"I Can Go Anywhere.."

Hello! Happy Tuesday and I hope you all had a nice Memorial Day spending time with loved ones and remember those who have fought for our freedoms and served our country with their very lives. I’m grateful to any of you in the service or who have loved ones in the service. Thank You!

I had 3 days off from work (woot woot) so I got to spend more time than usual with my Lil Toot :) We did some shopping and on the way there and back she talked non stop to her new “pet/friend” (not really sure what to call it). It was pretty cute and I wanted to share it with you. Only after the fact did I think about doing a voice recording of it (since I was you know driving and all... maybe next time ;)

(After seeing some birds flying out the window)

Lil Toot (2 3/4 yrs old):  “Mama?  I want those birdies.” she said cupping her hands holding them out towards the window and the birds. “Come here birdies. I want to hold you.” Pulling her hands together close to her chest, “I will take care of you and give you lubs (loves)... don’t be scared, I’ve got you. Mama? Do you got some birdies too?” 

Me: “Um Yes, I have one too, but only one because I’m driving (that’s smart right?)” 

Lil Toot: “I want some more birdies. Should we look for a big birdie? Do you see one? Can you get it?” holding her hands out once again.

Me: “I got one! I got a big birdie.” I was excited to play along until she changed the rules ;)

Lil Toot: “Um nope, we have to get TINY birdies to hold in my hands... Oh! I got some,” clutching her hands close to her heart again. “I love you tiny birdies. I will keep you safe.  You have to fly now.” She holds her hands out a bit so the birdie can fly off I imagine. “Fly high in the sky, birdie... Oh! you bonked (it’s head) I’m sorry birdie, are you alright birdie? I will take care of you and take you to my home, okay?” 

I’m not sure about the imagining the birdie got hurt just so she could take care of it, but at least she didn’t just hurt it for fun, right? ;)

So this got me thinking a bit about imagination and how not only fun it is, but how important too especially for the young ones. I’m kinda a word freak so of course, I looked it up:

World English Dictionary

imagination  (ɪˌmædʒɪˈneɪʃən)
— n
1	the faculty or action of producing ideas, esp mental images of what is not present or has not been experienced
2	mental creative ability
3	the ability to deal resourcefully with unexpected or unusual problems, circumstances, etc

So then, of course, I looked it up in Wikipedia...

“Imagination helps provide meaning to experience and understanding to knowledge; it is a fundamental faculty through which people make sense of the world,[1][2][3] and it also plays a key role in the learning process.”

“Most famous inventions or entertainment products were developed from the inspiration of someone's imagination.”

And then... I read some articles on BabyCenter (which I won’t bombard you with, but definitely worth a read if your interested there are several. BUT I loved this...

And when you use your imagination with him — "Look, I'm a tiger in the jungle!" "Let's pretend we're going to Grandma's house" — you spur his brain to forge "imagination pathways" of its own. ~~ BabyCenter article “How To Raise An Imaginative Child”

‘Spur his brain to forge IMAGINATION PATHWAYS of its own’... LOVE this!! 

I know we are all busy, but try to make extra ‘imagination time’ with your little ones... to encourage and nurture their imaginations which lead to dreams which can lead to unlimited possibilities after all...

“Most famous inventions or entertainment products were developed from the inspiration of someone's imagination.”  

I love to play imagine with my girlie, maybe because I'm a fantasy writer and love to read I'm geared towards it, but I think it's important either way. What say you?  

I’d love to hear about some of the fantastic imaginations there are out there! Please feel free to share in the comments or email me.

MamaToots!

Made me think of Reading Rainbow:...

Butterfly in the sky
I can go twice as high
Take a look
It's in a book
A Reading Rainbow

I can go anywhere
Friends to know
And ways to grow
A Reading Rainbow

I can be anything
Take a look
It's in a book
A Reading Rainbow
A Reading Rainbow

Tuesday's Toots! #18

Happy Tuesday! I'm back with some Toots! to share with you (hehe)...

