One of the exciting things about teaching very young children is coming up with new and innovative ways of teaching, and using new themes and new resources. At the faculty meeting on Wednesday, where Miss Kelly served Cordon Blue, baked pastries and a splendid fare of veggies, we discussed summer rules, but more important we jokingly began with “If you think about each summer day as a play, with a beginning, a middle and and end,” and as I was about to continue, Edith piped in, “And I suppose lunch is intermission?” Well it took off from there and it’s continued all day with jokes about old cartoon characters with hilarious names like Cad Lackey, and Boris Badinoff, and old Vaudevillians, old TV actors and shows.

While we were cooling off with summer coolers today – sprite and left over ice cream – we wondered if a summer spent using theatre jargon and showing some old movies like Shirley Temple movies, and some old cartoons and talking about old Vaudeville jokes, if the kids would fine this culturally interesting. Old pictures, old movie costumes, jewelry, hats, makeup – what a lark.

Beve Pietrowski is taking pictures on Thursday, June 8. It would be fun to do some shots of the kids in big floppy hats and droopy dresses and top hats and starched collars. Let me know what you think. It could be a day-day getting the kids ready.

Remembering is only half the fun. Using the old as a wonderful fun part of the present is what learning is all about. Being aware of things that make life fuller, and give more meaning to the moment is what children should strive for their whole life long.

Pick your favorite cartoon character or movie star and remember – it’s really fun. Anyone remember Mr. Lucky with Carey Grant? Anyone remember High Noon with Gary Cooper? How about the magpies Heckle and Jeckle? Has anyone seen The Casket of Dr. Caligari? Forgive the spelling.

Please feel free to add some of your old favorites. Not sure of what we will do, but your ideas and ours will give this summer some special laughs and a new dimension.

I really like these Babyfit articles.

3Tips for Your Healthiest Pregnancy — By Becky Hand & Nicole Nichols

Protect Your Daughter from Breast Cancer

Recently, scientists studied the effects of diet on mice that were genetically modified to develop breast cancer. Once bred, they fed female mice a diet high in either omega-3 fatty acids or omega-6 fatty acids throughout pregnancy and while breastfeeding their young mice. Once weaned, the young female mice continued on either the omega-3 or omega-6 diet. All the baby mice on the omega-6 fatty acid diet showed tumor development by 6 months of age, while those on the healthy, omega-3 fatty acid diet had only 13% incidence of tumor development.

Most people’s diets are high in meat, eggs, poultry, snack crackers, chips, sweets, baked goods, vegetables oils, and margarine—foods high in omega-6 fatty acids and low in omega-3 fatty acids. This type diet may actually increase the risk for breast cancer.

BabyFit Tip: Your daughter’s risk of developing breast cancer is likely reduced when you:
eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation, and
continue to feed her a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids after weaning.

Include 2-3 servings of foods high in omega-3 fatty acids (foods such as flaxseed, flaxseed oil, canola oil, soybeans, soybean oil, walnuts, fish and shellfish) each week.

*Due to t he concern of mercury contamination during pregnancy and breastfeeding, read “Casting Your Net on Seafood Safety” for guidelines.

Take a Good Look…at Your Kids

Today so many people are overweight or obese that it is sometimes viewed as the norm. This can make it difficult for parents to recognize if their child has a weight problem. A recent study surveying the parents of almost 300 children found:

Only 25% of the parents with an overweight child recognized that the child had a weight problem.

When the child was obese, one-third of the mothers and one-half of fathers indicated that the child’s weight was “about right”.

Parents who were overweight themselves were no better or worse at identifying a weight problem in their child.

BabyFit Tip: At well-child check ups, discuss weight issues with your child’s pediatrician. Seek out ways to involve the entire family in healthy eating habits and fitness routines. Check out these websites for ideas: International Food Information Council, American Heart Association, and American Academy of Pediatrics.

