Americans Attention Spans

It is clear that Americans' attention spans are rapidly shrinking.

An example...here is how I 'read' the newspaper.
First, I read it online. I simply scan the headlines. Once in awhile, I click on the headline and read the first couple paragraphs of the article. I rarely complete an article, especially if it is more than one page. I do check the local and national news sources. Worse, on msnbc.com, I often will click on a video story so that I don't have to expend the energy to read.

I also double up on entertainment and information (e.g. The Daily Show, Chesley Lately, and Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me). I do lay in bed each morning listening to NPR.

This trend is obvious in the decline in the blogosphere and the increasing popularity of Facebook, Twitter, and text messaging. Clearly, I don't blog as often as I used to (this due to several factors). I rarely get regular emails but I have lots of activity on Facebook (which I check several times per day). I, personally, haven't moved onto tweeting or texting but it will happen.

So, is this a negative trend? I don't know. I definitely feel more connected to friends and family through Facebook. I know what is happening in their daily lives and know when people have birthdays, babies, parties, tragedies. My parents aren't on Facebook so they miss out on cute things the kids do and photos since I don't blog about them anymore (hint, hint).

Birthday Season 2009

We made it through another birthday season at our house. Three child-selected dinners, three birthday parties, three chocolate cakes. Numerous trips to the toy store. Of course, everyone gets to pick their own cake. This years selections included:

Self-decorated chocolate cake with chocolate filling and frosting plus blue icing and gummy candies.

Chocolate cake with strawberry and chocolate filling, and decorated like a Clone Wars shield.

Chocolate Raspberry Truffle cake decorated like a ninja.

Zombieland!

Little known fact about me...I love horror movies. But not the good ones...bad, horrible horror movies...nothing that could really happen or anything. Shaun of the Dead is one of my favorite movies of all time so Zombieland was just calling to me.

Zombieland (rated R) is a hilarious comedy with some considerable gore. The story, not unlike any other zombie movie, is based on the idea that the world has been infected with a virus that has turned almost everyone into the undead. Fortunately for us, we follow 4 survivors, Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin, each named after the town they are from. Along the way, we are educated about the rules of survival (not only is Eisenberg's verbal delivery of these rules hilarious, we are constantly given written reminders) and reminded what is important to live life.

All the performances are fantastic. Harrelson is particularly amazing (I highly recommend an Oscar nom, no kidding). The zombies are perfectly gross, hungry, and stupid (and I assume performed by the filmmakers friends...hey guys, come down and be a zombie with me!). There is also a cameo that, for me, was so unexpected and so super funny. The writing is good and the design is fun with some realism.

I will warn some of you that the zombies and their resulting deaths are gross and somewhat violent.

Overall, highly entertaining and a perfect 2hrs of escapism. It is also great on the big screen but I will definitely check out the DVD.

its been awhile...

I can't believe I haven't posted in so long...so for those three people who still read, I apologize. As with every new school year, it has been crazy busy. Everyday has been jam packed with activity. I am so happy when I find a couple hours during the week to nap or check up on tv.

So here is a short list of headlines from my household:

1. Kindergartner learns to read! Now read books to parents every night!
2. Seemingly Chronically Crabby Pre-teen is finally appreciative of parents after So You Think You Can Dance Tour.
3. Four-Year-Old finally finds his own friends and loves having playdates without big brother.
4. Parents Take Up Gambling (Bunko for Mom, Poker for Dad)
5. Big Birthday Bash brings Candy Fun to Kids and Adults Both!
6. New TV seasons rocks but has placed great strain on Mom's time.
7. High School Musical-Obsessed Four-Year-Old now only responds to being called "Troy."
8. New fitness class (Team Strength Extreme) is getting Mom in awesome shape--look at those arms! Everyone should try it!
9. New Loft Bed greatly increases pre-teen's floor space! More room for dirty clothes and make-up to step on! Bunk Beds for the Boys too...with a slide!
10. Six-Year-Old will hang, flip, scale on any thing! Develops circus-style show for all!

The best part of my day

The best part of my day is something I completely take for granted. It is something that sometimes I initially don't always want to do. I also assume that everyone participates in this activity but I know that isn't true.

The best part is reading books before bed.

My little ones still like me to read to them. We each pick out some books. I turn on some of my teacher-sense but I try to enjoy the closeness and undivided attention. They hang on every word. I have to cut my kids off after a few books and some nights they pile books up on their bed and read them until they fall asleep with the lights on.

My soon-to-be teenager and I read our own books before bedtime as well. Besides I love the fact that I have created the love of reading in her, I enjoy that we share books and talk about what we are reading. I love to take at least 15mins to clear my mind and settle into rest and relaxation for the night.

