tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35176974834798128932021-04-27T05:12:38.532-04:00Fun MamaI have a Fun Mama, and that's the kind of Mama I want to be. What she didn't have in resources she made up for in creativity. I want to be the Mama with plenty of crayons, fingerpaint, lemonade and cookie dough. I have sprinkles and character bandages and I'm not afraid to use them.Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.comBlogger369125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-81783937310932524922012-12-19T23:10:00.002-05:002012-12-19T23:10:55.378-05:00My Mother's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This was supposed to post in May 2011, but blogger went through some issues and this post was removed. I thought I would go ahead and post it now, even though it is almost as seasonally inappropriate as possible.<br /><br /><br />My family and I slept in on Mother's Day. I woke up with Monkey Georgia snuggled up to me. She crawled into our bed sometime in the night, which she does some nights.<br /><br />I wanted to get up, but I enjoyed being in bed too, so I waited. And then I heard a little voice say, "Get up, Daddy! It's Mother's Day!"<br /><br />(She has been obsessed with Mother's Day all week, asking when it is and expressing disappointment at how long she had to wait. And saying she was <i>just so excited</i> about it.)<br /><br />He said, "Why don't you tell Mommy it's Mother's Day?" and so she did.<br /><br />While I was getting ready (make-up even!), she came in almost jumping up and down.<br /><br />"I'm just SO ehcited! (excited)" she exclaimed. She and her daddy had been keeping a secret from me for almost a week, and I think she was about to burst.<br /><br />For lunch, they took me to Jasmine Chinese Cuisine, a newish Chinese restaurant relatively near us. (In the English Station/Lake Forest area, for locals.) We had a Groupon for the meal, which we decided to buy after seeing so many unfamiliar dishes on the menu. I chose ginger chicken, which I had never seen on a Chinese menu before (Thai or Vietnamese, yes, but not Chinese). It was served on a bed or broccoli, and a side of steamed rice. I thought it was wonderful.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gi2dlz6Z0Hs/Tc3cQe-y5PI/AAAAAAAAARg/uSjo9ykgwk8/s1600/IMG_7910A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gi2dlz6Z0Hs/Tc3cQe-y5PI/AAAAAAAAARg/uSjo9ykgwk8/s1600/IMG_7910A.jpg" /></a></div>I also got hot tea, which made me feel connected to my Mama and my Grandma (and PawPaw) who used to get hot tea when we went out for Chinese food.<br /><br />The restaurant was elegant and the staff friendly and helpful. We would definitely consider going back. (Besides, I didn't get to try the glazed pineapple dessert.)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iIhzzYXpIHg/Tc3cSYmD9MI/AAAAAAAAARk/M6B9Y59jSrQ/s1600/IMG_7916A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iIhzzYXpIHg/Tc3cSYmD9MI/AAAAAAAAARk/M6B9Y59jSrQ/s1600/IMG_7916A.jpg" /></a></div><br />We made a quick stop after lunch for me to buy a newspaper. When I got back in the car, Monkey Georgia said, "But how far is the gelato place?" She held out for a long time, but she let the cat out of the bag. I did not mind though. The first time we had gelato at <a href="http://www.gelatogilberto.com/">Gilberto Gelato</a> was last year on Mother's Day. I would be happy for gelato to become a yearly Mother's Day tradition!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u4GKFGY1CXE/Tc3cVx27w0I/AAAAAAAAARs/DoIM0vpNCWY/s1600/IMG_7930A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u4GKFGY1CXE/Tc3cVx27w0I/AAAAAAAAARs/DoIM0vpNCWY/s1600/IMG_7930A.jpg" /></a></div><br />Monkey Georgia had strawberry sorbetto and raspberry chocolate chip. The chocolate chips were bitter dark chocolate and she was not happy. We've made a note not to let her have chocolate chip gelatoes anymore.<br /><br />Uhn Gi chose vanilla gelato and strawberry sorbetto. The vanilla was fragrant and floral. It was made with Madagascar vanilla beans.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UInRNERwLiI/Tc3cUM3dWqI/AAAAAAAAARo/WGZPbKWaKkc/s1600/IMG_7920A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UInRNERwLiI/Tc3cUM3dWqI/AAAAAAAAARo/WGZPbKWaKkc/s1600/IMG_7920A.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wiNRyoiN834/Tc3cIeoA9LI/AAAAAAAAARQ/7HbFA2zr_TQ/s1600/IMG_4560A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wiNRyoiN834/Tc3cIeoA9LI/AAAAAAAAARQ/7HbFA2zr_TQ/s1600/IMG_4560A.jpg" /></a><br />I chose coconut gelato, pineapple sorbetto, and fruitti di Bosco. If I had to do it over, I would have just gotten the fruitti di Bosco. It was strawberry, blueberry and blackberry sorbetto, and was thick and chunky and filled with fruit. The flavor was so intense. Unfortunately, the flavor is only rarely made because of the seasonality of the ingredients. I could eat it all the time.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oq7UglhQEQE/Tc3cYN6AjnI/AAAAAAAAARw/ey7iU7rhAAw/s1600/IMG_7974A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oq7UglhQEQE/Tc3cYN6AjnI/AAAAAAAAARw/ey7iU7rhAAw/s1600/IMG_7974A.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eaUgcx61jrQ/Tc3cKA2vyjI/AAAAAAAAARU/Em_Q73GQoC8/s1600/IMG_4565A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eaUgcx61jrQ/Tc3cKA2vyjI/AAAAAAAAARU/Em_Q73GQoC8/s1600/IMG_4565A.jpg" /></a>After gelato, we went to Costco which is a few miles away. Every time we go, Monkey Georgia asks if they can buy me flowers and Uhn Gi always say no (our cat eats flowers). So for Mother's Day, Monkey Georgia got to pick out flowers for me. It was difficult to decide which bouquet she wanted to get. She wanted to get the "rainbow" flowers, but when she saw the "Mother's Day" bouquet, her resolve wavered. (The Mother's Day bouquet included lilies and was in decorated cellophane.) She finally decided to get the rainbow flowers like she had originally planned.<br /><br />They also bought me a rose bush since my husband wanted to get me roses but prefers not to buy flowers that just wilt a few days later.<br /><br />Later in the day, we flew kites and worked in the garden. It was a wonderful day!Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-19960753186167461012012-11-27T22:21:00.000-05:002012-11-27T22:21:42.398-05:00Review: Who Peed on My Yoga Mat?<br />I just finished Lela Davidson's new book <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Who-Peed-My-Yoga-Mat/dp/1936214962/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1354072348&sr=8-3&keywords=lela+davidson" target="_blank">Who Peed on My Yoga Mat?</a></i> It's a collection of humorous essays about marriage, parenting, and dealing with the other kids' parents. I found myself laughing out loud at several points.<br /><br />Her perspective on some things is quite different than mine, but our children are different ages. I may have a different perspective on how much time kids spend with their parents when my daughter is nearly a teenager too!<br /><br />My favorite essays in the book are about marriage. She has been married for 17 years, which I consider quite an accomplishment. She writes about trying to schedule romantic weekends away, and even romantic evenings at home. Her Google calendar trick is worth trying, even if it did not work for her.<br /><br />Her essay about women's undergarments helped change my mind about a shopping trip I had a few weeks ago. Since I have young relatives who read my blog, that's all I'm going to say about that.<br /><br />The book is due to be released on December 4. (I received an advanced reader copy, but the opinions expressed here are my own.) If you are a mom, especially with kids between 9 and 14, definitely check out this book.<br />Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-39358467031343989832012-03-22T14:37:00.000-04:002012-03-22T14:37:45.123-04:00Happy Spring!What a strange winter. I usually complain bitterly about winter in Kentucky because it seems to last until early April and then summer starts the 2nd week of May. The difference in Georgia is that spring starts in February and summer starts in May. (I am sort of kidding.) This winter only saw one big snow at our house, and we've had record breaking 80+ degree weather this week. I'm not going to complain about the heat or the pollen. Spring is too glorious to complain about!<br /><br />Last week, Monkey Georgia and I spent an afternoon outside painting rocks. It had been a long time since we had done that. We mostly painted them solid colors to test the colorfastness of the acrylic paint in the rain. Now that we know the paint is going to stay, we can paint designs on them too. I saw some great ideas for labels and signs painted on rocks on Pinterest, and I can't wait to try them out in our yard.<br /><br />How are you spending your spring days?Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-31998370073377185602011-12-09T22:22:00.000-05:002011-12-09T22:22:02.746-05:00Cookies & CocktailsI'm watching a special on the Cooking Channel called <a href="http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/cookies-cocktails/cookies-cocktails/index.html">Cookies and Cocktails</a>, and I just had to share this. The bacon chocolate chip cookies and the compost cookies (with pretzels and potato chips!) both sound like must tries. It is scheduled to be on several more times. Check it out.<br /><br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/bacon-chocolate-chip-cookies-recipe4/index.html">Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies</a></li><li><a href="http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/momofuku-compost-cookies-recipe/index.html">Momofuku Compost Cookies</a></li></ul><div><br /></div>Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-11701165350053560862011-12-05T08:00:00.001-05:002011-12-05T08:00:03.588-05:00Cookie RecipesI originally wrote this post in December 2009, but got so busy that I forgot to publish it! Good cookie recipes are good anytime, so I thought I'd go ahead and share it this year.<br /><br /><br />I've been spending a lot of time lately going through my cookbooks and favorite recipe sites looking for cookie recipes to bake with my daughter. Then I started going through my blog reader and realized that everyone seems to be posting cookie recipes!<br /><div><br /></div><div><ul><li><a href="http://bigpicturescrapbooking.typepad.com/scrap_big/2009/12/mmm-mmm-cookies.html">Chewy Sugar Cookie</a> @ Scrap Big - <a href="http://www.lisadamrosch.typepad.com/">Lisa Damrosch</a> is hosted the blog at Big Picture Scrapbooking in December 2009, and shared this recipe. I love my sugar cookies chewy, so I can't wait to try this recipe.</li><li><a href="http://simplemom.net/2-weeks-till-christmas-make-your-food-gifts/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+simplemom+(Simple+Mom)&utm_content=Google+Reader">lots of yummy cookies</a> @ Simple Mom - This is a long list of edible gifts, but I thought the cookies deserved an extra mention!</li><li><a href="http://purplecrazymum.blogspot.com/2009/12/cookie-swap-blog-hop.html">Cardamom Snaps</a> @ My World by Cate - I first tasted cardamom in a Christmas cookie an old boyfriend's mom made years ago. Cardamom is a sweet spice to me for this reason.</li><li><a href="http://purplecrazymum.blogspot.com/2009/11/irish-creme-delights.html">Irish Cream Delights</a> @ My World by Cate - I think my hubby will love these. They look like Snickerdoodles only flavored with Baileys. (I liked them better than he did. Wow. Yummy.)</li><li><a href="http://everybodylikessandwiches.com/2009/12/holiday-baking-gift-ideas/">Holiday Baking and Gift Ideas</a> @Everyone Likes Sandwiches - This is another long list of edible gift links.</li></ul><div></div></div>Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-66398156030857175162011-12-01T08:00:00.001-05:002011-12-01T08:00:13.011-05:00winter reading -other people's picksI enjoy making lists of books we've read, and since I've become a mama (and a blogger), I've started paying attention more to the seasons that we're reading. I think I may have even been introduced to this idea by Soulemama, so I thought I would share a link to her list of winter favorites.