Fabric Squares

Preasentation:  Fabric Square Matching

Ahhh...my long lost home tool, the Fabric Squares.
This was one of the first tools I made for Zozie for our home classroom.
Just found it again sorting through our video files.
A typical Montessori tool, it costs quite a few bucks when buying from the catalog but is a cinch to make at home. 

The Goal
Refine tactile sense
Memory exercise
Hand eye coordination


The Set Up
1)  Container (small basket or wooden box)
2)  4x4 Fabric Swatches
3)  Pair of Pinking Shears & Random Fabrics in various natural textures
4)  Cut the fabrics into 4x4 squares, then place in basket; can also hem the fabrics if preferred.

The Presentation
1)  Bring the tray to the work table or mat
2)  Set the basket down and slowly remove the first fabric swatch
3)  Start setting down each fabric in a row until you have 4 squares
4)  Then continue the same until you come across a match
5)  Hover each new swatch over the old swatches in a linear and systematic fashion, doing an exaggerated motion of comparing, rubbing of the texture, shake head if not a match and move on till a match is found
6)  When a match is found, place the fabric swatch over the existing one, then keep going until all swatches are paired up.
7)  Have the child try, when done, place all pieces into container and return tray to shelf

This is the same as a typical memory matching game.  Instead of picture cards, we used just a variety of fabric samples (leftovers from my design library).  A mix of textures is key.  Some were sheers, felt, silk, canvas, spandex, velvet.  The focus was NOT on color variation since I did not want Zozie to complete the exercise by matching colors.  In fact, I chose alot of "beige" color fabrics that had distinct texture differences for him to take note of the more subtle lesson here.  He got progressively better at it within a few days once he got the concept. A quick and fun tool to try.

One of his first attempts at the tool @ 2.5 years old (9months ago).
*I miss the "Tiny Zozo" in the video...they grow so fast..sigh.

LAB Work: Madison

Work Budget:  $300 ish
Total Time:  3.5hrs + a trip to Ikea
Location:  Albany, CA   

Just shy of 3, Maddie is without a doubt, one of the "dolliest" of Zozie's friends.  
Yes, she literally looks like a Japanese animation doll.  Like the one on her shirt.  
Or "Boo" from Monsters Inc... but even cuter.

Maddie has a Beautiful & Cozy Home.  
The front living & dining room space is smaller, like Maddie herself, but just as sweet and full of potential!  We are determined to carve out a dedicated play/work space for Maddie.  Tight spaces really gets the LAB going...there's ALWAYS room for a kid's area, even when there's no room, we make our own!

The Before
Previously, Maddie's play area was fun but limited to the space between the living room sofa set and the dining room table.  Let's see about expanding this alittle to give more function to this multipurpose front room.

The Transformation
We started by shifting the dining buffet off the wall.  
By placing it in the center of the space, it acts as a room divider for the new dining area and Maddie's new playroom.  Since the dining set is typically a traffic "island", people approach dining seating from all sides, the set did not need to be against a wall.  This made it a perfect candidate to "float" in the front room.  The accent mirror moved over to the new dining space, setting the new identity with the buffet as the backdrop.  One of the existing downlights is now about center over the dining table, which could be an easy conversion to a new pendant light later if wanted, further marking the dining area.

The After
So what did we do to Maddie's space?
Shifting the buffet off the wall opened up a whole new Montessori-Inspired Corner in this compact front room.  We set up a toddler sized table and chair set and moved the existing chalk board into the play space for her use.  A new lamp illuminates this new area.  A basket now holds her guitar and a work mat.

 
The Food Station
It was important for Maddie's mom that she have the opportunity to practice her practical life skills at mealtimes.  Three small glasses hold the various cutlery utensils, good for gather at meal times and sorting after dishes are done.  Large & small plates sit on top for easy access.  Freebie wooden wine crates were used to help separate the various dishwares.

The Drink Station
How many times does your toddler ask you to get them a drink?  Giving them the chance to help themselves, helps the parent out, and well, helps themselves!  Very empowering, this pint-size pitcher with lid is perfect for small hands.  Pair that with some Ikea glassware and you're good to go!  At only 3 for $1, no worries if there's a casualty or two along the way...

The Clean Station
Every LAB transformation has to have a Cleaning Area. 
A simple dust pan and broom.  A simple metal flower pot converted to trash can.  Both tug nicely into another freebie wooden wine crate. Kids are naturals at making messes.  They also, unexpectedly, like to clean them up!  We just don't give them as much opportunity to do so.  Just like riding a bike, the more practice, the better!  With a broom readily accessible and a trash can in plain sight, this simple life habit can be easily learned and practiced.  And trust me, this is one habit that WILL reward them over and over again into adulthood...

The Storage
We added a new 2 x 2 cubbie bookcase with 2 wicker baskets.  The cubbies provided display space for new activities and games while the baskets conceal old or new supplies for mommy.  A 3 shelf standard bookcase was also added to provide more display space for larger items.

In Action
You know a space "works" not just because it looks cute, but if your child goes right to it.  Although looking cute is a welcomed bonus, the real test of the space flowing well is that it is a "teacher itself."  Things should look obvious & logical to a toddler so it is self-explanatory:  a road map as to how thing work.  In our LAB experiment, both Mad & Zo were both immediately curious about the new space and gravitated towards the various tools and setups.  The playroom offers 2 work surfaces, one at the table, one on the floor with a work mat.

Stamping at the new table.

Apple Sorting.

Threading on the work mat.

New playroom in full swing.