Sorry to sound cheesy, but the love of reading and sharing is such a gift.

Watch, listen, learn more....

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Playtime!

So August is apparently over...with vacation and school starting, I have yet to take a big breath (when will Sunday come?). Anyways.

Besides my own children beginning school (three kids, three schools), I have a brand new group of students in my classroom with a few returning three year olds. I just love teaching so much and meeting new families and children is fantastic. Playing around with kids is so much fun, although exhausting.

But my favorite part so far has been our Parent Orientation Night. We invite the parents out for a Parent-Only evening to play and learn about our program. Throughout the time, they get to play during choice time (including exploring shaving cream, blocks, ramps and balls, playdough, vinegar and oil, marble/ball painting, flaxseeds and water), move and shake a bit during group time, and learn a bit more about how to best praise and encourage their children. We did some business as well including classroom policies, etc. but the most important part was releasing their inner-child and seeing how our play-based philosophy really works.

My husband had a blast and I think he really needed the time to play. I also think all the parents realized how important play is to all of us, at any age.

So, although the past two weeks have been insanely busy and stressful, I am careful to take time out to play with each of my children (good for them and very good for me).

A Political Conversation with the Kindergardener

Who is that big guy (the large Abe Lincoln on I57)?
Abe Lincoln, he was our president a long time ago.

Is he still our president?
No, he was president over 100 years ago.

Is he dead?
Yes.

How did he die?
Someone shot him?

Who?
John Wilkes Booth.

Was he a bad guy?
Well, he shot someone.

Why?
He didn't like what the president was doing.

Why?
President Lincoln thought everyone in America should be treated the same (kind of).

So, Obama is the president now.
Yes.

What does he do?
He does lots of things. He eats breakfast, he plays with his kids, he exercises, he sleeps, he goes to the bathroom, he takes care of everyone in America.

Everyday?
Yes.

I don't exercise everyday...How does he take care of everyone?
He makes important decisions to help all of us.

How does he know what to decide?
He learns as much as he can and makes the decision he thinks is best. He has a lot of people around him to tell him what is going on.

But what if someone tells him a lie?
That is a good question. He has to ask the people he trusts.

What does that mean?
Trust means to believe that someone is going to tell you the truth and do things that help you.
Oh.

Mental Fitness Friday

As for many families this time of year, stress can get a bit high when school begins...especially if one or both parents are educators.

Here are a couple ideas to keep stress under control:

*Find a schedule that works for the family for most days of the week. Get a calendar! This includes breakfast and bedtime for everyone. Keep some good breakfast options (e.g. hard boiled eggs, nuts, whole grain breads, oatmeal) in the house so you don't forget the most important meal of the day. Put yourself to bed at a reasonable time.

*Find time to exercise. Whether it be morning yoga before anyone knows your awake, a quick jog with the kids around the yard, or an evening fitness class....put it on the schedule and make time for it.

*Plan some meals ahead of time. Even make some and freeze them. That way, when the day has run crazy, you won't be tempted to run to the nearest fast food place (which will cost more in the wallet and the waist).

*Drink lots of water. Try not to reach for too many caffeinated beverages to keep you going throughout the day.

*Keep up with the laundry. That sounds impossible but if everyone has clean clothes in their drawers each morning, everyone can get dressed quickly and easily.

*Despite homework, laundry, dishes, and work, take time to play. Take at least half a day on the weekend to go out and play with the family.

Cooper Cooks

My 3yo has been doing a lot of 'cooking' lately...as he says. He takes cookies and puts them in the freezer...then presenting "Frozen Cookies!" They are very good.

While watching Food Network, he explains his upcoming cooking show "Ty Freezes Things."

Ty is his name for anything other than himself (imaginary friend, bug, stuffed animal). And the basis of the show is about freezing things. So...good title.

I ask "what will you make?" He replies "I will freeze cookies." I ask "Will you make anything else?" He replies "Oh yes, I will freeze animal crackers, graham crackers, bread, and broccoli."

So watch out Next Food Network Star...make room for this new, fresh take on cuisine.

Food Journal

Practicing what I preach, I am trying hard to eat through our freezers and pantry. I am not buying much outside the basics of milk, OJ, and produce. After having my daughter make a list of everything in there and post it on the fridge, each day must contain at least 1 item from the freezer and 1 from the pantry. If anyone has a some interesting filo dough recipes, let me know.

Here is what we've had thus far:
Burgers* with caprese salad and green beans*
Tofu stir fry with rice noodles+ and veggie spring rolls* and corn*
Lemon Bars (made with butter*)
Barbeque Beef*, baked beans+, potato/cheese/corn+ casserole, spinach salad bar
Banana Bread (made with butter* and bananas*)

*freezer items
+pantry items