Young children absolutely love ride-on toys. As soon as they're able to master the coordination required to make them go via foot to floor power, to pedal them, or to negotiate the steering and foot pedal on battery powered ride on toys, they're off and running - err, driving, that is.
They can't get enough of them. Ride-on toys are like a ticket to independence for toddlers, and since many also look like or mimic the vehicles adults drives, they love to pretend they're "driving" just like mom and dad.
Floor to Foot Power
There are such a variety of ride-on toys these days that it can be hard to decide what to choose. Certainly, for very young children, like toddlers, a foot to floor ride-on toy is the best option. Toddlers can have a car all their own and become mobile via their own foot to floor power, so you don't have to worry they'll go too fast or injure themselves. There are blue foot to floor ride-on cars for boys, pink for girls, and even princess cars and ambulances, but my personal favorite is the adorable airplane. There are even foot to floor ride-on toys that look like a mouse, a dump truck, and a hummer.
Pedal Power
As the child becomes more coordinated and learns to pedal, three wheel ride-on toys like traditional tricycles or Big Wheels are the perfect next step. But there are lots more pedal ride-on options, as well - airplanes, red and green tractors, forklifts, construction loaders, tractors with front loaders, dump trucks, front loaders, and even farm tractors with trailers to haul dolls or blocks or dirt or whatever suits their fancy at the time. There are also some very stylin' pedal automobiles - like the Mercedes, red Ferrari, and red BMW convertible and an entire line of sports team themed pedal cars.
My personal favorites in this line are the vintage look car pedal toys. The ™65 Ford Mustang in dark blue or bright red; the ™65 Ford Shelby GT-350; the 1932 Ford Roadster - either in pink, red, or in black with flames; and the 1932 tow truck, fire truck, or police car all look incredible, and any parent who is a fan of vintage cars or antiques will want one of these for their child. Of the entire line, the American Retro Limited Edition Burgundy Roadster impressed me the most with its appearance.
Battery Operated
And finally, after a child has reached 3 years of age, you may want to consider a battery powered ride-on toy. It's important, however, that these in particular be operated only with adult supervision and that your child has the skills necessary to comprehend the effects of moving the steering wheel a particular way and the stop and go foot pedal mechanism before you let them get on one of these. Chances are, if your child has had one of the pedal versions, he or she will have a good grasp of steering already and then you just need to explain the foot pedal.
The variety of battery operated ride-on toys is just as extensive as the pedal powered ride-ons. You can choose from many styles of cars, trucks, motorcycle, crotch rockets, ATVs, go karts, Jeeps, race cars, and dune buggies. There are modern sports cars - like the Jaguar, Ferrari, Porsche, and many more - as well as a classic car and even a baby "bug" (i.e., Volkswagen Beatle).
Obviously, the battery operated models are also going to be the most expensive, but if you watch for sales, you can save a bit on these, too. If you're looking for one really great gift for your child this year, a ride-on toy makes a fabulous birthday or Christmas present he or she will never forget!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
How do I take my infant's temperature?
While there are many acceptable ways for taking a temperature, you should use a rectal thermometer if you think that your baby has a fever.
To take a rectal temperature, first wash and rinse the thermometer and shake it until it is reading below 96 degrees F (or consider using a digital rectal thermometer). Next, rub a small amount of lubricant on it's tip and while your baby is lying down, hold one of your hands firmly on his lower back, just above his buttocks. Now gently insert the thermometer into his anus about 1/2 to 1 inches. Wait for two minutes and then remove the thermometer and slowly roll it until you are able to see the end of the mercury column, which is your baby's temperature.
For infants under three months of age, a fever is considered to be a temperature over 100.4 degrees F (call your doctor immediately!). Be sure to clean the thermometer with alcohol after each use.
In older infants, you can consider using an axillary (armpit) thermometer or a digital thermometer that can be placed in your child's ear. Oral thermometers are usually not used until your child is four to five years old.
When reporting your child's temperature to your doctor, it is best to just say what number the thermometer read and how you took it, instead of trying to add or subtract a degree yourself.
