The Celebration of May Day

Thank you Annie for requesting this post!

As a child my family of five children (I was smack dab in the middle) always celebrated May Day with the other families in the neighborhood. We would decorate disposable plastic cups, little green baskets that strawberries use to come in at the grocery store, or make them out of construction paper and embellish them with ribbons, paper, stickers, or markers. We would then fill them full of all kinds of treats such as candy, popcorn, pretzels, and/or homemade cookies. We would quietly place the "basket" of treats on the door step or porch of a neighbor, ring the door bell, then bolt as fast as we could away before the expecting recipient would answer the door. We knew that if the person who answered the door would catch us we'd get a kiss. And this is how we celebrated it.

While thinking up how to write this post I decided to do a little research into what exactly May Day is all about. While thinking of this post I asked around to my family and friends to see who knew about May Day.....I received mixed reactions to it. There were some who knew exactly what I was asking about and others who have never heard of such a celebration.

Here is what I discovered in my research.....

Roots of May Day celebration in America:
The Puritans frowned on May Day, so the day has never been celebrated with as much enthusiasm in the United States as in Great Britain. But the tradition of celebrating May Day by dancing and singing around a maypole, tied with colorful streamers or ribbons, survived as a part of the English tradition. The kids celebrating the day by moving back and forth around the pole with the the streamers, choosing of May queen, and hanging of May baskets on the doorknobs of folks -- are all the leftovers of the old European traditions.
Read more at http://www.theholidayspot.com/mayday/history.htm#4hWtFhqOOcbTDRYm.99

Roots of May Day celebration in America:
The Puritans frowned on May Day, so the day has never been celebrated with as much enthusiasm in the United States as in Great Britain. But the tradition of celebrating May Day by dancing and singing around a maypole, tied with colorful streamers or ribbons, survived as a part of the English tradition. The kids celebrating the day by moving back and forth around the pole with the the streamers, choosing of May queen, and hanging of May baskets on the doorknobs of folks -- are all the leftovers of the old European traditions.
Read more at http://www.theholidayspot.com/mayday/history.htm#4hWtFhqOOcbTDRYm.99

• May Day is celebrated on May 1st! 
• May Day is celebrated more in Great Britain than in the United States. 
• Traditions include dancing and singing around a maypole, tied with colorful streamers or ribbons. Children celebrate by hanging May baskets on doorknobs. 
• Many times a festival is held and a May Queen is chosen. 
• May Day was also celebrated by some early European settlers of the American continent. 
• In some parts of the United States, May baskets are made. These are small baskets usually filled with flowers or treats and left at someone's doorstep. The giver rings the bell and runs away. The person receiving the basket tries to catch the fleeing giver; if caught, a kiss is exchanged!

More information on the holiday and it's origins came be found at:
History and Origin
May Day

Every year since my daughter was born we have celebrated May Day with our closest family and friends.

Here are some ideas on how to celebrate May Day:

DIY Coffee Filter Flowers.... 

Materials Needed:
* Coffee Filters (you can get cheap ones at the dollar store)
* Markers
* Old newspaper
* A spray bottle with water
* Green (or any color) pipe cleaner

Step 1: Color your coffee filters any way you like. The more you color and the more colors you use the prettier (in my opinion) the flower will be. If little ones are helping you make these you will want to place the newspaper underneath so they don't color all over your table or counter top!

 Here is my three-year-old daughter showing off her coloring skills!

Step 2: With the newspaper still underneath spray the coffee filters with the water from the spray bottle. The coffee filters will go flat as you spray them. Again you'll want that newspaper underneath as the markers will bleed some.

Step 3: Let them dry. We let ours dry for about an hour.

Step 4:  We used two coffee filters per flower.... you can use more or less. It's all up to you. Taking the coffee filter bunch it in the center at the bottom and wrap a pipe cleaner around it. You may want to use a bit of glue to reinforce the flower if you want it to last.

Step 5: Display your beautiful flowers in a nice vase.

Step 6: Gift your beautiful creation to an un-expecting friend on May Day.


Construction Paper Cone Baskets....

Materials Needed:
* Colored construction paper
* Scissors
* Glue, tape or a stapler
* Ribbon
* A hole punch

Step 1: Chose your color construction paper and your design. This year we made flowers. Last year we made bumble bees. Use your imagination and embellish however you wish.

Step 2: Take a sheet of paper (any color you want) and roll it into a cone shape. We cut a small piece off the top to make the cone "level".

Step 3: After picking your design get to work cutting it out...if you have little ones helping you with this project I'd recommend cutting out the pieces for them but let them glue or tape the pieces in place.

Step 4: Glue, tape or staple it together. Pictured above is my three-year-old gluing her flower onto the cone.

Step 5: You may want to reinforce the bottom with a little tape so your treats do not fall through the tiny hole in the bottom of the cone.

