LOVE MY SHOES!

Book Review: LOVE MY SHOES!
By Eileen Spinelli and Illustrated by Holli Conger

The twins have started walking so we recently went to get their feet measured and bought them their first pair of shoes at our local Stride Rite. We are now all set to walk around this big and Busy world together. However, they were not happy with me when I first put crib shoes on them, which look like this: 

I wanted them to get some experience with shoes and before they were fully walking. So I bought 2 pairs of crib shoes from zulily. They have very soft bottoms with basically a strip of suede as the sole. Children are now supposed to learn to walk barefoot so these were technically our first pair of shoes. They were hysterical when I put them on. They had to get used to having something tight on their feet that they couldn't automatically pull off, like they do with their socks. So we worked with these for a few weeks before visiting the shoe store. Then we moved on to these for our Zadie Lady  and these for our Sonny Ray . We are very happy with them but I have no idea on how long they will last. 

To get them more familiar with shoes I found this cute board book which actually has laces on the binding. The bright illustrations show different kinds and styles of shoes on each page. The pictures are not gender specific which makes this a great pick for both genders! The last picture is feet on a beach with no shoes. This always leads us into locating and tickling each others feet. A very cute read for our present developing stage. 

Buy LOVE MY SHOES!

Happiness is...

Book Review: Happiness Is...
By Marcus Pfister

I have a love-hate relationship with kites, so this book threw me off a little. But you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, right!? So I didn't! I shoved it in the bottom of my double stroller at the library, hoping to fall in love with it when I got home. And I did!

I am a big advocate of talking about feelings and I probably annoy my husband, family and friends to death but I'd rather be mindful of things and feelings than let them go un-noticed. It's especially important for children to feel comfortable speaking up about what makes them happy, sad, frustrated, scared, etc. I am always looking for books to aid in teachable moments. 

Happiness is often a state that we don't discuss. We are usually drawn to talking about negative feelings like being scared, frustrated or sad. I love this book because it depicts two cute animal  characters discussing what happiness is, "Happiness is the most important thing of all", one mouse says to the other. And she's right! It's proven that if a child/person/adult isn't happy, they can't learn new information. Isn't that crazy to think about!? Our brains need to be in a happy and in a safe state in order to learn new information and acquire new skills. 

Back to the book, the two characters take turns listing what makes them happy. From sunbeams to jumping in puddles. Marcus Pfister gives great examples of how happiness can be the simplest of things. So start talking to your Little Busy Bees about what makes them happy and how to keep those feelings around during most of their day.   

Make your list and tell me, what makes you happy?

Buy Happiness is...by clicking here

THANK YOU, WORLD

Book Review: THANK YOU, WORLD
By Alice B. McGinty and illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin

Just because it isn't Thanksgiving doesn't mean we can't be thankful. Spring is such an exciting time of year: stems of mystery flowers are sprouting, we can finally leave our heavy coats at home and get outside to play, run, walk, etc!  

Even though our twins are only 15 months, I often look for books with new vocabulary and a nice message. I can use these same books with my students. They can sit for longer, enjoy the illustrations, acquire and practice new vocabulary and concepts after reading the book just once. 

The beautiful language describes a different thankful message on each page. Together the author and illustrator connect being thankful with real life experiences through simple language and drawings from life around the globe.

Teach your Little Busy Bee to be Thankful for the WORLD here.   

Special Seminars: PESI

I love to learn and I'm not just saying that because I am a teacher. Sounds cliche, I know, but seriously, what kind of teacher would I be if I didn't keep up with the latest strategies and materials and trainings? I have gone to dozens of live seminars and workshops to learn about topics in my field, and find each one informative and creative. As a teacher in New York and Connecticut, it is required that I obtain credits and hours through these special workshops, but I would still probably go if it wasn't mandatory. Nerd alert!

I have found PESI to be particularly helpful in letting me know about workshops near me, sending me pamphlets via Snail Mail for upcoming events in my field. I highly recommend checking out their website or sharing it with anyone who might be interested. 


CLICK HERE to see Seminars near you. 

Take a Deep Breath

Book Review: Take a Deep Breath

By Sue Graves

Illustrated by Desideria Guicciardini

How many times did you mom/dad/spouse say to you, "take a deep breath"? I know in my life, there has been no shortage of these sentiments. And it is a great little piece of advice - when you're overwhelmed, take a deep breath and relax.