Small Girl @smallgirltweets

Mummy: I spy with my little eye something beginning with L. It makes the light go on.

Smallgirl (4yo): "Um.... Lectricity?"

Smallgirl (4yo): "Mummy, look at my beeeootiful lipstick!" 

Mummy: Oh, that is beautiful, #smallgirl. What colour is it?

Smallgirl: "Green. Like a beeeootiful flower stalk!"

Kimberly A.

I just told my 3yr old to zip his lips for a second, and he looked at me serious as can be.."I don't have a zipper mom" lol

Nicole G.

We went to visit a friend who's cat had just had kitties. My 3 yr old son comes running in the house yelling, "mom, she has titties!! I love her titties! Mom, can I hold her titties? Mom, can we take her titties home? Mom!!!!" And my friend frantically looks to me for an explanation. As I'm dying of laughter I explain. He loves your KITTIES :) 

Thanks to you all for sharing! I apologize for my absence these last couple weeks, but life happened... what do you do? ;) So to make up for it, I want to share this creative and funny video with you. (It's a bit long, but I hope you enjoy it)

MamaToots!

Tuesday's Toots! #17

It's a Happy Tuesday! Not only because it was a nice extended weekend, but because I remembered it was time for the Toots! Yay me! ;)


Ok so let's get tooting...

Jodey C.M.

After a discussion about my friend having a baby I ask 7yo son how babies come out of a mommies tummy. He replies ever so seriously... "out their butt mom... duh!"

Ami H. @MuseInks 

8 y.o. plopped in front of TV to watch "Penguins of Madagascar" DVD, announcing "I'm gonna turn my frontal lobe off for awhile." 

Julie @Balancingmama 

My 3-year-old daughter made a clown puppet in school today. I asked his name... she replied, "This is Granddad when we was a clown." Apparently, my father was once a clown.

Betty Sue @kidzquotes

"Kesha brushes her teeth with a bottle of Jack? I don't think her dentist would like that very much' A(7ys)

Small Girl @smallgirltweets

Smallgirl:(4yo) The television's just said I'm watching bedtime. I'm not, am I? The television doesn't know everything! The television doesn't have eyes. Unless there's people with eyes on the television.

Small Girl @smallgirltweets

Where's your pencil sharpener, smallgirl? 

Smallgirl (4yo): "It's in the kitchen bitchen." #begyourpardon

Preschool Gems @preschoolgems

"Yep, I'm a hairy gingerbread man."

Mama Crass @SassyPieHole

Me: guess who's coming tonight

4yo:Who?

Me: miss erin!!

4yo: Hoo-RAY! We will paint our fingernails and our toe fingers!

Kat B. @MyMuses

R(5yo)"Today we had baby Jesus class" 

Me "Really? What did you learn about baby Jesus?" 

R(5yo) "I don't remember, I was drawing zombies!"

Thanks everyone for sharing! Remember to let me know the cute/funny words your kiddos say (or if they're older use to say) that only a "Mama could interpret"such as: "yight" for "light" or "nana" for "banana" (obviously everyone knows that one, but just so you get the idea ;)

Happy Tuesday to you all!

MamaToots! 

 I'm Linking up with  The Life of A SippyCup Mom


Also linking up with Bees With Honey 

Tuesday's Toots! #16

Happy Tuesday!
(Woot! Woot! Yes, that's me cheering for myself since I remembered it was Tuesday this week ;)


For a new post coming up I'm asking the question, "What words do your little ones say that only you would know what they are talking about? i.e.: 'lip it' for zip it" Let me know in the comments below or hit the submission button on the home page.


Let's get Tooting!...

Small Girl @smallgirltweets

Smallgirl (4yo) is playing the piano. "Do you want it loud or quiet or miggle-sized?"

Betty Sue @kidzquotes

Went out one night all decked out & from 4 yr old got 'Mum, WHY are you wearing that halloween costume??'

