Katie is One!

Let there be cake! A special birthday cake, that Katie gets to smash, smear, eat and play with all she wants on her special day! And there was, and she did, all over herself and anyone and anything within reach of her high chair!  I think the grown-ups had as much fun watching this mash-up, as Katie had doing the mashing!
First Birthday Smash Cakes seem to be the thing to do today. Who knew? 
Happy Birthday, Katie...hugs and more hugs, Bubbie
P.S. What special ideas can you share with us for kid's birthday parties?
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Fireworks on the Fourth of July

After a delicious day of barbecuing with friends and family, there's nothing like bringing the July 4th holiday to a close with some high soaring, breath taking fireworks! (Especially when you get to watch them from a distance, without the ear piercing sound effects!) We took a short walk to the corner of the block, looked up to the sky, and there it was in all it's glory! Jude was full of oohs and aahs as he watched the sky light up with sparkling bursts of color every where. Elliot, of course had the best seat in the house...mommy's arms!
Hope you all had a wonderful 4th!
Bubbie and the Grandbabies
We'd love to hear about your 4th of July holidays with your grandchildren!
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Four Generations of Fun

"Kenneth W. Wachter, the chairman of the department of demography at the University of California, Berkeley, has estimated that by 2030, more than 70 percent of 8-year-olds will likely have a living great-grandparent. It is a phenomenon that Kevin Kinsella, the head of the Aging Studies branch of the United States Census Bureau, has referred to as a great-grandparent boom."
Well, Jude is just one of three great-grandchildren benefiting from this great-grandparent boom...especially the celebration part! It's Pop-Pop's 95th birthday and four generations came on this special day to be with Pop-Pop, and wish him many more to come! I don't know who was more tickled to see the other, but Jude and Pop-Pop seemed to get quite a kick out of their time together.
And big kudos go out to Jude for his willingness to put down the cupcake long enough to snap some great pictures, for a memorable day!

P.S. Jude is also available for weddings, graduations and bar-mitzvahs!
P.S.S. How many of you are already into 4th generation families? We'd love to hear about it!
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Happy 95th, Pop!
Bubbie and Jude...Elliot was there, too!

Three Month Old Milestones

If he's sleeping and we know it shout, "Hooray!" Hooray!... But please, not too loud. After all, mommy just got Elliot to sleep.
I can't believe my new grandson is almost three months old already!  And when Elliot is in the "wide awake" position, this little honey coos, laughs, and tries his hardest to hold his head up, and turn onto his stomach!
"This is the stage that child psychiatrist Margaret Mahler referred to as “hatching,” when babies come out of their “shells” and begin to react and relate to the world around them." 
What fun!
Bubbie and Elliot and Mommy, too!
Please share your grandchildren's milestones...at any
age!
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Little Miss Sunshine

"Babies can quickly suffer the short- and long-term damage of sunburn and heat stroke, so keeping your baby safe in the sun is crucial."
I love seeing Little Miss Katie enjoying the great outdoors, and I'm thrilled to see she's always dressed for the occasion! Love the hat!
Thought I'd share a few related links for keeping our kidlets protected from the heat...and a walk down memory lane.
~Just loved the punch flavored ice cubes my mom would make for all the neighborhood kids in the middle of a hot, summer day growing up in Philly!~
Best,
Bubbie and Katie!
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Siblings

I am smiling because you are my brother, I am laughing because there is nothing you can do about it! ~Unknown~
Oh, brothers! I sure can relate to this quote. Being one of five, it was 2 plus a 3-ring-circus growing up in my home...and I loved it.  I do expect Jude and Elliot to have quite the collection of never-to-be-believed stories to share with their children. 
Great fun for all,
Bubbie, Jude and Elliot, too!
P.S. Have you any good tips for helping siblings grow fond of one another? If so, please share!
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Jude Goes To Preschool!

Behind the wheel of this very fine truck is the one and only "Jude," taking on preschool, one toy at a time!
There was a bit of apprehension the first week, but it looks like Jude noticed the fun, and decided to climb on board! 
Best, 
Bubbie and Jude!


