These are a few of the kids' favorite things

Ever since we returned home from our trip to Texas, we have been watching less and less television. Instead, we have been putting all of the great Christmas gifts the girls received to good use! Rather than turn the television on in the morning, we now go downstairs, eat breakfast, and get out some of their new "toys"! I am amazed by how much the girls have learned in the last two weeks! Lexie is sharpening her letter sounds and has been practicing her writing skills and Olivia is talking more and more everyday--sometimes using sentences! With all the great games, toys, activities they received for Christmas---there is no need for tv!


Though Olivia is a bit young for this game, she still gets in on the fun. While Lexie completes the challenges along with her nickelodeon friends, Olivia dances to the background music and cheers on her big sister. This game gets little ones moving!

This next 'favorite' uses the kids imagination brought to life by WATER!!! I let the girls use my plastic cookie cutters to trace and color---Olivia seems to enjoy the coloring aspect of it--that is when she is not unscrewing the lids to let the water drip everywhere! Lexie loves to trace shapes too, write her name, draw different pictures---keeps her pretty entertained (well, that is when her little sister isn't trying to soak her!)
Similar to the Wii Fit game, the Zippity by Leap Frog is another interactive/movement game but requires a bit more thought. Lexie loves all of the Disney character games and can't seem to get enough of dancing with the Little Einsteins, though Winnie the Pooh's Super Sleuth game is pretty high on the list too!
Leapfrog Tag and Tag Jr reading systems are INCREDIBLE! The girls love to sit and 'read' their books. Olivia is obsessed with the on/off button, but once she gets past the fun noise it makes and touches the pages--she is hooked (for a few minutes at least!) Lexie could/would sit all day and play with her "special reader" if I let her. She loves experimenting with the different options for each book...sometimes she likes to read the whole page, other times word by word...she has recently figured out how to narrow it down to letters in some books! Her thirst for books/learning amazes me!













This table top easel/magnet board was GREAT gift idea for the girls. They each have their own side to play on and the shapes and letters are great learning tools! We have come up with different games where we find letters to match the objects, spell names, find colors etc! It is extremely versatile as it doubles as a dry erase board too--so we can practice writing letters/numbers...or just scribble as Olivia likes to do!















Thanks to all for your thoughtful and generous Christmas gifts for the girls! I hope by now you received your 'official thank you' in the mail from us, but if you haven't--know that we appreciate each and every one of you for the love and support you have given to the girls...the presents are nice, but having loved ones like you are the best gifts they could have!!!

Hope you are having as much fun in 2011 as we are!!!