSC_0800_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="160" /> <img alt="DSC_0811-1" height="200" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUTOyaHRQHI/AAAAAAAAMtI/NQW1U0wyOBw/DSC_0811-1_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="131" /><br />
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<a href="http://www.chalkinmypocket.com/2011/02/diy-heart-stamp.html">DIY Block Stamps</a><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUw62r7PNCI/AAAAAAAAMv4/Um7dHoSACag/DSC_0845_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="DSC_0845" border="0" height="133" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUw62r7PNCI/AAAAAAAAMv4/Um7dHoSACag/DSC_0845_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" /></a><img alt="DSC_0855" height="195" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUw637V22rI/AAAAAAAAMwA/T4xbMWNpbXY/DSC_0855_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" /><br />
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Our little portrait artist is still creating lots large bodied stick folk. We made up these gift tags for Linda and Sandy for their belated Christmas gifts. The alphabet stampers have gotten so much use - thanks GrandBob and GranC!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuqGCK6UAL1ZkbM9FrHyiB8Klss6H49FzfljVciETof7mJDl_I0tNhP6ECyQ8jbD5QEssSqXxQoPz0UHRJSM-ze_XjVtzXAMc-EHeWkDt4SiyDFIbiSaFGlTvN9fJxpfDPJKHI4qeIrkO/s1600/DSC_0828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuqGCK6UAL1ZkbM9FrHyiB8Klss6H49FzfljVciETof7mJDl_I0tNhP6ECyQ8jbD5QEssSqXxQoPz0UHRJSM-ze_XjVtzXAMc-EHeWkDt4SiyDFIbiSaFGlTvN9fJxpfDPJKHI4qeIrkO/s400/DSC_0828.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This whole other blog <a href="http://www.chalkinmypocket.com/p/create_09.html">took off a lot faster</a> than I expected so I've need the help of my trusty assistant. I think I might photograph things too much - every time Claire draws something she takes off to fetch her camera.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAzPYPr3uguE4nCa2rv5fWz2apBEFyGuTDWt4EqP_240t4NkMIOdGihcAaNws_ink1KX4mcVjE2JP_d4xnoOyUlIUf3aYq5K0PDWrE_A1HuRsTKbP7ea4LtYvVctcKaoVRBdQStAs5J5R/s1600/DSC_0848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAzPYPr3uguE4nCa2rv5fWz2apBEFyGuTDWt4EqP_240t4NkMIOdGihcAaNws_ink1KX4mcVjE2JP_d4xnoOyUlIUf3aYq5K0PDWrE_A1HuRsTKbP7ea4LtYvVctcKaoVRBdQStAs5J5R/s320/DSC_0848.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-11744290042075717242011-02-09T21:57:00.000-05:002011-02-09T21:57:50.171-05:00Beans, Beans - They're Good For Your Heart {AND MORE!}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Three pounds of dried beans -- $2.00</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One Large Plastic Container -- $4.00</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A happily entertained toddler who is stuck inside with me? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">PRICELESS</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiar9-nvNY495KHB-Ajbrgcg6JclvJlBoJGWv3WNLinHfqwgHY8m3xn9-JOKiOKggg8KFG_DQiuPOEHk2MQHnda-giFABmXDhsFP6mEuYx60E7pFyfEcMP6IV7gcykfUdygMhc0K_K8a97H/s1600/DSC_0911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiar9-nvNY495KHB-Ajbrgcg6JclvJlBoJGWv3WNLinHfqwgHY8m3xn9-JOKiOKggg8KFG_DQiuPOEHk2MQHnda-giFABmXDhsFP6mEuYx60E7pFyfEcMP6IV7gcykfUdygMhc0K_K8a97H/s320/DSC_0911.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
There are days when we're homebound all day - due to weather, illness or just my general lack of enthusiasm about completing laundry. On those days, I find it pays to have a special "something" up your sleeve. My newest device? The sensory bin.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLMeZIiXlych_71kbne7CFf4mE6shLTmBCkfMlyEQtNBK5esI3qOGPVcy9tstUTy5b-jDp0JS9eAwnWONOF0nlsyCOb2XHitVTrS2ynupcQtaNOiZRBRq6sd72GohC84NH3M1bzkbqrGV/s1600/DSC_0896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLMeZIiXlych_71kbne7CFf4mE6shLTmBCkfMlyEQtNBK5esI3qOGPVcy9tstUTy5b-jDp0JS9eAwnWONOF0nlsyCOb2XHitVTrS2ynupcQtaNOiZRBRq6sd72GohC84NH3M1bzkbqrGV/s320/DSC_0896.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I knew that kids went gaga over those bean filled tubs in the preschool room where I used to work so I figured I'd give it a try at home. The tablecloth under the bin worked perfectly to collect any spills.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEiPJEa2bZmmHAQmHwHYlEVue0AjRCh57kr1qQlqUJnH_-KdSOte5gv9UmasNpkj5Mhedq5KsbmbThrN4SsAlLYpuAIh41t61plTD2Qo50ZOVNdIw6UlMm7jlk7HcDRUeVZnnV8T4TUBmW/s1600/DSC_0919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEiPJEa2bZmmHAQmHwHYlEVue0AjRCh57kr1qQlqUJnH_-KdSOte5gv9UmasNpkj5Mhedq5KsbmbThrN4SsAlLYpuAIh41t61plTD2Qo50ZOVNdIw6UlMm7jlk7HcDRUeVZnnV8T4TUBmW/s320/DSC_0919.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The beans alone amused Claire for quite a while. She scooped, squeezed and dug for a good half hour. Once the zoo animals went in she pretended to be a zookeeper feeding the animals (beans) and scooping their poop (beans). This cycle of eating and pooping seemed perfectly reasonable to her.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vuJ7-DKl6GzR097WunW-qkZygmRvcN8IO2uoo1efIZcSmwXkD18ehAX1jHdrjCuYVfi8V6fMXarVpZzPfbzCY_1X5Dh2f8emZHMjZiyp2tkNRV3L3IC_L1Akj2E0iZXTcn39Koy2l9mQ/s1600/DSC_0923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vuJ7-DKl6GzR097WunW-qkZygmRvcN8IO2uoo1efIZcSmwXkD18ehAX1jHdrjCuYVfi8V6fMXarVpZzPfbzCY_1X5Dh2f8emZHMjZiyp2tkNRV3L3IC_L1Akj2E0iZXTcn39Koy2l9mQ/s320/DSC_0923.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This is our first venture into sensory play (aside from our summer sandbox) and Claire needed some gentle reminders about keeping the beans in the bin. There was one accidental tip over, but thanks to the tablecloth it was a quick clean up. All in all, it was a successful experience. I can't wait to try filling our bin with new things: rice, lentils, water or perhaps even shaving cream!<br />
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See our festive heart garland in the background? I just discovered our library's Ellison machine. There will be lots of die cut goodies gracing our house and art in the coming months!</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-852069333649485772011-02-05T13:43:00.002-05:002011-02-05T14:55:36.524-05:00Loving Google's Art Project Site!I'm trying not to mix my "public blog" and private blogs, but this is too cool not to post here as well. Google launched a new site called <a href="http://www.googleartproject.com/">Google Art Project</a> where they use their "street view" technology to tour world famous museums, included are extreme closeups of masterpieces - I'm talking brush stroke zooming here.<br />
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You can read my whole techie teacher/enthralled parent take on it on <a href="http://www.chalkinmypocket.com/2011/02/thank-you-google-you-rock.html">Chalk In My Pocket</a>. But really, go check it out -- this is not an art site just for kids.<br />
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I've been immersed all morning in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/GoogleArtProject?blend=2&ob=1">Google's youTube channel</a> and they have some really interesting videos about both the making of the application and restoration/preservation efforts at various museums. Very cool indeed.<br />
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To make up for my double post here's a dose of Claire cuteness. As you can see, I also enjoyed "painting" the snow with our watercolor paint in spray bottles! :-)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93HduR1nKDPGxyv4ycW7zLWKDTJBv-donVrik2nEt8wDY-8uHkh9MLO-3gLoiynOXnkke80o8beVCbBIrkic_3gkb72hmL-2nXqb2ISRlxWa0tc3UTB1t92ziVwargp42Y-riACnAMLTu/s1600/DSC_0663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93HduR1nKDPGxyv4ycW7zLWKDTJBv-donVrik2nEt8wDY-8uHkh9MLO-3gLoiynOXnkke80o8beVCbBIrkic_3gkb72hmL-2nXqb2ISRlxWa0tc3UTB1t92ziVwargp42Y-riACnAMLTu/s400/DSC_0663.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-51548649582305102262011-02-03T17:08:00.002-05:002011-02-03T17:17:18.861-05:00The Snowy Day<div align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUsnKzXwWKI/AAAAAAAAMus/2lBr2GL-uh0/s1600-h/DSC_0759%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0759" border="0" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUsnLQbuxOI/AAAAAAAAMuw/OD316f9hyEc/DSC_0759_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0759" width="160" /></a></div>One winter morning Claire woke up and looked out the window. Mother nature had dumped another foot of snow and her Mommy was desperate for something new to do. They decided to act out a favorite children’s book, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.<br />
