I was “googling around” for toddler activities the other day when I came across Jean Warren and her fabulous preschoolexpress.com with wonderful ideas and activities for parents and teachers to do with toddlers and preschoolers. Do check it out – over and over again! Of course I loved the train theme (so does Grandpa Ron!) but all the ideas for learning, skill building, reading, singing, games, activities, parties, food and cooking with kids, etc., etc., etc., just go on and on! You’ll surely find some stations that will keep your toddler engaged and eager for more! Do check it out!
Today’s Long Beach Press-Telegram had an article by Dr. Harvey Karp about calming a baby. Since Abby has been colicky, I read with great interest what suggestions he had. The suggestion I wanted to pass on to my daughter was to try his 5 S’s he called the “calming reflex.” It is this: “It’s a virtual off switch for crying babies and on switchfor sleep that can calm even colicky babies in minutes or less,” Karp said. “The key is to imitate the womb environment with the five S’s: swaddling, side or stomach position, the “shhhhh” sound, swinging and sucking.” Let’s try that on Abby!
Austin will be 4 next week! Wow! I still can remember holding him when he was one day old! Mommy is working on party possibilities. It can be daunting but I found a few interesting sites with ideas:
This last weekend I entered Grandpa, Do It! I Do It, Too! into 2 more contests. That makes it 4 different ones. Now we’ll see if we get lucky and maybe win some awards! That would be so nice!
The Feb 13th Orange County Register had frog facts and an article by Eric Carpenter called Can you ribbit? which sounds much more interesting than its on-line version Giant toads, poisonous frogs move into Muzeo, although the words were the same – but either one brings fond memories of my sister Lori. Not that she is a frog, mind you, but that she likes frogs, collects frogs and tolerates every-frog-item-I-see-I-usually-buy-and-send-her frogs! Actually, Chris Carpenter’s article highlights the exhibit Frogs: A Chorus of Colors at the Muzeo in Anaheim from February 13, 2010 – September 5, 2010. Check out the video highlights with zoologist Sandy Mangold and then there are also the photos. Sandy and the frogs flew here from Pennsylvania. Kermit isn’t here but there are over 150 live frogs! Have fun! The Muzeo hours are 10-5 7 days a week. More info here.
Just watched the We Are The Children 25 for Haiti Official Video on You tube. Outstanding! Totally great performance! All the peripheral videos and backstage videos are fun to watch, too. They all pop up and around once the first one finishes. I hope it motivates people who haven’t donated yet to donate now. The devastation is so great. Any little bit will help……
The link above takes you to You tube directly or go indirectly from the insert below…
National Wildlife Federation’s Wildlife Watch is a national, nature-watching program created for people of all ages. The National Wildlife Federation can use your help to track the health and behavior of wildlife and plant species nationwide. You can also learn interesting tidbits on the Wildlife Watch website – wildlife news and facts, new ideas for attracting wildlife to your backyard and community. Check it out now on www.nwf.org/wildlifewatch and see what all is available to do!
Once you are finished with exploring your own back yard, you can get more ideas from NatureFind. It is an online destination database you can use to easily find a perfect spot for watching nature close to home. It also helps you discover what parks and trails are near you.
All you do is enter your zip code and check what activities you are interested in at http://www.nwf.org/naturefind to learn what is available around you!
I am/was always the photographer of the family. I also loved going through albums and boxes of photos my mom and grandma had saved. Unfortunately we forget to write down who all is in the picture and soon we are left with unknowns, not-sures, no-clues and possible relatives in so many pictures! I found a cute little project on the grandparents.com site that got my creative juices going again. Take a look here at the article Why Family Photos Matter by Beverly Beckham. When I get mine done, I’ll post it – but don’t hold your breath till I do so since I still need to get my Christmas cards out!
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MyGrandmaSue 