That blogger was me. Then life happened, an election that is still not fully resolved here in MN, a book I have been writing, a child joining swim team, three kids in school this year and a husband who traveled more than he was home in the past few months. I have spent my computer time and my writing time elsewhere. Now I am spending my free time making chocolate and cookies and Christmas presents with my kids. Maybe I will resume in the new year, everything in life has seasons and this has been a quiet season for my blog.
This year was a busy year filled with many ups and downs, challenges and great joys, it was a full year. I will try to do my annual review though it may be shorter this year than in the past, of course many of you will probably be thankful for that :)
January - We began the month with a wonderful and very relaxing trip to visit the family in Maine, we stayed through Christmas, New Year's and Serona's birthday. The kids played basketball in a church league and continued through the year with their Awana and homeschool cooperative and Rhiannon was part of Keepers at Home, a girls group. We did some field trips to the Art Institute, nature center and physics circus. Our outdoor activities were more limited by my back and health problems that would continue throughout the year.
February - We entered the world of politics that would dominate much of our schedule this past year with the caucuses and beginning of campaigns. Serona headed off to Singapore, Shanghai and other exotic locations and missed us terribly, I think he especially missed winter in MN. The kids and I headed to the arboretum, science museum, an indoor air jumping facility and several plays to pass the time.
March - Political conventions, a moms retreat to a lovely cabin up north, and a trip to Portugal for Serona. Ciaran turned 7 and we had a great party at the local bowling alley. We took the homeschool teens to a Christian rock concert and I discovered that cell phones are the new lighter. By the end of the month I found it hard to be in any position for more than 15 minutes and we began to investigate surgical options for my health.
April - I had surgery on my abdomen and what was supposed to be a 3 day recovery turned into a 6 week recovery and more bedrest than expected. We had loving support of our homeschool friends to bring us meals and help with our kids and laundry even. Baseball started with a warm 32 degree opening day (after being cancelled twice on account of snow) with snow on the grass and all around the fields.
May - I turned 34, Sirah donated 10 inches of her hair to Locks for Love (she spent the whole year prior growing it out), Serona headed to California and we finally ventured outside as I began to heal more. The kids enjoyed a pioneer school day at the Cahill school house, trips to the nature center and arboretum and some more theater, along with resuming service to Feed my Starving Children. Mostly this month was dominated by baseball schedules though as we watched Ciaran blossom as a player and become a second baseman fitting his nickname of duece.
June - We celebrated our 11th anniversary with a trip to Hawaii. I was so excited to be there! Only 7 more states to go to reach my goal of all 50 before I am 40. We had a wonderful time and stayed on the island of Oahu as Serona needed to be there for work. Our generous friends took turns with the children at their house so we could sneak away for a week. What more can I say than on the beaches of Hawaii with Serona - wonderful!
July - Maria turned 9 and we celebrated with a trip to the water park. Grandma suprised her by flying in from New York to spend 2 weeks with us. Serona flew to Maine to surprise his parents for their anniversary party. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit with Grandma and the relaxation of baseball being finally done. We also took an exciting and crazy camping trip with major storms passing through our camp sites and kids up until nearly 4am! Ciaran also broke his arm when Maria launched him off the couch with her feet, the rest of the summer in a non waterproof cast, not fun!
August - Little Sirah turned 5 with a special tea and princess birthday party. Serona headed to California and Bangkok and we spent time watching the Olympics and along with the rest of the world enjoyed watching Michael Phelps win 8 gold medals. He inspired some swimmers here at home to join the swim team in the fall.
September - Most of the fall became a blur for our family as schooling 3, politics, swim team and other activities dominated our days. I worked on finishing writing a book I started in the summer and am still working on final edits for, hey you never know. I started teaching a civics class and homeschool activities resumed including theater, field trips and coop.
October - Began a cycle of travel for Serona that lasted until mid December, I can't even recall all the places he went or in which order he went to them. October was also a very busy campaign time with the kids spending much of their time at headquarters with me as well doing what they could. We toured the capital, met with our representatives and candidates we were campaigning for and many other things along those lines. The kids dressed up as ninjas and a cat and we tried to get to the rock wall and swimming each week. Sirah was very proud she could climb up several of the walls she has been waiting to climb.
November and December - More travel, the election, the recount, swim team, Dr's appointments, Christmas prep, Christmas parties and the many other things that keep our days busy. A highlight was the horseback riding Maria got to do with girls group and her dad and best friend.
It has been a year of challenges and victories, blessings and hardships, as I am sure it has been for many of you. May this next year be a fulfilling one for you and one that brings you many joys. Take time this season to love those around you, make cookies and sing songs with your kids and kiss your loved one under the mistletoe.
Merry Christmas!
Tenniel
December 16, 2008
November 21, 2008
November 6, 2008
Campaign Round Up
It has been a long few weeks and I thought by now I would be winding down and catching up on life. While it is true I have gotten several loads of laundry done today, caught up on the pile of paperwork and bills I was basically ignoring and got the upstairs of my home (kids rooms excluded) basically presentable I still feeling like we are living in chaos. The unexpected Senate recount is throwing a wrench into our plans as are some sick kiddos. Still we are slowly coming out from the whirlwind our lives have recently become.
The campaign work this year was fun, at time demanding, at times disappointing and at times encouraging, overall I am still glad we were as involved as we were. I really thought this year I would let politics go and we would have a lay low year. I should know by now that is not really possible for me, it must be in my blood or something. Then once it starts it builds and builds until we are at a whirlwind speed that takes us through the finish line.
This year we incorporated a civics class into our studies. Along with two other families the students 2nd-6th grade learned about our government structure and responsibilities, elections, campaigns, separation of powers, basic civics overviews and even concepts like the electoral college and presidential line of succession which are often difficult concepts and certainly not exciting ones to teach kids in that age group. They had fun though and learned a lot along the way.
As for campaign work this year with our own family we did our usual door knocking, voter identification and registration, lawn sign assembly and delivery, poster creation and added to that a lot of time at campaign headquarters. Maria even made over 100 phone calls this election cycle and they all assembled literature drops and helped around the office however they were able. Ciaran was quite disappointed that we were unable to do any sign waving on election day, one of his favorite things and Maria was excited I assigned less writing about the process and opted for more hands on and interactive lessons. Sirah was just thrilled to be able to design posters and craft every day and have a multitude of adults praise her work and be blessed and excited by it.
I ended up much more involved personally then I intended to be and even now still find myself continuing on with assisting in the MN Senate recount process. Yet for all its craziness I am proud of what we accomplished and please with doing it together as a family. The election results were mixed for us with several of our candidates being elected and some not, this provided good learning opportunities for the kids on dealing with both victory and loss after working so very hard to accomplish something.
I met some very interesting people from all around the country and in my own neighborhood, several whom I think will become life long friends. I encouraged friends and acquaintances and yes even complete strangers to me to get involved in the political process, some for the first time this year. I made more phone calls then I think I ever want to do again, but I know I will do it all over again in 2, 4, 6 and 8 years and on down the road. I knocked on doors, discussed issues and candidates with complete strangers at Starbucks, swim team, church and within my homeschool group. I did a ton of research and really learned a lot about a variety of individuals and subjects I never cared about before.
Overall the work over the past few months has blessed me and has really shown me how one person can make a difference and effect change. One day I was feeling particularly discouraged and decided to do the math. For every volunteer I brought to the office around 200 phone calls were made, often more over a typical 3 hour shift. If they came back or brought friends that number increased. Through relationships I had, cold calling lists and previous volunteer lists I called I probably made over 300 volunteer calls. While I do not know how many volunteers I actually got to come through the door or get involved in volunteering in some way I know it was over 50. Mathematically that adds up to somewhere around 10,000 calls - that was worth making 300 calls wouldn't you say? That does not even account for all the personal calls and doors I knocked in this cycle. I never did keep track, my goal was to make 3000 contacts and I think I came close to that but somewhere in the middle I switched to focusing on getting more volunteers. This does not mean we talked to 13,000 people - we left a lot of answering machine messages and got a lot of wrong numbers and some people hung up on us before we could speak. Still those are good numbers and in a state where the senate race came down to several hundred votes I feel like that made a difference. I don't take credit for all the volunteer calls made, the volunteers made them not me, but I do see how I personally and my family who helped and enabled me made a difference in this election. I am one person and each person who got involved made a difference.
At one point on a particularly crazy week Maria asked me why we couldn't be just like any other normal family which actually led to some really great discussions about "normal" and our family choices and lifestyle. I answered immediately and explained how important we see this election as and how we need to take responsibility and be good citizens. I told her that in 2 and 4 and 6 years (Congress, President, and Senate) I wanted to be able to say we did everything we could, win or lose we tried our best. I can honestly say that to my kids in 2,4 and 6 years whether we got the candidate we wanted or not. And in 2 years we will be doing it all over again. That is not to say we are not involved in between election cycles because we are.
One day while working at the campaign headquarters four representatives came in, the woman sitting next to me did not know or recognize them and I realized many of the volunteers in there had never met them before even if they recognized them. It was when I called the one by first name and he used my name that I realized - yes I really am involved. I got to know my representatives, local house and senate as well as US House through calling, emailing and visiting them and working on their campaigns. We are not friends but I feel comfortable calling them and letting them know how I feel on an issue or asking them to take my homeschool group on a tour through the state capital building. To one I said how are you feeling about the election and told him he didn't need to worry he had been a good representative and he thanked me and told me he appreciated hearing that and then said he doesn't hear that much at all. He gets re-elected by substantial margins which clearly means people like him but they don't take the time to say so. If you haven't recently send your local reps a thank you card or email or phone call - letting them know you appreciate the job they are doing. Then next time they run for office help them out with a literature drop or phone bank. In between get to know them and let them know how you feel about issues.
Democracy truly is a precious gift even when we end up with candidates we didn't want or don't agree with. We can always work for change tomorrow and work with our representatives to be accountable today. Citizenship is really important and as much as I am truly exhausted now and wondering where the stores are going to come from to help volunteer for a long likely unpleasant recount I know they will come and I know it is important. I know that my kids will grow up and remember all the things we did together as a family and remember that they have been involved their whole lives, I pray that will translate into lifelong citizen activism for them as well. Even when I am tired, not fond of the candidates, or absolutely disgusted and frustrated with the bureaucracy and system I still find myself pulled back into the world of grassroots politics. It is there you see heart and grit and passion, you meet great people, those who are doing it for the first time and those who have done it for the past 60 years. Together you affect change and make a difference. If our little family can help a chain of effects that led to over 10,000 phone calls so can you. Imagine how different our elections would be if that was the case.
If you made it through this post I am amazed as I feel like I am rambling on and on now without any clear direction. Still it was a good campaigning season and I am glad that I ignored my desire to not get involved this year and fell back into old habits and brought my family along for the ride and even grabbed some friends along the way.
How about you? Any good stories from this election season? Did you volunteer? Anyone for the first time? Good experiences, bad experiences?
The campaign work this year was fun, at time demanding, at times disappointing and at times encouraging, overall I am still glad we were as involved as we were. I really thought this year I would let politics go and we would have a lay low year. I should know by now that is not really possible for me, it must be in my blood or something. Then once it starts it builds and builds until we are at a whirlwind speed that takes us through the finish line.
This year we incorporated a civics class into our studies. Along with two other families the students 2nd-6th grade learned about our government structure and responsibilities, elections, campaigns, separation of powers, basic civics overviews and even concepts like the electoral college and presidential line of succession which are often difficult concepts and certainly not exciting ones to teach kids in that age group. They had fun though and learned a lot along the way.
As for campaign work this year with our own family we did our usual door knocking, voter identification and registration, lawn sign assembly and delivery, poster creation and added to that a lot of time at campaign headquarters. Maria even made over 100 phone calls this election cycle and they all assembled literature drops and helped around the office however they were able. Ciaran was quite disappointed that we were unable to do any sign waving on election day, one of his favorite things and Maria was excited I assigned less writing about the process and opted for more hands on and interactive lessons. Sirah was just thrilled to be able to design posters and craft every day and have a multitude of adults praise her work and be blessed and excited by it.
I ended up much more involved personally then I intended to be and even now still find myself continuing on with assisting in the MN Senate recount process. Yet for all its craziness I am proud of what we accomplished and please with doing it together as a family. The election results were mixed for us with several of our candidates being elected and some not, this provided good learning opportunities for the kids on dealing with both victory and loss after working so very hard to accomplish something.
I met some very interesting people from all around the country and in my own neighborhood, several whom I think will become life long friends. I encouraged friends and acquaintances and yes even complete strangers to me to get involved in the political process, some for the first time this year. I made more phone calls then I think I ever want to do again, but I know I will do it all over again in 2, 4, 6 and 8 years and on down the road. I knocked on doors, discussed issues and candidates with complete strangers at Starbucks, swim team, church and within my homeschool group. I did a ton of research and really learned a lot about a variety of individuals and subjects I never cared about before.
Overall the work over the past few months has blessed me and has really shown me how one person can make a difference and effect change. One day I was feeling particularly discouraged and decided to do the math. For every volunteer I brought to the office around 200 phone calls were made, often more over a typical 3 hour shift. If they came back or brought friends that number increased. Through relationships I had, cold calling lists and previous volunteer lists I called I probably made over 300 volunteer calls. While I do not know how many volunteers I actually got to come through the door or get involved in volunteering in some way I know it was over 50. Mathematically that adds up to somewhere around 10,000 calls - that was worth making 300 calls wouldn't you say? That does not even account for all the personal calls and doors I knocked in this cycle. I never did keep track, my goal was to make 3000 contacts and I think I came close to that but somewhere in the middle I switched to focusing on getting more volunteers. This does not mean we talked to 13,000 people - we left a lot of answering machine messages and got a lot of wrong numbers and some people hung up on us before we could speak. Still those are good numbers and in a state where the senate race came down to several hundred votes I feel like that made a difference. I don't take credit for all the volunteer calls made, the volunteers made them not me, but I do see how I personally and my family who helped and enabled me made a difference in this election. I am one person and each person who got involved made a difference.
At one point on a particularly crazy week Maria asked me why we couldn't be just like any other normal family which actually led to some really great discussions about "normal" and our family choices and lifestyle. I answered immediately and explained how important we see this election as and how we need to take responsibility and be good citizens. I told her that in 2 and 4 and 6 years (Congress, President, and Senate) I wanted to be able to say we did everything we could, win or lose we tried our best. I can honestly say that to my kids in 2,4 and 6 years whether we got the candidate we wanted or not. And in 2 years we will be doing it all over again. That is not to say we are not involved in between election cycles because we are.
One day while working at the campaign headquarters four representatives came in, the woman sitting next to me did not know or recognize them and I realized many of the volunteers in there had never met them before even if they recognized them. It was when I called the one by first name and he used my name that I realized - yes I really am involved. I got to know my representatives, local house and senate as well as US House through calling, emailing and visiting them and working on their campaigns. We are not friends but I feel comfortable calling them and letting them know how I feel on an issue or asking them to take my homeschool group on a tour through the state capital building. To one I said how are you feeling about the election and told him he didn't need to worry he had been a good representative and he thanked me and told me he appreciated hearing that and then said he doesn't hear that much at all. He gets re-elected by substantial margins which clearly means people like him but they don't take the time to say so. If you haven't recently send your local reps a thank you card or email or phone call - letting them know you appreciate the job they are doing. Then next time they run for office help them out with a literature drop or phone bank. In between get to know them and let them know how you feel about issues.
Democracy truly is a precious gift even when we end up with candidates we didn't want or don't agree with. We can always work for change tomorrow and work with our representatives to be accountable today. Citizenship is really important and as much as I am truly exhausted now and wondering where the stores are going to come from to help volunteer for a long likely unpleasant recount I know they will come and I know it is important. I know that my kids will grow up and remember all the things we did together as a family and remember that they have been involved their whole lives, I pray that will translate into lifelong citizen activism for them as well. Even when I am tired, not fond of the candidates, or absolutely disgusted and frustrated with the bureaucracy and system I still find myself pulled back into the world of grassroots politics. It is there you see heart and grit and passion, you meet great people, those who are doing it for the first time and those who have done it for the past 60 years. Together you affect change and make a difference. If our little family can help a chain of effects that led to over 10,000 phone calls so can you. Imagine how different our elections would be if that was the case.
If you made it through this post I am amazed as I feel like I am rambling on and on now without any clear direction. Still it was a good campaigning season and I am glad that I ignored my desire to not get involved this year and fell back into old habits and brought my family along for the ride and even grabbed some friends along the way.
How about you? Any good stories from this election season? Did you volunteer? Anyone for the first time? Good experiences, bad experiences?
October 30, 2008
That Kind of Day
"Mommy you are wearing your slippers!" Sirah tells me in the parking lot of Target around 10am. Sure enough she was right I was wearing my wool slippers. To my defense it could have happened to you too - they are cork based slippers and being a nearly full time Birkenstock wearer I really did not realize until we were at the store.
"Mommy you are still wearing your slippers" I am told at 2pm at campaign headquarters - we have not gone home yet, again at swim team practice and then on the way home from church at 9pm! It sort of became the running joke yesterday and I guess shows the kind of day we had that I intially forgot to put on shoes and that I never had time to go home and change into them until 9:30 at night when I should have been putting on my slippers.
I look at it this way - atleast I was wearing comfortable footwear on a crazy hectic day and I gave my kids something to laugh about. I don't know that anyone else noticed and no one said anything if they did.
I am taking the day off to enjoy the nice weather and just spend some time with my kiddos. Today I will remember to wear my birks instead of slippers. Tomorrow when I start running and don't stop until around 9pm on Tuesday I think I will be glad for my day off and maybe even for my test run of my slippers. If no one noticed them before maybe I can get away with wearing them all day while campaigning :)
Make sure you get out and vote!
October 25, 2008
Day in the Life of a 7 year old boy
Thought for something different I would blog today just about Ciaran and his day. He woke up well before the rest of us, got dressed, ate cereal, finished his Star Wars book and convinced his sisters to play a game of Blokus with him all before I even got out of bed.