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUsnMMyk7gI/AAAAAAAAMu0/VNBNWO3AIgA/s1600-h/DSC_0723%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0723" border="0" height="480" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUsnM8QPZNI/AAAAAAAAMu4/sPaXk18SLN8/DSC_0723_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0723" width="319" /></a><br />
After breakfast Claire put on her snowsuit and ran outside. The snow was piled up very high. The doggies had made a path through the snow for her to follow.<br />
<a name='more'></a>Crunch, crunch, crunch, her feet sank into the snow. She walked with her toes pointing out and pointing in. <br />
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUsnN1ND8jI/AAAAAAAAMu8/ye15dfdnJTU/s1600-h/DSC_0681%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0681" border="0" height="480" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUsnOinNr5I/AAAAAAAAMvA/0CmVe85WOr8/DSC_0681_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0681" width="319" /></a><br />
Claire found a stick and poked it in the snow to make a track.<br />
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUsnQYe328I/AAAAAAAAMvE/GYCH5B87fxY/s1600-h/DSC_0685%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0685" border="0" height="480" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUsnQ82dqaI/AAAAAAAAMvI/_KyLr-mz4tg/DSC_0685_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0685" width="319" /></a><br />
It was a stick just right for smacking a snow-covered <strike>tree</strike> limb an earlier storm brought down.<br />
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUsnRr94qOI/AAAAAAAAMvM/q7kxR6NwlV8/s1600-h/DSC_0709%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0709" border="0" height="480" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUsnSd73BEI/AAAAAAAAMvQ/P3IzNrIi0Jw/DSC_0709_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0709" width="319" /></a><br />
Down fell the snow – plop! – on top of Claire’s head.<br />
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUsnTL6G93I/AAAAAAAAMvU/i7R06Mzpeyw/s1600-h/DSC_0705%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0705" border="0" height="480" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUsnTskcU2I/AAAAAAAAMvY/MZHki58J79k/DSC_0705_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0705" width="319" /></a><br />
Claire pretended she was a mountain climber. She climbed up a great big tall heaping mountain of snow – and slid all the way down.<br />
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUsnUAuwD0I/AAAAAAAAMvc/aGsw1ZVJOIo/s1600-h/DSC_0679%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0679" border="0" height="480" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUsnU2_dQsI/AAAAAAAAMvg/jPcCx6AYegM/DSC_0679_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0679" width="319" /></a><br />
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Claire was so tired after walking in the snow she took a three hour nap and her Mommy found time to blog.<br />
The End.<br />
We tried to paint some of the snow in the yard a la Keats’ illustrations but Claire found it much more fun to just dig through the colors. <br />
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUsnV99HiDI/AAAAAAAAMvk/PkNDT9CEbPo/s1600-h/DSC_0777%5B7%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0777" border="0" height="231" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUsnWYC8SLI/AAAAAAAAMvo/uk9Emm-fmNE/DSC_0777_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0777" width="336" /></a><br />
And here is one last goofy picture from our day, hopefully it makes YOUR day – it certainly cracks me up when I look at it. :)<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUsnXLaNVDI/AAAAAAAAMvs/FhK_T82UyHI/s1600-h/DSC_0755%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0755" border="0" height="480" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUsnXxP2LII/AAAAAAAAMvw/iCNMte8xjo8/DSC_0755_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0755" width="319" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-47402219547739069292011-02-02T21:36:00.000-05:002011-02-02T21:36:20.533-05:00Snow, Ice and Sleet...Oh My!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JwKp8m8DGK8U7b2mtrz6sFdJg981rTcaTveqp-fp0YdodSdoFTeHLgykVxdCBAP90ehPYYq2eTGsjScqcfjzw8Cft3qxJQLJGAYz34F1yV1ynf5q7aoDgApkZ9b1vOoQy5HZLVu5TMOn/s1600/DSC_0723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JwKp8m8DGK8U7b2mtrz6sFdJg981rTcaTveqp-fp0YdodSdoFTeHLgykVxdCBAP90ehPYYq2eTGsjScqcfjzw8Cft3qxJQLJGAYz34F1yV1ynf5q7aoDgApkZ9b1vOoQy5HZLVu5TMOn/s400/DSC_0723.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />
I've been trying to get outside for a little while everyday with Claire. Last week (before Mother Nature dumped ICE on us) we went for a walk in the state park - primarily because I wanted to check my mail. The boxes are at the bottom of the hill and I couldn't actually drive out of the driveway. Anyhow, once we're at the mailboxes down the road, we're already halfway to the park entrance so we decided to explore the woods.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2J8jz0vY7JdsH4z0lak0P1c0OsIxAeAMLc382Hk_H5Qe13PUGwKzLynoL9LiqezF5uR7QTFFH41PEsHWUD2LGLBByQTMQKE8EbGlTpFqN9d0uCFIXYQYVw_A52b4WOnTwUGt0sHprkZs/s1600/DSC_0703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2J8jz0vY7JdsH4z0lak0P1c0OsIxAeAMLc382Hk_H5Qe13PUGwKzLynoL9LiqezF5uR7QTFFH41PEsHWUD2LGLBByQTMQKE8EbGlTpFqN9d0uCFIXYQYVw_A52b4WOnTwUGt0sHprkZs/s400/DSC_0703.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />
Best idea ever! We cleared off lots of snow to look at the frozen creek (don't freak Mom, it's only 8 inches at it's deepest) and followed little critter tracks for a while before Claire announced she was d-o-n-e.<br />
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"My feets are too tired to walk anymore in this high, high snow."<br />
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She made it out without me having to carry her (thank goodness!) and fell asleep sitting up next to me at home. Score one for Mommy!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-82469978880137706572011-01-27T18:07:00.003-05:002011-01-27T21:04:02.623-05:00Tugging on Heart StringsI hope no one is getting tired of all our Valentine’s crafts – I have a few more to post! This idea came from the Feb 2011 issue of Family Fun (great magazine, I dog-ear at least 10 pages each issue which is my criteria for keeping a magazine subscription). <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUH5vpXcgJI/AAAAAAAAMsI/Agr9LcfOr_U/s1600-h/DSC_0608%5B4%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="DSC_0608" border="0" height="306" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUH5wQIWp5I/AAAAAAAAMsM/kyYDktQFbn4/DSC_0608_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0608" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deck the halls with pink yarn hearts...fa la la la la!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>If you want to read the full saga and get the recipe for the homemade cornstarch glue, I posted it on my <a href="http://www.chalkinmypocket.com/2011/01/tugging-on-heart-strings.html" target="_blank">other blog</a>. I know most of you are here for your daily dose of Claire cuteness -- not a step by step tutorial of cornstarch paste making, but on the off chance if you want to make these at home, <a href="http://www.chalkinmypocket.com/2011/01/tugging-on-heart-strings.html" target="_blank">off you go then!</a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUH5xXVDYGI/AAAAAAAAMsQ/oLeSu1EZIas/s1600-h/DSC_05673.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="DSC_0567" border="0" height="176" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUH5x7JM5kI/AAAAAAAAMsU/TAJzO_awRa8/DSC_0567_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0567" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade paste! A semi-success if you count the mess I avoided in the pan!