Leap Frog and Lauri Puzzles

Lisa gave our three-year-old some very useful DVDs for her birthday this year. Leap Frog Talking Letters and Words Factory have taught her, effortlessly, her basic letter sounds and complete alphabet recognition. Resources like these are a boon to the homeschooling mom of many. But if you are a mom of little guys and gals, these DVDs will give your students a leg up before you even begin to teach them to read.

If you’ve read the Preschoolers and Peace site or blog for any length of time, you know what a fan of Lauri Puzzles I am. The alphabet puzzle is a great tool to reinforce what has been learned on the Letter and Words Factory DVDs. I was recently caught with little three-year-old (in princess attire, no less) as we played through the alphabet puzzle and sang the little ditty reciting each letter’s principle sound. It’s fun and games to her, and little does she know she’s mastered her pre-reading skills. See the sidebar for all three resources.

Life with Preschoolers, ResourcesKendraMay 16, 2007Comment

Wedgits

Have you discovered Wedgits? I recently ordered a set for my preschooler and kindergartener to use during their table time. What I didn’t expect was that their older siblings would not be able to keep their hands off of them, either.

They love to build with them, I love that they are large and easy to find and store in a Rubbermaid box. No little itsy bitsy pieces we’re stepping on in the middle of the night. They don't break and you can toss them into the dishwasher if they get grimy. It’s a win-win toy!

ResourcesKendraMay 11, 2007Comment

Ruby Dolls

Oh, I love Doorposts! We have used a lot of their products over the years, so if you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments and I'll try to answer as best I can. This month my seven-year-old and I have been working on the Ruby Doll kit. Are these too cute??? Love the Medusa hair

ResourcesKendraApril 11, 2007Comment

Dreary Days

I like just about everything Nancy Wilson writes, so while up in the wee hours nursing the baby I’ve been catching up on her articles for women in Credenda Agenda magazine. This one in particular struck me as one to share with you. If you’re a mama who finds that your moods are affected by outside influences- specifically the weather- then take encouragement from Mrs. Wilson.

Nurturing Moms, ResourcesKendraMarch 23, 2007Comment

Little Helps With a New Baby

Well, hello again! I have been enjoying little Christian and have seriously neglected Preschoolers and Peace, but I know you all understand. Tonight he is nine days old and developing chubby cheeks and the ability to look at us for more than a minute or two before falling fast asleep again. Nursing is not happening. I have had trouble with all seven, and yes I do know how to train them to latch on properly

Not wanting to divulge too much private info on a public blog, let's just say I have anatomical reasons my babies can't nurse very well in the beginning. (Amy- are you glad I held back?) Anyway, as I have done with several others, I am pumping and will wait a few weeks to try to get this little guy back on, so if you think of it, please pray that he will. I have some favorite products that have been a serious help to me this time around. I already told you about SuperMom supplements. Have you tried them yet? This is our first baby to not have breastmilk jaundice, and I strongly suspect the high Spirulina content he is getting through my milk to be the factor in that. A few other great products, reviewed here just for you! -The Miracle Swaddling Blanket This one is really, truly a fabulous find. I like to swaddle my newborns, and they seem to like it for at least a few months. Despite the fact that we also refer to it as "the baby straight jacket", the Miracle Swaddling Blanket calms Christian right down and allows him to sleep without flailing his arms out of the blanket while sleeping on his side. If you are interested in looking at one, see the link at the right. Amazon has a good price on them. -Wish Garden Herbal Cord Care One of our homebirth midwives turned us on to this. It is a blend of Oregon grape root and goldenseal root powders, and it helps to dry up their cords and belly buttons quickly. I like that it's gentle. Even the doctor who checked Christian out of the hospital asked about it and thought it a better alternative to alcohol, even though I jokingly called it a "hippie homebirth thing". -Soothies Gel Pads OK, These are fabulous. Fabulous! Because of my nursing issues, nursing is also excrutiatingly painful. And the other tricky part for me is that I produce an overabundance of milk. Soothies relieve the pain, absorb the moisture (this is the first time ever I haven't leaked constantly), and don't show under a shirt. They don't show at all! They are ridiculously overpriced, so ask your hospital lactation consultant if you can have some to take home, and also look for them on ebay. Just don't bid against me

I'll be back in a few days!

Life with a New Baby, ResourcesKendraMarch 11, 2007Comment

Supermom Vitamins

No, I am NOT Super Mom. And because I am not, I need a little help. So I take Super Mom! This is the first pregnancy in seven where I feel really terrific at the end. I have to believe that some of that is due to the regular chiropractic care I’m getting, but I also believe Super Mom is responsible for my high energy, great skin (for me), and lack of any swelling. No bulbous nose!

Nurturing Moms, ResourcesKendraFebruary 17, 2007Comment

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