Got these for twins for swim lessons, backyard pool sessions, after bath and beach trips.
Got the green dino, grey alien, pink unicorn and purple cat. Might to need to get another so Baby Boy can have one
They are ga-ga about them and even taking them to bed to sleep with
I have had/am having the best gig babysitting 3 year old granddaughter while day care provider is attending classes for 4 weeks. She is an absolute delight. We are having the best time.
Oh how times have changed. This reminded me of my first day of school almost 60 years ago. None of this driving kids to school on the first day - on the bus! I was in first grade (no K) and most first graders couldn’t read (or at least read well) in those days. We had construction paper circles, squares etc, pinned to our shirts, and that was how the bus driver knew we were on the right bus. I do remember my mother saying to my sister “Don’t come home without your sister.” We only had one car so my mother had no way to pick me up if I got on the wrong bus.
Of course 90% of the bus was my neighborhood so it wasn’t like I wouldn’t know which bus without the green circle on my shirt.
That is a great story - and the paradigm shift over the years.
I am same generation as @twoinanddone but lived in a small town (10,000 people). I did go to public 1/2 day kindergarten every morning - it was across a busy street and then 3 blocks, so care was taken at the street corner to cross the road (which was a state highway routed through the town - but not as busy as a larger city). All out of town families (almost 100% on family farms) had bus transportation to all schools (including those to the Catholic elementary school). At those times, the Catholic school was almost 100% subsidized by the local Catholic church, and we had 4 - 6 nuns at the school during those years, one grade per classroom, but each with up to 30 students (1 - 8th, but later pared down to 1 - 6 due to the public middle school offering band, shop, home ed, etc). All the town 6th graders who joined band had after school band rehearsal at the middle school (which at the time was called junior high). Some of the junior high building (newer part is 2 story) was the 3 story old high school, and still remains in use today (brick building, stately looking).
We attended Catholic elementary school, which was much further away from our home and took maybe 20 minutes to walk. To save money, mom had us coming home for lunch, which meant no playground time (and also very quick lunch) - but after a few years she decided we could have school lunches (I am in the middle of 5). Was also only had one family car at the time, but the car was home with mom as dad worked in the family business and had transportation with that. However, even if it was raining cats and dogs, mom would not come to give us a ride home. A classmate’s mom (who worked, but left work to drive her son home if weather conditions were such) would also give me a ride home (and I don’t remember if siblings were also with me on that, go figure). Many years later, my dad was retired when my siblings’ children were young – and when we had very cold WI weather, my dad would comment about not having the kids walking to school in those conditions (of course my siblings and I were walking to school and back in those same conditions…) One time, my older sister was at girl scouts which was at a home near the Catholic school, and they called mom to pick up my sister - and mom had my two younger siblings along in the car to pick her up (they had a minor car accident due to the ice, so that was memorable) - my brother and I had walked home from school.
I do remember in HS school lunch cost 35 cents - I remember because a few times I leant money to a girl friend, who later always denied she owed anything to me - saying she paid me back. End of that - she ran that well dry.
I have to chuckle at that. My first grade class at a Catholic school had 56 kids in it. I moved frequently and went to several different schools, some Catholic, some not. The smallest class I ever had at a Catholic school had 45 students.
I had heard as large as 60 kids in a class, but the nuns kept the class order! I remember when one would sit in a specific spot, and our nun was introducing some Spanish, and would ask the student to open (or shut) the door, or open (or shut) the window. The things you remember…
Probably too late for most of you reading, but Pet urine stain and odor remover is a Prime Day deal.
The twins are potty training right now so lots of accidents. We use the enzyme spray to take the odors out of upholstered furniture and bedding.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CKFL93K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
deleted for privacy reasons
I am at D’s house this weekend, watching 2.5 year old & dog. The dog is jealous when I pay attention to GD, but at least she’s better than she was last time I did this. I’m so incredibly tired from keeping up with a little one. I think two would put me over the edge (and I’m in good physical condition … “for 63.”).
Just an FYI… Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale includes some baby gear!
I’m usually, but not always, in charge of one at a time. Usually do mornings with GS2, and then spend a little time with GD4.5 while he is napping before I go home. This week, I’m also on catsitting duty for S’s cat, who lives nearby, and also some afternoon taxiing of GD who has some extra activities. Gonna need a vacation!
