Thursday, February 28, 2008

Storytime

Today, we went to the Sammamish Public Library for storytime; the library offers several storytimes throughout the week and the Thursday morning one is targeted for an audience between the ages of 12-24 months. Today the kids learned about the letters A, B, C and D and they learned to count up to 5. (Of course none of them are really counting or saying "A" is for Apple ~ only the parents :-) but the instructor assures us they are learning so we join in and it's a blast.)

We had been to the baby storytime before but this was our first time at the toddler storytime. Baby storytime was easy because babies are left to crawl around and most of the session is actually spent letting the babies explore the myriad of toys strewn about the floor for that exact purpose. Toddler storytime was an entirely different beast; the kids are expected to sit and listen to stories, to participate in song and dance, etc. This is great for 1 parent with 1 child, for 1 parent with twins it's a workout (I think I lost 5 lbs in half an hour) but it's totally worth it. If you're lucky enough to have someone to go with you and help so you each only have one kid then great. If you're not that lucky, don't let the fact that you'll be chasing around 2 kids and run the risk of being the only parent who never sat down :-) stop you from going, put on your best tank top (I made the mistake of wearing a turtleneck :-)) your kids will enjoy it, they will learn from it and you'll be glad you did it!

Storytimes are great free activities for kids, many libraries and bookstores offer storytimes check your local listings. Also, Pottery Barn Kids offers a weekly storytime at which the kids are given a little book club passport, every time they attend a storytime they get a stamp in their passport, after 5 stamps they get a free book. Check the Pottery Barn Kids website for other events, they regularly have children's entertainment which are always a lot of fun.

Related websites;

King County Library System
All for Kids Bookstore
Borders
Barnes & Noble

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Toddler time fun

Today, we took our first venture to Toddler Time at the Issaquah Community Center. What a blast! I had heard about this from other emoms but hesitated thinking my kids were perhaps still too young... I was wrong. :-) Basically, this is a gymnasium filled with age appropriate toys (for ages 1-3); big red and yellow cars to ride in, all kinds of tricycles, push toys, tunnels, slides, balls, etc and plenty of space to run around. This particular Toddler Time is $2.00/child and runs from 8am to noon Monday to Friday. You can show up and leave at anytime in between. (Parents must stay with children) I would highly recommend this activity, my kids loved it. The only challenge with twins is being able (as one human unable to achieve Multiplicity) to chase little ones in two completely opposite directions but the bonus here is that it is indoors so they can't run into the street like at the park! :-)

Checkout this great Seattle Times article for other similar Community Center offerings in and around Seattle; They play, you pay — and everyone stays dry.

Well, after such a great energy burning morning it's now nap time in baby ville and off I am to fold a couple loads of laundry.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Joshua conquers the kitchen table...

Well, I knew it was coming. I had read about babies who scale tables, counter tops and even refrigerators and when my twins started climbing onto toy baskets, ottomans and the couch before they were 1... I knew I was in trouble. Today, at 14 months, 5 days and approximately 8 hrs old our Joshua successfully (to my dismay) climbed onto the kitchen chair and then the table. He then proceeded to do this FOR THE REST OF THE DAY!!!! I removed him from the top of the table at least 20 times in the remaining 4 hours to bedtime.