Winter is upon us (in case you missed it!). And well as we all know days might be shorter, but some days at home with bored babies and toddlers can feel very long. We live in the northeast so sometimes there is no chance of even taking a walk on a very blustery day. So every winter since my daughter was walking we’ve registered for a class or two to make sure we have something to do to mix up our week. For the last, nearly two and a half years we’ve done Music Together and Gym Cubs.
Music Together is a nationwide music program for babies, toddlers and young children. Most children listen to music at home and in the car, like we do, but Music Together does a lot to get them to pay attention to rhythm, learn to carry a tune and use different instruments. Parents are expected to participate with their children so be prepared to sing a long!
Gym Cubs is a local gymnastics program for us that is walking to 3, and Gym Bears 3-6. It is great for teaching coordination, confidence and learning to participate with a group- especially waiting waiting your turn. Call your local gymnastics gym to see if they offer any baby or toddler classes or go online to find a YMCA near you. Many Y’s will offer not only some sort of tumbling gymnastics class but swimming with a parent as well. There is also The Little Gym which has locations in many states with all sorts of physical offerings for infants all the way to 12 yr olds. Itsy Bitsy Yoga- if your lucky to have one near you, is a great bonding and physical activity for you and your little one. We have a gap near us where they are unfortunately no yoga offerings for the 2-4 yr old crowd… so we do our downward dog together in the living room for now.
Storytime! Yes, a great way to spend a boring rainy or chilly day. Many libraries and small bookstores offer storytime. Even little babies will enjoy it. We use to go, when we could find a seat! Our neighborhood branch had a very popular storytime. Go and your little one will likely enjoy hearing someone else read for a change.
Find a Music Together location.
Other music programs include Kindermusik and Gymboree.
Also see Gymboree Play and Learn for activities.
Find a library or check with your local bookstore to see if they offer storytime.
Here’s a picture of some baby stuff I bought recently:
A couple of toys, some formula, bottles, a drying rack, and some Dreft detergent. I’m doing some laundry now with the Dreft, and I plan to sterilize the bottles momentarily.
I also setup a “Pack-N-Play” to use as a crib:
With the “gift giving season” upon us, many parents (myself included) are thinking about all the cool toys which are available for purchase to give to our little ones. I’m concerned with the safety of toys, but also the risk of indulging too much in consumerism. How do we know when our kids have enough toys?
My sister is pregnant with her first child. She’s the oldest and the first of us to have a baby. It’s a very special time for my family. You can tell because we had the most wonderful Thanksgiving together. We’re all just so excited about the newest addition to the family.
My sister is ultra superstitious. She and her husband have not bought a single item for the new baby, not even a car seat! They don’t know if it’s a boy or girl. Her due date is Christmas, and I don’t think she realizes how much she’s going to need certain things immediately after the baby is born. Lucky for her my mom is a nurse in the nursery of the hospital she’s delivering at, so mom will take care of a ton of basics like diapers, a breast pump, and bottles.
My brother and I pitched in and had a diaper bag custom made for her. I hope I got the right size. I opted for the smaller day bag made by Monica at Abbadabba Bags (not that print, but the same style). We also bought a fun stuffed toy for the new baby at Alpacababee. Pizza is so soft and cute.
Her due date is fast approaching and I can’t wait to babysit for the little tyke. I’ll finally have someone’s baby to borrow, and return when it gets fussy.
Can you have a lead-free, BPA-free, phthalate-free, worry free holiday season?? God- I hope so. With all the ability to test, research and procure we are bound to have a safer gift giving season. In my house, it means I am researching the toys we give my daughter, limiting what we are giving her, looking for wooded toys, buying US and European and hoping our generous relatives follow suit. We’re in the same boat with everyone- you can’t have total control over what other people pick out for them. So I have hit the internet to check out where to look for reviews and tests, who is carrying the good stuff, and maybe even how to get a deal!
Check out: Fawn and Forest~ one of my favs with lots of natural and eco friendly products, even many handmade. They have a bunch of giveaways with purchases with month too!
Etsy’s Natural Kids section features handmade clothes and toys that are carefully, naturally and lovingly made. You’ll be dealing right with the creator so their standards are especially high.
Palumba~ a beautiful selection of all natural toys and gifts
Oompa Toys~ Lots of nice wooden toys, they have a link that you can see where all the manufacturers of the toys they sell are made.
Craftsbury Kids more handmade, high quality toys and items for kids.
Want to support us? Click on Earthy Birthy Mama, Nubius Organics, Baby Earth or Wild Dill on the right for your safer all natural toys and we’ll get a percentage of the proceeds! (albeit a small one but everything helps support the site!)
Last but not least~ Cool Mom Picks for a great safe toy gift guide and a bunch a deals listed, too! Click above.
Where to go if you’re worried: HealthyToys.org will be available on Dec. 3rd with loads of info on dangerous/safe toys. Consumer Safety Product Commission, Recalls.gov and the CDC Lead Program are all sites that will have recall information.
Still worried about that toy your kido got from your aunt in the midwest- which he/she loves and will flip if its suddenly “missing”? Buy a lead testing kit, they can be found at most big hardware stores and online.
Sound advice: remember always buy for your child’s age group, some toys are meant for older kids because they are age appropriate but many times it’s for safety reasons.
