Presidents, Teddy Bears, and Candy

Counting by tens to see how much we owe for the chocolate hearts 

Today was one of this days that the kids just did not know how to entertain themselves.  By the end of the day I was exhausted and had totally run out of ideas.  We had already made books, colored pictures, played Monopoly and video games, read, and I think it was only 2:00.

After my son's nap I had the kids set up a candy store with all of their extra candy from Valentine's Day.  They sold suckers, chocolate hearts, candy hearts, and teddy bears.  My kindergartner made the signs so we knew how much everything cost.  He didn't understand why he was selling teddy bears there, but I told him he would find out why later.

We practiced counting by fives, tens, and counting coins while we played.  My kindergartner wanted to be the store owner the whole time and my three year old and I were the customers.  We played for about 30 minutes.  It was a good change of pace for the boys and I was surprised when my kindergartner said he wanted to stay home to play candy store instead of go get a car wash with Dad.  Of course, I convinced him to go with Dad (I was looking forward to 20 minutes of silence)!

Before my kindergartner went to bed tonight we read The Legend of the Teddy Bear by Frank Murphy. This book tells the story of why the teddy bear is called the teddy bear.  My son was quick to correct me after we read it, "Mommy it was called Teddy's Bear."  It is amazing how much they can pick up from a book in just one reading!

This book includes the story of Theodore Roosevelt refusing to shoot a bear on a hunting trip, the resulting cartoon in the newspaper, and the two candy store owners that made the first teddy bear that same year.  The timing for those candy store owners was perfect!

My son enjoyed listening to the story of Roosevelt refusing to shoot the bear and we both learned a little history while we were at it.  As I read he really paid attention to the story and the pictures.  I truly was surprised that my son said, "I like that book" when we were done reading! I thought that it may have been a little too long for him, but I was wrong...again!

I loved seeing his face when he found out that the candy store in the book sold candy and teddy bears.  He realized that was why I had him sell teddy bears at his candy store today.  Thank goodness for good books that give me some ideas to keep my kids busy on these boring winter days!