Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Jude Goes To Preschool!

Behind the wheel of this very fine truck is the one and only "Jude," taking on preschool, one toy at a time!
There was a bit of apprehension the first week, but it looks like Jude noticed the fun, and decided to climb on board! 
Best, 
Bubbie and Jude!


P.S. We would love to hear about your preschool experiences with your little ones!
Related Articles:
Preschool - First Day Tips
Preschool Lunch Ideas

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

A Kodak Moment

Two Tootsie Roll pops, and three toddlers could equal one, unhappy child, unless you have a group of toddlers who think it's funny to share! Since Jude was the odd man out without a treat, he was more than happy to receive their sweet offerings. Jude, Arden and Remy were tickled with this game, and it kept them busy for the life of the pops.
Keeping it easy,
Bubbie and Jude!
P.S. Have some sweet memories of your kids/grandkids to share w/us?
Related Articles:
Top Ten Funny Things Kids Say
Grandkids Say The Darndest Things/Edition Three

Friday, February 3, 2012

Sidewalk Chalk

Talk about time management! Jude figured out a way to draw twice as much, in just half the amount of time! (What a guy!)
So far, our favorite game to play with sidewalk chalk is, "Jumping to Ten!" I get to draw and number ten squares on top of one another. All the kids line up and wait their turns to jump from one square to the next, while reciting the numbers. (Our version of Hop-Scotch!)
Please share any sidewalk chalk games with us, that you find fun for the kids. We're always anxious to learn about new ones.
How To Make Sidewalk Chalk
Easy Sidewalk Chalk Games
Indoor Fun With Sidewalk Chalk
Best,
Bubbie and Jude

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Infants and toddlers Making Music

Jamming with Jude is cheap, and requires no musical background or ability!  Simply turn over a few buckets, pitchers or flat-surfaced objects, grab something to bang with, and sit yourself down.  (Jude's first choice for sitting was the dog, but he quickly found out that dogs like to move to the beat of a drum, too!)
Since I wasn't too terribly coordinated to drum, Jude handed me two wooden blocks for clapping to his tapping, which worked out great!
Please share some of your musical meetings with your grandbabies!
Making music,
Bubbie and Jude

Related Articles:
5 Musical Instruments to Make at Home
Introducing Toddlers to Music
Infants and Toddlers Making Music

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Tactile Play

So there was this stick.  This was no ordinary stick. This stick was found by Jude and became his magical find for the day.  Where ever Jude went, so went this stick. And sharing was out of the question! After all, sticks like this one are not easy to find, especially when you live in a neighborhood filled with gardeners ready to clean-up and remove precious treasures such as this, before they hit the ground!
Sticks, flowers, bushes and other natural materials are starting to catch Jude's eye and sense of touch. We brought this stick over to the sand for some drawing fun and it lasted for a good ten minutes before it chipped away into a 2 inch stub, which was actually perfect for digging out that little pebble stuck under some dry brush!
Exploring nature in a safe and fun way, 
Bubbie and Jude
Any tips on nature outings you'd like to share?
Related Article:
What Are Tactile Materials

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Hydrating Toddlers

The days are getting hotter and Jude is playing harder. Fortunately, Jude likes to take water breaks, so I've always got a cuppy filled with cool water waiting for him in his car-mobile.   Another favorite rehydrator of his are grapes and watermelon pieces at snack time! To protect this little guy during the summer months, I also keep him lathered in sunscreen and look for shady spots to play. The only issue is the old hat trick...if I could only get him to keep one on his head!  Any and all suggestions are welcome and appreciated! 
Happy summer months,
Bubbie and Jude




Related Articles:
How Much Water Should My Toddler Drink Everyday
Summer Fun and Fitness
How Much Water Should Your Child Be Drinking

Monday, June 20, 2011

Ordinary Household Items for Learning and Discovery

As long as there's a house full of stuff, you can never run out of fun for the kids! 
A few slightly damp sponges were all it took to keep this toddler amused and busy for quite some time.  Jude started out cleaning the surface of the table, and soon discovered the joy of wiping over and around walls, chairs and toys.  Good thing the dog wasn't around, or he would have gotten the "once over," too!  
Keeping it interesting,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Any play suggestions using ordinary household items?
Related Article:
Ordinary Materials to Support Discovery and Learning

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Cardboard Boxes Stir The Imagination

It all started with an empty Pampers box.  Darn that last diaper!  I simply couldn't resist introducing Jude to "the empty box."  I knew it would be love at first site.  The first thing Jude did was to climb in for a ride.  As the designated driver, I had the honor of pulling this precious cargo from room to room while he repeatedly asked for more!  After I pooped out, Jude filled it with balls, and drove it around himself for a while.  We've got lots more to do with this great toy as we break her in!  Old favorites never die!
Here's to fun,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  How about sharing some of your great ideas for box play?
Related Article:
Fun With Cardboard Boxes 

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Keeping Kids Happy and Busy

What's in the box?  I don't really know if it matters, as long as it's filled with stuff that can be pulled out, lined up, stacked up and put back. 
My kids used to love to play with all the little loner toys that made their way into my junk drawer.  These play things were some of the lucky soles that might have been found under the sofa after their counter parts were tossed, left over from a kid's meal, or brought home from a party in a goodie bag.  And if I grabbed a few and stuck them in a bag or box, look out!  Their play value would hit the top of the chart.
Here's to some good old fashioned fun,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  Have you found your grandkids to like the same type of play as your kids once did?  If so, tell us about it!