ZZZZZZZ…

A recent study conducted by the UCSF School of Nursing found that inadequate sleep during late pregnancy (this study took place in the ninth month) influences labor length and delivery type. Compared to women who slept on average seven or more hours each night, researchers found that:

women who averaged less than six hours of sleep per night had significantly longer labors and were 4.5 times more likely to have cesarean deliveries, and women who averaged between six and seven hours of sleep per night were 3.7 times more likely to have a cesarean delivery.

BabyFit Tip: While this is the first study of its kind, making it hard to apply these findings to all women, it’s no secret that both sleep problems and chronic fatigue have adverse effects on your physical and psychological well-being. If you have trouble meeting your sleep requirements, try:
Increasing the amount of time you spend in bed. Going to bed earlier, or merely relaxing in bed (even if you don’t feel tired) will help you fall asleep sooner.

Be sure to discuss your sleeping patterns with your healthcare provider. “Similar to advice that women should ‘eat for two’ when pregnant, healthcare providers should consider recommending that women also sleep for two,” says study author Kathryn Lee, RN, PhD, FAAN, professor and the James and Marjorie Livingston Chair in the UCSF School of Nursing.

For more tips on relieving stress and getting better sleep, read: ”Slip Into a Steady Slumber”, ”Pregnant and Feeling Stressed”, and the ”Relaxation and Meditation Survival Guide”.

I’m posting some great pictures of one of our families on vacation.

I got an email from my daughter about comfort zones and how one thing is more comfortable than another, some places more comfortable than others, some routines – etc, and I started to think about it, shared it with E after Mass this morning, and then took it over to Molly’s and presented it to her.

Expectation – what will be demanded of me, and how well will I be able to comply – will I be able to manage, and will I shine or will I just take up space? The questions are probably never asked about ordinary things, places and days, but in the back of our minds, I think people are regularly concerned about expectation, and especially children. “What will I have to do today” is a big worry with some kids. It’s important that they come to school and do well at least most of the day. A pat on the back, a hug, a kind and encouraging word goes a long way. Safety counts.

Moving one peg over, what about home? What do we expect at home or from our homes? My home is a workshop. It’s my workshop set up for me to experiment in any way I want – gardening inside and out, cooking, sewing, making, doing, mending, writing, searching, creating, while R&R is probably the farthest thing from my mind.

Does that necessarily mean it’s comfortable for the people around me? I suppose it depends on what you think home should be, and it’s a good question to ask over and over again. If home is where you relax, my home is going to make relaxers uncomfortable. I hate soft furniture. If you want to take a nap, go upstairs. I once thought to have wooden chairs and benches in the playroom but was out voted, so I have wooden chairs in my room.

And so it is with children – what are their perceived expectations about going to school and about going home? Will I be expected to eat when I go home? I had a big snack tday and it was late, and I’m not hungry, but mom will be mad if I don’t eat dinner. I’m really tired, and I left out all those toys this morning, will I get in trouble if I don’t pick them up? I got a blue face today, will that mean I miss TV tonight when I’m so tired from the playground games? I really don’t want to go home.

Maybe the best thing to do is talk about expectations – immediate and long term. Sometimes children as well as some adults think the expectation load is so monumental at work, in public or at home, they are on the defensive just walking through the door. If that’s the case, communication needs some work.

Think about it – what are your expectations and what do you think are the perceived expectations of those you live with?

I really like these articles. If in doubt, or if you’re picky, eat half and in some cases, a quarter of what is served, eat it slowly – I wish I could – or with a gulp of water between bites.

Babyfit’s Dining Out Guide

It’s almost impossible to drive down the street today without being ambushed by a few themed restaurants and fast-food joints ready to throw a burger down your throat and ruin your best nutritional intentions. But in this ruthless wilderness, you can still discover some hidden healthy treasures. Here are some that we’ve dug up. If you find ones you like, forward them to nicole@sparkpeople.com along with any details.

