Top Summer Reads by Mother, Baby & Child
Top Summer Reads listed by Mother, Baby, & Child
What's on your list?
Storytime Reading of #BabyLove: My Toddler Life
I love this video of a child reading my book. It is very sweet!
#BabyLove: My Toddler Life Lone Star Book Blog Tours
#BabyLove: My Toddler Life Book Blog Tour including Giveaways.
Check out all of the blog tour stops this week below
5/29 Promo Hallways Blog
5/30 Review Missus Gonzo
5/31 Sneak Peek Excerpt 1 Forgotten Winds
6/1 Character Interview Books and Broomsticks
6/2 Review The Page Unbound
6/3 Sneak Peek Excerpt 2 Reading by Moonlight
6/4 Promo StoreyBook Reviews
6/5 Review Chapter Break Book Blogs
6/6 Scrapbook CGB Blog Tours
6/7 Review My Book Fix Blog
Mother's Day Thankfulness
Every year as my daughter gets older, I appreciate and love Mother's Day more and more. This year feels very special as my daughter is beginning to understand the day too.
A few days ago I picked up my daughter from preschool. As I waited in the carpool line I saw her exit the school with a beaming smile. We waved at each other as she skipped and hopped toward the car. Once inside she handed me a rolled up purple paper with a string wrapped around it.
So grateful to be this little girl's mom!
"For you Mommy, open it up. Open it up!" She shouted. "Okay," I said as I pulled away to strap her into her car seat. Once safely parked, I opened her door and she greeted me with the biggest hug. "Here Mommy for you. Happy Love Day!" She said as she gave me her purple paper.
I opened up her sweet card made with her little hand prints- I loved it! These special moments with my daughter are the most important and memorable for me. Truly the best.
Handmade cards are the best!
Happy Mother's Day!!
When Blank Pages Make the Best Stories
After a busy day with my daughter, I ran out of energy and ideas for playtime activities. We were sitting on the sofa together taking a break. I was trying to regain motivation, and she was ready for the next activity- coaxing me to have another tea party.
As she scooted over to sit closer to me, she sat on top of an empty notebook of mine. I had hoped to use it earlier in the day to sketch and to write. That didn't happen.
Blank Pages
Instead...
She found a notebook filled with a lot of blank pages.
To my surprise, the empty pages did not dampen her excitement. As she picked up the notebook, she smiled widely and said, "Look, Mommy your book!"
Before I could respond, she opened it up and began pretending to read a story. With each turn of a page the story continued in great detail. She told a story about a princess with rainbow colored dresses.
Reading Blank Pages
We took a few turns telling more silly stories about princesses and puppies. It was so much fun to sit together making up the stories. It was a nice turn of events. I loved that our next playtime activity developed naturally.
This story time ended up being the best part of our day.
Who needs pictures and written words when you have an active imagination?
Favorite Book Right Now
My daughter can not get enough of the book, You Don't Want a Unicorn! by Ame Dyckman and Liz Climo. Here she is reading it to her furry friends.
Stuffed animals favorite book
It is such a cute and fun read. The illustrations are colorful and lively. And even though my daughter has read the book a million times already- she still wants a unicorn. The pink one.
Have a fun time reading this book- we highly recommend it.
Welcome Max
Loving the new addition to our family, a Goldendoodle named Max. He arrived a few weeks ago and is growing super fast. #PuppyLove #NationalPuppyDay
Max our Goldendoodle pup
"My Daddy" from a Toddler's Point of View
Tonight my husband and daughter returned from Dad's Night at her preschool with the picture below. She was very proud of her drawing of Daddy.
I loved her simplistic description of him- it was perfect.
In the mornings she often asks us "Why does Daddy have to go to work?" And Daddy simply replies, "I have to make some money for us."
I think it's time we should explain more about what Daddy does for a living.
My Dad
A Toddler's Priceless Sincerity
This morning my daughter woke up in her usual bright-eyed and cheery way. As I opened her door, I heard “I awake Mommy.”
“I see that. Good morning sweetie.” I replied. Then, picked her up and hugged her smiley face. She quickly indicated with kicks and wiggles that she wanted down.
As soon as her feet hit the ground, she started talking. “Mommy, I am two and a half. Mommy, I have to go potty. Mommy, I wear my pink dress. Mommy, I wash my hand..." and so on.
After a slight pause, she continued with some questions. “Mommy, I go to school today? Mommy, I stay home with you? Mommy, can I have a Popsicle?” I could barely answer her before she moved onto the next topic.