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>While I was busy messing with the paste Claire was cutting up the yarn. She’s still getting the hang of the whole scissor thing and snipping yarn was a low frustration way to practice. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUH51_fMqFI/AAAAAAAAMsg/fnyw82C90AI/s1600-h/DSC_06074.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="DSC_0607" border="0" height="206" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUH52r7TNOI/AAAAAAAAMsk/xRr1bJR5RYc/DSC_0607_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0607" width="329" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost ready for a quick bake in the oven (we were too impatient to wait overnight for them to dry)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUH5zDl_qII/AAAAAAAAMsY/D8An3auENjw/s1600-h/January-201123.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="January 20112" border="0" height="255" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUH50p2151I/AAAAAAAAMsc/R5GZwk0LZFE/January-20112_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="January 20112" width="434" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snip, snip, snip!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The final product makes a super cute hanging ornament. Alternatively, you can wear it like Claire - and I must add I was immediately reminded of Flavor-Flav and his oversized watch necklaces upon seeing this morning! Heehee!<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUH53WbWH4I/AAAAAAAAMso/KLZHbYCpXCA/s1600-h/DSC_0641.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0641" border="0" height="364" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TUH6lINP-nI/AAAAAAAAMss/v6KB5SoPiJI/DSC_0641_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0641" width="235" /></a><br />
Do tell if you have a secret recipe for homemade paste and glue. I suppose it won't be secret anymore but I will be forever grateful!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-51791741564718272302011-01-26T12:26:00.002-05:002011-01-26T12:33:55.375-05:00Lil' Letter Caper<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgZVqKltbLeb-XGTc5fn-ViADtj_S5R35zAP0_r48tlN-Jx6lkFepU9Z3xFYcn5qfqiMaO7vcLtCN3RykiCOiBSCln8t8cu87ADUnt9bzli3rer0h-yAYI9CzduUPsLOthpRcaoO-3P4u/s1600/Letter+Hunt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgZVqKltbLeb-XGTc5fn-ViADtj_S5R35zAP0_r48tlN-Jx6lkFepU9Z3xFYcn5qfqiMaO7vcLtCN3RykiCOiBSCln8t8cu87ADUnt9bzli3rer0h-yAYI9CzduUPsLOthpRcaoO-3P4u/s400/Letter+Hunt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I strongly believe <a href="http://rcherill.blogspot.com/p/p-l-y.html">play is the most important learning</a> a three year old can be doing. That said, I have a kid who is endlessly curious about letters and writing (and books obviously). Claire quickly learned all the sounds in our alphabet over the summer (short sounds for the vowels) and now I’ve introduced the letter names. I didn't follow any formal program -- I just wrote a few letters on the board before breakfast and pointed to them while speaking their sounds. That's it! Our phonics approach seems to be working because we were goofing around with some stick-on letters and I found this:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiyrw6zfJ6T1-aT5cUiY8JLlA_0EO9sCFTddb2mGkfg96AvYMsR74JH7zP1Kzmu7VKtJ50xoFis4gASNxhy_JKJGwVXiBHd5Zqxcfpb5EYjeml4jGlM3BZflNnqQgp1NM20_Bbe7c3PRU/s1600/DSC_0872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiyrw6zfJ6T1-aT5cUiY8JLlA_0EO9sCFTddb2mGkfg96AvYMsR74JH7zP1Kzmu7VKtJ50xoFis4gASNxhy_JKJGwVXiBHd5Zqxcfpb5EYjeml4jGlM3BZflNnqQgp1NM20_Bbe7c3PRU/s320/DSC_0872.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wonder what would have happened if I was on my game and had some vowels out?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Pretty cool, right? I handed her an S to begin and asked, “what sound does this make, can you stick it on something that starts with this sound.”<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVIDFRDrComCwqxKnjn5VBMmUBDBDFxC9aMbSTzuQXs9IQpT0bTjQGxCFHZ7e7cJFFOyHr7gAsGTWZ4xMZsgFSvcPBNtN5rjgSdLDM4QkP-xSEsLvyqnO_B604GH-7xlM51833jgR400p/s1600/DSC_0884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVIDFRDrComCwqxKnjn5VBMmUBDBDFxC9aMbSTzuQXs9IQpT0bTjQGxCFHZ7e7cJFFOyHr7gAsGTWZ4xMZsgFSvcPBNtN5rjgSdLDM4QkP-xSEsLvyqnO_B604GH-7xlM51833jgR400p/s320/DSC_0884.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Well off she went! "S" was stuck on stairs, "P" placed on a pillow, and the cutest of all --<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJpt09XESAI0udBc8UDXwaF6ddkLrofMHQywmXrgbO24JRlZdnL6JDcORk4hhsCmqZw4GYXN1IW6l1RsSIN-0jLGlxNuwva46YiypfHo4l6Kp5IPSovYAahnThpO_E-ClWc66vb8d7vnr/s1600/DSC_0868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJpt09XESAI0udBc8UDXwaF6ddkLrofMHQywmXrgbO24JRlZdnL6JDcORk4hhsCmqZw4GYXN1IW6l1RsSIN-0jLGlxNuwva46YiypfHo4l6Kp5IPSovYAahnThpO_E-ClWc66vb8d7vnr/s320/DSC_0868.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">C for C-C-Claire (or cute perhaps?)</span></div><br />
She put the "H" on my hat and then I abandoned her and a closet door full of letters to attend to my now smoking pan of oatmeal. When I came back into the living room, I found the T on the hat as well.<br />
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I would be lying if I said the wannabe librarian’s heart inside me didn’t pitter patter a bit when Claire said, “it has a ‘tih’ sound in it too, at the end part.”<br />
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Be still my heart, this kid is going to be able to read ME stories soon!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHvzPlNx0e_6SvIxCvWDqiI_xQScy3wRrBohSuUrdyhWKpAZXQsxG-HeY__DoBc_w8wxYkwdAdCJYNjvYDkEhY7OvD9zK93RVV7hUI0R5R6jGLotL44esOs7xtDPTVTSNwe4-MH_j18io/s1600/blueberr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHvzPlNx0e_6SvIxCvWDqiI_xQScy3wRrBohSuUrdyhWKpAZXQsxG-HeY__DoBc_w8wxYkwdAdCJYNjvYDkEhY7OvD9zK93RVV7hUI0R5R6jGLotL44esOs7xtDPTVTSNwe4-MH_j18io/s400/blueberr.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The letter game continued in the kitchen where Claire labeled her bowl with a sticky "B". And she was sorely disappointed when I would not allow her to stick another "B" onto her blueberries...or my butt. Sorry kid, I've got to draw the line somewhere and it better be before you figure out just what XL might describe when they're put together.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-40091286146879114832011-01-23T23:42:00.004-05:002011-01-26T12:59:26.039-05:00Through Her Eyes <img height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiZMPwDrnq4VoPlm0q-EbXgR3F3AsV5NDHFPBDtB2H4f7QqpA4qvLNvst7788_afNqli6YpmXfBq_YazF-DeBTD_-afDg34u79XW05YE_5VSIsdgRa4oOlssodqU9VAik6_PEUfoSPoTn/s320/DSC_0742.jpg" width="162" /><br />
I wrote shortly after Christmas about Claire’s excitement after <a href="http://www.chalkinmypocket.com/2011/01/future-photographer.html" target="_blank">receiving a digital camera for Christmas</a> from her Aunt Nikki and Uncle Matt. I finally got around to taking a look at what she’s been photographing and I laughed out loud at many of the images and marveled over the beauty of the “everyday” she captured. I’d like to think I was looking through her eyes at things that are important to her: family, friends, animals, her special toys and favorite places in our home…<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TT0DM-1TwLI/AAAAAAAAMqo/xM--WBQsaTs/s1600-h/Claire%20Camera%20Pics1%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="Claire Camera Pics1" border="0" height="262" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TT0DN2HjhqI/AAAAAAAAMqs/EsgX8YxVFUs/Claire%20Camera%20Pics1_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Claire Camera Pics1" width="456" /></a><br />
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<a name='more'></a>We're glimpsing happiness as she smooshes her face close to ours to fill her camera’s frame, excitement as she stalks her grandparents’ kitties, pride in a stack of clean dishes after lunch.<br />
