lately

"The world's healthiest chocolate chip cookies" are actually delicious. I'll be doubling this recipe next time!

Really, really want to try this three minute artichoke dip.

Jeff made this salad on top of quinoa for my first Mother's Day (!) and it is so good. I want that cumin vinaigrette on all my grains.

(On that note: Why are men so difficult to buy for? He did a lovely job picking out books for my holiday (this and this), but I had a lot of trouble coming up with something for Father's Day.)

Also, this BLT salad. Except our avocado had died. It was still delicious!

Anyone seen Her? Really recommend it.

I may be worrying my husband with this whole chemical-free thing I'm working on. Yesterday at the health store I picked up a tub of bentonite clay because "it can be used in a lot of recipes." With some incredulity he exclaimed, "You're going to put that in our food?!" Natural hair- and body-care recipes, that is. So far I make my own deodorant, body wash, shampoo and conditioner, make up remover, face wash, dry shampoo... But, an upcoming post will show you how I've been converting him to natural, too!

Love this poster for the classroom.

A friend posted this link for me, full of ridiculous things you won't believe have been mass produced. I have to say yes please to the baby bangs, so we can have a twin day. And definitely the onesie-mop is a great buy. The award, I think, goes to the Crib Dribbler, though, because babies, hampsters, same same. In all seriousness, I do like the redneck pacifier.

On an actually serious note for summer vacation: Drowning Doesn't Look Like Drowning and Secondary Drowning.

The cutest thing you'll see today and one that will get a laugh!

this is amazing.

The Drinkable Book from Water is Life.

More here.

into this... BANKS

BANKS.

Listening to this latest track - Drowning - over and over. Watch the (as noted) rather narcissistic but still cool video here.

Goddess expected in September.

a baby shower

On Friday, Mara and I ventured out to the school for meet-and-greets with my grade 3s and Jeff's grade 6s. I was a little worried, and totally prepared to be pretty mean if anyone tried to touch her. A few days ago in the elevator, while exchanging pleasantries with a perfect stranger, the lady reached into the stroller and touched my baby. I freaked out inside. Maybe I shouldn't be so worried, but... she's a preemie, and because, germs.  My class and some class mom's organized a baby shower, but the kids were prepped ahead of time that there should be no baby-touching. And the party was the sweetest thing!

The kids LOVED meeting Mara. They were all really cute, clasping their hands behind their backs and leaning over her car seat in a big huddle of awe. It was actually a really special time with my class and parents, and I think I took it for granted while I was there. My heart was all warm and fuzzy when we got home! Plus, we got to take home the extra cookies.

The cookies.

How adorable are those cookies that a parent ordered for the celebration?! Not only are they adorable, they're delicious, and I'm fairly certain made in the kitchen of a lovely lady who uses the proceeds for charitable donations here in the Philippines.

And here's Mara sleeping beautifully in the middle of the afternoon today all dressed up in one of her adorable gifts (straight from India!):

She's probably sleeping so soundly because she's exhausted from being annoying and waking up every 45 minutes after nursing (for 30 minutes plus) to nurse again between the hours of 9pm and 2am. It's been rather sleep-depriving, this trick of hers. Happily, we met some friends for lunch today and they said she looks bigger than when they saw her last, which I think was last weekend. So I suppose it's worth it.

Also I can get really cute sleepy baby shots.

But I value my sleep more. I know this because I've noticed myself being in the habit of looking over at Jeff bitterly as he sleeps on, and then looking down at my baby as she suckles on in a strange state of doingthingslikeeatingwhilesleepingisnormal and ending the wave of grumpy mama by rolling my eyes and sighing. Then I get my phone and play solitaire. I know breastfeeding is supposed to be this wonderful and nourishing time between mother and child, but sleep.

Now I will spend some time holding our beautiful girl and being so thankful that she is healthy and strong. Counting my blessings.

life right now

Though I have to brag - our baby is pretty much a dream!

lately

Guys, The Lego Movie is pretty awesome. Great message and a great way to show Lego's evolution!

It's weird having nothing to do while on maternity leave. Nurse, change diaper, nap, repeat. Need some hobbies. (Really, need to start writing end of year reports.)

Oh, and whoever said to never wake a sleeping baby hasn't met Mara's pediatrician. I have to wake our baby every two hours to feed her - it's a chore. So I guess I don't have nothing to do while on maternity leave.

Looking so forward to my parents flying here in June to meet our little bundle of amazing!

Cranberry Almond Granola Bites should be in my life. It worries me that I'd probably eat the whole batch in a day, though. It's how licorice goes down in this house.

Here's something I've been enjoying on toast for breakfasts lately. If you're a fan of tahini and honey (and cinnamon like me), it's pretty great. I cheat and add a little more honey than called for.

I recently emailed this photo to my husband at work:

To which he replied, "F***ing beautiful" but without so many asterisks. Our child is at major risk of developing potty mouth. I could only respond with "It's insane." Because it's truly insane just how beautiful this little girl is to us.

Many things baby today! (Forever now on?)

in a nutshell + welcome baby!

My pregnancy in a nutshell...

First trimester Nausea: It was not great.
Second trimester: Exercise + so much dairy.
Third trimester: Dropping everything + "Give me all the chocolate and ice cream" + shorter than scheduled.

And now, I'm thrilled to introduce this little lady, Mara (like Sarah):

It's amazing how quickly one can fall in love.

And even though we were not prepared - she was six weeks early and I had an emergency c-section (not the plan!) - baby Mara is strong and healthy and doing juuuuust fine! 
Even if her mommy forgets to wipe her face before taking cute-baby pictures.

lately

This is old news, but did anyone else not love American Hustle? Jeff and I were bored - at one point we were both on our computers while it played in the background.

