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Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Wordless Wednesday – Don’t Touch!
Visiting a glass blower and then a pottery shop near Lincoln City with the cousins. We have a one-finger rule, but even that gets a little scary in such environs...
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For more Wordless Wednesdays, visit
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For more Wordless Wednesdays, visit
We're Back!
And getting into a schedule. Expect us in full form as of August 1st... (That'll be my last month of vacation while we hopefully get the new schoolhouse in workable order and line up the fun stuff for next year.)
In the meantime, we've got a couple of giveaways for you. Getting them out later today!
In the meantime, we've got a couple of giveaways for you. Getting them out later today!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Review/Giveaway: Snikiddy
Hi! My name is Esmé, and I am three years old. Which means I will be four when I grow bigger.
I don't like potatoes. Mashed, scalloped, fried, baked, none of that. I'm kinda picky that way.
Except for potato chips. I LOVE potato chips.
But Mom doesn't let me eat very many. What's with that?
She DID let me eat a packet of chips that came in the mail the other day. Now THAT'S the kind of mail I don't mind!
So let me tell you about these chips. Here's what THEY say:
They come in four flavors - original, ketchup, parmesan garlic, and cheddar cheese. We tried out the cheddar cheese kind. Yummy!
You can buy them at local retails including Whole Foods, Kroger, Toys R Us and Babies R Us, or online at Snikiddy.Alice.com - where you can get a 4.5oz packet for $1.79 plus free shipping. You can also visit Snikiddy for a printable $1 off coupon.
Enter the Snikiddy sweepstakes on facebook for weekly snack giveaways or the grand prize: a Jamis kids' bike. Or better yet,
Enter right here for your own snack pack of Snikiddy Baked Fries.
I don't like potatoes. Mashed, scalloped, fried, baked, none of that. I'm kinda picky that way.
Except for potato chips. I LOVE potato chips.
But Mom doesn't let me eat very many. What's with that?
She DID let me eat a packet of chips that came in the mail the other day. Now THAT'S the kind of mail I don't mind!
Snikiddy is a brand of great-tasting, family-friendly snack foods made from simple, wholesome and real ingredients. Snikiddy's new Baked Fries are a healthful, tasty alternative to typical fried snacks like potato chips, veggie sticks and veggie chips. The crunchy, savory baked fries are all-natural, gluten- and wheat-free, and have no preservatives, no corn syrup, no trans-fats, no hydrogenated oils, and 50 percent less fat than regular potato chips - making them a favorite of families seeking out healthy snack options.Mom says she wouldn't go so far as to call them healthy - just a better option than regular potato chips - but I CAN say I don't mind eating them. One little bit.
They come in four flavors - original, ketchup, parmesan garlic, and cheddar cheese. We tried out the cheddar cheese kind. Yummy!
You can buy them at local retails including Whole Foods, Kroger, Toys R Us and Babies R Us, or online at Snikiddy.Alice.com - where you can get a 4.5oz packet for $1.79 plus free shipping. You can also visit Snikiddy for a printable $1 off coupon.
Enter the Snikiddy sweepstakes on facebook for weekly snack giveaways or the grand prize: a Jamis kids' bike. Or better yet,
Enter right here for your own snack pack of Snikiddy Baked Fries.
- Just leave a comment with a way to contact you if you win.
- If you subscribe or follow, leave a second comment for a second entry.
- And for a third entry, like Snikiddy on facebook or follow Snikiddy on twitter. Leave a comment telling me what you did...
- US only on this one.
- Winner will be randomly chosen after August 3rd.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Is it a…
…practical joke?
Jane here again.
Our Dora day wasn’t quite the success I’d planned. Seems she’s not quite as entertaining as Miss Esmé’s high demand makes her out to be.
And while I DID check a lot off the To Do list, the list grew over the course of the day. (Strange how you notice the carpet needs shampooing when you actually vacuum it, huh?)
On the virtual side of things, my one BIG goal was to get through my emails and at least sort them out. I didn’t make it, but I was down to a little over 100 by the end of the day. Yahoo!
So I was shocked to see several hundred MORE unread emails in my inbox this morning.
First thought – one of my blogs has been discovered and I’m getting hundreds of comments!
Seriously – I thought maybe I accidentally signed up on an overactive forum, or maybe all those FlyLady emails I haven’t been getting all of a sudden came through.
Nothing doing. All those emails I went through and deleted yesterday somehow REAPPEARED in my inbox.
