https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 13 May 2026 11:13:29 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/easy-christmas-activities-1#post-2928395 Tue, 28 Nov 2023 08:41:40 +0000 Lahela017 2928395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is the first year my 4 year old daughter is getting really excited about Christmas and really understanding the season more. I would love to make the month leading up to Christmas more fun by doing some different activities. Any ideas on things we could do together that are more simple? Or simple crafts? So far on my list:</p> <p>-Baking/Decorating Cookies (definitely not simple, but we do this anyway)<br /> -Decorate Gingerbread houses<br /> -Drive around to look at Christmas lights in our neighborhood<br /> -Watch the classic Christmas TV specials</p> <p>I also have a sensory bin from previous years with green and red rice. And I already helped her decorate her room a little bit and we have lots of holiday books to read. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lets-see-your-easter-baskets#post-2928148 Sat, 08 Apr 2023 21:31:41 +0000 Lahela017 2928148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Let's see your Easter baskets! I love seeing what other people put together and I try to get ideas for future holiday or birthday gifts!</p> <p>I have a newly 4 year old and a 9 month old. We are deep into Tonies and Slumberkins, so those were our big things along with a couple books each. Baby also got some fun new teether/sensory things. I also got some Sarah's Silks for the first time. I think it's a toss up whether they'll get played with or not.... I'm pretty excited for the kids to get the baskets though! </p> [attach=8162/23/rsttot.600x450.PXL_20230409_011604472-2.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-the-kids-want-from-santa#post-2927713 Mon, 05 Dec 2022 09:48:10 +0000 josina 2927713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What did your LO's put on their Santa list this year? Do you have to "coach" them at all on what to put (or not put!)?</p> <p>DS, 8, wanted an XBox or an Iphone which I had to tell him was too expensive for Santa to get, and with a phone leaves monthly payments for mom and dad so he wouldn't do that.<br /> I had to coach him to put some cheaper items on his list. He settled with a hoverboard and galaxy star projector and a R/C truck (he's getting the first 2).</p> <p>DD, 5, wants a nursery set (which she actually got the same one 3 years ago and I sold it last year because she never played with it!), makeup, and a Barbie house (she has a doll house already so Santa is not bringing that one, she's getting the first 2 items).</p> <p>Santa brings 1-2 items to our house and the rest come from mom and dad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/happy-mothers-day-2#post-2927009 Sun, 08 May 2022 14:30:00 +0000 Corduroy 2927009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Happy Mother's Day! Happy Mother's Day to those that are having a great day and feel celebrated and to those who didn't get recognized at all. Happy Mother's Day to those that are waiting to meet their little ones and those who are missing their own mother.</p> <p>How are you doing today? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-were-your-kids-favorite-gifts-this-year#post-2921758 Fri, 01 Jan 2021 20:45:07 +0000 Chuckles 2921758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What are your kids ages and what gifts were the biggest hits this year?<br /> DS (7.5) - An Echo Dot and a coding robot he had to build himself. He's been playing music on the Dot and asking it jokes, mostly<br /> DD (13 months) - a bubble machine, board books, and a Playskool ball popper </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-dont-we-have-an-elf#post-2665885 Thu, 15 Dec 2016 14:21:10 +0000 mediagirl 2665885@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got that question yesterday. Apparently some kids are bringing their elves to school for show and tell (which I thought was the mortal sin of Elf on the Shelf?) </p> <p>Anyways. If you don't have an elf, why don't you have one?</p> <p>We don't have an elf because I'm lazy, December is a busy month and I don't need one more thing to do. And he's creepy. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-normally-do-santa-visits#post-2921361 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 09:56:18 +0000 catgirl 2921361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>how are you handling it this year? A video visit, in person with safety precautions, skipping it altogether, or something else??</p> <p>DD is almost six and brings up going to see Santa constantly. We haven’t decided what approach we are taking. Just wondering what others have decided... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kid-holiday-gifts#post-2920480 Thu, 05 Nov 2020 10:29:41 +0000 wrkbrk 2920480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Time for a cheerful thread, friends!!</p> <p>Let’s share our kiddos’ ages and our ideas for gifts this holiday season!