The last few weeks, we’ve been hard at work preparing a new blog that we’re launching today: get ready for DogTipper’s DOGGONE TEXAS! Our new blog is created in the same style as…
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We’re Launching a New Blog! #Giveaway
Friday Funny: Deployed Again
The Facebook caption for this read: “Fifth deployment and they still haven’t realized I’m a dog” Sending hugs to all those deployed. Until next time, Good day, and good dog!
Practicing Daily Gratitude With Your Kids
Last week, I posted the top photo above on my Instagram, with the following caption: “Every morning when Essley wakes up, I ask her to tell me one thing for which she’s grateful. She’s like her mama (we don’t enjoy mornings), and I’ve found that starting my day with gratitude (even if I have to force it) genuinely helps me feel less anxious and more happy through out my day – and it seems to help her as well. This morning, her response was ‘my family’ (gold star answer, kid) and ’763 pieces of chocolate’ (clearly my child). Have a grateful day, friends.”
I received over 30 messages after posting that, from both parents and non-parents, thanking me for the idea and stating that they were going to do the same with both their kids and themselves. My response to every message was that while I certainly didn’t come up with the idea of practicing morning gratitude, I was thrilled to see that our silly little morning ritual could possibly help others who have anxiety (like me) or who just wanted to start their days in a positive way. And it got me thinking about other ways my kids and I could practice gratitude together. So Essley and I sat down and came up with a “gratitude to do list”, which I am sharing below.
1. Every morning upon waking, say out loud at least one thing in your life for which you feel thankful.
2. Keep a special journal or sketchbook, and throughout your day, write down or draw pictures of things that you appreciate.
3. Give every family member a hug and tell them how grateful you are to have them in your life.
4. Make a thank you card for a friend and tell them you appreciate their friendship.
5. Say thank you out loud every time you eat a meal.
6. Smile a LOT. (Essley says this one is the most important of all.)
7. Take videos of your little ones telling friends and relatives why they are thankful for them, and then email or text them the videos.
8. Make a giving list. For holidays or birthdays, make lists of the items or experiences you want to give others. (Sort of a reverse wish list.)
9. Everyday, tell each person in your family one thing about them you love and appreciate. (This can be anything from something profound to Essley’s favorite, “I like your outfit mommy!”)
10. Before bed, say out loud one great thing that happened that day for which your are thankful.
Consciously feeling grateful for things in your life is such a simple concept, but it’s been life changing for me in many ways. (Sounds super cheesy I know, but it’s the truth.) And it makes sense – research shows that practicing gratitude causes us to enjoy our lives more and feel happier in general. Even the act of putting this list together made me feel thankful and happy, and I know it did the same for Essley. If you have little ones, try some of these and let me know what you think. And if you have ways you practice daily gratitude with your children (or yourself!) I’d love to hear!
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Our 12 Favorite Books for Preschoolers
When I was pregnant with Essley, I vowed that my children would have extremely limited screen time, never use an iPad, and only watch Sesame Street. As with most of the things on which I considered myself an expert before actually having kids, this didn’t work out. My kids’ screen time is limited, but yes, they do have iPad time, and yes, they watch many shows and movies (some of which are not on my top 10 list, let’s just put it that way).
That said, my kids love books. Love. And when I’m feeling like a crappy parent (which happens a lot, because that’s how parents feel), I remind myself that my little ones not only ask me to read to them, they spend a lot of time pretending to read books themselves. (Emmett, who is 2, makes up stories as he “reads,” and Essley, who is 4, does the same but also recognizes some sight words which is really fun to watch.) Every night when they go to bed, they each get to choose 2 books to read, and we all read them together. It is one of my favorite parts of each day.
I posted the picture you see above on Instagram recently, and I got a lot of DMs asking about the book Essley is reading, along with some questions about our other favorites. So I decided to put together this list of the dozen books that are currently on our most read list in this house. One of these days I’ll put together a complete list of books we often read here. (I kept all of my books from childhood for my kids, so those combined with all of the books they’ve accumulated since Essley was born = hundreds.) But for now, here you go. While these are probably more for Essley’s age level than Emmett’s, both kids adore all of them.
1. Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
2. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn (Great to read during the beginning of the school year!)
3. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
4. We Are in a Book by Mo Willems
5. Press Here by Herve Tullet (Essley thinks this book is brilliant; I do too.)
6. Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
7. Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
8. Little Rabbit’s Loose Tooth by Lucy Bate
9. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
10. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendack
11. Corduroy by Don Freeman
12. The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper
Many of these were favorites of mine when I was Essley’s age as well. (I remember reading Blueberries for Sal and Madeline on repeat.) There are also several new ones that she discovered at school last year that we purchased after hearing about how much she loved them. If you have preschool (or even early grade school) aged kids, I highly recommend any of these. And if you have gems that I missed, please let me know! We are always looking for new books.
(Canopy in top photo was purchased here.)
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What Guinness World Record Does Nala Cat Hold?
With more than 6 million followers, Nala Cat’s adorable face has become a pretty familiar one as well. This lovable Siamese/Tabby mix rescue may be making people smile all over the internet, but she spends a lot of her time helping pets who are less fortunate than her.
Favorite food: Halo Indoor Cat Whitefish Pate
Favorite YouTube channel: IAmNalaCat
Favorite accessory: Bowties
Favorite title: Queen
Learn more about Halo cat food
5 Ways to Keep Your Dog Calm When Moving #AdaptilDog
This post is sponsored by CEVA Animal Health, makers of ADAPTIL® for dogs. All statements and opinions are entirely our own. As always, we only share products that we use with our own pets!…
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8 Vegetarian Recipes Perfect For Fall
Yes, I know. I constantly gush about how much I love summer and repeatedly state that I’m just soooo different from other bloggers in that I’m not a huge fan of fall, yet here I am sharing fall recipes while it’s still 80 degrees outside. While I admittedly eat my fair share of dishes normally reserved for summer year round, I also get excited about cozy, fall dishes. In fact, the first cold day I bolt to the store to stock up on vegetarian chili supplies. (Speaking of which, I don’t think I’ve ever shared my veggie chili recipe here. That needs to change soon.) Today I felt the urge to share my perfect-for-fall recipes from over the years here at Bubby and Bean. All of them are vegetarian, and all are easy to prepare. (Because you guys know me – 30 minutes in the kitchen and I’m done.) Just click on any of the images or links below them to see the recipes in full.
When it comes to food, do you prefer lighter spring and summer dishes, or heartier fall and winter recipes?
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Difficult Choice?
If you know me at all, you know I’m choosing the 4-legged swimmer. Until next time, Good day, and good dog!