New Favorite!

Just in...
Tykelight Blue with Smart Timer by Mobi
http://www.amazon.com/MOBI-Portable-Rechargeable-Light-LAVENDER/dp/B000R5OLOY/ref=pd_sim_ba_title_2

This nightlight is SOOO great. You charge it during the day and then it lasts until, at least, sun up the next morning. And, most importantly, there is nothing on it that can be picked off, chewed, pulled, or even broken. Also, for the potty trainers and trainees, it can be carried to the bathroom.

YOU MUST CHECK THIS OUT IF YOU HAVE SMALL CHILDREN

We have a looong history of searching/finding/trying/breaking new flashlights etc... Josh is not really that destructive except when it comes to flashlights. We have no idea why that is but are planning on paying the future therapy bills ;)

Shannon

Kids Things We Like!

Well, I have been a Mommy for about 3 1/2 years now and have tried many, many products. Thought I would share with you what we like and use. I am not a big brand name user. If it is important to the product I will list it but mostly I by what is cheapest or on sale or time tested!

These are in NO particular order.


1. Triaminic Soothing Vapors http://www.triaminic.com/us_en/products/30043803003_relief.shtml

We just love this little unit. It runs on batteries and just puts that eucalyptus scent right in the air but it is not too overwhelming. This is so great when the little man has a cold. I am convinced it helps him go to sleep and stay asleep through the night because it allows him to breathe easier.

2. Toddler Flush-able Wipes

This is a potty training families life saver! Josh is 3 and can wipe his own bottom entirely on his own with 1 of these little numbers and then flush it right away! No getting called to the bathroom to help for me! As far as brand goes, we buy the cheapest we can find. Our version is sold at Walmart and is their "house brand", they are around $.88.

3. Crayola Washable products

Crayons, markers, Blank Color Wonder Paper with markers or finger paint. We do not use the coloring book version of the Color Wonder because I feel it stifles creativity and when we were given it as a gift Josh was really frustrated with it eventually refusing to use it.



4. Vick's

http://www.vicks.com/vaporub.php
Whenever Josh is sick, I rub this on his chest and back. He just loves this, it helps soothe his chest/breathing and is just a comforting practice! I heard you should put it on your feet and it will stop your overnight coughing but it did not work for Josh when I tried it!

5. Glo Bear

http://www.amazon.com/Glo-Bear-Five-Different-Light/dp/B000C7NRA6

This was a gift we received a year ago for Christmas. I loved it immediately and it really has turned out to be very useful. When we leave Josh's room before bed we generally hand him his chosen book and give this little fella's paw a squeeze. It glows just enough to light his book and eventually turns off by itself so it saves on batteries. I think we have only replaced them once in a year.

6. Tom's of Maine Toothpaste

http://www.amazon.com/Toms-Maine-Fluoride-Paste-Strawberry/dp/B0001VK8QE/ref=sr_1_42?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1199390840&sr=1-42

Josh can not have food coloring so this is one of our only options BUT this toothpaste is super yummy and works great! Josh was NOT happy about using a non-super hero or character toothpaste. (especially when I squeezed a bit of this pretty bland looking paste onto his brush!) But I conned him into giving it a bit of a try, now we have to keep him from trying to eat it! It really does have a fabulous flavor and I LOVE how white it gets my teeth when I use it. I use it occasionally when I still need to drink or eat something because it does not leave that annoying minty taste half the day!

7. Dr Seuss Books

http://seussville.com/main.php?section=home&isbn=&catalogID=&eventID=

A bit naughty without being too over the top. We all get a kick out of these books. We read them over and over. (Sure hope the new movie coming out turns out better than The Cat in the Hat one did!)

8. Any books on tape/CD

This is great for nap time. He will generally lay down and listen to a story until he falls asleep with out soo much fuss. Which gives both of us a much needed break!

9. They Might Be Giants music for kids

http://www.amazon.com/No-They-Might-Be-Giants/dp/B000068C97/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1199390916&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Here-Come-ABCs-DVD-Combo/dp/B000BEZPSC/ref=pd_bxgy_m_img_b

WE LOVE THESE! So fun to listen to and the ABC one is educational. TMBG is coming out with Here Come the 123's in February. Cannot wait. We are already downloading pod casts from Itunes of the new videos!

10. Foaming soap.

This is another Mommy helper! Just one squirt will do. Especially helpful if your young one does not like to use the gooey soaps. Josh was always a bit nutty about being "dirty". (We just recently have gotten him to do bit of painting that is not Color Wonder)

11. Ikea stool

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90098634

This is great in the kitchen or anywhere they need to reach. Josh helps me rinse dishes on ours. I like this one in particular because of the height and the price. It is a bit taller than most step stools and it was so cheap!

12. Lego's

http://preschool.lego.com/en-US/default.aspx

Enough said!

13. Play Dough (the concept...not the brand necessarily!)

I have made great play dough that seems to last longer than the commercial stuff! This is a great crafty play item. Really...it is an easy clean up and they will play a LOOONG time with play dough, especially if you give them a small rolling pin and some cookie cutters. Josh also loves to cut it with plastic scissors.


Here is a recipe to try http://www.theideabox.com/Playdough_1.html. I think this is the recipe I used, if not, it is similar!

Anyway...hope you enjoy this list! I may add to it later. Ya know...seems like we are always on the search for some solution to a new difficulty :)

Feel free to share your favorites by leaving a comment.

Shannon

Potty Trained!!!!!

Well...it is finally over. Josh is fully and completely potty trained. He sleeps in big boy underwear and, of course, wears them all day long! What a process!

Honestly though, it seems to me that we adults sure make it way longer and more frustrating than it needs to be. I can not even tell you the number of times I was asked if he was potty trained yet or not and, unfortunately, I let all that pressure get to me. I truly can only blame myself. I know that children will do it when they are ready...I even replied to the masses that he was just not ready yet. For goodness sake, he is only 3 years old. Not a Fourth grader or anything!

But still we set up sticker charts and nagged incessantly about just trying to go like a big boy. Well, as most children do, he showed us. When he was good and ready he finally just started going all on his own with out being bribed or nagged. GO FIGURE!

Ooh, funny story, a week or so ago, he says to me, "Mommy, I am going to wear underwear tonight, I have practiced enough!" (We had been insisting on pull-ups, to practice, since I was tired of getting up to change and wash sheets.) And sure enough, he has stayed dry ever since.

Well lesson learned and probably a good one to keep in mind as he grows and develops...at his own pace :) Not mine!

To celebrate, we took a surprise trip to the Build a bear store today! Great fun! Check out the pic below to see who he picked as his new friend. We are very proud and figure the money we will save not buying diaper etc... can certainly afford a cool treat like that and a fun lunch out with Mommy & Daddy!

By the way, we got a great deal on Shrek. He is usually $23 doll only. But today it was $20 for doll, sound, and outfit. If this is something your kids just love to do, it would definitely be worth finding out what their deals are before you go! We just lucked out and this is the one he chose!

Shannon