Wordless Wednesday - My Family!

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Son-day Sunday

The apple doesn't fall far...

I smelled poo and asked CJ if he pooped in his pants. He was so offended that I asked him. He started crying and said "NO! Dada clean my bum!!" and then ran away.

CJ is on this being helpful kick. No matter what you are doing, he comes running from the next room screaming "I HELP YOU! I HELP YOU!" God forbid you not let him help, epic meltdown. So now there is a stool in every room so that he can "help" with whatever you are doing. Just this morning, he helped me by putting the carrots and potatoes I had cut into the crockpot. Maybe I'll do a little post on all the chores he does do. He loves when I call him a "very helpful engine" just like Thomas.

It took me three hours to get CJ to sleep the other night. So I took a picture. Check out Tuesday's pic below. Don't I look thrilled? 

Monday, we were at Nana's house because of the storm. CJ decided to do my homework for me.
Tuesday, I was thrilled to be up with him for three hours. Look at the smirk on his adorable face. Little bugger.
Wednesday, CJ fell asleep on the way to dropping me off from class.
Thursday, and every day since, CJ has worn this monkey costume. The big hips on it kill me.
Friday, we had a snugglebug night and watched The Wizard of Oz. He snuggled and was quiet throughout the whole movie.
Saturday, apparently he was hungry and decided to help himself.
Sunday, he helped me cut up carrots and put them in a roast.

CJ's current favorite book is: Luna's Night (Bear in the Big Blue House). It glows in the dark and BLOWS his mind every night.
CJ's favorite activity is: counting. He can now count to twenty. We had been counting to 15 together and then all of a sudden he went up to 20. No idea where he learned that. I asked him if Mama taught him to count and he said no. I asked who did and he said "Your fingers!" So smart.
CJ's favorite show is: the episode of Yo Gabba Gabba with robots. "Bobot one!" he tells me.

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Things I Found (7)

Crafty Busy Box Ideas - I need to make one of these for CJ.

Books about Bugs - CJ doesn't like bugs. He may have gotten them from me. Anytime he sees a bug he screams and yells DEAD! Whoops. 

The Kids are Gonna Be OK

Easter Book Basket

Play Oven and Stove - I want one!

 The Art of Bookshelves - I love me a nice bookshelf setup. Love it. 

Analysis of Morals in Game of Thrones

What Teachers Want Parents to Know about Reading - We can't do it all. 

Chocolate Mint Desserts - The only thing better is chocolate and peanut butter. 

3 Amazing African American Women You Have Never Heard Of

25 Most Beautiful Women on Television

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Saving the world, one blog at a time

I'm alive!!! School has been crazy, and it is absolutely kicking my butt. We are out of the house almost all day everyday, so I haven't had time to sit and read all my favorite blogs and write all my blog posts. It makes me sad. The good thing is, some of my classes have given me some awesome fodder for my blog. The bad thing is, one of my classes has me going through quite an existential crisis.

I have always been a bleeding heart. I want to save everyone and I want everyone to love everyone and for the world to be a happy wonderful place. Unfortunately it is not. I feel like I am not doing enough to make the world a better place. I love this blog. I love all the people I've met through it. I love the blogging community. But I can't help wondering if I could be doing more. How can I use this blog (or maybe a new blog) to help make the world a better place?

Don't worry, the blog isn't going to change overnight. I'll still have my reviews and giveaways and posts about books and education. I just wanted to share where my head space is currently. I look forward to seeing you all along the way. Pin It

Things I Found (6)

So I've made another blog decision. It is too time-consuming posting a ton of links every week. From now on, I'm going to post 5 under each category max. This'll be easier for me to write, and easier for you to read. See how helpful I am?

Put Down the iPhone - Be awake for you kid's lives. 

DIY Heart-Stamped Scarf - <3 everything Pearmama does.

Easiest Shamrock Banner

President's Day Learning Fun

Lenten Sacrifices - Still don't know what to give up or change. 

How to Add a Pin-It Button to Every Blog Post - Makes it much easier.
How to Make Social Media Collages
My Body Gallery - You look up people with the same measurements as you so you can see what you look like to others.

Why You Should Be Honest in Your Reviews - You will get caught.

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Book Blogger Hop

I used to do this hop when I first started blogging. It went away but now it is bag, so I might participate from time to time. :) This week's question asks What book(s) being released in 2013 are you most looking forward to? 

I am actually terrible at keeping up with authors and when they are releasing books. There are a few though that I am looking forward to.

Neil Gaiman is releasing his second novel written for adults, The Ocean at the End of the Lane: A Novel. I love everything Neil does whether it is for adults or kids or for Doctor Who. So I'll definitely be getting this. I'm hoping to pick up a signed copy from a bookstore here in MA, but by the time I have the money they might be sold out. :( It is being released on June 18th, so just in time for my birthday.

Lauren Willig, author of The Pink Carnation series, which is one of my favorites is releasing the 10th, and I think possibly final Pink Carnation book this year. It is called The Passion of the Purple Plumeria and it will be awesome. It is coming out on August 6th, but you can preorder it by going to amazon (The Passion of the Purple Plumeria: A Pink Carnation Novel) She also wrote a book that isn't part of the series that I am looking forward to reading,The Ashford Affair. I got an ARC e-copy of it. As soon as I have a break from school reading, I'll definitely be getting to it.

Finally, there is George RR Martin. Oh George. When will you release the next Song of Ice and Fire book. Will it be this year? Will it be in 2016? I would love to know.





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Things I Found

Since I didn't do it last week, today's Things I Found is going to be pretty long. Since we are stick inside with a blizzard, I have time to finally write some posts. So here's good stuff from the last two weeks. Enjoy.

