Yesterday's News

After starting Financial Peace University a couple of years ago, haircuts were one of the first things we "cut" out (yes, I crack myself up). I get mine cut once, maybe twice a year (and it shows, I have the WORST split ends...but no matter) and I cut Snug and #1's hair. If that shows, don't tell me because I think they look halfway decent all things considering!

However, Little Monkey Man is a different story. He has really nice hair, and I like it longer. I don't trust myself to cut/style it so he went in yesterday for his second haircut. His first haircut went well, so I figured this one would be easy too. The back was getting REALLY long, and #1 kept calling him "mullet boy". Even where we live that isn't really a compliment.

So we popped his second sucker of a lifetime into his mouth (most hard suckers are gluten-free) and plopped him into the chair.

Not. Happening.

He cried and slobbered and tears were just streaming. So he had to sit on Grandmommy's lap...because mommy doesn't currently have a lap. Besides, who else was going to capture the moment on film camera?

After "our hairdresser" started working, he calmed right down and did fine. I love this girl. She's cut my hair since I was just out of college. She is so patient with kids.

Within just a few minutes we were done and all the crying and slobbering and runny nose were just a memory...or just traces of fluid on his face.

I realized as I was doing this post I didn't get an "after" picture of the side/back. It was trimmed in the front, cleaned up/styled on the side, and about 2 inches off the back. Perhaps I won't get "she" quite as much out in public. People always dress their girls in Thomas the Tank Engine, don't they?

In other news, I had an OB appointment (35 weeks!) yesterday. Everything is normal. She's sitting tight. I was a bit dismayed to discover that I weighed the same yesterday as the day I had both boys (who had parallel pregnancies). Something tells me in the next 5 weeks I will continue to get bigger. So something tells me she will also get bigger. If I go 5 more weeks, she will be well over 9 lbs.

I know, I know, lots of people have babies that big. I just never wanted to be one of them!

I told the nurse I am REALLY uncomfortable when I stand or walk very much and I feel like she is going to fall out. It gets downright painful in fact. She kinda laughed, said that was normal in the third (or fourth or more) pregnancy. She just said I am "all stretched out" and it gets more "crampy" with each kid. Isn't that nice? I am all stretched out.

A GOOD thing about my appointment (not that her being perfectly normal and sitting tight isn't good, it really really is and I am so thankful)was they had "Pregnancy" magazine sitting in stacks for moms to pick up. This is one of three magazines this month that have BumGenius diaper coupons in them. I knew the coupons were out there, but didn't want to spend the money to purchase the magazines...defeated the point of saving money! The coupons are pretty much buy one, get one free!

That is a HUGE deal with BumGenius diapers, let me tell you.

I may or may not have picked up two magazines so that my mom could also buy one get one free. I have my eye on two shades of pink and two white (go with everything) ones. Now I just have to budget them into April! I bought my first BG diaper about a month ago as Little Monkey had outgrown several of his pockets and was in need of at least one more diaper(the two white ones I am getting he can also wear...and I guess the pink if we get in a pinch). I got it in 'Ribbit' in case any of you CD moms care, and I LOVE it. They are everything everyone says they are-including, unfortunately, pricey. I can't believe I have cloth diapered for over 18 months and didn't own one. If you are looking to start with cloth diapers, I'd recommend you get at least one and try it for yourself.

Who Needs Toys?

We are learning to live with less, much less, being at the rental house. This beautiful afternoon Snug used his resources and had a fabulous time outdoors.

A pencil, an old trowel found in the backyard, and a random spoon (not from MY cupboard) made for a bit of fun. We have quite the mole problem in the side yard (and by we I mean the landlords!) so his digging didn't really make much of a difference...all looked the same.

Digging out a mole hill.

Finding worms.

"Planting" stuff.

And this little guy got up from his nap in time to have some fun in the sun. Because of his lingering cough and ear infection, he was dressed quite warmly...but it was only about 55 out.

So toys? Who needs toys?

Oh but the thing abouttoys...they sure are FUN :o)

And even though we love resourcefulness and playing with whatever is on hand...toys really are a big part of our fun!

I haven't been online much, and haven't been very good about reading other people's blogs. I'm sorry! My mom is here and we haven't seen her in a couple of months. I appreciate all of her help around here, and her company. So I'm not online much. Don't worry, I'll be back!

COPS

I love watching COPS on Saturday nights. It is just so...real. It is very similar to what #1 deals with on a daily basis. Only they don't show the paperwork. PAPERWORK is one of the biggest parts of his job. Everyone is always amazed when they ride along with him at how much he has to do. Just part of the job people. It can't be all drunks, mentals, domestics and burglaries.

I also watch America's Most Wanted because I am pretty convinced I am going to run into one of those creeps on my next trip to ALDI and I need a heads up on who I am dealing with. America's Most Wanted is usually about as far from what #1 deals with on a daily basis as possible.

Anyway, I am allowed to share a story from his work. Many many things I cannot share because of people's privacy and as to not get him in trouble at work. But man have I got stories.

