children's activities Archives - Page 4 of 4

Fun Memory of Grandpa’s Dr. Seuss Food Menu

Dr. Seuss’ birthday is March 2nd and touches a special memory in my heart. Every year, I celebrate with my kids with a special edible Dr. Seuss food menu…because of my dad’s epic fail…

My Daddy was shy, rarely appearing in public. But he had a quirky sense of humor.

On a March 2 evening in my youth, I came home late from school to find my dad in the kitchen already preparing supper. (I grew up in a single-parent home with my dad and two younger sisters)

He informed me that it was a special day – a special day, indeed! It was Dr. Seuss’ birthday! He added that since we didn’t have any Green Eggs and Ham – that he had a better Dr. Seuss food idea and would be serving another delicacy:

GREEN CHICKEN!

My sisters and I just looked at each other as he proudly placed his colorful, culinary masterpiece on the table. We tried to eat it – we did – however, we just couldn’t get past the color to eat GREEN CHICKEN!

The funniest point of the evening that made us laugh as a family even years later is –

EVEN OUR FAMILY DOG WOULDN’T EAT THE GREEN CHICKEN!

My dad passed away from brain cancer just a few years later. He never met his grandchildren (or his sons-in-law). My children will have no memories of their Grandfather; however, I want them to feel as though they knew him. One way I’m creating a connection with their deceased grandfather is to preserve that silly memory of Dr. Seuss food on March 2nd with my children.

Over the years, Dr. Seuss’ birthday, has been commemorated by National Read Across America Day. (In fact, next week, my son will celebrate a Seussibration week at school.)

Our family has our own unique celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday – to celebrate a Grandfather.

DR. SEUSS FOOD MENU IDEAS & RECIPES

Green Deviled Eggs & Ham Rolls
Red Fish, Blue Fish Tuna Sandwiches
The Cat in the Hat Parfaits made with Strawberry Jell-O & Cool Whip
Seussibration Splash made with Strawberry Jell-O, Berry Blue Jell-O, and Sprite (sugar-free Jell-O floats)

For more ideas, check out my Dr. Seuss Pinterest Board!

What ways are you creating family memories? Do you celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday? What food ideas do you have for a Dr. Seuss party or shower?

9:00 am by Penelope

How to Make Kids Christmas Photos Less Horrifying

I am ashamed! This is my Stinkpot’s first photo with Santa…

Go ahead and nominate me for Bad Parent of the Year for terrorizing my kid – I nominate myself! I’ve learned quite a bit in the last four years of parenting. Last year, we had a good experience taking family portraits and pictures with Santa. This is how we did it…

1. Introduce your Children to Santa Claus Beforehand

In the picture above, Stinkpot had no clue who this scary guy in a red suit was. A new parent, I simply handed my toddler over to this guy for a photo. Wrong tactic! I did a much better job at introducing Santa Claus to my Lil Bit. I pointed out Santa Claus on television, at parades, on items in stores, and at the mall beforehand. By picture day, Lil Bit wanted to tell Santa about the choo-choo he wanted.

2. Schedule an Early Appointment with Family Photography Studio

Make your appointment as early in the day as your family can manage. Early enough that the photos are taken before naps or lunch is necessary. We had an 8:30 a.m. appointment on a Saturday. This also avoids the crowded chaotic waiting area of photography studios that happen as the day moves on. By the time we left at 9:45 a.m., the waiting room was becoming quite full.

3. Take Family Portraits and Santa Photos on the Same Day

The kids are already dressed up. A quick trip to the mall immediately after it opens hopefully guarantees shorter waiting lines to sit on Santa’s lap.

4. Dress for a Different Look in Kids Pictures with Santa

Remove the tie and jacket, then add a sweater vest for a different look.

5. Provide a Simple Snack

Since discovering my 5-year-old Stinkpot has meltdowns associated with low blood sugar, I try and have snacks readily available. Snacks can help tie a child over until mealtime and be a useful incentive, especially during wait times.