Daddy and me eating donuts
“Mommy where is Daddy?”
“He is in our bedroom,” I said.
“Okay, I go see him.” She said as she ran down the hall shouting, “Daddy, I awake. Daddy, where are you?”
“In here (our bedroom),” he replied.
“Daddy, I want a bow in my hair. Can you put a bow in my hair?” she asked.
“Mommy will put a bow in your hair,” he replied.
“Okay. Mommy put a bow in your hair too, Daddy?”
“No, I don’t need a bow. I don’t even have hair.” He said laughingly.
“Mommy, Daddy doesn’t have hair,” she said with an inquisitive tone.
“I know sweetie. Daddy doesn’t have hair. He is bald,” I replied with a smile.
She replied with a question, “Why?”
“It fell out a long time ago, but that is okay. We love Daddy with his bald head.”
“Mommy, can we go to the store today?”
“Maybe. Why do you want to go to the store?" I asked.
“We go to Target and buy Daddy hair, okay?”
I loved her sincerity.
We had a quick giggle and long conversation.
Put Down Your Phone
"Put down your phone." Such a timely message.
In today's world, it is difficult for most people, especially for parents to find the right balance for family, work, and self. We are inundated with phone calls, texts, emails and busy schedules.
Being present in the moment becomes near impossible while multi-tasking especially during a routine activity.
This CNN article below highlights the importance of putting our phones down and being present with our children.
This Texas day care has a message for parents: "Get off your phone!" https://t.co/R7LhPNoDm7 pic.twitter.com/prx0grrXMC
— CNN (@CNN) February 2, 2017
As parents we can spare a few moments from our phone and work to hug our kids, look them in the eyes and say, "Hello, I have missed you, I love you." Especially when picking them up from daycare or school.
*Download a free copy of #BabyLove: My Toddler Life Friday Feb 3, 2017 - Tuesday Feb 7, 2017 from Amazon.
How do you shut out the noise and stay in the moment with your kids?
What a Toddler Sees
As my daughter's vocabulary grows I learn more and more about myself.
Like many toddlers, Lily is very observant. She loves to mimic my words and actions. Most of the time these instances warm my heart. On other occasions, I cringe with the mortifying realization that she is portraying a rather challenging moment in time.
Photo by cranach/iStock / Getty Images
Of course, I regularly try to be careful with my word selection. I try to be mindful as much as possible. But life happens - No one is perfect and some days are harder than others.
A few weeks ago, we had a bit of a warm spell in Dallas. This lovely surprise caused a few wasps to find their way inside of our home. Ironically the exterminator was scheduled for the next day.
Anyways, I am not a bug person, and I especially do not like to kill them. So, to see one wasp, flying around the living room made me instantly stress out. (I know, I know there are worst things in life.)
I quickly hurried my daughter out of the room. Then, just as quickly, I lost my mindfulness and carefulness around my word selection.
Let's just say I had a few choice words for the first wasp as I tried to shoo it out the front door. Then to my dismay, I noticed a second, and - OMG the third wasp. "What was happening?" My stress turned into a frantic dance into the kitchen to get the bug spray. I also called out to my daughter to stay away and to color.
Photo by Kenishirotie/iStock / Getty Images
As I returned and sprayed the wasps, ugh I had to watch them drop and wiggle. I couldn't help but act like a child myself. Embarrassingly I scurried around trying to figure out how to put them out of their misery. In a frustrated tone; I shouted and called them "dumb bugs" and acted like a wasp apocalypse was occurring.
As I was scooping them up. I realized my daughter had come back into the room. She was standing behind me laughing and shouting "Dumb bugs, Dumb bugs."
"No Lily. Don't say that. Mommy wasn't nice. I am sorry." I replied.
"Mommy it's ok, I am right here for you." She said as she rubbed my back while I continued scooping up the bugs. It was at that moment that I knew everything was ok. At some point, she had also learned to care.
Photo by Nuli_k/iStock / Getty Images
Even though Lily has replayed the scene out several times by running around the room, shouting "dumb bugs,” I know that raising a child is a continual process. And I am trying my hardest to do what is right for her knowing that there are going to be a few mess ups along the way.
What are your messy mom moments?
Happy New Year 2017!
Welcome 2017!
Happy New Year! Here's to hoping that 2017 proves to be a good, healthy, peaceful, and prosperous year for us all.
May we live in the moment and capture some fantastic memories along the way.
