Book Smarts

We love the library. We’re there a lot. But while I keep a running list of books I’d like to read, we were kind of hit or miss on kids books. Largely we’d just come home with whatever called our names from the shelves that day. This frequently meant a book that was grand in size or had a wild cover. Then, I came up with a no-fail system of sorts.

When the book fair catalog comes home from school, I use it reserve children’s books we’d like to read. The book fair catalogue always has Caldecott Winners and Newberry winners listed as well as all-time favorite books for sale.

We still employ the trial-and-error method of library book selection (and have stumbled upon a number of treasures that way). But our new method all but guarantees enjoyable bedtime reading for everyone. 

Currently we’re enjoying The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr. What else should we add to our list?

Monkeyshines

I heard the expression monkeyshines yesterday. It’s such an underused phrase. I think I’m going to work to bring it back. I describe my kids’ actions as shenanigans and antics, but now I’m going to refer to them as monkeyshines.

My grandfather used to ask us if we were “hooligans” or “wild Indians.” I’m pretty sure that is a fairly un-PC thing to say these days. But I look back on the memory of an 80-something year old man asking my boyfriend and friend this question as we were headed back to college after a weekend home with great affection.

Whatever your day includes, I hope it includes a few monkeyshines.

The Good Earth

So in college I killed a cactus. Since that time, I’ve killed many more plants including one called Mother-In-Law’s tongue. It’s the one botanical death that amuses me.

But this year I have vowed that we will have a garden. Currently I’ve managed to keep a lone cherry tomato plant alive in my Miracle Box. Anyone and everyone who knows me concurs, that as the name of the box suggests, it is indeed a miracle.

I want my kids not only to taste fresh, homegrown produce but to feel the earth beneath their fingers. I want them to weed and water and plant. I want us to watch seeds sprouts and stalks take root.

We’re going to start small – basil, cucumbers, bell peppers and a few more tomatoes. Our crop may be small, but it’s big bounty compared with the cherry tomato we’ve been splitting 4 ways.

Come oh glorious spring, come.

Go Back to Bed Un-Sleepy Head.

We have early risers in our house. I’m all for it, but when you hear “Mom!!” before 5:30 AM, it’s all rise and no shine. A couple of friends recommended a clock that changes from sleepy blue to the wake-up yellow to us. It was slightly pricey especially given that there was already a clock in my son’s room. So then we looked into getting a combo nightlight/clock, and I found one I liked but never got around to buying it.

Then we went away for a little trip and put the light in my son’s room on a vacation timer while were were gone. Once we came home I was getting ready to put the timer back in the closet when it dawned on me. What if we put the nightlight on the vacation timer. So we did, and it works!

Problem solved for everyone.

Happy Heart Day

 

Today there are cut-out hearts and playing cards (in the heart suit) leading to the breakfast table. There is milk tinted pink with maraschino cherry juice. The cup cabinet is stuffed full of pink, white and red balloons all prepared to rain down on the first person who opens it. These are small expressions, but hopefully they spell it in a big way what we want to say everyday - you are special. You are loved.

Every night at dinner we light a candle. At the end of the meal, two small people take turns blowing it out. It’s the highlight of the meal for them and a fought over honor. Tonight while lovers gaze into each other eyes over candlelight in romantic quiet restaurants, we’ll light several candles at our house. I’m filling the fireplace with them, and I’ll set a few extras around. There won’t be any handholding by the light of a single flame, but the glow from many tiny flames will be a happy accompaniment to the kitchen’s laughter and noise. 

Best of all, tonight, there won’t be any fighting over who blows the candle out! Happy Valentine’s Day. I hope it’s spent spreading joy with those you love.

Homemade Valentines

The only box these valentines are out of are your camera’s.

Just add thought bubbles or circles and voila – be still my beating heart!

More ideas seen here along with an explanation for using PicMonkey for the thought bubbles.

These were added using Photoshop Element’s Custom Shape Tool and the Ellipses Tool.

Make Tracks to My Heart

We were at a children’s hospital a few weeks ago. In their parking garage, like at the zoo, were animal tracks that led to the lobby doors.

These heart tracks have already led us to a snack that was a truck-load of fun, and come Valentine’s Day AM, they’ll lead us to a sweet breakfast.

Lately I’ve been playing Tallula the short-order cook at breakfast. I write all breakfast orders on my pad and tuck the pen behind my ear.

While it’s considered hilarious by my “customers,” my favorite part is announcing – the kitchen is closed!