An interesting story of yet another group of experts recommending no TV for the under two set.
Do your kids watch TV, do you have rules about what, how much, and when? Share your thoughts in the comments section or send by email to stjohnstoddler@hotmail.com to enter your name in the contest for the Busy Body organizer.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Birthday: Little Gym Party
We were at a Little Gym Birthday party this weekend for two year old twins. It was loads of fun!
The party was scheduled for 90 minutes and the last 30 were dedicated to food and cake. The facility was clean, the staff were friendly, and the activities were age appropriate.
There was a mix of structured activity and free play. There were about 15-20 preschoolers there, plus their parents, so it was pretty crowded. I think a slightly smaller crowd might have made the structured activities go a little more smoothly, but it certainly wasn't a problem for the free play and everyone was having fun crowded or not.
For my child the structured play wasn't going to work, he was too young to understand the instructions, but he enjoyed running around and watching the other kids and I could see how if you joined the Little Gym classes the repetition and routines of the structured play might really work even for kids my son's age. The older kids seemed to really like the games and the staff didn't seem to mind if not all the kids were participating.
The seating space for the pizza and cake had a low table and child size chairs which was a bonus and I noticed the staff were careful to wash each child's hands with sanitizer before the meal - H1N1 protocol is everywhere!
Here is some detailed pricing and planning information sent in by the mother of the birthday girls:
"It cost $265 plus tax for approx 15-16 children for 1.5 hours. There are additional fees per child over that number, I think around $12/child. They will do a gift opening, if you want, and I think they record all the gifts and givers, etc.
The Little Gym takes a leadership role with activities, and provides plates, cups, and cutlery, as well as decorations in the colors you request. They also provide drinks: water, juice, lemonade, but we just happened to have the juice boxes already purchased. The birthday child gets a Little Gym T-shirt, as well.
I felt it was money well spent, especially when everything went so smoothly. I was amazed at how well the children behaved, and how the parents seemed to be having a great time. I could never have hosted a a party with so many in my home."
The Little Gym web site.
The party was scheduled for 90 minutes and the last 30 were dedicated to food and cake. The facility was clean, the staff were friendly, and the activities were age appropriate.
There was a mix of structured activity and free play. There were about 15-20 preschoolers there, plus their parents, so it was pretty crowded. I think a slightly smaller crowd might have made the structured activities go a little more smoothly, but it certainly wasn't a problem for the free play and everyone was having fun crowded or not.
For my child the structured play wasn't going to work, he was too young to understand the instructions, but he enjoyed running around and watching the other kids and I could see how if you joined the Little Gym classes the repetition and routines of the structured play might really work even for kids my son's age. The older kids seemed to really like the games and the staff didn't seem to mind if not all the kids were participating.
The seating space for the pizza and cake had a low table and child size chairs which was a bonus and I noticed the staff were careful to wash each child's hands with sanitizer before the meal - H1N1 protocol is everywhere!
Here is some detailed pricing and planning information sent in by the mother of the birthday girls:
"It cost $265 plus tax for approx 15-16 children for 1.5 hours. There are additional fees per child over that number, I think around $12/child. They will do a gift opening, if you want, and I think they record all the gifts and givers, etc.
The Little Gym takes a leadership role with activities, and provides plates, cups, and cutlery, as well as decorations in the colors you request. They also provide drinks: water, juice, lemonade, but we just happened to have the juice boxes already purchased. The birthday child gets a Little Gym T-shirt, as well.
I felt it was money well spent, especially when everything went so smoothly. I was amazed at how well the children behaved, and how the parents seemed to be having a great time. I could never have hosted a a party with so many in my home."
The Little Gym web site.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Congratulations - Someone was the 100th visitor yesterday!
Like any blogger I want to know if anyone is actually visiting my blog. It helps to know that there is someone out there and that the energy you put in to posting every few days isn't wasted. I use Google Analytics, it's free and it lets me know how many people have visited the blog. Yesterday we hit 100... and as I always say, the more the merrier.
Hopefully more visitors will mean more ideas, activities, and events to add.
By the way, we're going to our first Little Gym Birthday this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes in a post next week.
Hopefully more visitors will mean more ideas, activities, and events to add.
By the way, we're going to our first Little Gym Birthday this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes in a post next week.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Product: Online Shopping
Sometimes it is hard to find the stuff you need (READ:Want) for your toddler. I try to support local businesses whenever I can, and one of my favourite places for unique and quality kid's stuff is Coo Chi Coo on Topsail Road. (By the way...Congratulations on the new baby, Michelle!)
But online I have found a few great shops as well... here's a short list:
Nurtured - This lovely shop is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They have a large variety of cloth diapering supplies and some really cool products. They are a pleasure to deal with, shipping was fast, easy and reasonably priced. The store seems to offer more than just a retail experience, they seem to have created a real community with their shoppers. If I lived in Halifax I would take advantage of the workshops they offer.
Lands End - Owned by Sears, this clothing retailer has wicked kids clothes and wicked prices especially in the Overstock section. I buy off-season and in sizes my son will grow in to. I have bought some great winter boots for less than $10 here. With the Canadian dollar almost at par with the US dollar this is a good time to shop here. Customs and duties are included in your finally price so there are no surprises upon delivery.
