C's Favorite Holiday Gifts

This Christmas my little C recieved lots of fun gifts that are also educational!  I think by far one of her favorites is Uno Moo by Mattel.  I am a HUGE believer of children's games to promote learning and social skills.  We have a number of homemade and store bought games and C does a great job playing them (after quite a bit of practice!). 

Uno Moo

I love the reasoning skills that go along with this game.  C loves all the colorful animals.  You can use 2 attributes to match and they added in skunks (draw 2) and farmers (wild).  She caught on fast and we have played it at least a dozen times.

Another gift C recieved this year was the Mobigo by Vtech.  She loves it!  It is a touch screen and also has a keyboard that flips out.  It amazes me how quickly she picks up on the 'computer' type skills needed for this game.  Also, all the games are educational- which is important of course!

I did not recieve either of these products for free or for review purposes.  We just simply love them and wanted to share a mommy's point of view on these popular products :)

Merry Christmas one and all!

I wish you all a very merry Christmas and well wishes for a safe and healthy new year!

I apologize for not getting the 25 Days of Christmas for Wee Ones finished.  I think I was a bit too ambitious!  With the holidays, a two year old and another on the way and preschool~ it got a little hectic :)

Look forward to the start of a new blogging year :)

Day 16: Colorful Noses Movement Activity

Day 16: Colorful Noses Movement Activity

This activity is great for getting your kiddos moving and having fun.  I found this idea in a Mailbox Magazine issue.  If you haven't seen this magazine before- check it out...it is awesome!

First you need a reindeer head pattern and 1 pom pom of each color: red, blue, white, green, yellow, brown and black.

Place a color on his nose and recite the poem:

Rudolph, Rudolph, nose so red, pat your legs and nod your head.
Rudolph, Rudolph, nose so blue, touch you knee and then your shoe.

Rudolph, Rudolph, nose so white, clap your hands with all your might.

Rudolph, Rudolph, nose so green, jump up like a jumping bean.

Rudolph, Rudolph, nose so yellow, wiggle like a funny fellow.

Rudolph, Rudolph, nose so brown, reach up high and then touch the ground.

Rudolph, Rudolph, nose so black, rub your tummy and then touch your back.

Original idea: Teresa Hanak, Linden, MI

Day 15- Handprint Calendars- Part 2

Day 15: Handprint Calendars - Part 2

Sorry this is a day late!  Busy Busy Busy!!!

Well, we have finally finished our Handprint Calendars at preschool...whew.

Here is a look at the finished product:

Here is a close-up of each month...

January- Penguin

February- Heart (use 2 hands)

March- Leprachuan

April- bunny (no thumb)

May- flower

June- fish

July- flag

August- butterfly

September- apple tree

October - ghost

November- turkey

December- Santa

Yes... this project was quite a bit of work.  But, worth it!  Those hands are only little for so long :)



Day 14: Handprint Calendar Gift

Day 14: Handprint Calendar Gift

I have been painting ALOT of hands lately!  We have been working on our Handprint Calendars as gifts.

Not only am I making 4 for my little C to give grandparents and great-grands... I am also making 8 complete handprint calendars with the students in my preschool class as gifts for thier parents.

We are creating desktop handprint calendars.  I will be posting pictures when these little jewels are put together...but here is a little info...

I used the long construction paper and folded it half.  Then folded in two flaps on each end, each flap being 1.5 inches or so.  This is the base of the desktop calendar.  I plan on laminating for durability.  On the left side of the base I will have the calendar in monthly form.  I will attach all 12 in order with brads and the recipent will tear off each month when it is done.  Then, on the right side of the base we will have our handprint for each month.  They will be attached at the top with rings (so that they can be flipped to the back).

Pictures will be added- promise!

Here are the handprints we created for each month:

January: penguin

February: heart

March: Leprechaun

April: bunny

May: flower

June: fish

July: flag

August: butterfly

September: apple tree

October: ghost

November: turkey

December: santa

Check out these sites for inspiration:

Little Giraffes

Cere's Childcare

Katie's Nesting

**You can buy the $1 calendars at Michaels hobby store that are made for kids to create thier own art for each month.  We are doing this for a couple of our handprint calendars. It is great because the calendar is already ready for you!**

Look for 2nd Handprint Calendar Gift Post

Have you entered the 12 Days of Christmas Mini I Spy Bag?

Day 13: The 12 Days of Christmas is on!

Day 13: The 12 Days of Christmas

Today marks the day we are starting our 12 Days of Christmas activities!

Last year my little C wasn't quite old enough to do everything planned, but this year will be different!

Each day we will read a new book, sing a new song and do a new activity.  We will also cut off a chain from our countdown!

Check out the activities included in this 12 Days of Christmas Pack that can be found in the Me & Marie Learning Store.

Today only get 50% OFF the 12 Days of the Christmas Pack and all other holiday packs!

Hop on over to Me & Marie Learning now!



Day 12: Smells of the Season

Day 12: Smells of the Season

I think the smells of the Christmas really help you get in the mood!

Check out this playdough that we made--- it smells amazing!

Peppermint Playdough

1 cup flour

1/2 cup salt

2 tsp cream of tartar

1 cup water

2 tbs vegetable oil

2 tbs peppermint extract

Red food coloring if desired

Gingerbread Playdough

1 cup flour

1/2 cup salt

2 tsp cream of tartar

1 cup water

1 tsp vegetable oil

1 tsp cinnamon (more if you like!)