Shawna T. 

So, I am dancing around the kitchen and 6yo daughter looks over at me and says, "totally unprofessional"...... :) I think what she meant was “inappropriate” but she should know me by now.

Kiersten W. @kierstenwhite

Son, on the reasons he wants to be a peacock: "And I would get to eat dirty corn off the ground!" A sound and logical argument indeed

Rachel L. @RachelsRantings

My 4 yr old told my husband practice starts at 5pm bc "Daddy is always late so I told him an earlier time." Smart boy.

Tyanna A.

My 2 yr old just yelled with her hands held high in the air "the word is my nemesis!!" Thank you 'Phineas & Ferb'. :)

Mama Crass  via SassyPieHole (FB)

‎"There's hair in my fingers!" (she says with a pretzel rod in her toes)

Jodey C. M.

me: that is a stinky diaper!

3yo son: sorry mom I eat cacos (tacos)

me: I missed you B (3yo son)!

3yo son: mom I miss me too

me: how do you feel about that man that hurt all those people?(OBL)

7yo son: I would punch him in the tummy and flush his head in the toilet.

Thanks for the smiles and laughs everyone! I hope you enjoyed. Remember: "What words do your kiddos say that only you can interpret?"

MamaToots

I'm linking up with Bees With Honey. Go check her out.

Tuesday's Toots! #15

Yes, I am fully aware that it is Thursday. But on Tuesday, I was not apparently in my right mind enough to know that it was, well, Tuesday and I forgot (oh the shame!) to get the Toots out. Sad I know, but a recurring issue that I call "mama brain". I did have some memory issues before I had my lovely Lil Toot, but not near what it is now. 

So get ready for Tuesday's Toots... on Thursday (at least they both start with "T's" right? ;)

Real Life With Kids @Real Life with Kids

Tip #462 from my 7yo son. "Mom? You NEVER hug someone with a machete." Then, "Mom, you do know what a machete is, don't you?"

Linette S.A.

when I was sick the other day, M(2yo daughter) "Mommy shut your eyes" she starting singing me the song from the movie Tangled. ... "let your power shine, let the clock reverse..." so sweet. We just might have a little singer on our hands.

Megg J. @meggjensen1

My kids are signing Darth Vader's Imperial March with one word - butt. *Welcome to my house*

Elizabeth H.

While I attempted to correct J for hitting his brother, he corrected me. "Mom, I didn't hit him! I punched him."

Wind Mill Tales @windmilltales

Greeted my DD after nursery today with, “Hiya beautiful”. She replied, “No mummy I'm gorgeous!”

Preschool Gems @preschoolgems

"I don't want to be myself anymore because I can't stop eating cheese."

"Happy Mother's Day, Mommy! I like you as much as I love our couch, and I really love our couch."

Thanks for everyone's comments and Happy THURSDAY! 

MamaToots

Tuesday's Toots #14

Happy Tuesday and Welcome Spring!

SmallGirl @smallgirltweets

Smallgirl (4yo): "Daddy! The fingers are dancing on your head! They're dancing on your gap!"

Smallgirl: "I'm a star. You can sing Twinkle Twinkle at me if you like."

Eliska @eliskacounce

Me to five year old son: Your brother wants to be a detective when he grows up. What do YOU want to be? 

Son to me: a refrigerator. Of course

Allison S. @aswinn

Just got upset at 4 yo over her behavior. She looked at me, put hands into the air and said, "No worries, mom."(4 going on 14)

Julie @balancingmama (More from this post at 3MomsIn1)

(Easter Morning) Later that morning, we tested her patience at church. We attended a service with family, at a church we had not previously visited. The sermon was a bit long. For us, and especially for Amelia (3yo). 

"Mommy!", she exclaimed mid-sermon (not quietly), "He is talking too much!" I could see a couple grins and stifled giggles from the people directly in front of us. 

