Worth a Thousand Words

I had to go to Brenham yesterday to teach my class. It's a distance ed class with 1/3 of my class in Brenham and the Rest in Bryan. I saw so many wonderful flowers, and I couldn't wait to take the "Bluebonnet Shot" with Gianna this year.
This was our "bluebonnet" shot last year. Easter was in April, so it was also what we did on Good Friday one year ago. For those of you in Texas, you know it's a tradition to scour the back country roads looking for that perfect bluebonnet shot. Here are some tips to help it go great.

Try to take your pictures in the late afternoon. The sun is in a good spot and it has a natural softness to it. Thank you Sandy S.
Bring a blanket! Wiggly toddlers don't want to sit in the grass. Give them one less thing to squirm about.
Check for ants!
Watch where you step. Remember Bluebonnets are a wildflower and if they do not get to reseed then they will not come back next year.
It is not a crime to pick a bluebonnet. Just remember the tip above and pick sparingly.
If you park along the road, be extremely careful in putting in and taking out your toddler from the car.
If you have a self timer and everyone is in the shot. Throw something in the general area of the camera so the toddler will look that way.
Finally (another tip from Angela), if an adult is in the picture with the toddler- it's their job to LOOK at the person taking the picture. The camera peson will get the toddler to look at them.
Have fun and enjoy the weather!

Tent

Today's tip comes from good friend Angela who actually tried this with her son.
Get a card table or any table actually and cover it with a sheet. Let your toddler crawl in and out. Get under there too! Try a flashlight for added fun!
Kids love it when things are actually their size.
Tent it up!

Tip of the day

This video is for the Grandparents, but all are welcome to enjoy!
So today's tip is a fun craft. Take a coffee filter and color it with markers- the more color the better. Then take an eye dropper or an old medicine dropper that's been cleaned and drop water onto the filter. Watch what happens- It is REALLY cool! Talk about color mixing and color changing. Set aside to Let dry and hang up on a window.

Let 'em Play

Today's tip is Let them Play.
We are in a culture that values kids. But we value them achieving- learning and getting to the "next step" (whatever that is!). We tend to have schedules and outlines for what our children need to be doing. Now, I'm not immune to this. Baby G is still not walking on her own and I'm considering a personal trainer ;)
I think the idea behind this is good. As parents we want our children to be exposed to the same things we were, or the things we never got to do. And for sure we don't want to do "something wrong."
But read this article on PLAY and see that we need to let kids explore and discover on their own.
I'm OK with that. I take my magazine or book outside with me a Baby G and let her explore away while I learn more toddler tips!

Do You Feel Lucky?

Happy Saint Patrick's Day to all you Patrick's and Irish and non-Irish people.
I like St. Patrick's Day. No, not because of the green beer, but because it's another day to celebrate. We love to celebrate! And that's today's tip.
Tip #17:
Celebrate!!!!!! Kids love to celebrate and have fun. So do it along with them. Chinese New year- Break out the chop sticks and teach them about God's love for all people. Presidents Day- Teach them to pray for our leaders. July 4th- Teach them that God gave us a country that's it's OK to pray to God in public. Read them the story of Daniel and the lions den (Daniel 6). Earth Day- Read the creation story and teach them about how God gave us the whole earth to take care of.
You get the idea.
Today we are having Pesto Pasta-It's green and we are talking about how God gave us colors to enjoy.

Still made it

So, I almost didn't get to post today, but I made it.
Here's my tip today- Start good habits early, now when they still enjoy helping and when everything is new, and if that's they way you always do then that's they way they know.

I've been practicing with Gianna. Things like saying "Thank You" and "Please." I just want these things to be a part of her life. Now her helping with dishes.... that's next!

More Easter Egg Hunt