Parenting the MG Reader

Being both a mom and a writer adds a lot of complexities to the task of developing my children as readers. It has been heavy on my mind the past couple of months as I've watched one child blossom and the other struggle in my own home over their school reading requirements.

I don't know about the rest of the world, but in our school district the kids are on the Accelerated Reader program (AR for short). Which means they read a book and then take a comprehension test on it, which earns them "points" toward their goals for the term.

Within this system the kids are also given reading levels and goals to reach in that regard as well. For Super Spawn, who is now 9 and in 4th grade, he's reading at a 7th grade level as of the beginning of winter break. Curly Girl is 7 and in 2nd grade, and she's reading at a 3rd grade level. Which is great!

Until I take them to the book store.

Super Spawn is big into middle grade fiction, which is wonderful. I've been sharing some of my all-time favorites with him this year. HARRY POTTER, PERCY JACKSON, MAGYK, and more! The issue arises when we're standing in front of a shelf of hundreds of books and I have to pull out my phone and plug the titles into the AR search to see if 1. there's a test for this book, and 2. if it's in his pre-set range. Let the frustration begin.

New releases? Not in the AR system. Could take months for it to show up there.


What does he want to read? The newest LAST KIDS ON EARTH book, of course.


But guess what, even though it's now in the AR system, it's no longer in his range. He's moved above it level-wise. Except he loves this series, and he wants to read it no matter what. 

 And I'm supposed to tell him what? Sure, I'll get it for you and you can read it, but it can't count toward your school goals? 

Sorry, but that's a load of crap. It's almost like a punishment for reading something he loves just because it's below his level. I hate that for him. However, I still bought him the book.

With Super Spawn I also have the added challenge of appropriateness. Yes, he reads well above his grade level, and only continues to improve. We're reaching the point where books like DIVERGENT are falling into his reading range. Now, I LOVE that series. I own all the books and movies. But just because it falls within his capacity to comprehend it, doesn't mean he's at the right maturity level for it. *Cue freakout because he wants to read it, and he knows I've read it, and it's staring at him on our bookshelf begging him to read it*

Our kids are being pushed to challenge themselves to read more complex stories, which is fantastic. Until you hit that wall where they've leveled up beyond their maturity and their teachers are still pushing them farther.

In the case of Curly Girl she's being pushed really hard to read higher level books, which causes her to take less tests, to struggle with her goals, and to not want to read her AR books at all. They're pushing her too fast. Let her just be a 2nd grader for a minute! She will grow at her own pace! The transition from early readers to novels is a hard one for kids. Super Spawn struggled with it too. It just takes time.

All of this to say that I'm not sure putting all of these restrictions and guidelines on our children's reading is as beneficial as we (as parents) are told it is. Isn't there a better way? Wouldn't more freedom to choose help to grow their passion for reading far more than shoving a certain level of book down their throat?

As I writer I worry the implications this has on the novels we put out. What if, because of my sentence structure, my book is labeled as a 6th grade reading level, but the content is appropriate for a high school level of maturity? Is that going to automatically put my book in that "you can read it but it won't count" crowd? I'm not sure I like that one bit.

Do any of you have thoughts on this or similar experiences to share? I'd love to hear them.

Non-Fiction Inspiration

Who

Reads

Incessantly

Through

Every
Riddle

Lots of times life throws riddles at me and sends me running to the nearest bookshelf.  Does it do that to you?  The latest riddle I've been working through has to do with parenting.  I won't get into it here, as it has nothing to do with writing, and it's also a really personal decision.  So lets suffice it to say I feel like I'm being faced with a rather huge decision that will affect the rest of both mine and Super Spawn's life.

Whoa, right?  That's big stuff.

For the last week or so I've been throwing around terms like "Parenting Philosophy" a lot, and I've been reading non stop on the subject.  (Thus no book recs for you guys, sorry.  Non-Fiction has had my attention lately.)  The point here is learning about these different parenting approaches has really given me a depth of knowledge for crafting parents in my writing.

Parenting styles are so diverse, and they each create their own "right" version of their children.  And when you sit down to write as the teenage daughter of a Tiger Mom, well, you've got to know what that household dynamic would be like in real life.  If there's anything I've learned in my reading, it's that the outside actions of both parents and kids don't always tell the whole story.  And I think knowing what kind of parent the teen you're writing comes from can give you a real sense of them as a person.  