Step 5: Hole punch two holes across from each other on the top. Then use the ribbon to make a cute handle.

Step 6: Fill your beautiful creation with yummy treats. 

Step 7: Hang your adorable May Day cone from the handle of a neighbor or close friend doorknob. Ring the doorbell and run!


Disposable Cup May Day Basket....

Materials Needed:
* Disposable cups (I've used both plastic and Styrofoam)
* Pipe Cleaner or ribbon (for the handle)
* Construction paper or scrapbook paper
* Scissors
* Glue Stick or tape
* Hole punch

Step 1: Chose your design. Again it can be anything you want....use your imagination! 

Step 2: Cut out your design. Last year we made bumble bees!

Step 3: Glue or tape the creation to the cup.

Step 4: Hole punch two holes across from one another.

Step 5: Using the pipe cleaner or ribbon make a handle.

Step 6: Fill with yummy treats! We filled ours with popcorn, M&M's and pretzels before placing them on a neighbors doorstep.

DIY Paper Plate Basket...

Materials Needed:
* Paper plates (I used leftover one's from my daughters birthday party which was this past January)
* Scissors
* Glue, tape or a stapler
* Ribbon

Step 1: Flip the plate over and cut four small slits into the plate (as pictured below)

Step 2: Fold the pieces inward (as pictured above and below) 

Step 4: Fold the plate into a "basket" .... it's easier than it looks!

Step 5: Tape, glue or staple the sides together....I used tape. Though glue or staples works just as well!

.

Step 6: Glue, staple or tape ribbon around the basket. Hot glue would work great here...we used a glue stick which worked well but took a little longer to dry.

Step 7: Sit back and admire your beautiful work! Then fill it with yummy treats like homemade cookies, candy or popcorn.

Step 7: Place your cute paper plate basket full of yummy treats on the door step of a family member or friend, ring the door bell, and hide behind a bush to see their reaction as they open the door.

Other May Day Basket Ideas....

* Flower Pot .... decorate or paint a flower pot. Plant in it a beautiful flower/plant (treats do not have to be something you eat!)
* Tissue Box .... cut the top off the box and decorate as you desire.
* Tin Cans....cover with decorative paper or paint it!
* A traditional store bought basket
* Recycled sour cream container, cool whip container, etc. Cover with paper and embellish!
* An empty strawberry, raspberry or blueberry container.....leave the lid on or cut it off. 

Don't forget a note so your giftee knows who took the time to make such a fun and beautiful gift for them to enjoy! 

Happy May Day!!

Magnetic Tray Activities

I am not a huge fan of having lots of things plastered all over my refrigerator. So when I came across using cookie sheets as a magnetic board I was sold! Here are some of the ways we use cookie sheets....other than to make delicious treats on!

Note: I purchased these very inexpensive cookie sheets from the dollar store! That's right...I only paid $1 a cookie sheet!

Magnetic Pompom Matching Games:

You can make your own sheets or do a quick search online for these pages. After printing the pages off I laminated them to make sure they could withstand lots of use. Next I purchased multicolored fuzzy pompom balls (also from the dollar store....can you tell I love it there?). I also bought a package of 3 of the large zip top type baggies from the dollar store to store the whole thing in. Makes for an easy cleanup and organizing! Next I purchased a roll of magnetic tape from Micheal's Craft Store. I didn't use the whole roll but now I have it for other projects! I cut to size and hot glued the magnetic strips right onto the underside of the pompom balls! Super easy. My daughter can "play" for a long time with these! It works on matching, fine motor skills, placement, and so much more! P.S. I do not recommend these for under age 3 as the balls and magnetic pieces can be choking materials.

Barnyard Animal Match-Ups:

I got this magnetic barn and animals from the local consignment shop for less than $4. Here is a link to one online if you want to purchase or wish to know more about the barnyard toy. 

LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Magnetic Alphabet:

I also found this one at the local consignment shop and paid around $4 for it. I've also found them at garage sales and on online consignment websites. Here is a link to one online for more information. 

Magnetic Alphabet Letter Match-Up:

My daughter got a package of these alphabet letters in her Christmas stocking from a relative this past year. I kept trying to figure out what to do with them and then decided on this. I took a piece of plain white printer paper and traced the letters in alphabetical order for her to match up. Then I laminated the sheet of paper so it could also get a lot of use. Next plan to trace the letters of her first and last name so she can practice matching those up! Recommended for ages 3 and up as some of the letters are small enough that a little one could choke on them.

Do you do anything fun or different using cookie sheets? I'd love to see what you have come up with!

What is in Your Child's Diaper Bag?

I'm often told I'm an over-organized, over-prepared mom....I take it as a compliment! I'd much rather be over-prepared than under-prepared. So one of the questions I often get from friends and family is what is in your diaper bag?

