Sidewalk Fun

For some fun in the driveway, we decided to try out the Fizzing Sidewalk Paint I learned about in another blog... Mama Smiles. You can find the recipe there.

It's a Birthday Party day here at daycare and Hot (again) and before Hurricane Isaac brings us long awaited relief from our horrible drought, we intend to fix up the driveway for a huge welcome!!!

By the way, Lou turned 4 today :)

Just for keeping parents' sanity, aprons were required.

We split up the paint in these recycled lids from laundry detergent containers.

Special thanks to my in-laws for this recycleable we found a special use for in this project.



These bottles were filled with vinegar. Disregard the writing on the bottle that says Bleach H20.

The fun is about to begin.

One shot of vinegar causes the fizzing.

What did we learn in this process????

• Color recognition
• Sensory experience through the scent of vinegar
• Sensory experience through feeling textures in painting different surfaces such as sidewalk, leaves, rocks, fingers :)
• Don't paint our friends, they may express their opinion
• Eye-hand coordination
• Fine motor practice in stirring paint to keep it from setting up
• Sharing space and cooperation

Happy Birthday Miss Lou!!

We say 'Sodee' in Missouri

I read about this somewhere, forgive me for not remembering where......

But this is a way to use empty 'sodee' bottles for your kiddos outdoors. We also have a Gatorade bottle included here for good measure. The large 2 liter ones don't work so well for your general information.

First you cut off a portion of the bottom. I chose to use the first natural point where the bottle curves.

Next I applied duct tape for keeping fingers from getting scratched on the sharp edges.

We really like the funky polka dot design :)

Then we apply masking tape to each bottle to label with their names. No sharing cooties here.
And very important.......remove the lid.

Finally the fun begins! (Notice Savannah's new dress her mommy made for her! It's pretty darn cute)

Next to Lou is the 'dipping' bowl for bubble mix. We got ours thanks to Grandma Nancy who finds all the deals at $1 for the bottle. Thanks Grandma!!

What we learned:

• You get the biggest bubbles when you bend forward & point your bottle down. They were huge!
• Taking turns
• Bubbles can pop in your face (or your friends')
• Bubble mix doesn't go well with sand
•  Wind can wreck havock on a great bubble
• Babies won't let you finish blowing a bubble if they can reach your bottle. There were some anger issues. But we worked them out.
• Lots of fun for a morning that was cooler than we've had for a long while. A fabulous Friday!!!

Have a wonderful Summer!!!

Heat Wave

We started our week with painting the walk with water.

This toddler decided to see what happens when you pour out your cup.

(Science/Predicting/Sensory)

Notice he also painted the center of each brick.

(Math/fine motor)

The neighbor's cat stopped in for a visit. We found out what happens when we pet a cat's fur with wet hands.

(Sensory/Empathy)

This 3 year old used water pumps in the bubbly water

(Science/Sensory/Large Muscles)

Older minds decide to see what happens when you dump out the water pump into the water wheel

(More science/predicting)

Now we begin washing dishes.Notice the toddler to the left is opening an egg filled with water?

He got a surprise when the water poured out!

(Dramatic Play/Discovery)

More of them using those large muscles. That old coffee creamer container came in pretty handy for water play.He's dumping water & plastic lids with the ABC's written on them for more floating items.He discovered the lids won't go down the water wheel hole.

Another vantage point below our "water wall".

I forgot to get a photo of it. Maybe later.

Note to all providers/parents/caregivers.....

ALWAYS be present during water play

&

Have extra clothes :)