This museum was recommended to me by a friend as a fun children's museum. The hours when we visited were too short so we'll have to try again another time. I wanted to bookmark it for another time!
Resources:
San Luis Obispo Children's Museum
San Luis Obispo, CA
Hours:
Monday-Wednesday 10AM-3PM
Thursday-Saturday 10AM-5PM
Sunday 1-5PM
Monday, June 30, 2014
Hotel curve - We do not recommend the Doubletree Hotel in Anaheim, CA
My son and I have stayed at the Doubletree Hotel in Sacramento, and they are really friendly and most of the time offer a free breakfast, plus they have a nice pool. I recently stayed at the Doubletree in Anaheim before a flight, and was really disappointed.
When we first got to the room, it smelled like smoke, I told the Bellman and he said he'd report it so we wouldn't get charged. My son and I were both tired and hungry so didn't feel like going to the front desk and doing the check in process all over again, so decided to keep the room and open the window.
We were given a board room, which I agreed to as I knew it had a large white board with white board markers, but when the white board marker was dry and I called the front desk, they were completely out of markers. What if I'd had a meeting in that day in the board room? So, we left the half drawn train and went to eat, my son was a really good sport about it.
When we got back from dinner, I realized that the top lock security lock in the room was cracked on both sides of the door, it was scary as I was wondering when it had happened, had someone tried to get in the room while we were in the room, or in another stay? I called the engineer, and asked to send a woman to accompany him, they only sent the engineer. He seemed fine so I didn't make him go get a chaperone, but I didn't feel they listened to my concerns. It took about 30 minutes for the engineer to fix and replace the lock, he asked if anything was missing, and I started feeling scared, wondering what and when it had gotten broken and whether we were now safe for the night. The engineer gave me a security report, which I signed. He made a copy.
After he left, my son was already sleeping so I started working at the board room table in the board room (the board room has one room and is connected to the bedroom, the had given us this room as nothing else was available in the main hotel.) I was sitting in the chair working on the computer and my chair fell through (really!) with a loud noise, I almost screamed as I thought someone was behind me! I checked out the chair and it was completely falling apart underneath! The wires were falling out, the stuffing was falling out. Why was this chair still in the room! Once again, I called the front desk and had the engineer come to the room and he took away the big chair, and once again I signed a security report.
Meanwhile, my son coughed quite a bit that night from the smoke. We have both decided to not stay in a room that smells like smoke again, it was a learning experience.
Of course, I do not share that I blog when I first stay at hotels, and I never told them. When I checked out, and told them I didn't feel well, they never offered me any compensation at all, but just said I could call the main engineer on Tuesday. I did tell them, of course, that I knew that if my son or I had broken any of the items such as the chair or the lock, or if I had smoked in the room, I would have immediately been charged for those things, and she apologetically agreed. I do not think that is fair!
Overall, this was a really bad hotel experience.
Tips:
1. Check out room thoroughly before you unpack car and bring things. Check for things broken or missing, and whether the room smells like smoke or pets, as you could be charged for those things. If things are broken or the room smells funny and you want to stay, get a report signed so you won't be charged!
2. If you notice something breaks, get a security report and have the engineer sign it and get a copy.
3. Do not stay at the Doubletree Anaheim.
When we first got to the room, it smelled like smoke, I told the Bellman and he said he'd report it so we wouldn't get charged. My son and I were both tired and hungry so didn't feel like going to the front desk and doing the check in process all over again, so decided to keep the room and open the window.
We were given a board room, which I agreed to as I knew it had a large white board with white board markers, but when the white board marker was dry and I called the front desk, they were completely out of markers. What if I'd had a meeting in that day in the board room? So, we left the half drawn train and went to eat, my son was a really good sport about it.
When we got back from dinner, I realized that the top lock security lock in the room was cracked on both sides of the door, it was scary as I was wondering when it had happened, had someone tried to get in the room while we were in the room, or in another stay? I called the engineer, and asked to send a woman to accompany him, they only sent the engineer. He seemed fine so I didn't make him go get a chaperone, but I didn't feel they listened to my concerns. It took about 30 minutes for the engineer to fix and replace the lock, he asked if anything was missing, and I started feeling scared, wondering what and when it had gotten broken and whether we were now safe for the night. The engineer gave me a security report, which I signed. He made a copy.
After he left, my son was already sleeping so I started working at the board room table in the board room (the board room has one room and is connected to the bedroom, the had given us this room as nothing else was available in the main hotel.) I was sitting in the chair working on the computer and my chair fell through (really!) with a loud noise, I almost screamed as I thought someone was behind me! I checked out the chair and it was completely falling apart underneath! The wires were falling out, the stuffing was falling out. Why was this chair still in the room! Once again, I called the front desk and had the engineer come to the room and he took away the big chair, and once again I signed a security report.
