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
Easy Sidewalk Chalk Games
Indoor Fun With Sidewalk Chalk
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?
Related Articles:
How To Get Kids To Share
Toddlers and Challenging Behavior

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?
Related Articles:
Counting Games
Creative Ways To Teach Numbers

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!
Related Articles:
Young Siblings at Play
Helping Siblings Play Nice
Handling Sibling Rivalry

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
Related Article:
New Baby Sibbling
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?

First Puzzles for Toddlers

Physical Benefits

At a young age, puzzles help children to develop fine motor skills, which in everyday terms means the ability to make small (or fine) movements. The picking up, grasping or pincing of pieces helps to develop fine muscle control, which in turn helps your child when it comes to writing-ready time. 
What about large motor skills? What? You've never seen a jigsaw puzzle being built with intermittent handstands? Guess you've never met Jude!  This boy cracks me up!
Keep them laughing,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Any good puzzles for kids that you'd like to share with us?
Related Articles:
Puzzles and Logic Toys
Which Jigsaw Puzzles are Best for Toddlers

Home Made Toys for Kids

Jude has plenty of toys, books and art supplies to play with, but on this particular day, he was bored. We were both looking around for something different to do when I spotted an empty box of Weight Watchers Carrot Cupcakes. That was it! We found our new favorite toy! A few stickers sealed the open end of the box, and a pencil took care of the punched holes. We can proudly say that we have the best darn "crayon-holder-dumper," this side of the Mississippi!  I made-up the crayon holder part, and Jude discovered that right after he fills the holes with crayons, it's fun to dump them out and start all over again. What can I say? It was a team effort!
Best always,
Bubbie and Jude
Please share some of your homemade toys for the kids!
Related Articles:
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Easy Home Made Toys for Toddler

Toddlers and Babies

Watching my two grandchildren get along in play today was wonderful! Jude got to show off his "look what I can do" skills, while Katie cheered him on with her cooing and kicking! Having two years between them helped a lot...no sharing issues! It was nice to see Jude's gentle and kind attitude towards the baby.  Hoping he feels the same when his new baby brother arrives in 2012!
Happy babysitting,
Bubbie, Jude and Katie, too!
P.S. Any helpful hints on preparing children for a new baby in the home?
Related Article:
Avoiding Sibling Rivalry when Bringing a New Baby Home
How to Help Your Child Accept a New Baby

First Friends

Two really cool guys pulled over by the side of the road, with their hot set of wheels, trying to figure out which way to go?  Well, not exactly! You are looking at two cool guys, and they are proud of their cars, but the only place these two toddlers are going is down for a nap, right after Jude shares his stickers with AJ!
All Our Best,
Bubbie and Jude
Questions: At what age did your children/grandchildren begin to play with others? How did you help it along?
Related Articles:
First Friends/Toddlers 1-3
Learning to Share

Safe Toys for the Holidays

Katie seems a little apprehensive about meeting her first doll!  Hmm...Who's going to be the first one to break the ice?  I'd venture to guess by the time Katie is two, they'll be the best of friends, sipping water from beautifully decorated tea cups, while chatting with a room full of toys!  But until then, this doll will get plenty of tossed-around and drooled-upon attention and affection! 
Happy Holiday Shopping,
Bubbie and Katie, too!
P.S. Please share any great gift ideas you might have!
Related Articles:
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Holiday Toy Guide 2011
How to Buy Safe Toys

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)

Pom-Pom Monster Salon Giveaway Contest

Most kids love crafts, especially crafts that are produced by the master of activity books, KLUTZ! If you know a child who would enjoy winning a chance to build some googly-eyed, colorful monsters, enter today! And if you win, your forever grateful child might even let you create one, too! Klutz will send two (2) lucky winners a copy of Pom-Pom Monster Salon.
Please find contest rules at the bottom of this page. Entering is easy. Simply submit a comment with contact info, or email shnoozleland@aol.com telling me you'd like to enter to win the Pom-Pom Monster contest. That's all there is to it! (Contact information is only used to notify winners. I do not use or hold contact information after contest ends.)

Contest ends December 21st, 2011/11:59 p.m. (PST) 

Pom-Pom Monster Salon

by KLUTZ

Age range: 8 and up

Pom-Pom Monster Salon

Create, Cut & Style Your Own Monsters

Arts, Crafts & Laughs! KLUTZ books are the perfect Holiday Gift for Any Child!

With Pom-Pom Monster Salon, anyone can make pom-poms and turn them into stylish monsters. Use our exclusive pom-pom maker and follow our cutting and styling instructions to create perfectly coifed mop tops, afros, pigtails, and mohawks to name a few. Add tiny hair bows, punch-out feet, and foam horns and teeth for the final touches.

Visit all the Klutz links!

                      Product Page http://bit.ly/rMktOq

            Facebook http://www.facebook.com/KlutzBooks  

Get 20% off your entire order - shop Klutz.com and use coupon code KLUTZ4U

Promo cannot be combined with any other offer. Offer expires 12/31/2011

Official Giveaway Rules:

1. Entry Instructions. Submit a comment explaining why you would like to win, by clicking on the "comment" link at the bottom of this page , with a method of *contact (ex. E-mail address), so I can reach you, should you win.

