Play Group

Wow, blogging neglect. Then again, I've never been very good at blogging to begin with. But we'll give it another shot.

Little E is 2! I can't believe it half the time when I look at her, and hear her say things like, "But why mom?" (Isn't 2 too young to already be starting the "why" stage?) Anyway, some ladies in my neighborhood with their own two year olds started a mommy and me play group and invited us to be a part of it. It's just once a week for an hour. We sing a song or two, read a book, do a craft, have snack, and of course play with toys. Really I think these kids would be completely content just playing with the toys, but it's nice to have some structure of a preschool type to introduce the idea to them.

playing with toys at one of the houses (she loves doll houses)

We rotate homes every week between the 4 of us, and today was our turn to have the group over. And here is how it went.

I decided what I was going to do last week. I got the idea from here. We were going to make paper plate monster faces. I went to the store on Saturday and last night to get supplies. I cut out some shapes late last night as the Mr and I watched a movie. This morning I decide to test out the styrofoam plates (don't use styrofoam plates) we bought and make a monster face. The pieces were taking forever to dry and with toddlers I didn't know how well that would go over. So I decided to change my idea about an hour or 2 before play group. I stress myself out way too easily and over the most ridiculous things. Last night my husband says, "I think you're worrying way too much what 2 year olds will think." So true. Why was I stressing about a simple play group?

Well, my backup activity, also from that same site turned out just fine, and probably even better for these kids who just wanted to play. Little E would not do the activity. We did paint footprints and turned them into monsters. At first none of the kids wanted to do it, finally they all gave in, and made 2 each because they liked it! Woo, success. We played "Pin the Arm on the Monster", and they all wanted to do that multiple times too. Little E wouldn't do that either. But I think it was a successful activity overall. I did read too long of a book, I learned my lesson. :) And baby J broke my pearl necklace and sent pearls all over the floor (good thing it was a fake, sadly I can't go back to Japan and buy another fake).

Pin the Arm on the Monster

Once everyone left I was ready for a nap. It may have also been due to the fact I didn't get to bed till midnight and woke at 6, with one wakening in between. But my goal for the next play groups I'm in charge of: STRESS LESS, PLAY MORE.