Taking Care of Two

I just wanted to let you know what I have found out about some FREE things to do this summer with your kids, or without! You may have already know, but if you didn't here are the events I found while searching around the web! sorry if this is too long!

Movies
AMC movie theaters: wednesday mornings at 10 am are $1 movies
Wehenberg theater: Wednesday and Thursdays 10am and noon they have FREE movies!

Chesterfield park: movies in the park (Faust Park)

Dates: Friday, June 27 - The Water Horse, Legend of the Deep
Friday, July 25 - Bee Movie
Friday, August 22 - Ratatouille
Time: Sunset
Place: Chesterfield City Hall
Address: 690 Chesterfield Parkway West

Summer concert series:

Tuesdays: Free concerts in Faust park in Chesterfield. open at 5:30 and start at 7pm.

Thursdays: Bluebird Park in Ellisville ( think the samae time. not sure)

Wednesdays: Missouri Botanical Gardens:

June 4, 11, 18, 25; July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Aug. 6 & 13
Free admission after 5 p.m.; Children’s Garden remains open until 7 p.m. Cohen Amphitheater lawn. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket. Pack a picnic or purchase sandwiches and beverages on site. No pets or barbecue grills, please. Sponsored by the Whitaker Foundation. www.mobot.org

WEDNESDAYS: another tid bit of info!

Wednesdays are wonderful this summer at The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum! With extended hours until 9:00 pm, Free Wachovia Securities Wednesdays allow families to be admitted to The Magic House free of charge from 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm on Wednesdays in June, July and August.

Hi, I feel for you! My daughter is 25 months and my son is 4 months old. I find that Hanna learns a lot and really feels good about herself when she "helps Mommy". We take care of Sam together - diaper changes, feedings, and she also cares for her doll sometimes while I do this. She loves to pick out Sam's clothes for the day. I keep a little onesies folded in a pile and little knit pants in a pile, and she chooses one from each, then socks and his bib. This is great fun for her and we talk about colors too, like what matches. Then when Sam takes his morning nap, it is Hanna and Mama time. We color, read books, make cookies, or play with her toy dishes and kitchen set together. In the afternoons and evenings we like to take walks together or go to the park. Both children enjoy this activity. In the evening Hanna goes to bed at 7, but Sam stays up and nurses and usually doesn't go to sleep until 8, so he and I have quality time together then. Also, Hanna goes to preschool two days per week, which gives me time with Sam and a chance to run errands.

Good Morning L., Whatever you do with your daughter, read, watch cartoons, etc.. you can do with your little guy. Hold him on your lap or lay him on a play matt. I take care of our two youngest gr son's daily, 3 yo and 7 mo. If we read I hold the little one on my lap so he can see the pictures hear the words too. If we play cars he gets one his little hand can grab. Of course he chews on it and slaps at it. ;)
We build with blocks and he loves to see them fall. I have soft blocks for him.
But we are all playing together. If little one is awake while older is napping we have alone time with rattles, or tickle games.

So whatever you do with your daughter your son can be included, they love the smiles and voices of family.

Best of everything to you and your wonderful family.
K. aka Nana to 5 gr kids
Benton, Ks

hi... i totally understand your situation.
my boys are 17 months apart, a 2 yr old and 11 month old.
fun activities could be blowing bubbles, playing with kitchen things while you make dinner (large spoons, metal bowls, measuring cups), read books together, blocks and building towers... those are just some ideas.

I have an almost two year old and a four and half month old. My husband and I took them hiking through a Swope Park nature trail last weekend. I was surprised what a great time they both had. I had the baby in a front carrier and my husband held my older son's hand for part of the walk and carried him for the last stretch. It was wonderful for all of us.
I'll be checking in on your responses for ideas for us!!

contact your local Parents as Teachers program. Most school districts have this program, or a similar one. PAT is a great resource for both developmental activities & just plain fun stuff to do. Also, try just keying in "preschool activities" & a whole world of age-appropriate fun will pop up on any search engine.

I'm sure this group will give you all kinds of ideas - library, hiking, etc. One of my current crusades is getting children to learn how to swim. Accidental drowning is the number two cause of death for chilren 1-14 years old. Minority children are 2-3 times more likely to drown that Caucasians. Your children are very young, but there are still water skills they could be learning now that will make the more comfortable and safer in the water. Your community should have some parent/child classes somewhere. Take them to a community pool or nearby beach. I prefer the beach. Some of the best times I had with my children (now 17 and 21 yo) were at the beach. They get sandy and messy, but it's GREAT!

It will get easier! My kids are 2.5 years apart, my youngest now 18 months, and around 6 months it got easier. Get a sling or other carrier you and your son like and go go go. Last summer (when my youngest was 6 mo) we went to the pool, the park, took walks, had tea parties. Your son will love to watch everything you and your daughter do. As far as time for each... that is difficult, but just a little time means a lot. Bed time one on one or a quick game while your little one sleeps will do a lot for your daughter. Enjoy.

K..

Ps. I had two natural births, one in the hospital, one at a birth center and my husband's trying to boost my nerve to have a home birth next time. It's nice to see people proudly birthing naturally!

I know they put my grandaughter at 6 months in a baby seat and started working with her sitting up stregnthing her a little each day, they also put a her on the floor with toys above her and then switch up once in a wahile to say a seat in front of a mirror.
The 2 1/2 can do alot. with you reading and interacting with the pictures and music and dancing.

Does the older child like puzzles, coloring, books, large lego type blocks, wooden blocks? The younger one needs safe toys that he can put into his mouth. Most young children explore their surroundings. We always used the babies naptime to spend time with the older ones.