Kids and Cool Helmets

Just a couple of days ago, my son was excited to tell me he wanted to get a new skateboard helmet. I had just picked him and his sister up from school and he was talking almost nonstop!  "We talked about helmets at school today...and well, I need a new skateboard helmet.  Mrs. Curtis talked about how we need to wear helmets."

Well, I was pleasantly pleased that he wanted to wear a helmet with his skateboard.  After all, I had been telling, asking, reminding him to do that lately.  But, I told him he could use the same helmet for skateboarding that he uses for his bike helmet. "No, mom, that won't do.  I need another helmet.  That one does not fit right."  I was thinking that I did not realize it did not fit, and should have already purchased another one.  Then again, I can't imagine his head has grown that much.  Then, he adds that he has had his bike helmet awhile since he was 6 (I really think he is stretching it: ) and that he is older now, and doesn't like that helmet. 

BINGO!  I get it.  I get why he doesn't want to wear his helmet.  He has outgrown it, if not physically, then age-wise.  I am just glad to have a solution to the never-want-to-wear-the-bike-helmet problem.  We both plan to go shopping for his new helmet the next day after a dental check-up. We have to go to two different sections of the store to make sure we have looked at the "skateboard" helmets.  To my surprise, the helmet he picks out does not even look that great to me, but he likes it. Once he tries it on, I really like it too!  We find some elbow and knee pads too, and some for his sister since we will be losing training wheels soon.

Once home, he is so excited to put it all on, and shows his buddy who has just stopped by.  He tells him how their teacher said they needed to make a commitment to wear their helmets.  They had just studied this in health class, and what perfect timing with Spring and beautiful weather to get outdoors.  Thank you, Mrs. Curtis!  You impressed upon a child the importance of taking care of his health.  And in the process, you helped me learn something too!

Wishing you fun days and happy helmet shopping,

~Traci

Pizza and ATV Safety

One great thing about what I do is that it is never boring, and rarely ever the same!   This Tuesday, I had the wonderful opportunity to work with my fun and creative colleagues from the northeast part of the state at what we call Pizza Farm.  Some very creative individuals started the Pizza Farm to show third grade students the role of agriculture in the pizza they eat.  From the trees that make the cardboard box, to the wheat for the crust (by the way, I did pass a field of wheat on the way there).  The third graders arrive that morning on their school buses, some from a couple of hours away.  They go through different stations, to learn about different portions of the pizza.

My creative friend and colleague, Beth, incorporates a couple of extra stations to give the youth an idea of what 4-H is, and also incorporates physical activity for fun with dancing or jump ropes.  I am happy to be sharing ATV Safety as part of what 4-H has to offer.  The third graders seemed to soak in what we went over together.  Looking at their little faces, and knowing that another young life was recently lost in the area made them seem even more precious.  Will they go back and share the information I gave them with mom and dad?  Will they remember what we said about not getting on a 4-wheeler at a friend's house, especially without an adult training you on how to drive it, or without mom or dad's permission?  If just one has learned the importance of wearing the helmet every time, that is one precious life.

As those sweet kids finish learning about the pizza, they get to enjoy pizza, fruit, and a treat for lunch.  I enjoyed talking with some of the teachers and chaperones during lunch, and taking pictures with their classes. One wanted to get a photo with them all looking at me, since she said that is exactly what they did when she asked me to take a picture with them.  So sweet and precious.

With that, I wish you safety and smiles for you and your family.

Traci

Safety and Elvis

Today included a beautiful drive to Northeast Mississippi for an Agriculture and Garden Day at the fairgrounds.  I was pleased to be invited to share ATV Safety with a new group of folks.  When I arrived, I got to catch a little of a demo and educational talk on soap-making and herbs.  Such great information, and I plan to try some of her soap!

With a briefing and the sad news of a recent ATV accident, I was reminded of why I chose to do what I am doing. I braced myself and looked at the sweet faces before me waiting to hear what I had to share.  I went through my tips for safety which are Having FUN by playing it SAFE.  I do ask if the kids have been on an ATV, and if they had fun (of course, they had fun!).  We discuss how each tip gives them an opportunity to use the ATV safely.  With each tip they do correctly, they are greatly decreasing the chances of an accident, especially a severe one.  On the opposite end, each thing they do incorrectly ADDS to the likelihood of a severe injury or death. (For more on my safety tips, follow my facebook page to receive tips and updates.)

On the upbeat side, it was great to see the sincere appreciation in the faces of those I met who told me they were glad to see me promoting the safety, and that it is needed.  This, of course, does not mean that others are not promoting safety as well.  It just means that it is much needed.  I am honored to work alongside, as well as follow, those who have and do promote safety of our youth and families.

I had a great time taking pictures and signing autographs of my ATV Safety sheets.  My good friend, Kendra will be sending me the pictures she took.  I will share a couple with you until then.

If you are wondering where Elvis comes in....I was looking for another festival I had just heard of this morning, when I passed the birthplace of Elvis.  Now, you just can't pass by the Elvis home, and museum and not stop!  What a cool place to meet people from all over!!  Renovations are underway, and I enjoyed meeting the man behind it all.  He told me he is looking at being finished in June.  If you are ever near Northeast MS, make plans to stop by!  People come from all over the world.

