Reef Indy Goes Skateboarding

Yesterday was Reef Indy’s first real outing. Mom and Dad took Reef to the Pala Skate Park. Dad really loves to skate.

Since opening in April 2008, the Pala Skatepark has been providing skateboarders with a safe, fun place to skateboard.

The park was designed by award-winning skatepark designer Wally Hollyday and features rails, drops, ramps as well as a carved out bowl modeled after an abandoned pool that was a favorite of local skateboarders in the 80s and 90s.

The Pala Band of Mission Indians invested $570,000 to build the park at the Jim Banks sports complex off Pala Mission Road in Pala, CA.

Of course Reef was sporting his Van’s.

It was a long but fun day; Daddy and Reef found time for a nap.

Look Out Addy Pastrana - Reef Indy is already at the Skatepark. 

Two Free EBooks from Kite Readers

Not a deal to be missed!

 

Two of Kite Readers' best children's illustrated stories, are available Free for a limited time. Read them on iPad, Kindle Fire, Android Tablet, Mac or PC.

Click Here To Get Started

1. You will receive “Julio Bunny and the Foreign Lion” when you sign up for Kite Reader’s Newsletter
2. Receive your second Free EBook “Sleepy Hollow and the Road You'd Better Not Follow“after you invite 5 Facebook Friends to like Kite Reader.

Julio Bunny and the Foreign Lion

There's a new character in town! Meet Lenny the Lion! Join Julio Bunny and his friends as they graciously welcome Lenny to their town and learn about their new, foreign friend. This heart warming tale demonstrates the power of hospitality and kindness, and shows that even though you may not speak the same language, you can always make a new friend!

Sleepy Hollow and the Road
You'd Better Not Follow

Have you heard about the road you'd better not follow? Let's take a walk through the deep, dark hollow! Legend says a headless horseman wants your head. I don't think he's aware that he's actually dead!  The Legend of Sleepy Hollow comes to life and turns into a chilling nightmare. This fun and frightening adventure is a night like no other for two curious friends who go in search of the legendary Headless Horseman.

Why does Reef cry?

 

Seven Reasons Babies Cry 

1. I'm hungry
2. I just feel like crying
3. I need to be held
4. I'm tired and need a rest
5. I'm too cold or too hot
6. I need my diaper changing
7. I don’t feel good

 

 

What Can You Do 

1. Find a constant sound
2. Rock-a-bye baby
3. Try a massage or a tummy rub
4. Try a different feeding position
5. Don't demand too much of yourself

Sometimes, babies just cry. Relax, as Reef grows, he will learn new ways of communicating his needs.

Valley View Casino - Jackpot

Oma and Opa took a quick break from the bustle of everyday life and headed to the casino last night.

Valley View Casino & Hotel, Southern California's premiere gaming destination, combines the thrill of 2000 of San Diego's only Certified Loose slots and your favorite table games with beautiful luxury hotel rooms, seven delicious restaurants and impeccable guest service. Take a step away from the ordinary and take in every detail we offer, from free live entertainment nightly, breathtaking views, expertly-prepared meals, remarkable amenities and so much more.

Well the slots paid off well for us last night. The photo above is of my biggest jackpot of the evening – Oma won $172.00 on a 50 cent bet!

Valley View Casino -  It was a fun evening that included a “free lobster buffet!”

Free Children's E-Book by Spencer Cluff

Newt Newsberry Black Ops Campaign

Free Children's E-Book - Short description

An average kid, with average friends, takes on the extraordinary goal in becoming America's FIRST kid senator but he must first get through the evil and powerful mayor, Mort Axes, a man who has never lost a fight and will win at all costs. But Newt gets some help from some unlikely friends. Meet them all, starting with Hu Flung Pu, "T-Bone", Alistair Crumpet, and Brooke McVitty.

Author Spencer Cluff

Having a middle grade son that blows through the Wimpy Kid, Big Nate books I felt the market needed more books in that style. Those other books come out annually and a few books for an entire year just does not fill that need of even an average reader. My books are longer than the others currently out there (8-10,000 more words) and I also use a secret code throughout that the kids can use to see the messages between the characters not written in the book. I thought it would be fun to bring back the top secret decoder of the old days and makes the book unique.

Click Here to Get Your Free Children’s E-Book

 Use coupon code AF55C at the checkout to get it free

 

 

 

Grandparent Plays Critical Role

Reef enjoys his homemade quilt

In this day of frequent job transfers and a global business economy, many families are forced to maintain long-distance family relationships. However, one cannot discount the value of a Oma – Kleinkind (Grandmother-Grandchild) Relationship.

Reef - 2 Weeks Old

Grandparents have come to be known as “secondary attachment figures.” According to the article “Back to the Future: How Early Attachments Shape Your Relationships” in the Summer 2007 issue of Attachment Parenting: The Journal of Attachment Parenting International, all attachments whether parent-child or grandparent-grandchild play a crucial role in shaping what a child’s perspective of what “normal” relationships are like.

But even grandparents whose grandchildren do not live with them can have a critical role in supporting their grandchildren’s parents. Grandparents can be great sources of parenting tips and affordable childcare to their grandchildren’s parents.

What Determines a Strong Grandparent-Grandchild Bond?

These elements prove to be crucial in developing a strong grandparent-grandchild relationship:

1. The child feeling a sense of emotional closeness to his grandparent;
2. The child having regular contact with his grandparent;
3. The child viewing his grandparent as a source of social support.

Oma and Reef - Bonding Time

Oma is blessed to have Baby Reef close by. Since his birth, Reef, my first grandchild, (two weeks old) has made me more peaceful and appreciative each day. What a joy. Oma looks forward to nurturing that special Oma – Kleinzoon relationship. 

Opa gets Reef to smille

Check your mood - Keep Smiling

I absolutely love and live by this piece of child rearing advice:

Cranky Baby?  Check Your Mood:

Children take many emotional cues from their parents. That’s why cheerfulness is one of the best ways to respond to a cranky child (newborn), and why a big smile is often the easiest way to sweeten a sour face. But it’s difficult to provide the emotional sunshine your child may need when you’re in a bad mood or when the pressures of the day are making you cranky and short-tempered yourself. If your child seems persistently unhappy, do a quick assessment to see if you may be part of the problem, and then take a few moments to calm your mind and reset your attitude.

When grand-baby Reef Indy gets fussy and cries, Oma first makes sure his needs are met (dry diaper . . . correct temperature . . .); then Oma just relaxes and talks to the newborn.  

It is important to remember that a crying baby who can't easily be soothed can put a lot of stress on the adult caretaker.  You need to remember that crying is normal and take the time to take a few good deep breathes before soothing the child.

 Hello Oma - I am two weeks old today!

The more calm and confident you are in the situation, the easier it will be for your charge to return to his/her happy state.

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