Growing Kids God's Way: The Father's Mandate

We just finished week 4 of our class which focused on the father's mandate.  These are also beneficial for the mother to follow, but since the father is the head of the home and the spiritual leader, he is the one to set the example for the family.

Dr. Ezzo set forth 8 mandates that were critical for fathers.  I am only going to highlight a few.

First of all, the main goal is for the children to learn to trust their parents.  The way you do this is by spending quality and quantity of time.  This is not a checklist to mark off, but a building of relationship.

Second, the fathers must be the encouragers of the family.  "Go team Knowlton!"  Come up with a family verse and say to your kids during times of training in values, "We are the Knowlton's (your last name) and this is what we do and this is why we do it."

And one of the most important lessons is for fathers to guard their tone and their tongue with their children.

These are just a few ways to for your children to gain trust in you as little ones so as they grow older, they hopefully will be comfortable with you to share those deep things!

There were several others, but you'll just have to read the material for yourself to get the whole picture, or find a class in your area.

Next week: Your Child's Conscience

Toddler Talk Thursday: Discipline

This week is about Discipline! Well, there are so many different ways to discipline a toddler, but they are not yet old enough (ages 3 and up) to understand the reasoning behind why you want them to not do something. My son is 22 months and he has started throwing things when he's happy and when's he's mad. We tell him if he throws his toys we take them away and if he continues, we put him in a 1 minute time out. As far as anything else, we take it as it comes. I have read a book recently that was highly helpful and I even wrote a series of POSTS about each chapter for Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood: Practical Parenting from Birth to Six Years.  Right now we are taking a class called Growing Kids God's Way which is teaching us the foundational principles for training.  I am currently writing a weekly post of what I am learning.  It is not too young to teach your child with discipline.

We started by setting boundaries and being positive.  We used words like "hands off" instead of "don't touch."  We set the standard and expect our child to follow that standard.  Boundaries help a child feel secure.  I know that from many years of teaching Kindergarten.

I'm looking forward to reading what others of you are doing regarding discipline.  :)

Handmade Fun 4 Children: Isabella's Upcycled Treasures Review and Giveaway

Handmade Fun 4 Children:

Isabella's Upcycled Treasures!!

I was privileged to review a set of Izzy's crayons for this event.  I chose for my  21 month old son a tractor and truck set.  My son is enthralled with these vehicles, but he is hesitant to use crayons.  After I introduced these unique crayons to Shrade he started to color with them on the paper.  He was very careful with them and examined them thoroughly before using them.  I really liked the thickness and sturdiness of these crayons and the colors are very bright and snazzy!  Shrade and I really enjoyed using these crayons and I see many hours of fun ahead, but what I liked most is Izzy's concept of re-using things that served another purpose.  Her products are delightful and would be great party favors.  All of her crayon sets are one of a kind and all the colors are equally different.

You can even "drive" the crayons on the paper!

Let's get to know Izzy a little bit: 

*Where did you come up with the name of your shop?

I already had another business name as Isabella's Gypsy Treasures, so I just changed the Gypsy to "Upcycled" to go with what I was selling.

*How long have you been making crafts?

Since I was five! My mom was a crafter, and we always had our own artwork at her shows, and it was kinda like an 'allowance' for us. My sisters and I would make necklaces, and little trinkets and try to sell them. Then when we were in high school we got a little more serious about the things we made, and it has evolved from there.

*What do you like best about what you do?

I love knowing that I am saving something from ending up in the landfil! I figure one crayon at a time, I will help change the earth. I try to be as environmentally conscious as I can when making my products, and re-use EVERYTHING that I possibly can. I will never sell an inferior product, but I want to prevent as much as possible from going to the landfill.

*What is unique about your shop?

I think every shop is unique. Everyone has a different take on what they do. I'm not sure what puts me out from the rest. I just like to think that everyone has a little something different to offer.

Thanks, Izzy!

Buy it: Visit Isabella's Upcycled Treasures and see all her creative ways she re-uses items to make fun and creative "treasures" for your kids.

