A Mom Learning More Everyday

busy bags or boxes

2012-01-02T22:28:00.000-08:00

I love the idea of busy boxes. The idea of busy boxes is having everything all ready for your child to do an activty when you need them to be busy because you are. I have not done it but I think I may try it. I have found it in a few different places. I wanted to put the links all together.
Play at Home Mom has busy boxes
Intrepid Murmurings calls her's toddler and preschool activity bags
Chasing Cheerios also calls her's toddler activity bags and she has better bags to use in this post.
My Delicious Ambiguity calls her toddler busy activity bags
Tired and True has homemade stuff in hers
Money Saving Mom calls hers busy bags
The Princess and the Tot call hers the toddler busy bags
The View from 5'5" calls her quite time boxes and they each have a few things in them.
Mine for the Making has some great ones. She calls them busy bags.
Playing House calls hers busy box. They have a few things in each one so she has a little more time.

I think you could do a lot of different things the same way. Those site have good stuff to get you started.

How to Avoid Scare d preschoolers at Disneyland

2011-07-20T09:31:00.000-07:00

We all think that Disneyland was made for preschoolers. In many ways is was but yet when my parents took me to Disneyland when I was three, my two sister and I cried in fear on Peter Pan. I know this ride was made for young kids but it was dark. I learned a lot from planning my trip last year to Disney World that I used again this year at Disneyland to keep Girlygirl from getting scared.

Bring a small pen light. The light should be so bright that other people can't enjoy the ride but just bright enough to give off some light so your preschool feels save. Girlygirl's light was just bright enough that she could see a little better. The light not only gave her some light it gave her something other than the dark to think about when she got sacred.
Bring you child's lovey. For us that is a small blanket. As a second tip to go with find a way to make it a necklace for your child to wear. I did this with Girlygirl's blanket by putting a rubber band tightly around the blanket and a ribbon then making the ribbon in to a loop.
Don't go on rides that may scare your child or Ride share. If your child doesn't want to go don't make them go. You can encourage but don't force they want to have fun too.
Before you go look and the picture and videos of the rides with your child. Disney has lots of information about each ride looking it gives you and your preschool an idea of what the ride is like.
Don't loss your child. There are lots of ways to not loss your preschooler at Disneyland. 1) buy or rent stroller 2)hold hands at all times 3) walk at your child's pace 4) walk in a line with one adult the leader and the other at the back. 5) leash (I know some think they are for dogs but I think they are fine for children too)

Go to Disneyland with a plan. Knowing what scares your child will help you know what is you will have to do to keep your child from getting scared at Disneyland.

Avoiding a Hungry Preschool at Disneyland

2011-07-13T17:10:00.000-07:00

We all get grumpy when we are hungry. When you take your preschooler to Disneyland come with a plan to avoid hunger break downs (as I call them). Here are a few simple things I did.

Eat close to the same time as you do at home.- Even if you got up two hours before you would at home and ate, your child will most likely still be hungry again. If it is hard to eat lunch or dinner at the time you do at home have a snack.
Have a meal plan.- Knowing what you will most likely do for each meal helps when your all get hungry and no one can agree. It also helps you see where you can bring food from home to save.
Bring food from home.- Even if you plan to eat all your meals out. Having snacks on hand is the best way to help your hungry child. I brought a small soft ice chest. In it I keep water, juice boxes, frozen Gogurts, string cheese, and apples. I also wear a fanny pack with more snacks. In it was fruit snacks, Gold fish, granola bars and sometimes candy. Remember your will see tons of junk food for sell if you are like me if you have your own sweet snack you will be less tempted to buy theirs. Not only will bring your own food save you money but you will have food on hand when hunger strikes.

Avoid Over tried Preschool at Disneyland

2011-07-12T04:23:00.000-07:00

You read this and most likely laughed. Going to Disneyland with a preschooler you know that they will get over tried. There are a few things you can do to help your child along the way.

Bring a stroller- Girlygirl walks a mile to school and is fine but I still bring her a stroller to Disneyland and she is almost five. This gives her a break from walking and standing when we go from ride to ride. It also give me a place to hold our small ice chest more about that tomorrow.
Let them sleep- For us that means going back to the hotel for a nap. I like to get up early and beat the crowds and stay late to watch the night shows. For your and your child this may not work. If that is the case go back to the hotel early or leave late in the morning.
Take a break-You know your child watch for their I am getting to tried or overwhelmed signs. If you notice your preschooler is need of a break head to the hotel, find a quite places in Disneyland (more on them later), even just sitting on a bench and watching for awhile or going to a show may be what your child needs.
Be willing to not do it all.- Before you even leave everyone needs to know that this is about having fun and not trying to do everything. Do what you can and just have fun. If doing everything takes the fun out of it what was the point.

Bring your preschool to Disneyland is about having fun and watching them enjoy the movies they love come to live in a new way. You and your preschooler will have more fun in Disneyland if you help them avoid getting over tried.

5 things to Avoid at Disneyland with Preschoolers

2011-07-11T13:23:00.000-07:00

If you want to have a great time on your trip to Disneyland with your preschooler there are five things you need to avoid. By doing this you will have a great trip.

Avoid letting your child get over tried.
Avoid letting your child get over hungry.
Avoid letting your child get over scared.
Avoid buying to much stuff.
Avoid getting board in line.

How can you do this you ask? Well I have some great tips to come later in the week.

Clothing in the Car

2011-01-19T03:06:00.000-08:00

Keeping change of clothing for each child and mom. Keep a full outfit for each child and at least a shirt for yourself. Each person should have there own zip lock bag with there outfit in it. A zip lock gives you a nice easy thing to grab for the child or mom who needs to change. When I was a nanny or had my summer kids I keep the name of each kid on the bag. I keep them under the bucket sit in the van.

What is the point I don't have a baby? Even kids who have been potty trained for a long time sometimes just can't holder it any longer. These often happens when you have little to no time to stop. Maybe that is why it happens. (I know make time but sometimes we just are not thinking). A stop at a fast food place or park can turn out messy.
How can I afford that? I keep clothing that is a little big or a little small in the car. It wouldn't be used at the time any way. Sometimes I keep holiday shirt people gave us. It not like it would get used either. An out fit with a stain on it will work fine too. If you don't have something stop by the second hand store and pick out the cheapest thing you can find. Don't go crazy it will not get used often and people will understand that it just happened.

This is what works for me.

Affordable Birthday Party: Decorations

2011-01-12T05:09:00.000-08:00

I have keep all Girlygirl's birthday parties under $75. Which is at least half of what the party places I have looked into cost. To keep the cost low birthday part affordable I pick a theme early. Girlygirl birthday is not until August and we have just passed the New year and I am already on the look out of good deals on butterfly things for her fifth birthday party. As part of the planning for an affordable birthday I pick everything from the wrapping paper, Girlygirl outfit to the cake to match the theme.

Finding affordable was to make your party theme starts with thinking outside the box. I always start at home. Until last year I always picked the theme past on what toys Girlygirl had the most of. Doing this made it easy to decorate with little cost out of my pocket. Even if you don't use the toys to pick the theme look around and see what you have to match the theme in your home. This could be toys or a decoration. After you found what you have at home keep an eye out for other things to match you theme. I have picked up things at garage sales to bring out the theme and they are often toys so it is a win-win plus cheep. One year I found Dora fabric on sale for ninety-nine cents a yard, it made a great table cloth. After the party I gave to Girlygirl to us as a blanket for her dolls. If your child has clothing to match the theme have them wear it. Knowing the theme early you can make gifts double as future party supplies. If you know you need a cake topper why not put a plastic toy to match the theme in your child's Easter basket or stocking. Or when shopping for new clothing pick up a shirt to go with the theme. It is easy to have an affordable birthday party with thinking outside the box.

            Once you have done all you can to think outside the box start hunt of party supplies that don't cost too much. Finding affordable wrapping paper to match the theme is one of the hard things to do. I did find Princess gift bags for fifty cents each and pick them up not know if Girlygirl would ever have a princess birthday and when she had her pink castle party I used those. One year I was lucky to find Sesame Street wrapping paper at a dollar store. If you can't find wrapping paper for a good deal to match the theme try to pick colors that go with your theme. The other thing I have done is add party stores and the lisle to my shopping trips. You never know what will be on close out at these stores. I once got hats, palates, cups, napkins, etc to match the theme and didn't pay more than eighty-two cent for any of it. Keeping your eye out is not hard to do and can save you a ton of money.
              When I can't the thing I want for something I just make it. Children don't care what it looks like. Most of Girlygirl party games have been homemade. From just coloring pages to pin the peck on Big Bird to help Dora find Backpack. Homemade cakes are a lot cheep than store bought cake. I have been lucky to have a sister who loves to make fancy cakes. If you don't have someone to make one a box cake with small toy and Happy Birthday written on top is not much less the the stores do for a huge savings. With a little thought and look around the Internet you can come up with great things.
                I had great backyard parties growing up. I have decided to keep with the same fun affordable backyard birthday parties for Girlygirl. Keeping everything at home doesn't always mean you you will have an affordable birthday but with a little planning you can have a party that doesn't break the bank.

A souvenir on a budget

2011-01-04T02:47:00.000-08:00

We all love to get things when we go on a trip. I know I do and so does Girlygirl. When we where moving here from Illinois a few months back, we made a game out of finding post cards. Girlygirl loved it. She loved pick out just the right one at the gas stations and looking at them when back in the truck. We put those in a journal my mom wrote for her about the trip I am sure she will love it for years to come. Now when on the road Girlygirl is on the look out for post cards. We do get them for her. We got a cheep photo album and she puts them in there. At night she often looks at them in her bed. At Christmas time we took a trip and she jump for joy when she found the post card she wanted. It is great way to get your child something cheep to help them look back on the family fun. What do you do to help your child remember our family fun?

5 Tips to Raising Your Friends Teen

2010-07-21T04:18:00.000-07:00

As those who read this blog often know we add Mr. Man to our family full time four months ago. Life has been hard for all of us. The is so much to learn as we go through this time. We are all new to each other. Life in our home is very different than life back with his mom and sisters. I would not say I have it figured out how to be a mom to a teen with a life that has been so hard but I have started to learn a few things. I had a hard time find things out there to help me when I decide to take Mr. Man in because of that I want to share what I learn a long the way. Here are my tips to other fostering or adopting or raising a friends teenager.

find a good church that the child will fit in at - We did do this. Sweet dude and I prayed and talk about it before Mr. Man even came. We didn't feel the church we went too would be a place that Mr. Man could fit in at. We knew the church Girlygirl went to AWANA at had a loving and accepting way about them. The kids and I go to church there now.(with Sweet dude being Deaf he stayed at our old church)
let others help- I have a hard time with this. I feel while they feel they have to or they don't know what they are getting into with this kid. But if others want to love him I need to let the happen. I pray God will teach me to allow more help.
know it cost a lot of money- teens cost a lot of money. Mr. Man came to me with shoes with holes in them and there was still some snow on the ground. His underwear he brought from home would fit a six year old. So that first week we went out and got him new clothing all he would need. Then there is the meds and the therapy. We did get him on our insurance but still the co-pays add up to a lot each month.
read about being a parent to a teen- I have not found a good book about how to parent a teen that did not grow up with you. I have been reading Love and Logic for teens. I would say before a teen came to to to read both the first Love and Logic and the teen one. It has been the best way to parent Mr. Man.
it is not about today- I tell Mr. Man, Sweet Dude and even me "It is not that we are trying to change him as a teenager but that it is our job to make sure he will be the best adult he can be." What I mean is today it maybe hard for all of us but if when he moves out into the world he can make it and understand out the world works then what we did now will have been right.
pray and pray and pray- it is hard you need to let go and let God. So pray pray pray.

If you have a teen that did not grow up in our home what were somethings you learned about adding a child that age into your home? If have parented any teen what is you best tip for those who are trying to find there way thought it now?

