Snake Pose or Cobra Pose

A child's breathing & relaxing technique. Also called the 'cobra pose' in yoga, though minus the silly snake sound!

1. Lie quietly on tummy.

2. Push up on arms.

3. Take a deep breath in.

4. Release hissssss of air like a snake and slowly settle back down.

This will flex the spine and neck. Flexible kids can also try bending their knees and bringing their feet to their head. Repeat several times for effect.

Happy UN-birthday!

You're invited! If it's been awhile since you've had a party, plan an UN-birthday. If it's not your birthday, then by golly it's your UN-birthday. It's like an excuse to have cake! Take a page from Alice's book. Ask your preschooler to help you plan the celebration from cake to decoration and enjoy a party just because. Pull out some mismatched party decor from parties past, bake and frost cupcakes, put up the balloons your child got for being a good kid while you waited in line at the bank, invite neighbor Nelly. You get the idea. Pretty much anything goes and your little party planner will be sure to love the special and unexpected day.

Buried Treasure

Ahead of time: Adult spray several rocks with gold paint and let dry. Bury in the sand for later discovery!

*Variation: Seashells or coins

Postal Clerk

I'm going to forgive myself the last week or so that I haven't posted. I've had an awesome time with my boys and my husband and enjoying summer has been our top priority!

Set up your very own pretend post office with a table and chairs and various writing utensils, paper, printing tools, and materials to encourage writing. Include materials for mailing- envelopes, stamps (stickers), address labels, greeting cards, postcards, stationery, lined and unlined paper, etc. Write, sort, and deliver!

*Extension: This is a great use for "junk mail," especially business reply mail envelopes. Pat yourself on the back for recycling!

Ballooning

Start with your arms at your side. Breathe in deeply, and as you breathe in raise your arms over your head. Blow out the air while making exaggerated noises, like a balloon deflating, and wiggle your arms until they are back at your side. Repeat several times.

Color INSIDE the Box

**Set a large cardboard box in the middle of the living room for their discovery, with a box of crayons inside. Watch what happens next!**

Build a Fort

**Pull out a few sheets and blankets and build a good old fashioned fort together in the living room. Beyond structure and architecture, climb inside and read a good book together by flashlight.**

Play Food

Since it is C's birthday, I wanted to talk about probably his all- time favorite "toy" and it's pretend food; play food. Now I've seen this done plenty of ways- you can spend money on the plastic or wooden version at the toy store. If
you are crafty and have some time, you can make fake food from felt. If I were only so talented I would, it can look really beautiful.




Over the years, C acquired a few sets of the plastic stuff. But I just wanted to call your attention to recycling food packaging. Empty oatmeal cylinders, cereal boxes, spaghetti noodle boxes, rinsed out plastic condiment bottles and juice cartons. It is the very cheapest play food! And you can cycle the old out as you eat the new, bringing excitement back to playing house all over again!

Share recycling with your children.
Is this the world you want to leave them?