6. Be Realistic about Pictures with Santa

Even at older ages, this may be your foster child’s first experience with Santa. Don’t stress out about having the smiling, happy Santa photo. It may not happen and that’s okay. Whatever photo you do get, could possibly be the ONLY photo your child‘s ever had with Santa. (I don’t have a photo of me with Santa)

What are your tips for making pictures with Santa enjoyable for your children? Have they had pictures with Santa before?

7:30 am by Penelope

5 Tips to a Calmer Bedtime

Bedtime, ah, sweet bedtime! That precious time when our little ones quickly hop into bed and lay down with a smile on their face. A kiss on the forehead. Lights out. Then, do you hear that? Quiet!

Excuse me, but that does not happen at our house! That’s a fairytale that might as well have unicorns and pink elephants.

Getting our rambunctious boys to settle down for the night is a huge undertaking! Depending on Stinkpot’s mood, his bedtime can rip every last ounce of life out me at the end of a long day. (My bedtime usually comes about 5 minutes after the boys’, and quite honestly, sometimes before…oops!)

Here are some things that we do to help our preschool boys wind down for bedtime.

1. Take a Warm Bath

This is an integral part of our nighttime routine that helps our boys transition from active play to bedtime. I wash their hair with Johnson’s Baby Shampoo with Lavender. Lavender – with all its calming aromatherapy effects – maybe for some – but probably not much for my preschool boys. 🙂

2. Give a Back Rub

Getting in bed and stopping activity involves a back rub. My sensory-seeking preschooler, Stinkpot, LOVES a back massage! It’s encouraging to hear Stinkpot say: “Ahhh, that feels SO GOOOOOOODDDD”

3. Sing Songs or Play Soft Music

Singing songs can have a calming effect on our boys. I’ve made the mistake in singing songs with motions: “If You’re Happy and You Know It” and “I’m in the Lord’s Army” are NOT songs to sing at bedtime. We sing songs like “Rock-a-Bye, Baby” and “Jesus Loves Me” while lying in bed. One of my favorites is Laurie Burkner’s “Goodnight“. I add other animals to the song and let them sing the animal sound. Fun!!!

Also, just turning out the lights and playing songs on my iPhone, can make my boys STOP. We love to listen to Jewel’s Lullaby. Her angelic voice is so incredibly beautiful. Another favorite is Renee & Jeremy’s It’s a Big World.

4. Engage in Meaningful Conversation

Just sitting and talking at the end of the day can have a calming effect on my boys. Sometimes we review everything that happened that day (and sometimes the poor choices that were made, along with other options).

But sometimes having a talk needs to be more light-hearted and like a game.

We engage in conversation with a storytelling component to encourage critical thinking. We explore Stinkpot’s interests in where he wants to travel and what he wants out of life.

Our favorite is “I’ll tell you a story about when I was little.”

Stinkpot anxiously anticipates hearing tales of me with my little black dog, Pepper, that would walk me to and from school every day. “I LOVE Pepper” is a phrase I hear often. We are creating an incredible connection through storytelling of my childhood.

Using storytelling as part of your bedtime routine with new foster children, would help create a safe sharing environment for them. Giving them an opportunity to open up and engage in conversation.

5. Read with Your Children

Especially now that Stinkpot is in Kindergarten, reading has to become an integral part of our bedtime routine. But getting my hyperactive preschooler to settle down and STOP can be a real challenge sometimes. Again, I have to make reading a game.

Thanks to Christopher!

Christopher is part of Hallmark’s Interactive Story Buddy line. Christopher is a bear that can’t sleep. During the story when I read “Christopher was feeling really sleepy”, Christopher, in his childlike voice responds with “Yawn! But I’m not sleepy.” There are other key phrases in the story, and Christopher’s response isn’t always the same, which makes it more interesting for my boys.

The boys love Christopher and argue over who gets to hold him. Enter Hallmark’s brand new Scooby-Doo Interactive Story Buddy!

