Tag: toddlers

My Favorite Nutritious Foods For Toddlers

Posted on by lauranau17

My Favorite Nutritious Foods For Toddlers

My Favorite Nutritious Foods For Toddlers

I talk a lot about health and nutrition for women, but today, I want to talk about my favorite nutritious foods for toddlers. We love burgers and fries just like anyone else. It’s called balance, right? Feeding our littles healthy and nutritious food is really important to my husband and I. We want them to know what foods help them stay strong  and healthy, so that when they grow up, they will hopefully continue to make healthy decisions.

Baby M is 8 months old and we are doing baby led weaning with her. (If you want a BLW calendar printable to keep up with what foods you present to your baby, sign up for my free printables library here.) Her favorites so far have been avocado, broccoli, rotisserie chicken and blueberries.

We also did BLW with the twins and they would eat the coolest things like mushrooms, turkey meatballs, roasted sweet potatoes, and banana/egg pancakes. At 3, they still love a lot of healthy foods, but of course they love pizza and ice cream too. (Balance, remember?)

I’ve had people ask about our favorite foods, so check out these list of my favorite nutritious foods for toddlers.

Spinach

This is such a versatile food. It’s one of those healthy foods that you can sneak into so many other things. I throw it into smoothies and shakes for myself and the kids. My friends over at ThinkBaby.org, shared an awesome recipe for spinach balls (and other hearty and healthy recipes for toddlers). It’s a must try for your littles!

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a staple in our house. I make sweet potato fries that never look Pinterest worthy, but are always delicious. I also love to roast sweet potatoes with coconut oil and paprika. Recently, I made a sweet potato and apple hash that is amazing. Just chop up sweet potatoes and apples (I use granny smith), saute until soft with coconut oil and cinnamon. Top with feta. Thank me later!

Greek Yogurt

The only yogurt I buy is Greek yogurt. I will get the plain and add fruit to it for the girls. Before age 2, it should be full fat Greek yogurt. It’s not uncommon to find one of the girls sneaking the Greek yogurt from the fridge because they love it so much.

Banana Pancakes

This recipe is such a hit with the kiddos! They will eat them warm. They will eat them cold. They will eat them in the house. They will eat them with..well you get the picture.

my favorite healthy foods that are also delicous

Strawberry Sorbet

On those days, the girls ask for ice cream and I don’t want them to have it, I make strawberry sorbet. It’s so stinkin’ easy. Simply throw frozen strawberries in the blender with a little honey or pure maple syrup and boom, sorbet.

If you want more tips on all things baby and littles, head over to ThinkBaby.org. They love sharing great products from baby furniture to gear to recipes.

What are the favorite foods for toddlers in your house?

local legends with gymboree

Local Legends with Gymboree

Posted on by lauranau17

Gymboree Sale On Now!

Local Legends with Gymboree

local legends with gymboree

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I was compensated for this post.

It’s almost Summertime! After a long, long winter, it’s so exciting to see the sun shining and watch the girls run around the yard laughing and playing!

Gymboree has an awesome campaign going on right now and it’s all about families! To be more specific, it’s about families becoming local legends!

How fun is that?

We will probably stay close to home all Summer. It’s easier with littles to do that. Staying in town doesn’t have to be boring though. There are so many adventures to go on.

Summers in the 80s and 90s

I remember, as a kid, that we always stayed home during the summers, with the exception of a summer trip to visit family before my parents divorced. Summers were spent playing outside, wandering around on my parent’s and grandparents’ farms, fishing, and using my imagination. Ipads weren’t a thing, so we had to use our brains (insert gasp) to make our fun!

I grew up on close to 100 acres (between my family farm and my grandparents), so I had so much room for activities. We would go 4 wheeler riding and cave exploring. I even spent my summers learning how to drive a tractor and a truck in the fields.

Times are different now, but I love taking my kiddos to the place where I grew up so they can explore on my old stomping grounds.

How Will We Be Local Legends?

