Vote for ET!!!

Vote for E.T. in a baby contest!!!!!!!!!!

click here to vote

What's for Dinner Wednesdays!! - The Best Corn on the Cob EVER!

So maybe I'm the only one in the world who had no idea how to make amazing corn on the cob, and I'm ashamed to admit it, but I seriously had no clue you could make corn this way.

My mother always boiled corn on the cobs and they were good, but then we would go to a fair or carnival and they always had this amazing corn!!!!  Well, I now know how to make it and it is easier than boiling it!

First buy corn that is still in the stalks, it is usually cheaper and saves on plastic packaging :)

Put the corn on a cookie sheet and pop in a 350 degree oven for 25-30 mins..... THAT's IT!!!!!!!!

You can also grill it, but we don't have a grill :(

When you take it out of the oven cut the bottoms off and the stalk and all the silk threads come right off with no hassles.  Seriously super easy, I was shocked.

Now for the fun fair corn......

This is the list of things to put on your corn to make it exactly like the fair:

Butter

Mayo

Salt

Parmesan cheese

Paprika or chili powder (I use paprika since I don't like spicy)

Back in Session!!!! First day of 1st Grade

Today the Nguyen Nguyen Academy is back in session starting with KJ's first day of 1st grade.  After a full month of traveling we have lots to write about in the coming months but today is all about our first day back at school.

KJ at our front door with an empty backpack on :)

We started today with cinnamon rolls for a special back to school breakfast.

After our pledges, prayer, and the weather report (we do these everyday), we got started on our Bible studies.  This month we are working on memorizing the Lord's Prayer.  

KJ looking up Matthew in her Bible.

We moved on to a worksheet helping KJ memorize our address and phone numbers.  I was proud that she already knew my cell phone number by heart.

Our Town worksheet

 This week we are focusing a lot on Kindergarten review.  Today working on writing our letters and sounds, and in math we worked on counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s.  Then we did an even and odd number activity on the board.

Reviewing our ABC's

Last we started our Biology study on the Human Body.  This week we are working on how to keep our bodies healthy and what every human body needs to be healthy.  Here KJ came up with three ways she kept her body healthy today.

Our Healthy Bodies workbook

We ended our school day with a journal entry about our first day of school.  KJ was asked to write one sentence about her day and then draw a picture.  She wrote "I love school" and drew a picture of her sitting at her desk learning.

So in all it was a great first day for the both of us.  This year we are doing a few things differently.  One thing that I really think will benefit us the use of a timer.  KJ is used to taking her sweet ol' time to do anything, and if I let her she would take two hours to write a sentence.  So I found a free online timer click here for online timer

and we now use it for each worksheet so she has enough time to do it, but it doesn't drag on for hours!  Also if she doesn't finish it, it is her responsibility to finish it later after school, and make sure it gets back in her folder before bedtime.  I felt she could be a little more responsible for her work and her time.  We have also started 'grading' her worksheets this year.  Last year she was only graded on assessments, but we found she really liked getting the grades as motivation to do really well on her work.  So, today she turned in her work and I graded it and gave out stickers for good work.

Homeschooling is always a work in progress and I'm sure more things will continue to change every month and every year.  That is the fun of tailoring education to your child!!!

Happy start of school for everyone out there, we hope your first day is as Blessed as ours was.

1st Grade Curriculum

Grade: First Grade Year: 2012-2013

Home School Curriculum

Grade: 1st 

MATH:

1. Numbers 0-500

2. Telling Time

3. PatternAwareness

4. Measurement

5. Computation

6. Money

1.1 Recognizing the words for numbers 0-500

1.2 Recognizing the written numbers for numbers 0-500

1.3 Knowing numeral patterns and sequencing.

1.4 Knowing physical amounts to correspond with numbers.

1.5 Counting by 2s, 5s, 10s, and 50s.

1.6 Even and Odd numbers

1.7 Grouping numbers in Greater and less than < >

2.1 Telling time on Digital Clock using correct number terms.

2.2 Telling time on an Analog Clock to the nearest 5 mins. (counting by 5)

2.3 Distinguishing big hand and small hands/mins and hours.

2.4 Calendar work, days of the week, months, counting down days.

3.1 Patters of color, sizes, shapes, and groups.

3.2 Problem solving with patterns.

3.3 Solving picture puzzles and mazes.

4.1 Identifying terms of measurement.

4.2 Measuring items, grasping size differences in number terms.

4.3 Using tools/rulers to create shapes and beginning geometry(2d and 3d shapes).

5.1 Continuing adding and subtraction single, and double digits.

5.2 Intro to easy word problems and numeral problem solving.

5.3 Solving a problem backwards, by starting with the answer and then creating the problem.

5.4 Introduction to fractions.

6.1 Continuing the understanding of coin values and combination of amounts.

6.2 Learning Bill money and values.

READING:

