Our new mascot..drum roll please....

Here is the preview of the new Little Birdie mascot

What do you think? 

Love is in the air.

Happy Valentine's Day.

we had a small class this morning. it was really nice.
we spent the whole time making things for those we love.
how simple and sweet.

TWO HOLIDAYS in one looooong weekend! Enjoy it....


{ courtesy of ominitia on www.flickr.com } 

Craft: Homemade Finger Paint

Here is a good one for you to try out! Let me know how you like it!
Homemade Finger Paint

1/2 cup flour
2 cups water
1 tablespoon glycerine
2 teaspoon lemon extract for preservative
small screw-top jars (recycle baby food jars anyone!)
Wilton food coloring paste

1. In a saucepan, mix flour with a 1/2 cup of water to form a paste.
2. Add the rest of the water and cook over low heat until thick and clear, stirring constantly.
3. Let cool. Add glycerine and lemon extract. If mixture is too thick and does not spread easily, add a little more water. Divide and pour into smal, screw-top jars (baby jars are great for this). Add food coloring to tint.
Store in airtight containers. Refrigerate for longer shelf life.


Another suggestion...try adding food coloring to yogurt and you can finger paint like this too. Nom, nom, nom!

{ recipe and picture from Busy Little Elf blog ~ thanx } 

In art,

Craft: Make Your Own Paste Recipe

When toddlers first experiment with paste I find they are more interested in getting their hands in it to feel it. So instead of putting some in front of them to stick together, just make a batch and let them play with it a bit. 

Squish! Squish! Messy fun!

Homemade Paste

1/2 Cup of Flour (we use all -purpose organic)

1/2 Cup Sugar

3 1/4 cups Water

any extract (vanilla, orange, peppermint, etc. for smell)

OR 2 drops food coloring

We combine our sugar, flour, and 1/4 cup of water in a bowl. 

Then bring 3 cups of water to boil in a saucepan. Stir in the flour mixture

and reduce the heat. Cook over low heat for 10-15 minutes (but stir constantly!)

Once it is thick remove it from stove heat + add your extract or food coloring (or both).

We save ours in an airtight container in the refridgerator for up to two weeks when not in use. 

Voila! Try it out and let me know what you think! We won't be selling this (we are starting to sell our organic playdough). But we do use this in our classes. Whatever we can make ourselves or recycle/precycle we do!

I will take some pictures later this afternoon for you to see it's consistency.