Love Waves book

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Nana

0763662240 A regular reader told us about a delightful picture book for children. It’s called Love Waves, by Rosemary Wells.

Love Waves are what we send to our loved ones until we can be together again. It can help anyone who is apart from that special person. This is the perfect book to send to someone you love – so they can learn about them too – and you can send some love waves back and forth. https://tinyurl.com/LoveWaves. Please post your favourite book to share with other families and friends who want to connect with people who live away from them?

Cuba Lion has a story

Posted on May 18, 2014 by Nana

A young friend gave me a stuffed animal to take on my recent trip to Cuba. I had tons of fun taking pictures of “Cuba Lion” in different settings. When I got home, I realized that there were enough photos to create a book for this special child!

I had them developed and spent a couple of hours writing a funny story about my trip, told from the first person perspective of “Cuba Lion”. It’s been a big hit! He’ll read it to anyone who’s interested. This is a big bonus, as he has been a reluctant reader. It’s been fun to watch him enjoy that story and his famous stuffed animal who made it all the way to Cuba and back, with a story to share.

Cuba Lion on a dolphin!

Bubbles, Bubbles, Everywhere

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Nana

Photo – freedigitalphotos.net

Blowing bubbles! This is a great activity for a child who has blown bubbles before. I cover my computer keyboard with paper and blow the bubbles at the computer camera at this end, and she laughs and blows at the computer screen to try to make them move. She claps to burst them too. We both laugh at this silly fun. It’s helping to develop her imagination. What other games will stretch her mind?

Mail some love today

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Nana

Photo – freedigitalphotos.net

Valentine’s Day is a day of LOVE. It’s about inclusive love. So, who do you love? Mail them some of your love today. Everyone likes to get snail mail. It may be a card, it may be a small gift, or even a gift. I’ll be mailing out a few cards this week-end. Share your love.

Round and Round the Garden Rhyme

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Nana

This can be fun to do over Skype, with a young child. It works best if the child is sitting on the adults lap, facing the computer. Ask that person to do the actions, while you make eye contact and move your fingers.

Round and Round the Garden Rhyme

Round and round the garden, (your index finger goes around the palm of their hand)
Like a teddy bear;
One step, two steps, (walk your finger up their arm)
Tickle under there! (tickle under chin)

The repetitive nature of these games create bonding moments. There are many rhymes like this in my book, Baby Focus.

Apple Treats

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Nana

It’s fun to create with food together and then gobble it up! This is a green apple with some marshmallows and a nut dip on the side. How much fun would it be to make it together over Skype and then “share” this treat while you chat?

Ten little fingers rhyme

Posted on January 24, 2014 by Nana

– Photo by freedigitalphotos.net

Ten Little Fingers is a fun rhyme to teach a child. Follow the actions as the rhyme indicates.

I have ten little fingers (hold them up, palms forward)

And they all belong to me.

I can make them do things.

Would you like to see?

I can shut them up tight (make fists)

Or open them up wide, (spread fingers)

I can put them together (palms and fingers together)

Or make them all hide. (knuckles together, hiding fingers)

I can make them jump high, (reach up high)

I can make them jump low, (way down low)

I can fold them quietly (resting in lap)

And hold them just so. (still resting)

What other rhymes can they teach you? What rhymes have they learned at a circle time or at day care? It’s always fun to learn new rhymes!

Celebrate together – from a distance!

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Nana

What can you celebrate together? Is there a Birthday coming up? Did someone get a good report card? Or, are you each at home on a Saturday night? Set up a date.

Arrange to have the same food – do you want to order in Chinese? Pop some popcorn to go with your soda pop? Or, get some cookies or a cupcake with tea?

It’s fun if you have something similar. Sharing a treat creates a shared experience. Maybe there’s a family recipe that you both could make? Keep it simple, though. Don’t over complicate it. The pleasure is in being together! Use your favorite social media. Google Hang Out, Face Time or Skype all work to share quality time.

And, celebrate together! Do your happy dance! Create some music together. Blow bubbles? What else would add to your celebration? Let me know what’s possible?

Enjoy your time together…

Share your stories and photos

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Nana

I’m back home from the trip of my lifetime to Cape Town, South Africa. It was amazing! Stayed with wonderful friends, and it’s been fun to tell my friends and family about this adventure.

Everything from shark cage diving to tandem paragliding and visiting the penguins at Boulders was very new and exciting! This week, I’m hosting a pot luck dinner and afterwards I’ll share my photos and then ask others to tell us where they want to go and the amazing places they have already visited. Then, we’ll share tips about travel and learn about other places in this wild and wonderful world.

Surprise Someone!

Posted on January 10, 2014 by Nana

When we think of someone special, it’s a good idea to send them a message or just pick up the phone and reach out to them. Sometimes they say “I was just thinking of you” and you’ll know that you’ve done something to lessen the longing…

Surprise someone today! It will make their day!