How to teach my child to read????

Since I taught first grade and my objective every day was to teach children to read, I often get the question....

How do I teach my child to read or at least prepare them for Kindergarten?

I can give you a mile long list but the very best advice that I can share is.......

Read, Read, Read to your child! Read with enthusiasm that gives your child the hunger to read a book! Let your child see you reading for pleasure! Buy more books than toys and have them decorate your house!  Encourage your child to turn off the TV and climb in your lap for story time! Teach your child that a book is knowledge! Make trips to the library a special event and let them check out whatever books their little heart desires and they will not only become an excellent reader but will thank you later!


I've traveled the world twice over,



Met the famous; saints and sinners,


Poets and artists, kings and queens,


Old stars and hopeful beginners,


I've been where no-one's been before,


Learned secrets from writers and cooks


All with one library ticket


To the wonderful world of books.


~ Anonymous ~
 
 
We started the Library Summer Reading program today, and I was really impressed! The topic was fire safety.
 
Colby heard a cute story, did a little dance, listened to Pluggie teach about fire safety (that hydrant actually moves and talks),

 escaped from Pluggie's house that caught on pretend fire,

got a book bag of goodies,

and couldn't wait to show his daddy and tell him all about his trip to the library!

“Libraries allow children to ask questions about the world and find the answers. And the wonderful thing is that once a child learns to use a library, the doors to learning are always open.”


--Laura Bush

Tot School- Letter of the Week

I mentioned in a previous post that we started Tot School so I've been meaning to share a few of our lessons!!

Colby is learning letter sounds so we make a letter each week that we get from Here!! It's also helped him to distinguish between uppercase and lowercase letters.
It's very easy to use a letter and turn it into a lesson! Today we made the letter C with a caterpillar which turned into a lesson about the life cycle of a butterfly...so of course, we had to make a butterfly and then compare/contrast between caterpillars and butterflies. The lessons really could go on and on....if only his attention span could withstand!

Colby colored a coffee filter for the wings and then attached it with a pipe cleaner, which we call fuzzy sticks....

we also used fuzzy sticks for the antenna, and Ta Da.....a beautiful butterfly!!

 We finish the letter lesson by forming the letter with play-doh.....his favorite part!!

First Fish & First Movie.....Fun Fun Fun!!!

One of the best things about raising children is to see them enjoy new experiences! As a parent you get to see it all, from their first steps to the first time they reel in a fish! It's so amazing to see the wonder and curiosity in their eyes.....it sure makes life grand!!

Colby & Trace catch their first fish!!

Chase wanted to help!

Reel him in, Colby!

Wow...look mommy, I taught a pish!!!

Trace wanted to kiss the fishy bye bye

before Colby threw it back!

Fun Times.....Fishing with Friends!!

We wanted to take Colby to see Toy Story 3 but were a little hesitant on rather or not he could sit still through a movie. Chris bought him Toy Story 2 so we could do a little trial run, and he proved us wrong!

Toy Story 3 here we come!!

He kept saying, "I tan't wait!"

Today was his buddy Connor's 3rd birthday so the movies was the perfect celebration! It was Connor's first time to see the big screen too!!

I got my ticket.....

I got my Binky.....

I got my buddy....

I'm ready for the show!!

Colby loved it!! He exceeded all our expectations and when the movie was over he said, "I watch another movie!"

Not today.....but another day!!!

Little Dog

What's better than a night out with girlfriends, especially after a long day of chores, grocery shopping, and diaper changes?

Ahhhh...just what a mommy needs, right? or maybe just what Little Dog needed! Let me explain.......

Me, Jenn, and Brandy went out for a much needed ladies night, especially since Jenn will be heading back to Cali soon!
The conversation on the way consisted of...

getting babies to sleep

reflux

meltdowns in the carseat

and sleepless nights

until we realized Jenn (no kiddos yet) couldn't take anymore baby talk.

We got the subtle hint as she was flipping through a magazine and chimed in with, "yea Caleigh ( her dog) whines during the night sometimes too!

Sorry Jenn....we got the point!

We had a good time during dinner reminiscing about old times.....BTW, I hate hearing stories that remind me how stupid I was back in the day!

Anyway.....we were enjoying conversation but knew it was time to head home. I was actually proud of myself for not being tired at 10:00....I'm a rebel these days!

At this point our night out had been subdued, but Little dog was about to change all that!!
We were about 5 miles from my house when Brandy slammed on breaks and said

did y'all see that little puppy dog, he is going to get ran over....we have to go back!

We made a U-turn..... I didn't see a dog, but Brandy insisted she saw one with her stray dog radar!

What do you do if you see a little lost dog.....what else,
hike up your dress and go in for the rescue!!

and bring your team with you

We see Little Dog and we aren't leaving without him

Let me see

Oh, look at that....Brandy you do have stray dog radar

at this point we were creating a traffic jam and still hadn't executed the rescue

We called in reinforcement.....Jenn's brother, Jason.

Get on in there Jason, we have your back.....way back here so we don't get bit by a snake!

We finally got his little skittish booty out of his hiding place. We put him in the back of the truck and headed home. Right before Jason opened the door he said,

"post up girls, he might try to run!"

We cracked up and thought he was crazy but he was right.....Little dog tried to escape, but we managed to corner him under the truck.

Did I say we called Jason for reinforcement? I meant we called the dog whisperer! He lured Little dog right out from under the truck and right into a bath!

Colby was ecstatic to wake up and find a dog in his backyard.

Do you like him?

Yea, mommy!

What should we name him?

Little Dog

Well...that's what he is but what can we name him?

oh...Big Dog

Ummm....I guess Little dog will work!

Otay...he love me so much!

Does he?

Yea! Little dog love me so much!

Chase, on the other hand, was not a big fan after Little dog licked his face.

Little Dog burned a bridge with Chase.....look at that face.

Chase didn't have time for Little Dog.

He had much more important things to do, such as,

 chew his shirt.....

Shake his rattle....

and rest his eyes!

That's okay because Daddy felt the same way. Chris was a no-go on keeping Little Dog :( !

Don't fret, we found him a good home and Little Dog

                                                  now goes by Gibby!!