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…and perhaps remorse at this unidentified bit of food on the floor? Haha!<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TT0DO8AftNI/AAAAAAAAMqw/ouVxibFFdUk/s1600-h/IMG_0131%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0131" border="0" height="173" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TT0DPiRiA5I/AAAAAAAAMq0/2zk87_xRO9s/IMG_0131_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0131" width="219" /></a><br />
The photos are too small to blow up and frame, but I’m cherishing this little glimpse into her world (and happy to record it here, of course!)<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TT0DQ1LqqJI/AAAAAAAAMq4/9g56aqC5Y4s/s1600-h/Claire%20Camera%20Pics%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="Claire Camera Pics" border="0" height="820" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TT0DSdj2xkI/AAAAAAAAMq8/zNQSou0cczw/Claire%20Camera%20Pics_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Claire Camera Pics" width="458" /></a><br />
“Why did you take pictures of the carpet and the floor, Claire?”<br />
“Because that is where I sit on the colors.”<br />
<br />
Oh. I see…sort of. <br />
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Even home with Claire full time she’s her own little spirit now, independent (fiercely so some days) and I’m often on the outside looking in. It’s fascinating to have the camera reversed and to see through the eyes of a three year old -- I find having a little one around tends to open your eyes up to something unexpected, do you?<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-74587432973709350252011-01-22T23:52:00.002-05:002011-01-24T13:10:54.304-05:00Westward Ho!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.joystickdivision.com/otrailpic02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.joystickdivision.com/otrailpic02.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><br />
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</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: black;">>>> Regina has cholera. Would you like to push on or rest for three days?</b></span><br />
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If you're a child of the 80's, I'm sure this game has a place in your heart. I remember vying for computer time amongst my fellow classmates intent on guiding my wagon full of family west to the promised land. I was so excited to purchase the newer version complete with primary source material scanned in for my students back in 2004. The graphics had improved immensely, although I admit the original had a charm all its own.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.joystickdivision.com/otrailpic3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://www.joystickdivision.com/otrailpic3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Here's a great read about the unlikely start and success of this educational software, and the efforts of its creators to make it historically accurate: <a href="http://www.citypages.com/2011-01-19/news/oregon-trail-how-three-minnesotans-forged-its-path/"><b>THE OREGON TRAIL: HOW 3 MINNESOTANS FORGED ITS PATH</b></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.joystickdivision.com/otrailpic1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://www.joystickdivision.com/otrailpic1.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Do you remember this game? What was your chosen field - farmer, banker, carpenter? Did you join a wagon train or rough it alone? And most importantly -- would you push on or let me rest as I suffer from cholera?!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-3922432523049925862011-01-21T08:00:00.002-05:002011-01-21T08:00:16.876-05:00A Family Portrait<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5050/5358972762_66013636e1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5050/5358972762_66013636e1_b.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br />
Claire has been drawing these fantastic people for a couple of weeks and I just had to share this family portrait. I especially love her mohawk hairstyles and the carefully chosen hair colors. Can you tell that we are all wearing shoes? I (on the left there) am even wearing my glasses! I'll have to post more of these, they are just cracking me up!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-66176908593482931922011-01-20T12:58:00.005-05:002011-01-20T22:43:41.875-05:00How to Make Homemade Apple Chips<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TTh3g0Xj9FI/AAAAAAAAMoU/-sLHrr1DeIo/s1600-h/DSC_0177%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0177" border="0" height="212" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TTh3hwmUncI/AAAAAAAAMoc/dZ8Qf6MaQ1w/DSC_0177_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0177" width="237" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TTh3jNvgLwI/AAAAAAAAMog/1g9yjRnclcU/s1600-h/DSC_02467.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0246" border="0" height="212" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TTh3k4NOTlI/AAAAAAAAMok/uhPSWaIkcSk/DSC_0246_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0246" width="136" /></a><br />
Yummy! A crunch, sweet Valentine’s Day that's not loaded with sugar – what a delicious, simple and healthy afternoon treat these were! Package ‘em up pretty and I think they’ll make a lovely gift for someone special. <br />
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<strong>Valentine’s Baked Apple Chips</strong><br />
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Thinly slice apples (really thin, or you’ll be cooking these for HOURS). This would have been a good time to whip out the food processor but I was lazy.<br />
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Lay out your slices and put your kid to work with some heart shaped cookie cutters. If there isn’t too much “core” or seedy bits, the punched out hearts can be baked too! Dip all the slices in some freshly squeezed lemon juice to prevent browning (optional). Claire loved the dipping…and licking her fingers after each dip (guess, we’re keeping these for ourselves!)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TTh3m9SerUI/AAAAAAAAMoo/95Ol4sF0y8s/s1600-h/January%202011.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="January 2011" border="0" height="303" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TTh3oLgC9oI/AAAAAAAAMos/vtsL3GhrOFI/January%202011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="January 2011" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The food photography is just for you Caca, step by step LOL!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We baked the apple slices on some parchment for an hour and 10 minutes in a 250F oven. Some of the thicker slices took a few minutes longer. Once they are lightly browned, pop ‘em out of the oven and let cool. They’ll crisp up in no time and are totally delish.<br />
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They also make fantastic love goggles:<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TTh3p_j9DUI/AAAAAAAAMow/-BmCvlundlU/s1600-h/DSC_0220.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0220" border="0" height="293" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TTh3q8nlfdI/AAAAAAAAMo0/7t0ahuSYyp0/DSC_0220_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0220" width="473" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-90041935846403119512011-01-18T23:45:00.010-05:002011-01-19T14:02:52.101-05:00Ornithology 101<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TTZsdH923mI/AAAAAAAAMn4/gqRvtYGF7v8/s1600-h/Collages2%5B5%5D.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Collages2" border="0" height="318" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TTZseQ9BTpI/AAAAAAAAMn8/6m1mYplV0E4/Collages2_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Collages2" width="413" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">What do you get when you combine a snowy morning, tons of sunflower seeds and our very first non-fiction book checked out from the kiddie section at the library?<br />
