Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008
My daughter is now becoming “addicted” to the Internet. I know, I know my husband and I talked about it and we’re figuring out alternatives for her. She easily gets bored with her toys, DVDs and books and turns to the laptop to watch her favorite clips on YouTube.
I’m thankful that winter is almost over (well, technically it’s already spring here but it’s still a bit cold) and we can go to the park more frequently now. But thanks to youTube and the users who uploaded Hi-5, the Wiggles and Sesame Street clips. My daughter loves them all!
Posted in Just for Tots
Tagged as you tube
Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008
My daughter has a new favorite, The Wiggles! The few times I let her watch the show, she didn’t show interest but now, she dances and claps when the four guys in their colorful shirts perform. Hmm, does that mean she’s no longer interested with Hi-5? Oh no!
We will definitely get her the Wiggles’ Nursery Rhymes DVD. She loves their version of Twinkle, Twinkle and Baa, Baa Black Sheep.
Posted in Just for Tots
Tagged as Wiggles
Monday, Aug 25, 2008
Instead of bringing our daughter to Luna Park on her birthday weekend, we’ve decided to bring her to a Hi-5 concert. We finally made our bookings and we have received the e-tickets.
We hope she will have fun at the show. I will definitely have my camera ready to capture her reactions!
Posted in Just for Tots
Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008
The group Hi-5 is on tour again this year and they have a scheduled performance at the Acer Arena at the Olympic Boulevard. It’s just 20 minutes away from our place! It will be in November 22 and 23 and I’m seriously considering to book tickets now.
Although my daughter will see new faces in the group, I’m sure she won’t be able to resist dancing and humming once she hears the lively tunes and see the colorful outfits of this dynamic group. Better ask my mommy-friends to see if they’re keen to bring their kids, too. Yey!
Posted in Just for Tots
Tagged as Hi-5 Tour
Monday, Aug 18, 2008
My daughter will have her 2nd birthday celebration back home, in the Philippines. Since her actual natal day falls in November, we are planning to bring her to Luna Park here in Sydney for a day of fun at the carnival. Then the actual celebration will be in December, at the Fun Ranch in Manila.
The preparations are underway and I have started with the guest list last week. Next will be the Save the Date cards, which I plan to DIY. For the main invite, I plan to have them printed and I’m searching the Internet for nice personalized stationary for kids. So far, these are what I’ve found.
[source: http://www.cadeauonline.com]
Aren’t they cute? The designs are simple yet very pretty and they both match the theme I have in mind. I still need to compute for the costs and see whether it fits the budget. How I wish I can DIY the invites, too!
As soon as the invitations are finalized, we will decide on the food and other party logistics. I’m already feeling the excitement over the preparations, as the next major celebration we plan to give our daughter will be on her 7th birthday. By then she could help with the party planning thus making it more meaningful for her.
Posted in Just for Tots, Piggy Bank
Monday, Aug 18, 2008
My daughter has started to watch more TV now at 21 months. With “more”, I meant watching other shows aside from her regular favorite DVDs, Hi-5 and Brainy Baby. She still doesn’t like cartoons but has always shown interest in kiddie shows The Wiggles and In the Night Garden.
She gets to watch TV at least an hour in the morning when these shows are on. However, I have a reservation with the show In the Night Garden. For a toddler who is still developing her communicating skills, I feel that exposing her to this show will only impede her progress. The puppets do not really “talk” but makes squeaky sounds, as their way of conversing.
Although, thankfully, she rarely focuses her eyes on TV and at times turn to her toys and books while keeping the show as background music. In The Night Garden’s intro music makes my daughter hum and dance and that’s the only reason why I let her watch the show (at least a part of it). But I know I should keep her from watching this show everyday, or, at least until she can fully talk.
Posted in Just for Tots
Tagged as in the night garden
Saturday, Aug 16, 2008
A year after Kathleen de Leon-Jones’ left Hi-5, Tim Harding and Charlie Delaney are now out of the popular kids’ group. Tim left in 2007, after a motorcyle accident that left him on a wheelchair for weeks. He was replaced by Stevie Nicholson. Then, early this year, it was Charlie Delaney’s turn to go. She had a good 10 years with the group and has since moved on to more mature TV shows. She was replaced by Casey Burgess.
My little girl at 21 months maybe too young to understand all these, but I can tell that she still prefers the original group. She’s no longer interested to watch the latest Season 10 and still prefers the old Hi-5 DVDs.
Know more about Hi-5 from their official site:
http://www.hi-5.com.au/swf/home.html
Posted in Just for Tots, People
Tagged as Hi-5 Season 10
Saturday, Aug 16, 2008
It is not easy to travel with kids. There is so much planning and preparations involved that many parents I’m sure are putting off traveling because of these. First, packing for long haul trips and long-term stays require careful organization of the kids’ foods, toys and clothes.
Second, all the luggage must be manageable enough to carry around aside from the prams and the diaper bags. I see kids luggage sold in malls and I think for kids age 4 and up, they can very well drag those little, pretty disney luggage on their own. There are those that can be used as stool for the kids so that it serves a dual purpose.
Lastly, the parents, especially the moms, need to have a lot of patience and creativity when bringing their kids to trips. In my experience, I make sure that I have memorized enough children’s songs, ready toys in my own bag and nibblers to distract my little girl when she’s nearly throwing a tantrum or just won’t sit still.
Posted in Just for Tots, Piggy Bank, Travels
Saturday, Aug 9, 2008
Before I had a child, I found it difficult to shop for baby shower gifts. Although there are a lot of choices ranging from baby necessities to niceties, I had no clue what is the best and reasonably priced out there.
Then I had a baby and all of a sudden, shopping for unique baby gifts become second nature to me. Knowing the needs and preference of the parents (usually the mom-to-be) and injecting some creativity, searching for the right gift becomes an enjoyable activity.
Posted in Just for Tots, Piggy Bank
Monday, Jul 14, 2008
Shopping for babies’ stuff can be an overwhelming task for first-time parents. Aside from the budgeting aspect, there’s the challenge to come up with the list of must-haves. First, there’s the tendency to exaggerate and buy nice to haves thinking that the baby “might” need it. Second, who can tell what the exact needs of the baby are when it comes out.
A friend of mine shared that she bought a pram, carrier, wooden crib with matching crib beddings and a playpen. Only to find out that her baby dislikes being latched to a pram and staying in a playpen. That’s already a lot of money put to waste.
It is safe to have baby’s basic needs available. Anyway, it’s always easy to buy if and when it’s needed.
Posted in Just for Tots, Piggy Bank
Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008
I shared in my personal blog how much I wanted to start potty training my daughter. We bought this cute Royal Stepstool potty from Fisher Price for her just so we can help ease her transition from disposable diapers to potty.
I am so thankful that a blogger friend came to the rescue by sharing a guide on how to potty train. It was a very thoughtful gesture on her part to send me that knowing how difficult this phase is for both the parent and child.
It was suggested that I start the training on the 22nd month and I have less than 4 months to prepare for it. May the potty fairies help me!
Posted in Just for Tots
