Feeling like Spring

So yesterday afterI got off work I decided to pull out the chalk and let Liliana have some fun. It was the most perfect day, and it is supposed to rain for the next week or so, therefore I wanted her to have some fun! Here a are a few pictures:

More Tot School

Today Liliana and I were able to enjoy some more Tot school time. To Find out more about Tot School please click here We had fun! Today I introduced the sensory tub (rice and counting bears). Liliana enjoyed playing in the tub. She enjoyed the rice so much that I let her explore (run i through her hands and then onto the table and floor). She then even enjoyed walking on the rice. I am sure we will try the sensory tubs again soon! (Just not with rice!). We beaded and worked with the shape sorter! Here are a few pictures:
Stacking Rings

New Shades

shape Sorter

Sensory Tub

Walking on Rice

Sunday, Funday!

We had a great time yesterday. The whole family went to church, then we came back and had lunch. Between a nap and going bowling Liliana got to experiment with food coloring and water colors. (*she got to the food coloring before we could mix it, so needless to say she looked a little like a smurf). We had a great time. Thanks to Nathan, Paula and Sophie for going bowling with us!
Hmm, watercolors!

Yum, food coloring!

Liliana finally decided she wanted to rest, she was overwhelmed by all the new things to explore at the bowling alley!

Trying to be a big Girl

Bowling

Then the girls were done!

More Tot School

Liliana is 21 months old

Today we have had some time to do some more Tot school. We worked on spooning items into a container. We also worked with nesting blocks. She had difficulty with the nesting blocks at first, she got it after a while!

Tot School

Today I was able to go shopping on my lunch at work. I had been wanting to get Liliana some different activities. So I purchased a shape storter, nesting, and stacking blocks. Then at the dollor store I purchased 2 foam puzzles, (ABC and 123) a set of water colors, and beads. Many of the ideas below where gathered from here and here We had such a good time with all the items today. I absoultley love preparing and participating in TOT school with her, she never stops amazing me! We also worked on fine motor by placing pom poms into an empty water bottle and taking them out again. Here are just a few pictures. Check out our other Tot School post here
I introduced beading to Liliana today, she suppersingly did a good job, even by herself.

Mommy modeling for Liliana

Working with shape sorter!

Liliana played with the pom poms and water bottle for a good amout of time. It was an esay and fun way to teach her a new task but also keep her entertained

Artist

What or who is an artist or artistic?

So this post is a reflection of my training today.
At the start of the training I had a very negative view of my ability to be artistic, but the more I participated in the training I realized that I truly can express myself in this medium, not only that but my friends also encouraged me that I am artistic in many other manners as well. So overall this training was not only a tool to take back into my classroom, but I true learning experience of who I was.

Today I went to a training as part of a buy back day for work. It was actually a lot of fun, as it was a hands on training and not a lecture. Anyway, the training was about teaching art to students. Today's focus was on lines and colors. The first project was an introductory lesson on the five different types of lines (straight, curvy, circle, diagonal, and do). She then gave us directions to draw each of the different types of lines that had to teach a corner. Of course everyone pictures cam out differently. It was a simple activity that I'll try to adapt to my class this week. The second was a teacher directed lesson of drawing a lion. ( I am actually quite proud of this lesson because this is the first picture I drew that was not simply stick figures). The third lesson was an introductory lesson into all the different mediums of painting (pen, pencil, crayon, markers, charcoal, India ink, watercolors, tempera paint, chalk, and grease pencils). Then we used line and line only to depict feeling. The last activity and the most intriguing for me was to create Kandinsky inspired abstract paintings using different line types.
The lesson on colors started off with simple activities to teach what is color (Check out Rainbow Sympathy.com for rainbow glasses), and primary, secondary and complementary colors. We then created a fish (I had to redo this activity as I did not like my first drawing. We then picked two primary colors and created a secondary color in the middle of the fish.
This activity really gave me the self confidence that I needed to realize that I truly have artistic abilities. I am now intrigued by the ability to create fun and meaningful pieces using the elements that I learned in this lesson (The best part is that there are 2 more trainings). So on Thursday when we return to the library I am thinking that I might check out a few art books just for mommy! LOL Until then I'll continue my artful abilities in the kitchen lol! (Thanks Cornia).

BTW There was another great activity that was introduced that was to use and combine primary colors to create a background for an animal cut out from a magazine.


Wishing that you all find your inner artist, as it was truly a GREAT experience for me!

Let me know if you would like more information on these activities.

Catch up time!