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</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TTZsgHN-6UI/AAAAAAAAMoA/yoCQFDw8rrA/s1600-h/DSC_0056%5B5%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img alt="DSC_0056" border="0" height="281" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_L52oTUfh6-o/TTZshBSA_HI/AAAAAAAAMoE/ZusgJcTjFPs/DSC_0056_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0056" width="417" /></a></div><br />
A very happy Claire who spent the morning counting birds at our feeder and marveling that her feathered friends had their very own book! Is she too young to begin studying for an ornithology degree? The book we checked out was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pebble-First-Guide-Songbirds-Books/dp/142962244X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1295412949&sr=8-1">"The Pebble First Guide to Songbirds"</a> and it contained nearly all the birds in our area with little factoids about each species. There were a few of our frequent visitors missing -- Junco, Tufted Titmouse, Red-Breasted Woodpecker -- so I might have to improvise a guidebook of my own one of these days.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9781429622448/MC.GIF&client=sirsi&type=rw12" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9781429622448/MC.GIF&client=sirsi&type=rw12" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-88318309337486641522011-01-17T21:40:00.004-05:002011-01-20T23:27:09.204-05:00Front Door Valentine's Wreath (and why you should consider using our back door)<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I do believe that everyone needs a glittery, poofy pink wreath on their front door.</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>This is probably proof that I've been sniffing too much polyurethane while finishing our staircase.</i></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5365213825_3e4351aaf1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5365213825_3e4351aaf1_b.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Three stairs down and at eleven to go...I'm sure there will be lots of crafty goodness to share in the coming weeks as this home improvement project wraps up (or as I get tired of sanding). I've got to keep this kid occupied so while I'm slaving away, Claire's been whipping up some Valentine's Day decorations.</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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<a name='more'></a>I cut out a bunch of hearts from some heavy duty watercolor paper and Claire went to town painting them and liberally sprinkling them with glitter. And I mean LIBERALLY...the whole wreath is a-glow and I'm just glad it's hanging on the outside of the house.</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Claire enjoyed using the stapler for the first time. We counted out four sheets or so per flower and alternated between accordion folds and poofing and just stapling tissue paper straight to the wreath.</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I hesitated introducing the stapler since I once stapled my sister's fingers together. We were terrified to tell my mother so I pried them apart and told her to suck it up. She managed to play flute and oboe just fine so I'm sure there was no lasting damage. Heh heh, I'm a great big sister ;-) Love ya, Laurie.</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5123/5358378785_20157b7115_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5123/5358378785_20157b7115_b.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Love the nose scunch in this photo</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">My plan was to weave some tissue paper flowers through a wire wreath form (leftover from Christmas). That proved rather tough so I improvised:</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5358381527_12da2c4d27_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5358381527_12da2c4d27_z.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">At least I didn't use the greasy side. The pizza aroma just adds to the experience, trust me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">And here is the finished project in all its glittery, pink glory:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PS - Use our back entrance, there is no escaping the glitter and I have no intention of opening this door until February 15.</span></td></tr>
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</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-78844684924234591962011-01-15T14:59:00.004-05:002011-01-19T13:52:19.094-05:00Saturday Snapshot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5006/5358048684_76e8a19384_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5006/5358048684_76e8a19384_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Claire and her new favorite game, "Singing Contest." She croons from her bed while Dan and I sit in chairs and bop along. Most of the songs consist of one word (princess, penguin, instrument or alphabet are recent favorites) repeated over and over (and over) in different monotone rhythms. She seems to have Caca's gift for pitch.<br />
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We clap as directed and smile, lots of smiling.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-32099237424078822342011-01-10T10:08:00.003-05:002011-01-19T13:58:32.144-05:00Oh, that's for the birds!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5045/5337527648_efa760cb07_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5045/5337527648_efa760cb07_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I have to admit to housing all sorts of experiments in my fridge (both intentional and unintentional, green shrimp, anyone?) but this hodgepodge of lard, peanut butter, sunflower seeds, cheese and bird seed was a success, albeit a messy one. If birds could talk I'm sure they would be raving about this recipe. Yet another thing to add to our many bird feeding stations!There seem to be lots of tutorials for similar bird suet on the web but I liked this one for two reasons, I had the stuff on hand and the recipe came from reputed wildlife organization so I figured we wouldn't poison our feather friends. I was inspired by<a href="http://www.minieco.co.uk/feed-the-birds/"> the recipe here</a> and saw the <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/apartmenttherapy/re-nest/~3/EiZ4-WAUJwA/make-molded-bird-seed-ornaments-on-the-cheap-saltwater-kids-134740">cute mold idea here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cast of characters, do NOT melt the lard. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<a name='more'></a>There are no ingredient ratios, so I randomly lopped everything into the bowl. The basic goal is to get everything to gel together in a firm enough package to mold, the freezer will take care of the rest. I wasn't sure how birds felt about Parmesan cheese so there's only a bit of that.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhl9sV_A2hUe2I0aYZaAl75GZA0DhXhD_kEpreh0n82z2pEb0lO_Eb79cabYery0FgnBmgrec62nZSWAwSzoJRyd4CzyI2Xcm0gs6mozWkZCp6qtOOynX7Y9azY0VmZcrttEYqfFmD7eT/s1600/bird+seed+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhl9sV_A2hUe2I0aYZaAl75GZA0DhXhD_kEpreh0n82z2pEb0lO_Eb79cabYery0FgnBmgrec62nZSWAwSzoJRyd4CzyI2Xcm0gs6mozWkZCp6qtOOynX7Y9azY0VmZcrttEYqfFmD7eT/s400/bird+seed+collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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This is a kid friendly recipe, nothing to heat. I highly recommend limiting the distance from jar to bowl, or pouring the seed in. I was trying to make this project take up time on a cold morning and while Claire is very careful, there was still scattered seed from her scooping the seed little by little. Nothing intentional, but those little seeds kept rolling right off the spoon...maybe a scoop would work better? <br />
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We tried a few different mixing options, of course hands won out. I had to dig in and help at this point because I intentionally left the lard pretty firm. We packed (squished might be a better description) the suet into cookie cutters, mini muffin tins and tupperware containers then froze for about 3 hours. I brought the tray of mini muffin bird cakes outsides and set them right in the snow with a cover to protect them from the squirrels. Easy peasy.<br />