<br /><br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2007/11/our-winter-read.html">Our Winter Reading</a> - from 2007</li><li><a href="http://soulemama.typepad.com/soulemama/2005/12/holiday_reading.html">Holiday Reading Favorites</a> - from 2005</li><li><a href="http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2008/01/snow-snow-and-m.html">Wintry Weather Favorites</a> - from 2008</li></ul>Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-30691336747860393142011-11-28T08:00:00.000-05:002011-11-28T08:00:10.373-05:00Christmas Picture BooksBooks we enjoyed during Christmas 2010:<br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nutcracker-Susan-Jeffers/dp/0060743867?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Nutcracker by Susan Jeffers</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0060743867" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> - Beautiful illustrations, and it tells the story in a simple way so that a 4 year old can follow along. It is not so long that it can't be read at bedtime. Monkey Georgia loved it.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shall-Knit-You-Hat-Christmas/dp/031237139X?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Shall I Knit You a Hat? A Christmas Yarn</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=031237139X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Kate Klise - Little Rabbit enjoys his new hat that Mother Rabbit made so much that he insists they knit hats for all their friends. The illustrations are vibrant and the message is that it is better to give than receive.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Merry-Christmas-Mike-Reiss/dp/0060591269?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Merry UnChristmas by Mike Reiss</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0060591269" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> - We actually forgot to read this one even though we had it checked out for a while. It looks cute though and I want to check it out again next year.</li></ul><div>We would like to enjoy these again this season.<br /><br /><br />I am a member of Amazon Affiliates. If you click on one of the links and make a purchase, I receive a small percentage. Thank you for supporting this blog.</div>Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-3065879408288181412011-10-11T22:43:00.000-04:002011-10-11T22:43:26.946-04:00Week in a LifeDuring the last week of July, I participated in the Week in a Life project along with Ali Edwards and others around the world. It's the first time I've come anywhere close to completing the project, and it's already a documentation project that I treasure.<br /><br />I am lucky enough to also be able to document some of my life through my column at my local paper, the Spencer Magnet. I shared this project in my column recently, and thought you may enjoy reading it:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.spencermagnet.com/content/godman-enjoys-documenting-life-and-thinks-you-will-too">Godman enjoys documenting life and thinks you will too!</a>Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-28973700998537925712011-09-04T16:16:00.000-04:002011-09-04T16:16:27.441-04:00I'm BackI has been a while since I have posted here. I have missed it, but it has been a busy summer.<br /><br /><ul><li>Monkey Georgia and I went to Georgia</li><li>my husband's parents visited</li><li>my mama, my sister-in-law and baby nephew visited</li><li>we went on a train ride at the Kentucky Railway Museum</li><li>we played with cousins</li><li>an old friend moved nearby and we went on adventures</li><li>we picked berries</li><li>we read lots of books</li><li>we gardened (although not very well, sadly)</li><li>I continued to write for the newspaper and even got a little work done on my novel</li><li>I made lots of photo books</li><li>canned tomato sauce, pickles and jam</li></ul><div>And lots of other things. I keep thinking of things I want to write about here, but I felt like I had to reintroduce myself again before I could write anything - or at least explain about where I'd been. So now I've done that, and we can get on with other things.</div>Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-38420205735536391302011-07-11T14:16:00.000-04:002011-07-11T14:16:01.168-04:00Chicken Dinner Workshop - My ExperienceI participated in the<a href="http://blog.funmama.net/2010/07/chicken-dinner-workshop-contact.html"> Chicken Dinner Workshop</a> nearly a year ago, and afterward I said that I would share my own experiences. It took a long time for me to sort through my thoughts and I never got around to sharing them here.<br /><br />Last week, I did finally share them in the Spencer Magnet. I know it can sometimes be difficult to access my articles on the website, but I believe it's possible to view several articles each month without purchasing a subscription. I hope you'll check this one out. It's dear to my heart.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.spencermagnet.com/content/farm-plate-columnist-learns-first-hand-realities-raising-meat">Farm to Plate: Columnist learns first-hand the realities of raising meat</a>Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-10268730553693517712011-06-14T08:00:00.000-04:002011-06-14T08:00:06.777-04:00Easter Eggs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e8ukoMTFFvY/Tc3gOEQuOoI/AAAAAAAAASQ/DUf4awORT5w/s1600/IMG_4498A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e8ukoMTFFvY/Tc3gOEQuOoI/AAAAAAAAASQ/DUf4awORT5w/s1600/IMG_4498A.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't know how it worked out this way, but this was the first year we dyed Easter eggs with Monkey Georgia. We did not get around to doing it until the night before, unfortunately. This year we decorated 10 eggs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We planned to leave the Easter Bunny a note letting him know the eggs were in the refrigerator so he could hide them in the front yard (he hides plastic filled eggs inside, but we were concerned our cat would hide the boiled ones from us inside). Before we went to bed, a huge thunderstorm hit, and we all decided that dying the eggs was enough fun. The search for them could wait for another year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We typically stock up on Easter egg dye at after-Easter sales, but someday I think it would be fun to try natural dyes for the eggs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know this is old news. Someday I would like to post about things during the same week that they happen!</div>Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-42292624936030974632011-06-10T08:00:00.001-04:002011-06-10T08:00:05.485-04:00Spencer Magnet: At Home for MayI completely forgot about sharing my Spencer Magnet articles here for the last month! I'm still thrilled to be writing for them. My year anniversary was at the beginning of May. My articles are published under the heading At Home because I write about homey topics - like food, sewing, decorating and Homemaker Clubs. A few months ago, At Home even got its own heading on the website (under features) which was a thrill.<br /><br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.spencermagnet.com/content/sew-special">Sew Special</a> - A local woman's quilting studio</li><li><a href="http://www.spencermagnet.com/content/blast-past">Blast from the Past</a> - The Homemakers Annual Meeting was Lincoln themed</li><li><a href="http://www.spencermagnet.com/content/dirty-secret-dirt-cake-recipe-fun-and-delicious">A Dirty Secret: Dirt Cake Recipe Fun & Delicious</a> - This cake was SO good. I have been craving it for weeks. What was really funny was that my daughter refused to try it because we called it "Dirt Cake." Yet she'll eat food off the floor.</li><li><a href="http://www.spencermagnet.com/content/easy-recipe-brings-taste-asian-flare-table">East Recipe Brings A Taste of Asian Flare</a> - A recipe my husband tried from a diabetic cookbooks (none of us are diabetic). There are no artificial sweeteners in this recipe.</li></ul><div>I hope you enjoy reading!</div>Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-57121033566697677462011-06-08T08:00:00.001-04:002011-06-08T10:56:47.406-04:00Summer Reading Programs 2011I love summer reading programs. They reward what we already do (read a lot) and remind us to track what we've read. I wish I had kept lists of the books I read when I was a kid. <br /><br />We always participate in our local libraries' summer reading programs. This year, I started searching for additional summer reading programs. This is the list I've come up with so far.<br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://hpb.com/community/fyb/started/">Half-Price Books: Feed Your Brain</a> - under 14 years old. Read 600 minutes during June & July and get a $5 gift card.</li><li><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreading/index.asp">Barnes and Noble</a> - 1st-6th graders. Read 8 books and chose 1 book (from a list) for free.</li><li><a href="http://media.bordersstores.com/pdf/summerreading.pdf">Borders</a> - 12 and under. Read any 10 books and chose 1 book (from a list) for free.</li><li><a href="http://www.potterybarnkids.com/customer-service/store-events.html">Pottery Barn Kids</a> - ages 10 and under. There is a reading list of picture books (Caldecott medals and honors) or early readers that must be completed. Prize is a free book.</li><li><a href="http://www.scholastic.com/summer/">Scholastic Summer Challenge</a> - I can't find the age range this is for.</li><li><a href="http://challenges.ivillage.com/kids-summer-reading">PBS Kids</a> - I'm not sure what the program is exactly. </li><li><a href="http://www.chuckecheese.com/promotions/rewards-calendars.php">Chuck E Cheese</a> - This one seems to require a food purchase though, for only 10 tokens.</li></ul><div>We also get to participate in the summer reading programs for the library of the county where we live and the county where my husband works. (I have library cards in both counties. Check your local regulations. Some counties allow you to use the libraries if you work there.)<br /><br />I found out on Tuesday that our county now has an adult summer reading program, which I am very excited about. I need to clarify some of the details - like are only books from that library allowed? Adults are given a bingo sheet with various genres of books to read. The requirement is to write a brief review of each book read and have a staff member sign the review. Up to 10 reviews can be submitted for the raffle. Our library's program is only for the month of June. Most of the programs run through the end of July.<br /><br />Monkey Georgia has signed up for 3 reading programs so far, and completed both libraries programs. (We have not turned in our forms yet, so she has not received prizes yet.)<br /><br />On Saturday, we went to the Half-Price Books summer reading kick-off. It was more low-key than some kick-off parties I have seen, but low-key is her style. She sat on the floor in front of the storyteller, coloring and enjoying their snacks and listening to the stories. Monkey Georgia sat through storytime for an hour and a half! I was blown away that she sat there that long. (The party was about 2 hours long, and people came and went as they pleased. We were a little late, or I suspect Monkey Georgia would have stayed longer.) I'm not sure if it was the stories or the free access to glue sticks that kept her attention. Maybe a little of both?</div><div><br /></div><div>About.com's Freebies site has a list of <a href="http://freebies.about.com/od/familyfreestuff/tp/summer-reading.htm">summer reading programs</a> also.<br /><br /><br />Do you know of any other summer reading programs available this summer?<br /><br />Edited to Add: Most of the summer reading programs that I linked to here are open to children who do not read yet. The rules indicate that it is ok for parents to read to pre-literate children. If Monkey Georgia were reading to herself, I would consider letting her count the same books for each program. Since I am reading to her, we only count each book once, even if we read it more than once. These are my personal rules.</div>Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-21759952869915977772011-06-06T19:52:00.000-04:002011-06-06T19:52:41.355-04:00It's Monday! What Are You Reading?Last week, I read:<br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Percy-Jackson-Olympians-Book-One/dp/B0046LUTUA?