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I'm a mom on the run!

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Tag Archives: education

Guess Who?

Guess who stepped up to lead story time at our local Barnes & Nobles once she learned it was canceled?

The parents and preschoolers were so disappointed and this supermom simply had to save the day. As I wandered around the children’s section looking for good book to read, I scrolled through the children’s music playlist in my head.  With in minutes, I had an impromptu literary lesson ready to go.  We sang a welcome song and monster songs, like Monster Boogie, to go along with the book, Tickle Monster.  Well, we had to put that stage to good use!  The moms, kids and I had so much fun that I plan to make it a regular event on our moms group calendar.

But that’s not all.  No, Barnes & Nobles didn’t hire me on the spot.  But guess who finally figured out the front-facing camera on her Incredible in an attempt to capture her heroic story time moment?

I’ll give you a hint.  She can pull a story time lesson out of her ass loves reading stories, singing and dancing with kids almost as much as her new cell phone.


“Disclosure: I am participating in the Verizon Wireless Ambassador program and have been provided with a wireless device and three months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.”

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Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Back to School and Brighter Than the Sun

I drafted this post last week when the girls started school, but there was so much going on with the back to school business that I failed to finish it.  Now, it seems silly to share Brighter than the Sun with Tropical Storm Isaac sitting on top of us.  It also seems silly to share a back to school post while schools are closed due to Tropic Storm Isaac invading our area.

But here I go anyway.  I’m a bit school dazed and confused. Like the winds of Isaac, I’m blowing it.

Emmalynn has the same teacher for the third year in a row, who she adores. I believe her teacher feels the same way about her.  Every child should have a teacher that makes them feel special.

Allana has new teachers but all her friends are in her class.  I feel so sorry for that teacher with all those talkative preteens.

Allana joined the ranks of Safety Patrol and loves it, although I think she likes greeting the dogs in car line more than assisting kids and the fact that she can pick her locker first next year as a reward for services.

This will be the last year both girls will be in elementary school together. I don’t even want to think about middle school yet.

With a week into the school year, we’ve already received information about afterschool programs like running club, art club, basketball and Odyssey of the Mind, which the girls want to do. Of course, on top of that, the girls will be required to do projects that will make me want to pull my hair out, but truthfully, I love that the school offers so many ways for the kids to stretch and grow their minds, bodies and soul.

I believe we’re in for another school year that will produce results brighter the sun.

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Visit Xmas Dolly and Jade Louise Designs for more Music Monday fun.

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

O Story Story Reading Apps

Thankfully, I am blessed with three children who enjoy reading.  My oldest daughter (age 10) has spent the summer exploring classics, such as The Hobbit.  My middle child (age 6) prefers books about Disney Princesses and Rainbow Fairies.  My two year old son loves books about cars, trucks and anything else with wheels and he will often make sound effects as he reads.

So, when I was asked to review Parenting’s O Story educational mobile apps for the iPad, I knew they would be a hit with my two youngest children.   The hands-on fun of Parenting’s O Story educational mobile apps provide engaging ways to reinforce reading skills.

The “Read to me” feature within each program helps build confidence in readers and success by offering an opportunity to hear the story before attempting the story independently.

Though the interactive feature can be deactivated, when left on, it builds sight word recognition.  A light tap on the small hearts scattered throughout the screen prompts the narrator to call out the names of objects and characters in the story.  An electronic flash cards appears as the word is said.

The O Story app also includes critical thinking games, such as puzzles and matching games with each story.  My six year modeled her gaming technique for little brother and then he was ready to give the games a try too.

The O Story educational apps also offer spelling lessons, such as Max Moo: The Case of things to Spell or Wendy’s Spelling.  Since my six year old struggles with blends, but the spelling game turns phonics into hands-on fun.

Emmalynn loved Wendy’s Giant List, an interactive story about a little girl who finds fun things to do instead of taking her nap.

Both children giggled while reading When Things Go Wrong with Robots, but the funny little robot with wheels delighted Liam as he watched it scoot around the screen.

The robot puzzle game at the end of the story offered the opportunity for my kids to share and play side by side.  Observing our little big sister helping her baby brother with the difficult pieces brought a smile to my face.

