Cousins

So tired...

Xander and Daddy playing with technology. Really, Xander's just extremely tired in this pic and needed something to hold while he watched his beloved Avett Brothers concert. :)

Dia

Back in April, the library celebrated "Dia de Los Ninos, Dia de los Libros" which is Spanish for "Day of the Child, Day of the Books". There were many wonderful events that took place that day. We had African drumming, Taikwondo, storytelling, drama activities, and so much more. What a wonderful way to celebrate children of all cultures!

I worked the event, but David and Xander came to visit. The pictures above were taken by my friend and colleague, Varanrat Torok. She took these photos during the African drumming event which was Xander's favorite. I should have known that he'd be drawn to the loud music with a strong beat! He has so much rhythm!!!

Work - Every Child Ready to Read, Part I

I've started a new project at work that is a grant-funded program for children in low-socioeconomic families and specific zip codes. It's called the "Jump Start Reading at Home" program. I will see each of my centers (I have two for this specific program) twice a month for story times and once a month for parent workshops. By the end of the six-month program each child will have 15 books to take home and start their own home library. We're following the Every Child Ready to Read @ your library model that teaches early literacy and the six building blocks of reading. These building blocks are vocabulary, print awareness, phonological awareness, print motivation, narrative skills, and letter knowledge.

Vocabulary simply means knowing the names of things.

Print awareness is noticing print, knowing how to handle a book, and knowing how to follow the words on a page.

Phonological awareness is being able to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words.

Print motivation is being interested in and enjoying books.

Narrative skills means being able to describe things and events and tell stories.

Letter knowledge means knowing letters are different from each other, knowing their names and sounds and recognizing letters everywhere.

In the days ahead, and as I provide these story times and workshops to our community, I will share more of how to incorporate these activities in your children's daily activities. It's really very easy...and lots of fun!


This is a picture of me with some of my kiddos - Aubrielle and Mali! The book I'm reading is titled "Pete the Cat" - it's a cute book. Be sure to check it out at your local library!

BabyD

One of the most important things to me in life is my friendships. I am so blessed and honored to have friends like Scott and Mindie. Today we participated in their new son, Charlie's, dedication to Christ at Ridge church. What a wonderful event! We had the privilege of being among the first families to ever celebrate BabyD at Ridge last July with our sweet Xander. Having gone through this just a few months ago has allowed me to appreciate the whole experience that much more. The parents of the child to be dedicated are given "homework" - some messages to listen to and questions to discuss as a married couple and parents of this new child. For David and I, we learned a lot about what each of us was anticipating and were able to discuss things that might not have come up in a positive way. Watching Scott and Mindie sitting there with their new son reminded me just how amazing our God is and how truly blessed we are to have our boys. I know they'll look back on this day with fondness just as I did today. I'm reminded that what we have on this earth is truly temporary and all belongs to God - even my son. I'm thankful that He's given me this season to enjoy raising Xander in a godly way and watch him grow up to be a man after God's own heart.

30 days 'til David's 30th birthday.

May 14th marked 30 days until David's 30th birthday and I've decided to celebrate with a little something special each day. I want to recognize him or do something to remind him that he's loved for the 30 days leading up to his big day. I don't look at 30 as us getting old, just getting better! So for the first day I gave him a card letting him know what my plan is for the next thirty days. At 29 days I wrote a message to him in the shower with children's bathtub crayons.


For 28 days I made a little sign that I propped up at his dinner plate which consisted of his favorite takeout meal - Mexican food, specifically cheese dip with chorizo (which he did not know about and was thrilled that I went out and got!). Today, at 27 days Xander and I wrote him a message and drew some pictures outside with sidewalk chalk. I am having so much fun with this! I'm incredibly thankful to have such an amazing husband who makes me excited to serve, love, cherish, be spontaneous with, create, play, laugh, cry, and just all around enjoy life. I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else and I'm so happy we're together!

iPad!

Perhaps a new post should be about my awesome family, or at least my sweet son, but I'm going to post instead about my new iPad! What a wonderful Mother's Day present! So I guess, in a way, this post is about Xander since I wouldn't have mother's day without him! :)


This has been an awesome Mother's weekend (not just day!). We spent Saturday with Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Becky. Grandpa bought a new boat, then we shopped at the mall (one of Grandma's fave things) and went out to dinner. Sunday we spent time with Mimi and Papa over at Aunt Erin's and Uncle Nathan's House. Xander loves his cousins and had a great time, even if he is sick. Unfortunately he has hand-foot-mouth disease. He's quite the trooper, though, and still went along with all our festivities over the weekend - and with a good attitude!

So, that leaves today for me! Xander and David decided I should have my own day, so they're spoiling me all day today. Xander even cooperated by sleeping in late -8am, then David made French toast and we had breakfast together as a family. They gave me my awesome iPad and I've been playing with it all morning! Xander's taking a good nap and we'll all eat lunch together. David's grilling steaks and asparagus for dinner and we're going to the park to play this afternoon. What more could I ask for? What an amazing day!!