1. Reading Achievement/ Leisure Reading

2. Alphabet and Phonics

3. Library Informative reading

4. Children's Lit

1.1 Recognizing 1st/2nd grade sight words

1.2 Mastering sounds of vowels and consonants to make words.

1.3 Reading beginner books on own and out loud.

1.4 Develop love for written word.

2.1 Reading and Writing all letters.

2.2 Mastering sounds of letters and blended sounds.

2.3 Correlating sounds into words.

2.4 Intro to spelling Assessments.

3.1 Learning how to use the library.

3.2 Looking up subjects at the library to find subject books.

4.1 Reading classic children's books aloud.

4.2 Expanding vocabulary with more difficult reads.

4.3 Building creativity and storytelling.

LANGUAGE ARTS:

1. Creative Writing

2. Spelling/ Grammar

3. Vocabulary Development/ Speech

1.1 Keeping a daily journal with writings.

1.2 Growth in word formations and sentence structure.

1.3 Using words in student's pictures to describe drawings.

1.4 Letter and card writing.

1.5 Developing handwriting and penmanship.

1.6 Play writing for end of the year.

1.7 Exploring fiction and non fiction and their components.

2.1 Intro to Spelling Assessments.

2.2 Exploring words: singular and plural, opposites, nouns, adjective, verb, etc.

2.3 Exploring and using punctuation and capitalization.

3.1 Memorization and retelling of oral stories.

3.2 Aloud reading of harder literature as introduction to harder vocabulary.

3.3 Oral word games such as rhyme time to engage auditory learning.

SCIENCE:

1. Life Science

2. Earth Science

3. Physical Science

5. Scientific Tools and Processes

1.1 Introduction to Anatomy and body parts

1.2 Identify basic characteristics of living things vs. non living things. Sort and classify.

1.3 Life Cycle Studies of animals/plants. Specifically frogs and butterflies.

1.4 Classification of parents vs. offspring, animals and habitats, extinct animals and current animals.

2.1 Things in the sky, observation, describing and recording what is seen in the day and night.

2.2 Taking samples, recording, and classifying information from the natural environment.

2.3 Weather information and Prediction

3.1 Classifying and comparing liquids, solids, and gases.

3.2 Effect of Sunlight and Shade Comparing Temperatures at different places.

3.3 Changing Movement and Friction

3.4 Effect of Magnets 5.1 Introduction to tools used for science.

5.2 Introduction to the steps of the Scientific Method.

5.3 Exploring the steps and using in basic activities or projects.

5.4 Talking about visual representations of scientific methods and processes with graphs, charts, etc.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

1. US and State History/ Geography

2. World History/ Geography

3. Cultural Awareness

4. Basic Civics and Citizenship

5. Foreign Languages

1.1 Reading Historical Fiction and Non Fiction accounts of events.

1.2 Intro to Mapping.

1.4 Using flashcards and books to recognize states shapes and names.

1.5 State names and capitals

1.6 Beginning understanding of what History is, why we study it, and major events.

2.1 Intro to Ancient Times: Brief introduction to the time period through people, culture, dress, important figures, and important events.

2.2 Intro to Middle Ages: Brief introduction to the time period through people, culture, dress, important figures, and important events.

2.3 Intro to Modern Times: Brief introduction to the time period through people, culture, dress, important figures, and important events.

2.4 Memorizing names and locations of all oceans, continents, and larger countries.

3.1 Introduction to different cultures around the world with basic similarities and

how we differ.