P.S. We would love to hear about your preschool experiences with your little ones!
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Reading is Fun!

Hmm...I think she's got it!
See Katie see daddy read! 
See Katie read, too! 
At just 10 months Katie is already getting the message...Reading is comforting and fun! 
When my kids were little I created a small reading corner consisting of a few colorful, over sized pillows sitting next to baskets and a low shelf filled with age appropriate books. Please share your stories for encouraging your little ones to read!
Thanks,
Bubbie, Katie and Katie's daddy!
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Learning to Eat an Ice Cream Cone

Learning to eat an ice cream cone can be hit or miss. Before the dripping started I tried to show Jude, best I could, the collaborative effort of getting to the cone mess-free. You see, my kids would allow me to lick the drips, actually insist I lick the drips before it touched their fingers...but this honey wasn't going for that, at all! Jude wouldn't even let me scoop up the overflow with a spoon. This treat was all his, and he planned on conquering it alone...and he did...right down to the last crunch. Granted, a little piece of napkin did enter into the mix, but he didn't mind it one bite...I mean bit!
Guess I'll have to buy my own cone next time!
Eating out for fun,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Share one of your favorite "eating-out adventures" with your little ones.
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Teaching Babies To Feed Themselves

Watching Katie learn to feed herself was quite a treat for Mommy and Daddy, but for Jeggie, (the drooling pup on her left), it was a dream come true! Turned out to be a win-win for everybody. Jeggie gets every piece of food that falls from Katie's little fingers, and the floor is always free from crumbs. 
Katie's favorites: graham crackers, cheese, bananas and cereal
Jeggie's favorites: everything!
Best,
Bubbie, Katie and Jeggie, too!
P.S. Would love to learn about your finger-foods suggestions for babies!
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Teaching Toddlers Good Manners

Jude loved his time visiting with the ducks at the lake. He laughed at their swimming antics, tried to keep up with them as they waddled along the path, and shushed the geese who honked at them. The only thing he couldn't do was get them to greet him. First, Jude put out his fist for "knuckles,"... but no takers! And as you can see in this picture, he even gave it the old "high five" try. I stepped in by quacking with the ducks to show Jude that this was their way  of saying, "Hello. How ya' doin'?"  Problem solved...next!
Keeping it fun,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Have you any hints for teaching good manners to little ones?
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Penny (Token) Arcades

Jude finished his pizza, riding all the rides, and playing every game ("appropriate" for his age), then decided to show me what to do with those leftover tokens. In all the years I've gone to Chuck E. Cheese for pizza and games, it never occurred to me to give back to those who give so much joy to others. So, Jude went from the carousel horses, the Bob the builder car to the big, Bumble Bee and gave them each their very own rides. I suppose he decided they needed a break... some fun time without kids hanging onto their tails, jumping on their laps or pushing all their buttons. All I can say is, "those rides were still smiling as we left the game room floor!"
Keeping 'em busy,
Bubbie and Jude
Please share you're kid stories. Always love to hear about them!
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Playground Fun For Babies

Just thought I'd try Katie "our almost 9 month old lady," in a bucket swing, and she loved it! I padded it a bit for stability with her blanket, and she was good to go!  And "go" she went! She was kicking her little, red-coated legs, anxious for more. Trying to take it slow with this little honey was not easy. Next time I'll remember to bring my video camera to capture the giggles that followed the squeals!
Swinging right along,
Bubbie and Katie, too!
P.S. Please share your favorite playground stories!
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Playing Indoors

Tunneling between chairs happens to be high on my list of things to do. And I would have loved to have joined Jude on his incredible journey, it's just that volume has definitely become a factor in our play. As hard as he had me try, I finally convinced him that quart size ladies can't fit through pint size chairs! 
Always something to do,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. We'd love to hear your indoor-play ideas!
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Raspberries do a Baby Good!