</p> <p>Below is what DS (will be 5) is getting from us, plus a stocking. He’s been begging for this giraffe for ages so Santa has to bring it 😉 </p> [attach=5342/20/qjbxpi.277x600.EA2AA26D-9C23-4399-84C3-90E8768352DA.png] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-you-putting-in-your-los-easter-basket#post-2912431 Thu, 19 Mar 2020 21:18:12 +0000 LadyDi 2912431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just trying to distract myself with online shopping. If you've already gotten things for your Easter baskets, what are you putting in them? I have all boys, one is almost 5, one is 2, and one is 8 months. </p> <p>I was trying to shop from local/small businesses who were doing curbside pickup, but tonight our governor announced a mandatory shut down of all businesses that weren't life sustaining so I don't think they are even doing curbside pick up anymore. I am just heartbroken for all of these small business owners!</p> <p>Anyway, the only thing I have for them so far is a swimsuit for my 5 year old, some candy, and little spinner things for our yard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-contact-shamrock-hunt-fun-thread#post-2912153 Tue, 17 Mar 2020 10:05:49 +0000 Corduroy 2912153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are you participating by making a Shamrock or going on a hunt?</p> <p><a href="https://news.wttw.com/2020/03/16/neighbors-attempt-salvage-st-patricks-day-fun-no-contact-shamrock-scavenger-hunt" rel="nofollow">https://news.wttw.com/2020/03/16/neighbors-attempt-salvage-st-patricks-day-fun-no-contact-shamrock-scavenger-hunt</a></p> <p>Paste your shamrock below for fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/easter-baskets-that-easily-store#post-2912064 Mon, 16 Mar 2020 12:16:08 +0000 bees_knees 2912064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm distracting myself with (online) shopping. Anyone have an Easter basket recommendations? We need 4 so I don't want anything too obnoxious to store. Does that exist? (ha) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tooth-fairy-need-help-with-childs-question#post-2910679 Mon, 24 Feb 2020 23:26:31 +0000 poppygirl15 2910679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oy. My 7 year old lost a tooth tonight and decided to write the Tooth Fairy a note asking what she does with all the teeth. Have any of you answered this question? I googled it and find the idea of her giving them to babies creepy. Grinding them into fairy dust so she can fly isn't a bad one, but what answer have you given if asked? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kid-found-a-santa-gift-wwyd#post-2906655 Fri, 20 Dec 2019 18:43:19 +0000 JennyPenny 2906655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh, my son opened the Target box that had part of his Santa present in it and I’m already hating how I handled it. I’m trying to figure out what to do next...</p> <p>Backstory: DS1 (5) is getting a big Lego creative set for Christmas from Santa that I bought a while ago. When he saw Santa last week he asked for a Lego airplane. I saw one on sale at target for like $8 - it’s a small one and bought it for Santa to bring too. Well DS opened the Target delivery box that arrived today and saw it. While he asked DH if he could play with it, I hid it, and when he came back I was all “what legos? It’s just clothes for baby sister” which were part of the same shipment. I feel awful for basically gaslighting my kid but I don’t know what to do now. It’s the only thing he asked Santa for so I thought it would be magical for it to be there. But I wonder if now it’ll just bring up questions and it’s better to not give it at all. Or some other option... so what would you do?</p> <p>ETA: DS2 (2.5) asked Santa for chicken nuggets so I was gonna get some frozen dinosaur ones to be from Santa in addition to the plastic dinosaurs he’s already getting. But I could bail on that too if it’d be weird for 1 kid to get their Santa request but not the other. I doubt DS2 will put it together anyway </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-subscription-box-for-christmas-gift#post-2905842 Sat, 14 Dec 2019 23:56:12 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2905842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I want to gift one for Christmas to my 5yo. My older boy loves science but he’s interested in a lot of other subjects like history and cooking. I have heard of little passports, raddish, and another one I can’t remember the name of that was one of the first I heard come out years ago. Any feedback? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/jesus-and-christmas#post-2905232 Tue, 10 Dec 2019 11:35:05 +0000 josina 2905232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, not sure how or why, but I didn't 'know' until this past summer that Jesus wasn't ACTUALLY born on Christmas. I feel like the adult version of finding out Santa isn't real, it really bothers me since I'm teaching my kids to celebrate Jesus's birth on Christmas, but it's not really his birthday? </p> <p>Someone please talk me off my personal ledge and explain this to me, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/elf-on-the-shelf-kindness-elves-christmas-angel#post-2905072 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 11:15:26 +0000 josina 2905072@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you have one (or similar)?