Grasshopper in Macro

So my wonderfully supportive friend, Karina, over at Mumma Made It has been taking pictures of her beautiful Spring gerbera daisies.  She has been using a lens attachment that we both have that modifies a regular lens to be like a macro lens.  She has taken shots like this one.

Seriously, I got this image straight from her site and she did take it.  But you really need to go over there and see her double bloom gerbera.  It is really cool!

While she has taken gorgeous shots of flowers, I found a willing subject to model for me.  Cole spotted this grasshopper and I wasn’t sure he was going to cooperate, but he played nice and let me get some practice.

 

Without this lens attachment I would have never noticed how beautiful a grasshopper truly is.

It has such neat markings and  sleek angles.

“Hey, you looking at me?”

 

I was waiting for him to jump on me, but he never did.  I think he liked being the center of a photoshoot.

I am linking up with other posts for Macro Monday.

How Important is DNA?

I am a foster parent.  Most of you know that.  I am just now starting to write about it on this blog because I really didn’t want people to think I was trying to come off as self-righteous.  I am just sharing my thoughts and experiences as I venture into this uncharted territory.  After all, isn’t that what most blogs are about?
I was talking with an acquaintance the other day.  I said something about my daughters, that person interrupted me and said, “You mean your daughter and your foster daughter.” 
Ummm.  Okay.  I didn’t realize I had to break it down like that.

I picked up Little Lady straight from the hospital when she was 2 days old.  We knew before she was born that we were more than likely going to have her in our home.  We got “the call” the day after she was born.  I had been praying for her safety and protection about a month before she was born.  I made sure I was careful not to pray for her to go to me, but for her to go to safe place.  We had her brother and I saw what that environment did to him.

The first month of her life I went to many appointments with her.  I watched her struggle.  I watched helplessly as she agonized through things my body has never experienced.  The only things I could do were to pray for her and love on her. 
The second month of her life I calculated and charted feedings.  I analyzed bowel movements and urine smells.  I switched formulas, I bought gas relief drops, I went to more appointments.
Finally, I think we have her digestive system working properly and her body is clean.  She is starting to really chunk up.  :-)  On her 2 month birthday she finally graduated out of newborn clothes and into 0-3 months.  We have broken the 8 pound mark!
In the middle of the night when she cries for a feeding, diaper change, or consoling, I promptly hop out of bed and give her what she needs.  She is soothed by the sound of my whispers in her ear.  No matter how fussy she may get, laying on me with her cheek on my chest calms her down.
I did the same things with my (biological) son, Cole.  I did them again with my (biological) daughter, Charley.
Yes, there is a piece of paper sitting in some file at the courthouse that has someone else’s name down as “mother”.  Yes, I know that she is not legally ours and that at any time she could be taken from us (that haunts my dreams and is a topic for another day).  Yes, I pray that one day my name will be on that piece of paper and she will be legally ours.

Biological Daughter
Foster Daughter
Adoptive Daughter

They all have one common denominator – daughter.  So when I talk about my daughters or my kids, I mean all 3 of them. 

Just exactly how important is DNA, anyway?
Kim
P.S. Sorry about the creepy way the baby looks with no face, but I cannot put her face on the blog, rules are rules.

I am linking this post up at Things I Can’t Say for Pour Your Heart Out.

Say WHAT? - Discovering Gourds

“Those are gourds, not weird poop.”

 

During our fieldtrip to the pumpkin patch on Thursday, Charley called the bin full of gourds a pile of weird poop. 

One of those warm fuzzy mom moments, not.

So I had to say something I never thought would have to say (or need to say).

So what crazy things have come out of your mouth lately?

Kim

Pumpkin Patch Outing

Yesterday my son’s preschool class went on a fieldtrip to a local pumpkin patch.  It was a lot of fun.  We went last year, too.

There were pumpkins as far as the eye could see (not really, but it sounds good).

There were tiny pumpkins.

There were weird shaped gourds of all colors.

We went on a hayride with our best friends.

We had a campfire lunch complete with hot dogs and roasted marshmallows.

We played in water troughs filled with feed corn.

We took some silly pictures and acted like little kids (the way it should be).

We had a fantastic time.  The best part is that Grandma was visiting from Texas and got to come.  :-)

 

Do you have a pumpkin patch near you?

Homemade Green Goo

Last year I did a post about Gooey Geyser Goo that we made.  Well today we made it again, but this time instead of pink we made it lime green.

 

We called it monster snot.  I know.  You can name it something else, but it was funny.  :-)

 

We flipped it, cut it, pulled it, and pre tended it was green eggs and ham at one point, too.

 

But mostly we took various things around the house and made impressions in the goo and watched the impressions slowly fade.  It was a lot of fun and a great activity that we love to do.  I thought I would share how we revisited this household favorite and maybe encourage you to do the same. 