Immediately upon waking he asked if he could play a video game, if I would play a board game with him or play anything with him. Not fully functional or awake yet he realized that was a hopeless cause and went to find someone else to be with and do something with.
We headed off to the local gym for weekly swim lessons. Unfortunately Ciaran could not finish his swim lessons as he has 10 stitches in his arm from last week. He was whittling a stick, missed the stick and whittled his arm with the knife instead. I took the girls to their swim lessons and Serona took Ciaran to a local pond for a nature hike. They had a really nice time together and Ciaran found a frog, a tiny peeper frog. Could he possibly have been any happier? Thinking they were all hibernating already he was very surprised and happy.
They picked us up at the gym and we headed to our local campaign office to meet and have a picture taken with Senator Coleman from Minnesota. There were a fair amount of kids in the office but we had prepped our kids ahead of time about the kind of behavior we expected. They were all very good especially Ciaran even when he saw other boys his age running around the office he stayed with us and was very good. Rewarded with candy from the office he was content.
We stopped on the way home to deliver a lawn sign and he preferred to run the two blocks home then to get back in the car. Upon arriving home he wanted to play again. He kept himself occupied in the backyard with swings and then hitting a wiffle ball and running after it. Next we had a catch together until he could catch and throw accurately 100 throws, he does love baseball. Next it was time for basketball - first several games of HORSE and then 3 one on one games. I was tired, he was not.
He kept playing basketball by himself for awhile, rode his bike some and then ended up in the backyard on the trampoline for awhile. He then told me how there was absolutely nothing for him to do since no one would do anything with him at that moment. Every suggestion made was denied for some reason or another until he realized I really was not going to get up and play with him (Sirah was asleep on my lap on the deck) and I was not going to let him have screen time while it was nearly 60 and sunny out (knowing there are precious few days left). He wandered off and convinced Maria to do something with him I think and then the two of them talked Serona into a game of The Hobbit, which lasted several hours.
I made one of his favorite dinners, black beans on a tostada with mexican cheese. Serona and Sirah had made brownies earlier in the day (while we were playing sports in the yard) so he enjoyed that treat. Bath time and now they are upstairs dancing to Soul Coughing all together. Likely he will do some reading before bed from either Encyclopedia Brown or the Capitol Mystery series.
There you have it Saturday as experienced by Ciaran our 7 year old energetic and very social son. Not a perfect day for him in his mind I am sure since he did not get to see friends beyond his family and he had no video game time. Still overall a good day I think.
Highlights of the Week
I used to blog every day and I miss it actually. But I accept there are seasons to everything and this happens to be an extremely busy season for our family. I feel like it is a never ending season but I know it will end one day. For starters it is going to get a lot easier in just 11 days. Why? Because the election will be over and my work will be done one way or the other, but for the next 11 days I am going to be very busy. Then it will be done and my kids will be glad of that to be sure.
Still even with politics in the mix we managed to have a really good week. Just the highlights. I will leave out the bickering, fighting, resistance to math, adult temper tantrums I threw and all the other things you don't want to hear about. I mention them just so you don't think I live in a fantasy world when you read the rest of the post.
Monday my nine year old daughter and I went horseback riding with several of her friends and one of mine. I have not been on a horse in 10 years and that was my first time other than pony rides when I was really a young child. While I am a beginner my daughter is not, nor were several of her friends. But I mustered up the courage to go despite my fear of heights (yes I am aware a horse is not that high off the ground) and even with my back issues. I am glad I went, it was a perfect fall day, the last of the fall trees were pretty to see and the ride itself was fun. I could not have done it without my friend Jen there though, she talked me through it when she could tell I was nervous - I was definitely worse than the girls even the ones who had little or no experience. But it was nice to share that with my daughter and her friends and a perfect way to enjoy a fall day.
Tuesday had a very rough start and led to everyone fighting with everyone else. I decided to change tactics and we all headed to the arboretum for school. I packed a bag of school books, sketch books, a jump rope, blankets and picked up Taco Bell for lunch. We headed to some of our favorite spots and took turns sketching, doing math and other subjects as well as collecting leaves, exploring and jumping rope. The memory of sitting under a canopy of fall leaves while my 5 year old read to me from her phonics readers is a memory I am sure will always stay with me. It really was a great way to spend the afternoon and we actually got more accomplished then I thought we would. We got some strange looks as my kids spread out all over the place but they were well behaved had fun and were learning what more could I possibly ask for? Oh and my G1 phone came which I was very excited for as I have been waiting for it for a long time and our house cleaners came so for the first time in nearly a month I had a clean house - truly a great day!
Wednesday was a rainy day we went to the gym and the girls went swimming with friends while Ciaran and I went rock climbing. Okay he climbed and I cheered him on - remember the whole fear of heights thing? That one I don't think I can get over as easily. Then they headed to a friends house while I went back out to the barn from Monday to pick up my wallet that had fallen out on the trail ride. Note to self - do not put anything in your back pocket while horseback riding. Praise God they found it. Church group that night followed by a treat of an ice cream shake on the way home.
Thursday we had a solid morning of school and then the kids all headed to their various homeschool book clubs, even Sirah is in one this year. I found myself in a very unusual position - I was alone in my house and it was clean I really had nothing I needed to do. Sure there were lots of things I could do: make campaign phone calls, laundry, writing, blogging, etc but I decided to do something I never do - I went for a walk. I put on my headphones and headed out on a crisp fall afternoon all by myself. I walked as fast or slow as I wanted and listened to music without any concern about if anyone else liked it or should listen to it. I looked at the leaves and took in the air and the blue sky and I was just thankful. As I walked past our local school I had the "Is this what I would do if they were in school?" thought. It passed by quickly but it floated through my mind the idea that all of them would be gone all day long now - too much to think about. While I enjoyed my few hours alone I was really happy to see their smiling faces and hear all about their book clubs. Last night the kids were all in bed by 8pm but I went from room to room reading to them I read the younger two a chapter or two from our current book (I always have a special book for each child which just I read to just them)which took about an hour and then Maria and I finished Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone last night. It was fun to read it with her and we talked about the book and the various characters, choices and events of the book together. It was fun to see her experience the book and world it creates for the first time.
Today was our homeschool cooperative. The kids are taking various classes. Maria is taking Managing Money, P.E, and Betsy Tacy. Ciaran is taking Clay Sculpture, PE and Reptiles and Amphibians (could he be any happier?). Sirah's class reads a Five in a Row book, does crafts and activities around it and then have PE. This year my contribution is playing games with 5th-9th graders and then talking about current events with the teens in our group, very fun and very easy for me. After coop the older two went to various friends homes and Sirah stayed home and watched Aristocats (her current favorite movie). I spent the remainder of the day until dinner (which we ate at 8pm) making campaign phone calls trying to get volunteers for Get Out the Vote in our area. The kids played Wii and when Serona came home we had family night Pizza and a movie.
We had a great week, lots of fun and even accomplished some good school this week. Hope your weekend is well.
Still even with politics in the mix we managed to have a really good week. Just the highlights. I will leave out the bickering, fighting, resistance to math, adult temper tantrums I threw and all the other things you don't want to hear about. I mention them just so you don't think I live in a fantasy world when you read the rest of the post.
Monday my nine year old daughter and I went horseback riding with several of her friends and one of mine. I have not been on a horse in 10 years and that was my first time other than pony rides when I was really a young child. While I am a beginner my daughter is not, nor were several of her friends. But I mustered up the courage to go despite my fear of heights (yes I am aware a horse is not that high off the ground) and even with my back issues. I am glad I went, it was a perfect fall day, the last of the fall trees were pretty to see and the ride itself was fun. I could not have done it without my friend Jen there though, she talked me through it when she could tell I was nervous - I was definitely worse than the girls even the ones who had little or no experience. But it was nice to share that with my daughter and her friends and a perfect way to enjoy a fall day.
Tuesday had a very rough start and led to everyone fighting with everyone else. I decided to change tactics and we all headed to the arboretum for school. I packed a bag of school books, sketch books, a jump rope, blankets and picked up Taco Bell for lunch. We headed to some of our favorite spots and took turns sketching, doing math and other subjects as well as collecting leaves, exploring and jumping rope. The memory of sitting under a canopy of fall leaves while my 5 year old read to me from her phonics readers is a memory I am sure will always stay with me. It really was a great way to spend the afternoon and we actually got more accomplished then I thought we would. We got some strange looks as my kids spread out all over the place but they were well behaved had fun and were learning what more could I possibly ask for? Oh and my G1 phone came which I was very excited for as I have been waiting for it for a long time and our house cleaners came so for the first time in nearly a month I had a clean house - truly a great day!
Wednesday was a rainy day we went to the gym and the girls went swimming with friends while Ciaran and I went rock climbing. Okay he climbed and I cheered him on - remember the whole fear of heights thing? That one I don't think I can get over as easily. Then they headed to a friends house while I went back out to the barn from Monday to pick up my wallet that had fallen out on the trail ride. Note to self - do not put anything in your back pocket while horseback riding. Praise God they found it. Church group that night followed by a treat of an ice cream shake on the way home.
Thursday we had a solid morning of school and then the kids all headed to their various homeschool book clubs, even Sirah is in one this year. I found myself in a very unusual position - I was alone in my house and it was clean I really had nothing I needed to do. Sure there were lots of things I could do: make campaign phone calls, laundry, writing, blogging, etc but I decided to do something I never do - I went for a walk. I put on my headphones and headed out on a crisp fall afternoon all by myself. I walked as fast or slow as I wanted and listened to music without any concern about if anyone else liked it or should listen to it. I looked at the leaves and took in the air and the blue sky and I was just thankful. As I walked past our local school I had the "Is this what I would do if they were in school?" thought. It passed by quickly but it floated through my mind the idea that all of them would be gone all day long now - too much to think about. While I enjoyed my few hours alone I was really happy to see their smiling faces and hear all about their book clubs. Last night the kids were all in bed by 8pm but I went from room to room reading to them I read the younger two a chapter or two from our current book (I always have a special book for each child which just I read to just them)which took about an hour and then Maria and I finished Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone last night. It was fun to read it with her and we talked about the book and the various characters, choices and events of the book together. It was fun to see her experience the book and world it creates for the first time.
Today was our homeschool cooperative. The kids are taking various classes. Maria is taking Managing Money, P.E, and Betsy Tacy. Ciaran is taking Clay Sculpture, PE and Reptiles and Amphibians (could he be any happier?). Sirah's class reads a Five in a Row book, does crafts and activities around it and then have PE. This year my contribution is playing games with 5th-9th graders and then talking about current events with the teens in our group, very fun and very easy for me. After coop the older two went to various friends homes and Sirah stayed home and watched Aristocats (her current favorite movie). I spent the remainder of the day until dinner (which we ate at 8pm) making campaign phone calls trying to get volunteers for Get Out the Vote in our area. The kids played Wii and when Serona came home we had family night Pizza and a movie.
We had a great week, lots of fun and even accomplished some good school this week. Hope your weekend is well.
October 16, 2008
My Day at the Capitol By Maria Age 9
When I first went to the capitol I was amazed. Our tour guide was great. I had a lot of fun being with my friends and learning some new things. On our way to the capitol I could not wait to get up those great marble stairs. Once I was there I could not wait to get inside. I ran in and waited for the rest of the group to come and meet the tour guide. When we first went inside I got really excited I just couldn't wait for the tour to be over because a)I had already been on the tour multiple times b) we were meeting our local representative, this was going to be an interesting day.
Inside the capitol my two favorite things were: the governor's room, it was cool and the golden horses one of my favorites symbolizing nature. There were four horses they symbolized fire, ice, water and earth. When we were done with the tour we got to meet our representative, he was very nice. I sat in a democrats chair on the Minnesota House floor. We asked all kinds of interesting questions about the room, about his job, lots of things. It was an amazing experience and I can't wait to do it again.
On the drive home I thought really hard about the things I learned. I learned who founded the capitol, his name was Cass Gilbert. I thought about some reasons why no woman had ever been a governor which stinks. Personally I am on the womans side. I want to become a page when I grow up because they get some real experience on how to govern things and they get to live in a luxurious hotel with a pool. The bad thing is you can only be a page for two weeks. Maybe someday I'll get to be the first woman governor of Minnesota. If I decide to be a page I'd get some first hand experience.
On the way come we had Cosettas for lunch, they were giant pizzas but it was a great ending to a great day. The End.
*Rhiannon has changed her name to Maria...
Inside the capitol my two favorite things were: the governor's room, it was cool and the golden horses one of my favorites symbolizing nature. There were four horses they symbolized fire, ice, water and earth. When we were done with the tour we got to meet our representative, he was very nice. I sat in a democrats chair on the Minnesota House floor. We asked all kinds of interesting questions about the room, about his job, lots of things. It was an amazing experience and I can't wait to do it again.
On the drive home I thought really hard about the things I learned. I learned who founded the capitol, his name was Cass Gilbert. I thought about some reasons why no woman had ever been a governor which stinks. Personally I am on the womans side. I want to become a page when I grow up because they get some real experience on how to govern things and they get to live in a luxurious hotel with a pool. The bad thing is you can only be a page for two weeks. Maybe someday I'll get to be the first woman governor of Minnesota. If I decide to be a page I'd get some first hand experience.
On the way come we had Cosettas for lunch, they were giant pizzas but it was a great ending to a great day. The End.
*Rhiannon has changed her name to Maria...
October 13, 2008
A Full day
We started with driving Serona to work and then headed home to start school. Teaching multiplication of two digits to a 4th grader, addition to a kindergartner, hieroglyphics and cuneiform to a 1st grader among other things. It was a typical Monday filled with moments of resistance to reentry to school. In the end a solid day of school which we finished by about 1pm.
Then an afternoon of girls group here. A rainy day ruined our horseback riding plans to be replaced by an afternoon of charades, Mario Kart, and makeovers for the girls. How much glitter and nail polish can they use along with creative hairstyles with many random ponytails. The laughter and volume was quite high but they had a very enjoyable time.
Pick up Serona from work where the kids worked on their rock collection waiting for him to come out of the building. Then the kids had dinner and an evening with dad at home while I headed off to the campaign headquarters for some voter Identification calling and some GOTV (Get out the vote planning). Headed home for some Guinness and watching reruns of the West wing while I catch up on news and blogging.
I have two current countdowns going for me now: 23 days to the election and 9 days to my new G1 phone arrival! Hope all is well with you.
Then an afternoon of girls group here. A rainy day ruined our horseback riding plans to be replaced by an afternoon of charades, Mario Kart, and makeovers for the girls. How much glitter and nail polish can they use along with creative hairstyles with many random ponytails. The laughter and volume was quite high but they had a very enjoyable time.
Pick up Serona from work where the kids worked on their rock collection waiting for him to come out of the building. Then the kids had dinner and an evening with dad at home while I headed off to the campaign headquarters for some voter Identification calling and some GOTV (Get out the vote planning). Headed home for some Guinness and watching reruns of the West wing while I catch up on news and blogging.
I have two current countdowns going for me now: 23 days to the election and 9 days to my new G1 phone arrival! Hope all is well with you.
Books for Boys
"Mom can I finish this chapter?" I never thought I would be so happy to hear those words - but I am. After one child who can not get her nose out of a book those words became wearing believe it or not. Ciaran has finally found some books he is enjoying and suddenly wants to read and not stop! Hooray!
He has read the entire Magic Tree House series - though they bored him after awhile. Recently he read the Boba Fett series and is now reading the Capitol Mysteries and Geranimo Stilton. His favorite book so far is still The Chocolate Touch.
I am always thankful when I find books he enjoys reading. Anyone else have good recommendations for a 7 year old boy?
October 7, 2008
Civics Based Day
Today was an unusual school day. We started the day with contractors above our heads installing our new bamboo floors. It is very loud to be under all the staple and nail guns. Rhiannon worked on some reading for history and science as well as completed her math in various rooms of the house moving away from the noise and chaos of the construction and her younger siblings lessons.
Ciaran, Sirah and I started studying Ancient Egypt, the Nile and random interesting facts. The lesson was fun and engaging and ended with an actual sword fight between the two with the result being Sirah (White Crown King of Upper Nile) defeating Ciaran (Red Crown King of Lower Nile) and capturing his crown naming her the double crown king. They really enjoyed the lesson and seemed engaged even when we did some map work and talked about things like silt and the direction the Nile flows.
Eventually the noise became too much and after finishing the lessons that require lots of discussion, read aloud and interaction we packed up the rest of the book work and headed out to finish the bookwork in more quiet.
Then we headed to a nearby political campaigning office we are affiliated with for the afternoon. The kids got messy with paint, markers, glitter and glue creating candidate posters while I made some voter identification phone calls. They were rewarded with their artwork being displayed and some potato chips with lemonade.
We headed to a friends house where I taught our weekly civics class - this week our topic was presidential debates and the campaign trail. We discussed what types of activities are going on at this point in the presidential campaign. We broke the students up into different roles and held a town hall styled debate between Senator Obama and Senator McCain. The rest of the students asked questions about topics ranging from the economy to education to foreign policy. The kids seemed to enjoy it and I was impressed with how knowledgeable the students ranging 2nd to 6th grade were about the issues and candidates. We ended with a discussion about whether winning or losing a debate matters in an election, if there really can be a winner and why the candidates answers tend to be less than clear and direct on many issues. Then I opened it up for random question and answer time where the kids can ask me any questions about politics, campaigning, issues and candidates they can think of. We had some interesting questions like:
What is a whig? What is a federalist? Why don't we have anymore?
Do you have to be a senator to become president?
Have we ever had a female presidential candidate?
How do you get to be Obama or McCain (presidential campaign)?
Why do you have to be a natural born citizen to become president?
What are the criteria for becoming president?
Didn't a president have to step down? Watergate
Can a president be elected more than twice?
How do you get to vote?
There were others but I can't think of them. I am enjoying teaching this class and it seems the students are having fun too. So far we have covered the basic structure of our government, federalism, branches of government, qualifications and responsibilities of major leaders, campaign strategies, life on the campaign trail, voting, electoral college, popular votes, how a candidate gets elected, caucuses, primaries, etc. Some day when I have extra time I will post my lessons from those days. We ended the evening watching the presidential debate as a family until one by one the kids dropped off into sleep.