Maddie's mom continues to add to this set up...the newest addition being a metal magnetic board for the back of the buffet!  Wonderful use of space mama!  Thanks for letting HapaLAB participate in this newest transformation.

All Directions

I dunno.

Sometimes I feel like I'm being pulled in all directions.

* Le Sigh*

Fresh Feet.

Zo, Ollers, Zu, Mi, Dels.

 It was an early morning flight to North Carolina...

A last send-off to our sweet cousins across the street, now our sweet cousins across the country.  Zozie was still in his PJs on our trip to the airport, teddy bear in hand.

We cannot imagine our days in Berkeley without each of the smiley cousins and their ever-resilient mama & papa...but we'll manage, I suppose.  We spent everyday of their last week in town together.  

On the final day, I decided to give each pair of their tiny feet a home-pedicure, in preparation of their long flight and journey ahead.  As I washed their toes and heels (I had to bust out the vinegar, scrub brushes, and Epsom salts), it was sweet to remember our adventures here together with each of them.  

One by one we finished, dried off, and they went running again.  

There's something very comfy and secure about Fresh Feet.

In times of change, fresh feet will set the tone for a fresh start.  When asked what comforted people the most in Japan's post Tsunami efforts, the number one answer was clean feet with a fresh pair of socks. 

And so today at the airport, we'll wash, dry, and run again.

love my aunt bek.

With a tear in our eyes, a pain in our hearts, a smile on our faces, we send them off!  You can keep up with them at Pushin' Up Vaiseys, the adventures continue on the East Coast...

 

The Gang sings a sweet farewell...

HapaSTUDIO?

You can find me IN THE STUDIO.

Come see why it's Now Open?

Boy, I'm Dashing.

 

Black Velvet Jacket.

3 Piece Suit.

Cow hide shoes.

And a cute girl on his arm.

Boy, I'm Dashing.

The LAB's been alittle quiet these days...

We've been preparing for a sweet friend's wedding at V. Sattui in Napa.  

And now the Big Day has come and gone.  

It's Zozie's first wedding as Ring "Bear", and yes, he LOVES his cow shoes.

Mama is tired as the Matron, but what a beautiful wedding...

Congrats Auntie Meg & Uncle Dave!

(More on the wedding @ HapaSTUDIO. )

He also loves the appetizer.

And we love him.

More photos:  05062011M+D

ben·to

A kids gotta eat.

That fact + Preschool = Bentos.

Introducing a New HL Tab: "Z food" 

(Click & See!)

That's right, Z is starting Preschool.  

We've been on a wait-list for a Mandarin Immersion Montessori School and got "the call" last week.  A space has opened up at the Young Children's House (YCH).  Like opening night stage fright, I was both totally excited and completely petrified of the idea of not having Zozie with me every morning.  This program is 5 days a week, 9 - 1pm.  A huge shift for us.  Aside from being Montessori, the Mandarin Immersion with traditional Chinese is the real prize for us.  Only in the Bay Area would we have such a school just 15mins away.  We're very lucky...or are we?  Could having no choices be possibly better than having too many choices?

Being late in the school year, joining at this point will leave just 7 weeks before school is out.  It's not that bad.  I'll have him back for the summer, then we'll see about the fall....later. 

Just 7 weeks.  We can do that.  

I can do that.  

Having the Preschool question come up is a significant one in any SAHM's life.  It signifies an end of a life chapter.  One where you are further severing the already phantom umbellical cord from your child.  I suddenly started to feel when Zozie use to kick my belly, from the inside.  Then holding him, for what it seems like forever and always, when time stood still, as a young mother-son couple.  Now, from the occasional request of being carried around, to the shortened good-night snuggles before lights out...

the distance grows.   

Ok mama, all done hugging.

He is growing up, it's not time to start letting go.  

We've already let go.  

Now, it's just wash and repeat.

First Day. *Gasp*

During emotionally hard times, I turn to things that are both essentially required and easily conquered.

This takes us to B_E_N_T_O_S!

So, What is a Bento?
A "Convenience Box" of sorts, it is a single portion packed meal usually set in a multi-compartmental container of many varieties.  Since the idea of putting Zozie in preschool overwhelmed me, I quickly went to buy various Bento making tools to make myself feel better.
Pack a lunch?  OK, I can do this.  
Use a compartmental box to simplify portions and food ideas?  Even better.
The sheer number of ubber-cute Bento Box options is incredible.  You can find all sorts of Online Shops along with sites that share a myriad of Bento making ideas to make lunch fun for your child.  One particularly fabulous site is Weelicious.  It has a great Bento Gallery, featuring the nutritious healthy lunches in compartment containers.  But it's also just a generally great site on making food to feed kids.  You can sort by Vegan, Gluten-Free, purees, or other food categories.

Funny Looking Eggs?  

Boy, he LOVES these.  

Just hard boil some eggs, place in one of these egg molds, snap shut, submerge in cold H2O for 10mins.  

These will jazz up any boring Bento lunch!

Find these at JustBento.Com

I got to work. 
Making Bentos for Zozie became my way of still being with him.  Seeing his food at lunch time will be like,  seeing his mama.  Well....who knows really, probably just wishful thinking.  He'll probably just be happy to have something to eat when his tummy is hungry.
I'm the sappy one here.
Think I'm gonna go make myself a Bento....sniff.

So what about HapaLAB?
No worries...
His homeschool adventures will continue in the afternoons, post naps.
We'll keep the Home Tools comin'.  Plenty where that comes from.
Again, just 7 weeks.