Preparing for Back to School Success

As you prepare to send your children back to school, don’t forget about a key component: the arts. With more schools forced to cut back in art education or are placing an increasing emphasis on test scores, your child may not be receiving the quality arts education he or she deserves. Results from a June 2005 Harris Poll revealed that an impressive 93% of Americans believe that the arts are vital to a child’s well-rounded education. Since the visual arts can help transform the way children learn in school, how can you ensure that your children are getting what they need?

Ideally, a children’s art program should provide an enlightened approach to cultivating children’s creativity and knowledge of color, form and design. Art classes should be comprehensive and inspire the best in its students – from working with acrylics and tempera paints to stamp art, sculpting, digital design, collage and more. Children should learn art history, style and technique from such masters as Renoir, Chagall and Monet, as well as contemporary artists. According to research published by Americans for the Arts, art education “makes a tremendous impact on the developmental growth of every child.” Students regularly participating in a broad art program are much more likely to experience academic success. This fall ask for more art education.

Courtesy of Abrakadoodle Remarkable Art™ © 2006 – visit us on the web at www.abrakadoodle.com.

The Evolution of Gross

I’ve never eaten a booger. This being my blog and not needing to impress to any great degree, I can tell the truth. I’ve never eaten a booger, but I saw friends do it when I was younger, and they didn’t seem to think anything of it. When I saw a classmate in high school do it, however, I immediately knew there was something not quite right with the lad.

I had a recollection and a revelation recently, about Gross, and it’s evolution.

When I was in college, home was a small town in Colorado for a number of years during the ’80s. Money was tight, so activities consisted of a $5 pizza from Blackjack, trying to impress the freshmen at the local dorm, or…one last one…that I now shudder to recall.

It was called My Tubbery. A business. A small building filled with individual rooms that contained hot tubs to be rented. By the half hour. I can think of multiple dates, and girlfriends, that My Tubbery entertained. And I think back to those blissful, bubbling tubs, and my ignorance.

I think I just threw up a little in my mouth. And I may again.

I’m sure the chlorine killed some of what we luxuriated in, but today I’m pretty sure I would have a problem partying in a used condom.

It’s one of life’s great ironies…by the time you realize how profoundly terrible something is, most times you’ve already done it, stepped in it, eaten it, or worse. I’ve spent a thousand nights in hotels, from the hi-falutin’ to the hovel, and yet it took the majority of my life before Dateline thought to take me on a tour of one with a blacklight.

I’m considering boiling myself in acid.

Ignorance really is bliss, my friends, and a helluva lot more fun than the sanitizer-toting obsessive compulsive I see in the mirror today. Early adulthood taught the “5-second rule”. Kids have an “infinite second” rule, which I continued in college. Today when I see my son eat something from the floor, knowing our beagle has been marching there minutes before on her poo-dipped paws, I have to resist the urge to take a wire brush to his tongue and make him gargle with Clorox.

Ultimately, though, the evolution itself is killing me much more than any airborne carcinogen. I miss that ignorance, and there is no going back. My destiny is to finish out my days in a level 5 biohazard unit having friends and family push my favorite soaps to me through the airlock.

I’ve evolved, you see. I grew up. And it sucks. Hard.

As I write this, I sit on a flight with my exponentially more hygienic wife winging our way to one of the dirtiest cities (figuratively and literally) in the US, Las Vegas. I note the airline blanket I thoughtlessly draped across my legs as I sat down. And I now wonder, despite the fact that the blanket is touching the skin of my legs, if I will have the courage to use two fingers to drop it to the floor.

Maybe I could use my elbows.

Jay Lessons is a novice ‘burb daddy, a husband-in-training, and a sarcastic elitist. You can find more of his reflective rants at HalftimeLessons.com.

Ways to entertain children and beat the Texas heat

Living in the Lonestar state where August temperaturs can hover near triple digits by 10am inspires parents to become creative in how they entertain their children. The Dallas/Fort Worth area has many local attractions that are budget-friendly and kid-approved. Best of all, almost all of them offer air-conditioning along with a great time for both parent and child.

Local Library

Story time at one’s local library is a great way for both parent and child to enjoy book, crafts, and songs together. The Grapevine, Southlake, and Irving libraries all host a variety of programs designed for children as young as 18 months up to children in middle school. Many libraries also host summer reading programs with great incentives to foster an interest in reading among children.