Though I had some reservations about sharing my iPad with my children, watching my two youngest children sharing and enjoying the O Story apps together warmed my heart.

I am truly thankful for reading apps like Parenting’s O Story that foster my kids love for reading.

*Disclaimer: I received Parenting’s O Story apps for my iPad in exchange for my review. I received no compensation and the opinions are my own.*

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Fishing and Catching Critters

My girls love fishing.

I love watching them.

It tickles me that they enjoy fishing in sun dresses.

Sometimes Dad and Little Lion Man will join them.

But LLM is better at collecting water than catching fish, which is very important…

…especially when the catch of the day becomes a temporary pet.

*No fish were harmed in the making of this Summer Daze post.  All fish were released back into the wild.*

Summer Daze Fun Photo Party
Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Shot Heard ‘Round the World and Fireworks

I loved all the Schoolhouse Rock! programs when I was a kid.  I remember looking forward to commercials between Saturday morning cartoons just to see what Schoolhouse Rock! short would air.  I enjoyed Schoolhouse Rock! programs so much that when I became a teacher, I incorporated them into my lessons.

With Wednesday being Fourth of July, the teacher in me thought a few Schoolhouse Rock! history lessons would be fun for Music Monday.

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Enjoy the fireworks!

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!




Visit Xmas Dolly and Jade Louise Designs for more Music Monday fun.
Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Super WHY Live Tour Tickets {Giveaway}

My kids love Super WHY, especially my two year old.  He always asks to watch the show.   “Mama, WHY!  Mama, WHY!”

Although it’s appropriate for preschoolers, my 6 six year old also loves the show also.  The lovable preschool characters and their storybook superpowers are so engaging for both ages, but their fairytale storybook adventures really appeal to my 6 year old princess.  Princess Presto and Wonder Red are her favorite characters obviously.

So when I heard about Super WHY’s first-ever live show flying across the country this summer, I was thrilled to learn that Tampa was one stops.  My children will be so excited to see their favorite Super WHY characters come to life on stage.  The timing is perfect too, just after both kid’s birthdays this July.

Shhhhhh…my kids don’t know yet, so don’t spoil the surprise.  Next to the Super WHY and their super sleuth readers, my kids will think I’m a superhero.

To find out if your city is also part of the Super WHY tour and for more information as well as purchase tickets and VIP “Meet & Greet” packages, visit www.superwhylive.com.

Like me, you can also be a superhero to your children too! 

One lucky Run DMT reader will win FOUR TICKETS to see Super WHY LIVE! on Saturday, July 28 at 5pm at The Straz Center.

To enter for your chance to win, simply leave a comment telling why you and children love Super WHY.  Contest ends 6/21.  (*Greater Tampa Bay are residents only.  Winner will be selected by random.org.*)

For additional entries:

  • Like Run DMT on Facebook.
  • Follow @denisermt on Twitter.
  • Tweet about this giveaway.  Add a new comment for each time you tweet: “Enter to win 4 tickets to #SuperWHYLive tour in Tampa at the @StrazCenter.  http://tinyurl.com/6sg277c Ends 6/21. #RunDMT via @denisermt.”

Teacher Gifts

I totally flaked for Teacher Appreciation Day, which is just a sin having been a teacher once.  Hopefully I redeemed myself on the last day of school with these creative gift ideas and small tokens of our appreciation.

My oldest daughter’s teachers love Dunkin’ Donuts.  Gift cards seemed the easiest route.  Allana made them doughnut shaped cards that read, “Donut forget about me.”

Potted plants are one of favorite gifts to give because they are beauitful, green, affordable gifts.  They never break the bank even when gift cards eat up most of your gift budget.

Emmalynn made flower cards for each teacher and then taped the cards to bamboo skewers to stick in the soil.  The cards read, “Thank you for helping me bloom and grow this year.”

Then I thought it would be a nice gesture for the girls’ to give their classmates inexpensive gifts and I had a lightbulb moment when I spotted these in Wal-Mart.  Now, I know these Little Hugs aren’t the healthiest drinks for kids (actually they’re probably the worst), but there’s no disputing the sheer, creative genius of them and all for under $3.00!  I printed labels and taped one to each little juice barrel which read, “Here’s one last hug until I see you in August.  Have a great summer!”