Win it: Izzy is offering one set of crayons from her shop for the winner.  Open to US.   Giveaway ends on Friday, October 8.

To enter:Be sure to click on all the links before filling out the entry form.

1. Mandatory: Be a follower on my blog (2 entries)

2. Visit Isabella's Ucycled Treasures and tell me which set of crayons you would like to win. (Required)

3. Put my Milk N' Honey Learn and Grow button on your blog and provide the link. 

4. Put Handmade Fun 4 Children button on your blog and provide link (button must be on blog until giveaway ends)

5. Subscribe to my blog by email (top right corner)

6."Like" Milk N' Honey Learn and Grow on Facebook (link on my blog). 

7. Follow on Networked Blogs (link on my blog) 

8. Follow me on twitter (@shondaet)

9. Post about this giveaway on another site (your blog, facebook, twitter, etc) (1 entry for every site) 

10. Vote for me for Top Mommy Blogs (link on my blog)

11. Add Isabella's Upcycled Treasures as a favorite on Etsy.

12. Make a purchase at Isabella's Upcycled Treasures.

13. Tell me one thing you learned about Izzy.

Entry for Isabella's Upcycled Treasures

Click HERE for extra entries if you entered more than one giveaway this week.

Handmade Fun 4 Children: Sweet Melly Jane Review and Giveaway

Handmade Fun 4 Children presents:

Sweet Melly Jane

I felt so honored that Melanie from Sweet Melly Jane is a part of this event!  Melanie's shop is such a dream for a young child.  The finger puppets are a huge draw and it was no exception for my little son.  I chose to a bee, a ladybug and a raccoon.

Shrade was completely enthralled with these cute little finger puppets.  He really liked the bee partly because I sing a little song with it that points out different body parts.  He says "bug" for ladybug and "coon" for raccoon.  He seems to have at least one of these puppets on his finger during the day.

What I really liked about these finger puppets is the attention to detail that Melanie puts into her products.  Kids of all ages will have so much fun pretending and play acting with these adorable little puppets.  She has a large selection including zoo animals, barn animals, sea pals, forest and prairie animals and bugs.

Let's get to know Melanie a little bit:

*Where did you come up with the name of your shop?

My name is Melanie, and my husband calls me "Melly Jane," which is where I got the name for my shop.

*How long have you been making your products?

I have been making my products for just over eight years. I finally decided to open an Etsy shop last December.

*What do you like best about what you do?

I love that I can work from home with my kids around me. I hope they are learning that each of us has been given talents that can bless the lives of others.

*What is unique about your shop?

Even though it isn't incredibly cohesive, I love the variety available in my shop.

Buy it: Visit Sweet Melly Jane and check out her wonderful selection of finger puppets as well as other handcrafted items such as kitchen drawer items and newborn items for boys and girls.

Win it: Melanie is offering 3 animal finger puppets from her shop for the winner.  Open to US.   Giveaway ends on Friday, October 8.

To enter:Be sure to click on all the links before filling out the entry form.

1. Mandatory: Be a follower on my blog (2 entries)

2. Visit Sweet Melly Jane and tell me one animal finger puppet that you would like to win. (Required)

3. Put my Milk N' Honey Learn and Grow button on your blog and provide the link. 

4. Put Handmade Fun 4 Children button on your blog and provide link (button must be on blog until giveaway ends)

5. Subscribe to my blog by email (top right corner)

6."Like" Milk N' Honey Learn and Grow on Facebook (link on my blog). 

7. Follow on Networked Blogs (link on my blog) 

8. Follow me on twitter (@shondaet)

9. Post about this giveaway on another site (your blog, facebook, twitter, etc) (1 entry for every site) 

10. Vote for me for Top Mommy Blogs (link on my blog)

11. Add Sweet Melly Jane as a favorite on Etsy.

12. Make a purchase at Sweet Melly Jane.

13. Tell me one thing you learned about Melanie. 

Entry for Sweet Melly Jane

Click HERE for extra entries if you entered more than one giveaway this week.

Handmade Fun 4 Children: Abi's Stitchery Review and Giveaway

Handmade Fun 4 Children presents...Abi's Stitchery!!

