Little Miss...

Mommy, Blogger, Creative, Travel & Disney Lover

Little Miss…Mommy, Disney, Creative and Travel

Kids

Visiting Kennedy Space Center

Filed Under: Kids, Mommy, Travel

 

Visiting Kennedy Space Center

We were looking for a weekend out of town after a few stressful weeks of various activities, school and work going on and decided on Kennedy Space Center.  It wasn’t too far of a drive for us and we had never been.  Having two small kids we try not to be in the car too long for the sake of their comfort and our sanity.

Water entry to Kennedy Space Center

The drive into the space center is beautiful.  The space center is not too far from Port Canaveral so if you’ve ever taken a cruise out of that port and want to take an extra day this is an excellent place to check out.

I’m sure that in it’s prime it was beyond amazing and busy.  Even now, there’s a lot to see and a lot of history to learn from.  This is somewhere that is a great trip for fun while being educational for kids of various ages.  There’s a great page from Kennedy Space Center official site explaining how to plan your visit.  There is so much to do and see here!

The Rocket Gardens

Here there are some of the initial rockets that were sent up along with a few replicas that you can actually get inside.  It is amazing and crazy to think that someone was sent into space in some of these.  When you read it, it doesn’t always register what it was truly like and the sacrifice made to take this journey. When you see in person the replicas of these rockets that were built as the United States made the journey towards space it is so incredible.  The career of an astronaut sounds like an incredible thing and then when you see what they actually had to go through and their cramped ride in space it will definitely make you rethink it however it also shows the determination they had to be part of this historic accomplishment.

Rocket Garden Kennedy Space Center
The Rocket Garden
Little Mr. H was not into pretending he was waiting to go up in the rocket…LOL

Bus Explore Tour Visit- Mission Control

You can take a bus tour as part of your general admission ticket to Kennedy Space Center.  It takes you around to the launch pads and to see Atlantis along with various other space museum features.  Some of the features feel like something from a sci-fi movie but in a really cool, fascinating way.  I highly recommend the bus tour as it will give you some time to sit and relax, and there are things that you’re able to see that otherwise, you’d miss out when exploring on foot.

 

 

Can’t forget the gators..

gatorThis was one of 5 different gators that we saw on the bus throughout our tour.  This is Florida after all 🙂 LOL!  We were also able to see a Bald Eagle and their nest during the bus tour as well.

Successful Mission

Pretending to fly the spaceship

This visit was a lot of fun.  I was worried about whether the kids would find it fun. They are 3 and 5 so it was if-y. I’m happy to say that (once I promised nobody was going to shoot us off into space) they were very excited and had a fun day.  They are already asking to go back for another visit.  I think this is something they’ll enjoy again when they are a little older as well.  Although they may not remember this visit later on, it is always something I’ll remember as they explored and looked around in amazement.

Kennedy Space Center is a great idea to visit with kids of all ages as well as just an adult visit.  There are so much history and education as well as fun that you can definitely spend a whole day.

Want more information? Kennedy Space Center Ticket Information

More on attractions at Kennedy Space Center

Have you been to Kennedy Space Center?  What are your thoughts?

More Things To Do Near Kennedy Space Center

Miniland at Legoland Florida

American Girl Doll Store & Bistro

Lessons Learned From Pete the Cat

Filed Under: Kids, Mommy

*This post contains affiliate links…meaning if you decide to check them out I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I have personally tried and love

Pete the Cat

If you haven’t met Pete… you are missing out.  Before I share some of my lessons learned from Pete the Cat, let me give you the story of how I found Pete.

My daughter started kindergarten this last year and shortly after she came home singing a song that went with a book they had read. She came home singing  “I was rockin’ in my school shoes, I was rockin’ in my school shoes”  I didn’t know much about it but she would repeat the chorus and bounce around while she played.

A couple days later we get home and she says “Mommy!! You HAVE to listen to this!” and with all the excitement of a 5 year old starts to explain the book they read that day…

 

“Pete the Cat had four groovy buttons…oh no! one fell off, did Pete cry? (she yells the answer) Goodness No!” she repeats counting down until she gets to zero and then says-“Pete looked down at his shirt and what did he saw? His belly button!  (at which point she totally starts to dance and sing to the tune of Fergi’s “My Humps” ) My buttons my buttons, still  got my belly button” and that leads to her breaking into a burst of hysterical laughter.   This…made me turn to Google to find out what all the entertainment was about.