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I know everyone else who blogged this project put little straws in to allow string to be passed through a hole after the were frozen. I found it just as effective to load a bit of the suet into the container and then have Claire put some yarn (birds love pink, it's a fact) in the center before loading the rest of the suet in. It might not be as cute, but we liked it just fine. The final product:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5336908929_e0dec514b1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5336908929_e0dec514b1_b.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5336901655_35e38f2d69_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5336901655_35e38f2d69_b.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-71316015980342227382011-01-08T16:18:00.006-05:002011-01-20T23:27:37.767-05:00Sledding 101<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRyekpQ21nPsEIy5UiNAntm9pJicxIzeoypPjvBnzBZb-YXbC0T4bA_dTHSu01Q7Gdew44t1eA4vkXBCQPSoEoDkgg3cEa-RCV-yH-0PI-xFAJzXP1ncqa1a0mRMLEGRKX8l4n9e2YV-hg/s1600/DSC_0562.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559930074071976562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRyekpQ21nPsEIy5UiNAntm9pJicxIzeoypPjvBnzBZb-YXbC0T4bA_dTHSu01Q7Gdew44t1eA4vkXBCQPSoEoDkgg3cEa-RCV-yH-0PI-xFAJzXP1ncqa1a0mRMLEGRKX8l4n9e2YV-hg/s400/DSC_0562.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 247px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvH08wkTKUNa_RD_HrpK3gC1d97TNJXxSlQn-izu3j_XZ27fmopWZd7sBWPkH6_X2iiAoWBtad53OrrBmHNo5GesILpdmK8GnuvCnyo8e34gxw8euj-04fiCxJPOkJtDVa6NpvlLVAMIO/s1600/DSC_0559.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">On Friday Claire had her first real sledding experience, I think she's hooked! </span></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvH08wkTKUNa_RD_HrpK3gC1d97TNJXxSlQn-izu3j_XZ27fmopWZd7sBWPkH6_X2iiAoWBtad53OrrBmHNo5GesILpdmK8GnuvCnyo8e34gxw8euj-04fiCxJPOkJtDVa6NpvlLVAMIO/s1600/DSC_0559.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span></a><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvH08wkTKUNa_RD_HrpK3gC1d97TNJXxSlQn-izu3j_XZ27fmopWZd7sBWPkH6_X2iiAoWBtad53OrrBmHNo5GesILpdmK8GnuvCnyo8e34gxw8euj-04fiCxJPOkJtDVa6NpvlLVAMIO/s1600/DSC_0559.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvH08wkTKUNa_RD_HrpK3gC1d97TNJXxSlQn-izu3j_XZ27fmopWZd7sBWPkH6_X2iiAoWBtad53OrrBmHNo5GesILpdmK8GnuvCnyo8e34gxw8euj-04fiCxJPOkJtDVa6NpvlLVAMIO/s1600/DSC_0559.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="text-decoration: none;">L</a>ots more photos to see after the jump!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvH08wkTKUNa_RD_HrpK3gC1d97TNJXxSlQn-izu3j_XZ27fmopWZd7sBWPkH6_X2iiAoWBtad53OrrBmHNo5GesILpdmK8GnuvCnyo8e34gxw8euj-04fiCxJPOkJtDVa6NpvlLVAMIO/s1600/DSC_0559.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="text-decoration: none;"><br />
</a></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvH08wkTKUNa_RD_HrpK3gC1d97TNJXxSlQn-izu3j_XZ27fmopWZd7sBWPkH6_X2iiAoWBtad53OrrBmHNo5GesILpdmK8GnuvCnyo8e34gxw8euj-04fiCxJPOkJtDVa6NpvlLVAMIO/s1600/DSC_0559.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Ashley, an older neighbor, rode down with Claire each time and provided the braking. You can see Claire was attempting to steer with the rope. </span></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvH08wkTKUNa_RD_HrpK3gC1d97TNJXxSlQn-izu3j_XZ27fmopWZd7sBWPkH6_X2iiAoWBtad53OrrBmHNo5GesILpdmK8GnuvCnyo8e34gxw8euj-04fiCxJPOkJtDVa6NpvlLVAMIO/s1600/DSC_0559.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvH08wkTKUNa_RD_HrpK3gC1d97TNJXxSlQn-izu3j_XZ27fmopWZd7sBWPkH6_X2iiAoWBtad53OrrBmHNo5GesILpdmK8GnuvCnyo8e34gxw8euj-04fiCxJPOkJtDVa6NpvlLVAMIO/s1600/DSC_0559.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559928941695956498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvH08wkTKUNa_RD_HrpK3gC1d97TNJXxSlQn-izu3j_XZ27fmopWZd7sBWPkH6_X2iiAoWBtad53OrrBmHNo5GesILpdmK8GnuvCnyo8e34gxw8euj-04fiCxJPOkJtDVa6NpvlLVAMIO/s400/DSC_0559.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPwkXTcwVvBFKuZqK-NuT1y9iwxE2DJBlBGCwBcir_r4yEZ4jz23vdRD_7U5Zh0D9f6NU2e_NsUPjVoYVkm7jf7ZDZiTqbnoXEHttzh32qK6my61nkUvCVYVeOh-_E1FQnWfHrVZJG0qw/s1600/DSC_0558.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559928922865851538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPwkXTcwVvBFKuZqK-NuT1y9iwxE2DJBlBGCwBcir_r4yEZ4jz23vdRD_7U5Zh0D9f6NU2e_NsUPjVoYVkm7jf7ZDZiTqbnoXEHttzh32qK6my61nkUvCVYVeOh-_E1FQnWfHrVZJG0qw/s400/DSC_0558.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 152px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div>Shooting photos with the snow (or any white background) is so tough for me. I like to use the "P" setting on my camera, or aperture priority but I took a chance and left it in full manual. Aside from some blurriness I'm really happy with the results! I have no clue why the photos usually come out so grainy and dark when the lighting seems so perfect. One of my New Year's resolution was to learn to use my camera's manual settings so I'm on my way...just have to whip out that guide book.</div><div><div><br />
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559928910122279826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMKlqDQxebboSlpEqLTb3jsQ-UVNhig1JUp9XMfCIzWTk1beVLksurmTmtb7nOK7z9MpgfEggBNREGeLwqvBXXRis8PrRYA4j09C8hCP_mqDgPBY_YQICn6reJcnRVnSKjH7GO5Ei3QXk/s400/DSC_0638.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" />This is one of my favorite photos, you can see Claire is just wide eyed with excitement, it makes me excited for the next snowfall (did I just write that?!)</div><div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHASMZLmP6W6tyXZnCK6tLCb1OUwTv6Gkn1IMQ3evQevI_UhGErZqI9JFpmEQVPKesLMSXI-LXgrTRkpXIYrm4vK3WTPb06nmbdDduCJPUNDAxrZ1ABNc7JnDqYyv2kNGvmzri1l63u3t/s1600/DSC_0552.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559928916984071442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHASMZLmP6W6tyXZnCK6tLCb1OUwTv6Gkn1IMQ3evQevI_UhGErZqI9JFpmEQVPKesLMSXI-LXgrTRkpXIYrm4vK3WTPb06nmbdDduCJPUNDAxrZ1ABNc7JnDqYyv2kNGvmzri1l63u3t/s400/DSC_0552.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Do we have a future adrenaline junky on our hands? The sled really picked up speed going down the hill, luckily Damon was at the bottom to stop any runaways.</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYDPxHOofvFlJsLLkTDi7CcC4Ytw8rLkLCCZbMjacL5z_4WrsSDIuE2f96FYnpaMAzJzz3kTcIQalN3pmKx2ZyIbM9qMtFBH5IXNIiLHcs5voHh5Bmpx1XHgAA_BYHR340emcXn4DC9f4/s1600/DSC_0567.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559930104125830098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYDPxHOofvFlJsLLkTDi7CcC4Ytw8rLkLCCZbMjacL5z_4WrsSDIuE2f96FYnpaMAzJzz3kTcIQalN3pmKx2ZyIbM9qMtFBH5IXNIiLHcs5voHh5Bmpx1XHgAA_BYHR340emcXn4DC9f4/s400/DSC_0567.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1NVDSUn0q9JM5hOnTEQz7Z9FIMwIeBTXa86cm2qd1pIXRx02VPDztDVzeJehB_tr4kXwU9mE6vU5AOOeqMz4MVMOtiDos-xc_d96-Zt30bpcIkKq4Kaai4g3XjESYPVwNz4ZDOm9kSbsb/s1600/DSC_0566.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559930088993190722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1NVDSUn0q9JM5hOnTEQz7Z9FIMwIeBTXa86cm2qd1pIXRx02VPDztDVzeJehB_tr4kXwU9mE6vU5AOOeqMz4MVMOtiDos-xc_d96-Zt30bpcIkKq4Kaai4g3XjESYPVwNz4ZDOm9kSbsb/s400/DSC_0566.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtow2lpxdsEzcu7R2lzWmdTsCp3sH7S8WoV9CWR027OvBTvLa6C7jkBb11B26F8uRKMQWpw-tkFNXEeygpu0O-pGTbJIerz5m3PIKULNDtlvUF3bi-fAWJlyeY7phzhjBw12lx6MWWMpsN/s1600/DSC_0563.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559930079184257794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtow2lpxdsEzcu7R2lzWmdTsCp3sH7S8WoV9CWR027OvBTvLa6C7jkBb11B26F8uRKMQWpw-tkFNXEeygpu0O-pGTbJIerz5m3PIKULNDtlvUF3bi-fAWJlyeY7phzhjBw12lx6MWWMpsN/s400/DSC_0563.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 182px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMiDgI-SkYMd2YOnLe8iaYk1g0lUGZ4W0TEN1b9aMzNDWWXOB2yysu08AEPHGaUczlYyYNF3bNy2QLEy5sZ6Ibw1IMXMWWcO63wZHSEazu5l0oUu813Nu6sntVJyfD5Ke_8Tny-wllpsU/s1600/DSC_0637.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559928891029933010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMiDgI-SkYMd2YOnLe8iaYk1g0lUGZ4W0TEN1b9aMzNDWWXOB2yysu08AEPHGaUczlYyYNF3bNy2QLEy5sZ6Ibw1IMXMWWcO63wZHSEazu5l0oUu813Nu6sntVJyfD5Ke_8Tny-wllpsU/s400/DSC_0637.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div><br />
