Painting for Preschoolers

I’ve seen so many great posts about painting and young children recently that I’ve become obsessed with Seth experiencing some serious painting. We’ve done painting with dry water colors and spotty paint (paint & applicator in one) but we haven’t done what I consider full blown painting. I’ll admit it’s because I’ve been a little scared of it, mostly the mess it’ll make. We make big enough messes around here without adding colorful goo to the mix. However, I couldn’t hold out any longer, my obsession was growing by the day. My parents had cobbled together a fabulous easel for Seth made out of one the neighbors tossed out and my easel from when I was a kid. They drove it across three states to get here. Included with it came new brushes, fabulous spill proof cups and jars of powdered tempera from when I was a kid. Wow! They rock! It also provided a daily reminder and motivator of what I wanted to accomplish.

Unfortunately, after several attempts I’ve given up on the powdered tempera. I just couldn’t get it to mix well. I thought I was finally on to something by using really hot water and a little dish soap. Alas these efforts were in vain. After Seth’s masterpieces dried the paint turned right back into powder at the slightest touch covering the floor in a fine dust. Pooh!

OK, get over it! I broke down and purchased a few bottles of liquid tempera and this last weekend we set to work. Seth had a blast. We tried mixing colors in a plastic bag as he’s been asking a lot of questions lately about what color you get when you mix this and that. Lessons learned: next time we’ll use more paint and a smaller bag. He still got the point and enjoyed it. Of his own accord he brought out a spinning disk his Auntie had given him. He wanted to see the rainbows it makes when the sunlight refracts onto the wall.

Next I let Seth go with the paints. On a tip from his preschool teacher I placed a dollop of each color onto a paper plate for him to use as a palette. I meant to only do 3 colors but he talked me into 6. I’m such a sucker. End result? A beautiful purple “rainbow”.

I can’t wait to do more painting. And by “I”, I mean Seth. I adore the color themed projects on My Kids Art as I would really love to break Seth out of his green obsession. I’ve also already purchased some inexpensive canvases for Seth to give a try as suggested by Jean at The Artful Parent. I’ve picked out a place on the wall for them and everything. He’s also requested finger paints. This is another scary thought that I need to, and will, get over. More ideas from my youth I’m wanting to experiment with: monoprints, salted watercolors, blobs of paint between a folded sheet of paper, blown ink painting, marble roll painting as well as fruit and veggie prints. Any other suggestions?

Beets!

A friend and coworker recently asked me “why do parent’s always have to take pictures of their baby with food all over their face?” Although I’m usually like minded with this individual I knew exactly why. Once you’ve experienced feeding a baby you can’t help but think it’s cute. You try and try to keep it a tidy affair but eventually give in and enjoy the mess that is first foods. Here I give you proof that Eleanor really does like beets. It was purely by accident I discovered beets as a baby food. I was trying for rutabaga but the signs at the grocery store were messed up. Since I really didn’t know what a rutabaga looked like and have never cooked with beets I figured the rutabaga must be like a beet. Boy was I wrong! Chalk it up to another happy accident.

Routine Help

To help Seth understand what’s expected of him and to keep us focused on what needs to be accomplished I created these routine cards. The top row is for getting ready for school and the bottom is for bedtime. With the exception of the sun and the moon each card has a photo depicting a task on one side and a gold star on the other. The sun and the moon cards are simply to identify morning or evening routines. The cards are laminated and held on the wall with magnets on a bar. As each task is completed Seth gets to turn over the card to reveal a gold star. So far it has really helped us create a consistent routine and keep Seth focused. It has also come in very handy with babysitters; no need to write a list, everyone knows what’s expected. After using the system for some time our routine is firm and we’ve been using it less often. However, it still comes in handy with sitters and the hope is one day Seth will be able to complete his stars without any reminders. Here’s the how-to:

Materials:

• Card stock - use a different color for each routine
• Gold paper - I used a sticky back metallic paper
• 8.5 x 11 self laminating sheets
• Inexpensive bar with magnets (like this one)
• Photos of each desired task
• Scissors
• Photo or paper trimmer (optional)

Steps:

