4th of July Crafts

Popcicle Stick Flag

Things you will need

Popcicle Sticks

Red, white, and blue paint or markers (for one of them I used markers, and I painted some of the sticks white ahead of time. For the other I used all paint)

Star stickers

Glue

1) paint or color the sticks

2) let dry

3) glue the colored Sticks horizontally to another popcicle stick vertically

4) let dry

5) enjoy

Toilet paper roll wind sock

1) Toilet paper roll

2) ribbon

3) hole puncher

4) hot glue gun

Cut holes with hole puncher all around the toilet paper roll. On the other end cut 2 holes on each side (this will be your top). In the 2 holes on the top tie a string to them so that you can hang it. Then glue ribbon (your choice of color) up the side of it. Then loop knot the ribbon in varagatingcolors in the holes at the bottom how ever you like.

Shopping Clean Up the Clutter Game

This especially works for little girls because we all know that little girls love to shop. Lay out all the toys in different categories.
Stuffed animals
Dolls/cars or action figures
Accessories
Little toys(Shopkins,LPS) make sure that these are all together.

Set it up like a yard sale with blankets under the stuff. Give her/him some change. I just used change around the house. Use the silver for the big stuff, and penny's for the little. You can use fake money too. Then have them go on a shopping spree. You'll be surprised what they get rid of when they only have a limited amount of coins to spend.

What ever they don't buy donate.
Questions I asked her were do you have all the prices to it, if not is it really worth playing with. We put all the little toy sets in gallon sized zip lock bags. Another question is how long has it been since you played with that is it worth keeping over your other stuff.

We put all the little stuff in bags in the toy box. Those are easier to get to. We put her dolls in the highchair and cradles. We put her stuffed animals arranged on her bed. We put shoes in a door hanging shoe organizer. You can also use those for little stuffed animals. The more stuff you can hang on the wall the better. Get a stuffed animal net to put stuffed animals in. Hang stuff with command hooks so you don't mess up your wall.

You can use the change that you found and they spent to buy them something new.

Make a rule that for every toy you get, get rid of 2.

Explain to them that this is supposed to be fun. And that their room will look a lot better. And if it looks better. Then you can have company over to play with you with your toys. And it will be much easier to find the stuff you want to play with.

Chasing Sunset Photography

Chasing Sunset Photography is amazing. I totally recommend her to anyone looking for a photographer in the Colleton, Summerville or Charleston area.

Chasing Sunsets Photography

@ChasingSunsetsPhotog

Cute Photography Photo

You will need
Bobby pillow
Cute blanket of your choice
A back drop blanket of your choice

Hang up the back drop on something low enough to the boppy pillow. Place cute blanket of your choice on top of boppy. Place your baby on top of the boppy in different poses as shown in pictures. 

Put tie on baby by using the slip knot tie.

make sure baby is sleepy and/or well fed. For a happy baby.

Cute Photography Photo

You will need
Bobby pillow
Cute blanket of your choice
A back drop blanket of your choice

Hang up the back drop on something low enough to the boppy pillow. Place cute blanket of your choice on top of boppy. Place your baby on top of the boppy in different poses as shown in pictures. 

Put tie on baby by using the slip knot tie.

make sure baby is sleepy and/or well fed. For a happy baby.

Halloween

Little Red Riding Hood and the Hunter couple costume.

And Pretty Fall plaid shirt picture.

Career Exploration- Day Care Manager

This is the Powerpoint presentation I am presenting to my AHEC group.
Click Here.

Fun Ways to get Kids to Clean the Room

Here are some ways to make cleaning up fun and easy!


Trash Pick-up
Give the kids 2 bags. Tell them who ever has the most trash in their bag wins. Kids will have a lot of fun trying to get every little piece of trash off the floor to fill their bag


Laundry Pick-up
Give the kids 2 bags. Tell them to pick up their clothes and smell them. If it smells clean, put in the closet. If it smells dirty, put in the bag. The bag has to filled with their own clothes. Set a timer to however much time you think they need to pick up all of the clothes.

