by beth on April 15, 2010
in Uncategorized

We have a token system in our house. The kids can earn tokens for good behavior, it can range from doing something kind to putting their coats up on the hook in their room when they come home. They can turn their tokens in for rewards, like 10 tokens is a sticker sheet. It’s been a great system. I know it might not be for everyone, but for them it helps to keep them on task in a positive way. Plus, making treasure chests (pirate treasure for the boys & Mamacita choose a heart) to put the tokens in was kinda fun. Well, they’ve been saving their tokens for quite a while to get something bigger. Of course the boys went for Legos. I found out after everything was together that this is a Tauntan (from Star Wars) and apparently he cannot survive long journeys without stopping to nosh on some goldfish. It makes sense to me, I mean if you had to snowplains of Hoth you’d need to nosh first too.
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by beth on February 2, 2010
in Uncategorized

Catching a moment with D-man & Hubby. Looks like something is about to happen.

Yep, it happened. Hubby went in for the tickle. D-man is so excited that you can see the drool. Little ones can pull off the drool, adults not so much. And I’ve gotta admit I love watching Hubby play with the kids. He is a big kid at heart.
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by beth on January 7, 2010
in Uncategorized

We received this wooden puzzle box as a gift when I was expecting our first child, almost seven years ago. OH MY GOD–SEVEN!!–OK, minor panic attack just happened. I’m OK now, just had to run around the house in a panic wondering when I got, I mean, when HE got so old. Back to the puzzle box, it has gotten years of use since then. It looks simple & it is, but sometimes simple toys can provide more entertainment than all the giant bell & whistle toys that can do anything including change your car tire. Maybe it’s because simple toys don’t require Mommy to remove the batteries while everyone is sleeping or perhaps it’s because kids actually like using their imagination. I know HOW ODD. Kids who LIKE to PLAY? Quick call the press–Kids who play & use their imagination.

The top slides off & in the box are lots of different animal pieces to mix and match. It has held up well, even among the trails & tribulations of my children. Children who seem to think launching toys across the room is par for the course of play. I’d prefer they not, but tell that to the baby. He’s dangerous.

And don’t be surprised if your child decides to make a creature that looks more like it belongs on The Island of Dr. Moreau than anywhere else if they play with a puzzle like this. I’m sure they won’t become a mad scientist. Although I can’t promise anything but on the plus side at least you’d have a doctor in the family. I know I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
Oh and after a little stroll around the internet I discovered The Land of Nod has something similar.
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