Creative Child's Floor Covering

We have a pack of foam alphabet tiles that is really just collecting dust.
Using them to make a "rug" is brilliant.

image via desire to inspire

Fabric Scrap Memory Game

I don't have fabric scraps, but this has inspired me to put together our own version of a memory game in the near future. We spend so much time playing it, we might as well add a new dimension of fun to the game...

via t&t

Concept Interiors

I want a hole in my wall.

Some extra time during the day would be nice too.

via dti

Indoor Climbing Wall

We know we should choose stairs over elevators to get a little more exercise, but using the rock wall seems like an even better choice... 

This room would make my monkey-kids so happy, and I would appreciate the good night's rest the exertion used on this wall would provide.  You could always keep the rock wall close to the ground when kids are little and add more climbing holds and height as they grow older.

via Remodelista

The cure for boredom is curiosity.
There is no cure for curiosity.

~Dorothy Parker

Color Blocks

We have been struggling to figure out how to paint our son's room. Originally we chose a green similar to the one used in his room in our last house, but it just didn't look right. I decided I was done with the previously loved look and want to do something new.

Using blocks of paint as shown in this month's Cookie Magazine could look fantastic. I am toying with alternating one green and one blue, or just using different shades of blue or green with a white or colored background. Even if we don't wind up doing this now, I think that the brighter colors with a white background are perfect for spicing up a playroom.

I'd also like to get a low bookshelf like this. I just need to find one.

Bringing Books To Life

Show me and I forget.
Teach me and I remember.
Involve me and I learn.

-Benjamin Franklin

This little guy and I were reading Aesop's Fables and came to the story of the crow who drops pebbles in the long-necked jar to get the water to the top so that he could drink. It was one of those rare times that we just went with the spontaneity of the moment and replicated the story in our kitchen. It led to a very enjoyable and memorable experience. He was involved, and he learned.

I like to think that he will always remember this afternoon. I like to think I will too. Watching him discover that he could make a book's "fantasy" his reality was wonderful. I hope it helps him to realize that just about anything is possible. If you can imagine it, you can find a way to see it through.

He got so excited as the water reached the top. You could tell he was so proud and so thrilled that he had solved the problem himself. He even took a little drink!

Note to self: Try to bring books to life more often. As these books get reread the experiences will be remembered.

Snack Rules

I was reading in a kiddo magazine about a Mom's rule that if the kids want a snack while watching TV or a movie it has to be vegetables. Not such a bad idea considering how mindlessly we all eat when something is on. I might have to try it out, but allow veggies and fruit.

Apple-Cheese Boats

So, lots of thoughts. Lots of ideas. Lots of stuff to figure out over the next little bit. Starting with fun little apple-cheese boats.

I decided this would make a fun reality and when M saw the first one he just grinned and excitedly said "I want to make one." We spent the next half hour making all sorts and sizes of boats to replace the ones that got shipwrecked and eaten by sharks or octopuses. Thick slices of apple, cheese and toothpicks are all you need for a very fun and very healthy snack. Multiple toothpicks and different sizes of cheese sails make for some pretty intense pirate ships!

We are going to start posting ideas like this on tutus & turtles so I decided I might as well stick my initial on photos that will be posted there. That is what that little smudge in the corner is!