Toddler Talk Tuesday: And My Friends Are…?

The new school year has started, and aren't we excited? Anyone else been late for school yet? (Dammit, it was just one minute, I swear!) And who else loves rushing around again in the morning while your kid brushes their teeth and chews their breakfast at a glacial pace? Sigh. But hey, learning is happening! …

Who Knew My Kid Was in Goodfellas?

Have you seen the movie "Goodfellas?" It's that classic 1990 crime movie about real-life mafia member Henry Hill. It's a film right up there with "The Godfather" (okay, a step below it), and there are some really memorable characters. One of them is this guy whom the narrator calls "Jimmy Two Times." Check out the short …

Mis-sung Lyrics, Toddler-Style

I mean, we all think Elton John was singing, "Hold me closer, Tony Danza," right? Was Johnny Rivers singing, "Secret agent man" or "Secret Asian man?" Does it matter at a party/wedding if we get the lyrics right as long as our lips are moving and some kind of word is coming out? (Apparently if …

Top 3 Songs We’ve Co-opted To Get Our Kids To Do Something

It's well know that songs can help kids learn things better. Put a bunch of information to the tune of a known song, and they'll memorize it much easier than repetition, flash cards, or the (tedious) like. I haven't used that yet for Toddler, but I think I will soon. First I need to learn …

Toddler Talk Tuesdays: Ad Libbing at its Finest

As I've mentioned before, dinner at our house is rarely an orderly affair. We have a healthy meal, yes, but there is always at least one of: food thrown on the floor (Baby) loud singing (Toddler) voice escalation (Toddler, then Baby) impromptu dancing (me) someone refusing to eat one item (Husband, Toddler, or Baby) crying …

Learning to Spell: Juuuust a Few Errors …

First came writing and now comes spelling. Toddler is learning how to spell a few words, such as "hi" and the names of her family members and such. I'm not pushing it, but since she's showing interest and asking how to spell words, I oblige her the lesson. Often Toddler asks me how to spell …

Happy Passover and Bonus Toddler Talk!

Well, it's been a busy weekend for us - nonstop traveling - and we are traveling again today to celebrate Passover today with family. Thank goodness we'll be home for Easter! In lieu of a longer post today, I'll say Happy Passover (I'm sure there's a Hebrew phrase for it, but I, the shiksa, don't …

Sweet Memories Friday: The Making of a Nerd

Once there was a little girl who chose to show her new friends Dial M for Murder as the movie to watch at a super-cool 17th birthday party. Yes, that movie - a Hitchcock, and not even a really good Hitchcock (obviously, I like his movies, especially Rear Window, The Birds, The Man Who Knew Too …

Toddler Talk Tuesdays: Marriage and Holiday Inn

I think my 3.5yo is basically an old woman trapped in 39.5 inches of height. She enjoys watching YouTube videos of Fred Astaire (who wouldn't, you ask) and snuggling with me on the couch to watch Holiday Inn. Folks, Holiday Inn was filmed in 1942. Yes, 75 years ago. In black and white. And my daughter loves it. …

Learning Words From the Older Sister – and Movie Quotes?

Thank goodness Baby has Toddler to learn from. I didn't realize how much faster she'd learn things than Toddler did when she was little! Baby imitates - and therefore learns how to do something from - Toddler on everything from unscrewing/screwing caps to throwing toys. Joy and joy, right? Just yesterday Baby walked into the …