I have been seriously craving warm, creamy coffee in this third trimester. Coffee. Not a nice glass of wine or a cool and refreshing beer, coffee. And I didn't even drink coffee before the pregnancy! I've mostly been keeping it under wraps with caffeine-free chai with some coconut milk.

Speaking of warm up there, it is so ridiculously hot here right now. Yes, hot like when we lived in the desert, but I'm not regulating my body temperature well at the moment. Air conditioner wars every day... I win.

After this awesome version of Happy, a colleague and I started our own end of year project with our whole grade level. I get to be all techy and put the video clips together so that should be a fun treat for the kids as we send them off for the summer! Let's hope I'm savvier than I think I am.

This is a sexy cover. Beyonce is sexy enough as it is, yes, and I mean, Jay-Z, but this one is just such a good change of pace.

We have a crib! And it didn't cost us an arm and a leg (as most baby things here)! And my hunky husband already set it up!

This video, aptly re-titled, Have You Ever Wanted to Punch a Child?, was two minutes of serious eye-brow raising. Please, baby girl, no.

And Babies Make the Worst Roommates. Things to look forward to!

communication: a listening exercise + visible thinking (10x2)

We're just beginning our new Unit of Inquiry, Communication Systems.
As a grade level team, we've decided to put a big emphasis on the five semiotic systems - linguistic, auditory, visual, spatial, and gestural - along with a look at cultural expression.
Rather than explicitly teaching each one, I'm going to be introducing my students to each system by immersing them in it to help them better understand what these big ideas mean.

First up, the auditory system, all about music and sound effects.
A great streaming website for this activity is The Silk Road Project:

If you click Music & Artists, then Listen to Music, you can access a variety of interesting music from around the world.

As a class we listened to one song. 

I stopped the playback to ask a few questions:

1. How does the piece make you feel?
2. What images come to mind?
3. Where in the world might this music be from? What makes you say that?

Then we listened again with the questions in mind and discussed afterward.

For the visible thinking routine, I passed out our Inquiry books and had the kids write the title 10x2.

I put on a new song and again, we just listened.

Before we listened a second time, I explained the 10x2 routine: basically the kids try to write down ten words or phrases that come to mind while listening. (This is then repeated after another listen; the x2.)

We had such rich discussion afterward.

When I asked them what they thought the communication system might be all about, they were pretty much bang on: music, singing, cultural songs to communicate, expressing something without words, listening, tune.

The kids really enjoyed this listening exercise!

lately

This week I made more of this. Love me some matcha.

Still slogging through this Harvard course. It's okay. I think I'd rather just read the book (I've read most of it anyway) and incorporate what I want into my class - but then I couldn't say I've been edumacated by Harvard.

Awhile ago I started the lemon-water in the morning thing and I thought I'd love it more.

I also started the natural hair care thing - I'm liking it and the transition hasn't been toooo terrible for me.

Seriously, this show. Only three episodes left - we breezed through it - and I'm so sad.

We have a baby name :). One morning I woke up with the decision made - Jeff's choice from the beginning of our (my) indecision.

And speaking of baby...
Thinking about starting this project to cut back on delivery and take-out this summer.

I'm reading this baby book and finding it very interesting. Not that we're going to be super-parents (or remember what's in the book when this stuff actually comes up), but it feels good to feel like I'm getting ready. Because who am I kidding? I know nothing about babies.

I think I've had this bit of chocolatey-goodness open in a tab for about two months. Looks delicious, pretty "healthy"....I get stuck in my old ways.

Also, found her cookbook on sale and thinking of shelling out.

And finally, a granola recipe that worked out really well for me! We have a very finicky oven, so it's taken me awhile to get used to it. Yes, I think I'm getting you now, oven.

into this: Basecamp + Brooklyn Nine-Nine

So, um, Ace of Base? Yes.

Basecamp - ATSW

Basecamp - Emmanuel

Debut EP here.

Also, while we're on spring break (and had to cancel travel plans while I was on bed rest to keep baby growing strong) we've been watching this totally goofy but damn funny show:

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Every episode gets us laughing!

off the bookshelf: R.J. Palacio's Wonder

A little late to the show on this one, as I tend to shy away from too much critical acclaim (see here), but this is one I'm glad I finally picked up.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Wonder was a quick read, and one I really enjoyed. I picked it up from our school library to read to my class after just finishing Hachiko Waits. This is a read-aloud I really want to end the year off with! It's such a great statement about kindness, friendship,acceptance, and individuality.

It is the story of August Pullman, a boy with a serious facial deformity, who is entering mainstream schooling for the first time as a fifth grader. He wants nothing more than to be considered normal, as normal is how he considers himself, but knows he's up for a challenge. He makes some strong friends but faces his share of difficulty as he navigates the new social waters. The story is told from various perspectives - his sister, friends, and classmates - and I really like the freshness their viewpoints add to the book. (Plus, great practical teaching point!)

Looking forward to introducing this in the classroom as it's sure to generate some deep conversation.

into this: Kawehi covers + Sufjan Stevens/Son Lux/Serengeti's Sisyphus + Lucius

I'm apparently into a lot of things lately. 
First, some serious talent:

Kawehi - Heart-Shaped Box {Nirvana cover}

Kawehi - Closer {NIN cover}

And of course, worth a couple of repeat plays, Kawehi - The Way You Make Me Feel {MJ cover}

Then, the March release, Sisyphus:

Sufjan Stevens, Son Lux, Serengeti - Rhythm of Devotion

Sufjan Stevens, Son Lux, Serengeti - Take Me

And Lucius (Wildewoman here):

Recently on Conan, Lucius - Turn It Around

Lucius - Go Home

Enjoy the musical delights!