Or

Send an email to shnoozleland@aol.com with a method of *contact (ex. E-mail address). Be sure to write on the SUBJECT line which Giveaway contest you are entering.

*A valid method of contact is necessary to enter Giveaway contest.

2. Entries Per Person. Entries are limited to one (1) entry per person, per E-mail address, during the Giveaway period, regardless of method of entry. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means are void.

3. Giveaway Period: The Giveaway entry date begins at 9 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (“PST”) the day of the post. The Giveaway closing date ends as of 11:59 p.m. PST on the date indicated in the post. Winners will be selected from eligible entries properly submitted during the Giveaway Period.

4. Winner Selection. A prize number will be assigned to your entry upon receipt of your entry. A winning number will be generated using Random.org on or shortly after the Giveaway closing date. If your Prize Number matches the Winning Number, and you meet the eligibility requirements and otherwise comply with these Official Giveaway Rules, you win the prize.

5. Winner Notification. Two winners will be notified within three (3) days after the Giveaway Closing Date and will be posted once the prize is claimed by the chosen winners.

6. Claiming Your Prize. Winners must respond to: www.grandbabies101.blogspot.com or www.shnoozleland.com within seven (7) days of notification or forfeit the prize, in which case an alternate winner will be selected.

7. Taxes. All Federal, State, and Local taxes associated with the receipt of any prize are the sole responsibility of the winner.

8. Disclaimers. The featured product(s) on this blog were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or public relations company representing the product/creator. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone.

This blog will make every effort to deliver prizes or have prizes delivered to winner. However unlikely the scenario may be; this blog and its author are not responsible for giveaway prizes that are lost in transit or damaged. This blog is also not responsible if a sponsor/company does not send prize(s). Blog author will communicate with said company(s) several times, in an effort to resolve issue. The owner of this blog is also not responsible or liable for ANY allergic reaction, accident, or injury caused by a product that has been featured, reviewed or given away on this blog.

All GIVEAWAYS are open to US Residents Only

Neighborhood Birthday Parties

Brightly colored balloons hung from most of the trees surrounding the decorated party tables. Of course, this was the first thing Jude noticed as he entered Alisa's birthday party. Jude assumed these balloons were waiting for him, and he quickly pointed to the one he had to have...the "bue" one!  With kindness and compliance, a grown-up hand-picked Jude's choice and found the line quickly building behind him, as the other party guests followed suit.  Aside from dismantling the balloon clusters early on, and having to hold everyone back from blowing out the candles, except for the birthday girl, it was a great time for all. Oh, and Jude did walk away with the "messiest cake face" award!  Way to go, Jude!
With many happy cake days to come,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Lend us some of your favorite party ideas, won't you?
Related Articles:
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The $18.00 Birthday Party

Learning with Leaves

Jude and I usually walk on fallen leaves to hear the crunch and crackle under our feet, but this day was different. Jude wasn't interested in listening to a leaf's sounds, instead he dedicated this day to learning what a leaf could do. So, Dr. Jude began his exam on a large, fairly dry, veiny leaf. The doctor took great care not to break it while checking it's back, as well as it's front, giving it a spin and trying to make it fly.  Jude concluded in the end that it's a lot more fun jumping on them!
Happy Autumn,
Bubbie and Jude
What do you like to do in the fall months with your grandkids/kids?
Related Article:
Plan a Nature Scavenger Hunt
Learning with Leaves

Halloween 2011

"Toy Story's" Woody, the always popular Superman, Ducky, Miss Ladybug, King Midas, and two lovely, twin fairies came together this year, for a pre-Halloween party at the park.  This adorable group of celebrities honored us grown-ups with their presence, and brought enough enthusiasm to keep the celebration moving until lunchtime.  They kept busy coloring, playing with clay, bubbles, chalk and with each other. What we didn't include in the festivities was "sugar." We figured they would have their fill trick-or-treating later that day. Halloween stickers, ghoulish finger puppets and rings replaced the sweets without a problem!
Best,
Bubbie, Jude and the neighborhood kidlets, too!
Have a great recipe for the kids?  Please drop us your favorite in the comments box!
Related Article:
15 Terrific Healthy Halloween Recipes

Can You See What I See? Toyland Express Book Give-a-way!

Can You See What I See? Toyland Express!  A skillfully crafted picture puzzle book for children as well as adults!  Enjoy the wonder of it all!  Beautifully staged photographs, perfectly placed hidden objects and a charming story told in rhyme. Another hardback book by Walter Wick that will not collect dust for years to come.  

If you love cozying up with the kids for some mind-challenging fun, be sure to enter this book give-a-way contest. Scholastic Press will send one (1) lucky winner a signed copy of Can You See What I See? Toyland Express! 
Please find contest rules at the bottom of this page. Entering is easy. Simply submit a comment with contact information, or email shnoozleland@aol.com telling me you'd like to enter to win the Toyland book contest. That's all there is to it! (Contact information is only used to notify winners. I do not use or hold contact information after contest ends.)

