One day Elli invented a new game. I don’t remember it evolving from any patterns or previous games. I can’t even think of where she might have gotten the idea. As far as I can tell, it’s all her own and she definitely owns it!

After I change her diaper, I usually stand her up on the changing table to pick her up. One day when she was facing me she held up her hand for me to kiss. So I kissed her hand. Then she held up the other hand for me to kiss. So I kissed it. Then, without warning, she planted both hands firmly on my the upper part of my chest, like you see in the picture. It startled me so much I almost lost my balance!

She has repeated this game for over a week now. She absolutely loves it and giggles the whole time. I keep wondering where she came up with the idea. I guess I may never know. But I do know that it’s so fun to interact with her in a game that she initiates. I feel like the child waiting with excitement to see what the next part of the game will be. Elli’s the parent patiently teaching me what to do, like when I first didn’t realized I was supposed to kiss her hand and she nearly smacked my lips so I’d get it.

What games have your little ones invented that you had to learn?

Just wanted to say hi to everyone visiting from No Time For Flashcards. I had a great weekend getting to know Allie better. She’s as adorable and brilliant in real life as on her blog. I really admire Allie’s dedication to children’s education and providing resources for parents to make magical moments with their little ones.

Like she said, I focus on crafts, music and literacy. My goal is to help you interact with your children at any age in a way that’s joyful to you and your child. Here are a few of my favorite posts so far!

Crafts

• The Letter B
• Snowflake and Snowman Crafts for Little Ones

Bari Koral Photo Credit: Megan Moloy

Music

• Rock and Roll Garden with Bari Koral
• “Everyone Loves to Dance” Gets Us Moving

Literacy

• Music and Emergent Literacy
• The End of Reading Rainbow

Thanks again for stopping by! Hope to see you again in the future, at least on Allie’s fan page on Facebook. Have a great Sunday.

It’s here! It’s finally here. I was so sad last year when I was unable to attend and then ecstatic when we actually moved to Tennessee and were only four hours away from Nashville. I’m talking, of course, about getting my bliss on at Blissdom ‘10. When we were getting ready to move to Tennessee last summer I told Brent I was thrilled to be so close to Nashville and that I really wanted to go to the Blissdom Conference. He smiled lovingly and told me we’d see. And now, after all those months, it’s finally here and I actually get to go! Here are some of my preparations for attending BlissDom ‘10.

Learning about Blissdom’s Sponsors

We’ve received a few packages with info and samples from the different sponsors. From ConAgra Food we received coupons for products from brands in the family. I enthusiastically bought the Healthy Choice and Marie Calendar’s frozen dinners so Brent wouldn’t starve while we’re away! I also got the Hebrew National hot dogs. The girls ate them for breakfast this week and LOVED them.

We also received a package from Hallmark with samples from the new Kid’s Collection. I loved these cards because they had encouraging, confidence-building messages that I would be happy to give my girls. I don’t usually think about cards, not even really at birthdays and definitely not at holidays (terrible, I know) but these cards reminded me of how powerful a message can be. In fact, I gave a different card they sent us to Brent this morning. I haven’t talked to him since he opened it, but I hope it made him smile and know that I’m thinking of him while I’m away.

Learning About Blissdom’s Speakers

Some I already know and love, like Holly Buchanan and Rachel Herrscher, and some I’ve been dying to meet, like Alli Worthington and Angela England and then there’s a ton who I should have known and loved already, that I’m excited to hear speak and impart wisdom.

Getting Organized

I have done laundry, grocery shopping, packing and crafting. I can only hope I haven’t forgotten anything. There are so many people to meet, so many things to learn and so much to take in. I love the planner that came in the mail to keep it all straight! I also love the advice I read on others’ blogs about how they prep for Blissdom. It’s going to be a fun but long weekend and I’m so excited the girls and my mom are coming with me.

Hopefully you’ll see major improvements over the next few weeks as I incorporate the new technologies I hope to learn as well as learn other tricks of the trade that will bring us all a little more bliss.

What an exciting two weeks of beating the winter blahs. I’ve had so much fun reading your comments and seeing snapshots into your winter experiences. I also wanted to say another thanks to SkylarKD for contributing a post to the Winter Wonderland.

And a very big thanks to the Winter Wonderland sponsors:

• Everyone Loves to Dance from Aaron Nigel Smith
• Personalized Gummi Labels from Sippy Stuff
• This Is Me Journal from This Is Me
• Dress Up Cape from yours truly at Because Babies Grow Up

Now for the winners! Lisa won Everyone Loves to Dance. Jeni won the Personalized Gummi Labels. Adventure Mom Janna won This Is Me Journal. And Hilary won the Dress-Up Cape and other accessories. Congratulations to all the winners. I’ve sent you emails; please respond to those email with shipping information so we can get your prizes to you.

