Winterizing for toddlers

Fall is definitely here, despite some oddly warm temperatures, again.

And all the moms and dads who are at home full-time that I know are starting to worry about what it will be like stuck at home in the winter with energetic toddlers.

I, personally, love rainy days that force me to stay inside instead of venturing into the great outdoors – now and then.

Still, a part of me is wondering what the heck we will do with all of our time, especially now that my girls only sleep once a day.

But, fear not, because I have plenty of indoor activities for toddlers on my brain. I checked out a couple books from the library. I’m gathering craft materials, reading blog posts and collecting ideas. And, just like I used to do when I first started this blog, I'll report on how well they went. Or, not.

I’ve cleaned out the storage room next to my office and created a second play and craft room so that I might be able to get a few words typed each day.

Basically, I’m digesting all the information I can to be ready for our great hibernation.

I’m looking forward to the challenge.

But, when spring arrives, I’ll be ready to dive into many, many, many hours outside.

Mamablogga had a great post on this topic a while back. And, on my other blog -- the one none of you know about -- I talk about this topic a lot. (And, if you want access to that "other" blog of mine, send me an email and I'll send you the link.)

How about we share a few more ideas here in the comments section?

The best sounds of all

Dear Jadyn and Liana,

For months, the two of you have been mimicking animal sounds. I think the first was the gorilla, for which you pound your chests and say uuuuh. Lately, your sounds have gotten so good that we are impressed and ask you to say them frequently. Your quacks sound more like the real thing than ever. You moo, ssss, meow and even baa. You think nothing of imitating an elephant, though you've never met one, or buzz like a bee, though you've never felt the sting of one, thankfully.

But, the best sound you've started to make in the last few weeks are actual words. I've talked about this in previous posts, but now I can officially say you have words. You've been saying bye-bye, but now we can add cracker, help, baby, and ball to the mix. Among your first words were actually two word sentences: I do and I get as in aygit the toys out of the closet or you say aydoo when you've quietly taken off all your clothes instead of napping in your crib.

As a Writer Mama, as a liberal arts degree carrying Mama, as a reading fanatic Mama, I can honestly say I am so happy you are finding a love for words.

Toddler speak

This was a conversation today -- well, every day -- on the front stoop, where we like to sit/stand/bounce/scream/breathe/laugh/head bang to the neighbor's rap music at least once or twice a day ...

A large, 18-wheeler truck whizzes by.

L: (Waves her arm requesting "The Wheels on the bus")
J: (Waves her arm, too)
Me: I didn't see any buses go by.
L: (Waves bye-bye with her hand)
J: (Waves, too)
Me: I meant, I didn't see any buses pass.
L: (Waves her arm requesting "The Wheels on the Bus")
J: (Waves her arm, too)
Me: The Wheels on the bus go round and round ... (rolls eyes)

Thursday Toddler Theme

Girls,

We are going to continue our exploration of the outside world. After months of being bottled up like a jar of Hoisin sauce in the pantry, we are enjoying being able to run about in areas larger than the average sized room. I don't care if you get dirty. I don't care if you experiment with the tastes of mulch or mud, for that matter.

Among our activities recently, we have been painting with water with old paint brushes. You love to see how the water "colors" our red steps, the concrete, the bricks. And, no mess for me to clean up! You love pushing your toy trucks and even being pushed on them by Mama at the same time. You -- not me -- have tried picking up ants, but haven't had any luck. We've enjoyed spotting every single bird that enters our yard.

We've learned to point out body parts on the ornamental frog:

 

We've learned to share:

 

We've learned what twigs taste like:

 

And, we most recently discovered that we don't need to drop a hefty buck on a sand and water table because we have a Lawn Buddy. It is a perfect tool for dipping paint brushes in for water, scooping up bird seed with plastic spoons or just plain splashing around.

