Grocery Shopping...Again

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Carter's Clothing Giveaway

I love Carter's clothing! My boys look so handsome in it. $200 can buy a nice amount of clothes.

Welcome to the Carter's Watch the Wear giveaway brought to you by Blog it Forward Media.

Carter's Watch the Wear was started by Henry Wood Carter. Under the name H.W. Carter & Sons (1890), Carter’s Overalls were sold and were very popular. The company expanded to market boy’s overalls, as well as railroad overalls, painter pants, coats, jumpers and shirts, eventually putting everything under the simple trademark “Carter’s”. They quickly evolved into a company that you see now. They specialize in clothing for newborns, infants and toddlers. and Guess what? Their collection is entirely affordable for the family.

Well, Carter's Watch the Wear has paired up with the bloggers of Blog it Forward to offer one lucky winner a $200 gift card to their website! That's right, you can enter for a chance to win $200 worth of clothes for your little one. Just fill out the form below to enter.
You can sign up for Carter's Watch the Wear e-mails! Do you want to be an affiliate? You can check out the details and sign up.

Just use the simple form below to enter! This giveaway is open to US and Canada. Must be 18+ to enter. Giveaway closes on July 31 at 11:59pm est. Only one person per household/IP address may enter. You only need to enter the giveaway on one of our blogs. Good luck!

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Grocery Shopping with Kids

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Second Week Of Mommy Lesson Plans

Very excited to have finished next week's "Lesson Plans". It seemed like they took forever to make because I kept getting interrupted. As moms, I'm sure you can relate. In fact, I just got interrupted again trying to write this post!
The Dinner recipes have been taken from the website Ready Set Eat. I like this site because it offers simple, inexpensive recipes that take little time to prepare. If you ever want to access past plans, just click on the tab above.
Mommy Lesson Plans Week 2

Speech & Language Development

This is part 2 of the posts on child development. This one is dear to my heart because it is the one that all three of my children struggled with during their 2nd year of life. It also was the first indicator that my oldest has Asperger's Syndrome. Fortunately, my second son also had this issue and was not on the spectrum. So it just goes to show that milestones are not always a predictor of disabilities or otherwise. My toddler is now having issues, so I am of course, worried for him. But, I will not let it overwhelm me. I would also like to note that my two oldest are now chatter boxes.

0-6 Months
• Makes some sounds other than crying (by 2 months)
• Begins cooing one syllable (by 3 months)
• Makes first consonant sounds (by 4 months)
• Babbles spontaneously
• Acquires sounds of native language (by 6 months)

6-12 Months
• Puts together long series of syllables
• Responds appropriately to a few specific words (by 9 months)
• Speaks a few recognizable words
• Produces gestures to communicate (by 7 months)
• Learns how to take turns making sounds in “conversation”

12-18 Months
• Has expressive vocabulary of 4-10 words (by 13-15 months)
• Has expressive vocabulary of 10-20 words (by 18 months)
• Can listen and respond to simple directions

18-24 Months
• Has expressive vocabulary of 20-25 words
• Uses 2-word phrases to communicate
• Uses gestures to communicate
• Begins using courtesy words (please, thank you) occasionally

2-3 Years
• Combines words to form short sentences
• Uses plurals
• Answers routine questions
• Provides appropriate answers
• Comprehends some pronouns
• Follows two step directions

4-5 Years

• Uses possessives
• Uses double negatives
• Joins sentences
• Can answer how, who, when questions
• Follows up to 4 step directions
• Uses third person
• Tells simple jokes
• Has a 2000 word vocabulary

6-9 Years
• Speaks fluently and describes complicated happenings
• Reads out loud
• Knows different tenses and grammar.

