What I Can Make with Shapes.

I cut out shapes, had the boys identify the shapes, and then told them to make a picture using their shapes.  Jackson quickly figured it out....

 Garrett was caught cheating off of his brother....

Well, I THOUGHT he was cheating, but maybe he was trying to figure out how to steal the glue stick from Jackson, because Garrett's picture didn't reflect that he was cheating....

I really don't know what his picture was, but he kept saying "You like that Mommy?"  I would reply, "Yes, I do like that Garrett!" and he would say "Ohhhhhhh!  Thank You!"

 

Jackson made us laugh the other night.  We have had an alarm system, but it hasn't been monitored, so we had the alarm company come out the other night to get us set up to be monitored.  The alarm guy put the "this house is armed" sign in our flower bed and as Aaron and I are standing in the driveway talking to the guy as he was leaving, we hear Jackson counting.  We look down and see that Jackson is counting the sides on the sign and then yells, "It's a hexagon!"  Aaron looked at me with this face that meant "What the heck?  Is it a hexagon?!"  I'll be honest, I had to think about it for a second.  It was actually an octagon, but I was pretty happy with hexagon from my 3 year old.

Building a Bird House.

Aaron has been telling me for awhile now that he wanted to get the boys this little tool kit sold at Lowe's.  There are different kits you can buy to build things with your tools, such as a bird house, a bug house, a tool box, etc.  

 

Aaron has told me about this tool set and the different kits several times, but I just never got too motivated to actually buy one because I feel like the boys have enough tools.  The tools they already have aren't real tools, but they are perfectly fine for them!

However, I know that wasn't the important part.  The important part was that it could be a good father/son project and a good bonding activity for them.  

So, one day when the four of us were home with nothing going on, we headed to Lowe's (like we always do...) and bought a tool set and a kit to make a bird house.  

The bird house said 8+, but that is just the recommended age.....right!? 

8+ to complete independently, but any age to complete it with an adult....

When they first began their bird house, everyone was involved -

Jackson was really involved....Safety first!  :)

But after realizing that this screw driver was harder to use than his toy screw driver, he was more interested with the tape measure than the bird house.

Garrett was still trying....

While Aaron was helping....

But it quickly became, Daddy's project.

Perhaps there really is more meaning to 8+....

Aaron made a birdhouse with a little bit of assistance, but they made memories together and that is what really matters!

Let’s Cut Paper!

Jackson got this little workbook from my parents for Christmas, but since we moved shortly after Christmas, some of their Christmas gifts were packed up in storage.  I came across this book the other day and knew Jackson would love it.  It is called Let’s Cut Paper!   

This is from the Kumon First Step Workbook series.  He also has My Book of Easy Mazes and My Book of Coloring.  I think after I write this blog I may order several more.  He really loves them!
This particular books helps him learn to use scissors and helps with fine motor skills.  Not only does he cut the paper, but he has to fold the paper in certain spots. 
It starts with simple things, like cutting whiskers -

Then cutting out mixed up puzzles and putting them together - (I let him glue his final product to paper)

 

A boat and a (sideways) rocket ship -

  

We have been doing a few each day. 

Of course, why would he want to sit in a chair like a normal person?!?!

                   

This one he had to cut out the corners, then fold up the sides to make a fence for the sheep.

      

Pause for some sweet pictures….

   

He is all about posing for pictures right now, can you tell? 

           

I love that sweet boy…

 

Jackson’s Drawing.

Look at Jackson’s little drawing of me!  I think it is just the best thing ever! 

I love watching the drawing development of kids.  It is neat to see what stage they are at and I find it interesting that all children tend to do the same thing as they are developing. (ex. arms coming off of face, large eyes take up most of the face, etc.) 

Here are two websites I found about the development of drawing that I found interesting if you care to see:  Drawing Development in Children and Cognitive Development in School Context • Children's Drawing

Garrett's Paper Plate Turtle.

Alphabet Books.

I decided to have the boys make their own alphabet book.  (Inspired by No Time for Flashcards)
A few days of the week, I pick the next letter of the alphabet to have them make.  When it comes to writing letters, I know there is a certain order kids should learn letters based off the form/shape of letter, etc.  However, my theory for identifying each letter is that since both boys know how to sing the ABC song, I thought if we started from the beginning with A, then they could sing their way through their book to help them identify the letter.  After going through the book enough times, they would eventually recognize and memorize each letter.

A is for Alligator 

(Jackson was finished by the time I remembered to get out my camera)

B is for Bee

While we were waiting for the {large amounts} of glue to dry, the boys searched for slugs to pour salt on....  

{I sometimes think I should have a "Mother of Boys" stamped on my forehead}

(excuse the left over peanut butter and jelly on his mouth) 

Jackson found something.

I love this picture.....notice Rigley in the background, too.

Focused and searching....

Jackson is in the stage where he will say or do anything for a laugh.  I guess licking his brother made us laugh.  

C is for Caterpillar