Coloring Books Verses Blank Paper

Draw anything your little heart desires...imagine that! 
All you need is a piece of blank paper and a writing tool and you're off and running...I mean drawing!
This little sweetheart jumped right in with his blue marker and a plan. He clearly had something in mind as he drew his loop-d-loops, squiggly lines and came to his big finish with lots of dots. It was then off to the refrigerator for display and then back to the drawing board for his next dive into a million possibilities.
Although I have coloring books on hand, I usually offer white paper with crayons or markers for coloring fun. My grandkids never turn down the chance to show me what they can do. It's always exciting to hear the stories that lie within the lines. 
Share with us your coloring ways with your kids and/or grandkids. Always enjoy hearing from you.
Best, 
Bubbie and her Grandbabies
Scholastic/Coloring Inside the Lines
"Preschool (and kindergarten) is a time of exploration, experimentation, and creativity. It is best not to expect your child to try to work within the lines or to try to make perfect letters at this stage."
Why I Don't Buy Colorinng Books for My Kids
"If you want to raise creative kids, skip the coloring books and give them paper and crayons. Encourage them to draw for themselves."

To Pretend City or Bust

"We build better brains at Pretend City Children's Museum"
After reading this,  I decided I'd better take in as much as I can, since I'm not getting any younger! But for this youngster, without any effort, the learning kicked into high gear from the moment we stepped through their doors, until the need to bribe him to leave. With so much to do, his first decision was where to start. It wasn't too tough to come up with an answer once he spotted a police jacket, hat and car. The outfit stayed on throughout his visiting and working in their store, restaurant, garden, and even performing on stage. What a blast he had!  More visits will be coming up in order to explore some more of this beautifully designed play experience.
Although I've been to many great please-touch-me museums over the years, this one has impressed me the most and surely has left a lasting impression on my grand baby! We'll be back!!!
Pretend City Children's Museum
Please share your experiences to museums with your kids and/or grandkids. Always looking for more ideas.
Thanks,
Bubbie and her Grandbabies

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!
Related Article
When Can My Baby Go On A Park Swing?
Playground Activities For Babies

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!
Related Articles:
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Hat Training for Babies

Hat training? Yep! That's what it's all about!  Start them young, as the article below cites! This method seems to be working on Katie!  At just 4 months old, she's loving her hats! 
It seems like there's this window of time to get them used to the feel, and if you miss it...it might be a challenge getting them to wear one, like I experienced with my kids. Not only are hats wonderful protection from the sun and weather, but they most definitely make great props for pictures!
Keeping warm in the coming months,
Bubbie and Katie, too!
P.S. Let's hear about your ideas for getting your grandkids/kids to stay in their hats?

Related Articles:

Teaching a Baby to Wear a Hat

How to Knit a Hat for Baby with Erica Knight/Video
Cute Baby and Toddler Hats (handmade)

Back To Sleep

Although SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), was a concern when raising my children, it wasn't until the early 1990's that doctors learned it was best to put babies to sleep on their backs, to reduce the risk of SIDS. "While this advice has saved thousands of babies' lives, experts have noticed a fivefold increase in misshapen heads since then." Staring at my lovely new grand daughter, sleeping soundly in this position, my daughter mentioned how she often repositions Katie on her back, to avoid this issue. (Click on links below for information on this topic.)
Love from one curious grandmom, always wanting to know, "What's new?" 
Bubbie  
Related Article:
Flattened Head(Positional Plagiocephaly)
Babies with Flat Heads on the Rise
How to Correct Positional Plagiocephaly

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 

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 

First Haircut

My grandson's first haircut did not happen while sitting at the bathroom sink, or in a barber's chair.  A salon designed just for kids  was chosen for his precious-ness!  Today haircuts are performed in trains, planes and automobiles...while watching DVD's or TV on flat screen monitors.  Some of these kids' boutiques offer birthday parties, costumes for dress-up, air-hockey, video games, karaoke and toys galore!
I want to go!  I say,"Grown-up salons should get with the program!"  How about some incentives for us, like: hot hors d'oeuvres, live music, and free round trip tickets to Hawaii!
When I was a kid, we'd get the old, "bowl cut!"  And yes, an actual bowl was used!  Our entertainment was watching our siblings having a fit because they knew they were next!  My kids were lucky!  They were introduced to the new and improved version of the "home haircut."  Each one got to sit on the vanity, with their feet in the sink, watching in the mirror, while mommy made funny faces to get them through her attempt at cutting their hair. Ah, the good ol' days! A time before we knew someone else could do the job better, faster, and with less band-aids!
Here's to looking good!
Bubbie
P.S.  Any haircut traditions in your family?
Related Article and Video:
Tori and Dean at Lollicut/YouTube Video
First Haircut Traditions

