Ellie's Holiday Gift Ideas

Ellie Bellie is one spoiled Bearity Bear.  She has several toys that are both exciting to her as well as therapeutic.  What that means is that while these toys may help develop fine motor skills, gross motor skills, elicit communication and social interaction they are also a great deal of fun for all children.  Additionally, you can sneak in teaching your child shapes, colors, letters, and counting.  I have also included some toys that help with sensory issues as well.

Chunky Chicken has many of these toys already and a few are on my her wishlist.  I would like to thank Sandra over at We Can Do All Things for giving me the idea to write this post.  More gift ideas can be found over on her blog.

B Sugar Chute Gumball Machine

This toy is excellent for developing fine motor skills for there are three ways to get the balls out of the machine-twisting a knob, pushing down on a lever, and moving a knob forward.  Of course there is also just turning the toy upside down sending the balls ricocheting everywhere and setting your cats on a wild, ball-frenzied rampage.  If your child is like my daughter, this toys is great for communication.  "Ball.  BALL BALL BALL BALL!!!!!!"
The B Gumball Machine is what I like to call the "payback gift".  It is for all of you parents out there whose children have received loud, lights flashing, annoying music gifts in the past.  You know what I am talking about.  The ones where the batteries mysteriously disappear and you tell your child that the toy is "sleeping".  Yeah.  Those toys. Well, this seemingly innocuous toy is the perfect "payback gift".   Recall what I mentioned about the balls ricocheting?  Those balls will end up all over your house.  Just prime for tripping over them.

Fisher Price Learning Piggy Bank

Ellie has been playing with this bad boy for over 2 years now.  This piggy is great for teaching colors and counting.  Of course, it also helps with fine motor skills.  Now, the Bear just likes to carry the coins around in her purse (along with her kitchen utensils) and as thus, I am counting that as pretend play.  She is going shopping.  Maybe she will start to pay for dinner once in a while.  Even more exciting is that the toy works without batteries.  As in, you can turn off the songs!  Although, the songs are actually not that annoying "Oh I'm a piggy bank.  I have a piggy snout. . . "  For children who enjoy putting objects "in" and then taking them "out", this piggy bank is a winner.

Mr. Potato Head

"It's Mr. Potato Head and his bucket of parts.  Buckets of fun for everyone!"  You don't remember that little jungle?  Really?  Come on! I am not that old!

The obvious is that your child will gnaw on his delectable shoes, ears, hat,  and glasses.  Oh wait, that is Ellie.  Body parts.  This is a great way to teach body parts.  Hold out two options and have your child request by pointing to the body part on herself.  Or have her sign shoes, hat, glasses.  These pieces can be rather tricky to insert so again on developing fine motor skills.  There is also a big sensory input on this one.  Ever try to remove the pieces?  It is as though you need the strength of ten oxen.  Just me?  Yes, I am a wimp.  Anyway, the act of pulling out those stubborn pieces provides good sensory feedback.

Fisher Price Brilliant Basics Stack and Roll Cups

This seemingly simple (and cheap!) toy works on counting, colors, stacking, and nesting.  If you notice, you can also make balls out of placing two corresponding cups together.  Ellie loves to do this.  She also loves to then throw the ball on the floor to separate the pieces.  I do not recommend this although I completely understand why she does this.  For starters, it can be rather difficult to separate the balls and heaven forbid I have her work some more on her fine motor skills, but she also receives great satisfaction in watching the pieces go in two separate directions.  Cause and Effect.

Melissa & Doug Farm Animals Puzzle or any Peg Puzzle

Do not, I repeat, do not put the batteries into any of the M&D sound puzzles. . . unless you enjoy listening to the sounds of dying animals.  Or you take great pleasure in being startled by a painful sound emitting from the puzzle at random times even when not playing with it.  Clearly I am fixated on fine motor skills here, but these types of puzzles have the picture behind the pieces thus making it a wonderful tool for matching.  Puzzles are also great for communication.  I hold up one piece at a time and the Bear doesn't get the piece until she either signs or tries to say the animal.  That's right, I make Ellie work for her puzzle pieces.