In "Take a Deep Breath," the author uses real life scenarios to examine when and where children can use deep breaths to help them move through a scary/stressful/hurtful situation. Cute illustrations show characters moving through real life using mindfulness techniques. In life, things don't always go our way and using mindfulness can help teach children how to handle uncomfortable situations, which is what this book strives to do. At the end of the story, a teacher shows her students that even adults needs to take deep breaths sometimes. Mindfulness is a tool best used by everyone! 

Try it! Take a deep breath and click here to buy the book! 

Fire Truck

Book Review: Fire Truck
By Peter Sis

The classroom that I am currently working in has started to study community workers. So I thought that I could tie in the theme at home and picked up this book for my Little Busy Bees.

Ever read Where the Wild Things Are? This book is almost like that, however take out the scary monsters. The little character's passion for firetrucks overcomes him. The little Busy Bee goes on to save a cat and teddy bear. The simple language and drawings help young readers with short attention spans enjoy a fun, bright, red adventure. 

Buy Fire Truck Here! 

Day by Day

Book Review 

Day by Day

By Susan Gal

Enjoy a fun day in the life of pigs. A fun bright colored book that takes a look at what could be 'a pigs life'. It's a cute book to encourage a discussion with your Little Busy Bee about what they think pigs really do. In this book they do a lot together, just like some real families and friends. A pleasant way to look at an animals life through the seasons, once again teaching us to be more mindful. 

Buy the book by clicking here! 

Hurray for Spring!

Book Review: Hurray for Spring!

By: Patricia Hubbell 

Illustrated by: Taia Morley

If you're ready for Spring like I am (and everyone else in America), this is the book for you! After a long brittle winter, it gives your kids a nice refresher of all the things you can do outside in the spring: dance, sing, hop, skip, jump, plant seeds, etc (I know I'll be doing all of the above when spring finally get here!). The bright colored illustrations give even the laziest couch potatoes motivation to get them outside and: "talk to the ants." The creative and 'Busy Bee' storyline is active and refreshing for every reader young or old! 

Now get ready to go outside and enjoy the warm weather! 

Brush, Brush, Brush!

Book Review: Brush, Brush, Brush!
By Alicia Padron

I was shocked when we went the pediatrician for our twins one-year check up and the doctor said "Okay they're ready to start brushing teeth now". Ummmmm What?!?!?! I thought, to myself of course. Between the two of them they only have a total of 9 teeth!!
But as new moms know, routines continuously change from week to week. As a new mom I have found myself listening to anything the doctor has to say, because well she is our pediatrician. We did pick her for a reason. They do have 9 teeth! 

So I waited until my husband and I were together over the weekend to get them their first tooth brushes. We have added brushing teeth to our routine. After everyone is dressed in the morning and ready for bed at night, they crawl into the bathroom to brush. It is the cutest thing ever, until they both tested their strength and the concept of gravity. Last week my son threw his brush down the stairs and last night my daughter threw hers in the bath tub. Both said, "uh-oh!" 

I found this perfect board book in the baby section at our local library. We have read it a number of times. I always feel that we need to read our books as many as we can until we have to return the books. Do you ever feel that way? Anyway back to the book - What I recently discovered is that the author recommends singing the words to the tune "Do your ears hang low?". We have and it's adorable. As they "brush" their own teeth, I brush and or sing along with them. This gives us a new song to sing as we add another routine into the mix of our Busy Bee day. The very cute and simple language helps remind Little Busy Brushers how and when to brush.  

All in a Day

All in a Day

By Cynthia Rylant

I've been very mindful especially as our twins first birthday quickly came and went. I can't believe it! The practice of mindfulness slows me down so I can cherish the time that I have with my family. 

This book is so sweet and positive. I had trouble reading it without crying. Showing examples of how precious a day is really lets us appreciate it consciously. The pictures are bright yet simple with a majority of black and white with pops of yellow. The dramatic pictures match the story of wishes, change and rain. Be mindful with your Little Busy Bees and get the book by clicking here! 

Signing with Children

As a Special Education Teacher, I have been intrigued by the power of sign language. During my graduate coursework, I enjoyed every class available to me. During my role as a teacher, I have only been able to use signing with one of my students. To be able to teach a child a sign so they can communicate with you is a powerful feeling. Not only did the student I was working with learn the signs right away, but the motivation behind using signs was significant. We were able to communicate about activities around the classroom, which colors to use during art projects and how they were feeling. 

