Dirt

The other night, just before bed, Molly and I were talking about sand castles and mud pies.  I told her about a dessert that I'd enjoyed as a little girl called "Dirt Pudding", an edible take on making mud pies in a garden.  When she looked up at me with those big green/blue eyes and said, "Momma, can we please make those one day?" my heart melted and I couldn't say no.

The next day we went to the dollar store and grocery store to get our supplies, and Molly, Jack and I happily began our work on the gross-out dessert that they were sure to love.

Important Mudd pudding supplies

An important note: When you're 5-years-old and anxiously awaiting to decorate and eat a dessert, the 15 minutes spent waiting for fast set pudding to set can feel like an eternity, so I served the minions lunch and set the oven timer so we'd be ready to get to work right away.

Molly decorates her "bucket" of dirt pudding with oreo crumbs "dirt" and gummy worms.

Our "bucket" of worms became our instant eat, mucky dessert, whereas our mini mason jars, complete with lids were sealed to enjoy later and happily share with friends.

"Dirt" Dessert on the Go

Look at those sour worms wiggle!

When we finished preparing (and devouring) our dessert, I asked Molly what she wanted to do next, and we decided to play snakes and ladders in the backyard at her and Jack's suggestion.  I would have never thought to take a board game outside, so I'm glad I asked.

There were some competitive tears when someone who shall remain nameless got rather upset about landing on a snake and losing their lead, but they quickly got over it, all while both kids practiced their counting.

Ready, steady, PLAY!

I can't wait to show the kids Apple Peanut Butter "teeth" later on this week.  I may get the hang of these "kids take the lead" lazy summer days, just in time for Labour Day!

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Master of Puppets

I am so thankful that my work schedule has allowed me to work condensed days this summer while the minions attend day camp three days a week.  This has provided me with a bonus of two additional days to enjoy alongside them. I'm pleased that we've remained fairly diligent of spending 20 minutes each day to work on printing letters, tracing shapes, working on our reading and counting skills.

Some of our weekdays together I've really planned out with trips to new parks for playground reviews, exciting crafts, and playdates alongside friends, others I'm slowly letting them guide.  This is particularly challenging for me and my "uber planning" nature, but I'm really trying to embrace it.

Last week in the midst of another heat wave in Toronto (not that I'm complaining, seriously) I didn't want the kids to spend too much time outside.  When I asked Molly what she wanted to do that day she yelled, "PUPPETS!!!" at the top of her lungs.  Huh?  "I want to make puppets and they're going to be amazing!"  So we did.

After our breakfast and printing time we went over to the grocery store in pursuit of paper bags. When we returned home we gathered up all of the art supplies that we felt would make for awesome puppets and got to work while we had a snack.

The beginning of Jack's "Jack in the box" puppet

We made a queen, we made a princess, we made a kitty cat, and we made a Jack in the box and we did it together.  While we happily played with our proud creations I couldn't help but think of the overused parental expressions, "only boring people get bored" and smiled because Molly and Jack are getting so creative.  I also thought of all of the "school related skills" that puppet making works on including building fine motor skills.

Sticker preparation for fine motor skills

As the rain continues to hit this week, or if you need an easy activity on a hot and sweaty afternoon, consider puppets.  Later this week we're going to try our hand at a game of Snakes and Ladders that the kids received for their birthdays.  If only I could figure out a way to make these lazy days of summer last just a little bit longer.

Yes, the Queen's party dress has festive balloons on it.  

To read an article I wrote for another site on games that encourage learning to enhance your child's summer learning click here.


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