Telephone talk ...

Mr Almost Two (in November) LOVES the telephone!  He talks to Papa, Grandpop, Grandma & Grandad, Uncle Danny and anyone prepared to chat and listen to toddler babble.

We have no idea what he is saying, yet it sounds so convincing, along with several well spoken French words and a very polite "bye ... bye" then CLICK!

What I can do at 20.5 months of age

At 20.5 months of age I want to share with you some of the things I am able to do ...

• send e-mail (well almost, mama is just joking of course), but I can count 2 and 5
• put together puzzle cubes
• request food ... say 'cheese' and take my mama's hand and lead her to the refrigerator door, so she can get me that cheese
• talk a lot on my very own toy cell-phone (develops my social skills immensely)
• slide down the slide - all by myself at the park
• dog paddle with mama's help in a big 3' deep pool (I love to jump off the edge into mama's arms)
• drink milk out of an ordinary tumbler all by myself
• help unload the dishwasher
• take the non-breakables to the cupboard (although some days I get completely side-tracked and leave them lying around on the floor)
• drag a dining chair up to the sink and cry (it's my way of saying I want to stand up on the chair and help)
• chew crayons (sometimes I scribble a bit)
• suck on playdoh (when I've finished playing with it and rolling it with a rolling pin)
• kick a ball
• throw a ball (backwards over my head)
• spin round and round and round and round (then fall down)
• run backwards
• sing a tune
• run and bounce up and down on a big bed
• cry when things don't go my way (but I soon get over it!)

Is there anyone else out there just like me?

Lush garden growth ... 8 weeks from planting

Potatoes, tomatoes, broccoli and onions are doing well ... lebanese cucumbers - slow... beans, carrots, peas, pumpkins (grown from seed) also seem slow; green peppers are a fizzer.

Keeping Cool

We have had 8 days of intense heat and humidity in the province of Quebec, with little end in sight.  Master J and I are sleeping in the basement at night where it is a cool 22 degrees celsius.  Our dining, living and sleeping quarters upstairs hover around 30 degrees celsius at night and during the day.

Thankfully the heat is not bothering this active 20 month old (seen above in a make-do paddling pool, rescued from a neighbour's front yard before the dumpster truck came along).

We are presently focussing some of our indoor activities on puzzles with shapes and colours.  I can recommend the 'Melissa and Doug' Beginner Pattern Block with 5 reversible puzzles in a box (recommended for Ages 2+).  Master J can master many of these on his own.  He loves being encouraged with handclapping, a pat on the back, high 5 and the words 'Bravo' when he completes a puzzle.

Today, while shopping for much needed shorts at Old Navy we stopped by ToysRUs on the way back to the car.  It's a long story .... but we came away with a FREE "Playskool" cubo de formas/form fitter (puzzle pieces that match shapes and textures into a cube).  I had been charged incorrectly and as I had gone back to customer services to tell them they promptly refunded my purchase in FULL and allowed me to keep the item!  Thank you ToysRUs.

As soon as we were home Master J began putting the shapes into the cube.  He has not mastered them all yet, but seems to enjoy this activity for short periods of time (with lots of encouragement).

My Parenting Tip:   Be an encourager to your children.

Take time to watch them play, and look for activities that they are good at and enjoy and really encourage them to persevere and succeed.

Playtime with Papa

At 19.5 months old playtime with Papa means the world to Master J

who gets to wrestle, roll, jump and climb

a love of gardening

5 weeks ago my vegetable garden looked like this ...

and today ...

rhubarb transplanted from a friend's house survived (yippee!); potatoes jumped out of the ground, onions no longer thin and floppy, broccoli doubled in size; beans, peas and corn just poking their heads out of the ground, the same for 2 pumpkins planted from seed (at the very back of the garden), several tomato plants have flowered and are now in fruit, and the 2 green capsicum plants look a little sad - yet they do have peppers on them! (will have to keep watering)

