NO Sugar Cereals Allowed!

Lucky Charms, Coco Puffs, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and Fruity Pebbles all bring back delicious childhood memories for me, but times have changed. Since the latest news revealing the skyrocketing numbers of Childhood Obesity and Diabetes, many parents have become extra health cautious. Most have said adios to whole milk, Pop-tarts, and of course sugar cereals. Thinking about my own health, I no longer consume these cereals either and couldn't imagine actually enjoying them or feeling full from eating them as a matter of fact. Even though I do not consume the cereals I once did, I still love cereal.

After trying many healthier cereals, such as Special K, Kashi, Smart Start and now my latest craze, PUFFINS! I have fallen in love with this low fat, low sugar, and all natural cereal. Peanut Butter Puffins always satisfy my appetite and quench my peanut butter cravings. They come in a variety of flavors including, original, multigrain, and cinnamon. I personally, enjoy this cereal with vanilla soy milk, but eating them plain is just as snack worthy.

The best part of this cereal is it doesn't have the "diet" taste and is totally kid friendly and delicious! Although, this yummy delight does not come with a toy at the bottom of the box, it is adorned with puffins and educational information about them. So, the next time you're at the grocery store, steer clear of the Frosted Mini Wheats and grab a box of Puffins, you won't be disappointed and neither will your little ones!

http://http//www.barbarasbakery.com/

Bookstore Love

My husband and I are always in pursuit of new, exciting, and quaint bookstores. Whenever we travel, we always research little bookstores in the local towns we visit. Usually the bookstores we stumble upon have a small store front window, single door entrances, and if were are lucky a tall wooden ladder that slides across the shelves of tall book cases. Small hallways packed with rows of books, an inviting children's area, and a single cashier, are always signs of a timeless bookstore.

As it turns out, l did not have to travel far or even 3 miles outside of my local neighborhood to find the next greatest gem. Located on a popular strand in Long Beach, California, about a mile from beach, Apostrophe Books lies. Adorned with stationary, greeting cards, journals, and books, I could get lost in this bookstore for hours. Their shelves are stocked with the most popular and timeless novels to the history of California. I love walking down the street to purchase an original birthday card, and discover a new author. Who knew such a warm and inviting bookstore was located down the street from my house.

The Animal Odd Couple

I think we can all learn a thing or two about love and life from Tara and Bella. Through sickness and in health these two animals remain side by side. This video made my heart smile and instilled the hope that despite outside difference love and friendship can prevail.

"No More PB & J's Mom!"

Balancing cooking, laundry, homework, sports, and play dates at the end of a busy work day, packing lunches is more chore to add to the daily list for many parents. Some parents have solved this problem by buying cafeteria lunch plans for their children. This may be a great solution for most families, but what about the kids that are picky and refuse to eat in the cafeteria? In my quest to find a reasonable solution to this battle, I found a company called, Fresh Lunches.

Fresh Lunches is a company that delivers a cornucopia of fresh and healthy lunches to kids schools directly. By using Fresh Lunches, parents no longer have to worry about grocery shopping for lunches, make time to pack them, or worry that their kids are getting tired of the food they are packing them. Fresh Lunches allows parents and their kids to pick out a weekly menu of foods they would like to eat and then delivers them. Sounds easy and convenient enough to me. Take a look around their site and see if maybe it could ease some of your daily stresses.

http://www.freshlunches.com/index.html

"Velcro Parents"

I've heard the term, "Helicopter Parent" before (you the kind that likes to hover over their child's every move in life, which I am very familiar with because I was raised by them,hehe), but the latest term I discovered is called, "Velcro Parents". I learned this term after reading the NY Times article entitled, "Students, Welcome to College; Parents, Go Home. " The title of the article is a loaded statement in itself, I anticipated reading it.

Colleges have now caught wind of the "baby on board" generation parents and are urging them to back off. During a time of exploration, self-growth, and independence, children are caught in a battle between growing up or staying dependent on their parents, manly to appease their attachment.

Much like the days of letting go when their child was first whisked away to Kindergarten, saying goodbye to their college freshmen seems to pose the same battle. Parents want to linger around campus and watch their child from a far to make sure they are adjusting to their new environment. This lingering behavior has created many challenges for colleges.

Professors want to see this dependent relationship between parents and their child dissolve. At many colleges, parents now try to attend the first week of their child's classes and vacation in the surrounding neighborhood, just make sure their "baby" is okay. Professors want to see college students rely more on the life lessons their parents have taught them and not feel the need to text, chat, and email their parents every hour.

In my opinion, "Velcro Parents" are excellent parents. The time and dedication they give to their children is uncanny. I understand letting go of your child after eighteen years of parenting is difficult. However, at some point the monumental effects of suffocating your child has be realized and a happy/medium needs to be found.

