Little Kids Trapped in Hormone-soaked Bodies
State testing went on for DQ last week.Math and Language Arts for 4 days, the kids were drained and needed a bit of fun.
In the past, her teacher has chosen one day during the school year to celebrate all the kids' birthdays in the class.
What a way to ease the stress and pressure than a big birthday party!
At first, I thought...6th and 7th graders, ages 11-13, really are they going to go for it?
Hells yah!
Trapped inside those hormonally-challenged bodies are children who love to have fun.
Together with their teacher, we blew up balloons and got the games ready and anticipated the kids to come in.
SURPRISE!
The kids entered the classroom and lit up with smiles stretched across their faces. "PIN THE TAIL ON THE DONKEY? YES!" they screamed.
Seriously, they turned back into 6 year olds and had the times of their lives.
Frozen bubble-gum game went over well (first one to make a bubble wins).
I had groups come out and use sidewalk chalk and they were in heaven.
Boys were making football and basketball logos, girls were making their names in bubble letters. At one point, the perfectionists in them asked me for water to "erase" their mistakes. Gotta love over-achievers!
Often when I'm at the school offering my help to the teacher, I rarely get a glance in my direction from my embarassed tween. It was great to have her come up and tell me how she was "a mile off" in pin the tail on the donkey..."mom I had on a blindfold and no glasses!"
Even more, I loved the class, they are so sweet and overall nice kids. I most often do paperwork for the teacher so I don't get to spend time around them, but it was pretty fun.
Who knew all you need to soften a tween was some cake and games geared for age 3 and up!
"Wegs and Hayur"
K likes pens, and markers, and chalk, and anything that resembles a writing implement.Whenever you have a pen and something to write on, she tells you, "you make happy fassssth."
So I make happy faces.
Happy face after happy face.
Big ones, little ones, silly ones, and sad ones.
Whatever makes her happy.
A hundred of them isn't too many for her. I can sit there for an hour drawing a circle two eyes and a mouth.
So then my almost-3-year-old-baby-3rd-child, after a year of studying the happy face pattern, took a white board marker on Christmas Eve and drew this...
...amid the Bakugan, she made a happy face of her own. Complete with "hayur" and "wegs" coming out of the head!
My developmentally-appropriate child is a genius!
..and a Spool of Thread
Man, I love when the kids turn the TV off, turn off all the electronic devices (don't touch MY computer!) and get creative.My Boy is the king of entertaining himself in our house.
All you need for fun is two trophies.
Some thread.
And, Lego Star Wars guys.
Seriously, this entertained him for 3 hours +.
Spools of thread in the stockings, I'm telling you'll they'll
The Truth (book review)
What's important to girls at age 10? Validation and being understood.These are two strong points I took from reading the book The Truth (I'm a girl, I'm smart and I know everything) by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, psychologist.
Having a 10 year old daughter myself, I knew I'd be able to relate to this story about a young girl explaining life in her own words, via a diary-style story.
Having a 10 year old daughter myself, I knew I'd be able to relate to this story about a young girl explaining life in her own words, via a diary-style story.Just as it's confusing for adults, girls ages 8-12 are also confused and are trying to find a method of understanding their family, friends, and feelings.
'The Girl' that authors the diary entries of the book talks about her parents often. They fight aloud and frequently and it stumps her in trying to understand their motives. "Why would a grown-up put down someone he's supposed to love?" the girl asks herself. It inevitably ruins the day, and nothing is solved. Sometimes her immature points hit a nerve with reality.
The book is written for both parents and young girls. Mothers can have a peek into their child's hearts, while children can validate their own similar feelings.
'The Girl' includes snippets on boys, friendships, teachers, moving, body awareness, and self-confidence. It definately had me thinking, "is this what my daughter is thinking?" and made me stop and think, how am I affecting my own children with my words and actions.
Overall, I found myself nodding my head in agreement. Either because I remember myself at that age and the feelings I had, but was afraid to share with anyone. Or more due to having my own daughter who must have the same questions and feelings. Included at the end of the book is a questionnaire to ask and discuss with your child.
My daughter will be reading this book as well. I'm anxious to discuss the questions with her at the end and promoting open-lines of communication about the things that are happening in her life.
Buy your own copy of The Truth, I promise it's worth every penny!
To the Moon and Back
I love those days when simple box of birthday supplies turns into something magical.My Boy has quite the imagination.
Immediately after taking all of DQ's party items out of the box, he begged if he could have it.
You know what they say, give a kid a toy, and they'll play with the BOX it came in for hours.
It's cool though. It wasn't tv, or computer, or electronic game.
It was creative.
He made a spaceship.
He cut the door.
He drew a control panel.
He made a flag.
He made weird-but-cool beeping and dooping sounds.