And a bit later, questioning the screens that only showed song lyrics and bible verses, "Where is the bunny movie?!? I don't like this show!" The poor kid thought we were at a movie. 

Betty Sue @kidzquotes

My 7yo daughter to 10yo sis after gawking at buxom woman sculpture: 'Well, you'll probably be getting YOUR hooters soon!'

Michelle I. @emjayinns (via @kidzquotes) 

One of my twin 3 year old girls told me "I love you mummy but I like pooing in my pants"

~~~~~~~~

Thank you to everyone for sharing your cute comments with me! I hope these made you smile. 

In honor of the upcoming Mother's Day (May 8th in the US) I am working on a post for Mama's and would love your participation! Fill in the blank... (either in the comments or send me an email)

"You know you're a Mama when ___________________"

MamaToots!

Tuesday's Toots! #13

Hello Tuesday! Welcome to another Tuesday's Toots! A place to share the funny things kids say and do, to give us a laugh and make us smile :)


Before we release the Toots (hehe), a quick call for submissions: Mother's day in the US is coming up soon and I'd like to run some guest posts especially for mothers. I'm looking for posts along the lines of 'What being a Mama means to you', 'Favorite parts about being Mama', 'Most influential or profound thing you've learned being Mama', 'Funny Mama stories', etc. If you feel inspired to write something (and it doesn't have to be long) please send it to our email: toddletoots (at) gmail (dot) com. I'd like to start running them the beginning of May. Thank you for your consideration.


Let the Toots begin!


(this 1st one was suppose to be included in the Innocent Insults post, but it got overlooked and I apologize to Mary)


Mary Quite Contrary (@LincolnAndMe)

20month L calls every old or graying person with long(ish) scruffy hair "Scrooge".. He shouts it and points at them laughing out loud! He thinks they are Scrooge! Has been doing it since christmas! Men AND women. Anyone with gray/scruffy hair! He just points and goes "Scrooge!" Or "humbug"!

Michael C.

Me: "Hey M, are you sure grandpa has a toothbrush at his house for you?"

8yo Son: "Yeah dad, I'm 100% sure. Every time I go over there grandma pulls out a toothbrush from my childhood for me to use."


Me: "Your childhood?"


8yo Son: "Yeah that means from when I was a little child."

MamaCrass (@SassyPieHole)

‎Me:(where'd you put you're socks)

3yo daughter: "Where'd you put you're socks?"

Me:(stop it)

3yo: "Stop it!”

Me:(where are your socks)

3yo: "Where are your socks?"

Me:(stop it)

3yo: "Stop it!"

Me:(you're really frustrating me)

3yo: "I'm really frustrating myself!"

Small Girl (@SmallGirlTweets)

4yo: “My turn to hide Daddy. You look in all the other rooms and then at last in my room behind the chair to find me. Okay?"

Dainty B (@DaintyBallerina via @SmallGirlTweets)

Little boy next door: 'Look! I'm a dragonlion! No, a dandefly! No, a dragon dandy, (pause) ...I'm a fly!'

Laura M.

My 20month old daughter gets into my unmentionable’s drawer and puts a pair of my underwear on her head and my bra over her shoulders struts around and say’s: “Pannies. Mama’s pannies and ploopies (boobies)”


Mama's Toots...
Yesterday I put Lil Toot (21mo) down for a nap which she was more than ready for, but amazingly (since she had gotten up for the day at 5AM) got a 2nd wind. She didn't fuss, but began her personal monologue that I was privy to via my video monitor (probably my favorite baby gadget of all FYI). 


To set the scene, she began playing with a couple of her favorite little stuffed animals that are in her crib for such occasions as this. Realize what is about to take place occurred over a period of about 30 min. She was talking to  Elmo and then to her other 'guy' and laying each down for their own "nigh nigh" time. She then would jump up and play with them along her crib's edge. This of course made me nervous as I could see them plummeting to their pretend death and then nap time would be ruined because she simply must have Elmo! Phew all were safe. She would then lay down for a very brief moment and somewhere during all this she misplaced her binky so she was talking extra loud.


