For love of book club

My sixth grade son and I have been involved in a mother-son book club for the past two years — a friend set it up with a group of kids from his fifth grade class last year and I am totally in love with the whole experience.  The kids are beyond cute, the books are good, and we sneakily talk about issues as a group that are touching on all of our lives – a little bit of bullying in The Bystander, mental illness in Small as an Elephant, the meaning of life! in Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life, crime and punishment in Al Capone Does My Shirts, war and human relations in Cracker, sports and integrity in The Rivalry, and the list goes on.  We meet once a month in the evening and a different family “hosts” each time taking the pressure off any one person to perform every month.  We offer a snack related to the book (the kids are always ravenous), rate the book, and the host comes up with a few questions for the group (usually stollen off of the internet at the last moment before the kids show up).  The host is also asked to propose some books to the group for the next choice and the kids and moms then vote on the book — the local young adult librarian being the best friend of all of the moms as she often just gives a few suggestions and off we go!  The whole thing is done in an hour, we cover great ground, the kids and moms engage in the discussions, have a great time, and everyone feels good about the day!  I highly suggest the experience and have to tell you that I now read so many of their books that I have a hard time finding my own!  It’s a great way to talk to the boys, a wonderful way to bring up issues, and a perfect way to touch in with your child’s contemporaries and see what they are up to.  As the kids age, it’s a comfortable and safe place to air their worries and to find a voice with their friends and even with their friends’ parents that is comfortable.

So, if I haven’t sold you yet on setting up your own group, you’re crazy…go find those moms you like, find a group of like-minded kids and get started.  I promise it is more fun than work.  Also, I recently found an amazing resource on line (while searching my discussion questions for the book!) — created by two Westchester moms, no-less, called www.sweetonbooks.com, where you can find recommendations, reviews, and gasp — reading questions for all ages and interests, so the work is nearly done for you.

Happy reading!

 

 

Just Gorgeous

Wow. Today was the best day I’ve had in a while.  Thank you to my ladies for following me around the trails at the Butler Nature Preserve in Mount Kisco – a gorgeous backwoods adventure, and to one of the ladies for bagels in the park after — what a total treat.  I came home, opened all of the windows to let the stale winter air OUT, sat outside making calls to my mama, emailed some folks, and soaked in the sun.  No newsletter today, but a very healthy, happy Essentialmom.  Back to work tomorrow.  For now, you’ll just have to settle for a little slice of my day….hope yours were wonderful too.  If not, go breathe in some of that air now — wherever you need to be can wait five minutes while you get a little fresh air.  It makes all of the difference in the world.

 

Seriously, I’ll be there this time!

Winter Walk…in Spring Weather — TOMORROW, Thursday, March 8th at 9:15am.  Meet at Butler Sanctuary in Mount Kisco – Directions: From I-684 to exit 4 (Route 172) west towards Mt. Kisco.  After 0.3 miles, turn left onto Chestnut Ridge Road and go 1.2 miles.  Turn right over bridge into parking area.  Get up, get out, get moving!!!!  Check out Butler Sanctuary, a Nature Conservancy Property — click here for more information.

Spend spring break with the wolves

If you are looking to let your kids get a little wild over the spring break, check out this opportunity for some fun…

Wolf Camp for Kids! For children in Grades 2-5.  Dates:  April 3rd – 6th  (Tuesday – Friday) or April 24th – 27th  (Tuesday – Friday).  Additional sessions in May, June, July and August!  Time:  3PM – 5PM.  Fee:   $100 per child for the 4-day program.  Give the young animal lover in your family a chance to thrive among wolves all week long!  The four day program will include opportunities for your child to:  Learn all about wolves: Wolf 101, Discover the various myths that surround wolves and to create their own and share, Walk with a wolf!, Play a unique game of hide and seek using tracking and telemetry tools that real wolf biologists use in the field!, Create plaster paw prints from real tracks in the field – they’re great for show and tell!, “Wolfy” arts and crafts, howl-a-thons and more!  Program will run with a minimum of 4 children and a maximum of 10. All children who complete the program will get a special “Junior Wolf Biologist” certificate. Pre-registration is required.  Information and registration are available at www.nywolf.org.

