Dr Seuss Day

This is the time of year where we celebrate Dr Seuss and all of the books many of us learned to read with.  March 2nd is Read Across America Day and the featured book this year is Oh the Place You'll Go.

Here are some resources to celebrate Dr Seuss Day with your kiddos http://www.seussville.com/Educators/educatorReadAcrossAmerica.php

With my playgroup we had a Dr Seuss Celebration and had these for a snack 

and made a Hat

Here are some projects I found on pinterest and thought would be a great project to celebrate Dr Seuss

Here is a link to a cute Cat in the Hat Mask

http://blog.mightymediapress.com/monster-across-america/

and some snacks

http://www.cupcakediariesblog.com/2014/02/10-easy-dr-seuss-treat-and-snack-ideas.html

Enjoy celebrating and fostering an early love for reading.  

My 6 year old's Art Show

My boy has been drawing for as long as I can remember.  He loves art projects and normally has a pad of paper and a pen.  These are some of the standout art projects he has done this year.

My boy has officially become obsessed with The 7Ds on Disney XD.  It is a cartoon about the 7 dwarfs pre snow white.  He likes the show so much that instead of having a Lego Movie birthday party he has now decided to have a 7D party.  

The love for Thomas has never gone away and many of the pictures center around Thomas the Train. It probably helps that his brother is constantly talking about trains and they frequently watch Thomas together.  

This is an earlier photo at the beginning of Kindergarten.  He was asked to draw a picture of his family and this was the result of it.  

Spanking

My mom, my kids, and I were going out to lunch at Cheddar's a few months ago.  Right as I was getting the kids out of the car to go in I heard a women yell out Get Up!!!  over and over again.  Then I heard, actually heard the child getting hit over and over and over again.  It was so bad that my oldest boy was a little scared.  After awhile I don't think the kid could have gotten up if he wanted to.  I let someone in the restaurant know because I was concerned.  I don't know what the outcome of the situation was but it made me think- at what point in a situation like this should you jump in or get involved.  I understand every parent's right to discipline but at what point is it a concerning issue and when should you keep your nose out of it?

When I was little I remember getting disciplined with a paint stick that said Spare the rod Spoil the child.  Was the punishment a justified one back in the day? Well must parents were doing it back then as well as schools- the principal had the power to spank a child who was a huge problem.  I decided early on that I would never discipline by hitting, my sons get time out when they misbehave or have privileges taken away.  I have found this type of discipline to be very effective.

What is your stance on discipline and what works for you and your children?  Also what would you do in a situation when your witnessed a child being disciplined extremely?

Surprise Lunch

I am really excited today!!!  My husband who normally works nights and sleeps during the day is currently on a day schedule.  Over the course of my son's Kindergarten year I have had to miss out on the field trip, parties, and special event days because I couldn't bring his 2 year old brother.  I have felt really bad about not being as involved this year with school activities.  So I am going to surprise my boy today by showing up to lunch with his favorite food Boston Market.  He has been asking quite frequently when I am going to come have lunch with him so I know it is going to be a good surprise.  Hope you all have a wonderful Friday!!

Orlando Science Center

The Orlando Science Center is an amazing place for kids.  There are so many interactive exhibits, play areas, and fun for even your youngest child.  We used to have a pass and if you are even remotely interested, it is a great deal.  They always have a child friendly exhibit and right now they are doing Dora & Diego.

If you get the opportunity and are at the center in the evening go up to the top floor , the observation deck, and there is a telescope ready and aimed at an exciting area in space.  My boy was so excited to look in the telescope and actually see a planet.  There is also a kid center area in the center with a dino dig on the dinosaur level complete with costume and shovels.

On the 1st level there is Natureworks complete with animals.   Also on this level there is a water table, tree climbing play area, toy play area, and an orange production area that teaches kids about the process of an orange from growing to packaging.    There is so much to learn and explore at the Orlando Science Center.

A family membership, which I think is the best deal, is $145 for everyone in your family.  This level of membership includes free parking, 4 complimentary tickets to bring friends and  free admission to special events.

Want to learn more go to osc.org

***This post is not sponsored or directly affiliated with Orlando Science Center.  All thoughts and opinions are completely my own.

Precious Moments God Watches Over Me Review

Let me start by saying I love Precious Moments.  I have a small collection of some of the figurines and my youngest son had a Precious Moments 1st Birthday.  So to say I was excited to receive this book would be a huge understatement.  God Watches Over Me by Thomas Nelson is a book full of the adorable characters that are known as the faces of this brand.  Each page had illustrations and it was filled with rhymes, prayers, and scriptures.  This is a great night time book and a great way to end the day with your little one.  This book was perfectly made for a younger child and my 2 year old sat and listened to every page.  Here is an excerpt from one of the pages:  God Watches Over Me All Day Long.

"All for you, dear God.

 Everything I do, 

 Or think,

 Or say,

 The whole day long.

 Help me to be good.

 -Unknown

The hard covered book will stand up to toddler treatment and will become a bedtime staple.  This book would make an excellent Easter present.  If you are interested in purchasing one of your own 

Amazon has it available http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0718011082/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1424010374&sr=8-1&keywords=precious+moments+God+Watches+Over+Me

 ***This book was sent to me as part of Booklook Bloggers although the book was free the opinions are completely my own.

Winner

Winner for our February Birthday Giveaway is.....






Melinda S.


Congratulations!!!!  Please email me at peeingwithdooropenmommies@gmail.com to claim your prize.

