Showing posts with label kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kids. Show all posts
Expert advice on no-spank discipline that really works
Stephanie Mihalas, a licensed child and family psychologist in Los Angeles, believes some parents would swat the toddlers on the backside and send them to bed. She prefers putting the toy in time out until things settle down.
"Remove the toy for 15 minutes. Make a simple statement as you do it," said Mihalas, a clinical instructor at UCLA. "'You were fighting over the toy. I removed the toy. The toy will come back when you calm down.’ ”
You can read the rest here!
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15 Simple Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Our Elf on the Shelf, Gum Drop, is such a hit in my home. Every morning Neacel comes running down the stairs reminding me that we have to find Gum Drop. Moods have been better, listening has been amazing, and I will be extremely sad to see him leave. One thing I do is move him around the area the kids found him that morning...he might be found hanging on a picture, a couple of hrs later when kids are playing upstairs, I move him to the lamp. It helps that my oldest thinks he is moving around when we aren't looking. Neacel no longer thinks he is fake...thank goodness for the movie Toy Story! I will admit, when 11pm rolls around and I haven't thought about what Gum Drop will do that night I want to throw a fit. It's late and I'm tired, I don't want to think of something clever at that point. Gum Drop showed up on the 1st of Dec during naps and has been a family friend since and I have been able to come up with some fun thing for him to do. Here is a little list of 15 simple ideas that we have done, or that I plan on doing:
2. Have him write the kids a note. I did this after a horrible day. The note explained that Santa was sad and because they were naughty that they needed to do something nice for 2 people in order to get on the Nice list again. My oldest is coloring pictures for a friend and his Sunday school teacher...plus some cookies for them too. He has even talked about doing something nice for everyone he knows (YES! This mom is proud of that!)
3. Dye milk green. North Pole Elf Milk, of course its from North Pole cows
4. Hide him in the Christmas shelf display. I have a ton of Christmas things on a shelf, we just hid him and told the boys he is probably playing hide n seek
5. Draw on pictures with a dye erase marker.
6. Cut out snowflakes and hang them around the living room, or you can use extra Christmas tree ornaments.
7. Wrap pictures for Christmas. Glad the elf will do this and not me....sigh.
8. Snowball fight with action guys and barbies (mini marshmallows)
9. Bring special cups from the North Pole (.87 at Walmart, Christmas cups) fill with hot cocoa packets and marshmallows.
10. Snow Angel in powdered sugar
11. TP the Christmas tree (I can't wait for this one)
12. Red party streamers in front of their bedroom doors so they have to break through (Do on Christmas morning)
13. Roast marshmallows over a candle. (Obviously, roast when kids are sleeping keep on tooth pick and blow out candle. We don't want a fire!)
14. Red lipstick on noses while sleeping....you have been Rudolphed! Every participates, even you and husbands!
15. Empty ice cream container in the freezer, while the elf is sitting next to it with a spoon. Elves love ice cream!
These are simple oops I forgot ideas of mine. If you want to see what else I come up with follow me on instagram: MandyBurt86. I post my Gum Drop elf ideas everyday.
I love what Gum Drop has done to my kids so far and we still have about 2 weeks left with him. I think I need to come up with something for the rest of the year, maybe an angel?
Kids Drawing Key Chain
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| via Formia Design by Mia Van Beek |
I came across this on pinterest, and had to share it with everyone. Who wouldn't want a kids drawing on a key chain? It's the perfect gift for any family member. I know I would love for my husband to get one of these done. What a perfect way to keep a loved drawing with you for years. That first drawing that they are beyond excited to show you. The first one that they spent so much time on, just perfecting every little feature. If you get the drawing on a key chain, it can't get ruined like that paper that it was originally on. Now I'm all for original being best, but if the original was ruined, I would be heartbroken. So if you haven't found a Christmas present for your hubby, wife or grandparents, hurry and have your kiddo draw a picture and get this key chain ordered before it's too late!
Opinions Wanted
Students Criticize Michelle Obama's School Lunch Regulations.