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Latches Board

This toy is clearly to teach your child how to get past those pesky child-proof locks or well, any lock for that matter.  Have a keepsake trunk that you keep latched with your antiques?  Bam!  Babycakes can now open that trunk.  Window latches?  Bingo!

Learning Resources 1-2-3 Puzzle Blocks


I am not going to state the obvious here.  This one is on Bear's wishlist so I am not able to give you an accurate review of this.
Same with the one below.

Learning Resources A-B-C Puzzle Blocks

Shopping cart.  Any shopping cart.

Clearly this toy is so that you can have a successful shopping experience at Target.  All kidding aside.  This toy is not only great for pretend play, but it can also help with those gross motor skills.  Pushing a toy is helpful for an early walker.  Have a child with sensory issues?  Weigh down the shopping cart and your child can do heavy work to self-regulate herself.  (toy food included, baby dolls not)

Fisher Price-Bath and Training Set

Given Ellie's propensity to toss her baby into the bath with her, my friend thought it would be appropriate to give the baby her own bath and potty. Be forewarned, the toilet makes noise--"ta da ta ta da!"  There is an off switch which you might want to utilize if your child is like mine.  Ellie just liked to sit there and repeatedly open-close the play toilet seat so she could hear the exciting sound.  (baby in picture not included)

Signing Time!

You have to trust me on this.  Yes, I know it seems a little wonky that your child would plaster herself to the TV to watch a lady in an orange sweater with multi-colored band-aids on her fingers, but it is true.  Kids. Love. Signing. Time.   We started Ellie off on the Baby Signing Time series since it is more cartoonish and there is more signing (I recommend Disc 1 & 2 for beginners).  These DVDs  equal toddler crack.  Now, she watches the regular Signing Time videos ( I recommend Zoo Train, Leah's Farm, Family Feelings and Fun, My Favorite Things; Ellie recommends My School, My Favorite Sport [BALL BALL BALL!], Playtime Signs).  My daughter can communicate using sign language thanks to this series.  She also learned to sight-read a few words.  If it wasn't for this show and Ellie's ability to sign, there would be a lot more tantrums in this house.  These shows also entertain her on long car rides.  I also wouldn't get the chance to sit down and blog.   Oh wait. . . no no, I do not use Signing Time as a baby sitter. (fyi, occasionally these DVDs are cheaper on Amazon).

The Hopper

You can get any hopper really, but I prefer the Ball Bounce Sport Fun Hopper because it is really sturdy and similar to a mini yoga ball with a handle.  Ellie is still a bit small for this and still needs our help, but this ball is great for that excess energy or if she is craving motor sensory input.  Bounce!  Bounce! Bounce!  For those of you with younger children trying to develop core strength for kneeling, sitting, crawling, and walking, this is a good, cheap (only $10) alternative to those large yoga balls in the PT's clinic.




I hope that this list gives many of you gift ideas when you are out shopping.  Happy Holidays!

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us Turkeys!

May your stuffing be tasty

 May your turkey (or ribs if you are Texan) be plump (deep-fried),

May your potatoes and gravy (creamed corn & BBQ sauce)

 Have nary a lump.

May your yams be delicious 

 And your pies (4-way pie that is) take the prize,

And may your Thanksgiving dinner 

 Stay off your THIGHS!

~Author Unknown

Just another typical mother-daughter photo.
One of these days we will get it right!

That's better!

Look at Ellie's stink eye in the right-hand picture.

Why yes, my husband is indeed wearing shorts.  It was 80 degrees today.  Yes, I over-dressed my daughter because this mama bear is in complete denial about having Thanksgiving outside in warm weather.  I expect snow.  Or at least a coat.  Or at the very least long-sleeves and socks!

Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S. I am thankful for my husband's awesome smoked ribs and Rico's deep-fried turkey.

Just a Little Muchier Muchness

Ellie Bear and I are hanging out over on Just a Little Muchier Muchness where I am a guest blogger:

Thanksgiving Project: Anna & Ellie Bear

Be sure to check out the rest of Tiffany's blog.  She is a fabulous writer and her blog offers a lot of insight into parenting a school-aged child (Elise!!!) with Ds.