This cat is a cool, groovy, laid back blue cat that teaches kids helpful lessons in a fun entertaining way.  I was able to download a few of the songs and they were on repeat.  Both my 5 and 3-year-old were obsessed, so much so the songs were stuck in my head.

Lessons I’ve Learned From Pete the Cat-

1. Stuff will come and stuff will go…but do we cry? Goodness No! (Four Groovy Buttons)

Quote Pete the cat 4 groovy buttons

Your day will bring many situations. Do we get upset or stressed over it? Goodness no 🙂

2. Give it your all (Pete the Cat Saves Christmas)

Clouds, heart, Pete the cat quote

No matter what you do or how big the job is, give it your all to get it accomplished.

3. Sometimes all it takes to go from Grumpy to Groovy is the right accessory. (Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses)

Girl, sunglasses, the right accessory quote

Some days you just need the right accessory to boost your confidence. You’ll find though you had it inside you  all along ❤️

4. No matter what you step in, keep walking along and singing your song…because it’s all good. (Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes)

Shoes, water, quote

Along the way you are bound to step in something you didn’t expect. Don’t let it stop you. Keep moving forward.

5. Do we worry? Goodness No! (Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes)

Lessons from Pete the Cat

Like Pete, we often experience uncomfortable new environments that we are required to make it through. Do we worry? Goodness no! We do what we have to do- make that presentation, hold that meeting, whatever the situation calls for- and we rock it!

These books do a great job of helping build kids confidence and grit which is something I absolutely love about them.

Do you love Pete the Cat? What’s your child’s favorite Pete story?

This is our favorite Pete the Cat set! It comes with the songs!


Want more Pete? Here’s a free resource!

Fun Printable Activities!

 

Kids and Electronics- Yes, They Are On My Phone

Filed Under: Kids

Kids and Electronics

*This post does contain Affiliate Links, meaning if you decide to try them I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.  I only recommend products/services that I have personally tried myself.*

There’s an on-going debate about kids and cell phones/tablets.  Some are quiet passionate about it.  My biggest rule of thumb is- you let the hold it you take your chance on them breaking it.  Don’t get mad if it happens.  If your two year old gets mad at something and throws your phone across the room, it’s not completely their fault they didn’t know it was going to crack the screen.  Oh, and obviously it’s not a babysitter (I feel like I don’t have to mention that but just in case.)

Letting the kids play on my iPhone or iPad helps me out sometimes in a store or at a restaurant when the kids are restless to let them hold my phone.  Yes, I can see people judging me but if it wasn’t for letting my kids hold my phone then I’m sure it would be for something else.  My favorite comment is “you know, their finger is going to turn into a stylus if they are always playing with that!”  Um, it is??  Really?  And you know this how? lol.  I keep those questions to myself but one day I might ask if it comes up again.

[the_ad_placement id=”google-ad-1″]

Educational Fun

I have always tried to find educational type games for my iPad or iPhone that the kids can play with.  There’s a peekaboo app from the iTunes store that they both love.  There also a wheels on the bus app that is another big favorite.   They’ve learned a lot from these apps and it has the added benefit of keeping them quiet when needed too.

One of my favorite apps and one that grows with them is ABC Mouse.  I had seen multiple Disney Jr advertisements for it and my sister had downloaded it for her kids.  They year my daughter would have started pre-school we received the notice that my company was closing our office and because I didn’t know exactly when my job would be over so I wasn’t sure where to send her to pre-school.  My mom and sister watched the kids while I worked and I would either send her somewhere close to me or take my chances and send her somewhere closer to them so they could help with picking her up. The issue being that when my job was over whether I’d have to go further to get her to preschool and pick her up.  On top of, where would my next job be?

In the stress of everything I winded up not sending her and making it a point to work with her at home as much as I could.  I decided to try ABC Mouse, after all there was no obligation to it so what could it hurt?   It offers it all…education, music, ‘pets’, and I can configure it to fit where they are at and what they need practice on.

As lessons are completed they get tickets that allow them to buy things such as a pet, things for their ‘room’, outfits for their avatar.  I found with my daughter it was a big incentive.  I was able to login to the parent side and check her progress as well as change her path if needed at any time.  A lot of times we’d sit together while she did the activities.  Can I tell you that she’s been absolutely on par and above with where she should be when she entered Kindergarten this past fall?  I’m not saying it’s all due to the app, we put a lot of work into helping her learn but ABC Mouse gave us direction and made it a lot of fun for her. My three year old has recently gotten in on the fun to and is practicing letters and numbers with the app.