 

Theme Thursday

Dear Ladybird and Jaybird,

This letter might put me over the top in the mothering world. It just might reveal exactly how obsessed I truly am with you, my little curious wonders. Each week that I am home with you and witness your growth and development is yet another week that makes me smile at your progress. I'd love to take credit for how interested you are in every thing that crosses your path, or how easily you pick up minor details of our day without even a word being mentioned to you.

Still, I have to do something. Every week. Every day. Think of it as for my growth and development as a mother. Humor me, in other words. I know that since you are twins and have each other you don't need these "structured" activities, which is why we always go with the flow (so long as it doesn't interupt a meal, a nap or, God Forbid, bedtime).

This week, I'm starting Theme Thursdays for toddlers. That's right.

Each week we always talk about lots of things, but this week we are spending an extra amount of time on birds. We've been out three times -- and will continue as long as weather permits - in the early mornings for bird watching.

You love watching birds as they flutter from tree, to birdfeeder, to Lilac bush, to electrical wires and back to the Cherry Blossom. This morning a group of sweet birds had a singing party over some food they all wanted right before your wide-open eyes. The smile that grew on your faces was memorable.

You love to flap your arms like a bird. We do this here and there, especially when you start to get antsy.

I've also read you some poems by Emily Dickinson such as this one:

A Bird came down the Walk --
He did not know I saw --
He bit an Angleworm in halves
And ate the fellow, raw,

And then he drank a Dew
From a convenient Grass --
And then hopped sidewise to the Wall
To let a Beetle pass --

He glanced with rapid eyes
That hurried all around --
They looked like frightened Beads, I thought --
He stirred his Velvet Head

Like one in danger, Cautious,
I offered him a crumb
And he unrolled his feathers
And rowed him softer home --

Than Oars divide the Ocean,
Too silver for a seam --
Or Butterflies, off Banks of Noon
Leap, plashless as they swim.

Today, after your morning nap, we will build bird nests -- an idea I got from this great Web site. We will use a pair of plush birds that squeak that you were given as infants.

And, tomorrow if it rains, instead of bird watching outside, under the Cherry Blossom, we'll have a rainy day Bird Extravaganza at Toddler Toddler.

How to photograph twin toddlers

 

Lucky for me, I have a set of gorgeous babies to take pictures of every day. Lucky for me, I am home to do it all day. Because, let me tell you, girlies, getting either one of you to stay still long enough for a photograph these days is pretty difficult.

Getting BOTH of you to stay still long enough in the same frame -- nearly impossible.

Alas, my tips for getting some memorable, photos of twin toddlers:

1. Patience is key. You must have the camera ready at all times for those perfect moments that arise when you least expect them. Plan all you want and you know how that will turn out: crabby, fussy, crying babies. Best times are just after a meal or when out and about.

2. Try and find one object they both like and will focus on long enough while you can take a few shots. Place that object on the floor between them. Colorful objects are best so that they look OK in the picture.

3. While they are finally sitting or standing in a decent frame, make as many silly noises as possible. Have something -- a favorite stuffed animal or toy -- to hold up so you can get them to look at you now and then.

4. Stand very close. As close as possible. This is hard with two quick-moving tots so you have to be ready to change position. When they break up, take that opportunity to take individual shots.

5. Use props like wagons, toddler chairs, steps and stoops to keep them contained.

6. Ask them questions that they are bound to answer: where is your tongue, for instance? Those can make great, fun photographs for the scrapbooks or albums.

For more great photo tips, check out the blog In the Trenches of Motherhood. She offers some great insight to photographs, in general.

Soaking up the sunshine

 

For the first time, I took the two of you to a quiet space beside our home -- one that doesn't get as much direct sun. It's a great space for playing with dirt. You painted with water with some old paint brushes. We played some ball. Mostly, you wanted to chew on some slate pieces I have been saving for a Rainy Day project.

Stop to smell the flowers

 

Baby girl, you were amazed by all the beautiful flowers in the park today. Your innocence is inspiring.

A day in the park

 

Lady Bug, you run so quick out of each frame I can barely get a picture of you these days. Slow down ... nah, just kidding. Run like the wind, busy girl.