Music:Lullabies for everyone

Besides They Might be Giants, I haven't been able to find any kids' music that doesn't drive me crazy. So I have been trying to put together a collection of kid friendly music that is really grown up music that kids would like.  My latest addition is Tom Petty's Alright For Now which makes a wicked lullaby.  I also think that almost all the Great Big Sea songs make for great kids music (they would make a killing if they released a kids album.).

I'll post some more tunes on my kids playlist as the weeks go by, but I'd love to hear your 'unconventional' kids tunes too! Have some suggestions for grown up songs that make good kids music? Tell me about it or add it to the comments below.

Web: There's an app for that.... toddler

I discovered some Iphone apps for toddlers that might be a great distraction in the doctor's waiting room, bank line up or long car rides:

Duck Duck Moose Educational Apps

Toddler Teasers

If you know of some other apps or simply have some tips for keeping your toddler happy during those boring waits, drives or other times when a distraction is required let me know or post a comment.

FEE: Tot Gym Time

This already started but maybe it is still open for registration:
Tot Gym Time (birth -5 yrs) at Bulldog Fitness
This program offers Arts & Crafts, Free Play & Fitness Activities, Story Time, bouncy castle, and a soft play area for younger children.
TIME: Monday 9:30-11:30AM
COST:$2.00 per child.
Starts Monday, January 25th

Books: Newfoundland Children's Books

Here's a link to some books by Newfoundlanders for children. If you know of others or have a review to write let me know.

Fee: Tots and Soccer

This starts tommorrow!

Tots-n-Soccer (Ages 3-5) at Bulldog Fitness


Children will learn the basic skills of soccer using fun, interactive games and drills while building confidence and self-esteem AND having loads of FUN.
TIME(s):
Wednesday 9:30-10:15AM OR Saturday 9:00-10:0AM
COST: $75 for 10 sessions
Program Starting Wednesday, January 27th

For more information on the Tots-n-Soccer program, please contact the gym at 739-5437!

Birthday: Party Bus

This is too old for toddlers, but I couldn't resist posting this Park and Party Bus birthday party idea. Has anyone tried it? I am not sure I get the whole party bus thing, what am I missing?

Fee: Yoga for Families

What a wicked idea!

Family Yoga: for Kids 3-5 and Mom or Dad


6 Week Session, January - February, 2010
Children are natural Yogis. Yoga helps improve children’s concentration, physical strength and coordination. This is a light-hearted class that builds confidence, promotes bonding and is lots of fun.
Date: January 30, 2010 - March 6, 2010
Time: Saturdays 9:00 - 9:50am
Instructor: Beth Moores, RYT, Certified Radiant Child Yoga Teacher
Price: $88 + tax
Please register by January 20, 2010

They also have Mom & Baby Yoga

A gentle yoga class geared toward enhancing the developing bond between mom and baby. Moms spend time with their new baby while reconnecting with self and gently strengthening, toning and calming postpartum body and mind. A supportive environment to exchange experiences with new moms and introduce your baby to new friends. No need for a baby sitter or disrupting baby’s feeding schedule. Class appropriate for babies six weeks to preactive crawling stage. Check the web site for information about schedules and costs.

Fee: Insectarium at the GeoCentre

I heard about this on  CBC radio this morning - but there was no informaton on the (GeoCentre web site that I could find anyway!).  I did find this PSA on the MUN web site, but no info on costs or times:

SUBJECT: Incredible Insects at the Johnson GEO CENTRE

DATE: Jan. 14, 2010
Come face to face with nature’s coolest animals... Insects!
The Johnson GEO CENTRE in partnership with the Newfoundland Insectarium is pleased to present INCREDIBLE INSECTS, an exciting new exhibit on insects and arachnids featuring over 500 preserved and live specimens. The exhibition is on display now from January to April 2010.
Call 737-7886 for more information.

Fee: The Rooms Tots Program

Starting today, January 19th, 2010  the Rooms is offering a program for 2-4 year olds. See below:

Big Fun for Little People Tots’ Program
Every Tuesday, 10:30-11:30 am, Level 3 Atrium
Specially for young children aged 2 to 4 years, this new program includes stories, games and crafts for tots and their escorts. Included in the cost of admission, with bonus complimentary coffee or tea at The Rooms Café, it’s a great way to spend an hour every week.

Check out our website for upcoming activities starting Tuesday, January 19.

Products: Finally! Another maternity clothes option

I am not in the market for maternity clothes, but if you are or know someone who is, there is finally somewhere else to shop besides the internet and Motherhood. I came across this by accident - Bellies and Bundles in Coakers Meadow Plaza... here's the link. If you have been - let me know what you think.

Birthday: Wonderbolt Circus

Wonderbolt birthday parties sound like a great idea. They are a little expensive but might be worth it. If you have attended one or held one , let us know what you thought. Was it a good value for the money? Were your kids thrilled with the clown act?

Products: Mountain Baby

This Canadian company has some great stuff for kids and parents who like outdoor adventures. The site is easy to navigate and the great pictures make selecting products easy. I haven't ordered anything yet, but I am eyeing a rain suit for spring puddle jumping.

