Today is a busy Mother’s Day. Soccer games all over the planet. A kids’ birthday party and a lacrosse game too. My husband’s present to me today is doing all that driving and it’s not a trivial gift. The kids will make me a card and gift me the boxing gear that I wanted: a…
Author: Pragmatic Mom
Gun Violence in Our Schools
“If eight children were dying every day from a mysterious virus, our country would mobilize to put a stop to it. Gun violence is an epidemic that is taking our children’s lives in our schools, on our streets, and in our neighborhoods. As with other epidemics, we must do everything we can to make a…
Clever Picture Books That Captivate
All three of my kids, ages 13, 11, and 8 delighted in this clever picture book with a book-within-a-book-within-a-book format. I figured if this picture book could captivate a teenager, it has a lock on all younger kids. I only wish the pages were a tad more sturdy because this is a book that is…
Screen Free Week Ideas using K’NEX!
Thank goodness a shipment of K’NEX came this past week. We are trying to cut back on screens for Screen Free Week and my biggest challenge is my 8-year-old son who likes to simultaneously play video games on the computer while watching TV and eating a snack. I need more screen-free week ideas! I met…
Top 10 Best Chapter Books Set in Florida’s Past
It could just be me but I find that there is something poetic and Old Hollywood-y about Florida’s past. Perhaps it is just the way old Florida is portrayed in children’s books. The setting also seems like a backdoor shortcut to a Newbery award. From our last trip to Florida in North Captiva Island, we…
Percy Jackson Book Club for Boys
Our Percy Jackson The Lightening Thief graphic novel book club for little boys was low key but successful. We made duct tape swords while answering trivia questions and eating spaghetti.
Amazing Ukelele Virtuoso: Jake Shimbabukuro
With 11.7 million YouTube views, you must see this performance by Jake Shimabukuro, a ukulele virtuoso known for his complex fingerwork. Be sure to watch the last minute where Jake plays a pretty incredible sequence. My husband found Jake on YouTube and my kids loved watching him play, especially my son who plays the guitar. My…







