Bathtime Take Two

Bath. Check. PJs. Check. Turn my back for one minute...

Hi Mom. Told ya, I wasn't done with my bath...

Aren't I cute?

"Story"

It's been a busy summer! Emily has been busy walking running, exploring and talking! Mommy has been busy chasing the happy little scamp! Which means we have been having too much fun to blog. (Also translated as Mama is exhausted!)

Now that Emily can talk, we've been having even more fun reading. One of her words is "story" or "store-ee." She points to a book and says "store-ee" and then does the sign for please. (Makes this storytime mom very proud. Sniff.)

Here's one of our favorites: Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boynton

Me: A cow says...

Emily: Moo!

M: A sheep says...

E: Baaaa

M: Three singing pigs say la, la, la! "No, No!" You say...

E: NO!

M: Pigs say...

E: Kk! [oink in Emily-speak]

M: ...little dogs go..

E: Ffff! [Woof]

M: ...and cats and kittens say...

E: Eow [Meow]

M: Quack, says the duck

E Kk! [quack]

M: ...a horse says...

E: Nay

M: It's quiet now, what do you say?

E: Store-ee

Mud

Finally, after many days of rain, we had a dry and warm afternoon! A perfect day for an impromptu stroll at Herrick Lake Forest Preserve. Two duck mates gave us a friendly, if nonchalant, welcome and demonstrated diving for their dinner. Emily was impressed. She also enjoyed inspecting the dandelions which were in full bloom.

Watching her toddle along continues to be a joy. It wasn't long ago that she was just leaning to stand!

She loved exploring and feeling the grass under her feet. I had to smile to see all the mud she got on her. Another first!

When she reached the top of a hill, she decided that she did NOT need my help. First, she turned herself around to slide down it. Then she crawled down. Then she was determined to fall  walk down by herself. Considering said hill ended at the lake, this called for a fine balancing act of restraint and reflexes on my part. Especially when she also wanted to crawl along the edge of the lake. "Oh, look at the time!" I said at this point. "Time to go home." Mud is one thing. Taking a dunk in pond scum is quite another!

As I was driving home, the memory of the mud made me smile again and think of a favorite picture book. I'll have to find it at the library to share with Emily.

Mud by Mary Lyn Ray; Illustrated by Lauren Stringer.
Here's the summary on the book jacket. "As winter melts into spring, the frozen earth turns into magnificent mud." I remember the book really capturing the joy of waking up from a long cold winter and diving into spring. Ray writes about mud, "Stir it. Stick it. Dig it. Dance it." We got a first taste today. I can't wait to do more!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Mama was busy, so Emily climbed up into the rocker to read.

Bears Hugs

Emily has been noticing bears a lot lately. She'll point them out in all of her books. Whenever she sees one, she hugs herself. It's so cute when she gives herself a "bear hug." She's been especially enjoying these two books:

Bear at Home by Stella Blackstone; illustrated by Debbie Harter.
The bright, cheerful colors and bold illustrations got Em's attention. The illustrations are whimsical but realistic. Bear gives us a tour of his home, showing off toys and books and goes through his day, cleaning up, taking a bath and going to bed. His mischievous black-and-white cat keeps him company.

Bear's Birthday by Stella Blackstone; illustrated by Debbie Harter.
Bear has a birthday party and invites nine of his friends. They celebrate with musical chairs, hide-and-seek and of course, cake and presents! It's also a counting down from 10 book as our friend kitty plays with all the balloons and they disappear one by one. We are looking forward to finding the other books in this Bear series.

Pajama Party

Today Emily and I went to a Pajama Party. The kids (and some of the moms) came in their pjs and had a blast playing (or in Emily's case, reading--makes this storytime mom proud). The moms chatted and we all noshed. A very fun playdate.

It was even more special because it was part of a MOMS Club service project. The group has collected new pajamas and books for needy children to donate to the Pajama Program.  This program was started to provide new pjs and books for children in crisis. Many of these children have never been snuggled at night, been read a bedtime book or own pjs. 

Bedtime is such a special time to snuggle and let our little ones know they are cherished. We read to them to connect, to help them dream, for so many reasons. This program helps children who rarely get those things. It's a program I had never heard of and touched my heart, so I wanted to share. More information about the Pajama Program can be found at www.pajamaprogram.org. If you need a smile, check out some of the pictures of the children who have received their very own pjs and books. What a difference simple things can make.

If you know about other literacy charities for children, feel free to email me or post in the comments. I'd love to hear more about them.

Clever Little Bear

Right now Emily's favorite thing to do is to read books. Sit down within 5 feet of in the same room as her and she will insist you read to her. She'll either go to the reading chair with a book and grunt imploringly (and insistently) to come and read. Or she'll hold a book and streeeetch her arms with the book toward you. (I am convinced this is meant to draw you toward her with the magnetism of the book and the force of her considerable charm.) Or she'll bring a book to you and drop it in your lap with a sweet and inquiring look. How can anyone resist this? 

Here's one we've been reading often: Number One, Tickle Your Tum by John Prater. It's a counting/rhyming book that is perfect for the toddler who is starting to mimic. The picture on "Number eight stand up straight" reminds me of Emily when she first started to stand. The last page is her favorite because big bear gives clever little bear a hug. She points at this and hugs herself. This would be a great choice for even older toddlers, since there are actions to imitate, like walking in a line, and jumping. The illustrations are simple and appealing. We are looking forward to finding other Baby Bear Books by Prater.