I was so privileged to review for Abi's Stitchery from Etsy.  What I found really special about Abi's store is that she has only 1 item for sale, but she can use many different ways to create a unique product just for you!  What in the world can this be?  Well, it's a Name Book.  Yes!  How would you like to have your child's name made in a very fun and interactive book that is only just for them?  What Abi does is takes the letters of your special child's name and sews a letter on one side of the page and on the opposite page has an object with a quiet activity which begins with the letter.  Also on the front of the book is the child's whole name with lots of cute stitching that is very eye catching and kid friendly.  What a wonderful way for your child not only to learn their name, but also to learn letters, sounds, objects and fine motor skills.  

We received just such a book with only 2 letters of Shrade's name, his initials, for our review.  Shrade was so excited to see his name, and the letters are so big that are easy to identify and trace with his fingers.  We also loved the soft sheep and the flying kite that went with the letter S and K.  This book is a real treasure because it is only just for Shrade.

Let's get to know Abi a little bit:

*Where did you come up with the name of your shop? 

The name of my shop is totally unoriginal. I needed something fast and easy, so Abi's Stitchery was born.

*How long have you been making crafts? 

I've been crafting, seriously, since the third grade. My mother (bless her heart) had all seven of us sisters enrolled in 4-H. I entered items into the fair all through school until I graduated. I began doing projects with more serious intent halfway through high school and began getting paid for different things that I made. Since then it's just been a hobby, something I do whenever I get the chance, and luckily get paid to do.

*What do you like best about what you do? 

My favorite thing...Well, sewing! I truly love the feel of the fabrics, putting a piece together and seeing the final work, making beautiful things to give to people, making people smile with the fun stuff I make. Really, it is all about the smiles. I love making people smile.

*What is unique about your shop? 

My shop is unique because (and look it up if you want) I'm the only one who makes these books. They are very individualized, specific to you. Not many things on Etsy are like that. I make one of a kind things. Even my costumes are ones that I've seen a picture and so I create something close in style, but also completely unique. You'll never see products the same as mine.

Thanks for sharing, Abi!!

*This product was provided to me free of charge for purpose of this review. This is my honest opinion of this product and no monetary compensation was received for my opinion.*

Here's the fun part:

Buy it: Visit Abi's Stitchery and read her wonderful story of the Name Books that her mother made for her and her sisters when she was growing up.  You can also see some of the different letters and objects she has made.  Truly amazing!  Her price is $8 per letter and she will make a special book just for your child!

Win it: Abi has offered to make 1 letter for the giveaway.  You must provide the name of the recipient in the entry form.  Open to US. Giveaway ends on Friday, October 8.

To enter:Be sure to click on all the links before filling out the entry form.

1. Mandatory: Be a follower on my blog (2 entries)

2. Give the name of the child who would receive this prize if you won. (Confidential- will not be shared with anyone, but Abi who will need it to make the book) (Required)

3. Put my Milk N' Honey Learn and Grow button on your blog and provide the link. 

4. Put Handmade Fun 4 Children button on your blog and provide link (button must be on blog until giveaway ends)

5. Subscribe to my blog by email (top right corner)

6."Like" Milk N' Honey Learn and Grow on Facebook (link on my blog). 

7. Follow on Networked Blogs (link on my blog) 

8. Follow me on twitter (@shondaet)

9. Post about this giveaway on another site (your blog, facebook, twitter, etc) (1 entry for every site) 

10. Vote for me for Top Mommy Blogs (link on my blog)

11. Add  Abi's Stitchery as a favorite on Etsy.

12. Make a purchase at Abi's Stitchery.

13. Tell me one thing you learned about Abi.

Entry for Abi's Stitchery Name Book (1 letter)

 

Click HERE for extra entries if you entered more than one giveaway this week.

Handmade Fun 4 Children: Rising Moon Adventures Review and Giveaway!!

It's Handmade Fun 4 Children Week!

Welcome to Rising Moon Adventures!

