Toddler Talk Thursday - Babysitter Emergency Pack

Once again it's time for Toddler Talk Thursday hosted by Crazy About My Baybah, Family and Life in Las Vegas, and My Life as a Sippy Cup Mom

If you plan on tweeting use hashtag #letstalktoddler

This Week’s Topic: Emergency Kit for your babysitter. Do you have one? What is in yours?

Good question. No, I don't have one. Never really thought about creating a kit. We rarely get a babysitter, and when we do it's usually someone like my mom.  There are steps I take to make sure everyone is safe and comfortable though when we get a babysitter. 
1. I only use babysitters that my kids have met previously. A recognizable face goes a long way in keeping the kids comfortable.
2. We don't own a landline, so I always make sure whoever is babysitting has a cell phone. If they don't we always leave one of ours behind with instructions on how to use it. Along with a list of emergency numbers.
3. If the kids are taking any medication (tylenol, gas drops, etc) I make sure to leave it easily accessibly to babysitter. 
4. Make sure babysitter knows of any special needs the kids have. 


I try to keep instructions, and information for a babysitter, simple and concise. No need to overwhelm them.  #4 on my list is a recent addition, from a not so fun experience. Princess C experiences nursemaids elbow periodically. It hasn't happened for awhile, so I hope she's outgrown it.  Nurse maids elbow is a condition commonly occuring to young children, where their elbow is pulled out of socket.  While taking care of my grandma this past year, we met a nice neighbor of my moms who periodically took the Princess' to play at her house, so they could run some energy out with friends.  One day, Princess C's elbow was pulled out of socket.  I hadn't informed our friend of this condition. Thankfully, she had had a child that also experienced it, and she was able to pop Princess C's elbow in no problem.  I was so gratefull it happened at someone's house with the knowledge to care for it. If it had been anyone else, they may have just let her keep playing with her elbow hurt. Ok she probably wouldn't have kept playing, because it causes her tons of pain. But who knows what could've happened. It taught me a valuable lesson there. 

Thinking about this though, I think I need a kit. What if there is an emergency and they have to leave the house? Natural disasters are happening all the time. We have an emergency bag for the family, but who knows maybe the babysitter will need one someday.  Hopefully not, but better prepared than not, right?

Topic Idea - Organizing kids toys. When do you get rid of older toys?

Unique Monique - book review

Unique Monique is about a girl who has to wear a uniform to school. She thought "they were the ugliest colors and the ugliest clothes she had ever seen".  One day Monique finds an old trunk in the attic.  She finds things in the trunk to wear to school to make her different.  Each day the new item she is wearing gets banned from school.  Will Monique ever truly be different? 

This book was a fun read. It emphasizes we can be different without having to try hard. It teaches kids to be unique while following rules.  After reading it we talked about how we are all different and unique. We looked at the colors of our clothes, our hair.  Other ideas would be size, eye color (we're all blue eyed over here), skin color.  There are so many applications for this book.   

T is for testimony - FHE idea

I really got behind on our letters this week.  Last week as we focused on the letter T, we spent a little time each day talking about a Testimony.  I used the ideas from this site for our Monday night FHE.  We began growing our own flowers as we talked about a testimony and the different parts of it.
Through out the week, we continued to add to our flowers each night before bed.  The Princess' really got into this lesson, and got excited each night to add more petals to their flowers.

Each petal asks a question either about what a testimony is, or a question that helped grow their own testimony.  Things like "What is a testimony?"  "Can someone give you a testimony?"  "What is the name of the church?"  "Who restored the Gospel to earth?"

We still have more petals, but we ran out of sticks. So once I find something else to use (straws maybe) we will continue to talk about testimonies. 

Toddler Talk Thursday - Vacationing with a toddler

Welcome to another Toddler Talk Thursday! Hosted by Crazy about my Baybah, Family and life in Las Vegas, and My life as a Sippy Cup mom!

** If you want to follow this on twitter – or plan on tweeting your post – please use hashtag: #letstalktoddler **

Vacationing with a toddler, probably one of the biggest worries parents go through! We have a routine, we're set in it, and don't you dare try and change it or my kids will become a terror.  Been there, done that, and I SURVIVED! 

I've talked about it before, but a couple years ago we took a Christmas Vacation to Japan to visit Grandma and Grandpa.  At the time I was still recovering from PPD, and despite always wanting to travel, I was scared silly for this trip. The amount of planning that went into it had to start months in advance to get passports and plane tickets all sorted out, and the thought of flying with a 2 year old and 10 month old for 15hours (give or take some) just wasn't my minds idea of a good time.  As I said though, I SURVIVED (and so did the kids!)

Waiting for the plane



First thing was to get a back pack for Princess V. We found one at our local thrift store Deseret Industries.  We filled it with toys, coloring, and some snacks that she liked. Having her own bag made her feel special.  Scheduling was a little more difficult, with the time change, we just let the kids nap when they wanted to, and play as much as they could. All in all, it was lots of fun, and I'm glad we went.

