A Few Things I Have Planned

I've been learning about Montessori and collecting materials from Goodwill and the Dollar Store for the last few months.  Here's a few activities I'll introduce to Maddie this month.

Sorting nuts

Fitting lids on boxes

Spooning lentils

Transferring ornaments

I'll have to make some play dough for this one.

Pouring water

Pipe cleaners in a vase

Think she'll like them?  I like that they look so pretty : )  That's one of the things I like so much about Montessori, the aesthetics are just as important as the learning activity themselves.

Winter Sensory Tub

We had a great day yesterday.  We are getting back in the routine of our morning schedule.  I made up our sensory tub for the month.  The inspiration for these sensory tubs came from this blog, Counting Coconuts.  I LOVE this blog.  I get lots of great ideas here. 

My favorite part of this sensory tub are these...

pine scented candles!  The whole tub smells like Christmas!

Maddie carefully picked out things she found and put them in a little bowl.  So cute!

Happy Tuesday!

Life Lessons

This week I will start teaching Maddie the story of Baby Jesus.  As I was thinking about the birth of Christ, I also began thinking about what a short time he lived; just 33 years.  I'll be 33 next March.  When I was 20 years old, I was fortunate enough to have a near death experience.  I say fortunate because once you have that conversation with God, you are never the same when you realize the grace he has granted.  I went in for a standard out-patient surgery to take care of my endometriosis, but an infection from the surgery nearly killed me. But it didn't, and now the words "I love you" come more readily.  Hugs are held longer and tighter. Life feels different, more precious. 
There is so much I want to teach my baby girl.  We'll start this week with who Jesus is, but I have gathered a few gems in my short life so far.  This is what I hope she learns:
Tell the people who matter in your life you love them.
Resolve differences.
Forgive yourself.
Face your fears.
Think about those who have impacted your life and thank them.
Express yourself.
Leave a legacy.
Write your thoughts.
Take lots of pictures.
Pursue passions.
Cease the day.
Love your life.
Be grateful.
Simplify.
Celebrate differences.
Honor God.
Walk in the Spirit.
Hug with gusto.
Serve others.
Be joyful.
Create.
Give.
Stay Positive.
Sometimes I wonder if Maddie and I can close the developmental gap.  Maybe if we work hard enough, and I find the right method of teaching, and take advantage of the early years...I fantasize about her being the first child with Down Syndrome to break the barrier and change what's possible.  Then I chastise myself and remind myself it really doesn't matter that she know her ABC's the same time kids her age know them. 

What's more important in this teaching role of mine, is that she learn what is important in life.  We'll still work on the basics-colors, shapes, numbers, etc.  But I know life is short.  I know there are so many lessons to teach.  I'll teach about life and living and loving and hopefully she will know why I chose each of these statements and understand how beautiful and precious these lives of ours are.

   

Time is Not a Friend of Mine!

Maddie is staying a few days with her Grammie and PaPa while I'm working on some sewing projects.  It's a good thing, too, because this is what happens when I sew...

I am the worst about leaving scissors, needles, pins, etc.  lying around.  Luckily, my boot found this needle before my foot did!  I must say though, I have been getting so much accomplished!  I will post pics of what's been keeping me busy in the future, but for now, I gotta get back to work!

On a side note, I did take some time out yesterday to meet a new little person in my life.  Meet Baby Ellie...

Isn't she beautiful?!  She was born Thanksgiving morning to a dear friend of mine and I know she is making her Mommy and Daddy very thankful!  Love you, Ellie!

The Stockings were hung...

Yay!  It's Christmas time! I finished the rest of the decorations yesterday.  I kept it pretty simple this year and made the tree as toddler-proof as possible.  Usually my tree looks like this:

Sorry, not the best photo.  This was taken in 2007 before I knew anything about photography

Fast forward 3 years and now my tree looks like this..

Maddie can take anything off she wants and everything is non-breakable!
Here's a few more pics around the house.

Merry Christmas!!!

Potential.

A few weeks ago Maddie and I picked up all of these green tomatoes and put them in the compost bin.
She liked to try and squish them.  She also thought they may be tasty too.

As I put these poor green tomatoes in the compost bin, I began thinking about how they never got to live out their potential.  Then I began thinking about my potential and whether I'm falling off the vine before I've ripened.  Psalm 139:23-24 says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
As we are approaching the season of giving and getting, God's been slowly working on my heart.  He sees unfulfilled potential and wants to stretch me, refine me.  For the record, I've responded like this...

Silly tomato, wouldn't go down without a fight!

But now I think its time to listen.  I think its time to put away my wishlist, and allow room for something more meaningful in my life.  So, if you are someone in my life who would normally give me a gift for Christmas, I know it sounds corny, but what I'd really like is a goat, or chickens, or immunizations, or any number of things that will help those who really need it.  See the World Vision link here.  Doesn't it sound really fun to buy a family seeds or a goat or something useful; or something incredibly worthy like education supplies for little girls who may have been told they aren't worthy of an education? I don't mean to get up on a spiritual high horse or anything, its just that God's been working on my heart, and this is something I need to request as an act of spiritual growth.  Please, help me grow so I don't end up rotting in a compost bin! : ) 

Starting a New Christmas Tradition

I've been thinking about holiday traditions a lot lately.  Now that Maddie is 2, I think its a perfect time to start some of our own family traditions.  I hope this one sticks (pun intended!) because it was lots of fun!

We are going to decorate the Christmas tree tonight while we munch on Christmas tree Rice Krispie Treats and sip hot chocolate!
Maddie did a good job helping me make them.

And she  couldn't resist a little test taste...

YUMMMY! What are some of your family traditions for the holidays?