importance of praise

So many times I go throughout my day and I forget to praise my child. I get caught up with "life" and all that's attached. I'm usually running here and there, forcing my son to move faster or stop dilly-dallying...and I sometimes forget to praise him on the great things that he does do (that sounds funny!).

Lately, when I have homework to do and I'm sitting at the table, I've been asking him to sit down with me and assigning him things to do in his workbooks. Now he's only 5, but he loves his workbooks and reading, so I'm really trying to encourage it. After every sheet he completes, he makes me read over it and put a star at the top if he got it right (something his teacher does in school). He gets such a kick out of it and is so proud of that little star because it means that he accomplished something, that he did good.

A few minutes ago, while studying for my next test, I glanced over at my homework assignments and one caught my eye. My professor's comment said, "Sarah, you do great work! Thanks Sarah, Very well done" and my face just lit up (I also came to the conclusion that she is my favorite prof this semester:-)

There's something so powerful in a small word of praise, and I'm not saying that in a boastful way. It stirs up some sort of happy euphoric emotion that satisfies the soul. Thinking about how great I felt reading that comment, makes me more conscious to praise those around me on a more constant basis because you never know when you can make someone's day:-)

weekend roundup

Well, it was a busy one! Here's a low-down of our adventures:

Saturday:

• 10:10 - arrived at the post office for B's passport (we're going to LONDON!) and realized that I should have gotten out of bed earlier...the line was long. We waited for about an hour!


• 11:30 - ran to Target for a hairdryer...mine broke the day before and my hair looked like this when I went to work on Friday...

• 1:00 - met up with friends & went to Please Touch Museum in Philly

Sunday:

• woke up, made homemade belgium waffle sticks for breakfast (I was a "good" mom this morning!)
• 11:00 - bday party at the wonderful place (cringe!) Chuck E. Cheese
• 3:00 - Citizens Bank Park for the JDRF Awards Ceremony for Fundraising Teams (we got an award!!!! Who-hoo!!!)

• studied, studied, studied, studied all night...and watched B play Wii...also managing to hit me about 5 times with the remote (he gets WAY too into it!)...what we do for our kids!

The Next Future Star

B in the Phillies dugout & on the manager's phone

And testing out a new camera at Circuit City...he just looks so cute here, I had to add it:)

wonderful weekend

This past Sat., Brady and I had the opportunity to see the Lion King on Broadway. It was such a great experience and a joy to be able to spend it with the little guy. I was very fearful that he would be terrified, hate it, or be bored, but surpisingly he enjoyed it. It was a long play (even for myself), and after intermission he was ready to leave, but he sat through it all, clapping at the end of every scene and laughing hysterically at all the jokes made.

I would recommend this to ANYONE with kids...it's a GREAT play

and there were kids younger than Brady in the theatre!

pic of B on the streets of NY

I grew up in NY and I'm in love with everything Broadway. So far, the running tally of shows I've seen are up to 4 now (Rent, Les Miserables, The Scarlet Pimpernel), but there will be more!!! Since I have Broadway on my mind, the next show that I desperately want to see is Wicked. I've always wanted to see Cats and I was sooo dissappointed when it ended it's run, but maybe there will be a hope that someday it will return!

We took the train up to Manhattan and got into the city at 1:37 for a 2:00 matinee (always perpetually late!). However, with the help of a nice cabbie, we made it to the theatre with 5 min. to spare! Phew!!!

Overall the train rides were a little long because we stopped at all the local stops...and there were times when the cars on the turnpike were going faster than us! But it was so much more enjoyable than driving (and cheaper!).

And on Sunday, Brady and I sat in to watch the Steelers take away the Superbowl title! I'm not a huge football person, but I was on the edge of my seat watching the last few minutes of the game. Congrats to all you Steelers fans out there :-)

Anyone else out there with Broadway experiences and recommendations of favorites? Please respond!!!