Even with Western support, Ukraine’s army and its legions of volunteer fighters are severely outgunned by Russian forces. The National Bank of Ukraine has created an account where people from around the world can donate to the country’s military. I can’t stop stress knitting from reading the news updates on Ukraine. I find it easy to feel stressed and…
Author: Pragmatic Mom
Celebrating Girls’ Day: A Japanese Holiday called Hinamatsuri
I’m half Japanese American but I’ve never celebrated Hinamatsuri, known as Girls’ Day or Doll’s Day, in Japan. It is celebrated on March 3 every year with a display of dolls representing the Heian court in a celebration to celebrate girls and wish for their continued good health and happiness. An expansive hinadan in Katsuura,…
Manatee Middle Grade
My favorite thing about North Captiva Island in Florida is the manatee sightings. I’m not alone. There are always throngs of people parking their golf carts when the manatees come to this small dock to just hang out. They don’t need to do much — just emerge from the water to pop their heads out…
Multicultural Children’s Book Club: Ramadan Featuring Lailah’s Lunchbox
Please join me for our tenth Multicultural Children’s Book Club. We host a FREE multicultural children’s picture book virtual book club on the first Thursday of every month from 7 pm to 8 pm EST. March’s event will be held on March 3rd and we are celebrating Ramadan using Lailah’s Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story by…
Walden Pond and Black History Month
I finally visited Henry David Thoreau House at Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. It’s about 20 minutes from where I live and I have passed it many, many times, but never stopped to see it. He was a precursor to the Tiny House movement. His house can be described not just as tiny but also…
Speak Up, Speak Out! Blog Tour & GIVEAWAY!
Welcome to the Speak Up, Speak Out! by Tonya Bolden Blog Tour! To celebrate Black History Month and the release of Speak Up, Speak Out!: The Extraordinary Life of Fighting Shirley Chisholm by Tonya Bolden (January 4th), 5 blogs across the web featuring posts from the book and author, as well as 5 chances to win! Foreword by…
5 Ways to Get Your Kids to Love Exercise
In an age of digital distractions, it’s difficult to get kids interested in exercise. Still, as parents, we realize this is a habit that will empower the rest of their lives. It’s unnecessary to enroll your children in an expensive activity or demanding sport to motivate them to exercise. Many other ways can help you…