Pray with them and play with them

2010-07-18T04:16:00.000-07:00

Mr. Man littlest sister stayed with us for the past week. She is with my older sister for the summer. Littlest Sister told me over and over she know my sister and her husband are her friends and loved her because they pray with her and play with her. This is something we needed to remember with our own kids. They just want to be loved and they know they are loved if we pray with them and play with them. Make sure that your kids feel loved by you. Take lots of time to play and pray.

Leaving Home with a Plan

2010-06-21T06:55:00.000-07:00

When we are out and doing things it is hard for Mr. Man to stay still and not make noises no one wants to hear. I have learned a few things in the last few months about that have worked good for us.

silly putty- yes you know the stuff. If you where like me you loved it as a kid. It is great it fits in even the smalls purse and both Mr. Man and Girlygirl love to play with it. (maybe even me)
talk about what he needs to do where we are going. Like if we are going to church he needs to sit and listen. If he wants to do something then take notes, do the children's bulletin or play with putty.
Give him away out if we out. Sometimes things are too hard for him to do that day. Before going in I let him know what he can do if he can't do what I have asked of him. In church if you can't sit still and be quite he can go to the cry room or walk home (we live very close to church).
Helping him remember what was asked of him. It is fine if he needs a few reminders of what was asked of him.
Be ready to reward good behavior. We do Scobbies. I keep them with me at all times anytime he is good at a place or for sometime he gets one.
Don't over plan and if you do have a long day plan breaks in it. Even too much fun stuff can make it hard to behave.

Some kids take more planning even for a little day to day stuff in life. Knowing you kid will help you to know how much you need to be ready for.

Postive Parenting / Discipline without punishment: Scoobies

2010-04-26T04:13:00.000-07:00

      Getting the wanted behavior out of any child is hard. I harder to get a child who has learned the only bad thing you can do is make others mad. Mr. Man had learned many co-oping skills to help him not make others mad most of which are not that great. This has cause Mr. Man to not understand that doing things wrong is what make others mad. We get in trouble at my house not based on how mad I am but what you did wrong. The more things you do in an acceptable manner the more fun you get to have. If you don't do your home work or good in school then life is not very fun. Mr. Man has I hard time understanding that. So when he told me about Scoobies I jump at trying to use them with him. It is a great idea that a counselor he and his mom saw back home tried to start with them a few years ago. Now living here we are using it.
      What are Scoobies? The name is made up by Mr. Man. They are just Nylon Weaving Loops (used for crafts) giving to Mr. Man for good behavior. They are used to show Mr. Man good behavior earns him more fun. They work as a visual way to say when I like when you do this now you can do what you like too. We do this as a positive why to teach. You could use anything or call it anything you want. This is what works for us.
    Why it works great? By naming it Mr. Man feels he owns it. He is proud of it and tells everyone he meets about them. I like it because they are easy to carry with me. I often keep some on my arm.
   How does he earn them? I talked to the school his first week here and they give him a chance to earn them for each class. Mr. Man has a paper that his teacher each circle yes or no on and sign. It has made him want to behave at school to get them. At home he gets them for doing all his morning and bed time stuff on his own without whining or having to be told. Also for things like behaving like a 14 year old in the store, helping with Girlygirl when asked, doing chores or anytime he is caught being good.
   What does he do with all the Scoobies he earns? Sweetdude and I came up with a plan of things he can do with them. From TV time to outing with us or friends. I will post soon a list of all we do.

***Remember to find what works for your family and do that until it is not working any more***

   Please feel free to ask questions if you want to know more or my opinion on anything. I will be a post about it soon.

Raising a Friends Child

2010-04-19T03:50:00.000-07:00

Well, I have had Mr. Man living with me for about a month. Wow time flies. We have good days and bad. What I have the hard time with is not fitting into any boxes. We are not foster care or an apoted parent. Nor have we raised him for the first fourteen years or are we his only parents. I am a glenner of inforamtion. I great at listen or reading what other people have to say and finding was to make it work for me and those around me. I have not been able to find any books on raising a friends kid. How do you blance the reltionship they have with you and with their parents? How do you reguide them at the same time teach them to love their real parents. I all I can do is take this one day at a time. I learn more of what to do everyday. So far I have learn Six things.

Understand their past- Each child's past will be different but if you know their past you will know how to help them better.
Don't think the parents will help- I have gotten little to no help with money, ideas on ways to help them, or with any questions you may have. I am on a island and I know there is information out there but I can't swim to it.
Listen to hidden fears/answers- I have learned Mr. Man shuts down if someone is mad at him. Yelling at him or even raising your voice a little it is all over. He loses all control and everyone around will see it. I learn this by his words each time he does something wrong. Anytime he thinks someone is mad or may get mad at him; He say over and over "Please don't be at at me". It is important with all kids to look for the hiden answers. Please remember each child will be different.
They need time- They need time to heal and understand what is going on. They need you time to be a listening ear, guide, someone to play with, and most of all they need your time to parent them in a new way.
If you can make room in your heart you can make room in your house.- My house without using the basement as living space is less than 1,000 square feet. With the basement that we now us for two bed rooms it is not much more than 1,000 square feet.
Reward Reward Reward-Each time Mr. Man does something good I make sure he know I a happy are reward them. Kids who come from a hard life often missed out on this.

I am blessed to have Mr. Man and I hope that God will use me for big things in this young man's life. If you are a guardian of you friends or family child remember more than anything they need love.

Movie Review: Gigi's Big Break

2010-03-15T13:30:00.000-07:00

I joined Book Sneeze to review books and stuff. I wasn't sure I'd find anything I'd want to review but with in the first week I found a Gigi movie. I knew we loved to other Gigi movie we have as well as the book; so I look forward to getting Gigi's Big Break . It has two 2 stories in it. White Lies is about a lie Gigi told and how it grew and made her felt after each lie. This one was a little over Girlygirl's head and she didn't get that what Gigi was tell was a lie. The Pink Surprise talks about the good and bad parts of have a baby in your house. Girlygirl loved it she wants a baby bother or sister so bad. When the movie was over she said "Again! Again! That my favorite."
You can find Gigi's Big Break on amazon for $13.49. If you have not heard of Gigi I would reccommand them. Though White Lies was over Girlygirl head I love how it shows a Christian family. So Gigi's Big Break get a 4 out of 5.

A New Blessing from God

2010-03-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

God has blessed my family much. We have a house just big enough for my family. We fit in just perfect. All our bills our paid and we never go with out food. That is more to say than a lot of people. We also have a daughter who loves God at the tender age of three. She has more than she could ever what. More than that we have been able to take three kids great kids each summer. Now because of things I will not talk about right now. We are going to have Mr. Man the oldest of the three come stay with us for a year or two. We look forward to the joy and learning that will happen for our whole family as we add a fourteen year old boy to our family. We are counting to the days until March 20th as this is the day he will come. I look forward to sharing what I learn from this great young man. Remember all God has given you and share what you can with others.

A Christian Wife: It is all about them

2010-03-08T03:50:00.000-08:00

There were days I felt lots in the craziness of being a wife and mom. I felt that I needed more. I needed someone to meet my wants. I want to sit around and do nothing after work. I wanted to be able to be worry free and tell some else to clean the house. I wanted to have Sweet Dude fix everything for me and make me happy. I wanted it to be all about me. Then I read Proverbs 14:1 A wise women strengthens her family but a foolish women destroys hers by what she does. Then it hit me. I need to be a women who cares for her family more than myself. I need to be a women who does things t o bring her family together. If that means I do the cleaning and being the one worrying and my wants don't always get meet; so be it. I need to trust God. He made me the wife the glue to keep my family together. I have seen families fall part because the women wasn't the glue. I don't want that to happen to family. So as I say I need to be the glue or as it is in Proverbs I need to strengthen my family everyday. What are some ways we can strengthen our families?

Goals Update for Feburary

2010-03-05T06:01:00.000-08:00

This month I was sick and didn't do much of anything. First I puled a muscle which hurt so bad I went to the doctor. I was told to rest. That got better and then I went and got a cold. Yeah for me:(. Any how here is my update

I want my house to be cleaner today than yesterday. I chose to word it this way because it will be easy to succeed. If I tell myself I need to clean a lot I do nothing but if I start small most often I will clean more. Most days my house was about the same as yesterday. Not much cleaner and some days much messier. I need to do some real cleaning now that I am feeling better.
Join Bible Study. After moving from California I have gotten farther and farther away from God. So finding a good Bible study I thought would be a good step in getting close to God again. I love Coffee Break and though I missed this week I can't wait to go next week.
Read though the Bible this year. I have a great book called the Life Journal that I am using. I started at the end of last year. What a blessing reading the Bible with a guide has been. This is one thing I keep up great with.
Teach Girlygirl more. I do a lot with Girlygirl but after my summer kids left this last summer. I got very sad after hearing more of their story back home and not having a choice but to send them back there. Well, you can see I did no Tot School this month but Girlygirl did lots of learning. She loves to write letters (through hard for her), cutting and gluing. We read a lot because I didn't want to move around much. I hope to do much better on this in March.
Help Mr. Man learn how to live a productive live. This is a new one. I will post soon about Mr. Man but he is coming to live with me. His home life has been hard for him. I got the paper to sign him up for school. I have also read some books about teens and how to help children in school. He will come here this month so the real work will begin.

Here is to a new month and doing better. Now time to get up and make it all happen.

Less Tv For Preschooler

2010-02-22T03:52:00.000-08:00

The Ten Way to Watch Less Television

No TV Before lunch This one is hard for me. On the days I do it works great.
Listen to music The noise and fun of the songs has help Girlygirl not think about turning on the TV.
Read When the TV is off and Girlygirl needs something to do I stop what I am doing and read a book. It takes but a few minutes and is great for her.
Have your child help you It takes more time to have your child help you but they love it. Plus if they learn how to do it slowly when they are young and want to "they" say it is easier to get them to help later.
Keep toys cleaned up This may be easier for others but I feel often why clean it for her to just take the same thing out again. What I have learned is Girlygirl plays a lot longer in a clean house.
Have quite time for your child daily This gives you the time you need on your own.
Move toys around There are a few ways you can do this. You can switch them from the play room to bed room or keep some up and bring them from time to time. I do both. Toys in a new place are like new toys
Art and Crafts They break up the day and give the child something new to do. I do some planned but she has a book and now collage tray she can do whenever she wants.
Play with your Child
Teach your child to play on their own You can read my post on that here.

Let me know some ways you keep the TV from taking over your house.

Teaching Preschooler about the Bible

2010-02-18T04:22:00.000-08:00

Teaching your preschooler about the Bible can be over whelming but we as Christians know we want your children to understand God's truth. Therefore teaching your preschooler about the Bible is important. There are a few things that I have done to teach Girlygirl about God's Word. Helping your preschool memorize Bible verses is easier than I thought. After joining Awana she has taken off. If you never heard Awana of it is a great program. I loved it as a child and now Girlygirl is having a great time in her first year. Girlygirl is doing great at remembering the verses. She even asked to do two in a week. I do few things to help her meet her goal. I have writen them on index cards and taped them on the door frame between our living room and dining room. This helps me see them easly to say them over and over through out the day. At first I say a word Girlygirl repets me. Then later in the week I say 2 to 4 words and Girlygirl repts me. I also turn the verse into a song and sing it with her (sometimes she loves it others she doesn't it.) By the end of the week I just say the first word and can say the whole thing on her own. I think she wouldn't try as hard if wasn't getting a patch for her Awana vest every few weeks. More about teaching your preschool about the Bible in the weeks to come. Today remember to help your child learn the word of God and hide it in their hearts.

Collage Tray

2010-02-08T04:57:00.000-08:00

Girlygirl loves to glue. She often can be found sitting at her little table making a collage. It is great open end craft project and now is out and ready whenever she wants to do it. The great thing about collages is you can put to match a theme or just random things.

