handwritten on May 11, 2025
As I'm looking at the category subtitle for this post "Outside the Neighborhood," I'm actually reminded of my post around this same time last year. I had attended a Mr. Roger's event at Ehrman Crest and the morning was filled with some intense reflection, attending awesome seminars and just reigniting my passion for both educating inside the school walls and outside the walls with my own little one.
I very vividly remember sitting in on two chosen sessions. The first one was filled with the wonders of children's literature and a passionate librarian who brought everything good into the room. The second, I remember crafting a clay rose and then reflecting on how I had changed as an educator...
handwritten on April 21, 2025
There are many moments in life when we are in need of a soul refresher. The kind that reminds you of what is important, makes you reflect on all the good memories, focuses your attention on gratitude and brings pure laughter and joy into the new memories made. April was a stellar month full of an early birthday celebration for Luna followed by a surprise pregnancy announcement, billions of Easter eggs collected, bubbles, a kite debacle, a new home for us in Pittsburgh and so much more.
To see your own child interact with her cousins is just pure happiness. From a child's perspective, you are always reminded of what is actually important in life. Happiness. Is there a real definition? I...
handwritten on February 25, 2025
Dear Luna Mae,
You are a wonder and almost 22 months old! We sing "Happy Almost Second Birthday" at the park when we are making our sandcakes in the mornings. You are a creative in every way possible. You can make any of your toys or the simplest object come alive with just a little imagination. You turn tupperware into boats and cabinets into play ovens. You need very little to make you happy. You also LOVE babies. You love playing baby, making the baby "fake cry", feeding your baby dolls and hugging your baby dolls. You sometimes even give them showers. You say "Okay baby. Time to sit on your bum bum." We are excited for you to meet your new "real" baby cousin because we know you will...
handwritten on February 15, 2025
It's been a rough go for the world since January. But I remind myself daily as I'm searching for peace prayers or "patience the world will not end" prayers and "prayers for America's children," I also remind myself that there are still beautiful melodies around us and speaking of our beautiful Melody Beth Amoscato was just born on Valentine's Day ready to sing her song to the world.
A song is coming
a new one
one that is delicate and joyful
easing the pain of the world's sorrows and creating a new song
of resilience and love and joy
reminding us there are better days
and better ways
A song is coming
you may not have heard it yet or know the melody that it sings
but it is living inside of...
handwritten on February 2, 2025
I am one of those people who believes in signs even if we are "unsure" of where the signs are leading us. Signs are like secret passageways that tug at our heart strings towards whimsical dreams. In this case, the signs have been coming in the form of children's stories! We have visited our free library that is right across the street from our apartment in West LA. We truly need to sort through our books and leave a book or two for someone else to enjoy. Nevertheless, we usually pass by and take a look at the novels that are hidden inside the secret bookshelf. On Friday, we passed by and found a brand new collection of Pete the Cat stories complete with stickers in the back of the book. I...
