1.  Truck Jam by Paul Stickland.  This is an AMAZING pop-up.  The words and phrases on each page are easy enough for young kids to mimic, and the rhyme and rhythm creates a wonderful atmosphere for reading and singing it again and a again.  The pop ups are amazingly intricate with a dump truck that dumps, a fire truck ladder that extends and a hood you can peek through to see the engine!

2.  Elmer’s New Friend by David McKee.  We received this book and accompanying stuffed “Elmer” doll as a new baby gift from a family friend.  I put it on a shelf, not giving it much thought, but my younger son was immediately drawn to the colorful elephant.  The mirror in the back of the book is all but destroyed from being kissed and hugged, colored on and painted.  It is a refreshingly sweet book to read aloud, and the pictures are bright and colorful.

3.  Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.  I haven’t found an Eric Carle book yet that my boys don’t like (we even have two copies of A House For Hermit Crab to accompany our hermit crab pets), but this one is definitely one of my youngest’s favorites.  We even play “caterpillar” when we’re eating, and sometimes it is a great way to get him to eat things he wouldn’t otherwise try!

4.  Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? by Dr. Seuss.  Full of sounds and poetry, this is a GREAT read-aloud book.  It is verbal and loud, and it is a wonderful way to awaken your child to the noises and sounds around them.

5.  Put Me In The Zoo by Robert Lopshire.  While this one is listed and number five on the list, it is certainly not the least.  My son can recite this one, word for word (just like Mr. Brown Can Moo).  We are now on our second copy, and I’m sure the third will be forthcoming as well.  The simple words and bright colors make it appealing to young readers.  Besides, who doesn’t love a bear-ish creature with spots that change color?

What are your child’s favorite reads?  leave a comment and let us know!

Wash.  Rinse.  Repeat.  It is the same thing just about every night at our house.  Oh sure, every now and then we have company or we’re out of town (or something like that), but for the most part, the boys’ bedtime routine stays the same. 

We realized early on how much our older child thrived on routine.  He was constantly asking us what we would do next, what our agenda was for the day, what we had planned for the week.  He has worn a watch from a very early age, constantly checking times and schedules.  He was (and still is) up at the same time every day, no matter what the day, week or month.

Our younger son is definitely a “freer spirit”.  He is happy to get up at 6:15 or sleep in until 9.  He goes with the flow, excited with each new adventure and surprise and ready for whatever comes around the corner.  But, even with his less rigid personality, he thrives on routine.  Most children do.

Our bedtime routine starts pretty much every evening about an hour before “lights out” time.  Sometimes our schedule makes this impossible, but we try to adhere to the same schedule every night.  We begin with a bath or shower for the boys, then they climb into their pajamas and brush their teeth. 

Most of the remaining time we spend either playing a quiet game or reading a story.  The television isn’t on, and it is time to quiet down as a family and spend some time together.  About fifteen minutes before the lights are turned off, the boys climb into bed and say their prayers.  We spend our last few minutes singing songs and engaging in a few “mommy and daddy kisses”.  Bellies are covered with raspberry smooches and tickle spots are discovered.  Then, with a final hug and kiss, the lights are turned out and a soft, quiet peace fills the house.

Now, I’m definitely not going to say that the boys NEVER get out of bed (because sometimes they do) and they don’t bicker or cut up after the lights are out.  They are boys.  They are brothers.  And they aren’t always perfect.  But, I do feel strongly that keeping a routine at bedtime makes it, well, ROUTINE.  There are no questions asked about what happens next or why bedtime is here already.  Because it is the same thing, night after night, the boys KNOW this is the way it is.

So, what works for you and your family?  Please leave a comment on your bedtime routines (or non-routines) and let us know!

My younger son was the proud recipient of a bubble machine for Christmas.  I’m not big on bubbles, mainly because of the mess.  We learned early on what bubble solution will do to carpet (acts as a dirt magnet and leaves polka-dots all over the place!), children WILL spill the bottle (I think it is a requirement for childhood), and of course, the drips from the dipstick leave a lovely, slick track of solution wherever you are.  Then there’s the whole “blowing” issue - I just about pass out after a dozen blows on the wand (because my three year old hasn’t figured out how to blow on the stick himself!).  Sure, my kids love bubbles, but I don’t necessarily share in their enthusiasm.