How will we be local legends? There are so many activities to do in our city during the Summer. Our local libraries always have a ton of activities for all ages. Last year, they did a reading competition. We have a zoo and several parks that we can visit. Fingers crossed, the sloths are back at the zoo! I’m really excited for Jurassic Quest. I visited a similar exhibit as a kid in New Orleans on Summer break. It was so much fun! Some other things on our summer bucket list:

  • Semi-pro baseball game
  • Museum (we have a children’s museum that is amazing as well as an art museum)
  • Local volunteering (it’s important for us to create servant hearts in the girls)
  • Vacation Bible School (one of my favorite Summer activities as a kid)
  • Stargazing
  • Water fight
  • Roast marshmallows (maybe I’ll finally have my first ‘smore!)
  • Wash the cars (by hand – gasp)
  • Snow cones
  • Bubbles
  • Miniature Golf
  • Movies on the lawn (at home or the local library)
  • Slipe n Slide
  • Chasing lightning bugs
  • Night time swimming
  • Ice cream dates
  • Swimming (the girls are learning how to swim from their Daddy and big sister!)

Summertime is so sweet for kiddos. Call me frugal, but I love activities that we can do as a family that are free. Some of our favorites are picnics (the twins’ latest obsession), dance parties, picking flowers, chalk drawings on the sidewalk, and playing in the sprinklers! I may even encourage a no screens policy! (Insert another gasp)

I love the idea of going “old school”, putting the electronics away, and just being a kid! I remember being a kid and spending so much time outside exploring our yard and farm and playing until dinner time.

Childlike, Summertime fun is just good for the soul!

Back to Gymboree

Another season means putting away clothes and getting sundresses and bathing suits. These girls are growing like weeds, so a shopping spree is definitely in order for us!  Gymboree is one of our go-to stores when it comes to finding adorable and affordable clothes. They have everything from outside playing clothes, church attire, and 4th of July outfits to shoes and accessories.

Your kids will definitely be the best dressed this Summer. (I’m pretty positive that my girls all dress better than me!)

My Gymboree Picks for the Girls

Check out a couple of my favorites from the Local Legends line that we must have for the girls’ Summer wardrobes.

This adorable tank dress will be perfect for warm Summer days!

local legends with gymboree

I am obsessed with these sneakers!

local legends with gymboree

Check out all the adorable clothes in Gymboree’s Local Legends Line and be sure to make every day legendary this Summer! Heads up! This line is so stinking adorable that you may want to buy everything!

I have to know. What are your favorite family Summer activities? Any traditions? I love getting new ideas from other people.

 

friday favorites toys for toddlers

Friday Favorites: Toys for Toddlers

Posted on by lauranau17

Friday Favorites: Toys for Toddlers

Toys for toddlers

Happy Friday!

It’s time for another Friday Favorites with Toys for Toddlers. I have put together a list of my girls’ favorites!

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that I love.

 Fraturtles. We love this book. A lot of twin books that I found have been about identical twins. This book is about fraternal twins, twins that don’t look alike.

Bubbles! Is there anything more fun than bubbles? My girls could play with bubbles all day long.

 Glow sticks. Another favorite around our house. Such a great gift idea for the kiddos.

 Magnetic building toys. These are so much fun! Even my husband and I love playing with them. It’s so awesome to see how creative your littles can be with these.

Magnetic Drawing Boards. The girls will spend so much time, drawing and erasing, drawing and erasing.

Paint. They love painting and sometimes it makes it to the paper instead of Sissy’s arm. Just make sure it’s washable, because, like I said, they will paint each other.

Walkie Talkies. For us, it is Minnie Mouse all the way! Granted, the girls are totally sure how to use them yet, but they LOVE them. They will go into different rooms and yell, “Can you hear me, Sissy??” They will get it. In the meantime, it’s very entertaining to watch. 

 LeapFrog Scribble and Write. This is so cool! I love learning toys so much. This teaches them how to write their letters and numbers. The excitement on their faces when they each wrote the letter to their first names was priceless. Proud Mommy Moment!

 Playdough. What kid doesn’t love playdough? You can buy it or make it yourself. Check out this post and see how easy it is to make at home.

Dollhouses and playsets. For Christmas, the girls got 3 different playhouse/playsets and they have played with them every day since. They are really into Puppy Dog Pals.

Check out this post for more ideas for toys for toddlers!

What do your littles love to play??

Gift Guide For Toddlers

Posted on by lauranau17
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(This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase, I may make a few bucks.)

I love Christmas time! The cool weather. The snow. The Christmas tree. The stockings. Love it all! I have to say, though, that sometimes I get so stressed thinking of gifts for my littles. I know I can’t be the only one. I have put together a list of some great gift ideas for toddlers. Enjoy!

1. Dress up clothes. My girls love to play dress up. Last year, they got a ton of tutus and they still use them. This year, the girls have asked for a magic hat and magic wand. I love their imaginations! How fun is this? And I love the Disney princess dress up clothes too! And what child doesn’t love to be a super hero?!

