Fairy House

This past weekend our grand daughter came to visit us.

She was in play heaven.

Going between Nana's playroom and

 outside with Opa to his trains.

But one toy that she really enjoyed playing with this time was 

the Fairy Box.

I first blogged about it here.

In four months her interest and ability to participate in imaginative play has grown.

 Did the fairy fall down or is she sleeping?

"Sleep" says the little one.

I found a few little extra pieces for the Fairy Box.

She is pouring some tea for the fairies

and eventually her baby doll.

April's Treasure Basket - Construction

The little one has been interested in vehicles lately,

especially the sounds.

So for her April Treasure basket I decided to make it 'construction' oriented.

The basket had blocks, road signs and construction vehicles.

When she got the basket she and her dad set up a road and played on the bed.

The next day I converted her sensory table by adding a piece of cardboard

and cut two holes in to it to sink pot holes.

I painted a quick background,

then set up some of the pieces from the basket.

All ready for her to see after her nap.

She took a bit of time exploring the different pieces

but what she liked most was discovering that the pot holes could pop out!

After Dad got home from work she showed him the set up.

A plastic bin was put underneath to hold more blocks

and she enjoyed pulling it out and adding more to the table.

We started to take more time to stop and watch big machines wherever we could.

She soon learned the sign for digger.

Back at the play table she started hauling some of her little animals in the truck.

She loves making the sounds of the truck.

Dad reads a great book that is all about the sounds that big machines make.

Ready for tomorrow's work.

Another Cardboard Box

Last month I noticed that my grand daughter was beginning to enjoy pretend play.

When reading a book about food I would pretend to eat it and she thought that was funny.

I thought it would be fun to see what she would do with her own play food so decided to make a kitchen.

I used a diaper box and turned it inside out.

For the sink I found a food container from their kitchen, traced the bottom

and cut out the hole for it to fit in.

Next I added some dishes and she was off,

stirring her imaginary drink.

For the stove top I simply drew circles.

Mom made some tea to share.

The little one is watching and taking it all in.

An oven was made by cutting a door in the front.

One thing her parents commented on was that she was trying to turn the knobs on their gas stove in the kitchen so I found some little knobs and her dad screwed them on to the front.

Now when she touches with the real stove her parents direct her to her own stove.

I brought some little pots and pans, as well as some felt food to add to the play.

And finally I printed a picture of cookies baking and taped it on the inside of the oven door.

Her mom had made a comment that it is often difficult to make dinner because the little one wants to be with her (and usually hangs on to her legs).

So I suggested moving the card board kitchen into their kitchen so she could stay busy.

It worked great.

 

Especially when mom joined in the fun.

 Happy cooking!

The Leprechaun Family

This week when I go home my daughter and grand daughter will be coming with me.

I'm very excited that they will be home for St. Patrick's Day

because we can go visit the Leprechaun Tree.

I got busy on the weekend and made a Leprechaun family for my grand daughter to play with.

It's modelled after her own family with a mom, baby and dad.

When I arrived Sunday night we put her new playscape together.

Starting with a basket filled with green (fake) grass

and a walk way that has jewels glued to it.

A little house came next and she was eager to get the family into play 

but there were a couple of more things to add.

A rainbow stacker, tree and bench finished it off.

Oh and of course a pot of gold.

It's set on top of our little sensory table with a book called 

"The Littlest Leprechaun".

The house soon came out of the basket so it was easier to reach

and the family have been happily tucked in to it several times.

Sometimes those tricky Leprechauns try to get away

but she catches them

and puts them back.