Storytime Spotlight! Hoover Public Library.

Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2012 by Angie

Once summer reading winds down and school starts back there is always a small lull in the storytimes that are offered by the local libraries around Birmingham.

We tend to wander aimlessly during that time, as storytime is kind of a staple in our weekly routine. But have no fear! Many programs will be starting back up after the Labor Day Holiday. Yay!

Over the next couple of weeks we’re going to highlight a few of those for you. First up, Hoover Public Library. HPL is known for some of the best storytimes in town. Always well attended and they have a great variety for all ages. Choose the right one for you and your little one.

Teletale – Call 444-7838 every week to hear a new story read by the Hoover Public Library staff!

Together with Twos with Mr Jeremy – Every Monday at 9:30 & 10:30 am (repeat)
SEPTEMBER 10 – DECEMBER 3, 2012. 30 minutes of stories and crafts for two-year-olds and their caregiver. Please register each week. Call 444-7833.

Mother Goose with Miss Shawna – Every Tuesday at 9:30 & 10:30 am (repeat) SEPTEMBER 4 – DECEMBER 4, 2012
25 minutes of stories, songs and snacks for one-year-olds and their caregiver. Please register each week. Call 444-7833.

Early Birds with Miss Polly – Every Tuesday at 10 & 11 am (repeat) SEPTEMBER 4 – DECEMBER 4, 2012
20 minutes of stories, songs and fingerplays for babies (birth to 12 months) and their caregiver. Please register each week. Call 444-7833.

Tiny Tot Tales with Miss Laura – Every Wednesday at 9:30 & 10:30 am (repeat) SEPTEMBER 5 – DECEMBER 5, 2012
30-minute action-packed storytime for children under 4.

After Lunch Bunch with Miss Katie Jane – Every Wednesday at 1:30 pm SEPTEMBER 5 – DECEMBER 5, 2012
45 minutes of storyteller shenanigans for ages 3-up.

Storytime Live with Miss Traci – Every Thursday at 10:30 am SEPTEMBER 6 – DECEMBER 6, 2012
45 minutes of stories and songs for ages 3-up. Groups must register. Call 444-7833.

PJ Storytime with Miss April – Every Thursday at 6:30 pm SEPTEMBER 6 – DECEMBER 6, 2012
45 minutes of stories, songs and a bedtime snack for all ages.

As you can see, there really is something for every age! In order to help make your storytime experience the best, The Hoover Public Library has some Guidelines for you to follow:

Arrive early! We begin each program right on time, and you do not want to miss any fun!
Visit the restroom before storytime begins.
Please be considerate. Take crying infants and disruptive children out of the story room.
Listen, listen, listen. Parents and children should be as quiet as possible while the storyteller is speaking. Each storytime incorporates finger-plays, songs and movement, so you have plenty of time to shake out your sillies.
Parents should sit with children to prevent distractions.
Enjoy yourselves. Each program is designed to introduce kids to the pleasures of reading.

For more information or to find out about special programming, visit their website.

School Tips: Handwriting

Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2012 by Angie

If you’ve ever visited an elementary classroom, you probably noticed that some kids have messy handwriting and some have beautiful letters. You may have even noticed that boys tend to write messier than girls. Here are some ways to help your child improve their handwriting:

Evaluate. If your child’s writing looks very messy, ask the teacher if it’s on grade level. You may even ask your pediatrician for a referral for occupational therapy.
Go slow. Make sure your kids aren’t rushing- that seems to be the main probelm with messy writing.
Handwriting without tears. This is a curriculum program that many schools use, but if yours doesn’t you could always get it on your own.
It’s okay to make mistakes. Don’t let them be too hard on themselves. Make erasing a skill that they practice.
Find out what your child’s kindergarten requires. Many schools don’t want kids to write their name in all caps. Be proactive and get your child in the proper habit.
Pencil is properly positioned. The pencil should rest near the base of the thumb, held in place with the thumb, index, and middle fingers. If your child isn’t doing that, try giving them a very small pencil or crayon. Because it’s only a few inches long, they will have to hold it the proper way.
Expose your child to lots of words. You can do this by reading regularly together, pointing out words that surround you (such as street signs or product labels), and by hanging up examples of your child’s writing around the house.

