#10 Make your own book on tape.

This summer I've heard, "Mom, what can I do?" more and more often. And I'm not going to say "Watch TV" or "You can play on the computer." What my son really wants is someone to do something with. Or is it that he wants something interactive to do? You might be thinking "Isn't that the same thing?" Well, I say it's not.

Of course I'd love to be able to sit down and read a book together every time he says this. But the truth of the matter is...I just don't have the time. And if your child is anything like mine, you'd probably be reading the same book over and over til you just can't take it anymore and late at night you have to hide his favorite book and hope he'll forget about it for awhile.

Every kid I know loves to sit down with an adult and read together. Now that MY son is able to read on his own, I find myself saying "Go read a book," when he asks "Mom, what can I do?" And the response isn't always what I'm hoping for, and his question sometimes get re-phrased as "Mom, what can I do with YOU?"

I know what he wants.

So, here's the plan. Next time you read his favorite book, set up the voice-recording device of your choice and record yourself as you read. Start the recording by identifying the book by title and after each page make a sound that indicates time to turn the page (ring a bell or make a click, whatever).

Now, when he asks for you to read "Frog and Toad Together" for the 31st time, you can say, "Go get your book and tape."

If you're going to do this on tapes, you may want to use ones with short sides so that you don't have to rewind so much. And another note: While you may want to use all the space on one side of a tape with several books, it's not as easy to find the book you want when you have to fast-forward through through others. I recommend recording one book per side and labeling them. Then, keep all your books-on-tape together in a place where your child can see them and get to frequently. From their perspective, it's alot funner than reading alone even if they are capable readers themselves. And the truth of it is, they DO follow along and read. It's great for both of you!

#9 Staining a Deck

Let your children watch you complete some of your outdoors jobs this summer.

We just spent a week at my mother-in-law's house in Nebraska and found ourselves involved in some outdoors jobs that our little boy has never seen. The biggest was staining a deck and picnic table. What a job! We spent 4 hours one night and 2 hours the next morning immersed in staining. What an opportunity for learning new vocabulary.

-Power-washing
-Deck
-Stain
-Lattice
-Apron
-Click beetle
-Pine knots
-Wreak

#8 Marshmallow and Toothpicks

So much thinking and learning can take place when your child is interested in what he is doing.

I love it when I can actually see my child learning and using critical thinking skills. When he’s really excited about an activity, he has the ambition of Lance Armstrong and the focus of a brain surgeon. There’s nothing better than watching him raise questions and work to answer them himself.

Here’s a simple hands-on activity that my son absolutely loved. It had him actively exploring physics and mathematical concepts with only marshmallows, toothpicks, and his imagination. And best of all…he thoroughly enjoyed it.

SUPPLIES
-1 bag fresh miniature marshmallows
-1 box toothpicks
(This would be, of course, for children who can safely handle toothpicks. And for those who can abstain from consuming the marshmallow manipulatives. Basically, age 3 and older.)

PREPARATION
You might spend 5 minutes clearing, wiping and drying a table, and setting out the marshmallows and toothpicks. But if you’re a super-mom whose table is always cleared and ready for a project, this will reduce your preparation time.

GOAL
Create 2 and 3-dimensional objects such as triangles, squares, rectangles, cubes, pyramids, houses, and bridges with the marshmallows and toothpicks.

TIME NEEDED
As with any learning activity, let the little physicists work on their creations until they’re done or until they express their desire to do something else. For 3 and 4-year olds this may be 10 minutes. For older children, you may want to allow an hour.

PARENTAL ASSISTANCE REQUIRED
Set-up, plus periodic visits to admire their work or explain why their ideas were beyond the capacities of physics.

MESS
Minimal. To minimize stickiness, remind the kids not to lick their fingers after touching the marshmallows, and not to squish or lick the marshmallows.

NOISE
Minimal. Expect some questions.

CLEAN-UP
About 5 minutes to have the kids take apart their structures, sort the remains, store the toothpicks to reuse, and eat the marshmallows. Of course, sticky hands and table will need to be cleaned too.

IDEAS FOR NEXT TIME
Try using grapes, cheese cubes, or apple chunks instead of marshmallows.

#7 Read. Read. Read.

Seriously. This tip to early speech and language development couldn't be simpler.

When you begin to find what your child's interests are, use them to your advantantage. Bring him books. Expanding vocabulary and builiding syntax can be so fun when he has books about things he enjoys. It couldn't be easier. Does he like dinosaurs? Ask the librarian at your public library to help you find popular dinsaur books for kids your child's age. Does your little girl love ponies? Princesses? There's something for every interest. Insects. Magic. Jokes. Tractors. Sesame Street. Clifford. Baby animals. Talking dogs. It's all there.

