Since we tend to only get the camera out for vacations or holidays, that leaves a lot of time not captured in pictures. What have we been up to? Well, as mentioned in a previous post, Randy is into bird-watching these days. He's also into running (only 12 days 'til his marathon). While running and birdwatching the other day he noticed an owl box up in O'Neil Park (in the middle of Fresno State). So at sundown last night he took the kids for an hour to see if they could spot an owl. No luck, but fun time with Dad!
We've also enjoyed quite a bit of baseball. We bought a group of tickets for a great deal at the beginning of the season and are having a great time going to Grizzlies' games. Randy took the older two last week and they had a great time...barely missed a foul ball, saw a good game, and even got to sit in the VERY front row for the last inning while saying hi to one of Randy's friends (a local sportscaster).
A good chunk of my time this summer seems to be driving my kids around, be it swim team, karate lessons, play-dates, library shows, etc. I decided to make good use of all this time in the car by branching out into books-on-tape. At the insistence of many of my friends (that are also prolific readers) I tried to listen to books for my own pleasure on my commute to and from work (back when I drove 20 minutes to and from Central every day). I never enjoyed it quite as much as holding the thick stacks of bound paper in my lap. Since my kids are a perfect age for listening to novels now, yet not as interested in sitting for the time it takes to read an entire one, I decided to try again. I mean, they're already strapped in for the ride, right? It's been great! We've listened to Sideways Stories at Wayside School, More Stories from Wayside School, and Wayside School is Falling Down (all by Louis Sachar), A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck, some Tall Tales, and now Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary. Add those to all the other books the kids have checked out and read from the library and that equals a lot of good literature for the summer.
Any of you have suggestions for good read-aloud novels for the kids? Summer's not even half over!
5 comments:
The Wayside School stories are the best! It might be a bit old so Im not completely sure, but what about the Percy Jackson series' (Lightning Thief) Luke and I just finnished what's done of those ones. Its a fun way to get all the greek mythology, it takes place in the modern world. New York hosts the entrance to Mt. Olympus and LA hosts the entrance to the underworld. Another thats a bit older but funnier than all get out is The Watsons Go to Burmingham Good to read more than once an many age levels. Also, I think the library has a lot of The Boxcar Children and maybe some of The Hardy Boys. Have you considered Hatchet and My Side of the Mountain?
I just came across this a few minutes ago:
http://aliciapaulson.com/SummerReadingBooklist.pdf
Peck's sequel to the "Chicago" book is funny. I don't remember the name and I'm not at home. Sorry! Happy (listening) reading! Love, Grandma Janice
I think the title is "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs"? It's good. Mom
Totally just remembered Andrew Clements. He writes the funniest stuff! I read NO Talking to my mom when she was in the hospital. Its about who can talk less for two whole days, boys or girls. Theyre fifth graders its funny. Then theres Lost and Found about two twin boys who discover only one is enrolled in school so they take turns and then the best one Frindle, a third grader who questions who decides a pen is a pen and decides to call it a Frindle. His dictionary loving teacher is not so much a fan and it becomes a battle to the end!
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