We all want the same thing: for our kids to be safe

How do we keep our kids safe when "see something, say something" does not work? When school is a potential target for evil acts? I wish I knew the answers. My heart is still broken after so much school violence in the US, most recently at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in south Florida, just 45 minutes from where my niece and nephew attend school. 

"She must've texted me three times. Please call the police. Please call the police. Tell them somebody's hurt on my building in my floor." -Parent, Lissette Rozenblat who received these texts from her daughter that afternoon.

People on either end of political extremes will tell you the answer is simple. However, those of us who use critical thinking skills and reasoning know that it is not that simple.

Arm teachers with guns? 

I can tell you, I do not know one single teacher who wants to carry a gun. Teachers are trained to teach and support kids, not act as armed protective services. I do not think any of us, except our heroes who have served in war, could ever know exactly how we would react in a deadly situation facing an assault rifle. And sadly, MSDHS had an armed officer. He sat outside the building while students and teachers died by bullets. He was trained! However, when it came down to do-or-die, he did... nothing. He was not able to make a difference. How do you defend against an assault rifle, anyway?!

"As parents, we shouldn’t have to worry when we drop our kids off at school that it could be the last time we see them. But we do." -Kim, Duluth Moms Blog 

Beef up school security? 

It is a sad fact that kids need as much security as possible at schools. Security measures will take time to implement, and a lot of money. School districts do not have those funds. Most counties do not have those funds. I do not know where the money would come from. We need it. But on the flip side, you have to ask yourself... is someone who is hell bent on killing going to pause when the metal detector beeps? Or obey any other security measures? They can enter a building in some way, somehow, if they have the fire power.

"See something, say something" should have worked. There were so many warnings... and saying something to the police and FBI (more than once) completely failed. Having an armed officer on campus should have helped. All of the drills and practices and safety speeches should have helped. A "background check" prior to assault rifle purchase should have stopped evil. These things did not  keep teenagers and teachers safe. Now our country grieves. Again.  

What are we to do? I want to see it become extremely difficult to obtain an assault weapon. Really, really, really difficult. With a long waiting period, mental health evaluation, school records check, employment record check, and personal reference checks. Somehow, we need to review current ownership as well. I have to give my personal information to purchase Sudafed for a stuffy nose and I am prohibited from buying too much at one time. So please explain to me how someone, like the Las Vegas shooter, is allowed to own multiple weapons designed for human death? It makes no sense.

I am sad and I am angry. We all need this insanity and evil to stop.

I love my children.
I love yours too.

1st place science fair project for 3rd grade

My daughter and her friend are headed to the district science fair! We are very excited and proud of their first place accomplishment and a smart science project. If you are looking for science fair project ideas for elementary grades, feel free to start with this idea.

Now, each school is different and nothing guarantees a first place science fair win. But I am happy to share the girls' third grade science fair project idea and basic steps. The project was based on their fall science curriculum, which may have earned bonus points with the judges. The project was controlled and fully documented in the science fair project log. In addition, their board was attractive and neat.

Stupendous Soil Absorption
a third grade science fair project

(that happened to win first place!) 

Please keep in mind that these are basic steps. Don't simply copy; make sure your child learns something as they work!

Keep reading fun over the summer!

To help keep children reading over those hot summer months, Scholastic launched the Summer Reading Challenge nearly ten years ago to provide a fun way for parents to keep reading exciting for kids over the summer. Children can log reading minutes online or on their mobile devices over the summer and their reading minutes count toward their school total. Thousands of schools participate each year for a chance to break the World Record of Reading. It is an entertaining and interactive challenge for those summer months!

image: Scholastic.com

On the website, the Scholastic Parent section also includes a Daily Digest with book lists, reading tips for kids, book reviews, and more. 

How about books for kids who hate school? Or how to host a book swap party? 

Our household loves to read and we are fans of the Scholastic organization. If you are struggling for ideas over the summer, click on over to the treasure-trove of suggestions, tips, and fun. 

Yes, the kids need recess! #backtoschool

I remember last year when my friend over at Really, Are You Serious posted about her daughter's recess being taken away as class punishment. She was concerned and I think she had every right to be!