I was looking at Parade.com (we no longer have a local paper, all digital) and there was an article that listed some board games. There was one that listed as popular, and it looked like it was fun for the young ages (2+) called First Orchard. Available at Amazon (where I ordered), also says available on Walmart site. I ordered it as a housewarming gift for the grandkids who have now moved way out of state (they had lived 100 miles from us). I will report back what DD1’s feedback is on it. I suggested an adult play with them first (ages 5, 4, and almost 2), and then GD(5YO) will know the game and be able to lead it with the tribe.
The grandkids like games, but often an adult has to be helping, due to the pieces involved (like losing the little apples with the one game where you pick the apples off of your tree into the red little bucket). A number of their games were from when DDs were young, or purchased a new one to replace.
It will be interesting to see if they keep the toys on first floor, and only books on 2nd floor (like they did before) - with 2nd floor washer/dryer now, they may have some more things upstairs.
GD5, and GS4 begin school Aug 10th, SIL will be at work by then (splitting his Army paternity leave so he has 3 weeks left to use before June 2024). GS2, and baby girl will go to day care when DD1 goes to work after Labor Day. DD1 has same job at new hospital, but different management structure and bigger department - so some things for her to adjust to with the job. Then she will be beginning on-line Master’s in January - a 3 year program. Job is Master’s preferred, and they want her to get her Master’s Degree. She received good recommendations on a program, and it is in-state for her (and is the school where SIL received his degree and I received my MBA). Job will pay for Master’s (2 years of service for every year of graduate program) - and hope the family unit can keep all things ‘on track’. They are fortunate to have very healthy and happy children.
The moving truck came a number of days late (so they will have a credit), and I imagine they have their things unpacked by now and have ‘normalized’ their household.
Had to find a pediatrician as soon as they relocated, as baby girl was at one month old (born June 10th).
DD1 is amazing, and hopefully SIL will ‘step it up’ on household and child supervision at home. He has had time to ‘learn’ to do more since he has been with the family since June 7th and receiving guidance by his wife. SIL was in Army cyber security training Sept - beginning of May, and away from the family except over holidays (had decent Thanksgiving time, and time from Christmas through New Year’s with the family). So he has only had to manage himself for a long time, and typically in the past has required prompting to not leave the majority of work/responsibilities with his wife. DD1 has to spell things out for him. She has verbally prepared him for what he will need to be doing in their new city/new situation, and they have had a lot of time together to work things out. The routines will get added, and it is nice that things are getting phased in.
I plan a visit before Thanksgiving and overlapping some during Thanksgiving week (when the older two grandkids are off from school but the rest are not) - all based on what works best for them – will coordinate with DD1.
HiHo Cherry-O. One of the best preschool games EVER. Every family should have one!
Saved me from looking it up.
With every visit, I would play a few games with the older two grandkids. This new game looks like I can include GS(almost 2) - he will be two by the time of my visit. And hopefully it has been played already by then.
I spent countless hours playing Candyland with my S when he was a preschooler. And Chutes & Ladders. I’m glad I kept our games, though, because the new ones are very flimsy compared to the older versions.
Yes, those are two games we play - and from our game inventory. Just have the boxes taped up a bit on the corners.
With our four year old granddaughter we play Go Fish, Uno and Candyland. Always looking for more.
My favorite game to play with my four year old granddaughter is Zingo. https://www.amazon.com/ThinkFun-Zingo-Winning-Pre-Readers-Readers/dp/B01DY818JG/ref=asc_df_B01DY818JG/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241971008122&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1806961815479127541&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001909&hvtargid=pla-613481715072&psc=1 We play all the classics too. She loves Old Maid.
TY for the recommendation. I ordered Zingo sight words. I know GD5 will know most of these, but GS4 will have a learning tool for him.
I wish SIL was more interested in working with the kids. I showed him what to do, but he doesn’t want to take a recommendation from me…but if DD1 coaches him to use the items they have with doing some pre-reading and reading with the older kids, he would do so.
Does he play with the kids or read aloud to them? Because honestly, the “serve and return” of conversation through playing and reading aloud will do more for a pre-readers skills than flash cards/worksheets/that kind of thing.