1. Determine your desired routine. For our bedtime routine it’s put toys away, go potty, change into pjs, put dirty clothes in hamper, brush teeth. There’s also books and songs once in bed but there’s no need to motivate with those and Seth certainly won’t let us forget. Besides, I don’t want him out of bed to flip the cards over at that point.
2. Take pictures symbolizing each task. It’s best to take pictures of items of significance for your child, they’ll be more likely to buy in to an idea if they feel a connection. However, that’s not to say you couldn’t cut pics out of magazines or if you’re talented, make drawings. For picking up toys I chose a picture of Seth’s toy box but you could also take a shot of your youngster actually picking up. Getting dressed in the morning was also a tricky card. In the end I chose a picture of Seth’s dresser with a drawer ajar rather than showing specific clothes that he will inevitable grow out of. As long as there’s some connection it will work.
3. Cut down the pictures and card stock to desired size. Make sure you’ll have enough room on the magnet bar to fit all cards. Our cards hang off the end a bit, but still works just fine.
4. Cut out stars. I made a drawing of a star on paper board and cut it out. You could easily make the template out of an empty cereal box.
5. If your creating more than one routine consider identifier cards such as the sun and moon cards pictured above.
6. Glue pictures, stars and identifiers to cards.
7. Laminate and cut out. You should be able to get at least 4 cards per pair of laminating sheets
8. Hang on wall and most importantly, use consistently until a firm routine is established.

Enjoy!

Collage Lights

I have the most fabulous friend. She hosts and organizes these pARTies that are phenomenal. In addition to cooking us dinner and cleaning her house she dreams up a project, creates samples and purchases supplies for us to do the project. Understandably, she’s trying to scale back the number of invitees and how often she does this. But I’ve got to say I soooooooo look forward to this event every time. Last Friday we decorated lamps with paper and collage. It was fun to see how, given the exact same supplies, we all came up with such completely different end results. I had so much fun and got so carried away that I was the last one to finish. Above and below are the two lights I created from different angles sans light-bulbs. Go here to see them lit up as well as the other pARTy goer’s creations.

Little Packages

I love getting mail. Not just any mail, mail from people I actually know. The best mail these days is actually addressed to my kids but I love it all the same. There were two pieces in particular in the last week that were extra special. One came from my sister-in-law Diana and her family; a book for Eleanor and a couple activity books for Seth. Included was a Valentine’s card for each of them. It was so sweet. We can never have enough books and Seth can never have enough to keep him busy. He was particularly interested in the coloring book with stickers while I can’t wait for him to try the painting with water book. I had forgotten about those books preprinted with ink dots that bleed when wet.

The second package was from my mother, who is truly amazing. She knitted Seth a new hat, in green stripes of course. For Eleanor she whipped up this adorable blankie using flannel and minky squares with satin trim. So far Eleanor just likes to throw it around, one of her favorite past times. I’m curious to see if she’ll start carrying it around by the little tab handle my mother sewed into one corner. It’s hard to see in this picture but she even signed the bottom corner, a perfect touch.
Boy do I feel loved.

My Favorite Stir-fry

My husband makes a great stir fry. Here’s the recipe he’s developed over the years:

1. Stir fry ½ lb chicken in olive oil until cooked mostly through.
2. Add 2 to 3 cups of chopped veggies; such as a combination of red pepper, green pepper & zucchini. Cook until veggies are soft.
   
3. Add 1/2 cup unsalted, roasted cashew pieces.
4. Pour peanut sauce over. How much is up to you, I like it rather saucy. Our preferred brand is San-J’s Mildly Spicy Thai Peanut Stir-fry & Dipping Sauce.

Veggie version? Substitute one of the following for the chicken:

• Tofu
• Chick peas
• A sturdy vegetable such as broccoli

Serve over good rice.

Fish stick hot dish!

Here you go - the fish stick hot dish recipe as requested:

Mix together:

• 1 small container of sour cream (your call on fat content)
• Mashed potatoes made from flakes with a little less liquid than the box states (I’m guessing here - but make about 4 servings)
• 1 box of frozen spinach, thawed

Spread mixture across bottom of a lasagna pan. Top with fish sticks in a single layer and bake according to fish stick package directions.

Note: The reason you use less liquid in the potatoes is that you get some from the thawed spinach. It would get too runny if you used the regular amount of water.

