The house painting should be done in time for the ice/snow storm that comes on Monday! I'd love to be "iced/snowed in" for a few days, provided we maintain our electricity. Then I can concentrate on putting my house back together again. I'm so excited, I may actually cry when the house is done, clean and organized! It's been over a year since we started this project and I had honestly given up hope of it ever being done.
So tonight we finally got another bedtime story in. We've been reading a lot during the "school day", and even a few times at night, but then I was just too exhausted to write it all out. But tonight, Jon was home to help entertain the kids for a while and I got some real relaxing in before story time.
Juliana picked Max's Chocolate Chicken by Rosemary Wells. It is an Easter book, but there's no reason not to start looking forward to Easter (and Spring!) now. I have always had a special place in my heart for the Max and Ruby books because of, well, Max! I loved the books before the TV show stole some of the magic away from them. I never worried about their parents before the show, but now Juliana always asks "where are their parents?" *Sigh*
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Fancy Nancy -- Jane O'connor (Author), Robin Preiss Glasser (Illustrator)
Anyone who truly knows me, would understand how keeping to a schedule of any kind under these circumstances is almost miraculous. My house is in total disarray, waiting for the painter to come finish the inside. He's been a no-show three times now for various reasons (death in the family-- understandable for sure, a little ice on the road-- not so much). I am a person who thrives on order and a household out of balance is a threat to my mental well being. Therefore, keeping up with this blog is a small victory against letting my need for order dictate every aspect of my life.
I'm also using this time, since everything is out of whack anyway, to wean the kids off needing to watch TV while falling asleep. Juliana has crashed within 10 minutes of laying down for the past three nights. Granted, she's asleep on the couch because she doesn't want to be in her room alone. Small steps, right?
Tonight we read Fancy Nancy, one of the books I honestly enjoy most. One thing about the Nancy books, you cannot rush through them. Every page requires extra discussion about her clothes, her vocabulary, her toys... The illustrations are wonderful, capturing the fanciness of Fancy Nancy on every page and in every outfit. Plus, there are lots of fancy new words to learn.
I think I like Nancy so much because when I was pregnant with Juliana, I used to secretly hope for a girly-girl who loves dress up and dolls. And Juliana does remind me of Nancy. She loves to get gussied up, but still has a mean independent streak. She's perfectly girl.
I'm also using this time, since everything is out of whack anyway, to wean the kids off needing to watch TV while falling asleep. Juliana has crashed within 10 minutes of laying down for the past three nights. Granted, she's asleep on the couch because she doesn't want to be in her room alone. Small steps, right?
Tonight we read Fancy Nancy, one of the books I honestly enjoy most. One thing about the Nancy books, you cannot rush through them. Every page requires extra discussion about her clothes, her vocabulary, her toys... The illustrations are wonderful, capturing the fanciness of Fancy Nancy on every page and in every outfit. Plus, there are lots of fancy new words to learn.
I think I like Nancy so much because when I was pregnant with Juliana, I used to secretly hope for a girly-girl who loves dress up and dolls. And Juliana does remind me of Nancy. She loves to get gussied up, but still has a mean independent streak. She's perfectly girl.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Barbie -- Secret Hearts
We had to take a week "off" due to house painting (which is still not done) and trying to settle into a new routine. It's been a rough couple of days, with both of the kids loosing TV privileges for today. I am also going to force them to go to sleep without the television at night, which is a huge change for them. It's been a goal of mine since I quit working , but I didn't have the guts to follow through until last night. There was lots of screaming in the Hill house last night.
I offered a sort of treat in exchange for their willingness to try bed without TV. We headed to the bookstore earlier and bought new books and book lights. Although Juliana can't read quite yet, I have no problems with her and Max staying up for a little while "reading" until they fall asleep. The plan worked tonight, as Juliana is already asleep and I think Max is not long for this day.
However, the book that Juliana picked out from the bookstore is terrible in my opinion. I so wish I would have at least looked at it before we paid for it. I honestly saw "Barbie" and figured it was OK. I was wrong! The book takes Barbie through a scavenger hunt from a secret admirer and ends with a date with Ken. This is a standard sized children's book that any four or five year old would grab simply because it has Barbie on the front, but the story inside is not a "children's story". I had a hard time keeping the sarcasm out of my voice as I read it to her (not that she noticed).
Another lesson learned... don't assume that the books that your children pick out are appropriate for children, no matter how cute the cover is. Ugh!