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Lightning Thief </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0046LUTUA" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />by Rick Riordan</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Monsters-Percy-Jackson-Olympians-Book/dp/B000TVM5ZI?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Sea of Monsters</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000TVM5ZI" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Rick Riordan</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Battle-Labyrinth-Percy-Jackson-Olympians/dp/1423101499?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Titan's Curse</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1423101499" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Rich Riordan</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>Currently reading:</div><div><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Battle-Labyrinth-Percy-Jackson-Olympians/dp/1423101499?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Battle of the Labyrinth</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1423101499" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Rick Riordan</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Turtle-Moon-Alice-Hoffman/dp/0425161285?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Turtle Moon</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0425161285" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Alice Hoffman - I'm no further on this than I was last week.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>Library Books from last week:</div></div><div><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Write-Start-Nurturing-Writing-Scribbling/dp/1590308379?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Write-Start-Nurturing-Writing-Scribbling/dp/1590308379?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="The Write Start: A Guide to Nurturing Writing at Every Stage, from Scribbling to Forming Letters and Writing Stories" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1590308379&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1590308379" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />The Write Start<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1590308379" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Jennifer Hallissy - Finally got my hands on this! It's about helping young kids get into writing and is the writing equivalent of How to Get Your Kids to Love Reading, from what I understand. It came out in December and I haven't been able to get a copy yet.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Slob-Ellen-Potter/dp/039924705X?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Slob</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=039924705X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Ellen Potter - This was recommended by <a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/">Abby the Librarian</a>.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sex-Lives-Cannibals-Equatorial-Pacific/dp/0767915305?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Sex Lives of Cannibals</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0767915305" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by J. Maarten Troop - I can't remember where I heard about this one, but it sounded interesting. The author's wife was transferred to the euquatorial pacific, and he tagged along for 2 years.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Playful-Parenting-Lawrence-J-Cohen/dp/0345442865?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Playful Parenting</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0345442865" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Lawrence J. Cohen - another one I've wanted to read for a while.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Your-Own-John-Homeschooling/dp/0738206946?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Teach Your Own</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0738206946" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by John Holt</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Goodnight-Tweetheart-Teresa-Medeiros/dp/1439188157?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Goodnight, Tweetheart</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1439188157" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Teresa Merdeiros - When I used to plan booksignings at a bookstore, occasionally I would do group signings for romance authors and Teresa would always come. She is SO sweet. I recently realized that I had never actually read one of her books! (Shh! Don't tell her!)</li></ul><div>I am linking to <a href="http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/2011/06/05/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-91/">It's Monday! What Are You Reading?</a> hosted by Book Journey.</div></div>Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-65118048948566449172011-06-04T14:02:00.000-04:002011-06-04T14:02:34.570-04:00What My Child Is ReadingSome of the books we read this week:<br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mama-Summer-Yet-Nikki-McClure/dp/B00509COEG?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mama-Summer-Yet-Nikki-McClure/dp/B00509COEG?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Mama, Is It Summer Yet?" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B00509COEG&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00509COEG" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Mama, Is it Summer Yet?<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00509COEG" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mama-Summer-Yet-Nikki-McClure/dp/B00509COEG?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Mama, Is It Summer Yet?</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00509COEG" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Nikki McClure - I love this book! Monkey Georgia likes that "Mama, is it summer yet?" is repeated on every other page, so she can "read" that part while I read the other pages. I love the illustrations.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/House-Takes-Vacation-Jacqueline-Davies/dp/0761453318?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The House Takes a Vacation</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0761453318" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Jacqueline Davies - This book is very punny. I think a lot of the puns went over Monkey Georgia's head, but she thought the story and illustrations were funny all the same.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hello-Picture-Books-Hans-Wilhelm/dp/1575053489?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hello-Picture-Books-Hans-Wilhelm/dp/1575053489?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Hello Sun! (Picture Books)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1575053489&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1575053489" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Hello, Sun<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1575053489" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Hans Wilhelm - We saw this displayed in the library. There's a hedgehog on the cover. Of course we brought it home!</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Three-Pigs-David-Wiesner/dp/0618007016?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Three Pigs</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0618007016" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by David Weisner</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Rocket-Learned-Read-Hills/dp/0375858997?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">How Rocket Learned to Read</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0375858997" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Tad Hills - This book was recommended by <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reading-with-Infants-Toddlers-and-Preschoolers/110852398990891?sk=info">Reading With Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers</a>. The language in this book is very rich.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Can-Do-Myself-Diane-Adams/dp/1561454710?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Can-Do-Myself-Diane-Adams/dp/1561454710?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="I Can Do It Myself!" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1561454710&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1561454710" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />I Can Do It Myself <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1561454710" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />by Diane Adams - I took this book back to the library last week, unbeknownst to Monkey Georgia who asked for it that very night and burst into tears when it wasn't there. I requested it again from the library immediately. The book is published in Atlanta, GA by Peachtree Publishers. (I grew up an hour from there.) I don't know if it is the cadence of the rhyme, or knowning that it was published at "home" but my normally non-existent Southern accent comes out in full force when I'm reading this book and it cracks me up. Also, I am still working on my novel, and Monkey Georgia asked me the other day what I was writing about. I told her it's a book about a girl. "Is it Emily Pearl?" (Emily Pearl is the girl who can do it herself.)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Katy-Did-Lorianne-Siomades/dp/1590786025?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Katy Did It!</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1590786025" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> By Lorinanne Siomade - Monkey Georgia saw this book on the display and grabbed it up. I guess the katydid on the cover was appealing. The story - about a katydid who gets in trouble for acting normally but finally gets to be the hero by doing what she does best - will appeal to the preschooler set as familiar territory.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Night-M-Christina-Butler/dp/1561486108?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Dark, Dark Night</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1561486108" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by M. Christina Butler - Another Little Hedgehog book, but with a different illustrator than the rest. Monkey Georgia was fairly certain there was no monster from the beginning.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Magnificent-Coat-Many-Colors/dp/156402265X?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Joseph and His Magnificent Coat of Many Colors</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=156402265X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Marcia Williams - Monkey Georgia didn't like this one. It is the story of Joseph told in comic book style. It's a long and strange story though, and she did not like it. (I had forgotten about the strange dreams and interpretations that Joseph has. I can understand why the story might not appeal to a 4 year old, at least told this way. It is not adapted for a preschool audience.)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Marshmallow-Kisses-Linda-Crotta-Brennan/dp/0618809031?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Marshmallow-Kisses-Linda-Crotta-Brennan/dp/0618809031?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Marshmallow Kisses" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0618809031&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0618809031" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Marshmallow Kisses<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0618809031" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Linda Crotta Brennan - I love Brennan's homey style books. This one is such a fun reminder of all the wonderful bits of summer. I would love to be able to frame some of the illustrations too.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Press-Here-Herve-Tullet/dp/0811879542?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Press-Here-Herve-Tullet/dp/0811879542?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Press Here" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0811879542&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0811879542" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Press Here<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0811879542" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Henre Tullet - This book and the next one were recommended by <a href="http://momandkiddo.blogspot.com/">What Do We Do All Day?