CUTTING

Ethan tries cutting some paper. Isn't he cute? =D

Between the two of them, I noticed that Ethan is more dextrous than Nikki. I know that Nikki will improve over time but I'm just happy that Ethan excels in some things. People usually compare Nikki and Ethan a lot and I don't think that it's fair. As a second child, I know what it's like to carry that burden. I had to measure up or fall behind the shadow of my sister who I felt did everything better than me. The only place I excelled was in sports and it was just too bad that my parents did not push me in that arena. I promised myself that I will not make that mistake with Nikki and Ethan. I want to hone their talents and I want them to do what makes them happy even if it is unconventional. So hopefully, with homeschooling, we are on the right path.

PREPARING FOR DADDY'S ARRIVAL

Ruther is arriving home today from Japan! Nikki is so excited! When I suggested that we make a banner for Ruther he was really excited about the activity. So we got a piece of cardboard paper and I used a pencil to make the words. Then, Nikki used a permanent marker to trace the pencil lines. After that, he used some colored chalk to color the letters and it came out so colorful and so wonderful. I just know his dad is going to be so proud and happy!

Here are some photos:

DOMINOS

We found these dominos and decided to have some fun with it. Here are some photos:

DRUMMER BOY

PARTS OF THE BODY

I got the boys this puzzle a few months ago. It's an introduction to the different parts of the body (inside and outside). I figured, since the boys love puzzles, the will learn the parts of the body the fun way. Already, Nikki knows most of the parts and so I am looking forward to the time when we get into more detail. But of course, it will depend on his readiness. =D

MAKING SNOWFLAKES

After watching an episode of Blue's Clues, we decided to copy a scene there where kids made some snowflakes using white paper. Since we had some scratch paper we thought of using those. Nikki cut the paper carefully but he needed my help in cutting the folded areas because they were a bit thick. Even if the activity lasted for only a few minutes, Nikki still had fun and I was glad. =D





Snip, snip.

Opening the snowflake.

Wonderful creation.

A unique snowflake!

One more...

Wow! This one is pretty!

Nikki and his snowflakes. He wants to show them to his dad. =D

SORTING COLLECTIONS

I got this from Peep and The Big Wide World, one of Nikki's favorite shows. =D


Sorting Collections

Children are natural collectors. Sorting and categorizing a favorite collection is a great learning activity and a lot of fun. (If your child doesn't already have a collection, encourage him or her to gather items while you are out and about in the world. Shells and rocks are durable collectables and can be rearranged and sorted in many different ways — by size, shape, color, and texture, just to name a few. If found collectables aren't an option, dried beans and seeds from the grocery store, building blocks, and other small toys work well too.)
Together, observe each item in the collection closely and encourage your child to describe its color, shape, pattern, and texture. Try categorizing by one characteristic; putting all the smooth shells together, regardless of color or size, or all the blue shells together, regardless of size or texture. You can sort small things in empty egg cartons or muffin tins. Bigger things can be sorted in larger containers, like shoeboxes. As an extension activity, you and your child can create a permanent display of the collection, making labels to describe the categories.

TIE-DYE

Nikki had a lot of fun with this tie-dye activity. Nikki is not really into arts and crafts so I let him try things that would be easy yet interesting for him. Since I did some tie-dye before, I thought of introducing the activity to him. I decided to use the color red because it's really bright. We also made use of 2 of their house sandos so we really did not spend for this lesson. =D

Here are some photos:

The materials: Shirts, colored dye, rubber bands, vat of hot water over the stove.

Nikki thinks of a design and Mommy attaches the rubber bands to the shirts.

Nikki wets the shirts thoroughly.

Nikki puts some colored dye in the hot water.

The shirts are added to the bye bath and Nikki stirs the shirts.

After several minutes, the shirts are removed and allowed to cool slightly.

After rinsing thoroughly, the rubbers bands are removed and voila!! tie-dye shirts!! This one is Nikki's.

This one is Ethan's.

Mommy put them in hangers to let them dry.