2. I love gifts that my kids will use for more than a couple months. This tent is so adorable! Perfect for reading time, living room “camp outs”, and so much more.

3. Books, books, and more books! We always get each child a book for Christmas. I have loved reading since I was a child and it’s so important for us to instill that same love of reading into our children.

4. When it comes to toys, I love learning toys. There are so many great ones to choose from. Here are a few of my favorites:


The Leapfrog Learn and Scribble is a favorite of my girls. It is great for teaching little ones their letters and numbers and how to trace. The twins have shown a lot of interest in clocks recently, so the learning clock is definitely on our wish list this year.

5. Arts and crafts. I’m going to be putting together an arts kit for the kiddos. Construction paper, finger paints, crayons, safety scissors, etc. This is a great thing to have on hand especially in the coming days and months when the little ones (and parents) will be getting cabin fever.

6. Our girls love to build things and we recently discovered the coolest things ever: Magnetic Building Tiles. You have to check these out!

7. Experiences! I love the idea of experiences and making memories. Family memberships to the zoo and/or local childrens museum. Is there a  trip you want to take the family on in the coming year? Gymnastics or karate lessons that they would love?

Check out Over 100 Stocking Stuffers for some other awesome gift ideas!

What’s on your toddler’s wish list this year? I’d love to hear your ideas!

 

Going Out In Public With Toddlers

Posted on by lauranau17

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I have twin daughters that will be 3 in August. I love being a twin mom. I really think that twins are the coolest. Of course, it has come with its share of challenges.

The main challenge that I have noticed is the sharing. They have shared with one another since they were womb mates. They’ve shared a womb, a bed, clothes, shoes, food, attention, etc. I even noticed them sharing the last sucker today. They are pros! However, I’ve always felt guilty that there hasn’t been enough of me to go around. Now, with a new baby sister on the way, I wonder and sometimes worry how they will adapt…

I have decided to spend as much time with just them as I can when the opportunity presents itself. I’m going to take them for treats or to the grocery (their favorite adventure) or to a restaurant for their favorite burger and fries.  Maybe I’ll be brave enough to take them to a park alone! And yes, I waited until they were almost 3 years old to take them to a restaurant by myself. Seriously? Why didn’t I do this before? Because I was totally terrified! What if they have a tantrum? What if they took off running in different directions? What if they escaped my grasp and ran off in a busy parking lot?  What if people judge me? What if I lose my temper and become “that mom”. What if someone makes the dreaded comment after looking at my 2 toddlers and pregnant belly: “Whoa, you have your hands full don’t ya?!” or “Better you than me!”  What if they whisper and stare like we are a circus act? I finally decided to stop worrying about what other people say or might say and just do it.  And you know what,  we are a freakin’ circus act (minus the creepy clowns of course). But it’s our freakin’ circus! And those are our monkeys.

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Why do we let the fear of what other’s (mainly strangers at that) think keep us from doing things?

Why am I letting those possible situations keep me from making memories with this sweet duo before their baby sister arrives?

What a waste of time! So, I have decided to stop worrying about that and take the girls out. Maybe it ends it total chaos. Who cares? We are making memories regardless, right? Do we get stared at? Yes. Do people make comments? Yes. Do people help and open doors? Yes!

Today, we went to Wendy’s for burgers and fries. They did amazing! Then we went to the grocery pharmacy, and since it was an in and out trip, I let them walk since the shopping carts aren’t equipped for more than one child. This one was tricky. I kid you not, there were obstacles EVERYWHERE! Minnie Mouse balloons, a huge cage full of assorted bouncy balls, stuffed animals, toy cars. I thought I walked into a toy store instead of the grocery. (Why do grocery stores have toys?) Each girl was going in a different direction and reaching for everything they could get their fingertips on. I could just see them grabbing one ball and all the others come tumbling out into the aisle! How would I deal with that?! I’m 28 weeks pregnant and knew it was impossible for me to run away with the girls over my shoulders if total chaos broke out. Enter a kind pharmacy tech and the magical dum dum suckers! LIFESAVER! We managed to pick up my prescription and exit the store completely unscathed.

The moral of this story is to just take the kiddos out. Enjoy this season of life. Will there be meltdowns? Of course. Toddlers are the most unpredictable creatures. But sometimes, just sometimes, you will find a kind employee with candy to distract your child just long enough to make it back to the car.

(Disclaimer: I do not encourage taking candy from strangers lol)