Halloween Costumes and Treats

In the jungle, the mighty jungle, this little lion will surely sleep good tonight !  Trick-or treating takes a lot out of a little guy!  Preparing since early afternoon, mommy and daddy cleaned and decorated the house, ordered pizza for friends and family, filled the jack-o'-lantern with candy, and in between answered the door for trick-or-treaters while dressing Jude in his lion costume.  (Costume choices came down to dog, lion or cat, because...you guessed it...those are the animal sounds Jude knew best!)  Of course Jude started his house-to-house journey walking, and very soon after wanted to be carried.  
Hmm...On second thought this little lion's mommy and daddy will surely sleep tonight!
Happy Halloween to all of you grown-ups who worked so hard making it memorable and fun for your sweethearts...Bubbie
P.S. What do you do to make Halloween special for your grandkids?
Related Articles/Video:
In The Jungle, The Mighty Jungle YouTube Video
Health Watch/Safe Halloween Costumes
Halloween Fun Snacks For Kids 

Toddlers and Dogs

Dogs and kids and balls!  A winning combination, with proper supervision at all times .  I'm amazed this beach ball is still intact.  Most of the balls Jude owns have Napoleon's personal signature on them...teeth marks.  Napoleon also enjoys Jude's plush dolls and squeak toys. It's the moving toys that are not on his "let's play" list...especially when Jude takes his shopping cart out for a spin.  At that point all bets are off, and you're taking your life in your hands to be resting comfortably, in a stretched-out position on the floor.  Fortunately, Napoleon has figured this out...and so have we!
Best,
Bubbie and Jude and Napoleon
P.S.  Do you have any favorite grandkids and pets stories to share ?
Related Articles/Video:
Toddlers and Dogs
Dog and Baby Having A Blast /YouTube Video (Too Funny!)

Encouraging Resourcefulness

re·source·ful

   

[ri-sawrs-fuhl, -sohrs-, -zawrs-, -zohrs-] 

–adjective-
able to deal skillfully and promptly with new situations, difficulties, etc.

Use in a very long sentence:
Toddlers are very resourceful, especially when they want to do something, like sitting, and are not willing to wait for just a few seconds while Bubbie brings over a nice, cushy chair!
P.S. No cup was harmed during the taking of this picture.
Best regards,
Bubbie
P.S.S. In what ways have you observed your little one's resourcefulness?
Related Articles:
Encouraging Resourcefulness
Parenting and Resourceful Children 

Friendship Between Toddlers

The start of a friendship between toddlers is sweet to watch.  Sitting side-by-side studying one another with frequent glances and exchange of vocal sounds...being careful not to move too close to one another.  As their comfort level grows they ease into "mine," and "no!"...as in "don't touch anything that I want, and if you do you're taking your life in your hands, because if a grown-up's not looking, I won't hesitate to give you such a push!

Here's to friends,

Bubbie

P.S. At what ages did your  grandkids begin their friendships?

Related Article:

How Children Build Friendships 

Lessons Learned From Our Grandkids

Been a while since I've blogged...3 days actually.  In the middle of a move and I don't always have access to a computer.  Pretty lost without one!  This recent picture of my grandson reminded me of myself right now.  Moving things around from place to place, but not exactly sure where to put everything. I should take a lesson from Jude.  He's keeping things simple.  Only working with a few items at a time, and managing them in a limited amount of space.  I like how this boy thinks! 
Best regards,
Bubbie
P.S.  What lessons have you learned from your grandkids?
Related Article:
Lessons We Can Learn From Our Grandchildren 

Outdoor Activities

On our way over to the jungle gym at the park the other day, Jude spotted a lonely block of cement planted firmly in the ground.  It was just sitting there, minding it's own business, but Jude just had to check it out. What could it do?  There was no bounce, swing or slide to it!  It didn't move or make noise!  At first Jude walked around it, he then sat on it before walking across it.  Next he stepped up onto it, then jumped down repeating this exercise a couple dozen times. He was having so much fun, that he attracted three other children, who now had to have their own turns!
Explore your world,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. What kind of adventures have your grandbabies experienced?
Related Article:
Fun Family Outdoor Activities 

Fun Things To Do With Grandchildren

Oh, yes!  Toddlers love to fill empty spaces.  If it is empty, they will find it!  Size or shape of empty space, doesn't matter.  Just as long as it's empty!  And if it doesn't have the possibility of filling up, ever, (like a cat door with a garage on the other side), all the better for a toddler.  Think of the amount of stuff they can gather from around the house, pushing it through the hole, while someone (me) spends her time retrieving, because child wants his stuff back!
I'm here to serve,
Bubbie
P.S. What kind of great fun do you have with your grandkids?
Related Articles:
100 Free Things To Do With Your Grandchild (free download) 
Grandest Time/Fisher Price-Lots to do with Grandchildren 

