A New Mom Bag...

Awhile ago, I shared my love of Mom Bags with this post. I am getting ready for a long-awaited Family Vacation and decided I needed a new Mom Bag, just for vacation.

Aren't these great?  I got a kit to make the tote bag at a local Quilt shop.  I loved the fabric...of course it's green with daisies!  And the words on the front pocket... Make Life Fun...Make Life Beautiful...Make Life Simple...Make Life Colorful...Make Life Sunny...Perfect thoughts for a vacation Mom Bag.

There was enough fabric left from the tote bag kit, to make this adorable clutch.  You can find find the tutorial right here!  This pattern was quick and easy to make and I love that it's a perfect match!  I can't wait to carry around my kids stuff with such a cute Mom Bag!

What are your "Must Haves" when you're getting ready for vacation?

The Big Photo Challenge...

I missed the Big Photo Challenge last week because I was out of town...this week the topic is

Me!

I decided to take a photo that would show as many facets of me as possible in one shot.

• My desk was custom built for me, by my husband, when he finished our basement.  Rather than building in a spare bedroom, he created this office space which overlooks the family room.  He actually cut out the wall, creating this window.  I can work on crafts or projects while the kids play in the family room...it's perfect.
• I do enjoy sewing...though I do much more of that during the summers when I am home.  This summer I have been working on unfinished projects and making really cute clutches.
• On the far corner of my desk you'll see a book I am reading for work on top of my school calendar.  Even though I am off for the summer, there is prep work to be done so that I am ready to go when school opens.
• My desktop is green, as is the book case on the far end...I love green!
• No surprise that there's a book case here...I have one in every room of my house...I love to read!  This one holds several projects and notes on the top shelf AND my entire collection of Madeleine L'Engle on the other shelves.
• On the wall above the book case you'll see pictures of my family, especially my boys.  There's also an altered book I made and a basket of shells.
• Do you see the photo of daisies in the green frame?  Guess what?  I love daisies too!
• There's a little snippet of windowsill you can see...my husband and I tiled it last year and planted a small zen garden in the window well.

There's a lot of ME in this one photo.

What best paints a picture of YOU? 

Working Mommy Wednesday...

Once again I am joining Julia at Work, Wife, Mom...Life! for...



The prompt this week is to brag about yourself!  Wow...that's an interesting invitation.  I'm a teacher.  I teach middle school science and I love it!  I've taught 4th grade through 8th grade, but middle school is my favorite and Science is the best content {in my humble opinion}!

I've been at my current school for 9 years, but teaching for 15.  The school I work at has a high percentage of students who live in poverty.  Children who aren't well-nourished and who don't live in print rich homes.  Children who often fend for themselves.  It's a tough crowd, and I love working there.  I love making connections with kids, seeing the light bulb go on over their heads, celebrating their successes.  I love knowing that the content and skills they learn in my class will help them in many ways as they continue through life.  I love hearing their stories when they come back to visit...kids that made it!

Currently I am working as a TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment) and I am an instructional coach.  Think about a sports coach...the person who brings in resources, coordinates practices, provides feedback to players, brings in new ideas and new strategies, helps players achieve their goals...that's what I do for classroom science teachers.  I don't have a class of my own anymore, but I get to work with amazing teachers who are dedicated and talented.  It's a fantastic opportunity.

Teaching is an interesting, and I believe often misunderstood profession.  I have a Bachelor's Degree in Health and Biology with a minor in Chemistry.  I have a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.  Last November I achieved National Board Certification in Early Adolescent Science.  I'll be starting my doctorate in Educational Leadership next summer.  Teaching is a taxing, difficult, stressful job.  It's also extremely rewarding and there are always new challenges around the corner.

Sporty Mom...

Just two weeks ago, I completed my first triathlon of the season.  Yesterday I ran in ...

Race the River

It was a great experience...my family was on hand to cheer me on...

I swam hard for the 1/2 mile swim...

My bike ride felt really strong...

My transitions were speedy...

I ran my best...still not my favorite event, but my father-in-law makes it look great in the photo...

And I ran into the finish with all I had left...

It was a good day!

Mom Tips for Dinner...

My boys, like most kids, have picky eating phases.  There are some days when they will eat everything in sight and others when I can't get them to eat anything.  For those days when all they seem to want is macaroni,  I have a couple of tricks.

My favorite trick is DINNER GAMES.  In our kitchen I keep a basket with games that can be played during dinner.  Some nights I ask one of the boys to choose a game.  This gets everyone laughing and engaged during dinner and makes dinner take longer, often encouraging the kids to eat more.  We do break up the game with "time to eat" periods or have "everyone take a bite" between players.

The "NO-THANK-YOU-BITE"  is another favorite.  I read once that it takes up to 15 tastes of a new flavor before it's a preferred flavor.  To make sure my boys get those 15 tastes, I ask them to have a no-thank-you bite of anything they don't really want to eat.  On nights when I am craving a side-dish that I know the boys won't like I make them their own side, but ask them have a bite of mine too.

Finally, we sometimes have THEME MEALS.  These range from one person's favorite meal, to a replication of a favorite restaurant dish to a color theme or a meal based on a book or movie.  Whatever the theme, I have discovered that I can sneak in unfamilar food.  The boys are having so much fun with the theme, they're more likely to give something new a try.  I also know that when the meal is their favorite, chances are great they'll have a full dinner.

What are your favorite tricks for getting kids to eat?
Have a great weekend.  Coming up next week...new craft tutorials, mom-tips for allowance and mom-tips for packing!