Pick out a few books to check out. Read with excitement. Talk about the pictures. Ask questions about what you're reading.

- What do you think will happen next (before you turn the page)?
- Why did he do that?
- Which pony is prettier?
- Which insect is bigger?
- How did he do that?
- Who's funnier?
- Where do you think he's going to land?
- What was the best part of the book?

About 2 weeks ago my 5-year old boy saw the cartoon "Martha Speaks" on PBS. He was mesmerized. He loved the concept of a talking dog. And the fact that Martha's ability to talk hinged on her eating alphabet soup cracked him up. He asked us to buy a can of soup and talked about the story several times throughout the week. And when a college friend of ours who works as a professional puppeteer dropped in for a quick visit later that week, he was excited to see my son so interested in Martha. Without our knowing it, he had recently performed a compilation of the "Martha Speaks" stories and had met the author, Susan Meddaugh. Two days later, he sent my son the book "Martha Speaks." He was so excited! Our next trip to the library was quickly planned so that he could check out the rest of the Martha books.

If your child hasn't seen them yet...look them up. You'll love them.

#6 Take a Trip to the Grocery Store

If you're involving your children in your everyday activities, they'll have so many opportunities to learn new vocabulary. There's no substitute for real life exposure to the world. When immersed in a new environment, they'll have so much to talk about. The opportunities for specific vocabulary growth will truly come to you.

If you're like most parents, I'm sure you dread the idea of packing up the kids and risking all to enter the grocery store with your young herd. You fear they'll show how cranky they can be, pull sugary cereals off the shelves, and cause a scene unfitting of a _______ (insert last name). But, think of the language opportunities! As you pass by the produce, there's "red cabbage" and "Idaho potatoes." Around the corner in the bakery, there are "pistachio muffins" and "flaky scones". And did you notice the "checkerboard pattern" of the "tile floor"?

Yes, introducing new vocabulary as you shop will require you spend a little more time at the grocery store. Don't plan your language-rich grocery adventure for that emergency grocery trip when you're in the middle of making a cake for Junior's birthday party and realized you're short 2 eggs. But next time you're off with your weekly shopping list, surprise the kids and ask them to go with you. Why leave them at home with the hubby or the sitter when you have the opportunity of a lifetime waiting for them?

I'm guessing you're still a bit hesitant. But keep in mind, if you have your kids looking for things to identify, there won't be as much time for for them to show other shoppers their true colors.

#5 Ask about his day.

It sounds so obvious... Ask about your child's day.

But how many times do you find yourself asking the babysitter how much the kids ate, if they took a bath, or if there were any problems? Or when you pick them up from Grandma's, do you ask HER if they behaved and what they did together?

Those are the types of things your child could be telling you. Ask your child! It will improve his expressive language skills and build confidence in his ability to communicate when he's able to answer your questions. Yes, questions (plural)! Not just one general question: How was your day at Grandma's? Besides being too general, it could also leave you with a one-word answer. Try using open-ended questions that will lead to conversation.

What was the best thing you did at Grandma's?
What was the funniest thing Grandpa said?
How did you help Daddy today?
What did you eat for lunch?
Who else did you see today?
Where did you get to go to today?
Who did you play with at recess?
What did Aunt Anita do when ____?
What did your teacher say when _____?
What's one thing you learned at school today?
Why are you you sad?
How did that make you feel?
What did you do with your friends today?
Where did you get your bracelet? (refer to photo above)

Ask one question at a time, and give him your undivided attention when he responds. Follow up with a related question and keep the conversation going. Back and forth, taking turns talking about his day.

You'll learn alot about your child, from what HE says. And if he's unable to give you enough information, given lots of prompting and prodding, then go ahead and get the information you need from his teacher or Grandma or whoever. But start with your child.

#4 Opposites

In working with young children who have Language Impairments, my goal is to introduce as many new words as I can. So many of them communicate in short, choppy, ungrammatical sentences without any descriptive words. My job is to teach vocabulary and semantics.

Semantics?

se-man-tics
Definition: the meaning of words

Sometimes this is best done by using opposites. If a child already knows a word that can help you teach another word, use that to your advantage. Just first be sure he understands the meaning of opposites. It alone can be a hard concept for a child to understand. But when he grasps it, you can teach so many descriptive words.

If a child knows "old" but doesn't know "young," use what he knows to teach him what he doesn't know. Show a picture of an old person and a picture of a young person and talk about the differences between "old" and "young." An old person might have white hair and wrinkles. She might might walk slowly with a cane. A young person might be a kid who runs and plays. Don't forget to ask questions that ensure understanding like "Are you young or old?" and "Is grandpa young or old?"