The other night I was talking to my husband and he was telling me about one of the kids he visits. We were talking about food in schools. This kid who will be named "Fred" and is a football player was saying that his school watches his calories now. Before for school breakfast he got a pint of milk, a pop tart and oatmeal. Not the healthiest but was food that he ate. Now that schools had changed their food he gets less then a pint of milk and a granola bar, and spends the day starving. People, I eat more then that, and I'm on a diet! Lunch is just as bad, Fred was saying that before kids would eat what they wanted, now its fruits, veggies and a main course but very very small portions. Many kids trash their food because they don't like it. Meaning, many kids go hungry throughout the school day because they don't have options at lunch, and the ones they do have, aren't ones that they like. Schools even got rid of salad bars! My husband remembers having one, I remember having one but according to Fred, schools aren't allowed to have them any more. Fred, as mentioned before is a football player. He needs calories... apparently, he is in a computer system that counts his daily intake. Poor Fred can't even have a small cookie at lunch because his food intake is watched so much at school. I think its with the school, but don't quote me on it. His parents also watch what he eats, because according to the system, our healthy, very active friend Fred, is obese! WHAT? According to my husband, Fred is a smaller guy, tall and very thin. It broke my heart to hear that his calories are being counted and that his food at school isn't enough. Food is needed to make the body function correctly, right? So why are schools controlling what children eat to this point? Sure we want our children healthy but I want them to have options to pick from that they like instead of starving. My opinion is that sure, they are thin and healthy now, but don't you think this will backfire? That as soon as kids are out of school and intake for a meal or 2 isn't controlled that they are going to binge on everything they haven't had before. Then we are really going to be dealing with obese people.
So I want your opinion on this situation. Do you agree that schools should continue controlling meals, or that kids should have more options? I understand Michelle Obama wants healthier lunches for kids, and that children won't always pick healthier options, but am I the only one who would rather my kids eat something unhealthy, then to throw away their lunch because they don't like it? I want healthy kids just like any mom, but I want them to learn to eat healthy, not be forced to eat healthy.
Liam's Loft
You know how you see a million cute things across the internet but when you see the price you keep wishing it was cheaper? Well, thanks to Liam's Loft, you can now get those really cute boutique inspired items for almost nothing! They have things for us moms and the kids. I love that they don't leave the boys out and have adorable stuff for them too. Every day (Mon-Fri) at 7am MST they post a new deal. It's a one day deal, so if you love it, grab it. Today they have a beautiful statement necklace for 60% off the original price. STEAL!!! I usually just tag my hubby in the picture of the deal for the day and tell him I want it for Christmas :-) You should also follow them on facebook and pinterest, just to make sure you don't miss a single thing. Also, the Friday deal usually runs through the weekend, but who wants to risk them running out? Grab it on Friday!
Nature Reserve with Shinko
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| Sitting on the sign for the park... |
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| Of course he had to climb a tree |
Shinko loved the open area, and when he saw a tree, what do you think that monkey did? Climb it of course! He wanted to sit up there forever, but we couldn't let him, rain was coming and we were all starving! We just walked a shorter trail since it's been a while, but Neacel insisted on taking Shinko for the "hike."
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| The best picture of my monkey's with Shinko |
All in all, a perfect little "hike." This is something we do as a family a few days a week once the weather is nice. There are TONS of trails here in the Akron area, and so much to see. It's the one place I feel comfortable letting my boys go wild. They can just run free, and I just let them, feeling relaxed and enjoying nature.
Remember, if you want to have Shinko for a week go on over to Sock Monkey Trails, and contact Lynda.
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
A few weeks ago, I noticed a posting on Facebook from As You Wish Creations wanting to have a sock monkey named Shinko visit all 50 states, and he was looking for host families. I thought this was an adorable idea and immediately wrote Lynda from Sock Monkey Trails about having this adorable little monkey come visit us.
