iLead Exploration's Homeschooling Informative Park Days This Summer!

Are you interested in homeschooling or have you ever wondered if/how homeschooling could work for your family?

 

I have always wondered if this may be an alternative option for us in the future. My son is on the Autism Spectrum and I often think that if a school system program ever does not work well... we will look into homeschooling.

Urban Commons Gives Back on Board the Queen Mary!

Urban Commons Presents $10,000 to Mayor’s Fund of Education and The Women's Shelter of Long Beach Aboard the Queen Mary

 

There are so many events that happen on board The Queen Mary throughout the year. I really love them all... there is something about being around that beautiful wondrous ship!

 

From holiday festivities with CHILL to Halloween screams at Dark Harbor and a wedding on the open deck... The Queen Mary plays a huge roll in the Long Beach community.

 

It's even more spectacular when this beautiful ship is used for a memorable moment.

Mother's Day Appreciation - Aquarium of the Pacific #Giveaway

April Showers Bring May Flowers...

 That is sometimes true and sometimes not in good old California!

One thing I know is a "for sure" each Spring... Our family traditions for Mother's day. 

We have always been big on getting together on Mother's Day in our family.

Before I got married we would celebrate it with my mom, usually at El Torito eating their awesome brunch buffet and cut out some time for my Yiayia (grandma in Greek). 

As I got older one thing that never stopped was the getting together. Our family grew and we added wives and husbands, eventually grandchildren. 

My mom was so big on traditions and doing so many things with us as a family that were both educational and fun... I have to carry that tradition itself on with my own family. 

I lost my mom when I was pregnant with my first kiddo. It was harsh. I hated it... I even asked myself... How could I do this? Bring a kiddo into this world, love her, have her love me and then one day know she would HURT so much and so deep knowing she would never be able to hug me physically again... BUT then I realized, there in that moment, 6.5 months pregnant, that I wanted to be just like MY MOM!

I wanted to show my kids everything she showed me, I wanted to be as selfless as her in her love for our family, I wanted to do all the things that my mom did with us.. with my own kids. 

I wanted to show my baby in my belly that one day it would be sad but that the memories of the laughs, love and traditions that will carry on forever outweigh the moments of the expected sadness when a parent passes. 

But... that is legacy.. all part of who we are, why we are us and who we want to teach our kids to be like. 

So... with that said... CHEERS/YASU and HERE is to helping your family continue, start or just re-spark some time together that maybe will become tradition for you all too!

Autism Awareness with Dinosaur Train

**TUNE-IN** to the new Episode of the "Junior Conductors Academy" Dinosaur Train 

Meet Dennis in the All-New Episode “Junior Conductors Academy” on Wednesday, April 6 As Part of Autism Awareness Month

April is Autism Awareness Month and The Jim Henson Company is embarking in a brand-new episode “Junior Conductors Academy” in which Buddy and his siblings become friends with a dinosaur who knows a LOT MORE about dinosaurs than Buddy, but has some trouble making friends.

Like all dinosaurs, their new friend Dennis Deinocheirus has his own dinosaur features. And, like all of us, he has strengths in some areas and challenges in others. PBS stations across the country are hosting screenings and events for this special episode and Dinosaur Train has teamed up with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” initiative, aiming to improve early identification of children with autism and other developmental disabilities so children and families can get the services and support they need. 

Learn more at: http://www.pbs.org/parents/dinosaurtrain/more-dinosaur-train-fun/autism-awareness-month

Join us on April 6th via Twitter @DinosaurTrain as we introduce the newest member of the Dinosaur Train family, Dennis and show us what your kids think about Dennis using #MeetDennis.