APPLEBEE’S
Low-POINT appetizers, desserts and entrees for dieters

BURGER KING
Chicken baguette sandwiches have just 350 cals and 5g fat.

CHIPOTLE
Instead of Chicken Burrito (1179 calories, 47g fat), try a Burrito Bol w/chicken, minus the rice, cheese, and sour cream (369 calories, 12g fat)

FAZOLI’S
You make your own pasta bowl, controlling the ingredients you want to include or eliminate.
You can also substitute whole wheat pasta.

JACK IN THE BOX
Chicken Fajita Pita is filling with only 10 grams of fat. Leave the shredded cheese out and make it 3 grams.

Skipping the mayonnaise or mayonnaise-based sauces can skim 100 or more calories and 12 grams of fat. Or use the Low Fat Herb Mayonnaise, with only 4 grams of fat.

OLIVE GARDEN
Restaurant encourages you to choose whole wheat linguine with your pasta selection. Whole wheat pasta has three times more fiber and roughly 17% fewer carbohydrates than traditional pasta.

OUTBACK
Order Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie without butter and seasonings and with cocktail or BBQ sauce
Try Tangy Tomato (fat free), Mustard Vinaigrette, Olive Oil & Red Wine Vinegar dressings

Order Grillers without butter or glaze during preparation
Order Outback Lamb without sauce
Order Chicken on the Barbie without butter.
Request bbq sauce to be used during preparation.
For Botany Fish of the Day and Salmon , order with cocktail sauce or fresh lemon instead of Remoulade Sauce.
For Barbie Chook ‘n Bacon , order prepared without butter or bbq sauce, and without the bacon and cheese.

PANERA BREAD
The Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad is a seasonal favorite.

So…. what does a teacher do when school is out and she has free time to play? Well, this morning I saw my daughter off at 5:30 for a flight back to Alabama, fed the wild cats and my raccoon, went to Mass, had breakfast with Edith and then we went over to school.

I cleaned the grease trap while she combed good donated lettuce from the slimy stuff for the animals. We transplanted and watered plants, fed the animals, cleaned the refrigerators, moved furniture, redesigned places for table work and eating, cleaned out the “shed” and the bathrooms, sorted summer clothes, bathing suits and then left about 9:15.

I went over to Miss Molly’s made eggs and pancakes for her boys and then da da, she arrived at the door, rang the bell and announced she had a “delivery” for Mr. Rob Snyder. In she walks with the new baby who the other children had not seen yet. The faces of Wilbur and Jack could have been framed. Their little faces lit up and they couldn’t take their eyes off their new brother. It was so heartwarming, I cried. Jack said, “He looks just like me.” Then they all nestled down on the sofa to hold the baby.

Life is beautiful.

We will “faculty meet” tomorrow to talk about all the little programs this summer. We will discuss any graduations or children who will move from their class to the next one. We will talk about pool rules, jobs, and responsibilities. We will talk about class time, weekly themes, and accomplished readers and projects pertaining to them. We will talk about teaching videos, classroom projects and art. We will talk about food, transportation and schedules. Should take about two hours.

On Wednesday we will meet with the bankers, shop for groceries and give the place a final cleaning, call the people necessary to make field trips happen, and take the afternoon off.

So… just in case you were wondering –

It’s been a few days since I’ve put anything new on this blog. It’s been a whirlwind of activity here and not all good. We’ve had children visiting, and another grand baby.

My daughter Molly has been at the hospital over a week with her preemie. They can’t get his bilirubin count to stabilize. He’s doing fine otherwise, but the family is stressed having her away for such a long time. She’s trying to spend time at home and at the hospital nursing the baby, but it’s been very hard on everyone. I got to feed him yesterday. He’s a lovely little boy, beautiful and good. He’s a joy with his big round eyes and his little bird mouth. He LOVES to eat, and finds Miss Molly’s built in food a joy to behold.