Meanwhile, my son coughed quite a bit that night from the smoke. We have both decided to not stay in a room that smells like smoke again, it was a learning experience.
Of course, I do not share that I blog when I first stay at hotels, and I never told them. When I checked out, and told them I didn't feel well, they never offered me any compensation at all, but just said I could call the main engineer on Tuesday. I did tell them, of course, that I knew that if my son or I had broken any of the items such as the chair or the lock, or if I had smoked in the room, I would have immediately been charged for those things, and she apologetically agreed. I do not think that is fair!
Overall, this was a really bad hotel experience.
Tips:
1. Check out room thoroughly before you unpack car and bring things. Check for things broken or missing, and whether the room smells like smoke or pets, as you could be charged for those things. If things are broken or the room smells funny and you want to stay, get a report signed so you won't be charged!
2. If you notice something breaks, get a security report and have the engineer sign it and get a copy.
3. Do not stay at the Doubletree Anaheim.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Professional Growth Opportunities- Certificate in Universal Design: Technology Integration at Landmark College
Landmark College in Putney, Vermont offers a certificate in Universal Design: Technology Integration. This program is designed for professionals and graduate students in the fields of education technology and support services. The courses are taught by Landmark Professors. Landmark College serves students with Dyslexia and ADDHD and specialize is accessibility of teaching content for all students. I met a woman who graduated from the college and she said that she couldn't have had the same successful education somewhere else as Landmark truly focused on her needs, and prepared her for future advanced college and career success! I was impressed by her confidence and ability to share about her Dyslexia in a informative, yet confident and educated way!
Resources:
Landmark College Institute for Research and Training
(802) 387-1662
Landmark College Admissions
19 River Road South
Putney, Vermont
05346
Admissions Office
(802) 387-6718
Resources:
Landmark College Institute for Research and Training
(802) 387-1662
Landmark College Admissions
19 River Road South
Putney, Vermont
05346
Admissions Office
(802) 387-6718
Recommended College for students with ADDHD and Dyslexia- Landmark College in Putney, Vermont
I found out about Landmark College from an actual alumnae! She was telling me how the program is a way for students with ADDHD, Dyslexia, etc. to gain skills for success in a college environment. I did some research on the programs they offer and it sounds fascinating! The college also offers professional development for educators in universal design and assistive technology.
Resources:
Landmark College Admissions
19 River Road South
Putney, VT 05346
Landmark College Admissions Office
(802) 387-6718
Resources:
Landmark College Admissions
19 River Road South
Putney, VT 05346
Landmark College Admissions Office
(802) 387-6718
Train museums in California and beyond for train lovers of all sizes!
My son loves trains! In fact, a few days ago he was in his first play ever and he played a train conductor. In my search for train museums, I found a nifty source that lists all the train museums in California.
Resources:
railmuseums.com/namerica/CALIFORNIA/
Resources:
railmuseums.com/namerica/CALIFORNIA/
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Video, Last Child in the Woods, 5 minute
On his website, there is a short 5 minute video where Richard Louv discusses the current theme of nature deficit disorder and how so many millions of children never have lasting memories of being safe and happy in nature. I highly recommend this short video to help get parents outside!
Parent Book of the Day: Last Child In The Woods, by Richard Louv
Summer is here, and I highly recommend the book, Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv. There is something about spending time for a week away from cars, traffic, and everyday schedules that makes me think about how children need more time in nature, among the trees! My son is so much more independent and happy in nature, especially when he can just walk to a cabin or tent at night!
Resources:
Last Child in the Woods
by Richard Louv
Resources:
Last Child in the Woods
by Richard Louv
Book of the Day: Let's Go Chipper Into the Great Outdoors
I got this book for my son last year at a sporting goods store, while getting some other camping supplies. We played the DVD/CD over and over again last year. This year, when we were packing for family camp, and I asked which books he wanted to bring, he said, "Let's Go Chipper!" So, last night on our first night at camp, Billy fell asleep while I read the story.
Check out the UTUBE of the DVD!
Resources:
Let's Go Chipper! Into the Great Outdoors
Story & Activity Book for Young Adventurers
www.letsgochipper.com
Can see the DVD on tube, "Let's Go Chipper!"
Check out the UTUBE of the DVD!
Resources:
Let's Go Chipper! Into the Great Outdoors
Story & Activity Book for Young Adventurers
www.letsgochipper.com
Can see the DVD on tube, "Let's Go Chipper!"
My son's favorite thing about camp.....