To take a rectal temperature, first wash and rinse the thermometer and shake it until it is reading below 96 degrees F (or consider using a digital rectal thermometer). Next, rub a small amount of lubricant on it's tip and while your baby is lying down, hold one of your hands firmly on his lower back, just above his buttocks. Now gently insert the thermometer into his anus about 1/2 to 1 inches. Wait for two minutes and then remove the thermometer and slowly roll it until you are able to see the end of the mercury column, which is your baby's temperature.
For infants under three months of age, a fever is considered to be a temperature over 100.4 degrees F (call your doctor immediately!). Be sure to clean the thermometer with alcohol after each use.
In older infants, you can consider using an axillary (armpit) thermometer or a digital thermometer that can be placed in your child's ear. Oral thermometers are usually not used until your child is four to five years old.
When reporting your child's temperature to your doctor, it is best to just say what number the thermometer read and how you took it, instead of trying to add or subtract a degree yourself.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Popular American Girl Fashions On a Budget
Some little girl's best friend is their American Girl doll (18 inches) because they are fun, pretty, have an interesting life story, and have beautiful hair for your little girl to fix and primp. All kinds of clothes, DVD's, books, beds, and other accecssories are available through AmericanGirl.com. If you have all of the money in the world to spend on your little girl and her doll, then you will find their site a one stop shop to happiness for your little girl that provides hours of fun pretend play.
If you are on a budget, Target's website sells Our Generation dolls, which are also 18" tall. They can fit in the same things that American Girls can fit in and are a good alternative if your little girl just has to have a doll where she can fix her hair, but with a lot lower prices. These dolls generally cost under $30. You can find clothes and other accessories for them as well.
If your little girl just has to have the real thing, then indulge her, but save on the clothes and accessories. She doesn't have to have just American girl brand clothes for her doll. There are many places that sell alternatives to these expensive clothes for a fraction of the cost. You can find doll clothes for $2-$25 that are just as beautiful as the ones at the A.G. Store.
For example, Little Adventures sells a line of princess costumes for little girls that have exact match doll dresses. Cinderella doll dresses and Sleeping Beauty doll clothes are the most popular. But, many of the other doll dresses come with fun and interesting accessories. The princess Snow White doll dress comes with a matching sequin cape and a red bow for her hair and the Medieval princess doll dress in deep purple comes with a matching cone hat that is really cute! Their dresses are only $16 and often go on sale during the holidays or in off-seasons. If the price wasn't enough, these 18 inch doll clothes are machine washable, so if your little girl has a tea party or birthday with her doll and gets tea, punch, or birthday cake on her doll dress, mom can throw it in the wash and it will be as good as new! The princess doll clothes from Little Adventures are also designed to fit plush animals such as Build a Bear.
Hang up her clothes with doll hangers you can find on eBay for about 50 cents. You can find doll clothes armoires for clothes storage.
After she's dressed, your little girl will want to fix her doll's hair. You will find that the American Girl brand brushes are the best ones to use to protect their hair. Did you know that if your doll's hair gets cut or ruined that you can send in the head to A.G. and get it replaced with a new one! They have amazing customer service and your little girls can use their own hair accessories in their doll's hair or buy new ones at the store for them to wear in their hair.
Fashion is important for girls and she will go to every effort to dress her own doll just how she would like to look, so splurge on the doll and conserve with the clothes and you will find a happy compromise between mom and daughter and you will find her pretending for hours with her fun new doll!
If you are on a budget, Target's website sells Our Generation dolls, which are also 18" tall. They can fit in the same things that American Girls can fit in and are a good alternative if your little girl just has to have a doll where she can fix her hair, but with a lot lower prices. These dolls generally cost under $30. You can find clothes and other accessories for them as well.
If your little girl just has to have the real thing, then indulge her, but save on the clothes and accessories. She doesn't have to have just American girl brand clothes for her doll. There are many places that sell alternatives to these expensive clothes for a fraction of the cost. You can find doll clothes for $2-$25 that are just as beautiful as the ones at the A.G. Store.
