100 (Attempted) Ways to Entertain a Young Toddler, Day 76: Toddler Rock Painting

I came up with a new art project for Oliver, and it worked out so well.  I call it "Toddler Rock Painting."

Here are the supplies you need:
Rocks
Non-toxic paints (I used acrylic)
Tupperware with a strong lid (choose one that can get icky)
Wax paper

Step One: Take your toddler outside to pick out some rocks.

Step 2: Wash your rocks to remove any dirt.  Let your child help!

Step 3: Squeeze some paint into your Tupperware. Your child can help with this part if you don't mind a potential mess.

Step 4: Put one rock into the Tupperware, and put the lid on, making sure it's secure. Show your child how to shake it.  Let them go to town shaking up the rock and paint.

Step 5: Remove the rock, and set it on some wax paper to dry.  Add a little more paint to your Tupperware, and drop another rock in.  Shake, shake, shake!

Here's a video of our project:




We made four rocks:

Step 6 (Optional): Watch your rocks dry.

By the time we woke up the next morning, our rocks were completely dry.

Oliver put them in the food processor, which I let him play with (without the blade and unplugged, of course!).  He told me he was making rock soup.

This project was a huge success!  Oliver keeps asking me if we can paint again.  This is the most fun he's had with any art project.  I have a feeling we'll be doing this project over and over again.  A+!

Friends and Coffee for the Win

I've been experiencing a few small bumps in the road of life.  One of my best friends popped by with an iced latte on Thursday to cheer me up.  I was on almost zero sleep, and the kids were cranky.  Her visit was exactly what I needed to make the day better.

She helped Oliver select rocks to drop into the creek from a foot bridge.

I think Oliver liked having someone around with as much energy as him.  Phuong enthusiastically dropped rocks into the creek right along with him.

We came home to get out of the sun and cool off.  Oliver thought it was the neatest thing ever that Phuong gave him some ice cubes to drop into his water.

Friends make life infinitely better.  I can't imagine my life without her!