We had a wonderful holiday, from great-grandma Blanche to little Zora. Everyone worked together chopping and dicing and baking. Now, today, it is time for relaxation, family fun, and left-overs. For most Americans the day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday. SHOPPING! Here in the country, two-and-a-half hours from any mall, it is more fun, cheaper, and far less hectic as we enjoy our view, our family, and some Kitchen Art projects.
My daughter Sage wants her daughter to be an adventuresome eater, so yesterday 7-month-old Zora ate organic yams with cinnamon plus tasted organic fresh pineapple, organic persimmon, and a quick suck on an organic onion.
I realized onion tasting might become all the rage after this past season of Dancing with the Stars when coach Tony had his star munching on an onion---the object to reduce stress and add levity to any situation.
Anyways, watching Zora eat, I realized she will be the perfect candidate for The 'Nose' Guessing Game a few years from now.
Nose Guessing Game:
This game works to stimulate your child's senses. It increases their visual memory (seeing) and encourages their sense of smell.
Ingredients: hard boiled egg, lemon wedge, swiss cheese, pickle, onion slice, peanut butter, chocolate cake, paper muffin cups, blindfold.
Tools: knife, two or more children, cutting board.
Instruction: This is a creative game. 1. Prepare foods and cut into slices. 2. Place individual portions into muffin cups. 3. Play game: blindfold child and hold individual cups up to their nose. Have them guess what is in your hand! Object of the game: to stimulate your child's senses!
Additional Ideas: This game can be played to increase and stimulate the other senses. Blindfolded, have the children taste or touch the food. Or increase their hearing. Place objects in baby-food jars (corn puffs, nuts, tin foil balls) shake and have them guess! Try additional food and kitchen items and happy guessing! Or this game can be played with teams and become competitive!
Over the weekend I had the pleasure of Zora's nap time. Realizing she likes music, sound, and a good beat, I knew my Oatmeal Shake Drum was the perfect project. I created the drum to play with her and help her fall asleep.
Oatmeal Shake Drum:
There are lots of different types of homemade drums. Originally Native Americans hollowed out dried logs and stretched deer skin across one open end to make their music. Today your child will use oatmeal containers or tin cans.
Ingredients: One large recycled oatmeal container (circular type), one cup dried legumes, tin foil, glue.
Tools: Scissors, glue brush, recycled jar lid.
Instruction: 1. Place dried legumes into empty oatmeal container. 2. Squirt glue into jar lid and put layer of glue around open end of cylinder and glue on top. Dry. 3. Cut designs from tin foil (stars are nice). Glue and dry. 4. Place under arm or between thighs, bang on top or shake. Make rhythm and dance!
Additional Ideas: Before you glue on top, stretch long string of bottle cap jingles across opening. Then adhere top. OR cover entire container with tin foil and add painted napkin as decoration. Beat to the music.
These two projects are fun for all ages. Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving. Look forward to my next blog for more family fun!
No comments:
Post a Comment