I hope these posts help you enjoy the rest of the winter. I’m looking forward to February, Valentine’s Day and a visit from my mom. What are you looking forward to?

Okay, we’re a month in to 2010. How are you doing with your resolutions, goals, or plans for the new year? Frankly, I planned and planned and then I’ve just been trying to survive day to day. I’m not sure I had even thought again about the goals I set until yesterday. Since I really want to make progress with the goals I set for parenting, healthy living and blogging, I’ve been looking for resources to help me awaken the potential I know I have to achieve my goals. And, shortly after deciding I needed help, I discovered Blast Off! by Allison Maslan. I love how quickly answers come when I invite them into my life.

Blast Off! is a life coaching book designed to offer step-by-step guidance along the path to discovering your goals and working to attain them. Not only does Allison talk about the pro-active steps to move toward your goals, but she also helps you to identify and eliminate roadblocks that may be keeping you from moving forward. I have a lot of ambition, but I seem to sell myself short a lot of the time on what I’m capable of doing. I definitely need help in overcoming a few roadblocks!

Allison suggests you start your day with a free-writing activity. Pick a theme word, the first idea that comes to mind and then write every thought you have about that theme word. This is the time to get out all the negative energy about the theme or to snowball the energy and passion you have for the theme that came to mind. It fits what you need to do to get ready for the day. I like the example she gives using this activity. The theme word is “overwhelmed.” It’s like she read my mind every morning that Sammi wakes me up way before I want to get out of bed and asks for ‘breafkast.’ Then, using the thoughts and ideas that come from this activity, you create a mantra for the day to help you either deal with the theme or encourage the theme, depending on the theme’s vibe

Since I usually sit down at the computer first thing and sort of wake up while I check my email (pathetic, I know!) I figured this would be a great activity for me to start my day. Especially since there’s not usually much happening in my inbox. Though, to really take advantage of all Blast Off! has to offer, I’m going to need to get my hands on the book. I’m  glad it’s available on Amazon because we have Amazon Prime and I am totally addicted to two-day shipping now.

What helps you reach your goals?

I love words. When I read, I am driven by the words on the page. As fast as I can absorb the words determines how quickly I turn the pages. This is fine for reading grown up books with few or no illustrations, but I tend to carry this over into my reading with the girls. I’ve really had to work at slowing down and looking at the pictures with them and answering the random questions that arise, entirely unrelated to the storyline, because of the illustrations. Even when I am trying consciously to allow time for studying the pictures, I still get caught up in the words. For this reason I now LOVE Chicken and Cat Clean Up.

Chicken and Cat Clean Up came to us from Scholastic for review. When Sammi first pulled it from the pile and wanted me to read it, I expected your typical picture book. But I was surprised when I opened the book and there were no words to read. I turned to the next page to see if there were words. None. I turned the page again. Hmmm. I was at a lost. So I went back to the beginning to figure out how to “read” this book to Sammi. But, Sammi’s observations and imagination came through to make this book a big hit.

We poured over the pictures on each page and looked for all the details that would help us understand the story. There is a little bit of print throughout the book, but almost all of it can be figured out through the illustrations. After we went through the book a couple of times, Sammi went off to her baby dolls to tell them the story over and over again. Then it occurred to me that this book was perfect for developing the early literacy narrative skill.

Storytelling is a part of developing literacy. When little ones understand the structure of stories, that they have a beginning, a middle and an end, they are better able to process the meaning of the words in the story. Retelling stories, or even making up their own, is great practice in developing literacy skills. I love to watch Sammi, and now Elli too, sit with a book and turn the pages as they retell the story to each other and their dolls. Sammi even has mastered holding the book facing away from her and “reading” it from the side. Elli is great at holding up the book and showing off the page to the whole room before turning the page and looking at the book herself again.

So, back to Chicken and Cat Clean Up. The illustrations are engaging, simple, but full of detail. The story is a bit of a page turner because you just wonder if it really could get any worse for poor Cat and then the ending is charming. I like this book not only for its strength in helping kids develop narrative skills necessary for literacy, but also because it created the opportunity for me to forget the words and lose myself in the illustrations. It really helped me experience literature from my little ones’ perspective; to remember what books are like when you can’t read; and how much joy there can be in that experience.

Use the code SSVDAY at Scholastic to receive 20% and free shipping if your order is $25 or more. This code is valid until Feb 1 (that’s Tuesday already!) This post is part of the Winter Wonderland Carnival. If you haven’t already, you can enter to win one of our great prizes from our fabulous sponsors. Please visit Join the Winter Wonderland and leave a comment. For an additional entry, you can also leave a comment on this post. We’ve also added this post to Adventu1re Mom Janna’s Feed Me Books Friday. Please visit to find other books to share with little ones!

