A Snail as a Pet

 I admit that I watch Nick Jr.'s Peter Rabbit without my nanny girls.  I do.  I adore this show.  The other day, Benjamin Bunny (Peter's cousin) had a pet snail.

 Benjamin fed his snail...

 ...and did art with his snail...

 I was a cute story.  Then, Benjamin ought he lost his pet snail and was so sad.  Peter and Lily Bobtail had to help Benjamin find the snail.

I just love the art in this show - the scenery is amazing and life-like.  The stories are always encouraging - "Never Give Up!" Peter Rabbit says at least once a show.  I want to travel to England to see the countryside and farms and stone walls and...But until then, I will watch more Peter Rabbit.

Have a fun and play day
Mel

Nick Jr. Peter Rabbit Play

Peter Rabbit is a favorite in the nanny house. I will admit that I, too, watch the shenanigans of Peter Rabbit, Lily Bobtail, and Benjamin Bunny.

We get lost in the story and picturesque scenery. It's beautiful.

I sometimes watch the show for inspiation for my playscapes. "Make McGregor's garden," said G. Okay!

Playscapes are landscapes for imagination. With a garden playscape, kiddos can reenact scenes from the Nick Jr. Show or make up their own scenarios.

My playscapes are wool felt, hand-stitched, handmade. I add tiny details like gardens, mushrooms, hollow logs that animals can go through, babbling Brooks, grasses, etc. Each one takes me 6-8 hours, because I do everything by hand.  I believe in childhood. I believe in the power of play. I believe in imagination.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Creating Healthy Eaters Through Play

Have you ever thought about subliminal messages? Well, ponder this. Creating healthy eaters could be as simple as play.

On Nick Jr's Peter Rabbit, he is always eating fresh foods straight from the garden or forest. Stage you child's play with healthy foods like Peter Rabbit.

Maybe set up a mini farmer's market in your child's dress up area or in their dollhouse. Promoting healthy eating as easy as...not pie :)

Researchers have studied this for years, but moms know that children learn through play. Setting the stage with healthy food will send the message that apples and broccoli are examples of eating healthy.

I am a big fan of toys at the table. "Oh, Peter Rabbit is goubg to try some blackberries. How about you try some, too. " you might say.

Provide healthy snacks and encourage them to try new things.

Play with garden or farm toys and talk about where food comes from. I am always surprised when kids think food comes from the delivery man!

It's okay to play with your food!

Maybe provide healthy foods in the dollhouse can influence healthy food choices at dinner time.

It's all about positive attitudes towards being healthy and eating right, being a good example, and opportunities to play and act out scenarios of healthy food.

Have a fun and playful day.
Mel

Wishing for Spring

This morning, I woke up to snow covering the ground. I am wishing, hoping, dreaming of gardens and flowers and Peter Rabbit. Peter Rabbit is playing on one of my handmade playscapes from my etsy store.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

What we are playing with today...

 PBS's Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood (based on Mister Rogers Neighbood Land of Make Believe ) is a HUGE hit with us. These adorable toys came in a set of 5 for $9.99 at Toys are us. There not no small parts, so little sister plays with them, too.

 Nickjr brought Peter Rabbit to a new generation. The computer animated series is sooo cute and has a good lesson in it.

What can l say? I live Schleich horses as much as the girls. They are all hand painted and have incredible detail. Now add the 3 sets together and oh, the stories l have heard today!

Have a fun and playful weekend.

Mel🐸