This is just another reminder that to write well, you need to read well.  ;)  I'd have never thought a bunch of non-fiction books on parenting would give me greater insight to my writing.  But, well, they did!  Do you ever get surprised by what inspires your stories?

Whew

What a week, lovelies!  I have been ridiculously busy at my day job this week, which has made for less than par blog posts I fear.

*sigh*

Sorry.

My brain is in overdrive and by the end of the day I'm in full-on melt-down-mode.  Not only have I been pulling my hair out at the office, but this week Super Spawn has given up his last bit of babyhood.

Yes, my Super Spawn is officially a big boy.

He gave up his binky.

Now, I know this may not seem like a big deal, but it's huge to us.  I've been trying to get rid of that binky for a solid year.  It has been torture.  I've tried everything to get him to let go of that thing.  Bribing him, poking a hole in the end, going cold turkey, candy...I've tried it all. 

Then Monday night we couldn't find one.  I just knew that meant I was in for a long night of tears.  I went for it anyway, I told Super Spawn, "Well, your binky is lost.  But that's okay because you are such a big boy that you don't need it anymore, and that makes Mommy so proud."

And he hasn't asked for it again.

I'm elated!  But at the same time, I'm so sad.  My tiny little barely six pound baby is a 38 pound big boy who can spell his name, do simple addition, and read simple words!

Where does the time go?

Sometimes Plans Change

You can plan every day of your life up to the minute if you so please.  You can have guides, maps, and knowledge of your destination.  But things change.

Change is the framework of life.

I'm a planner.  Always have been, always will be.  I prefer to have dates set months in advance.  To know exactly, without a shadow of doubt, what will be happening, when, and where.

My sister and I...okay, so mostly I have been planning a trip back to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in February.  It was going to be the trip of all trips.  Super Spawn is getting tickets and traveling things for Christmas.  A portable DVD player, a pillow pet!

Then I learned that I'll be having Super Spawn opposite weekends of what I had planned.  Because other people don't plan, and adore making things difficult for me.  *glares*

Anyway, now we're going for the New Year!  Why not?  It'll be fun!  They'll still have all the Christmas decorations up!  It'll be cold...like it's supposed to be in Hogsmead.  We've already got tickets and everything.  So...it all worked out.

And the same thing applies to your writing.  You may start out with a story in mind.  A particular path you want that story to take, or a particular thing you want your character to do (or not to do).  Sometimes though, even with the best intentions, things change.  That character may develop a mind of their own, wander off into uncharted territory, and bring you the best story you've ever written.

Who's to say it couldn't happen?

So, keep your minds open to change.  Be accepting of it in your life and in your writing, and something good may come of it.

Friday Fun - Picture Books

Super Spawn loves to read.  Hurrah!

The tricky part is getting him to read something that isn't Thomas the Train or CARS.

So this week when his school had their Scholastic Book Fair, I got excited.  (Duh.  We all would.  lol)

Every day as we came and went from the school I eyed the books.  On Wednesday afternoon I finally took the time to stop and look around.  We made a deal.  Super Spawn could pick a book, and I could pick a book.  This way he got his favorite characters, and I got to search for a new author and/or illustrator to add to our shelves.

*insert squeals of delight here*

I adore picture books.

We wound up with another train book, and this jewel...

Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk

The blurb from Scholastic: "Sam is a mouse who lives in a library and loves to make up and write his own stories. When he leaves his stories in different parts of the library, humans find the stories and want to know who the writer is."

Cutest. Story. Ever.

One of my all time favorite bedtime stories is Wynken, Blynken, and Nod by Eugene Field.  The version we have is in a compilation book and the illustrations are...gosh...they're breathtaking.  I could stare at the pages for hours.  Combine that with Field's beautiful words...even Super Spawn lays quietly for the story.  (and that's AMAZING)

Do you guys have any favorite picture books you can recommend?  And anyone with little ones have any debut authors/illustrators you're in love with?  I'm always looking for new books to entice him with that are not full of TV/Movie characters.

Kinda off-topic rant

As most of you know, Super Spawn started 3k this month. I put him in a faith-based private school thinking of anywhere, he'd be well taken care of there.

I'm here to tell you otherwise.

Turns out, in the State of Florida at least, faith-based schools are exempt from licensing standards. They're exempt from following the Administrative Code, and the Department of Children and Family's code of Ethics.

Nobody will touch them.