I just keep a store bought veggie. I just ask for it after the church potluck. Veggie tray are great for a few reasons. It is dived to keep the different things in there own place and has a lid. What I like best is if you get them from a potluck like it did it was free. Now here are some list I found of stuff to put in the Collage Tray. Earth Kids has a great list that can be found here. This list is almost the same but has a few different ideas.

Goals for the New Year

2010-02-05T04:22:00.000-08:00

I have made four goals for the new year. I have never done it before but I have decide I need a plan to get out of the funk I have been in. So far it is working good. I was not going to share my goals but have decide to because I'd like to keep a record of how I do. More than that if I know if I need to tell someone (any one who is out there) how I am doing I will feel like I need to keep it up. So here are my goals and how the first month went.

I want my house to be cleaner today than yesterday. I chose to word it this way because it will be easy to succeed. If I tell myself I need to clean a lot I do nothing but if I start small most often I will clean more. January was a great everyday but two my house was cleaner than the day before. Now at the end of the month my house is cleaner than it has been in a long time.
Join Bible Study. After moving from California I have gotten farther and farther away from God. So finding a good Bible study I thought would be a good step in getting close to God again. My good friend has been asking me to go to Coffee Break with her for a long time. I had lots of reasons I couldn't go. But I started at the new year and love it. (thanks Amy for not giving up on my)
Read though the Bible this year. I have a great book called the Life Journal that I am using. I started at the end of last year. I have read more days than not and I really love the look at the Bible.
Teach Girlygirl more. I do a lot with Girlygirl but after my summer kids left this last summer. I got very sad after hearing more of their story back home and not having a choice but to send them back there. After do the first three things this has just happened. I will be posting in tot school again soon.

There are my goals for 2010. I look forward to sharing with you guys how I do and what happens.

Valentines Day: family love

2010-02-01T04:19:00.000-08:00

Sweet Dude and I feel differently about what Girlygirl should get for Christmas. For a few reasons I believe that we should keep it small. I want us to focus on Jesus on Christmas not gifts. We have so many people who love her and get her stuff our gifts would be lost in it all. I also want her to be happy for each gift she gets. So many kids in her in America think they should have what they want when they wanted. I work hard to teach Girlygirl that she can't have everything she wants and that gifts are special no matter what they are. Sweet Dude loves to give Girlygirl lots of things. Though he understands my point still wants her to have the things that she wants and would make her happy. We needed to come up with away to make it work for both of us where Girlygirl could have a day other than her Birthday to get gifts from us. I came up with teaching our children that Christmas is for Jesus and give gifts they are small. When then will have Valentines Day be all about family love and daddy will give gifts to each person in the family a gift and we each get him a gift. This is our first year doing this. At Christmas time we where able talk about giving to others and how that Jesus came to earth as a baby. We then made list of things we want for Valentines Day and when we talked about gifts it was what we wanted for Valentines Day. Though it is our first year it has worked out great. We hope to make it a family tradition.

Towel Time

2010-01-25T04:45:00.000-08:00

In my last posted about things I do to teach Girlygirl to play on her own. Now I wanted to share what towel time looks like in our house and give you some idea of toys to give during this time. Where does towel time happen? Towel happens most often near me, where ever that is that is the great thing about it. This helps me make sure Girlygirl stay there and helps me to get to her fast if she gets of. I do not always stay in the same room but if I am down stairs then she is too if I am up stairs she is too (my house is tiny so it works out good for us). I just tell her we are going to do towel time. She doesn't like it at first some days. The longer it has been the hard it is for her. Should I do towel time with my kids at the same time? This summer when we had my friend's kids living here. Both of the little girls (Girlygirl and Little Sister) like to do towel time. They would do it at the same time often in the same room but not close enough to touch each other. It gave them a break from having to share and deal nicely with other. It also gave me time to have one on one time with one of the big kids also. What does Girlygirl get at towel time? Like I said before she gets a few books, her blanket, and a toy or two (may be a group of toys) What are the toys Girlygirl gets at towel time? There are a lot a different toys I give her. Some I keep put up for this time only others are out all the time and I just think she will like to play them more than she does. When it comes to picking toy pick things you know your child can do on their own and will like to play with. Here is a list of the ones we us most.

Doll house
Little People- most often the farm but some time another ones
blocks-we a a few different kinds to choice from
Fast food toys- I keep them in a drawer with the other toys and just give her the drawer
Mr. Potato Head
puzzles
stacking cups
Elmo ( like Mr. Potato head)
Doodle Pro
lacing cards
doll with clothing, food ect.

Girlygirl is the only kid here with me right now and she has learned to play on her own because of this we don't do towel time much. Cheek out what Kimberly said in her post called Multi-level Homeschooling: Little Ones Part 2. It will be hard at first but remember your not in the entertainment business you are their mom and teaching them to depend on themselves from time to time will only help them as they get older. I'd love to hear how towel time or whatever you call it in your homes works so please share in the comments.

Preschools Playing on Own

2009-09-10T05:28:00.000-07:00

Before I became a mom I learned that children need to be taught to play. Getting down and playing with your kids is important. Just as important is teaching your child to play on their own. I have done a few things to teach Girlygirl this. I am not good about have a set time for things but we use all these more as needed than daily.

Towel Time-It is just like it sounds. Girlygirl sits on a towel and plays with toys I have given her. I put a few toys on the towel for her to choice from along with 2 or 3 books and her Nauna (her blanket) I set the time for 10 to 25 min. (I notice more than 25 min is too long).
Room Time-She plays in her more for 30 min. I put up the baby gate and just let her play. She has about half her toys in her room and a lot of her favorites.
Table Time-I have blogged about this before. I often start something with her and then let her do it on her own for 5 to 15 min. I will then come back and play with her again.

I even teacher she can do things on her own in our day to day interactions. I am not quick to help her. Even at a young age I would sit back and watch how she would do something I thought was too hard for her. Sometimes she would amaze me at what she could do. Other times she be proud of her work done "wrong". I have many pictures of her trying to put on clothing at 1.5 years old and it is all "wrong" but is was happy to do it herself. Encouraging words when she wants me to do it or if is get frustrated. I often tell her if she tries she can. Sometimes it works and she will do it others she just stops. In Elmo's Potty time the have a song about things being hard when you are learning. I will sign it to her. I also use words to tell her how. We gave her a V Smile for her birthday. It is a little hard for her. I will sit with her and tell her what to do. Like press enter the big orange one. When she does it she knows she can. Teaching your kids to do all they can gives them great self esteem. So let them do things on their own even if they don't like it at first they will. You are teaching them they can play and do things on their own.

4th of July fun

2009-07-01T20:09:00.001-07:00

We had a fun day we talk about 4th of July. I don't think she gets it but we had fun. We made cards that will send out Wednessday.We color rice.

Then Girlygirl played with it for a long time. We put up window stickers. Then we made Fireworks with the rice to hang on the wall.

We had tons of fun. above you can see them drying. Remember to play with your kids today. It make the happy.

Game give away

2009-06-30T18:25:00.000-07:00

I found a great game that is being giving away over at Barefoot Mommy. I am going to put The Ladybug Game on my game to buy list.

Tot School: Week 20

2009-06-08T06:19:00.000-07:00

~34 months~

We had fun this week. I found Girlygirl ABC book that I used with Five and Girlygirl last year. It is great for Girlygirl now. We also started playing on the computer. We do the calander on Starfall together everyday. She loves it. She also plays the Abc 's Zoo on the F isher Price web site. I am hoping this will help her want to learn her letters. We played games. I found the one at a Children's Reale for $2 it is great and on of Girlygirl favorites. We added paint to our circle collage (which was add to her ABC Notebook) we start last week. Girlygirl didn't like not paint with brushes. So... We painted with brushs a lot longer. I did get her to paint her hand and make hand prints.She painted a letter "b" sometime we will glue buttons on it before adding to our ABC Notebook. Our friend turned 3. We went to her party at Monkey Business. We had lots of climbing, painting and learning to be happy for others. Making an Elizabeth E for our ABC Notebook. Circle elephant. I which I could find the link I used to printed. It is cute and fun to make. E is for Eyes.Cutting fabric left over from bean bags I have been making.Barbies are a new favorite for her. She is even learning to dress and undress them herself. Counting cards I found on ChildCareland (you'll find in the middle of the page) If you have never looked at the idea on Childcareland you should look around. I had fun this week after find them last week on someones tot school page.She loves her doll house and we add a baby this week so she likes even more now.Played at the water table at her cousin's house. (We will call him Crazy here.) She got more play dough stuff from a family friend. Chip clip color match. She needs to hands to open the clip so I put the card in for her. (she picks the cards and gives me the color.) We did puzzles she needs a lot of help with them put she loves to do it. Playing game. She didn't get the idea of how to play but put she loves putting the pieces in. Making neckless with daddy. Playing games with daddy.Bubbles. We got from a garage sale for $1. playing outback. See what others did last week over at 1+1+1=1

Bean Bag Fun!!

2009-06-03T06:59:00.000-07:00

Bean bags will come in handy again and again. Here are some ideas I have to get you started but they are a great open ended toy. Bean bags could lead to hours of play.

• Bean Bag Toss- toss the bean bags into a laundry basket, bucket, pie tin or other container. Once he has gotten skilled, make it more challenging by moving the container farther away. • Catch- with friend or by throw up in the air • Balance beam- place bean bags in a line on the floor and walk on them • Pillow- for doll or stuff animals • Balance-walk with a bean bag on your head. Too hard on the head try crawling with them on your back. • Game of hot potato • Practice colors- by talking about the colors or asking your child to bring you the _____ bean bag. • Counting- count the bags, have the child bring you ___ number of bags. • Juggle • Hit the can(s)- set up cans and throw beanbags to knock over the cans • Parachute flip- put bean bag(s) on parachute and flip up. (No parachute? Use a sheet or for a two man game a pillow case.) • Bean bag hide and seek- hide the bean bags all around the room or house for little on to find.

Bean bags have hours of fun in them to help to kill hours of boredom for us. To find out what others do to kill boredom cheek out Works For Me Wednesday "Mom I am bored" week over at We Are That Family. After your done remember to go play with your kids.

I re-use it!!

2009-05-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

I know it is sad but I am not good at being Green. One thing I am good at is finding a new life for old stuff. Here is some things I reuse for our table time (Tot School).

Juice boxes I just started saving them. They are strong and it was the right size for the pens. I will be finding more uses for them I am sure.

I am sure we all reuse bubble wrap.(Girlygirl use to hate the noise but loves it now)

It is hard to see but that is one of Girlygirl's paintings made into cutting strips. I save the piece she cuts and give then to her to glue later. I have tried to let her cut and glue at the same time but it hasn't yet worked for her. Play-doh tubs work great for holding things on her trays. I also use the smaller one for sorting or with a small wet rag for painting (this keeps the water cup from making a mess). I save all our lids above she used the to glue below I traced and cut them out for her circle collage.The lacing card is made out of a cracker box and a painting Girlygirl did. I use old food tubs for lots of stuff to store stuff or to hold things on the tot tray. In this tub is cut paper and glue stick.

A cigar box become letter box.

Egg cartons are great. We us then lots we made Easter bunnies this year with them but no picture. Above: is was we use for counting. Below is pattern matching.The mail box is made from a tissue box.The jar is hold all kind of old stuff.We painted news paper hearts for Valentine's Day. I know I do reuse other stuff and I am do an other post about it someday. I just don't want this to be too long or is it too late. Anyways what do you reuse in your tot school or just with your kids?

Tot School: Week 19

2009-05-30T21:04:00.000-07:00

~33 Months~ I don't have anything great to say this week but her are the picture of what Girlgirl did. We had a fun week. Girlygirl is getting so big.Cheek out what others did for there Tot School last week over at 1plus1plus1equals1. Remember to play with your kids today. They love it.

Tot School: Camping

2009-05-28T16:19:00.000-07:00

~Girlygirl is 33 months~

Last week we had a great week of Tot school that ended in a great camping trip. Girlygirly has a hard time learning new things. She likes do everything right and will not do it if she knows it is wrong. This makes it hard for me to know the right way to teach her. Any tips let me know. Here is our great week.

