*Guest Post* The importance of the written word (plus *giveaway*)

*Contest Closed!  Rebecca R. - you are the winner (thanks to Mr. Random picking comment #3)!  Email me at mountainmamatales@gmail.com to claim your prize!*

We are so pleased to welcome Stephanie back again to the blog.  In case you missed it, she is the owner of Backcountry Baby (a local Jackson shop that is one of my very favorites for families) and guest posted previously here about traveling with babies. *Make sure you read all the way to the end for a pretty exciting giveaway (if you are a book lover like us, anyway!)*

We started reading to E as soon as he was born.  As educators and avid readers, we never thought it could be too early to expose our child to the written word.  Early and often is my mantra about a lot of things involving parenting (vegetables, time outside, bedtime routines) and books fall into this category.

As an educator, parent and now shop owner I get a lot of questions about which books, when and how often. I try to reassure parents that they really can't do it wrong (as long as you're actually opening books) but I thought I'd mention a few points that my education background may actually have helped with.

1. Fewer, higher quality books (same as toys): You don't need 200 books.  Just a few books that you change around every few weeks. Babies and Toddlers love repetition so try not to sigh when your little one chooses Brown Bear for the ten millionth time.  They are learning how to understand the story and they look forward to the routine of understanding what's next. You'll be grateful when this helps with learning to read.

2.  Demonstrate.  Show your kids that you read, don't save it for only when you are in bed.  Read books, magazines and newspapers in front of your babies and toddlers, even if it's just for a few minutes. Show them you are actually interested in reading for yourself, not just for them.

3.  Don't stress.  Toddlers will all go through phases where reading isn't that interesting, but don't despair. Continue to provide new reading material, set good examples and ask them to join you.

4. Read with your babies and toddlers often.  Not just at bedtime but try and read books during different times throughout the day.  Books shouldn't just be about winding down, try and make them part of the day and fun!

With that, I'd like to offer one reader a chance to win a book buggee.  A great way to integrate books into your everyday play. High quality wood toy that doubles as book storage, you can't really go wrong.

Lastly, I'd like to leave you with our favorite titles of the past 2 weeks. I'd love to hear some suggestions for other favorites!

The Little Engine that Could - truly a classic!
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
LMNOPeas
Flotsam

To be entered in the giveaway for a book buggee:

Required: Leave a comment with your favorite children's book

For additional entries - for a total of 6 entries - (leave a comment each time saying you did one of these!)

 - Follow Backcountry Baby on Twitter

 - "Like" Backcountry Baby on Facebook

- Follow Tales of a Mountain Mama on twitter

- "Like" Backcountry Baby on Facebook

- Follow Tales of a Mountain Mama via Google Friend Connect (on right sidebar)

*Winner will be chosen randomly after January 25th and emailed to claim their prize*

eeBoo Review and *Giveaway*

Giveaway closed - lucky numbers #11 (Shannon) and #8 (Cloth Diapering Momma) check your inboxes!

The weather hasn't been too ideal around here lately.  Time to share another great idea for those less-than-ideal days! (+ there is still a little time before Christmas and these products are great at keeping kids busy while traveling.)

When I first discovered eeBoo at a friend's home, I was instantly impressed.  Their games, puzzles and wall art are exactly the kind of toys we like to have in our home.  They are colorful, educational, and high-quality.

In their words, "eeBoo creates refreshing toys and gifts that are 100% original (no licenses) and we commission our artwork from well-known and well-loved children’s book illustrators."   


I love that most of their games and activities are based on old-fashioned formats which are updated for today's kids.


I contacted eeBoo to request a sample and was shocked when they sent a huge box full of great products.  (And yes, I am sharing them with other kids and a few of you too!)  

A problem solving game for ages 5+ (we have not tried this one yet, but I can't wait to!)

Cabin Getaways, St. Nicholas and Toys (reviews!)

The past three days were pure bliss.