3.2 Exploring different cultures with in our region.

3.3 Use arts and crafts time to represent different cultures.

4.1 Developing ideas of what it means to be a US citizen.

4.2 Basics to US Government and the three branches of Government.

4.3 Enrichment through volunteering and social activities.

5.1 Introduction to languages in other cultures and those most common in the US.

5.2 Develop use of ASL, Spanish, French, and Vietnamese, with emphasis in ASL.

FINE ARTS:

1. Music

2. Dance/PE

3. Theater

4. Performance

5. Art

1.1 Introduction to reading music and notation.

1.2 Exploring rhythm, beat, pitch, melody and other elements of basic music.

1.3 Develop piano playing with scales, basic theory, and songs.

1.4 Develop vocal singing and pitch awareness. Explore new songs.

1.5 Developing Music Appreciation with Music History.

2.1 Develop body/spacial awareness and control.

2.2 Explore team and individual coop with dance classes.

2.3 Self expression and storytelling through music and rhythm.

2.4 Development of pose and grace.

2.5 Introduction to Health Science.

3.1 Introduction to acting, costuming, and directing.

3.2 Developing memorization and exploring the construction of plays and characterization.

3.3 End of the year play written and performed by Kiera.

4.1 Developing memorization for dance repertoire, songs for piano and voice, and oral stories.

4.2 Public performance for social experience, and team building.

5.1 Intro to Arts and Crafts with many different materials and methods.

5.2 Advancing Color Theory with explorations of primary, secondary, and complementary colors.

5.3 Developing Art Appreciation with Art History.

LIFE SKILLS

Grade: 1st Goals:

1. Personal Skills

2. Daily Skills

3. Hazards Awareness

4. Computer Skills

1.1 Memorization of important personal information such as phone number and address.

1.2 Correct usage of 911

1.3 Developing cognitive skills.

1.4 Developing good personal hygiene and Intro into Health Sciences.

2.1 Discovering chores; cooking, baking dishes, laundry, cleaning up, etc.

2.2 Creating a daily schedule while working on sequencing, and time management.

2.3 Elaborating on money and budgeting.

3.1 Development of street and pool safety.

3.2 Development of stranger dangers.

3.3 Introduction to household toxins and other poisons.

3.4 Exploring emergency procedures both in the house and out.

4.1 Typing Practice 4.2 Exploring online games

4.2 Online safety

BIBLE STUDIES

1. Memorization

2. Character Building

3. Story Time

1.1 Memorization of Lord's Prayer Matthew 6:9-13

1.2 Memorization of Books of the Bible

1.3 Memorization of Psalms 23

1.4 Weekly Verse Memorization from Awanas Program.

2.1 Relating character traits to scripture verse and stories.

2.2 Life lessons and moral lessons for everyday life.

3.1 Learning the major stories of the Bible and reading comprehension.

Activities:

Awana Sparks - Wednesday's 6:30 - 8pm

Tacoma Youth Chorus - Tuesday's 4-5pm

Elite Dance Classes - Wednesday's 4-5pm

WBC (Washington Contemporary Ballet - Saturdays 9:15-10am

Supplemental Materials:

Programs - Rosetta Stone

Videos - Bill Nye the Science Guy, Signing Time, PBS specials, documentaries, Planet Earth Series

Internet - Brainpop.com bbc.co.uk/schools/typing ixl.com/math/grade-1 brainpcleary.com abcya.com

Field Trips and Excursions

BUSY!!!!

Seriously homeschooling is a full time job on top of being a stay at home mommy....

Sorry I have been MIA lately, but I have been writing KJ's 1st grade curriculum and getting her lesson planning done for the year!  I will share with everyone once I have it done.

Just wanted to everyone to know that, yes I'm still alive, no I am not stopping my blog... just super busy!

Oh and happy late 4th of July!

Vegan Hamburgers with Avocado

Vegan Hamburgers with Avocados

This is an in depth recipe but very very good!  One of Mr. D's favorites :)

Ingredients:

1 cup dried green lentils, rinsed

5 cloves of garlic, minced

3/4 cup yellow onion, diced

1/4 cup leeks, finely diced

2 tbsp flaxseed, ground

5 tsp dijon mustard

3 tbsp unsalted tomato paste

1tsp chile powder

1 tsp turmeric

2 tsp cumin

1 cup cooked brown rice

2 tbsp EVOO

1.  Line Baking sheet with parchment paper and cook lentils according to package

2.  Large bowl mix: garlic, onion, celery, leeks, flaxseed, dijon, tomato paste, and spices.  When lentils are cooked mash them with fork and add to the mix bowl, then add rice.  Mix everything all together!