Kim

An Outdoor Romp

The weather has been just beautiful around here.  So we have been spending a lot of time outside.  Nothing says outdoor fun like a … yoga ball?

Charley got distracted with chasing a grasshopper, so Cole started rolling around on his own.

When that became this in a matter of seconds.

And then that resulted in a face plant which became this.

“I fell off of the ball.”

“Mommy, stop taking my picture.”

 

I couldn’t help it.  He was so cute with half of his face covered with dirt and grass.  I kissed him and made him all better.  Good Mommy.

Inside I was kicking myself for missing the shot of the face plant.  Bad Mommy.

Kim

This post has been shared over at Household 6 Diva for Mamarazzi Monday.  Head over there to join in the fun or see other mom-captured moments.

Rokenbok Roks! (My review of Rokenbok)

Let me start off by telling you that these are the coolest thing our house has ever reviewed.  Yep, I said it.  The coolest!!

We received Rokenbok building sets to review.  The first one was the Rok Works Construction and Action Set.  Oh…my…goodness!  If you have a little boy around the ages of 5-8 (recommended for 6 and up), you have to get one of these. 

Yes, my son actually makes that squirrelly face when he is really excited.  :-)

It came with pretty easy instructions to follow.  All of the pieces were very easy to put together.  The end result was the coolest building set I have ever seen! 

This set comes with a wireless remote control dump truck.  You load the “rocks” from the quarry into the dump truck and dump them into the hopper.  There is a sensor in the hopper that carries them up the conveyer belt and down a chute. 

 

As they go down the chute, they are sorted and distributed into bins.  These bins have a button underneath them, so you can drive the dump truck right up to them and the bin empties into the truck. 

It is soooo cool.  I played with this for a long time.  My excuse was that I was trying to show Cole how it operated, but really I just wanted to play with it!

We also received RokBlocks Preschool Building Set.  This set has to be the best building set I have ever seen.  I am not just saying that because they gave me one and I am writing the review.  Seriously, it is truly awesome. 

The blocks are nice and big so they build big structures (or anything), but they aren’t baby-ish like Mega Blocks can be.  The unique appearance of the blocks give them a big kid look.  The interlocking system for RokBlocks is perfect.  They are very easy to put together and take apart, but they actually hold onto one another and do not fall apart as you are playing.  You get a lot of pieces in the set, too.  More than enough for multiple creations.

My husband really enjoyed creating with Cole with these.  My husband is a math and computer guy, while I am a total science junkie.  We both appreciate the benefits of building sets, especially RokBlocks. 

The RokBlocks Preschool Building Set came with really neat pieces that send my son’s imagination into overdrive.  They have pieces that connect blocks to allow them to spin.  They have pieces that connect blocks like a hinge so the blocks can swing.

I can honestly tell you that every single day since we have had this set, my son plays with them.  Every day.

My son loves them so much that he told his friends at preschool about them.  So we decided to take them to preschool for a day.  With his teachers’ permission, we brought the RokBlocks to class and spread them out on a table at one of the stations.  They were a huge hit!  Cole’s teachers asked about the set.  They were very pleased with how well they connected and the children’s response to them.  They wrote down the name and plan on putting them on the supply list for next year.  That is how cool these things are!

It is no secret that playing with building sets help children promote creative problem solving, improve language skills, increase math performance, and develop motor skills.  Rokenbok has definitely put a new twist to the construction and building toy market.  You can even download free building plans on their website from the Hard Hat Area that is coming soon.  Kids can also become members of the Builders Hall of Fame on their website by submitting photos of their creations. 

In my opinion Rokenbok has raised the bar.  I don’t see anyone surpassing them (or even meeting them) in the near future.  These toys are fabulous! 

 

If you would like to learn more about Rokenbok, watch some of their videos on You Tube or check out their Rokenbok website.  If you are on Facebook you can Like their facebook page.  Twitter people can find them at @RokenbokToys. 

They are having a special promotion going on as well.  Click here to see their specials.

Though the price may be a little high, it is worth it.  You guys know what a cheapskate I am.  I am planning on buying another set for my son for Christmas.  He really loves their products!  I strongly encourage you to check them out and I think you will find that they could be the perfect gift idea for your son or daughter preschool age through tweens.  These guys rock (or should I say Rok).

 

Disclosure:  I did receive these sets free of charge in order to conduct an accurate and honest review.  This in no way influenced my opinion of the product.  My son had no idea we got these for free and he loves them, so there is honesty for you.  My opinions are always my own, because let’s face it who else would claim them?

The Shreaking Streak

This picture is one of those that I think turned out great.  My husband saw it and asked me why I didn’t delete it.  I told him that it couldn’t be a truer representation of our house.

I was sitting on the couch feeding Little Lady when I grabbed the camera to take some pictures.  None turned out but this one was exactly what I didn’t know I wanted.

