Getting Ready for Summer: Summer Toys

Are any of you already thinking ahead to summer time and the lazy days of no school?

Here in Texas, the weather is already getting warm, we've hit the mid to upper 80's this week. The weather combined with the fact that there are only 6 weeks of school left has me thinking about the summer and getting some fun outdoor toys together.

For the bulk of the summer we'll be in a pool or at a splash pad but I always like to have a supply of outdoor things for us to do. These are the basics I like to always have around:

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Book of the Week: Flyaway

This week we've selected Lesley Barnes' beautifully done lift the flap book, Flyaway, as our Book of the Week. We love that she has taken the lift the flap concept and elevated it.

Book of the Week: Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem

Mac Barnett has been everywhere lately, in a good way.  He has written so many fantastic books for children- and I have no doubt, will write many more, but his first children's book was Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem.

Reading with Eileen

Today we have with us Eileen Sim, formerly a magazine sub editor, now a stay at home mother to two, she has an amazing children's book review blog called Picture This Book and an equally amazing Instagram.

Her mission is to give honest reviews of children's books that parents and educators can easily access. She says, "Aside from the usual suspects (Suess, Boynton, Carle, Willems and other 'bestsellers'), many fantastic children's books tend to be unjustly overlooked, and, thus, sadly unread by their intended audience. So while we do feature deserving reads by the former, we also take pride in introducing books that are a little off the beaten track but worthy gems all the same." We love that and were thrilled when she agreed to let us interview her!

Please welcome Eileen.

Tea Party

My mother was given a demitasse china tea set by her aunt when she was a young girl.  That darling little set lasted for decades. I loved pouring tea and milk, spooning sugar, and drinking from the dainty white and gold cups. Sometimes it was herbal tea, other times lemonade, or hot chocolate (at my grandparent's, right before bed, always with cookies).  I had tea parties with my grandparents, aunts, mother, friends, and siblings. I have three sisters and we all have these same, wonderful memories.

My mother encouraged us to keep this tradition in our own families by passing along heirloom tea sets, owned by our great-great grandmothers and aunts, to each of us. Long before I had children, I had a box in my attic, tightly packed and labeled "Taryn's Tea Set."

Book of the Week: Animalium: Welcome to the Museum

Did anyone else have a set of encyclopedias growing up?

We did, and I remember being excited about having access to so much information. Fast forward to present time and the seriously ridiculous amount of information our kids have access to at the swipe of a finger. In so many ways it is incredible and life changing, but we still believe in kids pouring over a book and lingering over the discovery of new to them facts.  Our Book of the Week, Animalium: Welcome to the Museum lends itself well to such behaviors.

Learning Series: Transitioning to Chapter Books

We are so pleased to, again, share some expert advice on childhood literacy.  This week's installment in our Learning Series focuses on helping you navigate your child's transition to chapter books.  As parents, our goals is to help our children continue their love of reading while they are being challenged and building new skills.  Thank you, Janilee!

When should my child transition into chapter books?

Children usually transition from decoder books to chapter books in first and second grade, age seven to eight. Your child will go from decoding or sounding out each simple letter and sound blend to decoding words and eventually complete sentences. Once their decoding fluency increases, they are able to transition into simple chapter books.

Toy Roundup: 15 IKEA Favorites

Have you all been to IKEA lately? We both went this week to scout out some of our favorite things and  we found so much goodness. We've rounded up our 15 favorites from dress ups to toys and furnishings.

Let's start with the dress ups, IKEA has seriously upped its game with this new line, offering a wonderful variety of imaginative hats, and full costume options. These are our favorites:

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Book of the Week: Mother Bruce

The main criterion I use when assessing a book is how my children react to it.  Are they engaged? Do they ask for it over and over?  Are they laughing?  How are they responding to the characters? This week's Book of the Week was chosen because my children had such a positive reaction to it.  And, as a mother, that is just the best.