Book Review: Bringing Up Bebe

Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 by Angie

As a devoted reader of all kinds of parenting books, I have to say this one was great. It’s not just a list of how things should be done, it’s more of an anthropological survey of a way of life. The author, Pamela Druckerman, is an American who moves to France and notices that French women and families operate differently than Americans. Her observations about pregnancy are something I think most neurotic moms would love to hear– French women don’t worry about their pregnancy as much as we do, they embrace it as part of their life and they don’t overindulge. There are no cravings to satisfy, they just continue with life.
The birth of baby was also very interesting- the government supplies most of the literature about childraising, and it tends to have a goal of creating independent, respectful children.

The author’s observations of French toddlers were the best part. French kids eat veggies, salads, fish, fruits, and many other foods. They have a wide palate and are taught from birth that flavors are important and are to be appreciated. Their schooling is also government provided. In preschool, the focus is not on letters, but on socialization. All French kids are expected to acknowledge adults and respect them.

One of the most valuable pieces of information I picked up on was that French kids aren’t disciplined. They are educated. It’s such a positive mindset to think of discipline in.

Overall, I would say READ IT! It doesn’t bash our American way, it really just highlights parts of the French way. It made me look at a few things differently- especially the food, the pause before responding to a crying baby, and the discipline/education philosophy.

Medical Minute: Pregnancy and Weight Gain, What to Know

Posted on Monday, August 27, 2012 by Angie

Everyone wonders how much weight they should or shouldn’t gain during pregnancy. It really all depends on your weight before pregnancy, but the real goal is always to eat healthy and do what is best for baby. Many Moms will use pregnancy as an excuse to eat whatever they want, or to “eat for two” but be careful, gaining too much weight and not eating healthy can deprive your baby of the nutrients that he or she will need.

If your pre-pregnancy weight was in the healthy range you will typically gain about 25-35 pounds, gaining only 1-5 of those pounds in the first trimester.

If you were underweight, the numbers are closer to 28-40 lbs.

If you were overweight, most doctors will tell you that 15-25 pounds is what you should gain. Though if you were obese, 11-20 is more in line.

Multiples are a different story- you will gain 37-55 pounds if you were healthy, 31-50 if you were overweight, and 25-41 if you were obese. Because many twins are born before their due date, so a higher birth weight is important to their health.

Have you ever wondered where all of that extra weight goes? Here’s an example:

Baby: 8 pounds
Placenta: 2-3 pounds
Amniotic fluid: 2-3 pounds
Breast tissue: 2-3 pounds
Blood supply: 4 pounds
Stored fat for delivery and breastfeeding: 5-9 pounds
Larger uterus: 2-5 pounds
Total: 25-35 pounds

It may sound stressful, but if you focus on eating a healthy diet and setting up a moderate exercise program it will make things easier. And remember to always consult your physician for more details on weight gain or loss during pregnancy.

How did your pregnancy numbers compare to these recommended weight ranges?

Birmingham Events Calendar: August 26th – September 2nd

Posted on Sunday, August 26, 2012 by Angie

Just in case you aren’t busy enough with back to school and starting your after school activities, we’re going to give you a few more options of things to do around town this week!

Check out the Alabama State Fair going on all week out at the Oak Mountain Amphitheater, and Dora and Diego will be hanging out at the McWane Science Center next weekend for the wrap up of that great exhibit we’ve had over the summer.

Make plans to join us this Thursday at Swaddle in Homewood for Brookwood Medical Center’s What to Expect Event. This will be great for Moms-To-Be!

Story times at the local libraries will be back after Labor Day and we can’t wait to add those back onto our calendar!

Have a great week and make sure to keep on eye on the weather. Some events may be cancelled based on the storm, watch our Facebook page for up to date info.

It’s Not Our Fault if Your Kids are Bored!

Sunday August 26th

Sidewalk Film Festival – Downtown Birmingham
The 14th annual Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, a celebration of new independent cinema in downtown Birmingham, is set to take place August 24-26, 2012. Since its debut in 1999, filmmakers from across the country and around the world have come to Birmingham to screen their work at Sidewalk and have been thrilled to discover fresh, enthusiastic crowds eager to devour new independent cinema.