Page 18 Preview/All Aboard:

Can You See What I See? Toyland Express

by Walter Wick

All Ages

About the Book:

CAN YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? TOYLAND EXPRESS, the eighth title in the bestselling search-and-find series, follows the life of a toy train from the workshop to the attic, only to be rescued at a yard sale and brought to life once again in a new home. As readers search for more than 250 hidden objects, they will also notice how the train takes on various transformations along its journey.

A Behind-the-Scenes Video:

About the Author:

Walter Wick has opened millions of eyes to a world of treasures big and small in his award-winning, bestselling I SPY and CAN YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? picture-puzzle books. Walter discovered his passion for building picture puzzles by accident. One day when cleaning out a drawer, he scattered odds and ends on a glass tabletop and photographed them. The photo appeared in a magazine and caught the eye of Jean Marzollo, editor of Scholastic’s Let’s Find Out. This photo inspired the first I SPY book, with riddles by Jean Marzollo, and led to their long collaboration.

In his more recent CAN YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? series, Walter’s detailed photographs convey subtle hidden stories. Walter meticulously constructs 3-D sets for CAN YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? in his Connecticut studio. For videos and more photos, visit www.walterwick.com or www.facebook.com/walterwick.

Contest ends December 15th, 2011/11:59 p.m. (PST)

Official Giveaway Rules:

1. Entry Instructions. Submit a comment explaining why you would like to win, by clicking on the "comment" link at the bottom of this page , with a method of *contact (ex. E-mail address), so I can reach you should you win.

Or

Send an email to shnoozleland@aol.com with a method of *contact (ex. E-mail address). Be sure to write on the SUBJECT line which Giveaway contest you are entering.

*A valid method of contact is necessary to enter Giveaway contest.

2. Entries Per Person. Entries are limited to one (1) entry per person, per E-mail address, during the Giveaway period, regardless of method of entry. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means are void.

3. Giveaway Period: The Giveaway entry date begins at 9 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (“PST”) the day of the post. The Giveaway closing date ends as of 11:59 p.m. PST on the date indicated in the post. Winners will be selected from eligible entries properly submitted during the Giveaway Period.

4. Winner Selection. A prize number will be assigned to your entry upon receipt of your entry. A winning number will be generated using Random.org on or shortly after the Giveaway closing date. If your Prize Number matches the Winning Number, and you meet the eligibility requirements and otherwise comply with these Official Giveaway Rules, you win the prize.

5. Winner Notification. One winner will be notified within three (3) days after the Giveaway Closing Date and will be posted once the prize is claimed by the chosen winner.

6. Claiming Your Prize. Winners must respond to: www.grandbabies101.blogspot.com or www.shnoozleland.com within seven (7) days of notification or forfeit the prize, in which case an alternate winner will be selected.

7. Taxes. All Federal, State, and Local taxes associated with the receipt of any prize are the sole responsibility of the winner.

8. Disclaimers. The featured product(s) on this blog were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or public relations company representing the product/creator. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone.

This blog will make every effort to deliver prizes or have prizes delivered to winner. However unlikely the scenario may be; this blog and its author are not responsible for giveaway prizes that are lost in transit or damaged. This blog is also not responsible if a sponsor/company does not send prize(s). Blog author will communicate with said company(s) several times, in an effort to resolve issue. The owner of this blog is also not responsible or liable for ANY allergic reaction, accident, or injury caused by a product that has been featured, reviewed or given away on this blog.

All GIVEAWAYS are open to US Residents Only

Bedtime/Friendtime

Jude has decided that if he has to go to sleep, so do his buddies.  Every last one of them!  Even if there's two of the same guy, they're all going down with Jude, whether they like it or not!  Fortunately, his buddies are pretty quiet and don't seem to mind at all, although, they do refuse to close their eyes!
Night-night,
Bubbie and Jude
Share with us some of your grandkids/kids favorite sleeping luvies?
Related Articles:
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Toddlers and Sleep
Sleep Aids for Toddlers

Finger Foods

Watching Jude chow down on some cut-up peanut butter and jelly squares, put me in the mood for some easy-to-make finger food ideas. I found some great links below, but was stumped when I saw a picture of a Pikelet ??? (For anyone who also didn't know, it turns out that a Pikelet is a type of pancake found in Australia and New Zealand.) Now that I've been tempted by so many delicious recipes, I think I'll still go make myself a P & B sandwich for now.  (But I will try some of these great food combinations this week, especially the frozen yogurt on graham crackers sandwich...that should be a winner with a little one!)
Happy cooking,
Bubbie and Jude
Please share any quick and yummy recipes you've made for and/or with the kids!
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Tummy Time

"The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends placing babies on their backs to sleep and their tummies to play as part of a daily routine. This helps develop the muscles in their back, neck and core on their way to meeting all their infant development milestones." 
Yes, ladies and gentleman, this girl is down for the count!  Five minutes of exhaustive "tummy time" and it's time for a snooze. Feisty little Katie will be back on her tummy for Round Two just after she wakes up, eats, has her diaper changed and takes the dog for a walk.  Ain't life grand!
Working hard at play,
Bubbie and Katie, too!
Share your "tummy time" experiences with your little ones!
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