love helps us grow

I have the opportunity to work with a group of fun little three year-olds. We had a lesson about how our bodies grow and stay healthy through rest, good food, and exercise. As I began, I asked, "What helps us to grow bigger?" One little one raised her little hand and very excitedly answered, "My mommy and daddy love me so much I just keep growing bigger." Many others started to add in also. I smiled to myself because that was a very true answer.
The love from our family does help us to grow.

super mom meets kung fu panda

So are you wondering what a super mom and Kung Fu Panda have in common? Quite a bit really, if you have seen the movie. Here is a simple little story about how moms really are super in their everyday actions to help their kids. My husband shared this with me as he got home one day and I had to post it.

He had the opportunity to help some high school students prepare for a school talent show. It was a Chinese class so they decided to do the Kung Fu Panda Dance from the movie Kung Fu Panda (a favorite at our house). A few days before tryouts one of the students mentioned that his mom would like to make simple costumes for the class.

A couple students asked how she could do this in a just a few days. Her son then replied, "I don't know, she's a mom." My husband just smiled as the rest of the students said,"Oh".

There must be some super power that is attached to that title of MOM. We all do many things for our families each day and though it may seem like some of these things are simple, even teenage boys appreciate that moms seem to have some kind of super power (love?).

wearing of the green

Whenever a holiday is over the first thing our kids ask about is what holiday is next. We all love a good holiday. Sometimes it means a break from normal life or at least some fun and interesting traditions. But if my kids ask what and why we are celebrating I have to admit that sometimes(ok, a lot of the time) I don't really know. Let's take today St. Patricks Day for instance. My kids know that they must wear green to school, and they love it when naughty leprechauns do mischievous things in their classrooms but who was St. Patrick and was his favorite color green? And what do corn beef, lucky clovers and parades have to do with it? Just a little FYI, St. Patrick was not actually Irish, the cabbage and corn beef tradition started in America, and green is not the color that St. Patrick was originally associated with. I found all that out on History.com where there are interesting videos explaining everything. They will either make you look like a really smart parent, make for a great dinner converstaion or a least create a fun little holiday activity while everyones finds out why we are all celebrating. Happy Learning!

what's in your bag?

Recently I was late for a meeting and hurrying to the door when I met up with a good friend. As we entered the building, she complimented me on my new bag. I was excited about it and thanked her for her kindness. It wasn't until a little later in the meeting that I noticed her bag. It was fairly small and had a spiderman pencil bag poking out the top. I looked at her and then at her bag and smiled. She smiled back, well giggled really, and explained that her son had given her the pencil bag. She told me she loved to use it because it reminded her of him and because it always made people laugh when she pulled it out. For many years now she has been reminding me to truely cherish, celebrate and love the best things in life. This day proved to be no different. Thanks again Julie.