Being a mother of six has given me a chance to identify with two completely
different sets of three children....I ponder now....
Five years ago my oldest three children were in the same positions as my younger three children. It gives me a chance to reflect, do i respond the same in parenting situations? How have I grown? What have I learned? In areas where responses are exactly the same, is it because that the only way I can see how things should be?
Can I see how things are and accept them that way when i see them coming around again the same way?
I am about to depart of the NICK CRUISE, a NCL mega ship that is sailing from New York City with my three younger children. There are a lot of lessons here for me
*I am sending the message to my older three children, that now they are in upper
school, they have a responsibility to their academics and can not miss any school
even if its just three days for this .
*I am sending the message to the younger children, that they are just as important as the older children because the older children speak of THEME STYLE vacations that they were went on at this age
*I have a chance to interact with my 5-7-9 year old children in ways that will create memories they will never forget...the 5 year old and I are signed up for
THE "pie in the face with your mom" game, the other two will play against me
in NICKS SLIMETIME LIVE show and who knows what game will be picked ! Neverless it will be unforgettable!
*I have a chance to start a new routine with the younger three that can carry into our home life. I have been thinking about the 9 year old reading to the younger two
in a dramatic way to settle them down before I come in at bedtime.
*I carefully picked out brain quests, 1000 questions for kids,Scrabble Junior,
and even CD nighttime stories for when I pass out!
I will spend today making sure the older children are ready for the responsibilities of staying behind !
Happy Presidents Day weekend !
Showing posts with label on Holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label on Holidays. Show all posts
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!
I googled the History of Valentine’s Day as a fun way to start the blog, and I got so many interpretations. I did not want to attach my words to any of them as I have my own!
WHAT IS YOUR VALENTINES DAY TRADITION?
The lesson of giving!
Which then teaches the lesson of community, the lesson of taking time to create something that will bring joy to someone else? RAISING SIX CHILDREN IN NEW YORK CITY….I take this one step further and also teach them that as a family we can reach so many people with a touch of love. They see how excited I am, how it brings me such great joy….they feel this joy and the traditions are created!
40 children in each grade multiplied by six grades is TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY VALENTINES (I'm including the teachers)
I purchased 5 bags of Valentine’s Day lollipops from Duane Reade; I took the pink tissue paper from the dry cleaners and one roll of cellophane and created a Valentine’s Day loll pop flower. On the stem to hold on the tissue paper and cellophane I used a mailing label, and wrote happy Valentine’s Day and our last name. The children will hand them out today! 250 valentines were created on the kitchen counter during snack time and cost less than $40.00 dollars!
I went down to 35th street area off fifth and sixth avenues where there are importers shops filled with Bulk valentine red teddy bears with HAPPY VALENTINES DAY pillows attached. You can purchase 12 for $18.00. I budgeted $100.00 bad brought home 72 red teddy bear dolls.
After wrapping them up in cellophane putting a sticker on them (a mailing label with our family name on it) I started handing them out to people in our community, who I want my children to SEE.
The super who restrings all the recyclables from the garbage cans next door to our house, the mechanics on our block who move cars back and forth every morning while we leave for school, the dry cleaners couple who see our house from across the street every day, the receptionist at our school, and so on.
Its 10:30am and I am out of bears, feel glad I had a chance to touch so many people and a bit worried that all that morning energy and excitement is going to make me tired for my husband’s special valentine’s day night…..off to rest
I googled the History of Valentine’s Day as a fun way to start the blog, and I got so many interpretations. I did not want to attach my words to any of them as I have my own!
WHAT IS YOUR VALENTINES DAY TRADITION?
The lesson of giving!
Which then teaches the lesson of community, the lesson of taking time to create something that will bring joy to someone else? RAISING SIX CHILDREN IN NEW YORK CITY….I take this one step further and also teach them that as a family we can reach so many people with a touch of love. They see how excited I am, how it brings me such great joy….they feel this joy and the traditions are created!
40 children in each grade multiplied by six grades is TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY VALENTINES (I'm including the teachers)
I purchased 5 bags of Valentine’s Day lollipops from Duane Reade; I took the pink tissue paper from the dry cleaners and one roll of cellophane and created a Valentine’s Day loll pop flower. On the stem to hold on the tissue paper and cellophane I used a mailing label, and wrote happy Valentine’s Day and our last name. The children will hand them out today! 250 valentines were created on the kitchen counter during snack time and cost less than $40.00 dollars!
