Harbor Breeze

aaaaaaaaand... it's done.

Decal Fun

I really like these vinyl decals for Macs!  Some of them make me laugh.

I really liked the Snow White one until I realized she was in a bikini...?

Tools of the Mind

Next year some kindergarten classrooms in my district are trying a new approach to teaching called Tools of the Mind.  In short, the program concentrates on teaching children how to regulate their own behavior and learning versus being directed by the teacher to regulate everything.  For example, children in a Tools classroom do not raise their hands: they all talk at once (answering questions like what is the weather today) and they learn, just as adults do, to have a natural ebb and flow of letting others speak.

During a training this week we watched a video about the classic marshmallow test.  In short, small children are given a marshmallow which they can choose to eat right away, or wait a period of time and be given a second marshmallow.  The video is pretty hilarious:



In a recent article in the Boston Globe regarding self regulation, a study showed that children who were able to regulate themselves and wait for the second marshmallow performed better on the SATs.

I was excited after the training to begin this new adventure in teaching!

The intersection of art and food

Last night was a really great night.  I had seen that Chihuly was having an exhibit at the MFA so Ben and I went over there after work.  Chihuly makes sculptures out of hand blown glass: the exhibit was awesome!  It felt like being in a Dr. Seuss-candy-bowl-in-Wonderland.

At a parent conference this week, a mother said her daughter saw this sculpture and said it was like kelp! (We're doing our Tide Pool unit right and learned about sea weed!)

Afterwards we wandered around looking for someplace to eat.  We stumbled upon Darryl's Corner Bar.  The sign read "The intersection of food, friends and music."  Perfect!  Except when we walked in around 7:00 the hostess asked if we had a reservation.  We gave each other a glance, debated whether to wait the 45 minutes for a table when the manager intervened.  He said, "Are you going to stay for the music or just eat?  I don't want to turn away hungry people!"  So he let us sit and we had a great meal!  We caught the beginning of the first jazz set and definitely plan to go back.  If not only for the food and music but because the manager was so nice to squeeze us in!  


You should check out both places soon!

Thunder Cake

Last night a major thunder and lightening storm went through Massachusetts.  As some of you have seen, a tornado touched down in Western Mass.  The lightening over our building was INTENSE!  I had my basement keys and a flashlight in hand as Ben chuckled each time I lept out of my skin after the thunder claps.  I saw this clip on CNN (on Cjeps Facebook) and the lightening strike at second 58 shows exactly what we were seeing and hearing! 

Surprised Kitty

I recently saw this video of a mom cat hugging her kitten....


which reminded me of this favorite.  I can just watch it over and over again.

The Magical Fruit

I have a new favorite side dish that a co-worker suggested and is super easy!!

First you saute up some green peppers and red onion.

When they're tender you add a can of black beans with the juices.  I then sprinkle on some Adobe seasoning.  How much?  Well like Rachel Ray says, once around the pan.  Stir, and cook until the black beans start to boil a little bit.

I serve over brown rice usually next to grilled chicken or steak tips! 

Enjoy!

Dance Face

Agnes is perfecting her dance moves.

And her dance face.

They tapped to Mr. Bluebird on my shoulder, so sweet!

Pitcher

I think this pitcher from BHLDN is really cute.  I feel with the use of a Brita I never would have use for a pitcher, but this is so cute I might have to change my mind!

The Town... wedding.

This weekend was Noreen and Brendan's wedding.  It felt so good to have the PC crew together!  We shared many laughs and lots of dancing.

The ceremony in Charlestown was beautiful and Noreen looked perfect!  Ben and I really liked the reception, the room had a lot of sky lights and a beautiful view of the city.   Noreen had really great details: I loved the paper under the centerpieces because it coordinated with not only their invitation but the program and menu.   The passed hor'dourves were great too.  I couldn't get enough of the mini beef wellingtons! 



Now I'm even more excited for the summer weddings to come!

Mother's Day

 I snuck off to New York for a little family time this weekend!  Here are some shots from our Mothers Day celebrations. 

 B. loves to smell flowers!

 Some quiet sister time.  B loves to do whatever Agnes is doing.

Agnes is ready for The Hamptons this summer!

 

Joe caught this great shot of B. at a birthday party this weekend!  

Precious!

Precious!  Agnes' love of dancing takes after her Mama and Auntie!

Abottabad in your Abbata-bing!

Long clip, but sooo funny.

The Daily Show - Big Deady
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Just because...

Just because they're so cute, and I'm looking forward to seeing them next weekend!

Mama

Life lesson: Mama is always there to protect you!

I Speak for the Trees

Happy Earth Day!  This week was school vacation and I had a long to-do list to get through.  Today I honored Earth Day by finally finding a place to recycle my old desktop computer.  It's been collecting dust under my bed since 2007.

I found out about CRTR at a teachers technology conference I attended last Fall.  Not only do they recycle computers you can bring them everything from large appliances to toaster ovens to hair dryers!  I wish I knew that as I just threw out my hairdryer from 1998 that just died! (I don't blow dry my hair all that much!)  


I'm not sure if I was suppose to call before hand, the main office is a bit off the beaten path in Brockton.  But the office workers were very pleasant and let me drop off my computer anyway!

I hope you did something to help the Earth today as well!

Buck Buck Buck

A few weeks ago I spent the weekend with Agnes and Little B. as Karen and Joe celebrated Joe's 40th Birthday!

  Bernadette is learning her animals sounds, her chicken is my favorite!!  Followed closely by her pig-snorting attempt!

April Baseball

Last night my friend Jo-Ellen and her boyfriend Dan invited Ben and I to a Red Sox game.  Thursday provided a wonderfully warm, Spring evening.  Last night, we left during the 9th inning when the temperature hit 38 degrees! 

But time with friends is always enjoyable, I just chose hot coco over a beer! 

The seats were great...

But once again, I can't take a self photo!  How do couples take them so perfectly??  I'm always cut out. 

The Bean... on Ice.

Now that the weather is getting warmer, Ben and I wanted to try and make iced coffee for the mornings.  I did some research online and found that Bodum made a French Press meant for Iced Coffee.  Well basically, it's a French Press with a lid so you can put it in the refrigerator easier than with the tall plunger.  I found one at Target this past weekend so we've been trying it out and loving it.

This is the recipe:
2 cups of cold water with 1/2 cup of grounds.
Let sit in the fridge over night
In the a.m. add 2 more cups of water
Press and enjoy over ice!

Spring Reading

The following is my book reading list!  I have April break coming up so I'm hoping to actually take some time to read!!

1) Room..  I began reading this and it is living up to the friend-reviews I've heard.

2) Little Bee

3) Tina Fey's: Bossy Pants

Any other recommendations to add to my list?