Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Bringing in 2014


Every year around this time, I have a habit of preparing a list ... a list of to-do's in the coming year. And I have been a very good girl when it comes to following that list. This year I have prepared a similar list for Z, we are going to work on these 'new year resolutions' together. I just send a little prayer to the lord above, and hope to do these things together.

2013 was not a very smooth year for Z as far as her health is concerned, we need to work on improving the immunity levels for sure. We have already started working on the same and hope 2014 and the future will be healthier and happier for Little Miss. Z Inshaa'Allah.

Seeing my little girl performing on stage made me realize how she loves dancing (I know someone might get jealous, but she has taken this from me as well). I asked her whether she would want to join dance class and I got a BIG YES as my answer. So I'm looking for a place where I can enroll her till she turns 4 and joins Ballet.

Night potty training is another milestone which we need to work on and I will try to get this over and done with before you turn 4.

We bid 2013 good-bye and did lots of things Z wanted to. We went toy & book shopping, Z wanted to have donuts and she did... before going to bed, we watched Shrek and Z loved it.

Being Zoe's Mom is also taking a resolution for 2014... that will be to be more regular with posts and updates.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Book Pick - Tabby McTat by Julia Donaldson


Book: Tabby McTat
Author: Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler



This is the 2nd book Z received as a birthday gift from her Aanie. There is nothing new about the fact that I love Donaldson's work.

Why I picked it and what was my Reaction: I did hear a lot about the book from parents of older kids and when I did read about Julia Donaldson's work Tabby McTat was always mentioned. When I went through the book for the first time, I thought Z is going to take a few more months to get hooked on to this one. Guess what? I was totally wrong.

The Toddler's take: Z loves cats and with Tabby McTat, her love for cats became stronger. She loves not only Tabby but also Samuel Sprat, Sock, Soames and Susan (those are the other cats featured in the book).

What it is about: It is about Tabby McTat who is a busker's cat. Tabby and Busker get separated and though Tabby starts a new life with a wife, children, new owners and a new house... he does miss the busker a lot. Will Tabby be able to go back to Fred (the busker) if he does what will happen to his family.

How We Read it: Drama and lots of singing.

Favorite Line: We love the song 'You... Me and the Old guitar...'

Age Group:  4+

BZM Must Buy, you can pick it up from Flipkart

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Super Simple Christmas Craft!

Super Simple ... Super Fast Christmas Craft. I'm not a Crafty mom at all... I can mess up even if it comes to sticking to pieces together...Yes I'm that bad. So this is what I tried with Z this year. I made this little ornament out of Ice-cream sticks for Z's Christmas Tree.

 



This craft is very simple, you would hardly need 5 minutes to create this and a little time for the paint to dry. Here is the stuff you need:

  • 3 Ice-cream Sticks
  • Green Paint
  • Brown Paint
  • Paint Brush
  • Glue
  • Construction Paper
  • Small Itsy-Bitsy stuff to decorate the tree
  • Small piece of Red Satin Ribbon

Follow these steps:
  • Paint the Ice-cream Sticks green on the both sides, keep it aside to dry.
  • Cut the construction paper into a square of 2 inches * 2 inches, paint that brown on both the sides.
  • Stick the ice-cream sticks to make a triangle
  • Stick the construction paper in the middle of one of the side, as the trunk of the Christmas Tree
  • Decorate the Tree
  • Tie the ribbon at the tip of the Tree on the top

Taa-Daa your tree is ready!


Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Z Speaks

Z playing alone... I look at her and go to her.
Me: Hey baby do you want mamma to play with you?
Z: No Mamma. Please go back. Zoe is busy.
Me: Please Z can we play together
Z: No! Later. Go complete your work. Work on Laptop!

So for those who don't know I'm working out for the past couple of months. I was doing wall-sits (for those who do not know you need to stand against a wall). Z comes up ...

Z: Momma don't push the wall... it is bad habit.
Me: **Panting... Out of breath. Pushing people is bad, you can push the wall.
Z: No Momma, it is bad habit. Get away... see big doggie is coming he will bite you!

**I literally fell off.

Zoe going through one of her books in which Snoopy is dressed up as a bandit.
Z: Momma what is this?
Me: Ba, it is snoopy, dressed up with a patch on his eye. He is playing dress up
Z: Oh Momma... Snoopy is playing a bandit.

