Project 365 Challenge: Day 17…Awards and Attitudes

Posted on January 18, 2012 by viviankirkfield

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It’s still January 17^th here in Colorado, so even though WordPress considers it the 18^th, I’m posting this at 10:20pm on Tuesday night.

I’m really trying to do the “one post every day” that is part of the challenge…but believe me, it is not easy.

However, since I’m encouraging parents to read EVERY DAY with their kids, I can do no less than try to write EVERY DAY and post some type of tip, tactic or tool to help with the difficult job of parenting.

I got a lovely surprise today…Sharon from DoinTheGratefulDance received the Versatile Blogger Award and she passed it on to me. Thank you, Sharon! One of my presentations to moms and dads is called: WE ALL NEED A CHEERING COMMITTEE AND PARENTS ARE A CHILD’S MOST IMPORTANT FANS!

In the same way, bloggers need a cheering committee, and receiving the Versatile Blogger Award lets us know that others appreciate our efforts.

So here are seven things about me that you might not know:

1. I used to stay up till 2 or 3am, reading romance novels.

2. I exercise to a Kathy Smith DVD every morning before I go to work.

3. I used to smoke 😦 but gave it up over 35 years ago when I was pregnant.

4. I signed up for Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 Challenge and will be trying to write a picture book draft every month this year.

5. I used to be so shy that I was afraid to speak up…I’m still shy, but I’ve learned to say what needs to be said.

6. I went parasailing with my husband and skydiving with my son, even though I am afraid of heights.

7. I used to bake bread with my children several times a week when they were young.

And now…the envelope please! I’m supposed to pass the Versatile Blogger Award on to up to fifteen other bloggers. I’ve connected many new blogs in the last few months and I’ll also have the opportunity to recognize some blogs that I’ve been following and enjoying this past year. The wealth of talent and effort is unbelievable. I’m sure some of these bloggers have received many awards, but, just like the Oscars, there’s always room for one more on the mantle.

Barbara at Spanish4Kiddos

Elyse at Fifty-four and a half

Aimee at Classified Mom

Julie Hedlund at Write Up My Life

Susannah Leonard Hill

Anita Silvey at The Children’s Book-A-Day Almanac

Ella at My Memorable Children’s Books

I know there are many others I should have included in this list. If I missed you this time and last time, it’s just that my eyes are closing. 🙂

Goodnight! I’ll be back tomorrow with some sweet photos of happy children involved in great activities.

Click to enter and comment: 2012 Positive Parental Participation Challenge

Project 365 Challenge: Menu Magic…I Have a Dream-y Fruit Salad

Posted on January 16, 2012 by viviankirkfield

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Today is Martin Luther King Day.

Tributes are taking place across this country and all over the world.

Here’s an easy-to-make dessert from Chapter Two (I’m Special: Helping Your Child Value His Own Strengths and Qualities) of my book that will have your children dreaming sweet dreams.

DREAMY FRUIT SALAD

Children love to help in the kitchen. They acquire skills as they measure and mix ingredients and “read” the recipe. One of the basic components of developing true self-esteem is mastering tasks and skills. So why not invite your child to assist you when you make this delicious and nutritious dessert.

You will need: 1 large package vanilla instant pudding, 1½ cups milk, 1 diced apple, 1 peeled navel orange (sectioned), 2 bananas (sliced), ½ cup sliced strawberries, ½ cup blueberries and a large bowl.

1. Mix instant pudding and milk in a large bowl. Chill for 10 minutes.

2. Add diced apple, orange sections, bananas, strawberries and blueberries and mix together gently.

3. Makes 4 – 6 servings. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

4. Creative tip: use your imagination and substitute different fruits.

Project 365 Challenge: Are You Thinking of Having a Baby?

Posted on January 15, 2012 by viviankirkfield

“I really want to have a baby!”

This is what a co-worker told me the other day. She also told me that her husband is not excited about the idea and she feels he is not ready to be a father. In addition, their relationship is, according to her, not in a very good place right now. And, she complained that she had trouble sleeping at night and didn’t function well if her sleep was disturbed.

Hmmmm….sounds like a recipe for disaster, wouldn’t you agree?

Deciding to have a baby is not like deciding to order fries with your meal or deciding to buy a red dress for a party. When the fries arrive, you can always throw them away if you’ve changed your mind or ask the waitress if you can have a baked potato instead. If the red dress doesn’t look good when you get it home, you can always return it or exchange it for a different one.

Becoming a parent is a forever decision…one not to be taken lightly. The people involved need to understand the implications and agree that it is something they both wish to undertake. Of course, sometimes pregnancies are unplanned and a surprise.

I’m always encouraging parents to read picture books with their children because part of my Positive Parental Participation program involves the utilization of the messages in picture books to help young children cope with many of the challenges they face in those early years.

One can say the same thing about movies. And, many movies contain important messages for adults.

My husband and I watched 9 Months with Hugh Grant and Julianne Moore on Netflix last night. If you are contemplating having a baby, this is the movie for you! It’s a light-hearted look at a young successful couple who have been living together very happily for five years. When Julianne discovers she is pregnant, Hugh is not happy about it, but she tells him that the baby won’t change their life. Then she tells him he will have to sell his sports car and get rid of the cat he has had for thirteen years. His disconnect causes her to leave him and she tells him, “You’re not ready to be a father!”

Will Hugh ultimately accept the situation? At the end of the movie, is he ready to be a father? Watch the film if you want a hilarious look at pregnancy, labor and delivery…with Robin Williams as the obstetrician, you are guaranteed to be rolling on the floor, laughing till it hurts.

But the movie has a serious side…it asks couples: are you ready to have a baby? It will change your life. It won’t make a weak marriage stronger. It will test the limits of your patience.

What are your thoughts? Please share them with us.