Countdown to Christmas Activities. Day 15. Danino Santa

This activity is a double shot: a dinosaur activity and a Christmas one! Santino will do anything if it involves dinosaurs.

Countdown to Christmas Activities. Day 14. Christmas Tree Collage

This is one of those activities I read about in various Montessori books. Not necessarily the same activity, but I was inspired by the Montessori ideas.

Countdown to Christmas Activities. Day 8. Rudolph Foot Stamp Art.

Santino's friend Joe came over to play. Among other things they did, they each picked a video to watch, and Santino's pick was "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". After the movie finished, I suggested we all make some Rudolph art.

Christmas Countdown Activities. Day 7. A Field trip to the Toronto Christmas Market.

Toronto has Christmas Market, that takes place in the beautiful part of the city, the Distillery District. This historic district is an awesome place as it is, with its shops, restaurants, and theaters, but every year now it also hosts a Christmas Market, European style, making it a great attraction for the Torontonians and visitors.

 

 

Christmas Countdown Activities. Day 6. Dinosaur Christmas "Habitat".

Here is a fun installation we came up with today. Well, we first decorated a couple of cones with glitter and pompoms. I actually found some old hair gel with glitter. I let Santino squeeze it all over the cones, and he enjoyed it, squeezing away.

Christmas Countdown Activities. Day 5. Popsicle Sticks Ornaments.

Santino and his best friend Joe had a play date in our house. To let them do something different from jumping on a trampoline and dumping all the toys on the floor, I suggested we do a little Christmas craft.

Countdown to Christmas Activities. Day 4. Cottonpad Snowman.

Directing Santino's attention is quite a challenge these days. He is into physical activities, like soccer, golf and simple run and crash onto couch or pillows. Nevertheless, I try to get him to sit down for a few minutes and read a book together, play with letters and draw or paint. Or do some Christmas crafts.

Countdown to Christmas Activities. Day 3. A Snowman in a Jar.

This was a fun activity! We had a busy day today, so we only got to do this after dinner, before bed time. It is an easy one, too.

"Countdown to Christmas" Activities.

As I've been told multiple times by multiple people, it is normal for the little boys not to be interested in art, creative activities, painting, gluing. I still encourage Santino to do something creative every day. Even if it is just a few strokes on the blackboard. Something!

Making wreaths or any other kind of Christmas crafts is a challenge here. Well, not the "making" per se, but the interest in such activity. Santino only wants to play with dinosaurs (anything related to dinosaurs) and silly wreaths had nothing to do with them. Now they do!

Newmarket Santa Parade 2013.

This will be just a collection of a couple of photos. We walked part of the way to  get to Main St., Santino biked. Then we waited a while with the crowd. Santino's favorite part was in the beginning of the parade - 2 fire trucks! Once they were gone, Santino wasn't much interested. He later wanted to run around, walk his friend's dog (dressed as a hot dog.. so cute!) and dance. The parade was just a tad bit long for his attention span. I reckon.

 

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Easter basket of mini "dinosaur" eggs

Santino hasn't been very co-operative lately, very uninterested in any sensory activities, art or crafts. I have set up a table with a comfortable armchair in his play room, covered with large sheets of white construction paper, put all the art supplies in his reach and encourage him to draw at least a little. We have colored a few coloring sheets, but that was it.

Toddler art: St. Valentines 3D poster

Here is a beautiful St.Valentines poster me and Santino made with a large sheet of construction paper, a few tissue sheets, masking tape and glue.

Sensory play: Chocolate Rice

St. Valentines day is approaching fast, and here is a fun sensory activity that engages not only your child's sense of touch, but also smell. And who doesn't love the sweet smell of chocolate?

Christmas holidays with Santino

We had a Christmas eve dinner at our house last night. Family members came to celebrate the occasion together. There was lots and lots food, Santino got cool trucks as gifts, and I managed to fill the house with the smoke from the fireplace. Yay, fun times!

Santino's Christmas concert

I took Santino to the mall to meet Santa. Santino wasn't interested, he didn't want to wait in line, didn't even want to say "hi" to him.

Then we went to a Holiday brunch at a golf course. There was Santa, but Santino wasn't interested to even come close to him. I understood, that there will be no photos with Santa this year. Not sitting on his lap, no holding his hand, not even standing close to him.

Newmarket Santa Parade

Santa Clause came to Newmarket, ON! He arrived in style with a nice parade an all. Santino and his friend Joe enjoyed the front row view of the parade.