Fairy Tales = Intelligence

“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.”    

― Albert Einstein

 

Somebody in the Kissel family celebrated a birthday on March 20th! He is now 9 years old. He has always been a very creative kid... dressing up as a knight in shining armor then running into his room to switch into a race car driver costumer, then a Star Wars character. One thing I did when my kids were little was go to the library, a lot. We read a ton and became good friends with the library staff. I remember when my kids were all in school full day, I'd watch the moms with toddlers head into the library and feel a little pain in my heart... those were the good ol' days.

I am now a long-term substitute para in a kindergarten class at Tennison's school. To watch the kid's creativity is exciting. A 5 or 6 year old mind is an amazing thing. Some of them are sneaky, I never knew how sneaky they could be. Some are incredibly kind hearted and loving, "Mrs. Kissel I missed you last night. I love you." "You are the best teacher in the whole wide world." One of the boys knows all there is to know on all animals. I asked him, "When did you make these birds?" There were a bunch of kid-made toucans hanging from the ceiling. He patted my back and said, "Those are macaws." It was in a sweet, "you nut job, how did you not know those were macaws?" kind of way. He'd never make anyone feel bad for not knowing, but he's quick to tell you what he does know! I bet his mom reads to him!!

I love to read, now that I can read what I want to. I'll share some favorite titles another time. But for now, keep on reading and getting more and more intelligent!!



 

 

 

 

 

Happy Mother's Day

I am not sure what life was like for Albert Einstein. He was born in 1879, 92 years before me. Did he call his mom Mommy, Momma  or Mother?  Did she take him to play at his friend's house or make crafts with him? Did they bake cookies together or go on nature walks? Was he raised at a time when a mother would goof around with her child and tease him?

Did she teach him life lessons that lead him on to what he was so well known for? Did she accept his brilliance or tolerate it? Did she answer his questions day-in and day-out with a smile on her face? Did she teach him how to love his wife and family? Did she teach him to respect others and speak kindly? Did she appreciate his quirky character and crazy hair?

It was said: When Albert’s mother, Pauline Einstein gave birth to him, she thought that Einstein's head was so big and misshapen that he was deformed! Must have been "all those brains".

She had to have done something right to raise such a man of brilliance and success. Us mothers aren't perfect, boy do we know that. But to raise a child who would see value as more important than success, is a job well done.

 

I love my kids for so many reason and am so thankful for their individuality. I am proud to be their mom, momma, mommy, momzi! I love my Mom for all she has invested into my life and for teaching me how to be a good mom. I am thankful for Julie, my birthmom, who chose life 41 years ago.

 

To all the mother's I know, Happy Mother's Day! Keep fighting the good fight!