Magnetic Drawing Board and Pen

"Look Ma, no crayons or paper!" Now, I love a good mess as well as the next guy, but this magnetic drawing board is too sweet for words!  Jude can scribble away, then erase and start again, and it's terrific for hand-eye coordination!  Reminds me of playing with Wooly Willie, as a kid.  Willie also came with a pen which was used to move magnet dust around, for adding features, like hair, beard and a mustache. 


Here's to the good old days, and the good new days,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  Let's here about your memories of favorite toys from the past, that may be similar to the toys being used by your grandchildren in the present!
Related Articles:
Wooly Willie 
Magnetic Drawing Toy 

Soap Crayons For Bathtub Fun

So, I had to open up the bathroom door to find out why Jude was trying to break in. He knew exactly what he wanted as he excitedly began yelling and pointing at the soap crayons on an upper ledge in the tub.  Handing him one green crayon was not good enough.  He needed all three with caps off in order to begin his masterpiece on his porcelain canvas.  Wow, was I impressed with his newly acquired drawing skills.  And when he was willing to move on to another activity, his art work wiped down easily with a damp cloth.  Next time I plan on water coloring with my friends, I'm inviting them all over to my bathroom for some real fun!
Best,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  What form of art have you explored with your grandchildren?
Related Article:
How To Make Your Own Soap Crayons 

Playing With Play Dough

Play Dough is a great, calming, sensory activity which helps with hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and increases the attention span for children... and of course entertains this Grandmom to no end. I get to help squeeze, roll, and pat the dough before Jude pours the pieces from one container to the next.  I can't wait to graduate to snakes and braids.  In the meantime, I'd sure like to figure out an easier way to pick-up the dough from the rug.  Any Play-Dough Vacs out there?  Let me know if you've got any ideas! 
Open for suggestions, 
Bubbie
Related Articles:
Easy Play Dough Recipes 
Play Dough Ideas 

Exercising Toddlers

The crib is now officially the gym!  Jude has discovered a much better use for his mattress, other than sleeping or napping on it...he's talking, calisthenics.  That's right!  He can jump, swing, bend, twist and kick, all for the low price of zero dollars a month.  Where can you get a cheaper workout than that?  He'll even drop onto the mattress when tired for a bit of a cool down, with some stretching, and of course, lots of belly laughs.  He's having such a blast, I'm tempted to try it on my own bed, but I think I'd need the bars to get as much lift as he does.  Some kids just have all the fun!  
Best,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. How have your grandbabies taken to the crib?
Related Article:
How Much Exercise Do Toddlers Need? 

Playing With Wooden Blocks

Too tired to pick-up after yourself? Well, it can still be done!  Just plant yourself in a restful position, and if it's not too much of a stretch, gently toss your mess back into it's container. I should have taken some before pictures!  Jude had just spent over 30 minutes, sorting, building and knocking down his blocks.  Not too many toys can keep his attention that long!  Blocks are a great toy to have around for toddlers, especially since they've been linked to strengthening math and problem solving skills...just watch where you're walking after dark!
Best,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  Any of you saved your kids blocks to hand down to your grandchildren? Or any other treasures?
Related Articles:
Playing With Blocks 
Helping Toddlers Learn With Wooden Blocks 

Toddlers and Computers

At fifteen years old I took typing in my freshman year of high school.  The keys often stuck, and there was no such thing as "spell check," or  a "delete" button.  I used my fair share of white-out  and typewriter ribbon.  My best timing after an entire semester was 40 wpm. Times have certainly changed!  At 21 months old my grandson has been introduced to a computerized keyboard, which teaches him words, sounds, and letters.  If they made learning to type this much fun when I was a kid, I probably would have shown up for most of my classes!
Open to learning,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. At what ages did your grandchildren get onto the computer?
Related Article:
7 Stages of Computer Literacy For Toddlers

Keeping Kids Happy and Busy

What's in the box?  I don't really know if it matters, as long as it's filled with stuff that can be pulled out, lined up, stacked up and put back. 
My kids used to love to play with all the little loner toys that made their way into my junk drawer.  These play things were some of the lucky soles that might have been found under the sofa after their counter parts were tossed, left over from a kid's meal, or brought home from a party in a goodie bag.  And if I grabbed a few and stuck them in a bag or box, look out!  Their play value would hit the top of the chart.
Here's to some good old fashioned fun,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  Have you found your grandkids to like the same type of play as your kids once did?  If so, tell us about it!