Babyproofing plus This massive baby and children's supply store seems to have a little bit of everything, from clothes to cribs and car seats. It was the only Canadian supplier I could find for a co-sleeper we wanted when our child was a baby.
Have you got a favourite store, online or otherwise, where you get great kids gear? Submit your favourite in the comments section or via email at stjohnstoddler@hotmail.com to have your name entered to win the Busy Body Organizer.
But online I have found a few great shops as well... here's a short list:
Nurtured - This lovely shop is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They have a large variety of cloth diapering supplies and some really cool products. They are a pleasure to deal with, shipping was fast, easy and reasonably priced. The store seems to offer more than just a retail experience, they seem to have created a real community with their shoppers. If I lived in Halifax I would take advantage of the workshops they offer.
Lands End - Owned by Sears, this clothing retailer has wicked kids clothes and wicked prices especially in the Overstock section. I buy off-season and in sizes my son will grow in to. I have bought some great winter boots for less than $10 here. With the Canadian dollar almost at par with the US dollar this is a good time to shop here. Customs and duties are included in your finally price so there are no surprises upon delivery.
Babyproofing plus This massive baby and children's supply store seems to have a little bit of everything, from clothes to cribs and car seats. It was the only Canadian supplier I could find for a co-sleeper we wanted when our child was a baby.
Have you got a favourite store, online or otherwise, where you get great kids gear? Submit your favourite in the comments section or via email at stjohnstoddler@hotmail.com to have your name entered to win the Busy Body Organizer.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Food: Quesadillas
I have been having a little trouble getting my child to eat vegetables. So today I tried a little left over turkey (chopped) with broccoli florets and shredded cheddar cheese between two soft shell fajitas. I fried them in a non-stick pan to melt the cheese and once they cooled to a toddler safe temperature I chopped them into toddler size bites. Voila! Toddler Quesadillas... and it worked. He ate the broccoli!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Idea: How schools kill creativity
Everyone with children should to watch this.
It is funny and enlightening. Spare 20 minutes and it might change the way you think about your kid's education.
It is funny and enlightening. Spare 20 minutes and it might change the way you think about your kid's education.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Book: Sleeping Like a Baby?
Like all parents, we think our child is wonderful and perfect... except in one area. When it comes to sleeping our child has always had trouble. I hear stories of babies who slept through the night from 6 months on and I sigh. We are still struggling now! So over the past year I have become an expert on baby and toddler sleep training books.
Here's one I recommend because it actually helped us make some progress. I won't claim it solved all our problems, but it did help us reach a few milestones:
The 90 Minute Baby Sleep Program by Polly Moore:
I was so desperate for sleep when I bought this book that as skeptical as I was, I was willing to try anything. So I was thrilled when what seemed like a dubious premise actually worked!
This book presents the idea that we all have alertness cycles and working within these cycles can help your baby get better sleep. It also proposes that better naps means better nights. There are simple techniques and choices about what methods you choose and you are not forced to let your baby 'cry it out' if you are not comfortable with that approach.
This really was a miracle book for us. Our baby was not a napper, but once we followed the guidance in this book we discovered we were just missing the cues. His naps became more regular and longer and getting him to take naps became a breeze. This book is really most useful for children under 12 months. We used it when our baby was 5 to 10 months old.
It also makes a great gift for exhausted new moms and dads. I have given it to several people who found it as useful as we did.
I bought this from both Chapters and Amazon.ca
If you know of a great baby or toddler reference book, submit it with a review before December 1st, 2009 to stjohnstoddler@hotmail.com and I'll enter your name in the draw for the 2010 Busy Body Organizer!
Here's one I recommend because it actually helped us make some progress. I won't claim it solved all our problems, but it did help us reach a few milestones:
The 90 Minute Baby Sleep Program by Polly Moore:
I was so desperate for sleep when I bought this book that as skeptical as I was, I was willing to try anything. So I was thrilled when what seemed like a dubious premise actually worked!
This book presents the idea that we all have alertness cycles and working within these cycles can help your baby get better sleep. It also proposes that better naps means better nights. There are simple techniques and choices about what methods you choose and you are not forced to let your baby 'cry it out' if you are not comfortable with that approach.
This really was a miracle book for us. Our baby was not a napper, but once we followed the guidance in this book we discovered we were just missing the cues. His naps became more regular and longer and getting him to take naps became a breeze. This book is really most useful for children under 12 months. We used it when our baby was 5 to 10 months old.
It also makes a great gift for exhausted new moms and dads. I have given it to several people who found it as useful as we did.
I bought this from both Chapters and Amazon.ca
If you know of a great baby or toddler reference book, submit it with a review before December 1st, 2009 to stjohnstoddler@hotmail.com and I'll enter your name in the draw for the 2010 Busy Body Organizer!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Books: Slinky Malinki
A lovely rhyming story about a cat who collects things that don't belong to him until one day he has to give up his thieving ways. The illustrations are great and the rhymes are fun to say. If you like this one there are several by the same author... the Hairy Mclary books follow the adventures of a pack of neighbourhood dogs all with comical rhyming names. The only downside for us is that I couln't find these in Board Book format, so if your toddler likes to tear pages, these might be best for later.
