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!!!

These are a few of my favorite things...

You won't see "creamed colored ponies and crisp apple strudels" on this list...however---(drum roll please) here are a few of my favorite 'things' I received as Christmas gifts... (not in any particular order)

I love love love my shark!!! It gets my hardwood floors ALMOST as clean as me scrubbing them by hand--but, it is much quicker, and doesn't break my back! I do have to say, this was actually a gift Russ got from our Dirty Santa exchange after swiping it from Kirsten---(you can't swipe the gift you purchased---so I swiped the gift Russ got and he swiped this for me---hope you got yourself one Precious---it is GREAT!)



Expanding upon one of my goals for 2010--this next favorite thing has helped me keep up with one of my 2011 goals... IT IS WONDERFUL! I use it everyday--twice a day, and have already noticed visible results in my skin! Well worth the purchase to anyone thinking about buying a Clarisonic Plus---but thanks to Granny, I didn't have to buy it!!! It is a perfect 'indulge' item!
Okay, so we bought this before Christmas, but it is still one of my favorite things! I use my iPad for just about everything...and the kids love it too! I have preschool apps, games and videos, store some recipes, photos, music and it has helped me stay more organized with the syncing calendar too! (Hope you are liking yours too mom!)
Since I have a shake for breakfast everyday, this next little number has saved me time and dishwasher space! If you don't have an immersion blender, give one a try. Even if you don't drink shakes, it is a great small appliance! I use it to make purees, soups, spreads, dips...saves SO MUCH TIME since you can put the stick directly into the container of whatever it is you want to blend---and GO!!! (The wisk and chopper attachments are nice too!)

I really enjoy reading, but rarely make time to do so...this is a great book I have out on my night stand. First thing in the morning, or shortly before I go to bed, I read a daily devotional dedicated to mothers of preschoolers. The stories, messages, and prayers are very uplifting--helping me with yet another one of my goals for 2011! I highly recommend it!

Somebody's Watchin' Me...

To all of my friends currently expecting...here is a must have on your registry! Russ and I never used a monitor with Lexie...with 817sq ft in Hoboken, there really wasn't a need for one! I had researched a few different monitors (some without video capabilities) and decided to get the Summer Video Monitoring system! It is WONDERFUL!!! Just take a look at this picture...even when the room is dark, there is still a great picture! The picture and sound quality are great and it comes with a charger so you don't have to constantly change the batteries! I love it!!! (And did I mention that you can add another camera and monitor two children/rooms???)