Letter Of The Week

I finally started Janelle on the Letter of the Week curriculum. I've been trying to get organized for about 3 months and realized that if I just didn't start with what I had, I never would. So the first week I only did the theme which happened to be "cows". I got several books from the library about cows and some story books as well. It was great. We learned so much about cows and she still remembers all of it. For example, a baby cow is called a calf, a male cow is a bull, and the names of some body parts ie, teats and udder. I found a picture on Google images of a cow and calf and posted the on her learning board. I'll have to post a picture of it.

The next week our theme was "Jungle" and I think she enjoyed that more than the cows. Also this week I added the letter to the board that we studied all week. Each week I added another component of the curriculum until I had the theme, letter, shape/color, number and this week I'm adding the nursery rhyme. I realized that it didn't have to be perfect for me to start, and that something was better than nothing. I'll keep you updated with our progress and fun. I love this job.

New Project

I started making Janelle a new hat. I found the pattern at crochetpatterncentral.com. Its a great site with lots of free patterns. I've posted the directions below. Here is a picture of what the hat will look like. I used an F hook (couldn't find my G), and ch 30 instead of 22.

I'll post pictures when mine is done.

Use Size G hook 1/2 oz of sport weight yarn

(To make the treble crochet (tr) do the following: YO twice, insert hook in next sc. YO and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook), (YO and draw through 2 loops on hook) 3 times. PUSH the tr to the right side on hat.)

Hat is made from one side to the other (not from the cuff up) It should end up with a 10.5" diameter before being stitched up the side.

Ch 18 (22 newborn) (This forms the height of the hat )

Row 1 (Right side): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1 and turn.

Row 2: Sc in first sc, (tr in next sc, sc in next st) across. Ch 1 and turn.

Row 3: Sc in each stitch across row.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 for 32 (36) rows. End off leaving 12" tail of yarn Finishing: Gather top by weaving in and out of the sts. Pull top tightly. Fold hat in half and whip st side seam. Brim: Add yarn at bottom of hat and sc in each st around to form brim. Sc around for 3 rows. End off and weave in all yarn ends.

You can make this hat larger or smaller by using a longer or shorter chain to start, and making more or fewer rows.

POM POM Wrap yarn around fingers till it looks 'fat enough'. Then remove it wrap 2 strands of yarn in the middle, tie tightly in a double knot. Now snip thru the loops, it's usually is a bit ragged at this point, so hold it over the garbage and snip till it is fluffy and even :-) To make it even more fluffy, separate the individual strands in the yarn.

Early Learning At Home

I found this site with lots of info, tips, and activities for young children and babies. This mom is pretty organized and has lots of creative ideas for teaching little ones at home. I was at Dollar Tree the other day just getting ideas for some of the projects I could do with Janelle.

http://www.earlylearningathome.com/home