Wishing you safety and smiles!
Traci

Fun Friday

Today turned out to be a great Friday- nevermind that it was Friday the 13th!  My daughter and I wore purple in support of Purple Up! for Military Kids (my son had on some maroon...which you could say is in the purple family, and common here in MSU Bulldog Country!).   I hope the kids of those deployed, or recently deployed, realize how much we appreciate the sacrifice made by their families.

With the busy schedule lately, tonight was a much anticipated night with my kids before heading out early in the morning for a safety promo as Mrs. Mississippi International.  After my son suggested we purchase the Chipmunks Shipwrecked movie, we began our plans.  Even though we had seen it together at the theatre, is was just as fun to plan tonight.  I purchased M&Ms, had the popcorn ready and waiting, and the root beer (a naturally sweetened favorite that is a treat).  Just yesterday, something reminded me of the homemade corndogs my mom used to make when I was growing up.  So, I purchased my favorite hotdogs (minus the dye and artificial stuff), and searched for a recipe.  Those who know me well may not believe I purchased hotdogs, much less fried them!   But, this was a special night that called for a special meal.  My daughter helped me get the hotdogs ready, and we turned them into corndogs...DELICIOUS corndogs!  They were even gluten-free and who knew?!  My son said they were better than the school corndogs, and that comes as a BIG compliment.

We had a great time watching the chipmunks, and all that Alvin gets into.  My husband even surprised us and made it in a little early from his roadtrip.  So, with a wonderful Friday with my family behind me, I can look forward to a great trip tomorrow and enjoy the more than five hours on the road.  Life is good, and God is great!

Wishing you safety and smiles~
Traci

More than just a Crown

Some of you may have wondered why I would step out of my normal routine to be Mrs. Mississippi International.  Why be in a pageant?  Why go around with that crown on your head and wearing a sash?

The Mrs. International Pageant is remarkable because it highlights the accomplishments of married women.  As married women, and especially moms, we can get so buy taking care of everything else, and everyone else that little time is left to devote to ourselves.  The Mrs. International pageant brings together a wonderful mix of women from around the world as they share what is near and dear to their hearts.  Although many of us may have several areas of interest, we choose what we most feel important in reaching others.

Being Mrs. Mississippi International has opened up opportunities to share my platform with families and organizations that I would not have found as a 4-H Agent. Another thing that is so appealing about the pageant is that the interview counts for fifty percent, while physical fitness and evening gown each count 25%.  I love that physical fitness is included, as it is a constant reminder to me that it is okay to carve out exercise time for myself.  And I must say that the evening gown competition is very special since I will be escorted by my handsome husband!

I hope you see how special this pageant system is, and know that it is more than just a crown or a title.  It is a crown of compassion, caring, and sharing.  For that reason, I feel blessed to be a part of it.

Wishing you safety and smiles,
Traci

Safety Day in Mississippi weather

It was a cool day, a dusty day,... a rainy day, a hot day.  Yes, it was all of those things within a few hours!  Talk about a bad or confusing hair day! You have to love Mississippi weather; at least there are days when you have several choices throughout the day.

The day started with thunderstorms as I made the drive to Houston, MS.   I was concerned about the rain starting since I was on the outside edge of the metal county agriculture building.  My colleague assured me not to worry, that it would pass.  They had delivered a nice, large ATV for me to use as a visual aid. It was just a little wet with the rain that had started, but it would make a great point of reference when talking to the 5th graders. 

I went over my points of ATV Safety, and how I came about promoting it as Mrs. Mississippi International.  I knew from talking to groups prior, and from observations, that riding the wrong size ATV is one major mistake made by many.  I use the demonstration that I could drive their bus back to their school, and I can barely reach the brakes, and barely reach the steering wheel; but, hey, I can drive it!  I ask them to stretch out their arms as far as they could and stretch out one leg as if the brake pedal is far away.  This is what happens when a young child gets on an adult or teen sized ATV.  Yes, they can turn the engine on; yes, they can use the throttle. Hopefully, they can stop it at some point.  However, they are not equipped physically or mentally to operate a larger ATV.  Steering, turning to avoid obstacles, and using the brakes are not easy for a child when the ATV is too large.  I think and hope the point came across, and that it is remembered the next time they are tempted to hop on an ATV that is not their size.

I enjoyed sharing the other tips on my list.  Of course, helmet use was a top priority as well.  It was especially nice to have youth members of the Pilot International Club there; they are called Anchors as youth until they are old enough to become Pilot members.  They have brain safety and education as the main focus of the group.  I turned parts of the education over to them to share with some of the 5th graders.  I reminded the teens that the elementary students looked up to the them and respect their opinion.  The two teen boys handled the task very well, and told the kids "That's not cool... (in their "cool" voice) when the elementary students would give an example of something they had done incorrectly. "It' s not cool to do stunts...you will get injured doing that."  Then, a female teen gives the group an example of  how doing several things wrong can turn into big trouble. I just love the way the teens are taking a lead and not waiting for adulthood to step up to the plate.

I could write more, but I will post a few of the pictures instead.

Wishing you safety and smiles,

Traci