For example, Little Adventures sells a line of princess costumes for little girls that have exact match doll dresses. Cinderella doll dresses and Sleeping Beauty doll clothes are the most popular. But, many of the other doll dresses come with fun and interesting accessories. The princess Snow White doll dress comes with a matching sequin cape and a red bow for her hair and the Medieval princess doll dress in deep purple comes with a matching cone hat that is really cute! Their dresses are only $16 and often go on sale during the holidays or in off-seasons. If the price wasn't enough, these 18 inch doll clothes are machine washable, so if your little girl has a tea party or birthday with her doll and gets tea, punch, or birthday cake on her doll dress, mom can throw it in the wash and it will be as good as new! The princess doll clothes from Little Adventures are also designed to fit plush animals such as Build a Bear.
Hang up her clothes with doll hangers you can find on eBay for about 50 cents. You can find doll clothes armoires for clothes storage.
After she's dressed, your little girl will want to fix her doll's hair. You will find that the American Girl brand brushes are the best ones to use to protect their hair. Did you know that if your doll's hair gets cut or ruined that you can send in the head to A.G. and get it replaced with a new one! They have amazing customer service and your little girls can use their own hair accessories in their doll's hair or buy new ones at the store for them to wear in their hair.
Fashion is important for girls and she will go to every effort to dress her own doll just how she would like to look, so splurge on the doll and conserve with the clothes and you will find a happy compromise between mom and daughter and you will find her pretending for hours with her fun new doll!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Baby Shower Centerpieces Ideas
New mother? Here you will learn how to make and where to purchase your baby shower centerpieces. As the centerpiece is the focal point of the baby shower, it is very important for you to design or purchase the right one.
You need to place them above eye level at the table to keep from blocking the view of the and the guest of honor from seeing each other at the table. There are many different types of baby shower centerpieces to choose from. One very popular type of centerpiece which doubles as your baby shower gift is a baby diaper cake.
Once you have picked your theme you need to keep it featured around that theme. If making your own baby shower centerpiece, many of the supplies needed will be available locally. However, going online will add to the variety of baby shower centerpieces you have to choose from.
Many baby shower centerpieces will be made with candles surrounding them. Such as floral centerpieces, using fresh or artificial flowers. Fresh flowers will be more economical if you choose flowers that are in season. When choosing artificial flowers, you can go with silk, chocolate flowers such as roses, plastic flowers, or light-up roses.
- Use a wicker basket and fill it with baby items. You could put a cloth diaper, diaper pins, baby bottles, bibs, baby socks, pacifiers and other small baby items. Surround the basket with small candles or put a couple of helium balloons tied to the handle.
- If using a beach theme, use a beach bucket and place a flower arrangement inside, with candles around the outside. Or put small tools for the beach inside the bucket.
- Fill a small goldfish bowl with water and fill it with floating candles and flower buds. Or you might even add a goldfish to the water.
- Use votive holders and candles that match your theme. They will provide a soft type of illumination to the event.
- Go to a craft section or a craft store and purchase small pink and blue gemstones. You could place these in votive holders, or small glass vases of different sizes. Add shredded tissue to the mix and you will have another lovely baby shower centerpiece.
- You could get different glass figurines of a stork, swan, castle, teddy bear, or whatever would fit with the theme. Put them in a box filled with colored shredded paper and put the figurine on top. Any of these would be a great addition to your baby shower.
- Hang an umbrella from the ceiling filled with stuffed animals. Or you could put flowers inside and add balloons, dolls and/or ribbons.
- Fill a bucket, bowl, or basket with candy, small stuffed animals, or flowers, say rose.
- If the baby shower is in the fall or winter. Use small pumpkins, headstones, or leaves of different colors. Pumpkins could be made of tissue, or small figures of pumpkins.
- Tropical Themes could use many different items to make your baby shower center piece. Pineapples, tiki lights, small palm trees, hula dancer center piece, or a flamingo.
- Nautical themes could use small boats, ships, sailboats, anchors, or a treasure chest.
- Spring themes could include items such as hearts, leprechauns, or bunnies.
- Western themes could use straw, cowboy hats, cowboy boots, western badges and rope.
These are just some ideas to choose from. Think about them, mix and match, or add your own ideas to make baby shower centerpieces that perfectly match your theme. You and your guests and guest of honor will have a fun day. They will be getting away from reality for a short time to rest and enjoy themselves.
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