Mark your boxes with crayon instead of marker. I love my Sharpies, of course, but crayons work beautifully (and you get to see the interesting texture of the cardboard) and marauding two-year-olds can’t use them on furniture. At least, not as easily as a marker. And if you’re like me, it’s easier to find a […]

Best place for free boxes:  the hoppers outside Dollar General.  Other dollar stores run a close second. “Wait,” you might be thinking, “did I accidentally go to a blog about how to change residences on a budget?” No, you are still at the blog about my thrilling life.  But we’re moving, hence today’s topic.  The […]

Dangerous! by Tim Warnes My rating: 5 of 5 stars I loved this book. I think Isaac loves it even more. Sweet little mole is labeling everything…until he meets something lumpy, and bumpy, which doesn’t fit into just one label. The conflict which ensues, and the resolution, are touching. And the labels made me giggle. […]

Your Fantastic Elastic Brain Stretch It, Shape It by JoAnn Deak My rating: 4 of 5 stars This was a good introduction for the girls to what the brain does. I like its emphasis on the elasticity of the brain (though it’s possibly over-done…but maybe it’s worth repeating so many times) and the fact that […]

A Good Day by Kevin Henkes My rating: 5 of 5 stars I love Kevin Henkes’ work. This is a delightful little book, short enough for Isaac (age 2) to listen to over and over again. It’s uplifting, and (gently) sends a message that I want my kids to learn – a bad day will […]

The Scene: Isaac is playing with a (purple) bow. Of the bow-and-arrow, not hair decoration, variety. The arrows (mercifully) are missing. Samantha: “No, Isaac! You can’t shoot people.” Pause. “UNLESS they’re sleep darts. I’m OK with sleep darts.” Anyone know where I could get some of those?

While playing with Legos: Me: Wow, my hands feel so big and clumsy. Isaac: Yeah. I was looking for sympathy, son, not agreement.

On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne My rating: 5 of 5 stars Beautiful and inspiring. A great introduction to the life of Albert Einstein with lovely illustrations. Totally engaging for my 5- and 7-year-old, and led to more detailed questions from my 9-year-old. Hard topics – his work […]

There’s a Wolf at the Door by Zoe B. Alley My rating: 5 of 5 stars Repeat, repeat, repeat library check-out for us. I really should buy this book. (Christmas! Hint! Hint!) Some of the comic-book style dialogue gets annoying to read out loud, but these reworkings of five classic wolf-centered fairy tales are funny […]

The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs by William Joyce My rating: 4 of 5 stars This story had some dark moments for my taste in picture books, but the illustrations were fantastic, my kids loved the plot line, and it came full-circle beautifully. Three cheers for Louisiana authors! View all my reviews