Essential iPhone Shopping

My husband keeps wondering why I change my iPhone cases like I change my wardrobe and what can I answer but these two simple responses?

1.  The case always fits and looks good. Who doesn’t like that?  Much more fun than shopping for jeans that fit.

2.  Market research.  I do it for you, the reader.  I am just that giving.  I HAVE to try out new sytles, new fads, new looks.  Honestly, I am just that giving.  You’re welcome.

So, my latest favorites?

Eyn cases — www.eynproducts.com

I’ll admit that I carry my iPhone everywhere — you know, so the kids can always reach me in an emergency.  Or, more honestly, so I can check my email, read my book, gawk through facebook at people’s obscure postings, and generally waste time while sitting in the pick up line at school or at the dentist’s office.  On the flip side, I hate carrying my pocketbook everywhere – so, introducing Eyn iPhone cases — with an opening in the back that is big enough for credit cards, money, and an ID.  The perfect accompanyment for any outfit.  It is slightly thicker than an average case, but still fits easily in my back pocket.  An added plus that I discovered last night while on face time with my nieces — you can use the back opening as a “kick-stand” to put the iphone on the counter while you talk.  Super fun.  We even talked to their hamster Greta who my kids decided was definitely cuter on video than she is in person.

Case Mate — www.case-mate.com

And for the fashion forward, a design-your-own case.  You can upload a design, photo, or image and they will print it right on the back of your case.  These are great for photos for the kids — so easy to show off your little wonders.

Happy shopping.  I will continue to be on the look-out for fabulous new finds for you…don’t worry.

 

Ewwww.

I am not complaining about the weather, really I’m not.  Because I know I really shouldn’t — we’ve had the easiest winter with barely a flake, so I can’t say anything….won’t say anything…but if you think I am winter walking in the icy rain or the snow, well, that’s the limit.  Walk is off tomorrow unless we awaken to a beautiful day, and I hear there’s a pretty fat chance that’s going to happen.  So, on to next week and we will try again next Thursday!

 

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to reality — hope it is more ahhh than ouch.  For me it is both, a touch of happy that kids are back to schedules — I’ll admit I gave a small sigh when they hopped onto the bus and the house was quiet…but at the same time I dread the return to homework and schedules.  The weeks off of school now that they are older are oh so delightful with the freedom from daily chores.

Anyway, as you begin to get your schedules set for the month ahead, I urge you to take a peek at the following fun to be had:

Prescriptions for Peaceful Transitions.  Navigating Childhood to Adolescence.  Brunch & Learn presented by Northern Westchester Hospital.  Featuring Lauren Budow, MD, pediatric and adolescent medicine, Alexander Lerman, MD, child and adolescent psychiatry, MaryJean MacDonald, PsyD, middle school psychologist, Chloe LeCompte, high school senior and NWH Junior President’s Council Member.  Brynwood Golf & Country Club, 568 Bedford Rd, Armonk, NY.  Tuesday, March 6, 2012.  9-10am reception and buffet brunch, 10-11:30am panel discussion and Q&A.  Complimentary valet parking is provided.  Tickets are $50 per person.  To register visit www.nwhconnect.org/2012brunchlearn.

 

 

Winter Walks group resumes: I am going to recommit to my Winter Walks this week with a walk at Butler Sanctuary — if it is as gorgeous on Thursday as it is today, we will be in for a perfect morning!  Thursday, March 1st, 9:30am at Butler Sanctuary in Mt Kisco – Directions: From I-684 to exit 4 (Route 172) west towards Mt. Kisco.  After 0.3 miles, turn left onto Chestnut Ridge Road and go 1.2 miles.  Turn right over bridge into parking area.  Get up, get out, get moving!!!!