"Razzies really teach babies how to regulate their voice, how to turn it on and off, change the volume and the pitch. It shows them how to navigate the diaphragm, mouth, lips and tongue," explains Tara Kehoe, speech and language pathologist and manager of the Speech and Language Department at Easter Seals DuPage and Fox Valley Region in Villa Park.
...and it's so darn cute, too!
Katie's become quite the little expert. She can even perform this adorable motor-boat sound with or without spit! Best of all, she seems to enjoy the element of surprise. Like when she eagerly opened her mouth for a spoon full of green beans, and gleefully raspberried it right back at me! (Next time I'm wearing the bib!)
P.S. Have a cute picture of your little ones? Send it my way. Be happy to post it!
Love and love, 
Bubbie and Katie
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Imaginative Play

It never ceases to amaze me when children challenge the capabilities of their toys. As an adult, I see a toy simply as it was meant to be. In all the years I've enjoyed Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, I never once thought to shove their parts into my body for play. But on this day, Jude did...and it was fine until Jude wanted Bubbie to be Mrs. Potato Head. Sorry, but the ears and nose just weren't my hole size! 
Imagination always in motion,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Got any funny stories about the kids for us?
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Jude and His New Brother, Elliot

Yes, Jude...this day has arrived. You are officially and undeniably a big brother! I know what you're thinking! "Life is over as I've known it!" But I promise, once you've gotten over the shock...and looking at you, it might take a while...you'll be just fine! 
(Foot surgery has put me out of commission for a bit. Haven't blogged or been able to see my grandbabies. This picture, sent to me by my son, had me laughing off my seat. Thought you might enjoy it, too. Welcome ELLIOT! Our newest munchkin!)
More happy days to come with,
Bubbie and Jude and Elliot and Katie
P.S. Would love to hear your about your little one's reactions to newborns!
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A Kodak Moment

Two Tootsie Roll pops, and three toddlers could equal one, unhappy child, unless you have a group of toddlers who think it's funny to share! Since Jude was the odd man out without a treat, he was more than happy to receive their sweet offerings. Jude, Arden and Remy were tickled with this game, and it kept them busy for the life of the pops.
Keeping it easy,
Bubbie and Jude!
P.S. Have some sweet memories of your kids/grandkids to share w/us?
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Caring Toddlers

I couldn't resist snapping this picture of Jude in "Prince Charming" mode. He was trying to persuade this lovely princess to put her glass slippers...I mean shoes... back on her feet, so she wouldn't get a splinter. Arden did just that, as Jude helped, and they played happily ever after that day!
Hugs, 
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. How do your little ones show they care?
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Sitting at Seven Months

"If you're given ten toys, and all of them look good enough to eat, how do you know which one to grab first?" That's exactly what Katie must have been thinking as she balanced herself on her pillow in a big-girl sitting position, at just seven months old! Surrounded by sounds, textures, colors and shapes, it's understandable that choosing something to play with could be a problem! Fortunately for Katie, Bubbie came to the rescue! It was actually a no-brainer! I simply handed Katie one toy at a time. The toy that wasn't tossed back on the floor, but landed back in Katie's mouth was deemed the winner!
Happy playtime,
Bubbie and Katie, too!
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P.S. What toys did your little ones like to play with when they were under a year old?

Fitness For Children

Obviously, we exhausted all forms of play before I had the brilliant idea to work on headstands against the bedroom wall. It would have been fine had I not needed to demonstrate first. Fortunately, Jude caught on quickly, but insisted that I continue to hoist my aging legs right up next to his. After each successful stand (and there were many), Jude would turn his little, upside-down self towards me and ask, "Are you okay?"(Show-off!)
Keeping it fun,
Bubbie and Jude
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P.S. Please share your ideas for fitness fun with your little ones!

Grasping Skills for Babies

...and this little piggie didn't have to make a sound. Katie made enough ruckus for the two of them.  And boy did they have fun! This soft, plush was swung, pulled, thrown and chewed on. (Fortunately for the pig, teeth aren't an issue just yet!) After Katie exhausted all possibilities of play with her dear friend, they both went "wee, wee, wee," all the way to bed! 
Exploring everything new,
Bubbie and Katie, too!
P.S. What types of toys were your little ones first able to grasp with both hands?
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Toddlers Learning to Cope

How does one play in bark, without getting any bark in ones shoes? And once the bark gets in your shoes, should you sit in that same pile of bark while trying to get it out? According to Jude, the answers to both of these questions are simply ..."Shoes off!" No discussion, no waiting, just off with the shoes! After several "shoes off" episodes, and giving the play area a try without shoes, Jude decided it is better to have played at the playground with bark in your shoes, then not to have played at the playground at all!
Learning to cope,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Please share your grandkids frustrations, and how they figured it out by themselves!

