It's My Turn, Mama

I don't know if y'all went through the Terrible Twos. In my house, the Twos are pretty terrific; it's the Threes that are just about the death of me. My youngest is now a full-blown three-year-old - curious, affectionate, silly, adorable, BUSY, testing every boundary, and liable to destroy a room if I take my eyes off of her for a moment.

"What do you mean I can't drink the rest of the syrup 

and then eat half the jar of peanut butter?I just did, didn't I?"

Needless to say, it can be quite a challenge to do schoolwork when she is awake. Our saving grace has been her Table Time boxes. I fill plastic storage containers with one activity each, and she can choose what she wants to do QUIETLY while we work. It's not a perfect solution, but it is a big help. Unfortunately, we have had the same four boxes for the last 10 weeks, and she has definitely gotten bored with them. This week I stumbled across some great ideas on Pinterest! I know, I know… who hasn’t stumbled across some seemingly amazing idea on Pinterest that they could surely do, only they don’t? These ideas, however, are easy, fun, and inexpensive. In fact, my two big girls have decided to put activities together as their Christmas present for their little sister. (It is sweetness like this that makes the bickering and griping fade to gentle whispers in my memories…)

Toddler “Busy Bag” Swap - 20 busy bag ideas

Toddler Busy Bag Swap, Take Two - 20 MORE ideas

30 Materials and Activities to Promote Fine Motor Skills

Learning for Kids


True confession time - I haven’t even checked out the last two links. From the first two (and all the blogs they sent me to) I have compiled a list of 89 activities, which I sorted out for 3, 4, or 5 year olds! Seriously, these women have provided me with nearly 90 ideas for entertaining and teaching my little one instead of just trying to keep her quiet so I can get on with my “real” educating. Some days I am quite humbled and grateful to all the moms who put their creativity out for everyone else to benefit from.

I can hardly wait to see my baby’s face when she gets to check out all her fun new games and toys! If you have some time, browse through the links. There are some clever, clever mamas out there. Which are your favorite toddler games and activities?