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