Weaning From Bottle To Sippy Cup

Since weaning off the bottle, Jude has graduated to a sippy cup.  He didn't take to the replacement too easily at first, but now he's become an old pro!  Here he's demonstrating his ambidextrous skills with milk in one hand, and water in the other! Of course, when he's finished drinking, the cups become odd shaped bouncing balls, and rolling logs!  Fortunately, among the dozens of sippy cup designs, there are those that promise to "bounce 50% of the distance back up off the ground!" Also in the mix you can find flip-tops, built-to-tilts, twist and clicks, sports cups, double grippers, straw sippers, and angled spouts!  I'm so happy that I'm a grandparent, eliminating the possibility of needing to make a choice between these highly advanced sippy cups. I have a hard enough time choosing between toothpastes!
Just Bubbie!
P.S. How was the transition between bottle or nursing, and the cup, for your grandkids?  Any tricks to make it easier?
Related Articles:
Z Recommends Sippy Cups
5 Step Plan Weaning From Bottle To Sippy Cup 

Museums For Children

Watching Jude discover a few lost toys in the park, brought me back to my favorite "find" as a child.  It was a small, rubber doll dripping wet from the puddle I recovered her from.  After bringing her into a warm basement, wrapping her up in a dry, old towel, and giving her lots of hugs, she was ready to be played with. So, I did just that...for three straight days..until my mother noticed this new addition in my doll stroller, and questioned where it came from.  After the interrogation was over, I knocked on doors, with mom by my side, until I brought Teenie back to her rightful owner! I must admit it was a happy reunion for both parties, even though I'll never understand why anyone would have named my darling "Teenie"...Sue-Sue!
Loving finds,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Have a good "lost and found" story to share?
Related Websites:
Please Touch Me Museum/Philadelphia, PA 
The Most Amazing Kids Museums In The USA 

Opening and Closing Doors

What can be more fun than opening and closing a door? For a toddler, this activity means making loud noises and playing peek-a-boo!  For me, it means catching fingers and toes, accompanied by loud cries!  Trying to discourage Jude from this game, I place my foot in the door opening without Jude noticing, and tell him the door is broken.  He doesn't buy it, so I toss a plush toy over his head and into the next room shouting, "Go get it!"  The dog thinks it's for him, pushes past us, and fetches!  I then turn on a Raffi CD, sweep Jude off his feet, and we dance and sing our way through three songs.  Who knew opening and closing a door could be so exhausting!
Bye for now,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. What do your grandkids enjoy opening and closing?
Related Article and YouTube Video
Why Kids Love Opening And Closing Doors 
Raffi In Concert/YouTube 

Honk, honk, rattle, rattle, rattle, crash, beep, beep!

How cute is this?  Forget the boring strollers I used when I took my kids for walks!  The new generation of parents get to push their toddlers in toy cars, and covered wagons with built-in seats! These fun push or pull strollers feature seat belts, cup holders, storage bins, and guarantee a safe, smooth ride! Best of all, the little ones seem to love it!  Jude kicks back and relaxes in his seat, honking the horn in between sipping his  juice, and munching on his raisins while I do all the work! I've come up with some additional suggestions: a motorized, air-conditioned seat, and overhead umbrella for the driver...just a thought!

Bubbie and Jude

P.S. Please share some of your favorite walks with your grandkids.  Would love to hear about them!

Related Articles, Videos, and Products

Walking Games For Kids 

Push Around Buggy 

Voyager Canopy Wagon 

Lady Singing, "Honk, Honk" 

Reasoning With A Toddler

There is one rocking horse at the neighborhood playground, where I take Jude in the afternoons.  One horse which often has a line of toddlers waiting for a turn...and toddlers are not the best "waiters!"  I've tried to point out to the kids that there are nine, (count them..."nine"), healthy, hearty, rocking cows in the same pen anxious to give them the ride of their lives! But nooooo! Nobody wants a cow ride!  Only a horsie ride!  I'm sure these cows are perfectly capable of giving a smooth, even rock. But for whatever reason, and it's a challenge to reason with a toddler, the horse remains the playground favorite, every time. 

Happy trails to you,

Bubbie and Jude

P.S.  How do you reason with your grandchildren?

Related Articles:

How To Reason With A Toddler 

Choosing Rocking Horse For Toddler 

What Toddlers Laugh At

Jude loves the element of surprise.  All I have to do is hide behind or under something, then pop back up with an excited and silly look on my face while I yell, "Boo!" Works every time!  I think I should try this exercise on all people I meet during the day, who seem to be in a grumpy mood.  I could jump out at cashiers from behind the counters, waitresses from under the booths, and maybe even a store clerk from behind the clothes rack! Think of all the possibilities!  Hmmm...I just did...on second thought, I think I'll stick with the little ones!

