Mommy FTW

Since Cameron started preschool he has been really into art.  For his 3rd Birthday a few weeks ago he got a lot of gifts to encourage his new creative streak.  Here are some of my favorites (and his too!)

Check out the MALA Easel from IKEA.  It’s only $14.99 – a great bargain!  On one side is a chalkboard, the other is a whiteboard.  There is a tray for supplies, and a spot for a roll of paper which fits nicely over the blackboard side.  Also check out the other MALA items (markers, chalk, rolls of paper) which are all VERY affordable.

Cameron has the Melissa and Doug spill proof paint cups.  Yesterday all four of these actually fell on the ground completely upside down and not a drop of paint spilled out.  I kid you not!  It was amazing.

Cameron also has Crayola Washable Paints which are indeed, very washable, and things you can add to the paint (“Mixing Medium“) which make the paints glittery, pearly, or give them texture.  I got that idea from his preschool and it makes the paint extra special.   Be sure to get lots of paint brushes, and a mister clean magic eraser which is great at removing marker or crayon that might happen to get somewhere it’s not supposed to.

A few weeks ago I posted a link on the Mommy FTW Facebook fan page about how to prepare your toddler for a new sibling, and I reached out to the fans for any additional advice because I am not exactly an expert on this topic.  I got some great ideas from both the article and my fellow moms that I wanted to share with the rest of the Mommy FTW readers.

I started off by requesting some books from the library about newborns and older siblings.  I know at both the the DC and Brooklyn libraries you can search the online catalogs and request that books be placed on hold for you.  You get an email when the books are at your local branch to pick up.  It’s really easy!  The books I got were:

Baby on the Way by Martha Sears

I’m a Big Brother (or, I’m a Big Sister) by Joanna Cole

Brand-New baby Blues by Kathi Appeit

I also ordered a baby doll from Amazon.  I got the Melissa and Doug baby Jenna – it had great reviews, and the price was very affordable.  Cameron loved the doll from the second it came out of the box.  We put diapers on it and get it dressed.  He gives it hugs and kisses and tucks it in under his blanket.  He even puts the baby in his Sister’s crib and says “shh quiet” because she is sleeping.

Cameron's little sister, taken Jan 2011

I talk to Cameron a lot about the baby, and he likes to give my tummy hugs and kisses.  I’m not sure he really understands what’s going on in mommy because one time he pointed to my husband’s stomach and said “baby.”  Oh well!  It can’t hurt!

Lately I try and get Cameron to help me as much as possible with small tasks around the house.  I think this makes him feel useful, and hopefully will make him feel good about himself and involved when the baby comes.

Other bits of advice I got from some of the fans was to spend as much one on one time with Cameron when the baby comes (especially in those early days when the baby is sleeping a lot).

Also, just as sometimes Cameron will have to wait when I am doing something with the baby, it is good to ask the baby to wait a minute while I do things with Cameron (use your best judgment, of course!)  That way he won’t always feel like he is second.

Another fan suggested a Sibling Preparation class at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis.  I didn’t check this out myself but it sounds like a great idea.  You can find out more about this class and the 2011 schedule via this link.  Sibley Hospital (where I’m to deliver) has a “Sibling Tour” with activities for young kids as well.  Find out more at the bottom of this page.  If you aren’t in the DC area, check with your local hospital to see if they offer any classes.  I didn’t even know classes like these existed!

If anyone has any other advice, please share it with me.  I have to admit I feel nervous about such a big change in our family, but I am sure Cameron will handle it like a champ – and that brother and sister will become the best of friends over the years!

Dear Santa – are you looking for some great toys for some little boys and girls on your list at discount prices?  Well the Mini Social has you covered.

Today they’ve got Melissa and Doug, Haba, and Hape toy sales with great choices for kids of all ages.  And through the week there will be more toys to come!  So check out the Mini Social, and be sure to sign up if you haven’t already so you can get the emails!  Below is a very small sample of the toys they’ve got right now.

Our vacation is less a week away (!!) so I’ve been asking my fellow moms for advice when it comes to entertaining a toddler on a plane.  None of these are exactly groundbreaking ideas, but maybe some of these them will be helpful to you.

