Toddler Box 2: Beads

Hi everyone! 

I'm here with another Toddler Box for you, and then on to some Kids Co-Op linky goodness!

I am having so much fun putting these boxes together, and Abbey is having so much fun playing with them (which is, after all, the point!) I can't wait to share more of them!

Here is this weeks addition:

Bead stringing! I love this activity because you can do so much with it, and it can be as simple or as complex as you want to make it. It addresses all sorts of skills, and is SO easy to put together. A big tub of beads (I used maybe a third of it) and some pipe cleaners and you are set. 

NOTE: If you have any reason to believe that this activity poses a safety concern to your child, please don't do it, k? Thanks!

Why pipe cleaners you ask? Why not string? I like using pipe cleaners because you don't have to worry about the beads falling off the end! No knots. no nothing!

Abbey loves playing with her beads!

This game is especially fun to play while rocking some serious bed-head, and some new Dora jammers. If you haven't done it, I highly recommend it.

If you can believe it, this is the toned-down version of this morning's bed-head. It was epic.

You can do so many things with this box.

You can work on plain ol' fine motor skills:

You can match colors:

You can match patterns:

This is a new one for Abbey, so I think we'll be working on this one quite a bit.

Or, you can make "snails".

and take them swimming.

It's your choice, really!

Now it's time for Kids Co-Op fun! 

If you're new to the Kids Co-Op linky party, let me explain it a bit to you. This isn't your typical link up. Anything you link up here, will also appear at all of our co-hosts blogs. How cool is that? This week we have almost 60 co-hosts! That's your idea, at almost 60 different sites, with one little link up! Sweet deal.

Make sure to check out some of the awesome activities that get linked up. There is some fantastic stuff in there every week!

1LW Wednesday #10

Hello friends!

I have to be honest with all of you. I've been having a very hard time being intentional lately. I'm not sure what it is...just a funk I guess. Although, I don't really like saying that. It feels like an excuse. In the first few weeks of this project, just the thought "are you being intentional right now?" was enough to get me off my butt and going, but now that doesn't seem to work as well.
So...I've decided to take a note from Biblical Homemaking, and set some goals for the month of March. I know we're already a week in, but I think that will be OK. 

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

OK...here we go!

1. I love to read, but I mostly stick with fiction. I have to seriously try to read non-fiction. I've got a couple books on my list that I'd like to get through this month.

- Volunteers That Stick by Jim Wideman: This one is a suggestion from my Children's Ministry Director at work. I have fantastic volunteers, and I want to make sure I do everything I can to keep them! 

-My So-Called Life as a Proverbs 31 Wife: I have several friends who have read this, and have loved it. My job as a wife is one that I struggle with feeling successful at, so maybe this will help?

2. Workout 3 times a week: Over the summer I was doing really well working my way through a Couch to 5k program. Then the weather got gross and I got lazy. I go back and forth between being good about working out regularly, and going weeks without doing it at all. I want to change that.

Source: curlsandcoffee.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

3. Spend 15 minutes a day in scripture: It embarasses me to say how bad I am at this. It needs to happen. Does anyone have any good daily devotional/studies they like? 

Source

Alright, I think that's a good start for March. Nothing will de-rail me faster than setting too many goals.

I'm working on an exciting, but pretty major project right now...can't wait to tell you all about it!!

Alright, I want to hear from you!

Remember,this linky party is meant for posts about how you are living out your One Little Word. I love all of your crafts and projects, and I'm sure you are super proud of them, but this isn't the party for those! If you're looking for somewhere to link those up, my parter-in-crime, Chrissy, has a great one on Tuesdays!

Don't know what a One Little Word is? Check out THIS post to find out more. 

Haven't picked a word yet? Go ahead! This is not a time sensitive challenge! Pick a word, write about it, and then come tell us!

Please link back to this post if you're playing along!

Grab a button:

<br /><center><a href="http://itsourlongstory.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p92/heather-kate/th_OLWbutton.jpg" /></a</center><br />
A text link is fine too, if you prefer that!Be blessed!

Sunday Worship

Happy Sunday!

This album is available at most Christian bookstores. No pirating, please!

Toddler Box 1: Buttons

Hi everyone!

This was originally posted over at Mess For Less last week as a guest post, but I wanted to post it over here for anyone that missed it! I've got a whole series of these coming up...get excited! Make sure you check out some of the co-hosts of the Kids Co-op this week, as well.

I've recently started putting together something for Abbey that I have named Toddler Boxes. They are simple, self-contained activities that Abbey can, for the most part, complete by herself. I'm sharing my first one here with you today!

First of all, I found some great little tote boxes with snap-on lids at Hobby Lobby. They are the perfect size for Abbey, and the stack together perfectly so we can store them where she can reach them. Honestly, finding those boxes was the springboard for the whole Toddler Box idea!

I also found these buttons at Hobby Lobby for $5! Woohoo! 

Much better than trying to collect buttons from the sewing section, and they are nice and chunky with nice, big holes. Yes, I realize it says age 4 and up. If you have any reason to believe that your child would put these in their mouth, maybe wait a while before you try out this activity.

The S'getti String was $3 for 50 yards! Seriously, I have no idea what I'm going to do with all of it! I liked it for this activity because it is narrow and flexible enough to fit through the button holes, but it is sturdy, and doesn't fray.

This picture is sideways and I can't fix it...sorry! Blame Blogger!

Abbey loves her buttons!

The first time we played this, she had a hard time and I heard a lot of  "I can't!", but now she's a pro!

How's that for focus?? Haha!

She is so good about keeping the buttons in the box, or picking them back up if they come out. This box is a LIFESAVER at dinner time!

Now...on to the linky party! Check out our co-hosts, they've got a ton of great stuff today! 

Imprints from Tricia No Time For Flash Cards Train Up a Child Caution! Twins at play Creative Family Fun mamascout Share With A Kid Scribble Doodle and Draw

One Perfect Day Ways2Play Mum of Twins a Toddler and a Teenager Carrots Are Orange Small Types Rainy Day Mum Smiling like Sunshine Dirt and Boogers RainbowsWithinReach

The Mommies Made Me Do It It's A Long Story Reading Confetti B.Inspired, Mama! The Good Long Road PlayDrMom ToddlerApproved Growing A Jeweled Rose

This post is linked up. Come play!