Einstein Never Used Flashcards

All parents need to read this book! It breaks down the latest research of how kids learn... to show that many of the current parenting trends right now are not necessarily in the best interest of kids. A current trend right now is educational toys. The authors do not claim that all of these toys are bad, but they do think that many are not necessary. For example, many toys trying to drill toddlers on the alphabet are not developmentally appropriate. Even if I spent tons of time teaching Sofia to memorize the alaphabet right now, it would be just that... memorizing. She has no context or experience to make it valuable. I am not saying it is bad to sing the ABC song with your kids, but drilling with the idea that your kid is going to be advanced... yes. The authors talk about how simple play is the best way for small children to learn. The best way to make a child successful in reading is to read to them and help foster creativity. They empahsize the importance of not overscheduling kids with so many activities and giving them more time to interact with the world and people around them. Reading this book took a lot of pressure off me as a parent. It reminded me that my job is to foster a love for learning and to work on praising my kids for their efforts in learning and not just in results. Even after reading this book, I realize that it will still be hard to not sometimes feed into current trends. The other day I overheard a mom bragging to a friend about how young her child was when he learned all of these "advanced" things. I immediately thought of Sofia and couldn't help but compare that she couldn't do any of those things... but then I remembered that I have an active, curious, and happy child who loves being read to, and for now those are the most important things. Okay... I am noticing something about myself. The later I write blog entries.. the more long winded and preachy I am. I am off to bed before this gets lameo. Good night!

Random Thought

I was just driving home from my friend E's baby shower listening to the radio and I heard an advertisement for smuckers pre-made frozen PBJ sandwiches. Come on people, aren't pbj sandwiches like the easiest thing to make in the world? I know that we live in a busy go-go-go society, but my advice: If you are so busy that you don't have time to make a PBJ sandwich, then it is time to reevaluate your schedule. Sorry, this is perhaps my most random post yet.

Becerra Visit

Chris' family was here visiting us up until this morning, and we had a lovely lovely time with them. Sofia loooooves having family here visiting. I think it is a little depressing for her when they all leave, and she is stuck with us again. While family was here, we had fun going to the ocean and Hatfield Marine Science Center, going on hikes and walks, and Chris' mom taught me how to can peaches last night, so I am feeling very domestic. I am blessed with amazing in-laws. I really could not have a better scenario in that department.

By-the-way, if anyone remembers me during my last trimester of Sofia's pregnancy, you may remember me being a little more emotional than normal and some have even gone as far as to say "crazy." I am happy to report that I am doing much better this time around. I have already started nesting, which means I may be using my new skill of canning quite a bit, and I did break down crying once because we didn't have any new diapers for the baby yet, but other than that, I'm as pleasant as Mary Poppins. I can't believe that I have less than 2 months now. This pregnancy has gone by so much faster than the first... too fast. I don't feel ready yet, but I am very excited to meet this little boy who keeps me awake every night with his kicking and dance sessions he must be having inside of me.

My addiction

I have a feeling that I am going to be one of those weird old quirky ladies. Why you may ask do I have this feeling? Probably because I am already a quirky gal. My latest obsession.. garage sales. I seriously have such good garage sale charma.. it is not even funny. This last saturday I gave myself a $7.00 budget, and I came home with: 2 adorable gymboree dresses, one funky hippie little girl dress, Sofia winter hat,3 children books, one pair of jeans for Sofia,and a little refrigerator (not a fancy one) to go with Sofia's kitchen set she will get for her birthday. I am to the point where it is possible to have too much of a good thing. I seriously need to stop. I am starting to plan every saturday morning around going to a few garage sales, so if you have anything to invite me to, saturday mornings would be a great time to help me break the addiction. The other thing that I would like to say about garage sales.... is that there are good garage sales where people want to get rid of their stuff at reasonable/cheap prices.. and then there are the people who think that their used books are worth $7.00 a piece and nasty old stained baby clothes are worth $3.00 a piece. See.. the fact that I even care about this shows that I have a problem. I thought of a solution that may benefit you all. Realistically I should stop going to garage sales period... or you all can send me your wish lists, and I can be your good charma personal shopper. Then I can be happy about finding good deals, but I come home with no new clutter. Okay.. this post needs to end now, I am tired and rambling. Peace out.

