I have been in Vermont for almost two weeks. That seems crazy – in some ways it is going way too fast but then I stop and realize I really miss my hubs and Julia. But it is all good. H and I are having such a good time together. She is still such a delight. I don’t see very much of the terrible 2’s in her at all. I think this is because she has very good language skills so normally she doesn’t get frustrated when she wants something (or doesn’t want something). She can get her message across. Of course, she is not all angel, all the time. She can be a teensy bit defiant now and then.
I find the gender based differences in children really interesting. I have three boys and a girl, a degree in Early Child Development and have worked in preschools and daycares. There are some very consistent, biologically hardwired, differences between the two genders and other differences that are taught by surroundings, toys offered and parental/caregiver attitudes. Language is a big one. It has been my experience that girls acquire language earlier than little boys and they will often sit for stories and language activities sooner/for longer periods than boys. H is really into singing though her songs are often a mash-up of ABC’s, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Wheels on the Bus. If someone sings with her, she can stay with one song. If she is singing solo, all the songs come up at one point or another during her performance. I appreciate that H’s parents have provided all sorts of toys – she has trucks, tractors, blocks, baby dolls, and stuffed animals. I tried to do the same with my kids and in fact, have the silliest picture of my oldest son (at 2 years old) trying to nurse his baby doll when his baby brother came along. Pretend play should be widespread and include all sorts of imaginary ideas and props.
There are also tons of art supplies in this house. It has been fun to spend time with markers, paints and crayons with H this trip. There was a large cardboard box downstairs and she discovered it made a great ‘vibrating noise’ when she scribbled on it. This was a great activity to do with her one morning last week.
One of the best art supplies in the house are this set of Do A Dot Markers. I think these were a gift from Santa this year. They are filled with washable liquid and have a little sponge on the top. If the lid is left off and the bottle is laying on its side, there is no leakage. They don’t dry out like other markers. Just give it a shake and press it on the paper a couple of times to wick the liquid back into the sponge at the top.
They also have little textured grips on each side making it easier for younger children to use them. It is very easy for kids to be ‘successful’ artists with these markers.
Pressing the marker up and down creates dots which are really fun. To use them like a paint brush or marker, the child presses down and drags them. The colors are vibrant. Anyway, no affiliation here, this grandma just highly recommends them!
This week I also did some sewing (of course!!) I made a little oven mitt for H. She loves to help cook and has been wearing mama’s huge silicon mitt while I am in the kitchen and then walking to the oven and warning me, “hot Grammy, too hot”. So she now has her own small oven mitt with kitties all over it!
I used a tutorial from IkatBag. There are so many really fun crafty projects on this website. I couldn’t figure out how to get my laptop to print on the printer here so I ended up just drawing out a little mitt and using that for the pattern. There is a layer of lining, fusible Pellon, and the outer layer. Both fabrics were fat quarters from Jo-Ann’s. I made the usual sandwich of inner and outer fabric and the batting, then quilted on the diagonal to hold the layers together. They were stitched right sides together and I did a zig-zag stitch around the edge to control any fraying.
Before turning it right side out, I clipped the curves and especially the slight V between thumb and mitt. The binding had to be stitched by hand both inside and out. The opening is too small to easily stitch it on the machine. H loves it and that is all I need to see!
My other projects for last week included a table runner for my DIL – her birthday is coming up next week so this will be a nice project to leave her for her when she gets back home. Also got the Squared Away quilt top stitched together. I will take pictures and share these later this week. Sewing plans for this week include a red satin cape for H to pretend with and more four patch blocks for the memory quilt I am working on.
Looking out the window, the blue skies make it seem like I should go take a walk but it is only 10 degrees out. Maybe when it gets to a toasty 15 degrees, I will venture out with the dog! Hope everyone is enjoying the week. Make sure to find a little time to create something!
Thanks for the marker tips! You’re such a good grandma. I need to figure out a way to get my grands more interested in something besides watching TV shows! That’s all they want to do when they come over. We usually leave the TV off when they come and try to keep them distracted with other things.