He launched. He orbited. He landed. He dreamed.
He even was sweet enough to give his little sister a ride to the moon.
That was the coolest part.
K's Creepy-Smart
I added the new Kanye West song to my playlist a few weeks back.The day before I did that, the video premiered on the Ellen show and K and I were watching.
Flash forward to this morning, the song starts on my blog and K comes running into the room.
"TV nong [song] on, your show!"
She repeated this like 137 times before I deciphered it and said, oh my goodness she remembered that 4+ minutes of song to recognize it now.
Mommy's show Ellen, who plays Dori?
YES!
You heard this song there when we watched it?
YES!!
K you are so smart to remember that.
YES it is! [proud, hands on hips]
Then again, a few days ago we heard Pachabel's Canon on a commercial. You know the song from weddings??
Well, K loves watching the Little Einsteins and she blurted out,
PatPat[the rocket] nong, on MY SHOW!
Did you hear this song on Little Einsteins?
YES!
You can really recognize music can't you?
YES, my moogzik!
Either I'm raising a musically aware child, OR we watch too much TV.
But, she's so smart!! Creepy-smart.
"Wish" Necklace Giveaway
My friend Kristen at La Dolce Vita has one of my favorite Etsy shops around! She makes hand-stamped jewelry that is amazing, and also donates portions of her proceeds to a different charity each month.December's featured charity will be Toys for Tots. The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.
Kristen's new beautiful necklace, offered in the December promotion, has a hammered disc stamped with "Wish" and an added sterling star charm. It's gorgeous!
On sale to my readers first, the necklace is being sold in her Etsy shop for $39.90 with $5 of each sale being donated to Toys for Tots. With your purchase you can help put a present under a child’s tree.
For one week only, she's decided to offer this necklace as a giveaway to one of my lucky readers!
The Rules:
For your first entry, you MUST do the following two things:
1. Comment on this post on what you truly Wish for this holiday season.
2. Post about this contest on your blog, using this code button.
Want a second-bonus entry??
-post a comment on Kristen's site, and let me know you've done so in my comments.
A third entry?!
-Post the above button in your sidebar for the length of the contest, and let me know you've done so in my comments.
*for your 3 chances to win, make sure you have 3 individual comments on this post and have done ALL of the above!*
Contest is open to US Residents only and runs from today through Wednesday, November 19, noon Eastern time. A lucky winner will be chosen by Random. Org and verified that they've followed the rules. Good Luck!
'tis the Season!
How about some fabulous giveaways? 5 Minutes for Mom's Christmas giveaways are packed with some great prizes! Click on over to check it out!
Also, they are working with prize sponsors to support families in need. If you know a family who will not be able to provide presents for their children this Christmas, click over and read more about Under the Tree and how you can nominate a family in need.
Of Entities and Other Stuff I Don't Understand
HubbyMe--What'cha doin'?
Hubby--Working on this program so I could BLah Blah Blah Blahbitty Blah BLAH!
Me--You lost me at program.
Hubby--(showing me an autocad diagram) This is a Blahbitty "Entity" blah and when I mark this as 42 and then this side as 42, the line between is 10.
Me--Perfect sense.(rolling my eyes) Math, I love it. Wait?! Is this math or some other
Hubby--It's computer programming language, it's called LISP.
Me--(hands on hips angry)You're not making fun of My Boy are you?!
Hubby--No, (laughing) it means LBlah Iblah Sblah Pblah.
Me--I'm going to watch mind-numbing t.v., thanks for the lesson though.
Hubby--Wait...
Me--I'm too dumb to listen anymore.
A New Chapter for Old Books
Hubby and I attended our sixth Back to School Night at the very same school I attended K-2. The memories here have left a huge impact in my heart and mind.*pause for memory recollection* Happy sigh.
As we sat in My Boy's 2nd grade classroom, we listened to his teacher discuss rules, goals, and needs for the year. He is a new teacher to our school, having just been told one week prior to the start of the year that he was teaching a 2nd grade class there.
The last 2 years he taught 4th grade at a sister school, alas he seemed a bit unprepared for his new challenge by the way of supplies.
We all know that teacher's are underpaid and the school budget is at an all-time low, so I try to support the classroom as much as one person can.
His classroom library was sparse with only a handful of books. My heart skipped a beat! I CAN HELP YOU! I wanted to shout, but kept quiet so I didn't look like a kiss-up.
Having been a K/1 teacher and owning practically a bookstore of beginning/intermediate reading material, I came home and started packing up a box to donate to Mr. D's class.
I was so excited, and so were the kids. I searched through 8 shelves of books (and that was just in the house) and chose about 100+ titles (for now) appropriate for the classroom.
