"THE BOOGA WOOGA": December 2008

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Getting Ready For A New Year...

Resolutions for Preschoolersan article by Robin McClure at About.com

Goals to grow by: Setting goals isn't just for adults or New Year's resolutions. You can also use key milestones such as a child's birthday, starting day care or school, moving to a new room, or any other rite of passage to take the opportunity to help your young child on the road toward independence and growing up. Even if your child can't read, write down goals that are age appropriate and review them with your child on a daily or weekly basis. Make sure your tot understands that reaching these goals is a step to becoming a "big kid!"

1. I will pick up after myself: Toddlers are quick to pull out their toys and leave them scattered everywhere, and not-so-quick to put them away. Many well-meaning parents enable their kids to not put away their toys, thus teaching them responsibility, with the argument that it is easier to just do it themselves. Maybe it is, but you don't want a child who doesn't pick up or help clean up messes later in life. This goal should be extended to a child's day care setting as well. Ask your child's caregiver to help teach your child to become more responsible and to participate in clean-up time and that you want to know if that doesn't occur.

2. I will brush my teeth, comb my hair, and keep my face clean: Your preschooler will still need help with thorough teeth brushing, but doing it independently it can still be a goal to work toward. Knowing that teeth are to be brushed at least twice a day, hair combed before leaving the house each day, and that faces are to be wiped clean after eating and before heading out sets the example of basic hygiene expectations.

3. I will wash my hands after using the bathroom and before eating: Teach your kids that handwashing helps to keep them safe and healthy and the "big, bad bugs" away. Make sure you show your kids how to wash their hands (including in between the fingers) and to use hand sanitizer either after hand washing is complete or when no soap and water is available (whatever your family practice is). If possible, keep a personal-size bottle of hand sanitizer in your child's backpack, in the car, and ask for teachers to step up its use along with vigorous hand-washing, especially during bouts of cold and flu seasons or when another classmate comes down with any type of communicable ailment.

4. I will learn to get myself dressed, or at least mostly: Preschoolers are able to put on clean underwear, slip on shirts, and pull on simple pants or skirts. Most can also learn to put on socks and even their shoes (maybe not the laced type, however). Make sure you avoid any "morning wars" by letting your kids have a role in clothing selections the night before and encourage them to dress themselves (no switching of attire) to help with the morning madness routine.

5. I will use my manners: Youngsters can and should learn to say common courtesy words such as "please," "thank you", and "you're welcome" at a very young age. They should also learn about using silverware, putting a napkin in their lap, not belching at the table or throwing food, or doing anything that would not be considered un-mannerly. Child care providers often instill a routine at mealtimes to maintain order and calmness; parents can follow suit at home with similar successful results as well.

6. I will mind adults who love and care for me: Toddlers up should learn to mind adults in charge of their well-being, such as a family member, babysitter, caregiver, coach, or volunteer at church. Without a doubt, independent-minded kids will create battles out of not wanting to do something when an adult asks. While setting this as a goal won't automatically put an end to such battles, constant reinforcement and discussions of expectations will certainly help, along with time, maturity, and of course, patience.

7. I will use my inside voice when indoors: Kids scream. In fact, most kids LOVE to scream. And that is okay in certain settings, but never indoors. Let kids run wild at the park or backyard, but teach them that there is a huge difference in voice volume and tone, and that there is an "indoor voice" you expect them to use at appropriate times. Praise a child when a normal level is used, and tell a child he "hurts your ears" when he yells.

8. I will keep my hands and feet to myself: Touching, poking, biting, hitting, and even head-banging ... these are the kid activities that obviously need to become "no-nos" in general. A child needs to learn that hands and feet are to be kept off of other people, and that nobody thinks it is acceptable to be hurt, even in a playful way. Set a reward to keeping hands and feet off of others, and at the same time, enforceable consequences if your child does not.