Shinko was able to join us on our first adventure on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Its a 3 1/2 hour train ride through the valley. Since we had never been on it, I packed a diaper, wipes, a bottle of water, and a bottle of milk. I didn't think about snacks because I keep a few main ones in my purse (trail mix, raisins, and some sweets). When we first got there we noticed everyone had bags full of snacks. Neacel, Brody and Shinko were already starting to say that they were hungry. I guess I should have packed more. Shinko got away for a minute while we were waiting in line to board. Next thing we know he was sitting on a bar on the outside of the train. Crazy silly monkey!
We got on the train and they were thrilled. Neacel and Shinko couldn't stop smiling and looking out the window. They would bounce around the seats and then stare out the window again for a while.There was plenty of trees to look at, not to mention the eagles nest close to the train yard. Luckily, there was a snack car so we filled the kids and monkey with some not so healthy, but yummy food. Pizza, carrots and celery, sweet tarts, fruit snacks, and some sour cream and onion chips. We didn't hear any complaints from them though. Shinko was sitting in his seat but then disappeared again. No one saw where he went. Then we looked above us....he had noticed the bars overhead to hold bags and what not, and must have thought they were monkey bars. What monkey could resist monkey bars or something that looks just like them??? Not Shinko.
Here are some other pictures from our train ride:
Shinko has been a wonderful guest so far. Very polite, doesn't make many messes, plays well with the boys and always listens. I will admit that bananas keep going missing but I'm not going to point any fingers. If your interested in having Shinko come visit you for a week contact Lynda from Sock Monkey Trails. You get him for a week and get to show him a wonderful time in your area.
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| All Aboard! |
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| Neacel and Shinko waiting to board |
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| Shinko just hanging around |
Here are some other pictures from our train ride:
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| Mommy, Neacel and Shinko |
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| Neacel and Shinko enjoying the veiw |
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| Shinko waiting for lunch |
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| Shinko sitting on Broden's head |
April Fools Meal Ideas
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| Source |
Here is a list of meals to prank your family with:
Cat Poop Cake
Mini Burgers
Chicken Nuggets
KFC Fried Chicken Bucket
Meatloaf Cupcakes
Fried Eggs
Grilled Cheese
Mashed Potato Sundae
Fish Sticks
Sushi
French Fries
Corn on the Cob
Pizza Bundt Cake
Spaghetti Cupcakes
Thanks to Clean & Scentsible, here is a list of other fun pranks to play with the kids!
- Fill half a bowl of cereal with milk and freeze overnight. In the morning add a little cereal and milk on top and watch the kids try to figure out what's wrong.
- After the kids are asleep, switch around their dresser drawers. {I have also heard of a people swapping their kids in their beds but I don't think that would work around here!}
- Bunch up toilet paper and stuff it in the kids' shoes.
- Make a "milk shake" with chocolate syrup, baking soda, and water. It looks like a tasty chocolate milkshake!
- Let your kids have backwards day with their clothing - wear their clothes backwards, inside out, or however they please! My son did this with his preschool and had a great time coming up with crazy ideas! {You might want to save this one if you are heading out somewhere important for the day!} It might also be fun for Mom and Dad to dress up in backwards clothing and see what the kids say.
- Write a bathroom message. Using a permanent marker, write a message on some toilet paper and place in the toilet. This would work especially well for little boys that stand up to do their thing! {use longer toilet paper so the edges of the paper actually touch the rim of the toilet}
- Set various alarms and timers throughout the house so one goes off every few minutes. The kids will have fun running around trying to figure out where all of the beeping is coming from.
- Switch the inner bags of cereal in their boxes. I think an All Bran and Fruit Loops switch would work well!
- Add dry yeast to a box of pancake mix and have your kids help your make breakfast. The pancakes will keep growing and growing!
Have fun, and please please please share any other ideas you have!
Summer Frozen Fun
Want to find a way to keep the little dudes happy for a while? Even if it's really hot outside, this is a perfect way to keep those busy hands busy. Thank you to Counting Coconuts for the idea. I can imagine Neacel digging at this forever, Brody I don't think would care about much other then the feel of the ice, but that's OK. Still keeps them busy!
