Christmas Thrift Store Find

Thrift stores are awesome for finding treasures.
A couple of weeks ago I found bells and beads and wonderful Barvarian decorated wooden people.
But my favourite was this tree shaped tray with small containers.

As I finished my shopping my mind was wandering to what to use the tray for.
Since I had bells in my basket I thought they may work.
Then I thought if we used coloured pom poms the play may be more diversified.

Santa Hat Snack

I found this idea on Pinterest at http://daisyt13.wordpress.com/2011/12/04/santa-hat-brownies/
I made them last week for a bake sale at school.  Unfortunately I under-cooked the brownies and couldn't use them.  For a quick fix I grabbed ginger snaps.

Today was our last day of school so I thought these would make a special treat.

I quickly made up a recipe sheet for snack this morning.

All you need are gingersnaps, strawberries, and whip cream.

The children are learning how to follow instructions by reading the pictures.

They were a lot of fun to eat.

But for this little one, if she hesitated, her dad snuck a lick.

Yum!

Linked to:

Playdough Tree Decorating

Play dough is such a great toy.
You can add a variety of tools or materials to make it seem like a whole new toy.
This month I made green play dough and set it out with rolling pins and tree cookie cutters.

Then I added a tray with buttons, little white styrofoam balls and tinsel pipe cleaners.

The play dough is a busy centre everyday.

 Such a simple addition allows the play to change over and over again.

Reindeer for Snack

This past week the children could build their own reindeer to eat.

Three easy steps to read and follow.

Spread cream cheese on to a small rice cake then add pretzels for antlers.
Antlers was a new word for some children...

so I found a reindeer stuffy to leave on the table.

Finish the face with craisins for eyes and nose.  Yum!

Music Time

Once a month Jill, a preschool music teacher, visits StrongStart to lead us through a music time.
She runs a program called Music for Young Children.
Today we sang Christmas songs and because it wasn`t a large group she was able to use her `co-op` band.

She made it from a super long bungee cord and made a fabric cover for it.
Each person found a spot to hold on as they sang a song about trotting on a horse.

At the end of the song they fall backwards.

As they fall back the bungee cord pulls them back up.

Everyone got in on the fun.
A big thanks to Jill for volunteering her time and knowledge with us.

Simple is Best

I love when a very simple craft turns out so well.

I love when parents think it's so cool and so easy because maybe they'll make it again at home with their child.

I hot glued the pinecone to an old greeting card so it would be easier to carry home.  Plus it's decorative.
I watched in amazement as every child that attended today painted a pinecone tree.

Sparkles are a must when it comes to Christmas trees.  But surprisingly we didn't end up with it all over the room.

Look at the smile on his face.

Is it because of the 'cherry' on top or pride in a job well done?
I think they are beautiful.

Paint Chip Ornaments

Every time I go to the hardware store I pick up a few paint sample cards.
There are so many things to use them for.
I've posted about using them for colour hunts.
Well I saw this idea posted on Pinterest and found the site http://paintcutpaste.com/paint-chip-gift-tags/
There are a lot of great ideas at paintcutpaste - worth checking out.
Here is our twist on the paint chip tags.

Provide a supply of paint chip cards.

 Various hole punches and coloured cards.

 Scissors with different blades, zig zag, etc.

 Watch the creating begin.

 Learning to tie a knot.

 Showing off the finished product.