9. I will read with my parents or caregivers every day: Read to your baby, toddler, preschooler, and elementary-age child, even past the time they are emerging as independent readers. And make it a priority to read to or with your children every day. You already know how very important it is to have your child learn to read and to learn to love learning new things, so having your child make it a goal will help to reinforce to you its value.

10. I will share my things with others: Sharing is such a hard thing to do, especially when you are a young child and want something really, really badly! But teach your child early and often the importance of sharing. Kids also need to know that if there is a treasured item that won't/can't be shared, then it must be put away and not brought out while other friends are present. Besides teaching sharing, kids must also learn that it is not acceptable to "show off" toys and possessions that they have that other kids don't. Donating toys a good way to teach sharing.

11. I will be nice to my friends and to animals: "Be nice" is a motto all youngsters need to adopt. It's hard sometimes to be nice to other kids or to animals, but kids should learn that being nice to others is a lifelong expectation. Show your child how to meet new friends, to play together nicely, and how to meet and interact with animals, even friendly ones! Youngsters need to know that they should never tease animals, try and get them to eat something only to jerk it away, or to stick fingers around their mouths. Rather, teach kids how to introduce themselves to animals by waving and simply saying, "hello!"

12. I will get a good night's sleep every night: Let kids have a role in their bedtime and bedtime rituals. Kids this age need 10-12 hours of quality sleep, and bedtime battles cause frustration and lots of stress and tears for everyone. Ask your child what activities or wind-down events he'd like to do, and then back up the time accordingly. Let your child use a night light, if desired, and pick a favorite toy or stuffed animal to sleep with. But at the magic "beddy-bye" time, kids need to know that no amount of whining or drama will prevent them from going to bed. Both parent and child alike are much happier when a tot gets the correct amount of sleep.

// post by GRAMMY for "THE BOOGA WOOGA" @ 12:00 AM

1 Comments

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Lost & Found

Random pics around the house...

Great Aunt Wanda, Great Uncle Andy, and Me!

As the close of 2008 draws near, my Grammy started cleaning the computer files and found these pics. For some reason, they never made it to my blog so, she decided to post them now. I think my Mommy took these pics earlier this year, shortly after she got her new camera. Well, you know what we always say around this house... "Better late than never, right?" See you in 2009!

// post by GRAMMY for "THE BOOGA WOOGA" @ 12:00 AM

0 Comments

Sunday, December 28, 2008

TO: My Cousin Miles

Happy 3rd Birthday!

We hope that you enjoyed your special day.
Now, make a wish and blow out the candles!

Love Always,
Mommy, Grammy, Pop-Pop, and Me

// post by GRAMMY for "THE BOOGA WOOGA" @ 12:01 AM

1 Comments

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Family Christmas Dinner 2008

Today, everybody went over to my cousin's house for our annual family Christmas dinner. I got a chance to see many of my aunts, uncles, and cousins but, what I liked the most was playing with all of my "little" cousins... Janiah, Jaden, Laila, Nailah, Miles, Jaden (2), and Samaya. I also saw my newest "baby" cousin for the first time, Nia Rose Ellis, and she is 2 months old. Here are some pics that my Grammy took of me and the rest of the family while we were there. Everybody had a really great time!

// post by GRAMMY for "THE BOOGA WOOGA" @ 12:00 AM

1 Comments

Friday, December 26, 2008

My Third Christmas

Turn your speakers on!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

// post by GRAMMY for "THE BOOGA WOOGA" @ 12:00 AM

0 Comments

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

From Our Family To Yours...

Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

Luke 2:1-20

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus, my Mommy, Grammy, Pop-Pop, and me wanted to share our best wishes and prayers that GOD will continue to bless all of our family and friends. We hope that everyone has received their Christmas card from us by now...if not, please know that it is on the way (they were sent out a little late this year). We hope that this will be the best Christmas ever for you and your loved ones. Peace and love to you all!

