Cognitive Operations...huh?

The question was posed at The Parent Bloggers Network: "What are your kids learning in school?"

I asked myself "What aren't my kids learning in school?!"

I have two kids, a 7th grader and a 4th grader. I expected when they started school that they would learn reading, writing, spelling, science and math. I expected they'd learn about California Missions in 4th grade. I expected they would at some point learn about history.

What I did not expect was that they would learn those subjects in the manner that they have experienced. All of their subjects have been taught to them through the icons of depth and complexity - since first grade! That the teachers can use these models successfully at that age is amazing to me. I was not introduced to many of these concepts until college! Because my kids are taught to apply these ideas to every subject it not only helps them learn about the subject, but it teaches them how to think constructively and not to simply rely on memorization. (Though there is always some of that!)

I feel very fortunate that my children are getting the benefit of such an amazing education. There are so many obstacles in the "real world" and I firmly believe that having a solid education paired with the ability to listen and learn will be the keys to their successful adult lives!



PBN Blog Blast with Scholastic.com wants to know "What are your kids learning in school?" and Scholastic has made some cool tools available for parents everywhere!

Map Your Walk

Has anyone else checked out MAPMYWALK.COM? It's quite fabulous! You can create your own walks, search for walks already mapped out by other people - in any city! My friend and I have recently started a walking routine at the un-Godly hour of 5:30am, but because we can map out a new route everyday it's not boring! There are options to track your shoe mileage and count the calories that you burn (based on the difficulty of your walk) and they also post walking and running events for your area. The site is easy to navigate and they offer an email newsletter as well.

Check it out and enjoy your walk!

Disney Magic for Family Bloggers

A few weeks ago I was invited by Maria Bailey of BlueSuitMom.com to attend a Family Blogger Event being held at the Disneyland Resort here in Southern California. I was so excited and was going to RSVP that same day, but truthfully I was a little intimidated because I:

1. Don't write on my own blog as regularly as I read other mom blogs and
2. I've been out of the corporate world for 13 years and wondered how I could fit in with a group that might represent "BLUE SUIT MOMS"! (Now don't misunderstand, I worked for THE epitome of BLUE SUIT corporations - IBM - I "get" the working woman. But when I was there, I was not a mom, so I have to assume that there are gaps in my understanding of today's working moms and how they manage their lives.)

But I knew I shouldn't pass up the opportunity to meet some of the faces of the bloggers that I read (or lurk!) or miss the chance to spend some time with my famous blogger friend and her family! My husband and 2 kids were more than happy to accompany me and so I sent an emphatic "YES - COUNT ME IN" kind of RSVP! I mean, why disguise your excitement when you're talking about Disneyland?!

In spite of a little semantic difficulty about where to pick up our passes (Customer Relations vs. Customer Service) we were in the park by 10:30am. Fast forward through many rides and a short jaunt back home to pick up the tween daughter who refused to skip school (!!HUH??) and more rides, we had a fabulous time! When 5:00 rolled around we headed back to the Sequoia Room at the Grand Californian Hotel where we hoped to get a few munchies and a beverage that we could call "dinner" before we headed back into California Adventure for Disney's HalloweenTime.

Munchies. Ha. Not even CLOSE.

The public relations group at Disney spared no expense for the Family Bloggers! There was a buffet spread for the adults that included stuffed pork loin, roast beef, Caesar salad, a pasta bar where two chefs whipped up a plate of pasta to your liking! There was a dessert table filled with beautiful (and tasty!) sweet Disney treats! Creme Brulee in pumpkin shells no less! The kids had their OWN buffet set with the kid standards like chicken strips, mac n'cheese and celery and carrot sticks. The kids had crafts and cookies to decorate and a personal face painter! There were Disney folks walking around offering shrimp cocktails, mini pizzas and drinks. Chip and Dale were there to greet us and they took pictures with the kids and danced with them too! We even had a special appearance from Mickey and Minnie Mouse! And all this to Halloween-themed music provided by a one man show and preserved digitally by the photographer!

After some fine food and mingling, the kids changed into their costumes and we headed back to California Adventure for the Disney's HalloweenTime. The kids trick or treated at the Mickey stations (not just candy, but apple slices and carrot sticks too!), they went on a few rides, danced in the spinning lights and had a great time. (I sat down as often as possible!) We decided to call it a day around 8:30 and headed back to the valet (courtesy of Disney/BlueSuitMom) to pick up the car.

Weary and exhausted we fell into bed...to dream about the day of Disney Magic!

I have been reading and (barely) writing in the family/mom-blog world for about a year and half now...I love that the women out there are smart and intelligent and funny to boot. It's such an amazing community and it was awesome to finally get past the pc screen to meet the people that I feel I already "know"! I had no reason to feel out of place as all the women and their families in the room were friendly and outgoing and were all there to represent the strength of the Family/Mom Blogging Community! Thanks to Maria and Disney for hosting such a fabulous event! My Mickey ears are off to you!