<br /> What kinds of things does he/she do?</p> <p>Lets share ideas / photos / etc! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/deciding-when-to-talk-about-santa#post-2904596 Thu, 05 Dec 2019 10:57:52 +0000 PinkElephant 2904596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lots of holiday questions today! Once again, I’m not losing sleep over this, just interested in some discussion!</p> <p>A month or so ago, a child at recess told my very “young for her age” second grader that “there is no Santa, it’s the parents” when he overheard her talking about her sister’s birthday presents. She came home pretty distraught, and clearly wanted me to tell her he was a moron. So...I did. I told her that maybe his family didn’t celebrate Christmas the same way we did, so maybe his family didn’t “do” Santa - but that in our family, we do, and I believed our Christmas would include gifts from Santa as long as we believed it would. She was satisfied, and I was relieved we wouldn’t be giving up the magic (we also have a five year old and a three year old, who “gets” it for the first time this year).</p> <p>We were okay until at dinner last night she casually informed me that she thought I was the tooth fairy, and took her teeth, hid them, and put glitter on the dollar with glue. Oops. Since her sisters were there, I just shut it down with “Hmm...I think that if you hope for money from the tooth fairy, you need to believe in her.”</p> <p>So - have you given thought to this matter? When/how you’ll transition from receiving from Santa to Enjoying other magic, like “being” a Santa? What will you do to preserve younger siblings’ beliefs?</p> <p>Because my oldest is pretty immature, I figured she would want to believe longer, and have hopped the two oldest girls will “become Santas” around the same time. I hadn’t really thought much about the littlest, TBH. She’s a tough cookie and I’m not so worried, actually. </p> <p>Our Adopt—a-Family has caused some questions this year (“why can’t Santa just do it?”) I explained that (a) parents also like to give their kids gifts and this mom can’t afford to and (b) maybe they don’t have a permanent home for him to bring gifts. I hope that continues to suffice! Don’t want to outright lie, but I’d like a few more years of simple magic! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-christmas-requests#post-2904587 Thu, 05 Dec 2019 10:36:53 +0000 PinkElephant 2904587@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So...my seven year old has added ice skates to her Christmas list. She is not coordinated; has never skated on real ice (and her one try at synthetic ice was pretty rough). We don’t have access to any public outdoor skating, and the closest rink is 25 minutes away with inconvenient public skates. In short, I’m not willing to sign her up for skating lessons (she’s got a terrible track record with losing interest in activities).</p> <p>Anyway...I tried to ask her when she thought she’d use them, and she’s not hearing it. They’re going in the Santa letter. 🤪</p> <p>I guess I can get her thrift store skates....but back to my question - how do you/have you handled impractical or unreasonable gift requests? Try to talk them out of it? Honor the request anyway? Ignore it? </p> <p>FWIW I’m not terribly troubled about this, just interested in a convo on the topic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/equality-in-gifting-what-do-you-do#post-2904586 Thu, 05 Dec 2019 10:30:56 +0000 PinkElephant 2904586@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As my three girls (now 7, 5, and 3) get older, I find myself struggling more and more with giving them Christmas gifts catered to their own interests without jealousy arising. I feel pretty okay about honoring specific big, different requests for each girl (a special LEGO set or doll), telling them they each had the opportunity to ask for the special thing they wanted, but i keep feeling trapped into buying three of a lot of smaller things... as an example, my oldest wants a cheapie LED watch that looks like an Apple Watch from Justice- when I showed it to my five year old and suggested we pick one as a gift for the seven year old, she immediately said she’d like one, too. At $5-$7, fine...not a huge big deal - but then I know the three year old, who can’t tell time, will feel left out..so do I get her one as well? And for St. Nicholas day, I got sequin slipper socks for the big girls that don’t come nearly small enough for my three year old (who has also rejected every pair of slippers I brought home for her this fall..) I feel like this is a hissy fit waiting to happen, but might be a good “test run” to assure myself that I don’t have to get everyone everything this year! When it comes down to it, it just feels greedy and wasteful - ie., they all play with all the LOLs anyway, so do they all really need to open a full set at once?!?