Show pictures of lots of people and have your child use the words "young" and "old" in sentences to describe people. If you need to get him started, use a leading statement like "Baby Carleah is _____." It will seem redundant to you, but that's what will help him learn. "Grandpa Huber is _____." "The baby chick is _____." After getting him going, let him start and complete his sentences on his own. He'll feel a sense of pride and you'll praise him for showing you he knows and can use a new word.

Teach as many opposites as you can.

hot/cold
night/day
wet/dry
big/small
heavy/light
bright/dark
loud/quiet
hard/soft
fast/slow
up/down
happy/sad
long/short
sick/healthy
in/out
rich/poor
sharp/dull
over/under

* This post is written in honor of my Grandma Huber, who recently celebrated her 98th birthday and may appear "old" but still acts "young".

#3 Tell Me 3 Things...

Categorization is very important cognitive/linguistic skill for children to understand. It helps them to see how things go together. How they are alike and how they are different. Naming and giving examples of "crunchy things" often puts meaning to such descriptive words for young children.

I love playing categorization games with my little boy. It's something fun we can do anywhere. In the car on the way to church. In the bathtub. While we're waiting for a parade to start.

Ask your child to tell you 3 things that belong together and tell him the category.

TELL ME 3 THINGS...
-That are red.
-That you can sit on.
-That you can read.
-That you eat at breakfast.
-That you can draw with.
-That you wear on your feet.
-That are soft.
-That are stinky.
-That are hot.
-That's crunchy.
-That live in water.
-That can fly.
-That have fur.
-That you wear when it's cold.
-That you can do when it's hot.
-That you can do with your grandma.
-That you see at a birthday party.
-That live on a farm (refer to picture above).

As a variation, name a category (or better yet, let your child name a category) and take turns naming something that belongs in that category. For example, on the way to Uncle Randy's farm, say "Let's take turns saying different animals on a farm. You can go first." He might say, "Cow." You say "Horse." He says "Duck." Keep it going as long as you can. Whoever runs out of farm animals first loses.

#2 Make a Pizza Together!

Cooking with your child can be way more than just fun for him. It can be a language-rich experience that helps build vocabulary. The use of all the senses in the kitchen makes new words easier to remember.

Imagine a child who is first exposed to an olive by hearing one described or seeing a picture of one in a book. Now imagine a child first learning what an olive is in the kitchen. The second child is more likely to use the word "olive" the next time he sees one...the child who remembers touching, smelling, and tasting one after watching you twist off the lid and hearing the pop of the jar's seal.

Make a pizza together. Tell him what preheating the oven means. Let him see the dry pizza dough mix and ask him what he thinks it will look and feel like after you add the water and stir. After you let the dough rest, shake flour on the countertop and teach him what kneading is...yes, by letting him do it himself. When it's time to put on the toppings, let him see and smell the colorful options, and of course let him help decorate your pizza. Tell him the name of each vegetable and meat. Mushroom. Pepperoni. Green pepper. Cheese. Sausage. Olives. Tell him what the sauce is made of and let him smell it. Last night my little boy (5 years old) told me "It smells like tomatoes." I can't believe I never told him that pizza sauce is made of tomatoes!

What a rewarding experience! Let the conversation flow. And enjoy the final product together. But be prepared, when kids help in the kitchen, they tend to eat a bit more. For some of you with picky eaters, that alone might get you to try this little experiment.

#1 Say what TO do.

Have you ever felt confused because you didn't understand someone's directions? You just want to know what you're supposed to do.

Adults tend to tell kids what NOT to do, rather than what TO do. So many instructions begin with "Don't..." And they can be very confusing...especially for very young children and children with a language disorder.

"Don't" is such a passive word. I hesitate to even call "Don't" statements directions because you're not directing a child to DO anything when you start with "don't." You're instructing them what NOT to do. You should find that when you are more direct and state what you want the child TO do, you'll have a quicker and more desirable response.

Picture this. A mother walks into the room, deep in phone conversation. This is when her kids are often found testing her patience, so she's not surprised to find her 4 year old son jumping on the couch. She says "Just a minute" to the person on the other end of the phone and in a stern voice "Don't jump on the couch" to her son. She expects him to stop, and he does for a moment, but he continues as soon as she returns to her phone conversation. She again postpones the conversation and in a lounder voice with exaggerated inflection says "I said 'Don't jump on the couch!"

Was this "Don't" instruction effective? Clearly, it wasn't.

Why? There are many possible answers. But without jumping to the conclusion that he's just a bad kid who doesn't listen, consider that that a clear directive wasn't given. An alternate action wasn't suggested. What did the mother want him TO do? Sit still next to her until she was done with her conversation? Play quietly in his bedroom? Watch cartoons? Color a picture at the table or count the pennies in a jar? Any of these would have been clear directions of what he COULD DO. And a child with good language skills might even have asked "What CAN I do?"