We got sand on Sunday after church to put in a sandbox we found in the trash. Playing with mom in the sand. We played in the sand together a lot this is the only day when Sweetdude got a pictures.We went to a small free zoo close to our home. She loved see all the baby animals.We have worked on learning to buckle up. She is good at trying but gets mad when she doesn't get it. She loves acting like a frog right now and playing with her stuffed frog so we made a frog tot book. I will blog more about it soon. Here she is coloring pictures for her book.Playing with the book. She played with it a lot this week.Bubbles. We do them lots but I think I am like them more than her so I don't often take pictures as I am too busy playing.Stencils I got from a kid resale only $1 for 4. She loved it this day. I tape the paper to the stencil so it wouldn't move. Gluing caps to foam. She loved it.Match colors using color cards and chip clips from the Dollar Tree.She played in the dirt a lot while camping. She was good at getting others join her.Her favorite was with the boys. Here she is singing Happy Birthday with her dirt cake and stick candles (she loves Birthdays right now). She played games each night after dinner. She loves her doctor game. It is so cute and even better I got it from a church children resale for $2. Just like at home if she sees someone cooking she is there to help. Her she is make breakfast with her Auntie.This is quite time after lunch in the tent. She loved to play in the tent. Here she is playing with her Christmas gift from Gammy. It is a magnet Build a Bear dress up Bear and Bunny. She hasn't liked it much before now but loved it when camping. She learned to climb up the slide from watching the big kids. She got it on the first try. She stood on watch the older kids playing for about 20 minutes and then she tryed it and got it. I was happy to see her do it "wrong" something Girlygirl has a hard time with. She likes to so everything "right" all the time. I encourage her to try things a different way to see that it can be even more fun. Teacher her little cousin to play the drums with spoons. (At first she was mad. But then had tons of fun.) Cheek out what others are doing for Tot School by clink the link.

20 Minute Cleaning

2009-05-27T11:51:00.000-07:00

I hate to clean. If I could I'd never do it. Even now at home all day. I don't keep my house clean. I play so much with Girlygirl, do stuff outside, cook dinner everyday but I have a hard time cleaning. I know it is number one on Sweetdudes list to come home to a clean house. I know this so I try hard to clean my house house most days. My style of cleaning is well odd. Here is how I cleaning our living room.

My living room really did look like that. I set my timerSo I set the timer for 20 minutes. I got this idea from the FLYlady. She says 15 but I never finish in 15 minutes so I do 20. Then I pick up and put away all the big stuff that I can't sweep and put the dishes. 5 min in and one call from Girlygirl for help. My living room looks like this (picture below).Now what to do with that big pile in the mild of the room? I just put into smaller piles. Each room has a pile then I bring the whole pile to the room and put each thing in its place. After each pile has been put away the right way I clean the couch and sweep one more time to get the small stuff left. As you can see my room is not prefect but 90% better than before I started. 20 minute cleaning works for me. Go to We are that Family to see what works for others. Today I am going to say remember it is more fun to play in a clean your living space and enjoy it.

Free Bowling/Summer plans

2009-05-19T19:38:00.000-07:00

I found this great site the other day. If you even like to bowling a little you should go sign up. Across the county each child can get two free games of bowling a day all summer. I have been looking for ways to save this summer and still have tons of fun. This summer my little house will be over flowing with kids. Just like last summer I will taking care of my dear friends kids. Tom Boy and Mr. Man will be back but this year their sister will be coming too. That doesn't worry me at all. I love the kids and I think the more the merrier. What does worrie me is me not working. I am not use to living on little money for the three of us and three more will make it harder. Their my is blessed with a little money help and food stamps so will be helping us out. But staying home all the time is hard so I need to find fun cheep things to do. Free bowling will be great. Above all I know God is in control and has a great plan for me and the kids. Remember to find ways to have fun with your family every month, week, or even everyday.

Tot School Starting Over

2009-05-17T12:40:00.000-07:00

~33 months~

We are back in the game of blogging. Here is the highlights of the last week. I did a letter A day. I first planned to do it for a whole week but that didn't work out.At touch a truck last weekend. Sweetdude and I took Girlygirl and our two nephews to touch a truck in Lombard. They all three loved it. Not sure what they are learning but it was fun. We planted seeds in front of our house. We are still waiting for them to grow but it was fun. We found a worm. Girlygirl won't touch it but she like looking at in on her shovel. Mixing paint in a bag. Play dough. Girlygirl favorite she could play for hours. Working on letters while fishing. Rug time. Really it is a towel. More about it soon. This day she got her stacking cups, Elmo ( like Mr. Potato head) and Doodle Pro. Giving baby bath in the sink. She loves it. Making apple prints. She didn't like it at first but when i got her to do it she had fun. Working on opposites puzzle. We did this a few weeks ago and she didn't get it. Matching socks. Works great it helps me do a job I hate and helps her learn to match and the life skill of laundry. Rug time again. This day she had Mr. Potato Head, three books and a box of little dolls. Letter A lunch. She didn't like most of it but she did try everything. Playing with Tupperware learning to share. Not easy for a only child. "Reading" books to her frog. Getting dressed. She is good at when she want to change in the mild of the day but I am now making her in the morning and at night too. Without help. She knows how and I don't want to have to do it all the time. Cheek out what other are doing for their Tot School Click the link above.

Back Pack

2009-05-01T15:27:00.000-07:00

I have chosen to teach Girlygirl to be responsible for herself from a young age. One way I have done this is by giver her a toddler size back pack. The whole thing is her responsibility. Before going out she needs to pack it with the right stuff. At this point I still do guide her as she packs her bag. Here is what she has in her bag: • 2 change of pants and underwear • only because she still likely to pee in her pants • 1 change of shirt and socks • 1Subway bag (I save Subway bags for wet clothing when we are out) • 2 toy or toy sets- One stays in her back pack all the time. It is a set of Pooh characters for the Dollar Tree. (It is great fun when wait for food at restaurants or when mom and dad are talk at church.) The other she picks it must fit in her bag. If she picks blocks the she can have 5. (Look for a blog to come soon about great toys to bring when going out) • 1 or 2 books- They change from time to time as Girlygirl chooses. The only rule is it must fit in her bag. • Her wallet which holds her money that she gets each week. • Her special blanket. • Snack -I put one snack in her bag and a cup of ice water It is Girlygirl stuff and therefore her job to hold it. I will help her sometimes but most the time I make her do it.

Free: Table time/ Tot School Tools

2009-04-06T00:24:00.000-07:00

As I was looking at blogs this morning I saw a few people use droppers for different things. Like the water transfer over at My Montessori Journey and marbleizing paper over at Chasing Cheerios. You can get free eye/med droppers from your Pharmacy. I have gotten them from Walgreen's without buying any meds. You just have to go ask. I ask for 3 and they just gave them too me. I have not done this because I got paint cups for $2 at a garage sale last year but Michelle over at Her Cup Overfloweth had a great idea to use Ice coffee cups as paint cups. Take a look here. Just some good ideas to have good cheep fun with your little one. As always remember to play with your child today.

March Top Ten: A Little Late

2009-03-31T04:36:00.000-07:00

Girlygirl top ten of March has changed a lot since February but have a little. Here the are in no order.

Bubbles
Dolls
tongs: we use for table time and move things with them.
cutting and pasting
books: favorite seek and find books. Like this one we have a few different kinds. I also found a few I Spy board books at the Good Will. I she likes a lot too.
play dough
cleaning stuff.
Dora and Diego puzzle
Car/bikes outside
wagon

I am glad I started this to see Girlygirl's taste change from month to month. I would love for you to join me. Sorry it is late I hope to get up on time next time.

Reasons to buy a Gallon of Ice Cream

2009-03-30T13:04:00.000-07:00

I have been buying gallon ice cream for about a year now. It is not as good as the name brand ice cream so from time to time I do still buy the name brand stuff when it is on sale. I have found lost of reasons to buy a big tub of ice cream.

It is cheaper: There for I get it more often.
The tubs make great buckets for cleaning, play in the sand, etc.
The tubs are a great place for small toys or stuff for table time
I can afford to get topping for my ice cream and it is still cheaper.
I use the tubs for a GB (garbage blow when cooking)
I have a tub with cat food in it.

As you can see I mostly love all the things you can do with the tubs there for saving me even more money. I am glad I have started buying gallon ice cream to save money. What is something you buy and reuse the container it came in? Tell us about it.

Gone

2009-03-25T07:21:00.000-07:00

I am going out of town for and will be back next week. I will not be blogging this week. I will be back middle of next week.

Tot School: Week Nine Spring is Here!!

2009-03-21T18:54:00.000-07:00

~31 months~

We spend a lot of time outside this week. The weather was great. Girlygirl loves it so much more than last year. We also got some new Tot School table time toys. Girlygirl loved them.We brought Girlygirl's little people to work. The Twins loved playing with them. Girlygirl had to work on sharing. I played with them for a long time and we talked about jobs, animals and colors. The kids all three loved it.Tuesday we went were Larger motor skills are learned endlessly. Here she is on the stairs. Here is she balancing. She spent about half the time at the park walking around she improved her skills a lot by the time we left.shorting Pompoms with tongs. Raping gift for our friends new baby.Gilter Glue. I am not sure why she had to do it on the easel it was not easy. Showing daddy her hard work.Twin Boy has the great marble maze. Girlygirl loved it. I want to get one of these. We worked with our Color Bags. We love them. I don't get picture of them much because she always wants to sit on my lap when we do it. (if you are wonder I am sign shoe in the picture)Girlygirl cleaned she loves to clean. We started talking about Easter and hung some stickers in the window.I bought plastic tooth picks at the Hobby Lobby. Girlygirl match them by color in the plant foam stuff. (FYI: I got the plant foam stuff for a good deal but not worth the mess I would get the regular kind next time) Girlygirl loves the foamEgg match.Thursday she sleep over at my sister's. She is always great at planning things for Girlygirl to do. As a former preschool teach she is great at it. And I think Girlygirl wants to be her when she gets big. We went to the Morton Arboretum (which will be doing a lot of we got passes for Christmas) to ride bikes. We stopped and talked about the buds on the trees. I explained that it was the tree waking up. A closer look. I will be doing more this later. Looking at another tree.Up in the trees. The first time around she was scared and only daddy could help her over come those fears. And by the third and last time around she just followed behind him.

If you are looking for what other are doing just click on the link below.

Tot School: back to work week eight

2009-03-17T17:52:00.000-07:00

~31 months~

We didn't do much of Tot School this week. We just started a new nanny job and I had to change things around. I think next week should go better. Here are the few things we did do. I am very late on this this week. I know but with life changes that is what happens. We now care for twins which we will call Boy Twin and Girl Twin.

We went on a walk and Girlygirl pushed her bike. I was amazed how far she was able to walk.

She painted. And for the first time in a long time would use finger paint with out a brush. She likes to do everything the "right" way.

We got a new toy for Table time(tot school) which she loved and played with it a lot. I am not sure how it is learning but I know she had fun. She like to pretend it was a birthday cake and candles. She would then sing Happy Birthday and blow them out. Please visit 1+1+1=1 to learn more about Tot School and see what others are doing or maybe even add a post of your own.

An Other Great Blog

2009-03-17T06:23:00.000-07:00

Today when reading Tot School. I was clicking around on the links on the blog and I found a new great Tot Blog. I think I will be getting new ideas for Girlygirl Tot School from ABC and 123. I will be looking around this site for a while and if I do like at much as I think I will I will be adding it to my links on the side bar.

Three Ways to Get Cheep Sand Toys

2009-03-14T11:14:00.000-07:00

I was at Target to buy a gift Girlygirl always likes to look the toys and it is cute to hear her say, "I save money. Not Mommy's money. OWN!" Anyways we went down the lisle with the summer stuff. I was shocked at the price of the toys. So when I got home I thought I'd let all you know what I do to keep sand toys cheep. I would say spend the money to get one nice shovel for each child. I have noticed that with shovels it make a big differences. Other than that here are a few things I do.

