10 quick, healthy snacks for toddlers
Here is a list of some of our favorite snacks. I pack snacks in the morning, before heading out for the day. I put them in small reusable containers… each with a serving for each child.
1. Little sweet pickles (My kids LOVE these)
2. Pretzel sticks with peanut butter to dip (you can also use other butters like almond, sunflower, etc)
3. Apple slices (Sprinkle with lemon juice to prevent browning)
4. Frozen edamame beans (My friend, Kimberly, showed me this… the gobble them up frozen, and won’t eat them raw!)
5. Edible Play-Dough (This is a FAVORITE of ours!)
6. Cut up grapes
7. Mini boxes of raisin (This is a perfect for a snack AND building fine motor skills!)
8. Cheese sticks (I buy a large block and just cut off sticks of the desired size)
9. Cut veggies (Our favorites are green bell peppers, carrot sticks, and peas)
10. Freeze dried veggies (We discovered these at Whole Foods. My kids ESPECIALLY like the green beans and corn)
The thing is, you don’t HAVE to use the prepackaged snacks. Though, we have used some small packs of crackers in a pinch, you can give your kids a healthy alternative. You are helping them build a base to continue their life of making healthy choices. You are giving them the best for their body and growth!
Chillin’
Here are DH and Z before bed last week. B had gone to bed early. They were just watching basketball and playing with cars (you can see a few of them stacked on DH’s chest). I LOVE watching my kids with my husband. Happiness.
Sleep tips (a few things I learned)
Sleeping seems to be an issue for every baby at some point. So, here are a few tips I learned and want to pass along.
1. Have a routine.
We have dinner every night around 6. Afterward, we take the kids for a short walk. On bath nights, we give baths on their return. Then, we dress the kids in pjs. We give them a smoothie or a cup of milk. We play for a bit, read books, or watch a short (educational) show together. Then we brush teeth, put them in their sleep sacks, give hugs and kisses, give them their lovies, and turn out the light. We don’t go back in unless it sounds like someone is hurt. They talk to themselves, each other, and their toys… but generally, they soothe themselves and go right to sleep.
2. Make the room dark.
We put a blanket over their window so their room is very dark. There is a nightlight, but it is around a dresser. So, it is not glaring, but allows us to sneak in to check on them.
3. Have some sort of white noise type machine.
We have an air purifier in their room. But I also bought a travel machine that is small and compact. By having constant noise, they are not disturbed by outside noises. I have recommended this to MANY parents of children who were having trouble sleeping through the night… it does WONDERS!!!! You can also use a fan (don’t point it at them) or a dehumidifier. Just make sure it is in a safe place and can not be disturbed by little fingers. In a pinch you can use a radio tuned to static. We did this when visiting my sister last summer.
We even have a noise machine in our room… and let me tell you, it makes a difference for adults too! I no longer jump ever time someone coughs or rolls over.
Some people do music before sleep or routines that can only be done at home. The key is, make sure whatever you do, it can be repeated no matter where you are. And that you are prepared for things like power going out (another situation where the travel noise machine would come in handy).
Beautiful view on the way home
Last weekend we were on our way home from errands. We turned the corner to see a hot air balloon about to take off. We all enjoyed watching it… especially the twins! They kept saying, “Bye bye balloon! See loo Laler, Balloon. I Lub Loo, balloon.”
Birthdays and twins… a quick tip
We have been to many birthday parties of playmates in the last two years. For multiples, I give one gift to each child. They are individuals and like to have their own item. Often I get something similar so there is less fighting. For example, I gave some of our boy/girl twin friends strollers for their birthday. Though they were both pink/purple, I knew from experience that ONE stroller would be fought over. Both kids have enjoyed loading them up, racing, and pushing them around on walks.
For singleton kids, I make it a point to give a gift from each child. It can be something that goes together, like coloring books from one and crayons from another. Or something totally different like when Zane gave an truck and Bree gave clothes. Why do this? Because my kids will also have a birthday… and if they weren’t twins, kids would be getting them each a present. In addition, often it reminds parents of singletons to get two gifts (one for each) instead of one to share (since sharing is not big in the toddler mind).