A few more examples:

Don't Say: Don't take his toy.
Say: Let HIM play with the toy. He had it first.

Don't Say: Don't touch the baby.
Say: Put your hands in your lap.

Don't Say: Don't play with your food.
Say: Eat.

Don't Say: Don't throw your books on the floor.
Say: Put your books down nicely.

Don't Say: Don't pick your nose.
Say: Use a tissue.

Don't Say: Don't throw your towel on floor.
Say: Hang your towel up every time.

Don't Say: Don't bug me when I'm cooking.
Say: When I'm in the kitchen, play quietly in your bedroom.

Don't Say: Don't touch the dirt without gloves.
Say: Put gloves on first. (Refer to photo above)

A New Slant in Blog World

I haven't looked at my blog in over a month. Have I been too busy? Yeah, but that never kept me away before.

At Christmas I asked my brother if he had ever checked out my blog. His answer was something like "I just don't get it, what's it about?" Granted I'm still new to blogging and it's been a personal blog. I'm not selling anything. I'm not trying to sway your political views. I'm not pushing you to go green, cook organically, or try a new ethnic food everyday. My blog has been about the simple things going on in my life that get me thinking. Alot of my blogs have been about the adventures of my little boy and the interesting things that come out of his mouth.

I've enjoyed sharing these little stories semi-anonomously over the web. So what's the hold up? Why has my blog sat idle for so long?

Answer: I've been thinking. Thinking of a slant. A theme. A reason for the average Joe or Harriet to be interested. Maybe Harriet would stumble upon my blog by searching blogs for "double cowlick." She'd check out my pictures of DT, and move on to the next hit, without looking at any of my other posts. It's obvious the theme of my posts are random. Neither Harriet nor Joe would be interested in my other pointless bloggings.

So, what's my plan?

I've mentioned before that I'm a Speech-Langauge Pathologist, right? I love what I do, and I enjoy being able to share my expertise in childhood speech and language development. What if I continue sharing my little boy's adventures and whatnot, but also offer ideas for speech and language development based on these stories?

That's the plan. As simple as it sounds...ideas for growing your child's speech and language skills. Come back soon.

Loving the Loose Pants

Body image. Like most women, I have no problem finding flaws with my body. It's especially easy when spring arrives and women flaunting washboard stomachs are out and about in their spaghetti-strap tank tops and bum-hugging short shorts.

My loose fitting t-shirts and baggy-butt jeans attempt to hide the bulges in my mid-section and camoflage my soft softs. Strangely, I've never needed to cover my arms or legs. Somehow, as I've gained body mass everywhere else, they've remained the same. Some might even call my legs "chicken legs"...which seems fair, really. I'd say they resemble vertical toothpicks holding up a full-sized Thanksgiving turkey. My calves, like my father's and sister's calves, are in fact unproportionately muscular compared to the rest of my body. It's comical really. Like Popeye's bulging forearms after cracking open a can of spinach.

Lately though, in an effort to lose weight, I've begun to feel a little better about my body. My pants are fitting looser and I'm getting a nicer shape in my sides...not so box-y. So far, I've managed a 10 pound weight loss. I already feel healthier and maybe even less self-conscious as I face the world on the same streets as the flat-stomached women in their spaghetti-strap tank tops.

Now, what do I do about this flat butt!?

Reminiscing on 1982!

I see I've only posted three times this month! Have I been that busy? Have I honestly not had enough time to sit, think, and jot my mushy thoughts? Hmmm? Yep, I think that's been the problem...busy-ness. Okay, that's probably not a word, but you know what I'm saying. I just feel like everything is coming at me so quickly.

Even though I haven't written much lately, it's clear to see that what I HAVE done in my last few posts is use my blog as a sort of reminiscing ground. When life comes at me fast, I can't seem to see what's ahead of me... just what's behind. I think of good times and where I've come from. And here I go again. This time I'm thinking back to my days at the old Harrison Elementary School in Elkhart County, Indiana. It was such a good place to grow up. Oh, the country charm and family-friendly learning!

Here's to you Mrs. Newcomer's class, 1982!
Feel free to click the photo for a closer view if you dare!

Spring Break is Coming

Last weekend I went to my parents house and unearthed a box labeled "Val's Photo Albums." A box of memories from my high school and junior high school years stared me in the face. I loaded it into the trunk of my car and left it there until yesterday. I opened the albums on the porch in the sun as my husband cleaned and washed my car. There were photos of people and places long-forgotten and events I thought I'd never forget, but have. These three particular pictures were a few taken on a Spanish Club trip to Mexico. Spring Break: 1992.

