Apparently I have a plog.

The term blog is shortened from "web log".  I think this is turning into less of a blog and more of a plog, a "photo log".  This is okay though.  A few ideas and events to share today.  Be aware it's a toddler sort of post rather than a baby post...

First, sharing an idea I got from someone else.  Toddler busy boxes!  We love busy boxes.  The best part is that you can actually use those millions of toys you likely buy or receive, when otherwise they can just sit around being ignored.

She always loves opening her busy boxes.

(From this picture you might think she was terrified!)

Today's box of flash cards!

Yes, she has enough flash cards sets that each

of 12 boxes has flash cards in it.  I know...

Monster truck.  Because girls can play trucks too.

Also in this box are bouncy jacks, wooden castanets,

a light-up football, little books and small puzzles.

All great stuff that was getting ignored until I

packaged them in this way!

Additionally, here was a great idea I got from a friend.  I am always looking for new painting ideas and often end up buying different supplies to keep the experience fresh (though sometimes I think even just plain old painting every day would be enough for her).  I hadn't really thought to use items I already have around to embellish on our daily painting ritual!

Cotton balls!  I put a ball by each plate...

but apparently this plate deserved 

all of the balls and the other 

plates need not have any...

And this cotton ball desired to be pushed around

by a q-tip, don't you know?  I thought the q-tips

would be fun for a bit of pointillism, but Kaitlyn

decided otherwise!

For example, forming a painted

q-tip committee was considered.

But then it was decided they could be put to 

better use to decorate the plastic cup 

she was using to make circles.

Oh, but it always comes to this.  Nothing beats

the feeling of goopy paint squelching

between your fingers!

Painting at the table is alright.

But sometimes it's better to get up out of the chair!

Since she kept calling "easel, easel", we moved

things into the kitchen.  Always a risk, but fun.

Dirty, dirty hands.

Dirty, dirty tray.

But so easily cleaned!  I'm going

to go ahead and brag on the Ikea

MÅLA easel.  Blackboard, dry erase

board, tray, paper roll, folds flat.

I love the thing.  The only

improvement I would make

would be to add clips.

Baby clothes hangars make a suitable substitution though!

And just a proud mommy moment.  I have no idea

how long she has been doing this, but Kaitlyn has

developed a three fingered grip for drawing!

I wasn't sure when to start working on it,

so I skipped it and she figured it out.

I adore my kids!