The bubble machine we bought through Wonderbrains this past Christmas solves the whole passing-out issue.  Put in a couple of batteries, flip the switch and watch tons of bubbles come spewing from the machine!  The kids are able to run it themselves and it has proved to be quite durable.  We keep it on the back porch because bubble solution, whether in a machine or manually blown, is still a mess.  That will never change!  It works with regular bubble solution (don’t use the cool new bubble solution that makes the bubbles that “stay” - it is quite a bit thicker and may clog the machine).

And, bubbles are really quite pretty, when you’re not passing out.  I now enjoy watching the kids play in the bubbles as opposed to trying to catch my breath every five minutes or so!  It is totally worth every penny I paid for it and then some!

1. Toy Racing Cars Recalled by OKK Trading Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

After I wrote my post Monday, I had a conversation with a good friend of mine regarding sleepovers.  She has a daughter, age 5, who LOVES the idea of sleepovers, but she isn’t quite ready for it - nor are her friends.  Each child reaches that point of being able to handle the overnight separation at their own pace; to deem a specific age as the “ready age” for spending the night away from home is impossible.  Nevertheless, her child was convinced that she NEEDED a slumber party for her 5th birthday (don’t you love the influence of older siblings???).  Genius that my friend is, she came up with a solution - the fake sleepover.

The birthday party was a true slumber party, complete with popcorn, a short movie, pizza, cake, ice cream, games, and even a pillow fight.  They painted fingernails and toenails.  Each girl got to have their hair styled in crazy-slumber-party styles.  Everyone personalized a pillowcase to take home as a party favor.

At 9 p.m., all the parents showed up to pick up their little princesses and take them home to bed.

My friend is incredible.  She pulled off the perfect slumber party for her youngest child and managed to avoid the middle-of-the-night phone calls home that ensue when children aren’t quite ready to be away from home.  Everyone was happy.  Everyone had fun.  And everyone had a good night’s sleep.

What a great birthday idea!

1. Shims Bargain Recalls Pacifiers Due to Choking Hazard

Today is a school holiday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr, so last night ended up being the perfect time to offer up a sleepover.

We have had sleepovers in the past with Travis - either friends coming here for Travis going there.  And, when I think back on it, it seems strange to have “boy” sleepovers.  When I was little, I had tons of slumber parties and friends spending the night.  My brother?  Not so much.  In fact, my mom and I can’t remember a single time my brother had a friend stay over for the night.  I, however, was a regular on the sleepover circuit.  So, at least I have my own experience to draw upon for ideas.

Being eight, there’s not too much to plan or prepare for a sleepover.  We keep our events with our guest for the night pretty low-key.  For instance, last night’s little friend got to our house around 4, and the boys played football and hide-and-seek in the yard until it was time for dinner.  They then helped prepare dinner (we made pizza last night) and set the table.  After dinner, everyone cleaned up and I pulled out a fondue pot I had received for Christmas.  We melted the chocolate and dipped all sorts of stuff into the pot: pound cake, marshmallows, fruit, pretzels, and even cookies.  It was messy, but the boys loved it.  (I’m not so sure I’ll do it again, simply because the clean up was horrific - either that or I need a different fondue recipe!) 

Our younger son was hustled into the bathtub while the older boys played quietly, and once we got the little guy tucked into his bed for the night, we set up camp for the bigger boys in the playroom (our boys share a room, so sleepovers get special sleeping arrangements in the playroom).  The sofa bed was pulled out, and sleeping bags were dumped on top.  The boys worked on all sorts of building toys in between putting on pajamas and brushing teeth, and when they were finally ready to settle down, they were allowed to choose a DVD to watch on the computer (they chose from MY selection).  By the time the movie was over, they were beyond tired and fell asleep.

This morning is a Big Breakfast morning: eggs, pancakes, biscuits, bacon, juice, and milk.  The boys will play a bit more before our little friend’s mom comes to get him around noon.  We will have just some low-key playing and possibly some fun outdoors if the weather holds out.

The best part about sleepovers from my point of view is the time I get to spend interacting with my son’s friends.  It puts me in touch with who he plays with at school, what interests this age group, and how well my son gets along with others.  It is a wonderful window into my son’s life without prying or nagging for details.  By passively participating (being a presence without being a PRESENCE), I am privy to my son’s world outside our home.  And the kids think I’m *cool*.

That’s the best part!

Its time to get a head start, thinking about that all-important February 14th.  Here’s a terrific quick tip I learned about creating a unique and original Valentine greeting.  Apply lip gloss or lipstick to your child’s lips, then have them kiss a piece of white paper.  Turn it into a Valentine card to give to grandparents, siblings, or just about anyone.  Sign it “Hugs and kisses”!