I just have to give a little shout-out to Amy over at Let's Explore. I just discovered her blog and online store a week or so ago. I was really impressed with the unique products she offers as well as the really great posts she writes for fun things to do with children. So, on Monday, July 7th, I placed an online order. Within only a few hours, I received confimation that it had been shipped. And today, Wednesday, July 9th, imagine my surprise when the postman knocked on my door and was holding my order from Let's Explore. I order things online VERY OFTEN and have never had such speedy service. And to top off the great service, there was a special surprise in the box! I didn't notice it because I was too busy pulling out everything I had ordered. However, my 6-year-old said, "Mommy, there's a lollipop!" Sure enough, Amy had included some organic lollipops with my order. OK...........I'm a customer for life. Amazing service! Thanks so much!! Of course I snapped several photos so you could see what I bought.
This is a sticker playset. It comes with vinyl, reusable stickers that you can put on the world map which is inside. My 6-year-old practically ripped it out of my hands before I could take a photo. He is a little geography buff and is currently downstairs playing with this. It will go on my Geography shelf in the Montessori classroom IF I can sneak it out of the house ever :0)
I also got this set of 4 tongs to use for transfer activities in the Practical Life area. They are really sturdy and look like they wouldn't break too easily, unlike some tongs I've had. You can see a close-up on the right. There are 2 different sets of 4 to choose from.
And the crayon rocks!!!!!!!! I knew when I first saw these that I would order them. How cool are these? They come with the little purple velvet bag. The website says they were designed by an occupational therapist and they are perfect for helping little ones develop a tri-pod grip. These are so fun. My 6-year-old has already tried them out. I am planning to use these in the classroom as well, but I may order another set to keep at home. I am thinking these would also make a great birthday gift along with a handmade tote bag and tablet of drawing paper.
And here are the two playsilks I ordered. For right now I am planning to keep these at home. I have thought about ordering playsilks for the boys for a long time, but never did. I am excited to see what creative ways the boys find to play with these.
Wow some great stuff that you have got there I love the chopsticks.
Posted by: Thimbleina | July 09, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Thanks for the rec. I'll have to check out her store. We have the animal tongs that you got. We actually use them as child chopsticks. Do be careful with them. They will break if a child pulls them in the wrong direction (which my children have done!). That geography sticker set looks awesome!
Have you thought about hand-dying your own playsilks? I just ordered some white ones from Dharma Trading the other day, and we are going to do a craft activity with boys' summer camp program at Montessori. You can dye them with Kool-aid, and all you need are the blank silks, Kool-aid, vinegar and a microwave. I'll be sure to post pics when we do it in a few weeks!
The crayon rocks look like they would make a very creative gift for a special someone!
Posted by: Tina | July 09, 2008 at 03:39 PM