Talking through School Projects. Getting it done Before We Start Working

When my kids come home with the project from school, we talk about it and talk about it and talk about it. Often long before it's due. We talk about the aspects of the project, making sure that they fully understand what to do. How much time each task will take. And then we start to brainstorm on ideas. We start to talk about what they would like to write about then what mom or dad would like to write about and sometimes they'll even ask their brothers and sisters what they think.

"We talk about it, and talk about it, and talk about it.." over and over again.

Talking through School Projects. Getting it done Before We Start Working

A lot of this parenting thing, turns out, it conversation. And luckily we have a lot of time in the car to talk and talk and talk. We found the creative thinking and problem-solving is becoming an issue more and more with kids in the schools. We find that children have a hard time coming up with WHAT to write about when they have a free-form essay. Not our kids though. And I really think that this process is a big part of the reason why they do so well. We encourage them to come up with three totally different ideas for a paper and it takes 48 to 72 hours to do that, we're fine with it. We except the craziest ideas, the funniest ideas, and the stupidest ideas.

"To create a love of learning you have to create a love of the process."

Obviously as parents we will steer them away from using the stupid topics for a school paper. (Is there a stupid topic? See the update below.) But if they want to write a separate essay for mom and dad they can do it on the silly subjects, and yes they do sometimes. And we get a good little giggle To create a love of learning you have to create a love of the process. And just like we adults will come across a problem and talk about it with our friends for days on end, children to need to process their work in their little brains for a few days or hours ahead of time if they have that time before project is due.

Recently my younger son's first grade teacher sent out an email asking about his first computer based projects. He will be presenting to the class on different types of rock. I let her know that our process is talking about the project for at least a day or so, and he too felt very very happy to let her know that he thought about his project for a day. And then he came home and gave me three or four totally separate ideas of what he wants to include in his project. All because we talked about it. This from a six-year-old.

Favorite Post: When the teacher said we wouldn't be in outer space in my sons lifetime

We are using everyone of his ideas, from what type of paper to use, we are to show real pieces of rock that we have at home (see our rock collection post), and we will print out some online. He wants to print the words in all different colors (having worked in marketing I know that that will not look the best, but it's HIS project). But this is about his learning process.

Allow time in the learning process. Allow kids to make mistakes, type super slow, and cut outside the lines. This is how they learn.

Update: Is there a stupid topic for a school project? 

Of course I THINK there is. But I have learned thru the years to let the boys pick their own topics. They have to make mistakes so the can learn for themselves what works and what does not. I can explain over and over but if they experience it for themselves, that is a lesson that will remain with them in the long run.

I have learned to ask teacher for rubrics. To review with the boys WHT the teachers grade on, giving them specifics for their project. And in this process if the subject they selected doesn't fit the rubric, we may need  a new one. But usually the boys create and think thru ways to get it done. And there is so much to be said for them going thru this self discovery and creativity process.




Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud.

Slow cooker Recipe Pork Carnitas Tacos

Slow cooker recipe Pork Carnitas Tacos

I MAKE THIS ALL THE TIME. About 6 times a year and freeze leftovers. Make sure you don't use HOT Paprika if you want a little more red. OOPSIE - kids still remind me of that time. My Guatemalan husband loves this because it is very similar to Helachas that he grew up with.

SERVES: 8 – 10

ADAPTED FROM MARCELA VALLADOLID

INGREDIENTS

2 to 2 ½ lbs pork shoulder or Boston butt roast, cut into 5 or 6 small pieces (in Charlotte we use pork from Grateful Growers Farm, which is sold at the Matthews Farmers' Market and Hillbilly Produce)

3 teaspoons dried oregano

2 teaspoons black pepper

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground cumin

1 onion, cut into 6 or 8 chunks

3 garlic cloves, whole

1 recipe tomatillo salsa (use recipe below or can be purchased at Trader Joe's)

1 ½ recipes whole-grain corn tortillas

2 avocados, sliced

Fresh cilantro

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix together oregano, pepper, salt, and cumin and rub on outside of pork pieces in bottom of slow cooker.