This time of year we are very active as a family in campaigning and encouraging voters to vote and citizens to get involved however they can. I have friends on both sides of many issues, friends committed to various candidates, passionate opinions between family members and friends and that is all well and good. I encourage all of them to get involved no matter what candidate they support and I encourage you to do the same and to teach your children valuable civics lessons they will remember for the rest of their lives.
My kids have been involved with us politically since they were babies - we have always been active and just like many other aspects of our family life we just bring the kids along. They can't do everything with us but they have seen presidents speak, candidates debate, knocked on doors, delivered lawn signs, and just observed and learned from their parents and they participate in civics and good citizenship. I have been applauded for these choices and I have been criticized for them. I will continue to encourage families to participate in civics as families and encourage my children to be active citizens as they grow up no matter what candidates they choose to support.
My kids are now starting to show likes and dislikes and remember certain parts of their experiences from years past. Ciaran really enjoys door knocking and delivering lawn signs. Rhiannon enjoys learning about the issues and watching the debates more but doesn't like the door to door interactions but wants to be able to make phone calls. Sirah she really likes the art part of it making posters and being creative.
A few lessons along the way. They have learned patience through this, being able to sit quietly and respectfully at an office while many adults are on phones around them or wait for a long time to hear a politician speak about many things that seem boring and irrelevant to them. Their presence has made others realize that children can be present and respectful in unusual circumstances. They have learned that even as a young child they can make a difference and help even in small ways that can have an impact. They have learned about being part of something bigger than them and taking part in something with many other people for a common cause. They learn that even when we work hard we don't always win.
Now I am not going to lie and say it is always roses and what seems exciting on day one wears on anyone after 2 months especially younger ones. But overall I think they have built some positive memories and learned some life long lessons in ways they will never understand from a textbook. Some random lessons I have learned everything is easier with food, time for art, exercise and the book Duck for President.
Blessings,
Tennies
Ciaran, Sirah and I started studying Ancient Egypt, the Nile and random interesting facts. The lesson was fun and engaging and ended with an actual sword fight between the two with the result being Sirah (White Crown King of Upper Nile) defeating Ciaran (Red Crown King of Lower Nile) and capturing his crown naming her the double crown king. They really enjoyed the lesson and seemed engaged even when we did some map work and talked about things like silt and the direction the Nile flows.
Eventually the noise became too much and after finishing the lessons that require lots of discussion, read aloud and interaction we packed up the rest of the book work and headed out to finish the bookwork in more quiet.
Then we headed to a nearby political campaigning office we are affiliated with for the afternoon. The kids got messy with paint, markers, glitter and glue creating candidate posters while I made some voter identification phone calls. They were rewarded with their artwork being displayed and some potato chips with lemonade.
We headed to a friends house where I taught our weekly civics class - this week our topic was presidential debates and the campaign trail. We discussed what types of activities are going on at this point in the presidential campaign. We broke the students up into different roles and held a town hall styled debate between Senator Obama and Senator McCain. The rest of the students asked questions about topics ranging from the economy to education to foreign policy. The kids seemed to enjoy it and I was impressed with how knowledgeable the students ranging 2nd to 6th grade were about the issues and candidates. We ended with a discussion about whether winning or losing a debate matters in an election, if there really can be a winner and why the candidates answers tend to be less than clear and direct on many issues. Then I opened it up for random question and answer time where the kids can ask me any questions about politics, campaigning, issues and candidates they can think of. We had some interesting questions like:
What is a whig? What is a federalist? Why don't we have anymore?
Do you have to be a senator to become president?
Have we ever had a female presidential candidate?
How do you get to be Obama or McCain (presidential campaign)?
Why do you have to be a natural born citizen to become president?
What are the criteria for becoming president?
Didn't a president have to step down? Watergate
Can a president be elected more than twice?
How do you get to vote?
There were others but I can't think of them. I am enjoying teaching this class and it seems the students are having fun too. So far we have covered the basic structure of our government, federalism, branches of government, qualifications and responsibilities of major leaders, campaign strategies, life on the campaign trail, voting, electoral college, popular votes, how a candidate gets elected, caucuses, primaries, etc. Some day when I have extra time I will post my lessons from those days. We ended the evening watching the presidential debate as a family until one by one the kids dropped off into sleep.
This time of year we are very active as a family in campaigning and encouraging voters to vote and citizens to get involved however they can. I have friends on both sides of many issues, friends committed to various candidates, passionate opinions between family members and friends and that is all well and good. I encourage all of them to get involved no matter what candidate they support and I encourage you to do the same and to teach your children valuable civics lessons they will remember for the rest of their lives.
My kids have been involved with us politically since they were babies - we have always been active and just like many other aspects of our family life we just bring the kids along. They can't do everything with us but they have seen presidents speak, candidates debate, knocked on doors, delivered lawn signs, and just observed and learned from their parents and they participate in civics and good citizenship. I have been applauded for these choices and I have been criticized for them. I will continue to encourage families to participate in civics as families and encourage my children to be active citizens as they grow up no matter what candidates they choose to support.
My kids are now starting to show likes and dislikes and remember certain parts of their experiences from years past. Ciaran really enjoys door knocking and delivering lawn signs. Rhiannon enjoys learning about the issues and watching the debates more but doesn't like the door to door interactions but wants to be able to make phone calls. Sirah she really likes the art part of it making posters and being creative.
A few lessons along the way. They have learned patience through this, being able to sit quietly and respectfully at an office while many adults are on phones around them or wait for a long time to hear a politician speak about many things that seem boring and irrelevant to them. Their presence has made others realize that children can be present and respectful in unusual circumstances. They have learned that even as a young child they can make a difference and help even in small ways that can have an impact. They have learned about being part of something bigger than them and taking part in something with many other people for a common cause. They learn that even when we work hard we don't always win.
Now I am not going to lie and say it is always roses and what seems exciting on day one wears on anyone after 2 months especially younger ones. But overall I think they have built some positive memories and learned some life long lessons in ways they will never understand from a textbook. Some random lessons I have learned everything is easier with food, time for art, exercise and the book Duck for President.
Blessings,
Tennies
September 24, 2008
My new phone
Yes I am drinking the Google Kool-Aid a bit. I thought a was going to jump ship and finally cave and buy an iphone, now that my Blackberry is dying. But I decided my life is a bit more tied to Google than to Apple and I am excited to try the G1 and see what Android and the community of developers has to offer. Sadly I have to wait a month to receive my new G1 phone.
September 23, 2008
Those tender hearts
My children have the sweetest most generous hearts on some days - today was one of them. We went to see a production of Madeline at our Children's Theater. It was well done - it included a very exciting circus type performance which the kid really enjoyed. However sitting for over three hours with just short breaks in between threw my back into a tailspin and by the time we got home I was in quite a bit of pain.
Overall my back has been doing better. I have resumed physical therapy and yesterday I had a full appointment including trigger point massage, intense stretching, manipulation and ultrasound - so to say I was sore today is mildly describing it. Add to that three hours of sitting (my least comfortable position after about 15 minutes) and I had to spend the remainder of the day horizontal.
My kids were really sweet though. Ciaran cooked dinner, making Black Bean nachos. Sirah, not a huge fan of black beans, convinced Rhiannon to make her an alternate plate of nachos with refried beans. After dinner the kids did all the dishes and wiped the counters then went away into Rhia's room and were quietly cooperating on something. They came out shortly after with an hour long performance designed to cheer me up. They had prepared dancing, singing, guitar playing, acrobatic performances and other fun little acts. I held my breath when Ciaran nearly launched Sirah over an exercise ball and prayed we were not heading to the emergency room. All is well and they are all tucked safely and soundly in beds sleeping now.
The entire purpose of the show was to make me forget about my pain and to smile. They really have sweet spirits and when they decide to they can play so nicely together. After the performance was completed they even willingly cleaned up. There was much discussion about who would sleep where tonight and Rhiannon even offered to let Sirah sleep in her bed, a true treat for Sirah and truly an act of service for Rhiannon. Ciaran has placed himself on our bedroom floor and everyone is now asleep.
I love my kids, and on days like this, even when I am in a lot of pain I really realize how truly blessed I am with special children. They love me so much and it has been a hard year on them seeing mom in chronic pain but still they do all they can to make my day a little brighter or easier. Multiple times through the day either Ciaran or Sirah would just come up to me and wrap their arms around me in a big hug or give me a kiss. Rhiannon would check in and see if I needed anything and I am pretty sure she organized the after dinner performances.
Sometimes I struggle with mommy guilt over the limitations my pain has put on me and I want to be "old mommy" as the kids sometimes refer to. At other times though I see the growth this year has led to in all members of our family and I am thankful for that. Days like this make me so thankful for my children and their tender hearts. Tomorrow will be a better day when I can cook and clean and shower them with the love and attention they need to - but I am thankful that in my time of need their responses were to be generous and tender with me.
Kiss those babies,
Tenniel
Overall my back has been doing better. I have resumed physical therapy and yesterday I had a full appointment including trigger point massage, intense stretching, manipulation and ultrasound - so to say I was sore today is mildly describing it. Add to that three hours of sitting (my least comfortable position after about 15 minutes) and I had to spend the remainder of the day horizontal.
My kids were really sweet though. Ciaran cooked dinner, making Black Bean nachos. Sirah, not a huge fan of black beans, convinced Rhiannon to make her an alternate plate of nachos with refried beans. After dinner the kids did all the dishes and wiped the counters then went away into Rhia's room and were quietly cooperating on something. They came out shortly after with an hour long performance designed to cheer me up. They had prepared dancing, singing, guitar playing, acrobatic performances and other fun little acts. I held my breath when Ciaran nearly launched Sirah over an exercise ball and prayed we were not heading to the emergency room. All is well and they are all tucked safely and soundly in beds sleeping now.
The entire purpose of the show was to make me forget about my pain and to smile. They really have sweet spirits and when they decide to they can play so nicely together. After the performance was completed they even willingly cleaned up. There was much discussion about who would sleep where tonight and Rhiannon even offered to let Sirah sleep in her bed, a true treat for Sirah and truly an act of service for Rhiannon. Ciaran has placed himself on our bedroom floor and everyone is now asleep.
I love my kids, and on days like this, even when I am in a lot of pain I really realize how truly blessed I am with special children. They love me so much and it has been a hard year on them seeing mom in chronic pain but still they do all they can to make my day a little brighter or easier. Multiple times through the day either Ciaran or Sirah would just come up to me and wrap their arms around me in a big hug or give me a kiss. Rhiannon would check in and see if I needed anything and I am pretty sure she organized the after dinner performances.
Sometimes I struggle with mommy guilt over the limitations my pain has put on me and I want to be "old mommy" as the kids sometimes refer to. At other times though I see the growth this year has led to in all members of our family and I am thankful for that. Days like this make me so thankful for my children and their tender hearts. Tomorrow will be a better day when I can cook and clean and shower them with the love and attention they need to - but I am thankful that in my time of need their responses were to be generous and tender with me.
Kiss those babies,
Tenniel
Grains of Salt and other random moments
We often have moments that we say - we need to blog that or we need to remember that and then I never seem to get back to them. Having a few random moments now I thought I would record some I can remember instead of just frittering (my word of the day) away my time on Facebook or twittering.
Driving in the car the other day the kids were literally arguing over grains of salt. They were fighting over who took more grains of salt from the bottom of a cup that once held pretzel nuggets. They were having, and dragging us into, an argument over the actual count of grains of salt. One of those moment you only seem to have as a parent of young children.
Rhiannon in trying to get her way in a discussion we were having told me "I am not arguing with you, I am only presenting a strong argument, being a good debater like you are telling me you want me to be one day."
I got an email at 11pm from my neighbor asking me if it was possible that her 6 year old daughter drank Red Bull at my house around 6pm that night (her daughter still couldn't sleep)? I had just earlier had Sirah inform me that Ciaran drank Vault soda that evening (right before I left him with a babysitter lucky her). So I had to say Yes, yes she did drink not Red Bull but Vault(just shy of a double shot of espresso) and she wasn't making it up. My neighbor thankfully said "Atleast it wasn't beer or wine like in Anne of Green Gables."
My personal favorite recent bloggable moment:
Sirah was trying to remember something and she kept knocking against the side of her head saying "Knock knock head. Hello head. I need to remember head"
Driving in the car the other day the kids were literally arguing over grains of salt. They were fighting over who took more grains of salt from the bottom of a cup that once held pretzel nuggets. They were having, and dragging us into, an argument over the actual count of grains of salt. One of those moment you only seem to have as a parent of young children.
Rhiannon in trying to get her way in a discussion we were having told me "I am not arguing with you, I am only presenting a strong argument, being a good debater like you are telling me you want me to be one day."
I got an email at 11pm from my neighbor asking me if it was possible that her 6 year old daughter drank Red Bull at my house around 6pm that night (her daughter still couldn't sleep)? I had just earlier had Sirah inform me that Ciaran drank Vault soda that evening (right before I left him with a babysitter lucky her). So I had to say Yes, yes she did drink not Red Bull but Vault(just shy of a double shot of espresso) and she wasn't making it up. My neighbor thankfully said "Atleast it wasn't beer or wine like in Anne of Green Gables."
My personal favorite recent bloggable moment:
Sirah was trying to remember something and she kept knocking against the side of her head saying "Knock knock head. Hello head. I need to remember head"
September 16, 2008
Rhiannons Story
My First Trail Ride Ever by Rhiannon
I received a great birthday present for my 9th birthday, a special day with my dad. When my dad woke me up Saturday morning he said "Get dressed, we're going on a trail ride!" I said Yippee and ran down the hall to get ready. We took an incredibly long car ride and my dad got lost. When we finally got there we met a woman with a clipboard and she directed us to where the horses were waiting. I got to ride Kassie, my dad got to ride a very fat horse named Dolly. Our trail guides name was Elise. She said everybody saddle up and volunteers came along to help us get up on the horses.
The trail ride was 2 hours. We saw butterflies, ducks and turtles. We walked, trotted and cantered the horses, dad and I even broke into a gallop (even though we weren't supposed to). We had to go up a steep hill and Dolly almost slipped. When we were finally at the top I said "Anyone who runs down that hill would be an idiot." The trail guide told us that she had mountain boarded down that hill. "I told her she was nuts."
When we finally got back to the barn I dismounted Kassie and my knees were as weak as Jello. We said thank you to Elise and got into the car and drove off. On the way home we got lost again. When we got home I unlaced my boots, got into bed and said I am not getting out again for the day! The End.
September 11, 2008
The Unsaid Thank-Yous
There are many who I never think to thank. Many I take for granted. Many who make my life better in tremendous ways. I'd like to take a minute to say thank you to some of those who make our lives better. The kids and I spent the day making cookies and thank yous and delivering some to some people on this list - to others we could not get to we just want to say Thank You.
Thank you to the police who keep my neighborhood safe and will put themselves between my family and danger.
Thank you to the fire departments who are so brave they can run into buildings on fire to save those innocents who are stuck there. The bravery of these heroes is beyond me.
Thank you to the military who put themselves on the front lines facing dangerous situations and enemies to protect our country and innocent citizens of other countries too.
Thank you to the federal agents in the FBI, CIA, and all the abbreviations I don't even know exist. Thank you for taking care of things known and unknown to me so I don't need to fear and can rest assured.
Thank you to the wives, husbands, children and parents of these heroes who give up so much time with their loved ones and know the risks they are taking but are still proud of them for what they day. Thank you for the sacrifices you make for the rest of us in the world.
Thank you to the doctors, nurses, surgeons, interns, and all those who help in emergency rooms around the world. Especially to those who do so through the middle of the night so we can always have life saving and critical health care no matter the day of the year or time of night. Thank you to their patient families as well.
Thank you to the construction road workers who provide us with safe well cared for roads to get us from place to place.
Thank you to the pastors, rabbis and leaders of churches throughout the world. To those who provide counsel, love and wisdom to all who need it and who give so freely of themselves to help others through their trails. Thank you to the wives and children who share their time and parents so much
Thank you to the airline pilots, train and bus drivers who get us from place to place safely. Thanks to the security teams that help insure problems don't arise along the way.
Thank you to the sanitation workers and cleaners who make sure we live in a safe and disease free environment.
Thanks to the doctors and health care providers who diagnosis and prevent the spreading of more illnesses keeping us all healthy while sometimes putting themselves at risk.
Thanks to the politicians, yes I am thanking them and you should to! Thanks for taking often thankless and criticized jobs because you want to improve the country and world for the people. Thank you for sticking with it and helping manage and improve a wonderful country we are so blessed to live in.
Thank you to the plumbers and repair people of the world who let their lives and schedules sometimes be dictated by our "emergencies" so we can be comfortable.
Thanks to the rescue workers who run into the areas being evacuated to get more people out and help those who are stranded even though they put themselves at risk.
To all those who work thankless and often unappreciated jobs I say thank you!!!! Thank you for all you do for me, a random stranger. Thank you for truly making this world a better place each day by going to your job, by helping others and doing things some can only fear.
Thank you for facing that fire, standing between me and a criminal, healing the wounded, cleaning the trash and bathroom filth, providing guidance and love to the seemingly unlovable, giving of yourself to better others every day of your life. You truly are inspiring and represent the best of what this country represents. I am proud of you and I am thankful for you and may you truly be blessed today.
Love
Our little family of five in Minnesota
September 10, 2008
Those Precious Beginnings
Sirah is starting Kindergarten this year and she could not possibly be more excited. I tend to just follow their lead at this age letting their interest be our guide with a main focus on learning to write letters, numbers, simple math sense and learning to read. She is very excited to do all these things and even though I said we were not starting school for a few more weeks she could not wait - so we have begun.
Simple beginnings just a very little bit each day. Her favorite so far has been math. She seems to love numbers and has enjoyed the abacus the most. Today she asked if we could just count together to 100 using the beads. We have also introduced cuissenaire rods and using her fingers to count and add. She is really having fun with it and also wants to learn how to write her numbers correctly. Watching the enthusiasm is inspiring, though it does not seem to rub off on the older two who are quite content to wait until I drag them literally back into the swing of the school year.
