Local Library Trip

I love public libraries, mostly because I love books and love saving money by borrowing them free instead of paying for them.  Geekling also loves books (in fact that is something of an understatement!), and of course loves exploring new places and the library had moved and renovated since our last visit so a trip the the local public library was a perfect way to spend some time on a Sunday afternoon.

Their kids area is fabulous, Geekling enjoyed toddling over to the shelves and grabbing a book then toddling back to a nice open spot on the floor to 'read'.  They also had a few old-school bead on a wire toys (as seen behind Geekling, above), lots of kid sized furniture and a station for colouring in.  There was a little kids nook full of pillows but I think Hubby enjoyed flopping in the pillows more than Geekling!

The library also had a couple of toddler-sized computers, which Geekling enjoyed most of all!  They were loaded with some kind of educational software which included information about cats - it was a big hit as Geekling is near-obsessed with cats!

Muffin Tray Meal #3

I do wish I took nicer photos of my Muffing Tin Meals, but the energy efficient lighting in our home in the evenings leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to photography.

Clockwise from top left: Kiwi fruit, home made yoghurt, apricot, mini ravioli in bolognese sauce, egg rolls, spiced sushi rice.

Geekling LOVED this muffin tin meal and best of all, he has learnt to feed himself yoghurt, albeit with a "dip dip" motion rather than loading his spoon properly.

Surrealism for Kids - Qld Gallery of Modern Art

I suspect this activity is a little "old" for Geekling, but it looks like so much fun!  Combining the fun of creating a collage with the imagination and zaniness of surrealism - Make your own Surrealist Art at GoMA!

They've also added a Games for Kids section to the website which may be a fun way for little ones to learn about some famous artists.  Again, beyond Geekling for now and last time I let him near my laptop to play a game on the Fisher Price website, he ripped the Enter key off my keyboard and we can't seem to get it back on!

Speaking of art - We are in the (slow) process of re-designing and re-decorating our living area, and I am on the look out for some key prints to frame for the room, preferably bright and primary-colour heavy to suit the decor.   I would love to hear your suggestions!

Edit:  I think we'll steer away from surrealism pieces in our home for now, as 'Montessori from the Start: The Child at Home, from Birth to Age Three' by Paula Polk Lillard & Lynn Lillard Jessen suggests limiting the fantastical and non-realistic until the child is older and focus on helping the child make sense of the world as it is.  Although by the time Geekline is 6, we may well be ready for another one...

Paint Chip Bead Toy

I came across this gorgeous home made toy (via The Crafty Crow), where the beads have been made from paint chips (the colour matching slips you can pick up from the hardware store).

As a child I was enchanted by paint chips, so this idea really thrilled me.  I'd like to make one for Geekling starting with just 3 or 4 shades each of red, yellow and blue and work up to something like this.  Just gorgeous!

I've also seen other wonderful ideas at Chasing Cheerios - Using paint chips to practice cutting with scissors as the thick white lines separating the shades of colour are a great guide for toddlers, and this home-made peg colour-matching game.

Sponge bath toy

This idea came from one of the blogs I follow, but I can't recall (or find by Google) which one, so here is another link that details the how to as well.

I grabbed three new household sponges and sliced them up.  In hindsight, I would have sliced them up lengthways into thirds as the above link suggests.  I then cable tied them in the centre, which took a few attempts as the bundle was originally too fat.  Voila!  A nice bright spongy bath toy!

I am also thinking of some fabulous messy outdoor painting we could do with these when the weather warms up.

Edit: I found these on another couple of blogs since this post: Here

Paddlepop sticks & a travel mug

This idea came from one of my favourite blogs, Chasing Cheerios and was so cheap!  I pilfered six paddlepop sticks and bought a pack of two travel mugs from Big W for $2.97.

I was amazed that Geekling picked it up immediately and would happily sit on the floor picking up the sticks, inserting them into the travel mug one by one, occasionally knocking the mug over but happily righting it again before continuing.  When complete he would bring me the mug saying "ta, ta, ta" until I would open it, let him grab all the sticks out then put the lid back on and give it back to him to start again.

I'm really impressed with his growing ability to focus and work on a task from beginning to end with little if any assistance.

Muffin Tray Meal #2

A very tardy update featuring another muffin tray meal:

Clockwise from top left: Grapes, banana mini-uffin, peach, sausage and onion, toast and chicken & vegie soup.