Privacy and Blogging

When I first started this blog my husband mentioned that I should be careful about what I post about our family, as in full names, birthdates, location and so on. At first I thought I'd use nicknames for my boys. That felt uncomfortable and slightly unnecessary. All of the names in our family are quite common. Surprisingly to some, our last name is too. For example I googled my first and last name a bit ago and found many pages of references to people with my name and not one referencing me. Anyway I wasn't sure how far to take privacy on the internet.

Today I read this post and it made me think again. The author talks about how pictures of people's children have been used improperly. How careful should I be about my children's names? How worried should I be about having some pictures of them on the internet? I have another website that I don't use a ton, but this one has names and pictures and birthdates and all. It's the main website I use to post pictures. What should I do about that? I don't know.

As for Mom Joy, I'm going to stick with first names. No references to my other website and not too many pictures. I urge other blogging moms and friends of mine to think about this and decide what is best for them.

Fun and Educational Toys

I started writing an email to share some links for some great toys with my sisters and mom, but then I thought, I could post this on my blog. So here I am.

Here are some toys that I found that you might like for your kids. (or grandma can buy for the kids). Melissa and Doug toys are really nice, well made toys. Andrew already has some Melissa and Doug puzzles that he likes. For some reason I like the idea of toys made of wood so here are the links to a website with some of the toys I liked. There are a ton more great toys there and this isn't the only place to buy them.

Standard Unit Blocks
These blocks are just like the ones that KC and his brother's played with as kids, we have a big bag full of them. Andrew loves to line them up to make a road or buildings.




Cutting Food Box
I thought this toy is a great idea. Velcro holds the slices together and they use the "knife" to separate them.





Lace & Trace Pets
This seems like it would be good for times when they need to sit still for a while like in church or on car trips.






Magnetic Responsibility Chart
This isn't a toy, but it seems it would be very useful. I've been trying to think of a way I can make some sort of job chart for Andrew that would have graphical representations of chores since he can't read yet. So this sort of does that for me and better.








Shape, Model, and Mold Play Set
I guess you can get versions of these all over, but I liked the wood thing and how it seems like little toddler's fingers could use them easily.







See & Spell
No not the old electronic game. I really like this because it combines a puzzle feel with letters and pictures. This is one I am seriously considering getting Andrew

Einstein Generation

Today I realized my kids are part of the Einstein Generation. Andrew was on the computer playing a Little Einsteins game on the Playhouse Disney website. Isaac meanwhile was watching a Baby Einstein DVD on the TV. Isaac was hearing music from Bach and Vivaldi while Andrew was interacting and 'conducting' music from Beethoven, Mozart, and Grieg.

Andrew has been watching Baby Einstein DVD's from 6 months of age. He started watching Little Einsteins 6 months ago. Guess what he hums while playing.... classical music. I ask him what he's singing... "Little Einsteins" he says. He gets on our piano and announces that he's going to play a sad song. Sure enough he goes to the low notes and plays his 'song' slow and sad. Then he plays a happy song and uses the higher notes and plays them lightly and fast.

How will the kids of the "Einstein Generation" turn out? I don't know but they certainly will be more familiar with classical music. I can't help but be reminded of the animated short, "Jack-Jack Atack" that came with "The Incredibles" DVD. I love the eyes of Jack Jack once the babysitter turns on the classical music. "Ready for some neurological stimulation?"