I know what you're thinking, could this lady talk about anything else besides the weather? She does live in Alaska after all. And to that I would say, you are correct. But that doesn't make the winter any shorter, or an increase in activities magically appearing. The sun will come out in May....bet your bottom dollar! So for now I am stretching every creative bone in my body to keep these kids from burning down the house. And we all know I am not the most funtastic mom....so stretch baby stretch!
Masking tape racetrack anyone? If there is one thing that we are not short on in this house, it is cars. There are about three large baskets full of cars in the playroom. So I figured why not build a miniature racetrack that the kids can actually race on? Needless to say it was a hit! Grab a little masking tape and get to work. I got up early and made it for the boys so when they came down the stairs they would be singing my fun mom praises. I came, I saw, I conquered!
There has been an abundance of arts and crafts going on. Painting, coloring, coloring, painting. I think at some point everyday someone is at the table doing something with crayons and markers. We have incorporated a little play-doh in as well, despite my utter distain for that playtime material. However, we got the Kinetic Sand play sets and I happen to be really okay with those. For whatever reason the kids will keep the sand in the tray and play on the table for a good hour or so. Play-doh seems to still get in the carpet and everywhere. So I reach for the sand.
String Maze! This one is probably my favorite, and we have built a few different ones in the last couple weeks. The boys are all about playing spies and creating "missions" to go on. They will play for hours on end climbing, rolling, going in and out of these things. Avalon has a great time just running straight through and pulling all the strings off the wall, which you can imagine goes over real well with the boys. Nothing a little more masking tape can't fix.
And I would dig my own grave in the snow if it weren't for the iPads. Listen....a little educational screen time never hurt no toddler! At least no toddler in this house. When your children are stuck in the house because the temps are in the single digits, or there is 48 mph winds outside, did I mention it's COLD, they tend to eat a lot! So while I waste my life away in the kitchen I let them grab their iPads and pick a couch and just relax so I can hide prepare their detailed food requests. Some of the apps we are loving are, Agnitus, Ace really likes this one. EduRoom and EduPaint (thanks for telling me about these Laurie) are Pierce's go-to games. He loves the matching and puzzles. ABC Mouse is another one that Ace can sit and play, and I don't feel too guilty when I hear him counting and spelling. All of these do cost a little change in your pocket for the full versions, but to me they are worth their weight in gold....or my sanity! And Avalon happens to play Frozen songs over and over again on her iPad and take no less than 350 selfies. Do your thang baby girl!
That's how we do it over here. The kids are over the toddler time at the indoor soccer place. The museum does nothing to peak their interest, and I can only fake the funk with a group of mamas in an inflatable house place for so long while secretly cringing inside and wanting to douce my children in sanitizer. Only a few more months until I can open the backdoor and let the animals free in their native habitat, and until then I will try not to torture you with my ongoing weather reports.
How is the winter treating you? What is your antibiotic of choice for cabin fever? And mamas let me know what educational apps your kids like.
Post originally found on Pardon My French blog.