</a> Monkey Georgia loved it so much that she had me read it 3 times on Friday. It is interactive without batteries or bells or whistles. Love it.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Chameleon-Emily-Gravett/dp/144241958X?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Blue Chameleon</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=144241958X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Emily Gravett - A sad chameleon looks for a friend. The illustrations are so much fun!</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Where-Did-That-Baby-Come/dp/0152053735?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Where Did That Baby Come From</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0152053735" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Debi Gliori - A random library pick. I was going to take it back to the library, but Monkey Georgia loved it. She knew the baby did not come from any of the places described, because babies come from tummies. ("Babies don't come from outer space.")</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Come-Out-Play-Little-Mouse/dp/0688140262?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Come Out and Play, Little Mouse</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0688140262" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Robert Kraus - The calico cat keeps trying to trick the mouse into coming out to play. Seriously, the cat has a calico print.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/This-Sunflower-Lola-M-Schaefer/dp/0688164137?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/This-Sunflower-Lola-M-Schaefer/dp/0688164137?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="This Is the Sunflower" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0688164137&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0688164137" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />This Is the Sunflower<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0688164137" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Lola M. Schaefer - We loved sunflowers and grow as many as we can. The poem is bouncy and fun, and Monkey Georgia likes for me to identify the birds that eat the seeds. (There is a diagram of the birds at the back of the book.)</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>Library books from this week:</div><div><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Come-Out-Play-Little-Mouse/dp/0688140262?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Come-Out-Play-Little-Mouse/dp/0688140262?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Come Out and Play, Little Mouse" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0688140262&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0688140262" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Come Out and Play, Little Mouse<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0688140262" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Robert Kraus</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Where-Did-That-Baby-Come/dp/0152053735?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Where Did That Baby Come From?</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0152053735" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Debi Gliori</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Can-Do-Myself-Diane-Adams/dp/1561454710?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">I Can Do It Myself</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1561454710" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Diane Adams</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Night-M-Christina-Butler/dp/1561486108?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Night-M-Christina-Butler/dp/1561486108?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="The Dark, Dark Night" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1561486108&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1561486108" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />The Dark, Dark Night<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1561486108" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by M. Christina Butler</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mister-Seahorse-Eric-Carle/dp/0399242694?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Mister Seahorse</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0399242694" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Eric Carle</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Katy-Did-Lorianne-Siomades/dp/1590786025?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Katy-Did-Lorianne-Siomades/dp/1590786025?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Katy Did It!" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1590786025&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1590786025" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Katy Did It! <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1590786025" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />by Lorianne Siomades</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Rocket-Learned-Read-Hills/dp/0375858997?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">How Rocket Learned to Read</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0375858997" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Tad Hills</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I am linking to <a href="http://learningwithmouse.blogspot.com/2011/06/what-my-child-is-reading-june-04-2011.html">What My Child is Reading</a> by <a href="http://learningwithmouse.blogspot.com/">Mouse Grows, Mouse Learns</a>.</div>Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-59236935993747030692011-06-01T08:00:00.000-04:002011-06-01T08:00:15.157-04:00It's Monday! What Are You Reading?(Yes, I know it's Wednesday. So what?)<br /><br />For Monday, May 23 - Sunday, May 29, 2011<br /><br />I finished:<br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Discovery-Witches-Novel-Deborah-Harkness/dp/0670022411?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">A Discovery of Witches</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0670022411" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Deborah Harkness - I read this book in its entirety because my friend loved it and I wanted to give it a chance. It's nearly 600 pages and the action did not pick up until around page 400. A lot of time is spent in libraries and talking about food, which I don't mind. Obviously I do both of those things myself! My problem with the book is that it becomes obvious that the main character's life is in danger in the first 20 pages or so. There's this sense of urgency that something is very wrong. But it is not until around 400 pages later that any of it is taken seriously by the author. Also, the love interest (a vampire - of course) is a male chauvinist and by the end of the book the formerly strong female lead has completely and willingly given her autonomy to him and allows him to tell her what to do. It is explained that vampires are like wolves and there has to be an alpha. That is frankly NOT my world-view and I'm getting really sick of books that take that for granted. (Twilight, I'm looking at you. Actually, this book reads like the author read Twilight and wanted to write an adult version.) The male lead out-Edwards Edward on some other points that I found irritating but not appropriate for this blog.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>Currently reading:</div><div><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Turtle-Moon-Alice-Hoffman/dp/0425161285?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Turtle Moon</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0425161285" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Alice Hoffman - I loved the movie Practical Magic and I keep telling myself I'm going to read an actual Hoffman book. This one happened to be sitting on my bookshelf so I'm giving it a shot.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Percy-Jackson-Olympians-Book-One/dp/1423121708?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Lightning Thief </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1423121708" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />by Rick Riordan - My friend asked for opinions on this book, and I happened to have it so started reading it to see what I thought. I'm really enjoying it so far.</li></ul><div>Library Picks:</div></div><div><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Its-Not-Stork-Families-Friends/dp/0763633313?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Its-Not-Stork-Families-Friends/dp/0763633313?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="It's Not the Stork: A Book About Girls, Boys, Babies, Bodies, Families and Friends (The Family Library)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0763633313&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0763633313" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />It's Not The Stork!: A Book About Girls, Boys, Babies, Bodies Families. . .<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0763633313" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Robie Harris & Michael Emberley - This book is for ages 4 and up. It was recommended by A Family of Books for talking to preschoolers about where babies come from. Monkey Georgia has some weird ideas, so I picked this up to see if I thought it was a good book. So far, I love that it mentions doulas!</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hippie-Crafts-Creating-Using-Groovy/dp/1579906036?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Hippie Crafts: Creating a Hip New Look Using Groovy '60s Crafts</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1579906036" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Joanne Sullivan - I really like earthy crafts. I'm excited about making a worn out pair of jeans into a skirt!</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Its-So-Amazing-Families-Library/dp/0763613215?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">It's So Amazing! A Book About Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies and Families</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0763613215" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Robie Harris and Michael Emberley - This one is for 7 and up. I just picked it up to see what the differences are between the two books.</li></ul></div><br />I am linking to <a href="http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/2011/05/29/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-90/">It's Monday! What are You Reading?</a> hosted by Book Journey.Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-3470258198419642402011-05-31T16:01:00.000-04:002011-05-31T16:01:47.212-04:00What My Child Is ReadingMay 21 - May 27, 2011<br /><br />We read several already familiar books last week. If I'm fairly positive I've already given a review, I'm just listing the title:<br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Special-Day-Christina-Butler/dp/1848950276?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Special-Day-Christina-Butler/dp/1848950276?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="One Special Day" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1848950276&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1848950276" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />One Special Day<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1848950276" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by M. Christina Butler</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Where-Wild-Things-Maurice-Sendak/dp/0060254920?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Where the Wild Things Are</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0060254920" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Maurice Sendak - I don't know how we'd made it this far without ever reading this book, but it's probably for the best. I think I remember hearing it for the first time around 1st grade.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Meows-Emergency-Whoops-Daisy/dp/0805088199?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Meows-Emergency-Whoops-Daisy/dp/0805088199?