1. The Dollar Tree has great cheep sand buckets. At least last year the did they are big and come with a shovel. (the big kids broke them a lot) 2. Save your plastic food tubs; butter, peanut butter, sour cream, etc. are great. The size are fun to making castle (at least for me) 3. A few years ago I had a ton of formula scoops. Whenever I brought them every kid that the pack loved them. I wish I saved more but I trying to get my sitters to save theirs. If you start save your stuff now your kids will have fun all summer at the beach, park or in the back yard sand box.

Remember to play in the sand with the kids they will like it more even if you have nothing. What is your or your child's favorite sand toy?

Mommy!! A Monster!! A Monster!!!

2009-03-10T07:32:00.000-07:00

What do you for your little one who is scared for monsters? I have a few idea I have heard over the years and have been thinking about it a lot because Girlygirl is sure that monsters live in the dark.

a scare light-this is just a flash light to shine and see what is there and scare the monster away.
monster spray-can be just water or air freshener. I have heard that people make a new label with a monster with an x over him to make it look like it is the real stuff.
a night light-if they can see what is there it may be less scary.
a brave toy-with a little boy I baby sat in high school he had a loin that was brave and stayed on his bed to keep in safe. Any toy could work.
pray-we pray that God will keep her safe and know that God is there with her.

What do you do to keep monsters away from your little on and keep your little one happy at night?

Tot School: Week Seven Playing Outside

2009-03-07T12:13:00.000-08:00

~31 months~

We have spent most the week playing outside. The weather here was great this week. We went outside a lot for a long time each day.

Cutting this has been a favorite the last few weeks.

We made banana bread. It was lots of fun and so good we made it later in the week again.

Play dough. I have add it to our new homeschool shelf (look for a blog to come about this) She does not get all the play dough stuff at school time just a few and it is working out good.

Bug catch. The was a little moth in my house and for hours she tried to caught it.

She like here new puzzle from the Dollar Tree so much I bought one more. We played games a lot this week.We are slowly making a garage sale pile. This day Girlygirl got to pick 10 stuff animals she wanted to keep.Toddler art at the library.Again with the puzzle this time with two.Learning to put clothing away. And below is our trip to The Morton Arboretum with my sisters and nephews.Tell everyone what your are doing for Tot School or just see what others are doing.

Kissing Shoes: Getting the Shoes on the right feet

2009-03-04T12:22:00.000-08:00

So I have seen lots of people do the Works for me Wednesday. I have loved reading all the tips found though We are THAT Family. I have thought many times I should join but then can't come up with a good idea to join in with. Well, I have an idea. My mom told me about a little girl at her school who has kissing shoes. Her mom put smiley faces on each shoe when they can kiss they are on the right feet. It has worked great with Girlygirl. Now I only needed to ask Girlygirl "Can the kiss?" she knows to cheek her shoes. It works great for my daughter who hates to be wrong.

Top 5: Favorite Blogs

2009-03-03T05:17:00.000-08:00

Preschool and Peace- Written by Kendra who is mom to eight children. I get a lot of encouragement from her. She has great tips to be a mom to young one.
The Crafty Crow- A great place to find ideas of thing to make with and for the kids. It is update Monday-Friday with great links.
1+1+1=1 is written by Carisa. This is where I found Tot School which I love and she shares a lot about what her homeschooling life looks likes. She does a great job.
Totally Tots has many author and many ideas from its readers.
Chasing Cheerios written by Melissa. She shares a lot of great Montessori style ideas. I don't really have a style of teaching yet but I love her ideas and she does a great job of showing and explaining them.

Bonus site it is new blog and I am very excited about it so it may bump it off of my other top 5 soon. Homeschool Bright and Early written by Mother Bear who plans to post each day. I look forward to getting ideas from she. What is you favorite blog about preschoolers (ages 0-5)?

Tot School: Week Six a day late.

2009-03-02T08:03:00.000-08:00

~30 months~

We didn't do much over last week. I was in a funk and being lazy so the little we did do I didn't take pictures of. We do go to Jump and Jiggles and up to Wisconsin with Tomboy, Mr Man, their Mom and sister. Here are a few pictures of learning on our outings. First Jump and Jiggles Gross Motor skills or is it just plan fun?Playing with the big blocks sorting by shapes.Adding roofs to the make houses. Then the giant destroys the houses.Help trying to tie my shoes and the I talked about what I was doing while they watched. Girlygirl tracing her name. She didn't get it really but we will work on it more she like having her name on the paper.Her games where even more fun with a friend. It was great to see them help each other. Well that was our simple unschooling tot school week. Now we are trying to get back to more of a planned week. We'll see how that goes. For more ideas don't forget to cheek out other's Tot School over at 1+1+1=1.

Top 10 Play Things: February

2009-02-23T00:15:00.000-08:00

After reading Our Top 10 Play Things over at Let's Explore also Totally Tots does favorites for Tot School. Both of which I love to read. I am a nosy person and love to get ideas from other. So if I love it maybe you will to. I will be posting Girlygirl's favorite things of the month on the last Monday of each month. I think it will be fun to look back at how it changes and stays the same over the year.

February's Top 10 Play Things

Scissors-We got these great scissors that open on their own.
Dolls
Board Games-so far she has not picked a favorite but games are fun to her right now.
Little People
Markers-mostly used to trace hands
Sesame Street Camping Car
Hair and Make up bag
Books-Favorite right now Go Away Big Green Monster
Magic Mic-Likes it best when mom or dad make music for her
Easel

Please share you child's favorites if you have a blog and want to blog it add that here or leave a comment with your child's Top 10. I look forward to reading them. Like I said I am nosy.

Tot School: Week Five

2009-02-22T14:51:00.000-08:00

~30 Month~

We did a lot more thab I have picture for this week. I will just talk about the pictures. I will need to keep my camera handi next week.

Sing with Dr. Wonder Workshop. She watch tv this day and we skiped tot school because I had both my nephews here. Playing Letter MatchWe played the Pizza Game. Then she played on her own for a long time.We did an animal sponge capsules. We got them from the Dollar Tree. Play dough is one of Girlygirl's favorites right now.We went to an open gym with a friend.The open gym has so much to practice large motor skills.Sorting foam beads by shape. This is another Dollar Tree find. Play dough again later in a week.Cutting. Last week I saw Carisa use strips of paper so I did the same. If you have not tried it I would Girlygirl was so glad that she could get pieces of paper.Working on the lacing.Looking at one of her baby books. Teaching Cousin One to do Dump and Fill. Well maybe I got more pictures than I thought. If you saw that the trays I used the are just baking pans to see if I want to do the whole tray thing. It looked like good idea but before I put a lot of money in it I wanted to try it out.

Memory Game With the Memory

2009-02-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

Girlygirl has loved games this last week. We have a few and some have worked great for her but one that she could get was Memory. I didn't but the game away and say wait until she is ready. I just changed the rules. We played Letter Match. (our game is Sesame Street and ABC game) I laid the pieces face up and found the two that matched. Girlygirl had lots of fun doing this. It was a great way to talk about letters too. This didn't work with Girlygirl yet but worked great with a little girl I use to nanny. We used half of the pieces. That way it there was less choices and the game went faster. Both big when you are trying to do anything with a two year old. Play the game normally.

Remember to play with your kids today because playing is learning. What ever you play make it work for you.

terrible twos: Time To Walk

2009-02-16T05:13:00.000-08:00

The comes a time when a mom can't or choices not to care her tot all the time any more. I like to teach Girlygirl when I say something I mean it. This is hard when it comes to her walking when I say. I try my best not to pick her up when I have told her she has to walk. In order to get her to walk I have to get her to think or do something else. Here are some examples of what I do:

Walk in a different way: slow then fast, big and little steps, march, walk backwards, be a train, ect.
I talk about where we are going then say in a excited voice come on lets go. This works better the younger they are. It is getting hard to use this with Girlygirl.
I let her know today you have to walk when we are out. When she wants me to hold her I nicely tell her "Remember you are a little girl now and little girls walk." (I don't say big girl because I needed her to understand that there is a difference between her and the kids I nannied. They can do more than her because the are big.)
I know she can't walk that much so that helps knowing her limits. Walking into the store but needs to be able to get cart in the store. I do at time push her a little more then she is willing to do. (this does make her mad and often does cry out of anger but I try to stay up beat and encourage her)
When all else fails I stand behind her and hold under her arms and make her walk to the place I said. (tip: don't make this fun. if the laugh or seem to like it stop and hold their hand and try walking in a fun way.)

Take it little by little and some days will be great and some will not. Just remember to have fun when you can by making it a game. Who cares if we look silly we are teaching our kids to be great people.

Tot School: Week Four

2009-02-15T06:34:00.000-08:00

~30 Months~

This week was a long one. Both my sitters got the same flu I had last week so we had my nephews this 3 days this week. Luckily not all the same day. We also had MOPS this week. Both Girlgirl and I love MOPS. I had great plans for this week but most of them didn't happen but we still had lots of fun.We cut coupons. Well I did she cut up the ToyRUs ad. She has loved her Little People this week. She got them out everyday.Water paint page. We danced and talked about shapes using our Elmo's Dance and Learn Mat. Glitter Glue. Lots of fun. Stacking buckets. Played Spin and Go from the Dollar Tree.Music at Aunties house.We played Candy Land for the first time and Girlgirl loved it. We tried to play to times in a row but it was to much for her. We played match the letters with one of her Memory games.

Terrible Twos: Tantrums When the Come

2009-02-09T13:51:00.000-08:00

Terrible Twos: Tantrums When the Come

No matter what you do all tots have tantrums from time to time. If yours in in like mine some days it feels like they just are not stopping. So here is what I do when Girlygirl just get's do mad and has to tell the world. I believe she has a right to be mad. It is my job to teach her what to do when she is mad.

Go in other room to cry: She may have the right to be mad but I have the right not to hear yell about. The first time she got mad because something didn't go her way. I took her to her room calmly tell her, "You can't yell like that. When you are done please come out." Now most the time I just have to tell her to go to her room. I never send her to her as a punishment.
Ask child to claim down and listen: This works better when they are a little older. Sometime Girlygirl and I are thinking the same thing but she doesn't know it. Sometimes just getting her to listen if I can will stop the tantrum.
Let them know you understand: I often tell Girlygirl something like, " I know you don't want to take a bath. You are having fun playing. Mommy says it is time to take a bath. Can you help we turn on the water." Sometimes she is still mad but a lot of the times she is claims down knowing I understand.
Offer a hug: I try to always give her a hug as she is claiming down or when I am talking to her.
Rap in blancket: Sometimes Girlygirl can't claim down not often but from time to time. I just get a blanket and rap it around her and hold her tight.

Tot School: Week Three

2009-02-08T12:44:00.000-08:00

~30 Months old~ Our school time and planned learning by me didn't happen this week. As Grammy and Poppy where here and then I had a bad flu. But I did get some unplanned learning in photos. Reading!! I am glad she loves to read so much and that she doesn't care if someone reads to her or if she reads on her own.This weeks favorite. Go Away, Big Green Monste r!Bouncing on the big ball. Great to kick too. I mostly just sit her on it and help her bonce or roll her froward and back. Playing with Vtech - Tote 'N Go Laptop Plus, after doing Grammy's hair. Don't you think she looks great. I learned a great way to sign stories with Girlygirl from one of the yahoo chat groups I am in. It works out great. She has been pick up so much more sign now that she can see the stories I sign to her.Making valentines for friends and family. We will mail them out soon. We went to a Winter Carnival in Lombard. It was free. She love the glitter glue. I will have to get her some.Bye Grammy and Poppy we will miss you!!

Terrible Twos: Avoiding Tantrums

2009-02-03T08:59:00.000-08:00

All moms with young kids know what it is like to tell their little one no or it is time to do something they are not ready for and the crying to start. Each child has different things that make them go into a tantrum but when they get there many of us don't know what to do. Lucky for me I got to learn things that worked as a nanny and teacher's aid long before I had Girlygirl. Here are a few of my thoughts about avoiding tantrums.