So, it seems Yahoo has played a practical joke on me.
I mean, there must be some humor in it somewhere. Right? I’m still looking.
The hurrier I go, the behinder I get. Sorry, follks…
Since I’m not getting around to any nice exciting posts, I’ll at least stick a picture in this one for Esmé fans.
We’ll be back – after I get through the emails [again] and pack for the camping trip…
Jane here again.
Our Dora day wasn’t quite the success I’d planned. Seems she’s not quite as entertaining as Miss Esmé’s high demand makes her out to be.
And while I DID check a lot off the To Do list, the list grew over the course of the day. (Strange how you notice the carpet needs shampooing when you actually vacuum it, huh?)
On the virtual side of things, my one BIG goal was to get through my emails and at least sort them out. I didn’t make it, but I was down to a little over 100 by the end of the day. Yahoo!
So I was shocked to see several hundred MORE unread emails in my inbox this morning.
First thought – one of my blogs has been discovered and I’m getting hundreds of comments!
Seriously – I thought maybe I accidentally signed up on an overactive forum, or maybe all those FlyLady emails I haven’t been getting all of a sudden came through.
Nothing doing. All those emails I went through and deleted yesterday somehow REAPPEARED in my inbox.
So, it seems Yahoo has played a practical joke on me.
I mean, there must be some humor in it somewhere. Right? I’m still looking.
The hurrier I go, the behinder I get. Sorry, follks…
Since I’m not getting around to any nice exciting posts, I’ll at least stick a picture in this one for Esmé fans.
We’ll be back – after I get through the emails [again] and pack for the camping trip…
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Review: The Gardener and the Vine
Hi! Esmé here. I am still three years old... sigh... But soon I'll be four, and then five and then six and then - you get the point.
Anyhow, I've got another Cecil & Friends book to review for you today - we did Jesus and the Children last week, remember?
So here's the tour information. Stay tuned for my review at the end!
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Andrew is the creator, writer, and illustrator of the Lost Sheep series. Way back in 1989 as a young Bible college student, Andrew was asked to give the dreaded “children’s talk” at a large church. Andrew possessed one talent: he could draw sheep. He bought some overheard projector sheets and drew up the story of Cecil and the Lost Sheep. The congregation loved it, so Andrew continued to draw stories to use with kids and adults. Other student, pastors, and teachers started borrowing the stories.
Product Details:
List Price: $4.99
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (January 15, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310719461
ISBN-13: 978-0310719465
PRESS THE BROWSE BUTTON TO VIEW THE FIRST CHAPTER:
My Review:
We did this review sort of interview style; Mom's in bold and I'm regular print...
What is this book about? The Gardener and the vine. [obviously...]
What happens to the vine? He cuts the vine off and puts it in his bag and carries it to a different vine that it has never been to.
What is that new magnificent vine like? It's like grapes.
Would you like to be on a vine like that? Yes. Why? Because I like vines.
Was the gardener good or bad? Bad! Huh? Why? Because he cut the branch off because he didn't like it.
Umm, let's revisit this concept. I think you missed the point of the book. Why did he cut the branch off? Because he didn't like it. No - because he wanted to take it from this ugly wild vine to a beautiful vine where it would bear grapes!
Do you like the pictures? Uh huh!
Do you like the story? Uh uh. Why not? Because the gardener cut the branch off!
Was Basil [the branch] special? Yes. Why? Because he was a branch.
Should Basil [the branch] trust the gardener? Yes. Why? Because he was a branch. All kids need to trust their mommies. All branches need to trust the gardener.
Ahh... Now we're getting somewhere...
Let's stop there!
Mom's Notes:
A great story illustrating John 15:1,5 - I particularly like Cecil's page at the end, with notes for the parent on how to present and discuss the story.
Another winner in terms of illustration and simple story, Esmé requested this book over and over and enjoyed the pictures. Though she DID mistake the pruning clippers for a whale...
She DID get a little confused as to the point of the story. It's presented with a good news/bad news idea, and she kept getting hung up on the bad news. That poor little branch, getting cut off from the ugly vine - it was hard for her to make the connection that sometimes "bad" has to happen in order for good to result.
Though she DID get the point about needing to trust even when it seems something bad is happening!
Anyhow, I've got another Cecil & Friends book to review for you today - we did Jesus and the Children last week, remember?
So here's the tour information. Stay tuned for my review at the end!