3.  Heat oil in pan, Medium Heat.  Form mix into 6 patties, and cook in pan for 2-3 mins per side until light brown.

4.  Transfer patties to baking sheet and cook in over on 350 for 15 mins.

Top with vegan cheese, sliced tomatoes and Avocados!

ENJOY!!!!! :)

What's for Dinner Wednesdays - Ham Sammies!!!

This is my family's new favorite dinner!!!

HAM SAMMIES:

Ingredients

1/2 Stick of Butter

1/2 Onion - chopped

3 tbsp dijon mustard

2tbsp BBQ sauce

3 tsp poppy seeds

1 pkg Hawaiian Sweet rolls

1/2 lb ham

5-6 slices swiss cheese

1. Melt butter in skillet.

2.  Add onions, mustard, bbq, and poppy seeds.  Stir and simmer.

3.  On a cookie sheet place foil then the rolls that have been cut in half length wise.  Layer ham then cheese.

4.  Take the mixture from the pan and put half on top of the cheese.  Then put the top of the rolls back on and put the last half of the sauce on top.  KJ doesn't eat anything with onions so as you can see I left the mixture off two of the sammies.

5.  Cover the sammies with foil and bake at 350 for 20 mins!!!

ENJOY!

We ate them with curly fries :)

Plastic and Us

So I'm an avid Documentary watcher... everything from childbirth, to politics, to food, and now plastics!  I think documentaries are a great way to gain new prospective and hear information that you might not otherwise ever find.  I understand that most documentaries are mostly one sided in their opinions and views but there is still a ton of great information out there.

A while ago I blogged about food and GMOs Click here to read it!

Well most recently our family (yes KJ watches this stuff too), has been watching documentaries on plastics and the effect of plastics on our planet and our bodies.  Yes you have chemicals from plastics in your body right now, and if you are prego your baby has them too!!!!  It has totally opened up my eyes to the problem of plastics.  Here are a few documentaries that I recommend, and are all streaming live on netflix.  'Bag It!' Was my personal favorite.

Homo Toxicus

Plastic Planet

Bag It!

If you have the time, watch all three... if you only have two hours, watch 'Bag it'.  IF you don't have any time at all I have prepared a quick list of things to do to help reduce your plastic use and the harmful effects on your body and children!

1. Say 'NO' to plastic bags:  This is such an easy fix... buy the 99 cent reusable tote bags and only use those for all your shopping trips.  We produce 500 Billion tons of waste just from the use of these plastic bags!  CRAZY.  Also most of these plastic bags end up in our oceans where turtles mistake them for jelly fish and then eat them.  If you want to kill a turtle go ahead and use those plastic bags next time you check out at the grocery store..... Just sayin'.....

2.  Stop drinking bottled water:  You realize that bottled water is tap water from other countries, right?  But we Americans spend money, fuel, and resources to import tap water.  Not only does it cost America fuel and money, but the bottle that it takes you 20 mins to drink takes over 300 years to decompose in a landfill.  Even if you recycle these bottles are down cycled so they only get two lives out of them before they are trash.

3.  Use cloth diapers:  Seriously they are just as convenient as disposable and way cheaper too!  It is estimated you will save 1200+ in your baby's first two years if you use cloth instead of disposable.  If you want to read my blog on cloth diapers click here.

4.  Limit the amount of plastic you use in your home:  If you were anything like us, as of last week we were using plastic tupperware for food storage and drinking from plastic washable cups.  After watching these docs we switched and bought glasses to drink from and glass storage for food.  Total we spent 28 dollars at Target to get rid of our plastics in the kitchen.  If you chose to keep your plastics please remember to NEVER heat them in the microwave.  The plastic WILL release chemicals and compounds into your food and you will eat them.  Also once your plastic gets that frosted, hazy or cracked look to it, it is time to throw it away.  That means the plastic is actually starting to break down and will release even more nasty stuff into your food and body.

5.  Look for BPA Free:  Plastic companies are not required to label all the chemicals they use to make their products... so you really have no idea what you are handling or giving to your children.  Today (mostly on baby toys) you can find some products that advertise as BPA free.  This is important, since BPA has been linked to caner, ADD, ADHD, infertility, liver problems, diabetes, poor brain development in children, and heart disease.... just to name a few.  If you must buy plastic toys or items for your babies and children LOOK for that BPA free sign on the product.

