Leapfrog Holiday Playdate Party

Because everyone needs something else to do over the holidays - I decided to add to the madness and host a Leapfrog Holiday Playdate Party 3 days before Christmas.  The timing was perfect as the kids were out of school and us moms needed activities.  Courtenay stepped up and co-hosted because she has the most fabulous house with a kick-ass playroom that can hold us all - we ended up with 15 moms and 20+ kids (ranging in age from 4 weeks to 7yrs old). 

As part of my role as a Leapfrog Mom I was given some of their best selling toys to share with my mom friends and their kids.  The Holiday Playdate Party was the venue I chose to share the toys - allowing people to check them out and play with them and then pick their favourite to take home.  The party was hopping, with the working moms off work and kids out of school, we had the best turn out for "coffee" in a long time.  The pictures tell a lot - the kids and moms alike loved the tag junior and the tag read along books.  They help with reading skills and associations between words and pictures with a huge selection of books you can upload and program easily on your computer.  

The Text and Learn was maybe the biggest hit amongst the moms - lucky for me many of the moms already had one or had purchased for Christmas gifts - so the couple I had to give away went to the few people who didn't already have them.  For the youngest kids The cuddly green puppy named "Scout" and the AlphaPet Explorer were big hits.  Once you set up Scout on the computer and program your childs name in he sings songs and interacts with your child by name and incorporates favourite colours/animals and foods into conversation - very cute.  Scout also sings lullabies for 2, 5 or 10 minutes and turns off automatically when finished for a great way to help your little one drift off.  My daughter Kate (2yrs) is a big fan and has renamed Scout "Kate Bear" as he always calls her by her name.  

Another great thing about many of the Leapfrog toys (especially if you have multiple kids) is that they can be used together with parents or independently.  It's great to see how engaged kids get when interacting with the talking toys - it's like you can see the learning happening!  This has helped me out on more than a few occasions as I learn to juggle 2 kids!


As a mom of two pre-schoolers I appreciate the expertise on age appropriate learning toys to help me guide their development.  Check out the Leapfrog Learning Path - an online tool set up to help you see your child's play and learning progress.

Guiding Children's Behaviour

I had the pleasure of meeting Mary Stuart just prior to the holidays, a Child Development and Behaviour Specialist.  With over 26 years teaching and guiding pre-schoolers behaviour and development, I'm excited to have Mary as a new contact (and hopefully business partner in the near future too!).  As a parent of 2 pre-schoolers I appreciate her words of wisdom and mentorship.  Below I've copied her New Years Newsletter to share with you.  


KNOWLEDGE IS POWER- by Mary Stuart, E.C.E.D.H.  childlife.ca

Confidence or more confidence is what most parents and teachers desire when asked about guiding children’s behaviour.

There is a plethora of information on the market with “new” theories, techniques, and “nanny” type shows which seem to focus on a “quick-fix”, or a special “technique” solution.

Children and their behaviour require more than a quick tip or fix!

Knowledge and Understanding of children's development and behaviour gives parents and teachers CONFIDENCE!
When you understand why children do the things they do, you have the knowledge to find the right solution to correct and change behaviour without all the drama!


Knowledge helps you:

• Gain the necessary insight into the child’s perspective
• Maintain control over your emotions, thoughts and actions
• Become successful as a child guider, supportive disciplinarian and ultimate developer of a child’s optimum potential

When children make sense, we feel more empowered to guide them to what is it we want them to do in a more calm, confident, competent way.


5 Tips to Help You Build Your Confidence

1. Next time a child is driving you crazy ask, “What is he/she communicating through this behaviour?  What is the problem?  Who owns the problem?”
2. Take a deep breath so you will put oxygen in your brain in order for you to maintain your composure and to think before you speak.
3. Ask yourself, “What do I want this child to do. What do I want to happen? What do I need to teach?”  Then do it!
4. Review the results:  “How did this work?  How can I improve? What do I need to do the next time to make it more successful?”
5. TIME TOGETHER! This is more valuable psychologically, physiologically, developmentally and spiritually than almost anything else!

Challenging behaviours decrease when you spend more time together having fun!

In just 5 more minutes a day with a child, immediate results begin with a preschooler, school ager, tween and teen!
Take the time to BE Together – your child will thank you. It doesn’t matter what “it” is. Dance, sing, read, play…

Now when you need to set the boundaries and be the parent/teacher, you can with confidence knowing you know your child inside and out.

