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?

The Element of Surprise

When I cranked the knob to get old Jack to pop out of his box, it was never as surprising or funny until Jude mastered it himself!  Now I find myself laughing just as hard as Jude as he jumps as high as Jack, each and every time he gets to the "pop goes the weasel" part. Although we both know what's coming up, it still cracks us up! This is a toy that's been around, some say since the 1500's, but seems to continue to entertain, even the grandparents among us.
P.S. Let us know some vintage toys that you've found your grandkids to still appreciate and enjoy!
Keep 'em laughing,
Bubbie and Jude
Related Article:
Jack-In-The-Box Toy

Laughter Does a Body Good!

What's so funny?  All I said was, "Peek-a-boo!" while popping out from under a mound of pillows.  This game elicited squealing, giggling and some hardy laughs for more than 20 minutes!  
"Experts say a well-developed sense of humor can boost a person's immune system, contribute to a more optimistic outlook on life, and increase self-esteem."
Jude and I are finding lots of times to laugh, whether it's pushing him in his cardboard box around his room, playing with Jude's Jack-in-the box or giving him surprised looks when my hat falls off of my head.  
"What's more, research shows that a sense of humor is learned, not inherited. "
Well, we are having a great time learning how to have a sense of humor. Fortunately, his parents love to laugh and have always shared this with Jude, so I have no doubt that this little honey will end up with a considerably boosted immune system!
Keep 'em smiling,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. What makes your grandkids laugh?
Related Article:
What's funny to a toddler? 

How To Make And Play With Puppets

I've made sock puppets , bag puppets, and finger puppets, but it took my grandson to show me how to make a plastic cup puppet.  Pretty simple, actually. 
Step One: Find a plastic cup sitting on the bathroom sink, and pull it down.
Step Two: After examining it thoroughly, bite it, throw it, and last but not least, slip it over your hand!
Here comes the fun part: Get it to move by shaking your hand back and forth until it flies off your fingers and lands on the floor.  You then get to start over again, with sound effects and lots of giggles!
Try it!  You might like it!  Jude did!


Keeping life fun,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. How have puppets helped your kidlets growing up?
Related Articles:
Exploring Puppets 
Puppets-So Many Uses 
Fun Baby and Toddler Puppet Games 

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 

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 

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!


Related Articles:
Why Some Babies Love Peek-A-Boo 
Games With Baby