Earth Babies Blog

The Potty Training Gift Pack

A perfect gift for a potty training toddler to excite them about this new stage of learning and assist you in making the transition easier.
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When can you start swimming with babies?

It is not advised starting swimming lessons before 6 months as prior to this their immune system is considered too immature to be exposed to the natural risks that come with public swimming. Parents do need to take into consideration though the pro’s and cons of swimming lessons before enrolling for this activity. It is not an essential skill for babies but is a wonderful learning experience for both parents and babies/toddlers.

(The American Academy of Paediatricians does not recommend swimming lessons as such for children under 4 years of age).

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(this was posted on a forum – so cute and true, I had to share)
by Dr. Burton L. White

If I want it,
IT’S MINE!

If I give it to you and change my mind later,
IT’S MINE!

If I can take it away from you,
IT’S MINE!

If it’s mine it will never belong to anybody else,
No matter what.
If we are building something together,
All the pieces are mine!

If it looks just like mine,
IT’S MINE!

If it breaks or needs putting away,
IT’S YOURS!

Remember playing with paper dolls, hours of fun spent changing outfits and folding down tags to keep them on.

You can download many from the internet – fun variations on the theme.
I found this one The Jessica Paperdoll on Balancing Everything today and ♥♥♥ it because look it has a baby in a sling *swoon*

Boys & Girls & different nationalities
Making friends – these are quite cute for older kids in that you get to create your own character by choosing hair etc
Brother & Sister Paper Dolls (3 nationalities)

Beautiful complete sets with a vintage feel which will keep girls busy for hours
Strawberry Shortcake (the original)
The Ginghams
Friends around the World
Liddle Kiddles Paper Dolls
The Candy Stripers

Nice for boys (also vintage)
Wee Willy
The Elves & the Shoemaker (lovely for little boys)

There were also a couple of links in this blog post “Make your Own”

translated into English by J. Alison James

I read this book to the kids this week and found a you-tube clip of the story.
It is a simple yet sweet story about the joy of sharing – not only about the giving of an item but about the joy it bring those that receive as well as those that give.

On the flip side it can also be a good introduction to talking about how we treat those who are different. How having ‘more’ does not make a person better and that just because someone looks different does not mean they need to be treated differently.

Youtube clip of The Rainbow Fish (6 minutes)

Another book/you tube clip blogged about was
Where the Wild Things are

♥♥ Congratulations Sumaya (comment 11) – you are our happy (I am sure) Kids Cutlery winner!♥♥

One of the things I remember fondly from childhood is our toddler cutlery set – ours was passed down from sister to brother (and repeat Ü) but I remember that warm feeling as a child of having ’special’ cutlery.

Tanja is giving away a beautiful and unique Whimsy & Whatnots Kid’s Cutlery Set, personalised with the child’s name or words of choice.

The set consists of a stainless steel spoon and fork which has the owner’s name hand stamped onto it (The name is impressed into the stainless steel so cannot wash off).

As each item is hand stamped with love, please remember it will not be perfect, but it will be perfectly unique…which is the beauty & appeal of handmade items I like to think

They are beautifully packaged and if not for your own child they will make a beautiful gift for a friend’s baby or even as it is a teaspoon and cake fork for an adult (coffee and cupcake ♥)

Tanja also has beautiful sets of 4 (teaspoon or cake forks), pendants and Remembrance charms – have a look at Whimsy & Whatnots blog.

To enter simply leave a comment below – giveaway closes on the 30th August 2010. Anyone can enter so share with friends.

Suggestion: Follow us on Facebook; Twitter or add us to your Reader so you can keep track of future posts and upcoming giveaways (you dont want to miss them!).

*South Africa only

Since Rafe was a baby and we were ec’ing I have loved the idea of Kiddy legwarmers and oooh’d and aaah’d over all the cute designs but they have always seemed a little too steep in price for my pocket – until now. Lulu’s has a lovely range at a really affordable price, have a look at the selection of Kiddies Legwarmers.

In order to qualify to win 1 pair of oh-so-cute unisex multi-coloured leg warmer and 2 adorable personalised key rings all you need to do is leave a comment below

before 16 August 2010.

Leg warmers can be used from 0 – 6 years and are available in a variety of patterns. Suitable for both boys and girls!
Why are Leg Warmers so great:

* Keeps legs or arms warm ideal now for the winter chill
* Great for toddlers so they do not trip or slipping when walking
* Make nappy changes and potty training a breeze
* Protect soft knees from harsh surfaces, especially when crawling
* Provide light-weight sun protection
* Jazz up any dance class
* Fun fashion statement!

Suggestion: Follow us on Facebook; Twitter or add us to your Reader so you can keep track of future posts and upcoming giveaways (you dont want to miss them!).

*South Africa only

I am very excited about our current and upcoming giveaways and TOTALLY jealous that I don’t get a chance to enter along with you.

Keep any eye open for notices of these giveaways. Each is gorgeous and something you will want, so don’t miss out on the chance to make it yours!

Suggestion: Follow us on Facebook; Twitter or add us to your Reader so you can keep track of future posts and upcoming giveaways (you dont want to miss them!).

♥ A gorgeous handmade felted critter baby rattle from Lee-Ann of Altt Creations

♥ A one of a kind item from the range of The Crazy Aunt Company by Nerina

♥ A snugly cotton towelling receiving blanket and a pair of booties from Two Moms – Pure Beginnings

♥ A product from the beautiful range at Sweetie Peyes – Designer kids Decor by Margaret

♥ Two soft and snugly taglets made by Ilana Howe

♥ ***New product launch giveaway***

♥ Earth Babies pregnancy gift set (moonstone pendant, belly cast kit and newborn nappy starter pk)

♥ A Mia cup

♥ Nappy bag

♥ A gorgeous soft cotton kikoi Earth Babies unpadded sling

Don’t forget to look which giveaways are still running for you to enter!!

Yes they ARE in my home (3 & 5 yrs), but I am referring to the book & movie today.

* Dont think this contains spoilers apart from my opinions, for those who have not seen it*

I recently took the dvd out thinking it will be a nice one for the kids and i to watch together (movie-on-the-wall-night) – I had no clue about the story, had never seen the book and have just picked up on the hype from the internet.
Both my kids were already upset by the first part of the movie, the child’s behaviour is very angry and depressed (i think it is more this than the anger that got to them). Kara lost interest here but Rafe watched on till the Wild things entered the scene and all the anger, monsters, dark scenes and the constant underlying fear of being eaten made him decide he was scared and was not watching any more. I think also the fantastic construction they were building was ominous to him.

I watched a little longer until my husband got home and then was not interested enough to continue watching it alone.
I had come to the conclusion that the book had been written for older children (7-8 years +) and was discussing it with my sister who said (after I described pretty much the above) that the book was not really like that and it was aimed at a younger group. She had done the book when studying teaching and wondered how they had made a movie out of a ‘one line a page story’. Out of curiosity I googled the book and found this sweet you tube clip which i am assuming is the entire book narrated. It looks cute, has none of the overly disturbed personalities depicted in the movie (the book character gives me the impression of a normal child with normal moods and tantrums) and it has very little of the extended story line. I feel rather disappointed in how it was translated – it was definitely done on a much more grown up level and focusses on social concerns that little ones can’t grasp (I think a lot of it even escaped me).

Have you seen the movie? What did you think? Is it worth giving it another try and watching to the end (for me not the kids lol – would not do that to them again till they are older and less worried about monsters in their rooms).