She freezes everything in layers and then gave her son different tools to try and break/melt the ice. (sugar, sand, hammer, salt, warm water etc. I'm sure you have somethings around the house) So not only are they having fun, but learning from it too. You could do random toys or themed. The one pictured is water creatures and some gems. I would think you could spend $5 at the dollar store and have a ton. You could do this in a bowls, cups, plastic tubs...any size is perfect. I saw one comment on the post said she froze a few in cups and put them in the bathtub and they pretended they were icebergs! Genius for a rainy day fun....
Sidewalk Chalk Paint
Spring time is pounding on the door, and I love the sound. Today I've spent at least an hour outside with the boys. Just running around and enjoying the 80 degree weather here in Ohio. Being from Ohio, I know this isn't normal, but that's no reason to ignore it, you soak up every second and pray snow doesn't show up in May! One thing I want to do with the boys (which I know might make the neighbors upset but that's OK) is to make some sidewalk chalk paint and let them go to town with it. We live in town homes, its a small complex but our one set of neighbors aren't fans of kids. I didn't know it was possible to not enjoy the sounds of them laughing and playing but oh well. Anyways, I wanted to share a fun and easy way to make it. Thanks to Apartment Therapy, this is quick, simple and easy to clean up, a moms dream. I'm excited to see how many hours my boys spend doing this!
People Manners
Neacel (my 3 year old) is a pretty good kid. He listens at times, and remembers his manners. Very smart and remembers a lot that we tell him. But there is one thing we have never needed to cover with him, comments about other people. With this being said, one of my worst nightmares happened yesterday with him.
Every Wednesday we go to Salvation Army to see what treasures we can find. It's in an interesting part of town, so you see interesting people. It is just part of it right? I have him in the cart and hubby is off with Brody looking at who knows what. We are walking towards the bathroom (because he if finally 100% potty trained!!) and there is a larger older lady that we are passing. As we get closer he points to her and says "Mom look at that fat lady with a big butt" I kept walking, knowing my face is turning every shade of red possible. I felt the heat on my face, I never in my life have been so embarrassed. I looked at him while walking and said "Neacel we never say things like that" he just kept starring at her. We got to the bathroom and I got in his face and repeated that we never ever ever say things like that too people. I could tell by him looking at the floor with a sad face that he felt bad, but then I realized we didn't say sorry or anything. I was in such a state of shock and panic that I had just kept walking.
After the bathroom I wanted to say sorry, I wanted him to actually, but I couldn't find her (being short makes it tough to find people in a store), and I didn't know if she even heard him. I should have looked harder to find her, I know I didn't give it my best effort but I will admit, I was scared. I felt horrible because I know if I was her, I would have been hurt. I couldn't believe that he had sad something like that about another person. I was angry, embarrassed and just felt sad for her because all we know is that she is a child of God, and that we all look our own special ways.I'm going to spend a day talking with Neacel about each of us look different and that we should never stare, make comments or anything other then smile at others. I pray this lesson sticks as well as others have!!!!
What would you do in that situation? I pray that I never ever have to deal with that again.
Homemade Finger Paint
I'm really into homemade right now. I want to make everything on my own to save money and the experience to just say I have tried. I let my oldest finger paint once, and it was hilarious, he covered his body in it too. Now that he is older I'm thinking it's time to give him a chance and let him paint calmly (wearing a garbage bag and loads of newspaper around the table). In the back of my mind I'm yelling at myself for this idea, but at the same time, he will love it and have a blast. Isn't that what being a mom of boys is about? Letting your boys do things you know freak you out but seeing the fun they have is worth every mess and gray hair you get to take care of....
Here is a perfect recipe I found on Pinterest (my addiction). Quick and easy, and you can use baby food jars to store the paint. I know we all have those around the house.