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today's Wild Card author is:
Andrew McDonough
and the book:
Zondervan (January 15, 2010)
***Special thanks to Pam Mettler of Zondervan for sending me a review copy.***ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrew is the creator, writer, and illustrator of the Lost Sheep series. Way back in 1989 as a young Bible college student, Andrew was asked to give the dreaded “children’s talk” at a large church. Andrew possessed one talent: he could draw sheep. He bought some overheard projector sheets and drew up the story of Cecil and the Lost Sheep. The congregation loved it, so Andrew continued to draw stories to use with kids and adults. Other student, pastors, and teachers started borrowing the stories.Product Details:
List Price: $4.99
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (January 15, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310719461
ISBN-13: 978-0310719465
PRESS THE BROWSE BUTTON TO VIEW THE FIRST CHAPTER:
We did this review sort of interview style; Mom's in bold and I'm regular print...
What is this book about? The Gardener and the vine. [obviously...]
What happens to the vine? He cuts the vine off and puts it in his bag and carries it to a different vine that it has never been to.
What is that new magnificent vine like? It's like grapes.
Would you like to be on a vine like that? Yes. Why? Because I like vines.
Was the gardener good or bad? Bad! Huh? Why? Because he cut the branch off because he didn't like it.
Umm, let's revisit this concept. I think you missed the point of the book. Why did he cut the branch off? Because he didn't like it. No - because he wanted to take it from this ugly wild vine to a beautiful vine where it would bear grapes!
Do you like the pictures? Uh huh!
Do you like the story? Uh uh. Why not? Because the gardener cut the branch off!
Was Basil [the branch] special? Yes. Why? Because he was a branch.
Should Basil [the branch] trust the gardener? Yes. Why? Because he was a branch. All kids need to trust their mommies. All branches need to trust the gardener.
Ahh... Now we're getting somewhere...
Let's stop there!
Mom's Notes:
A great story illustrating John 15:1,5 - I particularly like Cecil's page at the end, with notes for the parent on how to present and discuss the story.
Another winner in terms of illustration and simple story, Esmé requested this book over and over and enjoyed the pictures. Though she DID mistake the pruning clippers for a whale...
She DID get a little confused as to the point of the story. It's presented with a good news/bad news idea, and she kept getting hung up on the bad news. That poor little branch, getting cut off from the ugly vine - it was hard for her to make the connection that sometimes "bad" has to happen in order for good to result.
Though she DID get the point about needing to trust even when it seems something bad is happening!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
“Dora” Day
Jane here…
Ahh… (Content sigh…) We just had a lovely visit from the grandparents, which Esmé (and the rest of us) enjoyed very much.
And now I’m thinking we can kick out of summer gear and get back on track with “life.”
Except I just realized we have a camping trip to the coast this weekend, and then I’ve got an extra day of work scheduled next week.
So maybe I shouldn’t plan to get back on track just yet.
But I DO think a Dora day may be in order for Miss Esmé tomorrow while I catch up on virtual and real life before the merry-go-round starts again on Thursday.
(And I’ll write up one of those 4am to 11pm schedules for myself as I try to figure out the logistics of cramming everything into a 24-hour day. Which will make me feel organized and on top of things for about 24 hours – at which time I’ll remember that LIFE is all about those unplanned sweet moments that take us off schedule.)
Here’s to a day of Swiper and Map and Backpack with some Bob & Larry thrown in for good measure. Hope the rest of you are having a fabulous summer!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Review/Giveaway: Purely Products
Hi! My name is Esmé, and I am three years old! We just got this flashlight to review, and I LOVE flashlights! We used it to highlight the words in the Bob Book I read to Mom last night. I wanted to take the light to bed, but Mom wouldn’t let me.
It also had this long light that I wanted to play with, but Mom wouldn’t let me… So I’ll just let her finish the review!
Mom here…
Thanks to Purely Products, (coordinated by MamaBuzz), we received a Pocket Purifier and Sunmate to check out.
Purely Products is a company that sells “responsible products for responsible living. Purely is focused on developing eco-friendly products for clean and healthy living for families, while also helping kids.”
So what is this Pocket Purifier flashlight thingy? Let’s start with the official definition:
Compact and portable (it reminds me of my first Kodak camera that used 110 film – anyone else remember those?), it's easy to carry around where cleaners and water are not… Toilet seats are the first use that come to mind!
And since there is no liquid involved, it’s great for things that shouldn’t get wet, like cell phones and keyboards.
Of course, this would have been absolutely wonderful during the “throw everything on the ground” stage…
What I Like:
The size and portability.