That love of learning, those bright eyes and the sheer joy when you master a new skill is such a powerful thing to see. It is such a great reminder of why we do what we do. A great motivator to keep going even when it gets tough. So let me say this when it is late January here in Minnesota and we are all crawling up the walls and not liking schooling anymore - lets try to remember the bright eyes and enthusiasm of those young learners who are just so pleased to be learning and mastering things.
Peace
Tenniel
Simple beginnings just a very little bit each day. Her favorite so far has been math. She seems to love numbers and has enjoyed the abacus the most. Today she asked if we could just count together to 100 using the beads. We have also introduced cuissenaire rods and using her fingers to count and add. She is really having fun with it and also wants to learn how to write her numbers correctly. Watching the enthusiasm is inspiring, though it does not seem to rub off on the older two who are quite content to wait until I drag them literally back into the swing of the school year.
That love of learning, those bright eyes and the sheer joy when you master a new skill is such a powerful thing to see. It is such a great reminder of why we do what we do. A great motivator to keep going even when it gets tough. So let me say this when it is late January here in Minnesota and we are all crawling up the walls and not liking schooling anymore - lets try to remember the bright eyes and enthusiasm of those young learners who are just so pleased to be learning and mastering things.
Peace
Tenniel
September 9, 2008
Election Study
Four year ago we did a unit study during the election. It was a points based study to learn about America's governing system and work to get a candidate elected. We will begin our elections lessons and campaigning next week. I thought I would share some of the activities.
Campaigning and Political Action Hands on Activities
10 points
Pray daily for President, Vice president, senators running and for the election process - 10 points per day
Literature Drops - distribute literature, brochures, etc through neighborhood - 10 points per piece
Phone calling reminding people to vote or participate in phone bank - 10 points per call
25 points
Wear your campaign t-shirt, hat or button supporting your candidate - 25 points per day
Send out cards encouraging people to vote for your candidate - 25 points per card
Make cookies, wrap them individually and pass them out with a tag remining people to vote for your candidate - 25 per cookie
50 points
Encourage your parents and friends to volunteer for a campaign and receive email updates
Get permission and place campaign signs or bumper stickets in yards or windows - 50 points per piece
Draw a political cartoon about the presidential race
Watch and record the presidential and vice-presidential debates - 50 points each
Invite friends to watch the debate with you - 50 per friend who joins you
Ask friends/family who they thought won the debate and who they will vote for - compare the results
100 points
Make campaign posters for use at rallies or in windows or to sign wave with - 100 per sign
Visit the childhood home or presidential library of a president - 100 points each
Conduct a survey of 10 people (10 points per person interviewed) ask two questions "What three things do you think are most important about a Presidential candidate? and Which presidential candidate do you intend to vote for? Compare and graph results of questions - 100 points for graph of results
Attend a prayer support evening at local church for the presidents or conduct your own in your home
Go to the polls with someone who is voting
200 points
Visit your local campaign headquarters
Volunteer at local headquarts (stamping, envelopes, signs, copies, phone calling, etc) 200 per hour points double last 72 hours
Door knocking, canvassing, sign waving, voter ID, etc - 200 per hour points double last 72 hours
Make your own campaigning t-shirt - 200 points each
Set up a voter registration booth at a local mall, neighborhood or other event
Register voters and hand deliver registrations - 200 per registration
Call a local talk radio station, share your age and why you think people should vote for a candidate or just vote in general
Write and film a 30 second commercial explaining why you believe your candidate should be elected
Write and submit a letter to the editor why you think people should support your candidate - 200 for letter 200 more if published
Draw and submit to your local newspaper a political cartoon representing the presidential race - 200 for cartoon 200 more if published
Color a map with your predictions of electoral college results (blue and red)
300 points
Take pictures and make a scrapbook of your experience doing this
Hold a mock debate on issues
Host a mock election
Watch the results as they come in on the evening news, mark a map by coloring the states with red or blue as called - 300 for completed map
500 points
Attend a candidate rally where the president, vice president or senate candidate is campaigning
Reading and Writing Assignments
50 points
Make a list of your government officials: national, state and local. Remember to pray for them by name daily
Read the US Constitution Bill of Rights, write what you understand them to mean in your life - 50 points per right
Memorize and recite the Bill of rights - 50 points per right
Draw a picture of the American flag - label the parts
Draw a picture of the White House
Play and sing patriotic music - 50 points per hour
Read your local newspaper and clip articles detaling current issues addressed by the current campaign - 50 points per article
Read and compare candidates positions on major political issues such as: economy, education, war in Iraq, homeland security, environment, energy, etc - 50 points per issue researched and discussed or written on
Discover the various Political Action Groups and endorsements supporting the candidates and discuss what that might show or mean about the candidates positions on issues - 50 each
Explain why each vote is important and how one vote can change an election
100 Points
List and explain ten changes you would make if you were president
Write and mail a letter to President George W Bush thanking him for the job he has done over the past 8 years as president
Write and mail a letter to Senator McCain, Senator Obama, Governor Palin or Senator Biden thanking them for their service to our country - 100 each
Write a report about what the US constitution says about the eligibility requirements to run for US President
Memorize and recite the Preamble to the Consitution
Research and list 10 reasons Americans should vote
List 10 ways the political parties differ - 10 points each
Take a current political issue and explain your viewpoint on it - compare or contrast to candidates
Read and explain the basic biographical background of the candidates - 100 each
200 points
Write a poem or song about what you hope America will be like when you are an adult
Discuss the election process from state primaries and caucuses through the conventions and election. Include specefics about your states caucus or primary
Learn about the history and present to an adult or write about and current platform of the main political parties (DNC, RNC, etc) - 200 per party
300 points
Research the history of the Electoral College then explain (orally or in writing) how it works, how it differs from popular vote, and why it was established
Read a biography of a past president, first lady, or out country;s founders. Non-readers: have parents or older sinling read aloud to you.
Read a book about the Secret Service and how the president and his family are protected
Read a book about the White House
Read a book written by each of the candidates - 300 per book
Memorize and recite the names of the Presidents in order of service to America
Memorize and recite the first two paragraphs of the Declaration of Indepenedence
Research and explain the history and importance of third party candidates and parties and how they affect elections
Special points
Write an essay about "How the Outcome of the 2008 Presidential Election Could impact my life" - 1 point per word
By hand, coppy George Washingtong's "Rules of Civility" - 1o points for each rule written neatly
Write a summary of current articles found in the newspaper or online news source having to do with the election, issues or candidates - 1 point per word written
Write a list of: When your state joined the US, what the population of your state is, how many Congressional districts it has, the name of your Governor, US Senators and US Representatives - 10 points each
Watch School House rock - I'm Gonna Send Your Vote to College, I'm Just a Bill and The Shot that was Heard around the world - 20 points each
Discover which Presidents have been homeschooled for some or all of their education - 20 points for each president found
*Material is based on material developed by Fran Eaten.
Campaigning and Political Action Hands on Activities
10 points
Pray daily for President, Vice president, senators running and for the election process - 10 points per day
Literature Drops - distribute literature, brochures, etc through neighborhood - 10 points per piece
Phone calling reminding people to vote or participate in phone bank - 10 points per call
25 points
Wear your campaign t-shirt, hat or button supporting your candidate - 25 points per day
Send out cards encouraging people to vote for your candidate - 25 points per card
Make cookies, wrap them individually and pass them out with a tag remining people to vote for your candidate - 25 per cookie
50 points
Encourage your parents and friends to volunteer for a campaign and receive email updates
Get permission and place campaign signs or bumper stickets in yards or windows - 50 points per piece
Draw a political cartoon about the presidential race
Watch and record the presidential and vice-presidential debates - 50 points each
Invite friends to watch the debate with you - 50 per friend who joins you
Ask friends/family who they thought won the debate and who they will vote for - compare the results
100 points
Make campaign posters for use at rallies or in windows or to sign wave with - 100 per sign
Visit the childhood home or presidential library of a president - 100 points each
Conduct a survey of 10 people (10 points per person interviewed) ask two questions "What three things do you think are most important about a Presidential candidate? and Which presidential candidate do you intend to vote for? Compare and graph results of questions - 100 points for graph of results
Attend a prayer support evening at local church for the presidents or conduct your own in your home
Go to the polls with someone who is voting
200 points
Visit your local campaign headquarters
Volunteer at local headquarts (stamping, envelopes, signs, copies, phone calling, etc) 200 per hour points double last 72 hours
Door knocking, canvassing, sign waving, voter ID, etc - 200 per hour points double last 72 hours
Make your own campaigning t-shirt - 200 points each
Set up a voter registration booth at a local mall, neighborhood or other event
Register voters and hand deliver registrations - 200 per registration
Call a local talk radio station, share your age and why you think people should vote for a candidate or just vote in general
Write and film a 30 second commercial explaining why you believe your candidate should be elected
Write and submit a letter to the editor why you think people should support your candidate - 200 for letter 200 more if published
Draw and submit to your local newspaper a political cartoon representing the presidential race - 200 for cartoon 200 more if published
Color a map with your predictions of electoral college results (blue and red)
300 points
Take pictures and make a scrapbook of your experience doing this
Hold a mock debate on issues
Host a mock election
Watch the results as they come in on the evening news, mark a map by coloring the states with red or blue as called - 300 for completed map
500 points
Attend a candidate rally where the president, vice president or senate candidate is campaigning
Reading and Writing Assignments
50 points
Make a list of your government officials: national, state and local. Remember to pray for them by name daily
Read the US Constitution Bill of Rights, write what you understand them to mean in your life - 50 points per right
Memorize and recite the Bill of rights - 50 points per right
Draw a picture of the American flag - label the parts
Draw a picture of the White House
Play and sing patriotic music - 50 points per hour
Read your local newspaper and clip articles detaling current issues addressed by the current campaign - 50 points per article
Read and compare candidates positions on major political issues such as: economy, education, war in Iraq, homeland security, environment, energy, etc - 50 points per issue researched and discussed or written on
Discover the various Political Action Groups and endorsements supporting the candidates and discuss what that might show or mean about the candidates positions on issues - 50 each
Explain why each vote is important and how one vote can change an election
100 Points
List and explain ten changes you would make if you were president
Write and mail a letter to President George W Bush thanking him for the job he has done over the past 8 years as president
Write and mail a letter to Senator McCain, Senator Obama, Governor Palin or Senator Biden thanking them for their service to our country - 100 each
Write a report about what the US constitution says about the eligibility requirements to run for US President
Memorize and recite the Preamble to the Consitution
Research and list 10 reasons Americans should vote
List 10 ways the political parties differ - 10 points each
Take a current political issue and explain your viewpoint on it - compare or contrast to candidates
Read and explain the basic biographical background of the candidates - 100 each
200 points
Write a poem or song about what you hope America will be like when you are an adult
Discuss the election process from state primaries and caucuses through the conventions and election. Include specefics about your states caucus or primary
Learn about the history and present to an adult or write about and current platform of the main political parties (DNC, RNC, etc) - 200 per party
300 points
Research the history of the Electoral College then explain (orally or in writing) how it works, how it differs from popular vote, and why it was established
Read a biography of a past president, first lady, or out country;s founders. Non-readers: have parents or older sinling read aloud to you.
Read a book about the Secret Service and how the president and his family are protected
Read a book about the White House
Read a book written by each of the candidates - 300 per book
Memorize and recite the names of the Presidents in order of service to America
Memorize and recite the first two paragraphs of the Declaration of Indepenedence
Research and explain the history and importance of third party candidates and parties and how they affect elections
Special points
Write an essay about "How the Outcome of the 2008 Presidential Election Could impact my life" - 1 point per word
By hand, coppy George Washingtong's "Rules of Civility" - 1o points for each rule written neatly
Write a summary of current articles found in the newspaper or online news source having to do with the election, issues or candidates - 1 point per word written
Write a list of: When your state joined the US, what the population of your state is, how many Congressional districts it has, the name of your Governor, US Senators and US Representatives - 10 points each
Watch School House rock - I'm Gonna Send Your Vote to College, I'm Just a Bill and The Shot that was Heard around the world - 20 points each
Discover which Presidents have been homeschooled for some or all of their education - 20 points for each president found
*Material is based on material developed by Fran Eaten.
September 3, 2008
Waving to the School Buses
Yesterday the school buses started in our neighborhood. Sirah was sitting next to me when the first one arrived - I was thankful we homeschool. She would be getting on a bus for the first time this year heading off to Kindergarten.
Sirah is very excited for school this year, the other two - not as much. Once we start I know they will be fine but so far when people ask them about school Sirah is very enthusiastic and the others are not excited.
We are ramping in slowly. This week and next we begin with activities, field trips and purchasing supplies. I always find it best to wait until everyone has gone back to school and the clearance starts. The first two weeks of school are the best time here in Minnesota to do field trips as the places are all empty. One year we had the entire history museum to ourselves! We will likely include the zoo, art museum and some other favorites.
Next week we add in our rock climbing, Wednesday night programs, swimming lessons and other fall based activities. We will also start up math and writing and incorporate some nature days and hikes. The next week starts our homeschool cooperative and the civics/elections class I am teaching. By the last week of September we should be fully ramped up with history, science, language arts, art, music, latin and other misc subjects.
Looking forward to a great year and to enjoying the rest of the beautiful season in Minnesota!
August 12, 2008
Summer is Just Starting
Yes the back to school aisle is brimming, I am planning fall field trips and sports activities for the fall and many parents are counting down the days until September 2nd here but for us it feels as if summer is just starting.
Ciaran's cast has now been on for five weeks, that is five long weeks of no swimming, water ballons, sprinklers, sports and the many things that make up our summer. It feels to us like late June so we are just about ready to get started.
Ciaran has adjusted to life with a cast amazingly well. He broke his left arm, bummer for him he is a lefty. Still he learned how to play wii (and beat us all still) right handed. He can use his cast hand very well and he even began bike riding again but only on days there is not a chance of being caught in the rain and only on pretty flat level surfaces.
Next week this huge plaster cast can come off and hopefully be replaced with a smaller waterproof cast to finish out the summer. Then I think we will simply live at the pool and beach until they kick us out! The way I see it summer arrived about 2 weeks late this year so we should get an extra two weeks on the tail end, hopefully with enough warmth that this can really be the middle point of our summer. That should put us on track to start school seriously in the last week of September. Have to say I love the flexibility of homeschooling.
This week we went for bike rides, nature hikes, visits to the arboretum, played at local playgrounds, soccer, basketball and catches in the yard - we jut finally got outside. That is not to say our Wii was lonely or we didn't spend some time watching the Olympics just that we are finally venturing outside with a bit more consistency.
We also got back into the swing of service projects with a return to Feed My Starving children, our typical monthly service project. The kids spirits are always a bit calmer after reflecting on packaging meals for 16 children for a year or saving their allowance money to donate to pay for 40 meals. Service has been an important part of our family and I am glad to see us all serving together again after a more sporadic few months since my surgery.
The pain is still there every day. It is strange to have not had a pain free day in almost a year - but at least the pain is manageable and much less intense than it was. Maybe someday it will go away but at least we are getting back into habits we love and doing more.
We have all grown substantially in the past year and it is interesting to see where we are on the other side of things. Rhiannon is 9 now and Sirah is turning 5 next week but much more than their ages they have grown, as has Ciaran. Now is the time for some fun and some genuine relaxation before the rush of fall is upon us.
This year we will start our regular activities mid September with homeschool coop, Awana, horseback riding, an elections cooperative class I am leading and possibly soccer for Sirah. We will ramp up our campaigning mostly in the month of October as we study government and learn about the election process. I plan to start math and language arts mid September and add the rest in by October, taking plenty of time to enjoy the end of summer and the precious few weeks of Minnesota fall.
I have a rough sketch of the year in the back of my mind but have not yet sat down to plan out the actual coursework or my strategy, yet I am not worried knowing it will all come together easily. My only hole still left in curriculum is science as I haven't made a decision about the approach or material I want to study yet. This year grade level work will approximately be Rhiannon - 4th, Ciaran - 2nd and Sirah would be in kindergarten but we will see how her interest is. If she shows interest we will focus on learning to read, basic math skills and improving her handwriting.
Now back to summer and counting down the days until the cast comes off. Please pray for a positive result and a nice waterproof cast!
Ciaran's cast has now been on for five weeks, that is five long weeks of no swimming, water ballons, sprinklers, sports and the many things that make up our summer. It feels to us like late June so we are just about ready to get started.
Ciaran has adjusted to life with a cast amazingly well. He broke his left arm, bummer for him he is a lefty. Still he learned how to play wii (and beat us all still) right handed. He can use his cast hand very well and he even began bike riding again but only on days there is not a chance of being caught in the rain and only on pretty flat level surfaces.
Next week this huge plaster cast can come off and hopefully be replaced with a smaller waterproof cast to finish out the summer. Then I think we will simply live at the pool and beach until they kick us out! The way I see it summer arrived about 2 weeks late this year so we should get an extra two weeks on the tail end, hopefully with enough warmth that this can really be the middle point of our summer. That should put us on track to start school seriously in the last week of September. Have to say I love the flexibility of homeschooling.
This week we went for bike rides, nature hikes, visits to the arboretum, played at local playgrounds, soccer, basketball and catches in the yard - we jut finally got outside. That is not to say our Wii was lonely or we didn't spend some time watching the Olympics just that we are finally venturing outside with a bit more consistency.
We also got back into the swing of service projects with a return to Feed My Starving children, our typical monthly service project. The kids spirits are always a bit calmer after reflecting on packaging meals for 16 children for a year or saving their allowance money to donate to pay for 40 meals. Service has been an important part of our family and I am glad to see us all serving together again after a more sporadic few months since my surgery.
The pain is still there every day. It is strange to have not had a pain free day in almost a year - but at least the pain is manageable and much less intense than it was. Maybe someday it will go away but at least we are getting back into habits we love and doing more.
