Fun, Healthy Food

Who knew healthy food could be so fun? And easy to put together! Little K made this nutritious creation two nights ago. It includes a whole wheat tortilla, cream cheese, and lots of veggies. Too fun! I'll include more fun ideas for healthy eating in the February newsletter... coming out tomorrow.

Until the next nap time...

Dance Party

"I can't believe it's Sunday already," I said this morning as my husband woke me for church. The last 2 weeks have just flown by.

After church, we returned home for lunch and cookie baking. This week is Catholic Schools Week so our cookies are treats for the teachers and staff at St. Riose Elementary School in the Heights. Well, the cookies that my husband hasn't already eaten. As fast as I lay them on the plate, he eats them.

While we waited for the cookies to bake, Little K and I enjoyed another "Dance Party." I turned the TV to the '70s music channel and we hit the dance floor (a.k.a. the living room). Little K quickly invited all her stuffed animals to join us & Trent snapped a photo of this finer moment.

Until the next nap time...

Kid-Friendly Mardi Gras 2008

Looking for something fun to do next weekend with the kids? Dress in purple, green &/or yellow. It's Mardi Gras time in Galveston and YES, there is a great parade for your family. The Children's Parade is sponsored by the Galveston Firefighters and is good, clean fun. Starting at 2 pm, your family will see an array of characters, clowns and (of course) fire fighters in this celebration. The float participants toss stuffed animals, plastic cups, beads and candy to children cheering them on. Last year, Little K loved it. Happy Mardi Gras!

Until the next nap time...

Challenger Tragedy Remembered

NASA Astronaut flies Challenger Learning Center mission with students
On anniversary of Challenger tragedy, presents mission patches that flew on STS-

WHAT: On the anniversary of the Challenger tragedy, a NASA astronaut will lead an all-student crew on a simulated mission to Mars. In a ceremony dedicated to the spirit of the Challenger 51-L astronauts, he will present a flag and plaque with a DVD containing Challenger Learning Center mission patches that flew on the recent STS-120 mission.

WHO: NASA Astronaut Scott Parazynski, STS-120 mission specialist and member of the board of trustees of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Dr. Parazynski has logged over eight weeks in space and traveled over 23 million miles.

Carolyn Sumners, Ed.D., Vice President of Astronomy & Physics, who led the creation of the world’s first Challenger Learning Center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

WHEN: Jan. 28, 2008

10:30 a.m.
Dr. Parazynski will present a museum flag and a DVD plaque to Carolyn Sumners. The flag and DVD flew on STS-120, carrying images of patches created for over 400 missions in the Challenger Learning Center, representing the work of over 15,000 students. Images of these patches will be available at www.hmns.org beginning Jan. 28.

10:35 – 11:30 a.m.
Dr. Parazynski leads a Mission to Mars with a student crew from HISD’s Hartman Middle School. These students are participating in the ExxonMobil Career Challenge program, which gives them the opportunity to sample the science and engineering careers possible in 21st-century Houston.

11:30 – 11:50 a.m.
Dr. Parazynski will visit the Planetarium to review fish-eye images taken by crewmembers during his recent mission specifically for Houston Museum of Natural Science audiences. The images will become a pre-show adventure for visitors to the Burke Baker Planetarium.

WHERE: Houston Museum of Natural Science
One Hermann Circle Dr., 77030

HOW: Contact Erin Blatzer at (713) 639-4785 or Melodie Francis at 713-639-4743, or come to Museum Services for assistance.

WHY: On the anniversary of the Challenger tragedy, Dr. Parazynski joins the Museum in honoring the spirit of exploration exemplified by the fallen astronauts and celebrates the accomplishments of hundreds of thousands of visiting students.

This year, the Museum observes the 20th anniversary of the opening of the world’s first Challenger Learning Center. Since it’s opening at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, over 500,000 students have flown missions in the Museum’s Challenger Learning Center, at the main Museum and at the George Observatory.

Until the next nap time...

Cosmo or Family Circle?

So I'm flipping through these women's magazines for work when I suddenly realize I may now be more of a Family Circle reader than a Cosmo reader. When did that happen? Rather than stopping him in his tracks with my good looks, I'm okay with my slicked-back pony tail so I can try out that new recipe and pick play-dough up off the floor.

"It's hip to be square"?

Until the next nap time...

Pest Control

This morning, Little K & I got dressed & started picking up the house. I explained that the man for Houston Pest Management was coming to get rid of the bugs in our house. Little K looked at me and said: "But we like Lady Bugs & we like Butterflies."

I smiled and assured her that we'd talk to the exterminator to ensure he wouldn't hurt the lady bugs or butterflies. Too cute.

Later, with Little K singing parts of "Frosty the Snow Man" in the back seat, we drove to the doctor so mommy could feel better. I thought it would be good for Little K to see that even moms go to the doctor & that it doesn't have to be a scary event. Plus, she is out of school today for MLK Day so I didn't have a choice. The verdict? S is for sinus infection and A is for antibiotic. (I wanted to put D is for drugs here but thought some moms might be offended. Oops. Too late now.) I was told that I should feel like Miss America in seven days. What an improvement!

Tomorrow, Little K returns to nursery school & I head back to work. After completing a whirlwind trip to Dallas for a friend's wedding this weekend, I think we're all ready for a return to normalcy, including Little K's regular nap schedule. Smile.

Until the next nap time...