</p> <p>I know they eventually just need to learn to deal, but I also don’t want ugly crying on a Christmas morning. </p> <p>I’m sure I can’t be the only one who struggles a bit with this - wondering how others handle it (and how they address it with the kids!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-find-this-weird-gift-request#post-2903705 Tue, 26 Nov 2019 11:39:07 +0000 Becky 2903705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 3.5 y/o has requested one thing for Christmas: a toy bunny with a stroller and a potty (she always dreams up something odd!). I found a Calico Critter mom bunny and baby bunny with a little stroller but no potty. In the event that she didn’t dream this up and it is in fact something she saw somewhere I figured I’d crowd source it. Any ideas? If all else fails I’ll just get a tiny dollhouse potty or something to go with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thanksgiving-meal-hacks#post-2902839 Tue, 19 Nov 2019 13:20:06 +0000 periwinklebee 2902839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're hosting Thanksgiving this year, my parents are visiting and will expect a traditional, home-cooked Thanksgiving meal. </p> <p>I'm eight months pregnant, and to be honest I'm feeling pretty blah/exhausted and am dreading the cooking. I really want to spend what may be my last time off work before the new baby playing with DS, and not stressing in the kitchen. I would love to hear hacks to make the cooking as easy as possible without compromising too much the home-cooked holiday meal vibe... </p> <p>Thank you!!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902577 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 11:50:09 +0000 periwinklebee 2902577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really like the idea of Christmas/holiday traditions (they were important to our family growing up), and I think my LO, who will be almost two, is getting old enough to enjoy them.</p> <p>However, this year I'm due with LO2 on December 27, so I am looking for festive ideas that a toddler would enjoy during holiday break but that are super, super easy for DH and me 😂 (whether I have a newborn or am super pregnant). </p> <p>Ideas? What are your most low key holiday traditions? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advent-calendars-1#post-2902531 Thu, 14 Nov 2019 22:18:30 +0000 Jess1483 2902531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have an advent calendar that has little doors. They’ll compartments range in size from maybe fitting a hot wheels car to a box of crayons? We usually fill it with a mix of small treats and usually plastic crap. We’ve also done 25 days of kindness and the Christmas story mixed in with those treats. That was fine and the kids liked them, but (understandably) weren’t all that interested in those when plastic junk or candy was in them. Last year we bought a couple advent LEGO sets (one was Star Wars and one was a playmobil Christmas scene). Those were fun, but it seemed silly to take the components out of their own calendar just to use ours. </p> <p>Here are some options:<br /> 1) continue to fill with coins/treats/plastic crap<br /> 2) take a full LEGO set and give them a little bit every day<br /> 3) try 25 days of kindness again, but then I’m not sure they’d be excited without something else in there and it might just be more things I’m supposed to do during the already crazy Christmas season. So what else could go in the boxes?<br /> 4) something else entirely?</p> <p>I do really like the calendar and would like to continue to use it, I just haven’t figured out the best way to do it. Boys are 4 and 7 (DD is 6 months). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-your-kids-get-their-own-tree#post-2901268 Thu, 31 Oct 2019 22:06:44 +0000 PinkElephant 2901268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Okay, so now that Halloween is officially over (no rescheduling in this rainy town!)....my kind is moving to Christmas.</p> <p>I’ve been thinking about doing a “kids tree” for awhile now. I’m debating whether I’d like to do one bigger playroom tree, or smaller trees for each girl’s room (there are three of them 3, 5, and 7). Oh, and I’m taking artificial trees we reuse yearly. </p> <p>If you give your kids trees...where are they? What size are they? What goes on them? