Tag Archives: toddler

Bedtime Stories for Preschoolers

Bedtime, Books, Madelyn's Bookshelf, , ,

Tuck Me In bedtime story

If I ask Madelyn (4 yrs old) if she wants to me to play a game with her or read to her she choses to read.  I love that!

Madelyn has so many more books than Sebastian (11 yrs old) did when he was her age.. he would have rather played with toys than read.

Madelyn’s bedtime routine includes that I and/or my husband 3-5 books to her. While I try to choose relatively short books so as to not drag bedtime out, my husband reads long books.  Yay, Daddy!  I’ll be honest.. by bedtime, I’m just ready for her to go to sleep so I prefer to read shorter stories.

Madelyn has three stacks of hand-selected ‘bedtime books’.. sorted on her bookshelf in order of importance.  A few of Madelyn’s favorite bedtime books are Tuck Me In by By Dean Hacohen and Sherry Scharschmidt, A Bedtime for Bear By Bonny Becker, and Moon Dreams By Ruth Martin.

A Bedtime for Bear bedtime storyA Bedtime for Bear is about a Bear who, when impish Mouse comes to spend the night, is in for a rude—and very funny—awakening and is the companion story to the New York Times bestseller A Visitor for Bear.

In Moon Dreams Luna loves to look at the moon.  But Luna wonders where the moon goes during the day and each night, after desperately trying to stay awake, her dreams taker her on a journey as she searches for the moon far and wide.

Tuck Me In - bedtime storyTuck Me In.. one of my favorites.  Who needs to be tucked in? Turn each page until all baby animals–and little readers–are cozy and ready for sleep in this bedtime ritual.  Tuck Me In is the last book we read at night because after tucking all the baby animals in, in the book, Madelyn is ready to be tucked in.  Thank goodness!

We recently acquired two more bedtime stories, Interrupting Chicken and Switching on the Moon, so stayed tuned to see which stack these books end up in on Madelyn’s bookshelf!

Enjoy,

Jiftastic Instant Coma Bite Size Treats.. yum!

Food and Drink, , , ,
Jiftastic Instant Coma bite size treats

While mixing peanut butter with almost everything under the sun today in hopes of coming up with a snack that both of my kids would enjoy, I concocted these little treats I affectionately call Jiftastic Instant Coma Bite Size Treats (thanks Daddy).

What you’ll need:

  • Jif Peanut Butter
  • Graham crackers
  • Banana
  • Candy chocolate
  • Mini chocolate chips – pour into a small bowl

How to make Jiftastic Instant Coma treats:

  • Break a graham cracker into four pieces
  • Slice a banana into slices about 3/4 inch thick then cut the slices in half
  • Melt candy chocolate in the microwave for about 35-45 seconds
  • Spread melted chocolate on 1/4 of the graham cracker (for bigger ‘treats’ break graham cracker in 1/2 instead of 1/4’s)
  • Put the chocolate covered graham cracker pieces in the freezer for about 15 minutes to harden the chocolate
  • While those are in the freezer spread your choice of Jif peanut butter on top of your 1/2 banana slices. (Regular Jif and Jif Peanut Butter & Honey are great choices.)
  • Then dip the peanut butter covered banana piece into a bowl of mini chocolate chips to cover the top of the banana slice and set aside.
  • Take the chocolate covered graham crackers out of the freezer.
  • Put your peanut butter and chocolate chip covered banana slice on top of the chocolate & peanut butter covered graham cracker.
  • ENJOY!

How do you enjoy peanut butter?  On a pretzel, banana, apples, raisins?  Let us know in the comments below.

Madelyn really should tell me when she’s going to entertain herself for this long

Age 3-5, Personal, , , ,
Madelyn's fort in the kitchen

I am so impressed with Madelyn, my 4 year old, right now.
She’s inside a kick @** fort she made in the kitchen, about 5 feet from the table where I’m working today.  Not only did she bring 7 or 8 baby dolls into the fort with her, she brought her favorite pillow pet, a blanket to lay on, a blanket to put on her, and a flashlight.  Right now she’s humming to her baby dolls and whispering to them.  Maybe she’ll fall asleep in there? Wishful thinking.. we have too much to do today anyway.  Madelyn’s been inside the fort for almost 10 minutes now which as you know if you’re a mom of a preschooler, is a long time!

If only Madelyn would tell me ahead of time when she’s going to occupy herself for any period of time, I could maybe get a few more things done around here!  You wouldn’t believe how fast I’m typing right now trying to knock a few important things out while I know I can! 🙂

Madelyn insider her fort with her baby dolls

How long does your preschooler entertain her/himself ?  What does he/she entertain herself by doing most?   Reading, televisions, toys, building forts?

3 toddler ballet flats over $100

Age 3-5, New posts, Shoes, , , , , ,

For those of you with a budget of $100 or more for a pair of ballet flats for your little girl, we are featuring 3 pairs of ballet flast that will rock your daughter’s world.. or at least you’ll think she looks adorable and you’ll know that her little toes are comfy and stylish.

Naturino Little Kid Ballet Flat – $148

This little girl ballet flat from Naturino is so cute you’ll want it for yourself! The ballet flat style features a supple suede upper with patent leather accents.
The velvety bow at the toe adds demure appeal, while leather linings will let her foot breath. She’ll love the comfortable, flexible outsole for which Naturino is known.

  • The Naturino Little Kid Ballet Flat is available in several colors and sizes for toddlers to little girls.
  • Buy at Endless here

Primigi Toddler/Little Kid Tasya Ballerina – $129

These Primigi Toddler/Little Kid Tasya Ballerina flats look adorable, classic, and comfortable.  The Velcro strap make these ballet flats a cinch to put on and take off.. great for teaching your toddler to put her shoes on all by herself.

  • The Primigi Tasya Ballerina flat is available in 3 colors and several toddler sizes.
  • Buy your daughter a pair of these gorgeous toddler ballet flats at Endless here.

Simonetta Little Kid/Big Kid Ballet Flat – $176

These ballet flats are great for the toddler that doesn’t mind standing out from the crowd a bit.

Your toddler will be prancing around in total prettiness with this ballet flat from Simonetta. It has a subtlety sparkly patent leather upper with a stretchy collar and a cute little bow.
The leather outsole has a rubber inlay that will deliver sure footing and balance, while the padded insole will work to keep her completely light on her feet.

  • Available only in black.
  • Buy the Simonetta Toddler Ballet Flat at Endless here
What do you think of these ballet flats?  Would you buy a pair of $100+ shoes for your toddler?

Robeez suede sole booties

Age 0-1 year, Age 1-3, Age 3-5, Contests, Shoes, , , ,

Madelyn has been wearing her Robeez booties almost every day for about a month. 

They are teddy bear soft on the inside and easy for her to put on by herself which is a big deal for most moms, right?  The booties are washable and are available in sizes 0-6 month to 3-4 years.  Madelyn wears her Robeez booties around the house and to friends houses.  They are not great for playing in the yard because of the suede soles, but she has a couple of other pairs of Robeez shoes that she wears to play in.Robeez booties

Robeez is a well known brand of infant and toddler shoes that makes quality shoes for kids affordable and often has great sales.  Robeez is the premier baby and toddler shoe brand, providing soft-soled and flex-soled footwear that supports the healthy development of little feet. Always functional and fashionable, Robeez shoes are a favorite with parents and medical experts around the world.

Buy and browse Robeez Booties on Amazon.com.
GIVEAWAY!
Robeez is giving a lucky winner a pair of shoes.  Robeez will choose the style once the winner chooses a gender and size.
Fill out the form below to enter.  Contest entries accepted until February 20th, 2010.