Contest: Walking Wings - Note: The LINK is now fixed- my apologies!

I have a set of  Walking Wings to give away to a needy parent. We used them only a couple of times and then our child learned to walk!

They are in the box and good as new. All you have to do is send me an email or post a comment about why walking wings would make your life better. I will pick a winning entry and send the winner this back-saving device! This contest is now closed.

Email stjohnstoddler@hotmail.com

Food: Toddler 'chips' and dip

My toddler was intrigued watching me dip crackers in hummous one day and indicated he wanted to try it with a loud ‘more, more’ – which is what he says when he wants something or when he wants ‘more’ of something. The crackers I was eating were not toddler-safe so I looked in the cupboard for something toddler friendly and came up with Baby Mum crackers. I broke one into three or four pieces and dipped them all in hummous and gave them to him and he ate them with enthusiasm asking for more until we were through three packs of Mums.
Keep in mind hummous has sesame seed based tahini in it if you are worried about nut allergies.

Free: Rainy Day activities

Here is a list of some rainy day activities that I collected:

• Fill a sink or rubbermaid container full of water and bubbles and use items from your kitchen like a sieve, slotted spoon, measuring spoons, cups, funnels and other things to make it interesting or use the same idea as a toy bath. 
• Bottles and Lids - Collect bottles and lids of varying sizes. Your toddler can have fun matching lids to bottles, putting the lids on, taking the lids off, and starting all over again. 
•  Fill a spray bottle with a water and vinegar mixture and your toddler can help clean the house.
• Shaving Cream Fun: Fill a large ziploc bag with shaving cream foam. Add a few drops of food colouring. Seal. Let child mix & manipulate. At bath time, clip off the corner of the bag and they can have fun squirting in in the tub
• Using old greeting cards make puzzles: cut out a square in each picture. Your child can try to figure out which square fits with which greeting card or cut them into several squares for older children to make it a bit harder.
• Lava bottles: fill 1/2 water and food coloring, and 1/2 baby oil. It produces a lava lamp effect when tilted.
• Snow globes: fill half with water and half with corn syrup. Add glitter, beads etc. The corn syrup makes the glitter fall slowly for dazzling effects.
• Discovery bottles: fill with rice and small objects like dice, small toys etc. As you roll the bottle, different objects will come to the surface to be discovered.
• Flashlights in a dark room - who doesn't love a flashlight!
• Make an indoor sand box using  Rice (uncooked of course and only for kids who are old enough not to put everything in their mouths...)
• Sort laundry or toys into same colours, categories, matching socks, etc.
• Build a fort - couch cushions, blankets, chairs, etc.
• "Paint" with water - Not sure if this one is great or kind of weird...  using contruction paper your child 'paints' with a paint brush dipped in water. So I guess the water makes dark marks on the coloured paper and paint doesn't get all over the house, but when it dries you won't have a painting for the fridge collection and I am not sure what this teaches your kid about art! :)

Book: Hungry Monkey

I read half of Hungry Monkey on a business trip flight this week. It is pretty good and I am looking forward to trying some of the recipes that are included. I wish I had read this book before we started feeding our baby solids, I would have breathed a big sigh of relief and fed our kid what we were eating (within reason) instead of stressing over purees and cereals and such. The author takes a bit of a rogue approach to introducing solids and is less prescriptive than a lot of books I have read. That being said he certainly doesn’t advise anything dangerous or unhealthy and any time he suggests something like peanuts before 12 months, he backs it up with research on the subject.

Before you get the wrong idea, this is less an instruction manual on feeding babies and toddlers and more of a memoir of a foodie father’s adventures in eating with his precocious kid. The book is funny and a pretty quick read. I highly recommend it for a baby shower gift for foodies because the approach the author takes would be easier to start with a new-to-solids baby than with an already jaded toddler!

Free: Edible Play Dough

I found this recipe on the web - haven't tried it yet, but will let you know when I do.

Edible Peanut Butter Play dough
1 cup Peanut Butter (smooth)
1 cup Milk Powder
1 cup Oats
1/4 cup Honey

Mix together! (Makes enough for 3 kids to have a good size chunk to play & snack)
If you are tempted to add more dry ingredients, STOP! It needs to be a bit sticky and once it's all mixed thoroughly it won't stick to your hands.
Edible decorations or accessories can include:

• cheerios
• shredded coconut
• pretzel sticks
• fruit loops
• raisins
• goldfish crackers
• cut apple pieces

 

 

Free: Toddler's Photo Album

I found this great idea on the web and adapted it for our family: I was running out of space on the fridge for all the photos of cousins and friends that are sent to us over the holidays so I put them in a small toddler-sized photo album for our son.

He loves to look at all the children's faces and we say their names as we go through it. Many of the pictures are of family and friends who live outside of the province so it is a nice way for our child to be reminded of people he doesn't see very often. You could use photos of anything really and use it as a way to teach vocabulary or categorizing if you had a family album, a pet album etc...