Spring Break was such a big deal. Students went crazy for a week off and looked forward to getting away. But didn't teachers too? My husband and I both work for the public schools, you'd think we plan family vacations during our summers off and spring breaks. Some cultural or historic sites or a tropical getaway?

As spring break approaches, I find myself daydreaming of clear blue waters surrounding my island paradise, rich with the smells of coconut suntan lotion and pina coladas. Carefree days without wearing a watch, and digging my toes in the warm sand. But, the truth is... we'll probably stay close to home and paint the walls or have the carpet cleaned...maybe do some more furniture shopping or take a day trip to a local attraction. And maybe I'll still take off the watch and sip a pina colada or two, just without the scent of coconut and I won't have to deal with sand in my bathing suit.

First Memories

My 5-year old son continues to bring me back to my own childhood. I think he's alot like I was as 5-year old, but probably much smarter. I wonder what he'll remember from this time in his life. I think my own first memories come from the time I was 5.
























I don't remember much about Mrs. Baumgartner's half-day kindergarten class, but I remember the other half of my day pretty clearly. Because my parents worked, I went home with Betsy and her mom who lived in an old, but update farmhouse about a mile and a half away from my own house. Betsy was the same age as me, and was my afternoon playmate. Her mom was creative, strict, and an immaculate housekeeper. Their house had a food pantry, a dishwasher, an old barn with a rope swing, a playhouse in the backyard, and "quicksand" in the attic (I should really get clarification on this.)

This week, my brother e-mailed me this photo of Betsy and I standing in front of the doors to our beloved Harrison Elementary School. I have no idea what the flowers were for, but from this photo I sense the same carefree "no worries" feeling that my little boy probably feels right now. Although somewhat pitiful, we look downright innocent, fragile, and maybe even angelic.

Were we ever so carefree?

Where's my purple crayon?

Do you remember the old childrens' book "Harold and the Purple Crayon"? Maybe this will jog your memory (from the inside cover)... One evening Harold decided to go for a walk in the moonlight. But there wasn't any moon, and Harold needed a moon for a walk in the moonlight. Fortunately, he had brought his purple crayon. So he drew a moon. He also needed something to walk on. So he drew a path...

Everything Harold imagined, came to be with the stroke of a hand and his trusty purple crayon. For a day of excitement, fear, love, joy, or horror, he needed nothing else. He could determine what came next, who he would encounter, where he would go, and how he would get there. The author Crockett Johnson had a rich imagination?

Sometimes I wonder where my own purple crayon adventure would lead. If I allowed myself to think as freely as a child, where would life take me? Would I continue to sit under a pile of paper and meetings at work? Would I watch reality TV from the couch in the evenings? Would I drive the same route to work and back day after day?

I'm at a point where I need to find my purple crayon and see the possibilities.

Valentine Friends

Another spur of the moment decision... let's have friends over for Valentine's Day!

The Valentine's Day crew at our house.

Friends, I miss you.

I'm lucky I have such a tight-knit family because I've never had more than a few close friends at one time. My sister and I have joked for a long time that "You're friends are my friends." And it's true. I've always invited myself into her circles and she's never had a problem with it. But I find myself spending more time with her and her friends than any of my own.

In looking back, I see that I've had several close friendships; never part of a large circle. And even those friendships have changed with the season's of my life.

I still communicate (at least occassionally) with most friends from my past, but so many of us have drifted apart. They were true friendships, with shared secrets, hopes, dreams, and fears. But somehow they have grown quiet. Each one had a purpose in my life...something I treasure. And in reminiscing, I realize I miss not having those same tight friendships with me today. What could I have done differently?

I don't know why this came up for a blog topic today... I think I'm feeling lonely. People come into my life boldly leaving an impression, but tend to stay for a season or two. And I again realize how much my family and close friends mean.

The Best Girl Ever

Monday, I had the joy of taking my 5-year old to school. Because of our work schedules, we generally take him to a classmate's house in the morning, and his mom takes DT with her own 3 children. It has worked out nicely, but since Ben and I didn't have shcool Monday, I surprised DT and took him to school myself. And I'm so glad I did.

Including a book-dropoff at the library, it was only a 3 minute trip to school, but it was just enough time for a heart-to-heart conversation. My little boy poured out his soul and told me that he gets picked on...describing specific instances. Mainly a kid who kicks his bag, flicks him, and jumps on him. My heart broke. DT is such a kind, mild-mannered, unprovoking kid. I was sad.

We pulled into the school parking lot. Before he got out of the car, he looked at me lovingly and said, "Mom, you're the best girl ever."

"Don't look in my folder."

The puppy pocket he made to hold his Valentine cards at school.























Getting ready for his first Valentine's Day party at school.


Writing names on Valentine cards for kindergarten.