What is your favorite story that you’ve heard your little one tell? What is your favorite story to tell you little one?

(Amber’s Note: We’re excited to have SkylarKD from Painting Pink Pajamas with us today. She and her little one, C, live in New Brunswick, Canada and are experts when it comes to making the most of the snow. Enjoy these tips!)

Creative Commons License photo credit: pjbeardsley

I’ll admit it; I don’t like winter very much.

I could happily hibernate for much of the season, but my February-born little girl is finally embracing her birth month and has been having a lot of fun in the snow this year. So, I’m trying to give us some more active time outdoors. Here are my tips on making winter more enjoyable for those of us who aren’t snow bunnies!

My first tip for winter activities is: Dress warmly! I don’t just mean the kids, I mean the adults too; because if you’re cold, you’re going to get cranky. That means sweaters, jackets, hats, scarves, gloves/mittens, warm socks, boots, and legwarmers, long johns or snowpants. Buy good winter gear that is appropriate for your location. Where I live, we can have cold snaps where the temperature goes down to minus 30 or 40 degrees Celsius with the wind chill factor (that’s minus 22 to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit), so warm winter gear is a must. I’ve had a good ski jacket for several years, and this winter I bought myself a pair of Columbia boots which have made a big difference to my outdoor enjoyment.

My second tip is: Be prepared! If you’re driving to your destination, throw extra mittens, hats and scarves in the car. It’s never a bad idea to have a change of clothes in the car, whatever the season – just in case! Bring a lightweight sled to tow toddlers, and shovels and buckets for digging in the snow. Bring snacks, or plan to make a stop for snacks (my gal loves hot chocolate after winter fun). And always put tissues in your pockets to wipe cold, runny noses! If you’re walking, fill your pockets or consider carrying a tote bag or small backpack.

Third: Try to see winter through your child’s eyes. Although I might complain about the cold, I love seeing my daughter run, laugh and giggle as she plays in the snow. She loves to skate (on her bobskates), ski (with her toddler skis), go sliding/tobogganing and just generally muck around in the snow. She has so much fun that it makes me have fun too!

Fourth: Accept invitations! Many of our fun winter times have been when we’ve joined friends, either simply for a walk, or a planned activity. Sliding/tobogganing is so much more fun with a group, and a winter hike and picnic with friends gives kids a glimpse into what nature looks like during this season (just remember to wear snowpants or bring a waterproof picnic blanket). Try silly games when you’re with friends: building forts, having a snowball fight, or mix it up and play snow Frisbee!

So that’s a bit of my advice. They’re all simple tips, but following them has made our winter more enjoyable this year. Have fun!

SkylarKD
http://paintingpinkpajamas.blogspot.com

photo credit: pjbeardsley

Which of Skylar’s tips will help you and your little ones enjoy the winter weather the most?

One of our favorite winter activities has been curling up on the couch with a blanket and a stack of books to read. Sammi has definitely moved into longer picture books. I’ve been surprised at how long Elli also sits still on my lap and listens as I read these long books.

We received a few more books from Scholastic in the fall to review. Sammi’s instant favorite was from the series Adventures with Riley and is called the Polar Bear Puzzle. The first time we looked at it I thought it was going to be a flop. It’s a fictional story with nonfiction facts dotting the pages and running through the storyline. I didn’t think Sammi would like the length of the story. Boy was I wrong on all counts!

She loved learning about polar bears. She loved the storyline and the mixed media illustrations. After we read the book, she poured over each page remembering what information went with each picture. If she couldn’t exactly remember, she’d have me read it again, but then she went back to exploring the book on her own. She has carried that book around the house, to the store and even to bed on occasion for the last few months. I really am surprised that she picked such a sophisticated book to love.

That’s a credit to the book, I think. It took a difficult concept—global warming and its effects on the polar bear population—and made it come to life for Sammi. It’s been great to reinforce the winter season by talking about animals that depend on the cold weather as part of their life cycle.

Another book we received from Scholastic that has been a lot of fun for the girls is Marsupials by Nic Bishop. The photographs in this book are such a treat. There’s a lot of information on each marsupial. Honestly we haven’t read every word of every page, but one main sentence is larger and contrasted from the rest of the page. It serves to give us the main feel for the animal and then we also read the caption for the picture. I love that Sammi and Elli, too, both love looking at this nonfiction book. It’s a great introduction to using books to find facts because it makes the information accessible in a brief sentence without losing the depth of what older readers would want to find as well.

This post is part of Winter Wonderland. If you haven’t already, please enter to win one of the great prizes from our sponsors. Just leave a comment on Join the Winter Wonderland. For an additional entry, you can leave a comment on this post, too.

What books has your little one loved that surprised you?