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Doctor Meow's Big Emergency (Whoops-a-Daisy World)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0805088199&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0805088199" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Dr. Meow's Big Emergency<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0805088199" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Sam Lloyd - This book is a popular request, and shows up often in playtime pretend. Monkey Georgia has it memorized and tells the story to herself without the book even present!</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Only-Toot-Puddle/dp/0316366641?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Only-Toot-Puddle/dp/0316366641?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="The One and Only (Toot & Puddle)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0316366641&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0316366641" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Toot & Puddle: The One and Only<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0316366641" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Holly Hobbie - Toot and Puddle is one of my absolute favorite series. I'm so glad I collected these when I worked in a bookstore, years before I had Monkey Georgia.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Abigails-Bedtime-Doll-Annabelle-James/dp/1883043530?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Abigails-Bedtime-Doll-Annabelle-James/dp/1883043530?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Abigail's Bedtime with Doll" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1883043530&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1883043530" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Abigail's Bedtime<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1883043530" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Annabelle James - I love this book. We read it ALL the time, and have certain parts memorized. We've even changed the bit about "3 1/2 is a difficult age" to 4 because Monkey Georgia is 4 and she insists. We read it at least 3 times this week.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/All-Day-Cynthia-Rylant/dp/0810983214?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/All-Day-Cynthia-Rylant/dp/0810983214?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="All in a Day" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0810983214&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0810983214" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />All In a Day<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0810983214" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Cynthia Rylant - This is beautiful and philosophical and sweet and sad all at the same time. We liked seeing how the day changed for different people, and how the rain changed people's plans. And I loved seeing the chicken and the boy enjoying their day together. And of course the Nikki McClure art.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Yummy-Eight-Favorite-Fairy-Tales/dp/0763644749?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Yummy-Eight-Favorite-Fairy-Tales/dp/0763644749?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0763644749&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0763644749" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Yummy<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0763644749" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Lucy Cousins - I had to return this book to the library and it made us a little sad. Monkey Georgia loved these stories, but we can get the stories anywhere. We have most of them already in other books. Lucy Cousins' illustrations just draw the reader in. Monkey Georgia often told herself the stories herself from the illustrations.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Great-Pal-Kitten-Giant-Pals/dp/0859539652?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Great-Pal-Kitten-Giant-Pals/dp/0859539652?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Great Pal Kitten (Giant Pals)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0859539652&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0859539652" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Kitten: Great Pals<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0859539652" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> - I got this book in a bag of hand-me-downs from a friend of my sister-in-law. I don't know anything about it, and did not think I would even be able to find an image on Amazon. The book is huge, and somewhat interactive and Monkey Georgia has loved it since she was very small.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Balloon-Isabel-Deborah-Underwood/dp/0061779873?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Balloon-Isabel-Deborah-Underwood/dp/0061779873?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="A Balloon for Isabel" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0061779873&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0061779873" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />A Balloon For Isabel<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0061779873" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Deborah Underwood</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>Our Library Finds last week:</div><div><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Why-Did-Chicken-Cross-Road/dp/0803730942?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Why Did the Chickens Cross the Road</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0803730942" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by various - Various writers and illustrators joined together to produce this jokey picture book. Jokes are starting to get popular at our house now, and I thought she would enjoy this one.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Little-Lit-Folklore-Fairy-Funnies/dp/B0002TX4NO?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Little-Lit-Folklore-Fairy-Funnies/dp/B0002TX4NO?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Little Lit: Folklore & Fairy Tale Funnies" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0002TX4NO&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0002TX4NO" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Little Lit<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0002TX4NO" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Art Spiegelman - This was recommended in the comic book section of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Your-Child-Love-Reading/dp/1565123085?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">How to Get Your Child to Love Reading</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1565123085" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. It is essentially comic book renditions of fairy tales.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/God-His-Creations-Tales-Testament/dp/0763622117?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">God and His Creations</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0763622117" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Marcia Williams - another comic book rendition - this time of Old Testament stories</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Magnificent-Coat-Many-Colors/dp/156402265X?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Joseph and his Magnificent Coat of Many Colors</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=156402265X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Marcia Williams - Another comic book rendition recommended by How to Get Your Child to Love Reading.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Marshmallow-Kisses-Linda-Crotta-Brennan/dp/0618809031?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Marshmallow-Kisses-Linda-Crotta-Brennan/dp/0618809031?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Marshmallow Kisses" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0618809031&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0618809031" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Marshmallow Kisses<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0618809031" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Linda Crotta Brennan - I loved Flannel Kisses so much that I picked up the summer version.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/That-Kookoory-AUTHOR-SIGNED-FIRST/dp/B000HHTU0M?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">That Kookoory</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000HHTU0M" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Margaret Walden Froehlich - I don't remember if this was recommended or we saw it in the library or what, but there's a rooster on the cover. 'nuff said.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Press-Here-Herve-Tullet/dp/0811879542?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Press-Here-Herve-Tullet/dp/0811879542?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Press Here" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0811879542&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0811879542" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Press Here<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0811879542" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Henre Tullet - this and the next book were recommended by <a href="http://momandkiddo.blogspot.com/">What Do We Do All Day?</a></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Chameleon-Emily-Gravett/dp/144241958X?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Chameleon-Emily-Gravett/dp/144241958X?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Blue Chameleon" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=144241958X&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=144241958X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Blue Chameleon<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=144241958X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Emily Gravett</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div>Books we've purchased recently:</div><div><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lucy-Cousins-Book-Nursery-Rhymes/dp/0525461337?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lucy-Cousins-Book-Nursery-Rhymes/dp/0525461337?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Lucy Cousins' Book of Nursery Rhymes" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0525461337&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0525461337" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Lucy Cousins' Book of Nursery Rhymes<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0525461337" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> - This has been long out of print. It was recommended in some "books for babies" book, but I don't remember which. I started looking for it when Monkey Georgia was an infant. I found it at our local library and checked it out constantly. She really responded to the illustrations. I finally found a reasonably priced copy on eBay and went for it. We are thrilled to have our own copy now!</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Houses-Everywhere/dp/097081044X?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Houses-Everywhere/dp/097081044X?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Fairy Houses ... Everywhere! (The Fairy Houses Series)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=097081044X&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=097081044X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Fairy Houses. . .Everywhere!<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=097081044X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Barry & Tracy Kane - I am fascinated with fairy houses, and I was thrilled to get my hands on this book. It has lots of photos and very little text. The photos will be a great inspiration for our own fairy houses.</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div>I am linking to <a href="http://learningwithmouse.blogspot.com/2011/05/what-my-child-is-reading-may-28-2011.html">What My Child Is Reading</a>, hosted by Mouse Grows, Mouse Learns.</div>Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-55034801974169202572011-05-30T23:58:00.000-04:002011-05-30T23:58:05.742-04:00Today. . .Memorial Day Edition<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><strong>Outside my window...