Now, what would my blog be without a twist...

Saturday, DT's cousins came over to play and brought him a grand Valentine's Day gift... the movie "Madagascar 2." I, his mother, on the other hand gave him a simple Matchbox car with the note "Racing in to wish you a happy Valentine's Day." He loved both gifts, but begged to take the car to school today. At recess, the kids are allowed to get out playthings from their backpacks.

Because the public schools had the day off for President's Day, Ben and I picked DT up together after school. And strangely, the first thing he said when he got in the truck was "Don't look in my folder." Well, of course the first thing his dad and I decided to do when we got home was... yes, LOOK IN HIS FOLDER. Hmmm? A report card... yes, a report card. But why wouldn't he want us to see it. Every mark was good! "Mom, look!" he said. And he pulled out a ziplock bag with the sad remains of his Valentine's Day Matchbox car.

How pathetic! The top was crushed. Pieces of metal frame were broken. The plastic windows were smashed. And all easily viewed through the clear bag. "What happened?" we asked. Sadly, he replied "I lost it by the playground and a Mary's brother found it and said maybe a ball bounced on it." Seriously? A ball? Clearly there was much more damage than a ball could do. We tried to tell DT that it looked like a car or bus drove over it. He didn't buy it. But there could be no other explanation.

Valentine's Day greetings

There is sound with this video. So, before you click the play button, scroll way down to the bottom of my blog and either pause my blog music or slide the music volume down. Enjoy!

Valentine's Day gift? Seriously?!

Do parents really get their kids a gift for Valentine's Day? I don't remember getting gifts from my parents. And my husband say's NO WAY!

But my little guy has been seeing commercials for Valentine's Day (yes, the commercialism has even hit childrens' channels) and recently asked if he could have a new Webkinz pet for Valentine's Day. He asked Santa for a Webkinz bear at Christmas and got it. He loves taking care of "Novela"... virtually and physically. When he leaves her at home, he wants someone to babysit her. When he's home, he wants to play games on-line to earn her clothes and things for her room. In fact, just since I began writing this post, he has come to ask me if HE can get on the computer to go to the Webkinz site.

I don't know if I'll get him another one for Valentine's Day or not. But I'm sure he'll get another one sometime. He is making space in his bear's virtual room for a "friend". It's cute.

The pictures above were taken this weekend. He helped us pick out a Webkinz pet for his cousin's 7th birthday over the weekend. He got her the same one he has... the bear. Before we mailed the gift off to her, we took pictures of his "Novela" and his cousin's "Elizabeth." He says they're twin sisters. He's intrigued with twins since there's a pair of twins in his kindergarten class.

Anyway, I'm interested in hearing your take on Valentine's Day gifts for kids. Yay or Nay?

Picky Eater

I've been getting more and more frustrated with my little boy's eating habits lately. And I know he can sense it. I've tried to not let it become a battle because I know it's not one I could win. I mean, I can't force-feed him.... and he's just not going to eat vegetables on his own.

My husband and I have mature tastes. We love any meat, any vegetable, any fruit, and every ethnicity of food we've tried. I love to cook Mexican and my husband throws down some good Chinese and Italian. But the little guy won't try any of it.

So, what DOES he eat? Really, his list of "likes" is much smaller than the "dislikes." He eats canned chicken noodle soup, raman noodles, macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, chips, spaghetti O's, bologna sandwiches, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, lunchables, plain tacos, yogurt, cheese, spaghetti with butter and parmesan cheese, and a fine aray of fruits as well as sweets. Additionally, for breakfast he'll eat waffles, muffins, pancakes, hard-boiled eggs, cinnamon rolls, toast, and dry cereal.

NO VEGETABLES!

This is NOT what I'd call a balanced diet. I wouldn't say I've ever just let my son dictate what goes on his plate. I've always offered him what the adults are eating... but for fear he won't eat ANYTHING, I've typically given him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich when dinner is done and he hasn't eaten. Now, keep in mind, he doesn't whine or complain when he doesn't eat, he simply states "I don't like (whatever is in front of him)". At that point, we tell him he hasn't even tried it and we tell him to taste it. Reluctantly, with much delay and prompting, he puts a bite in his mouth, begins to chew, gets a sick look on his face, and spits it out.

Well, recently I've decided the old standby won't be available. If he won't eat what's on the table, he will go to bed without dinner. If at any time he wants to go back to the table, he can eat it. But a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is not an option. And he hasn't asked for it. He just doesn't eat. As the parent, I feel mean. I know my child is hungry. I even think he's losing weight... and he's already a skinny 5-year old.

