Hi! Fly Guy

Hi! Fly Guy, written by Tedd Arnold, is the first in a series of books about Buzz and his pet fly, Fly Guy.  This story tells the tale of how Fly Guy and Buzz first meet and become owner and pet. Buzz happens upon Fly Guy as he is searching for a pet for the "Amazing Pet Show." A fly can't be a pet though, can it? Fly Guy is smart (he can say "Buzz") and he does tricks, but will he pass as a pet at the pet show? This book is great as a read aloud for preschool through first grade students and for young readers reading at an end of first grade reading level. Whether or not your child is ready to listen to or read this easy chapter book on their own, the colorful illustrations and fun storyline will have your child entertained until the very last page.

Hi! Fly Guy
$3.04
By Tedd Arnold
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I'm Back

It has recently occurred to me that I've done just the thing I promised myself I wouldn't do once I started my blog...I quit writing. My life went from normal busy to out of control busy and I felt like I couldn't do anything but the necessities; teach/work and be a mom.

What happened to make my life so crazy? It's a bit of a long story, but here's the condensed version. We took a family vacation to Walt Disney World in mid-April during my Spring Break from school. We had a blast and ran around all week meeting Mickey Mouse, riding rides, and seeing shows. We really were in the most "magical place on Earth" until my two-year old daughter started spiking a fever of 104. A very long two-day drive home from Orlando, one ER visit, two outpatient blood work ups, two chest x-rays, two office visits with our pediatrician, daily phone conversations with our pediatrician, and eight days of spiking high fevers took us to the nearest children's hospital for what would become a four night stay. After twenty four hours of monitoring, two more rounds of blood tests, a neck ultrasound, and an ECHO, our daughter was diagnosed and treated for incomplete Kawasaki Disease. Once, they decided on treatment, she recovered beautifully and despite a few viral illnesses due to an overactive recovering immune system, she has pretty much returned to her cute, silly self and there appears to be no long term damage. Six more weeks of baby Aspirin and another ECHO and she will be completely cleared, which we are so thankful for.

After missing lots of work and falling way behind on household things, I thought I'd take some time off from blogging to get my life back together. However, after two weeks of being back to semi-normal, things are no more together than they were when we returned from the hospital. Also, we celebrated Mother's Day, had several follow up doctor appointments, got ready for two grandmother birthday celebrations, and my son graduated from Pre-K (I still can't believe that happened).

Today, while I was walking back down the hill from volunteering for my son's school at a local Spring Festival,  I realized how much I missed getting my thoughts onto my computer screen. I miss thinking about what activities I can do with my kiddies and how I can work them into a post. I miss perusing the library and Internet for new children's books and most of all I miss the Facebook likes, comments and just knowing that someone out there is reading and taking an interest in what I have to say. So, here I am, I'm back. Make sure you check in Monday for a new review, Wednesday for a fun educational snack, and Friday for a weekend craft.  And thank you, thank you for reading; it really does mean so much to me!

Are You My Mother?

Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman originally published by Random House in 1960 is still a great book for beginning readers. Written on an end of first grade reading level, this book contains many sight words and a simple storyline that will engage early readers and listeners. Are You My Mother? tells the story of a newly hatched baby bird whose mother is off searching for food. The baby bird falls from his nest and begins his journey to find his mother. He comes across many animals including a kitten and a hen, but they aren't his mother. Just when the baby bird thinks he will never find his mother he meets "Snort" who just so happens to take him back to his nest, where he finally meets his mother.

By the Light of the Silvery Moon

By the Light of the Silvery Moon by Claire Freedman and Stephen Gulbis tells the tale of baby farm animals who want to play by the light of the silvery moon instead of sleep. This is a perfect bedtime story and ties nicely into Spring themes with baby animals galore. The sing-song rhyme of the text is soothing. And if that isn't enough for you, it has a moon that lights up when you push it, which of course is my two-year old daughter's favorite part. If you are looking for a sweet bedtime read for your little one, then look no further. 

By the Light of the Silvery Moon
By Stephen Gulbis Claire Freedman
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