KL -
You are too funny!  Who knows - you may need the Academy speech one of these days.

What's this Backyardigans show?

Oh, you simply must check it out!  Each episode covers a different genre of music and style of dance.  As a former dancer and huge lover of music, I just love that my child has been exposed to dance forms such as tap, jazz, ballroom (the tango episode is one of my favorites!), flamenco, etc.  She is also really familiar now with different styles of music as well!  If you google the Backyardigans, you can find a site that lists all of the episodes - along with a summary of the content (including what style of music and what form of dance it contains).  If you have any more questions, let those of us who love it know!! 

Stef Ku - Can you tell I'm a huge fan too!  In fact, I'm thinking this will be the theme for my wee one's first birthday party!! I'm sensing we could chat this out more on a new thread in the coffee corner, yes??  :tongue2:

We use many different ones here. Apart from Photoshop, you could try ACDSee which is relatively easy to use.  Or just wait for our Picture Editor, it will be out with 1.04, which we're hoping to be before middle of next week!

KL

does anyone else find that name (ACDSee) to be hysterical??  or is it just me??

Seriously, thanks for the tip about resizing the pic and what editing options are out there.  Thanks much!  Leanna

That really is amazing - and 12 more have joined today!  I think news is certainly spreading quickly that there is a website where parents can share and learn about educating their babes.  Thanks for all of your work to make the forum what it is today!   

Well, it worked!  My sweet ones are now my avatar.  It wasn't hard to do (although I did have to install the flash player you mentioned), but I am noticing that they're a bit fuzzy ( they really aren't that fuzzy in real life!) - is there anything I should have done differently - do I need to look for a pic in my files that is a different size?  Please let me know what you think!  Thanks, Leanna

that's fantastic - I'm going to give it a try as soon as I can!
Thanks for all your work on this, Lappy (and others!)!
 :tongue2:

I feel blessed as well...

2 children - 1 girl (Annabelle - sweet yet sassy) she is 4 3/4
                and 1 boy (Nathaniel - we call him Baby Nate) who is nearly 11 months

Yes Leana - I agree...
Having intelligence is simply not enough.  In fact, intelligence without compassion, integrity, and all of the other qualities you listed can be downright scary.  I fully believe that parents have to instill those virtues in their children, and I would agree with Noha and lionsong that they will learn those best through example.  I have found that as I teach my daughter about how to care for and respect others around her, that I have had to face the hard reality that I do not always act in the way that I would want her to.  Raising her has also helped me to change the parts of myself that were not good at all.  What a wonderful gift our children give us - and we can give them so much too - but we must balance knowledge about the world around us with knowledge about how to care for that world and the people in it.
 

My older child (4 1/2) loved Enchanted  (okay, I'll admit it - so do I!!) and also loves planting (and receiving) "true love's kiss".  She also loves to sing all of the songs - sometimes belting them out and sometimes whispering them to herself...

As for her first movie theater experience - it was when she was about three (I'm guessing a bit here) - it was Ratatouille.  She managed to sit through the whole thing---she just kept wanting to know if the people in front of us were watching too.  We were in a stadium seating theater, and she kept leaning over their seats to make sure they were paying attention to the show!!  I think that having a snack is a good idea - if they are chewing, perhaps they will be less likely to chat about the movie while they're watching it. 

My 10 month old is too young to attempt taking him to a movie at a theater, but boy does he LOVE hearing the music of the Backyardigans show - he will come crawling as fast as his baby legs can carry him from the other room and sits there throughout most of the episode - with his body wiggling and waving during the musical numbers! 

I'm with you nohayo-
No coffee or tea for me!  I will do the occasional hot chocolate.  Otherwise it is water, lemonade, or diet soda pop for me.   

I understand that sometimes teaching little kids can require a little patience; even when we think they're not paying attention, they're absorbing tons of information, and it won't take long until they show signs of understanding the lessons.

Cheers,

Lappy

Sooooo true, Lappy - it is absolutely amazing what kiddos can take in when we adults think they're not "tuned in" at all!!

Hi there Buckaroo-
It's nice to read about you here - glad to know you have found signing to be so beneficial with your children - and that you are encouraging of other parents who want to use sign with their children.  I just wanted to tell you that I really liked your response to kikaep's post on the signing thread.  I think it is so great to have found an online community of parents (and parents-to-be) so willing to share their experiences with others.
Take care and happy posting!
-Leanna

thanks for the responses, Nikki and Lappy. 

No problem on the wait, Lappy - that's fine!   It makes sense that it too would have to go through the bug testing/trial period. 

Sounds great - I will patiently wait for the official announcement! 

I know that personalized avatars had been brought up as a suggestion by someone...and I am bringing it up again now b/c it would appear that nhockaday has a new avatar...I'm thinking this is an adorable shot of sweet Gabriel?!?   He's beautiful.

By chance, would you share with us how to do this - or if this is a feature we can all do now?  I know we would all be excited to personalize these with our precious wee ones, yes?

mee eeder - it sownz like Lappe haz sumthing the rest of us don't hav - huh !!

(me either - it sounds like Lappy has something the rest of us don't have, huh!!)