Friday was a hectic day, and we thank Miss Kelly’s sister, Miss Mandy for all her help. She’s a fine young teacher and will be volunteering her time this summer at the GS. She teaches first grade in Henderson KY during the school year. I think what I like best about her is her approach to the children. She works hard at having them figure out the details of a situation, and coming up with the maintenance solution all by themselves. That makes her the queen of independence and that goes a long way with us.

The little awards ceremony at school went well. The children were adorable as usual, and well behaved. We gave out our religious awards and a secular classroom award and report cards. All the children did very very well. It’s always a pleasure to give a compliment and offer a reward for hard work. I don’t think I’ve ever realized just how hard our children work at behavior, manners as well as their academics.

An apology for the heat, but that wasn’t my doing. We don’t mind the heat at school because we are constantly out in it. We start the children out in the fresh sunny air in April, and we get out as much as we can until summer. So when we go on long trips or spend a lot of time in the heat, the children aren’t bothered as much by it.

We encourage parents to do the same. At my house we don’t even turn on the air most of the summer. Neither my husband nor I like hot weather. We like blizzards, and I am particularly fond of those cold wet rainy days with the low flying clouds and the damp hanging in the air. But we do live in an ancient house with three full stories, so perhaps…, but we still think it’s a matter of acclimating to the heat a little at a time and turning the air DOWN so the expectation is less and the summer heat not so shocking when you first get out in it.

As well, exercise plays an important part of heat acclimation. Those people who exercise vigorously and often seem to be more comfortable in the heat than those who don’t. That’s why we have included things like relay races, tug of war, and yoga at the school. At the same time, exrcise for parents does not have to be formal either. It can be a part of daily activity by simply doing things like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking at the end of the lot, bending down twice to pick up a pencil, and squatting instead of bending from the waist. Doing some brief exercises at the desk like leg extensions, stretches while standing or sitting and deep breathing also make you feel better. Wouldn’t it be great to do squats down the hallway or is that too much?

At the same time water drinking is helpful in minimizing summer discomfort. We have talked and talked about drinks for the children, and sweet drinks seem to make children thirstier and thirstier. Water seems to put an end to thirst. So often children come to the GS soda and sweet drinkers. We can always tell because they can’t drink OJ, only a facsimile. That’s frustrating to the teachers, because once you turn on the sweets, it’s a hurdle to go back to water. Lots of people say they would like to go to water, but can’t give up the carbonation or the sweet.

If you are not a water drinker and don’t like to choose water over soda or coffee or other sweet drinks, here’s a helpful tip that will help push water and at the same time keep the sugar drinks to a minimum: next time you go to the bathroom, let the washing of your hands remind you to fill a cup with water and drink at least eight gulps. Every time you use the bathroom after that during the day, do the same thing. The drinking of water will send you back to the bathroom within a shorter span of time, and you will find that you are drinking at least eight glasses of water every day. You will be surprised at how little the thirst bug will bite when you drink that much water. At the same time, you will find your weight down, and your skin better, your digestion remarkably improved, and your energy level at an all time high. Water drinking is good for every part of the body, and will refresh the body while sweet drinks put a high demand on insulin, affect digestion, and put stress on kidneys.

Back to the party:

At the awards day on Friday, we noticed that the children dressed for the heat were not uncomfortable, and we mentioned at the ceremony that short clothes are the ticket for success. Please remember that the longer swim suits, the long heavy shorts are a real nuisance to play and comfort. Please remember to dress children in either swim shoes or shoes and socks. Children who are dressed in long sleeves or pants will be sent home.

Thanks to all the parents who brought the wonderful food to the party. Everything tasted really good. Edith and I each had a hot dog and discovered we had dressed them the same – with a long pickle. We had a good laugh.

If anyone wants anything just call. I’m in the handbook.

It’s been a busy week. Miss Molly had her baby Tuesday morning at 7:50. She did a great job and little Robby was born a perfect little 6.13 oz 20.5 inches. He was early however, and has been in NICU with breathing problems. He is coming along just fine, but it always takes time.

