Spring has not been much fun in my neck of the woods.  We have cold snowy days and grey skies along with days of rain and more rain. Time for indoor activities is still at hand.  Here are some ideas to keep your little ones from climbing the walls. Go for a walk and explore how different things look when it’s raining or snowing. Make boats out of egg cartons or whatever Styrofoam  you just happen to have laying around. Play Doh Have a coloring contest! Set up a fort in your living room and camp out with snacks and … Continue reading →

Here are ideas 6-10 of keeping your little ones busy. 6. Building Toys. You can have the kids do this at the table or on the floor. Provide building toys and challenge the kids to create a house, a car, or even a city. 7. Drawing Game. You will need blank paper, pencils, die, and a cube template. There are a few ways to play. For my girls, I draw princess items on the cube such as a dress, tiara, shoes, hair, etc. The girls draw a girl and roll the cube. They add whatever item the cube shows to their princess. … Continue reading →

Keeping little hands busy is important so they don’t get into too much trouble.  Here are five ways to do that easily. 1. Coloring. Simple ideas are often the most effective. A stack of dollar store coloring books and a box of crayons will keep little hands busy. You may want to provide blank paper and assign your child to draw something such as her favorite food, what she wants for her birthday, or her favorite animal. Consider providing markers, colored pencils, and other coloring mediums to add variety. Do A Dots are also a great choice. 2. Make Cookie … Continue reading →

My little one comes bouncing up the steps with a proud and excited look holding a ceramic mug of strawberry milk. She explained that she made it herself as she presented it to me like a gift. “MOMMY I made you pink milk!” The look on her face was priceless. After gathering up enough courage to look into the mug I see disproportionately huge amount of strawberry powder mixed with a little bit of milk. My mind is flooded with fear of the mess waiting for me downstairs. I skillfully retain the smile on my face as I rush down … Continue reading →

“Can I help you, Mommy?”  That is the question I get almost every time I enter the kitchen to make a meal or dessert.  There is a part of me that is elated and another part of me that would rather not bother.  If I allow little hands to interfere than my task will take longer and result in a mess only a two year old can make.  Too often, I find myself  turning down my little helper in waiting while I rush to get the cooking done.  I hardly look up when I turn her or her siblings down.  … Continue reading →

I have two children who have winter birthdays.  Having a summer birthday myself, I always felt sorry for children with winter birthdays.  It’s cold.  The weather is unpredictable.  A small children do not ski.  The sympathy for winter birthdays seems to be common.  When my children would reveal their January birthdays it was often met with an audible sigh that said, “I am so sorry.”  Yet, it doesn’t have to be that way.  Winter is a beautiful season. It’s a wonderland that you can bring indoors to make a party that won’t soon be forgotten. Before, I discuss some fun … Continue reading →