Monthly Archives: September 2017

My Little Girl’s Baby: Bring on the Dolls & Their Accessories!

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My daughter excitedly put on her nightclothes and quickly rushed to the mirror. Hugging her little baby doll, she smiled at me, “Look, Mommy! We’re dressed exactly alike!” Up until a few weeks ago Quinn occasionally played with her dolls, but for the most part she and Grover have been inseparable. But ever since that moment of Quinn and her baby wearing the same nightclothes (a gift courtesy of her Nana), she’s become immersed in the idea of being a little mommy to her little baby.

She’s requested a little toothbrush so they can brush their teeth together, wants to know if we can find more outfits so that they can dress alike again and wants to bring her along in addition to Grover on car rides. With this in mind, she most recently asked, “Mommy, can we get my baby a car seat so that she’s safe just like me?” She also asked for a baby carrier too so they can walk around together. I guess I knew this day would come eventually. It’s cute watching her tend to her baby doll, but I have a feeling that once she finds out about the American Girl Dolls that this is going to be one costly next few years, but it’ll be fun and worth seeing that big smile on her face.

All the best,

Tanya

Cricket Anyone? Exploring Nature with My Little Girl

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As I worked on some course materials, I faintly heard, “Mommy…Mommy…Mommy;” then it got louder. “Mommy…Mommy…Come Quick! Hurry!” My daughter was outside being Daddy’s assistant while he did some yard work today. Though her shout did not sound panicky, it had a sense of urgency, so I dropped what I was doing and came running out to make sure everything was okay. “Look what I’ve got on my work glove, Mommy!” she proudly signaled with her eyes yet barely moving her body.

From the porch, I couldn’t see what it was, but as I got closer I noticed that it was an insect perched on the finger of her little gardening glove.” Daddy and I were working and found a cricket, Mommy! He wanted to sit on my glove since he’s my friend.” I said, “Don’t move Quinnie. I’m going to get my camera,” and when I came back he was still there as though he had no other place to go and was simply awaiting his photo shoot. After snapping a few pictures, Quinn and her daddy gently slid the little guy off of her glove back to nature.

I was truly impressed with how gentle and unafraid she was. It reminded me how much I embraced nature when I was younger and how I enjoyed examining insects. I just love when fun learning experiences can be up close and personal and for free too. As an afterthought, I wish I grabbed her little magnifying glass so that we could have examined him even closer. Well, maybe next time.

All the best,

Tanya

The Balancing Act of Riding a Bike with My Little Girl

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The other day, I took my four year old out to practice riding her bike. As she pedaled down the sidewalk with me following closely behind her, a woman coming our way smiled at Quinn and then at me. After complimenting Quinn on her helmet, she turned to me and said, “May I offer some advice?” Before I had a chance to say yes, she said, “You really ought to get your daughter a balance bike. That’s the way my three kids learned. After using the balance bike, they went straight to riding bikes with no training wheels.” I just smiled and thanked her for her advice, and my daughter and I continued on our way.

This woman was actually the second person I encountered in the past few months who suggested that I invest in a balance bike for my little girl. While I’ve seen these bikes advertised in circulars or on the Toys ‘R Us website, I’ve actually never seen a child using one outside. Also, I learned using training wheels and transitioned to using a ten speed bike by the time I was six.

My daughter loves her Disney princess bike so much, and she’s getting better and better at coming to a complete stop as we approach an intersection and is steadily improving with steering the handlebar. I’m not too sure if I want to change over to a balance bike for selfish reasons; it will slow us down. Also, I’m not sure Quinn would like it since she enjoys being able to pedal her bike to meet her daddy at the train station. Plus she has a trailer bike attached to mine which has pedals too.

Did you learn how to ride a bike using training wheels on a traditional bike or learn using a balance bike? Which type of bike did or do you prefer for your child? Even though I feel like my mind is made up, I’m willing to consider the balance bike if it will benefit Quinn in the long run. Please share your thoughts. Thanks.

All the best,

Tanya