</strong> sunny and hot. It got to about 94 degrees today in the bluegrass.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><br /><strong>I am thinking...</strong>about the ice cream truck. The song is stuck in my head since I could hear it for miles (and what seemed like hours) today. Monkey Georgia got her ice cream sandwich, and that is what's important.<br /><br /><strong>I am thankful for...</strong>our men and women who serve our country and their families.<br /><br /><strong>I am wearing...</strong>gardening clothes. I have a special tank top that is sage green and has a word collage of gardening terms.<br /><br /><strong>I am remembering...</strong> that my family used to gather at the lake on Memorial Day weekend. It was only for a few years, but I still remember it as a tradition.</span></span></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><br /><strong>I am going...</strong>to finish my novel soon. I am at nearly 37,000 words. If I really was keeping up with the <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/">NaNoWriMo</a> deadline I set for myself nearly a year and a half ago, I would be finishing in 7 days.<br /><br /><strong>I am reading...</strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Turtle-Moon-Alice-Hoffman/dp/0425161285?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Turtle Moon</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0425161285" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Alice Hoffman and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lightning-Thief-Jackson-Olympians-Riordan/dp/B004IH0TS4?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Lightning Thief</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B004IH0TS4" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Rick Riordan.<br /><br /><strong>I am hoping... </strong>I can finish my quilt in the next few days. I only have to finish sewing the binding on, but I have to pull out the sewing machine.<b><br /></b><br /><strong>From the kitchen...</strong>semi-vegetarian chili with avocado salsa (I used chicken stock instead of veggie broth) and brown sugar-rum pound cake.<br /><br /><strong>Around the house...</strong>transitioning from winter clothes to summer clothes. (I know it's late, but it was 60 degrees on Friday. You just never know around here._<br /><br /><strong>One of my favorite things ~ </strong>Mexican Coke - in the bottle with real sugar</span></span></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">A few plans for the rest of the week: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> my nephew's 5th grade graduation, maybe a yard sale, and lots of getting ready for the rest of the summer.</span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 22px;">from the <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/">Simple Woman's Daybook</a></span></span></div></div>Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-25526007144181091862011-05-30T14:50:00.000-04:002011-05-30T14:50:39.992-04:00Happiness Blog HopWelcome to the Happiness Blog Hop. You should have arrived from <a href="http://www.kimberlykalil.com/">This Kalil Life</a>. Make sure to check out <a href="http://www.scrappingmojo.blogspot.com/">Scrapping Mojo</a> next.<br /><br /><br />I read The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin several months ago. I think it is part of what helped me get back on track with my blog. I realized that keeping up with my blog makes me happy and is important to me. Not writing made me feel guilty and sad.<br /><br />I wish I had kept a notebook nearby while I was reading the book. It was one of the first books I read on my Nook, and I used the notes function a lot, but I haven't figured out how to pull them up again! If I had read a paper based book, I would have been underlining and writing in the margins.<br /><br />One of the aspects of the book that I thought was interesting was that the author is not a scrapbooker, but she acknowledged the importance of preserving memories and "taking time for projects" (that is actually one of her goals for the year). Scrapbooking is one of the ways that I fulfill both of these goals for myself.<br /><br />Scrapbooking makes me happy because I know that I am keeping memories for my family and future generations - and for myself. I have kept a journal/diary off and on since I was about 8 years old, and I started keeping scraps and bits and pieces of things when I was in middle school, with the intention of putting together a scrapbook eventually. I really started this hobby - this documenting - for myself. I want to capture every moment that I can. I am happier when I am documenting my life.<br /><br />The creative aspect of scrapbooking makes me happy too. I love the bright colors, and the doo-dads and knick-knacks (known to scrapbookers as embellishments) that I can use to decorate my pages. I'm drawn to quilting - especially scrap quilts - for the same reason. It's the bits and pieces and the color that make my eyes light up. Well, that and the photos (I love photo quilts too).<br /><br />In Rubin's section on being a treasure house of memories, she writes about the research behind happy memories. Studies show that happy people recall happier times easier and depressed people recall sad times easier. I do believe in scrapbooking both good times and bad, but this research makes me want to preserve happy memories for my family that much more. This includes not just scrapbooking, but creating photo books and framing favorite family snapshots to help us remember happy moments.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Project-Morning-Aristotle-Generally/dp/006158326X?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=006158326X&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=006158326X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />I fully intend to blog more about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Project-Morning-Aristotle-Generally/dp/006158326X?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Happiness Project</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=006158326X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. Just reading the book lifts up my mood!<br /><br />I hope that you will check out the other blogs along this happiness blog hop, and enter the giveaway by our host, <a href="http://www.scrapworthylives.com/">Scrapworthy Lives</a>.<br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">To enter the giveaway from </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.scrapworthylives.com/" target="_blank"><span>Scrapworthy Lives</span></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">, be sure to comment below! You can earn one entry per <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">blog</span>. So that means if you visit everyone’s <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">blog</span> and comment on each of their blogs, you can get 13 entries! All entries must be posted by Friday, June 3 at midnight Central Standard Time (Chicago, IL, USA). Stephanie will ship anywhere in the world. The winner will be announced on Sunday, June 5 on </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.scrapworthylives.com/" target="_blank"><span>Scrapworthy Lives</span></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span></span></span><br /><br />Participating Blogs:<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.scrapworthylives.com/">Scrapworthy Lives</a></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://1200somemiles.blogspot.com/">1200 Some Miles</a></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.michelleroycroft.blogspot.com/">Take a Picture and Remember This</a></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://scrapyourlife.net/">Scrap Your Life</a></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://julieshepler.wordpress.com/">My Life in Photos & Words</a></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.kimberlykalil.com/">This Kalil Life</a></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://blog.funmama.net/">Fun Mama</a></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.scrappingmojo.blogspot.com/">Scrapping Mojo</a></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://xnomads.typepad.com/blog">XNomad’<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">s <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Blog</span></span></a></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://adriennefalzon.blogspot.com/">Nuggets</a></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.theconstantscrapper.com/">The Constant Scrapper</a></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.vsws.typepad.com/">Pie for Breakfast</a></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://scrapsandsass.blogspot.com/">Scraps & Sass</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></div>Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-43778792198996015372011-05-26T13:34:00.000-04:002011-05-26T13:34:38.627-04:00Everyday TreasuresMy daughter is 4 and she speaks well for her age. Some words she uses, though, are not quite correct in the pronunciation, and others are bigger words than I expect her to use. (I'm left scratching my head - where did she learn that?)<br /><ul><li>debana - banana</li><li>declection - collection </li><li>"like" - Valley Girl speak. Seriously?</li><li>abley - be able </li><li>dabloon - balloon</li><li>nasty </li><li>DIZGUSTING</li><li>gross</li><li>"Do you/Would you demind?" - Do you mind?</li><li>"I'll demind you" - I'll remind you </li><li>bedding - the veggies you put on tacos (lettuce, cilantro, tomatoes, onions, etc)</li></ul><div>Whenever I ask where she learned a particular thing, she says "On my belly screen." She watched ONE episode of <a href="http://www.nickjr.com/team-umizoomi/">Umizoomi</a> 6 months ago when we were on vacation. Apparently, one of the characters has a belly screen and it helps the characters learn what they need to know.</div><br /><br />I was recently inspired (again) to take note of my <a href="http://blog.funmama.net/2011/05/everyday-treasures.html">everyday treasures</a>. This may become a regular feature or not. For now, it's fun.<br /><br />What are some of your everyday treasures?Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-14537314608366471632011-05-24T13:40:00.000-04:002011-05-24T13:40:15.763-04:00It's Monday! What Are You Reading?Currently Reading:<br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Discovery-Witches-Novel-Deborah-Harkness/dp/0670022411?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Discovery-Witches-Novel-Deborah-Harkness/dp/0670022411?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="A Discovery of Witches: A Novel" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0670022411&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0670022411" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />A Discovery of Witches<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0670022411" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Deborah Harkness - I want to like this book. My friend Heather lent it to me a few weeks ago and gave it high praise. It's about a historian, written by a historian and so far takes place in a research library (I'm about 1/3 through the book). (I was a history major and the book does make me a little sad that I'm not a full-time historian.) I know from experience that research can be exciting. Pop culture, in the form of Dan Brown and National Treasure, tells us that research into the historical record can be thrilling. Add in witches, vampires and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daemon_(classical_mythology)">daemons</a> and this should be a wild ride. But so far nothing has happened in the book except a very strange romance and even that is plodding along. Tell me this book gets better! (I keep reading because I think something will happen eventually. I'm hoping there is a pay off at some point.)</li></ul><br /><br />Books I read last week:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Awakened-House-Night-P-Cast/dp/0312650248?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Awakened-House-Night-P-Cast/dp/0312650248?