Toddler and Mommy Book Selection

April Book Selection

Finding engaging, culturally diverse, and entertaining books for Camila is always a top priority. Though I have mentioned it before, I strongly believe that a love for books and literature will prep Camila for a successful academic and professional future. Thus, Camila and I regularly search the aisles of local book stores or the public library for something catchy and interesting. This month, I want to share two great books.

Priscilla and the Pink Planet by Nathaniel Hobbie:

As with many little girls, pink is the color of choice. Camila is no exception. Priscilla focuses on a little girl who lives in a pink world but eventually decides to search for other colors.

Camila loves the book because Priscilla and the butterfly happily walk away after achieving their goal. I love the book because of the book's allusion to Alice in Wonderland.

Noddy and the Sunny Day by Enid Blyton:

On Camila's first birthday, a friend gave her the book. Since it is a pop-up book, Camila, at the time, destroyed many of the ages, but it still remained one of her top choices.

Camila loves the story line...a little boy who unsuccessfully tries to entertain himself only to realize that the best activities are those shared with friends. I, on the other hand, love the book for its diversity. Noddy, at the end of the story, leaves his toys behind and decides to join his friends for a game of soccer. Yes, soccer! On Sundays, Camila and hubby watches Globo Esporte, a Brazilian version of ESPN Sports News. Consequently, Camila is very familiar with soccer but has no clue of football or baseball. When we reach the last page, she often yells football (Portuguese accent) or Vasco, hubby's favorite soccer team.

Allergic to Vacation

I am feeling lazy, sleepy, and unmotivated. Clearly, I'm allergic to vacation.

When I'm working and have little time, I am motivated and productive. I complete lists, with an S, of things I want and need to do. In fact, the busier I am, the longer the lists. This is how I ease my frustration and disappointment for not having time to get things done. I go as far as scheduling time for specific tasks; and bam! a task is done. But vacation throws me off. I get lazy.

To combat my lethargy, I decided to create a list of things to do:

• Nap time in the early afternoon. This is a must since I need energy for the other tasks.

• Read my novel in bed. By staying in bed, I am merging two tasks into one. In case I am exhausted from my nap, I am able to complete my reading task by napping with the book next to me.

• Commute to the sofa. I personally think that commuting is one of the biggest injustices anyone can do to oneself. However, I am willing to make this sacrifice in the name of productivity. Once in the new location and after a pit stop at the bathroom and kitchen, I will proceed to the final destination, the sofa. Since all my favorite shows are hibernating for the winter, I will expand my cultural knowledge by watching the Kardashians.

My behavior is contagious!

The above are the three must do tasks of the day. Of course there will be variations and adjustments made, but I'm hoping to successfully complete the tasks during the allocated time. Wish me luck!