Farmers Markets

The Dallas Farmers Market is one of the largest public markets of its nature in the country. It offers a wide variety of locally grown produce, specialty foods, and landscaping materials such as shrubs and flowers. Introducing children to an abundant selection of fresh produce (Farmers often pass out complimentary pieces of fruits and vegetables to sample.) is a great way to expand their palate. The market is open seven days a week, 362 days a year. Check out the market’s website for a list of produce that is currently in season and to learn more about events and classes hosted there.

Coppell and Grapevine also host Farmers Markets on the weekends.

Free Children’s Workshops

Both the home improvement stores of Lowes and Home Depot offer free     children’s workshops that allow caregiver and child the opportunity to complete a project together, such as building a birdhouse or constructing a pirate ship. These workshops are typically held on Saturday mornings and are for ages four years and older.

The Lakeshore Learning store in Dallas offers free crafts for children ages 3 and up every Saturday from 11am-3pm.

Complimentary First-Time Class Pass

Emler Swim School, with locations in Southlake, Arlington, Plano, and Dallas, hosts a free Waterbaby orientation class for parents and babies age 6 months to 2 years old. This one-time free class is offered the last Saturday of each month.

Gymboree Play and Music offers a free class pass for first-time guests. With a wide range of classes offered and locations in Southlake, Plano, and Lewisville this is a great place for kids to release energy and enjoy a group setting.

Mall Play Areas

Indoor playscapes at area shopping malls allow children to burn off energy in a safe, comfortable environment while letting parents tackle a few errands along the way. Some local favorite play areas include the jungle-themed playscape at the Galleria mall, the expansive play place at Stonebriar Center in Frisco, and the Old Town Lewisville play area at the Vista Ridge Mall.

Lynley Baker Phillips is a stay-at-home mommy to two, blogger, former special education teacher, and referee in all major toy disputes. Her writings have been featured in various publications and on her mother’s refrigerator door. Contact her at savethephillipsfamily@hotmail.com

Short Attention Span Interviews III

Today we are going back in time.

To a simpler time.

Well, maybe not exactly simpler considering how long it used to take me to do my 80s hair…

We are going back to high school!

We aren’t REALLY going back.  Please!  Get a hold of yourself.  We are just PRETEND going back for this week’s short attention span interview via Twitter:

The short question:

If you could (or had to) go back to high school, would you play sports?

The short answers:

@halftimelessons: ABSOLUTELY I would do sports again.  But this time, I would be picked 1st, have women swoon when I played, and not worn short shorts.

@MomsOutloudDFW:  You betcha!  I played basketball (of course!) and was a cheerleader (don’t laugh!).  Being on a team is essential!

@TheRealDan:  I would definitely play sports – baseball, football and tennis!

@beckypearce:  If I had it to do over again I wouldn’t change a thing.  Except maybe the bad boyfriend decisions I made but who wouldn’t?

@screweduptexan:  The only sport I’d play if I HAD to go back to HS is Hunting for Men.

@Texasholly: Don’t make me go back. *assumes fetal position in a corner*

If you would like to participate in Short Attention Span Interviews, just follow @BurbMom on twitter and join in!  Burb Mom follows Dallas-Fort Worth tweeps only – so it is all local, all the time.

Friday – In-Laws

Meet the Parents. I trust many of you have seen this movie. I gotta admit, I’m feeling a bit like a Focker. You see, after several discussions and questions, I came to learn that my boyfriend was going to fly to Texas this weekend to propose to me. I say WAS because that plan got majorly wrecked – THANK YOU US Navy – and now instead I am taking a last-minute flight up to VA where he is currently training. The bonus to this trip is that my mom lives 20 minutes from where he’s staying. The double-bonus? His parents are driving in from WV this weekend to also see him…and to meet me. YIKES. Like it wasn’t enough to have my, what I affectionately deem her – “Wild Woman Mom” and I hang out with him together, we now throw his conservative parents in the mix. Folks, this recipe could equal disaster. Or, at the very least, some major embarrassment. I’m anxious about meeting the 2 people who could become my future in-laws as early as next year: What if they don’t like me? What if they think I’m too “ethnic” for their son (although anyone who knows me knows I’m whiter than Santa’s butt in Christmas), what if they assume my Wild Mom is an archetype I’m destined to follow, or what if they just plain think I suck?

All this thinking has got me wondering – why do I care so much what other people think of me? Do their opinions really matter? Does their approval (or the opposite) really effect my life? Now that I think about it, THEY should be anxious too. I mean, after all, they are meeting their son’s future-wife (Lord-willing) and their future daughter-in-law.

Speaking of in-laws: I’ve heard this can be one of the hardest things to adjust to in marriage. So to all you (happily)-married ladies (and gentlemen), do you agree?