I went down to 35th street area off fifth and sixth avenues where there are importers shops filled with Bulk valentine red teddy bears with HAPPY VALENTINES DAY pillows attached. You can purchase 12 for $18.00. I budgeted $100.00 bad brought home 72 red teddy bear dolls.
After wrapping them up in cellophane putting a sticker on them (a mailing label with our family name on it) I started handing them out to people in our community, who I want my children to SEE.
The super who restrings all the recyclables from the garbage cans next door to our house, the mechanics on our block who move cars back and forth every morning while we leave for school, the dry cleaners couple who see our house from across the street every day, the receptionist at our school, and so on.
Its 10:30am and I am out of bears, feel glad I had a chance to touch so many people and a bit worried that all that morning energy and excitement is going to make me tired for my husband’s special valentine’s day night…..off to rest
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
On the aftermath of Mothers Day
So many people have asked me, so what was mothers day like for you. I am sure
the visions that they have in their heads while asking me the question is very different from what actually took place.
ACCEPTANCE and learning the languages of Love of your children and the balance of expectations, the teaching of the importance of rituals, and connection to the family,
obligations.
Thats what Mothers Day means to be.
For my oldest child, the thirteen year old, IN Puberty, and the development of their own budding personalities, makes any demands outside themselves .....lets say a sensitive issue......My son knows how important grooming is to me.
My gift from my oldest son was the ability to cut his nails, toes and fingers. You can bet it took quite a long time and a nice chat was exchanged.
For the twelve year old, I told him the night before he would be completely in charge of making sure his brothers know tommorow is mothers day. It might sounds like too much of a responsibility, but I know he HEARS me give him that responsibility as a gift back! He printed Happy Mothers Day signs, set his alarm, woke early and hung signs everywhere for me !
From the ten year and eight year old, I received gift certificates for extra special time and a "do whatever you ask" card
For six and four year old drew me pictures which I already framed and put in their treasure boxes already !
Now Dad had everyone march into the bedroom with a different color bouquet of Roses. We spent a a great deal of time laying all the Roses out on the floor and arranging assorted flower arrangements with love and care for all the rooms in the house.
Then we went to Ironman, and took up the entire row at the Loews !
It was a great day !
the visions that they have in their heads while asking me the question is very different from what actually took place.
ACCEPTANCE and learning the languages of Love of your children and the balance of expectations, the teaching of the importance of rituals, and connection to the family,
obligations.
Thats what Mothers Day means to be.
For my oldest child, the thirteen year old, IN Puberty, and the development of their own budding personalities, makes any demands outside themselves .....lets say a sensitive issue......My son knows how important grooming is to me.
My gift from my oldest son was the ability to cut his nails, toes and fingers. You can bet it took quite a long time and a nice chat was exchanged.
For the twelve year old, I told him the night before he would be completely in charge of making sure his brothers know tommorow is mothers day. It might sounds like too much of a responsibility, but I know he HEARS me give him that responsibility as a gift back! He printed Happy Mothers Day signs, set his alarm, woke early and hung signs everywhere for me !
From the ten year and eight year old, I received gift certificates for extra special time and a "do whatever you ask" card
For six and four year old drew me pictures which I already framed and put in their treasure boxes already !
Now Dad had everyone march into the bedroom with a different color bouquet of Roses. We spent a a great deal of time laying all the Roses out on the floor and arranging assorted flower arrangements with love and care for all the rooms in the house.
Then we went to Ironman, and took up the entire row at the Loews !
It was a great day !
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Happy Mothers Day
Happy Mother's Day!!
A Newborn ' s Conversation with God
A baby asked God,
"They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"
God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."
The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don ' t have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."
God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel ' s love and be very happy."
Again the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don ' t know the language?"
God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.."
"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"
God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."
"Who will protect me?"
God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."
"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."
God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."
At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked,
"God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel ' s name."
God said, You will simply call her, "Mom."
A Newborn ' s Conversation with God
A baby asked God,
"They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"
God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."
The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don ' t have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."
God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel ' s love and be very happy."
