Happy Halloween Book of Doom, Written by Older 9YO Son

On the day of Halloween, a snowy Friday in Chicago this year, my older son came home from 4th grade with a "Happy Halloween Dictionary / Book of Doom." he wrote it before the end of the day at his school Halloween party. I love that his vocabulary is large, but he's still working on his spelling. Werewolves was spelled "wearewholf," Frankenstein was only missing the 1st "e," and Pumkins without another "p." regardless, it's a great creative little story. It highlights his awareness of the roles of each creature, and the totality of their supposed powers coming true all in one night. I love this kid and his creativity! Happy Halloween. Book of Doom written by Older 9-year old son "Werewolves Jump at night At the moon of fright. Franknstine knocks on your classroom door. In your window bats fly. Pumpkins talk when your back is turned. Ghosts fly in front of your face. Zombies eat you one at a time. Hope you survive this Halloween. From, Older Son" Make mistakes. Breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud.

Encouraging Learning About Nature with Sidewalk Chalk: Easy Toddler Activities

Encouraging Learning About Nature with Sidewalk Chalk: Easy Toddler Activities, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

Baby girl often asks " play with me" or "stay with me." And I'm happy to oblige. I see my 8 year old older son and I know these days are fleeting.

We love our go to staple activity of sidewalk chalk. It's easy to store, long lasting, and hours (with endless ideas for play) kind of fun.

Today baby girl asked me to draw something for her. We had just received some "new To me" hand me down books from my brother. A wonderful book was included on amphibians and reptiles. I found my favorite, red eyed tree frog, and began to draw. I asked baby girl "where's the frogs nose," "where's his tail," and "his eyes, mouth?"

Some body parts were evident, some weren't pictured. We talked about his colors, spots, features, etc. She asked to "help you" color in his body... She has the yellow parts covered!

I've learned over my time with the kids that they learn through reading and being read too, but so much of their learning is thru observation, and being immersed in conversation of "something" - in this case, a red eyed tree frog.

The proof is in the pudding - so the saying goes - a few days later baby girl was thumbing thru this same book I left laying in the kitchen table, and she told ME: "mama, this is a red eyed tree frog, here's his eye, here's his toe, he has no tail, it's gone!" She's 2 am a half 1/2 years old... And amazing!!

See more of our learning and fun at areyousureaboutthatblog.blogspot.com

Make mistakes. Breathe, reflect. And Laugh.Out.Loud