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Awakened (House of Night)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0312650248&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0312650248" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Awakened<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0312650248" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by PC Cast and Kristin Cast - Heather introduced me to this series last spring and I am thoroughly hooked. There are times when it's a little silly or trite, and at times the dialogue is forced. The plot moves along quickly though, and the characters are sympathetic. I'm looking forward to the next book, due in November. I do wish that the authors would acknowledge an assault on the main character by a teacher that happened early in the series, especially since this book is written for teens. I feel like the authors are allowing a victim of assault to blame herself with no acknowledgement that she was not responsible. I hope they will eventually point this out.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>Library Books This Week:</div><div><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Art-Anything-Weeks-Using-Everyday/dp/0876590857?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Art With Anything: 52 Weeks of Fun Using Everyday Stuff</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0876590857" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by MaryAnn Kohl - I really like her art books for young children, so I thought I'd check out this new one.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brown-Paper-School-book-Mathematics/dp/0316117412?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Brown Paper School Presents: The I Hate Mathematics Book</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0316117412" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Linda Allison, Marilyn Burns, and David Weitzman</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/More-Than-Counting-Whole-Math-Kindergarten/dp/1884834035?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">More Than Counting: Whole Math Activities for Preschool and Kindergarten</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1884834035" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Sally Moomaw and Brenda Hieronymus</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Preschool-Math-Robert-Williams/dp/0876590008?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Preschool Math</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0876590008" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Robert Williams, etc</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/making-little-something-almost-nothing/dp/B0038AX15K?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Rags: Making a Little Something out of Almost Nothing</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0038AX15K" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Linda Allison</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Razzle-Dazzle-Doodle-Art-Preschool/dp/0316034657?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Razzle Dazzle Doodle Art</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0316034657" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Linda Allison</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Write-Start-Donald-Graves/dp/0451150481?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Write from the Start: Tap Your Child's Natural Writing Ability</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0451150481" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Donald Graves</li></ul><div>I am fascinated by the Brown Paper School series, and I thought I'd look into preschool learning activities. I'll write about them once I've had a chance to look them over.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I am linking to "<a href="http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/2011/05/22/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-89/">It's Monday! What are You Reading?</a>" hosted by Book Journey.</div>Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-72352003687301947862011-05-21T10:00:00.001-04:002011-05-21T13:26:58.387-04:00What My Child Is ReadingLately, we have taken turns at bedtime reading and sometimes I forget to ask what was read in my absence.<br /><br />This is a selection of things Monkey Georgia has asked for us to read this past week.<br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Monster-Sesame-Street-Little-Golden/dp/037582913X?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Monster at the End of This Book</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=037582913X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Jon Stone - This is one of our favorite books ever. Monkey Georgia is now demonstrating that she has it almost completely memorized, which is pretty cool.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Are-You-Mother-P-D-Eastman/dp/0394800184?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Are You My Mother</a>?<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0394800184" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by P.D. Eastman - This is an I-Can-Read-Book, which I typically try not to read to Monkey Georgia because I want her to have the thrill of discovery when she is learning to read. She really wanted to hear this one, though.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bear-Came-House-Picture-Puffins/dp/0698119886?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Bear Came Over to My House</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0698119886" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Rick Walton - Really cute, and a nice rhythm and rhyme. It's fun to guess what the bear is going to do next.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Yo-Vikings-Judy-Schachner/dp/0525468897?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Yo-Vikings-Judy-Schachner/dp/0525468897?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Yo, Vikings!" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0525468897&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0525468897" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Yo, Vikings<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0525468897" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Judith Byron Schachner - Recommended by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Your-Child-Love-Reading/dp/1565123085?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">How Get Your Child to Love Reading</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1565123085" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Esme Raji Codell. It really shows how in depth research can make imaginative play even more fun.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tesss-Tree-Jess-M-Brallier/dp/0061687529?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Tess's Tree</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0061687529" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Jess M. Braillier</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-Friend-Toot-Puddle/dp/0316366366?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-Friend-Toot-Puddle/dp/0316366366?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="The New Friend (Toot & Puddle)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0316366366&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0316366366" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Toot and Puddle: The New Friend<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0316366366" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Holly Hobbie - Love Toot & Puddle. I have almost the entire collection. Monkey Georgia asked Uhn Gi to read it to her.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/When-Root-Children-Wake-Up/dp/0590425188?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">When the Root Children Wake Up</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0590425188" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Audrey Wood - The illustrations are beautiful but I thought the story was a little boring. Monkey Georgia didn't seem to have that problem with it, so maybe I was just tired. (I did take a nap immediately afterward.)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Three-Pigs-David-Wiesner/dp/0618007016?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Three-Pigs-David-Wiesner/dp/0618007016?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="The Three Pigs" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0618007016&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0618007016" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Three Little Pigs<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0618007016" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by David Weisner - Love this book! The story is a favorite anyway, but the pigs coming out of the story was pretty cool. Monkey Georgia liked the Hey Diddle Diddle part the best because it was a story she knew.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Flannel-Kisses-Linda-Crotta-Brennan/dp/0618737529?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Flannel-Kisses-Linda-Crotta-Brennan/dp/0618737529?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Flannel Kisses" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0618737529&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0618737529" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Flannel Kisses<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0618737529" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Linda Crotta Brennan - Wonderful, homey illustrations. I'd like to live in that house.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Easter-Celebrations-World-Lynn-Peppas/dp/0778743071?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Celebrations in my World: Easter</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0778743071" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Lynn Peppas - Monkey Georgia wants to read this one again next year.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Surprise-Garden-Zoe-Hall/dp/0590100769?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Surprise Garden</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0590100769" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Zoe Hall - Gardening stories are always fun for us. She liked learning which vegetable was which at the end too.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Snowy-Night-Christina-Butler/dp/1561484520?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">One Snowy Night</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1561484520" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by M. Christina Butler</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/All-World-Liz-Garton-Scanlon/dp/1416985808?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/All-World-Liz-Garton-Scanlon/dp/1416985808?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="All the World" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1416985808&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1416985808" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />All the World<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1416985808" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Liz Garton Scanlon - Absolutely beautiful illustrations and story. I want to keep this! (It's a library book.)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/What-Shall-Play-Sue-Heap/dp/1597642150?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">What Shall We Play?</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1597642150" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Sue Heap - Another recommendation from Esme Codell. I am not as thrilled with it as her, but Monkey Georgia likes that they play fairies eventually.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Farmer-Ham-Alec-Sillifant/dp/0735821348?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Farmer Ham</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0735821348" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Alec Sillifant - A farmer outsmarts the crows. Monkey Georgia loves scarecrows, so it was a hit.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Betty-Blue-Pavilion-Nancy-Crocker/dp/0803729375?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Betty-Blue-Pavilion-Nancy-Crocker/dp/0803729375?