We reminisced of all the stories that meant so much to us over the years. Books I used in my classroom. Books DQ received as gifts. Books My Boy purchased with his birthday money. Books K will love now that we've unearthed the Strawberry Shortcake collection.
I kept all my favorites and those sentimental to our family.
Some I smelled, some I read for memory's sake, and some I kissed goodbye.
It gives me great pleasure to pass on these precious nuggets of learning. It's the least I can do to help another teacher. A new teacher, as I was once. Especially one that will nurture the love of learning in my child.
I'm Moonlighting at Beautiful! Fabulous!
Do you like beautiful, fabulous things? Join me at this social community, where I am now a contributing writer! Krista, the brainchild behind this great site, invited me to join and write a weekly post.
The online magazine offers articles on fashion, beauty tips, parenting, relationships, home decor, entertainment, blogging, humor, and more. Best of all, membership is free!
My stories will post every Saturday, come check it out!
Communicating with a Tween
Sometimes I wonder where my kids get their sassiness and smart-alec answers. Well, I don't wonder that hard since we kinda use sarcasm alot. But, DQ is definately getting to the pre-teen stage. There's drama, emotion, the 'TUDE has begun. Here's what it's like around here daily....and how I typically respond.-----I'm bored.
So am I.
-----How do I make money?
I'd give you an allowance if you'd actually do something around the house.
-----It's not fair.
Life's not always fair.
-----Tell him/her to stop!
You can use your words and ask them to stop.
-----I want my own room.
Start building. Oh and get a job to pay for it.
-----There's nothing to do.
You have rooms full of stuff and you can't find one thing to do?
-----Why can't I play on the computer?
I said no screen-time.
-----I need new clothes.
So do I. (and I just bought you some!)
-----Can we build a pool.
No. Yaya has one a mile away.
-----Why do I have to clean up my room?
Because you made the mess.
-----I took a shower yesterday!
And, you're dirty today.
-----I'm hungry.
Make a __________(enter 90% of all foods here).
-----But I don't like _________ (90% of all foods).
Bummer.
Ironically, sometimes boredom breeds desire-to-learn and DQ has taught herself to sew! She got a sewing machine for her last birthday, but the thread would always jam and knot...so she took the machine needles and taught herself the old-fashioned way. (She's since gotten a proper needle and Yaya gave her a thimble). She's made gloves, cell phone pockets, and is currently working on a pillow for My Boy.
Every day she and My Boy ask if they can cut up old shirts and costumes to make new creations. The stuffing for the pillow came from the "muscles" part of My Boy's old Power Ranger costume!
There's hope.
Updated....hope is often short-lived. She is SO BORED now that she's making her birthday party invite list and her birthday is in NOVEMBER.
2nd Update....she just discovered that her old Daisy Girl Scout vest had like 14 patches pinned on (okay I don't sew!) and has begun sewing the petals on!! Etsy shop here we come LOL!!
Hold on Honey, I Need My Keys...
Birth control for men, via key fob!!!!
*photo and info from Popular Science, June, 2008.*
Can you imagine? In their recent issue, there's an article entitled, "Beyond the Male Pill." There are 3 other methods discussed, all focusing on the vas deferens, and how stopping sperm at a localized site would be much easier on the male, because hormone treatment (that women have been using for years) can affect their heart, weight, and cholesterol levels.
Really? Hmph. Wouldn't it be nice if more men could carry the burden and with little side effects? What a perfect world. Now if more of them would get pregnant like that "guy" that was on Oprah, us ladies would be sittin' pretty.
Thank you Australian scientists! And, Hubby for showing me this article.
P.S. I know that wasn't technically a "guy" on Oprah. You know what I mean.
She's Here
First picture taken with our new camera. We went with our original choice of the Power Shot S5IS, the SLR will just have to wait.
It was after 9pm when we finally read some of the manual, got the batteries charged, and snapped the first pic. Hubby actually did it. I'm afraid right now. I don't want to break it. I like it crisp and new, and am already rubbing the fingerprints off of it. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it though. I'll be ready to try her out tomorrow.
DQ performs tomorrow at the HP Pavillion. I'll get some good shots to share and hopefully a video of her performance. Cross your fingers!
Name That Contraption
Welcome ladies and gentleman to NAME THAT CONTRAPTION. I'm your Cheaper Than Therapy hostess, Jen. *roaring applause*
Now, let's get to the game. There is no prize, we'll get that out of the way first. But here's your chance to guess the item shown above and be forever enlightened. Here are your clues....
*This item was used on my Girl's Night Out (you should have been there, it was a blast!)
*This item works well for expensive ones
*Works well if you're a germophobe
*It's blingy
*It's innovative
*It wasn't mine.
Guess in my comments. After that, click HERE to see if you were right!
Tag, I'm It!