Now she was zooming around the inner perimeter of her crib like a race track, "Elmo! Boo! (the name of the other 'guy') Mama... Daddy... A says 'Ah', B says 'buh' 'buh', C says 'Kuh'... Out!... 18,19,20... T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z... sing with me...Yay, good job! (clapping)" all the while never fussing just getting louder and louder until she was simply shouting. -She tends to use counting and the alphabet as a self-soothing tool-  Once again back at the edge making her guys play on the edge until the unthinkable happened and I hear, "Oh no, Oh no... Boo dropped!" and she remained looking out over the edge but to my surprise still not upset. She made another lap around the 'track' then stopped back to mourn her lost friend, "What happen Boo?... Boo fall down." 


Moving on she sat with Elmo and shouted, "MAMA! MAMA!" again not upset just shouting wanting me to come save Boo. Quickly detoured she saw her little squishy book in her bed and gave a surprised intake of breath (it's always in there, but you'd think it was something brand new), "Book! Read Elmo," and she sat opening the book for Elmo. Then up again around the 'track' once more for the grand finale, flopped to her tummy, and was instantaneously asleep as if hit by narcolepsy. 


Happy Tuesday!
MamaToots

Tuesday's Toots! #12

Welcome to Tuesday's Toots! The place where we post the funny things our little ones say and do. Thanks to everyone who shared with us last week for our Innocent Insults themed Toots! I thought that was a fun post and would love to do it again, so if you find yourself embarrassed by something your kiddos say in public or to someone else, please share it with us! 

Mama Crass (@SassyPieHole)

‎3yo daughter:"Mommy LOOK! He's NAKED!" 

Me: who's naked 

3yo:"That guy! He's not wearing a shirt... someone will see his boobies!"

‎

Me: put your shoes on 

Same 3yo:"NO putting my shoes on!" 

Me: I give up today 

3yo:"THAT'S the SPIRIT!!"

Small girl (@smallgirltweets)

smallgirl: (watching The Wizard of Oz) "I like why the Cowardly Lion wipes his nose with his tail. Cos lions don't really have tissues, do they?"

smallgirl: "I'm the Good Witch Glenda, Granddad." 

AgedGP: You'll be the star of the show!

smallgirl: "Oh Granddad. Good Witch Glenda doesn't make a show. She just goes in a bubble".

Ally (@allycondie): My 4-year-old niece ate her first cotton candy & said, "it's like eating a nice fluffy kitten!"

Janelle (@renegademama1)

"Mama, the lady at the store said this crystal is magic, but I just asked it to turn me into a Transformer. And I'm not. So she lied."

Amanda G. (@caffeinated_mom)

Hubs talking to 2y/o: Your pants are falling down U little rapper-wannabe U! 4y/o: her name is Emily Daddy! U should know better than that!

Tiffany Beaudry

My daughter (2yo)has decided in order to say "so long suckers!" without getting soap in her mouth, she waits until I'm in the shower and goes to the farthest wall in the bathroom, YELLS IT, and runs off laughing!

Bridget R. (@imade4babies)

I have 2 sets of twins. When the boy in the older set was 4 he walked by my mother's dryer and saw her bra laying on top of it to dry. He said, "My mommy has those, only hers are bigger."

 



Chris (@ChrisMarkgraf) (via @Crapkidssay)

3yo & my wife had a talk on writing in a Diary today. Later, 3yo says to me, "Daddy, I want to write in my diarrhea one day"

I hope you enjoyed today's Toots! Thanks to everyone who shared your little one's comments with us. In case you have not had the chance to watch this YouTube video that has been making a huge impression... I will leave you with it and hope it makes you smile! It's hilarious and intriguing...

Happy Tuesday!

MamaToots