Category - toys

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Little People, Big Discoveries
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The Post Where I Reveal The Absolute Best Toy Ever
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Evel Knievel Rides Into Summer
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Winter Boredom Busters For Kids
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My Doll—Vintage Sesame Street Episode

Little People, Big Discoveries

The new phrase heard around our house twenty-seven times a day (No, not “Honey, pass the chips!”) is, “I do it myself!!” All of a sudden my daughter gets feisty when I try to do things for her. I don’t get it. I love it when people do things for me. If I had the choice I’d lay in my bed all day watching TV while people brought me things and rolled me over now and then to keep the circulation going. After years of having everything done for her from feeding to dressing to holding her hand every step of the way, my daughter finally has the physical and cognitive ability to do many things on her own. She wants to be independent and as difficult and nerve wracking as it is for us, we’re letting her flex her independent muscles. This includes letting her play on her own in her room without her parents or her big brother watching over her. Why on earth would we have to watch her playing in the safety of her own room you ask? Because of things like this… This kid is a climber and a risk taker. Left to her own[…]

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The Post Where I Reveal The Absolute Best Toy Ever

It’s not a board game. And it’s certainly not a video game or a motorized thing-a-ma-jig. You won’t it find in any store. It often comes in pairs and your children will treasure this endlessly stimulating source of joy and laughter for hopefully many years to come. If your children are lucky enough to have grandparents (or a special aunt or uncle) in their lives, you know how special it is. My kids light up whenever we tell them we’re heading over to see them. How lucky we are to have both sets near by — these people who are genetically programed to love my children; to look out for them and after them. Ahem, built in babysitters *parental fist pump* Not everyone is as fortunate. We know this and we appreciate having our parents in our lives every day. My kids don’t quite understand how blessed they are, but they sure enjoy spending time with and learning from their grandparents. So my number one pick for the toy that is sure to bring a smile to a child’s face is a loving grandparent — the kind that gets down on the floor to play and enjoys spending time with[…]

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Evel Knievel Rides Into Summer

My daughter is happiest when she’s moving. Running, hopping, scooting around on her wittle bum, and of course,  climbing — her forte. The kid can’t sit still. I on the other hand am more than happy to sit until dust bunnies collect at my feet. But, when you have a child who is in perpetual motion, maternal sitting is rare. And as “enjoyable” as it is to play soccer goalie in the basement or hover helicopter-parent style under the jungle gym, sometimes I need a few minutes to do “frivolous” tasks like, you know, make dinner or unload the dishwasher. Occasionally (when the gods are smiling down upon my weary head) I’m able to cue up Netflix or set out some puzzles to keep this whirling dervish entertained and seated within view (because when she’s out of sight, THIS happens). So when the Fisher-Price Fairy delivered our latest toy to test, I knew it would be a win-win. Avery couldn’t wait to take it for a ride. No, seriously. Look at her. She couldn’t even wait for me to take it out of the box. If I had a dollar for every ounce of her enthusiasm, I’d be a very[…]

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Winter Boredom Busters For Kids

Canadian winters are long and sometimes we’re trapped inside for days on end. It’s kind of fun at first, until someone finally goes all Jack Nicholson in The Shining. “Heeeere’s Mummy!”   I’m not above using a Dora episode (or five) or iPad apps or video games here and there to break up the day or so I can make an important phone call in peace. However, there are lots of easy Winter Boredom Busters besides TV and tech. And when I say easy, I mean for me. Games that require the least amount of prep and effort on my part, win.  I’m happy to report that I have yet to chop down any bathroom doors to date thanks in part to these indoor activities: WORD GAMES: These can range from simple classics like “Eye Spy” with versions including colour, shape, function, location in the room {high, low, under, over. between}, to more complex riddles and word problems.    My son enjoys creative word games like “Fortunately/Unfortunately.” One person starts with a scenario like, “I know you enjoy donuts, but unfortunately, I ate them all.” The other player counters with a statement beginning with fortunately, e.g., “Fortunately, a donut truck overturned[…]

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My Doll—Vintage Sesame Street Episode

This morning I let Avery watch some vintage Sesame Street clips on the computer. I know it’s weird we don’t have cable. If I had a nickel for every time I was mocked for it, I’d have a butt load of nickels. I’m a sentimental sap and as she sat watching intently, laughing and smiling it brought me back to MY childhood. Avery is now the exact age I was when I watched this same episode for the first time. Watching her enjoyment of this sweet clip below, I felt this gigantic emontional surge of love and nostalgia. I remember watching the little dollhouse girls playing together and wishing that someday I would have a dollhouse like that. Maybe it’s hormones, maybe I’m overtired, but I got a little misty. My mom used to set me up on the couch with a snack (celery stick boats filled with peanut butter usually) and put on Sesame Street for me to watch. She was younger than I am now. She undoubtedly used that time to catch up on housework, talk on the phone, have a little quiet time. All of the same things that I do now. As I watched Avery look at the dollhouse through her little eyes, I[…]

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