</div><div>The long trek back up the hill, made sweeter with helping hands.</div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9T6NhS9R-JAHeOtAedIinklckSKpYb5u94bOxtvt8d_lqBpeeSA9oLLU04venx-gjdfRN4YVfTxx5GXFzkhZuhqnPCs7Xz3tEPJGA782Edkkj-1Thb3Zq2sXHP1V6nCR1_63-RQ1DT05/s1600/DSC_0612.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559930107703710194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9T6NhS9R-JAHeOtAedIinklckSKpYb5u94bOxtvt8d_lqBpeeSA9oLLU04venx-gjdfRN4YVfTxx5GXFzkhZuhqnPCs7Xz3tEPJGA782Edkkj-1Thb3Zq2sXHP1V6nCR1_63-RQ1DT05/s400/DSC_0612.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 248px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-63654778683865538572011-01-05T17:57:00.050-05:002011-01-19T14:00:40.462-05:00Our Nature Table<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zPkzU7CfuVH7QAi4be6GhiNx6GOTxWEfaw-DsPHWj1fbrPqPjGWT_-m0EGdruOKCLzvvl1U6sYd6V-0ZQ6OjIq6v-GrWXD5jhrx4UNq3Yimv3nwDgevpYYoUpzGMlt49_x-j7ijgaXE8/s1600/DSC_0308.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558853114207851058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zPkzU7CfuVH7QAi4be6GhiNx6GOTxWEfaw-DsPHWj1fbrPqPjGWT_-m0EGdruOKCLzvvl1U6sYd6V-0ZQ6OjIq6v-GrWXD5jhrx4UNq3Yimv3nwDgevpYYoUpzGMlt49_x-j7ijgaXE8/s400/DSC_0308.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Children are natural collectors, and I'm guilty of the same thing myself, often arriving home with just as much "treasure" in my pockets as my daughter. Rather than <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYacxVuxLOK9IW_0YHpVbAI0pdDeUhzLos3MaD2b4LVCQ0MMbFnPl2hOqRXerP5QwkXXVXY9AxiWnNywrVTyhUbVleNeHL7poqDM-4xH3pYg1qBgoZN7ESa4eweWgYhgrfJOog1KjbG1W/s1600/DSC_0303.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558842939696221714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYacxVuxLOK9IW_0YHpVbAI0pdDeUhzLos3MaD2b4LVCQ0MMbFnPl2hOqRXerP5QwkXXVXY9AxiWnNywrVTyhUbVleNeHL7poqDM-4xH3pYg1qBgoZN7ESa4eweWgYhgrfJOog1KjbG1W/s400/DSC_0303.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 298px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 199px;" /></a>discourage our little naturalist-in-training, I carved out some space on an end table to display whatever bounty Claire snags on our nature walks.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>We filled a few glass vases with some seed pods and birch trimmings (thank you <a href="http://rcherill.blogspot.com/2010/09/mcmandas-wedding.html">Amanda, your leftover wedding goodies</a> have been put to good use) and turned a really cool chunk of moss into the centerpiece of our nature table by putting it under glass. A handful of pine cones, some great rocks and 'voila!' a display that looks nice to adults and invites the kiddo over to explore. A magnifying glass is tucked into the pull-out drawer under the shelf and having a lamp on the table already was an added <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfHSJxso3NxoZD5XrZjJzX3nDshpNBn6v4SWNyNOy7QnhqN7c_0EePB9Ugaci5pACkuGBIdk4i9tJ2vA0StZhF8tuPRY45CSDDnhFhjFfjnA5yL8tHZupVuXBN3uZWtxdAj_exQ74Xlfj/s1600/DSC_0304.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558842936361255506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfHSJxso3NxoZD5XrZjJzX3nDshpNBn6v4SWNyNOy7QnhqN7c_0EePB9Ugaci5pACkuGBIdk4i9tJ2vA0StZhF8tuPRY45CSDDnhFhjFfjnA5yL8tHZupVuXBN3uZWtxdAj_exQ74Xlfj/s400/DSC_0304.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 191px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 128px;" /></a>bonus. Our nature table has been in set up since late October and I've yet to see Claire abuse it. Other then stacking the birch trimmings on the floor for towers, everything has been gently examined on the table and returned to its rightful place. Leaves, acorns and the occasional dead bug have made an appearance - if you ask my mother, it's quite an upgrade from <a href="http://rcherill.blogspot.com/2009/08/can-you-say-entomologist.html">housing live millipedes in my cake stand</a>. Study on little scientist, observation is an important part of the scientific method!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMjKii5cchgPGIrsU0SHT71kW5KiSGULNAhTjIfRGQb93XOFBFoSgBAXiH_eYxuBW2Pw7CLmLB_taBsfHCBDj9WycJmOTWO6EZz0Mu296pXMzQmYW0kHnQ8aeRTL3ZeSKTfbIoVSUdeFv/s1600/DSC_0306.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558842926334141586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMjKii5cchgPGIrsU0SHT71kW5KiSGULNAhTjIfRGQb93XOFBFoSgBAXiH_eYxuBW2Pw7CLmLB_taBsfHCBDj9WycJmOTWO6EZz0Mu296pXMzQmYW0kHnQ8aeRTL3ZeSKTfbIoVSUdeFv/s400/DSC_0306.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 297px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 192px;" /></a>I picked up a 9 cubby shelf from Freecycle which is perfectly suited to hold mother nature's treasures, it even has a few pull out drawers with windows. One of these days I'll get around to refinishing it and invite Claire to move the display there. In the meantime this table top approach is working well and it's mighty convenient next to the front door. The one hitch with this setup is the dark wood; the seed pods and pinecones are barely visible against it. See the white placemat under the glass vases? That was my solution, not very pretty but it gets the job done.<br />
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A seasonal nature table is a huge part of the Waldorf philosophy so there are lots of nature table ideas out there. Here are two of my very favorite which I think are just beautifully executed:<br />
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<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2510/4078052867_8857d742ac.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2510/4078052867_8857d742ac.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 221px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 331px;" /></a><a href="http://sewliberated.typepad.com/sew_liberated/2009/11/the-nature-corner.html">Sew Liberated</a> has a corner cubby that can be closed from marauding cats and toddlers.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thewritestart.typepad.com/.a/6a00e5504cb9c888330134866de2c8970c-400wi" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://thewritestart.typepad.com/.a/6a00e5504cb9c888330134866de2c8970c-400wi" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 220px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 294px;" /></a><br />
Over at <a href="http://thewritestart.typepad.com/the_write_start/2010/08/nature-table.html">The Write Start</a>, all the natural treasures are labeled with easily changed chalkboards. Great idea, right?<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-9619482267736298162011-01-01T13:31:00.014-05:002011-01-01T19:01:57.670-05:00Future Photographer?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiZMPwDrnq4VoPlm0q-EbXgR3F3AsV5NDHFPBDtB2H4f7QqpA4qvLNvst7788_afNqli6YpmXfBq_YazF-DeBTD_-afDg34u79XW05YE_5VSIsdgRa4oOlssodqU9VAik6_PEUfoSPoTn/s1600/DSC_0742.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiZMPwDrnq4VoPlm0q-EbXgR3F3AsV5NDHFPBDtB2H4f7QqpA4qvLNvst7788_afNqli6YpmXfBq_YazF-DeBTD_-afDg34u79XW05YE_5VSIsdgRa4oOlssodqU9VAik6_PEUfoSPoTn/s320/DSC_0742.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557289962575748882" border="0" /></a><br />Aunt Nikki and Uncle Matt gifted Claire a digital camera for her birthday and she couldn't love it more! We've been teaching her some photography techniques, first - get low and try to shoot at your subject's eye level. The tummy wriggle is especially effective when trying to creep next to the grandparent's elusive kitties.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPXS8Aauv_JwuFys8hHrr8_euoDB7UozLmVVNtCHTMV7TIaoP03V8gQwXLfdGhK_2CX5L2VAllgiVN26KzKhBt17EQuZNzK_I-9jPje3zmZnmwdQeGFMTgvyavehyphenhyphenbPa9lVlNAwN2iULv/s1600/DSC_0771.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPXS8Aauv_JwuFys8hHrr8_euoDB7UozLmVVNtCHTMV7TIaoP03V8gQwXLfdGhK_2CX5L2VAllgiVN26KzKhBt17EQuZNzK_I-9jPje3zmZnmwdQeGFMTgvyavehyphenhyphenbPa9lVlNAwN2iULv/s400/DSC_0771.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557287568650367970" border="0" /></a><br />Review your images, but keep in mind the LCD screen does have its limitations, look for composition rather than exposure. I'm still learning that lesson myself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9T9g1lWSzMKTuJwhY9dDdlt4Oy1xB1JnnVcD8TVz22IrZjiBdjwtMOBadiFdEkNqQkoNEDhyphenhyphen5jthPmb6X60-43Kt5UE4i-J8v_wRj-SLEXfViiVFMHSU9j9yDYONq_ixWRyHStJgdPaoT/s1600/DSC_0733.