A lot of people, us included, see this weekend as the unofficial beginning of summer. Time to work out in the yard or on home improvement projects. Some may go camping or have bonfires and cookouts. All of that is wonderful, but we need to take time to remember what Memorial Day is for - giving thanks and reverence to those who serve or have served for our freedom here in the USA. Please take a few minutes out of your day to talk to your kids about the meaning of Memorial Day today!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Upper Elementary Reading List
A list of great books for upper elementary kids:
Fifth & Sixth Grade
Anne of Green Gables
Blackthorn Winter
Cricket in Times Square
Heidi
Johnny Tremaiun
Lad: A Dog
Old Yeller
Robinson Crusoe
Secret Garden
Susan creek
Swiss Family Robinson
Treasure Island
Where the Red Fern Grows
Two Williams
Witch of Blackbird Pond
Indian in the Cupboard
Little Lord Fauntleroy
The Whipping Boy
The Westing Game
Around the World in Eighty Days
Call of the Wild
White Fang
Fahrenheit 451
A Christmas Carol
Jungle Book
Little Women
Kidnapped
The Yearling
Bridge to Terabithia
The Island
Maniac McGee
The Midwife's Apprentice
The Phantom Tollbooth
Number the Stars
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Where the Red Fern Grows
The Black Stallion
Fifth & Sixth Grade
Anne of Green Gables
Blackthorn Winter
Cricket in Times Square
Heidi
Johnny Tremaiun
Lad: A Dog
Old Yeller
Robinson Crusoe
Secret Garden
Susan creek
Swiss Family Robinson
Treasure Island
Where the Red Fern Grows
Two Williams
Witch of Blackbird Pond
Indian in the Cupboard
Little Lord Fauntleroy
The Whipping Boy
The Westing Game
Around the World in Eighty Days
Call of the Wild
White Fang
Fahrenheit 451
A Christmas Carol
Jungle Book
Little Women
Kidnapped
The Yearling
Bridge to Terabithia
The Island
Maniac McGee
The Midwife's Apprentice
The Phantom Tollbooth
Number the Stars
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Where the Red Fern Grows
The Black Stallion
Friday, May 27, 2011
Grand Rapids LipDub!
A while back, Newsweek reported that Grand Rapids Michigan was a "dying city". Rob Bliss disagreed with that assessment and wanted to prove Newsweek wrong. He did this by orchestrating and filming the longes and largest lip dub ever. I know its 10 minutes long, but its so cool, you have to watch it all the way through!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Middle Elementary Reading List
Favorite middle elementary books:
Second Third & Fourth Grade
Encyclopedia Brown Series
The Hundred Dresses
Mouse Soup
My Father's Dragon
Now We are Six
Owls in the Family
Sarah Plain and Tall
Boxcar Children Series
The Adventures of Taxi Dog
Nim's Island
Matilda
Nate the Great
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
James and the Giant Peach
Alice in Wonderland
Charlotte's Web
Chronicles of Narnia
Little House Series
The Mouse and the Motorcycle
Ramona books
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and other Fudge books
Pippi Longstocking books
A Light in the Attic
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Stuart Little
Judy Moody
Danny; The Champion of the World
Geronimo Stilton series
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Beowolf
Dangerous Journey
Faerie Gold
From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil Frankweiler
King Arthur and His Knights
Leepike Ridge
Macbeth
Mary Poppins
Robin Hood
Story of Rolf and the Viking
Twenty-One Balloons
Second Third & Fourth Grade
Encyclopedia Brown Series
The Hundred Dresses
Mouse Soup
My Father's Dragon
Now We are Six
Owls in the Family
Sarah Plain and Tall
Boxcar Children Series
The Adventures of Taxi Dog
Nim's Island
Matilda
Nate the Great
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
James and the Giant Peach
Alice in Wonderland
Charlotte's Web
Chronicles of Narnia
Little House Series
The Mouse and the Motorcycle
Ramona books
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and other Fudge books
Pippi Longstocking books
A Light in the Attic
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Stuart Little
Judy Moody
Danny; The Champion of the World
Geronimo Stilton series
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Beowolf
Dangerous Journey
Faerie Gold
From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil Frankweiler
King Arthur and His Knights
Leepike Ridge
Macbeth
Mary Poppins
Robin Hood
Story of Rolf and the Viking
Twenty-One Balloons
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Psalm 119
As I was reading my Bible today, this stood out. I think the Spirit is always giving us things to ponder, we just need to listen.
