The Toy Box Years: Tot School - A Little of This and That

The Creators of the Toy Box Years

The creators of the Toy Box Years are my two beautiful daughters and wonderful, handsome soldier husband.

"Nani" (our oldest) is a 11 year old 6th grader who loves Taylor Swift, ballet, books, fashion designing and sewing. Ask her what she wants to be when she grows up and it changes daily to anything from "an artist" to "a teacher" to "a singer/dancer". Nani is also currently fighting a battle against brain cancer -- recently diagnosed in June 2016.

"Nudgie" (our youngest) is a very smiley, very happy, very giggly, very spirited 8 year old 3rd Grader who's favorite toys are anything that gives mommy an anxiety attack - ladders, stepstools, the climbing wall at the playground. Like her sister, she has a love of reading and coloring, loves gymnastics and still provides mommy lots of snuggle time!

"My Marine" is my high school sweetheart. We've been married over 20 years and met when we were 17. (You do the math....) His favorite toys are Blackhawk helicopters, the lawnmower, our steam cleaner, and microbrew beer bottles. My husband is also my hero in that he proudly serves his country as a Blackhawk crew chief (hence his favorite toy!). And need I say that there is nothing hotter than my man in uniform!

All About Me......

Once upon a time I had a career and worked in the corporate world. Once upon a time, I dreamed about leaving that all behind to follow my true calling -- being a wife and mommy.

The first part of my calling was fulfilled in 1995 when I married my Marine (now soldier) and my love. Little did I know that being a military wife would change me in so many ways and that because of that, I would have an extended family all over the world from Japan, to California, to North Carolina.

The second part of my calling took a little doing, but I finally achieved that dream in 2004 with the birth of our first child, followed 4 years later by her baby sister.

So now, when someone asks me what I do for a living - I simply smile and say proudly that I'm following my calling - I'm a mommy and a wife -- and I couldn't be HAPPIER -- I'm living in the Toy Box Years!!

(Nudgie is 38 months old) (To see what others are doing at Tot School, click on the "Tot School" above!) **************************************
So, we're getting back into the swing of Tot School. I'm still trying to find the right schedule for us. Last week, it seemed like I ran errands every single day and didn't get much schooling done at all. This week, Mother Nature decided to be generous and grace us with a glimpse of cool, fall weather. So we spent a lot of time outside playing!

I did change out her Tot Trays this week, but we really didn't spend too much time on them -- we preferred being outside! So I'll keep the trays for the upcoming week.

We spent a lot of time outside playing with our number peg boards. I made these out of some scrap wood that I picked up for free at a garage sale. (Full post on this coming soon!)

We moved her little play kitchen outside and she had a blast cooking up a storm in her outdoor kitchen!

On the one day where it did rain, we stayed inside and baked some lemon blueberry tea bread to take to a coffee playdate, read books, colored and watched a little Sesame Street.

During Nudgie's nap time, I pulled out some foam sheets and shape stickers that I had and decided to make some pattern sheets for her to work on after nap time.

My stash

Pattern sheets

Working those fine motor skills by taking off the paper from the stickers

Trying to match mommy's patterns

Mine on the left and Nudgie's on the right

So, overall, it wasn't a really busy week, but we still had fun!! Hope everyone has a great week!

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Linking up with: No Time for Flashcards - Link and Learn

The Not-So-Secret Confessions of a First Time Mom

9 comments:

LeeanneA September 18, 2011 at 7:50 AM: I want to make some of those peg counting boards - I can't wait for your post on making them. Glad you got the wood for free!
Unknown September 19, 2011 at 6:18 AM: Lots of wonderful activities! Thank you for sharing.
Theprincessandthetot September 19, 2011 at 7:30 AM: I love your patterning activity, and your little one did a really great job with it!
Katrina September 19, 2011 at 12:01 PM: We have that very same play kitchen!
Love all your activities...might have to borrow a few of your ideas, as I am always looking for ways to entertain my little ones during homeschooling hours. Thanks for sharing.
I'm a new follower of your blog.
Katrina
They All Call Me Mom
martianne September 19, 2011 at 4:37 PM: Great activities and even better that you moved school outside for much of the week. I do the same often!
Michelle @ Delicate Construction September 19, 2011 at 5:27 PM: Can't wait to see these peg boards!!! Thanks so much for linking up to Made by Little Hands Mondays!
Hope you are having a great Monday!
Michelle
www.delicateconstruction.blogspot.com
Deb Chitwood September 20, 2011 at 1:37 PM: Your number peg boards turned out great - so professional looking! And I love the idea of taking activities outdoors on nice days!!! Thanks so much for linking up with Montessori Monday! I featured your post at the Living Montessori Now Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/LivingMontessoriNow
Unknown September 20, 2011 at 8:38 PM: Your counting boards look amazing! You did a fantastic job. And I also find it hard to stay inside when the weather is gorgeous (and sometimes even when it's not). I love the play kitchen outside, and I am seriously coveting your stash of craft foam. hehe. I found your post through the Sunday Showcase. Thank you for sharing!
Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas September 24, 2011 at 5:44 PM: Those peg boards are GREAtT and your lil princess did such a fab job recreating the patterns!

Thanks so much for sharing & linking to the Sunday Showcase! I hope to see you again this week!

Bern
http://momto2poshlildivas.blogspot.com/search/label/Sunday%20Showcase