Jaden is Two 🎉 I threw the birthday party at home & I survived!!!

My baby boy toddler is finally two years old! I thank God for his life. 

Seeing as we just had a fantastic family vacation in Florida, I didn’t feel the need to rent anywhere for a celebration with friends and family so I decided to through the party at our home… oh my gosh! The stress, the panic. 

You never really know what you’re getting into until you have to get all the details together… from the cake to the drinks and food & don’t forget the cooler and Ice & the decorations and make sure there’s enough this and that & some of that 😅

This party wasn’t just for one but for two amazing boys, my son and my close friend Adeline’s son also – Jaden turned 2 & Johnny turned 5 – The theme of the party was Pj Masks, so you can image how the superhero kids filled the house. I’m so thankful that it’s a hit Disney cartoon show because finding decorations was a breeze, setting up the decorations, that was a lot. 

You don’t think you have a lot until you have to tape everything up and some of it falls off + I have an excited toddler wanting to touch everything. Placement is key. Children’s corner, adult corner, what toys are appropriate and safe for all the kids (parenting tip – remove all the small stuff and keep all the big stuff and puzzles) that’s what I did plus we had some fun fun balls, a basketball hoop and of course the hit of the party the “little tikes” slide. 

When guests started arriving we had enough of everything & I was so happy to see how all the kids had such a great time right away, after all it is for them. The kiddie table had delicious snacks and fruit so there definitely no worries over there. Music was playing & it definitely has the kids on there feet 😬

It’s funny when you have to throw something, the time just flys ✈️ by. I honestly didn’t think I’d make it in time because one minute it’s Monday and boom it’s PARTY DAY!! But I survived, I made it through & everything was a huge success! 

My son got some wonderful toys which he enjoyed the next day and still does & with all that I did to set up, cleaning up wasn’t half bad. My mom taught me at a young age, clean up right away because the next day you can relax!!! IT’S THE TRUTH! I woke up and all I had to deal with was extra food – which wasn’t an issue because we just ate it up throughout the day.

Parents are really super hero’s in disguise!!! Kudos to all of us 😉 although they might not acknowledge it right away, are children are so thankful for these moments we create for them. 

 

Interest 2.0

Time has gone by, my little man has developed a new love for new things. Of course this is normal and it’s interesting to see from a mom point of few.

It used to be all about “Word Party” & flip books but then it became about cars, and trains and animals! Ah ha – there’s the boy in you. He loves his cars and does he loves his trains, it all started because I let him watch a show called “Chuggington” and that somehow translated into “Mickey and the roadster racers” now he can’t get enough. If I buy him toys there usually in the category and I just love how happy he gets like “how is this cartoon character in my playroom” being a toddler must be awesome.

Parents let your children guide you into what they are interested in. Don’t force it because they know what they like. Can it become annoying? ABSOLUTELY! Who wants to watch the same show over and over but there are perks to it! Learning.

When we watch certain shows I hear him singing along and it makes me so happy.

Don’t get me wrong we still read a lot too and the best part about that is he’s involved. He loves hearing different character voices and if he seems animals or anything he knows the words to, he’ll say them out loud!!! YES (my home training worked and school is working too)

There’s  nothing like the development of your child. Remember when it was “oh his neck is up” “he’s crawling” “he’s walking” now it’s about “Wow, when did you learn that word” or “When did you learn that move” 🙂 I’m a very happy and proud mommy.

When your child knows familiarity, that’s when they explore the best. You might have taken your child to the zoo at 1, try again at 2 and again and again as time goes by and you’ll see how much more amazing it is because they actually know the sounds of the animals let alone what they are. This goes for everything learning. Have fun with, enjoy the moment and enjoy your smart toddler in the growing.

Yay!! Christmas is coming… Toys product review

I hear the sleigh bells ringing because Santa is coming to town. ‘Tis the season.

Here are a list of recommended toys that Jaden has enjoyed very much.

1. Jumperoo ($105) by Fisher price. This product is standing bouncer that is very easy to put together. It’s great because children love excitement, noise & color all in one. The more they jump. The more noise it makes and they really get into. The one Jaden has is a jungle theme with even some birds “flying” above his head. I remember when he couldn’t reach anything but now that he’s grown they are definitely at a friendly reach. The Jumperoo is also great because as the child grows, it adjust along with it.

2. Baby Einstein discover and play piano ($15.39) Whether you’re new to the baby Einstein collection or not, it’s fantastic. Most of the music that is played from the toys is classical and it’s actually not irritating like some toys. The baby piano is a toy that amuses the child as they tap down on the 6 keys. Music will play and you can also change the noises to a piano, trumpet or violin as well as a dog, cat and duck (don’t ask me why a duck) lol … another great thing about this baby piano is its changes languages to Spanish, French and English. For the future this will actually because a great learning tool especially if you’re all for a multilingual child.

3. Baby Einstein Neptune Ocean Orchestra Musical. ($17.99) Simple to use, volume adjust and it’s shaped like a cute turtle which Jaden from what I see loved. What’s great about this toy is your child can be the conductor on their own, with each press an instrument sound will go off until the whole song is composed and you hear the whole tune, pretty neat. My favorite is the “Carmen” piece. There is also an option to hear the tune without the child conducting but that’s not as fun. If your baby is music lover they’ll enjoy this colorful none water turtle (Do not put in bathtub)

4. Baby Einstein Take along tunes ($7.91) very cheap, simple to use. Classical music. The only thing I don’t like is I wish there was a longer selection of tunes. I also would only recommend this for 3-6 month olds. Once your baby can start picking up and throwing, this item will go flying so keep that in mind, it’s extremely light.

5. V-Tech Sit to stand learning walker ($29.99) after the jumperoo this is one of my favorite toys that Jaden has gotten because it’s full of learning and music. The device sings to you once you turn it on and it gives the children good interaction every time they press something, even when you spin the cogs it makes noise or close the window/door etc. At the time that I got this for my son he was only a sitter and crawler so I haven’t even seen this toys full potential but I read from other parents it is also a great walker when your little one is ready for that.

6. V-Tech playtime bus ($50) for a small bus, this toy is quite pricey however it’s amazing and worth every dollar. It’s very interactive for the babies growing up. It makes fun car noises like (honking, engine noise, the bus driver and the students talk etc) As our children get older this bus will be a very useful learning toy because not only does it sing rhymes, there are numbers and letters to learn from and even a challenge time where it will test the children, for example “can you find the number 3” and the child will have to press that #. Once they get it right, the bus will sound off encouragement and claps. Lastly the bus will go to different stops such as the park, school and the Zoo.

7. Fisher price Laugh and Learn Smart stages puppy ($13.29) a cute cuddly puppy who as you press each button teaches you the alphabet and different parts of the body such as foot, hand, tummy and ears. Again another simple toy which as the babies grow older they will start to learn and remember what they are hearing. The puppy also sing it’s own tunes based on what is pressed.

I hope that parents will find this toy review useful. I can tell you that my son has a fun time playing with all of the above and as he gets smarter he enjoys everything more… in no time he’ll be counting 1-10, and singing his ABC’s.

Christmas time is approaching so why not add a few of these to Santa’s wish list 😉