Fashion Show
Kids grow up really fast, so its important to check if their clothes fit regularly. Set up your own model runway and get them to try on their clothes. If it doesn’t fit, put it in a give away box. If it does fit, let them strut it down the runway and put it back on the hanger and try on something else.


Music
Turn some music on and see how many things you can get done before one song is over. It makes it more enjoyable, too, when its not quite. It also keeps you motivated and active.

Here are 2 of my favorites to get you started:

Cake Pops for Kids

Cake pops are an easy way to keep kids occupied and it's so much fun. I did this with the kids I babysat and they had a great time. I did mine in a cake pop pan. 

Here is how you make them:
You will need:

• cake mix of your choice
  
• Chocolate Flavored Almond Bark (or white chocolate)
  
• Christmas Sprinkle Mix
  
• and what ever other topping you would like
  
• non-stick cooking spray
  
• You will also need place mats, bowls, and mixing spoons and measuring cups.

1. Mix the cake batter according to the directions on the box.
   
2. Spray the non-stick cooking spray on the top pan and the bottom pan.
   
3. Spoon the batter into each individual slot. Fill to top.
   
4. Put the top of the pan on and put the metal clips in to hold in place.
   
5. Place in the oven 350 for 15 to 20 min.
   
6. Take out and let cool for 15 to 20 min.
   
7. While cooling the cake pops, melt chocolate in a microwave safe bowl for 90 seconds.
   
8. Stir chocolate around so that all of it is melted.
   
9. When cooled down, take the cake pops out carefully and set them on the place mat.
   

Let the kids dip the cake pops in the chocolate and decorate with sprinkles. Keep a eye on them with the sprinkles. You might need to pour a little bit in their hand, when they want some. Otherwise, you will have a ball full of sprinkles. There is all kinds of different styles that you can do. Just make it simple and easy. If you are doing this with the kids you babysit, be sure to ask the mother if it is okay that you use the oven. Also, kids will want to do the cooking part with you. Be prepared. You should always say, “Hot stuff and sharp stuff is what I do. Pouring and mixing is what you can do.” It is a very good learning experience for them. Tell them how many cups to put in the bowl. Kids love hands-on experiences.

 

5 Great Solutions to Calm Your Crying Baby

Babies cry for many different reasons whether they are mad, angry, upset, hungry, need their diaper changed or they are just bored. Distinguishing these cries can be difficult. Knowing the difference in these cries can help the parent, as well as, the caregiver. Learning the meaning of babies different cries can do wonders for you as a care giver. I know it has for me. Moms are very impressed when you can calm their crying baby when even they couldn't do it.


What does the cry sound like?


Is he/she yelling, crying?
And also, throwing a toy; smiling or laughing when you react?
Your baby might be bored.


Solution: It's a compliment when your baby signals that he/she wants your attention—it shows that you have bonded,”says Harvey Karp, M.D. author of Happiest Baby on the Block.  As your baby gets older, he/she gets bored with everyday things. Just like that mobile that’s been hanging from his/her crib enticing him/her. He/she eventually gets bored looking at it and wants to play with it, too. Your baby will need lots of new and different things to hold his interest. Engage him by playing your usual games in a variety of ways. For instance, “when you are singing a song, change the rhythm, speed up toward the end, make up words, or vary the tone of your voice,” says Dr. Karp.


Is he/she red faced crying, with eyes squinted shut?
And also, pushing or batting your hand when you go to reach for him/her ?
Your baby might be frustrated.


Solution: If your baby is frustrated that means she is not satisfied with what she is doing. Also your baby might be hungry tired or they might just want a toy to play with but they can't reach it. Try giving them what you think they need, whether its feeding them a nap or giving them the toy they wan to play with. Also use soothing expressions like shushing, or a short, repeated phase (It's okay, It's okay”)


Are his/her eyes frozen open?
And also, trembling hands and face,
remaining very still or crying out?
Your baby might be in fear.


