Sunday, August 29, 2010

Sensory Activity Playdate

Friday morning we went on a Southern Illinois Parents and Kids Meetup playdate through http://www.meetup.com/.

The playdate was held at the organizer's church in Carbondale. The different sensory stations included:

- Bubble station (pictured below)
- Music station - homemade instruments/items
- Bean/Rice Tub - beans in one tub and rice in another with different scoops
- Shredded paper tub
- Oatmeal playdough station with cookie cutters (see recipe at bottom)
- Water tub - with sponges/bath toys
- Balls out on the front lawn
- Shaving cream tub - they could find toys in the shaving cream


Water tub

Hayes had a blast going around to all of the different stations and so did the other kids! It kept them completely occupied while we were there for 1 1/2 hours. You probably have these items at home or can get them very cheap at your local dollar store.

Here are some websites and resources for you and your child(ren) that were handed out at our playdate:

Sensory Integration Activities: http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-integration-activities.html Note- This site is for Sensory Processing Disorders, but is useful for every kid, not just those with disorders!

Sensory Activites for Babies: http://www.essortment.com/family/sensoryactiviti_soyp.htm

Sensory Diet Activities for Different Stages of Life: http://sensorysmarts.com/sensory_diet_activities.html

Oatmeal Playdough
1 cup flour
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup water

Gradually add water to flour and oatmeal in bowl. Knead until mixed (this playdough is sticky, but unique in texture). Model as with clay.

Tip: Add cornmeal or coffee grounds in small quantity for texture.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Hayes's Dreams

From earlier this week
Hayes: I had a bad dream
Me/Sheldon: What was it about?
Hayes: I was at a candy store, and got sour candy. I don't like sour candy.

From this morning
Hayes: I had a nice dream
Me: What was it?
Hayes: It was about Eli.
Me: Awww. What was he doing?
Hayes: Sleeping

This is what we look over and see every night at dinner

"Poor little dinosaur. He never had a chance." ~ Sheldon Porter

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Hayes's First Day of School!

Here is Hayes before going to school today.

Little did he know then he couldn't take toys to school.
I told him he couldn't take them because some other kid might get him when he puts him down to play. Hayes said he would just play with his toys.


Here is what he came home with.





Thirty-One Thursday!

Here is my Thirty-One Gifts setup at my first in-home party!


Thirty-One stationery, address labels and notepad.

The NEW City Skirt Purse, large basket and pull-apart cosmetic bag.

From left to right: corner of clear liquid travel pouch ($11) in black tailored stripe, hard case wallet ($25) in onyx medallion, mini on-the-go organizer ($22) in onyx medallion, round compact mirror ($10) in lime ditzy, soft wallet ($20)in paparazzi dot, pear icon coin purse and butterfly coin purse (each $14) and manicure kit ($16).

Retro Metro bag in Mod Dot! LOVE this bag! Must have one! People are using this for a diaper bag, gym bag and school bag to carry books.

You can still take advantage of the $1 August embroidery through August 30, 2010 if you’ve thought of any additional gifts you need for a teacher, friend, neighbor or relative! I’ve set up an event on my website, Last Chance $1 Embroidery for Upstate SC. All orders will be delivered to the upstate, and distributed to you.

On Facebook? If so, then join my group, Lindsay Porter’s Thirty-One Gifts, to be automatically entered for a monthly drawing! http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=130198123688797

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Crowns ~ Girls' Night Out

WOW! I am over joyed. I just got approval to set up my Thirty-One Gifts booth at the Marion Civic Center for the event below! For those of you back in SC...think a Peace Center in Easley.
http://www.marionccc.org/main.html

Three to four other small Christian businesses are going to have booths as well. I am really excited to start planning for this!


Sunday, August 22, 2010

Gotta Love Sam's Club!

So we went to Sam's Club today, and this is all we bought. Sheldon opened them tonight, so I'll report back on when they are gone.




Eli is 6 months old today!

Here is Eli at 6 months old! He has his 6-month checkup in the morning, so I'll post his stats tomorrow. He does have a small lump on his upper right thigh that I discovered Saturday morning. It doesn't seem to bother him, is not red or hot to the touch. Hopefully it is nothing to be concerned about.
Do you think he is teething?

We got this exersaucer for his 6-month birthday. We spent $100 and after about 10 minutes he was done.

Sunday Mornin'

Chillin this morning with my two boys.

Hayes said, "take my picture" and then struck this pose.


Hayes Goes to School

Here is Washington Elementary! This is where Hayes will attending Pre-K this Thursday. He'll go from noon-3pm everyday! Yes - everyday!

Hayes wanted to wear his new pirate sweater on this 90 degree day for our Pre-K meeting at his new school.
Just inside the school doors!


Mrs. Beth Henry at our in-home visit Friday morning! Mrs. Henry has been a Pre-K teacher for eight years! I'm so excited that Hayes will have some daily social interaction with children of his age, and I can also get involved with the school and meet other moms!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Harrah's Casino & Hotel ~ Metropolis, IL

Welcome to Harrah's Casino on the Ohio River in Metropolis, IL! This is about 45 minutes south of us. We thought we'd check out the hotel while we were in Metropolis.

Looks like Travis Tritt will be performing here soon! Come on up! (Looks like he may have had a little botox, or maybe the photo is just retouched?)

Here is the entrance to the casino from the hotel. Must be 18 to enter so here they come back up. DENIED! (Nah - they just really went down to check out the entrance)



An OLD gambling machine. These were throughout the wings of the hotel. After touching most of them we saw the "do not touch" sign.

Here's the Watling Draw Poker built in 1900. By 1896 card machines were in virtually all of San Francisco's cigar stores and saloons. All of these were really cool!


Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Thirty-One Gifts Party!

Tonight is my first Thirty-One Gifts party at my mom's house! Can't wait to catch up with some friends and family and share my exciting new products!

Monday, August 9, 2010

Are you Ready for Some Football?

It's about that time, and Sheldon is trying to prep Hayes! Does Hayes like Tigers or Gamecocks? You decide!

http://sharing.theflip.com/session/cbe82fbe0e46c66ad880dfc76e1efbac/video/16975929

Sunday, August 8, 2010

On the Road Again!

Today we are driving back to South Carolina! REALLY not looking forward to the drive, but can't wait to see family and friends.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Another VBS performance

Hayes didn't get as involved in this one, but watch the little boy beside him.

http://sharing.theflip.com/session/bd56a684de40043701ccdaa33bb2e71f/video/16975494

Hayes at VBS!

Turn up your volume and watch Hayes dance! He's in the front with the orange shirt.

I don't know what is up with the elbows.
http://sharing.theflip.com/session/ed2b8e219b078bd20b58af78b2a56f08/video/16975736

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Happy Birthday to my Sister!

Happy Birthday Tuesday! See you in a few days!
(I'll probably see her before she reads this!)