Give them a warning before it is time to clean up, go to bed or leave the house. Just telling Girlygirl in 5 minutes it is ______ works great. No she doesn't know when the 5 minutes are up but it helps her know that she will have to change what she is doing soon.
Try to keep your days the same most days. When changes will come in let your child know. On days we go out to do something Girlygirl and I talk about it. I am say "Today after we eat we have to get ready. We are going to go shopping today." That way she know we will not play for two or more hours after we eat.
Teach your child as young as you can to be able to play on their own. Don't run to your child every time they start to get mad wait a little bit to see what they will do even as a young baby.
Let your child help you do what you are doing. Girlygirl has a place she can come in the kitchen when I am cooking. If she does I try to find something she can do to help me or just talk to her about what I am doing. She has her own cleaning stuff to help when I clean. Sometimes I feel if she was not helping what I was doing would go faster but then the times I tell her no she ends up getting mad because she loves to be with me or making an other mess I have to clean.
Move your toys around. Even if you don't keep toys to rotate you can move the bed room toys to the living from or even to a new place in the room and the child will like to play with them more.
Don't have tantrums your self. If you get mad and yell when things don't go your way what makes you think your child will not.
Plan things to do each day. Your child will get broad if they are just left to play all day everyday. Some days of just all day free play is good but most days should be broken up with planned things. Bring out the play dough, have them sit at the table and play for at least 15 minutes a day, go outside, go do something, or make a craft just to name a few ideas.
Take time to play with your kids EVERYDAY. If they don't have to be be bad for you to stop what you are doing to talk to them they will enjoy you more.
To do this say what you mean and mean what you say. Don't say I am going to throw you outside if you don't stop yelling because you know you can't do that. Maybe say if you don't stop mom is going to put you in your room because that hurts my ears. Or if you say if you do that again I am going to spank you then when they do spank them. In the same way don't tell you child if they are good at the store you will buy them a candy and then not buy one when they are good or worse buy them one after being bad.
Teach your child your are the boss. We all have bosses in life and for now you are your child's. Tell your child , "I am the Mommy (or daddy or _____) you most listen to me." I have taught Girlygirl I am the boss. Sometimes now all I have to say is "Who is the boss?" Girlygirl will say "Mommy, Daddy". I say "Yes you have to do _____ because I am the boss."

Remember what you teach your child today is the steps to the whole life. I will be talking more about tanturms in the next few weeks. Come back to see my other thoughts.

Tot school week two

2009-02-01T20:30:00.000-08:00

~30 months old~ This week I read Noah's Ark to Girlygirl everyday. I have 4 different books with the story in it and I read them all to her. Here are the pictures of other learning fun we had this week. WeWe made a snake with Girlygirl's name on it. She loves to glue. I taught her to play laundry basketball. She loved it and we did it everyday. We had our paints out most days. She loves it. It is cute that she is now saying that her picture is things. Often people we know. She gave her baby a bath. We cleaned the whole house.She loved the string cards this week for the first time. We have tried them before and she just got mad at how had it was. After she leaned how to do this day she was so happy to show Sweet Dude when he got home from work. Again in our jammies we played with play dough. She does the often but after reading about Tot School I sat down and played with her for a long time. Although she did play for more than an hour so I did get up to make lunch. Yea lunch in our jammies.Dancing with NuNu. (her name for her blanket) I cut out a Noah ark and pictures of a rainbow and animals for a magazine and we glued them on blue paper. Well she glued I read to her about Noah. Pointing out that she was make his big boat called an ark. I am not sure she got because she told me,"No not Noah's! POPPY'S!" We painted coffee filters and the made them into butterflies (picture below).We brushed the dog. We made a boat with blocks and filled it with the animals. And then we got out our Noah's boat. Fixed Daddy's hair. Helped make lunch. Mac and Cheese. End our week with Grammy and Poppy coming. She is looking out the window waiting. They are here!! We had a great week. Lots of fun. I can't believe how good I was at getting picture thought the week.

Preschool Craft time: Coffee Filter Butterfly

2009-01-30T09:55:00.000-08:00

Preschool Craft time: Coffee Filter Butterfly These are great fun but a little messy to make it. Step One: Gather 1 or 2 coffee filter(s) and 1 1/2 pipe cleaner. A cup of water, water colors paint and bushes. Young kids have fun using more than one brush. You may put down pager on table because paint does go through the filter. (I don't mind cleaning up the mess so didn't do this.) Step Two: paint the filters and let dry.

Step three: If using two filters put together. Then pinch mild together. (like in picture above.)

Step Four: Wrap the half a pipe cleaner (the are easy to cut with scissors) around where you pinched it. Step Five: Place the whole pipe cleaner through the pipe cleaner that is there. Fold in half and twist together. This is held to make the butterflies fly. Girlygirl loved that she made something she can play with.

New Ideas For Preschooler

2009-01-26T09:27:00.000-08:00

I was looking at a book my sister has and I got new ideas I would like to try with Girlygirl. I love finding new things that I have not tried that will work for us to do at home. For snack time I found a great idea to had Animals in the Mud. All I need is animal cookies in chocolate fostering. Just have the animals standing in the fostering. I think I will be a good thing when we talk about animals. For art/craft time I got lots ideas. Some are more simple like; scribble bookmark, torn paper or fabric collage. A few will be made out of shoe boxes. Treasure box made out of a shoe box covered in construction paper. You can choice to decorate the box with stickers and by coloring. We will use it to hold all the treasures of a two year old and as she grows. Show box garage simply cut whole in front to fit toy cars in. Again you and decorate however you want. I am sure the kids will not care if it is just a box with a hole for their cars. Mail box is made just like the garage you can decorate or just cut a hole to get the mail. (I plan to make the mail box this week I will blog about it when we are done) Car wheel painting is a great and easy thing to do. Just get or make a shallow box make sure it is big enough to fit your paper. Roll toy cars in paint then in box. Or you can just put a few drops of paint in the box and roll the car around on them. I have never used a car but when I worked in a preschool we did it with balls it work it was a great hit. I found three other things I am not sure what category they'd be in. I still look forward to trying them. Falling ball tunnel (I think can work for cars too) you need a cardboard mail tube, a towel, cookie sheet and masking tape. To make the falling ball tunnel you roll towel and place on cookie sheet. Then place the mail tube long way on the cookie sheet with towel holding one end high on the other end on the cookie sheet. Tape all three together do not cover the holes. A cheep great game is what is in here. All you need is a pillowcase, tube socks and things to hide in the socks/ pillow case. There are two ways to play you can just put things in the pillow case and let your child play with them. They may dump the all out then put back in or just take out one at a time. The other way to play is to hide things in the tube socks and then in pillow case. The last sounds easy but I never thought of it. It is called laundry basket ball. It is just like it sounds you throw a ball in the laundry basket. The other idea was to use rolled up socks. I can't wait to play these with Girlygirl. Remember to play with your kids today.

Tot School

2009-01-25T18:48:00.000-08:00

I am joining in an other thing. I look forward to doing this. It will be great to look back on what I did with Girlygirl over the weeks. This sounds even more fun to me includes my love to photos and watching Girlygirl play and grow. We we go with my first post about Tot School.

We played in the snow at auntie's house.

We all worked together to make a snow man. We played with blocks and practiced sharing without being bossy.Painted our red color bag. She cut and glued for table time.We read in the chair. This picture is after I was told to move. She needed more room for books

Go cheek out what others are doing for Tot School this week and remember to play with you kids today.

Operation Playtime Day 6 of 12: Get outside

2009-01-25T05:06:00.000-08:00

Today operation playtime is about outside play. This is something I have not been good at this winter. With there always being snow on the ground and how cold it is been it is not something I want to do. Also with my old job I didn't have much time to do anything fun. The last time we really played outside was Monday we made a snow man and Girlygirl played with some sand toys. Today we are going to go to see the husky dogs at the Arboretum. That will be fun and a great way to get out. I will add pictures later.

I am going to try to get outside more to play with Girlygirl. Remember to play with your kids today.

Operation Playtime Day 5 of 12:Painting

2009-01-24T19:52:00.000-08:00

I found Operation playtime today. I wish I found it before day one. I seem to find things 5 days in all the time. I joined late but it is still fun. In Operation Playtime the goal is to play with things that don't have batteries or a plug. I love that. Each day they give an idea of something to do. Today was painting with kitchen stuff. Girlygirl didn't like the idea of painting with anything but brushes so we just paint the red bag to use for our color bags. Painting is one of Girlygirl favorite things to do so she loves when I get the paint out.

new Web Site

2009-01-23T08:56:00.000-08:00

I just found this web site today and it looks great. I can't wait to have more time to play on it and learn more stuff to do with Girlygirl.

teaching color with color bag

2009-01-21T07:13:00.000-08:00

Back when I worked as a teaches aid the class had these cool color boxes from Lakeshore. I really liked them and when I wanted to start helping Girlygirl learn her colors I wanted to buy them. That is when I found out how much the cost. So when I was at a Thrift Store and fond canvas little bags I came up with the idea to make my own color bag for Girlygirl. I got 5 bags all white. It made a great art time for Girlygirl to paint the bag we just do one at a time. After the bag is dry I went around the house and looked for anything blue to add into the bag until the bag was full. Girlygirl loves the bags. Soon I will be teaching her to look and match the colors. We will have all 5 bags out and take all the toys out and she has to put each thing in the right color bag. I will let you know how this goes. Update: I found other home made color bags. I they are nicer than my done by the mom. Just thought I'd share my find. They made by PisecoMom over at Mind Games. Remember to play with your kids today. Playing is teaching

100 Free Things to do with kids: 76-100

2009-01-20T07:36:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I made it to 76 already and still thinking of more everyday. I am having lots of fun trying to think of free stuff to do. I hope this last 25 free things are easy to think of. Here we go:

get a pen pal or type pal (pen pal through email) great for when friend moves away
read
press flowers
start collection-rocks, bottle tops, shells, bugs, lots of things free
dust house
dry-erase board
sort-button, bean, pasta. You can do this my color, size or shape
play tag
play hide and seek
The Jar
doll bath
trace hands
egg or toy hunt-hide one egg or toy and let the kids try to find it
take a bath
hold child and spin in circles
roll down a hill
sit at the window and watch it rain
play telephone
move toys to different rooms-it makes kids feel like the are new
go to pet store
plan tour of fire station-i think better with a few friends
plan tour of police station
visit a nursing home
tour cold stones-free unless you want ice cream
build tent with table and blankets

It took me some time but I found my last 25 things. Remember to play and have fun with your kids today.

Allowance at 2

2009-01-17T13:26:00.000-08:00

We give Girlygirl an allowance of $2/week. She will get a $1 raise each birthday. The money is not given to her for chores or anything she just gets it. As part of our family she gets money just as Sweet Dude and I both get $10 each week no matter what also. We do make her give 25 cents to savings and 25 cents to church. The other money is her to use as she wants. She doesn't really understand it yet but we like to start now and teach her little by little.

No Help

2009-01-15T07:24:00.000-08:00

Girlygirl loves to do anything and everything she can with out any help. She got a great Christmas gift from a friend. It is a tea pot. She uses it very morning to pour her own juice. I also give her a cheese knife to put peanut butter on her toast. It not only saves me time but teaches her she can do it.

FTJ: The why of the dreams

2009-01-13T10:12:00.000-08:00

After coming up with dreams I need to know why I have them, what it will proved for me

Adopt 2+ kids- I want to give kids a family who have lost the first family.

Have one more kid- Because I promised Sweet Dude.

become SAHM or work 3 or less days- I love being with Girlygirl. I want to be the one who hugs my kids when they fall.

homeschool- I think that the way the schools are today to many kids get left out. I know I would not make it in today's school.

vacation in all 50 states- It is something I have always thought would be fun.