PEI - the gentle island, a great place for families

First impressions

• WOW the earth is RED! (Anne spoke of it!)
• Lovely LUPINS (I bought seeds to plant)
• A gentle and not so gentle breeze blew everyday
• Islanders are "kindred spirited"
• Aahhh ... smell the sea air
• So wonderful to be at the ocean (a distant memory from NZ)
• mmmmmmm yum ... LOBSTER!
• GREAT for families - we stayed in Cavendish
• Go early - mid-June when the tourism spots open, because peak season will be very busy
• It's a long way from Quebec city!
• We'll be back again (next year, I hope)

Must do's

• Read an LM Montgomery novel while you're on the island
• Enjoy a Lobster supper http://www.lobstersuppers.com
• Walk along the beach or boardwalk
• Go cycling
• Kayaking
• Toy Factory (for locally made wooden toys and a great selection of educational type wooden puzzles) http://www.toy-factory.ca
• Buy locally made preserves http://www.preservecompany.com

Sightly over-rated

• Cow's ice-cream (I thought it was more about their brand and merchandise than great tasting ice-cream ... sorry Cow's ... Tip Top from NZ is still #1 for me!)
• Too many Anne of Green Gables sites and memorabilia for my liking (better to enjoy LM Montgomery's books and use your imagination!)

PEI - The gentle island

this morning at the park

Park Play-dates are a great activity for toddlers ... every now and then we enjoy going to a new park with other mums and their kids.  This morning we only had to travel 5 minutes by car for a 9.30am start, and were home again around 11.30pm for lunch and a nap!  Don't forget to bring your sand toys and snacks!  If there is not an organised activity in your neighbourhood why not consider asking a few friends or mums with children living close by to join you at a local park for two hours one morning during the summer time.  As a parent, I believe it is important to be able to connect with other parents and spend time together to enable our children to learn good interaction and socialising skills.

the colour purple ...

The colour purple reminds me of my friend, Ali (back home in NZ) because it is one of her favourite colours ... here in my garden the violas, lilac trees, iris, petunias and more are in full bloom ... enjoy!

A new booster seat (for Toddler dining) ... what a great buy!

Needing to upgrade Master J from his highchair to a booster seat - this week's MALL shopping experience was very pleasant indeed as I strolled briskly with J into ToysRUs (having done my research and read the reviews ahead of time ... this one receives 5 stars from me!).  It's the Fisher-Price Healthy Care Booster seat.  We paid CAN$39.99 plus our 2 local taxes ... and I think it is fantastic!

The tray even comes with a lid (give it a quick wipe down when you are out -  snap the lid on and go).  The back of the seat folds down, the tray clicks on top of the folded seat, buckle up the back strap (as a shoulder strap for carrying), and off you go to a restaurant, or to friends for Sunday brunch (as we did today).

When we're at home I leave the tray part off altogether and Joey sits directly at the table.

This will be great for going on holidays with a toddler too!

Here is Master J while we are out at friends for brunch (seated in his new booster seat strapped onto a dining chair, with the tray-top tucked in behind) ... pensively waiting!

play and learn ... washing day

Master J enjoys helping around the house ... so, today we took a moment to play with the pegs, as we hung out the washing.

As parents we are our children's first teachers! 

So, don't be too anxious about purchasing expensive learning aids and materials.  Our homes are filled with creative and useful resources.

"Learning-by-doing" simple everyday tasks together is a great way to teach a child solid skills for the future. 

Grandpop comes to visit

What a fun week we've had ... picking grass, going to the park, running in and out of the shed (with a little bit of help getting down the ramp),  and playing ball!

I even got to try a rocket ice-block on a stick!

A Mother's worst fear ...

"I thought something terrible had happened to my little boy!"

Only yesterday we arrived twenty minutes early for church.  It was a beautiful day and my husband said he'd walk outside with Joey.

