junie b. jones is "a hoot i tell you!"

One of my favorite things to do is to read with Matthew at bedtime. He has become especially interested in the Junie B. Jones series, of which we have the complete 27 book set since we have been through this with Allison already. These books have been enormously popular with many 5-8 year olds and their teachers.

The series by Barbara Park chronicles Junie B's experiences as a kindergartner and a first-grader. Since the books are written in first person, the grammar reflects that of a typical six year old. She uses words improperly and invents her own words like grumpity and smuggy. She sometimes thinks out of the box, which gets her into trouble. Junie B. always gets reprimanded, so she doesn't get away with her mischievous acts. No, she doesn't talk like the Queen of England and yes, she makes mistakes. But she is real and kids and parents can relate to her.

There has been a lot of criticism about the Junie B. series because of the grammar and behavior. But the writing is so genius that it could be a teaching point for a parent and child. We have used some of her situations to have meaningful, lighthearted discussions with Matthew about what Junie B. could have done differently....but that's only after we have stopped laughing out loud!

Alan and I read these books with Matthew because of the entertainment value, the lessons that can be taught, the quality time with our son, and because we just can't wait to see what happens next!

I wish Barbara Park would hurry up and release the next book. It has been so long that Junie B. is probably in middle school by now. Until then, we will start reading Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentime. I wonder who her secret admirer will be?

mom jeans?

Stories are leaking from the fashion industry that Mom jeans are making a comeback. I am a mother of three and unless I absolutely have to, I refuse to wear Mom jeans. Even though I think I wore them before I was a mom. What is Jessica Simpson thinking? Daisy Duke would be very disappointed!

Check out this SNL video spoof about Mom jeans...

things that make you go hmmm

It was the late 80's/early 90's and we were rockin' Olan Mills studio. You gotta love those matching herringbone necklaces!

Check out these other Olan Mills treasures that I found on the 'net. I can't take credit for any of this:


You’d think Pearle Vision would throw in another two pairs for free.

Bobbi isn’t the first waitress to fall for her manager, but she and Dale both got fired from Shoney’s.

Olan Mills backdrop #4: Bucolic Meadow with Split Rail Fence. And is that an animal carcass behind her?

Thoughtful Lance. Mirthful Lance. Two sides of a delightful coin.

That guy wore a tie for nothing!


The Library might be more believable if the shelves weren't sloping downhill!

OK...where's your picture? You know you have one!

notable quotables...the series

Alan: I love sad movies.

Matthew: Simon Birch is a sad movie.

Alan: Yes, Simon Birch is a terribly good sad movie.

I don't enjoy sad movies. I can deal with sentimental movies, just not the tear-jearking ones. I get tired of pretending that something is in my eye. We watched the movie Stepmom as a family once and I couldn't hide my sniffling anymore, so I just blurted out "I NEED A TISSUE!" Everyone was shocked to find out that "Mom's crying?"

If you like sad movies, I would love to know why. Maybe you can convince me to take my kids to see Marley and Me.

unbalancing act

So Santa gave our family a Wii Fit for Christmas. And about three days later, I finally got my turn at it. I had to take a preliminary Body Test as a benchmark for my weight and BMI. I passed with flying colors. It wasn't long after I began the training module that the Wii Fit told me that I was "unbalanced." It said that the balance test was obviously not my forte and then suggested that "you probably find yourself tripping when you walk".

Oh no you didn't!

Well that made me go after it harder. I repeated every 'unbalanced' activity until I scored in the top three. Then over the next few days, I went to a yogalates class at the Family Y, got on the treadmill and took my kids skating so that I could work on my balance. According to the Wii Fit, my center of balance has improved and sometimes it even calls me a Fitness Enthusiast!

See...I told ya!

Now I feel silly trying to prove to a computer that I am a balanced person. I'm just glad the Wii Fit didn't see me get out of my car yesterday with my just-bought Starbucks drink and drop the whole thing in the church parking lot.

So maybe I am a little unbalanced.