Mommy Monday: Ways to connect to your baby

It seems every time we turn around another one of our members is pregnant!  So much fun around here for Kidville Dallas!  It got us to thinking about ways for moms to connect with their new babies.  Whether it's your 1st or your 4th child, these tips will help you form a bond with your new little bundle of joy!

1. Sing to your baby

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Consistently hearing your voice helps your baby learn to vocalize.  Don't worry if you're not the next Mariah Carey, you can sing along with our musicians in Rockin' Railroad.

2. Touch

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Touch is the first sense we develop.  Cuddle time with your little one makes them feel safe and secure.  Not to mention, its just fun to get all of those snuggles in!

3. Read

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While your babies won't understand everything, reading to them from a very early age starts teaching them about communication.  It also helps them learn about the world around them.

4. Play

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By moving and playing with your little one, you're teaching them how important being active is!  Play with blocks, musical instruments, or just have tummy time with them!  You can also get your little ones moving in our Big Muscle classes or Run, Wiggle, Paint, and Giggle.

Scissors and Scotch Tape Saturdays: St. Patrick's Day crafts

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  

We have found a few crafts to keep your little leprechauns busy today!

Lucky Handprint 4 Leaf Clovers

found at Meet the Dubiens

What you'll need:
green paint
paper
paint brush
optional - glitter and glue

What to do:
1. Paint your little one's palm green and have them stamp their hand, fingers pointing in and together, 4 times to resemble a shamrock.
2. Paint on a green stem and allow to dry.
3. Decorate with glitter or stickers to make it unique

Handprint Leprechauns

found at Meet the Dubiens

What you'll need:
orange paint
peach paint
paint brush
paper
green and black craft foam
scissors
glue
yellow button
sharpie

What you do:
1. Paint your little one's fingers (excluding the thumb) orange and paint their palm peach. 

2. Stamp on the paper. Paint just the top of their palm orange for some hair. Allow to dry.
3. Cut a hat out of the green craft foam and a stripe for the hat out of the black foam.
4. Have your kids glue the hat and stripe on their little leprechaun. Glue a yellow button on the hat.
5. Using a sharpie, draw on his adorable little face

Have fun and be creative!  

Favorite Fridays: Kimbra and Kinley

This week's Favorite Friday members are Kimbra and her daughter Kinley!  

Kinley takes several classes at Kidville and she especially likes her Ballet Tea Party class with Miss Jessica!  This little one loves to play and really enjoys shopping in the Kidville Boutique!

Kimbra loves that "the staff is so sweet" and is impressed with how much Kinley has come out of her shell since attending classes at Kidville.

We sure do love these 2!

Tasty Thursday: St Patrick's Day recipes

It's almost time to celebrate the luck-o-the-Irish!  We found some of the cutest and yummiest recipes for your little ones!

Pot o' Gold Chex Mix

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What you need:

4 cups Lucky Charms cereal

2 cups Corn Chex cereal

1 1/2 cups broken pretzel sticks

1 cup dry-roasted peanuts

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup butter

2 Tbsp corn syrup

1/8 tsp bakin soda

1/4 cup green candy coated chocolate candies

What to do:

1. Separate cereals, peanuts, and pretzels into large microwavable bowl

2. Microwave brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter for 1 minute; stir and heat for 1 more minute until melted and smooth

3. Stir in baking soda until disolved

4. Pour over cereal mixture until evenly coated

5. Microwave 1-2 minutes stirring occasionally until cereal begins to brown

6. Spread mixture on wax paper and let cool

7. Break into bite size pieces and place in gold foil baking cups

ENJOY

Green Candied Popcorn

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What you need:

4 quarts popped corn

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

2 Tablespoons butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cream of tartar (makes the mixture creamy)

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda

green food coloring

What to do:

1. Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat

2. Add sugar, corn syrup, cream of tartar, and salt

3. Increase heat, bring mixture to a boil, and stir constantly until sugar dissolves

4. Once mixture comes to a boil add green food coloring and stop stirring

5. Boil for 5 minutes and remove from heat

6. Stir in vanilla and baking soda

7. Working while mixture is foamy, pour over popped corn and evenly coat

8. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pour popcorn evenly onto sheet

9. Bake at 200 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes

What are some of your favorite St. Patrick's Day treats?

