I'm not a psychologist or child educator, but I have always enjoyed calligraphy. I have been working on writing letter forms with DCs since they were 3, but I didn't see any real interest in handwriting until they watched me do my calligraphy one day (at age 4 and 7). I showed them my book and gave them a set of practice sheets and to my surprise, they were actually enthused about making perfect, pretty letters! I have them practice calligraphy regularly now and it has helped improve DC's regular handwriting...although, sometimes he gets too fancy with the serifs now.

That happened to my DD when she was 2. I took her to the ER after my unsuccessful attempt to get it out. The Dr. almost gave up trying to get it out, and was going to operate, as it lodged pretty high up inside her nose. But I suggested they use that long, skinny suction thing and luckily that worked.

Whenever I hear the name Elise, which is rare, I think of that movie, Somewhere in Time, with Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve.

I had a friend who named her daughter Lyric, not long after the movie "Jason's Lyric" came out. I don't know if she was inspired by the movie or if it was because she was a musician, but I liked the name either way.

I did read somewhere that after the movie Bridges of Madison County, the name Madison became popular for girls. But I've liked that name ever since the movie Splash.

I am wondering if the name Barack will climb the name charts this year.

My blue eyed, very blonde haired nephew is named Afton. He was named after a mountain where his parents vacationed.

That's a tough one. I certainly had fun with fashion in the 80s. I dig the 70s look. I like the classy look of the 40s and the flapper dresses of the 30s.

no, no and no. I realize my friends are probably just as busy as I am.

I certified through Red Cross in Arlington on a Saturday. Just go to their website and click on your local chapter. I believe it was $50 for CPR/AED/First Aid.

I also renewed mine through Enjoy CPR (AHA approved), in S. Arlington on a Saturday. Although I passed the AHA cert, is was very rushed and I imagine many of the students couldn't have retained all that info in such a short time. (2 hrs). However you can schedule private training sessions with them too. They are the most affordable I've seen ($40).

Va Hospital Center also offers CPR, but not sure of the schedule.

Yesterday I saw a woman at the bus stop, who had to be over 70. She was totally dressed like Madonna in the 80s...with fishnets, ripped rocker dress, bright red lipstick and a penciled in mole. A major fashion blooper, but quite amusing.

oh, yes. I am always saying I need a DJ to control the volume and fade the music. I bet one of them would love to be the "DJ." Then maybe I'll get the ones that are really good to take the lead while I go help the ones struggling.

I did take several requests...glad I had them on my iPod! One boy was all over my iPod looking at all my songs...asking oh, can we do this one, and this one? I was like sure! !He started bustin out his own moves, so I said, "bring it on!" I started following him for awhile! That part was fun. He wanted all the super fast songs, one after the other! I am going to be so sore tomorrow!

I should've brought Beyonce. I almost did but then changed my mind. Rrrhh I wish could rewind!

I agreed to do an outreach program for low-income teens in the hood. My first class was today—it was quite an experience. They had never heard of Zumba before. Half of them were open to it, the other half I think their parents dragged them to the program. I started out with merengue and salsa. But I felt like they weren't that into the Latin Well, half of them were, the other half just stood still with their arms crossed with their noses in the air. So then I broke out the hip hop and more of them joined in. After the hip hop song ended they asked to do it again! So I was like, sure! So I scratched the merengue and cha cha I had planned and played hip hop and reggae instead. Finally, I had about 85% of the class getting down. But the other 15% wouldn't budge. It was like in that movie Take the Lead. I wished I had Antonio Banderas with me to inspire them with a tango show!

I had many of them come up to me and ask if I was coming back... But oh, I wish I could find a way to reach the ones with all that attitude. Tough, tough crowd. I am sooooo worn out! I will come back next week with a lot more hip hop, but this is the first time I've worked with a crowd like this. It's so rewarding to motivate those kids, but at the same time its tough to see those kids on the sidelines.

Anonymous wrote:Uh, what about the ever-whitening skin and the missing nose?

The guy was freaky.

I did hear something really freaky about getting a certain body part whitened recently. I agree, pretty freaky! I think his nose falling off was the result of too many nose jobs.

I must whip something up to Keep it In the Closet—my favorite MJ song. ooh and Billie Jean, Beat It, Scream, and Smooth Criminal. So many great songs...I have lots of work to do this week!

If you are ever in OC, CA, you will see the seniors in thong bikinis jogging on the beach. yikes!