Shrade and I had the fun privilege to review a great flannel board story made by Olea at Rising Moon Adventures.  We chose the story of The Billy Goats Gruff.   When I was growing up, my mom always read this story to me and I loved how she made the troll roar, "Who's that trip-trapping over my bridge?"  I thought it would be fun to introduce my son to the great adventure of a fairy tale with this story.  So we sat down and I told the story of  The Billy Goats Gruff using the flannel story characters created by Olea.  I love Olea's creativity and the selection of flannel stories in her shop.  This was a lot of fun for me and Shrade and I can' wait for many more hours of play and acting with these story characters.

 Here is the description of The Billy Goats Gruff Flannel Board story from Rising Moon Adventures:

This 6 piece "printed" flannel board story made using my own original pictures is the story of Three Billy Goats Gruff.  Toddlers and Preschoolers love to hear stories and look at colorful pictures. These stories are also a very good way for new readers to learn the skill of reading and retelling. My eight year old and her friends love these stories! Set Includes: Big brother, medium brother, baby brother, troll, bridge, and grassy hill (Hill measures 2 ¾ x 7 ½). Also included is a laminated copy of the story. Comes printed on felt and uncut. If you would like to purchase it pre-cut there will be an additional charge of $2.00. This story can also be purchased as an uncut magnetic story for $13.00. 

Let's get to know Olea a little bit:

*Where did you come up with the name of your shop? The name of my business came from the fact that my name means moon and I think any kind of reading is an adventure. I created my business first to share the adventure of reading with my children and started to market them in order to help parents and teachers share the adventure with their own kids.

*How long have you been making your products? I drew my first flannel board stories about 7 years ago. It took a couple years to discover the technology that would make it possible to market to a larger group.

*What do you like best about what you do? I love sharing the excitement of reading with children and making it easier for parents and teachers to do that.

*What is unique about your shop? My shop is unique because I hand draw all my pictures before coloring them on the computer and printing them onto transfer paper to apply to the felt.

*Do you have a blog?  Yes, you can visit my blog at Rising Moon Adventures.

Thanks, Olea!

*This product was provided to me free of charge for purpose of this review. This is my honest opinion of this product and no monetary compensation was received for my opinion.*

Here's the fun part:

Buy it: Visit Rising Moon Adventures and get your own flannel story set.  Olea has many to choose from including fairy tales, songs, rhymes and religious stories.  They are very affordable and there are MANY choices!

Win it: Olea is letting you choose any $10 flannel story for your very own!  Open to the US/CAN.   Giveaway ends on Friday, October 8.

To enter:Be sure to click on all the links before filling out the entry form.

1. Mandatory: Be a follower on my blog (2 entries)

2. Visit Rising Moon Adventures and tell me which story you would like to win. (Required)

3. Put my Milk N' Honey Learn and Grow button on your blog and provide the link. 

4. Put Handmade Fun 4 Children button on your blog and provide link (button must be on blog until giveaway ends)

5. Subscribe to my blog by email (top right corner)

6."Like" Milk N' Honey Learn and Grow on Facebook (link on my blog). 

7. Follow on Networked Blogs (link on my blog) 

8. Follow me on twitter (@shondaet)

9. Post about this giveaway on another site (your blog, facebook, twitter, etc) (1 entry for every site) 

10. Vote for me for Top Mommy Blogs (link on my blog)

11. Follow Olea on her Rising Moon Adventures blog.

12. Add Rising Moon Adventures as a favorite on Etsy.

13. Make a purchase at Rising Moon Adventures.

14. Tell me one thing you learned about Olea.

Entry for Rising Moon Adventures

Click HERE for extra entries if you entered more than one giveaway this week.

Growing Kids God's Way: Touchpoints of Love

I have really been enjoying our Growing Kids God's Way class.  I hope that you are getting a few tidbits of wisdom as I present this series for the next several months.

This last week we learned about Touchpoints of Love which are actually called Love Languages.  Gary Chapman wrote a wonderful book called The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts.  There is also a children's version: The Five Love Languages of Children.  These books are worth reading.

The key point in this lesson is: Everyday we choose to love and everyday we choose not to love.

