The Montessori Toddler: A Parent's Guide to Raising a Curious and Responsible Human Being
Simone Davies

Our kiddo is in full toddlerhood now. That means I need more patience and to understand how her brain works. This book, so far, has done a great job of sharing why toddlers act the way they do and how to capture their innate curiosity and desire to help. It's also just a really pretty book. Lots of white space, beautiful illustrations, and lovely layout. It's designed more like a handbook that you can pick and choose to read as you wish.

I finally remembered to add Nikole Hannah-Jones' book to my list.

This week, I got to prick my finger for science.

Months ago, I signed up to be in the Join the Fight COVID-19 community research project. Every day, I complete a quick survey about symptoms, mask wearing habits, and COVID results. It takes less than 30 seconds to do. The study is a part of a nationwide effort to better understand the symptoms and spread of COVID.

I was lucky enough to be chosen for the cohort of people to complete monthly serology tests. The finger prick I gave myself this week is my third one... but the first one after I was fully vaccinated. I can't wait to see my reactive results go from "negative" to "positive."

I am a firm believer in science - but usually this has meant reading, attending lectures, and watching videos. This is the first time I am an active participant in a scientific study. My contribution is small but I know that it is helping us better understand and get a handle on this pandemic.

It's not to late to join! You can learn more about the DC area study and sign up here.

Our kiddo was home from daycare for a few days with a stomach bug. I am patting myself on the back for not going too down a Google rabbit hole of her symptoms. (Pediatrician said it was just a common stomach bug.)

Here is what I did look up this week.

• What temperature does salmon need to be cooked to?- Asked Alexa and she gave be a long answer when all I needed to hear was 145 degrees.
• Is corn a vegetable?- The husband and I were debating. While it's culinarily used as a vegetable, it's botanically a grain.
• What's the word for when you're really thirsty? - I forgot "parched."
• When do kids get birthmarks? - I have a café au lait birthmark on my back. I was curious when those usually appear.
• Fried Rice Spice Mix - No store near us had fried rice seasoning in stock. I looked at a few recipes to make my own.
• Dino Trail - Someone I follow on Instagram posted about their visit to the Dino Trail. I was curious about how far away it was because I think the kiddo would have fun.
• Inimitable - I needed the definition. 

The pivot to summer is happening. My meeting and teaching schedule has eased immensely. I'm also looking at which personal projects I want to prioritize over the next few weeks. The transitory periods are always so weird, but they provide a nice break before I dive in to other projects.

Here's what has my attention at the moment.

WORK

• At the end of last week, I wrapped up my attendance and presentation at LOEX. It was a GREAT conference, but the scheduling (hour on, hour off) made it hard to get any other work done.
• I spent quite a bit of time working on my outline and slides for my presentation at our library's annual consortial conference. A colleague introduced to SlidesGo, and I had a lot of fun adapting a gorgeous template for my use.
• I am also working on an outline and slides for my Core Webinar. The outline is mostly done and I hope to have most of the slides done before my test run on Friday.
• I turned my random list of summer projects into Trello project cards. Now I can get to work on them.

PERSONAL

• I created and distributed the May issue of our condo's Green Committee newsletter. It focused on reuse and there a few fun ideas I will be trying myself.
• Our house plants needed some love so I aerated the soil and trimmed out some dead foliage. 
• I am nearing the end of my 5K training app. I've hit the straight run workouts and they're going okay. I know I am slower than the distance so, when it comes to running the actual 5K, I might need to throw in a few supplemental workouts to get ready.

I will forever be on a quest to add quick and easy meals to our repertoire.

I was told that DC would be inundated with cicadas by now. While I have seen some of the exoskeletons and tons of holes in the ground, I have yet to see one live cicada. I know they’re waiting for warmer weather but I’m getting impatient.

First, I want the swarm to just be over and done with. People have been complaining/scared/excited about this for months now. Let’s just do this already!

Next, I am excited to see if I can get one in my hand to show my kiddo. This will be her first brood and it’s a fun chance to teach and show her new things.

Third, I don’t mind the cicada noises. It reminds me of summer and those long days when the sun sets late.

I know my opinions aren’t shared. These bugs don’t bug me at all… unlike mosquitos. Mosquitos can just get out.

As a part of the work I do to put together this weekly post, I review the history of my Alexa app. That means I mostly see what music we've played throughout the week. Usually, it's a lot of "Wheels on the Bus," "The Party Freeze Song," and the toddler time station. This week, there was also a Carole King based station. I now have "It's Too Late" stuck in my head. At least it's an ear worm I enjoy.

Here's what I found myself researching this week.

• Dish Towel Pictures - I needed to find a CC licensed image to put in the Green Committee newsletter I was drafting. 
• Reuse Tips - Same project as above - just looking for tips on easy ways to reuse things to be a little greener at home.
  
• Running T-Shirts - Since I'm now "running" I want to bribe myself to keep it up with t-shirts that aren't 15 years old. I'm looking for something simple, breathable, with a fit that is just right. Amazon reviews are all over the place so I am still on the lookout. Open to suggestions!
  
• Hosta and Dogs - Our building has some rocky landscaping that many residents don't love. In our Condo Board meeting some suggested replacing the rocks with hardy plants. I know hosta are pretty hard to kill but, since there are a lot of cute dogs in our building, I wanted to see if it was poisonous. It is. Sad face.
  
• Best way to reheat grilled cheese - Our kiddo opted to not eat what we ordered her and, instead, just grabbed food off our plates. That's fine, but it meant we brought home her untouched grilled cheese sandwich. I went with the frying pan with lid method. Pretty good - except it was such a thick sandwich the center cheese didn't fully remelt.
  

Project Hail Mary
Andy Weir

It's been ages since I read a new book within in days of its release. I binge read The Martian, and greatly enjoyed Weir's sophomore effort, Artemis. This book is, so far, in the same vein. It has an all too smart lead character with a sassy attitude. There is a lot more math than this first books and the structure is quite different (current events with flashbacks) which helps this text stand apart from his other novels. I have a feeling this one is going to cause me to read far past my bedtime soon.

​I will be giving a webinar for ALA's Core Division on Wednesday, June 2 at 2PM (EST). 

Leading from Afar: Creating a Cohesive Remote Team

Remote work and leadership are vastly different from the traditional office experience. It takes a balance of technology, management, and empathy. In this session, the presenter will share best practices for remote leadership that encourage collaboration and camaraderie. The session will identify, examine, and discuss techniques and processes for integrating various skills and activities into your leadership to help create strong and productive remote teams. This presentation will discuss the importance of adopting leadership skills that adapt to the needs of an organization’s individual employees including but not limited to working parents, differing levels of socioeconomic status, accessibility concerns, and home life. The presenter will also share how many aspects of remote leadership can be adapted to in-person and hybrid leadership.

Learn more and register here.