Again the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don ' t know the language?"
God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.."
"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"
God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."
"Who will protect me?"
God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."
"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."
God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."
At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked,
"God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel ' s name."
God said, You will simply call her, "Mom."
Saturday, April 3, 2010
EGG HUNT
We live in a world where our children are exposed to MARKETING of products, holidays, and the latest hotest item. At every checkout counter is something our children can reach and want.
Raising Six Children in New York City, the schools welcome divisity and therefore expose our children to all sorts of holidays that are being celebrated, parents are invited in their classrooms to share traditions. So when marketing of holidays reaches our kids, they already have been exposed to most of the meanings.
When we travel, its hard not to notice the latest holiday in the WALMARTS and Targets and all the SuperFood Stores we visit.
There are some holidays which children may not celebrate in a religious way, but the marketing and materials that are available make it a fun opportunity to take part in doing something fun.
When else can you buy hundred of plastic easter eggs that open and egg stuffers for under $20.00 ? In order to
create either an EASTER EGG HUNT OR A
SPRING EGG HUNT
We buy about 200 plastic colored eggs (about 33 per child ) and we put tickets inside the eggs. Some eggs have one ticket and some eggs have 5 tickets. We spread the eggs out in a designated area, Your apartment, the park in the woods, a snow trail everyone can ski along the side of. We were able to puchase 10 giant carrots (they were being sold as carrot baseball bats with green balls for a dollar each). We will use these carrots to designate the square area where the eggs will be hidden outside .
There is something wrapped, which is a small universal gift, food item,a chocolate egg.....we have a giant
bunny this year ! (actually every year )
Some of the plastic eggs have small packaged jelly beans, tootie rolls, and natural fruit snacks and no tickets !
FACT 90 Million Chocolate Eggs were sold last March
FACT Peeps have a shelf life of two (2) years
This game is PLAYFUL. It shows that I care to not just bring them, and drive them, but create something playful........something that, one day, they will create for their children! This is a family tradition for us. No matter where we are, this is what we do. The children know it, and it is part of who they are, where they belong....to a family who does EGG HUNTS !
Start your traditions today !
Raising Six Children in New York City, the schools welcome divisity and therefore expose our children to all sorts of holidays that are being celebrated, parents are invited in their classrooms to share traditions. So when marketing of holidays reaches our kids, they already have been exposed to most of the meanings.
When we travel, its hard not to notice the latest holiday in the WALMARTS and Targets and all the SuperFood Stores we visit.
There are some holidays which children may not celebrate in a religious way, but the marketing and materials that are available make it a fun opportunity to take part in doing something fun.
When else can you buy hundred of plastic easter eggs that open and egg stuffers for under $20.00 ? In order to
create either an EASTER EGG HUNT OR A
SPRING EGG HUNT
We buy about 200 plastic colored eggs (about 33 per child ) and we put tickets inside the eggs. Some eggs have one ticket and some eggs have 5 tickets. We spread the eggs out in a designated area, Your apartment, the park in the woods, a snow trail everyone can ski along the side of. We were able to puchase 10 giant carrots (they were being sold as carrot baseball bats with green balls for a dollar each). We will use these carrots to designate the square area where the eggs will be hidden outside .
For another dollar each I purchased plastic baskets which the younger children are decorating while waiting for the hunt !
Its not how many eggs the children find to win the egg hunt, but the total number of tickets inside the eggs, Someone might find 10 eggs with 5 tickets in each, someone else might find 20 eggs with one ticket in each.
There is something wrapped, which is a small universal gift, food item,a chocolate egg.....we have a giant
bunny this year ! (actually every year )
Some of the plastic eggs have small packaged jelly beans, tootie rolls, and natural fruit snacks and no tickets !
FACT 90 Million Chocolate Eggs were sold last March
FACT Peeps have a shelf life of two (2) years
This game is PLAYFUL. It shows that I care to not just bring them, and drive them, but create something playful........something that, one day, they will create for their children! This is a family tradition for us. No matter where we are, this is what we do. The children know it, and it is part of who they are, where they belong....to a family who does EGG HUNTS !
Start your traditions today !
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Valentines Day
Valentines Day Traditions must be created by you and/or your husband if they are going to happen.
