Frog Story Time

This was last weeks story time theme. We had a huge rain a month or so ago and we still have some big puddles hanging around. The local toad population has supplied us with lots of tadpoles to play with!

Last week- we even went for a walk and watched as THOUSANDS of baby frogs hopped their way to new homes. That was really fun to watch the boys chase and catch and love these baby frogs.


Look how little!













I started our Story time- playing a modified version of "Pin the Tale on the Donkey"- except it was more like, "Put a Frog on the Log"












Then we straightened them up and sang the song: 5 Little speckled Frogs














After the we sang the song a few times- I read these two books about frogs and then a few more stories that had frogs in the pictures. (visit bookclub4boys.com for full outline.)
It was so much of fun!

I think the best way to think of story time themes- is to look around you. What is happening in your world? I know- many of you are knee deep in snow right now, but this spring when your toads and frogs are laying their eggs... this will be a great story time! The boys and I really enjoyed ourselves!

Easy- Yummy After- school snack

I'm sorry to say- it's not a "healthy" after school snack. But if you want to be the mom on the block that "ROCKS!" this is the snack to fix. (Especially for those of you who are in the middle of deep snow and wish for warmer summer months. Indulge yourself with some S'mores.)

Today for my son #4 play group / story time. I did a favorite theme: Camp Out. (Here is a link to my Story Time Outline.)

It's not really a Camp Out - but a "Camp In" as we make a fort/tent out of blankets and chairs.
Kids play with stuffed animals, bears, wolves (dogs),etc.. we read some books

(We also made a simple owl/headband.)

Books:
If you give a moose a muffin.
Jam Berry
Camp Out

And then I made S'mores. (pictures below.)

The S'mores were so yummy - I made more for my school age kids when they came home.

Chocolate Chips on a graham cracker with a big marshmallow

Microwave for 40 seconds

Place another layer of graham cracker on top

and enjoy!

Baby Books

I love giving books for baby gifts. This tradition was inspired by two great women. My grandmother who sent The Little Engine That Could story book along with a toy train set and the mother of my best friends in High School (twins) Irene and Eleanor. She sent books as gifts with the birth of each of my sons. I thought they were such thoughtful gifts.

Mrs. Pfefferman wrote a lovely card encouraging me to read to my children and she hoped her gift would help us start our own family library. (She raised four girls all from a wheel chair- the last two who were TWINS! A truly amazing woman!)

I guess what really touched me was her vision. Especially as a new mother, keeping up with diapers and sleep were my main priorities not browsing book stores for good baby books.


Books are a great baby gift. You don't have to worry about sizes and seasons- or even gender! Find a selection you like- and stock up. You'll always be ready for a baby shower. Baby books are always a thoughtful gift they will enjoy years to come.

Laura