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Adorable Teacher Gift Ideas

Okay mamas, we’re in the home stretch. You know what I’m talking about. The beloved tradition of counting down the number of schools days left until…SUMMER! We.are.so.close. And it’s not too early to start thinking about teacher gift ideas for the end of the year. Because if you think we’re tired…they have to be exhausted!!! Let’s show them our love and appreciation.

Recently our “Thanks for Helping Me Grow” end of the year succulent gift was featured in a round up of DIY Thank You Gifts for Teachers, so check out those cute ideas, and here are some more adorable end of year teacher gift ideas to celebrate your child’s teachers this year!

An Important Skill to Practice This Summer!

My daughter is currently in 3rd grade and going through state testing at school. For the first time in California’s history, the online assessments to measure how well students are doing on curriculum aligned with the Common Core are done on a computer, where students are expected to type on a keyboard and navigate the online test.

There was a practice test online that she showed me and although I knew the test was taken on the computer, I was shocked when I realized she had to TYPE in some of her answers!

Now, I know this is a totally different day and age, but I didn’t even learn to type until 7th grade, and here my 3rd grader is typing answers in on a keyboard! Crazy!

When I voiced my surprise at what 3rd graders were expected to be able to do on a keyboard to a teacher friend of mine, she said,

“That’s why the best thing you can do for you kids over the summer is have them type, type, type!”

Field of Honor 2015

The Newport Harbor Exchange Club Field of Honor 2015 is on display today through Sunday, 5/17 at Castaways Park, located at Dover Drive and 16th Street in Newport Beach.

The event which is put on in conjuction with Armed Forces Day, will feature 1776 U.S. flags in honor of all military men and women.

We take our kids every year to the Field of Honor.

It is so beautiful to walk around the park (overlooking Newport Harbor), surrounded by American flags. The dedications and photos on the flags will bring tears to your eyes.

Park in the lot in front of Newport Harbor Lutheran Church, 798 Dover Drive, Newport Beach, 92663. You will see the signs from there.

Take your kids and keep this event on your radar every year. It’s always the weekend before Memorial Day. Have a great weekend everyone!

For more information visit www.nhexchange.org.

5 Tips to Help with End of School Burn Out

Every year about this time I start to see the classic “Worst End of School Year Mom Ever” post circulate around because this time of the school year most moms can relate to a feeling of just being OVER IT. I am talking about the end of school burn out.

That’s me right now. I’m over it.

I am over drop offs and pick ups.

I am over rushing. The school week feels like we are either rushing to get out the door to school or rushing to come home to get someone or rushing to do homework…..

Local Love: Welcome to Once Upon a Storybook

Recently, I was introduced to an adorable children’s bookstore in Tustin called Once Upon a Storybook. I love finding fun new spots to take my kiddos, especially when it nurtures reading and learning!

This bookstore is especially designed for little ones, offering cozy nooks to read, a train table area (which will be immediately approved by my son!), fun artwork displayed around, and shelves and shelves of children’s books. Love.

Story times

Once Upon a Storybook offers several different story time options.

Preschool story times are on Tuesdays and Friday mornings at 11 a.m., aimed at children 2-5 years old. Singing songs and participating in a story-related craft or “experiment” can be expected!