We have all grown substantially in the past year and it is interesting to see where we are on the other side of things. Rhiannon is 9 now and Sirah is turning 5 next week but much more than their ages they have grown, as has Ciaran. Now is the time for some fun and some genuine relaxation before the rush of fall is upon us.
This year we will start our regular activities mid September with homeschool coop, Awana, horseback riding, an elections cooperative class I am leading and possibly soccer for Sirah. We will ramp up our campaigning mostly in the month of October as we study government and learn about the election process. I plan to start math and language arts mid September and add the rest in by October, taking plenty of time to enjoy the end of summer and the precious few weeks of Minnesota fall.
I have a rough sketch of the year in the back of my mind but have not yet sat down to plan out the actual coursework or my strategy, yet I am not worried knowing it will all come together easily. My only hole still left in curriculum is science as I haven't made a decision about the approach or material I want to study yet. This year grade level work will approximately be Rhiannon - 4th, Ciaran - 2nd and Sirah would be in kindergarten but we will see how her interest is. If she shows interest we will focus on learning to read, basic math skills and improving her handwriting.
Now back to summer and counting down the days until the cast comes off. Please pray for a positive result and a nice waterproof cast!
August 11, 2008
Book Lists are Up
I finally posted our reading lists to the blog. I used to keep monthly posts but the work was tedious and time consuming, now I keep the monthly records on my harddrive and add them to my blog yearly. Here is a compiled list of all the books read this school year. I keep fairly good records because I use a good software package and own a personal barcode scanner similar to this one. We have a book bin that everyone places read books into then once a week I scan the books into the software which keeps seperate files for each individual for each month of the year. At the end of the school year I compile the lists and have great records of the amount of reading done through the year.
We do read a lot as a family. The different lists show books that are age appropriate for each student, so Ciaran's books are much shorter than Rhiannons, and our family read aloud list consists mostly of library storybooks read to Sirah. I really enjoy keeping these records and often get emails about our reading lists so I thought I would post them again.
A note about the lists, there are good books in here and bad books. The kids did not love every book on this list. The lists include school books assigned by me, books they chose to read for pleasure and various other books read throughout the year. My kids read at different grade levels and the list is likely not appropriate for all kids their grade level. Some of our very favorites are on this list as well. I tried to remove some of the repeats but certainly did not catch them all. Hope you enjoy them.
Tenniel
We do read a lot as a family. The different lists show books that are age appropriate for each student, so Ciaran's books are much shorter than Rhiannons, and our family read aloud list consists mostly of library storybooks read to Sirah. I really enjoy keeping these records and often get emails about our reading lists so I thought I would post them again.
A note about the lists, there are good books in here and bad books. The kids did not love every book on this list. The lists include school books assigned by me, books they chose to read for pleasure and various other books read throughout the year. My kids read at different grade levels and the list is likely not appropriate for all kids their grade level. Some of our very favorites are on this list as well. I tried to remove some of the repeats but certainly did not catch them all. Hope you enjoy them.
Tenniel
2007-2008 Read Alouds
These are books I read out loud to the kids throughout the year, from September 2007-May 2008. The vast majority are storybooks that were read to Sirah and Ciaran. There are a few family chapter books involved. The formatting is not ideal as I collect and export the data from Book Collectorz. The basic format is Title, Author, Number of Pages
9 Fruits Alive (GodCounts Series),Mindy Macdonald,24
10 Neat Things About Being A Flower Girl,Penelope Colville Paine; Itoko Maeno,24
A Day with Wilbur Robinson,Joyce; William,40
A Gift for Grandpa,Angela Elwell Hunt; Julien; Terry,1
A kiss for Little Bear.,Else Holmelund Minarik,32
A Mother's Wish,Kathy-jo Wargin; Roman; Irena,32
A Picture Book of Benjamin Franklin (Picture Book Biography),David A. Adler; Wallner; John C; Wallner; Alexandra,32
A Picture Book of Sacagawea (Picture Book Biography),David A. Adler; Brown; Dan,32
A Pocket Full of Kisses,Audrey Penn,
A quiet place,Andreasen; Dan,
A Quiet Place,Douglas Wood,32
A Time Line of the American Revolutionary War (The Rosen Publishing Group's Reading Room Collection),Lynn George,24
A Visit to Fairyland,Shirley Barber,24
Aaaarrgghh! Spider!,Lydia Monks,32
Abigail Adams: First Lady of the American Revolution (Ready-to-Read. Level 3),Patricia Lakin,48
Abuela (English Edition with Spanish Phrases) (Picture Puffins),Arthur Dorros,40
Across the Stream,Mirra Ginsburg; Kharms; Daniil; Tafuri; Nancy,32
Ada's Pal,George Ella Lyon; Casparian; Marguerite,
Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse (Kingfisher Classics),Ursula Moray Williams,256
Alex And The Wednesday Chess Club,Janet S. Wong; Schuett; Stacey,40
Alexander and the Terrible; Horrible; No Good; Very Bad Day,Judith Viorst,32
Alexander; Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move,Judith Viorst,
All About Alligators,Jim Arnosky,
All about Frogs,Jim Arnosky,
All About Owls (All About Series),,32
All God's Creatures,Karen Hill,14
Amelia Bedelia 4 Mayor (Amelia Bedelia (Harpercollins Hardcover)),Herman Parish; Sweat; Lynn,48
The American Story: 100 True Tales from American History,Jennifer Armstrong,368
Angelina Ballerina,Katharine Holabird; Craig; Helen,24
Angelina Ballerina: The Costume Ball (Angelina Ballerina),Katharine Holabird; Craig; Helen,24
Angelina Ballerina's ABC (Angelina Ballerina),Helen Craig; Katharine Holabird,20
Angelina's Birthday,Katharine Holabird,24
Animal Noises,Richard J. Powell; Ana Martin Larranaga; Ana MartÃn Larrañaga,8
Animal Noises (Copy Cats Spinner Board Books),Richard Powell,8
Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing,Judi Barrett,32
Anna's Corn,Barbara Santucci; Bloom; Lloyd,32
Annie's Chair,Niland; Deborah,32
The Apple Doll,Elisa Kleven,40
Are You a Frog? (Touch and Learn),cassettari,18
Asher and the Capmakers: A Hanukkah Story,Eric A. Kimmel; Hillenbrand; Will,1
Babar the King (Babar Books (Random House)),Jean De Brunhoff; Laurent de Brunhoff; Haas; Merle,56
Babushka's Doll,Patricia Polacco,40
Baby Hugs Bear in The Trouble Bubble,David Polter,
Bambi's Hide And Seek (Step-Into-Reading; Step 1),RH Disney; Andrea Posner-Sanchez; Mones; Isidre,32
Barn Cat,Carol P. Saul; Azarian; Mary,32
The Bat Boy And His Violin (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books),Gavin Curtis; E. B. Lewis; Lewis; Earl B,32
Bears; Bears; Everywhere!,Mara Bergman,32
Bedtime for Frances,Russell Hoban; Garth Williams,32
Best of All,Max Lucado,
Bird Talk,Ann Jonas,32
Blessings Everywhere (Little Blessings),Dandi Daley Mackall,29
Blueberry Shoe,Ann Dixon; Zerbetz; Evon,32
Blue-Ribbon Henry,Mary Calhoun; Ingraham; Erick,40
Boy and the Cloth of Dreams; The,Jenny Koralek; James Mayhew,32
Bread and Jam for Frances,,31
Brother Eagle; Sister Sky,Susan Jeffers; Chief Seattle,32
Brown Bear; Brown Bear; What Do You See?,Bill Martin Jr.,32
Bunny And The Beast,Molly Coxe; Silin-Palmer; Pamela,40
Butterfly House,Eve Bunting,32
Cactuses (Rookie Read-About Science),Allan Fowler,31
Calico Cow Learns How (Puppet Buddies),Lois Keffer,24
Care Bears Trick or Treat,Quinlan B. Lee,24
Cars and Trucks and Things That Go (Giant Little Golden Book),Richard Scarry,69
Cat and Mouse in the Night (Cat and Mouse),Bogacki; Tomasz,32
Cat Heaven,Cynthia Rylant,40
The Cat In The Hat,Dr. Seuss,72
Cave,Diane Siebert; McLoughlin; Wayne,32
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom,Bill Martin Jr; John Archambault,
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom,Bill Martin Jr.; John Archambault,32
Chicken Sunday,Patricia Polacco,32
Clara Ann Cookie,Harriet Ziefert; Bolam; Emily,32
Cleo The Cat (Cleo Series),Caroline Mockford; Stella Blackstone,24
Click; Clack; Moo: Cows That Type,Doreen Cronin,32
Clifford The Small Red Puppy (Read with Clifford),Norman Bridwell,40
Close Your Eyes (New York Times Best Illustrated Books (Awards)),Kate Banks; Hallensleben; Georg,40
CLOUDS; RAIN; CLOUDS AGAIN,Lawrence F. Lowery,
Cookie-Store Cat (Scholastic Press),Cynthia Rylant,40
Cottontail at Clover Crescent (Smithsonian's Backyard) (Smithsonian's Backyard),C. Drew Lamm; Davis; Allen,32
Counting Kisses: A Kiss & Read Book,,32
Crocodile: Disappearing Dragon,Jonathan London; Morin; Paul,32
Curious George and the Dinosaur,Margret Rey,30
Curious George and the Hot Air Balloon,rey,24
Curious George and the Puppies,H. A. Rey,24
Curious George Feeds the Animals,H. A. Rey; Margret Rey,24
Curious George Goes to a Chocolate Factory,H. A. Rey,24
Dad and Me in the Morning,Patricia Lakin; Steele; Robert,1
David and Goliath Stories From the Bible,Kathryn Smith,
Dear Tooth Fairy,Pamela Duncan Edwards; Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick,32
Dinosaur Bob and His Adventures with the Family Lazardo (Reading Rainbow Book),joyce,48
Dinosaurs,Peter Zallinger,
Discovering Shapes (Let's Explore),Henry Arthur Pluckrose,32
Disney Bambi and the Great Prince of the Forest (Random House Pictureback Book),Christopher Nicholas (Adapted By),
Disney Princess CD Storybook (4-In-1 Disney Audio CD Storybooks),Inc. Penton Overseas,127
DK Readers: Winking; Blinking; Wiggling & Waggling (Level 2: Beginning to Read Alone),DK Publishing,32
Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots?,Carmela LaVigna Coyle; Mike Gordon,32
Do You Have a Hat?,Eileen Spinelli; Vale´rio; Geraldo,40
Duck for President,Doreen Cronin,
Eating Up Gladys,Margot Zemach; Zemach; Kaethe,32
Emperor's New Clothes (Grimm's and Anderson),Hans Christian Andersen,29
The Erie Canal Pirates,Eric A. Kimmel; Glass; Andrew,32
Fall Is Not Easy,Marty Kelley,32
Fancy Nancy: Bonjour; Butterfly (Fancy Nancy),Jane O'Connor,32
Farm Animals (Watch Me Grow),DK Publishing,24
Farmyard Count To Ten Pop-Up Book,Gill Davies,
Felix and the 400 Frogs (Step into Reading; Step 3; paper),Susan Schade; Jon Buller,48
A Fine St. Patrick's Day,Susan Wojciechowski; Curry; Tom,40
First Thanksgiving; The (level 3) (Hello Reader),Garnet Jackson; Croll; Carolyn,40
Five Creatures,Emily Jenkins,32
Franklin Plays Hockey (A Franklin TV Storybook),Sharon Jennings,32
Franklin Tv #05: Franklin's Helps Out (Franklin),Paulette Bourgeois; Clark; Brenda,32
Frightful's Daughter,Jean Craighead Craighead George; San Souci; Daniel,32
Frog Pajama Party (Read-It! Readers),Michael Dahl; Schultz; Sara,32
From Calf to Cow (Powell; Jillian. How Do They Grow?;),Jillian Powell,32
From Head To Toe,,32
From Lamb to Sheep (Powell; Jillian. How Do They Grow?;),Jillian Powell,32
Gaspard and Lisa at the Museum (Gaspard and Lisa Books),Anne Gutman; Hallensleben; Georg,32
Getting Ready for Space (Rookie Read-About Science: Space Science),Carmen Bredeson,32
Giggle; giggle; quack,Doreen Cronin,
Glitter Kitty,Mara Bergman; Lydia Monks,32
God Made You Special,Eric Metaxas,18
Going to sleep on the farm,Juan Wijngaard,
Good Dog; Carl,Alexandra Day,32
Goodnight Moon,Margaret Wise Brown,30
Grandma's Smile,Elaine Moore; Andreasen; Dan,1
Guess How Much I Love You,Sam Mcbratney; Jeram; Anita,32
The Happily Ever Afternoon,Sharon Jennings,24
Harry and the terrible whatzit,gackenbach,
Harry the Dirty Dog,Gene Zion; Margaret Bloy Graham; Graham; Margaret Bloy,32
Hearing (Rookie Read-About Health),Sharon Gordon,32
Hello World! Greetings in 42 Languages Around the Globe!,Stojic; Manya,48
Holly: The True Story of a Cat,Ruth Brown,32
Hooray For You! A Celebration Of You-Ness,Marianne Richmond,40
Hop on Pop (Beginner Books(R)),,72
Hop-skip-jump-a-roo zoo,Hohag; Linda,31
How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?,Jane Yolen,40
Humble Pie,Jennifer Donnelly; Stephen Gammell,32
I Am A Star (level 1) (Hello Reader; Science),Jean Marzollo; Moffatt; Judith,32
I Knew Two Who Said Moo: A Counting and Rhyming Book,Judi Barrett; Moreton; Daniel,32
I Love My Mommy Because...,Laurel Porter-Gaylord; Wolff; Ashley,24
I Love You More,Laura Duksta,34
I Love You the Purplest,Barbara Joosse; Barbara M Joosse,32
I Will Hold You 'til You Sleep,Linda Zuckerman; Muth; Jon J,32
I'd Be Your Hero: A Royal Tale Of Godly Character,Kathryn O'Brien; Garland; Michael,32
I'd Be Your Princess: A Royal Tale of Godly Character,Kathryn O'Brien; Garland; Michael,32
If I Ran The Zoo (Classic Seuss),Dr. Seuss,64
If You Give a Pig a Pancake (If You Give...),Laura Numeroff,32
If You Were My Bunny Board Book,Kate Mcmullan,26
I'm as Quick as a Cricket,Audrey Wood,24
I'm Going to Read (Level 2): Pillow Fight (I'm Going to Read Series),Richard Rossi; Rossi; Richard,32
Irish Step Dancing (Welcome Books),Mark Thomas,24
I've Got an Elephant,Anne Ginkel; Bynum; Janie,32
Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato,Tomie dePaola; Tomie de Paola,32
Jim's Lion,Russell Hoban; Andrew; Ian P,40
John; Paul; George & Ben,Lane Smith,40
Jojo'S Flying Side Kick,Brian Brian Pinkney,32
Jonah and the Whale (STories From the Bible),Retold by Kathryn Smith,
The Junior Thunder Lord,Laurence Yep,
Just In Case,Judith Viorst; Bluthenthal; Diana Cain,40
Just Like Sisters (Anne Schwartz Books),Angela McAllister,32
Just Me and My Dad (Look-Look),Mercer Mayer,24
Just You and Me,Sam Mcbratney; Bates; Ivan,32
Katy and the Big Snow,Virginia Lee Burton,40
Kermit the Hermit,Bill Peet,48
Kitten (Watch Me Grow),DK Publishing; Lisa Magloff,24
A Kitten's Year,Nancy Raines Day; Mortimer; Anne,32
Kittycat Lullaby,Eileen Spinelli; Mortimer; Anne,32
Ladder to the Stars,Simon Puttock; Jay; Alison,32
Landing of the Pilgrims (Landmark Books),James Daugherty,
Let Me Hold You Longer,Karen Kingsbury; Collier; Mary,32
Let's Find Out What's Big And What's Small,Charles And Martha Shapp,
Liberty!,Drummond; Allan,40
Library Lion,Michelle Knudsen; Hawkes; Kevin,48
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse,Kevin Henkes,
Lily's Garden (Single Titles),,32
Little Bear Treasury,Else Holmelund Minarik,
