colorful stories

 

Please Note: This post was inspired by the color day posts on DesignSponge and the particularly colorful outfit I wore to work today. The yellow striped shirt and cobalt blue pants led to a "You look bright today" from more than one of my students.

 

+ A Ferret in a Garret -- This interesting tale, first written by Peter Hoffman when he was in fifth grade, attributes Jackson Pollack's inspiration to a ferret sneaking into his garret.

 

+ Dream -- This book, which explores various stages of life through colors, has a great message. I occasionally use it as a break from our regular classroom routine to discuss goal setting, and while I was a little nervous the first time I used it, it turned out to be something that my students really enjoy.

 

+Green -- I was first introduced to Laura Vaccaro Seeger when Liam and I checked out First, The Egg last spring. This is another great book, and the cutouts always amaze me.

 

+Press Here -- I had heard great things about this interactive book, and I was really excited to be the first family to check it out from our library. For whatever reason, Liam wasn't really into it. Who knows, maybe another day he'll decide it's a great book.

 

Other color-related books I'd love to check out include: One, The Dot, and this Pantone board book looks really fun.



on the farm

The night of Liam's birthday, my dad and mom called to wish him a happy birthday. When we were getting ready to hang up, my dad said, "I'll see you in a few days, buddy." As soon as we hung up, Liam started asking for his tractor jacket (a John Deere jacket my dad got him for Christmas), which we had to wash because it's one of his favorites and he wears it all the time.

When my dad offered to take Liam along to ride in his tractor the morning of Liam's birthday party, I had to let him ride along. Liam loves tractors, and he's been even more obsessed in the past week, saying things like "My John Deere!" and "Nothing runs like a Deere." As one of my coworkers said, I might just raise a farm boy yet.

the Saturday before Mother's Day

On the Saturday before Mother's Day, we laid in the hammock and soaked up some sunshine and rode John Deere tractors and played in the sand (I think it's safe to say that 200 lbs. of sand was somewhat excessive for the Little Tikes sand box, but at least we've got extra to replace the 10 lbs. that have already been scattered around the lawn.)

 

 

We listened to this song and I thought a little about this post. (Does Ronnie James Dio count as great music? Because Liam's loved Rainbow in the Dark since he was 6 months old. He also loves Otis Redding. Maybe they cancel each other out.) I watched a few of these inspiring videos, and read a few more chapters in this book. My favorite quote so far is, "I get stumped by the easy test questions--like whether I should let Sam ride his two-wheeler for several blocks without me when I secretly want to run alongside him like a golden retriever."

Cathedral Spires

Then I combatted a nap strike with a drive in the park followed by movie night with popcorn and herbs.

air popped popcorn, basil, garlic butter, and parmesan

a party for the king of all wild things

Last  weekend, Liam and I ventured back to my hometown for a little party to celebrate Liam's second birthday. I tried to keep the party pretty simple, using an old paperback copy of Where the Wild Things Are for decorations. I bought the cupcakes, but made homemade "wild"berry ice cream (it was super easy--just cream, sugar, and some fresh berries).

I had every intention of sending out invitations, but instead sent text messages and made phone calls (sorry family!) and ended up handing out copies of this photo at the party. I also made a few gold crowns, which made for some fun photo ops.

Liam came away from the party with a new summer wardrobe, more John Deere tractors than a boy could dream of, and a bouncing pig (which he loves, who knew?), but more than anything he had a blast spending the party with his grandmas, grandpas, and all of his cousins.

two

Last night your dad had a meeting in the town where you were born, so we went up and met him for pizza to celebrate your birthday. On the way home, I looked at the clock and realized we were passing the gas station where we had stopped almost exactly two years ago on our first trip to the hospital the night before you were born. Then, as the big wet snowflakes started falling, your dad and I started talking about the day that I took you for your two-week check-up, when the rain drops turned to snow flakes as you and I were leaving the clinic, and how worried I was when I thought your dad was going to get stuck at work when his food delivery truck slid into the ditch. 

This morning when I woke up, I wondered if I'll remember those little moments twenty or even ten years from now. Will I remember how we celebrated your birthday by eating pizza and letting you pick out a new engine to add to your train collection, and even though your dad was offering to buy you several, you just wanted one, James, and how you were so excited to get your James engine that you stayed up the whole way home? Will I remember how you and I celebrated your birthday tonight by getting frozen yogurt, and you insisted on getting "choclate with ceral," or how this weekend I caught you reading Good Night, Thomas to your teddy bear before giving him a kiss and putting him in your crib?

Liam, I know a lot of moms say this, but having you in my life has changed me. Having a two-year-old is a challenge for sure, but the spunk you've added to my life is something I always needed.

a spring + summer reading list

 

I've been on a bit of a reading binge lately. I finished Persepolis last weekend. My younger (and trendier) sister frequently reads graphic novels, and whenever she'd tell me she was reading a graphic novel, I'd nod and smile, thinking "That is the nerdiest thing ever, Mic." Persepolis was good, though, really good. I'm the slowest reader ever, and I started reading it on a Thursday night and finished it on a Saturday morning. (Let's be honest, I typically fall asleep within 20 minutes of opening my book when I try to read at night.) So, if you're looking for a quick read (or are looking to break into the world of graphic novels like myself), Persepolis is a great pick.

And, since Liam frantically grabbed every library book on our shelf in an attempt to delay going to bed last night, we're going to head to the library first thing this morning to grab a few more. We're also going to try to grab Argo since my last few attempts have been futile, including a couple of Saturdays ago when I nearly wrestled it out of the hands of a sixty year old man, but I digress. 

For Liam we're going to get The Pinkish, Purplish, Bluish Egg. I first read about Bill Peet on Bridget's blog. It turns out The Pinkish, Purplish, Bluish Egg is the only Bill Peet book our library owns, so we're going to check that out while I search for Kermit the Hermit online. Since Liam's a big fan of bikes and David Shannon, we're going to try to get Duck on a Bike. We'll also try to grab Diary of a Worm (from the author of Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type!) and The Pout Pout Fish. 

I currently have Divergent on hold at the library (they'll hold books but not movies). The rest of my list for this summer includes: Traveling Mercies (which I've been wanting to read since I first read Operating Instructions), The Power of Play, and Loving Frank (which, by the way, I purchased at the library book sale for 50 cents). 

What about you? Have you read any great books (or graphic novels lately)? Anything to add to my list? 

liamisms

birthday party prep--any guesses at our theme?

the cute

 "Hello, Batmite."
(The kid is obsessed with old Batman episodes)

"C'mon, Daddy!"

"What you doing, Mommy?"

"Buh-bye. See ya."

"Oh no, Mommy, naughty boys."
(Upon seeing a group of boys playing king of the mountain on a giant snow pile.)

the sweet

"Gimme kiss."

"Big hugs."

"Ni-night, Clifford."
(After giving his stuffed Clifford a kiss goodnight.)

the things I wish he'd never learned

"Go way!"
(Alright, Liam. I will go away and let you continue splashing toilet water all over my bathroom floor.)

"That's enough!"
(I'm pretty sure he learned this from me.)

(He's taken to calling me "Amber," so we're trying to stop that habit.)
Me: What do you call me?
Liam: (picking up a piece of trash) Trash!
Craig: Nice work, kid. I couldn't have burned her better myself.