Art & kids ...

Can art make kids smart?

According to the Americans for the Arts Campaign, "young people who regularly participate in the arts are 4xs more likely to be recognized for academic achievement. In addition to enhancing problem-solving and critical thinking skills, arts education can also help instill a positive work ethic and a sense of pride in a job well done."

So, that's why I encouraged my daughter to try out for the "Latin Nights Talent Show" @ her school. Sure enough, she made it & the show is 2 wks away.
Boy, are we excited!! She & a group of other Kingergarteners will be dancing to Ricky Martin's "Pegate". And if u know me well enuff, u know I ADORE that guy. He makes me proud to be 100% Rican.


Other gr8t news: My mother-in-law is visiting from Puerto Rico!
We picked her up @ the airport 4 days ago & she's doing OK, thank God.

Pics coming up later ...........

Reflection for today ...

I have a little white book with 6-minute reflections for each day. The following is actually Monday's reflection, but it stood out for me. I dunno why.
Here it goes: " No one has to teach a mother that she's supposed to love her child.
This isn't something that she has to study. It's IN her.
The same is true of a child's love for its mother. A 2-day old baby is drawn to its mother. It doesn't have to be trained to do that.
This image can help us realize that God's love toward us isn't something God has to force himself to do. It's in God, just as a mother's love for her child is in her.
God made us. And God made us in his image and likeness. God is drawn toward us.
And the reverse is true.
We are drawn towards God.
Let me think about that. "

I do my reflections daily! I'll go nuts if I don't, or I feel guilty if I don't.
This, in fact, is how I spend some quiet time with the Lord (every day!) .. In addition to reading my bible daily as well. This works out perfect for me because when times get tough, I reflect on my bible readings & see how just how tough times were back then & how "tough" it was for God to get everyone to believe. And when times aren't tough, I still read to my heart's content because it makes me feel good. period.

SPRING BREAK >

....My daughter was on Spring Break all last week. We did some interesting, fun things that u can view more of in my Facebook...
Among them, our long-awaited outing to DisneyQuest. I have wanted to go here for ages, but of course, I was waiting on my daughter to grow some!
Not to brag, but we got in free since Eggie's a Disney employee & all. We were able to take 2 people with us, so Eggie took his 16 yr old nephew & 8 yr old niece.
1 thing I learned (for next time), there isnt much there for a toddler. No wonder it's free for 2 & under!!!
It's mostly made up of arcade games, virtual games, rides on which u need to meet the height requiremt of 51'', etc, etc. But Angel still managed to have his share of fun.
However, not that I'm being cheap but, I WOULDNT pay $40 (adult price) to go here.
Well, spring break is over & today was back-to-school. TIME IS FLYING ............

HAPPY APRIL ..

i WAS gonna pull a "joke" on my blog on behalf of it being April Fools, but then I decided not to, cuz I'm 2 nice 4 that, I guess.
Anyway, Angel Edgar actually surprised me today. After he watched me organize our kitchen cabinet, he told me 2 lay down on the sofa (he even had the pillow already there) cuz he wanted 2 give me a massage! HA! 1st time he ever said that 2 me. My eyebrows went up, like "oh---kay". And, he gave me a short, very brief massage with his hands & elbows! It felt good, even if just 4 a lil' while. But then, you guessed, he said it was HIS turn.
Eggie was receiving massage therapy for his back for some time & Angel alwayz went with. I guess this is where he learned it from...
That is why I posted this pic of him lookin' so happy. El chulito de mami ....