Reading babies - kid tips

I'll admit it. I was curious when I saw some infomercials with 13 month old babies reading. I mean really! So I whipped out my library card and checked out (gotta heart free) How to Teach your Baby to Read. The book explains for example, a 3 year old who is missing part of his brain who learns how to crawl, then walk, then read! When he enters 1st grade he is reading at a 7th grade level. Our kids have so much potential and we wait so long to give them the opportunity to learn! So never one to not pursue some kiddie opps, I am officially teaching my toddlers how to read.

Here's the skinny on step 1: create 100 flash cards of words your child loves, show them in sets of five, one at a time, 3 x a day for a week. Each day add another set of five cards. You show them for one second each, don't test them, just say the word and move to the next. Keep it fun, painless and make sure you give them mad props with a big hug after wards and let them know how proud you are! Step 2 info is coming. Too tired to make the cards? Order some here.

Play Station - Kid Tips

In the past two months, we have had a pizza station, burrito station, fruit station, and pancake station. What are these you ask? Food stations are a fun way for your kiddies to create their own meal. Takes an itsy bit more time BUT the kids will love it! Here's my version of a burrito station. It's not complicated. Really. In little bowls or plates set out in a row (organic where you can): taco shells or tortillas, ground beef or cut up chicken, pinto beans, lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, olives, and anything else you can think of. Then ring the bell to start the fiesta. The kiddies will love making their own meal and will more than likely eat what's on their plate. Plus it's never too early to start family style eating and allowing them to help clean up.

Peeing at Daycare - Kid Tips

I thought I would never say this but I am still potty training. Sigh. Daycare and mommie separation have regressed my little Belle to wetting her undies. Frequently. She holds her pee and waits until the last moment to go. Most times she makes it. So to assist her in falling in love with the toilet again, I have introduced a bathroom bunny that she fondly named Mommie. She takes Mommie with her every time she goes potty. This worked for five days but quickly lost it's luster. So today we went shopping. I let her pick out an electronic princess game. Here are the rules: She can only play with this toy at daycare and in the ladies room. Let's see if this works. Here are some eco-friendly potty training products. Por favor share your potty training tips in the comments section.

Pink Milk

Somehow another fictitious character has invaded our little space. Lola. As in Charlie & Lola. She loves pink milk, I did, and my girls...well they can't stop talking about it. It really is their "favorite and best" too. As a 70's latchkey kid I mixed the Nestle Nesquik Strawberry powdered mix with milk on a almost daily basis. But as a mostly conscientious mommie, I have refused to buy it. So in my aim to consume less this year, I decided to whip up a healthier version when Janae begged for it yet again. I threw 5 cut strawberries, 1.5 cups milk, and a tsp of sugar into a blender and pureed it for a half a minute. Janae had seconds. Horizons makes a strawberry organic milk too.

biscuits baby - kid tips

I have perfected homemade biscuits. And we can't stop eating them. Really. This is a Paula Deen recipe that requires no crisco. Just butter baby. Here are my tips on making flaky, slap ya kid biscuits: where you can, use organic ingredients; after you cut the biscuits, let them rest in the pan for 20 minutes; let your kids play with the dough scraps and flour. Bake at 450 for 10 minutes and they will melt in your mouth. I'm not kiddin'.

pop up breakfast - kid tip

Belle asks for them almost daily. "Mama, will you make pop up pancakes?" Can't blame her. They are so tasty if your fond of eggs and syrup. I nabbed this recipe from Make and Takes (see their pic). Here's the skinny on the recipe: In a blender mix 1/2 c milk, 1/2 c flour, 3 eggs, 2 tblspn melted butter, & dash salt. Bake for 12-15 minutes at 400* in well greased muffin tins. Here's a gluten free version. We dump jam, butter and syrup on ours. Yum.

Cool Signs - Kiddie Tips

Ever been to a potluck and want to know exactly what you're grubbin' on? Ask no more. Pick up one of these Make and Take Baking Dishes with a write and wash dish lid. Very cool. And if you happen to have a teen kiddie in the pad, scoop up a reusable magnetic Student Driver sign. Ummm...good luck with that one.