Graduation, Moving On!

This Friday I will take my first steps as a College Graduate. I am very excited about this part of my life, and am eager to know what will happen next. 


I had the great opportunity to speak at Chelsea High School's Senior Luncheon this past week, and to all of you that I met, Congratulations! I really enjoyed my time with you. 


Here are some of the best words spoken to me about this time in my life come from a book, one of the oldest books in print, The Bible!

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11

These words offer me great comfort and relief about what my next move will be. I am very fortunate to have many opportunities available to me after graduation. Whether I am chosen to be Miss Alabama, if I choose to enter the workforce as a news journalist, or if I return to school to further my education, I can know that God's plan is the ultimate plan, and I will find solace. I wanted to offer all of you some literature that can help you with your next step, be it graduation, or a continuation of your everyday life; we all deserve a spiritual lift now and then. 

The Bible

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.- Deuteronomy 31:6

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear ; do not be frightened." Take Courage.-1 Peter 3:14

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever. -Psalm 28:7-9

Only One You

by: Linda Kranz

Summary: There's only one you in this great big world. Make it a better place. Adri's mama and papa share some of the wisdom they have gained through the years with their eager son. Their words, simple and powerful, are meant to comfort and guide him as he goes about exploring the world. 

I Knew You Could!

by: Craig Dorfman

Summary: I Knew You Could!: A Book For All The Stops In Your Life by Craig Dorfman is an enthusiastically recommended picture book based on the beloved classic children's story "The Little Engine That Could." Singsong rhyming verse combined with inviting illustrations by Cristina Ong of a happy and plucky blue engine encourage readers of all ages about the importance of believing in oneself.

Personal Note: In reading this book, though it is for "Children" I teared up! The message is incredible, and I greatly recommend it to all of you who know a graduate. 

Curious George Curious You: You're On Your Way!

by: H.A.Rey

Summary: No matter your age, you just can't help but love Curious George! 

With CURIOUS YOU: ON YOUR WAY!, author H. A. Rey takes the life and times of Curious George and applies it to the very important event of graduation. Whether it's graduating from preschool to a elementary school, from high school to college, or possibly even a graduation from childhood into adulthood, this is one book that you'll always be able to take along with you. 

As we learn along with Curious George, there will always be new things to see and do, new heights to reach, new dreams to aspire to. Sometimes things might seem scary, and sometimes we won't know which direction to take. Whatever we do, though, and wherever we go, our family and friends will always be there to cheer us on. 

This is the perfect gift for everyone in your life -- toddler, teen, or adult. 

Good Luck to everyone in their future endeavors! I applaud you all for your hard work.

Thankful for: Family!

This past week I went home to spend some time with my family. Now, if you know me, and even if you don't know me very well, you can still know how much I love my family. The Pickles, and Nanie's Crew are both very important to me, and in order to know and understand who I am, you must first understand who my family is. They are an incredible unit full of hilarious, smart, refreshing, inspiring and amazing people. So this week's blog post is all about family. 

The Kids' Family Tree Book

by:Caroline Leavitt

Plot: Who are my ancestors? What nationalities were they? What work did they do? Kids are always bursting with questions about their family history; they want more stories, more details, more facts. With these research ideas and creative projects, young would-be genealogists can get the knowledge they crave. Find out how to interview family members, dig up information from libraries and the Internet, and check the National Archives for passenger lists of newly-arrived immigrants. Uncover clues in old photos or birth, marriage, and death records. Preserve the knowledge you’ve gathered in a crayon batik family tree or a homemade diary that features favorite family stories, recipes, and traditions. Keep the togetherness going by planning a family reunion, starting a family newsletter, and more.

Stop that Pickle!

by: Peter Armour

Plot: Armour's comic, kid-pleasing escapade begins when Mrs. Elmira Deeds says to a deli owner, "I would like a pickle, please." But the lone green pickle sitting in the jar refuses to be eaten and flees the deli. Running down the street, it is followed by a peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich and other comestibles, all of which cry out, "Stop that pickle!" Inevitably, the other foodstuffs are devoured and the pickle allowed to continue its flight (why it's okay to eat, say, 17 toasted almonds but not a pickle remains a mystery). Shachat, the illistrator, ( You Can't Catch Me ) contributes zany childlike art: the various snacks, personified with bulging eyes and short stubby legs, race across busy backgrounds. A hoot. Ages 4-8. 

This book was too cute not to pick! (Get it- PICK) haha

Children's Book of the Week! February 22

Olympics!

by: B.G. Hennessey

With the Winter Olympics going full force this week, share this moment with your child by reading a book or two on the Olympics!

Plot: This softbound picture book is an entertaining and straightforward account for four- to eight-year-olds that I think older children will also enjoy. The colorful artwork by Michael Chesworth ranges from full page scenes of the Olympics to a series of small illustrations depicting individual athletes preparing for the Olympics.

Visit this website for some fun activities that will get you and your child excited about Olympic activity!

http://www.first-school.ws/activities/firststeps/Olympics.htm

Children's Book of the Week! February 9

If You Give a Pig a Pancake

by: Laura Numeroff

In this week's chosen book, If You Give a Pig a Pancake, we see the story of a young girl and a pig who stumbles upon her making pancakes. It is a great book to use to teach children how to make predictions on the outcome and is also a lot of fun to do activities with! 

Plot: A little girl learns what happens when you give a pig a pancake. One thing leads to another as the pig realizes it wants something different each time. In the end, the story comes back around to the pig wanting a pancake and the little girl is exhausted.

