New Words & Great Educational Site

New words include: Happy, lollipop, please, "that one", help and "help you" (when she wants to stir the batter, help with her diaper, etc.) juice, banana, knife (for the play knife that cuts her fruit), car, mall (wonder how she knows this one???), in, out, coat, lotion, boo-boo, ouch, elbow, leg, knees, stop (unfortunately she heard us say this to the dog when she kept barking and now it's her new favorite word), "little bit", "look at that," Oh or oooo! (if she sees something she likes), back (as in put back), cow, hey, milk, bottle, water, and Elmo. What is it with Elmo, anyway? I took Ruby to Sesame Place once over Halloween. She liked it but didn't seem to know or make reference to any of the characters. She had seen Sesame Street only a hand full of times before and after. Well, one day I pulled out the Elmo plate that came with lunch at Sesame Place. I set in on the table and she lit up and yelled ELMO! Hmmm. When did she get to know him? Amazing how quick kids pick up and fall for Elmo. Guess that will make it fun when we visit Sesame Place this summer! Plan on getting season passes.

Have to share this GREAT website our friend John turned us on to that teaches kids words, reading and the alphabet. It's called Starfall.com and it's brilliant! Ruby and I have gone through letters A-K and she is learning how to say both the word and the sound it makes. She actually likes doing it as it has colorful graphics and sounds, plus cute characters. Click on the website above and go to ABC's. Very useful site and used by teachers. There is a matching game at the end of each alphabet letter. Ruby can't click and drag yet, but I took her through the game and said "does it go here? or here?" She actually understood me and pointed to the correct one every time! Yay, Ruby! And yay, Starfall! Check it out!