With nine venues located within Birmingham’s historic Theatre District (featuring the newly restored Alabama Theatre, a 2,200 seat movie palace built by Paramount in 1927), spontaneity rules the schedule of Sidewalk attendees. Low-priced weekend passes provide easy access to Sidewalk venues, encouraging attendees to seek out new films and sample programming they may not otherwise see. The result is a crowd rich in diversity and united in a hunger for new film.
Ticket Prices Range from $10 to $275 Many Festival Events are FREE!

For more information on the films and venues, visit the Sidewalk Film Festival Website.

Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic –
Build and Grow Clinics are free to the public. Our DreamWorks Summer is coming to an end this week. Don’t miss the fun! You child will love this cool Onion Carriage featuring Shrek and Fiona!
2:00pm Register Here

UniverSoul Circus – Legion Field Stadium
An all-new show that delivers irresistible fun for the entire family!

Laugh, dance in the aisles, and be amazed by world-class acts from around the globe, including Chinese aerialists, pretzel twisting contortionist, pampered pooches, tigers that will have you roaring, and more!

$19.50 Ticket + $6.65 Fees = $26.15
$25.00 Ticket + $7.15 Fees = $32.15
$28.50 Ticket + $7.15 Fees = $35.65

Children 12 months and older MUST have a ticket. Children 11 months and younger are FREE but MUST sit on Adult’s Lap. No outside toys, strollers or car seats.
2:30pm & 5:30pm

Bart’s Art Cart, Warhol Inspired Sports Car – Birmingham Museum of Art
Stop by in August to design your own sports car inspired by Andy Warhol and the Warhol and Cars: American Icons exhibit!

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month will highlight a different gallery and feature a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
1pm

Alabama State Fair – Oak Mountain Amphitheater
Come ride the rides, eat your favorite fair food, and see some fantastic shows. Vegas style thrill shows; Kids, bottle feed baby farm animals; Be part of the action with our interactive roaming circus; Exotic petting zoo; And monkeys riding dogs.
Admission Info:
Adult: $9.00
Kids ages 5-12: $6.00
Kids 4 & Under Free

Wristbands for Rides: $20.00 Ride all day. Cannot be purchased in advance or at the gates. Wristbands purchased at wristband booths on the grounds. Everyday is a Wristband Day at the Alabama State Fair.
Noon – 11pm

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Monday August 27th:

Railroad Park’s Get Healthy Zumba
Zumba at Railroad Park, is a Latin inspired dance fitness class. It blends easy Latin dance moves with aerobic steps. The class is fun, energizing, and easy to follow.

GET HEALTHY participants will receive top-level instruction in popular workout regimens at no cost. To participate in classes, visitors simply sign in with the instructor of that day’s workout. Different GET HEALTHY classes will take place in various locations throughout Railroad Park Monday through Friday at 6pm.

Note: Get Healthy on the Railroad classes sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. Class instructors are subject to change based on availability; please check our Calendar of Events and Facebook site for timely updates.
6pm

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Tuesday August 28th:

Holy Inappropriateness! We couldn’t find any special events happening in the ‘Ham today. Make sure to check our list below for fun exhibits happening daily at our local attractions.

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Wednesday August 29th:

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for Storytime as we read It’s Raining, It’s Pouring. Find out what happens when it rains and the kids decide to play inside. We will make a craft and have something cool from the Cafe.
11am

Family Story Time with Mr Mac – North Shelby Library
Storyteller Extraordinaire – Come join Mr Mac and his musical storytime complete with puppets! All Ages, no registration required.
10:45am

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Thursday August 30th:

What to Expect When Baby Comes Home – Swaddle Boutique in Homewood
Expecting? Know someone who is? Join us for the next “What to Expect” event by Brookwood Medical Center. We’ll have a group of Moms, a “baby whisperer” and Ob/Gyn on hand to answer your questions. Make sure to Register Here
6pm

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Friday August 31st:

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Saturday September 1st:

Meet Dora and Diego at the McWane Science Center
Spend the day with Dora and Diego! Meet and greet the beloved Nickelodeon stars, then have a blast as you take on the many adventures of the Dora & Diego: Let’s Explore exhibit. This will be your last chance to see the exhibit at McWane so you won’t want to miss it. And don’t forget your camera—it is sure to be a day to remember.