The whole reason their child is attending a prestigious university is because of their devotion to their child's education and life. It is now time for parents to trust the young adults they have raised and let them become the independent and educated person they have hoped they would become.

On another note, if the economy continues this downward spiral of limited jobs, these "Velcro Parents" will get their "babies" back in four years because they will be moving home. So I say, take advantage of the four years your child is away. If you have established a good relationship prior to them leaving, this bond will only grow stronger from a distance. So, enjoy your clean house, limited amount of laundry and quietness, because in four years "baby" is coming home with a whole new attitude!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/23/education/23college.html?src=me&ref=general

Make Way For Junie B. Jones

Junie B. Jones has always been a character in a book I heard about, until I started teaching First Grade. As my students paraded in on that first week of school, Junie B. Jones came to life. Her quirky attitude and big personality were prevalent in practically each of my students. The life lessons they would soon embrace in the first grade (field trips, bus rides, holiday celebrations, vacations, best friends, homework disasters, problem solving, etc.) were unknowingly, already written out through her books and I was in for the taking.

I soon realized, that by reading Junie B. Jones’ books to my students they were not only exposed to their first chapter book character, but they fell in love with reading. Taking a step back I tried to understand, why my students loved Junie B. so much. After much contemplation, I learned they not only related to her life and humor, but her adventures and imagination sculpted a world that they would like to play in. From her stuffed animals to sneaky school behavior and best friend adventures, my students found Junie B. Jones relatable and loveable.

I love Junie B. for attracting students to learn and love reading. No matter what, I salute Junie B. Jones and all of her greatness and hope kids everywhere continue to forge a friendship with her for years.

A Fad Worth Following

With a name like “Yo Gabba Gabba” heads are sure to turn and eyebrows are raised, Yo Gabba, what? It’s the latest craze for our kids, teen, tweens, and as I quickly discovered adults! How can someone create such an entertaining and intriguing show that adults and kids can enjoy together?

The creative genius behind this show is Christian Jacobs, the lead singer of the Aquabats. Since August of 2007 the shows main characters, DJ Lance Rock, Muno, Foofa, Brobee, Toodee, and Plex have made kids and parents alike get off the couch, dance, sing, and learn a variety of life lessons. If you have never heard of Gabbaland before, its worth tuning into. I, myself have made room in my own heart and embraced this retro/indie style cartoon.

Raising Extraordinary Children- My Teacher Hero

Rafe Esquith teaches at Hobart Elementary School, a large urban public school, in Los Angeles. The school is located in an economically disadvantaged area where the majority of students are second language learners. Although most of these children come from poverty stricken and immigrant families, there lives are transformed in room 56. Many of Esquith's students willing start there school day at 6:30 am and stay until dark. Within this time, Esquith inspires them to reach their fullest potential and reach unforeseen heights. From performing Shakespearean plays, playing in a rock n' roll band, attending baseball games, traveling, meeting grade level expectations and beyond on state tests, to learning how to take pride in what you do, make decisions, and be selfless in life, Rafe changes the lives of these children and makes them fall in love learning.

In my opinion he is the most influential classroom teacher in the country, and has mastered the ability to create a magical and life-changing learning experiences in his classroom. I hope one day to be half the teacher that he has become. Reading his books, listening to his stories, and keeping in tuned with his websites, his inspiring attitude touches my heart and makes me want to to reach beyond things I never thought possible. I wish the world had more Rafe Esquith's to go around.

Check out the magic...http://www.hobartshakespeareans.org/

Over-Connected Parents...Or Not?

While watching the Early Show one morning, I became fascinated by a new study they were presenting. Psychologist were analyzing the positive and negative effects technology has on the relationship between college students and their parents.

College is a chance for children to grow into adults and expand their knowledge of their environment and world around them. When students move away from home and enter college, this experience ahead of them stereotypically is thought to produce independent thinkers and citizens of society. However, many of these ideas pertaining to the college experience are true, many views have changed due to popularity of the internet and cell phones.

Although most college students are not living at home, their parents keep them on a tight rope. From emailing research papers home to their class syllabus, students are calling their parents multiple times a day to check in for advice, help,and approval. The supposed negative effects of this dependency children are having on their parents is that they are not becoming as independent as once thought. This kind of control is not teaching college students how to plan ahead to meet deadlines, seek resources around them for help, or utilize the facilities the college offers.

On the other hand, relationships between parents and their kids could be growing stronger and make families closer. Check out the video clip for yourself to form your opinions, good or bad?

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6759758n&tag=cbsnewsVideoArea.0