Apple Patterns

With the "apple themed" Jewish New Year just around the corner, we've been doing lots of different games and activities with the simplicity of little cut-out apples. Surprisingly, Freida's favorite activity of the bunch was learning the concept of patterns. I'd start a pattern (red apple, green apple, red apple/ red apple, green apple, green apple, red apple etc.) and she would have to continue placing the next apples from the stacks in order of the pattern. She was so into this and made me sit there for a loooong time doing this little lesson over and over and over again. Thought I'd share this 2-year-old discovery! :)

Challah Poppers!

Totally looking forward to trying out this recipe for "challah poppers" for a modern and updated round Rosh Hashanah bread!

Jr. Yoga: Sun Salutation

Some of you girls have been asking me about what video I use when doing Yoga with Freida, and while she's been joining in my AM Yoga routines since she was a wee little thing, we are currently really loving getting our morning stretch on to the "Sundance" by the Bari Koral rock band. My favorite thing about this specific video is that it is fast paced enough for me to join right along with her and actually get a good enough stretch. Also, the animal imitations and sounds make this super fun for her to keep up and moving - she has me put the video clip on repeat at least 3 times.

I love Yoga for kids because I find all the stretching and breathing relaxes and energizes little kids in a way that other exercises seem to tire them out (which is great too!) or rile them up. Freida reacts really well to these positions, and always seems happily mellowed out after each routine. If you have younger children and long for the benefits of a quiet stretching hour, there are heaps of "mommy & me" Yoga classes all about your town - a simple Google search is bound to yield plenty of Yoga Studio finds offering these mom + baby classes. Also, these little mats are wonderful to have on hand for any sort of mom/baby studio class.

Enjoy!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6B_OaTQm2I]

Reign in the Rain

For those of you back east slipping quickly into sweater season, here's some sweet finds to embrace the impending rain: One. Two. Three.

Homeschooling: the Frequent 4

For those of you who really don't see yourselves writing out full-on lesson plans, the "frequent 4" are a sure-fire and much simplified way to make sure you get all the growing-kid goodness packed into one little day.

I use white board markers on my fridge, but you can use a paper, a chalkboard, a framed whiteboard DIY, or anything else you see fit. It's basically a method of 4 categories, and simply making sure to do one of each of them every day.

My "frequent 4" are: Create, Refresh, Learn, and Move. It basically comes down to doing something creative (art, music, crafts etc.), something outdoors (park, walk, swim etc.), something educational (letters, numbers, science etc.), and some form of exercise (dancing, yoga, races etc.). You honestly won't believe how simple and productive your days with your toddler/child will become!