At the beginning of this year, we took a 6 hour drive south for a music educators conference in St George.  Before leaving I talked to some friends who lived down there, and did some online searching for child friendly activities.  Then I scheduled in down time at the hotel so we could all rest as well.

This summer we are planning a vacation to Yellowstone National Park.  I feel pretty well prepared after our numerous other trips, but this will be the first time camping with the kids.  We've got some child size sleeping bags for Princess V and Princess C, but I'm not sure where to put Princess R.  Uncle B and Aunt T put their kids in a laundry basket, but I think Princess R may be too old/long for that.  We'll probably just put her between Daddy and I, but I'm nervous about rolling over her, waking her up, or her being too cold.  We're stuffing our family of 5 into a 2 man tent though, so she'll probably have a lot of body heat to keep her warm. I'm not too worried about any of the activities though, because we'll be going with all my siblings, my brothers kids, and my parents.  We'll have enough hands and eyes to keep all the little ones safe.

Next weeks topic: what toys does your toddler play with?

Happy Fathers Day

The 3 Princess' made this lovely tie pot for daddy. Around the sides they each picked a color to print their hands. It was lots of fun, and not too messy.  We then filled it with Daddy's favorite candy - Reeses Peanut Butter Cups.

T is for traveling

We started our week out going to the Hill Aerospace Museum on Hill Air Force Base. I have to say, I love living next to an airforce base.  Some people complain about the planes, but I enjoy every plane that flies over head. I usually will even stop and try to find it, see if it's big, little, headed to the base, or the other 2 airports nearby (yes there are that many airports near us, anyone want to visit?).  We've been to this museum a good number of times, and for me it never gets old.  I just wish the kids would slow down so I could actually read the little signs by all the planes, lol.

 Princess trying out the helmets

Princess V and Princess R are ready for take off. Really. Princess R did not want out of that cockpit!

Hanging out under the plane.



The rest of the week we talked more about traveling, and the different methods people travel by. Boats on water, planes in the sky, and car and trains over land. I tried really focusing on trains since it also starts with T. We even saw 2 or 3 trains this week.  The first time we were "traveling" to Nana and Opah's. We passed a train and we talked about the caboose. The Princess' really loved the word caboose.  After we passed the caboose, Princess V said "That was a really long train!"  Again we saw a train just while driving around town, and this time we talked about the front being the engine.  They still preferred the caboose.  During the week we took a number of trips where we got to talk a little more each time on traveling.  We went to Nana and Opah's on thursday, and today we headed north to a family reunion.  We had lots of fun, and the Princess' make good travel companions.

Toddler Talk Thursday - Summer Activities

Welcome to Toddler Talk Thursday, hosted by Family and Life in Las Vegas, Crazy About my Baybah, and My Life as a  Sippy Cup Mom.

This weeks topic: How do you keep your toddler busy during the summer?

I'm not sure yet. It's slowly been dawning on me that Princess V and Princess C are no longer toddlers. They are plenty busy this summer, but they are all year long. Princess R is just entering toddler stage, so she just kind of hangs out with us, whatever we're doing.  She absolutely loves being outside though.  If a door is open, you can bet she'll be out it! So we will spend many days lathering on the sunscreen and heading to the backyard.

I bought a small exercise trampoline from a yard sale last week, and Princess R has the time of her life on that. She can't jump on it yet, but just walking in tiny circles around it makes her laugh.

I personally just got a free gym membership, and they have a free daycare there, so I will also be taking Princess R there frequently to play with new toys, and other kids! I know she's going to love it.

We will also be spending lots of time with family this summer. Uncle N and Aunt J with their kids are coming out to visit and go camping with us in Yellowstone.  Then Grandma and Grandpa P are coming out for the summer as well, so we'll be spending lots of time with them.

Sweet vs Sour

Today I introduced the concept of opposites.  To go a long with the letter S, what better opposites than Sweet and Sour.  I pulled out the sugar, and some lemon juice. After a short explanation of opposites being two things that are different, we went in for a taste test.

Patiently waiting....

YES! Sugar is yummy!

 Princess V didn't want to try the lemon juice. Either we've talked about this before, or she just doesn't like tryin new things (which is quite true). I did manage to get her to take a taste though.

I wish I could remember what she said here, but she didn't like it. I just love their faces!

After we were done our taste test, we listened for the letter S as we said Sweet and Sour. Then we talked about what we can make with lemons and what we can make with sugar. Princess V seemed quite surprised that the lemon juice makes lemonade. Perhaps tomorrow we will make some lemonade.

Scissors

My friend over at For the Love of Learning told me about this website Head of the Class.  So I got on last night to see what it was all about. I love it.  You set up an account for yourself, and then you can add learners accounts.  I added one for Princess V, and got her started.  My only complaint right now, is there was stuff that needed to print, and Princess V can't do that by herself, so I had to help her through it.  Other than that though, we had a lot of fun exploring the site.  We printed off the first two lessons in the Pre-Kindergarten group, and worked on Princess V's and Princess C's scissor skills.

Princess V cutting out a puzzle

Princess C learning to cut on lines.

