Back to School Mom Monday

My kids, like most Texas kiddos, went back to school today. 
There's 3 types of "back to school" moms.  The first one has had a "back to school" countdown going since day 1 of summer break.  We've all seen her constantly posting on social media the question "When does school start back?!"  She's one that started buying school supplies in early July.  As she pulls through the carpool lane on the first day, she barely stops as the kids get out.  And you're pretty sure, you just saw her push the kid out of the car. 
The second mom is the one who will weep the entire first week of school.  She will be posting quite the opposite of mom #1.  Her posts will consist of "When is 3pm?"  and "I can't wait for Thanksgiving break.  I am so ready to have my kids home!"  She's clinging to her little angels in the carpool lane.  The teachers are physically pulling the kids out of the car. 
Then there's mom #3.  I like to think I am this mom.  She realizes a new school year means a lot to her kids.  It's another step in the process of getting them to be productive citizens in society.  Another year to grow into the people they are supposed to be.  There will be new choices and obstacles they face that will help mold them.  Mom #3 takes each day for what it is...another day she gets to watch her kids grow and mature.  This mom also realizes structure and schedules must be put back into place after a lazy summer.  With that comes homework which no parent is excited about.

Which brings us to the purpose of this post...a homework station.  I started this small homework station last school year.  It's perfect because my kids don't use their desks in their rooms for homework.  They prefer to use the kitchen table to do homework while they snack.  It has all the basics needed for homework...notebook paper, pencils, pens, crayons, map pencils, glue and a pencil sharpener.  I found this great wooden box with a chalkboard front at World Market.  To find it, click here.  It's on sale right now for less than $20.  It sits on the kitchen counter, out of the way until we need it.

Whether your child is attending their first day of kindergarten or their first day of their senior year, they will grow and change, becoming a different person by the end of the year.  They will be more mature and independent.  Happy thoughts and positive vibes are being sent to parents everywhere!!

Hugs y'all!
Melissa

 

Mom Monday- Sports Mom First Aid Kit

With football, soccer, volleyball, and cheerleading starting up, I thought now was an appropriate time for this post.  Evens though, baseball and softball are still in full swing in most areas (pun intended),  it's still basketball season in our house.  Needless to say, sports moms are extremely busy right now.  We make sure we have on our cutest team shirt with matching hat and flip flops (and probably a custom team color necklace).  We usually check the snack bag inventory, the ice chest inventory and our purses to make sure we have everything.  Was it my week to bring snack?  Do I have enough Gatorade?  The kids' bags are loaded as well as all the other equipment needed.  But what about the first aid kit?  What if little Johnny jams a finger while making a game winning tackle?  What if the opposing team's point guard has (literally) nine inch nails that make Ally look like she hung out with Edward Scissorhands?  Minor accidents that could all be patched up with the small first aid kit you carry around in your purse.  I carry mine in my backpack along with my score book, pencils and a couple of magazines to read during down time. 

We have only been playing basketball but I did add sunscreen to this picture for any of you not sitting in an air conditioned gym this summer.  I added both types-the spray and the "chap stick" type that is good for the face.  The things missing from this kit are pre-wrap (for the athletic tape) and my GINORMOUS bottle of ibuprofen.  My kit includes Band-Aids of all sizes and non-stick pads.  Cuts, blisters and random scratches...they can all get covered.  I also have antiseptic spray and a Neosporin type ointment to make sure any cuts or scratches do not get infected.  There's also tape for any jammed fingers or to help secure a Band-Aid to weird spot like the back of the ankle. Tape can be difficult to cut so I also made sure to pack scissors.  One weekend, a girl had chapped lips so I made sure to get a couple of tubes of chap stick as well.  I will be adding some plastic sandwich bags so ice packs can be made if needed.  My daughter started dealing with shin splints so she needs to ice after each game.  Ponytail holders are also a great addition.  I have some but I don't keep them in the first aid kit.  They are in my game day backpack.  My daughter carries a few things in her bag like her contact solution and case as well as her glasses.
I am sure there are things that I am missing but this pack has worked for us all season.  There are weekends that I never have to open it and other weekends we do.  The good thing is that it is always with me so that I can help our girls stay healthy and ready to play.

Hugs y'all!
Melissa

Mom Monday-Speech Info for Mommy!

I could not wait to write this post for today!  May is Better Speech and Hearing Month.  If you didn't know, don't feel bad.  I think only speech pathologists and audiologists are the only ones who know.  This is the perfect time to promote awareness to parents and caregivers about speech milestones for little ones.  I deal with parents everyday that assume because their child is only 18 months old it is no big deal that they are not talking.  Wrong!!  Did you know that a child between 18 months and 2 years should be using at least 50 words???!!  They are also starting to string together 1-2 word phrases and questions. That same sweet little tot should also be following 1 step directions and pointing to body parts.