I've had to learn all of this the hard way. Not only was my three-year-old son neglected by his teacher (who refused to allow him any kind of drink because he had a nap-time accident), but his rights were violated under the American's with Disabilities Act when his EpiPen was sent home with the wrong child.

I won't even go into how illegal and dangerous it was for them to send an injectable prescription medication home with the wrong child.

I'm not saying this to name names or point fingers. I simply want to inform parents of something I just learned that could have meant the difference between life and death for my child.

This may not be something that effects you right now. But one day, when you do have kids, it'll be something in the back of your mind to remember. Check on it. Make sure that you can really put your trust in the people who care for your child, and make sure if they break that trust you have someone to back you up and enforce safe measures for the children who remain in that school.

/End rant.

Tipsy Tuesday - I need a drink

Don't forget to enter my Birthday Party, Follower Celebration Contest Bonanza!!!

So, yesterday was Super Spawn's very first day of 3k. How exciting, right? How much fun?

Yeah, it was exciting -- until about 4pm when I get a call from another child's mom. It went something like this:

Other mom: "Hi, this is other kid's mom, our sons go to school together."

Me: "Uh, hi." Thinking- oh no, what did Super Spawn do to her kid? Why's she calling me?!

Other mom: "I think the school accidentally sent Super Spawn's medicine home with other kid."

Me: "They what? What medicine?"

Other mom: "It's, like, a needle thing and benadryl."

Me: "THEY SENT HIS EPIPEN HOME WITH ANOTHER CHILD?!?!"

Other mom: "Isn't that something he needs to have with him all the time?"

Me: "YES! OH MY GOD!"

Other mom: "I'm sorry, I only saw it when we got home. I'll bring it to school in the morning."
Me: "Thank you so much for calling."

Now, parents of a non-allergy child, or someone who has never seen a person go into anaphylactic shock might think I'm overreacting. Truth is, the negligence of one person at that school yesterday could have KILLED two children.

I flipped out.

It has been handled, the school apologized profusely and reprimanded the negligent person. They have also developed a policy for how to handle Super Spawn's epipen so that it will always be within a moment's reach.

So, I was a little too stressed out last night to write my Tipsy Tuesday post. So you get tipsy ranting! HA! And here's the drink to go with it!


Paradise Punch

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup tequila blanco
• 1/2 cup vodka
• 1/2 cup rum
• 1/2 cup gin
• 2 cups cranberry juice
• 2 cups pineapple juice
• Pineapple wedges, for garnish

Directions

In a large pitcher, combine all ingredients and stir. Serve chilled in iced tea glasses with a wedge of pineapple for a garnish.

Mommy Monday- When I Grow Up

When I was a kid I used to tell people I wanted to be a mommy when I grew up. Then in about middle school I decided I wanted to be a Pediatric Oncologist. Then an Explorer in the rain forests in Bangladesh, an Oceanographer, and a Marine Biologist.


In High School I thought maybe I wanted to be a teacher. In college I had NO IDEA. I majored in Philosophy and minored in English. As if I would EVER find use for a Philosophy degree.

Now, at twenty five years old, I have finally figured out what I *really* want to do with my life. I want to write.

So, what's the point? You know this, right?

I'm just being sentimental and imagining all the things Super Spawn is going to want to be when he grows up. I hope that I can inspire him to follow his deepest dreams and never give up.

The dream I held to my whole life was fulfilled just over three years ago when he came into my life. Now I have another dream to work towards, along with the dreams my own dream-come-true creates.

Isn't life amazing sometimes?

Don't forget about the Community Critique Party! Send your one page submissions to Holly (at) hddodson (dot) com with Community Critique Party in the subject line! You have until Friday at 5pm EST to get them in.

Mommy Monday

Life is all a balancing act. We all have our obligations and desires. This week I thought we'd talk about keeping a balance between writing and family and work.



I know there are probably no two of us in the same situation, but knowing how others handle that precarious balance may help someone even out their life. A friend and I were talking the other day about the workaholic type people we know who don't seem to know how to "turn it off" even if they go on vacation. Everything is about work to them.

The conversation got me thinking (I know, it's dangerous when I think) about all the things I balance in life without letting one run over the other.

1. Super-Spawn
2. Work
3. Writing
4. Other family
5. Social Life
6. Housework

You get the picture. The point is, what can we do to make sure we aren't cheating ourselves, or the ones we love, out of a fair share of US? Which we know is what they all most want.

