My newest favorite book about emergent literacy is Jennifer Hallissy’s The Write Start. I ordered and read it a few months ago, and it is chalk full of terrific information about writers who are starting to write.  What is particularly terrific about this book is that it is written by…

Even though neither Dr. Peds or myself, (although he scoffs at the idea) have had time or opportunity to mow our yard yet this spring.  Whenever we do have a chance to get out there, it always seems to be raining, and to be truthful, the grass has only really…

I am cozied up next to The Banana on the futon, a pile of picture books in my lap.  We’re snuggled under a fuzzy blanket. Me:  When you get to be a Mama like me and I’m a grandma, are you going to let me read books to your kids?…

This morning I woke up at the regular time and groaned.  I just didn’t want to have to get up and do the get-the-kids-to-the-bus-stop battle.  My husband woke up too, and instead of falling right back to sleep like usual, he decided to give me a special treat and get…

I have no pictures of the school carnival last Friday for a variety of reasons.  I was sick, and already had a baby strapped to my back who getting over a cold and had a very drippy nose, and this led me to be less than excited about managing the…

Mr. Sneaky Pants celebrated his half birthday last Tuesday.  There was a special trip to the bread store to pick out a caramel roll for an after lunch treat.  Mr. SP was very excited to not have to do any cleaning on his half birthday . . . the absence…

All afternoon Brutus had been acting a bit strange, but it wasn’t until 9:30 in the evening that I realized that something was definitely wrong.  The cat was in pain, and not happy.  He wasn’t moving his tail, so I thought maybe he had gotten into trouble with another cat…

Summertime humidity has arrived, and with it has come the return of curly haired kids!  I do love curly hair.  I wish I had curls  of my own. It has been a rough couple of weeks around here due to the extended stay of a couple of  not-so-welcome viruses.  The…

YaYa was sitting at the table reading a magazine.  I was in the kitchen with a glass of milk. YaYa:  Mom, exactly how much do you weigh? Me:  Uhm, why do you need to know? YaYa:  Well, I want to compare you to some harbor seals. Me:  (spitting out my…

They are different, and alike.  They are pests to each other, and then they play nicely.  They tattle on each other profusely, and then they collaborate (usually against me).  They hate sharing a room, and yet they love it.  They think bunk beds would be great.  I’m not so sure.…