Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Markers
This morning Anna and I had craft time. She colored with crayons, markers and decorated with her new favorite - stickers. For the first time I opened her Tadoodles First Marks by Crayola.
I have been a little nervous about turning Anna loose with markers that actually mark on paper (as opposed to the Color Wonder markers) and I was right. Yes they are washable, but they are messy. The ink that came out of the marker almost seemed to puddle on the paper which was then smeared all around the paper and Anna's hands. Also, because she has used "real markers" rather than these that are triangle shaped, they were not intuitive for her to use. Anna had difficulty figuring out which part to draw with. And my final complaint :), someone thought that "no caps to lose" was a feature - I'm not so sure I agree. The markers now have to be stored in their own bin to prevent the marker from getting on everything else.
I have been a little nervous about turning Anna loose with markers that actually mark on paper (as opposed to the Color Wonder markers) and I was right. Yes they are washable, but they are messy. The ink that came out of the marker almost seemed to puddle on the paper which was then smeared all around the paper and Anna's hands. Also, because she has used "real markers" rather than these that are triangle shaped, they were not intuitive for her to use. Anna had difficulty figuring out which part to draw with. And my final complaint :), someone thought that "no caps to lose" was a feature - I'm not so sure I agree. The markers now have to be stored in their own bin to prevent the marker from getting on everything else.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Elmo
Does this smiling face strike fear in your heart and make you run the other way? Probably not, but to Anna it does. Anna recently joined the ranks with her friends and became an Elmo fan. Whether he's on TV or on a box of crackers she instantly recognizes him. Because of this fascination, Aunt Susu bought Anna a TMX Elmo which giggles and falls down when you push his ticklish spots. The first time we tickled Elmo, Anna ran away and it took some heavy convincing to even get her to touch Elmo. This morning we had Elmo in the middle of the kitchen floor when Anna came downstairs and she sidestepped around him. I tickled him and Anna took off into the other room. Who would have thought!?! After breakfast I guess Elmo didn't seem as scary, so Anna went and picked him up and brought him over to me. I pushed the tickle button, Elmo started to move, and Anna held him as tight as she could to keep him from moving. Oh well - I guess we'll keep Elmo turned off for now.
The "Lego Situation"
I recently read an article in the August issue of Real Simple magazine entitled Happiness in a messy house by Rebecca Walker where the author talked about "the lego situation". The "lego situation" at my house looks something like this - there are books in the bathroom, puzzle pieces in the kitchen, random toys covering the family room floor and legos lining the stairs; in other words, there are toys EVERYWHERE. As Anna follows me around the house with toys in tow, she leaves a trail (and a hazard for bare feet!). This weekend after rearranging the toys several times in an effort to "hide" them (most of Anna's toys live downstairs in our family room), I decided it was time to bring in some new equipment.
On Sunday we purchased the Closetmaid Cubicals storage unit from Target. It was easy to assemble and very sturdy. It has 9 cubbies which allow for either displaying items or tucking things away in cloth bins. The bins make for easy cleanup since I can put the bin in the middle of the room and Anna will toss her toys in it.
I know that the stage we are in with two kids under two that there will inevitably be lots of toys strewn about the house for a few more years but I feel better knowing that at the end of the day, everything has its place.
On Sunday we purchased the Closetmaid Cubicals storage unit from Target. It was easy to assemble and very sturdy. It has 9 cubbies which allow for either displaying items or tucking things away in cloth bins. The bins make for easy cleanup since I can put the bin in the middle of the room and Anna will toss her toys in it.
I know that the stage we are in with two kids under two that there will inevitably be lots of toys strewn about the house for a few more years but I feel better knowing that at the end of the day, everything has its place.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Ready to Move
I just looked in on Madelyn in her crib and her head is now at the foot of the bed. This little girl likes to be on the move. Here she is enjoying some tummy time.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Hair
I've decided I'm not very good at doing hair, whether it be mine or Anna's. Anna's Mimi bought her some cute hair bands and clips which have made it a little easier. I did manage to get Anna's hair in pig tails for a few minutes before she pulled them out.
On a side note, I also found something that has made my hair much easier to "do". I have curly hair and am constantly battling it; most of the time my hair stays in a ponytail. I bought a flat iron and absolutely love it. It takes me about 10 minutes to fix my hair after blowing it dry. Granted it does take more time than pulling it up, but sometimes it's nice to have a change of pace.
On a side note, I also found something that has made my hair much easier to "do". I have curly hair and am constantly battling it; most of the time my hair stays in a ponytail. I bought a flat iron and absolutely love it. It takes me about 10 minutes to fix my hair after blowing it dry. Granted it does take more time than pulling it up, but sometimes it's nice to have a change of pace.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Maddie's New Toys
Yesterday was a good mail day for Madelyn; two toys arrived in the mail for her.
The first was from my husband's cousin. After reading my blog about Maddie liking the soothie pacifier she sent Maddie a WubbaNub. The WubbaNub is basically a soothie pacifier attached to a small stuffed animal to help babies keep their pacifiers in their mouths. I gave it to Maddie and she instantly grabbed a hold of the little frog's foot, so cute! Thanks Lori.
The second was a gift from my husband and I. Since we have sooooo many toys strewn throughout the house we hadn't bought any new toys for Maddie until now. We were looking for a play mat and ended up purchasing the Fisher Price Kickin' Boppin' Gym. This baby gym was cheaper than many of the play mats and converts so that it can be played with while sitting. Maddie instantly loved the bear whose nose lights up and she began kicking and kicking. She laid beneath the gym for about 40 minutes the first go around which is amazing for her. The one down side was that she often kicked the gym base rather than the toys and so I kept having to reposition the gym.
The first was from my husband's cousin. After reading my blog about Maddie liking the soothie pacifier she sent Maddie a WubbaNub. The WubbaNub is basically a soothie pacifier attached to a small stuffed animal to help babies keep their pacifiers in their mouths. I gave it to Maddie and she instantly grabbed a hold of the little frog's foot, so cute! Thanks Lori.
The second was a gift from my husband and I. Since we have sooooo many toys strewn throughout the house we hadn't bought any new toys for Maddie until now. We were looking for a play mat and ended up purchasing the Fisher Price Kickin' Boppin' Gym. This baby gym was cheaper than many of the play mats and converts so that it can be played with while sitting. Maddie instantly loved the bear whose nose lights up and she began kicking and kicking. She laid beneath the gym for about 40 minutes the first go around which is amazing for her. The one down side was that she often kicked the gym base rather than the toys and so I kept having to reposition the gym.
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