Our Lil Bit just LOVES Scooby-Doo (pronounced “Toomy-Doo)! I’m excited that I already know what Santa is bringing Lil Bit this year!

There are other Interactive Story Buddies, such as Nugget, Cooper, Watson, and Bigsby. Also, there’s Abigail, the acrobatic bunny, that little girls will adore! Story Buddies (and additional StoryBooks) are only available in your local Hallmark store.

Disclaimer: Hallmark provided me with Christopher and Scooby-Doo for review. There are also links to Amazon music that I get a couple pennies commission from Amazon if you buy from the link.

9:00 am by Penelope

This 3-Year-Old Needs a Family

This little guy needs a family. His name is Oscar. When I look into his big, brown, engaging eyes, I can’t help but smile.

Isn’t he just adorable?

My kids and I just love chimps! My fascination with primates began when I wrote my college research paper to question whether they could really communicate with humans using sign language.

Tomorrow, on Friday, April 20th, just in time for Earth Day, DisneyNature is bringing a true story of adoption that actually happened in the wild.

Oscar is a baby chimp born to a caring mother with a huge extended family living in the jungles of Africa.

This film explores how when Oscar suddenly loses his mother, an unexpected member of his clan takes care of him. Oscar is adopted!

This film demonstrates that, even in nature, foster care and adoption happen. Some opponents may try to demonize adoption and call for its abolition; however, adoption isn’t evil – sometimes it’s necessary for a little one’s survival in the world – and it can become a beautiful, fulfilling journey.

Can you watch this trailer without feeling a fullness in your throat?

I’m loving the Switchfoot song playing in the trailer: “This is home, now I’m finally where I belong…” We all need to belong.

I’m looking forward to experiencing this film with my boys. Lil Bit is a bit too young to grasp its message just yet; however, I’m looking forward watching this film with 4-year-old Stinkpot. At just over an hour (78 minutes), I’m hoping he can sit still that long.

How about you? How do you share stories of adoption with your little ones? What films do you recommend?

10:00 am by Penelope

Homemade Dinosaur Halloween Costumes

I love Halloween! I love dressing up with the kids and going trick-or-treating, even though begging our neighbors for candy isn’t the best lesson for our kids! On this spooky evening of goblins and ghouls, our normally, quiet, sleepy subdivision morphs into a HUGE Mardi Gras-like carnival. Pumpkins, skeletons, cobwebs, and even bounce houses line our streets. Trick-or-treaters even parade through our subdivision on hay rides! Cars have to dodge families walking through the streets going from house to house. We believe our entire city shows up in our neighborhood on Halloween night!

So when Costume Discounters invited me to review their kids Halloween costumes, I was thrilled! Given our Halloween costume theme for this year, I knew Lil Bit’s Robin costume would be difficult to find and Costume Discounters had it in stock!

My first concern was size. With the costume sized as 2T-4T, I was concerned it would be too large for our 2-year-old. Fortunately, we had Stinkpot’s costume from last year in that size, and found that it will work well for our Lil Bit that is not too little now.

When I first saw the price of $19.97, I was astounded that the price for a child’s costume could be that much. I remember as a kid in the early 1970s when $5 was an expensive costume. However, when I took a trip to Target and the local party store, I saw that the prices at Costume Discounters are competitive.

The costume arrived within a few days of my order.

The Robin costume is officially licensed by DC Comics. The fabric is a thin polyester which will work well for our warm Texas Halloweens. The costume comes with a black mask and detachable cape.

I will be ordering Stinkpot’s Batman costume from Costume Discounters along with my Catwoman accessories. The jury is still out on whether FosterDad will join us trick-or-treating as the Joker.

PBS CHILDREN’S SHOW DINOSAUR TRAIN :

Did you realize that in the PBS show Dinosaur Train, that young T-Rex, Buddy, is adopted by the Pteranodon family? A preschool show about adoption? The show’s main theme isn’t adoption, but Buddy only refers to Mrs. Pteranodon as MOM! A great lesson in that a family doesn’t have to all look alike.

