knitting librarian

AJ did his first official trick or treating tonight at the age of four. He’s never gone before because we’ve always had more than enough junk food around and he didn’t know he was missing anything. Now that he’s in a daycare/preschool center, the kids talk and he’ll know he’s missing something. We knew that this would come to an end. When I asked him the best part of his day, he said, “Going trick or treating with Kim.” What was his favorite treat? A whistle he got at the last house they visited. Apparently it was extra spooky and only kids who went up on the porch and down to the far end to a man who scared them got candy. AJ was afraid. Kim said, “You’ve got enough candy, that isn’t worth it!” and the lady out front said they had other treats for those who didn’t dare to venture to the far end of the porch—and that was the whistle with vampire lips and fangs. It sounds like AJ thinks he got the best part of the deal!
Zoe has been a drooling fool. She went through every bib Marilyn had for her today at daycare. While she was in her jump swing during class tonight, she left a puddle in the tray! Maybe she’ll actually get some teeth soon. This adorable pumpkin outfit is one I got at a clothing swap in September. I took a chance that she’d still fit in 0-3 months clothing for Halloween. It really fit her fine—she might be a touch too long for it, but it didn’t look uncomfortable or anything. So, here she is at 6.5 months wearing her 0-3 month pumpkin outfit!

So, in the spirit of being a good blogger, I’ve joined NaBloPoMo and do solemnly swear to do my very best to post every day in the month of November. Past history says I may not make it, but I will try.

This puts pressure on me to actually have something to say that someone else wants to read. I’ve used this blog for a variety of things: professional journal, knitting project bragging—rare as they are!, and to share pictures of my kids. Maybe somewhere among those things, someone will find something of interest. Feel free to suggest topics that I should consider posting about. I’m open to comments!

I definitely don’t have a novel in a month in me, hopefully something smaller is more reasonable and achievable for me!

Today is our seventh anniversary (written on our anniversary 10/14, not posted until the 16th when he got my blog back up and running on our new domain host). My husband is the kindest, gentlest, best-est husband I’ve ever had. The fact that he’s also the only one I’ve ever had doesn’t make any difference!

John, you are such a wonderful husband and father. I am so proud of you and the way you parent our children. I thank you for being calm when I’m not and understanding when I think you’re being too tough on the kids. You make life better for both our kids. You’ve made life great for me. I appreciate all that you do for me. Here’s a short list of things you’ve done lately that I need to thank you for:

– making arrangements for us to go out to dinner without the kids
– making arrangements for a babysitter so I didn’t have to do it
– wandering through several stores with me after dinner just because
– getting things put back together in our waterbed so I’m sleeping more comfortably
– putting together Zoe’s crib
– asking questions and listening to what’s going on with me
– trying to make sure I get an opportunity to relax and rest
– taking care of the kids so I can sleep in, knit, read my book, go to meetings, etc.
– taking the kids to daycare each morning so I don’t have to deal with separation anxiety (mine, not theirs)
– letting me choose not to cook most anytime I do it
– holding my hand and looking into my eyes with that sweet smile
– setting up the blog so I could get this up and running

Thanks hon, you rock. Thank you for being my husband and a darn good one at that. I continue to love you more deeply each day, even when it doesn’t seem like it. (That’s just me being a grump and rarely related to you or anything you have or haven’t done!)

Thanks to Heather for making me take the time to say what must be said!

SLJ chats with Diane Penrod about Using Blogs to Enhance Literacy – 10/9/2007 2:15:00 PM - School Library Journal

“Blogs are a “killer app.” I compare blogs to email. It’s a revolutionary breakthrough in communicating with others. It’s also a fundamental genre for Web 2.0 environments like those you mention. If you can blog, you can move to these other genres.”

Diane Penrod’s book sounds like something we need for our professional collection. I tried to get my teachers on-board with blogging two years ago, but there just didn’t seem to be time. Largely, the students writing product was mediocre. There wasn’t any pre-writing or editing happening and it shows.

I still think there’s value there, but I’m trying to figure out the best way to position myself and encourage students to use the tool. I would love for them to use my Read Write Think Repeat blog to share about the books they’re reading. Maybe I can start to offer C-Notes (school reward system) to students who want to share about the books they’re reading. I think I could justify it under Community as it builds a culture of readers and encourages discussion and shared experiences. Something to think about more.

[Added October 30] I was in the computer lab today with a colleague doing an information literacy assessment with her students. She was telling me she wanted to get her kids blogging about books. She doesn’t like my current book blog title. I told her we’ll change it. I’m thinking though instead of one of us choosing the title, we need to get student suggestions and let them vote on a title. Easy to do! I’m excited to have someone who wants to try this with me again!

ALAN Review: Young Adult Literature in the English Curriculum Today: Classroom Teachers Speak Out

I shared this article with my language arts teachers today. Of all places, I got a reference to it from an advertisement from PermaBound. (Of course, they were trying to sell their wares!) I sent the link to the article along with a note that we’ve got a copy of From Hinton to Hamlet

Hopefully it will be helpful to them. I know I’ll be looking at the recommended titles at the end of the article.