Little Bear's New Friend (Little Animal Adventures),Muriel Pepin; Deborah Kovacs; Geneste; Marcelle,1
Little Bo: The Story of Bonnie Boadicea,Julie Andrews Edwards,96
Little Fur Family,Margaret Wise Brown,32
Little Mouse; I Love You,Dugald Steer,
Little Otter's Big Journey,David Bedford; Winter; Susan,28
Little Polar Bear and the Big Balloon (Little Polar Bear),Hans de Beer,32
Look Who's Taking A Bath,Joan Bethell,
Looking for Atlantis,Colin Thompson,32
Lots of Pots (Pooh Adorables),RH Disney; Melissa Lagonegro,32
Love You Forever,Robert Munsch,32
Love Your Neighbor Stories of Values and Virtues,,
Luck With Potatoes,Helen Ketteman; Floca; Brian,
Madeline and the Gypsies; Reissue,Ludwig Bemelmans Author And Illustrator; Ludwig Bemelmans,56
Madeline In London,Ludwig Bemelmans,64
Madeline; Reissue Of 1939 Edition,Ludwig Bemelmans Author And Illustrator,54
Madeline's Rescue,Ludwig Bemelmans,50
The Magic School Bus At The Waterworks (Magic School Bus),Joanna Cole,40
The Magic School Bus Hops Home: A Book About Animal Habitats (Magic School Bus),Pat Relf; Joanna Cole; Stevenson; Nancy W,32
The Magician's Nephew (The Chronicles Of Narnia) (Narnia),C. S. Lewis,
Maine (Welcome to the U.S.a.),Ann Heinrichs; Kania; Matt,40
Mama Went to Jail for the Vote,Kathleen Karr; Bonnie Christensen; Laugesen; Malene,32
Mama; Do You Love Me? (Mama),Barbara M. Joosse; Lavallee; Barbara,32
Mama's Wild Child/papa's Wild Child,Dianna Hutts Aston,32
Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! (Bright & Early Books(R)),Dr. Seuss; Seuss,36
Math Curse,Jon Scieszka; Smith; Lane,32
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel,Virginia Lee Burton,48
Millions of Cats (Gift Edition) (Picture Puffin Books),Wanda Gag,32
Mirandy and Brother Wind,Patricia Mckissack,32
Mirette and Bellini Cross Niagara Falls (Mirette),McCully; Emily Arnold,32
Miss Bridie Chose a Shovel (Ira Children's Book Awards. Primary),Leslie Connor; Azarian; Mary,32
Miss Rumphius,Barbara Cooney,32
Mommy Hugs,Katz; Karen,32
Monster Mischief,Pamela Jane; Rosenberry; Vera,32
Moonball,Jane Yolen; Couch; Greg,40
Moonbear's Skyfire (Moonbear Books),asch,32
Moondogs,KIRK,
Moses the kitten,Barrett; Peter,
Mother Goose,Faulkner; Nancy Taliaferro,38
Mother Goose My 1st Treasury,Nancy Taliaferro Faulkner,
Mount Olympus Basketball,O'Malley; Kevin,32
Mrs. Rose's Garden,Elaine Greenstein,
Musical Beds,Mara Bergman; Pottie; Marjolein,32
My "A" Sound Box (New Sound Box Books),Jane Belk Moncure; King; Colin,30
My "c" Sound Box,Jane Belk Moncure; Jane Moncure; Linda Hohag,30
My "D" Sound Box (New Sound Box Books),Jane Belk Moncure; King; Colin,29
My "e" book,Gohman; Vera Kennedy; Moncure; Jane Belk,29
My "G" Sound Box (Sound Box Books),Jane Belk Moncure; Linda Hohag,31
My "H" Sound Box (New Sound Box Books),Jane Belk Moncure; King; Colin,29
My "K" Book (My First Steps to Reading),Jane Belk Moncure,29
My "n" book,Hohag; Linda; Moncure; Jane Belk,29
My "P" Sound Box (New Sound Box Books),Jane Belk Moncure; King; Colin,29
My "r" book,Linda Hohag; Moncure; Jane Belk,29
My "S" Book (My First Steps to Reading),Jane Belk Moncure; Hohag; Linda; Moncure; Jane Belk,29
My "S" Sound Box (New Sound Box Books),Jane Belk Moncure; King; Colin,29
My "u" book,Peltier; Pam; Moncure; Jane Belk,31
My Angel And Me (Night Light Book),,14
My Best Friend is Ariel (Disney Princess),Lisa Ann Marsoli,24
My Best Friend is Belle (Disney Princess (Random House Hardcover)),Lisa Ann Marsoli; Disney Storybook Artists,32
My Best Friend is Cinderella (Disney Princess (Random House Hardcover)),Lisa Ann Marsoli,32
My Buddy; Slug,Jarrett J. Krosoczka,40
My Dad's Great,,32
My Dear Noel: The Story of a Letter From Beatrix Potter,Johnson; Jane,40
My First 100 Words in Spanish/English,Paula Knight,32
My First Abacus Book,Nick Sharratt,
My Firstborn; Theres No One Like You (Birth Order Books),Dr. Kevin Leman; KevinII Leman; Leman; Kevin,32
My Five Senses (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1),Aliki,32
My Middle Child; Theres No One Like You (Birth Order Books),Dr. Kevin Leman; KevinII Leman; Leman; Kevin,32
My Mom's Great (Great Relatives),Gaby Goldsack; Sara Walker,32
My Mother is Mine,Marion Dane Bauer,40
My Nine Book (My First Steps to Math),Jane Belk Moncure,32
My Nine Lives By Clio,Priceman; Marjorie,48
My One Book,Jane Belk Moncure,32
My Pony,Susan Jeffers,32
My Seven Book (My First Steps to Math),Jane Belk Moncure,32
My Thank-You Bible (Karyn Henley Playsongs),Karyn Henley; Jane Dippold,64
My Youngest; Theres No One Like You (Birth Order Books),Dr. Kevin Leman; KevinII Leman; Leman; Kevin,32
N is for Natural State: An Arkansas Alphabet Edition 1. (Discover America State By State. Alphabet Series),Michael Shoulders; Anderson; Rick,40
Naughty Kitten: A Touch and Feel Adventure,Inc. Sterling Publishing Co.,16
Nice Try; Tooth Fairy,Mary W Olson; Tillotson; Katherine,32
Nick And Ned: The Sound Of N (Phonics Friends),Cecilia Minden; Joanne Meier; Meier; Joanne D,24
Night rabbits,wellington,
Nightlight,Jeannine Anderson,32
Noodle Man: The Pasta Superhero,April Pulley Sayre; Costanza; Stephen,40
Not So Fast; Songololo,Niki Daly,32
Nothing to Do,Douglas Wood; Halperin; Wendy Anderson,32
Now I'm Reading!: Look Around! - Pre Reader (Now I'm Reading),Nora Gaydos,128
Now One Foot; Now the Other,Tomie dePaola; Tomie de Paola,32
Oceans (True Books),Darlene R. Stille,47
Officer buckle & gloria (Caldecott Medal Book),Peggy Rathmann,40
Old Black Fly,Jim Aylesworth; Gammell; Stephen,32
Old Bob's Brown Bear,Niki Daly,32
Ollie (Bccb Blue Ribbon Picture Book Awards (Awards)),Olivier Dunrea,32
On Morning Wings,Reeve Lindbergh,32
On Noah's Ark,Jan Brett,32
Once Upon a Time; the End (Asleep in 60 Seconds),Geoffrey Kloske; Blitt; Barry,40
One Day; Daddy,Frances Thomas; Collins; Ross,32
One Green Apple,Eve Bunting; Lewin; Ted,32
Oopsy Does It Movie 8x8 (Care Bears),Samantha Brooke; Grupczynski; Kelly; Yee; Josie,24
Oranges (Food),Louise Spilsbury; Louise A. Spilsbury,32
Oscar; Cat-About-Town,James Herriot; Brown; Ruth,32
Outside; Inside,Carolyn Crimi; Riley; Linnea Asplind,40
Owl Moon,Jane Yolen; Schoenherr; John,32
Owls (Animals),Kevin J. Holmes; Kevin J. J. Holmes,24
Owls in the family.,mowat,103
Patches' Present: A Story About Friendship (Bean Sprouts),Greg Holder,32
Peggony-po: A Whale Of A Tale,Andrea Davis Pinkney; Pinkney; J. Brian,32
Pickles to Pittsburgh,Barrett; Ron,
Plantzilla Goes to Camp (Paula Wiseman Books),Jerdine Nolen; Catrow; David,32
Please Is A Good Word To Say,Barbara Joosse; Plecas; Jennifer,40
Pocahontas: Princess of the New World,Kathleen Krull; Diaz; David,40
A Pocket Full Of Kisses,Audrey Penn,
The Poky Little Puppy (A Little Golden Book Classic),Janette Sebring Lowrey,24
Pretend You're a Cat (Picture Puffins),Jean Marzollo,32
Pretzel,Margret Rey; Rey; H. A,32
Pretzels By the Dozen,Angela Elwell Hunt; Dodge; Bill,32
Prince Caspian (Narnia),C. S. Lewis,256
Princess Wishes,Leslie Harker,
PUPPY; Watch Me Grow,Discovery Kids,24
Purple; Green and Yellow (Classic Munsch),Robert N. Munsch; Desputeaux; He´le`ne,32
Put Me in the Zoo,Lopshire Robert,
Quick as a Cricket,Audrey Wood,32
Radio Rescue,Barasch; Lynne,40
Rain or Shine (Little Blessings),Dandi Daley Mackall; Kucharik; Elena,29
Rainbow Frogs (Circle Tabs),Melissa Tyrell,14
Rainbow Magic,Shirley Barber,24
Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest,Gerald McDermott,32
Remember The Ladies: 100 Great American Women,Cheryl Harness,64
Roller Coaster,Marla Frazee,32
Runaway Bunny,Margaret Wise Brown,
Sailor Moo: Cow at Sea (Golden Kite Honors (Awards)),Lisa Wheeler; Ponder Goembel,32
Sam the Zamboni Man,James Stevenson; Stevenson; Harvey,32
Santa calls,joyce,
Screech Owl at Midnight Hollow (Smithsonian' Backyard) (Smithsonian' Backyard),C. Drew Lamm; Joel Snyder,32
Seasons: A Book of Poems,Charlotte Zolotow; Blegvad; Erik,64
The Secret Fairy Handbook,,20
See More Readers: Planets Around the Sun -Level 1,Seymour Simon,32
Seeing (Rookie Read-About Health),Sharon Gordon,32
The Seven Silly Eaters,Mary Ann Hoberman; Marla Frazee,40
Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story,Angela Shelf Medearis; Minter; Daniel,40
Shark Swimathon (MathStart 3),Stuart J. Murphy; Cravath; Lynne Woodcock,40
Sharks,Gail Gibbons,1
Sheep (Naturebooks),Peter Murray,32
Short "O" and Long "O" Play a Game (New Sound Box Library Short and Long Vowels),Jane Belk Moncure; Young; N,32
Simple Machines (Rookie Read-About Science),Allan Fowler,31
Sisters,David McPhail,32
Skateboarding: Techniques and Tricks (Rad Sports Techniques; Training; and Tricks),Edward Willett; Edward C. Willett,48
Sky Boys: How They Built the Empire State Building,Deborah Hopkinson,48
Smelling (Rookie Read-About Health),Sharon Gordon,32
Snip Snap!: What's That?,Mara Bergman,32
Snow in Jerusalem,Deborah Da Costa; Van Wright; Cornelius; Hu; Ying-Hwa,32
Snowy Day,Ezra Jack Keats,
So Few of Me,Reynolds; Peter,32
Soap! Soap! Don't Forget the Soap!: An Appalachian Folktale,Tom Birdseye,1
Sofie's Role,Amy Heath; Hamanaka; Sheila,
Spiders,Gail Gibbons,1
Spiders (Animals (Mankato; Minn.).),Kevin J. Holmes; Kevin J. J. Holmes,24
Splash!,jonas,32
Spring Thaw,Steven Schnur; Schuett; Stacey,32
Spring's Sprung,Lynn Plourde; Couch; Greg,32
Spy Hops and Belly Flops: Curious Behaviors of Woodland Animals,Lynda Graham-Barber; Brian Lies; Lies; Brian,32
Squanto And The Miracle Of Thanksgiving,Eric Metaxas; Stirnweis; Shannon,32
Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon,Patty Lovell; Catrow; David,
Star Wars A long Time Ago Resurrection of Evil ,,
Stars! Stars! Stars!,Bob Barner,32
Starting Life: Frog (Starting Life),Claire Llewellyn,32
Stella; Fairy of the Forest,Marie-Louise Gay,32
Stone Soup (Aladdin Picture Books),Brown; Marcia,48
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,Robert Frost,25
The Story About Ping,Marjorie Flack,
Street Luge and Dirtboarding (The World of Skateboarding),Suzanne J. Murdico,47
Strega Nona Takes a Vacation,Tomie dePaola,32
Summer's Vacation,Lynn Plourde; Couch; Greg,32
SuperHero ABC,Bob McLeod,40
Sweet Strawberries,Phyllis Reynolds Naylor; Kaye; Rosalind Charney,40
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (Aladdin Picture Books),William Steig,32
Tadpoles,Betsy James,32
Tails,Matthew Van Fleet,20
The Tale Of Jemima Puddle-Duck (The World Of Beatrix Potter),Beatrix Potter,64
Tasting (Rookie Read-About Health),Sharon Gordon,32
Ten Flashing Fireflies,P. Sturges; A. Vojtech; Philemon Sturges; Vojtech; Anna,1
Ten Little Ladybugs,Melanie Gerth; Huliska-Beith; Laura,22
Thanks to You: Wisdom from Mother & Child (Julie Andrews Collection),Julie Andrews Edwards; Emma Walton Hamilton; Hamilton; Emma Walton,40
That Makes Me Mad!,Steven Kroll; Davenier; Christine,32
The Adventures of a Nose,Viviane Schwarz; Stewart; Joel,32
The Adventures of Sparrowboy,Brian Pinkney,40
The Amazing Octopus (The Living Oceans; 4),Bobbie Kalman; Rebecca Sjonger; Reiach; Margaret Amy,32
The American Revolution (Wars That Changed American History),Deborah H. Deford,48
The ballot box battle,mccully,
The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Commercials (Berenstain Bears),Mike Berenstain,32
The Big Snow,Berta Hader,48
The Boys Team (Richard Jackson Books (Atheneum Hardcover)),Schwartz; Amy,40
The Broken Cat,Lynne Rae Perkins,32
The Caboose Who Got Loose,Bill Peet,48
The Christmas Promise,Susan Campbell Bartoletti,40
The Color of Home,Mary Hoffman; Littlewood; Karin,32
The Crayon Box That Talked,Shane DeRolf; Michael Letzig,24
The Erie Canal Pirates,Eric A. Kimmel; Glass; Andrew,32
The Fairest of the Fall (Pictureback(R)),RH Disney; Melissa Lagonegro,24
The Feet in the Gym,Teri Daniels; Foster; Travis,40
The First Dog,Jan Brett,40
The Foot Book,Dr. Suess,
The Frog Alphabet Book (Jerry Pallotta's Alphabet Books),Jerry Pallotta,32
The Frog and Toad Treasury,Arnold Lobel,192
The Furry Animal Alphabet Book,Jerry Pallotta; Stewart; Edgar,32
The Giving Tree,Shel Silverstein,64
The Golden Egg Book (Golden Lap Book),Margaret Wise Brown; Weisgard; Leonard,32
The Great Pancake Escape,Paul Many; Goto; Scott,32
The Human Body (A First Discovery Book),Sonia Black,
The Indian in the Cupboard,Lynne Reid Banks,240
The Killer Bear (Sugar Creek Gang Series),Paul Hutchens,96
The Kissing Hand,Audrey Penn,
The Korean Cinderella,Shirley Climo; Heller; Ruth; 1924-,48
The Library,Sarah Stewart,40
The Little House,Virginia Lee Burton,44
The Little Mouse; the Red Ripe Strawberry; and the Big Hungry Bear (Child's Plays Intl; Singapore),Don Wood; Audrey Wood,32
The Little Penguin,A. J. Wood,32
The Little Squeegy Bug,Bill Martin; Michael Sampson; Sampson; Michael R; Corrigan; Pat,40
The Magic School Bus At The Waterworks (Magic School Bus),Joanna Cole,40
The Memory String,Eve Bunting; Rand; Ted,40
The Missing Mitten Mystery,Kellogg; Steven,40
The Mitten: A Ukrainian Folktale,Jan Brett,32
The Mother's Day Mice,Eve Bunting; Jan Brett,32
The Mysterious Tadpole: 25th Anniversary Edition,Kellogg; Steven,40
The new friend,Charlotte Zolotow; McCully; Emily Arnold,32
The Paper Bag Princess (Classic Munsch),Robert N. Munsch,32
The pirates of Bedford Street,Rachel Isadora,32
The Poky Little Puppy (A Little Golden Book Classic),Janette Sebring Lowrey,24
The Prince's Bedtime,Joanne Oppenheim; Latimer; Miriam,32
The Quilt,Ann Jonas,40
The Raft,,40
The Reasons for Seasons,Gail Gibbons,1
The Revolutionary War (America Goes to War),Anne M. Todd,48
The Secret Birthday Message Board Book,carle,11
The Seven Silly Eaters,Mary Ann Hoberman; Frazee; Marla,40
The Show-And-Tell Frog: Level 2 (Bank Street Ready-T0-Read),Joanne Oppenheim; Joanne F. Oppenheim,32
The Sleeping Rose,Angela Elwell Hunt; Gillies; Chuck,32
The Story About Ping,Marjorie Flack,32
The Story of Miss Moppet (The World of Beatrix Potter),Beatrix Potter,40
The Summer Olympics (True Books),Bob Knotts,48
The sundae scoop,Jabar; Cynthia,33
The tale of Despereaux,Ering; Timothy B,267
The Tale of Ginger and Pickles (The World of Beatrix Potter),Beatrix Potter,64
The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck (The World of Beatrix Potter),Beatrix Potter,64
The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin (The World of Beatrix Potter),Beatrix Potter,64
The Toll-Bridge Troll,Patricia Rae Wolff; Root; Kimberly Bulcken,32
The Toy Brother (Trophy Picture Books),,32
The Trip,Ezra Jack Keats,40
The Usborne First Encyclopedia of Our World,,
The very busy spider,carle,
The Very First Christmas,Paul L. Maier; Paul L Maier,32
The Very Hungry Caterpillar board book,Eric Carle,13
The Water Hole,Graeme Base,32
The Way Mothers Are,Miriam Schlein,1
The Wheels on the Bus,Paul O Zelinsky,16
The Wide-Mouthed Frog: A POP-UP BOOK,Keith Faulkner; Jonathan Lambert,16
The Windy Day,G. Brian Karas,32
There Were Ten Bears in a Bed (Story Book),,22