Included in cost of admission to the museum, FREE for members
11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 3 PM

Nature Crafts – Oak Mountain State Park
Let’s get creative and do some crafts. Let’s try to use some natural materials from the Earth around us. Meet at 10a.m. at the Oak Mountain State Park Campground Pavilion (B-side). Small donation requested to cover craft materials.
Admission Info:
$1 – $3 park admission

Bart’s Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
Stop by in September to create a diorama (3-D scene) inspired by the Intimate Interiors exhibit!

Home Depot Kids Workshop
Goal Post Football Game
FREE hands-on workshop designed for children ages 5 – 12
9am – Noon

Saturday Market – Pepper Place
Re-open again for the season! Pepper Place Saturday Market brings the best local growers, food producers and artisans to you each Saturday morning. Rain or shine!
7am – Noon

Family Storytime – Emmet O’Neal Library
Bring the entire family and join Mr. Mac for stories and music each Saturday morning.
10:30 a.m.

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for Storytime as we read Dewey, There’s a Cat in the Library! We will find out what happens when a kitten is found in the book drop slot of the library. We will make a craft and have a treat from the Cafe.
11am

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Sunday September 2nd:

Included in cost of admission to the museum, FREE for members
1:00 PM and 3 PM

Bart’s Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
Stop by in September to create a diorama (3-D scene) inspired by the Intimate Interiors exhibit!

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Local Attractions Open Daily!

McWane Science Center:

IMAX
McWane Science Center’s IMAX® Dome Theater puts you in the center of the action by projecting breathtaking quality images onto the 5-story-tall dome screen and delivering intense surround sound through almost 3 tons of speakers and subwoofers.
Now Showing: Rescue and The Last Reef

The Tornadoes of April 27th – Looking Back — Moving Forward, a new exhibit at McWane Science Center, reflects on the experiences of the April 27th, 2011 storms. The exhibit shares personal stories from those who experienced the devastation of the storms firsthand, while emphasizing the importance of tornado preparedness and explaining the science behind tornadoes.

Photos and stories from The Birmingham News help tell the story of the storms and the affect they had on survivors, volunteers, and the community as a whole. Students from Daniel Payne Middle School also help tell the story of their school and community through photos and artifacts from the storm for the exhibit. UAB students worked with the children from Daniel Payne Middle School to create short documentaries that can be seen in the exhibit as well.

In addition to sharing the personal stories from that day, the goal of this exhibit is to inform the community about how to prepare for extreme weather conditions, explaining the science of tornadoes and stressing awareness.

With vivid displays, the exhibit allows visitors the opportunity to learn about the scientific side of tornadoes. Graphics within the exhibit illustrate tornado formation and anatomy, educating visitors on how such extreme weather conditions develop. Additionally, the exhibit displays statistics and disputes common myths concerning the destructive storms.

Guests can watch live video from the storms that rolled across our state on April 27th, 2011, including the
weather forecasts from that day and actual images of the tornado as it made its way through our area provided by FOX6 WBRC. The exhibit is located in the City Gallery on Level 2 of the museum this summer.

Be Ready Alabama Exhibit Presented by:
The Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
www.readyalabama.org

Dora and Diego, Let’s Explore Exhibit
Get ready for adventure with Dora and Diego at McWane Science Center in the new exhibit Dora & Diego—Let’s Explore! The exhibit features beloved characters Dora and Diego from Nickelodeon’s hit preschool series Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go!, along with their friends Boots, Map, Backpack, Isa, Tico, and of course Swiper, now in their own exhibit for children to explore as they learn and play along.

This new, interactive traveling exhibit, was created by The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis in partnership with Nickelodeon, and presented by the WellPoint Foundation.

Birmingham Zoo:

Lorikeet Aviary – Our Lorikeet Aviary has more birds than ever! Zoo guests can feed these exotic birds every day. You and your family will see these birds’ behavior as they eat nectar out of your hand.
Weekends 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

PELICAN FEEDING – A great way to see our pelicans in action is to witness them eating their favorite treats near the pelican boardwalk.