Krystyn wrote...

R-E-C-E-S-S
It’s spelled out on the board at school everyday. The “class” misbehaves or is too talkative and they get a letter marked off. If all of the letters are marked of, recess is taken away for the day.
Their measly 15-freaking-minute recess.  Read her post here: Don't Take Our Recess Away

I have heard mention of "no recess" an punishment from other friends again this year. Why would teachers ever think this is a good idea? Recess helps in social development, physical activity, and let's face it: it gets the wiggles out. Kids, especially young ones like mine and Krystyn's, need to burn energy throughout the day.

Hop over to Krystyn's post and weigh in! What do you think about recess? Do you think it should be taken away as punishment in some situations?

First day of Kindergarten - in 1983 #childhood

In honor of back-to-school time, I'm reviving this past memoir. My first day...

In the Autumn of 1983, a five-year old me entered Kindergarten. My father parked the red Chevy Caprice Classic along the curb of the steep hill adjacent to school. My sister and I clambered out of the car after saying our quick goodbyes to Daddy. He was headed to work at the chemical plant; my big sister was in charge of leading me by the hand to Mrs. D’s kindergarten class. With my left hand in her right and our homemade corduroy book bags slung over the opposite shoulders, we crossed the threshold into our first day of the school year.

My young heart skipped a beat. Where many in my place were nervous, I was brimming with excitement. My sister was in my place this time last year. I knew the school, I knew the teacher. I had nothing to fear. But as I looked into the expectant eyes of the teacher and that comforting grip on my hand began to loosen, my confidence waned.

I could not hear the cheerful welcome from Mrs. D. My heart, giddy only moments before, fell into the pit of my stomach.

Summer at home: Scheduled or Free?

Today was my daughter's final full day of school! She has two more early release days until she is officially a second grader. I am thrilled for her and sharing in her excitement for the summer break. 

Do you like your summer to be scheduled or free? 

I am shooting for a little bit of both this season. Here are a few ways I am balancing a schedule (for my sanity) and freedom (for the fun of it): 

Find the right summer camp -
I found a gymnastics camp close to home that allows single-day attendance, so I booked my daughter for Tuesdays in June and July. This gives her an opportunity to be with children her age for more than just a single week and gives us something dedicated on the schedule. Most camps are M-F, and that just did not fit our style. Everyone has different preferences, so search for various camp schedules to find what works for you and your kid(s). 

Exercise and heart rate: A first grade science project

We turned in this beauty of a science project yesterday morning!
 

 

 

Amelia came up with the idea. She also wanted to determine if all fruit snacks pouches had the same number of snacks within, but we decided that "heart healthy" fit much better into curriculum.  

 

 

"Heart Healthy" began with this question:

"Which activities will raise my heart/pulse rate the highest?"

 

Our result, from the list of activities we came up with, was..... jumping jacks!

 

Does your elementary school child need a science project idea? Do you want something that does not require a lot of materials? This is a great one! It just takes some patience to do all the testing, but the bonus here is that it adds exercise into the child's day.

 

Here is a detailed list of materials and a procedure:

 

MATERIALS: 

Ball, video game, and water bottle can be swapped out for anything based on the activities you choose. We selected the following activities: walking, jumping jacks, up/down stairs, lifting an object, playing a video game, passing a ball.

-- Stopwatch/Timer (must able to track 3 minutes and also 20 seconds)

-- Objects for selected activities:

-- Ball to pass

-- Video game system

-- 20-oz water bottle

-- Assistant to count the participant’s heart/pulse rate

-- Paper and pencil/pen to write the results

 

PROCEDURE:

-- Make a list of activities you will perform

-- Perform an activity (other than resting) and use a timer to track activity for THREE  minutes

-- Immediately have the adult assistant feel for your pulse and count the beats for TWENTY seconds and that number X 3 = your heart/pulse rate or “beats per minute”

-- Write the result on your list next to the activity

-- Over 5-8 days, perform each activity and track heart/pulse rate immediately afterward.

Do not do activities back-to-back; let heart rate slow before testing again.

-- Repeat each activity TWO times to make sure your heart/pulse rate number is correct.