I am always so interested in how young women bear up under the avalanche of emotion that a sick child offers. He will be fine in a few days, but now it’s that endless worry and the suffocating attention that must be paid moment by moment.

As I watched her feed him, I looked at her face and realized all over again what it means to love a child unconditionally, and what it means to bond with another human being with your whole heart and soul. She lovingly cradles that baby with everything she’s got, and he responds with long deep sighs and the one eyed look as if to say, “Are you still there?” sigh, “Good.”

There is nothing quite like motherhood with the exception of fatherhood. When big Rob saw him for the first time hooked up to fifteen machines, he broke down and cried.

I’m glad I’m watching from the next generation.

School has been one surprise after another. The kids are just wonderful. It’s hard to decide who gets what awards. Picnic on Friday after the awards ceremony at 3:00.

allAfrica.com
May 19, 2006
Grace MugabeKigali

Mother’s Union to Promote Childcare

Mothers’ Union, a Christian women group under the umbrella of the Anglican Christian Women Network (ACWN) intends to promote children rights countrywide.

This was revealed to the press on May, 14, by Pastor Agnes Mukandoli, a member of the net-work, during an event organised by Mothers Union for 400 women.

The purpose of the event was to review the role of women in regard to societal family development, according to Pastor Mukandoli.

“As mothers of the nation, we have taken a decision to consider all children in the country as our own and vowed to promote their rights. We are doing all this because we want to fulfil Madam Jeannette Kagame’s vision of treating and caring for Rwandan children. We intend to spread that message to all women across the country,” she promised.

The group has already commenced addressing family education problems with a purpose of solving problems caused by the 1994 Genocide.

She said that women throughout the country have been doing parental work by offering to look after or adopt some children especially those who lost their parents in 1994.

Women were advised to continue caring for every child in an attempt to help Rwanda rise again.
The Anglican Women Network in Rwanda has members totalling to one million.

When you consider all we do and all we have to do, it’s plain to see how we can make our lives benefit us at the same time we are benefiting everyone else. This is a really good article.

The “Real-Life Woman’s” Workout
Find Ways to be Inefficient — By Carrie Myers Smith, Exercise & Health Writer

Recently, while bringing the wood in for our wood stove, a friend of ours said, “With all those boys, you’re bringing in the wood?” By “all those boys,” he was referring to our four sons. I quickly explained to him that while we do have the boys help out with the wood, I often volunteer to do it myself, because it gives me some exercise on the days I don’t otherwise work out. In fact, I purposely only carry in two pieces of wood at a time, so that I have to make extra trips in and out, increasing its cardio effect. “Consider it the Country-Girl’s Workout!” I quipped.

Well, we both got a good chuckle out of that, but it brought up a very valid point: you can find fitness in many aspects of your own life that you may not normally consider. Here’s another example:

At one of my sons’ soccer tournaments, we had to park quite a ways from the field, because the parking lots were filled up (not to mention they were playing at the field furthest from where we were parked!). My reaction? “Cool! Time to get a little cardio action in!” I offered to carry the chairs and backpack, knowing it would just give me that much more of a workout. But the reaction of those around me wasn’t quite so positive. “I can’t believe we have to walk so far just to get to the field!” and “We should have just driven around – there must have been some empty spots somewhere that would have been closer.”

My kids can give many examples of times we walk when it’s not really necessary, usually when running errands and shopping. You see, when you change your mind about physical activity, you will inevitably change your body. Studies show that just by adding moderate activity to your daily repertoire, you will positively change your health status. This moderate activity includes doing things such as parking further from your destination and hoofing it, taking the stairs rather than the elevator, raking your lawn, hoeing your garden, doing your housework with vigor. Yes, I said vigor! What? Haven’t you ever done the polka with your vacuum?