I think it is very important for children to communicate their wants and needs even before they are able to talk. Signing does not inhibit the process of speech but encourages communicate and new vocabulary. For example, my daughter is now signing for her preference over drinks such as water, juice or milk, but is speaking simple words like "uh oh" and "hot". 

Along my journey through the wide world of education and now being a parent I have found these great resources to encourage signing with others.

My favorite book for adults is the book I used during my graduate Signing courses:
 The Complete Idiot's Guide to Conversational Sign Language, written by my teacher and her daughter, Carole Lazorisak and Dawn Donohue. 

Sign About Play Time: This book shows multiple signs on each page. It's a great way to start reading and practicing signing with your Little Busy Bees. Get those hands up and have fun! {Click on the title to buy the book!}

Signing Printables: These now cover our kitchen cabinets to encourage signing by family members, friends and care givers. I have found a few repetitive characters that are easy on the eye, that use simple instructions easy to use by a new signer. {Click on the link above to get some for your house too!} 

Little Blue Truck

Little Blue Truck
By Alice Schertle and Illustrated by Jill McElmurry

Reading is one of our favorite pastimes, from my husband's neediness to my love of all things children-related, and now we are doing our best to pass it down to our babes. "Little Blue Truck" was a gift from my husband's cousin (who has four kids of her own and I we don't know how she does it!!) and it's one our new favorites at the moment, especially because it is perfect for introducing animal sounds. Who doesn't love mooing like a cow during lunch?

There is no perfect moment in time when you think to yourself, "Oh, today is the day we're supposed to start teaching functions of objects or farm animals sounds." Learning and teaching moments are a whirling dervish in our home. As we both, separately, picked up this book to read to our twins, we have learned to love it. The way the animals communicate through their noises and the way our children look at us while we do our best to imitate these noises is worth owning multiple copies of this book for each room of our house. (We won't be doing that, but I've thought about it!)

Our shelves can never be too full with stories about teamwork, community, and helping others. Kindness matters and as parents we want to teach this concept to our children as often as possible. And we sort of like to make animal sounds too!

To buy this book and more by Alice Schertle Click Here!

Updated Pages!

While I'm trying to organize our new life in our new home, pick out paint colors, find new places to explore, make new friends for our 13 month old twins and head back to work,  I found time to update my pages section of my blog. Yes, applause! I know, it's very exciting. Thank you, thank you! But it's not necessary because I know we are all busy with our own busyness, whatever that may be for you. But even though I have so much going on, I really want to keep Busy Bee up and running. Pretty please, when you aren't so BUSY, check out the sections located on the right side of my blog under the BB icon to find more great information about recommended friends and professionals, fun and games on the internet and more about me and this site!

If you want your information added contact me and we'll get it all set up. 

The Quiet Book

The Quiet Book
By Deborah Underwood and Illustrated by Renata Liwska

A peaceful book that makes the reader think about all different types of being quiet. Encourages you to read it in a hushed tone before bed or during some down time with your Little Busy Bee. A great way to introduce how to be quiet and all the different ways to incorporate it into your daily routine. We live in a very hectic world and we all need a little quiet sometimes.

To learn more about Deborah Underwood click here! 

BEACH LIST for summer trips with your Busy Baby Bees

Daddy, Sonny & Zadie's Bathing Suits all in a row

My husband and his family have been vacationing in the same beach town since he was born. When they decided to continue the tradition this summer, I felt like we had to be a part of it, especially since we now have twins to share the fun. So once we committed, excitement was overrun by something much more pressing: the anxiety related to having to pack for three people!

One of the keys to preparing - probably the most important key of all - was creating LISTS. Lots, and lots of LISTS. Not only did it help keep track of what we needed, it also made sure we didn't forget ANYTHING. {Side-note - I did forget to bring one thing, the camera for the monitor. OOPS! Yup, we ended up buying a monitor at the nearest store but that was the only thing that we forgot. Oh well, at least I brought half of it!} I even made a separate list the night before and stuck it on the back door so we wouldn't forget anything on our way out in the morning. 

Months out, I created a "TRAVEL LIST" on my iPhone notepad (isn't technology awesome?) so I had it wherever I went. This helped me prep for an earlier trip - our first family plane trip to Florida - and I edited and altered it to prepare for the beach trip versus a pool trip. 