The 5 Touchpoints of Love are:
1. Encouraging Words
2. Acts of Service
3. Gift giving
4. Quality Time
5. Physical touch and closeness

You can take a little test to see what your primary touchpoint of love is and your child can do the same.  This is so crucial to know the best way that your child feels loved.  I know that in my marriage, that I love my husband best when I love him in the way that touches his heart.

Next week: The Father's Mandate

Toddler Talk Thursday: Art

Well, art is not one of my strong points.  You would think after being a Kindergarten teacher for 12 years I would come to love art, but I actually avoided a lot of messiness.  However, since I'm going to be homeschooling my son, I know I'm going to have to get messy somewhere along the line.  So far my son is a lot like me, he hates having dirty hands.  So, who knows how much we'll get into.

Here are some of the art things that we have done:

Painting with ivory soap mixture

Playdough- Eco-dough

Coloring

Mama did all of the artwork- working on vocabulary!

Chalk Drawing

There are many more ideas that I will be trying in the coming year, but I'm just starting to get my feet wet!  I can't wait to read your ideas!

I'm hooked up to Toddler Talk Thursdays.

Handmade Fun 4 Children Review/Giveaway Event coming Sep 27- Oct 1!!!!

I am SO excited for my Handmade Fun 4 Children Event coming September 27- October 1!

Here are my sponsors:

*Rising Moon Adventures

*Jenny's Quiet Creations

*Abi's Stitchery

*Isabella's Upcycled Treasures

*Sweet Melly Jane

To be ready for this great giveaway week and increase your chances of winning, please be sure to do the following:

*Be a follower on my blog

*Subscribe to my blog by email (link on blog)

*"Like" Milk N' Honey on Facebook (link on blog)

*Follow on Networked Blogs (link on blog)

*Follow me on Twitter @shondaet
*Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs (link my blog- brown button)

*Put my Milk N' Honey button on your blog (link on blog)

*Put the Handmade Fun 4 Children button on your blog and must remain during the entire time of the event (link on blog)

I am looking forward to a fabulous week of FUN!!

My button was made by Nicole Elliot from Artistical Albums by Nicole.  

She also has a blog:  Ramblings by Nicole.

PS. Her pricing was so reasonable and my button is beautiful! 

Free and Fun Friday: The Swing

I frequently take Shrade to the park and everytime he goes on the swing I recite a poem that my mom used to say to me.  It's so fun to say and I've memorized it and I want my son to memorize it soon.  It even has a rhythm just like swinging.

The Swing

by Robert Louis Stevenson

How do you like to go up in a swing,              Up in the air so blue? Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing              Ever a child can do! Up in the air and over the wall,              Till I can see so wide, River and trees and cattle and all              Over the countryside-- Till I look down on the garden green,               Down on the roof so brown-- Up in the air I go flying again,               Up in the air and down!

Growing Kids God's Way: Right Beginnings

  Last week I shared with you about How to Raise a Moral Child.  This week we learned about Right Beginnings.

What was the very first human relationship in the Bible?  That's right, the husband-wife relationship.  That is the first priority relationship in the family.  When you add children, you extend the family.  So how do you maintain the marriage as you become parents?  One concept is to develop "couch time."  This is about 15 minutes every week night after dad/mom come home from work where the couple sits on the couch or somewhere in the main family area and has some connection time.  The children are allowed to be in the vicinity, but may not participate in the discussion.  This concept is highly crucial for your kids to know the mom and dad love each other and spend time together IN FRONT of the children.

So, practice some "couch time" in your home and tell me how it goes.  Our son was not too happy not to be the center of attention, but I know that as we keep doing this he will learn to respect our boundaries and see that the marriage is most important.

Hope you enjoy this series and it whets your appetite!  Next week: Touchpoints of Love.  Blessings, Shonda

What's on Our Bookshelf? Ten Red Apples

Oh, my goodness, this book is TOO cute!  This month we are focusing on apples as part of our "curriculum."  I blindly picked this up at the library since it had apples in it and it looks like it had some counting.  Oh, but there is so much more!  First of all, the author is Pat Hutchins who also authored Rosie'S Walk.  This had to be an all time favorite for me as a teacher. 

