Quality time

If any of you know me, you'd know that I'm obsessed with cleaning. I think it may be because we have two dogs, so I feel I always need to vacuum or whatever. So lately, all my newly acquired "spare time" I've been spending it cleaning since I've gone so long without doing it....wiping down baseboards, vacuuming, trying to get "caught up"on laundry....(like that will ever happen), making beds, cleaning high chairs, so on and so forth. Yesterday I had a small moment where I looked at my daughter and thought, "she's growing up way too fast, and I'm missing it. I'm not doing my part to help her learn either..."

Several months ago, I got this book in the mail from an anonymous person called Slow and Steady. Its a book that teaches one activity per week until the kid is 5 years old. We've been pretty good about using the book, and I think it helps. (at least it helps us THINK we are helping, and thats all that matters. haha)
I pulled out the book yesterday, and found an activity I thought I'd like to try. They said to use sand or dirt....which we do play with when it isn't pouring rain out like it was yesterday....so I reverted to dried black beans and pinto beans....which have been sitting in my pantry for probably 2 years.

I put a hippo mat that peters grandma made the grandkids in the bathtub. Then we just started playing. Elsje really enjoyed it and loved to feel the beans in her fingers. Here are some pics of just how much fun we had. Afterwards, we enjoyed a homemade molasses cookie....yum!

On the other hand.....Ezra had a more low key quality time with mom. We just practiced tummy time and mom got a few good pics...

Being a mom sure does have its moments........