Throw onion and garlic on top of pork.

Slow cook on low for 6 – 8 hours or until meat is falling apart.

When finished discard the onion and garlic. Drain meat and shred with a fork.

Serve warm with tortillas, tomatillo salsa, avocados and cilantro.

Tomatillo Salsa

ADAPTED FROM SIMPLY RECIPES

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ lbs tomatillos (they look like little green tomatoes with husks around them)

½ cup white onion

¾ cup cilantro leaves

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

1 jalapeno or serrano pepper, seeded and roughly chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat broiler on high.

Peel and discard husks off tomatillos. Rinse and cut tomatillos in half. Place cut side down on foil or parchment lined baking sheet. Broil for 5 – 7 minutes until skin is lightly blackened.

Puree tomatillos and rest of ingredients together including onion, cilantro, lime, and pepper using a food processor, blender, or hand immersion blender until ingredients are finely chopped and mixed.

Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh Out loud.

How can we make this more affordable?

My husband purchased a Chicago Bears Jersey at the School auction. Good Cause and he likes these sorts of items. So being a good wife I went to price getting it framed. Yes I can figure it out how to DIY this framing job, but work is getting busy and the TIME to MONEY scale is sliding towards the Money side ... so I have significantly less time and will pay for some services, with in reason! 

How can we make this more affordable?

VISITING MICHAEL'S Crafts FOR FRAMING, CHICAGO

The line was long. I waited. Excited to buy this frame for my husbands new gleaming jersey. I got a very well informed sales rep. VERY WELL INFORMED. She was very good at how to up sell in her job ... and I just was disappointing at every corner for her.

I had to frame a couple of items in my corporate days as gifts for special VIP coming to meet executives or certificates for employees, etc. I had been around the block with frames. I did a little homework on framing Jerseys before I went into the shop, to see if things have changed in options, and features. Not really, mostly what I was familiar with. So I drew out my plan (like I do for every project, a few doodles) and headed to the store, children in tow.

My kids behave really well, they get a little silly, but nothing they can't handle in line while I order a frame. They tagged along.

Two Mats versus 3 Mats in Framing

You know when you look at a frame of a photo and the mats inside the frame. We prefer 2 mats, because they have the slight white edge to it. That white edge comes from the cutting process on the frame on the mat. However Michael's crafts assumes people don't know that. So they automatically lay in a white mats in between your top color and your bottom color. Obviously this is one way to drive the price up unless you specifically asked that they not put that middle mats in. The clerk exhaled, obviously enough for me to hear it, and removed the middle mat. 

Acrylic vs. Glass

Think about where you're going to be hanging your piece in the house. Because Michael sells this very high-end UV glass protection that keeps 99% of the sunlight out. I don't know about you but I'm not going to hang my valuables in direct sunlight. Because fading is clearly one of the biggest problems. Again I'm the type of person who thinks these things through before going into a custom framing shop. So I instantly asked for acrylic. Were hanging sports memorabilia. "Our jersey, will be hanging in a sun free room. So UV light is not an issue." So instantly when I asked for an acrylic glass, the woman gave me a look like ? Wait, it she harassing ME?

Folded or flat

I had laid the Jersey folded up, for measuring on the counter. She proceeded to UNFOLD IT and measure. I then said "actually ... let's plan to have the bottom part of the Jersey folded up just so enough of the number was exposed with about 2 inches at the bottom. There, like this." This saves me on the size of the frame and the mat (cutting down on some length). Most stores charge per inch of what you're using on frame and mat. Again not a happy clerk re-measuring.