Solution: It's difficult for babies to soothe themselves when they're scared, because they may not recognize what's frighting them, explains Paul Holinger, M.D., author of What Babies Say Before They Can Talk. A loud noise that is normal to you may be terrifying to your baby. Try cuddling your baby close to you say calmed hush toned words about what is happening. They probably won't understand what your saying but the hushed tone of your voice is all it takes.


Is he/she turning downs the corners of her mouth; arching up her eyebrows in the middle?
And also, a quivering chin, crying?
Your baby might be Distressed.


Solution: Even babies need their space. If you have been playing a exciting game with your baby for too long, they might get distressed. When that happens, so you need to bring him to a quite place to calm him down. Rhythmic stimulation helps to chill out. So, put your baby in the swing for a couple of minutes. He might even fall asleep and a nap will help, too.




Is he/she crying for hours and seems like it will never stop no matter what you do?
Is it also, during the first 3 to 4 months?
Your baby might have Colic.


Solution: This is where the 5 S's by Dr. Karp in his book The Happiest Baby on the Block come in handy.

1. Swaddling- Fold the corner of the blanket. Then place the baby so that his neck is on the corner of the fold then wrap each of the ends so that your baby's arms and legs are confined do not be afraid to make it snug.
   

2. Side/Stomach- Hold your infant on his/her side or tummy-down. The leopard hold is a excellent way. Hold your baby's head in your hand and let the baby's arms and legs hang down. You can use your other arm for support if needed.
   

3. Shhh.- When your baby is swaddled hold them as you rock and swing them. Make the “shhh” sound in his/her ear, as if you were quieting them down. Your “shhh” needs to be as loud as he/she is, getting quieter, as he/she quiets. (The shhh sound and the swaddling reminds him/her of the feeling and sound of being in the womb. This comforts him/her and lets him/her know you are there.)
   

4. Swinging-You can either swing your baby your self or put them in a mechanical swing.
   

5. Sucking- Once your baby is calm, offer him/her a pacifier, your finger, or bottle to suck.
   

Potty Training Tips

Potty training can be hard. Here are some tips:

• Whenever your child has a meal and something to drink, time how long it takes for he/she to urinate or have a bowel movement. Keep checking diaper while timing. Then, the next time he/she eats use the time that you timed before and put them on the toilet. Do this every time after he/she eats.
  
  
  
• Keep Asking. Toddlers get very distracted, especially while playing. Keep reminding them and asking them if they need to go, especially after they drink or eat something.
  
  
  
• Some toddlers are very interested in the big toilet. They like to be just like the big kids. Put a child seat on the toilet, so that they don't fall in. Some toddlers don't get it when you're telling them to use the little toilet. They think its one their toys.
  

• Always praise them when they go. Make them a sticker chart to keep track of successes.
  

• Have them wear pull-ups. It's a lot easier for them to pull down, when they have to go.
  Also easier for you to change them.
  

• Let the caregivers know your routine and reward system, so that they will know how to reward them and what time that they should be put on the toilet for potty training.

Top 5 questions to ask your babysitter?

Finding a babysitter can be tricky. Finding a great babysitter can be can be even harder. You want them to be responsible and respectable and actually interact with your kid.


So what should you ask your babysitter?

• Is your babysitter certified? You would want to look for a babysitter that is certified with Red Cross or American Heart Association.
  
• Does your babysitter have references? If the babysitter has references, it would be a good thing to call them. Babysitting is like any other job. Think of yourself as the boss of your company. So, be sure to do a background check.
  
• How much experience does your babysitter have? Good places to gain experiences are church nursery, school practicums, family member, and neighbors.
  
• Does your babysitter love what they do? You want your kid to like them. You would also want them to like your kids. They should love what they do. Babysitters that actually take a effort in what they do are great babysitters. This says that the babysitter is very interested in what they do and responsible.
  
• What are the rates? Consider what minimum wage is and consider that you are hiring a trained person to take care of your most prized possessions. Some sitters charge a flat rate; some charge more for extra children; some charge extra for children under 3; and some charge extra for late hours.