RHINO ENCOUNTER – Embark on an African adventure and experience one of the world’s most extraordinary animals, the Southern White Rhino. Watch from only feet away as our zookeepers engage in hands-on interaction with the animals inside their African-themed exhibit. Don’t miss this exciting encounter with one of the largest mammals on the planet!
Weekdays: 3pm – 3:30pm
Weekends: 11:30am – Noon & 3pm – 3:30 pm

GIRAFFE FEEDING – This up close and personal animal encounter is a memory you and your family will have for a lifetime.
Weekday: 11am – Noon
Weekends: 10am – 11am & 2pm – 3pm

Vulcan Park and Museum:

Vulcan is the world’s largest cast iron statue; made of 100,000 pounds of iron and 56 feet tall, he stands at the top of Red Mountain overlooking the city of Birmingham. But, Vulcan is more than a statue. Vulcan Park and Museum features spectacular views of Birmingham, an interactive history museum that examines Vulcan and Birmingham’s story, and a beautiful public park for visitors and locals to enjoy. With an official information center that is operated by the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, Vulcan Park and Museum serves as the first stop for visitors to the Birmingham area!

Railroad Park:

Railroad Park is a 19 acre green space in downtown Birmingham that celebrates the industrial and artistic heritage of our great city. Situated along 1st Avenue South, between 14th and 18th Streets, the park is a joint effort between the City of Birmingham and the Railroad Park Foundation. Hailed as “Birmingham’s Living Room,” Railroad Park provides a historically rich venue for local recreation, family activities, concerts, and cultural events, while connecting Birmingham’s downtown area with Southside and UAB’s campus.

Southern Museum of Flight:

Earn Your Wings – Bring your little pilot and soar above the clouds in our little pilots room. Kids enjoy building aircrafts, flying kites, and more.
Museum Open Tuesday – Thursday
9:30am – 4:30pm

Do you have or know of an event you would like to have added to our weekly calendar? Please email us at contact@birminghammommy.com, subject line “Events Calendar” – We would love to hear from you!

** All information listed on our calendar is subject to change without notice to us or you… We do our best to keep the information accurate and will always update as soon as we learn that something has changed. It’s always best to double check with the event via their website or a quick call, especially when weather can impact the event.

Naptime Confessions: Naptime becomes Bedtime

Posted on Friday, August 24, 2012 by Angie

What happens when your kids stop napping? Trish is learning what it’s like when kids stop taking naps, have you been there recently? How to you manage those long days when the kids need to nap, but just won’t?

What to Expect When Baby Comes Home

Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2012 by Angie

The first few days and weeks at home with a new baby can be overwhelming. So Brookwood Medical Center and BirminghamMommy have assembled a great group of moms – one is an OB/GYN and another has been called the “baby whisperer” – to share tips and tricks that will help you survive the first few weeks and beyond. Plus, the great folks at Swaddle will be sharing with us the latest must-have baby items!

Join Brookwood Medical Center and BirminghamMommy for this free event on Thursday, August 30th at Swaddle Boutique in Homewood. 6pm

Please register here for this event.

Juicebox Jukebox with Jeannine from Magic 96.5

Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 by Angie

We had the pleasure of catching up with local DJ, and soon to be Mom, Jeannine from Magic 96.5, The New Magic Morning Show with Rob and Jeannine.

As many of you might know, Jeannine is expecting her first baby very soon. We asked her to give us a list of songs that she’s listening to, or letting the baby listen to.. Here’s what she had to say..

1. Rascal Flatts – My Wish

2. LeAnn Womack – I Hope You Dance

3. Jim Brickman – Never Alone

4. Phil Collins – You’ll Be In My Heart

5. Edwin McCain – I Could Not Ask For More

6. Billy Dean – Let Them Be Little

7. Jamie O’Neal – Somebody’s Hero

8. Dixie Chicks – Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)

9. Taylor Swift – Best Day

10. Barenaked Ladies – When You Dream

11. Stevie Wonder – Isn’t She Lovely

12.Rod Stewart – Forever Young

What are some of the songs you listened to when you were expecting?

You can catch the New Magic Morning show with Rob and Jeannine each weekday morning from 5am – 9am. Also make sure to follow her Baby Blog to see how this Soon to be Mom is preparing for Baby, and dealing with being on rest now while she waits.

Pinspired Dinners: Mini Chicken Meatball Soup, perfect for Fall!

Posted on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 by Angie

My love for pinterest grows with every yummy recipe I try. I love soup, and I can’t wait for fall to get here so I can get my soup on! This recipe was simply delicious. The prep time was not too bad- making the chicken meatballs took a few minutes, but then you’re almost done.