Did I redeem myself or what?  What gifts did you give your child’s teacher?

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

A Firework, a Flag and God Bless the USA

Last week, Emmalynn’s teachers planned a Memorial Day program complete with songs, poems and red, white and blue attire. The kids were so cute.  I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house.

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Thank you to all the service men and women who sacrificed so much to protect our freedom.

God Bless the USA!

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Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Our Own Joan of Arc

As we wrap up the end of the school year, it seems like the projects keep piling on.  One of the recent projects required my youngest daughter, Emmalynn, to read a biography, complete with a book report and then she had to either dress as that person or create a puppet of that person for an oral presentation.

Did I mention she’s only six?  I don’t recall having to do these types of presentations until high school.  Nonetheless, Emmalynn and I visited our local library to search through the stacks of biographies for her report.

There were so many wonderful biographies of great people.  Although the choices were endless, we limited our choices to the materials and costumes available in our closets for the oral presentation portion of this assignment.  Should she be Sacagawea?  Mary Queen of Scotts?  Madame Curie?  Hillary Clinton? Miley Cyrus?  Harriet Tubman?
You Wouldn't Want to Be Joan of Arc!: A Mission You Might Want to Miss

The choice seemed clear when we found You Wouldn’t Want to Be Joan of Arc!: A Mission You Might Want to Miss.  She
could totally pull off a Joan of Arc.

With her Bob haircut, a sword, a riding horse-on-a-stick, and a homemade Princess Leah costume, she would be a dead ringer.  Not literally, though.  We would omit the whole burning at the stake part for her presentation.

As we read through the book, we learned that Joan of Arc preferred carrying a banner over a sword.  Therefore, we fashioned a similar banner using the backside of some leftover Christmas wrapping paper.  Emmalynn did her best to draw a few fleur de lys, the angels Michael and Gabriel seated on either side of God and the Latin words “Jesus Maria”.

For a more dramatic effect, Dad wrapped some duct tape around the cardboard tube.  It also helped strengthen the tube.

In the end, we had our own little Joan of Arc, who lived to tell about her adventures.

 

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

SeaWorld’s TurtleTrek

From the moment they hatch, sea turtles face many great challenges on their way to the sea.  From mistaking lights on the beach for the moon to the numerous predators, sea turtles must overcome great odds to survive.

SeaWorld’s newest attraction, TurtleTrek, teaches visitors how to help sea turtles as they make their journey.  With a little education, conservation and awareness, we can make a difference in the life of a sea turtle.  As the exhibit proudly proclaims, each of us has the potential to be everyday heroes to help make the world a better place for all.

TurtleTrek’s  up-close observation deck allows guests to encounter West Indian manatees and sea turtles in a naturalistic habitat.

In one corner of the exhibit, a model of a turtle nest offers a real-life example as to how some everyday heroes protect sea turtles on the beach.

Also on the observation deck, visitors can play Race for the Beach, an educational video game displayed on massive screens.  After selecting their species of sea turtle, guests swim the ocean munching on favored foods while avoiding hazards like nets and plastic bags.

As guests follow the TurtleTrek trail below, they become immersed in underwater life.

Schools of more than 1,500 Caribbean-native fish, sea turtles and manatees greet guests on their way to the world’s first 3D 360 dome theater. With the aid of a state of the art film, Nyah, a sea turtle shares her amazing journey and there are no bad seats in the house.

Once I learned a portion of each dollar spent in the TurtleTrek gift shop benefits in-the-field research to help save animals, I couldn’t resist purchasing some gifts for my children.  With small trinkets, I would be an everyday hero to my little critters as well as sea creatures.

For residents and locals, the best way to experience TurtleTrek again and again is with a Fun Card or annual pass. Each provides unlimited visits to SeaWorld Orlando and all the park’s special events and festivals including Halloween Spooktacular and SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration.  Even better, there are no blackout dates!

For more information or to buy your Fun Card or annual pass now, go to www.SeaWorldOrlando.com

*I experienced SeaWorld’s newest attraction, TurtleTrek, as part of a grand opening media event and received no compensation for this review.*

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