In Bean’s second book review, she talks about:
- Buzz Boy and Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold
- I’m a Big Sister by Joanna Cole
- iCarly: iDon’t Wanna Fight by Leigh Olsen
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Bean Book Review Web Show 2
10 MarMommy Craft Challenge
5 MarSeriously, it could be the next big reality show in some circles. I would be allowed on Mommy Craft Challenge though strictly for comedic relief. The other moms would have the opportunity to snub me, giggle at my creations, feel sympathy for me, try to teach me and then just shrug their shoulders writing me off knowing it’s just not my cup of tea. And I’m ok with all of that. I’m ok with not knowing what the heck “seed beads” are.
I actually get a kick out of people thinking my art/crafts are something the kids did. I take it as a compliment. I do point out that the kids’ creations turn out way better than mine so it’s not right for me to let someone think they drew that zany, smiley face, mismeasured person or poorly glued those pom-poms on that foam frame.
What matters most is that we have fun doing these projects and the kids love them. When they ask, “Can we make art/crafts?”, they don’t think, mommy can’t do this. They actually encourage me. During craft time today, Nia would tell me, “It doesn’t have to be perfect, Mommy.” Or, “It’s our first one so it’s going to look messier than the others.” She’s so sweet, smart and crafty.
Here’s a look at some of our creations:
Supplies for 4+ Projects
Desktop Bulletin Board
Glue for Trim
Making it Fancy
More Fanciness
Finished Framed Desk Bulletin Board
Tassel Dolls
Doing Tassel Doll
Tassel Doll BFFs
Future Project
Future Project
Bookworm Bean
27 FebNia has always loved books. She was entertainingly reading to us by memorization at age 3 and often carries books with her wherever she goes. But it wasn’t until the other day that she began talking about what she’d read in a book with such excitement and detail.
She didn’t just say it was really good or funny. She started to give us a “response to literature” – something she’s learning in school. She was so into it and full of animation when describing it to us. It was adorably awesome and gave us the idea to have her review them on video. (Partly as a learning experience but also because I wanted to capture this part of her life.)
She was so pumped about the idea of Bean Book Review and couldn’t wait to start. Who knows? Maybe it could even help someone who’s thinking about buying a book for a child. I mean, she relates things to iCarly so it’s a pretty expert opinion, if you ask me.
She had so much fun doing this and sitting next to me as I tried to edit it. She was such a little producer too. Telling me that I need to add music and that her eyes were closed on one starting clip. She and I had a great time! I find some parts of it so endearing. Like, the popcorn she tries to free from a tooth while talking and her reenactment of a snippet of one book. I hope some others enjoy it as much as we do. (It’s five minutes long so we’ll see!)
Little Oriole
26 FebThere once was a little boy who loved the Baltimore Orioles. He proudly owned shirts, hats and a pennant tacked to his bedroom wall. He had a book full of only Orioles baseball cards. He loved them despite their loses but admired them even more for Cal Ripken, Jr.
Now, that little boy just doesn’t know what to do with himself knowing that his little boy will soon be suiting up for tee-ball in an Orioles uniform.
We don’t have the official shirt and hat yet but that doesn’t mean Nate doesn’t have something to wear. He was awake and dressed before we were this morning. He can hit and run pretty well for a 5-year-old but we’re still working on that tie-the-shoes skill.
Dressed & Ready Before Anyone
Andrew really made this season’s first practice special for him. He cooked him a baseball-themed breakfast with baseball pancakes and an Orioles beer mug full of apple juice. (I think we should invest in some kid-friendly Orioles cups, right?! Maybe even a water bottle for games.)
Baseball Breakfast (That's APPLE JUICE!)
Batter Up for Breakfast!
After loading up on two pancakes and three small pieces of bacon, Nate had a blast at his practice. He felt that he did so well that he told me, “Looks like I’m ready for big boy baseball!” Your heart and confidence may be ready, buddy, but you still need to grow into those baseball pants. Sweet, little Oriole. Daddy is so proud.
Batting Practice
Loves to Play Ball!
Here’s a short clip of him getting a single. I say that he growls but it was more of a grunt. Because, you know, that’s better. Such an intense player!
I Fell in Love with Friday Night Lights
10 Feb
And now, I only have my memories, repeats and DVDs to cherish.
We watched the last episode of Friday Night Lights tonight and I laughed – I wanted to be included in the conversation – I sat jaw-dropped – I felt the reality – I praised the beautifully shot scenes and I cried – just like I do while becoming absorbed in every episode.
