May 2015 – Page 2 – Tiny Oranges | OC Mom Blog | Inspiring moms with juicy ideas for sweeter family living

An Important Skill to Practice This Summer!

My daughter is currently in 3rd grade and going through state testing at school. For the first time in California’s history, the online assessments to measure how well students are doing on curriculum aligned with the Common Core are done on a computer, where students are expected to type on a keyboard and navigate the online test.

There was a practice test online that she showed me and although I knew the test was taken on the computer, I was shocked when I realized she had to TYPE in some of her answers!

Now, I know this is a totally different day and age, but I didn’t even learn to type until 7th grade, and here my 3rd grader is typing answers in on a keyboard! Crazy!

When I voiced my surprise at what 3rd graders were expected to be able to do on a keyboard to a teacher friend of mine, she said,

“That’s why the best thing you can do for you kids over the summer is have them type, type, type!”

What’s in a name?

Choosing a baby name is one of the most important decisions you will make for your new little one. Baby names are a huge deal, for example, millions waited to hear what the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would name their new baby girl (no pressure!) – and I for one, absolutely love the name they picked…Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. Certainly fit for a princess!

Which leads me to my next question – what’s in a name? How do you choose a baby name? There are so many decisions that go into picking a moniker for your child, and sometimes it can be a bit more complicated than just picking up a baby name book.

What if you and your partner can’t agree? Are there family names to take into consideration? Do you like all variations of the nicknames? Do you tell people the name you’ve chosen before the baby is born…or after? Wow! Lots to think about, right??

Agreeing on a baby name

Let’s tackle the first, and perhaps most obvious, challenge – both you and your partner should love (at least like?) the name. Oh boy (or girl)!

I’ve had my baby names picked out since I was a kid – yes, seriously. Especially my girl name – Elizabeth. My mom loves to tell that story that I named every doll I ever owned “Elizabeth” my whole childhood. And when my husband and I got married, he knew that if we ever had a girl, it would be our Elizabeth (Thankfully he loved the name too, and it happened to be a family name on his side. Win-win!).

Here’s the deal we made……..

Field of Honor 2015

The Newport Harbor Exchange Club Field of Honor 2015 is on display today through Sunday, 5/17 at Castaways Park, located at Dover Drive and 16th Street in Newport Beach.

The event which is put on in conjuction with Armed Forces Day, will feature 1776 U.S. flags in honor of all military men and women.

We take our kids every year to the Field of Honor.

It is so beautiful to walk around the park (overlooking Newport Harbor), surrounded by American flags. The dedications and photos on the flags will bring tears to your eyes.

Park in the lot in front of Newport Harbor Lutheran Church, 798 Dover Drive, Newport Beach, 92663. You will see the signs from there.

Take your kids and keep this event on your radar every year. It’s always the weekend before Memorial Day. Have a great weekend everyone!

For more information visit www.nhexchange.org.

Important Child Safety Reminders

These important child safety tips just might save a life or save a child from a serious injury.
Please share!

My friend Amy is an Emergency Room Trauma Nurse at CHOC Children’s Hospital and asked me if I was interested in sharing some of her child safety tips based on her experience and the injuries she has witnessed in light of May being National Trauma Awareness Month. I couldn’t think of a more important post for parents….PLEASE READ THIS POST!!

5 Tips to Help with End of School Burn Out

Every year about this time I start to see the classic “Worst End of School Year Mom Ever” post circulate around because this time of the school year most moms can relate to a feeling of just being OVER IT. I am talking about the end of school burn out.

That’s me right now. I’m over it.

I am over drop offs and pick ups.

I am over rushing. The school week feels like we are either rushing to get out the door to school or rushing to come home to get someone or rushing to do homework…..