A friend recently suggested V-8 Fusion (the vegetable juice that looks and tastes more like fruit juice) and so far he's drinking it without questioning it. But I'm also going to have to start giving him some vitamins. I'm wondering about Juice Plus, they're gummies. Does anybody know about this product? Please share. Or even better yet... ideas on getting boys to try vegetables?!

Warming Up

It's been so cold and snowy here in Northern Indiana... I haven't been outside much in the past 3 weeks. Until today, I haven't encouraged going out to play. Temperatures have been well below 0. And exposing skin to the outside air has been a bad idea. Well, today it finally warmed up. A serious heat wave! The driveway snow melted off and the ground became completely saturated as roofs lightened and gutters tried to keep up. As I walked around the house checking the downspouts, my feet sloshed through the yard and I had to pull my shoes out of the suctioning mud with every step.

Being cooped up the past few weeks should have meant more time to blog, but clearly that wasn't what happened. I did find myself at the computer more, but more or less wandering aimlessly around on-line. I've searched tricks to get kids to eat vegetables and checked Facebook statuses. I've read blogs and balanced the checkbook. I've checked email and read the local news and school closings.

Also inside, I got to spend some quality time with my little boy. We've played more games, read more books, and eaten at home more than usual. We've done more crafts, projects, word searches, dot-to-dots, mazes, and colored more pages in coloring books than I can count. In the picture above, DT had just finished making a stained glass window out of tissue paper and was putting it in the window. It looked so nice against the bright glare of the snow outside. We sure had fun.

But it was great to get outside again today. Since the snow was melting, I didn't have to park in the garage. I got out the vacuum and cleaned out my car. It was desperately needing some attention and I got to be outside. I had forgotten how nice it is... even if sloshing around.

Double Cowlick

I have a wierd hair pattern. As a baby I was called "javelina," the Spanish word for wild boar. My hair stood up off the scalp as if I had constant static pulling it away from my head. It didn't lay flat until it was long enough that the weight of it pulled it down. Now, as an adult woman I wonder how many cowlicks I have. My hair seems to lay the same way all time and it's contrary to any hairstyle I'd like to attempt. It simply doesn't go any other way. The majority of it goes forward, but then between my ears it's as if I've parted it straight across to make a front and back. And then the swirls... 2 at the nape of my neck and at least 2 on the crown. If I ever have to shave my head (for whatever reason), I'm having someone take a picture of my stubbly head to see what's going on up there.

Unfortunately, my son inherited an obnoxious hair pattern of his own. And because we've kept it short, it's been quite obvious. We get comments from barbers and complete strangers with a keen eye. As a baby, his hair stood on end like mine... a long, soft fuzz. People we didn't know would touch it and ask how we got it to do that. I couldn't imagine a parent do this on purpose. Well, after we first had it cut, we had to keep it short. Not because it was cute, but because if we let it go, it would just get taller and taller. It never laid down.

The Issue: A Double Cowlick

Most people's hair grows in a circular flattened pattern from a central point. The cowlick is the point where the hair changes direction. It can be in the center of the head or off to the left or right. People tend to have two hairwhorls with one being dominant and clearly visible while the other is less obvious. In the center you can see the hairs protruding from the scalp. When combed against the grain, the hair in the center of the cowlick will stand up straight. When left too long the cowlick will create a flat spot, when left too short it will stand up.

If you think one cowlick is bad... imagine having two. Or more! My son's double cowlick is quite hard to deal with. Since we had a few weeks off from school in December, we decided not to have it cut in November or December and to see what we could get it to do if it were longer...like other 5 year old boys.

For most people, a combination of the right hairstyle, length, hair products, and styling technique can manage an embarrassing cowlick. But as DT's hair grew, it got more and more out of control. It stuck up above his cowlicks and between them. Finally we needed to have the back and sides trimmed. So we took him in. And it still looks crazy. We're just still hoping that as his hair grows, the cowlicks will flatten, and be less of a hassle. But here's what he have to deal with til then.

Movie Review: Paul Blart Mall Cop

I couldn't keep myself from laughing out loud.

Rarely do I get to a movie theater, but I'm so glad I did last night. We had dinner at the Brass Rail in Plymouth, then headed to see "Paul Blart Mall Cop." It was a double date with my sister and her husband, but by the time we got there, the theater was packed. 4 seats together? Nope. We split up and sat as couples without an empty seat between us and the strangers next to us.

I know people who take themselves too seriously, but Paul Blart wins the prize! This poor man who is constantly belittled and has settled for life "as is", wants to prove (as much to himself as to others) that he is important.

But of course buying a hair weave to impress a pretty girl, doesn't work. Nor does his attempt to cite an elderly man for driving a Hover-Round unsafely or an attempt to settle a dispute over lingerie at Victoria Secret. And a lower-back tattoo of the locknees monster proves ineffective too.