Valentines Eve

On this Valentines Eve, I realized that tomorrow will be our 14th Valentines Day that my husband and I will spend together.  I never could have imagined that we would be be together as of this June 15 years!!!  We have had many Valentines celebrations over the years from the fanciest to low key.  This year we are going to be home with the kids on Valentines Day free from the long lines and packed restaurants . Valentines through the years have definitely changed... from just being focused on Valentines Day for the 2 of us, it is now a celebration of love for the 4 of us.  I can't think of a better reason to celebrate.  I have started to get questions from my 6 year old of where did he come from and how was he made?  My answer to him is always Love.  That love I have learned is one of the greatest loves of all.

Happy Valentines Day to you!!!  Hope you have a day full of love.

Staying United

My 6 year old has discovered playing one parent against each other.  I thought this wasn't something I would have to deal with till he is much older but it is becoming pretty common. It is partly my husband and I's fault.  We do a lot of ask mommy or daddy first or if daddy or mommy says yes it is ok.  This gets translated to Daddy, Mommy said Yes.  Can I go?  We have caught all of these instances but it can be frustrating.

My husband and I definitely need to choose our words more carefully and give the same response when asked.  Kids can be so tricky but parents can be tricky too.

Speech Evaluation Part Two

The process is actually going pretty quickly compared to the 6 months I have struggled to find someone to do an evaluation.  I was told that from the time I call them to the time that decisions about treatment are made it can take up to 45 days.  I was really nervous the day before my in person meeting with the rep for the company.  I am most definitely a worrier and it effects me big time.  They came in and did a very basic evaluation on my boy and I know it is not the case in everyone but he did great which screened him out of the process.  I have a mixture of relief and concern.  Relief because it isn't anything more serious but concerned because the verbal is still a very slow process.  I am mainly concerned because his birthday is just before the cut of for school so I will have to see how he develops to determine if we should keep him at home an additional year.  Thank you for your support during this process to all the followers going through similar situations.

Insiders Tips for Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom is a top destination in Orlando named the happiest place on earth it has a lot to live up to.

Fast Pass-  You get Fast Pass with your ticket entry so use it.  It will save you valuable waiting time and some meltdowns as well.

My favorite quick service restaurant is in Tomorrowland there are lots of choices for even the picky eaters.  At Cosmic Rays Starlight Cafe you can get lunch and have a place to sit there are tons of tables.  There is even a cheesy little show in the main dining area that little ones enjoy.

For a great haircut especially a 1st haircut take your little one to Harmony Barber Shop.  They do a great job and it is one of the many hidden gems in Magic Kingdom.

Need a break with the kiddos.  Go to Tomorrowland and ride the People Mover.  It is normally a walk on ride and you get to regroup.

Ride the train instead of walking around from start to finish it stops in Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Main Street.

On Main Street there is a baby care area so you can nurse or give your baby a break.   When my boys were little this was a great stop especially for nap time and nursing.

Rider Switch many of the attractions you have the ability to do a switch with your youngest child who isn't able to ride.  Then mom and dad get the opportunity of riding the ride with only one wait time.  

Hope this gives you some ideas for visiting Magic Kingdom with your small child.  Disney is very accommodating and makes your time there effortless.  If you can't find it ask they will help and go above and beyond.  

Little Chick's Bible Review

I received Little Chick's Bible by P.L. Lyons and had my 2 year old in mind when it arrived.  When my boy saw this bible the first thing he did was hug it.  On the front cover there is a cute, soft, and plush chick which definitely got his attention.  There are 8 short stories within this bible and they all are younger child friendly and rhyme.  He sat through the entire book while I read each one.  This bible is a great starter bible for a young child and it skims over basic stories and is very easy to understand.  There are cute illustrations with each story, 8 in all.  I definitely recommend this bible for little ones and it has  hard pages which minimizes the destructive level.  If you are interested in buying this for your little one http://www.amazon.com/Little-Chicks-Bible-P-Lyons/dp/0310747805/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423152206&sr=8-1&keywords=little+chick%27s+bible  This would be a great basket edition for Easter.

***I was sent this book for free from Booklook Bloggers but received no additional compensation for my review.  This review is completely my opinion and I am not associated directly with the author of the book or it's subsidiaries. 

A Day in the Life...

Tuesdays are my craziest day of the week.  My boy has signed up for Running Club at school which begins at 7:45 am.  We had a late night and I didn't get to bed till 11 which is late for me.  I am always concerned on Tuesdays about oversleeping.  I turned over this morning and my clock said 7:20...oh my gosh.  I quickly got up and woke up my boy and we both got ready.  It was a brisk Orlando 40 degrees and I had to make sure he was dressed properly.  Fortunately we live around the corner from school.  My 2 year old was still asleep so I drove my boy to running club and came back to my house.  My youngest was surprisingly still asleep.

I had some errands to run so at 9 we went out to the post office and Target.  I got home at 11 and at 12 we had an appointment scheduled at the house.  So after the appointment my husband had to be at a doctor's appointment.  Then my youngest was getting cranky so at 2 we went for a drive which will knock my boy right into sleepy land.  I drove around for 20 minutes and went to my boy's school to pick him up.  After an excited explanation about his day, we went home and got ready for Karate.  After Karate, dinner, playtime and bed.

No down time today but I will be able to have an easier day tomorrow.  I know this is probably nothing compared to the schedule some of you had today or have everyday but for me I am exhausted and ready for bed.  Hope you have a great day tomorrow.

February Birthday Giveaway

February is one of my favorite months mostly because it is my birthday month.  Instead of bemoaning turning another year older I thought I would celebrate with our biggest Amazon Giveaway amount to date.  This giveaway is going to be for a $25 Amazon Gift Code!!!!  The larger the blog grows the bigger the prizes will be :)


a Rafflecopter giveaway
***This giveaway is not sponsored by Amazon.  Winner's name will be randomly selected by Rafflecopter and the winner has 1 week to claim their prize.  Winner's actions will be verified to ensure that the task was completed.