Sleep

How much sleep is enough?  That is an important question because lack of sleep affects one's health.  Quality of sleep is what we need to have to feel refreshed.  Some people need six hours, some people feel refreshed at 8 hours of sleep while some people need nine hours to feel refreshed..  If you are deprived os sleep it is the equalivant of having a glass of wine, your cognitive thinking is off and response is a little off.

There are some foods that are better left for the end of the day so as to prepare your body for sleep.  You don't want to eat sausages or pork or steak or any other heavy meat at night. Some foods for the night are chicken, greens, brown rice, cheeries, plain popcorn bananas and edamames. 

It is better to save the heavy meats for lunches and of course, my favorite, COFFEE is best for morning and afternoon.

These are just some interesting facts that I came across .  Sweet dreams!

Imaginative Nature Walk

Today we had a nature walk in the woods.  The kids had a lot of fun and their imaginations ran wild.  They were looking out for crocodiles and alligators.  A little far fetched but when they mentioned snakes it didn't take me long to freak out especially as they looked so convincing by poking under fallen trees with their sticks.   We talked about trees awhile back and it was nice to hear them share their knowledge of trees .  They remembered how to tell a young tree from an old tree.  So I forgave them about the snake.  On the way out someone saw an empty coffee cup and someone else piped up, "Hey!  It looks like Colleen has been here!"  They all want to go back tomorrow.  Maybe we will see lions and bears.  I better remember to bring the camera tomorrow .  Maybe I will get some good shots of them feeding the lions and bears and we will make it in the National Geographic  or on the news - world wide !  The possibilities are endless especially with a good dose of imagination.

Ice

It's hard to believe March is almost over.  I can hardly wait for the ice to be gone.  The kids still enjoy it.
Every time we walk home from school there is a competition as to see who can fall the most.  When we take the woods home they slide down on a long patch of ice.  I tend to walk very carefully and slowly.  I had too many falls this year .  Oh to be a kid again and enjoy falling and not even get hurt!  I do enjoy listening to all the birds that are back.  I can pick out the red cardinal call - probably because it is my favorite bird.  Also I can hear the red winged blackbird, the blue jay and of course the robin.  Every morning walking to work I can hear the echoes of the woodpecker.  I absolutely love that sound.  Yes, the sounds of spring are coming back.  Yeah! 

Snowman and ice

Well, we got through the week safely.  The kids love the ice but the nanny is tired of all the ice.  The good news is that we were able to build OUR FIRST SNOWMAN!  We had so much fun that we made two and copied the story of Stranger in the Woods.  We put sunflower seeds on the hat, carrot for the nose, almond nuts for the buttons and blackberries for the eyes.  Unfortunately it came crashing down in the afternoon.  But that's alright, we had fun.  One of the boys said the snowman was melting.  I told him that at least the animals will have the food on the ground so all is well.

Exclamation Point

An exclamation point is used after a word or sentence that expresses strong feelings.  Suppose you say something surprising, shocking, or full of feeling.  Then you use an exclamation point.  For example,  "It rained for ten days in a row!"  "Skippy swallowed his ball!" "I just love you, Aunt Jane!"  Strong commands get exclamation points, too.  For example, "Get that lizard out of here!"  Also another good one, "That iguana licked my face!  I need an exclamation point to emphasize how disgusted I am!"  I was thinking the other day of another way to use an exclamation point and that is to have one at the end of my life.  "Wow! Colleen was an awesome nanny!"   "Colleen was an amazing sister!"  "Colleen was a loyal friend!"  "Colleen was a great Aunt!"  How fulfilling  my life would be if there was an exclamation mark at the end of it!

Helping Out

One thing that I love to watch is children helping children.  There was a time that I use to wonder how to instill helping out in the children and not just helping an adult but helping other children.  Not too long ago we were all getting ready to go out when suddenly I had to go to the bathroom.  As I was in the bathroom, a child called out to me for help with his scarf.  I replied that I couldn't come right now and maybe ------ can help you.  This other child did help to my delight.  Another day I was washing up a few dishes from lunch and another child asked if i could unpeel his paper from his cheese string.  I told him he had to wait because my hands are all wet.  I then suggested ------ could help and he did.  I just had to snap that picture quickly.  It was so precious th way he unpeeled the paper as the child wrapped his arm around his neck.  So how do we help children help children, don't be too quick to rescue and suggest that another child could help out.  I also discovered that children take great delight in helping out other children and they also feel proud of themselves not to mention that a special bonding also takes place whild helping out.  If there is anything that I could teach the children in my nanny job, it would be that!

Snow

The kids are excited about the new snow that may come tomorrow and so am I although I don't think it will be the kind for building snowmen.  We can still have lots of fun in it anyway.  Today during my quiet time as I sipped my coffee I was wishing for a barbecue out on the deck.  It is so much fun eating something hot outside in the winter.  The kids are still fighting a cold and so far their Nanny hasn't received it yet.  I constantly take my liguid oregano.  It is so strong but it really works as long as you take it in the beginning.  The first sore throat or the first sniffle or at the start of a dry throat.  I want to be nice and healthy for the day we will be building a snowman because I do have hope that day will come and when it does I will get the kids to video tape me building it.  They should love that!  They are still shy around the video camera but some day they won't be.

Top Five Food Picks For A Healthy Heart

Salmon. The omega 3s in fish decrease inflammation and reduce the risk of blood clots.

Blueberries.  These powerful disease fighters offer a healthy dose of antioxidants like vitamin C to toughen your heart.

Soymilk.  It's high quality protein lowers triglyceride levels (too much of this fat causes high cholesterol which is bad news for your heart.

Olive Oil.  This unsaturated healthy fat lowers bad cholesterol and raises good cholesterol.

Oatmeal.  A great source of whole grains and clock full of fibre.  Oatmeal helps fight bad cholesterol and if you want to be brave like my sister you can add a few tablespoons of liquid egg white for protein.  I can't bring myself to try it yet but apparently is is delicious!

Snowman

It has been awhile since my last post and it showed on the computer tonight as I tried getting in and had to redo it a few times but now it is fresh again and will be faster.

The kids and I love the snow but are wondering when we will get the sticky snow to build a snowman.  I can hardly wait to video tape them and take pictures as well.  I am having a lot of fun with my camera and so are the kids.  There is not a day that goes by when one of them will say, "Colleen, this will make a good picture."  It is the video camera they still are shy around although today I captured a great conversation under a snowy tree as two boys had a discussion as to who was the tallest.  I even told them that whoever can reach up to a branch and shake it will be the tallest.  They didn't even mind the snow falling.  I don't think they fully agreed on who was the tallest but they "high fived" each other after.  I guess that was a secret language to agree that they are both right eventhough one was taller than the other but I stayed out of it except for that tree branch shake.

I am still slowly getting back into my running.  I have had a few great nights and great runs.  The snow does make it easier on the joints.  It I could just find a snowman to run to!  Maybe next week.

Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

I finishes my book for my book club and discoverd that I enjoyed it a lot.  Another book to add to my book list.  If anyone is starting up a book club and is stuck for a book, I highly recommend this one.  It is an excellent one for a good discussion.   I can hardly wait to discuss it tomorrow.

This week the kids are learning how to classify different animals and I am learning how to listen carefully.  Today someone told me that their sock was wet after washing their hands before lunch.  I responded that it was o.k. come quickly and eat we are all hungry.  After lunch I questioned the same child about his wet sock wondering how it got wet.  I thought his boot was leaking.  It's a wonder these kids don't look at me like I have two heads!  They are so patient with me and I am glad.