Work It Wednesday: Breakfast to go

We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day BUT it is sometimes the hardest meal to have. Our mornings get crazy.  We have to get our kids ready, ourselves ready, and get everyone out the door and on their way.  All that, and we are supposed to whip up eggs benedict and french toast?  

No thank you!  This is why we lean towards sugar packed Pop Tarts, Toaster Strudels, and frosted donuts.  Sugar, sugar, and more sugar!  

Here are a few (quick) ways to get your little one the nutrition they need:

Mixed Fruit

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Cut up chunks of strawberries, melons, pineapple, grapes, oranges, and blueberries.  Put in a kid friendly container and hit the road!  Make a large bowl on Sunday and divvy it out throughout the week.

Whole Wheat Bagel, Peanut Butter, with Bananas

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Is there anything more delicious and nutritious?

Smoothies

Smoothies are a quick way to get a nutritious breakfast on the go.  Our favorite: Very Berry

Blend a banana, organic apple juice, and a handful of mixed berries.  Pour into a kid friendly cup and you're ready to start the day!

What are some of your favorite quick breakfasts?

Trendy Tuesday: Spring Cleaning Sale

Spring Cleaning Sale Ends Saturday, March 17 Come enjoy 50% off all Winter apparel! Shop our new arrivals for Spring.   Splendid Littles, Little Ella, Tailgate, True Religion,  Tooby-Doo, and MORE! "Like" Kidville Dallas on Facebook or comment on our blog and receive 20% off all Spring apparel.  www.facebook.com/kidvilledallas

Mommy Monday: Spring Break Travel

For most kiddos in the Dallas area its Spring Break time!  While many people are staying in town to attend our Fairy Princess and Superhero camp, others are going skiing, to the lake, or even to the beach.  After talking to so many moms about traveling this week, they all shared the same worry: How on earth will I keep my kiddos entertained in the airplane or in the car?

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Most kiddos we know can use the iPhone and the iPad by age 2.  Those gadgets along with portable DVD players, portable gaming systems, and anything else electronic are great but often get boring after awhile or are hard to share if you have siblings.  Well, fret no more!  We have scoured the internet and spoken to many of our members to find some great tips for traveling with your tiny humans!

1. Take off and landing

Nursing or bottle feeding is the best way to help your baby alleviate pressure on their ears.  But what about kiddos that are too old for the bottle?  Things they can suck or chew on are great.  Lollipops or drink bottles keep them busy and help relieve some of that pressure.

2. Small surprises

A friend of mine goes to the dollar store before a long trip and buys 2 or 3 small toys: a top, a magic trick, crayons, etc.  She wraps them individually and presents them throughout the trip when she feels a meltdown coming on.  Children get so much pleasure out of simply unwrapping a toy.  Add that to the novelty of a new plaything and you've entertained them for at least 20 minutes.

3.  Snack snack snack

Packing easy to eat snacks like nuts, dried fruit, bananas, and kid-friendly protein bars are a lifesaver!  

4. Get moving

Let's face it.  Little ones get antsy.  After a few minutes of new toy fun and snack time, your little one is going to want to move around.  Here are some great exercises you can do with them in their seats:

Flex and point feet

Wiggle your toes

Circle your feet (try to see if they can circle each foot a different way, see if they can write their name in the air with their foot)

Hug your knees

Bounce your shoulders

5. Keep calm and BREATHE

The best thing you can do on a trip is to KEEP CALM.  Yes, the plane may be delayed or worse, cancelled.  Yes, you may get lost on a road trip.  Yes, traveling during holidays or Spring Break can be more crowded than usual but it is so important that you do not let on how frustrated you are.  Your kiddos pick up on your frustration and then become frustrated and cranky.  