My life is divided into sections:

The work week- Days, work. (Lunch, writing, and a weekly lunch with my cousin) Evenings, Super Spawn. Nights, writing related things.

Saturdays- If it's my weekend with SS, I take him somewhere fun (the movies, a museum, a play place in town, etc) and invite our friends. If it's not- I get some quality me-time where I do whatever I want. May be that I write, go out with friends, whatever.

Sundays- Almost always devoted to housework.

And you better believe we live on a schedule within that schedule. Otherwise I'd never keep it all up. I manage to work, be a mom, write, have a social life (if a limited one), and get the house clean every single week.

Tell me, how do you keep the balance?

Mommy Monday

Erinn over at Something Else to Distract Me gave me an award! Thanks, Erinn!



I'm supposed to pass it on to other writer moms. So, here's who I'd like to pass it to.

Kate Hart

Jennifer Walkup

Creepy Query Girl

Crazy Writer Girl

I know for sure they're all mom's who write! Anyway, the rule is you must pass it on, because ALL mom's who write are awesome!


Well, I must confess that I do not have a topic today. *gasp* I know, I'm a slacker. We had Super Spawn's birthday party on Saturday and it was a hit. But it left me totally wiped out for the remainder of the weekend.

I didn't have a creative thought all weekend, I swear. It was most annoying. I'm not used to creative lapses. Anyway, I'll leave you with a picture of the millions of cupcakes my sister and I made for the extravaganza. See, Super Spawn's Kryptonite is nuts, so I don't have the luxury of ordering from a bakery.

Mommy Monday- Guilt

Being a mom is never easy. I went to see Sex and the City 2 with my sister this weekend, and the scene where Charlotte locks herself in the pantry with babies crying at the door had me in tears. I've been there. I'm pretty sure most all moms have been there, and feel guilty for it.

Mommy guilt is a bitch.



The moral of the story for Charlotte was: she needed a break. Everyone needs a break once in a while to recharge their batteries. Whether it's a few minutes locked in a pantry or a weekend getaway, sometimes all you need is quiet.

What's my point? Well, my point is that, as writers, we need breaks too. I know the mantra is to write every day. Push, push, push. Go, go, go. But life happens.

Kids get sick, computers die, an apocalypse is knocking at the door. Well...maybe not the last one.

Then comes the writer's guilt. The -- I'm not doing enough! OMG I'm never going to finish this book/get published/make it through revisions -- thoughts that plague us just because we took a day off.

So, I'm here to say: It's okay to take a day off, as long as you come back.

Taking a day off is not quitting, it is not giving up or admitting defeat. It's giving your mind time to rest, to think, to percolate. Fun word, percolate.

Anyway, don't let writer's guilt (or mommy guilt!) get you down.

Writing may not be easy. You may find a challenge at every turn, but how you handle them is what defines you. Follow your dreams, live your life, and let nothing hold you down.

Friday Fun - Blog Award!

The super awesome Blue Lipstick Samurai gave me a blog award!



The rules:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic for whatever reason! (In no particular order...)
4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.


7 Things About Me:

1. I CANNOT WAIT to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando. It is, conveniently, only 4 hours away.
2. Super Spawn is turning 3 TOMORROW! OMG how did that happen?!
3. I'm a habitual email checker, even when I'm not expecting anything.
4. Oh, I cannot stand Thomas the train. I've seen every. single. episode. five. hundred. times.
5. I prefer Pepsi over coke.
6. My favorite food - hot wings!!
7. Annnnd Super Spawn just spit in his bowl of popcorn -- gross. (Well, while I'm writing this he is even though it won't post until tomorrow.)

15 bloggers I think are full of awesome:

1. Pam and Marquita
   
2. Sarah Enni
3. KO
4. Erinn
5. Creepy Query Girl
6. Kate Hart
7. Abby Stevens
8. Susan Dennard
9. The Alliterative Allomorph
10. Renae
11. Leila Austin
12. Jen
13. Michelle Schusterman
14. Emilia Plater
15. Elana Johnson

And a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my big guy who turns 3 tomorrow!!

Tipsy Tuesday- Writing Space

It's important to have a space, no matter how small, designated to writing. Mine isn't much -- a desk in my bedroom -- but it is my space that nobody else touches. Everyone's needs are different, but these are the basic essentials I keep at hand when I write.