This is our dog Roxi sitting next to me on the couch and the madness of the house goes blurring past in a streak. 

That is Little Man in the hallway.  And the blurs in front of Roxi are Cole and Charley. 

This is what the house looks like most of the time.  Streaks of children running past you.  Good this I do not have a sound clip for you.  You would think you were at the Monkey House in the zoo.  :-)

Kim

 

This post has been shared over at Mamarazzi Monday on Household 6 Diva.  Go over and check out more Mom captured moments.

Say What?! : Defying the World

“She’s not talking to anyone.  She is just telling the world, “No.”” 

 

Sounds silly, I know.  I was talking to my mom and she heard Charley repeating “No, no, no, no” over and over again in the background.  My mom asked if Charley was arguing with Cole about something.  I explained to my mom that Charley was just standing in the middle of the room chanting it to the air. 

My mom asked who she was telling “no” to, then.  So I decided that my daughter was just defying the world and was telling them “No” repeatedly. 

If you knew my daughter this really wouldn’t be too far fetched.

Motor Skill Activity for Toddlers

Here is an activity perfect for young toddlers or special needs children.  This is a fun way to help with the pincher grasp, hand-eye coordination, and gross and fine motor skills.

You need a bottle and some cereal.  That is it.

 

Put some cereal out for your child and show them how to put i t in the bottle.  They will squeal with excitement as they drop each piece.  Since you are using cereal it won’t matter that exploring children pop these in their mouths.  :-)

Say WHAT? :Twinkie edition

“I don’t care if you want cantaloupe for snack, you are going to eat this twinkie and you’re gonna like it.”

 

Yep, I said it.  It is not one of my best mom moments, but I like to keep it real around here. 

Charley and Little Man both had poopy diapers.  Little Lady was just waking up and screaming for a bottle.  I had to pee.  Then Cole sees the cantaloupe on the countertop. 

He proclaims that he wants that for his morning snack.  We usually eat fruit for snacks most of the time.  I had not had a chance to get the cantaloupe cut up and put in the fridge yet.  The last thing I was going to do at that moment was cut it up. 

I opened the cabinet and saw them, the store brand twinkies that were marked down.  I saw my easy way out.  Now if there was just something in the cabinet that would change two poopy diapers.

Kim

Making patterns with cereal bracelets

Most of you know that I contribute twice a month over at No Time for Flash Cards.  Here is a post I did for Allie’s site a few months ago. 

Do you remember candy bracelets?  This activity puts an educational and healthier twist to that bracelet from your past.  All you will need are chenille stems, loop cereal (such as Fruit Cheerios or Fruit Loops), and an egg carton or muffin tin.

This activity is perfect if you have children at different levels of development because it can be implemented in so many different ways.  I have toddlers and a preschooler.  Activities that they can both do at the same time score big points with me.  I gave Charley an egg carton and asked her to put the cereal in each compartment.  This works great for developing motor skills.

Cole was given a muffin tin and asked to sort the cereal by colors.  While both of the children put the cereal in their containers, I folded the tips of the chenille stems inward to make sure the wire did not poke the children. 

 

After Cole was finished sorting, I gave him a chenille straw.  I asked which colors he would like to use to make a bracelet.  Out of six colors, he only wanted to use two.  So I asked him to thread the cereal onto the stem in a pattern of green, green, orange, orange. Depending on your child, you can do patterns of ABAB, AABB (like we did), ABCABC, or any other pattern.

While he was threading his cereal, I tried to show Charley how to thread the cereal onto the stem.  As soon as we got one piece of cereal on she would chomp on it and giggle.  It was extremely cute and provided her with a ton of fine motor skill practice, but didn't help me get a picture to share with you.  My daughter is only 19 months old (when this was originally written) and is not ready for patterns, but simply threading the cereal onto the stem is a great activity.  She also just used the chenille stem as a hockey stick to shoot the cereal onto the floor.  We will just call that a hand-eye coordination building exercise.  Mommy didn't appreciate it very much and put an end to it quickly.

When my son was finished threading the cereal we talked about the pattern and how it made the string look a certain way because of the pattern.  I put on a purple and a red at the very end and asked him if those two matched the rest.  We talked about how those two didn't fit in with the pattern, so he decided they needed to be taken off.   

To make it a neat bracelet we simply wrapped the chenille stem around his wrist and twisted the ends together.  Now you have a great snack to finish up your fun learning activity.  The best thing about this snack is that it is portable and can be taken along for the fun. 

My son's preschool class does this activity on a regular basis.  As you can imagine it is a big hit with the girls, but met with the same enthusiasm from the boys.  I want to thank my son's preschool teachers for providing me with a fun learning activity that is so easy to do at home.  I know they aren't the ones that originated it, but they shared it with me and I thought I would share it with you.