I settled into our usual pew, reading the notices and chatting with the person sitting behind me.  The church bells suddenly tolled (a sign things were about get started), then the organ began to play ... a signal that the Minister would soon be walking up the front of the church.

I glanced at the clock on the wall ... three minutes to go!  "Where are they?" I thought to myself.

Feeling a sense of panic begin to rise up from the pit of my stomach, I grabbed my bag and darted out of the building, walking briskly around the church yard ... no husband, no little boy.

I ran to our car - thinking they may have gone to get something.  The latecomers must have seen the look of horror on my panicked face.  I didn't even notice them.

The 'fight or flight' syndrome was beginning to kick in and thoughts were racing through my mind ... "My husband and Joey must have been walking along the footpath and Joey has darted away from the grip of hubby's hand and been hit by a car.  Daddy can't leave him to tell me what has happened .... (on and on my thoughts raced).

I told the caretaker of our church, and he too began to search, and THEN suddenly round the corner (as I was racing up the street) I see a little boy in a bright orange jacket being carried in the arms of his Dad.

Papa was holding what looked like a poster under his arm.

I ran up to them exclaiming how I had been given such a fright, that I didn't know where they were.  Daddy was not too impressed.

By mid-afternoon I had recovered, and that evening Daddy showed me what I thought was a poster he'd bought ... it was a rolled up sketch of little Joey.  They had been wandering downtown and were stopped by an artist wanting to draw my son.  MEN! ... or should I say Amen!  (so be it - all is well!)

PS Please visit this page again, as I will upload the artist's whimsical drawing

Toddlers, Technology and Television watching ... (new research)

As a first time parent, I am absolutely AMAZED at how fascinated my young toddler is with knobs and buttons on EVERYTHING ... from his toys, to the television, bedside table lamp, dishwasher, and computer.

"Mr. Almost 18 month old" has even found a button on the inside of our dryer door that turns the interior light on and off!

I thought it would be fun for my son and I to learn to use the computer together (in preparation for later learning).  Our computer time would be limited to 10 minutes per day, where he could sit on my lap and click the mouse or keys, and play some fun sesame street games (free online).

In just a few short weeks I have changed our 'everyday' computer sessions to once or twice a week at the most.  Already I had begun to notice some anti-social behaviour ... crying when we leave the computer office, buckling at the knees, refusing to walk, no longer interacting well with Grandma and Grandad on skype (because he is distracted with the mouse), and during the day repeatedly leading me to the door of the computer room ... waiting, hoping - checking to see if the door is open even before breakfast, rather than going in to say hello to Daddy in bed in the morning.


I have also now unplugged the television at the wall, so it can not be turned on, on a whim - just because we like pushing buttons.  When we do plug the television in and turn it on, then we watch programmes together.  Curious George, Sid the Science Kid or Super Why? Reader seem to be our favourites.

Here is an interesting article on television in toddlers.

Toddlers and Television watching - news on latest research (click here)


My recommendation to all parents of under two year olds  - Turn your television OFF at the wall!


On a positive note, my son is so easily distracted ... we only need mention boots, shoes, hat, or coat and we are off outside to play!

Happy Mother's Day ... a precious gift

asleep in sunday school...

I give thanks to God  for you,

 and look forward to all that He 

has planned for you!

Tulips in bloom

'thinking corner' for toddlers

J:  (running over and turning the television on)

Mummy:  "Joey, turn the television off, please." (signing the word 'off')

J: (pushes the button and the television is off)

Mummy:  "Thank you." (turning to walk to the kitchen)

J:  (click - the television is back on!)

Mummy:  "No, Jozef.  Turn the television off, please.  Thank you." (in a singing voice)

J:  (proceeds to turn the television off, then runs to the 'thinking corner', turns around and looks for Mummy)

Not being a fan of 'time out', nor sending children to their rooms - I am amazed that the 'thinking corner' has taken off at this young age (17.5 months).  It may be more of a game, at this time.  However, I hope that it will be a useful tool, for later on, as a place to go and 'reflect' on how we have acted, or to address any 'stinky thinking' a child may adopt and not know how to handle eg being grumpy, angry, sad or mean to others.