Photo by themacx/iStock / Getty Images
In 2017, I am looking forward to working on the third book in my #BabyLove Book Series and spending as much time with family and friends as possible.
What are your plans for the new year?
Quiet Space for Creativity
As a creative person, I am always looking for everyday inspirations and inspiring places to work.
I usually work form home but on some occasions I need to find a fresh spot in order to create something new. I tend to think best in a new environment. The freshness helps me to see things in different ways which can help me overcome writer's block or other creative freezes.
Payette Lake in McCall, Idaho
This is the view from my current work spot in Idaho- the peacefulness and calm helps me focus and find clarity.
I am having fun with my family while working hard on the third book in my #BabyLove Series.
Tell us where do you find your inspiration?
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Flying with a Toddler at the Holidays
The thought of flying with a toddler at any time of year can induce anxiety and force a family to rethink the entire idea. The long lines, security check, and the constrained seating requires a lot of patience for an adult never mind a small child. So flying with a toddler during the holiday season- well I have no words.
Photo by Poike/iStock / Getty Images
In regards to our upcoming flight, I hope for the best, expect the worst, and would be ecstatic if the situation ended up being somewhere in between.
The last time my husband and I took our toddler on a flight, she sat peacefully next to me dosing off as we prepared for take-off. Just as I exhaled in relief, the ding, ding sound of the bell occurred. The pilot told the flight attendants to take their seats - we were next in line for takeoff. Then, my child woke up. She looked at me with a perplexed face and grunted. She didn't need to tell me what was happening but proudly shouted, "I pooping!" with a glee in her voice.
My internal voice shouted "No, no not now - fall asleep, fall asleep." My external voice said, "Okay, sweetie." She continued to announce the play by play activity to the rest of the silent cabin. And joyfully exclaimed, "I did it!" when she was finished. (A silent, sarcastic "Hooray!" swirled in my head.)
I responded with a "Good job!" She then demanded a diaper change. However, we were ascending. The fasten seat bell sign was illuminated and the flight attendants were still seated. Trying to explain the situation to a two year old was a moo point. However, I thought it would sound better than nothing to my fellow passengers that heard her crying demands, "Diaper Change, Diaper Change!"
As soon as it was safe, I handed her and all of the diaper changing necessities over to my husband who was sitting in the aisle seat with a "Good luck" and a smile. "Phew!" - better him than me I thought.
This time, like the times before I am surely packing my patience and a lot of toddler distractions for the flight (videos and more videos). Again, I will sit in the middle seat and leave my husband in the aisle.
As I keep calm and breathe, I am thankful this holiday season and looking forward to spending the holidays with our family in Idaho.
Happy Holiday's and best wishes for a Happy New Year!
Btw, would love to hear your toddler travel stories...please share!
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Happy Thanksgiving!
Very grateful this holiday season. Thankful for my family and friends and for all that I have. #blessed.
What are you thankful for this year?
#BabyLove: My Toddler Life Goodreads Giveaway
Hooray! It's time for a Goodreads giveaway!
Enter to win 1 of 10 signed copies of #BabyLove: My Toddler Life the 2nd book in the #BabyLove Book Series.
A page from the book #BabyLove: My Toddler Life
Go ahead enter the Goodreads giveaway below from October 7 - October 28, 2016.
Goodreads Book Giveaway
#BabyLove
by Corine Dehghanpisheh
Giveaway ends October 28, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
#SCBWI Book Blast 2016
#SCBWI BOOK BLAST 2016
The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Book Blast is a great place to browse or buy new books from traditionally or independently published authors. There are lots of new children's books and books for teens to find.
The SCBWI book promotion lasts from October 10 - November 18, 2016.
So have some fun and find a new book to read or share!
While you are browsing check out my latest book #BabyLove: My Toddler Love
Summer Morning Fun
#mommyLove
What is better than a summer morning with loved ones? I can't think of anywhere else I would rather be.
Summer months are made for fun times in the outdoors. Longer days and shorter nights make even more time for fun activities. It's the perfect opportunity to take a break from writing, drawing, and working.
My family and I are relaxing on Payette Lake in McCall, Idaho and taking lots of silly pictures.
So thankful to have this downtime together with my family.
#familytime #summerloving
#BabyLove: My Social Life Goodreads Giveaway
Enter the Goodreads giveaway for your chance to win a copy of #BabyLove: My Social Life. I will be giving away 5 copies of the latest edition.
Goodreads Book Giveaway
#BabyLove
by Corine Dehghanpisheh
Giveaway ends July 31, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.