We're taking this show on the road!

We love to travel, but haven't gotten out a whole lot since baby #3 joined us in January. Honestly, just the idea of packing up all of the gear, and clothing, and the mountain of snacks we would need and heading somewhere else seems like we'd just be relocating our circus of daily toddler acrobatics, daring diaper changes, and fantastical feeding feats. We've talked about it all summer, but hadn't mustered up the courage to venture too far from home. After all, even my carefully baby-proofed living room is like an amusement park for my toddler, who tries dancing on the coffee table and riding the back of the couch like a horsey. Our preschool-aged son never. stops. moving. Ever. And baby girl smallest is rocking back and forth on hands and knees, trying to crawl way earlier than the other two did just to keep up.

Still, every few days one of us will ask the other "So...do you want to go anywhere this summer?"


And yes, we do. We might be crazy. But I know it will be fun, and full of laughs, and new adventures, great memories and goofy pictures. Recently, Country Inns & Suites offered our family some FREE nights so that we could enjoy road trip country this summer! We're heading out in a couple of days and we'll be sharing some highlights of our trip along the way. We'll be going to Streams and Shores Country, and taking in many of the suggested sites on the itinerary as we visit the Twin Cities. We'll be staying really close to the Mall of America, and we're bound to find some outdoor fun at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and the Walker Sculpture Garden, too. We'll also be enjoying some great amenities at our home away from home.

Minnesota, here we come!

So tell me...

What’s your idea of the best last-minute vacation?

Five Fantastic Parenting Books

The question I like least starts with the words "What's your favorite...?" I find it nearly impossible to pick one single favorite of most things. (Ice cream might just be the exception - Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia is my favorite, hands-down. And they're not paying me to say that, either. It just is! There are many close seconds, though!)

Really - with so many great ideas out there, how do you pick just one of anything to love?

I reserve the right to have several favorites, and to add to them as I discover great new things. So, I'm going to start sharing a few, 5 at a time. I'll call them my "Five Favorites."

Here are my 5 favorite parenting books (in no particular order)

I was inspired to look into Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care after reading Stephanie's great review. It's as good as she says it is! The copy I'm reading is checked out of the public library (how green is that?) but I'm sure I'm going to need to get my own copy! I love Dr. Greene's practical suggestions for living a more natural, healthy lifestyle before and after baby' arrival.

How to Get Your Child to Love Reading: For Ravenous and Reluctant Readers Alike is my favorite book to hand to parents of struggling or strong readers. (I've suggested this title to many parents, but can't bring myself to lend out my own autographed copy. Get your own!) Esme Raji Codell is an inspiring teacher and suggests wonderful books and natural activities to share to make reading a part of every child's life. You can find additional amazing children's literature suggestions at the PlanetEsme Book-a-day blog.

There is significant research that we can help children connect with an author's message by giving them the tools to explain the thinking good readers do internally before, during, and after reading. 7 Keys to Comprehension: How to Help Your Kids Read It and Get It!
is a wonderful book for parents that explains the strategies strong readers use as they read for understanding. It is filled with ways to support your own reader on their reading journey.

I love the positive discipline strategies presented in the Love & Logic series, and had used Teaching with Love & Logic in my classroom before I ever needed Parenting With Love And Logic (Updated and Expanded Edition). The strategies they suggest eliminate power struggles, and help children make appropriate choices and learn to solve their own problems (with parental guidance and support, of course!)

Annabel Karmel's First Meals (New Expanded Edition) is a great resource for helping your youngest eaters enjoy healthy and exciting mealtimes. There are recipes for first purees and foods for toddlers and preschoolers, and lots of tips for creating a happier and healthier mealtime. I've had an older edition of this book for years, so I really liked The Shopping Mama's recent interview with Annabel Karmel I had one of my questions answered, and am really excited to try preparing more baby food at home just as soon as Smallest is ready!

All of the books (and ice cream) mentioned in this post were purchased (or borrowed from the library in one case) by me. The ideas presented in this blog are my own opinions. Have you read any other great titles for parents? I'd love to hear what you think!

Wordless Wednesday - Berry Picking

Really Wordy Wednesday - Finding Balance

Where has she been?

So...posting has been a little light as of late. If you've read about me, you know that I'm a school reading specialist. I've been on maternity leave, but am looking forward to starting a new job in the fall. The position is demanding, wonderful, and has been consuming much of my time lately as I get my feet wet and get ready for this exciting new adventure.

I'm a working mom. Yes - all moms are working moms. Taking care of children and a home is a lot of work. I know - I've done it! Being a working mom isn't better, or worse - it's just different. I'm lucky enough to be entrusted with an amazing role - helping children learn to read. I'm lucky that I'm able to work a job that allows me lots of days at home with my children. I'm lucky that I have a wonderful person who helps care for my children while I'm working. I'm lucky to have a supportive husband who helps out with many household tasks so that I can focus on the important things: reading books and being silly and making monster sounds while I chase one or two or all of them around. And occasionally, I'm lucky enough to find a moment or two to myself, to read or think or be a friend.

I'm loving blogging, too. There don't seem to be many bloggers out there who are full-time working professionals and moms, too. I think I have a unique perspective to share, and I want to keep being a part of this conversation. But I know I need (mom)balance in my life, and my priorities are the three smiling faces you see to the right.

So, I'll still be here. In fact, expect a new blog look later this month from the amazing Sara at Subjective Beauty! I'm lining up some fun giveaways to celebrate and I'll be back with a new Monday Fun idea next week. And we'll go from there. I'm going to plan on posting 2 - 3 times a week as I return to the working world. I'll stop by as many of my favorite blog reads as I can. I hope you'll understand that right now, mombalance for me means finding a little quiet and sanity in my real life.