Playing With Household Items

See Jude.  See Jude play.  See Jude play in Bubbie's plastic bins which she emptied, just for him!  Bubbie's bins were filled with very important files and paperwork, five minutes before this picture was taken.  Bubbie was forced to make an executive decision concerning Jude's need to open and close each bin while in it's frame, with the distinct possibility of catching his pudgy, little fingers along the way.  Dismantling and emptying each bin, and placing them on the floor kept Jude busy for the rest of the morning.  Jude demonstrated over and over again, how these bins can be climbed-in, sat-in, jumped-in, and scooted-in, picked-up, stacked-up, pushed-along, and sat-on!  Never underestimate the creative mind of a 14 month old!

Best,

Bubbie

P.S. See Bubbie spend the rest of the afternoon trying to put everything back together again!

P.S.S. How do your grandkids and/or kids turn everyday household items, into play things?

Related Article:

Tips On Keeping Your Toddlers Room Clean 

Peek-A-Boo

Where is Jude?  I can't find Jude anywhere!  Where did he go?

Why can't Bubbie disappear that easily? Jude, what's your secret?  I can't figure this out!  No matter how hard I try, everyone still finds me.  Don't they know I am invisible, unavailable...temporarily gone from the face of this earth?  I actually think they find me faster when I try to hide.  More urgent matters seem to erupt when I attempt this feat.  Something breaks, phones ring, dogs fight, even bridges collapse!  Well maybe not bridges...but there was the overflowing toilet that rushed it's way through my doors, floors, and ceilings!  Maybe I've got to work on closing my eyes tighter?  That's it!  It's the eyes!  There he is!  There's Jude!  I see him now!  Then we laugh, and play again.  
Imagine that!
Bubbie
P.S.  Would love to hear about one of your little one's all-time favorite games!


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Why Some Babies Love Peek-A-Boo 
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Safe Blocks For Baby

Yes, this toy was personally tested by my grandson, just so you would feel comfortable buying a set of "B" blocks for your own little munchkins! I realize it was brave of him, but somebody had to do it! These soft blocks claim to be stackable, squeezable, chewable, squeakable, and I can't remember what else...and they are all of the above! Got tired of intercepting his hard, plastic toys, just before he bopped himself on the face or head with them. Too many ouchies, too often! And, no, I'm not getting paid for my endorsement, I'm just thrilled to have found a great toy, and wanted to share it with you. Discovered these blocks at Target when Jude was 5 months, and he played so well with them, that I upped the ante with their more extensive set the next month. These blocks will no doubt hold up for more little kidlits to come! Enjoy!
Best,
Bubbie
P.S. Which toy or book did you buy for your first born, which lasted and was enjoyed by his/her sibling (s)?
Related Products:
B Toys / Blocks 

Walker For Baby

After spending countless hours "GOOGLEing" walkers, I discovered the best rated to be the, "Fisher-Price" Shop and Learn Walker. Too anxious to shop online, I drove store-to-store looking for the best price. I was thrilled to discover this toy that states it "helps baby gain problem-solving experience, and develop thinking skills by discovering how to activate music, lights, sounds and speech." Wow! I was impressed. I then spent an hour putting it together. (Okay, so I have no mechanical skills!) I basically had to remove it from it's box, and add the handle. Learning how everything worked, I was ready and excited to present it to my sweetie. Not giving me a chance to show-off my newly acquired knowledge, my grandson rushed past me, grabbed the walker by it's handle, and ran w/it...up and down the room. He finally stopped long enough to notice there were toys in the basket, and curiously picked each one up, and threw them ever-so-quickly onto the floor. After another few minutes he used his problem-solving skills to climb into the basket, balancing himself just right, so he wouldn't fall. The only thing he decided to activate was his voice, as he let me know that he wanted to be pushed...up and down the room about a zillion times. I'll remember to wear my back-belt next time!
Happy babysitting,
Bubbie
P.S. Always looking for new toy ideas! Got any?
Related Products:
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