Kids still need outside time, and to play with blocks and Play-Doh  along with other sensory enhancing items.  I don’t think we should discount electronic things merely because they are electronic.  Moderation is key.   I do believe you should monitor the screen time your child has, but I wouldn’t say that banning it totally is the perfect answer either.

Tell me your thoughts!

What do you think?  Do your kids play with your phone and/or tablet?  Have you ever had your child throw it or dunk it in their drink?

 

More Mommy Post

Recommended Post:

Alexa, Did You Miss Us?

Alexa Did You Miss Us featured image

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are interested in trying ABC Mouse you can use this link to get your first month FREE!

Teaching Kindness In An Entitled World

Filed Under: Kids

teaching-kindness-chalk-art

Teaching Kindness in an Entitled World

We live in an entitled society.  I’m not sure at what point it started but there are times when it feels like it’s taking over. People are either entitled to something or pointing fingers at why they haven’t accomplished a goal because it can’t be their fault after all.  I know it’s always happened and will always be around but to sit back and let it go on feels wrong.  It scares me, as a mom that my kids could fall into this way of thinking.  Here’s the absolute truth about it all- Nobody owes you anything. Be grateful for the good things that come along. Be kind to people, even when you don’t think they deserve it.   It’s tough sometimes, I know, but that doesn’t make it any less true..be kind

Teaching Graciousness

Graciousness doesn’t always come naturally.  There are times when you have to step back and pause a moment before you respond so that you can see the situation in a different light.

I try (not always successfully) to pass this along to my kids.  They are 5 and 3 so it’s not always the easiest thing to convey.  I recently had to explain that we don’t buy a toy every time we are in Target.  Let’s just say, it wasn’t the prettiest of situations at first…did I mention we go to Target a lot?    It’s a struggle as any parent knows.

The Doll Kind

This past Christmas I came across a new doll from a company called The DOLL KIND.   You choose a doll, it comes with tokens on one said it says “Pay It Forward” on the other it says “This is a token is a sign of (love, kindness, ect). The idea is, that your child shares these tokens with others.  Their website has a great graphic on suggestions to do so-

AND…for each doll you buy one is donated to a less fortunate child.  The donation sites include orphanages, hospitals, shelters and more throughout both the United States and other parts of the world.

I love this doll because it promotes kindness and thinking of others.  It promotes taking the time out to ‘pay it forward’ and put a smile on someone’s face. My daughter loves to share these with people and a lot of times she tries to do it anonymously (which she came up with on her own).  My son, who is 3 doesn’t quite get the whole concept but he’s learning it which fills my hear with joy.

We have Masha (The Grace Doll) and Jack (The Hope Doll).  I love that not only are they adorable, but they teach a lesson as well.  Not to mention that you get one, you give one.  Teaching kindness and being mindful of it as well as graciousness takes time and even as adults we have to be reminded of it.  This is a great way to open up that conversation with your child and use it as a reminder as well.

Masha-and-Jack-dolls

Masha & Jack⇑ ♥

One of the tokens that come in the pack 🙂

More Post

Kids and Kindness

Affirmations and Encouragement 

It’s a Hoot!

Filed Under: Kids

*This isn’t an affiliate or sponsored post… I just really love this app!*

Little Hoots App

One of my FAVORITE apps is Little Hoots.  It allows you to keep track of cute/funny/sweet/ in some cases sarcastic sayings that your children have.  It has been around for a few years now, so when I go back and find something my daughter said at 2 it is a sweet surprise.  Kids are hilarious and honest. There are so many things that we tend to look back on and wish we could remember how our child said or did something.  This app helps you easily keep track of it.

Turn your memory into a keepsake or gift!

They also have a shop (I haven’t tried it just yet) where you can make a book, canvas, shirt, mug, etc with your favorite sayings on it.  I definitely plan on checking the shop out!

Some of my favorites…

little hoots drink

little hoots memory

The app is free, there are freestyling options and then some that you can pay for.  The great thing about it is you can share these memories easily with friends and family.

Have you tried the app before? What did you think?

 

More fun articles about kids

Dress up with Little Adventures