Yesterday he was driving around and saw a car parked in an intersection with hazard lights flashing. He pulled in behind the lady and went up to see what the problem was/if he could help. The lady had her hand stuck in her purse. I'm telling you, he deals with this kind of thing all the time. I would probably have a few sarcastic remarks, but he is pretty professional about incidents like this.

He has delt with her before and knows that the lights are not all on upstaires. Her cell phone had fallen into the lining of her purse. She put her hand in there to get it out, but like a monkey trap, when her hand was on the cell phone, she couldn't pull it back out. So there she sits. In the intersection. Hand in purse. Won't let go of the phone.

Yes, I love to watch COPS. Because my husband is one. Maybe you have to be here.

Games!

Along with my plug on painting the other day, I also wanted to post about playing games with preschoolers. If you didn't know, I was an early childhood education major, and had lots of training in child development (part of the reason why I was so adamant last year about Little Monkey not hitting milestones...I knew something was off).

Playing games with children is a big part of teaching them many skills. Taking turns, being a good sport, and learning to deal with defeat are all big parts of growing up in a competitive society. Competition certainly isn't everything, and we downplay who "wins" and who "loses" as much as possible, but it IS a reality.

Although we have many many other games, these are a few that we brought to the "rental" house and use on a daily/weekly basis, both with Snug and the other Draycare kids. Looking for an upcoming birthday present? Know a preschooler who loves games? Going garage sale-ing this spring (a great place to find games, just check that the pieces are all present)? Check out these favorites at our house. I included links to Amazon.com as I didn't feel like looking up each individual toy store to see who stocked them. Besides, many of these games can be bought used at a fraction of the original price!

This game is a classic. I love that four kids can play at the same time and it still goes quickly. You can purchase it or learn more here.

Players start with cherries on their tree and spin to see if they get to pick cherries to put in their bucket, or put cherries back on the tree because the dog or bird got them. Watch out though, a "spill" spin makes you start all over again!

This game teaches taking turns, fine motor skills, early one-to-one counting, and being a good sport.

Fisher Price makes fantastic kids games. This one is a favorite at our house. You can view it/purchase it here.

Matchin' Middles is good for us because the "big" kids can play it but if Little Monkey gets a hold of it, not a problem! The pieces are all big enough that they can't hurt him. Actually, we often put him in his highchair WITH this game while we play a different one. He loves to take the pieces in and out of the plastic (very durable) box.

As with most of the Fisher Price games, there are two ways to play. One is for beginning players which is just simply matching the shapes and getting the cookies together (taking turns, fine motor skills, puzzle skills). I find that although this game says "3+" kids as young as 2 can play.

The second version is like "Memory" where all the "frosting" cookies are laid upside down on one side and the "cookie only" sides on the other in a grid pattern. The kids get to take turns turning over two cookies and seeing if they have a match.

Snug got this game for Christmas from #1's parents. We have been playing it ever since. I am frankly getting a tad tired of playing it, he loves it that much. Beware if you visit my house, you may also play it a time or two ten. However, it is a really cute game that I would highly recommend. You can check it out here.

This game is a twist on the classic UNO game for little players. There are 5 colors and six animals, along with a farmer. The white farmer is the "wild" piece. This game promotes taking turns, being a good sport, color and animal matching, and making independent decisions. The skunk is the "Draw 2" which always makes Snug laugh...probably because he always plays them on ME!

Snug got "Memory" from my parents for Christmas. I love this version that you can purchase here because the pictures are very simple. There are some cute versions out there with various cartoon characters, but after playing those with Snug other places, I decided SIMPLE pictures were best to teach the game. One thing I don't like about this game is that Little M (from Draycare) beats the pants off me most of the time-he is GOOD! I am the adult...shouldn't I at least have a fighting chance????

This game teaches memory skills, along with taking turns and playing fair. Because there are so many cards, I found that breaking the game into two sections works best (I am playing with a 3 and a 4 year old most of the time) so they don't lose interest partway through. Sometimes we play with the cards in the green organizer, sometimes with the ones in the plastic bag.

This last game is kinda a tease because it was sold by "Discovery Toys" back in the 80's and I couldn't find it on Amazon. there is one for sale on E-bay. I included it though because you just might see it at a garage sale and need to buy it!

"Oh Rats!" is a puzzle game that promotes color recognition, fine motor skills, taking turns, and spatial awareness. Snug will play it over and over again. My online friend Lindsley sells Discovery Toys and they have great stuff. Her blog is in the process of being made private, so if you would like to get a hold of her, let me know! I can contact her and give her your information.

What games do you/did you like to play with YOUR preschoolers? Please leave me a comment and let me know, I'm always up for new favorites!

**I was in no way compensated for this post, these are simply games that my child/my daycare kids enjoy playing.

It's Gonna Be a Bright (Bright), Bright (Bright), Sunshiny Day!

I can see clearly now, the rain snow is gone.

I can see all obstacles in my way.
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind cold.

It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright), sunshiny day.

It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright), sunshiny day.

Looking around, nothing but blue skies.

Look straight ahead, nothing but blue skies!

I can see clearly now the rain snow is gone.
I can see all obstacles in my way.

Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind cold.

It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright), sunshiny day.

It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright), sunshiny day.