Was it a perfect show during its five seasons? The best? (This critic says it’s one of the “finest drama series in television history.”) I’m not sure I can really label any tv show that way. I just know how it made me feel. It hooked me from the start and never let me down. It captured bits of life that I have never seen on another show. One scene I vividly remember showed Coach and Tami hugging in their room and then they started swaying/dancing and the camera quickly showed us their feet. She had been standing on his. I loved that. They captured something so real and the characters never drew attention to it. They just swayed and talked. It was precious to me.
I’m almost kind of proud that many people didn’t love the show like I did because it makes it more heartfelt for me. I loved something not because everyone else did – but because I did. I’m happy, though, for those who did give it a chance and kept it alive. (Thanks, DirecTV!) I called the characters by their last names like they did to each other and I’m not ashamed that I actually thought about the lines the writers had Coach Taylor say. (A recent one about building character will stay with me.) I don’t think you have to like football to appreciate this show. The characters, writing, shots and directing take it well beyond a show about football. (Although, there is a lot of football in it!)
Dillon, Texas. It was a pleasure to visit that small town and root for (or sometimes curse out) its people in every episode. I will miss it.
“Clear eyes, full hearts …”
Baseball Weather!
30 JanThe months of cold, rainy and snowy weather may have kept Nate from playing baseball outside but he never really did put away all the baseball gear. He would still bring the hats, gloves and cushioned baseballs out of his room to convince Andrew to throw with him in the living room. That really wasn’t cutting it though. This weekend’s beautiful weather was just what he needed. Spring Ball can’t get here soon enough!
Swing Away!
He "Crushed" It
Black Friday Family Fun
27 NovMaybe you love all the after Thanksgiving sales. Maybe you despise all that the retail circus represents. Maybe you’re scared of the crazies. Maybe you don’t care either way. I would say I’m all of the above but tend to lean toward loving it. Not so much because of the sales, but because of the fun I have with my family.
The teen-and-up girls of my fam don’t let a Black Friday pass without a purchase. My mom, sis, niece and I set off as early as we can to take advantage of any sales but mostly to have a blast living through the experience together.
This year brought plenty of laughs. There was the man who almost ran us over in front of the mall as he abruptly stopped to shove his woman out of the car. There was the highly mediated cashier who was barely breathing and then needed to attempt to call for a price check. There was the man in the fast line who wouldn’t stop talking to the cashier and then stopped to talk more to us because I told him he dropped his debit card on the ground. (I now know he keeps his card in his checkbook so he can write down every deduction.) But the best was the noisy shopping cart that was bestowed upon us. It could be heard throughout the store, over the terrible shopping music and our in-stereo laughter.
I’d push the loudest cart with these ladies any day of the year.
Picture Perfect
15 NovIt’s an unfinished work of art and I love it. Nia’s depiction of our home and family may not capture the exact layout of our house or my current hair style but I think it beautifully captures a little girl’s view of her world and she drew it because she wanted to, not because it was assigned. One of my favorite Nia Originals.
He cried, then I cried – in baseball
18 OctI thought he made it. He thought he made it. It was such an exciting sight. Cheers from both sides erupted as we all watched him take off for Third base as the Second basekid on the other team chased him. That Second basekid had to dive for Nate to even have a chance at catching our speedy number 8. Nate was almost there. I screamed and jumped. The other child dove. I screamed and jumped. “He made it! He made it!”
“You’re OUT!” The umpire’s call proved me wrong.
My arms fell to my sides. Nate stood on Third in shock. He shook his head in disbelief and sadness. His head folded under the weight of his helmet as he was guided off the base. Tears slid down his cheeks. Tears slid down my cheeks.
I’m sorry, Buddy. I know it won’t be the last time you are disappointed on the diamond. I can only hope your little heart doesn’t break each time – for both of our sakes.
Better Than Turbo Jets
29 AugWhat happens when you take 100% polyester shorts and put them on an incredibly intense four-year-old? You get speed you would not expect to come from such a small body. (Go to about :30 in to see him take off.)
Nate dubs them his “fast pants” because he believes they help him run faster. He wants to wear them everywhere. We’ve even planned for it – buying one pair for almost every day of the week –
Assortment of Fast Pants
I tell him his shorts aren’t what makes him fast but he won’t hear it. Probably because he doesn’t stand still long enough for me to explain it to him.
Are You Zhazha? 
Say what?