"New" shirts for the boys!! =D

PLAYING IN THE SAND

Nikki and Ethan having fun with the construction sand.

Ethan.














Nikki.

AIR HOCKEY

I bought this air hockey toy in Japan. I chanced upon it and thought that it would be a great toy for the boys and for the family. It's really cool because it has a small fan in it and the puck really floats!! Hours of fun indeed!

SWIM FUN

We went to Monte Vista last Sunday for a bit of swim time. Everyone in the family went and the boys had a lot of fun! Here are some photos:

All set and ready to go.

Nikki and Ethan in the kiddie pool.

Having fun.

Even in the deep pools, Nikki isn't scared.

Nikki is scared of the orca. =D

Nikki and Ethan with Lola and Lolo (grandparents).

PLANET MOBILE

We found this project in Nikki's book, The Reader's Digest Children's Atlas to the Universe. Since it looked like an easy and fun activity (big plus for me), I thought it would be nice to do that one rainy afternoon. Fortunately we did not have to make the planets from scratch. I bought him a glow-in-the-dark set months before and I thought it would be a good idea to use them for this activity. Nikki really had a lot of fun even if I did the tying. He was so proud of his work, he showed it to his dad and let me hang it by the window. I'm so glad.

Some photos:

Instructions on how to make the mobile.

The materials.

Nikki lines up the planets to make tying easier for Mommy.

The finished mobile. "It looks great, Mommy!"

The mobile's current home.

BOARDGAMES

Nikki has lately become interested in board games for which I am glad. A few months ago, Nikki had a pretty difficult time losing. Yes, he was a sore loser. He would usually whine, cry, toss something or even hit his dad when he would lose in one of their Mario Bros. games. That kind of worried me because I wanted him learn how to lose gracefully. But I didn't push it and instead, whenever he would lose, I would simply encourage him and tell him, "It's okay, Nikki. You will do better next time and beat Daddy." And he would try again. I bought him these board games in the past to just let him know that games are fun whether he wins or loses. I'm happy to say that now, Nikki is no longer a sore loser. When I would win a game, he would just say, "I'll win the next time, Mommy!" No more tantrums, no more throwing things, no more crying. I'm so proud of him. =D

RAINY DAY ACTIVITY

During those days when we had non-stop rains, I thought that it would be nice to go out of the house still. So one day, when there were no lightnings and thunder and the rain was just a cheerful shower, the boys and I enjoyed a leisurely walk outside. We didn't bring any umbrellas so it was a very stimulating walk for us and it was wonderful feeling the rain on our faces and skin for a change without any worries that we will be drenched or a bit muddy from our stroll. We ended up looking for different bugs because once Ethan spotted a millipede there was no stopping him from looking for more bugs. He loves bugs. Anyway, we did find some black ants scampering about. Then 2 more millipedes and a lonely butterfly that seemed to enjoy the shower as much as we did. But our biggest find was when we spotted this huge, HAIRY caterpillar in the middle of the road! Ethan shrieked, "CATERPILLAR!!" (which sounded like caderpillar) and I yelled, "Don't touch it!! It's itchy!" I had a terrible experience with a caterpillar once. So anyway, what we did was we picked it up on a stick and then brought it to a nearby plant. Ethan was VERY fascinated because I recently bought him an insect book and there was a hairy caterpillar in it. I suppose he was thinking, "It's so cool!" =D It was such a fun activity maybe we'll do it again soon.

TOYS

Nikki and Ethan love to play with their "food" toy. Even if it's just plastic, they have lots of fun identifying the fruits and vegetables and pretending to chop them up. However, when we go to the supermarket, we always make it a point to pass by the produce aisle so we can review all the fruits and vegetables. Nikki is getting quite good. He is even learning about imported fruits like cherries, plums, dragon fruits and grapefruit. Not only that, they can even feel the fruits and tell which ones are rough, smooth or fuzzy. They love that! =D

Here are some photos of the boys with their toys:

The food.

What's that Nikki?

A tomato, Ethan.

"Me-mon!"