Summer Friday

Listening to: Tickle Tune Typhoon, Singing Science. Thirty-one children's science songs with titles like "No Backbone Backbeat" (invertebrates), "The Blue Mammal Waltz," (blue whales), "That's Botany" (plants and photosynthesis), and "Atom Matter" (atoms). A library find, this CD is lots of fun. Some songs are set to familiar tunes. "The Elements," set to the tune of "Dem Bones" includes these lyrics: "One hydrogen connected to one hydrogen, Two hydrogens connected to one oxygen, Two hydrogens connected to one oxygen, Making H2O." Others have original music and lyrics in all different musical styles, from kiddie rap to country. The gents hummed along to the familiar tunes, and I enjoyed the scientifically accurate lyrics.

Playing with: Puzzles. Dear friend down the street talked about doing a book and puzzle exchange. Last night I dropped off eggs and came back with a box full of puzzles. I spread them out on the table and the gents occupied themselves happily for quite some time.

And Legos. Always.

Reading: Library books.

Outside My Window, Liesel Moak Skorpen, illustrated by Mercer Mayer.

Outside My Window has been such a favorite at Poohsticks that I've renewed it twice. All of the fine young gents like this story of a little boy who spies a lonely little bear cub outside his window. The story manages to be sweet and charming without being sappy, the pictures are wonderful classic Mayer, and it's one of those treasures of a book that's a joy to read out loud.

Pumpkin Pumpkin, Jeanne Titherington.
A perfect story for young gardeners, Pumpkin Pumpkin is a beautifully illustrated story telling the story of a little boy who plants a pumpkin in the spring and watches it grow into a giant pumpkin.

Many Moons, James Thurber, illustrated by Louis Slobodkin.

A ten-year-old princess falls ill and decides that she must have the moon or she will never get well. Despite all of the efforts of the king and his royal court, the moon remains in the sky and the princess remains in her bed. Finally the Court Jester helps Princess Lenore solve her own problem. The story is lovely and entertaining, and Slobodkin's simple illustrations are wonderful.

Going: To the vet. Poppy's got a sore mouth. She hasn't been eating well and she's got a red spot around her tooth, so I'm taking her to the vet this afternoon.

Decluttering: The puzzle and game shelves in the living room so that I can send some puzzles to dear friend.