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Tips for visiting toddlers

Brent — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:59:54 +0000

I got a DM this morning from my pal @sinpantalones on twitter. She was asking if I could check out her post about stuff to stock for her visiting granddaughter this Thanksgiving. I’m not an expert by any means, but I do have a toddler so I turned on my random-thought-generator and this is what came out:

Baby Einstein flicks are essential for Cadie. If you have a Netflix account, that’s probably the best bang for your buck. Even if not, get one for just a month and grab as many as you can to try. if they don’t work, you can have more in 2 days. Cadie LOVES PIXAR movies (and so do I) those help too. Especially the Toy Story ones. Not sure where you live, but sidewalk chalk if you can still go outside. Ok, random list coming…

Play-doh for sure! Something bouncy like a bouncy horse or rocking horse. Several different sized balls. Washable crayons and markers. Roll of butcher paper for drawing on. Cardboard box, endless fun! I also second the iPhone/iTouch apps if you have one.

For the car, Cadie likes anything with lights, sounds and letters or numbers. Loves to sing her version of the ABC’s and count to 10 (out of proper sequence of course). For a little of your sanity, a simple popup type toy seems to work well. You know, the ones you turn or push a button and a little flap pops up with a character on them. Ours has no music or anything so it’s a nice break. Also, the iPhone/iTouch can come in handy too. We have Pixar movies and shorts loaded on ours as well as the toddler apps for car trips.

Oh! there are these little cups with rubber tops that the kid can stick their hand through to get stuff like crackers and stuff. Saves on the spills.

Snack-wise, Cadie likes the cheddar bunnies (whole foods, hippie version of goldfish). Honey-nut pretzels. Rice crispy treats, Corn chips, mini cookies, apples, carrots, cheese, and those gummy fruit snacks. Just be careful not to sugar out the kid.

Food: Eggs, eggo waffles, mac & cheese (she prefers the white cheddar shells – again Michelle is kind of a hippie haha so Whole Foods has a lot of great options), turkey dogs, kid’s oatmeal/cereal. YoBaby yogurt, rice, etc.

Remember, they don’t eat a lot so don’t overstock and their attention span is very short so it’s not about the amount of stuff you have for her but the time you spend with her. Bottom line, you are the best toy a kid could ever have. They tend to occupy themselves. Just play with them and all will be well but if you are getting tired, maybe SOME of the above ideas will help. You’re gonna have a blast! Enjoy it!

Who knows if it will help but it’s a shot. My best! Have a happy holiday!

Star Wars in a whole new light

Brent — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 18:08:50 +0000

What are they holding anyway?

Brent — Mon, 21 May 2007 14:09:28 +0000

So… I pulled in my driveway last night and passing one of the houses on my street, I noticed there were these signs in the front yard of my neighbor’s house. By the information written on the signs, I noticed that they had just had twin baby girls and were announcing them to the neighborhood with 2 stork-shaped signs on their front lawn. But for some reason, there was something just a little wrong with the image I was seeing. Suddenly, I realized that these signs were the victims of yet another “design gone terribly wrong”. Now, I am happy for them and the new addition to their family (I don’t even really know them) but I think if it were me, I would taken a second and looked at the shape of the sign in the stork’s mouth and avoided my daughters first images of home having their names written on mis-shapen bags in the form of ball sacks. But maybe that’s just me. You be the judge…

(I have altered this image in no way other than removing the names so I don’t get my house burned down or something)

Ask a Ninja: Preparing for College

Brent — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:15:15 +0000

Anyone who knows me or has spent 10 minutes with me, knows that I love “Ask a Ninja”. I spread the ninja-isms everywhere I go. Here’s one I saw recently about preparing for college. Good stuff ninja man!

Flash Mobs

Brent — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 18:11:41 +0000

Yesterday I was introduced to a term for something that I have actually done for years, but never knew it had an official title. Flash Mobs as they have become so lovingly referred to got their fame in 2003 at a Macy’s in Manhattan where the first official mob was sighted. With the addition of the internet and email, these mobs are popping up all over the world and some of them are quite good. A recent (and well done, I might add) banned XBOX 360 commercial was even based on the concept. Basically, it goes something like this: Set a date and time for the flash mob to take place and covertly promote the heck out of it. Remember it’s all in good clean fun so don’t take it too seriously. I have attached a link to YouTube videos of flash mobs in action, they are better seen than read about. This stuff is so cool!

Get your fill here

Anyway, I’m thinking a flash mob at PodCamp AZ is in order. Who will rise to the challenge?

Useless Account

Brent — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 07:39:48 +0000

I just signed up for my very own Useless Account. I just had to sign up… I had to get another online account, I just didn’t have enough. I have already edited my account once, what a thrill! I don’t know what I will do with myself with my very own useless account. There’s just so many options! I can edit my username, password, profile questions. What to do?

What is a useless account, you ask?

What?

Today’s web is crazy. Open ID is a pipe dream. Every direction you turn you’re forced to create yet another account. Most of the time it’s for one of those throw-away web startups created 10 times a day, but occasionaly it’s worth the effort. It might be to purchase some fancy threads, order a pizza or see how fat the Cool Kids from high school have become. When it’s that important, you can’t afford to drop the ball. With a useless account you can practice without fear. So when it comes to the crunch, you’re ready! Sign up now!

5 Resons You Want One

A Useless Account allows you unlimited account editing! You’re bound to use it at least once!

You’re addicted to signing up to account-requiring websites the moment they’re released just so no one else takes your usual username.

Get the hot blooded rush of waiting to see if submitting your email address lands you offers of $uper D!$c0unt Ci@li$ (it won’t)

Upgrade your account creating ability to +20.

Impress your friends with your ability to tab through form fields and arrow through saved field values!

Brisbane Creative

Ninten-Beads

Brent — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 04:17:52 +0000

I had to post about these. This has got to be one of the coolest bead projects ever.

PaulHatesMac.com

Brent — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 15:42:45 +0000

So… I switch to mac and sing it’s praises. My friend launches this whole site in rebellion. Could be a fun experiment to see if a die-hard PC nut can be converted to Mac. Stop by and see if you can help me convince him.

Swiming down the Amazon

Brent — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 20:55:23 +0000

My friend Chris sent this to me:

Have you heard of this guy that plans on swimming over 5,000 km for 70 days down the Amazon River? Well, a wet suit will protect him from those friendly little guys that swim up your (you know). But what about the crocs? Well, some genius on his team came up with the bright idea of pouring blood in the water behind the swimmer, so the crocs will be attracted to the blood rather than the live hunk-a-meat thrashing through the water just up ahead. And let’s just ignore the piranhas, venomous snakes, malarial mosquitoes and (when he nears the ocean in Brazil) sting rays and sharks.

Check it out at amazonswim.com

Spud Powered iPod

Brent — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 04:51:49 +0000

Remember those spud powered clocks in elementary school? Well, it’s not just a thing of the past. This guy has found a way to use spud-power to run his iPod. You’re days of charging your mp3 player are over!

Potatoes Power My MP3 Player! Amazing! – video powered by Metacafe