1/2 tsp allspice

1/2 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp nutmeg

Mix all ingredients.  Cook on stove over medium heat.  Stirring constantly (wooden spoon works best) until a ball of dough forms.  Set playdough out on counter to cool.  Kneed.  Store in airtight container.

Don't want to make it, just want to play with it?

I have some for sale in my Etsy shop for a limited time only.

Something else we are going to make...

Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments

Equal parts of applesauce to equal parts of cinnamon

Mix together

Roll out between 2 pieces of wax paper

Cut with cookie cutters. Put a hole in the top with a straw (for stringing)

Slow bake in oven at 150 for several hours. Don't forget to flip them (watch for edges curling)

Put ribbon through the hole and hang on the tree!

** I think we will try sprinkling iredescent glitter on top before drying!**

Do you have any fun crafts that smell like Christmas?  Please share!

GIVEAWAY: 12 Days of Christmas Mini I Spy Bag- Ends Dec. 15

Day 11- Great Holiday Ideas

Day 11: Great Holiday Ideas

The blogosphere is FULL of some wonderful ideas!  Here are just small fraction of the cute holiday ideas out there.

ABC Christmas Lights- Activity Mom

Quick DIY Christmas Gameboards- Activity Mom

10 Days of Christmas Fun- 1+1+1=1

Christmas printable activities/tot book- 1+1+1=1

Christmas Preschool Learning Pack- Confessions of a Homeschooler

December Sensory Tub & Playdough Tree- Counting Coconuts

Santa Beard Countdown: Oopsey Daisy

Holiday Smelling Sensory Table: Preschool Playbook

Top 10 Christmas Crafts for Kids- Somewhat Simple

I hope you find these links just as great as I did!  These bloggers are some creative women!

GIVEAWAY: Christmas Mini I Spy Bag - ends Dec. 15



Day 10: GIVEAWAY- Christmas Mini I Spy Bag

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.  THE WINNER IS ABI

Day 10: Christmas Mini I Spy Bag GIVEAWAY

I love anything holiday themed and this adorable Mini I Spy Bag calls to me!

Isn't it darling?!?

This is the 12 Days of Christmas Mini I Spy bag, created by Emmie from Emmie's Designs.

Emmie's Designs is an Etsy shop dedicated to lots of handmade creations for little ones.  Not only does she create these adorable Mini I Spy Bags, but also regular sized I Spy Bags, Burpies, Lovie blankets and paci clips.  All sewn using adorable fabrics.

We received the 12 Days of Christmas Mini I Spy Bag in the mail and my little C was instantly interested.  We have a normal sized I Spy Bag, so she knew just what to do.

I love the size of this Mini I Spy bag.  It is perfect for her small hands, she was able to manipulate this size much easier than her larger bag (she is 2 years old).  It is also a wonderful size for carrying in your purse or diaper bag.

My C is really into the signs of the season (reindeer, trees, snowflakes...you know!) so, she had a wonderful time finding the objects in this bag.  There are 18 objects in this mini bag and it comes with a list of objects as well as a picture of the items (perfect for non-readers).

Wouldn't it be great to have a Mini I Spy bag for every season!?!

Here are some ways we will be using this bag:

-As a quiet game in waiting rooms and restaurants

-Vocabulary recognition.  I will describe an object (ex: I see something blue we wear on our hands) and C will find the object (a mitten).

-The above idea can also be used with rhyming: "I see something that rhymes with bee"... a tree!

-In the car (we sometimes get inpatient in the car!)

Wouldn't these make ADORABLE gifts for kids at playgroup, preschool or birthday party favors?

Want to win your own 12 Days of Christmas Mini I Spy Bag from Emmie's Designs?

MANDATORY: Visit Emmie's Designs and look around. Come back and tell me the product you would

love to have.

Additional Entries:

 -Like Emmie's Designs on Facebook


- Follow Me and Marie Learning's Blog


-Grab a 25 Days of Christmas button! Leave me a link to your blog where the button is displayed.


-Tweet about this giveaway and link to http://www.meandmarielearning.blogspot.com/. Leave me a link to your tweet.



**Please leave a separate comment for each- this increases your odds of winning!**


Giveaway ends: December 15th, 2010 @ 11:45pm CST.

One lucky winner will be chosen at random.

Day 9: Christmas Linky Parties!

Day 9: Christmas Linky Parties!

Looking for some great Christmas ideas?

Check out some of these cool linky parties that are dedicated to Christmas!

 

 

 

 

Know of a linky party dedicated to Christmas ideas?

Please leave the 'url' in the comments and I will add it to this post!

ENDING TODAY!!!

Felt Board Story ePattern from Copy Crafts GIVEAWAY-- enter NOW!

Day 8: Christmas Song Printables

Day 8: Christmas Song Printables

I love singing with my little one, I may not be the best singer...but we have fun!

Here are some songs/fingerplays with props for you and your family.

Happy Holidays!

Two Little Candy Canes

Five Little Stockings

Call Rudolph

*please click the link above--note: this file shows up blank in 4Shared but downloads great!*

Have you entered to WIN a FREE felt board set ePattern of your choice from Copy Crafts?

If not... please click here!