How old are they Janice? It seems like TV is such a habit and kids ask for it automatically. But if other things are available to do, they will have more fun. H asks for Elmo and Daniel Tiger but her parents don’t turn it on very often. Maybe for 15 minutes or so every day, every other day? It will be harder as she gets older tho. Screens just mesmerize kids and they get sucked in so quickly. Do you see your grand children very often?
All those activities sure bring back fond memories of when my kids were little. Enjoy every moment, Bernie! They grow up so fast. So glad you have this extended time with H, your son and DIL. That little oven mitt is adorable. I’ve never heard of those markers, but will keep them in mind as a recommendation or gift idea. Stay warm!
Stay warm – that is quite the challenge. I am trying to convince myself to bundle up and go out for a walk. The dog really needs it and H is at ‘school’ today. The markers are a lot of fun and a perfect gift for little ones.
Hi Bernie! I cannot believe it has been two weeks already with H. She is so adorable, and so busy all the time, don’t you find. Those markers look pretty spiffy – I’ll have to look them up for Dominic and his sister. Grandma recommended is the best in my book! Enjoy! ~smile~ Roseanne
Yes – she definitely stays busy. She isn’t one to sit still for very long so it is nice to have lots of ways to keep her entertained. The markers are fun – I bet your grands will love them!
She is so precious! I’m sure you are enjoying your time with her. I am loving those markers. I would love to color with them at my age. That oven mitt is the cutest. I would have loved to have one to play with when I played cooking. It has a realistic touch.
Thank you! The markers are really fun and come in a couple of different color packs. I love them and think they would make a great gift for kids. Perfect for young ones especially. Hope all is well Cherie!!
Bernie, thanks for sharing your Grammy time. My little grandboys are in Alaska and always so special to visit with them. Enjoy!
Rory, not sure where you are so I don’t know if Alaska is a long ways from you? Do you see them often? I am always grateful for FaceTime when I am at home in California. It lets me see her and hear her talking in real time which is just the best. Thank goodness for the technology we have!!
you had me at art supplies for toddlers. I must get some of the dotty markers for my little grand, Freya. She loves scribbling with colored pencils. Perfect. And the tiny oven mtit, also perfect. I appreciated your sewing tips. No sense reinventing the wheel. My daughters and this grand were/are also early talkers and it does help minimize the frustration on some levels. I am following you now, and looking forward to reading more of your blog. hugs from a fellow quilter.
Hi Jane, So nice to meet you! Isn’t being a grandma the most fun? The markers are really nice – they wash off easily and are so easy to use. Whomever invented these is a genius in my book. Stay in touch!
Love the tiny oven mitt!!
Me too Louise! Tiny oven mitt for her tiny (well, actually sort of chubby!) hands. 🙂
I had to be an adult quite a while before I realized Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and the ABC song are the same tune! But it is fun to listen to little ones as they perform their version of songs their parents teach them – I said “L another P” for quite a while during the alphabet song instead of hitting M, N and O! Those markers look great and that little one is going to have such wonderful memories of time spent with you – you’re a lucky grandma!
I am a lucky grandma. I sure wish we didn’t live on opposite sides of the country. It would be so much easier if we lived closer!! But for now, this is how it is. “L another P” is so cute – lots of times it is ellemennopee – so funny!
Looks like you are having a wonderful time, precious time together!!
We are having a blast. Today I need to think of an inside activity. It is zero degrees and I think that is just a bit too cold for me!!
She is so adorable, one can almost forget that she is totally capable of throwing a tantrum. 20 degrees is my limit. If it is in the teens, I will not go for a walk outdoors. Hope you have migraine-free days to make the most of your time on the east coast.
Enjoy every moment of that precious toddlerhood! I’m so glad you’re getting to enjoy this special time with her.
Thanks Rebecca. It has been such a great experience for both of us!
It is funny, I recently made a set of oven mitts for our grandson. I used insulbright in it because I wanted it to be safe if he touched the oven door with them on. I also sewed up one side, put the binding on by machine and then sewed the rest. It worked for me and maybe, if you make another set, you could see if it worked for you.
Having a little one in your life makes you see the world in a different way, doesn’t it?
I like the idea of the insul bright. I have tons of it at home. Good idea for the next round of oven mitts! Thanks Torry. And, yes, having a grand child is just the best!!
The little oven mitt is too cute! Love the kitty fabric too.