Cooking with Kids

Do you have any tips for cooking with young children? How about favorite snacks and meals for children? Please submit your ideas to the comments section of this blog or email me your thoughts. I hope to use your recommendations in the February issue of my newsletter.

Until the next nap time...

Do As I Say

Little K cracks me up. This morning, she said her eye was hurting so I ran some hot water over a wash cloth and told her to gently wash her eye.

"It's all better now!" she exclaimed after washing her face.

The next thing I know, she's washing her entire body, body part by body part, because she said her knee was hurting. Then, her stomach was hurting... You get the drift. Too funny...

My sister and I went to look at two bridal gowns on Sunday. Colyn had narrowed the selection down to just these two. The first one I really wasn't crazy about but the second one... WOW. It was gorgeous. She is still not sure of the date but is working on it. It's exciting.

This morning on the way to nursery school, Little K told me that her "Juji" (nickname for my sister) was getting married. "Yep," I said.

"And I'm getting married," Little K responded.

"Oh, no you're not," I jumped in. "You need to be much older because when you get married, you can't live with me any more." Little K agreed that she should wait then.

Out of the mouths of babes.

Until the next nap time...

Little K Tackles 5K on Feb. 23

Yep, it's true. I just signed up our entire family for the "Steps for Students" 5K on Saturday, Feb. 23. All donations will benefit Little K's school, St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, so we're excited about the walk & hope to earn some money for the school. Learn how you can support us by visiting our fundraising page at http://www.firstgiving.com/salch.

Go, Little K, go! Until the next nap time...

Artist of the Sky

Earlier today, I was thinking about our holidays and remembered the cutest thing that Little K said. We were on our way to Galveston to visit my in-laws. It had been a long day and nearing dinner time. From the back seat, my husband & I could hear Little K starting to whine. She was tired of being in her car seat and needed a distraction.

My mind raced to find some diversion. We started looking out the window at the clouds. It was nearing sunset and the clouds shimmered in pinks, oranges and purples. I was amazed at the beauty as Little K carefully described the sight. She grew quiet momentarily and then asked, "Who painted the sky?"

Trent & I looked at each other & smiled. It was such a cute thought.

"Who do you think painted the sky," I asked. "Who made it?"

Little K concluded that God painted it and my head must have grown a number of feet wider. (Well, at least I'm honest.) But I also felt so lucky at that moment. That my daughter had noticed nature's beauty right in front of us all. It's a great reminder to me.

Until the next nap time...

Free Trial Classes with Creative Connections

Free trial classes!
West University Recreation Center
Thursday, January 10th
Art Exploration: Explore various media through fun stations and projects.
2.5-4 years-9:00-9:45

Infant/Toddlers in Motion: Includes lots of fun with movement, rhymes, songs, massage, Yoga and much more!
14-30 months-10:15-11:00

Fine Arts Fun: Includes FUN theme related Movement, Art and Drama!
3-5 years-2:45-3:30pm
6-8 years-3:45-4:30pm
Friday, January 11th

Infant /Toddlers in Motion: Includes lots of fun with movement, rhymes, songs, massage, Yoga and much more!
14-30 months-10:45-11:30am
4-13 months-11:30-12:15pm
A 5 week session of these classes will begin the following week at the same time and day as the demonstrations.

*NEW TIME for Yoga for kids
3-8 years-4:30-5:15,Thursdays

*If you are interested enrolling in this class or attending a demo; please contact Leigh or Casey at the information below. To attend the demos, please RSVP to: Leigh at the West U recreation center Or Casey at Casey@Caseyscreativeconnections.com or 713-780-0085. Don't forget to invite your friends!

Until the next nap time...

The Land of Curiosities

Here is a new development on being environmentally-friendly and teaching kids about history and caring for the environment in a fun way. This new book series tells stories about young characters in the 1800s. The first book in the series is called The Land of Curiosities and finds two children who move from New York and later experience the development of the world's first national park, Yellow Stone Park. While set in a historical setting, the kids' adventures is what makes it fun, according to the company owner. The author explains that the environmental messages are woven into the storyline so readers don't feel as if it's being beaten into their heads. The back of each book will include ~ 10 pages of history about Yellow Stone Park or in future books, history about the book's setting. The books target readers age 8-16 years.

The company behind the book series is EcoSeeker, a brother & sister duo, hoping to gain Harry Potter status with the books and then motivate readers to take the EcoSeeker pledge to care for the environment.

Listen to the interview of the company owner & his sister (the book author) on Good Morning America Now at http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4100843. Wake up your children to environmental issues.

Until the next nap time...

Catching Up After the Holidays

Okay so I haven't been blogging lately and it's only because my world has been spinning a bit. The holidays presented my Grandfather-in-law's funeral, followed by my sister's engagement announcement. Wow!

Also, I'm excited to say that Little K gave all of her pacifiers to her cousin because she is a "big girl." Yes, my 2.5 year old no longer has a paci. I can't believe it's taken this long. She's had a few problems soothing herself when she wakes up from a nap. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised considering she's comforted herself one way for SOOOO long. The funny thing is that Little K has not taken a pacifier at school since she was a year old. Go figure.

Big progress was also made this weekend on the potty training front. We're not all the way there but the fact that Little K will sit on the pot and give herself a chance is good. Yeah!

Little K is back at nursery school this week full time so Mommy can get caught up on work. Hmmm... that's what I should be doing now. Gotta run.

Until the next nap time...