Keep in mind that my diaper bag is used for a infant (now 10-months-old) and a toddler (three-years-old).

I have used and come into contact with a lot of different diaper bags in all the years I've been working in the child care field. First you'll want a bag that is heavy duty/sturdy but can be put through a wash machine as it will get dirty. I also like the bags that have a strap that fits over your upper body....not just over one shoulder. When you are trying to keep track of multiple kids like me (a toddler and an infant) you'll want your hands free. I also like diaper bags that have lots of pockets on both the inside and the outside to help organize everything better.

Here is what I keep in our bag..... (keep in mind it will vary by family and what stage your kiddo(s) are in (ex. potty training toddler vs. newborn baby)...

 

 Front pockets:
* Hand sanitizer (only used if no running water is available). We use this after playing at the park or when in the car.
* Extra bib
* Coloring pages, a small notepad, and crayons (for my toddler....we use them when waiting at an appointment our when out at a restaurant that does not have them already)
* Laminated family photographs (my daughter loves to look at these when she is missing mommy and daddy....as a daycare provider I love these for when the child I am watching is missing their parents)
* Extra bags (to throw nasty diapers in when a trash can is not available, dirty clothing from a blow out diaper, etc). I keep the little bags that the newspaper comes in and use it for this. I also use grocery bags.
* Burp rags (for my infant)

Inside front pocket:
Note....everything is kept in small zip top type baggies to keep items clean or keep items with liquid from exploding on everything else.

* Extra thermometer .... They gave one to us at the hospital when we had our children. I also keep alcohol wipes to clean the thermometer off before use. There is also one of those bulb suction things. I used it often when my little ones were really little in the winter time.
* Extra tissues
* Comb and extra hair ties (for my toddler)
* Lotion
* Band-aids and ointment (for lots of little toddler boo-boos ).
* Infant Tylenol
* Hand wipes (we get these for free when we eat out at BBQ type places...we just grab a few extra and toss them in the diaper bag)

Inside: 
* Diapers (for my infant)
* Pull-ups (for my toddler). She is now potty trained (with very few accidents) so I only keep one in there now just in case.
* Small books (for long waits)
* Snacks...even mommy needs a snack once in a while!

 Inside: 
* Extra plate, fork and spoon .... you never know when you'll need one. We just used ours this past weekend when we were on a quick trip out of town. I keep it in a gallon size baggie to keep it clean.
* Extra snacks....fruit snacks for my toddler and cereal for my infant
* Receiving blanket
* Seasonal Items.....ex. hats and mittens in winter, sunglasses and sunscreen in the summer
* A zip top baggie with little toys (we have the little characters from the Shrek movie) 

 Extra pouch (came with the diaper bag):
* Diapers
* Wipes
* Diaper rash ointment
* Note pictured: I keep a few pairs of rubber gloves for blow-out diapers and an extra trash bag in there too. I also have a changing pad which I forgot to stick in the picture.

Inside:
Each child has their own bag with extra clothing for blow outs, spit ups, or big messes. 

Infant's Clothing Bag:
* Two onsies (pay attention to sizes and seasons)
* Socks
* Since it was winter when I took this picture I also had an extra hat and mittens as these get lost easily

Toddler's Clothing Bag:
* Extra underwear (as we are potty training)
* Extra shirt
* Two extra pairs of pants (because we are potty training)
* Pair of pajamas ... for the rare times we run late getting home we get our daughter changed before she falls asleep in her car seat.
* Extra socks

Side pockets:
* Extra bottles
* Sippy cups 

Other items you may consider:
* Infant formula (if used) 
* Nursing cover, breast pads, 
* pacifier
* Emergency Information
* Nail clippers
* Shirt for mom (for spit ups, leaks, etc) 

You'll be amazed by how much you can really fit in there if it's packed well! Put items you use often toward the top or in a pocket for easy access. Replace items that are too small or are for the wrong season. 

Remember, items change based upon child's needs, age, developmental stage (ex. potty training), etc. Also swap out clothing depending upon the seasons. Replace diapers and wipes as your supply gets low. You don't want to be out in the middle of the day in the middle of no where with a blow-out diaper and no way to clean it up! Yuck!

What do YOU keep in your child's diaper bag?

Pipe Cleaners and a Strainer

Here is an quick (and only cost me just over $2 to throw together) activity for your toddler to help with their fine motor skills! My three-year-old daughter loves to do this activity.

I paid $1 for the assorted multicolored pipe cleaners at the dollar store and $1 for the cute little Betty Crocker strainer at the dollar store. Both fit nicely into a gallon size zip top baggie for storage.

Introduction: I showed my daughter how to stick the pipe cleaner into the holes on the strainer and then stood back to watch her at play.

This fine motor activity kept her busy for over 30 minutes! That is a lot of time on one activity for a three-year-old all by themselves. She often requests to do this activity and still spends quite a bit of time working on it.