Oops, I’m already breaking the expectations set by the title by writing….sorry.
There are times when I simply don’t have a lot to say or post about on the blog, but I feel compelled to post something. This, being one of those times, seems like a great opportunity for a “Wordless Wednesday” post.
I’ve seen many other bloggers do this, so why not me too? Today, the theme is Avery with a beach ball. You don’t need expensive gizmos and gadgets to keep kids entertained, and Avery proves it with this beach ball.
As a matter of fact, the ball blew into our yard one day so I took it in, washed it, and gave it to Avery. Going Mom and I have followed her around the house as she plays a form of soccer with the ball and loves every minute. We’re thinking the ball will be a great tool for G-ma while she watches her this weekend when Going Mom and I are gone for two nights.
Yep, a little scary but exciting to leave our daughter for two whole days, but we know (i.e. hope) G-Ma and Avery will be fine. A couple should still enjoy their anniversary, right? 7 years married on the 17th of this month! More on that later, but now, lets get to that baby with the beach ball!
Not sure what I’m trying to accomplish here, but I’ll act like I know what I’m doing.
Yeah, that’s a lot of baby-ball pics, huh? I’d say it was a great front yard find and is here to stay!
Do you have any “free” things that your kids absolutely enjoy?
Earlier this month, we were playing with Avery in the living room as it was nearing her bedtime, and, like most babies, she was getting fussy. But, instead of getting her ready for bed, we chose a different route….play time with a laser!
Don’t move, you might scare it off!
Since that day, we have been able to buy ourselves a little extra time before Avery turns into a sleep deprived night demon with the special power of shrill screaming. As a bonus, our slightly overweight cat gets a nice workout chasing the blasted red dot across the floor. This, in turn, amuses Avery more than the laser alone and even makes her laugh the craziest and cutest sounding laugh we’ve heard yet.
Being the textbook first time parents we are, there’s always a video camera nearby, so we quickly captured Avery’s amusement as she watched Lou (our cat) chase the red dot. And of course I posted it on YouTube since to us, it’s worth showing the world!
I know using a laser pointer as cheap entertainment is far from a new trend, but imagine seeing something like this for the first time when you’re a baby. There’s already so many crazy things you’ve never seen, fat black cat included, that I’m convinced her high-pitched laugh is partly a result of not knowing what else to do.
Now that she’s seen it a few times, she doesn’t laugh as much as in the video, but it still keeps her engaged and most importantly, not crying. And that, my friends, is definitely one way James Bond has never used a laser!
Do you use laser pointers as entertainment for your kids? Pets?
Any other cheap entertainment tips/stories to share?
We keep the Skwish Stix on the island as it’s the best place for the suction cup base, and it sits at just the right height for Avery when she’s in her chair. And, since her infant booster is one of the best baby seats in the house, Avery spends plenty of time with her Stix.
We don’t want to inundate Avery with loads of toys that don’t at least assist in her development while she plays, so Going Mom and I are picky with our toy selections for her. Since The Manhattan Toy Co. categorizes their Skwish Stix as a baby developmental toy, I was excited when the agreed to send one for Avery.
From their website, The Manhattan Toy Co. offers the following description:
Inspired by Skwish®, this table top activity toy features the same elements of colorful wooden rods, beads and stretch cords that “Skwish” and spring back to entertain and engage baby. Also introduces the concept of cause and effect. Suction cup base adheres to most flat surfaces.
I’d say Avery was pretty engaged with her new toy the first day we presented it to her!
And then some days she would just stare at us like she didn’t know what to do.
One problem we have is that the suction cup base seems to un-suction while she’s playing and will wind up on the floor or out of her reach.
Regardless, Avery will tug at the toy and watch it whip back into position several times before it actually comes unattached. Of course, sometimes she just gets aggravated with them and no matter how many times we pick them up from the ground, she throws them right back down. I think they have helped with her motor skills as a result though!
What kind of floss is this?
I like that the Skwish Stix are made of materials safe for babies and have several bright colored beads and rods. It’s a good way to teach colors by pointing and telling her each one.
She may not talk yet, but doing these things is very important to a baby’s development, and although it doesn’t show, they are absorbing everything you do and say.
Like most babies, Avery will become uninterested after a short period and looks around as if she’s bored. Do babies get bored?
Maybe it’s because we’re sticking the camera in her face or that we’re always doing things in the kitchen that she wants to watch. Actually, that is a big part of it, and we’ll start using the Stix in another room soon since she can sit up by herself now.
I like the Skwish Stix for what they are and for the ways you can help teach your baby colors and the concept of cause and effect. Learning by playing is the best!
We still use the Skwish Stix every day to keep Avery complacent for at least a little while as we tend to chores in the kitchen. If only we could get that suction cup base to stick longer, then maybe they would keep Avery busy a little longer.
I want to thank The Manhattan Toy Co. for allowing me the opportunity to review their baby developmental toy and have enjoyed the experience. Check out their entire line of baby developmental toys to see what your baby might enjoy the most.
The Skwish Stix were inspired by their Skwish Classic, which has high reviews. Another toy with high reviews that I’ve been wanting to get Avery is their Winkel which is made of colorful polyurethane and can even be chilled for your teething baby!
Give The Manhattan Toy Co. and shout out on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter and keep up to date on what they’re doing.
Do you have a favorite developmental toy for your baby?
Have you heard of or own anything from The Manhattan Toy Co.?
Disclosure: The Manhattan Toy Co. sent me their Skwish Stix free of charge, but all views and opinions are strictly my own.
An at-home dad on a mission to keep it real when it comes to food, fun, and raising a healthy, happy family.
