Mommy Monday

I've kinda been slackin' on the Mommy Mondays lately. In part because I always forget what day it is. Also because I didn't think anyone really cared - besides my own mother, who thinks it's cute.

But last week I got a couple requests for the return of tips on how to be the Coolest Mommy on the Block for preschoolers. So HERE WE GO.

Water.


This is one of those "duh" tips. I distinctly remember when my own mommy (the Coolest Mommy on the Block in her own right) told me to just let Little Prince paint with water for hours of stress-free fun.

Eureka! Why didn't I ever think of that?!

We have now developed all kinds of water-play fun. Any suggestions of your own are welcome, as always.

• "Painting" with water. Paintbrush. Water. That's it. (Although it's even MORE fun when chalk is involved.)
• Ice cube painting - sprinkle a piece of paper with Kool-aid or some other kind of powdered drink mix and spread it around with an ice cube. Very cool designs - and edible, too!
• For those of you buried in snow, fill a spray bottle with colored water and "decorate" your yard or snowman.
• "Wash" the walls. Don't laugh. My kids LOVE doing this. Just give 'em a wet sponge and have at it.
• Make "soap crayons." Take about 1 1/2 cups of soap powder (like Ivory Snow), add food coloring and 1/2 cup of water. Let harden in small containers or an ice cube tray. You can "color" the walls during bathtime or outside (in the summer, obviously.)
• Water balloons. Nuff said.
• Play the "waterfall game." This is for young kids. Fill a container with water and take turns dropping pennies in. The game ends when one player drops in the penny that makes the water overflow. (Very. Very fun.)
• You can also "drown the penny." Using a rubber band, secure a tissue or napkin over a water-filled glass. Place a penny on top, and take turns poking the tissue with a pencil until the penny finally falls.
• Make a "sprinkler" out of an old milk jug. Just poke holes in the bottom, fill with water, and tell your toddler to make sure EVERYTHING gets a drink.

I recognize that most of these are for summertime play. File them away for later use!