Without giving away all the greatness of the film, let me just say...Paul Blart, you're a pretty good guy. And you really make me laugh!

Favorite Cartoon: Rocky & Bullwinkle

"Hey, Rocky! Wanna watch me pull a rabbit out my hat?"

The first TV show I remember being "addicted to" was The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle.

I was the youngest in my family and the only one interested in the slap-stick comedy of a clever flying squirrel and a gullible, bumbling moose. So, I watched alone at our black and white console TV. I sat cross-legged on the wooden floor of our living room and tried to keep from blinking so I wouldn't miss a thing. And the next day I'd be sure to watch again because the story continued... with Bullwinkle still tied to a railroad track or the sinister Boris and Natasha devising a criminal plot involving a pathetic disguise.


Although I loved the two main characters of the show, part of what attracted me to this cartoon was that there were the other various segments. I loved the Fractured Fairy Tales segments and Dudley Do-Right. I never tired of seeing Dudley ride a horse backwards or the little fairy from Fractured Fairy Tales get flattened by the drop-down door in the intro.

Hopefully, this classic will bring the same enjoyment for me that it did 25 years ago. I picked up the complete 2nd season on DVD from the library today and am about to sit down with a mug of hot chocolate to watch.

Snow Video and Pictures

The snow in South Bend has been beautiful. But it sounds like we're about to get seriously dumped on. This week's forecast looks rather white and cold, with temperatures ranging from subzero to single digits.

I've been playing around with Windows Movie Maker again and have a 40 second clip of the snow we got Saturday and the fun we had Sunday. To watch, click the little Play arrow below the picture of DT and I below.



And a few pictures to go with it...

Can't keep it all... or can I?

How much of a kid's schoolwork and projects should a good mom keep?

Each day I find somewhere between 4 and 8 pieces of paper in DT's backpack. I'm not a terribly sentimental person who has to keep it all, but there are so many cute or memorable things. But I just can't keep it all. The first things to go are worksheets. I have no problem parting with them. Into the recycle bin without a second glance. But after that it's hard to decide what to keep and what to recycle. There are handwriting exercises, holiday-themed drawings, and so much more. So much that my "keep" pile is out of control. And DT's only halfway through kindergarten.

So here's what I've decided to do. Occassionally, I'll send something he's done at school to his long-distance grandparents. They seem to appreciate it. They can see what skills he's learning and what he's capable of. And I'm going to take a picture of the things that I want to keep, but know I can do without. I'll still keep a few special mementos-- no limit, but I'll keep it to a minimum. So here are a few of my first photographs for my digital rememberance book for kindergarten.

virgin no longer

Every virgin hears how cool IT is.

"You should do it."
"You'll really like it."
"You haven't?"
"You'll love it."
"I'm addicted."
"You'd be amazed how many 'friends' I have now."

These are some of the comments I've heard from facebookers.

Well, I'm here to say "I'm a facebook virgin no longer." I joined the multitudes on New Year's Eve and can now say, "Why didn't I do it sooner?"

Quiche... I'm on a pie kick.

I must be in hibernation mode. I keep cooking and eating. I enjoy this 2-week vacation from work, but it's not good for me. After I made the pumpkin pie, I had to decide what to do with the "extra" pie crust that came in the package. Why sell pie crusts as a pair? When people decide to make a pie, do they always really need two?

Manufacturers are always playing with me this way. It's like the hotdogs and buns... there are never the same number. You end up with too many of one thing and have to buy more of the other. I think they have an agreement with each other... I'm sure it's a money-making venture for both of them.

So, what did I do with the "extra" pie crust? This morning I made another pie. Well... a quiche. For someone who admittedly hasn't made a pie before, I've basically made 2 this week. Okay, I have made a quiche once before. It was 15 years ago in my high school Creative Foods class. I remember loving the sharp taste of the Swiss cheese with the eggs and flaky pastry crust. Mmmmm.















One more picture: The English Toffee recipe that I posted a week ago.

I made it yesterday before scrapbooking and took it with me to share. It didn't stay hard, so I refrigerated it when I got home and it seems good again.

Too much eating

I've enjoyed my share of holiday comfort foods. I can honestly say that I'm looking pudgier today than I did 2 weeks ago. I've snacked heavily and dined heartily. Being away from home for a week didn't help... it never does. But, at my mother-in-law's house, all I seemed to do was eat or prepare to eat. And between meals? More eating.

You'd think I would lay off the food when we got home, but no. As if I really needed it, I made banana bread and today... my first attempt at pumpkin pie. Hard to believe I've never made a pumpkin pie, but in fact I can't think of a single pie I've EVER made. I probably have, but I can't recall. I WILL be making the pumpkin pie again. It turned out beautifully.