Wednesday, November 26, 2008

4th Grade Wax Museum

Place 30 fourth graders in their school lunchroom. Each one has read a different biography and given the assignment to dress and briefly summarize the person's life they read about.

A few of the statues: Lou Gehrig. Thomas Edison. Betsy Ross. Wilber Wright. Troy Aikman. Abraham Lincoln. Tiger Woods. Louisa May Alcott. Robert E Lee. Sacagawea. Ann Frank. Benjamin Franklin. Davey Crockett.... and Paul Revere

"The British are coming! The British are coming! Hello, I'm Paul Revere," is how Matthew began his biography when his 'silversmithed' button was pressed.



Each student had to make a button that visitors to the museum could push to hear the story of their person.

It was great to see the effort the kids put into this project. All the different buttons crafted, each one was unique. I was quite impressed with each students presentation. Inside they many might have been nervous, but none of them showed it.

AWESOME! AWESOME! AWESOME!
I am amazed everyday at the skills kids have developed. I cannot imagine what accomplishments they will achieve in their lifetime.

I'm a pretty darn proud mom. Quite thankful for having my boys in my life.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

What's a recent school project from your kids?

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Little Rewards Cost Nothing

Kids get rewarded all the time. Sometimes its a simple star on their paper, and that star means the world to them. Any parent with a frig full of starred and smiley faced papers will agree. It does not take much to feel special to children because they simply enjoy the act of being honored without value being added to it.

I have found that the last person rewarded in many households is the mom. The one person busting their butt for everyone inside and outside the home. Your mom orchestrates the ballet of soccer, school projects, scouts, meals, laundry, dishes and "Oh mom, I need 12 things that start with the letter 'H' by tomorrow morning." And she does it with a smile (at least it looks like a smile).

Slowly the clutter begins to build up around the house. There are only so many hours in a day and you begin to believe you can't get caught up, so what's the point in trying?
"If you think you can or think you can't, you are right," is the famous saying by Henry Ford.

Challenge yourself to stop the "I can't" thinking and turn yourself around. It took time for the clutter to build. It will take time for it to get under control. Be patient with yourself.

Let me suggest this:
1. With notepad in hand, walk through your home and note the areas you want to work on.
2. Choose an area to get organized, schedule it on your calendar.
3. Break the project down into small tasks. Instead of organize kitchen, think organize upper cabinets, lower cabinets, junk drawer, pantry, or counter top.
4. Take on one small task and complete it.
5. Schedule your next project.
6. REWARD YOURSELF!! Take a couple minutes longer in the shower, let the kids eat cookies for breakfast so you can sleep in a bit, go for a walk after dinner by yourself .... geez, sometimes going to the bathroom by yourself is a treat!

Post your list of projects to complete and put stars next to them as you complete them. It may sound elementary, though remember how great you felt in school when your teacher put a star on you paper.

Don't forget: Your home is going to be feeling better and better with each task you complete.

How do you reward yourself?

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Be A Truthful Rock

"The truth is rarely pure and never simple,”
Oscar Wilde


This quote popped up on my Interesting Quotes listed to the lower right of this blog. Funny, because I find myself pondering truth and integrity lately.

When I have discussed truth with my boys, I explain that truth is often an interpretation of facts. You can see an accident from opposite sides of the street and you will have two view points as to what happened. Both are correct.

Look at the facts and interpret your truth.

"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock," Thomas Jefferson

Integrity involves being honest and true to your character. You cannot be faulted for standing for your beliefs.

They are your core values.
No one has the right to change them for you.

What are your core values?

Saturday, November 08, 2008

Kon Tai Bai ... Later My Friends


Kon tai bai? means 'hello' or 'how are you?' in Papiamentu, the official language of Bonaire, a Portuguese based Creole.


My boys are with grandma,
I am off on vacation to Bonaire with my man.
We are going on a week long Scuba diving adventure.

Stranded on a small island 40 miles north of Venezuela.
No cell phones, laptops or TV for a week.
Just eagle rays, sea turtles, baby squids, nurse sharks, beautiful coral reefs and many other fun little critters.

Take care of yourselves ... I'll be back next week.
Ayo!

Where do you want to be stranded?

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

It's A Beautiful Day


"What you don't have you don't need it now
What you don't know you can feel it somehow
What you don't have you don't need it now, don't need it now
What a beautiful day"

~U2, "Beautiful Day"


This morning I woke up with this song running through my head.
Gotta admit, this is a good one to be humming all day long. Seems I always have a song stuck in my head. What's up with that? Guess there are worse problems.

Here's a list of of my few recent ones:

"The Lion Sleeps Tonight", The Tokens (this video is HYSTERICAL!)
"My Sharona", The Knack
"All Summer Long", Kid Rock
"Jack and Diane," John Cougar Mellencamp
"Jessie's Girl," Rick Springfield

OK ... That's probably enough to drive you crazy

Get out there and have an amazing day today!!!

What song is stuck in your head now?

Monday, November 03, 2008

Ma'ame, You're No Jack Kennedy

I have been swamped and need to get back in the pace of blogging. To all my visitors, all is well.



Hey, I'm no JFK.
Though if I had to choose one of the modern presidents to be, he's my choice. In honor of our elections, why not have a presidential quiz:

You Are Most Like John F. Kennedy



You live a fairy tale life that most people envy.
And while you may have a few dark secrets, few people know them.





My life has been FAR from a 'fairy tale.'
Though I would not trade my life or make any changes in my choices.
There are more than a few dark secrets in my life and a few chosen know them.
I have nothing to hide, just deep dark secrets haven't come up in conversation.

What president are you most like?