It’s eco-friendly – no dangerous chemicals, and apparently does a more thorough job of cleaning, too!
Simple to use – just turn it on and shine it where you need it to go, counting 10-15 seconds.
The UV-C bulb is reportedly effective for 9,000 hours.
The flashlight option – I wouldn’t buy it for the flashlight, but it’s a handy sideline feature.
The use of AA batteries – these are common and readily available.
It comes in PINK (and black)! Definitely a plus from Esmé’s perspective. :)
What I Don’t Like:
The construction/design feels a little cheap; the battery cover doesn’t sit properly on mine.
It’s not supposed to be used on eyes or skin, which makes sense – however, flashlights have a natural appeal to kids, so this concerns me a little. Especially if I am carrying this around everywhere in my purse – where my 3yo spends a lot of her time!
Also, portability comes with a “size price” – the effective illumination area (1/2 inch from the Pocket Purifier) is 1” x 4.” Which means it could take a few minutes to sanitize a toilet seat…
All that being said, I’d still highly recommend this product if you’re worried about germs and are prone to colds and flu, or if you’re travelling to an area where you’d like a little extra sanitation – like a mission trip, etc.
How to Buy:
You can buy the Pocket Purifier for $29.95. Up through August 5, you can take advantage of FREE shipping on your Purely Products order if you buy 2 items ($35 minimum) in the MamaBuzz Summer Sale.
Giveaway:
Another product that might interest you: Purely Products’ SunMate. This is a compact little tool that tells you the intensity of UV rays at any given time and place so you can decide what to do about sun care protection. You can buy the Sunmate for $19.95. And you can also enter right here for a giveaway!
To Enter to win a SunMate from Purely Products:
It also had this long light that I wanted to play with, but Mom wouldn’t let me… So I’ll just let her finish the review!
Mom here…
Thanks to Purely Products, (coordinated by MamaBuzz), we received a Pocket Purifier and Sunmate to check out.
Purely Products is a company that sells “responsible products for responsible living. Purely is focused on developing eco-friendly products for clean and healthy living for families, while also helping kids.”
So what is this Pocket Purifier flashlight thingy? Let’s start with the official definition:Handheld germ eliminating light uses UV (ultraviolet light) to sanitize surfaces (keyboards, cell phones, computer keyboards, kitchen countertops, sinks, public bathrooms & transportation, toys, pacifiers, bottoms/interior of purses & diaper bags, etc) UV nanotechnology kills 99.9% of germs that cause colds & flu, plus e-coli, salmonella, mold, fungus, and MRSA (staph) without chemicals.Wow! Now, of course, I can’t scientifically tell you if it does all that, but such a product sounds pretty useful, doesn’t it?
Compact and portable (it reminds me of my first Kodak camera that used 110 film – anyone else remember those?), it's easy to carry around where cleaners and water are not… Toilet seats are the first use that come to mind!
And since there is no liquid involved, it’s great for things that shouldn’t get wet, like cell phones and keyboards.
Of course, this would have been absolutely wonderful during the “throw everything on the ground” stage…
What I Like:
The size and portability.
It’s eco-friendly – no dangerous chemicals, and apparently does a more thorough job of cleaning, too!
Simple to use – just turn it on and shine it where you need it to go, counting 10-15 seconds.
The UV-C bulb is reportedly effective for 9,000 hours.
The flashlight option – I wouldn’t buy it for the flashlight, but it’s a handy sideline feature.
The use of AA batteries – these are common and readily available.
It comes in PINK (and black)! Definitely a plus from Esmé’s perspective. :)
What I Don’t Like:
The construction/design feels a little cheap; the battery cover doesn’t sit properly on mine.
It’s not supposed to be used on eyes or skin, which makes sense – however, flashlights have a natural appeal to kids, so this concerns me a little. Especially if I am carrying this around everywhere in my purse – where my 3yo spends a lot of her time!
Also, portability comes with a “size price” – the effective illumination area (1/2 inch from the Pocket Purifier) is 1” x 4.” Which means it could take a few minutes to sanitize a toilet seat…
All that being said, I’d still highly recommend this product if you’re worried about germs and are prone to colds and flu, or if you’re travelling to an area where you’d like a little extra sanitation – like a mission trip, etc.
How to Buy:
You can buy the Pocket Purifier for $29.95. Up through August 5, you can take advantage of FREE shipping on your Purely Products order if you buy 2 items ($35 minimum) in the MamaBuzz Summer Sale.
