2nd graders share their insight on “How To Be A Dad?”
SO MUCH CUTE.
Love these kids!
Last year, I wrote a lot about my struggle with cancer. What I didn’t talk a lot about was losing my mother to cancer at the same time. It has been nine months since I said good-bye to my mama, and I’m finally ready to share that side of the story. I’ll be writing about it over the next few months in a series on the website Everplans. I hope you will check it out and follow along!
good:
How to Dance Properly to Daft Punk’s ‘Get Lucky’
- Yasha Wallin shared in Creativity, Dance and MusicWhen paired with Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky,” Soul Train—the revered dance show that started in the 70s—has never felt more relevant. Now if only I could learn to dance like this.
If you’ve ever seen my excellent dance moves, you will not find it surprising that I LOVED Soul Train growing up. Which probably is why I’m super into the new Daft Punk song Get Lucky. It speaks to my deep love of funk. In case you were wondering how to get down to this song, here’s how.
This story is an amazing reminder of the power of keeping your cool, and the lessons we teach our children. Not yelling is not just about being nicer to your kids. It is about setting an example that they can learn from about how to handle feelings and how to be empathetic. Truly important lessons.
Dear Kiddo,
I don’t want to complain about this current snooze-fest. But, could you try doing it in a weekend when I can sleep in too? Thanks.
Xo,
Mom
Meme Your Routine
Here’s what I love about 3.5 year olds: all the hugs and kisses. Here’s what I don’t love: testing parents. Yes, our little angel has been pushing boundaries as much as possible. To clarify them, we decided to post his bedtime routine so he could understand it better.
I’m not a great drawer, so I decided to use the tool I know best to make a routine chart: my cell phone I asked the little man to pose for pictures, and I then used the handy app Over to turn them into little memes of his routine. Each photo is one step in the process: eat dinner, wash up, put on PJs, etc. He now has all of the photos printed and posted on his bedroom door. He loves the photos of himself, and the time references have smoothed over bedtime immensely. Do you have parenting hacks that help keep routines going?
Cooking With Shorty: Coconut black beans, rice, and toppings galore!
Never underestimate the power of toppings. Toppings allow kids to have a sense of control over their meal. Give them a few healthy toppings, and even a couple not so healthy ones, and you’ll be surprised how much they eat. Case in point with the other night’s über-lazy rice and beans.
Über-lazy coconut black beans and rice
Ingredients
1/2 onion chopped
1 cup of brown rice
1 can of black beans (unsalted)
1 can of light coconut milk
1/2 cup of water
Salt & pepper
Chopped avocado
Chopped parsley or cilantro
Shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese or Daiya shreds for vegans, or just leave off the cheese.
Chipotle salsa (I love Whole Foods brand. It is super flavorful and not too spicy. Mild enough for my kid to like it, but pretend it is hot.)
Here’s the lazy part: throw the onion, rice, black beans (and their liquid), coconut milk, water, salt and pepper to taste into a rice steamer or slow cooker (or heck, even a pressure cooker to make it super quick.) You can even let your kid do this part. It’s just dumping! Cook until most of the liquid is absorbed and it has all reached a risotto-like consistence (it should still be a little liquidy.) Serve with avocado, cheese, parsley, and salsa. Here’s the key though: let your kid have total control over the toppings. Don’t put out more than you want the kid to eat. It is all about them feeling control and ownership over the meal. As you can see, I’ve got one happy customer on my hands here!
Because I’m lazy, I don’t have a decent picture of this deliciousness for you. So just enjoy this pic of my kid scarfing it down.
Hurry everyone say how much you adore electradaddy before he sees this!
I love electradaddy because he is always there to say something nice when you need it, even when he doesn’t know you are having a rough go with things that day.
I love electradaddy because he comments on everything and, I believe, truly means it. All the cupcakes go to electradaddy today!
YES!! He is totally the best. I’d deliver a dozen cupcakes or more if I could!
Opening a conversation on women’s health.
Angeline Jolie recently chose to have a double mastectomy to reduce her chances of developing breast cancer. Anyone who is a woman, or who loves one, should read this story. Cancer is scary, and truly facing the prospect of not being there for your kids is nauseating at best. I applaud Angelina’s decision to proactive about her health, and to share her story for others to learn from.
Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mamas out there. And extra love to everyone who has lost their mother or a child. These days are both beautiful and difficult. Only those closest to you get the pain underneath the joy. Hold those people extra close.
(Photo: me and my mother circa 1981, Baton Rouge, LA.)