So I got a hold of my mom's camera today and thought I would share some of the pics that were on it:
Liliana dancing with Avo

Liliana and Jospeh

Liliana and My Madrinha
Liliana and Padrinho

Liliana pretending to be like avo and Shave

Liliana with Amigas from the Dancas

My little girl is so friendly

At the end of the Dancas, she just loves music!


I am also very sad, becuase my screen on my camera brook today, so its time to go purchase another digital camera. Luck for me Circut City is going out of business, so I may be able to get a good deal!

Happy Love Day

We had a great love Day! Liliana and I went grocery shopping and to visit grandma and grandpa. Then we came home and I made a Valentine's Day dinner (pork marsala over pasta). Then We all got to watch a movie (Sweet Home Alabama) and just hang out and have a good time. It was fun to see Liliana and daddy enjoy each others company so much! Here are a few pictures!
Liliana being ticked by Daddy

Laying Pretty!

Family Time
When Liliana got up this morning she found a purse that had gone with a gift that I sent my Favorite Cousin, but I didn't think it would suit her so I left it behind. Anyway liliana went to her room grabbed 2 diapers placed them in the bag and then went to the door and said bye. I was laughing so hard, kids are the cutest!

Happy Valentine's Day

Today we had a good day. Liliana, Marco and I all went shopping and to my parents house for a while. After we got home, Liliana and I worked on Valentine's Day crafts for the family.We had such a good time, even if she did get more paint on herself then the craft projects and if she thought painting the refrigerator was fun. I don't sweat the small stuff lol! She also played in the empty box we brought from Costco.




Anyway to complete the craft projects bellow you will need
construction paper,glue, crayons, markers, a set of googly eyes, paint and scissors.

The first craft was the hearts. These were simple and adorable! To complete have the child color or paint the hearts. Then place the eyes and draw a heart for the nose and write a "U" for the mouth. (I Saw these on a Blog but I don't remember which one, thanks for the idea though!

The second craft is an I Love U Bunches card. To complete paint child's hands with washable paint and then press on to a piece of construction paper. Repeat this step several times(the hand prints will become the roses). Then draw a vase and stems on to the paper. Allow to dry. Fold into three parts, the last of the parts being about only an "1 and half. (fold to create a try fold on the front write to who its from. Then on the inside write I love you Bunches!

Library Day

Liliana and I went to the Library today. She had a good time. We sat and read a few books. I think that she was overwhelmed at the sight of so many books. We also choose a few to bring home, lets hope I can remember to bring them back. Tommorrow we will be working on Valentine's Day cards for the family. I just cann't believe how fast my little girl is growin up!
Also as a side note, Liliana must have her doll with her at all times. This has been going on for about a week now, she is too funny! She also must have a blanket when she goes to sleep, what a silly girl! She was never really attached to anything and now she wants it all!

Baking with Mommy

So today Marco asked if I could make something sweet so I decided to make chocolate cake. Liliana got up just in time from her nap to help me. Here are a few pictures fromour chocolaty adventures! Mixing and Pouring
Helping mommy clean up

21 months old

Our little angel turned 21 months old yesterday. Here is some of her favorites

Favorite activities:
-Reading. She loves to read books and be read to!
-Playing Ball
-playing with dolls
-stacking blocks
-playing outside
-watching the puppy
-dancing
-playing with mommy


*Favorite Shows:
- Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
- Imagination Movers
- Barney and Friends
- Blues Clues
- Sesame Street


* Things she says:
-thank you
-mommy
-daddy
-madrinha
-ball
-please
-da (give)
-a que (Here)
- puppy
-blankie
-milk(Portuguese)
-tractor
-truck
-blues clues
-sit(Portuguese)
-water(Portuguese)
-girl(Portuguese)
-boy(Portuguese)
-kids(Portuguese)
-grandpa(Portuguese)
-grandma (Portuguese)
-uncle (Portuguese)
-hi
-bye
-poop
-night
-water
-ashes

* Things she does:
- Stacks blocks
- Waves
- Shares toys with Mommy and Daddy
- Gives her dolls kisses and hugs
- Turns on and off the lights
- Gives hugs & kisses
- Plays alone
- Blows kisses
- Feeds herself and gets with fork and spoon
- nods her head
-identifies some body parts
- finger paints
- Colors

* Favorite Songs
- Anything by Greg and Steve
-She likes Portuguese music too

Ashton's Birthday Party

My friend Jennifer's little boy turned one on Tuesday. His party was today. We had a great time. Here are a few pictures:
Liliana running outside with all the kids
The kids were sitting and liliana wanted to sit to!

Eating cupcakes

Playing with Aiden

The kitchen at their house was more interesting lol