Related Article:
101 Ways To Keep Kids Busy 

Shape Sorters

Jude says, "if it doesn't fit, shove it in with your foot, or pound it in with a hammer!"  Not really!  Those are my words, not his.  I still haven't been able to break his record! I think he likes the fact that he can beat me!  Always giving himself a great big round of applause!  That's okay!  With a little more practice during his naps, I'll know my octagon from my hexagon.
Keeping it fun,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  Which shape sorters do your little ones like best?


Related Articles:
Using Shape Sorters With Toddlers 
Teaching Toddlers to Sort Shapes 
Gator Sorter (Thought this was great!)

Tree Climbing

Jude found the most perfect tree for climbing, if you happen to be 20 months old!  Notice the small separation in the "V" of the tree trunk, which happens to be just the right size for a little toddler's foot, and with a little help from Bubbie, he's made the climb! Done!  Over!  The thrill is gone, and we then move on to bigger and better things, like making leaf piles, and jumping in!
Have fun in the great outdoors,
Bubbie and Jude
Related Articles and Video:
Leaping Into Leaf Piles/Urlesque/YouTube Video (Enjoy!  I did!)
Indoor Wall Climbing Tree (Clever idea for a child's room!)
Go Ape  (This looks like fun for the brave-at-heart!)

Learning With Blocks

Playing with blocks can help with language, spacial, math, and problem-solving skills, among other things.  The "other things" according to observing Jude are: throwing them across a room into an empty box, making noise by clapping them together, and balancing them on his foot while sitting down.  Best part about playing with blocks for me would be... no batteries required!
Keeping it simple,
Bubbie and Jude


Related Articles:
Play and Learning With Blocks 
Blocks: Great Toys For All Ages 
Parenting Science: Toy Blocks 

Exercise With The Kids

Watching Jude throwing and chasing his ball was adorable, but once he started using his ball as a form of exercise, I decided he was trying to send me a subtle, "get up and move" message. So I turned on some Disney tunes and copied Jude's moves.  Must say, he gave me a great workout!  Hope he doesn't bring out the weights next time!
Moving right along,
Bubbie and Jude


Related Articles:
Exercising With Your Toddler 
Incorporating Kids Into Your Exercise Routine 
Working Out With Babies And toddlers 

"All About Me"

There's never a time to feel alone when eating.  Just take it from a kid.  Grab your food, find the closest mirror, and delve into some good tastes and sweet conversation.  Make it what you want it to be.  Do as Jude does!  Savour each bite, and yuck it up!  Looks like fun, doesn't it?  I know I had a blast just watching this honey enjoying his own company.
Bon Appetite!,
Bubbie and Jude
Related Articles:
Why Possessiveness Is A Good Sign 
Toddlers Crafts/All About Me 
Mirrors 

Dental Care for Infants and Toddlers

My all-time favorite brush-your-teeth song has to be, "Brush Your Teeth" performed by Raffi!  Jude loves to watch it too, as he practices brushing his teeth. At this age brushing means sucking and chewing on the bristles until all of the flavored toothpaste is gone. I don't know about you, but I prefer rinsing and spitting!



Keeping them clean,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Any tricks on getting the kids to brush their teeth?
Related Articles/Video
Brush Your Teeth by Raffi Video
Toddler Dental Care
Oral Care Products For Infants And Toddlers

Do One Nice Thing!