1. Pictures- I like pictures, I have them everywhere, so naturally they're on my desk too.
2. Caffeine- We all know caffeine, in whatever form, is a writer's lifeblood.
3. Books- When I'm feeling blocked, I read. It helps grease the wheels and get me back on track.
4. Kiddo Cup- Well, obviously if you don't have kiddo's you wouldn't need this. But it keeps him outta my hair.
5. Computer- Duh.
6. Kiddo Stuff- Again, keeps him out of my hair.
7. Baby Monitor- So you can kick the kids OUT. :)
8. Note Pads- For scribbling ideas, outlines, whatever.
9. Conference Funds- Like my pretty jar? I'm a visual saver. With it staring at me every day, I feed it much more frequently to make it stop yelling at me. Plus it's a little additional motivation to work harder and longer to be ready for the next conference.
10. Calendar- You can't see mine here, but it's hanging on the wall. Write firm deadlines on your calendar to keep you motivated!

And that, my lovelies, is my writing space! Is there anything I don't have in my space that you have in yours?

And an essential for my writing space on any Tipsy Tuesday would be a glass of Moscato wine, my favorite. It's light, sweet, and only slightly bubbly. Mmmm. Make sure it is nice and cold before you pop the cork. A delightful treat.

But, make sure it's Italian. Domestic Moscato just isn't the same.

Mommy Monday- Tantrum Hell

It was one of those mornings. Super Spawn was acting like the spawn of Arch Nemesis instead of his sweet-as-pie self. Screaming, crying, throwing himself in the floor...it was full-on tantrum time. I wanted to scream and rip my hair out as I rushed around the house struggling to get ready for work.

I begged. I pleaded. I threatened. I promised toys and cookies.

Nothing worked.

We drive up to the sitter's house and then it is total melt-down: I-cannot-live-without-mommy-so-I-must-scream-and-make-her-feel-as-guilty-as-possible.




I was forced to leave him, hysterical, in the sitter's arms and dash out the door.

Boy do I feel like slime.

Then the wheels started turning in my head. Don't manuscripts do exactly the same thing? I think they do. I've seen them referred to as "teenagers" before. In my humble opinion, I must disagree. They're more like rotten three-year-olds who don't want you to ever leave them alone so you can work or sleep or eat.

Your characters bug you in the shower, in the car, at the table -- taunting you. Then they won't just behave and have all these wild ideas about where a scene should go.

Eventually you get so fed up you don't know what to do with them. So you thrust them into the hands of a trusted Beta and drive away to the sounds of their cries, with tears stinging your eyelids.

But when you go back to get them, that manuscript is all smiles and cheer. It runs to greet you and characters fling their arms around you with reckless abandon.

And you remember again why you do it all.

So, in a way, my manuscript is like having another toddler in the house. Now that's a scary thought.

Mommy Monday- Sleeping In

So, obviously, I've got a young child at home who often finds ways to hinder my writing time. He also finds ways to inspire me.

I was sitting there last night, watching him sleep, holding my notebook and pen. I don't know why, but when I'm having a problem getting the words out -- or my plot has backed me into a corner -- all that helps is a notebook and pen.

There I was, staring at his peaceful face, when it came to me. The perfect beginning for my next project. I wrote several pages, getting all the starting details out of this story that continues to whisper to me. Try as I might to put off writing so I can finish my revisions, I just can't seem to do it.

Do any of you have that issue? When you try and focus on one story, you get bombarded by new ideas? I've come up with three novel ideas since I told myself I wouldn't write more until I finished my revisions. lol One of them is already over 30k words.

The point, Holly! Get to the point!

Okay, I went way off topic there. Sorry, this is how my brain works...and it does this while I'm writing especially. One idea leads to another to another to another. Before I know it I'm 60 miles from where I started, in a whole different book!

My question today is this: Where do you think best? Where do your best ideas come from?

Mine come quietly, once Super Spawn is asleep and my eyelids threaten to close.

Mommy Monday- Memorial Day Fun!

Happy Memorial Day, my lovelies!!!!

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Today we commemorate the many men and women who have died while in the military.


I'm spending the day home with Super-Spawn. (Yes, he wound up staying home for the holiday!! YAY!!!!)

Anyway, today is a day for swimming, barbecue, trips to the beach, and relaxation! I hope you all, whether in the US or abroad, have a wonderful day!


