Traveling with a Toddler

My plans may have changed but I thought I'd gather up a few of my ideas for any future long trips.  Some of these work great for other things like restaurants, too.  The most important thing is to make these toys different and new for longer lasting attention span when you need it most!

• Pom Poms in containers
• Velcro dots on craft sticks (the one thing I remembered from Pinterest) - this was so quick and easy to make
• Unique toys like a sand timer or something new that the child has never seen before
• Large buttons and a zipper pouch

Of course I had to think of things that would entertain other than the DVD player or apps on my new Kindle Fire.  (Yes, I talked myself into one simply over the thought of not having enough for him on the trip.  Now I'm feeling really guilty about it.)

So in an effort to provide things of interest I found nothing other than buttons for him to push. 

Here are a few examples:

• Tape measurer
• Pedometor
• Battery-operated tea light
• Flashlight
• Music mobile
• Old (but working) camera

Even buttons on books! 
Lift the flap and feely books are fun, too.

My Little Busy Bees

Now is about the time we get a lot of snow and winter starts to feel a little long (we only have about 2 and 1/2 more months of it), so to help the kids from bouncing off the walls I bring in a slide and we have this extra mattress they like to climb and jump on.  Wish we had an extra room for active play - and I wish I had just half their energy!  Watch for when Hailey almost knocks Braden off with her feet and he just plows right through.  (The first few seconds has sound but as of this writing it is blank for some reason.  The video should work after a few seconds.) 

Hope you enjoy!



{Day 6} Update-
Went well calorie-wise. (Even while snitching on Hailey's Valentine candy.)  Got some exercise in.  Super busy.  Staying motivated.

Sidewalk Chalk

Most days I find myself almost begging the kids (Hailey, the boy I babysit and a frequenting neighbor girl) to get outside and play. They forget too easily how short our warm weather days are. Today was especially weird because they unconsciously wanted to be around me - not typical - they usually are off playing. But because I'm busy trying to get my Etsy shop up (not a link to my shop yet....) I found myself trying to get them out and busy. I told them to literally cover the sidewalk in chalk. I didn't think they would take me up on it but I'm glad they did....

I love children's artwork.

Rock Painting

In the Mirror

You know how babies love looking at themselves in the mirror? Well, we play this silly game many times we pass by a mirror. (These pictures don't show how much Braden truly loves this...) I made up a song to Raffi's tune of "There's a Spider on the Floor" and we sing about what we see in the mirror: a baby, a mommy, a sister. I'm sure you get the idea.

Braden LOVES it. He gets so excited!

Ice Cube Painting

Tummy Time Trick

I've noticed Braden's lower half is stronger than his arms. I've helped him find his legs by putting my arm under his feet for him to stand - at first when he was mad because he would get stiff and rigid, but now he does it all the time. But he hasn't been that interested in finding his arms to push up...

Well, here is a great idea:

putting a mirror up so the baby wants to see that friend.

I couldn't believe how well this worked. Braden was easily there for more than 5 minutes, not complaining once. He occasionally took a moment to rest, even closing his eyes until he was ready to try again.