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?
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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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Infants and Colds

Since Katie took on a nasty cold, I did a quick search to see what is recommended for helping babies today.  The first site I came to talked about congestion:

* "An old fashioned way to clean out infant nasal congestion was to gently suck the mucus out by placing your mouth over the nostrils. If you do try this method be sure to suck only very gently and for only a few seconds at a time so your baby can breathe, keeping in mind that he can only breathe through his mouth."
Well, little Katie has congestion but I have a strong feeling that mommy won't be doing any "mucous sucking," anytime soon.
I also learned that because breast milk has anti-bacterial and healing properties, there are many uses for it besides feeding a baby. Here's one for a cold:
* "Saline solution or breastmilk can be soothing to the inflamed membranes and help to loosen up dried mucus that may be blocking the nasal passages."
(Would love to hear about any tried and true remedies that you know of, for helping a little one feel better when sick.)
Thanks for stopping by,
Bubbie and Katie, too!
Related Articles:
*Infant Congestion
*Breast Milk and its Many Uses

*Please be sure to ask your doctor before relying on any articles, or quotes I've pulled from articles.

The Art of Scribbling

You can cover a lot more ground arming yourself with two markers instead of one, which is what Jude discovered early on. His theory does pan out!  I've tried it!  And the best part about the medium that he's chosen, is that the washable markers slip and slide at record speeds over his laminated, coloring sheet, moving him that much faster along to his favorite part of all...erasing!  With just a few broad strokes with a wet-wipe, he's ready to start again!
Won't you share some of your grandkids/kids favorite ways to draw?
Happy Coloring,
Bubbie and Jude
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Easy Homemade Toys

Hats come in all shapes and sizes you know.  Just ask Jude!  Mr. Creativity has just discovered another useful way to play with toy bins.  I think he's on 'toy bin test number thirty-three!' Who knew these simple, plastic containers would run a close second to the forever popular,  'cardboard box?'  These bins have been used as car ramps, stepping stones, ball-toss-catchers, color markers and carpet sleds...among other things.  Maybe one of these days Jude will allow his toys to have a turn in a bin, too?
Please share with us your grandkids/kids playtime favorites!
Still having fun,
Bubbie and Jude
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Choosing Halloween Costumes for Infants

On the heels of my latest post on 'Jude and dressing-up for imaginative play,' I was delighted to find this picture of my grand daughter Katie trying on Halloween costumes.  Although she's not old enough for dress-up play, her mother sure is! Fortunately, we still have some time before Halloween is here, so I'm sure there will be many more costume fittings and picture sittings to come!
P.S. Send in some pics of your grandkids/kids in costumes.  I'd be happy to post them!
Best,
Bubbie and Katie, too!


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Playing Dress-Up

"Believe it or not, dress-up play is vital to a child’s development. According to licensed child psychologist Dr. Laurie Zelinger, “It fosters the imaginative processes, and allows for play without rules or script. Dress up allows for experimentation, role play and fantasy. "
...With hats on and Jude's imagination in full gear, Jude and his pal Woody,  just spent the last half hour running, jumping and zooming 'to infinity and beyond!' I must say that the dog and I were a little sad we weren't invited in on the fun, but then again, we did forget our hats!
P.S. What types of things do you offer your grandkids to encourage pretend play?
Best,
Bubbie and Jude
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When Kids Get Sick

Jude was on 'day 5' of being sick, when I noticed the truest sign of all, that he was on his way to wellness...the floor in his room.  It was a mess!  Yes, a toy-filled, walk-at-your-own-risk glorious site!  This sweetheart was finally feeling well enough to break out his toys, and dig into play!  Ahh...although his little nose was still runny, and the cough was still there, Jude was back in the saddle again!
How do you help soothe your little ones when they're not feeling well?
Almost better,
Jude and Bubbie
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Rainy-days with the Kids

