Tot School Letter F

((Hannah is 43 months))

((Danny is 19 months))

Theme: Fish & Frogs

For the letters E & F we tried some q-tip painting for the first time. This was a big hit and good for small motor skills.

 Hannah is really loving these letter maze sheets. We use different ways to complete the maze every time, sometimes stickers or dot markers and there are many other ways to complete the maze.

 

 Again these letter do-a-dot pages are a hit.

I found a fishing game at the Target dollar section in November and couldn't wait to use it for the letter F. I also knew it would be great for the bath tub or this summer in the kiddie pool. I snagged it up now because who knows if they'll actually have them when it's warm. It's a little difficult but it makes Hannah concentrate.

 Hannah is really starting to be able to trace lines better and better. The only thing is I keep trying to get her to practice over and over on this dry erase folder (another Target dollar section pick up) but she's pretty much a one and done tracer at this point.

Painting water colors is still a big hit and she's actually starting to paint the image not just colors everywhere. This is a paint by number page that is a little too advanced for her but still enjoyable.

(( Linking up with: 1+1+1=1 ))

Pinned it, Made it, Loved it: Chicken Tortilla Soup

 Back when I lived in Oklahoma I frequented a Tex-Mex restaurant called Peppers. There was only one thing I would order every time and it was their Chicken Tortilla Soup. I have yet to ever find another restaurant with a Chicken Tortilla Soup like it or even a recipe that came close until now. Every other restaurant that I've ever ordered it at is more authentic and has a more clear broth. 

I was browsing Pinterest and happened upon this recipe. I just thought it looked good and thought I would try it. Low and behold I was in love and so is the family. One of the secrets to this recipe is the Juanita's tortilla chips that I used. They are made right here in Oregon and no other chip would have worked the same.

I again adapted the recipe to suit what I had on hand. (i.e., canned chicken instead of fresh and more chiles then the original recipe called for)

Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe (Chicken tortilla soup, adjusted)

• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 small cans of chiles
• 1/4 cup dried minced onion
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup crushed Jaunita's tortilla chips
• 1 large canned chicken breast
• 8 ounces light sour cream
• Garnish: additional tortilla chips, shredded monterey jack cheese, green onions

In a large covered pot, add chicken broth, tomatoes (with all the juice), green chiles, onion, cumin, pepper and Juanita's tortilla chips. Bring to a boil over medium high heat and then reduce to medium and let simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add chicken and cook for 2 to 3 more minutes until heated through. Remove pot from heat and stir in sour cream until thoroughly incorporated.
To serve, top with crushed chips, cheese and green onions.

If you cannot find Juanita's tortilla chips in your local grocery store, look for a chip that is more authentic and is a "oilier, greasier" chip.

Tot School Thanksgiving Week...long overdue

((Hannah is 43 months))

((Danny is 18 months))

Theme: Thanksgiving

Well as part of my recurring theme on this blog, it's been forever since I've had a chance to sit down and blog. We had the holidays, busy life stuff, sick family, super sick me and then more holidays.

Once the holiday season hit it was just chaos. So I have a lot of catching up to do. I believe the I left off with Thanksgiving week Tot School activities so here we go.

Okay, so clearly I was busy just as I thought during Thanksgiving week because there are only 3 pictures. We did a ton of stuff that week though, so I guess I was just too busy doing activities to take pictures. Below is a picture that Hannah made at church. 

Hannah did a ton of Thanksgiving print outs from 3Dinosaurs  .

 

We also read a ton of Thanksgiving books listed below.  

That's pretty much all I can remember from that week. I'm sure there is more but a lot has happened since then.