No explanation

Jillian told me when she snapped this picture of The Princess wedged in the IKEA shelf "I have no explanation for this".  Yeah, me neither.  Sometimes Ellie does things that make no sense to me, but I am certain they make perfect sense to her.  Nonetheless, this girl keeps me laughing and keeps me on my toes!

The Bear of Destruction

Is under the weather. . . Even sick bears can find ways to create chaos and trash the house.


Climbing.  Check.  The Bear has to stay hydrated.  Apparently, it requires standing on top of her baby's head to accomplish this.

. . . and sitting on top of the island.

Throwing blocks, nesting cups, play food, and baby all throughout the house. Check.  She gets bonus points for caring out her destruction into 3+ rooms.


Acting as though the TV is a really large iPad.  Check.


Eating 2.5 donuts.  Check.  Sick Bear needs to keep up her strength.


I am adamant that this adorable little girl goes to school tomorrow.  The house (and mommy) may not survive otherwise.

Texas Neighbors

Andrew and I are ever so fortunate to have some of the greatest, caring neighbors.  We help each other out in a time of need.  Emergency babysitting?  Check.  Emergency check-in the puppy/kitty/birds?  Check.   An urgent need for pinking sheers?  Check.

King of the Hill: Sort of like this, but not quite. . . 

I can pop on by next door for a cup of sugar.  If I were to cook.  Or for a shot gun.

Oh wait, I didn't exactly borrow the shot gun.  Or the hunting rifle or whatever type of fire arm it was.


This here is my driveway.

This here is the small smattering off trees behind my house.  Behind that a highway.  It is noisy.  I would like new sound proof windows, but that doesn't really fit into this post.  Moving on.

Saturday afternoon.  Ellie is napping.  Andrew is in Spain.  Yes, the country in Europe.  I am left to fend for myself so I lie down for a little siesta and hear:

BOOM!

My thoughts were "what on earth are Amelie and Tama (the possessed cats) doing again?" and "Thank you, Sophie for not barking and waking The Bear up."

I roll over.

KA-BOOM!

At this point, I believe that a large bird or some small animal like an armadillo flew/was tossed into my window.  Nope, just a few friendly Texans with cell phone cameras and a gun in my driveway.

Me when I looks out my kitchen window.
Yes, my hair looks like that all the time.

Ah Hah!  Those were gun shots. Why on Earth didn't Sophie-dog alert the motherland?

A poor buck got hit on the highway.  His back legs were in tatters with flies circling all around.  He dragged himself through the woods onto my driveway.  Right by my car.   My kitty, Amelie, was trying to get in on the action.

Fortunately, my neighbor and his son (who was visiting) noticed the suffering little deer and put him out of his misery.  I gasped.  Cried.  And took a picture, of course.  No, I am not posting on here.   Then, I pleaded with my neighbors to help me properly dispose of him.  Thankfully, they know what a wuss I am when it comes to injured animals and took care of the poor deer for me.  Did I mention that I have great neighbors?

What I was visualizing--those big eyes, the antlers, sweet innocence.

My neighbor had called and left a message to say he would be using a gun on my property.  Unfortunately, I believe he called a different Anna.  Also, unfortunately, my other not-so-nice neighbor who I never go to for anything didn't get a phone call either.  He isn't social so no one has his number.  He does own a phone though because he used it to call 911.

So we all got a friendly visit from the Sheriff.  I really like that my "not-so-nice" neighbor was looking out for all of us.  Even being in Texas and all where nearly everyone (except for me apparently) totes a gun around and gunshots can go unnoticed, he did the right thing by calling the police.  Luckily, in this case, it was a deer that was put out of his misery, but sadly, there are too many instances where gunshots cause deadly harm to humans.

Lessons learned:
1. If you ever need a gun, visit your Texan neighbor.
2. If you plan on shooting wildlife in a semi-populated area like say a subdivision, notify the police first because your other neighbors will call alarmed.
3. Things always happen when Andrew is inaccessible.
4. I clearly did not know what a shot gun sounded like before this.
5. I need a new guard dog but Miss Sophie was clearly slacking.

Rockstar

Sometimes being a rock star is hard work.

Happy Monday!