These are just a few simple things you can do to help our planet and your families health.  After watching these our family is limiting the plastic in our lives.  Go Green with us and remember the three Rs....

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Milestones

How do you record your child's milestones?  What do you consider a major milestone worth recording?  I think most parents know what the big ones are... first step, first tooth, first bike, first date etc.....

But what about all the little things that aren't major milestones but they are things that you want to remember about your children in 5 years, 10 years, or even 40 years from now?  I am giving you a list of 5 different ways to document milestones for each of your children that you will have forever to love and look back on for years to come.

1.  Traditional baby book:  Most brand new parents get their first baby book at the baby shower from a loving friend or family member.  These are great ways to keep track of your baby through the first year.  They usually have pouches for little souvenirs, places for pictures and lots of space for writing about your little one.  The only thing I found annoying about these was the book is very specific in it's pages. So if you don't need a certain page for something then that page just stays blank.... forever...  But for a quick way to record milestones it is a good way to go.

2.  Photo Albums (with space to write by every picture):  I LOVE having pictures of all the milestones, so I use photo albums much more than I used KJ's baby book.  We didn't even buy a baby book for ET.  But the photo albums with a few lines of writing at the sides is a great way to see the milestone and also know the exact date, age, or other info you want to add with the photo.  These take a little more work but still pretty easy to put together for the busy mom.

3.  Scrapbooking:  With scrapbooking you have complete control over ALL aspects of how you record your child's milestones.  The only draw back to this is you have to be super creative on your pages and it usually takes a ton of time to do.  I have two scrapbooks for KJ but I only work on them once a year and I dedicate a full week of locking myself in with my craft supplies to get it done!  They are amazing to look back at when they are finished, but good luck getting them done.

4.  Movies!!!:  We take lots of videos in our family, KJ loves watching our  home movies from years ago.  They are a quick and easy way to get moments on our computer and easily burnt on a DVD.  I am a Mac girl, so I use iMovie and iDVD to make all of our home movies.  Another piece of advise is to use a simple point and shoot camera instead of an actual video camera.  The quality is about the same, and you are sure to have your little point and shoot with you about everywhere you go and therefore will take more videos than if you had to remember to get out the video camera.  It is also way easier to upload from a point and shoot than it is from a video camera that uses those little tapes.

5.  Journal:  This is an idea that most people don't think of for recording milestones, but I LOVE doing this.  I have a separate journal for each child.  I write in them on a weekly basis or more if more is going on with that child.  What is great about this is I have the freedom to write about everything that pertains to that child.  So I am not restricted to just the major milestones... but the everyday things that I find funny or amusing.  Quotes that KJ says, or songs that she likes to sing, and right now all of the 'first' stuff for ET.  Another thing I really love about Journaling is I'm writing my feelings down along with my child's journey.  So when they are old and they read these they know exactly how I felt about them at that time.  Also, I don't find it is very time consuming.  I look forward to journaling usually at night when the kids have gone to bed.  But if something awesome happens during the day I grab my journal and make a note of it too!!  This is by far my favorite way to document my kiddos.

I hope I was able to give you all some ideas of how to better document your kid's milestones!  If you have any other special ways that you have found or use please comment below and share with all of us!!!

KJ's 5th BDay getting her  first big girl bike!

WHO Convention Weekend!

For any homeschooling families in WA it is convention weekend hosted right here in Puyallup!!!

Here is a link to the WHO website for all the convention details.  Hope to see you there!!!!

WHO Convention

Children and Technology

At what age do you let your children start having their own accounts for online stuff or technological gadgets?  Examples are Email addresses, social sites (facebook, myspace, pintrest etc), a cell phone, ipod, or laptop.

Today I had to ask myself these questions and not because I wanted to.  KJ has been in Texas for this past month and today I was told by her biological dad that he not only bought her an ipod, but also created a skype account, an apple account, a facetime account, and an email account for her, in her name.  Keep in mind she just turned 5.....  So does a 5 year old really need all those accounts?  