Her current obssession Zog has been read out again and again and she keeps saying... I'm Princess Pearl... I don't like dancing in a Silly Frilly Dress.
** I don't think she knows the complete meaning YET... But she has made mumma happy.

Leaving you with a picture
All I told her is that Z I want to click some pictures... I took these within a minute!


Friday, December 13, 2013

Book Pick - Zog by Julia Donaldson

Book: Zog
Author: Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler


I'm back with Julia Donaldson... and with another book. Z got 2 brand new books last week Zog and Tabby McTat (she loves both). We will review the later next week. I read somewhere recently that Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler are a match made in heaven, and I completely believe they were meant to produce brilliant books together.

Why I picked it and what was my Reaction: Z got this book as a gift, everyone knows she loves Donaldson. My elder sister gifted it to Z, and she was hooked on to the book immediately. She loves the way she can relate to Madam Dragon and compares her to her teacher at school... it is funny but true.

The Toddler's take: Z loves Donaldson, dragons and school... hence Z is completely obsessed with the book. She reads the book every single day and within a week she has memorized the book already. She reads the book on her own throughout the day. 

What it is about: Madam Dragon runs a school and trains little dragons. Zog (one of her students) is very hardworking and has his eyes on the Golden Star. He tries to complete all the tasks that Madam Dragon gives, but keeps getting into trouble. A little Princess named Pearl helps Zog at every step. In the end Zog gets the golden star and becomes an ambulance for the flying doctors, i.e Princess Pearl & a knight.

How We Read it: Drama... Drama and a lot of Drama.

Favorite Line: 'Now that you've been shown, you can practice on your own...' I don't know why but Z has to repeat this line like a 100 times a day.

Age Group:  3+

BZM Must Buy, you can pick it up from Flipkart

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Here is how we celebrated Z-3

So we are back, from a much needed break and after having a lot of fun.

We went to Goa to roll in Z's 3rd birthday, yes... like the 1st.  The only difference was this time around we had all the more fun and Z loved her little holiday.

We stayed at the Country Inn and Suites by Carlson Goa and we loved the place. I think Z loved the bike rides... all 3 of us did. Beaches meant lots of sand castles and playing in the water. Z still didn't want to go in the pool, she preferred the beach.... don't worry we will reach the pool as well.

She got pampered like anything, and ate what Z wanted to. We didn't shop much this time around because she doesn't like shopping yet. This was her trip so we did what her Z-ness wanted.

I will let the pictures do the talking.




Monday, December 9, 2013

Z Speaks (adventures actually)


  • Zoe said something (very seriously) and I started laughing.... since I found it funny... Z gives me a dirty look and says "Its Not Funny" ....
  • Our Mornings have to start with a tantrum. The good part is that is the only meltdown she has in a day (Thank God for that). The bad part is... she could have been chosen a better time. Breaking News - Faizan got mad at her... which is HUGE... its another Story that it was a loud 'Zoe Stop It!' followed by an apology. 
  • Look Who is in celebration mode with gifts pouring in. Thanks Aanie, couldn't be happier...In the picture - Zoe + Tabby McTat + Zog (reviews up soon)
 

This is what happens when the husbands gets his muse (unfortunately it is no longer me)

 

Monday, December 2, 2013

Book Review - Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

So I take a little break from Donaldson and review an equally amazing book by Anna Dewdney. It is a series of books featuring Llama Llama and Mama Llama. This is not the first book in the in the series but it is the most popular.

Book: Llama Llama Red Pajama
Author: Anna Dewdney




Why I picked it and what was my Reaction: Just look at the cover, the cute Llama will make you pick the book anyway. This one was recommended by a close friend and I do not regret picking it up all. It is a lovely colorful book about a Little Llama and his mama.

The Toddler's take: Zoe loved the book before she owned it. She took it from the library and didn't want to give it back. I also showed her a video of this story and she loves the story-song. She was hooked on to the book when she was gifted the book by her Aanie (my elder sister).

What it is about: The story is amazing, it is the story of her life... When I tuck her in bed and go out she wants everything at that point... and she has to read the book before she finally goes to bed.

How We Read it: Our storytime  is not complete without a little bit of Drama... So we sing the Llama Llama song first and then we read the book.

Age Group:  2+

BZM Must Buy... pick it up from Amazon

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