Related Article:
101 Ways To Keep Kids Busy 

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Learning Through Imitation

"Imitation is the sincerest of flattery!"  Quoted from Charles Caleb Colton , and being practiced by Jude, the 20-month- old copycat .  This is where parenting really gets to be fun !  Not only do toddlers want to imitate you, but in turn, they want you to imitate them.  Good thing I'm only the grand mom, because at this point that boy can out bend me, out spin me, and yes, out dance me!  
Simon Says, "bye for now,"
Bubbie
P.S.  Share some fun copycat moments you've had with your grandchildren.
Related Articles:
Video/Games To Encourage Imitation 
Children Learn By Imitating Behavior Of Parents 
Quotes From Charles Caleb Colton 

Monday, November 1, 2010

Fun and Games With Toddlers

Hide and Seek happens to be one of my favorite childhood games.  It gets to be even more fun as you get older and wiser.  I always lost to those more ingenious than myself at hiding, but I've finally found my equal...Jude, my 18 month old grandson.  Now, this boy knows how to hide!  The game lasts about 3 minutes, which is right about where my attention span sits these days.  We than move on to bigger and better activities, such as; popping out at each other from behind the bed, racing down the hall, and spinning anything that will spin across Jude's wooden, play table.  As long as his imagination, curiosity, and creativity continues to grow, we'll never be at a loss for play!
Fun and games forever,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Where does imagination and fun take you while playing with your grandkids?

Related Article:
Why "Hide and Seek" Is So Much Fun 

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Play Time is Learning Time

"But this isn't how Mommy plays,"  Jude thought, as he threw another block into the shape sorter box.  I couldn't  argue with that!  He was right!  Mommy helps guide Jude's block choices into their matching holes every time...quickly and confidently!  That's because, Mommies can do anything!  And I must admit, this feat does appear easier than it is.  I tried it!  They just didn't fit through their holes!   After three attempts at turning those colorful blocks every which way 'til Sunday, I gave up, pulled the shaped lid out of it's socket, and gave Jude a hole built for a king!  Not only did that cut down on my frustration, but we could get in two or more at a time, toss them in while standing, and place other odd and assorted things in there, too!  For instance, Jude figured out that he could fit his one foot in easily, as long as he didn't add his hand.  But if he traded a hand for a foot...no problem!
Always trying something different, just for the fun of it,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. How do you and your grandkids, or kids, change up your regular play ?
Related Articles and Video:
Mommy Knows Best YouTube Video 
10 Ways Babies Prosper From Play 
Learning Through Play 

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Playing With Household Items

See Jude.  See Jude play.  See Jude play in Bubbie's plastic bins which she emptied, just for him!  Bubbie's bins were filled with very important files and paperwork, five minutes before this picture was taken.  Bubbie was forced to make an executive decision concerning Jude's need to open and close each bin while in it's frame, with the distinct possibility of catching his pudgy, little fingers along the way.  Dismantling and emptying each bin, and placing them on the floor kept Jude busy for the rest of the morning.  Jude demonstrated over and over again, how these bins can be climbed-in, sat-in, jumped-in, and scooted-in, picked-up, stacked-up, pushed-along, and sat-on!  Never underestimate the creative mind of a 14 month old!
Best,
Bubbie
P.S. See Bubbie spend the rest of the afternoon trying to put everything back together again!
P.S.S. How do your grandkids and/or kids turn everyday household items, into play things?
Related Article:

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Safe Blocks For Baby


Yes, this toy was personally tested by my grandson, just so you would feel comfortable buying a set of "B" blocks for your own little munchkins! I realize it was brave of him, but somebody had to do it! These soft blocks claim to be stackable, squeezable, chewable, squeakable, and I can't remember what else...and they are all of the above! Got tired of intercepting his hard, plastic toys, just before he bopped himself on the face or head with them. Too many ouchies, too often! And, no, I'm not getting paid for my endorsement, I'm just thrilled to have found a great toy, and wanted to share it with you. Discovered these blocks at Target when Jude was 5 months, and he played so well with them, that I upped the ante with their more extensive set the next month. These blocks will no doubt hold up for more little kidlits to come! Enjoy!
Best,
Bubbie
P.S. Which toy or book did you buy for your first born, which lasted and was enjoyed by his/her sibling (s)?
Related Products:
B Toys / Blocks