Count Explore Blessings: Adventures of Little, Middle, and Mom

Hoping to get caught up on all our adventures soon!  February 12: National Lost Penny Day Who doesn't have a million pennies rolling around the bottom of their purse or car? I feel like you can find them just about everywhere. At our house a lot of those pennies end up in one of the kids' piggy banks because there's just not a lot else to do with those things. Today's holiday is about gathering up the abandoned and lost coins. I decided to turn it into a scavenger hunt for Middle. I could have easily hidden a bunch of actual pennies around the house, but with as bad as my memory is, we'd have been searching for them for months. I decided instead to make larger paper versions and put them in various spots around the house. I made 6 and hid them throughout our downstairs rooms while Middle napped. When Middle woke up, I showed him a real penny and explained that it was a kind of money. His immediate response was "That's money" much to Papa's delight....

 I previously skipped a blog because we were waiting on all recipients to be surprised. After today, we can finally post about... January 31: Inspire Your Heart With Art Day! Knowing that Valentine's Day was coming up, Middle and I decided to use this day to make some cards for a few special people in his life. If you didn't receive a card, please don't be offended, Momma could only draw so many and Middle's little fingers could only color for so long! As per usual, while Middle napped, Momma got to work on creating his Valentines. We went with a corny joke theme. When he woke, I helped him write his name on each card. I only had time to photograph 3 cards before an impatient Middle swiped one to get started on coloring! He colored each card and when he decided he was done, he would bring them to me in exchange for the next. Then he thought long and hard about who he wanted to give each card to and we wrote out their names on the back. He also got to deliver all the car...

Nothing! Other than the fact that they're all part of the holidays we've been celebrating over the last week. February 5th: Take Your Child to the Library Day We're lucky and live a block and a half away from the library so on warmer days, we can walk there. Middle's been there a handful of times, but none of which were during a time which he was aware of the library concept. So this visit is sorta like his "first" real trip to the library. We left Little home with Papa so that we could explore the children's section. As we arrived, Middle first noticed the Library's lion statue. The Library Lion was sculpted by Nancy-Carolyn Smith and is entitled "Where Shall We Travel Today?" We were greeted by librarian Mary as soon as we walked into the section. Middle was a little hesitant at first to interact much, but Mary didn't give up. He was excited to see all the books on all the shelves. But what he was most excited to see was.....a train! Ma...

...is the delivery. February 4: National Thank a Mail Carrier Day   "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." We've all heard the saying. Today is a day to thank those who brave the elements to deliver us our cards, letters, and yes, even our bills. Middle and I decided to make a card for our postal carrier. We actually got a head start on it by doing the work on the 3rd so that we'd have it ready and on the mailbox whenever our carrier came through. Some days he's really early and others he's later in the evening, so we didn't want to miss him on the big day. Momma started by drawing out the card while Middle napped. Then Middle got out his crayons and added the splash of color. He looks like he's concentrating so hard 😂 Once he decided he was done, he was totally excited to show off his work to Momma and Papa. We put the card in a safe place until the next morning. I...

 OK, campers, rise and shine, and don't forget your booties cause it's cold out there. It's cold out there every day. That's right its.... February 2: Groundhog Day! Momma loves this holiday. Momma grew up in Marion, OH which just so happens to be the home of one Buckeye Chuck, Ohio's official groundhog. Phil Whatshisname over there in Pennsylvania can take a hike! Chuck has a far better accuracy rate and he's a hometown boy since 1979. Since 2006, Chuck has been twice as accurate as Phil, with six correct predictions to Phil's three. Every February 2nd, Chuck's adoring fans gather at the radio station in Marion for his appearance and weather forecast. Traditionally, Spam sandwiches are served and Chuck poses for pictures. Why Spam sandwiches? Well Spam is canned pork that's ground up...groundhog! The radio station live broadcasts the event over the air and online for those who can't make it in person. For the last 3 years, Papa and I have listen...

 Baa dum tssssss....😂 I'm purposely skipping the blog for January 31. Middle and I did an activity for Inspire Your Heart with Art Day, but we're keeping it a secret for the time being. So moving along... February 1: National Serpent Day There are over 3,400 different species of serpents living across the globe in many different types of habitats. Scientists estimate they've been slithering around the planet for around 128.5 million years! Hisstorically, they've been portrayed as symbols of evil, fertility, power, wisdom, and medicine. With a resume as impressive as this, it's only fitting that they get their own day. Middle, Little, and Momma are on the road today, prepping for tomorrow's big holiday. We still brought our craft supplies along though, so once we got to our destination, we made our own colorful beaded serpent! This activity is actually really great for developing fine motor skills. We started by picking out a pipe cleaner and bending the end so ...