Baking Soda + Vinegar

One of the things I love about being a mama is watching the boys have the same reaction to things I must have had almost 40 years ago.  There's nothing quite like pouring vinegar over baking soda.  The fizzing and foaming are truly amazing to a child.  It had Freddie busy for an entire hour. 

A jelly roll pan covered with baking soda, some vinegar colored with food coloring, and some pipettes made for a completely engaging afternoon activity.  He squirted and watched over and over and over, creating designs, mixing colors, and just watching the fizzing as I talked about primary colors and chemical reactions.  I see many baking soda and vinegar volcanoes on the beach in our future this summer. 

March Activities

Freddie decided these would be perfect pencil holder's for Dada's desk at work.

The winter has been dragging on.  Since we all had lots of fun with all of our December activities, I decided to institute something similar in March, except a little "lighter."  I have a skeleton plan and each week will take a few of the ideas, collect supplies, and add them to our calendar.  I am hoping it keeps us moving, and speeds up Spring's arrival. 

Activities:

• Frosting containers turned chicks and bunnies(as pictured)
• Egg carton caterpillars 
• Clothes pin caterpillars
• Clothes pin butterflies
• Plant herb seeds
• Rainbow collage
• Baking soda + Vinegar exploration
• Egg hunt (With Hans' playgroup)
• Finger Paint
• Rice Crispy treat bird nests
• Dye Eggs
• Paper plate chicks and bunnies
• Bake cookies
• Bead and pipe cleaner shamrocks

Outings:

• Home Depot Workshop (The three guys)
• Central Park Zoo
• Swimming (Dada and Freddie time)
• Ice skating
• Go "maple sugaring"

"Academic" and "Skill" experiences:

• Write birthday thank you notes, a couple per week means this will be a month long project
• Books on spring, Easter, bunnies and other baby animals
• Books on St. Patrick's Day, Leprechauns, shamrocks, rainbows
• Learn Dada's phone number, reinforce Mama's (I've been a bit worried we may one day become separated on the subway.)
• Provide opportunities to write numerals 
• Work on getting Hans to only use the toilet and not the little potties
• Provide opportunities for Hans to practice pedaling (I always forget he is happy to go in the hall to do this and it doesn't have to be a warm sunny day.)