Some classrooms promote creating valentines for their classmates and exchanging them but what will you do in your family!
I announced a contest last night "Who ever can make the nicest valentine for Mommy will have first pick at the valentines chocolate hearts which I have displayed in my home office. I have several different hearts, in several different sizes, one for every child"
I announced that if they dont feel like breaking out the scissors and crayons to create a valentines day heart that I would accept a Poem, A Rap, A Collective effort as well !
It was meant to be. When I was making coffee this morning I reached for you a tissue and the tissue box was empty. I removed teh empty tissue box and had a VALENTINES DAY MAILBOX.
I covered the box with white copy paper and I noticed the staples wrapper the white paper was being held in was red and white. I cut red hearts out of the red wrapper paper and
taped them on. I wrote with a sharpie "FAMILY VALENTINES DAY BOX"
I went around to each child and told them that this is our valentines day mailbox and after you put a valentine on the box for everybody, we will celebrate valentines day.
Everyone wants a celebration, whatever it may mean. The children are smart enough to
support eachother to help push them along to get to the celebration. The celebration might be
a chance to listen to what their wishes are. You can grant them a wish for valentines day.
I asked my eight year old this morning what would be his valentines day with and he said
to stay home all day !
GRANTED !
Now the 4 the year old is working with the 10 year old (who already finished). The 6 year old is working and the 8 year old will participate but when he is finished doing what he is doing.
Will the 12 and 13 year old get involved? What matters is that they are part of a family who is getting involved and they are making choices. For me as a mother, the knowing that this is what this family does and the good feelings around it are enough involvement.
I have red paper and valentines day suppplies laid out on the dining room table with materials needed to support their efforts.
How will this day be different than other days .......................well thats up to you !
Happy Valentines Day
Some classrooms promote creating valentines for their classmates and exchanging them but what will you do in your family!
I announced a contest last night "Who ever can make the nicest valentine for Mommy will have first pick at the valentines chocolate hearts which I have displayed in my home office. I have several different hearts, in several different sizes, one for every child"
I announced that if they dont feel like breaking out the scissors and crayons to create a valentines day heart that I would accept a Poem, A Rap, A Collective effort as well !
It was meant to be. When I was making coffee this morning I reached for you a tissue and the tissue box was empty. I removed teh empty tissue box and had a VALENTINES DAY MAILBOX.
I covered the box with white copy paper and I noticed the staples wrapper the white paper was being held in was red and white. I cut red hearts out of the red wrapper paper and
taped them on. I wrote with a sharpie "FAMILY VALENTINES DAY BOX"
I went around to each child and told them that this is our valentines day mailbox and after you put a valentine on the box for everybody, we will celebrate valentines day.
Everyone wants a celebration, whatever it may mean. The children are smart enough to
support eachother to help push them along to get to the celebration. The celebration might be
a chance to listen to what their wishes are. You can grant them a wish for valentines day.
I asked my eight year old this morning what would be his valentines day with and he said
to stay home all day !
GRANTED !
Now the 4 the year old is working with the 10 year old (who already finished). The 6 year old is working and the 8 year old will participate but when he is finished doing what he is doing.
Will the 12 and 13 year old get involved? What matters is that they are part of a family who is getting involved and they are making choices. For me as a mother, the knowing that this is what this family does and the good feelings around it are enough involvement.
I have red paper and valentines day suppplies laid out on the dining room table with materials needed to support their efforts.
How will this day be different than other days .......................well thats up to you !
Happy Valentines Day
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Presidents Day Weekend Events /February Events
If you have not already made plans for the Presidents Day Weekend Days that you are off, here are a few tips of some of my favorite things to do with my kids:
TRIP OUT OF THE CITY FOR A NIGHT AND SKI FOR A DAY
Great Wolf Lodge Located a little over an hour door to door
Near the Delaware Water Gap. I suggest strongly a
Sunday night stay. You can ski CAMELBACK on Monday
And pre-sign up for a full camp day at Camelback Mountain
THE GREAT WOLF LODGE IS A 100,000 SQUARE FOOT WATER PARK
that is am amazing fun either before a day of skiing or
after
____________________________________________________
Selena Gomez From wizards of Waverly place, a favorite now for
kids 6-10 is playing an early show at 6:00pm at the
Gramercy Theatre. Make sure to tell the kids in advance
you are only staying for 5 songs and anything after that
is gravy !
