When children's books mention airport security

Yes darling people might carry weapons on planes. UGHHH Started reading Olivia goes to Venice to Vivian this morning and was astounded at this page!!! Let's scare all kids that someone could have a weapon on the plane. I get it, this is life, reality of our world unfortunately but really think this page should be taken out!!! There are other ways to explain it truthfully but not horrifying! We fly a decent amount and when the question comes up or it's time to explain the security process, I'll say something to Phoenix and Vivian like, "everyone has to get checked for sharp objects and dangerous items that shouldn't be on a plane, so we all get checked to be safe and keep the plane safe." Couldn't the author have used a description like that or something similar?? Come on editors!!

 

Race horse shape craft activity for toddlers

We love Seabiscuit and the movie and we go to horse races each year.

Go horse go! We did this Race Horse Shapes Activity this morning. Phoenix likes adding the triangle mane and tail the most. He also choose the horses uniform color and the number of the horse, Also features rectangles, ovals and a square. Use themes based on your child's favorite things.

Construction truck shapes activity for toddlers

Our shapes and construction truck activity. I showed Phoenix my example of a truck first, then mixed pieces up and choose a shape and asked Phoenix to place it on the body, where the construction worker sits, the trucks track wheels, the levers, scoop. And we will talk about the shapes more this morning. He loved it and after we added glitter and made some triangle construction cones.
 

Caps for Sale children's book craft project, You Monkeys You!

Phoenix loves Caps for Sale and this is a construction paper caps sorting project inspired by the Caps for Sale children's book. Also we used Melissa and Doug's big sketch paper.  The caps are great for toddlers and kids and monkeys of all ages to sort on top of the peddlers very own checked cap. Phoenix also has this Caps for Sale t-shirt from Out of Print Clothing which is very awesome. Tsz, tsz, tsz!

We are pinning about children's books and enrichment

With a new baby girl and a two year old energetic boy it's not easy to find a spare moment to put out a real blog post, but I love sharing what we are reading and the fun matching, sorting and enrichment activities we are doing. So you might see some posts here with photos but also we are pinning about children's books and enrichment here: http://www.pinterest.com/isobellajade/phoenix-baby-book-club

/

Go-to bedtime children's books for simmering down the day

Here are my go to books for simmering down the day and your little ones when they are restless during their bedtime routine. 

Also I suggest: Dim down the lights in the livingroom or wherever your baby/toddler is playing before the bedtime routine starts. Setting the mood can help, it doesn't need to be drastic but bright lights signals awake and diming the lights down a bit is a way, without even saying it, to calm down the body and mind. Usually before bathtime I like to dim down lights and after bathtime also have just a little light in Phoenix's room while changing for bed clothes/pajamas. Then after brushing teeth, the lights are turned down more to just the lantern.  

If your baby or toddler isn't calming down after a few books and songs here the books I recommend based on creating the "bedtime or naptime tone" that these books have. These are my "go-to-sleep" books and besides being favorites, I also bank on them whenever my monkey is still jumping on the bed or not settling down when it's getting to be way past his bedtime. These longer stories allow one read through, when it's a restless night then 2, and by that time your little one should be in dreamland. The board book of Baby Beluga I co-side with Goodnight Construction Site, etc. And for The Bear Snores On I read it very quietly and slow so some of the more exciting emotions in the book are taken a tone down. These books also have a quiet tone, meaning when you read it your voice will naturally become softer easily and they read sort of like a song or poem, and the flow of the story is soothing and calming. Sometimes

I start reading while my little precious is still restless but the tone of the story gives him the cue. 

A children's book like Caps

For Sale, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and the Otis series are books we love but books involving excitement and surprise, for us, are better for day time reads because they can rile up a little one (and that's great for when it's time to play), or best to read them first before a calming-down and relaxing bedtime children's book. 

After you've been animated and made animal noises and paled and had some jokes, these books might help relax the day down. 

New Orleans children's books and Eric Carle at Gymboree

In New Orleans we picked up some books at Nola Tots

and noticed at Gymboree the Eric Carle collection was out!