Anita VP

I feel like this photo is a phenomenal internet meme in the making.  At a loss for what's really the right caption, as there are too many options.  Open to all suggestions.  Nonetheless, this is pure gold.  (And he is adorable.) Of all ironic things, on the day when I believe I have captured the world wide web's next greatest meme photo, I run into technical difficulties.  I bring my humble offering as payment in return to the internet gods, and they cast me out.  Geez!  Harsh, cold, cruel inter-world. Perhaps it's not to late.  Perhaps it is.  So much in life is all just a matter of timing! #AnitaVP #parenting #baby #nakedbaby #meme #puregold #nsfw

The words “a beautiful day in the neighborhood” cannot be said in my mind - they must be sung.   Like so many children, Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood enchanted me.   Now, both the adult and child in me are excited for the upcoming movie A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood .   (Catch the trailer here .) I also came across an interesting article regarding Fred Rogers’ approach to talking with children, Mr. Rogers Had a Simple Set of Rules for Talking to Children from The Atlantic.   As a mother and aspiring author, I love the following sequence of thought on “Freddish” (i.e. his special way of speaking with children): ”Per the pamphlet, there were nine steps for translating into Freddish: “State the idea you wish to express as clearly as possible, and in terms preschoolers can understand.” Example: It is dangerous to play in the street. ​​​​​​ “Rephrase in a positive manner,” as in It is good to play where it is safe. “Rephrase the idea, bearing in mind th

Although we’re not big into screen time around my house, we do indulge Human #1 in small doses.   Things, be it shows, movies, etc., that have educational elements in mix certainly are much more likely to be approved in my book. One of my favorite resources at present is a website of educational games called ABCYA.com .   It’s a balanced collection of little subject-based games that appeal to children.   Their home page is obviously laid out so that you can quickly select the appropriate level for your child.   While computer games are of course not the end-all-be-all for teaching any content, they can definitely be a nice addition!   If you’re looking to have your kiddo kill a little time or buff up in a particular area (or both), ABCYA is a nice free option!   Check it out! #AnitaVP #freeresouce #educational #games

Certainly every parent has those hit-like-a-brick-to-the-face moments where all of a sudden the tiny human is not looking so tiny any more.   The next phase of development has snuck up overnight, like a thief of Neverland.   “When did you get to looking so big?!” Furthermore in my particular present situation, learning to read is catapulting my oldest into the next chapter of childhood.   Although teaching her to read is not coming without full and complete effort on my part, it feels as though I blinked and here she is saying, “NO! I’m going to read this part myself!” I’m not one to gush, but she read two sentences yesterday!   Not one, but two, folks!   Wowee!   What a big girl!   Where have I been all this time!? #AnitaVP #reading #read #readinglessons #learningtoread #kingergarten #biggirl #timeflies #Tuesdaythoughts

Since we’re staying with my husband’s parents while in between houses, the tiny humans and I have had much more time than ever before to observe and enjoy things from his years growing up.   The current decided favorite of mine from his past is a library of informational, mostly-nonfiction books put out by Walt Disney. With topics ranging from science to riddles to shapes and colors, these books each highlight the titled subject matter in true nostalgic Disney fashion.   Presenting the material in an age-appropriate and balanced fashion, these books really feel like the most adorable vintage read.   Perfect for the young child.   My personal choice thus far has been the It's A Small World book, inspired by the ride itself, highlighting children in countries around the world. Perhaps equally sweet is the cursive note inside from his grandmother and his subsequent claiming of the books – his own name written in chunky red marker, letters perfectly bent by the hand o

On the picture book manuscripts that I’ve written thus far, I typically have not gotten “stuck,” per se.   I usually find that I’m able to craft a beginning, middle, and ending.   Not sure if they’re any good… but complete nonetheless. I’ve been toying around with an idea for a picture book playing around with the use of color words associated with emotion.   As adults it’s easy for us to understand what it’s like to feel blue and see red.   For children, perhaps not as much.   I think expressions like this are natural to use in everyday speech, including conversations with children.   “Are you just feeling a little blue?”   Especially for the very young, how confusing must that be?!   Feelings are hard to understand and then the idiomatic expressions are even more cryptic!   Woah – poor confused kiddos! Since my oldest has no shortage of feelings and needs all the help processing them, I feel that this concept of playing around with those expressions we use in picture book

I asked my husband, “What should I write about tonight?”   Since this was immediately following a conversation regarding menudo, the dish (not the band), he chuckled, “Oh, write about menudo.”   While the topic of “trying new things” is something that I’m passionate about and merits being accoladed in writing, pondering and extrapolating our conversation on menudo is probably nothing to “write home about.”   Nonetheless, whether I’m writing about menudo or my kids or my daily musings or the price of cheese in Nova Scotia, there is catharsis in writing.   The act and art of writing, in any medium or form and in any length, perseveres in proving its benefits for me, if for no one else.   It’s my burning heart’s desire that one day my writing will succeed in blessing a wide audience; but in the interim, I’ll be thankful that writing continues to be good in return to me. Because brevity in writing is something I greatly value, I’ll just leave it at that – writing is wonderful,

"Mama is turning into a weimaraner!!!"  My four-year-old squeals and giggles.  Little does she know before she can blink she will too be plagued by gray hair and more gray hair. Perhaps gray is some sort of mark of wisdom, perhaps not.  But certainly there are worse things than being likened to your dear ol' doggo.  After all, a dog is the only person who loves you more than he loves himself. #AnitaVP #doggo #dog #weim #weimaraner #50shades #gray #grayhair   #truelove