As a family we left everything behind (and believe me, that "everything" is a lot right now!), unplugged and spent some quality time just making memories and being a family.  We found a Forest Service cabin in the Big Horn Mountains that was easily accessible and had plenty of winter fun possibilities.  In fact, we had planned on skiing in the ~200 yards to get to the cabin from the road (totally do-able in any weather) but were pleasantly surprised to find that a lack of snow right around the cabin allowed us to drive right to it.  We felt like we were cheating a bit, but when you have a toddler and an infant you'll take "shortcuts" like that :)

I highly recommend taking this route.  The cabins are are available all over the country and are a cheaper alternative to big lodges, hotels, etc.  We spent $40 a night, but Muddy Guard is definitely on the "luxury" end of Forest Service cabins with electric lights and stove.   (We spent our honeymoon almost 4 years ago in a similar cabin without electricity and spent $15 a night.)  


We spent the time playing, laughing, reading and catching up on sleep (Husband and I were struggling to stay awake to put the kids to bed.)

PeaPods were awesome for staying warm in the cabin for the kids

Incredible cross country skiing was nearby and we bundled the kids up in the sub-zero temps in the Chariot to get on the (slightly groomed) trails.

Our conversations were about how thankful we were to get out there as a family, how thankful we were for warm and quality gear and how time in the woods like that is just good for the soul!

The time we were at Muddy Guard also coincided with the feast day of St. Nicholas.  This is our first year celebrating it and we spent a lot of time talking to J about putting his shoes out and who St. Nicholas really was.  (and yep, we will celebrate Christmas with Santa Claus too but we are talking a lot about how Santa carries on the tradition St. Nicholas started.)  He was pretty excited (which could have contributed to a delayed bedtime that night!)  I love celebrating holidays in simple surroundings and this was perfect.

Both boys received toys that we were given to review (ahem, St. Nicholas worked with us on this...) and I wanted to take this opportunity to share them with you (because I truly believe both are great options for Christmas.)

Bristle Block Spinaroos by B. Toys Review

I was inspired by this family and their "Expedition America 2011" trek with their two year old.  I checked out their tips (and continue to do so) and the gear they are finding valuable for their sanity. :)  While they don't seem to have many toys for their son along with them (less is always more!) their thoughts on B. toys caught my eye.  

I contacted the company to see if I would be able to also review some of their toys, and was delighted that they agreed!  I am impressed with their colors and their "earthy" packaging first of all.  And I love that this is part of their philosophy and what they want for kids: 


We want to be a voice to children that says it’s okay to be curious, to be pensive, to be loud, to be happy and sad all at the same time, to be generous, to be afraid, to be quiet, to be wild, to be fun, to be open, to be scientific, to be poetic, to be giddy, to be serious, to be smart, to be free, to be you.


We were sent two different products: Bristle Block Spinaroos and Dr. Doctor (review on Dr. Doctor coming soon!).  

Mama K's Aromatic Play Clay

I am excited to start a little series of fun ideas for family-time when the weather just isn't cooperating.  However, I must first state that our kids are outside EVERY day, even just for a few minutes (we say our minimum is 15, but illness and other unfortunate circumstances, of course, change things a bit.)


These posts will include activities you can do with household items, books we love (that include an outdoor theme usually!), and our very favorite toys and games.  We believe that play should foster creativity, imagination and be "open-ended" and so these activities will reflect that.  I have contacted some  amazing companies and a few have agreed to share their products with us to review and you to win (keep your fingers crossed!!!)  Winning things ALWAYS makes a rainy day better!


As always, I welcome ideas from you all and would love to have guest-bloggers to share their ideas (because I ALWAYS need inspiration!)


Without further adieu...

This week I would like to introduce you to Mama K's Aromatic Play Clay.  For the past year or so I have seen this clay pop up on different crafty sites I love and be recommended by moms I trust.  I was super excited to have Kari agree to send us our very own tube of 5 - 4 oz. tubs to try.  They came in 5 different scents: bergamot, geranium, lavender, lemongrass and sweet orange which all claim to "soothe the creative beast." (Chamomile and cardamom are also in the line-up but were not in our tube of 5.)