How Was School Today? Fine……

March 3, 2010

As of yesterday, the book Rev. Shannon A. White and her daughter wrote together How Was School Today? Fine… is now available! I blogged earlier about Shannon and her story on life balance and extraordinary gifts on the WomensConference.org site.

Here is the press release:

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(Free-Press-Release.com) March 2, 2010 — Every parent dreams of interesting and productive conversations about school with their children. But what happens when it just doesn’t happen? That’s when Shannon White stepped in… and “How Was School Today? Fine.” became a reality. White, an ordained Pastor, speaker, TV news correspondent, and more importantly a mother, co-authored “How Was School Today? Fine.” with her tween daughter Peyton. Frustrated with hearing only “fine” to her repeated inquiries of Peyton’s school day, White asked Peyton what she was doing wrong. According to White, her quest to delve into more than just “fine” as a response prompted the birth of her book and the start of a mission to find a common ground of communication.

Covering a wide range of topics from international adoption, divorce, single parenting, puberty, religions, and bullying to Internet issues White says “Nothing is more challenging or rewarding than to support the healthy growth of a child in this world.”

Different than many parenting books, White encourages Peyton to give her perspective as well on these difficult and challenging issues. Together they share open communication…and teach their readers just how they did it.

Patty O. says “I think most people do not put much thought into parenting; they tend to imitate their parents. This is a perfect book for young parents; I will give it as a baby shower gift going forward.”

Nancy G. states “This is a uniquely sensitive and practical guide for better problem solving and improved communications with your children and teens, written by an especially insightful mom and her articulate middle-school daughter.”

“How Was School Today? Fine.” is available on Amazon.com and on Shannon and Peyton White’s website (www.HowWasSchoolTodayFine.com). Connect on the How Was School Today? Fine. Facebook fan page

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I also had the privilege to preview How Was School Today? Fine. A user-friendly discussion guide for parents and their elementary-aged children and it is an excellent resource for parents – and grandparents! – to learn to connect better with today’s kids AND for the kids to get some insight about their parents and grandparents, too! Shannon and Peyton’s style for the book is very engaging: stories and predicaments, mom’s view, daughter’s view, and some back-and-forth dialogue. This all gets wrapped up with a few questions for reflection for either adults or both adults and children.

The section on connecting with family discusses family meetings, age-appropriateness, sibling relationships, struggling with controlling behavior, fighting fairly, working through mistakes and morning-time responsibilities to get everyone ready to leave the house – along with many more such topics. The school and learning section has great examples for learning time management skills, making a difference to the people around you, peer pressure and bullying plus more. Then there’s the discussions on money and material things, bodies and bodily functions, community interaction, outside forces, and internet forces. My favorite part was the last section on building character – Shannon and Peyton call it “The Big Stuff” with topics like feelings, distress, gratitude, lying, loss, spirituality, prayer, meditation, sacred spaces and dreams.

Even though it is targeted as a discussion guide for parents with their elementary school-aged children, it is also extremely useful for any grandparents wanting to better their relationship or to open communication with their grandchildren.

It is a super resource! Very well done, Shannon and Peyton!

Check out https://mygrandmasue.wordpress.com for other thoughts and activities to do with and for kids 🙂


Abby at Almost 2 Months Old

March 2, 2010

I have a few good photos of Abby as she approaches her 8th week, okay – two month – birthday. Here is one to start and I’ll post a few more later…..

Check out other blogs for ideas and activities to do with kids on https://mygrandmasue.wordpress.com by the author of the award-winning children’s book Grandpa, Do It! I Do It, Too!


San Diego Polar Bear Plunge Set to Reopen

March 1, 2010

The new Polar Bear Plunge is due to reopen with new features on March 26, 2010, at the San Diego Zoo! Until it opens, you can learn a little about polar bears right at this San Diego Zoo link. I have other links at my 11/11/09 blog here – just in case you missed it! 😉

The San Diego Zoo is very excited to have the exhibit with new activities for people to explore a day in the life of a polar bear.

Check out other blogs for ideas and activities to do with kids on https://mygrandmasue.wordpress.com by the author of the award-winning children’s book Grandpa, Do It! I Do It, Too!


Downhill Tubing in Reno/Tahoe Area

February 24, 2010

With all the snow we got in the last several days, this article by Maggie O’Neil of the Reno Gazette-Journal is quite timely! Check out For tubing adventures, it’s all downhill for reviews of the local resorts: Boreal Mountain Resort, Donner Ski Ranch, Granlibakken Ski and Snowboard, Heavenly Mountain Resort, Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort, Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, Soda Springs Mountain Resort, Squaw Valley USA, and Tahoe Donner. There are other links here at NewToReno.com Winter Sports.

Check out the Reno-Tahoe website on your own – here’s the tubing page. For organized trips check out Sierra Adventures.
Personally, I liked the kids activities at Soda Springs the best – especially the tubing carousels at Planet Snow Kids.