1 Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the LORD.
2 Joyful are those who obey his laws
and search for him with all their hearts.
3 They do not compromise with evil,
and they walk only in his paths.
4 You have charged us
to keep your commandments carefully.
5 Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect your decrees!
6 Then I will not be ashamed
when I compare my life with your commands.
7 As I learn your righteous regulations,
I will thank you by living as I should!
8 I will obey your decrees. Please don't give up on me!
Psalm 119: 1-9
Monday, May 23, 2011
Young Elementary Reading List
Helping my kids choose books to read is always a fun trip down memory lane for me. I love that they are enjoying books that I enjoyed as a kid. I've been researching and compiling lists of books that I want to share with them.
Kindergarten - First Grade:
Curious George
Caps for Sale
Corduroy
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Blueberries for Sal
The Little Engine that Could
Floss
A Chair for Mother
Harry the Dirty Dog
Billy Blaze
Bread and Jam for Francis
Dr. DeSoto
Frog and Toad are Friend
Frog and Toad All Year Long
Madeline
Nate the Great
Nate the Great and the Lost List
Miss Nelson is Missing!
The Biggest Bear
A New Coat for Anna
Stone Soup
Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea
Henry and Mudge
Little Bear
Little Bear's Friend
Amelia Bedelia
Peter Rabbit
The Emperor's New Clothes
The Cat in the Hat
Bartholomew and the Oobleck
Fox in Socks
Green Eggs and Ham
Hop on Pop
Horton Hatches the Egg
Horton Hears a Who!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now!
Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?
Oh, the Places You'll Go!
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
Berenstein Bears Books
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Danny and the Dinosaur
Magic Tree House Series
Magic Tree House Series
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Its Time to Grow Up: Being an Adult About Body Image and Fitness
I've had a huge wake-up call this past week. To be honest, the signs have been there for the past decade. I've just had distractions (read: pregnancies and procrastination) to help me avoid seeing the light.
From the time I was in high school until I was pregnant, it was really easy to lose weight and stay fit. I was extremely active, which burned alot of calories. By modifying my food intake, I could easily lose 5 pounds in a week if I thought I needed to. That being said, I had a hard time coming to terms with my body image. The fact is: I'm tall, with a large skeletal frame. That's the way God made me, and I accept that - now. Back then, I was surrounded by size zero to 6 girls who were 4 or more inches shorter than me - who, according to cultural standards, embodied the "perfect" figure. It never occured to me then that I am built differently and different doesn't mean imperfect. I spent a lot (read: wasted) of energy trying to conform my body to that standard of "perfection". No amount of exercising can change how long your bones are and the way they're put together!
Fast forward to now and I'm looking wistfully at my imperfect body of the past. I wish I had appreciated it more then, because now I would love to have it back!
Its been a long road to where I am now. Working and eating at a fast food restaurant for 12 years, five pregnancies and nursing 4 babies have taken their toll on my body. I've developed some really bad habits, letting food become an obsession, a reward system and a security blanket. I decided I'd had enough last fall and decided to start working hard to reclaim my body - for sanity and health's sake. I started working out 4 and 5 days a week, and then it happened. An old knee injury reared its ugly head and I was forced to put exercising on hold until it was fixed.