On those crazy days where it’s blizzarding, thundering or just plain blustery, it’s necessary to have an energetic outlet for little ones. Music seems to be the number one solution I hear from parents to help their kids get the wiggles out. A close second for me is playing dress up.

I love dress up because it appeals to boys and girls equally. We’ve had so many boys over to play and they love getting into the clown outfits that were handed down to us from Brent’s childhood. They even like to accessorize with capes, boots and hats. Sammi loves these outfits just as much. In fact, we ended up at storytime at the library one day with her in one of the clown outfits. She was so insistent and I just didn’t have the heart to say no! Here’s a fun video of Sammi and a friend dressing up as clown super heroes. Just too cute!

They sure expended a lot of energy together and were more than ready for bedtime! The cape Sammi is wearing in that video has recently become her Snow White cloak. Sometimes the red cape Jack is wearing becomes a Little Red Riding Hood cape. I love how versatile the cape is in a dress up box. It’s a foundational piece, in my opinion, and belongs in every dress up box! It’s also super easy to make.

How to Make a Dress-Up Cape

• Cut one square of fabric 45 in x 25 in. Cut another strip of fabric of the same or contrasting fabric 45 in x 4 in.
• Hem the sides and bottom of the square piece of fabric.
• Using your sewing machine’s longest stitch setting, sew a running stitch across the (unhemmed) top of the square. You can sew a second line a little farther in the give the gather some stability.
• Mark the center with a safety pin. Gather the square using the running stitches you just sewed. Gather until the fabric measures 12 in across (6 in on each side of the safety pin.)
• Take the strip of fabric. Fold it in half lengthwise and press it. Then open flat. Fold the top half over to the crease (so it’s in fourths) and press the fold. Do the same for the bottom half. Then fold it all together so it’s like bias tape, which is basically how we’re using it. It should be 1 in tall now. Mark the center.
• Slide the gathered end of the square between the two sides of the strip, matching up the two center markers. Pin it securely in place making sure the top of the square goes all the way into the center fold of the strip. Then secure the rest of the square inside the strip with pins. Continue pinning the strip until you get to the ends. Turn the edges inside so that when you sew it there will be only smooth hems.
• Now it’s time to sew! Start at one end of the strip and sew down the short side and along until you get to the square. Continue sewing the square  and the strip together making sure that the front and back of the strip are sewn together. Then finish sewing the remainder of the strip and the other end.
• Now you have a finished cape with the strings to tie it on!

Sammi loved being a part of the process when I made this blue cape. From the second I started cutting the fabric she kept asking if she could wear it yet. Unfortunately for her, this cape is a gift. Fortunately for you, it’s a gift for one lucky entrant in the Winter Wonderland! I’ve also added a few surprises that are must-haves for any dress-up box. To enter, make sure you’ve left a comment on the Join the Winter Wonderland post. For additional entries, you can comment on this post, become a fan of Because Babies Grow Up on Facebook or Stumble any post in the Winter Wonderland Carnival (From January 18-January 31, 2010)

What are your favorite dress-up moments with your little ones?

We received the Gummi Label DIY in Shocking Pink from Sippy Stuff for review. I thought shocking pink was the most appropriate color since I am often shocked by how much Sammi and now Elli love pink! When the Gummi Labels arrived in the mail, we immediately opened them and put them on the girls’ sippy cups. Then I wrote each of their names on their cup and handed them out.

Sammi thought the whole thing was pretty cool. She loved having it on her cup and loved that it had her name on it. After lunch I filled their cups with water, as usual, and left them on the table for them to have whenever they wanted a drink. At dinner time, I ran around looking for their cups. I went into the play room and saw a few sippy cups but was able to identify the clean ones because of the Gummi Label. I liked that. It was an unexpected benefit of having the labels on the cups.

It has been a struggle for me to keep clean sippy cups on hand because they seem to go through so many in a day. But now that we’ve been using the Gummi Label, I always know which cup is from today and that helps us use fewer cups in one day. It’s also helped me be better at gathering up the day’s cups and get them in the dishwasher. I don’t know exactly how it triggered that cleaning button in me, but I’m happy it did!

The girls like having them on their cups so they ask for them. If I forget they run into the kitchen and show me where they are so I remember. They are easy to clean and to use.

As part of the Winter Wonderland, Sippy Stuff is offering a set of Personalized Gummi Labels to one winner! This giveaway is open until January 31 at 11:59 pm EST. To enter, make sure you leave a comment on Join the Winter Wonderland.  Then for additional entries you can do any of the following:

·         Tweet about the labels or the giveaway @sippystuff

·         Follow Sippy Stuff on Twitter at  http://twitter.com/sippystuff

·         Choose a favorite color and leave a comment on that color’s page.

·         Become a fan of Sippy Stuff on Facebook & leave a comment.

How do you organize and manage your little ones’ sippy cups?