IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Crib notes: Three nuggets equal a healthy school lunch?

For lunch, would you rather your preschooler ate, A) three chicken nuggets, or B) a turkey and cheese sandwich, banana, potato chips, and apple juice? Most parents would opt for option B, including the mom who sent that very lunch with her four-year-old daughter to preschool. However, one North Carolina state employee voted for the nuggets, after deciding the home-packed lunch wasn't nutritious en

For lunch, would you rather your preschooler ate, A) three chicken nuggets, or B) a turkey and cheese sandwich, banana, potato chips, and apple juice? Most parents would opt for option B, including the mom who sent that very lunch with her four-year-old daughter to preschool. However, one North Carolina state employee voted for the nuggets, after deciding the home-packed lunch wasn't nutritious enough. Then, the little girl's mom was billed $1.25 for her McMalnutrition meal. The agent was visiting the preschool program at an elementary school, inspecting everyone's lunches, to determine whether or not the lunches (including those brought from home) met USDA guidelines. If a sack lunch isn't in compliance with the guidelines, then childcare providers are required to supplement the meal offerings from the cafeteria. A policy manager, working for the same department as Agent Nugget, said the home-packed lunch actually did meet the nutrition guidelines.

SuperMom saves a bus full of children

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's SuperMom! With the power of her love and her quick wit, she can save a bus full of children. A mom was waiting at the bus stop with her kids, when the bus pulled up, then kept going. Not only did it not stop, it didn't even slow down. SuperMom's daughter noticed something wasn't right with the bus driver and told her mom. SuperMom's alter ego, Rhonda Carlsen, then began running alongside the bus and pounding on the door, while another mom called 911.  Rhonda got the attention of a third-grader on the bus and told him how to open the bus door, which he did. Rhonda then jumped on the bus, applied the brake and turned off the ignition. The kids on the bus were scared but otherwise okay. The bus driver, who had suffered a seizure, was hospitalized. It's said his first words upon waking were to ask if the kids were alright. Yes, they were, thanks to SuperMom!

Amazing 12-year-old boy saves his grandmother's house from foreclosure

America's housing crisis finally has a hero. An industrious 12-year-old boy just saved his grandmother's house from being foreclosedon. In just one month, this young philanthropist raised more than $10,000 to keep a roof over his grandma's head. Noah Lamaide asked 400 people to contribute $25 each, to help his grandmother who has fallen on hard times. If you're wondering where this kid got his sense of generosity, you might not need to look any farther than his grandmother herself, who has been a foster parent to many children. On his website, Noah says that he raises money for a different community service project each year. This is an endeavor he began two years ago, after his dad was laid off. He encourages all kids to put away their video games for one day a month and spend their time helping someone else. 

Teen girls tweet that they wouldn't mind having Chris Brown beat them -- no!!!

While news of Whitney Houston's tragic passing dominated the recent Grammy Awards, Chris Brown's performances also garnered some headlines. Although many people were upset about his return to the awards show after his infamous assault on Rihanna three years ago, some teenage girls had a disturbingly different take on his appearance.  A number of girls tweeted messages like, “Dude, Chris Brown can punch me in the face as much as wants to, just as long as he kisses it” and "I don't know why Rihanna complained. Chris Brown could beat me any time he wanted to." That girls are saying these things might not be shocking, given that a study done after the assault showed that 46 percent of kids thought Rihanna was responsible for her abuse. While Chris Brown may not be smacking these particular girls, chances are their moms wanted to, after reading those tweets (some of which have since been removed).

Lactating moms -- Pump and get dumped (by your employer)?

One mom, who asked for permission to use break time to pump, instead got the boot. A federal judge in Texas has said that's A-OK, too. While (many) women are guaranteed time off for maternity leave, the same protection doesn't necessarily apply to women who want to use their breaks to pump. Although it's incredibly rare to lactate without having first been pregnant, in his ruling, the judge said "lactation is not pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition." His ruling indicates that the law doesn't believe it's sexual discrimination for an employer to fire a mom for lactating on the job. He isn't the first judge to issue this kind of statement. In this case, while she was on maternity leave, the mom asked her boss if it would be okay for her to pump at work once she returned. When her boss asked the company's vice president about the accommodation he says he was told, "No. Maybe she needs to stay home longer." Then, she was laid off. It hasn't yet been decided whether or not she'll appeal.

Dana Macario is a TODAY Moms contributor and Seattle mom to two sleep-depriving toddlers. Once properly caffeinated, she also blogs at www.18years2life.com.