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trick-or-treating-crash-course#post-2900818 Mon, 28 Oct 2019 08:27:23 +0000 periwinklebee 2900818@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've lived my entire adult life in tiny dorms/apartments in the city where there were no kids and no on ever came to trick or treat. </p> <p>We recently moved out to the suburbs, and I feel really dumb saying this but I have no idea how this works. </p> <p>I know a lot of this is probably neighborhood contingent, but I don't really know my neighbors yet 😂 Around what time does trick or treating start (I'm in the Boston area, in case any Boston bees can comment...) And how much candy do you buy? Or do people buy something besides candy nowadays? Lol, I feel so old admitting this, but it's been a good 25 years since I have had anything to do with trick or treating! </p> <p>I'm thinking my LO, who is a few months shy of two, would get a kick out of trick or treating. But he's allergic to lots of the candy. And the kid has a surprisingly good memory when mommy has made off with something he wants. If you have a similar situation - or just don't want your kid to have that amount of sugar - what is your strategy for making the candy disappear? </p> <p>Thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-explain-secular-christmas#post-2883037 Thu, 02 May 2019 21:48:05 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2883037@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yesterday, I totally flubbed the meaning of (secular) Christmas and I have no idea how to get it back on track or even attempt to get Christ back in there the right way. Thinking of the convo with LO Secular Christmas seems so phony. Additionally, I am so out of touch with my faith.</p> <p>It all started when LO noticed I was on my phone. </p> <p>LO: what are you doing?<br /> Me: reading the news<br /> LO: what’s the news about?<br /> Me: the environment, the president...<br /> LO: presents?<br /> Me: no, president. Can you say President?<br /> LO: presents. Is Santa going to bring me presents?<br /> Me: no, mommy and daddy give you presents at Christmas. It’s not Christmas yet.<br /> LO: Santa too?<br /> Me: no, Santa does not bring presents. Santa represents Christmas and when we take pictures with him it’s men wearing a costume. Your toys come from mommy and daddy.<br /> LO: why?<br /> Me: why what?<br /> LO: why do I get presents?<br /> Me: umm, because you’re a kid and Christmas celebrates baby Jesus’ birthday and baby Jesus was given gifts so we give little kids like you gifts.<br /> LO: why did baby Jesus get presents?<br /> Me: the Three Wise Men gave baby Jesus three gifts because they were very excited he was born.<br /> LO: where’s baby Jesus?<br /> Me: baby Jesus grew up and now sits at the right of his father in the Kingdom. (I stopped short of saying “heaven” because I haven’t really taught that concept)</p> <p>He accepted my explanation and was fine knowing he would still receive presents. Can I just say how annoyed I am that because of daycare Santa is so ingrained in LO. </p> <p>How do you all explain Christmas especially those that celebrate it in a very non-religious way? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/easter-egg-filling-amp-basket-ideas#post-2880206 Wed, 10 Apr 2019 12:15:17 +0000 jennlin821 2880206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What is everyone putting in their easter eggs and baskets? </p> <p>DD is 2yrs old, so I'm not doing any candy. I also hate junky plastic toys, and we are have enough stuffed animals, so i'm just really at a loss to get meaningful stuff! </p> <p>Help a mama out with some ideas :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/valentines-day-traditions#post-2870804 Thu, 07 Feb 2019 09:16:50 +0000 QueensBee 2870804@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi!</p> <p>I'm looking for cute Valentine's Day activities to make the day feel a bit special. I don't want to go over the top with gifts and chocolate but I do want to celebrate love. :heart: </p> <p>Based on a recommendation, I bought them a book called, "That's Me Loving You" but it hasn't arrived yet. </p> <p>Do you have any favorite traditions or ideas to share? Treats to bake? A special dinner or breakfast? My kids are 3 and (almost) 6 yo.</p> <p>Thanks! :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/valentines-gifts-1#post-2870937 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 10:00:12 +0000 Ajsmommy 2870937@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What do you get your kids/DH's?</p> <p>DD is 5 and she's easy peasy.... she gets flowers delivered to her school (we've been doing this for the past 2 years, she loves it!) and she'll get a born baby surprise and LOL hair goal doll, both things she's been dying to get.</p> <p>DS is 2 and I have no idea what to get him.... he'd probably just be happy with some candies.....</p> <p>I ordered DH some chocolate covered oreos to be delivered to his office and I'll get him a card. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stocking-embroidery#post-2864279 Tue, 01 Jan 2019 11:38:02 +0000 Bluemasonjar 2864279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you have names on your Christmas stockings, did you use your first names or titles “Mom/Dad”? </p> <p>I bought 4 matching stockings a few years ago in anticipation of having a second LO but waited to embroider so the fonts would all match. I used a Baby’s 1st Christmas stocking this year for our new DS and want to go ahead and get our names added now in preparation for next year. </p> <p>Hoping to use these stockings for a long time. </p>