BINGO!

This is more of an idea from my past that my mom used to keep me busy. I haven't tried it yet because it's a little bit over a 2-year-old's head. Anyway, my parents were the king and queen of roadtrips and they have instilled in me a love of the open (and long) road. When I was little my mom had my brother and I play Car Bingo. We had a ton of Bingo cards with pictures of things you might see on a trip - animals, road signs, and "special" cars like ambulances, taxis, buses, etc. Then with some simple dot stickers (like the kind you get to mark things at a yard sale) you're all set. You can make your own up or I found this website with a few choices for you to print out. There are more cool ideas and printables here.

Another little tip that I've found helpful is to buy a new toy/book (it doesn't have to be expensive) that your kid doesn't get to see until the trip has started. A friend helped me take this a step further (and keep things real on a tight budget). Go out and experience the wonder of a Dollar Store. Instead of one toy for $10, you can get 10. Then every so often you just introduce a new toy. And if/when the toy gets broken, lost, left behind, you're only out a buck. The last cross-country flight I went on with the Z-girl I got her silly putty, a few cars, army figures, Dora stickers, and pinwheels. It was great not to worry about losing anything in the plane or her crushing any of the toys.

If all else fails, pray they sleep! The Z-girl only sleeps 1-2 hours, no matter how long we're on the road so even that option is out for me. Oh well.

BINGO!

http://laugh-learn-love.blogspot.com/2008/05/bingo.html

Theme of the Week Challenge

Okay, here's a confession: Deneal and I love this blog. We are so invested in it. We love the idea of learning things from other mothers that will help make our parenting more exciting and meaningful. We greatly appreciate the comments and posts other people have shared. However, we have noticed that response in general is lukewarm, even paltry (here's the definition of paltry from dictionary.com. You may get a good laugh.). We hope you're enjoying learning from us, even if you aren't commenting. But hey, I want to learn from YOU too! So, let's see if this helps at all...

GIVEAWAY!!!

This week we will be giving away a $10.00 giftcard to either Target or Wal-Mart (your choice). So here are the rules: post a comment with an idea or two (or ten) about this week's theme, and at the end of the week I'll randomly choose someone (AKA putting your name in a hat and my 5 year old will pick one). If you are an author on this blog (or would like to become one), and post something with pictures, you will get two of your name in the hat. Yay! The contest expires at midnight Pacific Time on Sunday, May 25. The winner will be announced on Monday the 26.

So, here is this week's theme: traveling with children. In less than two weeks my family will be driving 16 hours each way to go house shopping, with two small children, in a compact Honda Civic. I am in desperate need of ideas to keep them entertained and happy for 32+ hours. These are the ideas I have: DVDs, books, coloring, the ABC game (watch for billboards and license plates outside, finding all the letters of the alphabet), singing, telling stories, treats and snacks, playing with toys, and praying that they sleep for at least a little while. So I am looking for fun ideas that are new and different and exciting. Any thoughts? I would also love helpful tidbits like rolling up the window with a pillowcase or blanket just poking out of the top to keep the sun out, or other sanity saving ideas. So here is your chance folks: help a mom out, and you just might get a little something out of it!

Theme of the Week Challenge

http://laugh-learn-love.blogspot.com/2008/05/theme-of-week-challenge_19.html