Three Stre-E-Etchy Frogs,Dawn Bentley,
Time for Bed,Mem Fox; Dyer; Jane,28
The Tiny Seed,Eric Carle,40
Touching (Rookie Read-About Health),Sharon Gordon,32
Treasure Nap,Juanita Havill; Savadier; Elivia,32
Treasures In Heaven (I Can Read God's Word!),Phil Smouse,64
Treasury of Animals and Nature (Know It All),,288
Turtle In The Sea,Jim Arnosky,142
Uncover the Human Body: An Uncover It Book,Luann Colombo,16
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Board Book,Eric Carle,13
Waiting for Mr. Goose (Concept Books (Albert Whitman)),Laurie Lears; Ritz; Karen,32
Wake Up; Santa Claus!,Marcus Pfister; James; J. Alison,32
Walking With Maga,Maureen Boyd Biro; Wheeler; Joyce,32
The Water Hole,Graeme Base,32
Way Down Deep In The Deep Blue Sea,Jan Peck; Petrone; Valeria,32
Welcome Comfort,Patricia Polacco,40
Weslandia,Paul Fleischman,
What Is a Princess? (Step into Reading),RH Disney; Jennifer Liberts Weinberg,32
What's Inside A Pirate Ship?,Backpack Books,
What's the Weather Today? (Rookie Read-About Science),Allan Fowler,31
The Wheels On The Bus,,16
When I was little,Cornell; Laura,
When I Was Little: A Four-Year-Old's Memoir of Her Youth,Jamie Lee Curtis; Cornell; Laura,32
When the Fly Flew In,Lisa Westberg Peters; Sneed; Brad,32
When The Shadbush Blooms,Carla Messinger; Susan Katz; Fadden; David Kanietakeron,32
Where the Wild Things Are,sendak,48
Who Do You Love?: A Touch and Feel Book,Margaret Wang,12
The Whole Night Through: A Lullaby,Frampton; David,32
Wood-Hoopoe Willie,Virginia L. Kroll; Katherine Roundtree,32
Yoshi's Feast (Melanie Kroupa Books),Kimiko Kajikawa,32
You Are Special (Max Lucado's Wemmicks),Max Lucado's Wemmicks,24
You Can't Take a Balloon into the National Gallery,Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman; Robin Glasser; Jacqueline Preiss Preiss Weitzman; Preiss-Glasser; Robin,40
Your Special Gift (Wemmicks),Max Lucado,32
You're all my favorites,Jeram; Anita,
You're Just What I Need,Ruth Krauss; Noonan; Julia,1111
You're My Little Love Bug (Parent Love Letters),Heidi R. Weimer,16
Zathura,Chris Van Allsburg,32
Zookeepers Care For Animals (Community Helpers),Amy Moses,32
9 Fruits Alive (GodCounts Series),Mindy Macdonald,24
10 Neat Things About Being A Flower Girl,Penelope Colville Paine; Itoko Maeno,24
A Day with Wilbur Robinson,Joyce; William,40
A Gift for Grandpa,Angela Elwell Hunt; Julien; Terry,1
A kiss for Little Bear.,Else Holmelund Minarik,32
A Mother's Wish,Kathy-jo Wargin; Roman; Irena,32
A Picture Book of Benjamin Franklin (Picture Book Biography),David A. Adler; Wallner; John C; Wallner; Alexandra,32
A Picture Book of Sacagawea (Picture Book Biography),David A. Adler; Brown; Dan,32
A Pocket Full of Kisses,Audrey Penn,
A quiet place,Andreasen; Dan,
A Quiet Place,Douglas Wood,32
A Time Line of the American Revolutionary War (The Rosen Publishing Group's Reading Room Collection),Lynn George,24
A Visit to Fairyland,Shirley Barber,24
Aaaarrgghh! Spider!,Lydia Monks,32
Abigail Adams: First Lady of the American Revolution (Ready-to-Read. Level 3),Patricia Lakin,48
Abuela (English Edition with Spanish Phrases) (Picture Puffins),Arthur Dorros,40
Across the Stream,Mirra Ginsburg; Kharms; Daniil; Tafuri; Nancy,32
Ada's Pal,George Ella Lyon; Casparian; Marguerite,
Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse (Kingfisher Classics),Ursula Moray Williams,256
Alex And The Wednesday Chess Club,Janet S. Wong; Schuett; Stacey,40
Alexander and the Terrible; Horrible; No Good; Very Bad Day,Judith Viorst,32
Alexander; Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move,Judith Viorst,
All About Alligators,Jim Arnosky,
All about Frogs,Jim Arnosky,
All About Owls (All About Series),,32
All God's Creatures,Karen Hill,14
Amelia Bedelia 4 Mayor (Amelia Bedelia (Harpercollins Hardcover)),Herman Parish; Sweat; Lynn,48
The American Story: 100 True Tales from American History,Jennifer Armstrong,368
Angelina Ballerina,Katharine Holabird; Craig; Helen,24
Angelina Ballerina: The Costume Ball (Angelina Ballerina),Katharine Holabird; Craig; Helen,24
Angelina Ballerina's ABC (Angelina Ballerina),Helen Craig; Katharine Holabird,20
Angelina's Birthday,Katharine Holabird,24
Animal Noises,Richard J. Powell; Ana Martin Larranaga; Ana MartÃn Larrañaga,8
Animal Noises (Copy Cats Spinner Board Books),Richard Powell,8
Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing,Judi Barrett,32
Anna's Corn,Barbara Santucci; Bloom; Lloyd,32
Annie's Chair,Niland; Deborah,32
The Apple Doll,Elisa Kleven,40
Are You a Frog? (Touch and Learn),cassettari,18
Asher and the Capmakers: A Hanukkah Story,Eric A. Kimmel; Hillenbrand; Will,1
Babar the King (Babar Books (Random House)),Jean De Brunhoff; Laurent de Brunhoff; Haas; Merle,56
Babushka's Doll,Patricia Polacco,40
Baby Hugs Bear in The Trouble Bubble,David Polter,
Bambi's Hide And Seek (Step-Into-Reading; Step 1),RH Disney; Andrea Posner-Sanchez; Mones; Isidre,32
Barn Cat,Carol P. Saul; Azarian; Mary,32
The Bat Boy And His Violin (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books),Gavin Curtis; E. B. Lewis; Lewis; Earl B,32
Bears; Bears; Everywhere!,Mara Bergman,32
Bedtime for Frances,Russell Hoban; Garth Williams,32
Best of All,Max Lucado,
Bird Talk,Ann Jonas,32
Blessings Everywhere (Little Blessings),Dandi Daley Mackall,29
Blueberry Shoe,Ann Dixon; Zerbetz; Evon,32
Blue-Ribbon Henry,Mary Calhoun; Ingraham; Erick,40
Boy and the Cloth of Dreams; The,Jenny Koralek; James Mayhew,32
Bread and Jam for Frances,,31
Brother Eagle; Sister Sky,Susan Jeffers; Chief Seattle,32
Brown Bear; Brown Bear; What Do You See?,Bill Martin Jr.,32
Bunny And The Beast,Molly Coxe; Silin-Palmer; Pamela,40
Butterfly House,Eve Bunting,32
Cactuses (Rookie Read-About Science),Allan Fowler,31
Calico Cow Learns How (Puppet Buddies),Lois Keffer,24
Care Bears Trick or Treat,Quinlan B. Lee,24
Cars and Trucks and Things That Go (Giant Little Golden Book),Richard Scarry,69
Cat and Mouse in the Night (Cat and Mouse),Bogacki; Tomasz,32
Cat Heaven,Cynthia Rylant,40
The Cat In The Hat,Dr. Seuss,72
Cave,Diane Siebert; McLoughlin; Wayne,32
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom,Bill Martin Jr; John Archambault,
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom,Bill Martin Jr.; John Archambault,32
Chicken Sunday,Patricia Polacco,32
Clara Ann Cookie,Harriet Ziefert; Bolam; Emily,32
Cleo The Cat (Cleo Series),Caroline Mockford; Stella Blackstone,24
Click; Clack; Moo: Cows That Type,Doreen Cronin,32
Clifford The Small Red Puppy (Read with Clifford),Norman Bridwell,40
Close Your Eyes (New York Times Best Illustrated Books (Awards)),Kate Banks; Hallensleben; Georg,40
CLOUDS; RAIN; CLOUDS AGAIN,Lawrence F. Lowery,
Cookie-Store Cat (Scholastic Press),Cynthia Rylant,40
Cottontail at Clover Crescent (Smithsonian's Backyard) (Smithsonian's Backyard),C. Drew Lamm; Davis; Allen,32
Counting Kisses: A Kiss & Read Book,,32
Crocodile: Disappearing Dragon,Jonathan London; Morin; Paul,32
Curious George and the Dinosaur,Margret Rey,30
Curious George and the Hot Air Balloon,rey,24
Curious George and the Puppies,H. A. Rey,24
Curious George Feeds the Animals,H. A. Rey; Margret Rey,24
Curious George Goes to a Chocolate Factory,H. A. Rey,24
Dad and Me in the Morning,Patricia Lakin; Steele; Robert,1
David and Goliath Stories From the Bible,Kathryn Smith,
Dear Tooth Fairy,Pamela Duncan Edwards; Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick,32
Dinosaur Bob and His Adventures with the Family Lazardo (Reading Rainbow Book),joyce,48
Dinosaurs,Peter Zallinger,
Discovering Shapes (Let's Explore),Henry Arthur Pluckrose,32
Disney Bambi and the Great Prince of the Forest (Random House Pictureback Book),Christopher Nicholas (Adapted By),
Disney Princess CD Storybook (4-In-1 Disney Audio CD Storybooks),Inc. Penton Overseas,127
DK Readers: Winking; Blinking; Wiggling & Waggling (Level 2: Beginning to Read Alone),DK Publishing,32
Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots?,Carmela LaVigna Coyle; Mike Gordon,32
Do You Have a Hat?,Eileen Spinelli; Vale´rio; Geraldo,40
Duck for President,Doreen Cronin,
Eating Up Gladys,Margot Zemach; Zemach; Kaethe,32
Emperor's New Clothes (Grimm's and Anderson),Hans Christian Andersen,29
The Erie Canal Pirates,Eric A. Kimmel; Glass; Andrew,32
Fall Is Not Easy,Marty Kelley,32
Fancy Nancy: Bonjour; Butterfly (Fancy Nancy),Jane O'Connor,32
Farm Animals (Watch Me Grow),DK Publishing,24
Farmyard Count To Ten Pop-Up Book,Gill Davies,
Felix and the 400 Frogs (Step into Reading; Step 3; paper),Susan Schade; Jon Buller,48
A Fine St. Patrick's Day,Susan Wojciechowski; Curry; Tom,40
First Thanksgiving; The (level 3) (Hello Reader),Garnet Jackson; Croll; Carolyn,40
Five Creatures,Emily Jenkins,32
Franklin Plays Hockey (A Franklin TV Storybook),Sharon Jennings,32
Franklin Tv #05: Franklin's Helps Out (Franklin),Paulette Bourgeois; Clark; Brenda,32
Frightful's Daughter,Jean Craighead Craighead George; San Souci; Daniel,32
Frog Pajama Party (Read-It! Readers),Michael Dahl; Schultz; Sara,32
From Calf to Cow (Powell; Jillian. How Do They Grow?;),Jillian Powell,32
From Head To Toe,,32
From Lamb to Sheep (Powell; Jillian. How Do They Grow?;),Jillian Powell,32
Gaspard and Lisa at the Museum (Gaspard and Lisa Books),Anne Gutman; Hallensleben; Georg,32
Getting Ready for Space (Rookie Read-About Science: Space Science),Carmen Bredeson,32
Giggle; giggle; quack,Doreen Cronin,
Glitter Kitty,Mara Bergman; Lydia Monks,32
God Made You Special,Eric Metaxas,18
Going to sleep on the farm,Juan Wijngaard,
Good Dog; Carl,Alexandra Day,32
Goodnight Moon,Margaret Wise Brown,30
Grandma's Smile,Elaine Moore; Andreasen; Dan,1
Guess How Much I Love You,Sam Mcbratney; Jeram; Anita,32
The Happily Ever Afternoon,Sharon Jennings,24
Harry and the terrible whatzit,gackenbach,
Harry the Dirty Dog,Gene Zion; Margaret Bloy Graham; Graham; Margaret Bloy,32
Hearing (Rookie Read-About Health),Sharon Gordon,32
Hello World! Greetings in 42 Languages Around the Globe!,Stojic; Manya,48
Holly: The True Story of a Cat,Ruth Brown,32
Hooray For You! A Celebration Of You-Ness,Marianne Richmond,40
Hop on Pop (Beginner Books(R)),,72
Hop-skip-jump-a-roo zoo,Hohag; Linda,31
How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?,Jane Yolen,40
Humble Pie,Jennifer Donnelly; Stephen Gammell,32
I Am A Star (level 1) (Hello Reader; Science),Jean Marzollo; Moffatt; Judith,32
I Knew Two Who Said Moo: A Counting and Rhyming Book,Judi Barrett; Moreton; Daniel,32
I Love My Mommy Because...,Laurel Porter-Gaylord; Wolff; Ashley,24
I Love You More,Laura Duksta,34
I Love You the Purplest,Barbara Joosse; Barbara M Joosse,32
I Will Hold You 'til You Sleep,Linda Zuckerman; Muth; Jon J,32
I'd Be Your Hero: A Royal Tale Of Godly Character,Kathryn O'Brien; Garland; Michael,32
I'd Be Your Princess: A Royal Tale of Godly Character,Kathryn O'Brien; Garland; Michael,32
If I Ran The Zoo (Classic Seuss),Dr. Seuss,64
If You Give a Pig a Pancake (If You Give...),Laura Numeroff,32
If You Were My Bunny Board Book,Kate Mcmullan,26
I'm as Quick as a Cricket,Audrey Wood,24
I'm Going to Read (Level 2): Pillow Fight (I'm Going to Read Series),Richard Rossi; Rossi; Richard,32
Irish Step Dancing (Welcome Books),Mark Thomas,24
I've Got an Elephant,Anne Ginkel; Bynum; Janie,32
Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato,Tomie dePaola; Tomie de Paola,32
Jim's Lion,Russell Hoban; Andrew; Ian P,40
John; Paul; George & Ben,Lane Smith,40
Jojo'S Flying Side Kick,Brian Brian Pinkney,32
Jonah and the Whale (STories From the Bible),Retold by Kathryn Smith,
The Junior Thunder Lord,Laurence Yep,
Just In Case,Judith Viorst; Bluthenthal; Diana Cain,40
Just Like Sisters (Anne Schwartz Books),Angela McAllister,32
Just Me and My Dad (Look-Look),Mercer Mayer,24
Just You and Me,Sam Mcbratney; Bates; Ivan,32
Katy and the Big Snow,Virginia Lee Burton,40
Kermit the Hermit,Bill Peet,48
Kitten (Watch Me Grow),DK Publishing; Lisa Magloff,24
A Kitten's Year,Nancy Raines Day; Mortimer; Anne,32
Kittycat Lullaby,Eileen Spinelli; Mortimer; Anne,32
Ladder to the Stars,Simon Puttock; Jay; Alison,32
Landing of the Pilgrims (Landmark Books),James Daugherty,
Let Me Hold You Longer,Karen Kingsbury; Collier; Mary,32
Let's Find Out What's Big And What's Small,Charles And Martha Shapp,
Liberty!,Drummond; Allan,40
Library Lion,Michelle Knudsen; Hawkes; Kevin,48
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse,Kevin Henkes,
Lily's Garden (Single Titles),,32
Little Bear Treasury,Else Holmelund Minarik,
Little Bear's New Friend (Little Animal Adventures),Muriel Pepin; Deborah Kovacs; Geneste; Marcelle,1
Little Bo: The Story of Bonnie Boadicea,Julie Andrews Edwards,96
Little Fur Family,Margaret Wise Brown,32
Little Mouse; I Love You,Dugald Steer,
Little Otter's Big Journey,David Bedford; Winter; Susan,28
Little Polar Bear and the Big Balloon (Little Polar Bear),Hans de Beer,32
Look Who's Taking A Bath,Joan Bethell,
Looking for Atlantis,Colin Thompson,32
Lots of Pots (Pooh Adorables),RH Disney; Melissa Lagonegro,32
Love You Forever,Robert Munsch,32
Love Your Neighbor Stories of Values and Virtues,,
Luck With Potatoes,Helen Ketteman; Floca; Brian,
Madeline and the Gypsies; Reissue,Ludwig Bemelmans Author And Illustrator; Ludwig Bemelmans,56
Madeline In London,Ludwig Bemelmans,64
Madeline; Reissue Of 1939 Edition,Ludwig Bemelmans Author And Illustrator,54
Madeline's Rescue,Ludwig Bemelmans,50
The Magic School Bus At The Waterworks (Magic School Bus),Joanna Cole,40
The Magic School Bus Hops Home: A Book About Animal Habitats (Magic School Bus),Pat Relf; Joanna Cole; Stevenson; Nancy W,32
The Magician's Nephew (The Chronicles Of Narnia) (Narnia),C. S. Lewis,
Maine (Welcome to the U.S.a.),Ann Heinrichs; Kania; Matt,40
Mama Went to Jail for the Vote,Kathleen Karr; Bonnie Christensen; Laugesen; Malene,32
Mama; Do You Love Me? (Mama),Barbara M. Joosse; Lavallee; Barbara,32
Mama's Wild Child/papa's Wild Child,Dianna Hutts Aston,32
Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! (Bright & Early Books(R)),Dr. Seuss; Seuss,36
Math Curse,Jon Scieszka; Smith; Lane,32
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel,Virginia Lee Burton,48
Millions of Cats (Gift Edition) (Picture Puffin Books),Wanda Gag,32
Mirandy and Brother Wind,Patricia Mckissack,32
Mirette and Bellini Cross Niagara Falls (Mirette),McCully; Emily Arnold,32
Miss Bridie Chose a Shovel (Ira Children's Book Awards. Primary),Leslie Connor; Azarian; Mary,32
Miss Rumphius,Barbara Cooney,32
Mommy Hugs,Katz; Karen,32
Monster Mischief,Pamela Jane; Rosenberry; Vera,32
Moonball,Jane Yolen; Couch; Greg,40
Moonbear's Skyfire (Moonbear Books),asch,32
Moondogs,KIRK,
Moses the kitten,Barrett; Peter,
Mother Goose,Faulkner; Nancy Taliaferro,38