If the two numbers are very close for the same activity, data is good. If numbers are very different for the same activity, repeat that activity and count again until you have matching data. This ensures that your count wasn't a mistake.

-- For resting heart/pulse rate, have assistant count beats per minute in the morning.

-- When you have two close numbers for each activity and resting, put each activity on a line to show which activity had the highest number.

 



No-Sew Girls' Wonder Woman Costume for School or Halloween

Amelia needed a book character costume for a school parade this week. Having already purchased her a Halloween costume from the store, I did not want to have to buy another. Because she is "too old" for princesses these days, my grown-up first grader insisted on a Wonder Woman costume.

She placed the book "I Am Wonder Woman" in her pink backpack and filled out her story map to share with the class. After a trip to the fabric and craft store, I got to work making a no-sew costume for the occasion. Luckily, I had some of the materials in my sewing box at home (Velcro and no-sew hem tape) so this custom costume was under $20.

CAPE:  Red smooth/satin fabric (1 yard should do it); Heat-N-Bond hem tape, Adhesive Velcro dots.

Cut the cape to size. Don't cut a perfect rectangle, it should taper smaller towards the neck to flow properly down the back. Like a pyramid with the top chopped straight across. Use an iron and Heat-N-Bond to hem the edges so the cape won't fray. When hemmed, use strong adhesive Velcro dots to attach the cape around the neck.

Adressing my child's fear

How do you address a fear in your child?

Amelia, age six, first-grader extraordinaire, has been experiencing an increased phobia lately. She is terrified that kids will throw up at school. At first I thought it was a worry that she herself would get sick, or that perhaps her gentle heart would once again feel the pains of her friends. But she assures me it is neither. She is simply afraid that someone will throw up - and I won't be there. Last night, she was crying in her bed until she finally called out to me. She was actually afraid to go to school just because someone might throw up.

In 170-some days of school last year, one kid in her class threw up. Just one.

Weird, huh?

Well, imagine my surprise when the trusty (sometimes) Internet told me that this is, in fact, a real phobia!


Emetophobia: The Fear of Vomiting - see info and description from AnxietyCoach.com

So, apparently this is a type of panic disorder. Amelia is reminded of vomiting because she says "kids are coughing all day" in school. She hears all the coughing (probably heightened these weeks because everyone seems to catch a cold when back-to-school), and feels actual fear. Her avoidance technique is to want Mommy. She becomes fearful, wants to be with me immediately, and becomes very sad. She is afraid that someone will vomit at the start of the school day and she will be stuck without me for several hours. She worries at night that someone will vomit the next day. She can barely tolerate the coughing from other children in her class. I am thankful that her fear presents itself only occasionally, but I am beginning to become concerned that it will actually send her into a panic one day.

Awesome books from a 1980s childhood (that kids should read today!)

I was born just before the 1980s (shhhh, don't tell!), but I started reading and loving books in the middle of kindergarten. I think back to my small private elementary school and our weekly trips to the library. It was such a welcoming and cozy space with carpet, tables, and shelf after shelf of books to transport us into worlds we could only imagine.

Do you remember some of your favorite books as a kid? I absolutely do. There were a few that I read over and over again and checked out more than a few times. These are the books I want to find again and share with my children.

#1 - 3 -- Shel Silverstein books. Enough said. Where The Sidewalk Ends, A Light In the Attic, and The Giving Tree are beloved classics. I especially liked Silverstein's silly poetry.

Science at home: three FUN project ideas for parents and kids

Recently announced after school: Amelia wants to be a science teacher when she grows up! Thanks to the ongoing efforts of our school foundation, our children can experience hands-on science in the Science Lab each week. Amelia always comes home from science day enthusiastically recounting her experiences. She admires the teacher's lab coat, she loves the lab tables for interactive group activities, and she gets very interested in whatever it is they learned that day.

She now wants a science lab in her playroom. While that isn't going to happen anytime soon (if ever!), I do have a few fun at-home science experiments we can do together. These are classic activities that I remember doing as a kid. Timeless learning fun for everyone.

Surprise them with little gestures of love. They'll remember!

