Kayla's Countdown Jar

I have been babysitting my niece and nephew, Kayla and Jake, while they are on the waiting list for their new babysitter. They are a riot. Jake is 10 months old. Kayla is 5.

Kayla has been asking a lot of questions about The Man's deployment. She told me she is sad about him going and that she is really going to miss him. She doesn't quite understand time so we decided to make a skittle jar for her.

We decorated a container. Then we counted out skittles - one for each day that Phil is gone. We also filled out a customizable calendar that she was given at his send-off ceremony so if she forgets a day or two she can catch up.

Every day she gets to eat a skittle and mark an "x" on her calendar. As the skittles dwindle, she'll know that Phil is getting closer to coming home!

P.S. I can't take credit for this great idea, I stole it off the internet, and changed a few things to suit Kayla's personality (like decorating the jar and using skittles instead of M&Ms...).




Decorating...





Counting...




Doesn't look so long when you view in terms of Skittles!

Time out to eat a few!

All done!