Remember, making everything fun and exciting for your kiddos helps you have more fun.  If the travel process is stressful it may run over into your trip.  Relax, try out our 5 tips and have fun on this vacation!

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What are some of your favorite travel tips?

Favorite Fridays: Leslie, Harper Ann, and Ellie

Todays Favorite Friday members are Leslie, Harper Ann, and Ellie.  

These girls have been members at Kidville since we opened our doors!  They are so much fun and we have enjoyed watching them grow this past year.  We asked Leslie what her favorite thing about Kidville was and she answered "There is always something for my girls to do.  Harper Ann loves jumping on the trampoline and Ellie loves to climb on EVERYTHING!"

We definitely have something for everyone!

Tasty Thursday: Yummy Creative Lunch Ideas

How many times does this happen:  you get up early, pack your kiddos lunch and send them off to school only to return with a barely touched turkey sandwich, a whole apple, and an empty bag of potato chips or cookies?

Moms, it's time to get creative with lunchtime!  Don't you get tired of eating the same thing day after day?  Well so do those tiny human people you're feeding!  Don't worry, Kidville Dallas is here to help you out.

First thing's first, get your kiddos a Bento Box.  Our top pick is My Square Meals.  

They are dishwasher safe and come with their own spork.  You can purchase a red or yellow bento box as well as fashionable lunch boxes at the Kidville Boutique.

Bento boxes are great because they allow you to do the second part of our creative lunch plan: Experiment! 
Pack different foods to give your little ones some variety.  From a hot dog, cheese and crackers, berries, pretzel sticks, carrots, raisins, and more you can expose your kiddos to foods other than potato chips and soggy sandwiches.

Try for a week to give your kiddos something different for lunch each day.  Pay attention to what comes back in their lunch box and what's gone.  Are their grapes always gone?  Try berries next!  Do their carrot sticks always come back untouched?  Try snap peas or edamme instead!

Stumped for ideas?  We found some great ones here!

SPRING CLEANING SALE

Kidville Boutique Spring Cleaning Sale Wednesday, March 7 - Saturday, March 17 Come enjoy 50% off all Winter apparel!   Shop our new arrivals for Spring.     Splendid Littles, Little Ella, Tailgate, True Religion,  Tooby-Doo, and MORE!   "Like" Kidville Dallas on Facebook or comment on our blog and receive 20% off all Spring apparel.    www.facebook.com/kidvilledallas

Work It Wednesday: Get Creative

We are half way through the week and only 2 more days until Spring Break!  From what we can tell, most kiddos are already on vacation time.  This means laying in front of the t.v. or perched in front of whatever gaming system or iPad game is their favorite these days.  Our tips for Work It Wednesday is to:

Get Creative!

Kick it Old School

The best way to get your little ones to get on their feet is to make them feel like it's not work.  Make it FUN! Think back to the old school games we used to play at recess.  Tag, Red Rover, Leap Frog, and Kickball are all still just as effective at burning lots of energy but more importantly just as fun.  

Set the course

The weather in Dallas has been BEAUTIFUL lately so get your kiddos outside for some Vitamin D!  At the park you can come up with your own obstacle course and see who can complete it the fastest.  Have them climb up the ladder, slide down the slide, hang on the monkey bars, and swing really high.  Take your stopwatch and see who's got the best time.

Mix it up

If you've got a little one that just can't seem to put down the electronic devices, mix it up a bit.  Set a timer for 5 minutes.  Let your child play their game until the timer goes off then have them bunny hop from one side of the room to the other.  Allow them 5 more minutes of game time, then have them do 10 jumping jacks.  5 more minutes of gaming, then call out an animal for them to impersonate.  