Well, Ten Red Apples is equally enjoyable and very educational.  There is a farmer who is so proud of his apple tree that has ten red apples.  He says, "Yippee, fiddle-dee-fee.  Along come different animals on the farm and pluck an apple from the tree.  Each time we learn the name of an animal, how it chews and what sound it makes.  The farmer is distraught and yells after each one, "Save some for me!"  We also learn about counting and subtraction.  At the end, the farmer's wife is sad because there are no apples left for her to make a pie until the farmer discovers another apple tree!

The story is cute with lots of repetition and the illustrations are simple and colorful.  My 21 month old son loves this book and we are using it to count apples, learn about animals on the farm, and practicing new vocabulary.  I would recommend this book from ages 2-6.  Enjoy!

What's Cooking? Kid's Cooking Activities (FREE ebooks)

I just found a GREAT website for Kid's Cooking Activities.  Naturally, I signed up for the newsletter and I received several FREE ebooks: 101 snacks, Cooking With the Alphabet, Kid's Holiday Cooking and a 2010 calendar with a recipe each month.  Wow, I'm so excited to get my hands on these super resources.  Sign up today and enjoy these too.

Blessings, Shonda

Back to School Link Up Party at ABC and 123!

Hi, my name is Shonda and my son is 21 months old.  You wonder why I'm writing a "Back to School" post.  Well, I was a former Kindergarten teacher and I have been reading and playing with my son for 21 months, but I hope to homeschool someday and I want to get back into a little planning and have a little structure for me and Shrade.  I have a ton of ideas and I will use bits and parts.  Mostly I just want to experience life and learning with my little guy.

Here are the resources I will be using to plan my year:

*Totally Tots
*Tot School

*Delicious Ambiguity- Toddler busy bags

*No Time for Flashcards
*The Activity Mom
*Learn Your Letters, Learn to Serve
*Songs for Saplings- Scripture memory
*Activities by Angie- an ebook that I reviewed earlier this year
*Mozi-Esme blog
*I can teach my child
*Silly Eagle Books- crafts

*Nancy Stewart- Music

*Pamm's House
*Brightly Beaming Resources
*TV Free Toddler Time

So for September, this is my plan: Focus- Letter A
-Bible Verse: "Keep me as the apple of your eye." Psalm 17:8 (Songs for Saplings)
-Learn Your Letters, Learn to Serve
Letter A song, make Apple Bread (recipe in book)
-TV Free Toddler Time activities- Food Sorting, Soda Bottle Bowling Time
-Mozi-Esme blog art ideas: Apple prints and egg carton ants
-Book Activity- Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? My First Reader (felt story- colors, animals)
-Math- counting 1,2,3- stairs, toys, snacks, etc.
-Manners/Chores- take plates back to sink, put things in garbage, practice drinking from a cup, put on clothes, clean up toys, say please and thank you, give mama 5-15 min quiet time while playing in same room, give mama and daddy "couch time"

Growing Kids God's Way: How to Raise a Moral Child

I am SO excited to be sharing this fabulous parenting class that my husband and I are taking right now with you this Fall.  I took Growing Kids God's Way when I was a first year teacher and I still remember some of the principles.  Now that I am a parent, I am even more eager to learn how to be a godly parent and lead my child to Him.  We are taking this class at our church for 18 weeks so I will be sharing bits and pieces that we learn each week.  If this information peaks your interest, then I encourage you to find a class in your area and take it as soon as you can.  The world that we are raising our children in is ugly and the only choice we have is to lead our children in God's Way!

Session One: How to Raise a Moral Child
*Deuteronomy 6: 4-7- moral training starts with the PARENTS!!
*beginning at age 3 teach the moral "why", not only do children need to know how to things right, they need to know why
*Train in periods of non-conflict
*put the moral principles in the heart

This is just a basic view of what we are studying, but I hope it gives you something to chew on. Next week: Right Beginnings. Blessings, Shonda

Toddler Talk Thursday: Travel

Every year we take a trip to Minnesota to visit relatives.  There is a 3 hour plane ride and a 5 hour car drive.  It makes for a very long day.  This year my son was 20 months.  At this age, he moves constantly and I was trying to figure out how I could entertain him during these travel times.  One major quirk about my little guy is that he does not sleep on trips.  I think on the way over this time he probably slept a half hour in the plane and maybe 45 min in the car.  That's it!  The rest of the time, it's busy.

