Happy Earth Week

In celebration of Earth Day 2012 I composed an educational unit for the whole week for me and Cassie. On Monday I visited Barnes and Noble (one of my fave book spots for purchasing.) I bought two books for her. One has flaps to lift...uber cool. The other shows each of the Disney Princesses doing their share to help save the earth...sweet!

Let's get reading

Reading is so fun! All books have a purpose. Lately I have been reading these ones with my 3 year old daughter. I will list the benefits in my opinion both from a parental standpoint and an educator's standpoint.

Herrrre we go!



The benefits of this book are preparation, understanding, and exposure. My daughter will be riding the school bus for the first time this fall. She knows very little outside of the famous "wheels on the bus" song. This book helps her understand what happens with school buses and students.


The benefits of this book are imagination, comfot, and unit support. If you wanted to do a unit on imagination or cloud types this is the book to use. I could also see myself using this text with my college students for an analytical report. With mentions of marshmallows and grandpa's smoke the story is sure to provide personal connections with children.


The benefits of thi sbook are critical thinking, interaction, and quality time. I give my daughter the clues and encourage her to guess. This helps her reason. It also boosts her self esteem when she guesses correctly. I like that it is something we can go through together.


The benefits of this book are comedy, relatability, and warmth. It's a cute story that children can empathize with. Their intentions are often misunderstood. It reminds us parents/adults to give kids a break.


The benefits of this book are personal connections, engaging illustrations, and relatability.I love this book because of the cute elephant characters and because it shares my sentiments. It let's me know I am not in the struggle to have me time, on my own. Lot's of mommies have to squeeze in their moments even if it's just 5 minutes of peace. I believe it let's Cassie know that mommies just need a little time away but they will come back to spend time together eventually.


The benefits of this book are phonemes, comedy, and personal connection. I purchased this title from our school's book fair. My daughter discovered characters that resembled her teacher and one of her classmates. She likes to pretend she is one of the characters as well. It is important to choose books that children can relate to.

Until the next time...happy reading.

Do As Momma Says Do As Momma Does

come on and party

I AM PARTY RAWKIN!!!!! It's never too late to join us. Woot Woot. :)

These are a few of my favorite things

This book is making me a much more optimistic, thoughtful, and insightful individual.



Yoga paaaants! So comfy and I disguise them at work with a nice blouse. :)



I love that the orange juice comes in a "pitcher" of sorts. I love pouring juice for me and Cassie.



This body mist by Ralph Lauren makes me instantly irresistable and lifts my mood.



My absolute fave from Bath and Body Works. It tastes great, softens my lips, freshens my breath, and on top of that it is shiny not matte. yayyyyy.



I purchased this Scotch laminator as a bday present for myself last week. I am making scrapbooks and glossing up everything from postcards, to photos, to notes home from school for Cassie.



A yummy drink with no calories. I was skeptical. I thought nothing could top diet cherry Pepsi and then boom Diet Dew came into my life this week for work.



This body wash is ahhhhhmazing. It really is like a cup of tea for my body.


So these are my current faves...what are yours????

I chose my baby 1st-Art Show

It was a hard decision at first...really it was. But I know for sure I made the right one deep down and my heart. My daughter was having her very first Art Show...so we're my students. I needed to be at my show to interact with the parents of my students...I needed to support my daughter and build her self esteem.

I went over the pros and cons over and over in my head. The scenario that stuck out the most was the possibility of students coming back talking about their art at the resturaunt and Cassie only having the memory of my students' work plastered on resturaunt walls.

With that scene haunting me I set off to hers first before it was officially scheduled to begin. We had quality time there with Abuelita and Auntie Faye. She beemed with pride and of course gave me a hard time when trying to snap pics using a camera with a nearly dead battery.

I made it to my own show ahead of time. It felt good knowing I did the best thing for my family and then my career.

Rule-You determine the healthy balance between family and work. Hint-it is guided by your values.

Do As Momma Says, Do As Momma Does.

Cassie got her hair straightened

Gasp she's only 3. I just felt like I was literally "ripping" some of her precious curls out during detangling with a comb. Her hair is so beautiful. I used the flat iron. I promise not to straighten with heat often so as not to ruin her wave pattern. It was such a milestone for her. She also got to wear my blingy earrings since she lost one of her real ones at school. me-o-my! She thought it was all for Punchki's birthday party as she kept reminding me over and over. Punchki is her baby boy cousin and my only nephew. She even picked out her black patent leather mary janes to wear on her feet. She looked uber festive and so much like a big girl that day. A lot like Rapunzel!

Rule- follow your own judgement instead of what "they" say

Do As Momma Says, Do As Momma Does