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC,FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WY

move bigger house- If we have a family of 6 or more we can't only have one bedroom.

live on a small farm- I have always wanted to live on a farm. My reason change but right now I would say for my kids to have a place to run and play everyday.

be free of all cc debit- It is stress full having debit.

teach kids to love God- I want my kids to know which way to go.

work as a photographer- I love to take and look at pictures.

own a daycare- Running around and teaching little ones all day is fun.

be size 10- I want to be able to play more with Girlygirl and I know it would be better for my health.

finish Girlygirl first year scrapbook-I love to do it.

make Girlygirl 2nd year scrapbook

walk 10000 steps a day- Help me be healthier

have weekly date with Sweet Dude with no TV- I want more time with Sweet Dude.

keep the house clean- My house stresses me out.

take picture of Girlgirl everyday- I think it will be fun to look at them when she is older.

find some who want my cat- She make me so mad. I think she needs a home without kids

do foster care- I want to help kids who moms and dads are trying to get better to keep them

my home to be the place my kids and friends want to hang out- If my kids are here I know they are being good.

pay full 10% offering every month- I would like to help the church and I know the Bible says to.

read bible daily- to be closer to God

read to Girlygirl daily- To help her learn and build a bond with her.

have a scrapbook room- I can scrapbook anytime I have just a few min.

learn to cook good- I want to make food people want to cook.

live in an RV for 3 months or more-I think it will be a fun time and a good break from the in and outs of daily life.

go to Disney World with family- Be great family time.

be 100% debt free- I think it is was God wants.

eat health- If I don't I will die young

work on getting my knee better- I am scared it will come out soon and not go back in.

make time to hang out with friends- I needed to have friends and good friends who are close to me to be happy.

meet deaf people our age here- I want Girlygirl to know she is not the only kid with a Deaf daddy. I also think Sweet Dude needs it.

have a brand new van- It would be cool.

get a wagon for Girlygirl- Mine was in my top ten of favorite toys as a kid.

get a swing set- I think it would be fun for the kids.

fix up house 100%- I will have more place to put our stuff.

write sponsor child monthly- I know he wants it.

have garage sale- Clean out my house and make money.

get organized- I want to be able to find what I am looking for when I want it.

move back to CA- I want my kids to know their Grandparents.

take more me days- Sometimes I need a break to be a better me.

personal

Take a 30Th bday trip with Jessica- To remember I am still young.

go camping 2x this summer- I loved camping as a kid.

have my children know that I love them- I want them to not have to look for love in the wrong way.

make Girlygirl laugh everyday- her laugh is so great and then I know she is happy and plus it makes me laugh.

FJT: Udate

2009-01-12T21:39:00.000-08:00

Sweet Dude and I mostly caught up on and we know our credit score so today was easy. I will analyze my dreams. I have really enjoyed this whole thing. We have been blessed by my sitter and brother this past weekend. They took us out to dinner and saved Sweet Dude and I a fight about what money for.

Thoughts about FTJ

2009-01-08T21:22:00.000-08:00

Today is the 8Th day of FTJ and I have not done much. Sweet Dude's work is not going good and for the next 5 weeks they all only are working 4 days. So our spending freeze maybe a little long than the 3 weeks as we have to just buy what we needed until things get better there. I have done really good thus far. I did have to buy Sweet Dude his get better stuff (cold meds, OJ, and ice cream) but I had a gift card for that. I also but my self some sunflower seeds that was not on the list but for some reason when I find out bad news they make me happy and at $1 I gave in. I have worked on the net wroth but need Sweet dude's help with a few parts of it and he is sick so I trying not to bug him. When he gets sick he acts half way to died. I try to just give him more love not more things I want from him. I hope to work on that and our Mission Statement over the weekend. I have about 50 things on my dream list. I am now going to work on my stuff some more.

FTJ Day 5: 100 Dreams

2009-01-05T13:53:00.000-08:00

This is a work in progress. It is not that easy for me. I am not a big dreamer and don't think about my wants that much.

Adopt 2+ kids
Have one more kid
become SAHM or work 3 or less days
homeschool
vacation in all 50 states- AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC,FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WY
move bigger house
live on a small farm
be free of all cc debit
teach kids to love God
work as a photographer
own a daycare
be size 10
finish Girlygirl first year scrapbook
make Girlygirl 2nd year scrapbook
walk 10000 steps a day
have weekly date with adam with no TV
keep the house clean
take picture of Girlgirl everyday
find some who want my cat
do foster care
my home to be the place my kids and friends want to hang out
pay full 10% offering every month
read bible daily
read to Girlygirl daily
have a scrapbook room
learn to cook good
live in an RV for 3 months or more
go to Disney World with family
be 100% debt free
eat health
work on getting my knee better
make time to hang out with friends
meet deaf people our age here
have a brand new van
get a wagon
get a swing set
fix up house 100%
write sponsor child monthly
have garage sale
get organized
move back to CA
take more me days
personal
Take a 30Th bday trip with Jessica
go camping 2x this summer
have my children know that I love them
make Girlygirl laugh everyday

FTJ: Day One

2009-01-05T11:52:00.000-08:00

I know it is day five but I am just starting now. I stayed away from the computer for the last month but to cheek email and look at job posting. So I am getting a late start. So day one started a spending freeze. Day one assignment was to write an approved spending list. Here is mine:

Food-milk, eggs, fresh fruit and veggies, soda, cat food, soaps as needed, pull ups for night no more than $25 a week
gas-for both cars
bills that come in as due and pay off cc with saved money
DH $10
pay library fine
church offering
DD $2 weekly
$50/week for vacation saving

I look forward to trying this. Tonight I will talk to Sweetdude about the whole thing and do the day two assignment.

Starting Forget the Jones Boot Camp

2009-01-05T10:41:00.000-08:00

I am doing a boot camp called Forget the Jones (FTJ) that I found at Mommy Savers. It is six week of figuring out what I want and how to better use your money. I am starting 5 days late because I was in California. I look forwarding to doing this and will be posting lots about it as I go through the steps.

short break

2008-12-05T07:17:00.000-08:00

I am taking a break until I get back for my vacation. I hope you all enjoy your holidays. MERRY CHRISTMAS

Starting Preschool Time

2008-11-12T11:37:00.000-08:00

I will start in January having time with Girlygirl each morning learning different things. I will call it preschool time. We will do lost of fun stuff. Each month we will theme. Starting with E the first letter of her name then moving on from there. The first week will talk about E over all. Then the last three week we will focus on one thing starting with that letter. I will post what I plan to do then what really happens. I think this will be fun but we will see. Girlygirl does do preschool like stuff with my sister and loves it.

Can I have an Affordable trip to Disney World?

2008-11-11T09:50:00.000-08:00

Sweetdude and I and been talking about take Girlygirl to Disney before she was born. She will be three next year and we hope to go in December of 2009 or before if they have a good deal. We are trying to do it with only using cash. This will be new for us. All our vacations have been put on credited cards that we are just now paying off. So in hopes of making it without adding debt I have already started planning how we can make the trip affordable.

My first step was making a bank to save money in. To do this I cleaned out and old apple sauce. I placed the lid on and cut a hole that a quarter can fit though. I then hot glued the lip on. I put Disney stickers on the front to help Girlygirl understand as she helps save money. I put $25 a week in the jar and all my change. Girlygirl puts $0.25 a week in the jar too. I want her to help save so has something invested in the trip too.

My next plan is to go when they are have a good deal or better yet win a trip. I have found a great web site called mousesavers.com. On it they keep an up to date list of what deals Disney is having at both Disney World and Disney Land in California. I look there often. Right now the have a great deal and I almost did it but then I would have had to stop my debt free trip. In order to get the best deal we are trying to be flexible in looking for a good deal any time from the fall of 2009 to early 2010. By not having a set date we want to go we hope to be able to find the best deal. I saw that ABC new in Chicago was giving a trip away so I signed up to win one. I plan to look for more ways to win a trip but not getting my hopes up.

We are also staying flexible with how we get there. We are not sure if it will be cheaper to fly or drive so we are just waiting to see what the prices are when we know the date we will go. If do fly it will because we saved money doing so. I have found lots of other tips. Be posting them soon. I just have run out of time today. If you are going to Disney World too I hope you enjoy your trip. And come back soon for more tips.

100 Free Things to Do With Kids: 51-75

2008-11-10T09:37:00.000-08:00

This is getting hard for me now the first 50 where not bad at all but these may get a little silly. This has been fun for me to think of. Here we go with the next 25 free things to do with your child.

teddy bear tea party- can be parten or make lunch into a tea praty
clean house
jump rope
roll down a hill
swing
write a play
act out a play
watch birds
play dress up- don't have dress up clothing? use your clothing
play house
catch butterflies
make sock puppet
feed birds- use old bread
play hide and seek
paint the sidewalk with water
kick a can
plan/take an imaginary trip
make mud pies
visit elderly person
tell jokes
trust walk
tell story three words at a time
play I spy
lunadery basket ride-until they can't fit in the basket kids love to be puled/pushed in a basket
play momory

Wow I made it to 75. When I come up with 25 more I will post the next one. I hope you got new ideas of things to do with your children or maybe just got an oh I should do that monet. Remember to have fun with your children offten. Here are 1-25 and 26-50

Back Yard Scavenger hunt

2008-11-07T09:22:00.000-08:00

If you have read my 100 free things to do with kids post then you may have say that I said do back yard/living room scavenger hunt. You do not need to have stuff to hide. Just make a list of this for your children to find. Maybe get them a bag to hold the stuff. For older kids you can have them draw and write about what they find if you want. You can make it so the learn new stuff of just have fun. Here are some thought about what you can find.

sticks-tell how many or how big
flowers-name a color
rocks
toys you have
water hose
bird-tell the kind
leafs-tell how many or what kind
weeds
animals-your pet or something that you see off ten in your backyard like a cat or bunny

That is all I can think of right now but you could add to the list if you have more ideas. This would be a great way to get your kids outside and moving. Here are a few great list that I found online.

Earth day nature Hunt
Camping Scavenger Hunt- Some will work for things in your back yard too

Happy hunting.

Fall Crafts: 5 Leaf Craft Projects

2008-11-05T09:37:00.000-08:00

All this crafts are things you can do with all those leaves in your front and back yard during the fall months. Ours are just now really falling so I put this together kind of late in the fall but here are 5 leaf crafts I found or have done with the kids.

make a tree-picture on right of Girlgirl's (I did the glue)
Weave Leafs
paint them-can just paint or use as stamps
Leaf Match
make leaf people

I hope that you still have time to enjoy some of these this year but if not maybe next. We just did 1 and 3 this year but I really liked the others so hopefully I get a chance to do them next year. I hope you take the time to enjoy what God has made and talk to your kids about it.

100 Free Things to Do With Kids: 26-50

2008-11-04T09:56:00.000-08:00

To keep it going here is 25 more free things to do with your children. Sorry I don't know how to change to numbers.

Go to play area at mall
go to book store or toy store with a play area
watch parade
make paper airplane
cut a pictures of wants from ads
roller skate
go to museum free day
rake leaves then jump in pile
camp in back yard
go for a drive in the county or hills
get big free box make it to something fun
snow ball fight
play baseball
play football
play kickball
make up stories
dance
watch fire works
Butterflield open gym-this year starts Jan on Tuesdays-Thursday 12-2
do yoga
learn new language
exercise
back yard/living room scavenger hunt
bear hunt
back yard relay

Remember your children love to play with you so don't let anything keep you from doing it at least from time to time. Enjoy your next fun day with you kids for free and come back to find out the next 50 things.

100 Free Things to Do With Kids: 1-25

2008-11-03T09:35:00.000-08:00

After reading some old post on Mommy Savers a great site I just found that is all about great ways to live with the money you got. I am got a great idea for a blog. Here is my first 25 great free things to do with your kids.