These lists are for two babies (specifically, we have twins). They were about six-months-old when we went to Florida and eight-months-old when we went to the beach. 

Beach List:

- Bathing suits: 3 for each baby

- Sunscreen: talk to your doctor about preference

- Bucket hats: 2 with velcro straps (helps stay on in the wind)

- Sunglasses: 2 pairs each from She La La (link) 

- Swimmy diapers 
- Scented plastic bags for dirty diapers

- Towels: 2 beach towels for each baby

- Toys: washable & toys that didn't let sand in 

- Diaper Tote: Size 2 & Size 3 diapers; wipes; triple paste (new favorite paste!)

- Sippy cups: 1 per baby

- Milk/formula bottles: 3 per baby (I love Dr. Brown's)

- Small cooler for lunch with spoons: yogurt; fruits; veggies

- Cover ups/terry cloth robes - 1-2 per baby

- 1 large tent

- 1 outdoor washable blanket 

- 1 beach cart - we have the Nantucket Buggy (link)

- 2 beach umbrellas (Our tent ended up breaking so we used 2 umbrellas)

Night Time List: 

- Sleepers: 2 for each since we were able to do laundry

- Onesies: 4/5 for each baby

- Pacifiers: As many as I could find!
- Pacifier attachments: 2 per baby 

- 4 Bebahs: (The comfy toys that are attached to small blankets that they snuggle with at night)

- A box fan  (we all sleep with sound)

- 2 Pac N Plays

- 2 Pac N Play Mattresses (we found this best simulated a crib environment)

- 2 Pac N Play mattress sheets

- 4 hooded towels + wash cloths

- Monitor: don't forget the camera, cords & monitor screen

Toiletries:

- Baby Soap (we love the brand Baby Magic)

- Baby Q tips 

- Tylenol

- Baby Nail Clippers

- Aquafor 

- Extra mini sunscreen

- Extra Triple Paste AF* (recently discovered this gem for bad diaper rashes - works great)

Daytime List:

- Stroller: We decided to bring our City Mini based on what we would be doing with the babies (walks, etc)

- Diaper Bag: I brought two. One, I kept in our bedroom, and the other I kept in the main room where the play-mat was set up

- Dr. Brown bottles

- Formula

- Food: jarred veggies, fruit; Yo baby yogurt; puffs
- 2x Bumbos for easy feeding

- Outfits

- Baby spoons (2x for each)

- Multiple bibs: some for food & others for bottles & drool

- Play Mat: with dangle toys

- Blanket to lay next to play-mat because we are ROLLING

- Books: KINDLE full of children's books + charging cord

- Toys: squishy blocks; crunchy fabric books; tiny beach balls 

- 2x Ergo Baby Carriers {we have 2 & used them everyday to carry the babies to & from the beach}

In the infinite expanse of the internet, I was surprised and frustrated when I couldn't find a cohesive vacation packing list for a new mom heading to the beach with babies. Hopefully, my list helps you and your Busy Beach Babies!

Friendly Day

Book Review: Friendly Day

By Mij Kelly & Charles Fuge

As a special education teacher and new mom of two, I think everyday should be friendly day. However, I guess that it's the type of person I am, hence the desire to be a teacher and a mom. I want every day to be friendly day. This book reminds us that being friendly makes other want to be around us. The more friends we have, the more happy moments and memories we can create. As a new mom, I want everyone to be nice to my children especially when we venture out into this crazy big world. This is a great book to use in a lesson on being friendly and to remind us that happiness is easy to achieve. The adorable animal illustrations help the young reader/listener visualize what acts of kindness look like.

Make everyday friendly day here!

Russell the sheep

Book Review: Russell the sheep

By Rob Scotton

This sweet little guy has no idea how to get to sleep. He tries a few different strategies that turn out to be a fun adventure to be on with him.  The calming colors in the illustrations paired with the story line makes this a great before nap or bedtime book.  

To learn more about Rob & Russell click here!

When You Are HAPPY

Book Review: When You Are HAPPY
By Eileen Spinelli

I'm a big believer in the importance of raising happy children. I think it is necessary to talk to children about happiness and other feelings they have. As I recently became a mother of 2 I try to think of as many appropriate weekly activities to keep all of us entertained, learning and happy. We recently took our first library trip and found this gem. With amazing illustrations and array of vocabulary that I wouldn't necessarily use on a daily basis, its a pleasure to read.  From happiness to feeling grumpy, the mother depicted in the illustrations narrates to her child what she would do depending on how her little Busy Bee felt.