Keep 'em laughing,

Bubbie

P.S. How do you get your grandkids giggling?

Related Articles:

Toddler Laughing/YouTube Video 

What's Funny To A Toddler 

Toddlers and Naps

Can't say that nap time is a highlight in Jude's day, like most toddlers, he'd rather not take the break.  Think of all he might miss!  There's climbing, running, jumping, throwing, falling, eating, drinking, chasing...and that's in between laughing, dancing and clapping! I've tried explaining to Jude the health benefits, both emotionally and physically to a good afternoon nap, but he's never interested in listening to what I have to say, even when I try to sing it to him in rhyme. Our routine always remains the same: Watch Raffi sing, "Baby Beluga" while drinking warm milk from a sippy cup,,, then listen to Jude give his 30 second protest while grabbing for his "luvies" just before he drifts off to sleep. 
Sweet dreams,
"Sleeping Beauty's" Bubbie
P.S. Any tricks for getting the kids or grandbabies down for their nap?
Related Articles:
How To Help Your Toddler Nap 
Andrea Bocelli Sings Elmo To Sleep/YouTube Video 

Animal-Kid Stories

What's more fun than any of the toys in a child's room, including the hottest ones that just had to be bought?  Answer: A live, loving, lazy pussy cat ...of course!  Especially one who cooperates long enough to satisfy the short attention span of an 18 month old!  This cat didn't know what she was in for when she innocently jumped onto Jude's table, and decided to stretch out in front of him.  You can't blame Jude for needing to find out if Molly matched up to his other playthings.  So, within just a few minutes of testing, the findings were in.  Molly the cat, made lots of different sounds, had many moving parts, and was certainly softer and more huggable than the competition...and very best of all, no batteries required!  If it wasn't for the "I can pick-up and leave whenever I want, because I'm a cat," attitude, Molly could have been Jude's favorite toy, instead of remaining Jude's favorite house pet ! 
Animal lovers forever,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  Share some of your kids or grandkid's animal stories!  Won't you please?
Related Articles:
Getting A Pet With A Toddler In The House
Teaching Toddlers To Get Along With A Pet 

Multi-Tasking

When I multi-task, it usually consists of talking on the phone, paying a bill, and probably downing a bag of chocolate Kisses, all at the same time.  I'm pretty proud of myself when I do this!  For little ones, the process moves slightly to the left!  As long as they're touching some things with most body parts, while using their mouths to blow raspberries, or making unrecognizable sounds too, they're multi-tasking!  They may not look like they're accomplishing much of anything, but they're getting a lot done!  Using their creative and inquisitive minds, they're exploring the world around them using their five senses. I'd love to think outside the box like they do, and wouldn't mind stepping inside a few, too!   
Here's to exercising our minds,
Bubbie
P.S.  How does your grandchild or child help you challenge your brain?
Related Articles:
Sharpen Your Brain With Five Simple Exercises 
Brain Exercise 

Role Modeling

At first I thought this was absolutely adorable...Jude wanting to open and close Bubbie's cell phone, and pretend he's talking.  But as I watched him a little more closely, I noticed his:
- "loss of eye contact" look
- his "oblivious to the world" look  
- his repetitive speech pattern, "blah, blah, blah, blah, blah!"
OMG!  Jude was copying ME!  How did I miss that?
I wonder how many other people he's shown his act to?  
Watching my P's and Q's,
Bubbie or soon to be known as, "the blah, blah, blah Bubbie!"
P.S.  Any planned or accidental role modeling traits your grandchildren or children have gotten from you?
P.S.S.  Ahh, I still think it's absolutely adorable!!!
Related Article:
A Grandparents' Guide For Family Nurturing and Safety

Precious Moments With The Kids

How's this for fun?  First you take 2 or 3 handfuls of wood chips and throw them into a bucket .  You then dump the wood chips that you tossed into the bucket, onto the ground, which is covered in wood chips, which you used in the first place to put into your bucket .  Easy!  Relaxing!  No math skills required!  I've tried it, and would highly recommend it!  As a matter of fact, when Jude discovered it for himself today, he was so fascinated by it's simplicity that he spent 10 minutes repeating the process, until boredom set in, and he moved onto bigger and better things...like finding stuff on the ground (moving or not) which you're not supposed to eat, let alone pick-up!
Another eventful day at the park!
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Share with us your precious moments with your grandkids, and/or kids while playing at the park!
P.S.S. Thanks!
Related Products For Sale:
Store For Knowledge (Sand Toys)
Really Cute Tin Pails and Beach Buckets For Sale 