Two blankets, a jumper and a few toys were all it took to keep Jude laughing and playing on a very rainy Wednesday morning. Under this make-shift tent we played several rounds of peek-a-boo, sang every finger-play song I could remember, and Jude had some pretty interesting conversations with his farm animals while feeding them their imaginary breakfast. Although this activity was the highlight of his day, we did manage to squeeze in some time with play dough, crayoning, reading, and of course pulling out every toy in Jude's room, just to be sure everything still worked! 
Please share anything you enjoy doing with your grandkids on a rainy-day!
Always something to do,
Bubbie and Jude
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Can You See What I See? Toyland Express Winner

Thanks to everyone who entered to win "Toyland Express" by Walter Wick. Congratulations to our winner: Riza.
Learn more about "Toyland Express" at:
Toyland Express/The Scholastic Store

Best regards,

Bubbie and Jude

Contest Winner

Congratulations to Bobbi for winning Grandbabies101, Midnight Lullaby contest.
And thanks to everyone who entered to win.
Our Bailey Book give-a-way is still open for entry through October 7th!  Scholastic is giving away (3) hardcover books!  It's easy to enter.  Just leave me a comment saying you'd like to win.  That's it!
Best regards,
Bubbie

Listening to Children

Sometimes things just have a way of working themselves out, if you let them...and we did!  All of us grown-ups watched in awe as Remy quietly sat down next to Jude, in the middle of his upset, and simply listened to his rant. Of course, we were clueless as to his explanation, but Remy understood every last word.  (Or so, she acted like she did.) All I can tell you is 'it worked,' and after a cute exchange of funny faces, they were back at play.
Magical moments,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Please share with us your listening practices!
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Infants and toddlers Making Music

Jamming with Jude is cheap, and requires no musical background or ability!  Simply turn over a few buckets, pitchers or flat-surfaced objects, grab something to bang with, and sit yourself down.  (Jude's first choice for sitting was the dog, but he quickly found out that dogs like to move to the beat of a drum, too!)
Since I wasn't too terribly coordinated to drum, Jude handed me two wooden blocks for clapping to his tapping, which worked out great!
Please share some of your musical meetings with your grandbabies!
Making music,
Bubbie and Jude

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Grocery Shopping with the Kidlets!

Taking the little ones shopping for groceries doesn't have to be a problem, especially if you follow the rules:
1. Shop at off-hours (2 a.m. to 5 a.m.)
2. Let children buy whatever they want.
3. Allow children to eat whatever they want as you shop.
All joking aside, here are a few tips that worked for me:
- Before shopping everyone was fed, went to the bathroom and already napped.
- I organized my shopping list clustering items on same aisles together (best I could).
- Tried to shop at less busy times.
- Had the kids help find items on grocery list.
- Brought or bought a healthy snack for kids to eat while paying, to avoid the candy temptation at check-out.
How about sharing some favorites that worked for you?
Keeping it fun,
Bubbie and Jude
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Sesame Street in 2011

Jude has a captivated audience today, as he sits down and discusses his 'play plans' with some Sesame Street characters.  Although Jude did do all the talking, his friends remained attentive and with broad smiles throughout their five minute chat.  They seemed to understand what Jude was saying much better than myself.  I've got to start coming to more of these meetings!
With some 'googling' I've discovered that Sesame Street has been on the air entertaining and teaching our children since 1969.  Over the past year I've had the most fun reconnecting with some of my favorite Sesame Street segments through YouTube. (Oh, Jude likes them too!)
Below, if interested, you can watch a short video on "The History of Sesame Street:

P.S. Which children's show(s) holds your grandchild's attention today?

Keep them learning,

Bubbie and Jude

Bubbles/Helping to Improve Language Development

"Language is a complex set of behaviors.  It involves much more than learning words and their meaning.  A child needs to have the psycho-motor skills to be ready to learn languages.  Playing with  bubbles encourages a variety of opportunities to coordinate breathing and movements with the mouth and tongue." 
Who knew?  And we thought we were just having fun!  What an added bonus to know we're contributing to our little-one's language skills. It is pretty amazing to see how quickly the youngest and newest kids on the block figure out, after just a few tries, how to blow a bubble!  
(Biggest Bubble Blown This Day went to Jude!)
Ta Dah,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Please share ways you've found to help promote language with your grand kids and/or kids?
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