NY Times Children's Book of the Day in August

                                            




NY Times Children's Book of the Day:

The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli

Since summer is still here, I wanted to review a book that I thought was refreshing and funny for kids. It's called The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli. This book is cute and fun natured. It's all about a crocodile who is scared to eat a watermelon because of a possible fear of the seed growing in his belly. I want to share this book with my Kindergarten class because its a short story that they can follow along to as I point to the large words on the page. This helps them with sight words. You could also use this book for choral reading.They are exposed to strategies like predicting what might happen if the the crocodile accidentally ends up eating a watermelon seed! This book has wonderful colorful illustrations. I just have to explain to them that a seed cannot grow in your belly if you do end up eating a watermelon seed! 

http://www.whataboutwatermelon.com/index.php/2013/05/3639/

After the book, you could ask the students what their favorite fruit is to eat. 
You could also compare and contrast different fruits and have them think about the fruits with seeds and what they look like inside. 
Here is a recipe for a Watermelon Juice I recently made!



Watermelon Juice:

1. 1/2 Watermelon
2. 1 Lemon sliced
3.  Handful of fresh Mint (optional)

This is a great refreshing mildly sweet summer drink. I start with slicing the watermelon in half. 
Half of the watermelon is pretty sufficient. Cut the watermelon into cubes and toss them 
into your juicer. I prefer most of the rind, just make sure to cut the very green part off. 
The rind is full of nutrients for your body. I then take the sliced lemon and toss it into the juicer. It is ok to leave the seeds in the watermelon. Remember, the seeds will not hurt you, a watermelon will not be growing inside of you! 

I then take the mint and put it in the juicer. 
This is a great juice to beat the summer heat! 
If you have some watermelon juice left over, 
get out a popcicle tray and freeze the 
leftovers for a tasty watermelon popsicle! 

Back to School

Hello Everyone!

 This weekend was a major task to clean and organize my belongings before I begin teaching. I really feel so much better about my life when I shed unwanted clothing and gadgets that I don't use anymore. I feel refreshed and ready to take on the world! I usually do this cleaning after each season. This helps me transition into each of the four seasons easier and takes unwanted stress off of having to look for things. Being organized is the first step into clearing your mind and getting ready for new experiences ahead.

 My grandmother Lillian introduced this practice to me and my sister growing up. Thank god I still do this! Since I am a lover of style and clothing, it helps me put together my ensembles quicker for the day ahead. If I am transitioning from summer to fall, I usually begin bringing out more of my fall clothes and storing the summer things. I go with the rule, if you haven't worn it within a year, toss it! This eliminates unnecessary clutter and allows me more free time to do whatever else I need to accomplish! Not only do I feel better about myself, the things that I no longer use are going to someone else in need. Here is just a glimpse into my organized dresser!

It's the little things in life that make me smile!

Get Healthy!

Hello All!

Today I am writing in regards to staying active and healthy. I feel the need to tell people that their life can improve by eating healthier if they just incorporated more fruits and vegetables in their diet.The reason why I believe this is true is because it is working for me! I love fruits and vegetables, my body actually craves them. I feel so much better when I stick to a healthier way of life. I have been juicing regularly now and I have noticed a difference in my skin complexion and my weight. I have more energy and my mind thinks more clearly. I really want to join a local  organic farming co-op so I can get fresh fruits and vegetables weekly.By eating less preservatives and more naturally, I have this positive outlook on my body,mind and spirit. I hope this inspires you! Here's the recipe to my Lean Geen Juice!

Lean Green Recipe:

*A large handful of Kale
*Stalk of Celery
*1 Lemon Sliced
* 2 Apples Sliced (Granny, or Fuji)
* 1 Cucumber Sliced
*2 Large Handfuls of Leafy Green Spinach
*Handful of Fresh Mint (optional)

Before you begin, make sure you wash your fruits and vegetables! I usually fill up the sink with cold water and 2-3 tablespoons of white vinager. Any produce you buy, please remember to wash with care! Farmers spray pesticides along with any other potential harmful fertilizers for growing. In any case, buying organic is the best way, but if you just buy regular fruits and vegetables washing is key! I begin by putting the heavier fruits and vegetables in like the cucumber and the apples into a juicer first. Then come the lemon, celery, spinach, kale and mint. You don't need mint, but its a nice refresher in any drink. Cucumbers are great for your skin and this along with the celery are a great alkalizer for your body. Believe me, if you juice regularly, your body will thank you. Take it from personal experience, I've been juicing for many months so far and the effects it has on my body, mind and spirit is wonderful. Thank you to my mom for introducing juicing into my lifestyle! Here is also a link to find out the fruits and vegetables that are in season:

http://www.primalpalate.com/store/ingredients/fruits-and-vegetables/

New York Public Library

Hello Everyone!