For more information go to
ACT • Quality Professional Development for Childhood Care and Education Professionals.
Women's and Children's Health Network (WCHN)

Cognitive Milestones (Mental Development)

This is the first post in a 4 part series on child development.  I like knowing what milestones my child needs to be doing, so that I may help guide him in that area. For example, I made a picture book of photographs for my toddler to help him identify family members. I also like to know why I am doing something. We all play peek a boo with babies, but did you know that it was to help your baby anticipate events? I thought I was just doing it to make him laugh. Furthermore,  This information is taken into consideration when I write my Mommy Lesson Plans.

I have a child with Asperger's Syndrome. When he didn't meet milestones, I started to freak out. I also freaked out with child number two who is not on the spectrum. Now, I have a  toddler, and am starting to freak out again. I have to keep reminding myself, that this mild hysteria is neither good for myself or my kids. So, please learn from me and take this as a guideline only. Don't obsess.



0-6 Months
Listens attentively to sounds and voices (by 1 month)
Cries deliberately for assistance (by 1 month)
Coordinates eye movements (by 2 months)
Discovers hands and feet as extension of self (by 3 months)
Likes to repeat enjoyable acts (by 4 months)
Recognizes and responds to name (by 5 months)
Studies objects intently (by 6 months)

6-12 Months
Anticipates events (by 7 months)
Finds hidden objects (by 10 months)
Can point to body parts
Puts nesting toys together correctly
Develops expectations about familiar events
Waves bye-bye

12-18 Months
Identifies family members in photographs
Enjoys cause and effect relationship
Is able to make choices between clear alternatives
Begins to solve problems
Remembers more

18-24 Months
Sorts shapes and colors
Mimics adult behavior
Points to and names objects
Refers to self by name
Learns by helping
Learns concepts such as size, shape and weight as he/she moves and plays with objects in the environment.

2-3 Years
Comprehends size
Beginning to understand time sequences (e.g. before lunch)
Matches shapes and colors
Counts and manipulates objects
Is beginning to think about consequences
Is able to concentrate for longer periods of time

4-5 Years
Comprehends special concepts (e.g. around, in front, high, next to)
Rote counts up to 20
Can complete a 6-8 piece puzzle
Begins to understand time concepts
Understands simple math concepts
Recalls main details of a story

6-10 Years
Retains knowledge about subjects they like
Develop reading and writing skills
Understands money concepts (6 years)
Understands complicated time concepts (7/8 years)
Begins to research information and complete projects (10 years)
Needs reduced stress situations

For more information go to
ACT • Quality Professional Development for Childhood Care and Education Professionals.
Livestrong

Toddler Fun

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Before I get to the actual "lesson plans", I will need to collect information. This will be used as my "curriculum". Today's focus will be on the toddler. I want to find resources on activities for my almost 2 year old. His needs will be different than the needs of the 5 and 9 year old. I want a toddler time in my plans. Plus, I want things he can do in his high chair while I get chores done.I plan on having a new activity every day.
I love this idea for Toddler Busy Bags. They are perfect for morning chore time. I think I might make a basket to store in the kitchen cupboard. Then I can rotate them, so he continually finds them interesting. I hope I can get my other mommy friends interested in getting together to make these. I think I will assign each mommy a bag and they will have to bring the materials.
Little Family Fun has some great ideas for toddlers. Some of the ideas are too old for my baby, but are perfect for the 5 year old. And like the ones above, they require some prep. So, I may add these ideas to the Toddler basket. My favorite idea is the Animal Tracks painting. I think my son will really like that.
Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds, All for the Boys, Click, Pray, Love and No Time for Flashcards have a lot of great ideas! Of course, these ideas are much more interactive. They are not meant for chore time. Also, many of these ideas are messy, like cooking and painting. But, who cares. The fun and learning is totally worth it. I believe that some of these ideas would be fun for all my boys. I know the 5 year old would like them.
Finally, I believe that music and dancing are very important for kids. I found this great website with a list of Movement and Music Activities for Toddlers. It has ideas for musical activities as well as dancing games. My little one loves to dance and sing, so this i perfect for us.