Passport Fun

Wednesday's are library day for us. We drop baby sister off at my parents (Grandpa and Grandma B) for her morning nap and then 5 and I go play and sing and read with other kids and their moms/dads/grandmas. We always have fun. This morning, my mom called to ask if 5 could stay with them for the rest of the day when we came back to pick up the baby. Mommy and Daddy both said yes and 5 was really happy about the idea so she is playing and napping there today. How many people in the 80's ask to hang out with a 2 1/2 year old for the day? My children and grandchildren are so rich! 

But Monday and Tuesday were travel days for the girls and me. Last week we learned about things we might find at a world market, beautiful carpets, lanterns, masks, etc. This week we are learning about natural wonders around the world. On Monday we got out our day 11 supplies from Mother Goose Time and found a passport for each girl. I cut their faces out of extra photos I have (why do I print up so many?) and 5 was in charge of glueing them in place since her 8 month old sister eats everything within reach. 

Then the girls prepared to board the plane for their trip to the Grand Canyon. I checked and stamped their passports and showed them to their seats. 

While enjoying their in flight snacks, the girls watched a YouTube video by National Geographic. 

Then we looked up the Grand Canyon to learn about what plants and animals live there. We found a lot of cool stuff here. When 5 found out bats live there she remembered the hibernation unit from Mother Goose Time and asked to hang upside down. 

Next she asked to play with the supplies from Day 8, She loves to wear the the loom loops as braclets. On Monday she wanted me to wear them too. We decide against sharing them with 7 because in spite of what she may believe, they are not food.

5 wanted to finish the carpet on the loom because she thought the doll house needed a make over.

And apparently the Grandpa doll is either in the dog house or he's having back trouble. 

On Tuesday it was a trip to see Ayers Rock. Back to YouTube since I had no idea where that was. Australia! We looked at the world map and decided we should travel by boat this time. Once again, passports were checked and stamped and 5 grabbed a paddle and off they went to the tune of, "Row, Row, Row You Boat"

Upon arrival they watched the video I found, we looked at Ayers Rock pictures, and learned about it from Wikipedia. Did you know the people who live there recognize 5 seasons? 

1. Wanitjunkupai (April/May) – Cooler weather
2. Wari (June/July) – Cold season bringing morning frosts
3. Piriyakutu (August/September/October) – Animals breed and food plants flower
4. Mai Wiyaringkupai (November/December) – The hot season when food becomes scarce
5. Itjanu (January/February/March) – Sporadic storms can roll in suddenly

Thanks Wiki.
Next was craft time. Yipee!

MGT had a really cool project for us. They provided this light blue card stock and red sand for 5 to make her own version of this beautiful sandstone formation. This was a great sensory and fine motor activity. 

 A perfect match.