Mother Goose My 1st Treasury,Nancy Taliaferro Faulkner,
Mount Olympus Basketball,O'Malley; Kevin,32
Mrs. Rose's Garden,Elaine Greenstein,
Musical Beds,Mara Bergman; Pottie; Marjolein,32
My "A" Sound Box (New Sound Box Books),Jane Belk Moncure; King; Colin,30
My "c" Sound Box,Jane Belk Moncure; Jane Moncure; Linda Hohag,30
My "D" Sound Box (New Sound Box Books),Jane Belk Moncure; King; Colin,29
My "e" book,Gohman; Vera Kennedy; Moncure; Jane Belk,29
My "G" Sound Box (Sound Box Books),Jane Belk Moncure; Linda Hohag,31
My "H" Sound Box (New Sound Box Books),Jane Belk Moncure; King; Colin,29
My "K" Book (My First Steps to Reading),Jane Belk Moncure,29
My "n" book,Hohag; Linda; Moncure; Jane Belk,29
My "P" Sound Box (New Sound Box Books),Jane Belk Moncure; King; Colin,29
My "r" book,Linda Hohag; Moncure; Jane Belk,29
My "S" Book (My First Steps to Reading),Jane Belk Moncure; Hohag; Linda; Moncure; Jane Belk,29
My "S" Sound Box (New Sound Box Books),Jane Belk Moncure; King; Colin,29
My "u" book,Peltier; Pam; Moncure; Jane Belk,31
My Angel And Me (Night Light Book),,14
My Best Friend is Ariel (Disney Princess),Lisa Ann Marsoli,24
My Best Friend is Belle (Disney Princess (Random House Hardcover)),Lisa Ann Marsoli; Disney Storybook Artists,32
My Best Friend is Cinderella (Disney Princess (Random House Hardcover)),Lisa Ann Marsoli,32
My Buddy; Slug,Jarrett J. Krosoczka,40
My Dad's Great,,32
My Dear Noel: The Story of a Letter From Beatrix Potter,Johnson; Jane,40
My First 100 Words in Spanish/English,Paula Knight,32
My First Abacus Book,Nick Sharratt,
My Firstborn; Theres No One Like You (Birth Order Books),Dr. Kevin Leman; KevinII Leman; Leman; Kevin,32
My Five Senses (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1),Aliki,32
My Middle Child; Theres No One Like You (Birth Order Books),Dr. Kevin Leman; KevinII Leman; Leman; Kevin,32
My Mom's Great (Great Relatives),Gaby Goldsack; Sara Walker,32
My Mother is Mine,Marion Dane Bauer,40
My Nine Book (My First Steps to Math),Jane Belk Moncure,32
My Nine Lives By Clio,Priceman; Marjorie,48
My One Book,Jane Belk Moncure,32
My Pony,Susan Jeffers,32
My Seven Book (My First Steps to Math),Jane Belk Moncure,32
My Thank-You Bible (Karyn Henley Playsongs),Karyn Henley; Jane Dippold,64
My Youngest; Theres No One Like You (Birth Order Books),Dr. Kevin Leman; KevinII Leman; Leman; Kevin,32
N is for Natural State: An Arkansas Alphabet Edition 1. (Discover America State By State. Alphabet Series),Michael Shoulders; Anderson; Rick,40
Naughty Kitten: A Touch and Feel Adventure,Inc. Sterling Publishing Co.,16
Nice Try; Tooth Fairy,Mary W Olson; Tillotson; Katherine,32
Nick And Ned: The Sound Of N (Phonics Friends),Cecilia Minden; Joanne Meier; Meier; Joanne D,24
Night rabbits,wellington,
Nightlight,Jeannine Anderson,32
Noodle Man: The Pasta Superhero,April Pulley Sayre; Costanza; Stephen,40
Not So Fast; Songololo,Niki Daly,32
Nothing to Do,Douglas Wood; Halperin; Wendy Anderson,32
Now I'm Reading!: Look Around! - Pre Reader (Now I'm Reading),Nora Gaydos,128
Now One Foot; Now the Other,Tomie dePaola; Tomie de Paola,32
Oceans (True Books),Darlene R. Stille,47
Officer buckle & gloria (Caldecott Medal Book),Peggy Rathmann,40
Old Black Fly,Jim Aylesworth; Gammell; Stephen,32
Old Bob's Brown Bear,Niki Daly,32
Ollie (Bccb Blue Ribbon Picture Book Awards (Awards)),Olivier Dunrea,32
On Morning Wings,Reeve Lindbergh,32
On Noah's Ark,Jan Brett,32
Once Upon a Time; the End (Asleep in 60 Seconds),Geoffrey Kloske; Blitt; Barry,40
One Day; Daddy,Frances Thomas; Collins; Ross,32
One Green Apple,Eve Bunting; Lewin; Ted,32
Oopsy Does It Movie 8x8 (Care Bears),Samantha Brooke; Grupczynski; Kelly; Yee; Josie,24
Oranges (Food),Louise Spilsbury; Louise A. Spilsbury,32
Oscar; Cat-About-Town,James Herriot; Brown; Ruth,32
Outside; Inside,Carolyn Crimi; Riley; Linnea Asplind,40
Owl Moon,Jane Yolen; Schoenherr; John,32
Owls (Animals),Kevin J. Holmes; Kevin J. J. Holmes,24
Owls in the family.,mowat,103
Patches' Present: A Story About Friendship (Bean Sprouts),Greg Holder,32
Peggony-po: A Whale Of A Tale,Andrea Davis Pinkney; Pinkney; J. Brian,32
Pickles to Pittsburgh,Barrett; Ron,
Plantzilla Goes to Camp (Paula Wiseman Books),Jerdine Nolen; Catrow; David,32
Please Is A Good Word To Say,Barbara Joosse; Plecas; Jennifer,40
Pocahontas: Princess of the New World,Kathleen Krull; Diaz; David,40
A Pocket Full Of Kisses,Audrey Penn,
The Poky Little Puppy (A Little Golden Book Classic),Janette Sebring Lowrey,24
Pretend You're a Cat (Picture Puffins),Jean Marzollo,32
Pretzel,Margret Rey; Rey; H. A,32
Pretzels By the Dozen,Angela Elwell Hunt; Dodge; Bill,32
Prince Caspian (Narnia),C. S. Lewis,256
Princess Wishes,Leslie Harker,
PUPPY; Watch Me Grow,Discovery Kids,24
Purple; Green and Yellow (Classic Munsch),Robert N. Munsch; Desputeaux; He´le`ne,32
Put Me in the Zoo,Lopshire Robert,
Quick as a Cricket,Audrey Wood,32
Radio Rescue,Barasch; Lynne,40
Rain or Shine (Little Blessings),Dandi Daley Mackall; Kucharik; Elena,29
Rainbow Frogs (Circle Tabs),Melissa Tyrell,14
Rainbow Magic,Shirley Barber,24
Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest,Gerald McDermott,32
Remember The Ladies: 100 Great American Women,Cheryl Harness,64
Roller Coaster,Marla Frazee,32
Runaway Bunny,Margaret Wise Brown,
Sailor Moo: Cow at Sea (Golden Kite Honors (Awards)),Lisa Wheeler; Ponder Goembel,32
Sam the Zamboni Man,James Stevenson; Stevenson; Harvey,32
Santa calls,joyce,
Screech Owl at Midnight Hollow (Smithsonian' Backyard) (Smithsonian' Backyard),C. Drew Lamm; Joel Snyder,32
Seasons: A Book of Poems,Charlotte Zolotow; Blegvad; Erik,64
The Secret Fairy Handbook,,20
See More Readers: Planets Around the Sun -Level 1,Seymour Simon,32
Seeing (Rookie Read-About Health),Sharon Gordon,32
The Seven Silly Eaters,Mary Ann Hoberman; Marla Frazee,40
Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story,Angela Shelf Medearis; Minter; Daniel,40
Shark Swimathon (MathStart 3),Stuart J. Murphy; Cravath; Lynne Woodcock,40
Sharks,Gail Gibbons,1
Sheep (Naturebooks),Peter Murray,32
Short "O" and Long "O" Play a Game (New Sound Box Library Short and Long Vowels),Jane Belk Moncure; Young; N,32
Simple Machines (Rookie Read-About Science),Allan Fowler,31
Sisters,David McPhail,32
Skateboarding: Techniques and Tricks (Rad Sports Techniques; Training; and Tricks),Edward Willett; Edward C. Willett,48
Sky Boys: How They Built the Empire State Building,Deborah Hopkinson,48
Smelling (Rookie Read-About Health),Sharon Gordon,32
Snip Snap!: What's That?,Mara Bergman,32
Snow in Jerusalem,Deborah Da Costa; Van Wright; Cornelius; Hu; Ying-Hwa,32
Snowy Day,Ezra Jack Keats,
So Few of Me,Reynolds; Peter,32
Soap! Soap! Don't Forget the Soap!: An Appalachian Folktale,Tom Birdseye,1
Sofie's Role,Amy Heath; Hamanaka; Sheila,
Spiders,Gail Gibbons,1
Spiders (Animals (Mankato; Minn.).),Kevin J. Holmes; Kevin J. J. Holmes,24
Splash!,jonas,32
Spring Thaw,Steven Schnur; Schuett; Stacey,32
Spring's Sprung,Lynn Plourde; Couch; Greg,32
Spy Hops and Belly Flops: Curious Behaviors of Woodland Animals,Lynda Graham-Barber; Brian Lies; Lies; Brian,32
Squanto And The Miracle Of Thanksgiving,Eric Metaxas; Stirnweis; Shannon,32
Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon,Patty Lovell; Catrow; David,
Star Wars A long Time Ago Resurrection of Evil ,,
Stars! Stars! Stars!,Bob Barner,32
Starting Life: Frog (Starting Life),Claire Llewellyn,32
Stella; Fairy of the Forest,Marie-Louise Gay,32
Stone Soup (Aladdin Picture Books),Brown; Marcia,48
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,Robert Frost,25
The Story About Ping,Marjorie Flack,
Street Luge and Dirtboarding (The World of Skateboarding),Suzanne J. Murdico,47
Strega Nona Takes a Vacation,Tomie dePaola,32
Summer's Vacation,Lynn Plourde; Couch; Greg,32
SuperHero ABC,Bob McLeod,40
Sweet Strawberries,Phyllis Reynolds Naylor; Kaye; Rosalind Charney,40
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (Aladdin Picture Books),William Steig,32
Tadpoles,Betsy James,32
Tails,Matthew Van Fleet,20
The Tale Of Jemima Puddle-Duck (The World Of Beatrix Potter),Beatrix Potter,64
Tasting (Rookie Read-About Health),Sharon Gordon,32
Ten Flashing Fireflies,P. Sturges; A. Vojtech; Philemon Sturges; Vojtech; Anna,1
Ten Little Ladybugs,Melanie Gerth; Huliska-Beith; Laura,22
Thanks to You: Wisdom from Mother & Child (Julie Andrews Collection),Julie Andrews Edwards; Emma Walton Hamilton; Hamilton; Emma Walton,40
That Makes Me Mad!,Steven Kroll; Davenier; Christine,32
The Adventures of a Nose,Viviane Schwarz; Stewart; Joel,32
The Adventures of Sparrowboy,Brian Pinkney,40
The Amazing Octopus (The Living Oceans; 4),Bobbie Kalman; Rebecca Sjonger; Reiach; Margaret Amy,32
The American Revolution (Wars That Changed American History),Deborah H. Deford,48
The ballot box battle,mccully,
The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Commercials (Berenstain Bears),Mike Berenstain,32
The Big Snow,Berta Hader,48
The Boys Team (Richard Jackson Books (Atheneum Hardcover)),Schwartz; Amy,40
The Broken Cat,Lynne Rae Perkins,32
The Caboose Who Got Loose,Bill Peet,48
The Christmas Promise,Susan Campbell Bartoletti,40
The Color of Home,Mary Hoffman; Littlewood; Karin,32
The Crayon Box That Talked,Shane DeRolf; Michael Letzig,24
The Erie Canal Pirates,Eric A. Kimmel; Glass; Andrew,32
The Fairest of the Fall (Pictureback(R)),RH Disney; Melissa Lagonegro,24
The Feet in the Gym,Teri Daniels; Foster; Travis,40
The First Dog,Jan Brett,40
The Foot Book,Dr. Suess,
The Frog Alphabet Book (Jerry Pallotta's Alphabet Books),Jerry Pallotta,32
The Frog and Toad Treasury,Arnold Lobel,192
The Furry Animal Alphabet Book,Jerry Pallotta; Stewart; Edgar,32
The Giving Tree,Shel Silverstein,64
The Golden Egg Book (Golden Lap Book),Margaret Wise Brown; Weisgard; Leonard,32
The Great Pancake Escape,Paul Many; Goto; Scott,32
The Human Body (A First Discovery Book),Sonia Black,
The Indian in the Cupboard,Lynne Reid Banks,240
The Killer Bear (Sugar Creek Gang Series),Paul Hutchens,96
The Kissing Hand,Audrey Penn,
The Korean Cinderella,Shirley Climo; Heller; Ruth; 1924-,48
The Library,Sarah Stewart,40
The Little House,Virginia Lee Burton,44
The Little Mouse; the Red Ripe Strawberry; and the Big Hungry Bear (Child's Plays Intl; Singapore),Don Wood; Audrey Wood,32
The Little Penguin,A. J. Wood,32
The Little Squeegy Bug,Bill Martin; Michael Sampson; Sampson; Michael R; Corrigan; Pat,40
The Magic School Bus At The Waterworks (Magic School Bus),Joanna Cole,40
The Memory String,Eve Bunting; Rand; Ted,40
The Missing Mitten Mystery,Kellogg; Steven,40
The Mitten: A Ukrainian Folktale,Jan Brett,32
The Mother's Day Mice,Eve Bunting; Jan Brett,32
The Mysterious Tadpole: 25th Anniversary Edition,Kellogg; Steven,40
The new friend,Charlotte Zolotow; McCully; Emily Arnold,32
The Paper Bag Princess (Classic Munsch),Robert N. Munsch,32
The pirates of Bedford Street,Rachel Isadora,32
The Poky Little Puppy (A Little Golden Book Classic),Janette Sebring Lowrey,24
The Prince's Bedtime,Joanne Oppenheim; Latimer; Miriam,32
The Quilt,Ann Jonas,40
The Raft,,40
The Reasons for Seasons,Gail Gibbons,1
The Revolutionary War (America Goes to War),Anne M. Todd,48
The Secret Birthday Message Board Book,carle,11
The Seven Silly Eaters,Mary Ann Hoberman; Frazee; Marla,40
The Show-And-Tell Frog: Level 2 (Bank Street Ready-T0-Read),Joanne Oppenheim; Joanne F. Oppenheim,32
The Sleeping Rose,Angela Elwell Hunt; Gillies; Chuck,32
The Story About Ping,Marjorie Flack,32
The Story of Miss Moppet (The World of Beatrix Potter),Beatrix Potter,40
The Summer Olympics (True Books),Bob Knotts,48
The sundae scoop,Jabar; Cynthia,33
The tale of Despereaux,Ering; Timothy B,267
The Tale of Ginger and Pickles (The World of Beatrix Potter),Beatrix Potter,64
The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck (The World of Beatrix Potter),Beatrix Potter,64
The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin (The World of Beatrix Potter),Beatrix Potter,64
The Toll-Bridge Troll,Patricia Rae Wolff; Root; Kimberly Bulcken,32
The Toy Brother (Trophy Picture Books),,32
The Trip,Ezra Jack Keats,40
The Usborne First Encyclopedia of Our World,,
The very busy spider,carle,
The Very First Christmas,Paul L. Maier; Paul L Maier,32
The Very Hungry Caterpillar board book,Eric Carle,13
The Water Hole,Graeme Base,32
The Way Mothers Are,Miriam Schlein,1
The Wheels on the Bus,Paul O Zelinsky,16
The Wide-Mouthed Frog: A POP-UP BOOK,Keith Faulkner; Jonathan Lambert,16
The Windy Day,G. Brian Karas,32
There Were Ten Bears in a Bed (Story Book),,22
Three Stre-E-Etchy Frogs,Dawn Bentley,
Time for Bed,Mem Fox; Dyer; Jane,28
The Tiny Seed,Eric Carle,40
Touching (Rookie Read-About Health),Sharon Gordon,32
Treasure Nap,Juanita Havill; Savadier; Elivia,32
Treasures In Heaven (I Can Read God's Word!),Phil Smouse,64
Treasury of Animals and Nature (Know It All),,288
Turtle In The Sea,Jim Arnosky,142
Uncover the Human Body: An Uncover It Book,Luann Colombo,16
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Board Book,Eric Carle,13
Waiting for Mr. Goose (Concept Books (Albert Whitman)),Laurie Lears; Ritz; Karen,32
Wake Up; Santa Claus!,Marcus Pfister; James; J. Alison,32
Walking With Maga,Maureen Boyd Biro; Wheeler; Joyce,32
The Water Hole,Graeme Base,32
Way Down Deep In The Deep Blue Sea,Jan Peck; Petrone; Valeria,32
Welcome Comfort,Patricia Polacco,40
Weslandia,Paul Fleischman,
What Is a Princess? (Step into Reading),RH Disney; Jennifer Liberts Weinberg,32
What's Inside A Pirate Ship?,Backpack Books,
What's the Weather Today? (Rookie Read-About Science),Allan Fowler,31
The Wheels On The Bus,,16
When I was little,Cornell; Laura,
When I Was Little: A Four-Year-Old's Memoir of Her Youth,Jamie Lee Curtis; Cornell; Laura,32
When the Fly Flew In,Lisa Westberg Peters; Sneed; Brad,32
When The Shadbush Blooms,Carla Messinger; Susan Katz; Fadden; David Kanietakeron,32
Where the Wild Things Are,sendak,48
Who Do You Love?: A Touch and Feel Book,Margaret Wang,12
The Whole Night Through: A Lullaby,Frampton; David,32
Wood-Hoopoe Willie,Virginia L. Kroll; Katherine Roundtree,32
Yoshi's Feast (Melanie Kroupa Books),Kimiko Kajikawa,32
You Are Special (Max Lucado's Wemmicks),Max Lucado's Wemmicks,24
You Can't Take a Balloon into the National Gallery,Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman; Robin Glasser; Jacqueline Preiss Preiss Weitzman; Preiss-Glasser; Robin,40
Your Special Gift (Wemmicks),Max Lucado,32
You're all my favorites,Jeram; Anita,
You're Just What I Need,Ruth Krauss; Noonan; Julia,1111
You're My Little Love Bug (Parent Love Letters),Heidi R. Weimer,16
Zathura,Chris Van Allsburg,32
Zookeepers Care For Animals (Community Helpers),Amy Moses,32
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