I wanted to certificate of authenticity included. She wanted it done a certain way where "I would be cutting into the mat." She actually was so considerate to sketch out two options for me, both of which were cutting into one of the maths - which would've been some sort of laser cutting that, of course, was more expensive. "Which choice do you prefer." Excellent up sell. I paused, admiring her sketches. "It's so nice." So opened my purse and took out my sketch of how I was considering the jersey framed. An impromptu moment, that not one appreciated as much as me. When I showed her I wanted to Jersey as if it's in one frame and the certificate  below in another. She was very frustrated with my fruitfulness and choice #3.

The Frame. 

We are getting to the frame, at last. The clerk steps in back and brings out this great frame option that's of course All Solid Wood, which is of course more expensive. I saw her place two previous orders and they did not get this road show of frames and mats. So I ask her "how can we make this more affordable." Again, she goes into her schpiel about the size of my piece and what the wait is to have it produced and if we go with a lower weight frame we simply can't use glass, in a tone of voice as if it was a tragedy.

"I'd like acrylic."

Remember the acrylic versus glass part, me too. "Oh, I said I would prefer acrylic please." Again, she goes to the back and brings out a simple acrylic frame, which has a lot of detail on it. I said "this is simple as we can go?" She says well "you are going to want something a little more decorative." I said "thank you but I prefer it to be simple." I took this opportunity before I got one more "gon in the back" suggestion to point out very specifically the style I'm looking for, then I said show me just 2 frames, in these colors, that is that simple. 

THE Final Price.

I have priced frames at my former job. I had done some pretty cool etching on glass, carving names into wood and adding trim details, etc., etc., etc., so I pre-planned and expected $250 or so for the framed jersey, all finished + tax.

Clearly this woman knew her job very well. She knew how to upsell me at every turn. 

She sat at her computer, and tallied a few more things. Who knew frame selections when simplified over and over took 25 minutes to order. I am certain Micheal's doesn't want you to feel like you wasted your time investing in these selections... thus the lengthy process. 

The final price came out to a whopping $743 for the frame. I simply stood there in silence. Then she applied there fabulous discount of 60% off. $393. I asked again "how can we make this more affordable." 

She was hesitant to offer me the even cheaper frame that I knew was available. I did my research before going in. She hesitated to offer me to making my frames even smaller, which was still an option. So while Michael's, is a very good at the up sell, as the customer PLEASE do not be afraid to ask how can we make this more affordable? 

The clerk said: "Affordable for who?"

I looked at my older son, who was leaning on me near the counter, observing the interesting banter. I took my purse and said common kids, time to go get lunch! 

The clerk shouted, yes, in a loud voice:

"Where do you think you will get what you want? Affordable for who?"

"DAMN IT! Affordable for me! Because you Ms. Clerk aren't paying my bill!"

The route we ended up taking

Michael's wants $160 for a custom shadowbox jersey frame, +40% off with their coupons. I'll find one on Amazon or on the web for slightly cheaper. Also a customer was there getting just a mats cut to size. I didn't know they have this option. So I will buy the $7.99 mats - 2 (or 3) and have it cut to size once I have my box frame and do my own measurements.

As for the certificate of authenticity.

I think I'm going to simply double up on the mats towards the bottom and frame that section myself. It'll stand out nicely against the larger mat and the Jersey. And then, as for a double mat, I'll mat around the Jersey too, and then I'll also put in an inch or so of that mat on the actual frame and glass to give it a little bit more depth, she was doing this already for me and didn't tell me until the very end after I had asked how do we make this more affordable.

The clerks must work on commission, because this woman just kept saying no to me on options that were evidently available at any other normal custom framing shop.

Make mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh Out Loud when people try to over charge you.

Wearing Mommy's Necklace and Scarf. Baby Girl Steal my Things

I had quite the learning moment today about being a mom and sharing things with my baby girl.

I remember when I was little and even into early adulthood, seeing my mom see me admire something of hers. And then she would offer it to me to wear tomorrow. And I remember thinking why should give this to meet when it's her favorite? I was shocked that she was sharing it with me.