New toy… and how to clean stuffed animals without chemicals
DH found this Melissa and Doug, giant, stuffed lion . Since it was used, I cleaned it, using natural products. First I used white vinegar (I used my steam cleaner, but you could just use a mist sprayer and wash cloth). Then, I went over it with water (just wipe, don’t submerse). I put it out in the sun to dry. For extra precautions, I dusted it with baking soda. I let it sit over night. Then I used a dry towel to get the dust off. I was AMAZED at how much dirt the baking soda actually picked up!
Since I dusted it in my tub… I then used vinegar with the baking soda all over my tub, to scrub my tub clean! lol
Anyway, here is the lion… and the wondertwins. Everyone is happy!
Toddler learning activities
For those of you that don’t know, I am a former teacher. I now stay at home with my twins, while keeping another child, Ms. R.
Since my kids don’t attend a preschool or daycare, I try to create my own daily lessons. I decided I would start posting some of the activities we do. That way, you can apply some of your own… or, I can give you some ideas if you are doing your own home school lessons.
Our most recent work has been centered around Easter. The first, was coloring Easter Eggs with a 1 year old and twin 2 year olds. I dyed them, using the simple tablets and vinegar dissolved in water. When they dried, I put the kids in their high chairs. I gave them small circular stickers and crayons. They went to town and had a blast!!!!
A contest AND a chance to show the latest style!
I found another opportunity to show off some pictures of my twins… what me? NEVER! lol
Anyway, I was informed about a contest on twittermoms.com for a gift certificate from Children’s Place. Your task, is to show off and write about your kids sense of style. My thought, “I can DEFINITELY do that!”
So, here are some pictures of Bree and Zane. Bree currently LOVES to wear dresses! Every morning when asked what she will wear today she replies, “Pretty Princess dress!” She also loves shoes, necklaces, bracelets, and HATS! She will put just about anything on her head and claim it to be a hat! She cracks me up!
Zane is pretty easy. Though, he does love to dress up in random hats, boots, and glasses. The latest is a shark hat! He isn’t quite the fashion diva his sister is… but he DOES have some pretty radical outfits at times! lol
Both kids continue to ask for hats on a daily basis… sometimes, they have been known to wear a WINTER hat on a 70 degree day. Who am I to argue with their budding style. They both like to wear shoes… Daddy’s, each others, boxes on their feet… whatever. They will put on a different pair every chance they get.
The last thing that is OFTEN part of their outfit is their Baby Legs
Anyway, here are some pics of MY stylish little ones. 
Join the contest! It just takes a little time… AND you get to show off your kids! Post a comment here with your link and I can check yours out too! More chances to show off your kids!
Toddlers can scare the crap out of ya!
Sunday we took the kids to a park. There is a little lake (more like a big pond). We went on a walk around it, sporting the ERGOs if the kids got tired. Bree was running a few feet ahead of me. I watched her run, right over the tale of a SNAKE! Her foot stepped right on it!
I screamed and started shaking, running around the snake to get to her. DH thought it might be a copperhead. It scared me so bad! She didn’t even notice.
Later we found a sign showing the pond was a protected water snake habitat. I have no idea if it was poisonous. Luckily, it didn’t even move.
We immediately put the kids in the ERGOs and they rode the rest of the walk.
Then, yesterday the kids were playing with Easter Eggs. They like for me to “hide” them (out in plain sight). Then they run around collecting them in their baskets. They had figured out how to open them (though closing has not yet been mastered).
A friend called, and I was talking while sitting on the couch watching them. All the sudden, Zane starts making a weird noise. I look at him and see he has gotten half of one of the smaller eggs in his mouth and it is turned so he can not breathe from his mouth! I dropped the phone and scooped it out of his mouth.
Watch out for those small eggs! It was the size of a regular egg… So, I thought it would be fine. Obviously it wasn’t. Now, they are all put away.
Maybe today will be a bit calmer.
My… they have changed!
Here are pictures from around birth, 1 year, and 2 years. They are growing up! They aren’t babies anymore. 