The recipe was originally posted on a blog called “For the Love of Cooking.” Click over for great step-by-step photos.

Ingredients:

Meatballs:

1 lb of ground chicken
1 egg
2-3 tbsp Parmesan cheese
1-2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp dried oregano
Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
1/4 cup of Italian seasoned panko crumbs
1 tbsp canola oil

Soup:

1 tbsp canola oil
1/2 sweet yellow onion, diced
3 carrots, peeled and diced
3 stalks of celery, diced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 15 0z can of diced tomatoes
8 cups of chicken broth
Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
1/2 cup of ditalini pasta
2 cups of fresh baby spinach
Parmesan cheese or feta cheese as topping (optional)

Directions:

Combine the ground chicken, egg, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, fresh parsley, dried basil, dried oregano, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper, to taste, and Italian seasoned panko crumbs together in a bowl until just combined. Roll into mini meatballs and place onto a plate (I filled up two plates full). Place the meatballs into the refrigerator for 10 minutes so they are easier to work with.

Heat 1 tablespoon of canola oil in a large Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the meatballs, in batches, and cook for 4-5 minutes, carefully turning halfway through to cook on the other side, or until golden brown but not cooked all the way through (they will finish cooking in the soup). Remove the cooked meatballs from the Dutch oven and place on a clean plate. Finish cooking the remaining meatballs.

Add the remaining tablespoon of canola oil to the same Dutch oven and add the onion, carr

ots, and celery. Cook, stirring often, for 4-5 minutes then add the minced garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute then add the diced tomatoes and chicken broth, season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste. Cover and cook on low for 30-40 minutes. Remove the lid and add the pasta and meatballs. Cover and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the pasta is tender and the meatballs are cooked through. Add the spinach, stir until combined and slightly wilted, taste and re-season if needed, then ladle into bowls. Top with Parmesan cheese or feta cheese if desired.

Make sure you’re following BirminghamMommy on Pinterest for more Pinspired recipes and ideas.

Life Lessons from My First Grader

Posted on Monday, August 20, 2012 by Angie

It seems like when my kids head off to school this time each year, I start to reflect over the last 12 months. What I’ve done, who I’ve met, did I spend enough quality time with my kids (that answer is always no,) am I happy with the path I’ve chosen as a stay at home mom (that answer is always yes,) did I treat others the way I want to be treated.. etc. Then I start thinking about the things I need to improve on, immediately. Some might call these resolutions. Since I don’t make resolutions, I like to refer to these as “improvements,” a little facelift on life, if you will.

As I was thinking over the things I’m trying to better in myself, I started to think of the things I want to instill in my daughters, like being kind to other people, trying to help at least 1 person with something every day, and to talk less and listen more, just to name a few. When I repeat these things over in my head, I realize that I have a lot to learn from what I’m trying to teach my kids.

You get what you get and you don’t pitch a fit: Things don’t always go our way and maybe as adults we aren’t fighting over who gets the princess cup, but sometimes things just don’t go our way and that’s the way of the world.

Is it a big deal or a little deal?: Kids are prone to meltdowns. What I’m trying to get my kids to recognize is the difference between a big deal and a little deal. Not getting the purple helmet, little deal. Falling off your scooter and cracking your head on the pavement because you refused to wear your helmet, big deal. For me, when the cup of milk is spilled across the dinner table, I have to remind myself (at the end of a very long day) not to act like it’s the end of the world. No crying over spilled milk, right? Spilled milk = Little deal.

Get excited over the little things: As a grown up, I take too much for granted. I begrudgingly put up the Christmas Lights because I see it as a chore, I don’t feel like sitting outside for hours because it’s too hot, too cold or too humid. But I should really take a page from my kids book, and learn to dance in the rain. Life is way too short and it’s ok to get that excited about a cupcake.

1, 2, 3 Eyes on Me: When I talk, I expect my kids to listen. But when they’re talking to me, do I give them the same respect? Am I checking my email, updating my Twitter or Facebook while they’re trying to tell me about Peppa Pig or asking about a lost crayon? When they have something to say, at that moment in time, it is the most important thing in their world. You may think you can multitask and “Uhhhh Huh” your way through the conversation, but it’s not polite. They deserve the same respect we ask of them.

What lessons are you learning from your tiny humans?