These are just a few things that can help you be a more confident, competent parent and teacher!

Happy New Year!

Mary
Mary Stuart, E.C.E.D.H., RECE
childlife.ca…Solutions 4 Life with kids!
Have a Question?
We like to help! No question or situation is too big or too small!
E: justask@childlife.ca <mailto:justask@childlife.ca>  or P: 905.420.0799

© Copyright 2010 by Mary Stuart, E.C.E.D.H., childlife…solutions 4 life with kids! Reprinted with permission from the childlife Newsletter. Visit www.childlife.ca

2010 Resolutions

Okay, I'm not perfect - I'll admit that!

So, I spent most of 2009 Pregnant (Jan-Mid September) and therefore working out has been severely lacking.  I'm not one of those people who has to drag my ass to work out - I'm genuinely very passionate about it and enjoy it for all the mind, body & spirit aspects.  And of course the physical benefits are important especially after baby #2!

My husband and I have been ordering in a lot.  Let's blame new baby, new business venture and my husbands shift work = very tired at the end of the day.  We find ourselves in that awful "what do you want to do for dinner" scenario at 8pm, when #1 is down and #2 is between feed and sleep, and too often we default to local take-out.    

Therefore...(drum roll please)...you guessed it - working out and cooking are my resolutions.

I started tonight and it went very well.  I asked for, and received, the new Jamie Oliver cook book - Jamie's Food Revolution.  I'm not a cook so there's a lot of work to be done for this resolution.  It's not just about cooking over ordering in, it's actually about learning to cook and enjoying a new talent.  So you see, this is a BIG undertaking for me.

Tonight I cooked Salmon Tikka with Yogurt Sauce.  I prepped while #1 was in her high chair colouring.  I then read her stories and put her down to bed.  I then fed #2 and handed him over to my husband to play with, while they watched Canada/USA Junior Hockey game, so I could complete the meal.  The meal only took 10 minutes (post prep) and was so yummie.  The premise behind Jamie's Food Revolution is about getting back to the basics and encouraging more people to cook by learning and sharing recipes.  It's perfect for me as I need to be inspired as well as have the recipes broken down to the basics so it's easy and enjoyable.  All in all this evening was a success.  I'm as tired as I always am but, we had a home cooked meal and I learnt something new.  I feel good:)

#2 is up from his nap so over and out!

The Best Black Leggings: Uncovered

I love Leggings.  They are awesome any day - fat days, slim days, dressy, casual, pregnant, post-pregnant...
I'm currently wearing them more than ever as I've yet to squeeze back into my favourite jeans post-pregnancy.
I've done my homework - surveying friends and seeking them out in stores - to find the best black leggings.  I've found leggings I love and some that I have bought and regretted.  Now I'm here to share the goods with all my legging lovin' friends.


Best 2 Brands of Black Leggings:

1. Danskin "stretchfit" Leggings: They have 3/4 length and full length.  They have lycra and spandex in them which is great for 2 purposes: sucking you in (slimming) and not fading in the wash.  These are the best for dressing up with boots and under long sweaters.  You can find them in Legs Beautiful stores (if you live in Toronto they are scattered all around the city, close to subway stations on Yonge Street, and a staple in malls).
2. Hue Leggings: These 95% cotton and 5% spandex leggings are SO comfy.  They are great for casual or dressy.  They aren't as slimming as the Danskin ones as they have more cotton in them, but for the same reason - are more comfy.  Although they are mostly cotton they have kept their black colour in the wash.  They can be found in department stores as well as Legs Beautiful stores. 

Worth a mention: 

1. Talula Leggings:  They are available in 3/4 and full length and come in many colours.  The black ones fade in the wash which is why they didn't make the top 2 list.  The low rise waist makes them nice and comfy.  They are more slimming than the Hue brand.  I have them in grey and black and wear them a lot in the summer under long tanks and t-shirts.   

Not Impressed:

1. Spanx:  I have other Spanx products that I like a lot so I was excited when I found out they had black leggings - thinking they would be very slimming in all the right places.  Bottom line: spent way too much on these and will not wear them as they have a "control top" that you can see right down to mid-thigh.  Unless you are wearing them with a longer dress they don't work as a traditional black legging.  Very disappointing.

Let me know if I've missed any gems in my search!