Suggestion: Why not gourmatize it? (Yes, I realize that’s not a word but you get my drift) Make the mashed potatoes from scratch and top with lightly breaded cod or other white fish. Let me know if you do this, I would be interested in the result.

This recipe has kind of traveled around the family so I’m not sure whom to give credit. Could be a magazine, family member or cookbook. If anyone knows please leave a comment.

Picture Calendar

A preschooler’s concept of time often leaves something to be desired. The joke about the child who asks if we’re there yet every 5 minutes can, in fact, be a toned down truth. I’ve literally had Seth ask the second after I’ve said “not yet” for the 10th time in under a minute. Dealing with this same concept for the question “are we going to grandma’s TODAY?” lead me to develop a picture calendar. As my 3 yr old can’t read yet, this seemed the logical choice. We started with a simple 3 day hand drawn calendar on construction paper. As he became more comfortable with the concept we moved on to a 5 day version:

Sorry about the crappy photo, but when I took this I didn’t know I was going to be blogging about it. At any rate, the calendar really helped on a number of levels. It helped prepare Seth for individual events such as going to see Grandma or going to the doctor and it also helped with more routine things like determining if we’re staying home today or going to school. Many evenings we quickly review the day and note what’s to happen the next day. Most mornings we review yesterday and acknowledge what’s to happen that day.

Pretty soon, it became a little tedious to fully draw out a calendar every few days, not to mention wasteful with the construction paper. So, I’m happy to say, we’ve now moved on to a white board version:

It doesn’t always prevent the tantrum over unexpected or undesired events, but it has definitely reduced them. If you have a pre-reader in your family give this notion a shot. Don’t be shy about your drawing skills, I can guarantee you draw better than the child you’re drawing for. Stick figures and smiley faces are perfectly acceptable. If your child is starting to recognize letters, feel free to stick in a few for symbols as well. In the above example the M & P stand for who’s dropping off and picking up from day care. Here’s a few symbols to get you started:

house = staying home

birthday cake = someone’s birthday

car = road trip

book = library or story time

stethoscope = doctors visit

happy faces or stick figures = people (identify specific people by using distinguishing characteristics, such as long hair or placing the 1st initial of their name above or below)

toys = playing

lots of faces = play group

plate of food = going out to eat

My orchid

I got an orchid! It’s an Oncidium Twinkle and I love it. It is rather unexpected for an orchid. There are tons of tiny reddish pink flowers and is now in my office window. It’s lost a few flowers since arriving at it’s new home. I’m hoping it’s just a mild reaction to the move.

The presentation by Jason Fischer from Orchids Limited at the Longfellow Garden Club last week was very enlightening. He went over the basics, showed beautiful photographs and told intriguing stories. I am now under the impression I can care for an orchid. Only time will tell. If it’s still alive in a year I’ll allow myself to buy another one, maybe a ladies slipper type.

Duluth Memories

We’re home now. Here are a few of the myriad of things that made me smile on our recent trip to Duluth.

1. Little conversations with my sis about nothing in particular
2. Skiing with Seth
3. Ellie’s fake fireplace that crackles and flickers
   
4. Fish stick hot dish (How Minnesotan! Of course, the recipe came from our dad in Illinois, but that just adds to the charm)
5. Being greeted by valentine sweets as well as homemade lotion and a card
   
6. Ellie misunderstanding me over the cell while she was out on the slopes. I said I spilled tea on my pants and the rug. She heard and told Steve I peed my pants and got some on the rug! This explains why she responded with something like well, good for you for fessing up. I really must work on my annunciation.
7. Being able to present Ellie with this hostess gift commemorating our last visit back in November. It’s a collage I made by affixing photos to a canvas with gel mat medium. It’s a nice deep frame and I wrapped the photos along the edges to take advantage of this feature. I had taken the photos during an afternoon visit to Park Point beach and printed them on off white recycled paper. Brushing the medium on made the photos bleed causing more of a water color look. This was not intentional, but quite a happy accident. After that dried I attached ephemera I had picked up while walking down the beach: stones, sand, grass seed. The add-ons are hard to see in this pic. Suffice it to say, not all of that sand is in the photo. Want to make one of your own? Check out Painted Fish Studios tutorial. That’s who got me going on this one.