School Daze

Today, my 10 year old son's class celebrated the end of their American Indian study. They made a miniature Indian village showcasing a Longhouse, various gardens and fishing techniques. The finished model looked like it was borrowed from the Museum of National History! For us, the best part was watching the kids outline in great detail how the Indians planted, skinned animals and made clothes.

What was fascinating as a parent is to see how the teacher incorporated math, writing, science, literature and of course, social studies into this in depth study. Every kid seemed enthusiastic and engaged. I kept thinking back to my elementary school in Texas, where we were required to sit in our desk facing the teachers back as she wrote on the chalk board. I remember gazing out the window and day dreaming a lot!

I was thrilled to see the changes in the public school education and think our kids are going to be better off because of it.

What's your defination of a "Good Mom"?

I came across a very thought provoking article in one of favorite reads, New York Magazine.

In it, the writer did a random survey among friends asking them their definition of a "Good Mom" and "Good Dad". So before you read any further, pause and do your own definitions.

So, not too surprising, it is far easier for dads to stand up on the winners podium. All they need to do:
- show up for most of the kids important events (1st day of school, concerts, etc)
- change a handful of diapers
- be good providers
- be supportive to mom

Now for us...it's a lot more difficult to even qualify as pretty good moms. We think in order to be considered a good mom we need to be a modern day version of June Clever! We should:
- have our kids eat fruit for breakfast
- volunteer frequently at their schools
- schedule interesting after school activities
- have an organized scrapbook chronicling every moment
- be infinitely patient
- make a healthy (i.e.homemade) family dinners
- play educational games regularly with them
- make homemade cookies to put in their lunches
- AND SO ON
WOW. What does this tell us?

Mom are SO hard on themselves and wracked with guilt! I, for one, think I am a good mom. I rarely volunteer at school, have been known to forget their after school events and snack days, have my kids on the school lunch plan, started a scrapbook for each of my kids when they were born and then now throw everything else in a shoe box to sort out later.

My kids seem to be turning out fairly normal. They tell me they love me and seem relatively happy eating what ever dinner I can manage to throw together.

Of course, only their therapist will really know the truth!

Food for thought!

Every mom in America struggles with getting their kids to eat healthy. We go to great lengths to sneak vegetables into their tummies. (Hence the success of Jessica Seinfield's new book, Deceptively Delicious!) So here's a quick tip...relax, let other kids teach them!

My oldest Fischer is not an experimental eater. However, he is MORE willing to try things if his friends eat something. We signed him up for an after school cooking program that not only taught them how to cook ethnic cuisine but about the history of food.

Suddenly, my pickiest eater was coming home bragging about how yummy scallion pancakes were and how easy it was to make homemade pesto! So cook away, my son, Dad and I will happily stay out of the kitchen and join you at the dinner table.

Get Crafty with Kids

Last weekend was ridiculously cold...too cold to venture outside for any reason. So the boys and I hunkered down for an arts and craft day.

Wesley and I made these super cute Valentine's Day cards using construction paper and Vintage Valentines Stickers. No sooner said, then done...we had a pile of the most precious cards I've seen. We both were beaming with pride.

Me: "Ha! They are done in PLENTY of time to mail!" and Wesley: "Oooh, I can't wait to give them to ALL my friends...this one is for you mom!"

So the cold, wintery day, got a lot warmer!

Crafting a Business doing what you love!

Last week, I had my first book signing!

Kathie Fitzgerald wrote beautiful book, Crafting a Business, using entrepreneurs showcased in Country Living magazine. For those of you interested in starting your own business, race out to Barnes & Noble and pick up a copy! Loads of great ideas, tips and tricks and funny stories.

Not knowing what to expect for a Friday night gathering, I was overwhelmed with how TALENTED my co-panelists were...both Cozbi Cabrera and Elisa Strauss have not only written books (and featured cover models at right) but also were so inspiring to listen to, I was thrown into a creative tizzy.

The audience was filled with smart, creative women who had started their business or looking to take the plunge. All in all it was a very energizing and supportive venue and once again reminded me (in the middle of January duldrums!) why I started the Warm Biscuit Bedding Co.

Because I LOVE fabrics, bedding, creating, crafting and creative moms!

Crazy Quilt

Here's some fun facts for you...

Quilting is a HUGE business. In fact, between books, TV and the internet it is a $3.3 billion dollar a year venture! There are some 27 million quilters in the US...mostly women (many of them young). Quilting bees of old are come alive today, as women come together once a month to sew, chat. Quilts are become works of art, worthy of collecting.

I love this! Nothing makes me happier then creating something from fabric. My mom is a quilting fanatic, my grandmother sewed with a purpose. With three boys, I think this skill will stop with me.

However, the Warm Biscuit Bedding Co has many beautiful fabrics to motivate the next generations. And, it is no wonder sewing is the new knitting! Check out some of our newest finds.

Remembering the Race

My husband told me about a kid's city wide open track meet this weekend. I ran track competitively in Junior High and was excited to see the boys on the field.

So on Sunday, our entire family woke up before the sun was up, cooked a big breakfast, laced up shoes and took the train up town. This was our boys first official race and they were practicing their starts along the side walks, slapping hands, shouting "On your mark, get set...GO!"

Their antics quickly became silent as we entered the arena. WOW...The meet was held in a cavernous space complete with a state of the art track, sound system and JUMBOTRON! Kids of all ages were dressed in official looking track uniforms and spikes. Our family looked at each other with a brief moment of self doubt.

Then.. we got pumped. I started remembering all my old track days and my competitive spirit started to stream through me. I loved running and more importantly RACING. My boys suddenly were asking me questions and were eager to run.

My eldest placed third in one heat and stood proudly on the podium while we all shouted with joy. Our good friends daughter even qualified to compete in the Millrose Games in Madison Square Garden! Our boys all agreed that in order to win, we needed to practice...A LOT!

Hmm, even old mom was motivated enough to contemplate training!

Happy New Year

I am so happy it is 2008! I love the start of a New Year--Such promise and hope.

Although, I never have official New Year's resolutions. I do make mental notes of what I want to do better. Here's my short list:

1. Be more patient with my kids
2. Greet my husband with a kiss
3. Be more organized
   
4. BLOG more!

In fact, I struggle with number 3 every year. I often wonder if an organized mom is really possible? I marvel when I meet one (a rarity) and have been known to ask them for quick tips to help me in my quest. I realize that for any semblance of organization to occur, it has to be simple and fun for me.

In fact, I am a huge fan of our Birthday Books, Baby Journals & School Year's Memory Books.
for the sole reason that if I can manage to chronicle my children's life than anyone can!

And then, blogging! I find writing to be so therapeutic and talking to other parents with similar believes MOTIVATING. So why is it the things we love to do the most go by the wayside? Overseeing a small business at Christmas requires EVERYONE in our company to pull out all the stops. And I have to say, we did an amazing jobs fulfilling 99% of our orders and disappointing very few. Holiday sales exceeded our expectations and our vendors came through for us on almost all angles.

Yet, I for one am thrilled to be starting a NEW YEAR and looking forward to starting on my new resolutions!