Tulips and Robins

How quickly life changes with a little rain, warmer temperatures and sunshine.

The tulips are about to bloom, and our family of Robins have returned to nest in our garden. I'm eager to plant flowers and get our potatoes, carrots, tomatoes and onions in the ground by the end of May.

Easter: A Love Story

Easter is God's Valentine to Us!

Hand-decorated Easter eggs

Here's a fun activity for all the children in your house

Hand Decorated eggs

Hard boil a half dozen eggs.

Here's a quick tip for the perfect hard boiled egg.  

First place your eggs in a pot, then gently fill the pot with icy cold water, to about an inch above the eggs. Bring the pot to the boil, for a minute or two at the most.  Take the pot off the stove and let the eggs stand for 20 minutes.  Then put the eggs into a bowl of cold water, ready to peel.

Have the children and/or adults in your home decorate the hard boiled eggs with crayons.

Then, dunk the hard boiled eggs into a mixture of 1-2 cups of cold water with 1-2 tablespoons of vinegar and 1-2 tablespoons of food colouring.  Soak the eggs in the dye for approximately five minutes.

PS I'll post a pic when our eggs are done :-)

What I'm reading now ...

I was intrigued by the title "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" (as well as looking for a way to get out a little more in the evenings).

With an almost 17 month old at home, can you believe that I have only been to two girly evening activities in two years (apart from the routine almost weekly evening grocery shop or going to the hairdresser every couple of months)!!

Events in this delightful novel could quite truly have happened.  The work touches on the lives of those living in Guernsey during the 1940's and how one women took a risk, hurriedly gathering together a society to cover an underground activity!

Ideal for a Book Club.  I'm three quarters of the way and anticipating a discussion group gathering next month.

I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I am currently.

Chicken Gumbo ... on a wintery day in spring!

Spring is almost here!

Well, I say, almost, because this week my tulips and crocus have poked their heads up through the icy soil, and yesterday Joey and I were at the local park, playing on the swings and walking in the playground sand, under clear blue skies.

Today, however, is a different story ... there's a storm sweeping the city, with freezing rain, blustery winds and snow.  My garden is now a white powdery mass.

For today's lunch I felt like something warm and nourishing.  After a weekend roast, and making chicken stock yesterday here is a tasty lunch-time treat (fresh from my kitchen):

Chicken Gumbo

1 onion (finely chopped)
1/2 cup diced red pepper
2-3 stalks of celery (roughly chopped)
1-2 large cloves of garlic (finely chopped)

Saute the onion first, then add the other ingredients (above) cooking gently for 2 to 3 minutes over a medium heat.

Then add the following:

2-3 cups of homemade chicken stock (with a little chicken meat off the bones - great for texture and flavour! along with carrots, celery, onions and a few herbs from your chicken stock)
1 can of condensed tomato soup
1 can of hot water
2-3 tablespoons of soup mix (dried ok - if you have time soak the split pea soup mixture first for half an hour or so)
1/2 teaspoon of basil, thyme, chili and paprika
Salt and pepper to taste

Simmer the gumbo gently for 20 to 30 minutes

Serve this tasty wee number with lightly toasted whole-grain pita bread and humus.

Enjoy!

Language Learning in Toddlers

Children love hearing you make animal sounds like baa baa, moo, woof woof, neigh (in a singing like voice).

Did you know that making animal sounds is very important to a child developing their language skills?  It helps them to eventually develop consonant sounds.

When teaching your child to speak - sit with them at eye level (in a highchair, chatting at meal times is a perfect way to start).  To begin use simple one syllable words eg

eat
food
drink
milk
more

Joey's first words ... along with mama and papa was YA YA for banana!
Then along came SHOE and now we're working on BOOT ... he has it as far as a boo sound.

