Ten Questions to Ask Your Mother Now

Today is Mother's Day.  In the May 2009 Real Simple magazine issue, there was an article titled-10 Questions to Ask Your Mother Now.  I had intended to ask my mom these ten questions, type them up and present them to my siblings, nieces and nephews for Christmas. Because I tend to procrastinate projects and had the childish belief that my parents would live forever, I didn't get to ask my Mom these questions.  She passed very unexpectedly in October 2009 (insert big sigh).   
 

So what I did was write out the answers for my boys. It is rather enlightening to think about some of these questions.  So if you can, ask your mother these ten questions.  If you can't, write out the answers for your own children (you may 'hear' your  mother's voice answering them for you, too) 

1. What's the one thing you would have done differently as a mom?

2.  Why did you choose to be with my father?

3.  In what ways do you think I'm like you? and not like you?

4.  Which one of us kids did you like best?  

5.  Is there anything you have always wanted to tell me but never have?

6.  Do you think it's easier or harder to be a mother now than when you were raising our family?

7.  Is there anything you regret not having asked your parents?

8.  What is the best thing I can do for you right now?

9.  Is there anything that you wish had been different between us-or that you would still like to change?

10.When did you realize you were no longer a child?

Past Mother's Day posts...
http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2011/05/mothers-day.html 

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2012/05/when-god-created-mothers.html 

Metamora Park District

The Metamora Park District summer activities begin in June. Programs will be held at Lincoln-Douglas Park.  Activities are available for children ages 3-12 (children must be fully potty trained).  Registration will be held May 15th and May 18th from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.  at the Metamora Swimming Pool Pavilion. Check out the Park District website https://sites.google.com/site/metamoraparkboard/
and follow the Park District on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Metamora-Parks-and-Recreation/124085607769177

Your child can have a lot of fun this summer with the Metamora Park District!

Congratulations to the Class of 2013!

Congratulations! Today is your day.  

You're off to Great Places!

You're off and away!

Oh, the Places You'll Go!  by Dr. Seuss

The Crayon Box

We received this postcard in the fall when we began our trip around the world and I love it.  The children in our MWF classes have had a lot fun learning about our world.  We 'traveled' through America, Canada, China, Norway, Australia, Ireland, England and Mexico.  We learned children all over the world speak different languages, eat different foods and have different customs.  We also learned that children all over the world are the same---they live with their mommy and daddy, go to school, eat meals, play with toys, have friends and much more.

Thank you so much for sending us cards, letters and packages!  We have postcards from six continents and 28 countries.  We received 89 postcards, 4 letters and a letter from the White House. We tasted delicious chocolate and candy from overseas.  YUM-O!

I am  looking forward to continuing with this unit next year and especially excited because 2014 is the Winter Olympics which is always a fun unit in our classroom! 

Mother's Day Gift Idea

 MCP parents---do not continue unless you want to see your Mother's/Father's Day gift!

For several years we have created these 'hand-prints' for our end of the year gift for Mom and Dad.  I love creating art and crafts with the children's hands.  This craft is created with an 8 x 10 piece tagboard, poster board or other sturdy cardboard.  We have used a variety of sizes over the years but I think the 8 x 10 works the best.  You will also need  a teacher (or parent) to  trace and cut the children's hands from black construction paper, white glue and tissue paper.  I always save tissue paper from gift bags and presents to use at school. You will need a wide variety of colors cut into about 1 1/2 squares. There is nothing precise about cutting the tissue paper...just cut into small manageable pieces. 

We do this craft in small groups of 3-5.  Once the children get started it is easy for other children to catch on and follow.  The teacher applies glue all over the tagboard and the student starts adding tissue paper.  We tell the children "no white spots"  to help them cover the entire piece.   

 After the pieces are completed, I cover one of the tables with a cheap one dollar tablecloth so they will not stick and roll them with diluted glue, put the hand on top of the tissue paper and roll over the hand.  They will dry over night.  Finally, trim the edges with a scissors.

Create a beautiful keepsake for yourself or Grandma with your child!

Cinco de Mayo

 

A ristra is a string of jalapenos or chili peppers.  They are usually dried out and used for cooking but often decorate kitchens and doorways as a symbol of welcome or good luck.  This week our MWF classes had some fun with Mexico.  This is the last country of our year long journey around the world!  We located Mexico on the globe and world map and learned about the climate.  I spoke as much Spanish as I could remember from high school (I even sang 'Happy Birthday' in Spanish).  We counted to ten, learned please, thank you and your welcome in Spanish. 

We also always talk about the families and children in each country.  We talk about children going to school, mommy & daddy going to work, families eating meals together, children all around the world have to pick up their toys and probably even go to 'time out'.  :-)   This was a really important aspect of this year long unit!

Each child created a ristra.  I originally saw this idea in Family Fun magazine many years ago and had it saved in a file. Mrs. M cut out lots and lots and lots of fun foam chili peppers in a variety of colors. We used green colored rigatoni for spaces instead of knots.  The children were instructed to create a pattern of pasta/pepper/pasta/pepper.  They could use eight peppers so they continually had to count while they were lacing.  We limited them to eight because of the number of students we have in two classes. 

Teachers looped and knotted the top for hanging! This is an easy craft for Cinco de May. This would also be a great center activity for a classroom.

How to color pasta---http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2009/11/colored-rice-and-pasta.html

Family Fun Magazine---http://spoonful.com/crafts/mexico-ristra

TLC w/pattern---http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/paper-art-crafts-for-kids7.htm

 

National Pet Month

There are many benefits to owning a pet.  May is National Pet Month and I have had my share of pets.  I have calculated that from childhood to present, I have had---5 dogs, 2 gerbils, 2 birds, 1 guinea pig, 2 rabbits, several lizards, hundreds of fish and one piranha.  My childhood was filled with pets and my kids have had their share including our first family dog, Rosie.

Pets teach children responsibility. I found this post-it in my son's room...the only problem?  He forgot the 'tell mom asap' so when I found the note I found the dead (really dead) lizard.  Children and pets provide humor, too!  The note still hangs on my bulletin boards because it makes me laugh.

Want to know more about why pets are good for you and your child?  Check out this Family Fun article---http://www.parents.com/parenting/pets/kids/five-ways-pets-are-good-for-you/