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Brenda and Friends At Library’s Toddler Group Learning Numbers

Toddler Library Day Leads to Crafty Idea 

I took Brenda to another toddler day at the library. They read a book, sang songs, and made crafts. Above the kids each put up a Velcro Halloween symbol. There was a one spider, two black cats, three witches, four owls, and five bats. Brenda had an owl.

I got the idea for Monster Egghead Hangers from our visit to the libraries toddler day. They made a mobile/hanger as that days craft. I honestly don’t know the proper name for this craft, but I will not let that stop me from telling you, Brenda and I had fun making them. We have them hanging out side with our many other decorations.

The Monster Egghead Hangers Brenda And I Made Together

Karina And Brenda Both Dressed As Witches

Brenda went to her cousin’s school Halloween party but slept through the whole event. She was tired and I am sure it was a bit overwhelming. The kids all looked so cute. Actually, some of them were more cool and scary than cute. Kids grow up too fast.

Oohh Scary

Brenda Changes Costumes

I had mentioned Brenda picking out a monkey costume a while back. Well here is a picture of her in it.

Unfortunately as much as she liked it, it was too hot for her. After a couple of minutes of running around as a monkey, she started pulling at the costume and quickly went into a fit. We got her out as quick as we could. It probably did not help that she ran around the whole time she had it on.

Anyway that suit was a bit small to so we got the next size.  The next size bigger did not have much better results so we decided that Miami is just to hot for any full body furry costumes.

Ala Ka Zam. You Love Me.

Back at Target we found a really cute witches outfit. We got it and Brenda likes it a lot. She got a little upset when we had to take it off of her. The problem is is it is all black. Not the safest color for a kid to be out in on Halloween. I am thinking I am going to buy some reflective tape. We already got Brenda a necklace that lights up, but it is very dim. Any ideas on increasing her visability would be a great help.

Brenda’s Bloody Fruit Bar

Brenda was eating a Edy’s grape fruit bar the other night and the results were so Haloweenee I just had to share them.

Library Toddler Day

Brenda went to a toddler day at the library and had a real good time. They had a Halloween theme. They read some Halloween books, sung some songs, and made ghosts out of cotton balls, tissue paper and string.

It was really good for her to see so many kids in her own age group. Her nephews are all older, and she is not in school or day care, so her exposure to peers has been limited to the playground and a few friends. I know -Brenda of Brenda’s Friends needs more friends. But that’s part of what Brenda’s Friends will be all about - learning to make and keep friends.

So after the event one mother and her daughter stuck around and played and looked at books. I read some books to Brenda while she played with bead mazes. The little girl wanted to play with them too. They played very nicely together. The little girl took off with one of the bead mazes, but they have three so it really didn’t faze Brenda.

Here they are playing together with the bead mazes.

I  plan to go to more toddler days at the library.

Take Care

Brenda’s Halloween Costume

Halloween is just around the corner and we are trying on costumes for Brenda. The one she seemed to like the most,  a yellow  duck, didn’t come in her size. The only other one she seemed to respond to was a monkey. She kept saying ee-ee-ah-ah. That’s one of her newer animal sounds.

When we tried to get her into the monkey outfit the first time she was either scared, tired, or both but she made the biggest fuss and Tom and I decided not to push it. 

Brenda Trick-or-Treating As Monkey

Today Tom drew a picture of Brenda in her costume. She must have responded to it seeing the picture. Maybe she got the idea of the costume being something she could wear and it being fun, because I had no problem getting her to get into it today. She looked real cute in it. Problem was she didn’t want to have it on anymore after about five minutes. It is probably too hot, so she may not wear it long Halloween.  

Tom said he it going to put the picture he drew of Brenda on his coloring pages. None of the digital pictures he took came out all that great, but I will try to get a good one next time we dress her up.

 Whay kind of key dosen’t open a door? 

……… A monkey. It says treat-or-treat and waits for you to open the door.

Brenda Learns Colors Through Sorting

We found a fun way to teach and reinforce colors with Brenda.

Publix had a buy one get one free sale on Reduced Sugar Fruit Loops, so I bought two. I know, not that healthy, but Brenda is not always the best eater and I thought I would just try them. Brenda liked them. She usually has Cheerios. She likes dehydrated bananas too. We make them ourselves.

Anyhow, one morning Brenda started sorting the Fruit Loops by color. I  started asking her to name the colors. She still likes to call things “boo” blue, but lately she guesses “gee” green more often. I would straighten her out by telling her the real name for “poo-pell” purple, “el-low” yellow, “wre” red, and “arj” orange.  Sorting is also a great way to work on observation skills.

Brenda Plays Music While I Cook 

The other night, Brenda was really upset when I was in the kitchen starting to cook dinner. I decided to bring her into the kitchen in her high chair so she could see what was going on. Maybe teach her some food names or just let her take in the cooking process. At least distract her and get her to stop crying. No deal. She was still upset.

Then as I looked up over her to see all our pots and pan hanging on the wall it hit me. What kid doesn’t love to beat on a pan. I know I did. I got down a pot for Brenda She stopped crying just from the mere audacity of having a pot in front of her. Then I  got her a wood spoon. It only took a few seconds to show her to hit the pot and hand her the spoon. Away she went. Little girls got good rhythm too.

Last night, I found this article with more ideas on entertaining your toddler while you cook. They suggest to give them a whole bunch of pots. I will have to see my kitchen not big enough for to many. I am going to try some of these ideas.