I offered a sort of treat in exchange for their willingness to try bed without TV. We headed to the bookstore earlier and bought new books and book lights. Although Juliana can't read quite yet, I have no problems with her and Max staying up for a little while "reading" until they fall asleep. The plan worked tonight, as Juliana is already asleep and I think Max is not long for this day.
However, the book that Juliana picked out from the bookstore is terrible in my opinion. I so wish I would have at least looked at it before we paid for it. I honestly saw "Barbie" and figured it was OK. I was wrong! The book takes Barbie through a scavenger hunt from a secret admirer and ends with a date with Ken. This is a standard sized children's book that any four or five year old would grab simply because it has Barbie on the front, but the story inside is not a "children's story". I had a hard time keeping the sarcasm out of my voice as I read it to her (not that she noticed).
Another lesson learned... don't assume that the books that your children pick out are appropriate for children, no matter how cute the cover is. Ugh!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Olivia Saves the Cicus -- Ian Falconer
Parenting has kicked my ass today. Between the nine-year old who won't eat anything remotely healthy for him and the four-year old who decided today was a good day to act exactly like a four-year old, I need some peace and a corner to go cry in. I anticipated days like today when I decided to become a full-time stay at home mom/homeschooler. But when a day like this actually shows up, it's such a slap in the face.
Luckily both of them are safely tucked into bed, and I don't think I said anything to them that I will regret tomorrow. Now all that's left is to find my ereader in this mess of a house and escape into someone else's world. Oh, and drink at least one nice glass of wine.
Despite my frustration, I still made it through another bedtime story, Olivia Saves the Circus by Ian Falconer. It's a book that we've read several times over the past year or so, and each time Juliana "gets" a little more of it. Tonight she caught on to the fact that Olivia might not have actually saved the circus, just imagined it instead. She still doesn't get that Olivia completely frustrates the adults around her. She'll figure that out someday.
Luckily both of them are safely tucked into bed, and I don't think I said anything to them that I will regret tomorrow. Now all that's left is to find my ereader in this mess of a house and escape into someone else's world. Oh, and drink at least one nice glass of wine.
Despite my frustration, I still made it through another bedtime story, Olivia Saves the Circus by Ian Falconer. It's a book that we've read several times over the past year or so, and each time Juliana "gets" a little more of it. Tonight she caught on to the fact that Olivia might not have actually saved the circus, just imagined it instead. She still doesn't get that Olivia completely frustrates the adults around her. She'll figure that out someday.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Curious George by H.A. Rey
When the "story alarm" went off this evening, Juliana already had her book picked out and was ready to go. She gave me an exaggerated yawn and stretch, and said she was tired. She was ready for her story and bed. I'm loving this!
She had chosen Curious George by H.A. Rey. It's a book that we've had for a long time, but I don't think we've ever read it all the way through. A familiar little monkey with an eternal smile, getting into trouble one way or another. I can see why my four year old would love him! Still, the original story is full of things that could not be written into today's children's books. At one point he smokes a pipe *gasp* and my sweet little modern day girl had no idea what it was! The telephone attached to a cord is not completely unfamiliar, as her grandparents have one. However, her future children may have lots of questions about that one.
I was glad to know that she understands that walking on telephone wires is "very dangerous", and that she would never attempt to fly assisted by helium balloons. It was another sweet story time with good discussion and warm snuggles. Another treasured memory.
She had chosen Curious George by H.A. Rey. It's a book that we've had for a long time, but I don't think we've ever read it all the way through. A familiar little monkey with an eternal smile, getting into trouble one way or another. I can see why my four year old would love him! Still, the original story is full of things that could not be written into today's children's books. At one point he smokes a pipe *gasp* and my sweet little modern day girl had no idea what it was! The telephone attached to a cord is not completely unfamiliar, as her grandparents have one. However, her future children may have lots of questions about that one.
I was glad to know that she understands that walking on telephone wires is "very dangerous", and that she would never attempt to fly assisted by helium balloons. It was another sweet story time with good discussion and warm snuggles. Another treasured memory.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Donald Duck: Private Eye
The new year finds us so busy! It's been tougher than I thought to make sure we get a story in every night. However, I refuse to give up! One setback cannot make me quit, which is what normally happens. I still have the alarm set for 8:45pm. As we get back to school tomorrow, I hope our routine will be more set and the bedtime stories more natural for us.
I've taken to letting Juliana pick one book per night. Tonight she picked one of her "early readers" that goes something like "This is my dog. He is a brown dog...." Not exactly the stuff of imagination or sweet dreams. But I hate to discourage her interest in learning to read, so we did that one first and then I had her pick another.