At that point, I found myself in an interesting position. I often heard people complaining about exercising all while wishing I could. I used to be the complainer and now I wanted to be able to do what I had complained about. This past week marked 3 weeks after my partial meniscectomy, which meant that I was able to start easing into a low impact exercise routine. I decided that I needed to track my food intake as well, so I could really make sure that I am consuming ENOUGH calories. After all, what's the point of exercising if I'm going to turn around and eat more than I just worked hard to burn off?
The first day, I ate as I usually would and found that I am not getting enough protein on a daily basis and I'm getting too much calories and carbohydrates. Looking at that objectively I realized that the lack of protein explains the huge energy slump I experience every day. I'd been trying to regain that energy with caffeine or sugar laden foods, which explains some of the excess calories. I was a lot more mindful the next 3 days and then I dropped the ball again at the end of the week. Stress plays a huge factor in my eating choices, which is another thing I need to retrain myself on.
I've determined that becoming healthy and getting into shape is important for several reasons. First and foremost is for my kids. I need to set an example for them about how to eat right to stay healthy and to regard food in a healthy manner. Also, I need to help my daughters, especially, to form a positive body image while they're young. Confidence in their bodies now will hopefully help them in the future. Secondly, I need to get into shape to help prevent health conditions that are associated with weight such as diabetes, heart disease, and more. Finally I need to do it for my mental health and self confidence.
From the time I was in high school until I was pregnant, it was really easy to lose weight and stay fit. I was extremely active, which burned alot of calories. By modifying my food intake, I could easily lose 5 pounds in a week if I thought I needed to. That being said, I had a hard time coming to terms with my body image. The fact is: I'm tall, with a large skeletal frame. That's the way God made me, and I accept that - now. Back then, I was surrounded by size zero to 6 girls who were 4 or more inches shorter than me - who, according to cultural standards, embodied the "perfect" figure. It never occured to me then that I am built differently and different doesn't mean imperfect. I spent a lot (read: wasted) of energy trying to conform my body to that standard of "perfection". No amount of exercising can change how long your bones are and the way they're put together!
Fast forward to now and I'm looking wistfully at my imperfect body of the past. I wish I had appreciated it more then, because now I would love to have it back!
Its been a long road to where I am now. Working and eating at a fast food restaurant for 12 years, five pregnancies and nursing 4 babies have taken their toll on my body. I've developed some really bad habits, letting food become an obsession, a reward system and a security blanket. I decided I'd had enough last fall and decided to start working hard to reclaim my body - for sanity and health's sake. I started working out 4 and 5 days a week, and then it happened. An old knee injury reared its ugly head and I was forced to put exercising on hold until it was fixed.
At that point, I found myself in an interesting position. I often heard people complaining about exercising all while wishing I could. I used to be the complainer and now I wanted to be able to do what I had complained about. This past week marked 3 weeks after my partial meniscectomy, which meant that I was able to start easing into a low impact exercise routine. I decided that I needed to track my food intake as well, so I could really make sure that I am consuming ENOUGH calories. After all, what's the point of exercising if I'm going to turn around and eat more than I just worked hard to burn off?
The first day, I ate as I usually would and found that I am not getting enough protein on a daily basis and I'm getting too much calories and carbohydrates. Looking at that objectively I realized that the lack of protein explains the huge energy slump I experience every day. I'd been trying to regain that energy with caffeine or sugar laden foods, which explains some of the excess calories. I was a lot more mindful the next 3 days and then I dropped the ball again at the end of the week. Stress plays a huge factor in my eating choices, which is another thing I need to retrain myself on.
I've determined that becoming healthy and getting into shape is important for several reasons. First and foremost is for my kids. I need to set an example for them about how to eat right to stay healthy and to regard food in a healthy manner. Also, I need to help my daughters, especially, to form a positive body image while they're young. Confidence in their bodies now will hopefully help them in the future. Secondly, I need to get into shape to help prevent health conditions that are associated with weight such as diabetes, heart disease, and more. Finally I need to do it for my mental health and self confidence.
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