Keeping a Baby Book Works for Me

When I was pregnant with my son, I received a baby book at one of my showers.  I was so excited because I love looking through mine from growing up and wanted to give the same gift to my children.  At that same shower, another friend gave me this great suggestion.  She keeps her children's baby books out where she will see them every day.  This way she is constantly reminded to make little notes inside.  I started thinking about where I am several times a day.  The solution was easy.  At the computer desk.  So my children's baby books are sitting there waiting for me every time I log on to the internet.  That way I'm reminded to write down all the little things that I love about them.

For more Works for Me tips, check out www.rocksinmydryer.typepad.com

Menu Monday

Monday:

Yogurt, bananas, toast

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cottage cheese, juice

Potato Bar

Tuesday:

Granola (or cereal) and milk

Egg Salad sandwiches, carrots or broccoli, juice

Potluck: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Wednesday:

Yogurt, Cottage Cheese, milk

Egg Salad sandwiches, granola bar, crackers, juice

Chicken Noodle Soup, biscuits

Thursday:

Cream of Wheat, fruit, milk

Lunch at Sally's or leftovers

Ravioli Pasta Salad, Cheddar biscuits, 

Friday:

Bagels and cream cheese

Egg Salad sandwiches or leftovers, juice

Tacos, rice

Saturday:

Gingerbread waffles

Leftovers, juice

Dinner at Wedding Reception

Sunday:

Leftover waffles

Egg Salad sandwiches, juice

Hearty Hash Brown Casserole, salad

Around the Home Thursday--Chores

Here are some great chore ideas to get your toddler to help around the house.

1. Feeding the household pet: My 2.5 yr old son feeds the cat every night.  He loves it.  I help him open the rubbermaid container, but he scoops out the food, runs it to the pet bowl, and brings back the scoop.  On evenings that I just want us to go to bed, he sure to remind me that he still needs to feed Annie.

  

2. Watering the plants: This one's easy.  What 2 year old doesn't love water?  My little guy loves to water the plants.  And why stop there?  We've planted tulips outside our front door as well. Gardening is definately a favorite for him.

3. Picking up toys/clothes: This is a big one for me.  If he's going to have all these toys, it's about time he starts picking up.  I can't possibly manage it all by myself.  And why should I? Toddlers are easily old enough to learn about picking up after themselves.  And it's never too young to learn personal responsibility.

4. Sweeping: Yes, you may have to follow along after them, but they'll get some of it done for you.

5. Clearing the table: There are certain elements that you must be careful with (china, knives, etc).  However, toddlers can clear cups, plates, silverware, and napkins.  My toddler loves to help in the kitchen and clearing the table is simply an extension of that.  

Activity Wednesday

Simple but fun activity for you and your preschooler.  Maybe even younger, depending on the maturity of your child.

Rain Stick

Materials:

Empty wrapping paper tube

Masking tape

Paper

Glue

Tack or nail

Scissors

Dried peas or beans

Decorating material: buttons, markers, crayons

Directions:

1. For an adult only: poke holes in the empty tube with a tack or a nail.  Go all the way through the tube, but not through to the other side.  Be very careful.  You will need a lot of holes.  The more holes you make the better the sound will be.  

2. Tape a piece of paper onto one end of the tube with the masking tape.  Make sure it's adhered thoroughly.

3. Pour 1/3-1/2 cup of dried peas of beans into the tube.  Cover the other end of the tube with paper and masking tape.

4. Allow your child to decorate the tube as they desire using crayons, markers, buttons, glitter, etc.

5. Use this instrument to work on rhythm patterns with your child.  It can be used to develop a recognition of patterns as well as various activities in hand coordination.

Teaching Tuesday--matching

How would have thought?  I just found a great idea for teaching letters.    What about a game of "Memory"?

Just pick up two packages of ABC flashcards at Walmart or Target, or wherever you can get them. They're really inexpensive and you can do a lot with them.  Divide the deck so you aren't working with too many cards.  For example, work with just the letters A-J one day.  Do the same with the second deck, choosing the same letters.  Turn them all over.  Have your child turn over two cards at a time, saying the name of each.  If they're a match, the child gets to keep them.  If not, have your child turn them back over.  Now you get a turn.  Whoever gathers the most matches wins.  

Hope this works well for you.  I'm off to pick up a second set of cards.  Let me know how you do.