You Know when you have something that you treasure show much best friend can't borrow it or it's your policy never to borrow it. Yeah those types of things that my mom would let me borrow and still I couldn't believe it. And then I felt a huge sense of responsibility to take care of it and make sure to return it to her in good condition, even though she reminded me to do the same thing as well.

See the scarf that she wanted to make for herself to "match mommies."

Today I had one of those moments. As we were getting ready to go pick up the boys from school my darling daughter asked me to borrow a scarf. She couldn't find any scarves in her drawer, and it's crisp cool fall weather here in Chicago in November. So she asked to borrow one of my scarves that are hanging up in the closet. And I just said sure, then I paused.

I do not borrow my scars to anyone. Some women have their shoes, others have their art, books, or their jewelry. I have mostly scarves. It's not quite out of control and any means, but I do treasure them.

And so without holding back an at all I let her borrow my wool scarf that I had gotten last year from my mom with cherry blossoms on it. It reminds me of Japan and the wonderful cold that my husband bought me but she knew about and then intern got me a scarf to match.

The scarf of course is made for an adult woman so on her it is rather long, which of course makes her three-year-old little body looks so cute in it. I to remind her that she needs to take care of it and It cannot touch the floor or get scratched or ripped. She said I know mommy I will take care of it. We got in the car she took her coat off, but the scarf state around her neck as she put her car seat. It was just too adorable.

There's few things that I don't allow her, when I find myself hoarding some of my Amber Pete's from a necklace that broke waiting for the day when I'll have time to fix it, or the turquoise bracelet that our cleaning lady also likes to beat attempt at fixing which broke again and I again am waiting for time to fix it. I find myself taking these little precious things that I do care about and making her a bracelet or a necklace from it. And seeing her enjoy it in mediately and we are things for days thereafter. It makes it all worth while seeing her smile and enjoy these little perks in life. I hope she's also learning what took me a long time to learn about quality. I don't buy costume jewelry and I don't buy polyester scarves. I do invest in quality pieces whether they are precious or semi precious. My scarves are all cotton linen or the luxurious silk. I even have a fake Ermas and a real Hermas complements of my husbands.


I want my daughter to know that you invest in these pieces because God for bid one day the world falls turns upside down hopefully they will get you through hard times in life. We're costume jewelry that's plastic, and meeting China. It is not crafted by a person but I am machine there for making it less valuable. Of course on trips and excursions I buy little bits and pieces of jewelry that were handcrafted by local artisans like my shell card turtle from Mexico. There is actually the name for artisans car things out of shell, insert here.

I want my daughter to understand what the finer things are in life, and the reason you might not necessarily be exactly 20 with the new necklaces because you're wearing one of real silver beads or real pearls or six strands of red coral. Those pieces are called classic never go out of style.

Today's money moment was not only one for me seeing my daughter enjoy beautiful things but I guess she's learning to love beautiful things to and hopefully will carry that with her for the rest of her life.

Original post: November, 2015

Make mistakes, breeze, reflect. And don't forget to laugh out loud.

Our Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipie

Hot cocoa chocolate chip cookies

I make this with or without the hot cocoa mix. 

Ingredients:
2 and 1/4 cups All Purpose Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 cup powdered hot cocoa mix
1 Cup (2 sticks) Butter, softened
3/4cups packed brown sugar (minus 1T)
3/4cups granulated sugar (minus 1T)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 Cups white or regular chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together butter and both sugars. Add cocoa mix. Add Eggs 1 at a time. Add vanilla. Slowly add in flour alternating w/salt and baking soda. Stir in chips.

Refrigerate batter before spooning or cookies will be flat. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls spoonfuls onto baking sheet with parchment paper. Bake 10-13 minutes. Allow to cool for 2-4 minutes on cookie sheet before removing to cooling rack. Makes about 3-4 dozen depending on size.


Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect, bake cookies, and Laugh.Out.Loud. at the flour all over the floor.