I had to smile when she brought me my old Walt Disney Story Land book. Published in 1974, it is the one book I own that bears testament to my childhood. It's pages are marked and you can see where I practiced writing my name in several spots. It is one of the few books that actually makes my heart give a little tug because I remember it so fondly. Inside it's covers are 55 stories, all based on Walt Disney films and characters. Juliana picked Donald Duck, as she knows who he is.
The story itself is pretty basic, but had enough mystery to keep her involved. She really enjoyed looking at my scribbles and attempts to write my name more than the story itself. I'm so glad my mom put it up when I was growing out of childhood, for it is a treasure to me and to my little girl. Someday she can pass it down to her own kids. Along with the books of hers that I save, of course.
I've taken to letting Juliana pick one book per night. Tonight she picked one of her "early readers" that goes something like "This is my dog. He is a brown dog...." Not exactly the stuff of imagination or sweet dreams. But I hate to discourage her interest in learning to read, so we did that one first and then I had her pick another.
I had to smile when she brought me my old Walt Disney Story Land book. Published in 1974, it is the one book I own that bears testament to my childhood. It's pages are marked and you can see where I practiced writing my name in several spots. It is one of the few books that actually makes my heart give a little tug because I remember it so fondly. Inside it's covers are 55 stories, all based on Walt Disney films and characters. Juliana picked Donald Duck, as she knows who he is.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Numeroff
If you read Juliana If You Give a Pig a Pancake, she will realize that she has the stuffed pig that's on the cover. She will then spend 5 minutes tearing her pile of stuffed animals apart to find the pig...And so begins our bedtime story tonight. I found it amusing that she wanted to know why the little girl that follows the little pig around looks so tired on the last page. "Just like Mommy" she says. Little does she know...
My life is a lot like the "If You Give..." books. One teeny-tiny little project can turn my house from nearly-perfectly-clean, to F3 tornado hit it in less than an hour. I am forever trying to keep order and still participate in the fun. I've found I can't do both. So F3 tornado damage it is.
The (near) nightly stories are having a great impact on our evenings. Juliana went to bed more easily than she has in a long time. Routine, I know, is a comfort to children, and to most adults. By witnessing the small changes that this one fifteen minute block of time is having on her, I am encouraged to start making more routines in our day. Next up: daily park trips! I'm becoming a better mommy, one routine at a time.
My life is a lot like the "If You Give..." books. One teeny-tiny little project can turn my house from nearly-perfectly-clean, to F3 tornado hit it in less than an hour. I am forever trying to keep order and still participate in the fun. I've found I can't do both. So F3 tornado damage it is.
The (near) nightly stories are having a great impact on our evenings. Juliana went to bed more easily than she has in a long time. Routine, I know, is a comfort to children, and to most adults. By witnessing the small changes that this one fifteen minute block of time is having on her, I am encouraged to start making more routines in our day. Next up: daily park trips! I'm becoming a better mommy, one routine at a time.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Stellaluna by Jannell Cannon
Foiled again! I wanted to truly start my "year" last night to have a solid beginning to the New Year. Only my audience fell asleep at 7:30, well before her bedtime. Too much excitement from the night before, perhaps? Ah well, I am determined not to be deterred from my goal of reading every night, at least as often as possible.
Tonight's selection was Stellaluna by Jannell Cannon. I'm pretty sure I purchased this over a year ago simply because I love the title. It's such a beautiful name, and not one that I would have normally picked for a bat. So, Juliana and I snuggled in her new chair together and enjoyed a lovely story about family and what it means.
I sort of understand Stellaluna, having two families myself. I can understand the desire to change certain qualities about myself when I'm with one family so that I may better fit in. Sometimes it's easier to do things "their" way even when it's not in my nature to behave that way. Sometimes I learn more about myself by these interactions, and sometimes my families learn more about me. Mostly, though, I feel lucky with my wealth of family. Like Stellaluna, I love both families tremendously and hold them both dear.
Tonight's selection was Stellaluna by Jannell Cannon. I'm pretty sure I purchased this over a year ago simply because I love the title. It's such a beautiful name, and not one that I would have normally picked for a bat. So, Juliana and I snuggled in her new chair together and enjoyed a lovely story about family and what it means.
I sort of understand Stellaluna, having two families myself. I can understand the desire to change certain qualities about myself when I'm with one family so that I may better fit in. Sometimes it's easier to do things "their" way even when it's not in my nature to behave that way. Sometimes I learn more about myself by these interactions, and sometimes my families learn more about me. Mostly, though, I feel lucky with my wealth of family. Like Stellaluna, I love both families tremendously and hold them both dear.
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