Our Smart Baby

I recently received a copy of the Cheeruppet World CD and bonus DVD and I wanted to share my thoughts with everyone here. Cheeruppet World offers edutainment (education & entertainmet) software for pre-school aged kids.

I put the CD in our family computer and my 5 year old son loved it. He played it for an hour unassisted.

The Cheeruppet World CD teaches life skills which is something I have been looking for to reinforce what I am teaching my children as far as behaviors and life lessons. I sat with my son as he played it again and we both really enjoyed the interactions, the lessons, and the positive messages the CD and bonus DVD conveys. This CD also includes 600 fairy tales and fables as well as printable life skills activities which I think is great!

If you order this software before Christmas you will also get the Bonus DVD movie. That's a great deal at only $19.95 plus s&h.

Go to CheeruppetWorld today.

test

When I was a child I can remember making a Christmas Countdown chain out of construction paper. We would use red and green construction paper and then tape a piece of candy to each strand of the paper. Whoever took the strand off that day got the piece of candy. I know I'm getting a late start but I think I'm going to let my children make one of these tonight. There are very simple and inexpensive to make. My 5 1/2 year old will enjoy taking the strand off and counting down the days till Christmas and my 2 year old will certainly enjoy the candy.

If you want to make your own Christmas Countdown chain below are the supplies you will need:

construction paper or white printer paper (you will just have to decorate it)
small candies wrapped or small wrapped candy canes (those tiny ones)
glue or tape to make the strand stick together

Then place your countdown somewhere in the house where everyone can enjoy it.

Have fun crafting with your kids this holiday season. If anyone has any alternative ideas feel free to share them.

Wow! This is the cutest thing I've seen in a while. You can make yourself into an elf at ElfYourself.com Just upload your photo and go! Your pre-k and up kids will enjoy doing this too!

My 2 year old toddler loves the Disney Cars characters. He also loves tents and slides and just about any big play thing. I searched around the stores for the Disney Cars tent earlier in the season but never found one. Luckily someone in our family did so my son will be getting this big Disney Cars tent for Christmas along with some Disney Cars characters. He will be thrilled.

Now for all of you still looking for this must have item you can get it from Amazon below and there's til time to order it before Christmas.

Christmas traditions are something that we all cherish and remember throughout our lives. Take some time this year and make some new Christmas traditions with your family. I have put together a list of twelve simple Christmas tradition ideas for moms.

1.) Use the 12 days of Christmas theme and give out inexpensive gifts to your kids for each of the twelve days of Christmas.

2.) Put together a family photo Christmas book for each Christmas

3.) Have a special Christmas movie night with Christmas food

4.) Put together Christmas goody bags for your family and friends. Include candy, stickers, and a small craft for each child in the family.

5.) Make a gingerbread house together. Let each person pick out a pack of their favorite candy to decorate the gingerbread house with.

6.) Make your own holiday greeting cards

7.) Go Christmas caroling in your neighborhood at a family member’s home.

8.) Volunteer, sponsor a soldier overseas, or donate good used toys and clothes to less fortunate families.

9.) Make at least one new ornament per person in the family each year to place on the Christmas tree.

10.) Let your child pick out and purchase an inexpensive gift for a child in need.

11.) Make your own garland out of nuts, fruit, greeting cards, popcorn, or candy and hang them on your tree.

12.) Make a favorite Christmas recipe together. Splurge on ingredients for the recipe. Choose something extra tasty even if it is expensive or full of fat.

I hope these twelve simple Christmas tradition ideas bring joy to your family each and every year to come. Article by Amanda C. of ContestForMoms.com

Olivekids.com has personalized
products and they are a great gift idea for the children in your family.
Olive Kids has personalized placemats,clocks and framed prints available
in all of our fun, classic colorful designs. From transportation themes
to the watery world of pirates and mermaids and everything in-between!

Olive Kids personalized product coordinate with our Bedding
Collections; you can decorate an entire room with Olive Kids or
you can add those finishing touches to a child's room.

Olive kids bedding and accessories were designed by a Mom and Dad to
helpparents everywhere bring imagination into their child's room.
No TV characters, just fun, colorful kids bedding and accessories
for boys and girls at a great price!

They have a shipping special of free shipping on all orders over $150
until December 31st.

Our 2 year old son had to undergo an endoscopy last week to help figure out what is causing all of his tummy troubles and vomiting episodes. As parents, my husband and I naturally started to panic at the thought of something going wrong in the procedure. We were quickly reassured and everything did go very smoothly with no complications. I just want to reassure other parents that although an endoscopy is a serious procedure, you should trust your doctor and not get so upset. You should also understand that this is a normal and valid reaction as parents to feel this way but your child will do just fine during the procedure.

One thing that you will have to deal with, which is grueling on a parent, is witnessing an IV being put in your child so that they can be sedated. Not only is this traumatizing to the child but it's also traumatizing to the parent. Toddlers don't know why they have to be put through this pain and there is nothing you can do to really comfort them through the process. One thing you can do is distract them with stickers or toys and hold them once the IV is done. We did everything in our power to make our son more comfortable and now over a week later he doesn't seem to remember.

One tip I would give is to make sure your child is comfortable and bring along a few toys for them to play with while waiting and to distract them with. We were lucky to have a wonderful doctor and anesthesiologist that played with our son and gave him lots and lots of stickers to make him smile. We hope that you are treated with the same kindness and respect that we were.

Tonight the classic Christmas cartoons that we all know and love come on tv. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer is at 8pm EST and Frosty The Snowman comes on at 9pm EST. Check your local listings for the exact times and channels in your area.

Watching these shows is one Christmas tradition from my childhood that we have kept in the family. We all love these shows. I hope you will enjoy them too.