Check out this video!

The next lines in the theme song are:

But dear old Mrs. Pteranodon said:

“Oh, this is your family, and I’m your mom,
you may be different, but we’re all creatures,
all dinosaurs have different features…”

Our boys enjoy watching Dinosaur Train and we’re excited about –>

DIY HOMEMADE DINOSAUR HALLOWEEN COSTUME PATTERN!

Dinosaur Train Costume – Buddy

Here is a do-it-yourself costume for Buddy, kids’ favorite T-Rex! Jim Henson’s Creature Shop have created this Buddy costume that can be made at home! This colorful Halloween costume can be made for toddlers ages 3-4, and children between the ages of 4-6. There is also a No-Sew option!

10:50 am by Penelope

Water Safety as a Licensed Foster Home

This has been the hottest summer that I can remember! Here in Texas, we have had 100+ temperatures for over 40 days!!! 40 days!!!

Tomorrow, the forecast is for 110 degrees!!! 110 degrees!!! It is impossible to stay cool if you are outside in this heat. We had purchased a blow-up wading pool for the kids (and us) for some family water fun; however….

We received an email from our foster home worker to “gently” remind us of the requirements for above ground pools as a licensed foster home:

If this summer heat is making you want to go out and buy an above ground pool, please remember to inform me before you fill it with water, so I can make a home visit to ensure all requirements have been met. Above ground pools need to comply with Minimum Standards and Policy, which are:

7251 Water Safety CPS April 2002

When a foster and/or adoptive parent family home is verified or approved, CPS staff must ensure that the home is in compliance with the following water safety requirements:

1.   Children under age five or children with physical or cognitive impairments must be supervised at all times in a bathtub;
2.   Adults or persons certified in water safety must supervise children around any large bodies of water at all times. This includes swimming and wading pools, hot tubs, stock ponds, creeks, rivers, lakes, oceans, or bays;
3.   Foster and/or adoptive parents who have a pool or body of water on their property must successfully complete a water safety course;
4.   Life jackets must be worn by all children and youth who engage in boating activities and by children who are in more than two feet of water and do not know how to swim;
5.   Hot tubs must be securely covered when not being used;
6.   Swimming pools must have physical barriers designed to limit access. Barriers include fences or walls, and pool safety covers.
·  Fences and walls around pools must be at least four feet high and well-constructed (the Red Cross recommends vertical fencing, and openings in the fence should be no more than four inches wide); these barriers must be installed completely around the pool.
·  Fence gates must be self-closing, self-latching, and locked when the pool is not in use.
·  If the house forms one side of the barrier for the pool, then doors leading from the house to the pool must be protected with alarms that produce an audible sound when a door is opened.
·  Applicable doors and windows must also have a lock installed that cannot be unlocked by a child under the age of five without assistance.
·  A child safety pool cover that can be placed over the water area may be used as an alternative barrier for fences or walls. However, pool covers are only required when there is no fence or wall surrounding the pool. Pool covers must be completely removed prior to pool use;
7.   Exterior ladders (not in-pool ladders) on above-ground pools must be removed and gates secured and locked when the pool is not in use;
8.   Furniture or large materials must never be left near the pool’s fence so children may not use them to scale the fence;
9.   Toys must be kept away from a pool that is not in use (toys can attract young children into the pool);
10. A telephone and basic lifesaving equipment must always be kept by the pool (for example, a pole, rope, and personal floatation devices);
11. Foster family group homes must comply with additional standards developed by DFPS’s Licensing Division (see the Minimum Standards for Child-Placing Agencies, Appendix G, Foster Group Homes, Standards G-3100.3 and G‑3100.4); and
12. Foster and/or adoptive homes must also comply with all local and county ordinances.

Needless to say, we didn’t fill it.

What are the standards for water safety in your state?

10:00 am by Penelope

SeaWorld and Sesame Street

During Spring Break, SeaWorld San Antonio Texas opened a fantastic new venue – Sesame Street Bay of Play! What an incredible wonder world for the wee ones! This is where it’s at! SeaWorld wanted to give the characters of Sesame Street a BIG Texas welcome.