As children progress in their speech try singing or saying a rhyme with them and leave out the last word ... see if they catch on.

We love "MATILDA the GORILLA" (from mainly music) who goes
ooh ooh ooh ooh, aah aah aah (just like a gorilla - in a nice beat).

mainly music favourites CD for 2010 ("with Matilda the Gorilla")

At around 1 year of age I found Joey singing the ooh ooh/aah aah's to himself one day and now he can finish the sounds, once I've started him off!

The two greatest gifts you can give your child are 

'parental involvement' and a 'love of reading' ...

Make everyday living moments teachable moments in a fun way!

It could be as simple as a trip to the library, the museum, an art gallery, the zoo, 

a walk in a field, the park or downtown

Mummy's little helper

At fifteen and a half months Joey is eager to be up on a chair next to Mummy - doing whatever it is that she is doing.

Children love to be involved in simple everyday activities.  I'm surprised how quickly they become interested in dishes, the microwave and what is in the fridge.  They much prefer being in the company of others, rather than playing alone with their toys!

Although still a little too young to help out, there is plenty of time to spend standing on a chair next to Mummy while trying to put my hands in the water and move a few dishes around (all good learning for the future).

Images of a Winter's Day

Toddler Tantrums

We're just beginning to see changes in our nearly 15 month old as he becomes more determined to try things for himself.  He can often squeal or cry out of sheer frustration.

Here's an example ... Jozef now holds his own spoon at meal times.  He gets busy tapping the spoon into his bowl, and licking whatever manages to stick.  Mummy holds another spoon so she can feed him and then everyone is happy.  With just ONE spoon the concept of "sharing" or of "Mummy helping" is too much to handle (pardon the pun) and not understood at this age!

• Schedule LESS!

Frustration, crying and meltdowns can appear when little ones are over- tired, over-stimulated or their energy levels are low and they are hungry.

Check to ensure that you are not over-scheduling.

A limit of only 2 - 3 outings each week works well for Jozef and I.  This could mean going for a 1 - 2 hour walk, going to church, seeing the Doctor, doing the grocery shopping, visiting the acquarium, a museum or library, going to a playgroup with other children, visiting a friend for a playdate or inviting friends over.

I would be the one having the meltdown if we were out every day (although it is good to step outside for half an hour to get some fresh air, even at -10 degrees celsius and below!).

• Ignore the meltdown - walk away if you have to

Try not giving the behaviour an audience - simply walk away if you have to, if you are not able to ignore, then ...

• Distract them

Take them to another play area in the house, put on some music, sit somewhere quiet and read a book, perhaps even ask to park your grocery trolley - leave the store and come back when things are settled down, find a quiet place to sit and observe what is happening around you (try and avoid being caught up in the moment).

I'd love to hear what works FOR YOU, when dealing with those toddler tantrums and mini meltdowns.

Beating those winter blues

To help beat those winter blues 

(especially when the skies are cloudy and grey)

remember to eat well, sleep well, get some exercise and take Vitamin D 

(for both you and your baby)!

Vitamin-D (the sunshine vitamin)

Check with your Doctor for the recommended dose

Winters can be long, and I am always so pleased when we reach the shortest day and evenings start to get a little brighter and the sun sets a little later than 4.30pm in the afternoon.

To keep your spirit's up during those bleak winter weeks try to get outdoors as often as you can, especially with a little one in tow.

Here are some great activities for you and your TOT in winter ...

• Joey's favourite activity is a sled ride round down the street when it is snowing
• Visit your local library (remember to take off your layers, as they are toasty warm places) and bring home a book and dvd
• Sing and dance together ...  Click to order mainly music favourites for children
• Take a trip to your local acquarium and discover the underwater world
• Phone a friend for a play-date
• Join a daycare (garderie) for half a day per month
• Find a playgroup/community activity for you and your child (at least twice per month)

the view from our home office in winter