2.15.2012

Letter Mm Week

Make a MOVE to the letter "Mm"... 

Foam Mouse




What you'll need...
  • brown and pink foam
  • pink puff ball
  • googly eyes
  • brown pipe cleaners
Cut a heart shape out of the brown foam.  Cut two small hearts out of the pink foam.  Cut three brown pipe cleaners in half.  Make your mouse as show.
Monster Cookies

Read If You Give a Mouse a Cookie beforehand to get excited about making some delicious monster cookies!

Monster cookies were some of our favorites growing up!  Below is Paula Dean's recipe

  • 3 eggs
  • 1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 12-ounce jar creamy peanut butter
  • 1 stick butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup multi-colored chocolate candies
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup raisins, optional
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 4 1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal (not instant)
Preheat the oven to 350.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs and sugars. Mix well. Add the salt, vanilla, peanut butter, and butter. Mix well. Stir in the chocolate candies, chocolate chips, raisins, if using, baking soda, and oatmeal. Drop by tablespoons 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Do not overbake. Let stand for about 3 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool. 

Letter Hunt: Your letter bucket is filled with monkeys, mice, muffins, mushrooms, marshmallows, maps,  etc.

Fine Motor: Marshmallow Painting
Stick a popsicle stick into a large marshmallow and let your little have some fun! 



Coloring Page: Print off the Mm is for Monkey coloring sheet on the Fisher-Price website. Click on the link: http://www.fisher-price.com/us/ms7/alphabet-coloring-pages.asp

 
Books: Below are a few suggested readings for your little ones. You should be able to find most of these books at your local library or around the house.
  • Matthew's Dream by Leo Lionni
  • If You Give a Mouse a Cookie Laura Joffe Numeroff
  • If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Joffe Numeroff
  • Little Mouse and the Big Red Apple

"Little" Tip of the Week:
Foster imagination and storytelling by prompting your smartypants to finish the following sentence:
If you give a boy/girl a cookie  ______________________________________________.



Have a MARVELOUS week, Little Smartypants!

2.01.2012

Handprint and Thumbprint Valentine Tree



Yet another cute Pinterest find.

What you'll need...

  • white and pink construction or cardstock
  • pink, purple, and brown washable paint
  • Paint hand brown and press onto paper.  Once dry, dip thumbs into pink and purple paint and help them print "hearts".  Back with pretty paper and you've got your tree!

1.20.2012

Letter Ll Week

Let's Leap into the letter "Ll"... 

What you'll need...
  • paper plate
  • orange paint
  • googly eyes
  • light orange foam
Paint paper plate orange.  Cut around the plate after it dries to make the mane.  Glue orange circle foam, add eyes, and face.

Lollipops Lips & Mustaches 
This crafty treat idea is thanks to our FAVORITE site, www.pinterest.com.  If you're not a member, become one.


What You'll Need:
  • lollipops
  • foam paper 
  • scissors
  • pencil/marker
  1. Use your pencil/marker to draw a mustache or lips on the foam paper.
  2. Cut out shape.
  3. Stick the end of the lollipop into the center of your mustache or lips and you have yourself a cute, lil', lollipop treat!
Letter Hunt: Your letter bucket is filled with lions, ladybugs, lizards, lobsters, legos, lanterns, etc.

Fine Motor: Lacing Letter Ll
Let your little one improve their fine motor skills by punching holes in the letter "Ll" and lacing them up.



Coloring Page: Print off the Ll is for Lion  coloring sheet on the Fisher-Price website. Click on the link: http://www.fisher-price.com/us/ms7/alphabet-coloring-pages.asp

Books: Below are a few suggested readings for your little ones. You should be able to find most of these books at your local library or around the house.
  • The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
  • The Grouch Ladybug by Eric Carle
  • Eli by Bill Peet
  • Tawny Scrawny Lion by Kathryn Jackson
  • Ladybug, Ladybug by Ruth Brown
"Little" Tip of the Week:
Try different avenues of learning.  Here's a link to a cute story for learning the letter "L":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3J38EgtVc4



Have a LOVELY week, Little Smartypants!

1.19.2012

Butterfly Valentine

Butterfly Valentine
What you'll need...
  • toilet paper roll
  • 2 pink, red, or purple pipe cleaners
  • pink, red, or purble paper
  • googly eyes
  • anything else you want to decorate it with (glitter glue, hearts, stickers, etc.)