Here’s another one: purposely being inefficient. That can be a tough one to swallow, because we work so hard in our society to be efficient. My bringing in wood is a good example of inefficiency. Maybe you don’t heat with wood. How about purposely making extra trips from the car to the house with the grocery bags? Rather than load up on as many bags as you possibly can (and we all know how many we can carry, just barely brushing the ground and yet, not really touching it at all!), carry just one in each hand, briskly walking to and from the house.

You see, finding fitness throughout your day doesn’t just happen by chance. You must make it happen! You must live consciously, rather than subconsciously (or in some of our cases unconsciously!), living intentionally, rather than unintentionally. Just floating through your days without really thinking about what you’re doing will keep you heading on the same course you’re currently headed, in which case you must ask yourself: is the destination desirable?

Lawrence Journal World
Preschool Prodigy a Smashing Success
Little Drummer Boy
By Dave Ranney
Thursday, May 18, 2006

For their birthdays, most 5-year-old boys want Hot Wheels, a bicycle or a computer game.
Not Robbie Matthews.

“The only thing he wanted — and I mean the only thing — was a pedestal for his drum kit,” said Robbie’s mother, Kris Matthews. “We couldn’t talk him into wanting anything else.”

She wasn’t surprised. “Since he was 10 months old, he’s never had a security blanket, never had a teddy bear,” Kris said. “For him, it was drum sticks. They were his security.”

Robbie and a three-piece band led by his father, Paul Matthews, on piano, performed three Beatles’ tunes — ”Help,” “All My Loving” and “Eight Days a Week” — and The Troggs’ chestnut “Wild Thing” during a morning assembly Wednesday at East Heights Early Childhood Center, 1430 Haskell Ave.

Also in the band were Doug Byers on guitar and East Heights custodian James “Mr. T” Thomas, on bass.

They had the joint rockin’. Or, as Robbie said afterward, “That was awesome!”

Paul, 45, plays drums in the local band Blue Orleans, and with Billy Ebeling. He also gives lessons.

“Robbie can play,” Paul said.

Five-year-old Robbie Matthews beats away on a miniature drum set as he sings “Wild Thing” on Wednesday at East Heights Early Childhood Center, 1430 Haskell Ave. He also performed several Beatles songs for his school friends in a band with his father, Paul Matthews, on piano; Doug Byers on guitar; and East Heights custodian James “Mr. T” Thomas on bass. Robbie has been interested in drums since he was 10 months old.

Though Robbie writes and draws right-handed, he plays drums, Paul said, “like he’s ambidextrous.”

Paul said his son has been diagnosed as “high functioning autistic,” adding, “I really haven’t taught him that much; he watches instructional videos and just picks it right up.”
Robbie also sings while he plays drums.

“That’s not as easy as it sounds,” Paul said.

The family recently watched the “Monterey Pop” video, which features a 24-year-old Jimi Hendrix and one of Robbie’s favorite drummers, The Who’s Keith Moon.

“That was a mistake,” Paul said. “Not too long after that, (Robbie) smashed his ukulele imitating Hendrix, and he tipped over his drum set imitating Keith Moon.”

Robbie wanted to play The Who’s “My Generation” during Wednesday’s assembly, but Paul said no.

“I was afraid he’d knock over his drums,” Paul said laughing.

In the fall, Robbie will be a kindergartner at Sunset Hill School.

His parents are sure he’ll do well. “East Heights has been great,” Kris said. “They’ve really worked on his strengths and, at the same time, made him a more well-rounded kid. This is a wonderful program.”

One drawback: East Heights preschool is all-day, but kindergarten at Sunset Hill will be half-day.

“That’s a disappointment,” Paul said. “We were really hoping for all-day kindergarten.”

Earlier this week, Lawrence school officials said the district’s state-aid allocation wasn’t enough to cover the costs of converting half-day kindergarten to all-day.

The Matthewses also have a 3-year-old daughter, Leah.