What I'm Reading

Every year, like a good citizen of our fine town, I visit the public library and sign up for the summer reading club. (It has nothing to do with getting a free meal from Noodles and Company...Ok, it totally does.)

Here are the books I've read so far:
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
The Gift Giving Handbook for the Inept Man by Timothy B. Schnabel (Funny to read from a woman's perspective, but has some good points in it.)
Manners by Kate Spade

I should mention that when I went to turn in my progress report after reading the Inept Man and Manners books, the librarian took one look at my two children and gave me a comment that said to me, "You clearly are lying because you have two children and there is no way you read two books in one week." I replied, "Yeah, spending 6 hours in the car does wonders for getting your reading list done." Yeah...she looked embarrassed.

Here are the ones that are on my nightstand (or piano bench that is next to our bed) waiting for me to read:
Bringing Up Girls by Dr. James Dobson (The first two chapters are good!)
Sarah's Key by Titiana de Rosnay (Haven't cracked the cover.)

If you have a book to suggest, post a comment!

Giraffe

String Bean got a giraffe puppet for her birthday. We took it to the library with us today. What a thrill to see a display case full of giraffes. Even the librarians got excited for us!

Story Time Programs

Today was the final day of String Bean's story time class at the public library. We will definitely be signing her up for the class again for a few reasons.

The most important reason is socialization. Although she didn't spend a lot of time playing with other kids, she did spend a lot of time interacting with other kids. Whether she was having toys or books stolen from her or stealing from them, she was starting to learn about interacting with her peers. In my brief experience as a teacher, I found many of the preschool and kindergarten students spent a considerable time learning to socialize with their peers. What better way to help String Bean get a jump start on school than to encourage socialization at a young age?

The other really important thing about the program was its repetitiveness. As one of the librarians said to us the first week, "Parents, this repetitiveness may seem boring to you, but the predictability is thrilling for your child." As the time went on, I saw how true this was. Class always opened with the "Choo-Choo" song. Besides having to sing it over and over at home, String Bean giggled with delight when it was time to start story time and the song began. Today, on our way in, she made the baby sign for book and immediately started the choo-choo sounds of the song. When I said, "Yes, we are going to go sing the Choo-Choo song!" String Bean picked up her pace toward the Children's department of the library.

If you are looking for something to do with your child, I highly suggest your local public library as a resource for wonderful literacy programs that are free! (My favorite 4 letter word!)

Reading List Part 2

Our public library's summer reading program is in full swing. Previously I shared with you the first third of my reading journey. I finished my 6th book today, which brings me to having finished the 2nd third of the reading program. Here are the books I chose:

The Duggars: 20 and Counting by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar. I chose this book because the family's lifestyle fascinates me. I wanted to get (in their own words) some of the reasons why they chose the life they did and how they make it all work. It was quite fascinating and a quick, easy read.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon. Although I have already read a fiction book, I did not write it on my list under the "read a fiction or mystery book" section. This book fulfilled both requirements. It is written from the perspective of an autistic boy who finds his neighbor's dog murdered with a garden fork one night. Besides giving the reader an idea of how the autistic mind works, there is also a glimpse into the life of those across the pond in England.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I chose this to fulfill the "classic" requirement of the reading program. Now that I'm 30, and I'm reading it again for the first time since high school, I must say that I appreciate it a lot more. I also get the historal and cultural implications I would never have understood in high school.

For the final third of the reading program, I have no restrictions on the books that I must read. I can even do audiobooks! So, what suggestions do you have for my final three books? ( I won't be reading any Anne of Green Gables or anything by the Austen sisters. Much too girly for my likes.)

Reading List

I am participating in the summer reading club at our local library. 9 books in 9 weeks. String Bean is participating, too. 9 hours in 9 weeks. Hardly seems fair.

So far, I've already read 3 books. Love, Ruby Lavender by Deborah Wiles, Multiple Blessings by Kate Gosselin and Beth Carson (which only took one day when all I did during naptime was read), and Infant Swimming by Cynthia Clevenger. Each book was chosen for a specific purpose. The first because it was on the Battle of the Books list and the title intrigued me (!), the second because I watch the show, am saddend by the latest developments, and had to read a biography, and the third because String Bean has developed a fear of the water, so I wanted to read up on the subject. I also needed to read a non-fiction book.

Still on my list are 6 more books one of which must be a classic. Any suggestions for the remaining 6 books?

Mishap at Home

String Bean was reading one of her board/foam-ish books that we checked out the library this morning when she decided to pull one of the pages out of the middle of the book. I found her holding it up in triumph and parading around the room screaming in delight as if she'd slayed a dragon.

I figured we better take it back to the library before further damage was done to String Bean's victim the book. Upon arrival in the Children's department, I told the librarian that we'd had a little mishap that morning at home and showed her the torn and tattered book. Jokingly, I added, "String Bean feels really bad about what she did, don't you?" When I looked at String Bean, her face was red, her eyes were droopy, and she had a pout on her face. Granted, I did rouse her as she was preparing for a snooze in the car seat, but I thought she was going to start crying at any moment. The poor librarian immediately tried to soothe String Bean, "It's okay honey, I am not going to yell at you. These things happen. Don't be sad." Wow. I was kidding when I said she was sorry.

We turned around to go to the elevator (String Bean's favorite) and I put String Bean down and said, "Let's go ride the elevator!" As if she knew her acting gig was over, she squealed in delight and ran for the elevator.

Where does she get this? Should I enroll her in acting classes and make an appointment for head shots? Could this be our ticket to a comfy retirement?

Free Saturday

Mr. Bean had to work all day because of a well-known artist visiting the college and putting on a concert this evening. String Bean and I took the opportunity to visit 2 of our favorite free places in our town.

After breakfast, we went to the library! It has been more than 6 months since we last went (says my expired library card which has now been renewed). Besides running through the stacks and pondering pulling every book off the shelves, String Bean also picked up and put down several board books, played with puzzles, discovered the duck feet at the bottom of all the chairs in the children's department, charmed the librarians, and almost petted a dog we found in the library. The dog was there for a kids' reading club. String Bean would have petted him, but while she was making a bee-line for him, he stood up and she realized how incredibly big he was and changed course about 5 feet from the encounter. Once we checked out our 8 books, including String Bean's favorite book, Hippos Go Berserk, we came home for nap time.

After lunch and a nap, we went to our local park district zoo. Who knew ducks could be so thrilling for a toddler? We spent about half of our time there standing around the duck pond. String Bean made friends with several tykes and even an elderly Indian lady who spoke to her in Hindi (?) for several minutes. String Bean acted like she understood. Clearly gifted.

We are now home. String Bean is enjoying a delicacy at our house (Honeycombs) and snorting with her nose because there is a booger she's keeping captive there. Bedtime in T minus 45 minutes...if she lasts that long!

Hope your Saturday was thrilling like ours. If this week wasn't, at least Saturday rolls around in 7 more days!