This post is not meant to bash parents in any way.  After all, I am a mom too.  I have a little guy that needs some fine tuning on a couple of sounds.  But some parents need that "Come to Jesus" moment to realize their kiddo might need some help.  Many parents sweep speech concerns under the rug.  They fear the unknown.  They fear that someone will find a MINOR imperfection with their child...because after all, every child is PERFECT in mama's eyes.  When mama and daddy are ready, it's important that they understand their child is still perfect.  We all have flaws that make us perfect...PERFECTLY US.  It's the job of a really great speech pathologist to come in and make parents realize this.  Once they understand, parents and speech therapists can work together to improve the child's speech and language.

Now, if you read closely you will know notice I said "speech and language."  You may be thinking those two things are the same.  To speech therapists, they are not.

Speech:  Verbal communication that is made up of articulation (the way we produce sounds in words), voicing (the use of our vocal cords), and fluency (the intonation and rhythm of our speech).

Language: How we formulate and understand spoken language.  Language comes in two forms-expressive (the way we use language) and receptive (the way we understand language).  We need to know and understand the building blocks of language-syntax (grammar and sentence formulation). semantics (ie-vocabulary and how it is used) and pragmatics (the social aspect of communicating).  If any one of the building blocks is flawed, it makes it harder to understand what is being said to you.  It is also makes it harder for you to communicate.

I am adding a link to North Shore Pediatric Therapy for a great handout.  It has milestones broken down into age ranges.  It explains "red flags" to look for as well.  This handout is not meant to diagnose your child in anyway.  The best method to find out if your child has a speech or language disorder is to have a full speech and language evaluation completed by a licensed speech language pathologist.

If you know a speech therapist, be sure to give them a pat on the back.

Hugs y'all!
Melissa

Mom Monday-We Love Teachers!!

It's Teacher Appreciation week!!!  Time to show your kids' teachers how much you appreciate everything they have done all year for your tiny humans.  My kids have been blessed with great teachers this year.  So I am definitely taking this week to make sure they know how much we appreciate them.  I have gathered some really cute ideas.  Most are simple and easy on the budget.

This was my first choice for Chief's teachers but...how to get 2 bottles of wine into the school???

 

So I also found some more appropriate gifts that the actual student can give their teachers. This one is really cute and easy from Pizzazzerie.  Those plastic mason jar cups are everywhere right now.  Fill it with cute pink stuff and you are done.  Perfect for those kids that have more than one teacher.

 

 

 

 I also love this one!!  Got a child with 3 or 4 teachers?  This one is great on the budget but still really cute!

 

 

If your favorite teacher has a green thumb, then give them a plant that can still grow in the classroom!  Everyone is kind of in a "succulent" trend right now.  This blog also has more ideas for you!

 

 

I have shopped and gathered Chief's teacher gifts.  I came up with stuffing a bag with pens, pencils, and notepads with a tag that reads "You are a NOTEWORTHY teacher!"  I haven't put it all together but when I do, watch for it!!

 

Whatever you do make sure it comes from the heart.  Your teachers will appreciate it! 

 

PS-don't forget the speech therapists this month either!! It is Better Speech and Hearing Month!!  Since they are not classroom teachers, students and parents tend to forget about them.  But they work hard too!!

 

Hugs y'all!

Melissa

 

 

Mom Monday-Easter Activities that say "Fun Mom!"

Easter's coming!!!  That means spring is coming!  Yes, I maybe a tad excited about warm weather.

Back to Easter... It's such a fun holiday.  Getting together with family, cooking out, dressing up in the cutest spring dresses...  There's also some really fun activities for kids too.  

One of my favorite books is "The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Chick."  Such a cute story about the old lady swallowing cute things to make a great Easter basket.

                   

I love this next activity.  It's simple and requires very few materials.  It calls for colored tape but you could easily use any WASHI tape you have laying around.  

Kids love jokes!!!  At least my 8 year old does!  So what kid wouldn't love to find a joke in his lunch box?!  One joke a day in the lunchbox and you are immediately the coolest mom!

http://childhood101.com/2015/03/easter-jokes-for-kids/

This sweet little craft is something that could be treasured forever.  Moms love art work with their kiddos' hands.  Very easy and few materials needed.  

http://funhandprintartblog.com/2011/04/handprint-peeking-bunny-craft-start.html

Have fun mamas!!!

Hugs y'all!

Melissa