Giveaway:
Another product that might interest you: Purely Products’ SunMate. This is a compact little tool that tells you the intensity of UV rays at any given time and place so you can decide what to do about sun care protection. You can buy the Sunmate for $19.95. And you can also enter right here for a giveaway!To Enter to win a SunMate from Purely Products:
- Leave a comment below. Include some way for me to contact you.
- If you follow or subscribe, leave a second comment for a second entry.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Review: Jesus and the Children
Hi! My name is Esmé, and I am three years old!
It's been a while since I did any reviews, so we've got some lost time to make up for. We're gonna start with a very cool book. It's about Jesus, and it's got a skateboard in it - how cool is that?!
First, here's the FIRST stuff... I'll check back in with you at the end.
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Andrew is the creator, writer, and illustrator of the Lost Sheep series. Way back in 1989 as a young Bible college student, Andrew was asked to give the dreaded “children’s talk” at a large church. Andrew possessed one talent: he could draw sheep. He bought some overhead projector sheets and drew up the story of Cecil and the Lost Sheep. T he congregation loved it, so Andrew continued to draw stories to use with kids and adults. Other students, pastors, and teachers started borrowing the stories.
Product Details:
List Price: $4.99
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (January 15, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 031071947X
ISBN-13: 978-0310719472
Press the browse button to view the first chapter:
Alrighty, I'm back! Let me tell you this story again - in MY words.
This book is about Jesus and the kids. I'm a kid, because I'm a girl, because I'm a swimming girl, see? Anyhow (Mommy says "anyhow" is a word, though I think it should be "anyway"), the disciples were angry at the children because they didn't like them because grownups are more important than the kids. Jesus liked the children, but the disciples didn't like the children.
So Jesus got angry at the disciples because they told the kids to sit down and be quiet. That disciple has a tattoo and doesn't have shoes on. That other disciple is wearing dark glasses.
Then everyone was happy. Except for the disciple without shoes on the skateboard. Because he doesn't know how to ride the boy's skateboard. But the little girl who was swinging on Jesus' arm was happy.
I prayed that God would swing ME like that. Mommy says she can't because she's not big enough.
Mom's Notes: Very simple Bible story with lines that Esmé had memorized after 3 times through the book...
What really made the book was the illustrations. Bright and catchy, the clincher was the contemporary attire with the age-old story. Who can resist a couple of bouncer-looking disciples?! Not even my 3yo... who was very attracted to the tattoo.
She definitely got the message that Jesus LOVES kids. And that's the point!
It's been a while since I did any reviews, so we've got some lost time to make up for. We're gonna start with a very cool book. It's about Jesus, and it's got a skateboard in it - how cool is that?!
First, here's the FIRST stuff... I'll check back in with you at the end.
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today's Wild Card author is:
Andrew McDonough
and the book:
Zondervan (January 15, 2010)
***Special thanks to Pam Mettler of Zondervan for sending me a review copy.***ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrew is the creator, writer, and illustrator of the Lost Sheep series. Way back in 1989 as a young Bible college student, Andrew was asked to give the dreaded “children’s talk” at a large church. Andrew possessed one talent: he could draw sheep. He bought some overhead projector sheets and drew up the story of Cecil and the Lost Sheep. T he congregation loved it, so Andrew continued to draw stories to use with kids and adults. Other students, pastors, and teachers started borrowing the stories. Product Details:
List Price: $4.99
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (January 15, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 031071947X
ISBN-13: 978-0310719472
Press the browse button to view the first chapter:
This book is about Jesus and the kids. I'm a kid, because I'm a girl, because I'm a swimming girl, see? Anyhow (Mommy says "anyhow" is a word, though I think it should be "anyway"), the disciples were angry at the children because they didn't like them because grownups are more important than the kids. Jesus liked the children, but the disciples didn't like the children.
So Jesus got angry at the disciples because they told the kids to sit down and be quiet. That disciple has a tattoo and doesn't have shoes on. That other disciple is wearing dark glasses.
Then everyone was happy. Except for the disciple without shoes on the skateboard. Because he doesn't know how to ride the boy's skateboard. But the little girl who was swinging on Jesus' arm was happy.
I prayed that God would swing ME like that. Mommy says she can't because she's not big enough.
Mom's Notes: Very simple Bible story with lines that Esmé had memorized after 3 times through the book...
