Chain Letters

It's amazing having a child who is obsessed with the ABCs. That kid will make the alphabet out of anything and everything if given a chance. One of Buddy's new favorite activities is stealing one of my necklaces and creating letters out of it.  I have to admit, it's so fun using a simple necklace and watching how the letters can morph into one another.

Today we had fun doing the entire alphabet together. D put together a montage of our efforts.

ChainLetters from A Happy Song on Vimeo.

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

Quiet Activity Idea: Handkerchief Folding

When I was a little girl, my mom would bring a simple white handkerchief to church and would fold it into a baby cradle in order to keep me entertained.  I loved it and would request it often.  As a child, it seemed like magic. Recently, I started carrying a bandana in my church bag and have been experimenting with some different ways to fold it.  Jellybean likes these handkerchief tricks as much as I did all those years ago.  It's a fantastic quiet activity for church or the doctor's office.  Here are two folding ideas that we've been enjoying.

The Bandana Bunny:

Start with a flat bandana and knot the top two corners. Bring the corners together and tie a big knot to create the bunny head and ears.

Knot the remaining corners into two little arms and bring the knot up in the back to make a little bunny tail.

Handkerchief Baby Cradle:

Fold handkerchief into a triangle. Roll each corner to the center, then fold in half. Take corner on very top and fold out and around to create the cradle.  Look, they're twins!

Jellybean likes to hold the cradle by each corner and rock it while singing, "Rock a bye, rock a bye."

Throw a bandana or a handkerchief in your bag and experiment with some folding of your own.  Here are a couple more ideas that I found out on the web.

Handkerchief Doll
Handkerchief Mouse (I couldn't figure this one out. I'm special like that, so maybe you can.)

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

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Quiet Activity Idea: Felt Alphabet

We generally struggle to find activities that will occupy the kids during church services on Sunday.  I lug a large tote bag filled with different items each week and pray that we can keep them entertained enough for me to actually listen during the meeting.

A little activity I put together has stood the test of time for keeping Buddy occupied. I cut out some felt letters using a few different colors of felt.  He becomes totally engrossed in laying out the letters (which stick great to the cushioned seats in our chapel).

We also take turns spelling words for each other and impressing our fellow church goers with Buddy's amazing reading skills. The family that sat behind us this last Sunday told me that they were thoroughly entertained.

When play is over, I just crush all the letters up into a ball, place them in a baggy and toss them into my tote bag.  Just a little tip for some quiet play.

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

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Wordless Wednesday: Reading Together

 

Buddy and Jellybean spending some quality time together.  She loves doing everything he does. 

For more Wordless Wednesday, check these out.

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