Amelia is on her sixth day of first grade. Last week went really well and I know she is going to enjoy her year. Check out a favorite memory she had last week:

(Not playing? Click My Skittles to open in YouTube.)

I enjoy surprising her with little gestures of love. I hide small treats or notes in her lunch bag or by her bedroom door every couple weeks. In the midst of a busy day or the morning chaos, she can stop for a moment and remember that she is my sunshine.

When this little guy is big enough, he'll get them too! For now he has to settle for extra kisses and tickles at home.

Linked up to Really, Are You Serious for Mommy & Me Monday.

She put us in the trash

Amelia is on day four of first grade today! She is exhausted from a busy week and very early wake-up times, but she is enjoying school. She comes home from school and plays school; that's always a good sign in our house!

I wonder if her first grade teacher will put her in the trash?

When I was in first grade at a very small private school, my first grade teacher put me in the trash. Literally. She was slightly plump, full of energy, always smiling - and energetic. When we needed a break from thinking and working, she would often sweep us off our feet and spin. Or fly us across the room. And once or twice, she plopped a couple of us right down into the trash can! Six year olds love silliness, and we thought it was hilarious. I am thirty years older now but I still remember her.

She left our school in the middle of my first grade year. I cried. I was so very worried that our replacement educator would not be fun. That was one of my very first hard lessons that things change.

For the record, the replacement teacher was also very sweet. She taught us well and we had fun. I don't think she dunked me in the trash can, but I do remember some dancing. First grade was entertaining "back in the day"!

---
Linked up to Mama Kat's writer's workshop today. 
What grade is your child going to be in? Share a memory you have of yourself at that same age.

The back-to-school knot in my belly

Why is this so difficult every single year?

My belly is knotted up with tension as we take those first (since summer) steps down the school hallway. I nervously take in the elements of the new classroom. I enthusiastically meet the new teacher - maybe a bit too enthusiastically, because I am trying to stifle my nervousness. I anxiously scan for the child faces we recognize and make note of those we do not know.

Outwardly, Amelia seems more comfortable with the situation. But when she reaches out to put her hand in mine, I know she is feeling it too. Her hand is as comforting to me as mine is to her.

First grade will be yet another new adventure. I know she will conquer it with ease and grace, but the mama bear in me just wants to hold on for a little while longer. How will I make it through when she no longer reaches for my hand?

Preparing your child for Kindergarten from a rising 1st grader mom

Back to school time!

I know, it seems crazy early for most people around the country, but we go back at the beginning of August here in the South. Our last day of the school year was May 22nd, so we've had our fun and now we must prepare to return.

Amelia will be a first grader. She will move up the hallway in the school and she returns with excitement and confidence. She knows where the various rooms are within the school and she knows the routine. She will walk in like she owns the place. Amelia is anxiously awaiting meet and greet day so she can find out which teacher will be hers and which friends will be in her class once again.

Kindergarten was an amazing experience for us both. I cannot help but smile when I think about it - she grew up faster and learned more than I ever could have imagined. For those of you who may be facing the start of kindergarten, don't fret. I know it may be very difficult to leave your child at his/her first "big kid school", but just wait. The year will astound you. These kids learn so much more in kindergarten than we did, perhaps even in first grade!

 

 

(1) Establish a routine early. School can be a shock after a summer of lax schedules, later bedtimes, vacations, and fun events. Kindergarten is serious business. It begins on time (for us, much earlier than preschool) and the students get right to work immediately. The kindergarten day is busy; the students bounce from activity to activity rapidly throughout the day. It is good that way because at their ages, attention span only lasts so long. Establishing a morning routine will help to keep everyone in the family sane. Children thrive best on schedules. And when they have some serious schoolwork and learning ahead of them, it helps to begin their day the same way as much as possible. They know what to expect. Eventually, that routine becomes habit.

Assisting a neighbor: State Farm gives back to local causes

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for State Farm. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating. 

Giving back is a common theme in our household. We are blessed with good health, amazing family, and everything we need. My daughter has a playroom full of toys and books, and we regularly take a moment to choose what she no longer loves to donate to others. She has grown up with an understanding that there are many other children in need, and it is our duty to share. She understands that once in a while, saying goodbye to her belongings allows them to go on to another child who will love the toys and give them a new life of more fun and new playtime.

