Blessed X 2: Great educational toys

My sister has been making me feel like I am doing something right. The past couple months, the girls have changed so much. They talk a lot, almost full sentences now. It is incredible to see the changes everyday, that I get emotional! I have read a lot of blogs about bragging and boasting about your children. I agree with all of them. They all said you should, and that you should be proud of your children, as long as you don't get out of hand with it and make other mothers feel like poop.

Because of what my sister has been saying to me and our friends, I am going to boast a little about my girls while giving you all great educational toy advice! I am so proud of my girls, especially at how far they have come. This past year has been a whirlwind with them. They say things that shock me, things I didn't think they would know and use it correctly. It is crazy to watch the change, and not only that, I have been blessed with being able to watch two children change at the same time!

Back in January, the girls were really wanting to learn and explore. Since then they have learned their ABC's, how to count from 1-10 (today Harly counted from 1-12!), They know all their shapes, They know most of their colors, and now they are all about letters, they point to a letter and say mommy, what's this letter? They know A, E, H, and Z. Its pretty amazing!

There are some toys that I need to credit with helping the girls. I unfortunately can't take all of it, I wish I could though! Each of these toys I highly recommend:

1. Leapfrog products- These have been a big help with saying the alphabet and learning the letters and numbers! highly recommend these! Laptops- help with letters, The picnic baskets help with shapes and colors, and the phones help with numbers. the dogs help with name recognition!

2. Rock and Roll Elmo- The girls are obsessed with anything that has to do with music. Rock and Roll elmo, and all the accessories have been a great help with singing the ABC's. Not only that, the girls are CRAZY for Elmo!

3. Sesame street flash cards- great for shapes and letters, plus it is fun for them because it has to do with one of their favorite shows!

4. We say our numbers when we get diaper changes,sit on the potty, getting dressed, and when I need 10 seconds to finish dinner as the girls wait ~~patiently~~ impatiently!

5. Shape sorter- I am not sure who makes it, I think Fisher-Price. You have to put the shape in the correct slot for it to go in the box. This has been a lot of fun for the girls, it has also helped with colors. Every shape is a different color!

6. Books, Books, BOOKS - Books are a great thing for any child. It is said that you should read to your child while they are in utero and continue when they are born. If we are not singing and dancing, we are reading. There are so many books out there that are educational, yet fun for them. (I can't emphasize enough how great books are for children!)

I always make sure to not make it boring, I don't want them to think they are in school or that I am forcing them to learn all of this. We always have fun with it, it is like they don't know they are even learning this stuff! Not only that, they want to learn it. They say what's this, they are very interested in everything!