Thought I'd take a minute to talk about a wonderful Card Recycle Program.  Driving home from visiting my dad tonight, I was listening to 980 a.m. talk radio, and they were discussing "Do One Nice Thing's" website:
http://www.doonenicething.com/d1nt-ideas.php
On their list of "nice thing's to do", they suggest sending your used, all-occasion cards to St. Jude's Ranch.
At  St. Jude's Ranch for abused and neglected children, kids will redesign and sell your cards to raise funds. Click on link below for details:
http://www.stjudesranch.org/help_card.php

I've already started a pile of holiday cards myself!  As an added incentive to you, I'd like to offer an Original Shnoozles' Book, Audio Book and 3 bookmarks, to the first 30 people who write and tell me they'll donate some of their used all-occasion cards to this worthwhile cause.  I am not being paid or reimbursed in any way by anyone for doing this.  Just thought it was "a nice thing to do!"



Best holiday wishes,
Eileen

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

When Toddlers Are Ready To Color

Do you know that Crayola offers crayons which sit in holders "shaped for a child's first palm grasp?"  And do you know if Crayola knows that these "Ta Doodles" have other uses...such as spinning?  Yes, Jude showed me how, with just a flick of the wrist, these "Ta Doodles" can spin on the very same paper I wanted him to draw on.  One of these days, Jude will actually use these for their intended purpose, but for now he's loving his three, lean, mean spinning machines?
Best,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. How do your grandkids change-up the play with their toys?
Related Articles:
Crayola Beginnings Website
Teaching Toddlers To Color
Turn Your Photo Into A Coloring Page by Crayola ( I thought this was pretty neat.  Haven't tried it yet.  Sounds like you need to get a code from their coloring box, to do this.  Let me know if any of you try it.  I'd like to know how it works!)

Potty Training

Potty training time! A time for all good parents to come to the aid of their toddlers, by helping them understand when, where, why and how to go potty.  I think it's a safe bet to say, this is not what it's supposed to look like!  After Jude removed all that was in his way, he stepped right into the potty to see if he could fit...standing, of course.  Hmm, don't think that he's willing or able to do the deed, just yet!

Best,

Bubbie and Jude

P.S. At what age did you begin potty training your little ones?

Related Articles:

Potty Throne Chairs (had to share this...too funny!)

Toilet Training Your Child

Scholastic Holiday Book Giveaway

The Scholastic Holiday Book Giveaway Winner is:
Marci J
Great big thanks to everyone who entered to win six outstanding Scholastic books!
Happy holidays and a wonderful New Year,
Eileen

When should babies learn to use eating utensils?

e-How.com showed me the way!  A little late, but next time Jude eats over, I won't need the carpet cleaner.  You see, if you scroll down to rule number two, you will read as I did, "Consider lining the floor beneath your baby's highchair with a garbage bag or plastic shower curtain liner to catch food your little one will inevitably drop or throw."  Now why didn't I think of that  before offering this newbie-fork-user, pasta with lots of tomato sauce?  Next time around, the curtain comes out and down, and I'll be lined with the garbage bag!
Ready and waiting,
Bubbie
P.S.  What tricks have you used to help your kids or grandkids use eating utensils?
Related article: "How to Teach a Baby to Use a Fork"

Cleaning Up Can Be Fun For Kids

Toy storage bins seem to have taken the place of the big, old toy chests.  When I first saw this, I thought it was a fantastic idea.  Categorizing toys into their own bins!  What could be better, or simpler?  Stuffed dolls in one, balls in another, etc., etc. Twelve opportunities for separation!  Wow!  And this probably would work out swell, as long as there are no toddlers within arms reach of the unit!  Once in contact, there must be this little voice in their heads that say, "Tear that sucker apart!  Dump it all!  Leave no bins unturned!" When all is said and done, there lies the opportunity to sing my favorite song, "It's Clean Up Time Again!"   
Ah kids, 'ya gotta' love 'em!
I know I do,
Bubbie
P.S.  How do you encourage your grandchildren to clean up after themselves?

Related Articles:
Making Clean-Up Fun For Kids
Clean-Up Songs