State Farm takes "like a good neighbor" seriously. The State Farm Neighborhood Assist program is back, and it is time to vote, vote, vote for your favorite neighborhood cause. 4,000 causes were submitted to the Neighborhood Assist program, and the State Farm Youth Advisory Board has selected the top 200 wonderful and worthy finalists. The top 40 causes will each receive $25,000! That is life-changing funding for these local causes, and you can make a difference by helping decide which ones are the lucky recipients.  
 

It's a double-whammy celebration weekend for meeeeee!

Friday, May 9th is my birthday! It's a grown-up birthday, which means it will basically be like any other day. But at least it is a Friday! No cooking for the weekend for me, because Sunday is also Mother's Day. I always get the double-whammy celebration weekend to commemorate both extra-special days.

Amelia's kindergarten class put on a fantastic Mother's Day breakfast event for us this week. As each mom entered the room, their child greeted her and led her to their seat. Each child-sized seat was decorated with drawings on the paper table cover with a special art piece set to the side.

Later, we had breakfast and viewed an adorable interview video, in which each of 22 precious children answered questions about their moms. Amelia reported that my favorite thing to do is play board games with her, and my favorite drink is Coke. The children also read a part of their mom journals. Amelia said, "My mom wears glasses, just like me."

Melt. So proud.

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers out there, including my own, my mother-in-law, my sister, sisters-in-law, friends, neighbors, and more. Wishing everyone an enjoyable day with some precious kid art thrown in for good measure.

 

I love her in the spring, summer, and snow too!  

 

Wedding plans at age five

I am three decades past preschool and kindergarten, but a few big memories still stand out. Like the time I was cast out of the ballerina role in the preschool graduation event ("too short", apparently). Or the time a boy I "loved" in kindergarten was kissed by another girl (devastating!).

Now that I am Mom to a kindergartener, I am glad that I still have a couple of those memories. Especially now that my girl is dreaming up wedding plans at age five and a half.

She is in love.

The boy is apparently the ladies' man; he hangs out with all the girls. Amelia says they all want to marry him, but she is the one he sits next to at lunch. She is the one whose hand he grabbed as they ran through the playground. My little girl is already tallying her wins vs. the other ladies and imagining the rest of her life with this boy. She was shocked when I told her that marriage is a good twenty years away!

Frankly, I am wearing thin from hearing his name. Tonight, I found a drawing of a boy with his name  written (in rainbow, of course) all over the page.

No matter what, it isn't very comforting to see such behavior in a child so young. My child! But it does help that I am able to conjure up memories of similar feelings and behaviors from my own childhood. I survived and married the right guy when I was in my mid-twenties. I suppose there is hope for my smitten darling too.

I'm just really, really tired of hearing his name!

Kindergarten homework projects

I don't know how long it will take for me to not be completely fascinated by kindergarten; these kids are incredibly active and busy! Amelia's kindergarten teacher does not give a lot of specific homework, but she asks us to work at home with our children however we wish.

I scoured the Internet for some Kindergarten worksheets, mostly focusing on letter formation and sight words.

Letter Formation:
Here is a full A-to-Z set of printable trace and print letter worksheets. Amelia knows how to write all the letters, but she does many of them bottom-to-top. I like that these worksheets have a dot at the top of each letter, as a clue showing where they should start with their pencil. I watch her do these to make sure she is practicing the correct method of letter formation.

#WW: School Lunch

The only way I know Amelia will actually eat lunch while at school is if I pack it myself. I know her favorites! Balancing Mamas need to try to stay organized to survive 5-day-a-week lunch packing. Despite the price (and being less eco-friendly), I have to rely on the convenient individual packets of snacks and fruits. And for other items, I try to wash, chop, and store in little containers so I can simply grab and pack each morning.

Oh, and thank goodness for a thermos! Now I can add macaroni-n-cheese and baked beans to the school lunch selections. Those are her favorite foods, but eating them cold was no fun! I found a stainless steel small thermos that is a lifesaver. 

What are your school lunch solutions?