If you know of a great book for toddlers, submit it with a review before December 1st, 2009 to stjohnstoddler@hotmail.com and I'll enter your name in the draw for the 2010 Busy Body Organizer!
If you know of a great book for toddlers, submit it with a review before December 1st, 2009 to stjohnstoddler@hotmail.com and I'll enter your name in the draw for the 2010 Busy Body Organizer!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Ideas: Birdfeeders
We hung a birdfeeder outside the window of our son's room and as the cooler weather has set in the birds have begun to visit. Chickadees, gold finches, jays and the occasional flicker. Our son loves to watch them. He tries to say 'Chickadee.'
I hope it will give him something interesting to look at when the grey days of winter set in.
If you have a great idea for keeping toddlers happy on cold and rainy days, submit it before December 1st, 2009 to stjohnstoddler@hotmail.com and I'll enter your name in the draw for the 2010 Busy Body Organizer!
I hope it will give him something interesting to look at when the grey days of winter set in.
If you have a great idea for keeping toddlers happy on cold and rainy days, submit it before December 1st, 2009 to stjohnstoddler@hotmail.com and I'll enter your name in the draw for the 2010 Busy Body Organizer!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Free: Kenny's Pond Toddler Playground
This playground is designed for toddlers and smaller children. All the equipment from the slides and swings to see saws and spring toys are all smaller than your usual playground equipment. The only downside was that the pea gravel was of more interest to our child than anything else. He is still at the age where he wants to eat rocks!
By next spring I can see this being one of his favourite playgrounds. Also has less graffiti and very little vandalism compared to some parks which is reassuring.
You can find this playground behind Kenny's Pond Mini Golf near the Holiday Inn- there is a parking lot right next door if you are driving.
If you know of a great toddler activity, submit it with a review before December 1st, 2009 to stjohnstoddler@hotmail.com and I'll enter your name in the draw for the 2010 Busy Body Organizer!
By next spring I can see this being one of his favourite playgrounds. Also has less graffiti and very little vandalism compared to some parks which is reassuring.
You can find this playground behind Kenny's Pond Mini Golf near the Holiday Inn- there is a parking lot right next door if you are driving.
If you know of a great toddler activity, submit it with a review before December 1st, 2009 to stjohnstoddler@hotmail.com and I'll enter your name in the draw for the 2010 Busy Body Organizer!
Products: Dapper Snappers
If your kid is tall and lean like ours, then you know that your choices are slim (excuse the pun), either your kid looks like he's wearing floods or his pants are constantly falling down. Our child needs size 6-12 months in the waist and 12-18 months in the leg!
I found these at Coo Chi Coo and they are a great solution as long as the pants have belt loops.
$13.99 plus tax and available in a variety of colours.
I found these at Coo Chi Coo and they are a great solution as long as the pants have belt loops.
$13.99 plus tax and available in a variety of colours.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Birthday: Lester's Farm
My daughters are almost 2, and have been invite to a few birthday parties. One memorable one was a trip to Lester's Farm (NOT Lester's Farm Market), and thought it might be a nice venue for their 3rd or higher birthday.
For the first 1.5 hours, the kids were outdoors going through the greenhouse, feeding sheep, visiting the petting zoo, going on tractor and pony rides, and flower picking. The last 30 minutes was spent indoors, eating.
The birthday boy's Mom told me that Lesters' will provide one slushie or ice cream per child, but she provided all other food. And depending on the time of year, outdoor activities may include picking berries, tomatoes or pumpkins.
She also told me that the cost was $150 for 10 children, with $15 per additional child, and she was not made aware of alternate plans in case of bad weather. She noted that while the children attending her son's party were outside, there was another party finishing up inside.
Submitted by : Ellen
If you know of a great place for toddler birthday parties, submit your idea before December 1st, 2009 to stjohnstoddler@hotmail.com and I'll enter your name in the draw for the 2010 Busy Body Organizer!
For the first 1.5 hours, the kids were outdoors going through the greenhouse, feeding sheep, visiting the petting zoo, going on tractor and pony rides, and flower picking. The last 30 minutes was spent indoors, eating.
The birthday boy's Mom told me that Lesters' will provide one slushie or ice cream per child, but she provided all other food. And depending on the time of year, outdoor activities may include picking berries, tomatoes or pumpkins.
She also told me that the cost was $150 for 10 children, with $15 per additional child, and she was not made aware of alternate plans in case of bad weather. She noted that while the children attending her son's party were outside, there was another party finishing up inside.
Submitted by : Ellen
If you know of a great place for toddler birthday parties, submit your idea before December 1st, 2009 to stjohnstoddler@hotmail.com and I'll enter your name in the draw for the 2010 Busy Body Organizer!
Birthday: Railway Museum
Somebody mentioned that this is a great place for kids birthday parties especially if your kid loves trains. There is now a review posted here. Have you been? We need more reviews! Use the comments form or email stjohnstoddler@hotmail.com
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