My girlfriend sent an email to list my favorite top 10...whatevers. Top 10 fave movies, top 10 household tips, top 10 ways to help the environment....anything! I must say the lists that are coming back to me are so fun to read, and some are very useful! I've been racking my brain for some creative ideas for my list and finally came up with.....
Jen's Top Ten Inventions to Make MY Life EASIER!!!
10. Automatic Toilet Cleaner. This would help tremendously if it would also use a robotic arm of some type to wipe the seat that is often sprinkled on by one small boy in my household, I won't mention any names!9. Soundproof Car Window between the front and back seats. This would work like the windows in limousines. It opens when the kids are napping, closes when anyone starts fighting, whining, or crying. ;-)
8. The Money Tree. I promise to keep it alive, not let it grow out of control, or drop leaves in my neighbor's yard. I promise to pick it's glorious "fruit" daily! Preferably $20 varieties, similar to an ATM.
7. An UNDO Button. You know, like that "Easy" button Staples has. Well, I want the undo button for times when I take that first sip of coffee and it burns my tongue and I can't taste or enjoy food for the rest of the day. Or it would be most handy when I casually cruise through that stop sign near my house because any more time in the car with screaming children may drive me insane, and that bored cop cruising the neighborhood sees me and decides to meet his quota by pulling me over! Not that it's happened...but just in case it does...
**UPDATE** This Exists...I'm 1 step closer to an easier life! 6. The Washer/Dryer in ONE unit. Why have 2 when one can do the whole thing? Maybe we wouldn't lose so many socks this way. Hubby wanted to chime in that this is HIS idea.
5. A No Solicitors Invisible Fence similar to those gadgets to get your pets to stay IN your yard...well this one would not let these annoying people INTO your yard or close to the front door. *yeah I'm still bagging on these poor salesmen
4. Going with the same idea as the Undo Button...how about an UnEat Button? For those times when you ate too much (or drank too much) and regretted it later, or the next morning. Like the time you were dared to eat an entire large pizza and did it...and hated yourself the next day. Okay, hate is a strong word!
3. How about a Brain Cell Bank. You can store your brain cells before you lose them all. This would be helpful when DQ brings out her 4th grade math homework and asks for help. I really didn't remember it being that hard when I was IN fourth grade....now I just say, "um...i'm busy right now, I'm sure dad will help you when he gets home!"
2. Blur, Sharpen, Hard Light, Soft Focus Tools for people. Right now you graphic designers, digiscrappers, and photoshoppers are all nodding your heads!! Use it on your skin, contour your midsections...kind of a self-esteem edit. Most of you are going, huh?!
1. Finally...never thought I'd finish this post... Smell-0-Vision, or Smell-o-Puter. For times when watching the Food Network and Rachael Ray is describing how delish her dinner smells. Or when browsing Pioneer Woman's blog and drooling over her chocolate sheet cake!
Feel free to add yours in my comments section!
Tattoo for Safety
I am NOT plugging this product because I have 2 tattoos and I'm promoting that children get them at a young age. On the contrary, these can keep our children safe, and possibly save a life!SafetyTat makes personalized temporary tattoos that can put a parent's mind at ease! How many times have you gone to the grocery store, amusement park, field trip, or the mall and your little one has wandered off?? Scary isn't it, for you and for your child. These tatoos come printed with your cell phone number and stay on (even when wet) for a few days. They come in a variety of styles for girls and boys. On top of that, this company has tattoos for nut allergies and are working on 8 more styles for the common food allergies some kids experience. Check it out!
Tech-ies!
After a LONG week, we were thrilled to meet up with our friends Molly and Bill and their family! They were here visiting from Nevada where they've been for nearly 3 years. I have a great number of friends that once lived in my town and have since moved on to other cities in CA, as well as other states. Molly is one of them. Bittersweet to see her, as we do have to say goodbye until July!We met up at the Tech Museum of Innovation with all 6 kids in tow, and had a great time visiting as well as checking out all the cool gadgets and gizmos surrounding us. Robots spelled out our names in blocks, drew pictures of us, the kids rode a mock bobsled, entered an MRI machine, and even arm wrestled a virtual opponent!
We watched Wild California on an IMAX screen that made us feel as we were climbing the sequoias, surfing the Pacific, and snowboarding in the Sierra Nevadas!
Our future engineers worked to fashion an energy efficient water turbine engine... as well as directing light to power solar energy.
After our brains were pumped full of science for the day, we took a nice walk downtown and sought out lunch. The Old Spaghetti Factory was a short walk, and so worth the wait! As we said our goodbye's to our friends and promised to meet up again in Lake Tahoe, my heart ached. When the kids all get along, the husbands have things in common, and the moms are best pals, time spent together is so special, and so missed!
Reviewed and Recommended
Baby Bear Creations-Custom Designed Cards