// post by GRAMMY for "THE BOOGA WOOGA" @ 12:05 AM

0 Comments

Monday, December 22, 2008

Puttin' Up The Christmas Tree 3

Well, it's about time! We finally started getting ready for Christmas this past weekend. There was a really nasty cold going around our house during the first few weeks of December so that's why you haven't heard from me in a while. First, I got it... then, my Mommy got it... then, my Pop-Pop got it... and my Grammy got it last. So, I didn't get a chance to see the "Light Show" in person and do some of the other fun stuff that we did last year. There was even talk that we might go to a place called "Longwood Gardens" this year. But, that's okay... everybody is feeling better now and I guess that's all that really matters.

We had to work really hard and fast to get ready for the holidays in just one weekend. We finally got the Christmas cards done and put them in the mail on Friday, Mommy finished her shopping on Friday night, Grammy and Pop-Pop did all of their shopping on Saturday, and we put up the tree on Sunday afternoon. I'm a little too big to play in the Christmas tree box anymore so this time, I just worked on the tree. Me and Mommy got a little tired after it was all put together and decided to take a short nap so, Pop-Pop and Grammy put all of the decorations on it while we were sleeping. When we woke up, the tree was all ready to be plugged in and Grammy did the honors. It looked really nice when all the lights came on but, I didn't get a special ornament with my name on it this year. Grammy said that is because some store called "Hallmark" was selling the same name ornaments as last year and it didn't make sense to buy the same thing again. Well, maybe next year I'll get another one.

Here are some pics that Mommy took while we worked on the tree and Grammy added these links so we could revisit "Puttin' Up The Christmas Tree 2" from 2007, when I was one year old and "Puttin' Up The Christmas Tree" from 2006, when I was 11 months old. She said that it's always nice to look back at old pics when you want to see how much you have grown and changed. I know that I'm a big boy now and with each passing day, I will keep growing and changing... but, I still remember that little baby in the Santa suit, playing in the Christmas tree box for the first time. I think we all have our moments when we miss that "little fella" a lot and wonder, "Where did the time go?"

// post by GRAMMY for "THE BOOGA WOOGA" @ 12:03 AM

0 Comments

Sunday, December 21, 2008

U Betta Watch Out...

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town!

The NORAD website has many fun things in store for you and your kids this Christmas Eve. Visitors can take a stroll through Santa's North Pole Village and click on the downtown shops for fun games and activities including Mrs. Claus' Alphabet Soup Typing Test, an illustrated PDF Elf Story, and a Snowboarding Game. The Santa Tracking Control Center kicks off operations on 2:00am MTN Christmas Eve and lets you track Santa live as he navigates the globe. Just click on the image or text link above to get to the site!

// post by GRAMMY for "THE BOOGA WOOGA" @ 12:00 AM

0 Comments

about us

Click on images to view our complete profiles.

posters

Super-Sized Fun

snowglobe

"Searching for hunny all day is hard work."

photo cube

Click on any side to enlarge for reading...
click again to send it back to the cube.

reference

Pooh Recommended Reading List

history

The Most Famous Bear In The World

biographies

Classic Characters & Descriptions

trivia

Vote and/or Comment

adoptions

TBW's Favorite Characters

map

The Hundred Acre Wood

Wikipedia Encyclopedia: The Hundred Acre Wood

jigsaw

Can you put us back together again?

Free Photo Puzzle Maker

e-cards

Send a Pooh greeting to someone special.

word search

Winnie-the-Pooh & Friends

Comic Strip Generator: Winnie-the-Pooh

quizzes

Find out who you really are!
Choose Classic or Disney characters quiz.

Which Winnie-the-Pooh Character Are You?

The Booga Wooga is Tigger!
You enjoy the company of your friends, and would much rather have a good laugh than focus on a problem. However, if a friend is in need you are always there for them... Because Tiggers
are wonderful things! Take this quiz!

Quizilla | Join | Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

Which Winnie-the-Pooh Character Are You?

The Booga Wooga is Tigger!

Tiger is the most active out of all characters. He loves to bouce and jump everywhere. He has a bad habbit of messing up Rabbit's garden.
Tigger also does NOT like honey!

Fun quizzes, surveys & blog quizzes by