So I asked around and I came up with some ideas.  First, I gathered lots of different and NEW toys that he had never seen before.  I also brought a lot of books and snacks.  Suffice to say, the only thing that really helped my son during travel times was SNACKS and singing!  Needless to say, I was exhausted.  None of the toys interested him and it seemed that they mostly frustrated him.  I brought flannel board stories, pipe cleaners and a quiet book.  The quiet book was probably the best bet.  I found that on Etsy.

However, with normal everyday travel in the car around town and short trips, my son is content with snacks, water, a stuffed animal and books.

We go on this trip every year, so I'm going to begin now to research what would be best for a 2.5 year old.  Any ideas?  Send them my way!

I'm linked up to Toddler Talk Thursday.

Learning Activity (Guest Post) - DIY: Clipping Toy Road Trip Sanity

This buckle, clipping toy kept my toddler (17m) entertained for hours! I was inspired to make this one morning at the park, when all the other kids were playing with the slides and the swings and the two toddlers at the park were hunched in deep concentration over a stroller, buckling and unbuckling the straps.  This is a great addition to our activity bag, especially as we were anticipating a long cross-country road trip.   I am so thankful we made this, this and the “I Spy Shaking Bottle” were two of the toys that held my daughter’s attention!

What you’ll need to create your own buckle clipping toy:

• Plastic Buckles (I found mine for a few bucks off ebay)
• Various ribbon scraps
• Two pieces of fabric – we used canvas as it was sturdy
• Other fun items (we added a pacifier, a bell, a key-chain, a zipper. I can also see this being a hit with various sizes and textures of Velcro).
• Sewing machine and thread.

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How to make this toddler learning toy:

First, I threaded the buckles through the ribbon and affixed them to the right side of the fabric, or the side I wanted to be visible.   Then, I pinned the other piece of canvas (pretty side in) and sewed along the edge, leaving one side open, like a pillowcase.  We clipped the corners and turned the “pillowcase” inside out.  Now the buckles, which had been pinned on the inside of the two pieces of canvas, are on the outside.  I reinforced the seams with another straight stitch along the outside, added a zipper and viola!  I love homemade toys.  Our toddler has had hours of fun clipping and unclipping these buckles!
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Want to see another version?  Miss M from Splendidly Imperfect created her own clipping toy.  She added a snap, and some blocks to hers!  It looks great!  Here’s the photo she sent our way.  Check out her blog for other crafty ideas.

This Guest Post is from Quirky Momma.  There are so many fun and great activities posted at Quirky Momma.  Please stop by and check out this awesome resource.  Thank you, Quirky Momma for allowing Milk N' Honey Learn and Grow to borrow your learning activity.

What's on Our Bookshelf? (Guest Post) Grandma Drove the Garbage Truck

We read a number of books about the Fourth of July this week. Grandma Drove the Garbage Truck by Katie Clark was our favorite by far. Grandma usually runs the office and her sons drive the truck and collect the garbage. One July 4th all three of her sons are sick and it is up to Grandma and her grandson Billy to collect the garbage before the parade. There is a problem. Grandma can barely see over the steering wheel of the truck and she doesn't drive well. She gets her mailbox, one neighbor's roses, and another neighbor's clothes line wrapped around her truck in her attempt to collect garbage. She also ends up at the front of the parade with a ribbon for Most Creative Float. JDaniel thought this book was really funny.

I decided to make JDaniel a garbage truck and have him decorate it. He had a blast.

I drew the garbage truck on cardboard.

JDaniel painted it with Bingo markers.

He added stickers to decorate his truck.

This was contributed by JDaniel4's Mom who has a wonderful blog of many fun learning activities and giveaways too! Thank you!!