A Guide to Playground Etiquette

This is for all those parents out there that let their children run all willy nilly at the playground. If your child has ever made more than three kids at the local play area cry, I’m talking to you.

Now for the rules…

Height

Now, look–I understand if your kid is abnormally tall. Hell, my four year old sometimes gets mistaken for a seven year old. That’s cool, but come on, if your kid is an entire head ABOVE the recommended height, then they shouldn’t be there. What I really don’t get though, is why your twelve year old WANTS to play on something that was designed for a six year old. Maybe you should have that checked out.

Playground Sherriff

The play area is for everyone to use. So, if your kid is blocking access to the slide or the bouncy thing–tell them to move. It’s super crappy when my kid has to try to tell a kid twice her size (see above rule to prevent this from happening) to move out of her way. Why is it my responsibility to make sure all the children have equal access to the playground toys? Teach your kid to share, that’s like parenting 101. If you can’t master that, then maybe you should take a class or something.

Food Stays at The Table

I can’t actually believe I have to say this, but why on this earth are you letting your kid take his happy meal on the playground? Are you kidding me with that? Not only is he now eating where other kids have been sticking their dirty feet all day long (which I have to explain to my kid when she doesn’t understand why she can’t take her nuggets up there), but dude–that’s a choking disaster waiting to happen, and if you think I am going to climb up that slide and give your child the heimlich. Think again buddy.

Supervise

Really, all the problems above could pretty much be solved if you would just come into the damn play area and watch your kid. I know it’s loud. I know it smells like kid sweat. Really, I get it–you need time to yourself, and you’re willing to just about anything to have it. But, here’s the deal–pay a babysitter. You obviously don’t care about your kid’s well-being… so you don’t even need to find a good sitter–and I’m betting he/she will even watch your kids at the playground for you.

So on behalf of PWAGACATK (Parents Who Actually Give a Crap About Their Kids) everywhere, I beg you, PLEASE get some damn playground manners.

Jamie Harrington is an aspiring author that spends her days frantically writing about super heroes and band geeks. She’s married to a pretty cool guy, and has a beautiful three year old daughter that’s the topic of most of her blog posts at Totally the Bomb.com. You can also find her mindlessly chatting away all day on twitter.

Wednesday – My kitchen reveal

Many of you may know that I have been working on my kitchen!  My husband and I have been working toward the title of Ultimate DIYers.  We are nearly there!

This kitchen of ours has been through a lot in a measly 2.5 years.

Wood cabinets, white cabinets, accents on the white, black cabinets and now fancy butcher block counter tops and a new backsplash!  Totally love it.

And this is not the end – something has to happen with the cabinets now…yes, again.
Check out the most recent picture below:

Taking off…

There is that moment – that moment just before take off – when the engines roar and you know you are about to fly.

We told the two youngest ones that the button that you push on your seat to recline your seat is the button that you push to help the plane blast off.

They were bouncing in their seats and squealing with excitement. As the plan started to take off the Noodle giggled and gasped and said, “Mommy – it’s WORKING!!!!!!!”

…..and then we were in the air and it was magic.

Holly O. keeps a daily blog of adventures with two bowhead girls and her baby boy at I Heart Bowheads.

Project Baby Surprise – Photo Session

This week on Project Baby Surprise we are following John, Kaysie and the family over to Macey Hart’s Photography Studio…

The Project Baby Surprise family traveled across town to visit Macey for a photo shoot. Despite some wardrobe issues the photos turned out amazing. Here is a sample of what Macey captured:

All photos by Macey Hart Photography. Macey specializes in making photo sessions fun for families and children. She is available in studio or on location for all types of photography.

Thanks Macey!

Catch up on Project Baby Surprise –

Introductions

First Comes Love

Boy Nursery Takes Flight

Girl Nursery Fit for a Queen

Behind the Scenes with CBS Channel 11 Covering Project Baby Surprise

Heaven on Aisle 2

Heavenly Burb Mom Moment #1: Starbucks and wide open aisles at Target.

A few minutes after this picture was taken I checked out and headed for the Target parking lot on 2499. I had noticed a lady following me, but didn’t think anything of it until she said this:

What is your baby drinking?

What?

Ma’am, what is your baby drinking?

Oh, I get the kid’s size soy milk at Starbucks for him. Starbucks is one of the few places I can get milk for him that he can drink.

Oh! I thought he was having coffee…

Next time I am answering, “full caf, vanilla latte, soy, with a shot of Red Bull”…

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