Stickers – lots and lots of stickers! – Cameron is really into stickers lately, so this idea made perfect sense to me.  We’ve been getting them after our weekly visits to Trader Joe’s and Cameron will spend the whole walk back sticking and unsticking them to his pants and anything around him.  I went to Target and picked up a bunch in the Stationary and Scrapbooking sections (on the first floor near the greeting cards).  We went for the truck and farm stickers, but there’s a big assortment.  I also ordered some Melissa and Doug stickers off of Amazon.  I got a pad of paper (also from Target) so that the stickers hopefully end up there instead of all over the plane.  I also plan to bring crayons.

Cameron picks out some stickers at Target

A new toy – I’m going for something blinky that involves batteries.  I haven’t quite picked out something yet, but I’ll keep you posted as to what I end up with.  But, I plan to keep it totally secret until we get on the plane, that way it will be all the more exciting.

Videos – I ordered a Yo Gabba Gabba DVD – It is Cameron’s favorite so I am hoping it will buy me at least an hour or so.  I went for the Dancey Dance Bunch, but I’m pretty sure any of them would do.  Cameron doesn’t seem to mind watching them over and over again.  I also have some Baby Einstein.  Cameron loves Baby Wordsworth, and Neighborhood Animals.

iPhone – Peekaboo Barn is still Cameron’s favorite iPhone App, but he also loves just flipping through the photos (most of them are of him) and pressing the buttons in general.

Snacks – lots and lots of snacks.  I think we all know that there isn’t much food on airplanes anymore, so don’t forget to pack an arsenal.  It was also suggested to me to try lollipops.  This isn’t something I would normally give Cameron, but when it comes to keeping a toddler quiet on a plane, I’ll go for pretty much anything.

Non-Refrigerated Milk (yes, they make that!) – I actually plan to bring this for not just the plane, but the vacation in general.  You can get it on Fresh Direct (it’s called Farmland Lil’ Milk Stay Fresh Whole Milk).  By the way, they also have 1% and 2% if your little one is no longer on Whole Milk.

Other Passengers – Cameron loves to make friends.  Hopefully some of my fellow passengers will be interested in making friends back!  If so, I plan to use them for as much entertainment as possible.

Books and Puzzles – Just like his videos, Cameron can play with his puzzles and books over and over and not get bored of them.  He also really likes his touch and feel flash cards.  I think I’ll stick with his most favorite ones (tractor, firetruck, dog, cat, ball).

Any of you mommies out there have other ideas to share with everyone?  I can use all the help I can get!

For a few months now Cameron has been really into the various locks on our front door, and likes for me to hold him up to them while he fiddles.  Needless to say this gets tiring for me after a few minutes.  Over Christmas while we were in DC at my parent’s house I saw they had borrowed a Melissa and Doug Latches Board from a neighbor.  Cameron (and I) were so happy with this toy I stole it from my parent’s house and brought it home!  (Sorry Mom!)  I had no idea such a toy existed!  Unlike many of Cameron’s toys, this one seems to have appeal day after day.  He is getting good at some of the easier latches and locks, but the harder ones still vex him.  So, I hope this one will be popular for awhile.  On Amazon I found two versions of the Melissa and Doug Latches board – we have the second one pictured, but I think they both have the same idea.

I think this is the newer version of the Latches Board

The one we have looks like this

Melissa and Doug is having another sale at the Mini Social. They’ve got all new toys for the Holiday Season.  So help Santa get an early start on things and check it out!

If you aren’t a member of the Mini Social yet, sign up using my link!

Melissa and Doug is having another sale at the Mini Social.  I snagged some toys for Cameron at Christmas that were sold out last time.  Check it out!  Things are going fast!

If you aren’t a member of the Mini Social yet, sign up using my link.

Last time, sold out - this time - got it!

The Mini Social just announced the Melissa and Doug sale has started!  Snap up some high quality toys, mommies!  If you aren’t a member of the Mini Social yet, sign up using my link!  Thanks in advance!!