DOG DAYS OF SUMMER IN JULY?

 IT'S HOT, HUMID, STICKY AND YOUR HOUSE HAS NO AIR CONDITIONING

SOLUTION?

RECIPE #1: PAINTING:
Take one sweet blue-eyed squeezable toddler in diaper only (cause their little bodies look so cute that way), a used 2" wide house paint brush that's just lying around, a tad of water in plastic container.** (see alternative below) You paint a smiley face on your deck and PRESTO! THE FUN BEGINS.  Stir in a cat and/or dog to the mixture on a whim....sniff some flowers in the process and allow toddler to pluck a few....don't forget the ice cream cone...and AWAY YOU GO FOR FUN IN THE SUN!

ACTIVITY: learning how to paint ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING (gross motor skills); CREATIVE/IMAGINATIVE PLAY, RELATIONSHIP BUILDING; EXPLORATION; ART LESSONS.....AND ON AND ON.....(note: now be flexible: kids love to paint walls,,just about anything, so, "'go with the flow......!"

ISAAC JUST LOVES THE OUTDOORS
This picture doesn't show it but the walkway
in this garden has tall plants and he thinks
he cannot be seen by me!

RECIPE #2: JUNGLE SAFARI
Teach them how to smell flowers and look for
bugs; play ''I'm hiding, I'm hiding and
no one knows where...for all they can see
are my toes and my hair...." 

(ISAAC PAINTING MY CHAIR)
NOW WE KNOW ONE ACTIVITY DOESN'T LAST
TOO LONG WITH TODDLERS,
      SO, WHAT'S UP NEXT ON SUCH A HOT  STICKY DAY? HOW ABOUT......

A JUNGLE SAFARI !

ISAAC OF THE JUNGLE)

(toddlers love to just walk

and talk or make noises telling you what they see or talk to animals- so curious.  I follow Isaac,

he leads the way, and off he goes up through the woods. Its great to see his confidence growing. Be careful though, they pick up anything and put it to there mouth to check it out. The woods holds poisonous things, choking hazards and poison ivy!!!)

RECIPE CONTINUED: provide an unbreakable spoon and small plastic cup- (Isaac has a spoon that looks like an ice cream cone and a tupperware 2 oz. cup for digging in the dirt and collecting stones or big finds!!...they love it! 

and do I see a piggy in the background? What is he doing in the jungle?

"So much to see and do!"

WATER FOUNTAINS are a BIG DRAW!!! 

 THEN MIX IN SOME CATS OR A DOG

that is, if a fox, squirrel or groundhog doesn't appear!

BY NOW YOUR TODDLER SHOULD BE RATHER TIRED AND NEED A REST

with SOME REFRESHMENT

SOOOOO-

RECIPE #3: IT'S INTO THE SHADE or HOUSE YOU GO, GIVE HIM HIS BOTTLE

ALONG WITH LOTS OF HUGS, KISSES AND SING HIM A SONG....but...

Isaac chooses to move his chair to the screen doors; it appears he just can't get enough of the out of doors.

"He-Man"
Where is Battle Cat?
''oh, that's right, we saw him a few
minutes ago in the woods!"

Settling down,  I capture him listening to the birds, the katydids and watching
the tall poplars sway to the beautiful breeze. Does he looked relaxed or what?
RECIPE #4: SKIP THE NAP? WE ARE HAVING TOO MUCH FUN...ISN'T THAT WHAT NANA'S ARE FOR? (to be continued: Swimming with Nana)
OH NO! I NEVER CHECKED THE DIAPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!