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Rewarding Summer Reading

Posted on August 26, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Over this summer, I have written about the reading program that the New York libraries were running. I love that each local branch can do things differently to encourage children to read. Thankfully, this summer I have not had to really push the boys to read. Keeping track of the books that have been read, now that is another issue in itself.

While shopping for books at Barnes & Noble, the woman helping us asked if we had taken a Summer Reading Journal for the boys to fill out. While I had heard about the program, and we had done it in the past, I forgot to do it this year. We took two of the forms home to fill out.

What is the program? Basically, Barnes & Noble encourages children to read over the summer. When they read eight books and fill out a form, they are eligible for a free book at their local store. The journal must be completed and brought into a store by September 4, 2012. Then, they may pick from a book on the list features within the journal. This weekend, we took the boys to our local store to select their books.

There were 18 books on the list, but not all of them were still on the section for the reading program. The boys picked out the books above. JSL likes dinosaurs and thought the new chapter book would be fun to start reading together. I can not wait to read LuLu and the Brontosaurus by Judith Viorst with him. TechyDad sold NHL on the quirk in the book Half Magic by Edward Eager.

I thought I would share this with others in case you were not aware of this. To print the reading journal at home, you can go here. The journal lists the books that may be available to select from when you get your reward. In addition to this, Barnes & Noble has an activity kit that teachers and parents may want to look at. It has some interactive sheets that look like a nice resource.

A huge thank you to Barnes & Noble for running this program. As an educator and parent, I love that you are encouraging literacy and introducing children to new books. Enjoy and happy reading with your family!

Categories:
books deals Educational jsl nhl photos shopping summer TechyDad

Our Lucky Ladybug Summer

Posted on August 25, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Dear NHL and JSL,

This week, NHL went to camp every morning. This gave JSL and I some extra time together. We worked on some pre-kindergarten items. Those pesky letters that you need to read and write have been something that you want to avoid. Suddenly, you are interested. On the way home from camp one morning, you asked me a question: “Mommy, you know how you used to be a teacher? Do you remember how to teach?”

The supplies that I had waiting for when you were ready showed you that I do indeed remember how to teach. Of course, after some time went by it was time to play. In an attempt to show me that you still love Jake and the Never Land Pirates and want more of the toys sets, Bucky, Jake, Izzy, Cubby, Scully, and Captain Hook came out to play.

Wednesday afternoon, I had some alone time with NHL. It was really nice to be able to go to the store and spend some time together. You had so much to tell me about camp, your new friends, and all of the things you had done. You were thrilled with the activities and everything that they taught you there. Thank goodness things lined up just right and you were able to attend. It truly made my heart melt to see you so happy.

Earlier in the week, JSL and I spotted another ladybug by the house. The two of you have been fascinated with them.

As I watched the latest ladybug friend, I stopped to take her photo and felt a sense of hope. Seeing so many ladybugs around the house this summer made me think that perhaps these lucky little critters were a sign of good things coming in the school year ahead. I do hope for this because it is what you both need, what we all need.

Love,

Categories:
Dear Kid Saturday Educational jsl looking back nhl parenting photos school summer

Cleaning Pet Peeve

Posted on August 24, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Cleaning an older home can sometimes be a challenge. Sure the old hardwood floors add character to our living space, but they add a challenge to cleaning around the house. If you use the wrong item on them, you can damage the wood. Moisture is a problem, but you do need some to properly clean a floor.

For quite some time, I have been thinking about purchasing a steam mop to help with the floors. What often worried me was too much water remaining on the floors and ruining something. When I was offered to review the Hoover TwinTank Steam Mop, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to see how this would work. This is not a review post, you can see my review on Amazon here.

The experience with the steam mop has changed my feelings about cleaning not only the hardwood, but other floor surfaces in our house. Now, it is probably the toilet area that I loathe to keep clean (house of boys and me – ick!).

My question of the week is inspired by my cleaning find:

If you had to select only one cleaning task that is a pet peeve of yours, what is it and why?

Disclosure: I received a sample of the product mentioned to facilitate my review, but my opinions are entirely my own. Should you be interested in purchasing the Hoover TwinTank Disinfecting Steam Mop, you can use my Amazon Affiliate where I will receive a percentage from the sale.

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the linky there if you are participating.

Aloha #217

Categories:
Aloha Friday house me moments photos vent

They Grow up too Fast

Posted on August 23, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

The fact that my “baby” is heading to kindergarten has hit me hard. By the time JSL starts school after Labor Day, I will likely be a mess. I should stock my car with tissues now. I know that he is ready, but I’m not too sure about me. The little guy has been my side kick for five years now. Sure, he’s been at preschool, but that was different. Suddenly, he’s going to be thrust into a full day of school, soon he will be reading on his own all the time, and there will be homework.

Last week on NHL’s birthday, the boys were in our bed and a photo flashed before my eyes.

This was NHL on his fourth birthday next to his barely three month old little brother. Look how young and innocent they were. Not a care in the world. They simply loved each other and spending time together.

The boys still adore each other. They squabble here and there like all siblings, but there is just something extra special about their relationship. What I love is how they truly look out for each other. NHL wants to teach his little brother everything he has learned in school. JSL wants to take his big brother’s hand and reassure him about everything and model what he is taught.

Of course, when that photo of the boys flashed before my eyes I followed them into the living room. Five years later, JSL was a lot more animated. He curled up on the couch next to NHL to watch his big brother check out all of his new presents. Do you notice someone else wearing something familiar in the latest photo below?

Now, my two boys are going to be heading to the same elementary school to learn, grow, and become independent thinkers. Not only will TechyDad and I help them to follow their dreams, but I know they each have another person in their corner – their brother.

Categories:
brothers jsl looking back me moments milestone nhl parenting photos school

Tuesday Tales – Closing out the 2012 Summer Reading Program

Posted on August 21, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

The summer of 2012 has been a fantastic summer of reading. Not only have I read some great new books for myself, but the boys have kept the love of learning and reading about things alive. TechyDad has been reading the Harry Potter series with NHL. Right now, they are in the middle of the third book. My fourth grader (yikes), has read many other books, magazines, and items on his own and to his little brother.

JSL and I started the Magic Tree House books at the end of May. Once he finished school, we really got into the series. Over the months, we have sailed on from book 1 of the series to starting 37. We have traveled with Jack and Annie all over the world, in many different time periods, and even gone into the world of Camelot. As you can see in the photo below, we have more books to read before kindergarten begins after Labor Day. We may catch up to where Mary Pope Osborne has written. The latest book release is A Perfect Time for Pandas #48.

When the summer reading program opened at our library, we signed up online. It was quick and easy to log in, record the titles of the books, and minutes the boys had read. Of course, the reality is that the kids read more than we managed to log. Still, they managed to have a lot of reading for the program which just ended over the weekend. Check out the stats:

I know the reading amounts at home will decrease as the boys head back to school, but I will cherish the memories that we have this summer.

With some more time until the official end of summer, do you have any reading plans? I would love to know how your summer reading tuned out. What books are you reading right now? I would love to know. Please be sure to link up to your book posts in the comments below. Include something you read on your own, with a child, or someone else. Tuesday Tales are all about spreading the love for books.