Fun Activities:

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  Make a "pig-friendly" pancake recipe.
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  Visit this website and look over the vocabulary words and activities. http://www.thevirtualvine.com/ifyougivea.html
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  Help your children develop their own "If you give a.." using their own ideas and predictions.
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  Create these cute pig noses for your child to wear while eating their pancakes: 1. Paint a Styrofoam cup pink and poke (or paint black) two small holes in the front. 2. Using yarn or any type of string, poke two small holes on the sides of the cup, and tie around your child's face. Viola', perfectly piggy!
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  Visit the author's website: http://www.lauranumeroff.com/ where you can find more books by Laura as well as more fun for your child.

Children's Book of the Week! January 24-30

I Want to be Miss America

by Katie Stam, Miss America 2009

This week is a special week to me because it is the week of the Miss America Pageant. Since a young age I have dreamed of becoming Miss America one day, and the night that the Miss America pageant came on the television was always a special event. This past year's Miss America, Katie Stam, has written a children's book during her journey to Miss America, so I found it only fitting to select it as our book of the week. Katie was recently interviewed by Robin Leach, and gave details on her book, which is set to be released soon.

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  "It’s called I Want to Be Miss America, and it actually follows me as a little girl. As you know, that was something I wanted to do my entire life and have been working toward my entire life, so I wrote a children’s book. It’s about Katie, this little girl, who dreams of becoming Miss America and what she does in order to accomplish it. It’s going to be very interactive with the little kids who want to purchase it. I think it will also be fantastic for Miss America fans in general because I am going to try and make it as special as possible."
  
  
  

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  "So it’s not just a children’s book. No. 1, it’s an education tool, and No. 2, make it for Miss America fans. What I mean by educational tool is I tried to utilize the same message that I spoke about this prior year on the road, and that was I decided I was going to be Miss America when I was 3 years old, but I had to have a plan that I set for myself. My plan was to get this education to make good decisions and to get involved in my community. That was my three-step plan of how I was going to accomplish my goal. So that is the theme in this book, but even more so, it teaches what Miss America is, and that is a role model, its service base, and that it is about education in scholarship and about being a good person."
  
  
  
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  "I tried to use it as an educational tool because there is a great responsibility that comes with being able to write a book. And as far as a keepsake message and memory from the book, I am going to keep that a secret. You are just going to have to figure out what that means as we get closer to the day of it being released."
  
  
  
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  To read more about Katie Stam, visit http://www.missamerica.org/
  
  
  

 So this week, explore your child's dreams. Ask them what they wish to achieve and try to find something at your local library about that subject. While little boys probably won't be aching to become Miss America, they may hope to one day be President or a Firefighter. Find their passion and explore it. By doing this through reading, you will also foster an interest in learning through reading.

Children's Book of the Week for January 17-23

Jenny is Scared! When Sad Things Happen in the World
by Carol Shuman

With the recent events happening in Haiti, your children may be asking questions about things that happen in our world and what they mean. This book explores how sad events happening in our world affect children and how to respond to them. We always try to shelter our children from these types of events to protect them from the hurts of the world, but in reality, they are still affected and need our help in understanding why these things happen.

Plot: Jenny and her brother Sam are scared! The TV has played news all morning, Jenny's piano lesson was canceled, and Mom and Dad forgot to make lunch. Jenny and Sam want to know what's going on and how not to be so scared, and Mom and Dad can help. With honest sensitivity, Jenny Is Scared! explores children's fears, and reactions surrounding terrorism, war, and other violent events. A Note to Parents by author and psychologist Ann Rasmussen, Psy.D., explains how young children respond to violence and tragedy, provides concrete suggestions for helping them feel more safe, and offers families ideas for making the world a better place.

Activities that you can do with your children:

• Talk about things that are going on in the world, ask them questions about what they think of the situations, if they noticed things happening, ect.
•  Read other books on fears, draw out what your children are most scared of and help them understand how to ease their fears. Some great books for this are: Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt, The Bad-News Report Card by Nancy Poydar, and The Bravest of the Brave by Shutta Crum

Children's Book of the Week!

Where the Wild Things Are

by Maurice Sendak

Plot: The book tells the story of Max, a little boy who takes an imaginary journey to a land of "Wild Things." As Max's imagination unfolds, his bedroom is transformed into an entirely new world. When he sails to the land of the Wild Things, they quickly make him their ruler. The Wild Things are tames under Max's fearless leadership and enjoy a "wild rumpus" planned by Max. Ultimately Max leaves the land of the Wild things, despite their loving protests, to return home where he finds his dinner waiting for him.

• Read this book with your child and discuss what the themes, characters, and lessons are.
• Ask your child questions to help them develop cognitive thinking. (What kind of "wild rumpus" would you have? What would you do at a "wild rumpus?" What are some of the words in this story that help you make a picture in your head? Have you ever felt like Max did in the beginning of the book?)
  Hold your own "wild rumpus" where your child plays the part of Max.
• Draw a plot line with the beginning, middle, and end of the book from your child's perspective.
• Draw pictures of Wild Things together, discuss the monsters and their actions towards Max. One trick to use to help your children's phonics would be to draw monsters from letters. Example- a bear monster out of the letter B.
• Cook a dinner together
• Take this fun quiz with your child. http://www.myschoolhouse.com/courses/O/1/62.asp

This book is a wonderful tool to use to help children with phonetic awareness, which is key to successful literacy skills. Make sure that when reading aloud, you put emphasis on the actions and descriptions. Use a dramatic verbal expression technique; make it fun!