What really made the book was the illustrations. Bright and catchy, the clincher was the contemporary attire with the age-old story. Who can resist a couple of bouncer-looking disciples?! Not even my 3yo... who was very attracted to the tattoo.
She definitely got the message that Jesus LOVES kids. And that's the point!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Not Me! Monday
I would certainly never lounge around the pool demanding sparkling juice and fruit roll-up snacks like I’m on some kind of cruise ship.
Especially not while Mom is doing hard labor, pushing an overloaded wheelbarrow with flat tires over bumpy terrain to empty out my sandbox for new sand.
And of course, she would never get cranky with me if I did that. She’s a mom, after all, and moms don’t get cranky.
We’re all sunshine and roses around here, yes we are! Cool cucumbers and all that.
Happy sunny Monday, folks!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Cloud School
Our theme book this week (thanks to Itty Bitty Bookworm) was It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw
. Which was a fun book – but with a pretty simple storyline that didn’t warrant much re-reading.So we read lots of others, too. Among our favorites:
- The Cloud Book by Tomie de Paola
. This was our “fact” book of the week. Now I can tell you what cumulus clouds are! And I know all about clouds that produce lightning and thunder.
- Moongame by Frank Asch
. This was my FAVORITE book of the week! I love Bear and Moon and all this author’s books! (And Mom loves the science concepts in them, like echoes and shadows and in this one – how clouds can help Moon hide in a game of hide and seek.).
- Little Cloud by Eric Carle
. Another fun one that tied in really well with the theme book – pretty much the same concept.
- The Police Cloud by Christoph Niemann
. A fun little story about a cloud that wanted to become a police officer, but realized that perhaps he should choose a different service role!
- Wind Says Good Night by Katy Rydell
. A look at all the things that impact each other in nature – clouds included.
- The Mouse Bride by Joy Cowley
. A similar theme to the previous book – how everything in nature interacts (including clouds), and a mouse can actually be the most influential of all. Cute story.
And since we happened upon our cloud cookie cutter, we made cloud sugar cookies, as well. Those would be cumulus, by the way.
We did cloud painting! First we painted clouds using a cloud (cotton ball) and white paint.
Another day we painted clouds using puff paint (a mix of shaving cream and white glue). Very cool effect! (even cooler when you wear your swimming wings and flippers…)
I also practiced writing letters in shaving cream. I am working on my S a lot these days.
Also for art, I used a dropper to drop raindrops (blue liquid watercolor) all over a nature scene.
Here I am tossing my cloud bean bag (made from felt, beans, and hot glue) into a basket. I got lots of work to do on my throwing!
We played hide and seek, just like Bear and Moon. Only we didn’t have any clouds inside to hide behind, so we had to pretend.
We spent some time looking at clouds outside. Here we are charting whether the days were cloudy or sunny. It gets complicated, because some days start cloudy but end up sunny!
We did a little with rainbows, since rainbows and clouds sort of go together. Here I made a pipe cleaner rainbow and glued it with clouds (cotton balls) onto a beautiful gardeny stationery.
We talked about how wind and breeze makes clouds move. To demonstrate, we put cotton balls on the table in front of a fan.
We made a rainbow streamer thingy with streamers that I waved around. Then I had lots of fun TAKING OFF the streamers…
I did beginning sound drills with cloud shapes. Easy peasy… Though I thought the angel was a bird and needed a little help with “sheep.”
I practiced counting and adding with cotton balls.
And I practiced reading with my It Was a Cloud book.
We did some science stuff like making clouds and making rain. I’ll tell you more about that in my science post this week.
Mom tried to get me to build a city in the clouds (tulle/ribbon) with my legos, but I didn’t like the cloud part. I DID spent a lot of time with my new legos! They are the big kid kind…
Not so much on the cloud theme – I LOVE washing dishes. I could spend hours playing in the sink…
Also, I got some lessons on tricycle riding from my cousin. (We got lots more cousin photos – we’ll try to post them as we’ve got time.)
African tricycle riding – let’s get the whole family on board!
They helped me put this zoo foam sticker craft together, too! (One of Mom’s thrift store finds. She LOVES finding ready-to-make kits like this for cheap…)
Another thrift store find – Junior Scrabble (with NO letters missing). Mom had this game as a kid, so it brings back memories… I haven’t figured out all the rules, yet, but I can match up letters!
I played with Bendaroos
. Kind of like play dough but with a twist.
And I made lots of tea! With rice cakes and crackers. Would you like some? I’d love to serve it to you!
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