Winter Word Work

The Letter L

Teeny Tot Workboxes

10 Crafty Things to Buy at the Dollar Store

Sandwich Roll-Ups - So cute. 

Free or Cheap Ways to Teach Cursive

Angry Birds Printables

Dinosaurs to Color

Games to Play When Mom is Sick

14 Ways to Demonstrate your Love for your Child

Japanese Day & Books about Japan

Geekery

Men We Love Most (That are nominated for an Academy Award.)

Jennifer Lawrence is the Best

Ancient city of Ostia Brought back - Pretty cool.

Best Documentaries about Social Justice - Will make you want to go change the world. This is a good thing. 

Doctor Who Fan Definitions

Make your own Miniature Garden

Decorate your House Downton Abbey Style

Valentine's Day

Faux Canvas Art 

Valentine's Day Chapter Books for Kids

Valentine's Fairies

Dinosaur and Kitty Valentine Mailboxes

Valentine's Day Craft for Toddlers

Valentine's Day Party Ideas

Find Valentine's in Nature

Teaching

Best Advice for Student Teachers

Blogging 

Create a Custom Blog Background in Picmonkey

How to Create a Pinterest Worthy Blog

Fashion/Beauty

Simple Gibson Hair Tutorial - Even I could do this. 

This is a Fat Acceptance Blog

DIY Constellations Scarf

Recipes
Spicy Vegetarian Chili
Peanut Butter Honey Banana Oatmeal Cookies - You had me at honey.

Chunky Beef Stew

Peanut Butter and Jelly Moonpies

Lime Chicken Quesadillas

Bacon Blue Cheese Burger Potato Skins - Did you get all that?
Taco Potato Skins - I must really like potato skins.

Homemade Granola  - With no refined sugars. 

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A to Z Mini-Challenge #2 - Love is in the air!

I apologize for the delay. Flu then this blizzard which meant we had to leave NH (we would have been stranded in the woods) and are now in MA. Anywho...

So here's February Mini-Challenge #2...

In honor of Valentine's Day next week, read a book that has love in it. It can be a romance or familial or friend love, just some sort of love. Use your judgment. <3

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"America is NOT the greatest country in the world."

I apologize that I put this up without any explanation. I really thought it was a great piece and wanted to share it. This is from the new show The Newsroom. I don't have much more detail on it than that. I wanted to share it because this is what I want to teach CJ. America is NOT the best country in the world, but it was, and it can be again. At first this might make you mad, but then the truth of it it sinks in. If we want to be the best country, we need to focusing on doing things for good, not greed. Use morals and logic. Value intelligence over entertainment. These things will make America the country it was.

To quote the show "We’re 7th in literacy, 27th in math, 22nd in science, 49th in life expectancy, 178th in infant mortality, third in median household income, number four in labor force and number four in exports. We lead the world in only three categories. Number of incarcerated citizens per capita, number of adults who believe angels are real and defense spending where we spend more than the next 26 countries combined 25 of whom are allies."

We have been talking about a lot of these issues in school, especially the fact that we are 27th in math. All of my teachers are saying that if education doesn't step it up, we will be behind China in a matter of years.  Pin It

Wordless Wednesday - Baby Sleeps

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Emmy Rossum's New CD 'Sentimental Journey'

Would it surprise you to know that I am a big fan of Broadway showtunes? Considering I have shared my nerdery with you a couple of times, it shouldn't. One of my all-time favorites is The Phantom of the Opera. Disfigured anti-hero? Check. Beautiful damsel in distress? Check. Andrew Lloyd Webber's genius music? Check and check. When the show was made into a movie in 2004, I was dubious. How could they not use the actors from the stage version (Sarah Brightman = goddess, Michael Crawford = divine) and still have a good movie? Then I found out Ciaran Hinds and Gerard Butler were going to star. Ah yes please. But who would play the lovely and naive Christine? First it was Anne Hathaway, then Katie Holmes (!?), but finally, it went to a relatively unknown Emmy Rossum.

At first I was skeptical. Then Emmy sang. Let me tell you, this lady can siiiiiiiiing. I cannot sing, just ask CJ. But Emmy Rossum, she can sing. So I was super happy when I was chosen to review her new CD, Sentimental Journey. The CD was just released on the 29th, but I got it in advance. Woot woot.

Not a big fan of the album cover, but I'm not an expert. Bugs crawling all over me just doesn't appeal to me. But the music inside is what is important, and it is good. Emmy covers a ton of the greats, including Summer Wind, All I Do is Dream of You, Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out, and of course, Sentimental Journey. Each song is beautiful sung. Even Summer Wind, which I had my doubts about since it is one of my all-time favorites is lovely. I'm not usually a fan of female singers (they tend to over-sing like Rachel on Glee) but Emmy's voice is both strong and subtle. 

One thing that I didn't notice until it was pointed out to me. There are 12 songs and each one corresponds to a month of the year. Summer Wind is June, Pretty Paper is December, etc. It's really neat how she chose these songs to represent the changing year. 

Here's the video preview of Sentimental Journey.

She's gorgeous in addition to being very talented. She is also an acclaimed actress, appearing on the TV show Shameless. Later this year, she'll be appearing in the YA thriller Beautiful Creatures. She was scary as heck in the preview, so I'm very much looking forward to that one.

You can follow Emmy on twitter. The album is available on iTunes and Amazon.

Here's the picture I think should have been on the album cover.

I participated in this campaign for One2One Network. I received a free copy of the CD to facilitate my review. By posting, I am eligible for incentives. All opinions stated are my own.

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Sick (and not just in the head)

So we are all sick, hence the lack of posts. Working on getting a few up now though, so bear with me. Thanks for understanding, lovely people! Pin It