An Important Skill to Practice This Summer!

Fun Ways for Kids to Practice Typing

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!” 

Field of Honor 2015

Field of Honor

 

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!

child-safety-tipsMy 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

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…..

National Women’s Health Week 2015

women health week

Recently I was contacted by a woman who is a 9 year cancer survivor of a rare form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure called mesothelioma.  You can read Heather’s incredible story here.

She shared with me that National Women’s Checkup Day is on May 12th, as a part of an annual event called National Women’s Health Week that kicks off every year on Mother’s Day, and asked if I would want to share with my readers?

My answer? HECK YES!!!

This week is a great reminder for all women that we need to be an advocate for our own health and make regular check-ups and visits to the doctor a priority…..