Amazing Blog with FREE Printables

I just wanted to share what I discovered today!

Check out http://thehelpfulgarden.blogspot.com.  

There are amazing quality Free printables, the whole pink and blue series as well as many more beautiful cards.  Check it out and spread the word!

Holiday Greetings

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everybody!

Poetry and Christmas Tree

There are numerous blog posts all over the blog world on decorating a mini christmas tree.  It is an awesome fine motor work, appropriate for the holiday season and child approved!  We created one for our school too! I hunted and hunted for a decent mini christmas tree that wasn't expensive, but could not find it at any of our local stores.  Finally I bit the bullet and bought a live, small tree at our local Walmart for $8.  (Since it was live, I was kind of ok!)  Since our tree was really tiny and the branches were thin, I bought some mini ornaments from Michaels and luckily they were 50% off, so got a good deal on those!  After spending close to $10 total on this work, I had to get more value out of it for sure! So, I hunted for a nice poem to go along with this, got it from google and created our poetry tray. As always poetry is a big hit at our house!  So here is the tray and some action shots!

Both M and D worked on decorating this tree.

Here is the little tree after they were done with decorating.

Poinsettia, Free Downloads and More Holiday Works

I added a small unit on "Poinsettia" on D's shelves.  I placed a live Poinsettia plant and the following tray on our culture shelves.

The tray holds "Parts of the Poinsettia" 3-part cards and a small booklet that D can read by herself.  The booklet is my test to see if she would be ready for the Classified Definition work.

You can download both the 3-part cards as well as the booklet here. If you end up using these cards, you will have to color in the parts and the booklet is meant to be printed back-to-back. 

I created this tray so, she could also make her own booklet.  The tray contains 4 Poinsettia pictures and blank labels.  The basket contains stuff she can create and color her booklet with.

You can download the page to make the booklet here.

I had to help her punch holes and create a label for the book.  But she was able to complete the rest by herself.  Here is her finished booklet and an page from inside.

We followed this culture work with the reading of "The Legend of the Poinsettia", to understand the significance of Poinsettia and Christmas.

Here are a few more new trays on D's shelves.  D is free to choose any work from M's shelves, so these are just a couple of new trays for her.

Shape Tracing and Pin Punching those out

Some Christmas themed Sticker Work

This post is linked to Montessori Monday.

My Little Angel turns 5 today!

Covered in cake and icing, 

Your smile stretched ear to ear. 

Five candles celebrate, 

The joy of your fifth year. 

We sing Happy Birthday, 

You play midst wrap and bows. 

We marvel at how you touched our lives, 

Just five years ago. 

I remember the first time I held you, 

whispered your sweet precious name. 

You've changed our lives forever, 

Our hearts will never be the same. 

As a child you'll love this day, 

For all the sweets and presents too. 

As parents we'll love your day, 

For the gift we got was you.

Each year we'll add another candle, 

So proud to see you grow. 

But always with the memory, 

Of your first day long ago.

On your birthday, special one, 

I wish that all your dreams come true. 

May your day be filled with joy, 

Wonderful gifts and goodies, too.

On your day I wish for you 

Favorite people to embrace, 

Loving smiles and caring looks 

That earthly gifts cannot replace.

I wish you fine and simple pleasures. 

I wish you many years of laughter. 

I wish you all of life’s best treasures. 

I wish you happily ever after! 

(Adapted from a poem by Jamie Sidwell)

I still can't forget the image of my 5 lb. 6 oz baby, the day she was born! Those huge eyes and dimpled cheeks keep me going even on worst days.  I can't believe my little baby is becoming a little girl.  I wish her all the happiness in the world! Happy 5th Birthday my love!

Some of her favorites from her 5th year: Pink, Swimming, Pizza, Vegetables, Canada (!), Math and Hannah (her friend!).  She wants to be a "Ballet Dancer" when she grows up!

Check out the Mom Bloggers eBook @ Living Montessori Now

Mom Bloggers Talk Montessori: Favorite Ideas and Activities e-book has been published, thanks to Deb @ Living Montessori Now and John Bowman who wrote Montessori at Home!  To get the e-book you need to subscribe to the newsletter from Living Montessori Now.  You will not only receive this free e-book, but also Karen Tyler's 3-6 Geography Album!  I've added a "Contributor" button to my sidebar that is also below, that will take you to this post, that has the instructions for getting the e-book.  Be sure to check it out, it has tons of great ideas from all the wonderful mom bloggers out there!  Once you get the book, let me know how you like it!

Toddler Holiday Trays

Here is a look at some new holiday themed trays are on M's (18 months) shelves.

Sparkly fuzzy sticks into a cheese shaker

Spooning beads (think berries!) onto paint palette

Popsicle sticks into Moon Jar

Pouring star and bow buttons

Transferring bows (M tried the tweezer, but it was meant for D)

And here are some action shots!

This post is linked to Montessori Monday.