Remember, whatever you can do to get your kiddos on their feet and moving their bodies is great!  Don't be afraid to get silly and participate with them.  If you're moving, chances are they'll start moving too!

Trendy Tuesday: Appaman is here!

Appaman is FINALLY here!  From graphic tees, patch skirts, swim trunks, and trendy tank tops we've got you covered for your Spring Break needs.  Check out this video that Appaman sent us:

Appaman 2012

Mommy Monday: Tips from Charmaine

Today for Mommy Monday we wanted to share some Mommy tips from one of our owners and Kidville Dallas Mayor, Charmaine Tang.  A few weeks ago, Charmaine met with the Armstrong-Bradfield Preschool Association and shared some of her ideas on fun, easy, simple things to do with your kiddos!

MUSIC AND DANCE

·       Music Unlocks the Mind

o   At an early age, expose your baby/child to various genres of music

o   Dance with your baby, toddlers can definitely boogie

o   Preschoolers get the wiggles and giggles out

o   Kindergarteners enjoy learning and emulating dance moves

·       Family Dance Party – Get Your Groove On!

o   Jam out to your favorite dance tunes

o   Make instruments, or incorporate maracas, drums, shakers, get creative

o   Flashlight dances, freeze dance, limbo

o   Dress-up, costumes

Another way to introduce your kiddo to music and dance is to come try a class at Kidville.  

From Rockin' Railroad to Hip Hop Dance Party or Totally Tap we've got something your happy feet will enjoy! 

Favorite Fridays: Talene and Lucine

Yay!  It's Friday!  

This week's Favorite Friday ladies are Talene her daughter Lucine.

These beautiful ladies have been coming to Kidville since the first day we opened our doors.  We are so thankful to have them as members and can't wait for their new bundle of joy to join us.

Lucine's favorite thing about Kidville is getting to dance in Rockin' Railroad class!

Come Try A Class!

CALLING ALL ARTISTS AND SCIENTISTS! JOIN US FOR A COMPLIMENTARY SAMPLE CLASS Members and Non-Members Welcome RSVP required - spots are limited!  Mess Lab (3 years) Friday, 3/2 or 3/9 at 1:30 PM Young investigators will explore how things work and what happens when art, science, and engineering meet at the intersection of messy and magical!        Construction Junction (3, 4, & 5 years) Friday, 3/2 or 3/9 at 3:30 PM Thursday, 3/8 or 10:15 AM    This advanced art program lets children learn how to plan, build, and construct their own 3-D art projects, inspired by cities all around the world!            My Big Messy Art Class Monday, 3/5 at 9:30 AM (2 years)   Monday, 3/5 at 10:30 AM (18-24 months) Dress for mess and artistic success!  Kids smear, squeeze, and splatter to explore their artistic possibilities through painting.  Get ready for a messy good time!     Savvy Scientists & Awesome Engineers (4 & 5 years)    Monday, 3/5 at 4:00 PM   Kids enjoy hands-on investigation and experiments about the science around them, from air pressure to water flow, from magnets to our solar system.   a-R-R-R-t (Three R's Art) (2 years) Wednesday, 3/7 at 9:15 AM  Reduce-Reuse-Recycle for beautiful art and a beautiful world!  We'll "go green" in the most colorful way.   Take advantage of our Half-Semester Promotion! Classes start at $225    Call us @ 214-378-7777 to schedule today!

Tasty Thursday: Princess Punch

Woohoo its almost Friday!  

Here in Dallas we have been enjoying warmer temperatures and are starting to reach for something cool and refreshing to drink.  So what better time to grab your little Princesses and make Princess Punch!

Photo courtesy of taste book.com

What you need:

1 (46 oz.) can of pineapple juice

1 (46 oz.) can of frozen pink lemonade

3 (28 oz.) bottles of ginger ale

1 quart strawberry ice cream

2 1/2 cups water

What to do:

Mix all of the ingredients together and stir until ingredients dissolve.

Enjoy!