Buy it here!  

Everything I Need to Know, I Learned From a Little Golden Book

Book Review: Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Little Golden Book
By Diane Muldrow

This book was given to us recently and I can't stop reading it. I am a positive person and this book tells you exactly what moms and dads around the world want for their children. What the author did was take a variety of different pages from different Golden Book stories and created a master piece of positivity and words to live by. The many pages of this book are full of recognizable illustrations paired with simple wording, make for a perfect read.  A great book for any age. I'm in my 30's and we enjoy reading it to our busy bees.

Some of the lines are:
"Turn off the TV from time to time...and crack open a book!"
 "Give in to a good cry. You'll feel better afterward!
 "...remember to stop and smell the strawberries."
"Frolic."


Buy it now by clicking here.

Preemies: Our Journey Begins

At 35 weeks pregnant, with twins, three weeks prior to my scheduled C-section, on my husband's birthday, I went into labor. Unexpected? Yes. Crazy? Absolutely. But wonderful? Oh yeah, the most wonderful experience of all.

Looking back, I mean, I guess we weren't so shocked. We had our hospital bags packed and in the car, our plan in place, and hypothetical situations in abundance. But for it to happen so suddenly was still extremely intense. Hindsight is 20/20, so obviously my husband and I agree that going early was the best way it could have went down. Just thinking about the anticipation and anxiety I would have felt the night before our scheduled C-section is enough to make me sweat. So I'll take the emergency surgery ten times out of ten.

It's easy to understand how we were taken by surprise - our C-section date was picked months in advance - scheduled precisely at 38 weeks. Since I was carrying twins and was considered a "high risk pregnancy" from the start, we knew there was a chance that the babies could come early. But as we reached 32...33...34...35 weeks, we thought we were in the clear. But on the evening of December 29th, I had some pretty intense pain. This happened from time to time, but it usually came and went. Only instead of subsiding it got worse. Little did I know I was contracting, which I thought I would never experience. We took off for the hospital and only a few short hours later our little twins were born.

It didn't take long for us to realize we had just given birth to two preemies. So what does that mean? Well no one really knows exactly what will happen but the NICU doctors mentioned that their early milestones might be off since they are really younger than other babies born at the same time. For preemies, growth and development in the early years is vital. And we as parents can only do our best by providing as much love and care that we can. My husband and I are committed to them and their wellbeing.

The NICU provided us with so much information and protection. It really was crazy to not be able to bring the babies to our room or have any visitors come see our new babies. The nurses taught us how to handle our tiny babies, both weighing a little over four pounds. We were so nervous and scared to  but we did our best and learned everything we could during our stay at the hospital. The hardest part was leaving the hospital with our babies still in the NICU. I didn't even realize that was an option. I hardly knew what was going on with all the hormones going berserk in my body but I had to say 'see you later' to them and returned as soon as possible for as long as I could. Thankfully they were only there a few extra days.

It is now five months later and both babies are eating and growing well. Both are now cooing, smiling, laughing and able to hold their heads up during tummy time. Continue to follow along on our journey thru childhood with our preemies. I'm pretty sure it will be an entertaining ride!

Did you know? 

Premature Baby or Preemie: is an infant born before the 37th week gestation mark. Full term newborns are born during the 37th - 42nd week after the mother's last menstrual period.

Each year 500,000 babies are born prematurely which turns out to be 1 in every 8 infant in the United States.

Premature babies are often born early due to: 
Abnormal position of the biological mother's placenta,
Biological mother's health issues,
Gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant),
Hypertension (high blood pressure),
Heart problems,
Kidney problems,
Infection,
Poor lifestyle choices made by the mother which includes smoking, drinking, etc. and
Carrying Twins/Triplets.

Preemies:
Weight much less
Can have health issues from underdeveloped organs
The later they are born the lower the risk that they will have problems
20% of preemies have no problems at all

Areas most likely affected in premature babies:
Cognitive & Language Delays
Motor - fine & gross motor can result in poor coordination
Vision & Hearing Impairment
Mental Illness - ADD, ADHD

What is the NICU? 
NICU stands for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The purpose for babies who go to the NICU is for the extreme care that is given there to limit a babies stress levels and to meet the basic needs of the babies such as, keeping them warm, nutritional care and protection to ensure growth and development.