Moral Dilemna

The other day I had an interesting experience. Sofia and I were going into Winco and all of a sudden I turned to hear a guy, maybe in his late twenties, yeling at and verbally attacking his girlfriend. The woman was with an older man who looked old enough to be her dad... but obviously I have no idea who he was. The older man was trying to encourage the woman to get into the car, but she stood there as the guy continued to scream at her. I stood there watching by the entrance wondering what to do. It was my first instinct to want to walk over to see how I could help, but then I looked at Sofia and my pregnant bump and decided that I didn't know if an almost 7 month pregnant woman with a toddler (who I want to keep safe) would be the best person to get in the middle of the fight, so I decided that I would keep a safe distance and watch until the lady left safely. A minute later, two managers from the store came out to intervene, and they were able to escort the woman to her car.

After I walked into the store, I kind of had a moral dilemna in my head wondering if I did the right thing. I felt like I failed the lady outside. I felt like I was in one of those situations when 20/20 sets up a fake fight to see if people will help or if they will just keep on walking. I always thought that of course I would be the person to step in, but my mama protective instincts kicked in more than my good citizen instincts. What would other people have done in this situation??

I also wanted to write really quick that I am in need of a midwife. My doctor is going to be out of town on my due date, and I really feel more comfortable switching to a midwife (who will deliver in the hospital), than to a random doctor. Please let me know if you know of a good midwife in the area, because I really need to find one soon!!

Wow Honduras

Hello Everyone (that meaning the 5 people who check my blog :)!!! We are back from Honduras and doing well. The reason that I included the word wow in the title of this post, is because that was officially Sofia's new word in Honduras. From the take off of the airplane to spotting turtles in a pond, Sofia said "wow" to every new thing she saw. Many have told me that I am crazy to make a trip like this with a toddler and over 6 months pregant... and you are all right, but I am so happy that we did. Although there were a few stressful parts of the trip, we essentially spent our vacation at the family property swimming all day long, eating, napping, and laughing with family. Neither Chris or I had a watch, so we usually didn't even know what time it was. No news, no internet, no t.v..... it was so nice!!! I am not even sure how everyone there was related.. but if someone is much older than you.. just call them tio or tia.. and if they are closer to your age... primo or prima works well. It was so fun to see how Sofia really chsrmed and connected to the older family members. Everyone down there said that she is pure Becerra, and they loved how she ate up all of the Honduran food, because in that culture food=love. Although I had a great time, once again I come home grateful for all that we have here... drinkable water, warm showers, cars..... Life is good... but with that said, I must also mention that I think that I am ready to stay home for awhile!! More posts to come soon friends!!

Wedding

My crazy summer has officially begun. I was in Klamath Falls for 5 days while Chris put in Bamboo floors downstairs. They look so good!!! Good job homeboy. I just got home a few minutes ago from another crazy weekend with family. My sister Kris got married last Friday on the Mckenzie River. We all stayed at a beautiful home at the site of the wedding. Every single person in my family was there including all of the in-laws and nieces and nephews, so it was really fun. Inlcuding the Edgar's kids and Olsen kids, there were 5 other kids at the wedding within 2 months of Sofia. Imagine 6 toddlers who think that everything belongs to them, and you can imagine how they all played together, but it was also really cute. After the wedding it was on to camping at the coast with the gang. I am pooped.. but I am trying to act like I'm not, because the next few weeks are also going to be crazy. As chaotic as my whole family is together.. I love it. I can't wait for Sofia to grow up with her cousins.