Today I asked my son what his favorite thing about camp is, without hesitation he replied, the ice cream! Billy loves the freedom of getting the soft serve ice cream whenever he wants. Do I say anything? I have read so many articles about the danger of helicopter parenting, and family camp is a great place to let children have some freedom. My son instinctively feels more comfortable and learns directions easier in the great outdoors, without having to go everywhere in a car. So, I am experimenting with how much soft serve ice cream he can safely eat without getting a tummy ache.
Book of the day: Hug by Jez Alborough
When my son and I were packing for family camp, he really wanted to pack the book Hug by Jez Alborough but we couldn't find it. In the book, Bobo the monkey needs a hug. this book truly celebrates the value of a hug, and my son loves it!!!
Happy first day of summer, or summer solstice!
Billy and I are in the mountains! Today marked the summer solstice, or the longest day of the year for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. In Southern England, thousands flocked to the Stonehenge monument on Salisbury Plain to see the sun rise from the vantage point of the 4,000 year-old-solar monuments. Someday I'd love to take my son there, but for now I am grateful to see him sleep peacefully in a dorm in the mountains with a day of camp ahead of us tomorrow!
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Transparency and Trust - article by Peter G. Vajda, Ph.D. C.P.C.
I was inspired by Dr. Vajda's writing about the importance of truth and transparency. See his articles and writings on his website, www.truenorthpartnering.com
Recommended Clay Class in Berkeley, CA
I highly recommend the Kids n' Clay art class in Berkeley, CA. Right now, they are gearing up for summer camps, which are held in a few weeks. The summer camps are full, but they do offer waiting lists. The founder thought of the idea for Kids n' Clay at Idyllwild Arts while on a retreat. As soon as I walked into the class I noticed the passion for art and clay from all the people who work there. They even had an annual show to showcase the year's theme, "What's In A Teapot?" My son was so proud that his work was showcased. They consider the students artists In Residence, and encourage them to dream and plan out what they intend to make from week to week.
Resources:
Kids N' Clay
Pottery Studio
(510) 845-0982
Resources:
Kids N' Clay
Pottery Studio
(510) 845-0982
Recommended book- The Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions by John E. and Danita Thomas
The book, The Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions sounds so much fun! This book is also one that teachers can look at for an a fun activity after testing! Many of the recipes are using things from around the house and classroom, such as leftover noodles! Many people still think of spring and summer as a time to start letting our hair down a bit, and people enjoy being silly, this book is perfect for getting those creative idea juices brewing for mamas! Children may enjoy looking at this book for ideas, but parents are the ones who would have to give the OK for the recipes.
Resources:
The Ultimate Book Of Kid Concoctions
by John E. and Danita Thomas
www.kidconcoctions.com
ISBN # 0-9661088-1-7
Resources:
The Ultimate Book Of Kid Concoctions
by John E. and Danita Thomas
www.kidconcoctions.com
ISBN # 0-9661088-1-7
Recommended book to inspire art - The Dot, by H. Reynolds
I found this book at my son's art class. We read it together and both smiled and laughed. I recommend this book to inspire art making, as it shows that to make art all you need to do is start with a dot! It also shows the power and inspiration that a great teacher can have! I sincerely believe that a great teacher inspires, coaches, and believes in the child even when they no longer believe in themselves.
Resources:
The Dot
by Peter H. Reynolds
www.candlewick.com
Resources:
The Dot
by Peter H. Reynolds
www.candlewick.com
Book Of the Day: Bringing Down the Moon by Jonathon Emmett
Billy loved this book! It is so cute with lovely illustrations!
Resources:
Bringing Down The Moon
by Jonathon Emmett
ISBN # 0-7636-1577-3
Resources:
Bringing Down The Moon
by Jonathon Emmett
ISBN # 0-7636-1577-3
Recommended children's cookbook, Pretend Soup, by Mollie Katzen
When I was picking my son up at an art class the other day I discovered a wonderful cookbook, it is called Pretend Soup from the author of the Moosewood cookbook, which coincidentally my neighbor recently said that the Moosewood Cookbook is the best beginner's vegetarian cookbook. I like the cookbook because a recipe such as blueberry pancakes has plenty of visuals. The recipes look really yummy and are made with whole ingredients instead of a can of soup or a box of mix. I want this book for our cookbook library!
Resources:
Pretend Soup
(From the author of Moosewood Cookbook)
By Mollie Katzen
and Ann Henderson
Tricycle Press
Berkeley, CA
ISBN # 1-883672-06-6
Resources:
Pretend Soup
(From the author of Moosewood Cookbook)
By Mollie Katzen
and Ann Henderson
Tricycle Press
Berkeley, CA
ISBN # 1-883672-06-6
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