Today I got inspired from my trip seeing my fiancé in New York City. We visited MOMA (The Museum of Modern Art), and I saw so many great books while in the gift shop. One book in particular struck my fancy, it was called : A Poem as Big as New York City by Teachers Writers Collabrative. This book is a great way to read out loud and have children understand a teachers tone and intonation on particular words in a poem. It also gives children creative ways to write their own poems by reading other students work. I want this book in my library! Here are some pictures of the NYPL and also the book I was inspired by.

http://www.twc.org/about-us/a-poem-as-big-as-nyc/a-poem-as-big-as-nyc-lessons/

Under The Boardwalk

Hello!

So, continuing my trip, my fiancé decided to surprise me with taking a surprise trip out of the city for the weekend. I was really excited, but knowing my fiancé, I don't know what to expect. That's why I love him. He's exceptionally gifted at throwing surprises at me all the time, good or bad. Usually they start off jokingly bad, but end up the best things in the world. You have to know him. Anyway, he finally told me we were going on a trip to Atlantic City! I thought, cool! I'm up for it! I've never been there before! So, we take off from his work on a 3 hour bus to the Jersey Shore. The bus ride was pretty relaxing considering I have been walking around the city all week. As we get off the bus, I notice we are in a pretty seedy area walking our luggage to the hotel. We finally get to the hotel and walk inside. I noticed similarities between Vegas and Atlantic City, sort of like twins, but one is the much more attractive twin...much more.  We did so many fun things while in Atlantic City, we played a game of mini golf, played craps, and ate a funnel cake!

New York State of Mind

Hello!

Continuing on my journey through New York was awesome! While walking through Central Park I decided to journey into the zoo. It was so cool! This was the most beautiful zoo I had ever seen! I was amazed at how natural and green the landscape was. It was truly exceptional. I went into each exhibit with awe and haw intelligent animals truly are. I felt bad when I saw a Polar Bear not in his original habitat. That upset me considering how hot the temperature was that hot day.

New York State of Mind

Hello!

This past week I visited my fiancé in New York City. I was so excited to see him! I can feel myself getting use to the quick pace of the city again.  Nashville is nice because when you want to relax, you can really slow down and relax. I can understand how people pick up characteristics where they are from.  When there are so many people on a little island, it can feel like you need to fend for yourself as much as possible. It's not that New Yorkers are trying to intentionally be mean, they just have an agenda like everyone else. You don't have time to look over what you want while standing in line for a sandwich (New York favorite, Corned Beef on rye with a pickle on the side, and a Diet Coke, please.) You have to know what you want, and know what you want with authority and purpose. Otherwise, you get swallowed up by the next person just trying to order a sandwich).  If you don't know what I mean, please, visit more than a couple times and you will understand.

So, I will tell whoever is interested about my week in Manhattan. The week started off with a purpose. I wanted to workout in Central Park and explore my environment. Being that I am a graduate student, I decided to look at the fun things in life that are free. So, I power walked, and did some sprints, mind you it's 95 degrees and humid. I did find some cute areas like the Mall, which reminded me of being in Paris.

Welcome to my Blog!

Hello! 

For those of you that don't know me my name is Kristen! I am getting my Masters in Early  Childhood Education  at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. I can't wait to post things that inspire me. I enjoy everything from art, design, education, food, health and fashion. This Fall, I will be student teaching Kindergarten! This has been a pretty amazing year for me! I recently got engaged to my best friend, and soul mate!

                        

Our paths have crossed so many times!  We finally met in Nashville a little over a year ago. In March of 2013, he recently got transferred to New York City!  I went to visit him in April when he unexpectedly took me up to Top of The Rock in Manhattan. There, right in front of the Empire State Building he proposed! I was in shock I couldn't talk for a couple of minutes, which seemed like eternity! 

  

He did a great job with the ring! ID Jewelry in the Diamond District did a fabulous job finding the perfect ring for him! I also got my wedding band from this store. Everyone was  extremely helpful! 5 stars of approval and excellent customer service! Thank you Monique and Shulamit! Henri Daussi is

the jewelry designer:)

                                               

                                                        Engagement  April 13, 2013

                                                                Top of The Rock

                                                  Rockefeller Center, New York, New York 

The next big event that happened was my little sister getting married June 22, 2013 at Mayfield Country Club in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. My sister and I are originally from Ohio, (so is my fiancé and his family). What better place to have a wedding? Needless to say, she did a perfect job planning.  I also must say her wedding planner Elizabeth Spencer, my mother Vivian, and my step mom Nancy North did an exceptional job! The proof is in the pudding:

                                             

                                               

                                               

                                         

                                       

                                       

                                                  

                                                   

                                          

                                                 

                                          

                                            

                                                   

                                                   

                                                    

                                                   

                                                    

                                                     

                                                     

                                                     

                                                      

                                             

                                                       

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