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Toddlers Mastering New Territory

Ta dah!!! Friday was a great day for Jude. You see, it was on this day that Jude mastered the one and only, playground Fire Pole. After months of observing other kids, he finally mustered up the nerve to take that first scary step off the treehouse's top floor, situate himself safely on the spiral pole, then slide down to the ground. Little did I know that I would learn first-hand how truly frightening this feat can be. Once Jude felt comfortable riding this baby, he decided that Bubbie should do it, too!  Yikes!  Little kids can be so persuasive! Next time I'll just stick with the Cheerleader-Photographer position! 

Happy  playing,

Bubbie and Jude

P.S. Please share with us your grandchildren's first major accomplishments and how it made them feel!

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Sidewalk Chalk

Talk about time management! Jude figured out a way to draw twice as much, in just half the amount of time! (What a guy!)
So far, our favorite game to play with sidewalk chalk is, "Jumping to Ten!" I get to draw and number ten squares on top of one another. All the kids line up and wait their turns to jump from one square to the next, while reciting the numbers. (Our version of Hop-Scotch!)
Please share any sidewalk chalk games with us, that you find fun for the kids. We're always anxious to learn about new ones.
How To Make Sidewalk Chalk
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Best,
Bubbie and Jude

Sharing

Three kids...one ball. Yikes! Jude, Remy and Arden's play started out innocently enough. Running, rolling and jumping on a large stretch of grass, on a comfortable cool day, with plenty of birds to chase after and a helicopter to get excited about flying overhead. Ahh, but then in the midst of this free for all, Jude's blue ball was spotted sitting on the field. Everyone wanted to claim ownership and there was no way of dividing this ball up...although they tried. Fortunately, they all like to count, so we made some fun of singing to ten until it was the next persons turn. They actually became more interested in counting together then playing alone with the big, blue ball!  Go figure!
Best,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Have any good ideas for teaching little ones how to share?
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Things That Need Counting

Jude and I never run out of things that need counting! I just never know where these "fun things to count" might appear. Thank goodness Jude is always willing to point them out. His latest discovery eventually drew a nice crowd of like-minded toddlers, who just had to count the circles at the end of the slide, too. Fortunately, before they got too impatient waiting their turns, the bubbles came out, and we were onto bigger and wetter things!
Learning to have fun,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. What do/did your little ones like to count?
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Babysitting the Grandkids

Oh what fun it is to... babysit the grandkids! Especially when they're happy and/or sleeping! Hmm, but how to entertain two different age groups while they're both awake? Fortunately for me, Jude likes to help show Katie his toys...her toys...and there's always his death-defying acrobatic performances! When Jude tires I bring out some hand puppets, or take the two of them for walks in the park.
Plenty of fun for all,
Bubbie, Jude and Katie, too!
P.S. Would love to hear some of your ideas for keeping our kidlets happy and content!
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Little Ones Teaching Littler Ones!

Little ones teaching even littler ones! Gotta love it! Jude couldn't resist playing and sharing his knowledge with his visitor, Ava. Ava hung onto his every word and even laughed at his jokes. You can't wish for a better audience then that!
Fortunately, Jude gets to spend a lot of time with babies at the park, so I'm guessing that his new baby brother's arrival, will be a bit smoother for him and his folks...I can only hope!
Keeping it light,
Bubbie and Jude
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P.S. Please share any helpful tips on preparing siblings for a newborn's arrival!

Happy 2012!

Happy 2012!
May it be a wonderfully fresh and exciting New Year for us all, while creating new moments to enjoy with our precious little munchkins! I'm sure looking forward to it! 
Taking it all in, 
Bubbie, Jude and Katie too!




P.S. Any plans for the New Year with your sweeties?