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Betty Lou Blue (Pavilion)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0803729375&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0803729375" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Betty Lou Blue<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0803729375" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Nancy Crocker - I can't remember where I saw the recommendation, but I had just about decided not to read it to Monkey Georgia. It's about a little girl who gets ridiculed for having big feet. I did not want to introduce that theme, but when I explained what it was about, she told me that wasn't very nice. And the lessons are very good ones - listen to your Mama and don't seek revenge.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mars-Needs-Moms-Berkeley-Breathed/dp/039924736X?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mars-Needs-Moms-Berkeley-Breathed/dp/039924736X?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Mars Needs Moms!" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=039924736X&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=039924736X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Mars Needs Moms<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=039924736X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Berkeley Breathed - I did not realize that the movie was based on the book. We haven't seen the movie but the illustrations in the book were cool, so I picked it up. I actually want to watch the movie now.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>Library Books this week:</div><div><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dog-Smelly-Dirty-Socks-Portraits/dp/0375840524?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dog-Smelly-Dirty-Socks-Portraits/dp/0375840524?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="My Dog is As Smelly As Dirty Socks: And Other Funny Family Portraits" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0375840524&tag=fuma05-20" /></a>My Dog is as Smelly as Dirty Socks<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0375840524" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Hanoch Piven - We have a family joke: my Mama tells Monkey Georgia "I love you more than clean socks," and Monkey Georgia replies, "I love you more than dirty socks." When I saw the title of this book, I knew I had to read it to MG.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/National-Worm-Day-James-Stevenson/dp/068808771X?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">National Worm Day</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=068808771X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by James Stevenson - In honor of our worm "farm."</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-Baby-Train-Woody-Guthrie/dp/1422362191?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">New Baby Train</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1422362191" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Woodie Guthrie</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Where-Wild-Things-Maurice-Sendak/dp/0060254920?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Where the Wild Things Are </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0060254920" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />by Maurice Sendak - It occurred to me that we've never read this to Monkey Georgia.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/All-Day-Cynthia-Rylant/dp/0810983214?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/All-Day-Cynthia-Rylant/dp/0810983214?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="All in a Day" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0810983214&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0810983214" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />All In a Day<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0810983214" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Cynthia Rylant - Illustrated by Nikki McClure, who I'm currently infatuated with.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pink-Seeing-Around-Books-Colors/dp/0736850724?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pink-Seeing-Around-Books-Colors/dp/0736850724?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Pink: Seeing Pink All Around Us (A+ Books: Colors)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0736850724&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0736850724" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Pink: Seeing Pink All Around Us<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0736850724" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Michael Dahl - Monkey Georgia found this one on the shelf and asked to bring it home.</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rapunzel-Picture-Puffin-Books-Zelinsky/dp/0142301930?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rapunzel-Picture-Puffin-Books-Zelinsky/dp/0142301930?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Rapunzel (Picture Puffin Books)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0142301930&tag=fuma05-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0142301930" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Rapunzel<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0142301930" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Paul O. Zelinsky - Monkey Georgia is obsessed with "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!" so I told her we'd look at different versions. I thought Disney actually did a fairly decent job with Tangled (it reminded me a lot of Sondheim's Into The Woods), so I hope this version isn't too advanced for Monkey Georgia.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>This post is part of the meme <a href="http://learningwithmouse.blogspot.com/2011/05/what-my-child-is-reading-may-20-2011.html">What My Child Is Reading</a> hosted by Mouse Grows, Mouse Learns.</div></div>Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-39235964355507865612011-05-20T17:54:00.000-04:002011-05-20T17:54:14.706-04:00Cool StuffI've seen some cool stuff on blogs lately, and I just had to share.<br /><br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://emergency.cdc.gov/socialmedia/zombies_blog.asp">Prepare for the Zombie Apocalypse</a> @ the CDC - I'm sure you've seen this elsewhere. This IS for real. The CDC was writing up their usual "disaster preparedness" spiel and realized it was incredibly boring. It turns out that you prepare for zombies the same way you prepare for hurricanes and tornadoes.</li><li><a href="http://colormekatie.blogspot.com/2011/05/lalalala-love.html">lalalala love</a> @Color Me Katie - An interesting perspective of taking group photos. She shows a bunch of family photos taken from behind - where people have their arms wrapped around each other. I love "from behind" shots too, so I thought this was great.</li><li><a href="http://aliedwards.com/2011/05/free-digital-word-art-love-in-action.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+aliedwards+%28{+A+}%29">Free Digital Word Art</a> @Ali Edwards - Ali created digital word art for those going through natural disasters with words like "storm," "tornado," and "love in action" and she's giving it away for free. </li><li><a href="http://sewliberated.typepad.com/sew_liberated/2011/01/finnian-and-lachlans-studio.html">Finnian & Lachlan's Studio</a> @ Sew Liberated - This is a very cool children's playroom/studio and it was done on the cheap - mostly with things she already had around the house.</li><li><a href="http://wisdomofthemoon.blogspot.com/2011/05/mexico-city-style-tacos.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WisdomOfTheMoon+%28Wisdom+of+the+Moon%29">Mexico City Style Tacos</a> @Wisdom of the Moon - I love tacos. I really love carne asada tacos on corn tortillas with onions and cilantro. This version is similar only she used quinoa for a vegetarian version. I had never thought of making my quinoa Mexican-style, so this is going in my bag of tricks.</li><li><a href="http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2011/05/one-world-many-stories-books-to-know.html">One World, Many Stories: Books to Know</a> @Abby the Librarian - Books about the world for preschoolers. (Abby used to work with me in the children's department at the bookstore and she was amazing. I bet she's an incredible children's librarian - I wish her library was closer to me.)</li><li><a href="http://sewliberated.typepad.com/sew_liberated/2011/05/from-berries-to-jam.html">from berries to jam</a> @Sew Liberated - The recipe is not in this post, but she mentions a strawberry-lavender jam recipe that I have to try this summer. It's in the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Canning-New-Generation-Flavors-Modern/dp/1584798645?ie=UTF8&tag=fuma05-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Canning for a New Generation</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fuma05-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1584798645" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>What cool stuff have you found lately?</div>Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-30104748656008444372011-05-19T08:00:00.000-04:002011-05-19T08:00:01.558-04:00Ice Cream TruckWe were sitting in the living room, minding our own business, when I heard music coming from outside. Not annoying someone-playing-the-radio-too-loud music. This was the tinkling sound that announced an ice cream truck.<br /><br />We ran to the door and watched it drive back. Fortunately, we live at the entrance of the neighborhood, so we knew it had to come back by our house. Monkey Georgia gathered her money and stood at the front door waiting.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JJEJPnF7Xzs/Tc3c8f--lvI/AAAAAAAAAR0/-U1xu2_Yop0/s1600/IMG_4466A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JJEJPnF7Xzs/Tc3c8f--lvI/AAAAAAAAAR0/-U1xu2_Yop0/s1600/IMG_4466A.jpg" /></a></div><br />Eventually, even that was not enough, so she and Uhn-Gi stood at the end of the driveway waiting for the ice cream truck. She watched other families getting their ice cream and jumped up and down in anticipation.<br /><br />Finally (finally!), the truck pulled into our driveway (safer than stopping in the street). Monkey Georgia started dancing and giggling.<br /><br />It was not easy to choose an ice cream. There were popsicles, ice cream bar, character bars, ice cream Snickers, and so much more. Monkey Georgia finally settled on the strawberry ice cream bar.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bid3Yq1hPKs/Tc3c-HX683I/AAAAAAAAAR4/wUDl4yMP5gA/s1600/IMG_4475A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bid3Yq1hPKs/Tc3c-HX683I/AAAAAAAAAR4/wUDl4yMP5gA/s1600/IMG_4475A.jpg" /></a></div>She was so excited after she handed over her money, that she took off running up the driveway, with a skip and jump for joy thrown in for good measure.<br /><br />I did not get to have ice cream trucks come to my house when I was a kid because I lived so far off the beaten path. I think there were definite advantages to the situation, and I don't feel like I missed anything. I am so glad Monkey Georgia got to have this experience though. If nothing else, it was great fun to watch!<br /><br />What would you chose from the ice cream truck?<br /><br />(event occurred on 4/28/2011)Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517697483479812893.post-50326001564943757992011-05-18T08:00:00.000-04:002011-05-18T08:00:04.027-04:00Amish Buttermilk Cookie<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__cnn3oAx_2g/SsPvsSlyObI/AAAAAAAAAKU/GuRo8vxmot8/s1600-h/IMG_7334_edited-1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387413123448846770" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__cnn3oAx_2g/SsPvsSlyObI/AAAAAAAAAKU/GuRo8vxmot8/s320/IMG_7334_edited-1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />We bought this cookie at an Amish bakery in Ohio in the summer of 2009. When we first bought them, we thought they were SO sweet and rich that we could only eat half a cookie at a time. But that frosting is SO good, and I quickly got over that. Fortunately, there were only 6 cookies in the package.<br /><br />I have been unsuccessful at finding a recipe for the cookie though. Does anyone know where I could find the recipe? (Cause, you know, I need more.) The frosting is kind of a brown sugar/butter flavor. Yum.<br /><div></div></div>Fun Mama - Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482181499301423093noreply@blogger.com0