____________________________________________________
ART FARM IN THE CITY Ages 2-6 Sells stop in passes for the 15th and 16th
419 East 91st for the Holiday Days Off 212-410-3117
9-3 and 12-3 programs
____________________________________________________
SIMPLY SPORTS Grades k-7th Have several amazing sports programs
220 East 76th Going on at Wagner Gym both full day
9-3 and half day 12:30pm-3:00pm
You will definitely see some of my kids
there 1-877-213-BALL
____________________________________________________
SUPER SOCCER STARS Ages 2-6 Has full day and mini day camps located
Either at 92nd street Y or PS 6
212-877-7171
____________________________________________________
VISION MEDIA Ages 3-9 Offers LEGOS and ROBOTICS
38 East 23rd Full and half day programs
212-245-0444
____________________________________________________
POLICE CAMP Ages 6-12 Kids will learn law
at the New York City enforcement,solving mysteries,csi
Police Museum 212-480-3100
_____________________________________________________
THINGS TO TAKE YOUR KIDS TO SEE:
*Scandinavia House interactive for the 1-4 age group 58 Park at 38th Street
*The Lightening Thief opens February 12
*How they make chocolate and take home a chocolate syringe at Max Brenner
841 Broadway at 13th 212-388-0030 (you can also order kid friendly lunch here)
OR STAY HOME AND WATCH THE OLYMPICS
Sunday February 14 at 4:30pm is Figure Skating on NBC
Monday February 15 at 10:30am starts snowboarding on NBC
Please know there are a so many things to do in New York City and I am not a guidebook, these are the things I will be doing with RAISING MY SIX CHILDREN IN NEW YORK CITY over Presidents Day Long Weekend
See you there Friends !
TRIP OUT OF THE CITY FOR A NIGHT AND SKI FOR A DAY
Great Wolf Lodge Located a little over an hour door to door
Near the Delaware Water Gap. I suggest strongly a
Sunday night stay. You can ski CAMELBACK on Monday
And pre-sign up for a full camp day at Camelback Mountain
THE GREAT WOLF LODGE IS A 100,000 SQUARE FOOT WATER PARK
that is am amazing fun either before a day of skiing or
after
____________________________________________________
Selena Gomez From wizards of Waverly place, a favorite now for
kids 6-10 is playing an early show at 6:00pm at the
Gramercy Theatre. Make sure to tell the kids in advance
you are only staying for 5 songs and anything after that
is gravy !
____________________________________________________
ART FARM IN THE CITY Ages 2-6 Sells stop in passes for the 15th and 16th
419 East 91st for the Holiday Days Off 212-410-3117
9-3 and 12-3 programs
____________________________________________________
SIMPLY SPORTS Grades k-7th Have several amazing sports programs
220 East 76th Going on at Wagner Gym both full day
9-3 and half day 12:30pm-3:00pm
You will definitely see some of my kids
there 1-877-213-BALL
____________________________________________________
SUPER SOCCER STARS Ages 2-6 Has full day and mini day camps located
Either at 92nd street Y or PS 6
212-877-7171
____________________________________________________
VISION MEDIA Ages 3-9 Offers LEGOS and ROBOTICS
38 East 23rd Full and half day programs
212-245-0444
____________________________________________________
POLICE CAMP Ages 6-12 Kids will learn law
at the New York City enforcement,solving mysteries,csi
Police Museum 212-480-3100
_____________________________________________________
THINGS TO TAKE YOUR KIDS TO SEE:
*Scandinavia House interactive for the 1-4 age group 58 Park at 38th Street
*The Lightening Thief opens February 12
*How they make chocolate and take home a chocolate syringe at Max Brenner
841 Broadway at 13th 212-388-0030 (you can also order kid friendly lunch here)
OR STAY HOME AND WATCH THE OLYMPICS
Sunday February 14 at 4:30pm is Figure Skating on NBC
Monday February 15 at 10:30am starts snowboarding on NBC
Please know there are a so many things to do in New York City and I am not a guidebook, these are the things I will be doing with RAISING MY SIX CHILDREN IN NEW YORK CITY over Presidents Day Long Weekend
See you there Friends !
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