For more ideas and activities, check out my other blogs at https://mygrandmasue.wordpress.com 🙂


Dr Karp’s 5 S’s of Calming a Colicky Baby

February 18, 2010

Today’s Long Beach Press-Telegram had an article by Dr. Harvey Karp about calming a baby. Since Abby has been colicky, I read with great interest what suggestions he had. The suggestion I wanted to pass on to my daughter was to try his 5 S’s he called the “calming reflex.” It is this: “It’s a virtual off switch for crying babies and on switchfor sleep that can calm even colicky babies in minutes or less,” Karp said. “The key is to imitate the womb environment with the five S’s: swaddling, side or stomach position, the “shhhhh” sound, swinging and sucking.” Let’s try that on Abby!

Here is Dr. Karp’s website http://www.happiestbaby.com and two of his popular books:

The Happiest Baby on the Block: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer

The Happiest Toddler on the Block: How to Eliminate Tantrums and Raise a Patient, Respectful, and Cooperative One- to Four-Year-Old: Revised Edition

Hope this helps!

Check out my other blogs for ideas and activities on https://mygrandmasue.wordpress.com 🙂


Lost Ladybug Project

February 17, 2010

Here’s something fun to try with your kids! It’s the Lost Ladybug Project! There’s Ladybug Learning, How to Participate, and How to Find and Photograph Ladybugs. I discovered this project by reading my newsletter from Kids Garden News.

Do check out my other ideas and kids activities at https://mygrandmasue.wordpress.com 🙂


Frogs, Frogs and More Frogs!

February 14, 2010

The Feb 13th Orange County Register had frog facts and an article by Eric Carpenter called Can you ribbit? which sounds much more interesting than its on-line version Giant toads, poisonous frogs move into Muzeo, although the words were the same – but either one brings fond memories of my sister Lori. Not that she is a frog, mind you, but that she likes frogs, collects frogs and tolerates every-frog-item-I-see-I-usually-buy-and-send-her frogs! Actually, Chris Carpenter’s article highlights the exhibit Frogs: A Chorus of Colors at the Muzeo in Anaheim from February 13, 2010 – September 5, 2010. Check out the video highlights with zoologist Sandy Mangold and then there are also the photos. Sandy and the frogs flew here from Pennsylvania. Kermit isn’t here but there are over 150 live frogs! Have fun! The Muzeo hours are 10-5 7 days a week. More info here.

Check out https://mygrandmasue.wordpress.com for other interesting ideas and things to do with kids and grandkids! 🙂


NWF Wildlife Watch

February 11, 2010

Become a Wildlife Watch treasure hunter!

National Wildlife Federation’s Wildlife Watch is a national, nature-watching program created for people of all ages. The National Wildlife Federation can use your help to track the health and behavior of wildlife and plant species nationwide. You can also learn interesting tidbits on the Wildlife Watch website – wildlife news and facts, new ideas for attracting wildlife to your backyard and community. Check it out now on www.nwf.org/wildlifewatch and see what all is available to do!

Once you are finished with exploring your own back yard, you can get more ideas from NatureFind. It is an online destination database you can use to easily find a perfect spot for watching nature close to home. It also helps you discover what parks and trails are near you.

All you do is enter your zip code and check what activities you are interested in at http://www.nwf.org/naturefind to learn what is available around you!

Check out https://mygrandmasue.wordpress.com for more interesting things and ideas! 🙂


Old Family Pictures

February 10, 2010

I am/was always the photographer of the family. I also loved going through albums and boxes of photos my mom and grandma had saved. Unfortunately we forget to write down who all is in the picture and soon we are left with unknowns, not-sures, no-clues and possible relatives in so many pictures! I found a cute little project on the grandparents.com site that got my creative juices going again. Take a look here at the article Why Family Photos Matter by Beverly Beckham. When I get mine done, I’ll post it – but don’t hold your breath till I do so since I still need to get my Christmas cards out!

Check back at https://mygrandmasue.wordpress.com soon to see if I did it or not! 🙂


Harlem Globetrotters: Spinning Life Lessons

February 7, 2010

Harlem Globetrotter Nate “Big Easy” Lofton taught some special lessons to kids at the Discovery Science Center as captured by Michael Mello in the Orange County Register. Photos and Video also document the presentation. Lofton’s visit was part of the kick-off for the new Secrets of Circles exhibit at the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana, CA. The exhibit will be available for kids to explore through May 2.

Two years ago Globetrotters Eugene “Wildkat” Edgerson and “Sweet” Lou Dunbar visited the Anaheim Boys and Girls Club on a Friday afternoon for similar life lessons.

One of the Harlem Globetrotters community outreach programs is C.H.E.E.R. For Character which aims to teach kids Cooperation, Healthy mind & body, Effort, Enthusiasm, and Responsibility.

Check out other places for child exploration at mygrandmasue.wordpress.com