On a mommy note today, make sure to check the Environmental Working Group's Cosmetic Database to find out just how safe your sunscreen is. They rate ingredients in products from 0-10, 0 being the safest and 10 being the worst. They don't only rate sunscreen, you can find everything from bubble bath to foundation in their extensive database.

Sometimes the things we use to protect ourselves turn out to be worse for us than we thought.

A favorite sunscreen of mine is Badger, which rates in at 0. We never get sunburns as long as it is used properly, and that says a lot since we live in sunny Florida!

Now, time for some watermelon!

The importance of backing up your work...

What a freaking day.

Super-Spawn was up at six this morning and I thought, "Hey, I could get some writing done." Tralalala, right? Yeah, until I went to turn my computer on.

And it didn't turn on.

Crap.

I called tech support and they told me to take it to Geek Squad. My computer is only a few months old...it really shouldn't have died. Plus it was working fine last night. So I took it to the store, oh but they don't open until ten.

Fine. We'll go to the book store.

Aaaaaand, they're having power problems and are closed.

ARGH!!!

We waste time in Target and return to the computer place, finally. Oh, but they can't fix my computer without my receipt. No, they couldn't look my receipt up either because I paid cash for the computer.

It gets better.

Super-Spawn was acting like he was the spawn of Arch Nemesis as he screamed and attempted to squirm his way out of the stroller. So we high tailed it to the car -- I called the tech people back and have to ship my computer to them to be fixed. At my expense. Even though it is still under Warranty.

Yeah, not happy at all.

We went about our day, lunch and a movie with friends. When the movie was out I thought, "Oh, let's go to the book store across town. I need another book to read and Super-Spawn want's a Three Musketeers book. Cool. This day will get better."

Sigh. If only.

On the way to the book store my tire blew out.

Luckily friends were following us and helped change the tire and get air in the spare.

Oh, and did I mention I'm losing ALL my files off my computer when they repair it? Yeah, ALL. Luckily my novels and most pictures are backed up. I will lose the work I did on editing last night, but that's just a few hours and at least not months worth of sweat and tears.

Still. I cried my little eyes out. What a freaking day! The lesson?

ALWAYS BACK YOUR FILES UP!!!! And have great friends willing to help change a tire in the humid Florida heat.

Forgive me if I grumble about being computer-less for a while. It's gonna suck.

Mommy Monday

Warning: I've been thinking again!

Question of the day: Does being a parent affect what you write? Why or why not?

What I mean is- as you're brainstorming/writing do you stop and think, "Hmm, what would Super-Spawn like to read?"


Now, Super-Spawn is a fair distance from being able to sit and read a novel, but I still think about it. It's something I consider especially when I'm brainstorming for new projects, but not anything I've really acted on either. Both of my novels are about teenage girls- probably won't be exactly his cup of tea, but you never know. Though, I have found myself wondering lately if I could come up with a middle-grade story for a boy- specifically with Super-Spawn in mind.

Then I wonder if it would be smart to try and purposefully design a story that way. I'll admit, my ideas are not formulated. They come to me unbidden with full plot-lines at random moments- usually in traffic. So I don't know if I could force an idea out or not.

I think that's about the only way my mommy status really influences my writing. Well, other than the obvious time constraints. I tend to find my way around those- read: Harry Potter is on and SS is acting it out as I type. Heh. His favorite part is the Knight Bus, we watch it over and over as he rides his little school bus doing the crazy fig-head laugh screeching, "It's gonna be a bumpy ride!" Love it. He couldn't care less about the rest of the movie, just the "school bus" as he calls it.

What about you guys?

Special Alert- Must Read!

Got YA goes natural for a cause. A blog post that I simply must share.

Please, please go to their BLOG and read this awesomely inspiring post on body image and the media's negative influence.

Everyone is affected by what the media portrays as "perfection" whether you're woman, man, teenager or child.

It needs to stop.

Mommy Monday

It's Food Allergy Awareness Week!
Go to FAAN's website for more info.

Spreading awareness, spreading safety for our food allergic children.

Even one bite could kill a child with food allergies.

The number of children with food allergies rose 18% between 1997 and 2007, according to the CDC. EIGHTEEN PERCENT. That is HUGE. Over 12 million Americans have food allergies. Over 3 million of those are children.

We need to fight for our cause, stand up and stand out. Find the cause, find the CURE!