The simplest tasks such as folding laundry, cooking dinner, or washing dishes have become some of the most difficult things I am challenged with daily as a new mom! The constant distraction of a newly walking tot can be, well, quite interesting to say the least.

Ivan became very interested in what was in kitchen cupboards around his first birthday ... how to open them, what was inside, and was quite helpful at rearranging items from shelf to shelf. One of the more popular activities: empty out the entire cupboard of Tupperware/plastic containers. I quickly learned to put all the lids on each container. This took up more room than my typical stacking arrangement, however, I wasn't as concerned with him emptying the entire cupboard and then needing to wash everything his slimy hands touched.

One day while trying to be productive in the kitchen, I took the risk of the potential mess vs. the chaos he could ensue left unattended and gave Ivan some fun kitchen accessories (stainless steel bowl, plastic wine glass, large spoon, etc). Then, I dumped some Cheerios and Rice Krispies in the containers and let him go!

How fast and easy I made a sensory and motor skills activity that also provided a snack and allowed me the full use of both hands for 15-20 min. WIN for Mommy!! There was a bit of a mess after, but I got what I was doing in the kitchen done, and clean up was a breeze ... Isabelle even helped!