New Years Crafts for Kids
Sorry I haven't been around much, between holidays and everyone in our home sick, the couch and I have become one. But don't worry! I'm back just in time for New Years. This year my family will be going to First Night Akron, home after 9 so the kids are in bed, and I'm sure I will pass out on the couch by 11. Yeah I'm lame and can't stay up late. But if you aren't going to First Night in your area and plan on going to a party here are a few easy things to keep the kids busy:Confetti Bomb
New Years Piggy Bank for Kids
New Years Fireworks
New Years Eve Hats
Noise Maker
Here are a few tradition ideas from Jenn, over at My Delicious Ambiguity. The list couldn't be any better. I love every idea she has on here, perfect for kids of any age!
- Bubble Wrap Stomp: Unroll a large roll of bubble wrap and let the kids jump on it and pop it when the clock strikes midnight.
- Time Capsule: Decorate a box to use every year. Fill it with special things for each of you. This can include pictures, stories and trinkets. Then the following year open it up!
- Host a pajama party: Dress up in your pajamas, eat junk food and pop in a movie or watch the countdown on TV.
- Play the Flashlight limbo: Clear a floor space, get out two flashlights and turn out the lights. The two people with flashlights shine them together and the others have to limbo under the light.
- Blessings Jar: Whenever you recognize a ‘blessing’ in your life throughout the year, just write it on a piece of paper, fold it up, and stick it in The Blessing Jar. On New Years Eve, dump out all the blessings from the entire year and go through it together as a family.
- Decorate a New Year’s Tree: Take off all of your Christmas decorations and let the kids decorate the tree with anything they can find around the house or at the dollar store. Why not craft a few decorations of your own?
- Dress up: Have the kids wear their party dresses and finest suits. Get swanky with fancy hats and jewelry or make masks like a real grownup’s New Year’s Eve ball.
- Decorate the house: Let the kids go crazy with streamers and balloons or build a tent in the living room to not sleep in.
- Plan the games. Make a list of possible activities such as Twister, a treasure hunt, charades and 20 questions. Be quick to switch to a new game if interest starts to wane.
- Have the kids write down their goals for the New Year. Yes, it’s a cheesy mom thing to do, but it’s also a nice tradition to start.
- Eat dinner by candlelight: Put a special tablecloth on the dining table, bust out the finest silverware or have an indoor picnic. As long as it's special and out of the ordinary the kids will love it!
- Make fancy drinks: Real champagne for you & bubbly juice or Gingerale for the kids.
- Watch the Fireworks or light sparklers of your own
- Letters or year interview of the kids: Ask your children questions about themselves that are age appropriate and expand the list every year. Or have them sing you their favorite song, play something they've learned on the piano or show you a new dance move.
- Countdown Goodie Bags: Grab a few small gifts and fill brown paper bags with the goodies (1 for each hour of the countdown). Then draw clocks on the front so the kids know which ones to open.
- Make some noise: Get out pots, pans and lids and have the kids bang them together at midnight.
Merry Christmas
I just wanted to take time to wish all of you a Merry Christmas! This Christmas is very special to me. Neacel knows and loves every minute of what is going on, and its Broden's "first" Christmas...last year he was only 6 weeks, this year he is destroying everything! I'm surrounded by family and I get to do what I have always dreamed of doing. Giving my mom this letter:Dear Nana and Pops,
Merry Christmas!
We ordered you something very special for your Christmas gift. It's not here yet, and isn't scheduled to be here until mid August. Mommy and Daddy said it takes to long because it has to be made from scratch. They called it a custom order. We hope you like it. We have been saving up for it for a very long time. The delivery charge is really expensive, but we don't know why because it only weighs about eight pounds. Do you think we might be getting ripped off?
Anyway, we don't want to say too much because we don't want to spoil the big surprise. So go ahead and open your present. There's a hint waiting for you inside.
Love,
Neacel and Broden
In the bag is a picture of 5 pairs of shoes, the smallest being little baby booties.
If you haven't figured it out yet, we are expecting baby #3 in August! I have always thought it was adorable to announce a surprise pregnancy on Christmas, and have always dreamed that one day I could tell family on Christmas about a new little one. I have kept my mouth shut for about 3 weeks now, which if you know me, that's really tough to do. I'm hoping for a girl, but with 2 boys, I'm guessing its a boy!
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