great ideas for a 12 month old

I got these ideas from babycenter.com.  This website is amazing you have to check it out if you haven't already!

Let's Play! String-Along & Package Play


Reviewed by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board

Last updated: June 2009


String-Along

Small round objects are extra-enticing now that your baby is mastering
the "pincer grasp." Seize the chance to hone those fine motor skills while
also (hopefully) getting her to sit still for a little more breakfast than usual.
Appropriate for: 1 to 2 years
Skills developed: Fine motor, hand-eye coordination

What you'll need: A sturdy, short string, plastic cord, or shoelace; cereal-Os; a bracelet
On a highchair tray or nonbreakable plate, spread a thin layer of any kind
of O-shaped cereal with reasonably large holes. Then make a small
bracelet using a 6-inch piece of string or plastic cord (sold in craft stores).
Thread some Os on the string, then tie it around your baby's wrist.
Compare it to one of your own bracelets or necklaces, ideally one made
of beads that you can examine together. She'll feel like a big girl because
she's wearing "jewelry."

Safety note: Don't use a string longer than 6 inches; this can be a
strangling hazard. And supervise your baby while she's wearing her
cereal "bracelet."

Variation: As a special, occasional treat for an older child, this activity is a real thrill if the stringing is done with shoestring licorice and colorful "sugar cereal" with holes. Once she's finished, she can devour the entire bracelet.




Package Play

We all like getting presents, but for babies, the unwrapping the thing. There's both the thrill of discovery and the fun of making his fingers do what he wants. In this game, it doesn't seem to matter that the "present" is actually a bath toy he's been playing with for months – it's the element of surprise that counts.

Appropriate for: 8 months to 1 year

Skills developed: Hand-eye coordination, understanding of object permanence

What you'll need: A washcloth or two; some small plastic bath toys

At bath time, when your baby's seated in the bath but not looking right at you, use a wet washcloth to "wrap" a small bath toy, such as a rubber duckie or plastic dinosaur. Present him with the "package," saying, "I'm giving you a present." He'll unfold the washcloth, squeal with delight, and immediately want to do it again.

If you have two washcloths handy, you can start wrapping the next present while he's busy unwrapping the first one. As he gets older and his dexterity increases, he'll delight in wrapping such presents for you to open, a wonderful way to encourage his natural sense of generosity.

Remember: Each baby develops at a different pace, so if yours isn't quite ready for this week's activities, don't worry — just try them again in a few weeks.

A preview of Gianna's 1 year pictures

http://blog.sungazingphotography.com/?p=1201

You have to check out the preview of Gianna's 1 year pictures!  The photographer did a fantastic job once again!!!!

Dog themed Birthday Party

Gianna has turned 1 and we had a dog themed party for her!!!  Here are some pictures to show you what we did!  It was so much fun!

 This poster was hung at the turn for the party.

 This was the poster to let people know they made it to the right place!

PUPCAKES!!!!  LOVED THEM!!  I did not make them but a fantastic baker did!

I had pictures of big dogs on the floor for the kids to play with and color on.

I made big pictures of dogs to hang on the walls. 

 As gifts to the guests I found dog beanie babies and each kiddo was able to pick which puppy they wanted. 

Gianna's chair!

The bathrooms were downstairs so I made a poster to let people know that is where they needed to go.

Gianna was picking out her pupcake

Gianna had a puppy crown!

CAKE TIME!!

YUMMY!!!

This poster was hung along the road to the party.  Just to let the guests know they were on the right path.

Printable witch's shoe

http://www.executivehomemaker.com/halloween-paper-witch-shoes-printable/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ExecutiveHomemaker+%28Executive+Homemaker+-+Free+Printables%29&utm_content=FaceBook

This is super cute diy decoration!

silhouette

http://www.younghouselove.com/2010/10/head-shot/

I was wondering how to make a silhouette of Gianna but I did not know how to do it.  I found this great idea and directions online.  Check it out!

Go to this site to see some other ideas to do with a sihouette!
http://blogs.babycenter.com/life_and_home/cool-kid-silhouettes/

Ooey Gooey Green Blobs

http://blogs.babycenter.com/life_and_home/ooey-gooey-green-blobs/

Check this out!  A fun halloween craft!

SO CUTE CANDY BAR WRAPPER!

http://www.executivehomemaker.com/printable-candy-wrapper-template/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ExecutiveHomemaker+%28Executive+Homemaker+-+Free+Printables%29&utm_content=FaceBook


Go to this site to check out the cutest candy bar wrapper template!  Happy Haunting!

Did you know? Household tips

I was reading in Better Homes and Garden magazine and I came across these tips!

1. You can rub ordinary white candles on the bathroom grout to shield against mold and mildew.

2. You can put an Alka-Seltzer tablet in your toilet bowl for a quick fizzy clean!

3. You can clean the build up from your iron with aluminum foil.  Lay the foil out and iron on it.  The icky stuff from the iron will stick to the foil!

4. You can also use foil to get rid of cooking grease.  Line a mug with foil and pour the grease in.  Once it has cooled and solidifies, seal it in the foil and throw it away.

5. Tackle spilled food in the oven right away by pouring table salt over it.  the salt will form a crust that makes the food easy to wipe up.  They say this will also take away the burning smell!  Worth a shot!


Hope these tips help!

GHOSTS

I saw the cutest idea at Gianna's school today!  They used the babies' footprint (in white paint on black paper) to make the body of a ghost  With the toes pointed down they glued eyes on the heel part to create the ghost!  I will post pictures once we do it at home!  SO CUTE!!

PUMPKIN TIME

Hello everyone!  Gianna and I went to the pumpkin patch last weekend.  I wanted her to be able to decorate the little pumpkin she picked out.  So while I was at Target I bought stickers for her to stick on it.  I found some stickers that are for skin, they worked the best on the little pumpkin!!  Check them out in the Halloween section at Target!  I am sorry I don't have a picture but Gianna already took the pumpkin for the teachers at school. 

Tip for an antsy toddler needing a diaper change

I was just at a baby shower and another mom gave me a tip of giving a little piece of tape to your toddler when getting a diaper change.  This will keep them occupied when you are busy wiping down the necessary parts!  ;) 

kitchen idea

One of the cabinets in my kitchen now has toys in it just for Gianna.  This gives her something to do while I am making dinner.  It has been a big help so far!  Gianna is so proud of her cabinet; she shows everyone who comes over. 

to keep the bathroom door from being locked

If you drape a towel over the top of the bathroom door your toddler can't shut it and lock themselves in!

Printable Halloween Paper!

http://alittlehut.com/store/store/catalog/aFTEMP/alittlehut_halloweencards.pdf

Go to this site to print Halloween paper for kids!  Happy Haunting!