Thus far KJ has been using skype through our accounts (her dad's and mine).  And there has never been a problem using our own accounts, so I don't know why he felt he needed to create one for her.  If I was in total control I don't think I would have let her have an email account until at least the age of 9 or 10.  Legally, children under the age of 13 aren't suppose to have facebook accounts.  I think 15 or 16 would be a better age, but that is my opinion.  What about cell phones?  I have heard some parents say they feel better with their children having a cell phone at a very young age incase something happens.

Don't get me wrong.... I let KJ get online to practice her typing, and play online games on the PBS kids site, and if the ipod was only to be used for movies and games I wouldn't have a problem.

But what do you all think?  At what age is the internet and technology appropriate for children?  I am really struggling to be okay with my 5 year old having a gmail account.  I feel like it will be just one more thing I have to monitor, and be worried about.  Does anyone have any advice or opinions about this?  Am I over reacting?

KJ watching a DVD in the car with her headphones

Happy Anniversary!!!

Just a quick post to say I love you to Mr. D on our second year wedding anniversary!!!

2 years ago today we married on top of a mountain where we had our first date.  Since then we have been through a deployment to Afghanistan, a court battle with my ex, a career change, a move from TX to WA, had a baby, and lots of trips a travels in between!!  It has been a crazy two years and I can't wait to see what the rest of our lives has in store for us!

Teething!!!!!!

So little ET is now 4 months old and apparently teething.

His current symptoms:

Pulling at his ears

More fussy/grumpy than normal

no fever (thank goodness)

waking more during the night

pulls away during feedings (ouch)

more drool

swollen gums

Little ET letting me know he isn't having fun :(

So I wanted to share with everyone what we are doing to ease his pain the all natural way :)

Some pediatricians recommend small doses of infant tylenol but I don't like drugs so we aren't going that route.  You can get baby Orajel 'Naturals'... it is benzocaine-free, alcohol-free, and dye-free.  You can also try teethers that you can purchase from babies r us.  After watching a documentary on the toxins in plastics, I have tried to limit the amount of plastic ET is exposed to.  Plastic Planet Doc

But our favorite thing that helps little man, didn't even cost a dime!!  Take a wash cloth (or wash rag if your from KY, hehe) and place a single ice cube in the middle.  Then I took a hair tie but you can use anything they can't bite through, and tie off the ice cube in the center of the wash cloth.  That gives your little one a cold hard cube to chew on, the cloth soaks up any melting water, and his hands don't get cold like they would with a teether because he holds it where the cloth is dry and room temp!!  And an added bonus of it not being plastic and therefore more natural and cheaper than your average teether!!!

I hope this helps some of my other natural mammas out there that are going through teething!

My new love.... Aperture

So I have been taking these photography classes and I must say they are dramatically changing my photos.  Click here to see the courses :)  I can't wait to use them on my next shoot or even just on KJ and ET!!  Here is an example of what I'm talking about...

I have always used the normal automatic settings on my camera.  (I use a Canon 60D and I have two lenses... my kit lens which is 18-135mm and my newest lens the 50mm 1.8.)  But I don't really know anything about the technical side of my camera and how to successfully use the Manual mode.  So with these classes I am hoping to never use the auto modes again!!!  

Well last week one of our assignments was to play with our aperture and thus affecting our depth of field. So I took Mr. D and little ET to a nearby field and started playing.  I couldn't believe the difference!!!  I was expecting some difference but not this much.  Both were taken with the same 50mm lens the ONLY thing I changed was the Aperture.  Here are the two photos totally unedited.......

Click on the photos to make them larger :)

F/22

F/1.8

Pretty amazing huh?

The blurry background with the F/1.8 really makes Mr. D and ET stand out.  Like I said I can't wait to use this on future photos!  Let the learning continue!!!!!!!!

Continuing Education

I am a firm believer that we should never stop learning... including taking classes, picking up a new hobby, or just reading a book about something new.  

This summer I am taking a photography class.  It is a 30 day online course that gives the ins and outs of photography and how to use my expensive camera. Yes I have been a photographer for years now, but I really don't know much about the technical side of my camera.  So my mission this summer is to really know my camera and by the end of my class be able to confidently use my manuel mode with everything I shoot.  

So, what would be something that you would like to take a class on or learn more about? Growing up my mother and I used to take those community classes.... I even took swing dance lessons.  The possibilities are endless!!!!!

Get out and learn something new this summer!!!  I would love to hear what you all are interested in :)