We were fortunate enough to be able to attend the Grand Opening of Sesame Street Bay of Play with Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster and a host of Sesame Street friends.

Stinkpot and I rode a number of the rides together. The merry-go-round is so whimsical and fun – the photo just doesn’t do it justice.

Climbing and sliding for the adventuresome kid!

We stayed and played there until our tummies told us that it was time for lunch. Not far, we found a great all-you-can-eat pasta & pizza buffet, Rosita’s Buffet. Perfect for the kids and us. And the price was less that $10 per adult and $6 for kids under 9. And it included the refillable fountain drinks! We felt that we got our money’s worth, especially inside a theme park.

After lunch, we decided to stroll around the park and enjoy a show, or two, or three. Our first show was Azul: Lure of the Sea featuring our beloved sea creatures, dolphins.

Even flying dolphins wouldn’t keep Lil Bit from taking his nap!

We also saw the entertaining Cannery Row Caper featuring sea lions and walruses.

We wanted to watch the special showing of a 4-D movie featuring the Muppets. The movie was aimed at preschoolers so Stinkpot enjoyed it; however, the older kids weren’t as entertained as the little ones. The show has since been replaced by Pirates 4-D. [A 4-D movie is a 3-D movie that adds physical effects such as vibration, air and water. It is a thrilling experience!]

We then went to enjoy one of the last showings of the Shamu show, Believe. The show began with a trainer coming out and welcoming us to the show. Then — the recorded message came on that said due to threatening weather, the show had been cancelled. We were surprised by this since there wasn’t so much as a cloud in the sky. Then another trainer came running up and said, “Sorry folks, we pushed the wrong button.” The audience chuckled, and after a few moments, the show began, for real this time. A few of the more entertaining elements were not in this Believe show, probably stemming from the death of a trainer at SeaWorld Orlando last year. The show mainly focused on the splashing the killer whale does with his tail fin. The first 20 rows were drenched! However, toward the end of the show – the electricity went out! In the entire park! Only for a few minutes, but long enough to end the show. We just happened to be at the one show with a rough start and abrupt end.

However, we are excited that the all-new Shamu show, One Ocean, opens this month! We will be returning later this summer to catch this one!

We ended the day back at Bay of Play to play in the water! We let Stinkpot loose, and he had a ball on the splash pads until closing time, which during spring break was 6 p.m.

We had such a great time that we are planning to return again this summer. Longer hours. A new Shamu show. We can’t wait!

Disclaimer: Although SeaWorld provided us tickets into the park for a video contest, the views and opinions of our experience at SeaWorld are my own. The opinions in this post were not influenced by the free passes. I was not monetarily compensated since SeaWorld has no idea that I have this website.

12:50 pm by Penelope

Running with Santa

Our 3-year-old, Stinkpot, is the most strong-willed, stubborn, hard-headed, determined little rascal that you can ever meet. He has now gotten kicked out of his SECOND, yes, second day care in a month! We are beating our heads up against the wall trying to figure out what in the tar nation to do with our little Damien!

However, I am in awe of him!
I’m beaming with pride due to these very characteristics that are causing us so much heart burn.

A few weeks ago, I ran in a 5K Jingle Run (I finished 5th in my old lady division) and entered him in the kids’ 1K Run with Santa.

Here is our Stinkpot ready for the start of the race!

He was so focused on running the race, that he ran smack dab into the photographer!

But he picked himself right up and began running again.

For the entire 1K, he ran until he was tired, then after catching his breath, would begin running again.

He ran the race ALL BY HIMSELF! AT 3 YEARS OLD!

Here he raced Santa (and won)!

What an amazing finish!

This kid will be the death of me!

But wow! With that determination, isn’t he going to be a great attorney someday?

Today I linked up with 5 MINUTES FOR MOM! Add your Wordless Wednesday post below!
Have a very merry Christmas!