Go to the Library
Read books
Rent movie-free from library
go to park
go on walk
make tent with blankets and table better eat lunch in it
ride bikes
Cosley Zoo
Lay in grass and talk nothing to say or kids to young look for pictures in the clouds
cook together-try to do it with stuff you have at home
play game
write letters/make picture for daddy
build snowman
run in sprinkler-hopefully not same day you build a snowman
call a friend to come over for play date
trade toys with a friend
play tag
do each others hair
play in the rain
play ball with the dog
snuggle on couch
fill bag with toys to give away
story time
picnic at park
teach them something new

Come back tomorrow for more of the 100 things. Remember spending time with you kids is one of the best ways to use your time.

Not Playing Learning! Please don't yell!

2008-10-29T09:07:00.000-07:00

Mr. Man may hate to learn in a class room but more than one time I was amazed at how much he knew. Or how long he'd work at something. On this day he was "doing the dishes" in his slow but get it done way. He can't stay with one thing very long. He started to play I am sure not know how much he was learning at the same time. Look at his face the joy that he did it and I did not get mad. When he grows up he will figure out away to make this crazy world work for him.

I need a Scedule

2008-10-28T08:01:00.000-07:00

Over the summer I had my life planned out every minute of everyday I knew what I needed to do. When the Big Kids went home I thought I no longer need that. Well I guess I was wrong. I have been getting nothing done and just living in a funk. So I have learned I need a plan. Even if just a basic one to keep my life moving a long. To do this. I have done a few things. I made a list of jobs for each day Monday-Friday to keep up with the house work. I also got a pocket calender to keep in with me all times. I put sticky note paper in it so I can write done what I need to do. I will keep you updated on how this is working for me. Or if I don't know it is not going to good.

Time For Church

2008-10-27T09:54:00.000-07:00

This is old picture but I have not blogged in a long time and love this picture. What could be cuter than two toddlers all dress this is the big kids sister and Girlygirl all dressed up and ready for their play church. Ah we are teaching them something right.

Cheep ways to get Toddler top 10 Favorite Playtimes

2008-10-26T08:29:00.000-07:00

Girlygirl loves to play but lots of times is not sure what to do without being shown what to do. After lots of play time with me and all the kids I have cared for she is starting to pick her own favorites here is this weeks top 10 favorite things for Girlygirl to play:

dolls-we got most as gifts. A great way to get doll clothing that will last is to buy Preemie or newborn baby clothing.
dress up-we have lots again some where gifts but I did buy most of them. We go to garage sales all summer great place to get old clothing and really dress up clothing for cheep.
painting-not that cheep and I have not found a good get paint. Girlgirl loves to paint and we do it weekly.
trains-I got a wood track for Ikea. They are great and work with Tomas the trains but way cheaper.
cook-She has lots of play food and plates she loves to make food for everyone here. She also likes to help in the kitchen.
ride one toys-she has lots i think 5 for outside and 2 in. All the outside ones where found on trash day. The 2 inside where gifts.
books-we also asking for them as gifts. I so look for good deals every where we go. You never know where you will find a good book at a great deal.
color-She likes makers best but when I say no she will use crayons. We got ours at the back to school sales and at the Dollar Tree. We use both paper and coloring books.
bags-not sure why but having a bag full of stuff brings Girlgirl great joy.
going to park-free and great fun.

Remember to let your child do it themselves that is how the learn but play next time them. They will learn from what you do.

Dinner Time

2008-10-06T19:12:00.000-07:00

Times have been hard for us right now as I am sure the same many others. While reading on ways to save I read that families throw away on average 50% of their food they buy. That mean we spend 50 times more than we need to. To cut back on wasted food have a leftover night, give less food on each plate,and do the same with drinks. I just was wowed by this thought I'd write it down.

Doll Bath

2008-09-22T07:40:00.000-07:00

I have read about letting your toddler give their babies a bath. Today we did and Girlygirl loved it. I just filled a toy tube 1/4 wit water and soap. Gave Girlygirly a a doll to wash. It was easy and she did if for about 20 min. That is always good. When she got up I told she had to be done no coming back. We then cleaned up together. Here are some cute pictures of her playing

Potty Training: When they don't want to go.

2008-08-29T08:05:00.000-07:00

For the first few weeks Girlygirl loved to go to the potty just wasn't sure when she needed to go. Now she knows when she needs to go most the time but she doesn't like to stop what she is doing to go. There are a few things I have done to help her.

As I have done from the beginning I keep stickers and a sticker book in the bath room. She doesn't even have to go to get it. If she sits on the potty then she can play with it while she tries to go.
I often go in the bathroom with her and read books with her.
I have notice that she doesn't want to miss her morning TV. So if after trying to get her to come to the potty she doesn't come I bring her little potty out in front of the TV. I know it maybe bad but it works for us.
I give her a choice of using the big potty or little potty.
Sometimes I need her to try and she doesn't want to go and crys but that is okay and most the time she still goes and is happy in the end.

You know your child best and if you have to just stop for a week or two and then come back that is fine too. Making potty training work for both you and your child is the only rule there is if you ask me.

Toddler and Discipline

2008-08-28T17:24:00.000-07:00

I tell everyone who says that Girlygirl is too good "It is because I am a mean mom." I say it jokingly but it is kind of true in today world. I don't think that Girlygirl should always be happy. I have thought that a child should listen to what I say at every age. The number one way to do this is to make them no matter what. If Girlygirl crys because she doesn't want to pick up what she just threw I make here by taking her hand and help her do it. If she takes her hair bow out I put back it in. If she crys in the car I i stop and have her sit until she is done. I sometime take her out off the car others i get out. Both work. She has learned that I mean what I say. It is not the easy way today but it will pay off big time later.

A family needs team work

2008-08-18T03:57:00.000-07:00

Well, we may not really be a family but after having 5 kids all summer I learn a few things. Mom can't do it all. We all have to work together as a team. The silly thing is I knew that but by the end of the Big Kids 6 weeks here I was trying to do it all. Let me tell you I was not very happy nor was I very nice. At the time I didn't see why but now looking at pictures from the first weeks I remember why. A family needs team work. Those first weeks where great this kids work together and got a long. The less I started to expect from them the worse all 5 got. A family needs team work.

Preschool: Learning Colors

2008-08-16T08:51:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to teach Girlygirl her colors. I don't homeschool with her yet but we work on learning. Today I have been teaching the color purple. I never sat her down and said let's learn about purple. I just made it purple day. When she painted this morning she used purple paint; also she made purple with red and blue. I have these bath fizzy things. They change the color of the water. We had a purple bath. With lunch we had purple cabbage and grape juice. Girlygirl wear purple clothing. We looked for everything we could find that was purple. I look forward to sharing all our color days with you.

Top 5 Bath Toys for Toddlers

2008-08-15T08:45:00.000-07:00

Girlygirl's favorite bath toys are not all really bath toys. Here is our top five favorite bath toys.

a used sprinkle jar
a sand bucket
cups the more the better
bubbles
bath crayons

If you have not yet tried these with your little one you may want to add them to your next bath time. What are your child's favorite bath time toys? update: We have add one more toy to our bath a doll.

A Block Can be anything

2008-08-13T05:32:00.000-07:00

With a little imagination a block can become anything you want it to be. From simple rolling on the ground and saying vrom vrom it has become a car. With the same block it your can make a train "Choo Choo!" Stand to blocks up and make them talk to each other "Hi Sally how are you?" says the first. "Good thank you!" says the second. As your child child is ready for more add other toys to make block time more fun. We have lots of animals which are great with the blocks to make a farm or zoo. Blocks make great fences and trees. Your little one love his cars add blocks to the make a town with roads and all. Do you have little people your child doesn't touch add them with the blocks and teach your child to make a home, a store or what ever they can think of. The possibility are endless. Remember your child may need to been shown that a block can be more than a block. Once they see they will think of more things than you and I.

Potty Training

2008-08-12T14:36:00.000-07:00

We have went to underwater with Girlygirl. We have been using the potty when she wanted for about year now. I like to start let them try when the are young. She wanted to use underwear about 6 months ago but she wasn't ready. Now I say it is time. We will see how it goes. Here are a few potty training tips:

Start by just letting the get use to the potty. (I do this at 9-12 months) Nothing big just sit on the potty when you do or before the bath. Do this until you ready to train.
I like to go right to underwear when out. Use rubber pants and bring extra clothing. It is life go with it. I don't like Training Pants because kids know they are diapers. There are time you may want to use them
I can't stay home all the time so we do go on like normal. Like I said i just bring a change of clothing for when we are out. Make sure to go potty at every stop and more than one time for long stops.
If you are like me you will forget to bring your child potty when you are home. I use the kitchen timer. We don't always use the the same time. In the morning Girlygirl can go for over 30 min. but after nap it may be every 10 min. Just go with what you think your child needs.
Find something that makes your child like it. For Girlygirl most the time I can just sing the potty song. "Pee pee in the potty. Pee pee in the potty. Who went pee pee in the potty? Girlygirl went pee pee in the potty. Yepee!!!"
When she doesn't want to sit we read, sing or she plays with stickers.
Remember to make it your own. You know your child best and you too. Do what works best for both of you.

Homeschool Preschool links

2008-08-10T13:05:00.000-07:00

I will just update this as I find stuff. I hope that you can use them as well as I. This is a great blog about montasory preschool. There is not much there but I like what she has

Learning ABC in the Tub!!

2008-08-07T09:13:00.000-07:00

Because learning is the must fun when you don't know you are learning. We use the foam bath letters in the tub to help Girlygirl learn her letter and there sounds. I will also write the letter with tub carayons on the tub. Girlygirl will now act like she is writing letters and she the names to letters. It works great with kids who can't sit still. You may not see if for a long time but one day it will hit and all the work will pay off.

Play to Learn: blocks

2008-08-06T09:47:00.000-07:00

From the time Girlygirl was first a toddler I gave her blocks to play with. I remember my mom talking about a workshop she went to (she is a preschool teacher). It was all about blocks she told me how great blocks where at teaching. I have now found the info she told me and I want to share some with you. They have so much to teach.

imagination and creativity
self-confidence by allowing a child to be in control and having a feeling of accomplishment
provide opportunities for dramatic play, sharing and cooperative efforts
responsibility for block care and clean-up
involves math and science pre-number skills ie. size, shape, matching and classification, problem solving is inherent in block play
visual discrimination, a pre-reading skill
insight into concepts of inside/outside, open/closed
development of language and vocabulary through discussion and description
mapping skills
color recognition, patterning
develop gross motor skills through lifting, carrying and stacking
develop fine motor skills with smaller blocks
refine eye/hand coordination
Remember the next your child picks up a block to play that they learning. So you can say you are homeschooling. Your child is learning a lot.

Toddler: Starting Table time

2008-08-05T09:21:00.000-07:00

Table time is something I learned to do long before I became a mom. I have been a nanny for 3 years and my last Mom/boss had me do it with her girls. The oldest was easy like Girlygirl. I started when she was two and she would sit for over an hour doing whatever you told her to. The younger did not like it much. She started when she was a little over one. I would put her in her high chair with a few toys well I cleaned lunch. It took me 10 min top. For over a month she would cry before the time was up and all the toys would be on the be on the ground. By the age of 2 she could still not do table time for more than 25 min. Just go with your kid and start small and move to more time when you can. Remember you are the boss not your child.

Top 5 Activities For Toddlers

2008-08-04T09:23:00.000-07:00

Top 5 Activities For Toddlers

Bag things up-it doesn't have to be a bag Girlygirl likes a her toy shopping cart and rolling bag best.
Ride in the Laundry Basket-just put them in push or pule them around. Be a bus, a car, or a train to make it even more fun.
A big box-to hide in, color, make a house or whatever they can do.
Glue-now this one is messy but they love it. You just need per-cut paper and glue. To help Girlygirl but paper in the right place I tell her to hide the glue.
Bubbles-no more needs to be said

Homeschool Preschool: The Jar part 2

2008-08-03T09:25:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of Girlygirl playing with the jar. She loves the stuff and it make her have to use her imagination.