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9T9g1lWSzMKTuJwhY9dDdlt4Oy1xB1JnnVcD8TVz22IrZjiBdjwtMOBadiFdEkNqQkoNEDhyphenhyphen5jthPmb6X60-43Kt5UE4i-J8v_wRj-SLEXfViiVFMHSU9j9yDYONq_ixWRyHStJgdPaoT/s320/DSC_0733.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557289950850923506" border="0" /></a><br />Claire demonstrates with cousin Aidan the tenants of excellent child photography: get low, shoot lots, no flash and let the baby see themselves on the screen.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzepRxY4fkpGlTH8H0QyO1PRce-7W_Erc3WTlBtWKAB6E2aiZUgj6EdVtfcI7QCftfUljtt_WFja69or9N6QsBKNgeE0VEq8vktX8NQ7sMOmveRu7C1xZ8dVxr2OZqcmkzfSwgp0i0xgE/s1600/DSC_0783.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzepRxY4fkpGlTH8H0QyO1PRce-7W_Erc3WTlBtWKAB6E2aiZUgj6EdVtfcI7QCftfUljtt_WFja69or9N6QsBKNgeE0VEq8vktX8NQ7sMOmveRu7C1xZ8dVxr2OZqcmkzfSwgp0i0xgE/s320/DSC_0783.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557289970709823762" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqVT0kWymG6SRDZc-PO6Ar6SYRi6HkbaMNTU7ZQo4n44BrdbnnLtifiksBCscpJCGQbpUldb6rqezikR3p_46GTCCHcIm8R7haknVFVcWdHOpicXDI7PYLKmUmmMPC2oEHrWzlbhIZCK8/s1600/DSC_0778.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqVT0kWymG6SRDZc-PO6Ar6SYRi6HkbaMNTU7ZQo4n44BrdbnnLtifiksBCscpJCGQbpUldb6rqezikR3p_46GTCCHcIm8R7haknVFVcWdHOpicXDI7PYLKmUmmMPC2oEHrWzlbhIZCK8/s320/DSC_0778.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557289963312885730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4xwaHLwGNOTCeFFRX9scGLGH_C_LEhj8O3A_tMsdN3Z670fnYClsMbeMSmp6BQ-WucS7bgsCpcO7OY3hD5Lm7FRDCxZYHQVx3-aDX9jTUWrkt7sDf3KHJZz6a8td-kdalEp4DWKEq9r9/s1600/DSC_0765.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4xwaHLwGNOTCeFFRX9scGLGH_C_LEhj8O3A_tMsdN3Z670fnYClsMbeMSmp6BQ-WucS7bgsCpcO7OY3hD5Lm7FRDCxZYHQVx3-aDX9jTUWrkt7sDf3KHJZz6a8td-kdalEp4DWKEq9r9/s400/DSC_0765.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557290947035595954" border="0" /></a>I might have to give Claire her own little corner of this blog pretty soon. The camera holds 1000 images and many are worth sharing. It's interesting to look through the photos and see the world according to Claire. There are shots of me cooking, the colored threads in the braided rug she loves to look at, a stack of crayons, the polar bears she photographed (on my Ipad) after watching "Go Diego, Go!" and lots of other interesting objects from her perspective.<br /><br />Claire's corner has a nice ring to it, perhaps I'll make it a section to share her artwork and the "notes" she's been busy writing.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-92095431799249180402010-12-30T09:30:00.005-05:002011-01-01T20:13:56.976-05:00Gotcha!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TacS4Tp-HoQshEfD1T-mN30jFEih4hCU8-YoEIsRhOxGG3SBigrgVe2FkyFwVW3xrA4eZG1cidM-lue0qoAzqs_oD0hzyf2LjbombDqQ4qniG5g0DOuhcavHMEjBCRvS42ijVvfIMQRw/s1600/DSC_0695.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TacS4Tp-HoQshEfD1T-mN30jFEih4hCU8-YoEIsRhOxGG3SBigrgVe2FkyFwVW3xrA4eZG1cidM-lue0qoAzqs_oD0hzyf2LjbombDqQ4qniG5g0DOuhcavHMEjBCRvS42ijVvfIMQRw/s400/DSC_0695.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556482970863147490" /></a><br />Not the most glamorous of snowballs, but it's one Claire can call her own. You've been hit!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142198594184234675.post-2517778241717348762010-12-27T16:29:00.023-05:002011-01-01T19:30:55.491-05:00Merry Christmas!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMt4oUCkGig3qRpxdgs6ZaLbygw5K0ykPLpTiBlrc4W8j5n5YO9_T5iOCfeZGkjFFo7XDv8Ah986xSNbVLoujWPZ0JHGU_x63g64yI5R-en1a4h160rsGQdB7jE9sMfLkcjNepPm5noWLp/s1600/DSC_0651.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMt4oUCkGig3qRpxdgs6ZaLbygw5K0ykPLpTiBlrc4W8j5n5YO9_T5iOCfeZGkjFFo7XDv8Ah986xSNbVLoujWPZ0JHGU_x63g64yI5R-en1a4h160rsGQdB7jE9sMfLkcjNepPm5noWLp/s320/DSC_0651.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555486403388125138" border="0" /></a>I sure hope your family had a wonderful Christmas, we celebrated with a big family gathering, lots of delicious food and much laughter. Watching Claire just enthralled by all the magic of Christmas was the best gift of all.<br /><br />And snow?! Well we certainly got that. Our first storm of the season, and what a storm it was. Our family left late on Christmas day rather then risk getting caught in the blizzard. We were sorry to see everyone head out early but I won't lie and say that spending boxing day in PJs sipping eggnog and eating random leftovers wasn't fun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmN0BudXgkxiCN9RDttqikE2SyyXjPtiLdyJdUAa1uX4pMDj_XPVVGvu0rqnreocd9msE8r6PaHIPP3mU0A1MWpyx913UqRC5g98cNFYfQpr0i1JxIOkRq6FBQ_cMzxgnaMp4MWJV_9IOo/s1600/DSC_0607.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmN0BudXgkxiCN9RDttqikE2SyyXjPtiLdyJdUAa1uX4pMDj_XPVVGvu0rqnreocd9msE8r6PaHIPP3mU0A1MWpyx913UqRC5g98cNFYfQpr0i1JxIOkRq6FBQ_cMzxgnaMp4MWJV_9IOo/s320/DSC_0607.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555486418295774546" border="0" /></a>I'll be so sad to take down our tree and decorations this year. Claire was so excited to help out. If there was a surface that could be covered in ornaments or greenery she was all over it! We spent evenings leading up to Christmas cutting snowflakes out of coffee filters, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpqnM-6LZFN3VgweFRcwF5ZNQmnsRPXkEm3m7T7GRn4JJzThcy3yaJy_vghKPJxH_i8tUm8BupseXB5eZ2w_RfZhrgoXmn3Nwaxq6akGkxTX7hRLaH3-fGdiUPoI4wIOPACmrkxcJ6uhh/s1600/DSC_0635.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpqnM-6LZFN3VgweFRcwF5ZNQmnsRPXkEm3m7T7GRn4JJzThcy3yaJy_vghKPJxH_i8tUm8BupseXB5eZ2w_RfZhrgoXmn3Nwaxq6akGkxTX7hRLaH3-fGdiUPoI4wIOPACmrkxcJ6uhh/s200/DSC_0635.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555488357790276962" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEAzngKy5rV3sG3UVdp80eivm74BE1OqjMmRm9w5HQbQ0cQl55cV2wttgn8GkLIwBTlrglE4DVGBhG2kVZWZxE4VTkqBBRqqJosZf9XNjfXXJpKXgboWTNGmpt4JexuZwcmqelgws98Q5/s1600/DSC_0549.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEAzngKy5rV3sG3UVdp80eivm74BE1OqjMmRm9w5HQbQ0cQl55cV2wttgn8GkLIwBTlrglE4DVGBhG2kVZWZxE4VTkqBBRqqJosZf9XNjfXXJpKXgboWTNGmpt4JexuZwcmqelgws98Q5/s200/DSC_0549.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555488354967359058" border="0" /></a>making evergreen wreaths and garlands and generating huge messes of glue and glitter for our paper punch ornaments. By the way - shatterproof ornaments are a fantastic invention, Claire helped me string them up everywhere! I'll have to post a tour of all our decorations but if you look carefully in the background of these photos you'll catch a glimpse of our handiwork. <br /><br />I have a feeling that tossing the tree this year might be a bit of problem considering Claire is STILL decorating it. To make letting go easier, I'm thinking of having her <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhLL2mQ6eRp_p4nobEW0HNcPvshr7XRkhDck1DmmJ77WRKbHW7idp7UBz1RASZB6A-HT7ngnyUlXmu3aiwh7AYxRPgtL_xgFQXVZRJabsIQY-662kQJYoVm0ytTzNBRNEx8ziAMVAMkEo/s1600/DSC_0624.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhLL2mQ6eRp_p4nobEW0HNcPvshr7XRkhDck1DmmJ77WRKbHW7idp7UBz1RASZB6A-HT7ngnyUlXmu3aiwh7AYxRPgtL_xgFQXVZRJabsIQY-662kQJYoVm0ytTzNBRNEx8ziAMVAMkEo/s320/DSC_0624.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555486410785490450" border="0" /></a>string it with some popcorn and cranberries for our <a href="http://rcherill.blogspot.com/2009/12/peanut-peanut-butter-and-birdseed.html">bird friends</a>. We can watch them feast and enjoy the tree just a little longer without having pine needles underfoot in our living room for another month. Let's hope this works, otherwise there are going to be lots of tears or a tree up in February over here! I'm not sure which is worse!<br /><br />If I'm not blogging before the New Year, let me take the time to wish you and yours a healthy and happy one!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for subscribing! If you're interested in more learning themed activities and tutorials, check out my other blog: www.chalkinmypocket.com</div>Regina @ Chalk In My Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17730252797298535561noreply@blogger.com0