Playgrounds

I love monkey bars!  I particularly love this monkey bar!  Of all the playground equipment  at the park, this attraction sits at the very top of my list .  It doesn't require my assistance in swinging, climbing, sliding or lifting.  I get to sit next to Jude and watch him hold onto the bars,  while he hangs.  When he gets tired of hanging, he lets go, feet are already on the ground, and he does it again.  Where were these, "toddler size monkey bars," when my kids were little?  At that time I had to lift each child high up off the ground while spotting them. (Reminded me of hanging clothes as a kid...only clothespins held tighter for longer periods of time.)  Just as I finished hanging the last kid, the first kid's arms tired, and they were fussing to come down!  I knew there had to be a better way to make this fun for both parties, but "darn" if I could ever figure it out!  Luckily, someone who built the playground I now go to with Jude, did!  So, until he outgrows it, this will remain my recess, between, "Up!" and "Go, go!"
Hang in there,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  Let's hear about your playground adventures with your little ones!
Related Articles:
Playground Safety 
10 Best Playgrounds For Fun-Filled Adventures 

Grandbabies and Smiles

Ahh...what a smile !  Melts my heart, and relaxes every bone in my body.  A close second to a Swedish massage!  Little did I know that this innocent, sweet-as-could-be grin was a pre-cursor to a "marathon run-and-carry," to which I didn't even know I was signed up for!  The rules became clear very quickly.  Jude runs after the ball that he continues to throw...far..., and Bubbie gets to chase after Jude.  Rule number two...When Jude decides the run is over, his little arms go up, and Bubbie gets to carry him, "wee, wee, wee, all the way home!"
Here's to keeping our minds and bodies moving,
Bubbie
P.S. How do your grandchildren light up your lives?
Related Article and YouTube Video:
A Smile Can Make A Difference 
Laughing Baby/YouTube Video 

Play Time is Learning Time

"But this isn't how Mommy plays,"  Jude thought, as he threw another block into the shape sorter box.  I couldn't  argue with that!  He was right!  Mommy helps guide Jude's block choices into their matching holes every time...quickly and confidently!  That's because, Mommies can do anything!  And I must admit, this feat does appear easier than it is.  I tried it!  They just didn't fit through their holes!   After three attempts at turning those colorful blocks every which way 'til Sunday, I gave up, pulled the shaped lid out of it's socket, and gave Jude a hole built for a king!  Not only did that cut down on my frustration, but we could get in two or more at a time, toss them in while standing, and place other odd and assorted things in there, too!  For instance, Jude figured out that he could fit his one foot in easily, as long as he didn't add his hand.  But if he traded a hand for a foot...no problem!
Always trying something different, just for the fun of it,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. How do you and your grandkids, or kids, change up your regular play ?
Related Articles and Video:
Mommy Knows Best YouTube Video 
10 Ways Babies Prosper From Play 
Learning Through Play 

Water Safety

No...seriously...How could I possibly have passed a dog's water fountain with no dog line, on a record-breaking, hot day, and not have stopped to let the baby play .  I mean, it wasn't as though any dogs were drinking from the fountain at the time!  We didn't waste any water.  Jude caught every ounce of it with his face, hands and clothes.  What were we supposed to do?  Just walk on by?  Ignore the fact that we were hot, and this fountain needed testing to be sure it was still operational for the next dog expecting to quench it's thirst?  I say we did the neighborhood a favor!  Everyone can rest easy knowing the water spigot at the park works, even under the extreme circumstances of a dog wanting to hold it's paw over the spout.  In that case we learned, depending on how many fingers (or paws) used, you can still receive a satisfyingly, delicious, and hilarious spray of water , to please the most finicky of users.
You're very welcome! 
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  In what ways do you have fun with your grandkids and/or kids?
Related Articles:
20 Fun Things To Do With Your Toddler
Water Safety 

Self-Care

We were both in agreement that we were going outside.  The debate was over who got to put on his shoes!  I thought it was reasonable to assume, that I would get the job.  After all, I did have the experience and referrals from my own three children, and I continue to do it for myself.  Jude's argument, which I picked up through his body language and sound effects, was strong, persistent and logical.  They truly were his feet, and his shoes !  His efforts were to be commended.  He was pretty darn patient, while letting me point out matching foot and shoe, and he knew to aim for the hole.  Fortunately, there were no laces to contend with!  I wish I could say that Jude miraculously slipped his shoes on, and we were off and running, but it didn't quite happen that way.  Before his frustration continued to build, I was able to distract him by breaking into the first stanza of "Five Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed," and whisked him away and down the stairs, with his shoes out-of-sight, and under my armpits. Once outside I slipped those suckers on his little feet while he was busy honking the horn on his car stroller.
Looks like he's pretty close to reaching another milestone ...next stop, SOCKS!
Best regards,
Bubbie
P.S. What milestones will you share in the lives of your kids and/or grandkids?
Related Articles and Products:
Pediped Footwear 
Words to "Five Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed" 
Toddler Milestone/Self-Care