This weeks book is

The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor

This week we are learning about the letter S. I introduced this book to the Princesses this morning, and asked them what letter they thought we were learning about.  They caught right on and said "S!" I read the first voyage last night to Princess C, so today we read the second voyage.  Each day this week we will read another one of Sinbad's voyage.

S is for Sick

Funny how it worked out that this week we'll be talking about the letter S and poor Princess R is sick.  It all started Friday night at my Uncle C's graduation. Princess R started to get fussy and felt a little warm. King Dad took her out to walk around so I could see my baby brother graduate.  We left after he walked because it was getting quite long for the Princesses.  Princess R had a rough night, and woke up still not feeling well. I left her with Nana to run a race and then later that day to go on a birthday date with King Dad.  I called to check in on the Princesses and Nana told me Princess R had a pretty high fever, but she gave her a cool bath and it seemed to help. Sunday she again woke up with a fever, and was lethargic the whole day and wouldn't eat anything. Sunday night her temperature hit 103.7, so King Dad took her into the ER. They did a bunch of tests, and concluded that she was dehydrated. They hooked up an IV and pumped some fluids in her and then sent her home.  Sunday night was a rough one, but between King Dad and I we were able to settle her down for some sleep. Monday she was still tired the whole day but only took cat naps while I held her. She still had a fever and had some diarrhea as well. Of course our doctor was out of town the whole week, so I found a new one to take her in to. This dr concluded that it is a stomach bug, probably rotavirus. There's nothing we can do but continue giving her tylenol and ibuprofen. He did assure me though that she was not dehydrated anymore, which was my biggest concern.

One minute she's awake, but very cuddly

The next she's out, but still very cuddly.

R is for Reading

This last week we focused on the letter R and it's sound.

On Tuesday, we talked about running and races. We were at Nana and Opah's so we ran some races in and around their house.  Princess R learned a new word during it "Go!" She'd yell "Ga" and take off around the house.  It was pretty cute.

The rest of the week we talked about reading books.  Books are such an important part of our learning experience.  We took a trip to the library on Thursday and I let Princess V and Princess C pick out a book.

Princess V got 

In her words, "I love Santa Claus!"

Princess C got some of my favorite books

Before we left the library we stopped by their movie collection and found 

Princess V was so excited because "Miss Cheryl has that book!" Since she was familiar with the book The Rainbow Fish, I thought the movie would be perfect to go along with our Letter R week.  We spent the rest of our week reading and watching The Rainbow Fish.  I decided to throw some art into it as well, and let the Princess' watercolor their own Rainbow Fish while they watched the movie.

Toddler Talk Thursday - Traveling

Welcome to another week of Toddler Talk! I love this meme hosted by Family and Life In Las Vegas, Crazy About My Baybah, and My Life As a Sippy Cup Mom

** If you want to follow this on twitter – or plan on tweeting your post – please use hashtag: #letstalktoddler **

This weeks topic is - Tips for Traveling with a Toddler

I feel well seasoned in this weeks topic.  I can't begin to count the many trips I've taken with toddlers, either by plane, or car.  When my Princess V was 2 and Princess C was 10 months we hopped a plane and headed to Japan. That was a long plane ride, not to mention that we had to switch planes twice, and one of them included driving to a whole different airport than where we landed, in a different county. Now that was crazy! 

Tips for Plane Travel

1. Only pack what you need. If you can buy it at your destination, wait. Pack as many diapers as you may need for the plane, and then buy more after you land. It will save you precious packing space!

2. Check the stroller at the gate. I wasn't aware we could do that, until a kindly airport worker asked me if I would like to. YES! You get to keep your child in the stroller, until getting ready to board. Then as soon as you walk out the plane door, it's right there waiting for you. No chasing a wiggly toddler through a crowded airport!

3. Don't worry about any of the other passengers. They are choosing to travel on public transportation, they need to expect that there will be kids. Obviously be respectful of them, but if your child is tired, and crying, give them the attention they need, and block out the rude passengers.

4. If you ever have the chance to fly Japan Air, do it! The attendants are so nice, and they give kids toys, that they get to keep! We still have ours somewhere, I think.

Tips for Car Travel  

1. If it's going to be a long car ride, try to do as much of it during the night, or nap time.  My personal preference is to leave somewhere around 12-3 in the morning. It allows the driver to get some sleep in, but the kids will go back to sleep pretty quick in the car.

2. If you have a portable dvd player, bring it. When we drove to California 2 years ago for King's cousins wedding, it was a lifesaver. I was pregnant with Princess R and reaching into the backseat constantly to soothe crying children was just not going to happen. 

3. Books on tape/cd.  This could be for you or toddler.  Either way it helps the time go by faster :)

4. Don't be in a hurry.  Little kids need to get energy out. Sitting in a car for 10 hours straight will just result in lots of tears.  Most rest stops have picnic tables, and a grassy area that kids can run around in. Stop for whatever meals you may be driving through, and let them out of the car to eat and play. 

Have Fun on all your summer vacations! We're headed by car to Yellowstone this summer.

Next weeks topic suggestion: Talking to your toddler about death (saw this in someones comment, and thought it was a great idea!)

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