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Our local library like many local libraries across the nation had a summer reading program. For participating and doing the summer reading program our children earned FREE tickets to an Ice Hogs Game. Hubby and I had to pay for our tickets to go with them, but the kids did earn their FREE tickets by reading over the summer. So last night we went to an Ice Hogs Game!
On the way there I took out the camera and took some snap shots. I got told right away from the children "Oh no it's the Mamarazzi!" "The Mamarazzi is WORST then the Paparazzi. Hide don't take the picture." Thus the reason of the hands up look.
Of course we all started to laugh and my husband kept asking in between laughter how do you know about the paparazzi, but I don't think his question ever got answer.
Being the Mamarazzi does that mean I take to many pictures of my kids? Are you a Mamarazzi? If so perhaps we can have a support group! LOL!! "It's the Mamarazzi!"
The Ice Hogs lost (5-0) but we still had a good time. At the first break they were throwing free T-shirts into the audience and we got one! Hubby was the one who caught it! Hammy, the teams mascot also came our way, but I wasn't able to get his picture when he stopped and waved at us. We didn't get home until after 11 pm last night!
Thankfully there was no CCD (Religious Education) this morning. That allowed us to sleep in so we can go to Mass tonight. Next Sunday Superstar, the 2nd Sunday of Advent, Superstar will be serving as an Alter Server. This will be his first Mass as an Alter Server.
Today was "Freaky Fun" day at our local library. We are participating in our library's summer reading program and on Thursdays they are having special activities to do in conjunction with the summer reading program. Todays activities were sponsor by our local children's museum.
The kids got to make slim, make a pig's lung inflate and deflate. They got to make rattle snake eggs, witness some optical illusions, play with bugs, and watch a chemical reaction between ammonia and PH paper. It was a good hour at the library. In addition to the fun, seeing that it is Dairy Month, a local 4-H group was there raffling off a cooler of dairy items. To enter I just had to write my name on a piece of paper and be at the library at the time of the raffle.
The kids and I were in the back room making slim. We just finished up and decided to go see who won the raffle. As we were leaving the back room, Maryanne our children's librarian, said. "Nikki, Nikki _________." To which I replied "Yes?". (It's a good thing I have a good relationship with the children's librarian). Maryanne "You won the cooler of dairy!, I'll let them know you are still in the building!"
Maryanne was a few steps in front of us, but got there to tell them I was still in the building. They then presented me with the cooler and took our pictures for the local newspaper. They took Superstar's and Web-princess's name as well seeing they were in the picture with me.
So we won the dairy cooler which contained:
6- 6oz of Yoplait Yogurt
6- 3oz of Danimal Smoothies (Strawberry-Kiwi)
8oz of strawberry cream cheese (Philadelphia Cream Cheese)
1 lb container of Sour Cream
1 lb container of Cottage Cheese
8oz container of land-o-lakes light butter spread
7oz package of Kraft shredded "Mexican" cheese
7oz package of Kraft shredded mozzarella cheese
The kids were thrilled to have won! They especially love the danimal smoothies. We don't get them often, but the kids do enjoy it when I'm able to "treat" them with some danimal smoothies. Web-princess was over the moon with being able to win some cottage cheese! Cottage Cheese is her favorite food and it's already gone! The kids (and I) ate it up for snack when we got home.
I have to run to the store either tonight or tomorrow. I can use the sour cream and Mexican cheese for tacos. If I get some bagels we can use up the cream cheese. (Not much else I can do with strawberry cream cheese). Not exactly sure what to do with the shredded mozzarella cheese? Do you have any suggestions?
In addition I have also noticed that several of the bowling allies, for Kids Bowl Free, are now open for registration. There are still some that have not open up yet, So don't be too surprise if the bowling alley of your choice is still not open for registration.
Learning this today made me wonder what is Lexile? Well the following 6 minute video will answer that!
So now that I know what Lexile is how do I find out what my child's Lexile score is? The only "affordable" resource I found for homeschoolers is Total Reader for those children 3rd-12th grade. (If you know of another resource to find out what your child's Lexile score is please share)
Total Reader is a web-based reading assessment program that gives out Lexile scores. It cost $39.95 for ONE child for ONE year. If you have more then one then you automaticaly get 10% off for each child. You can add up to 6 children. Once you have a Total Reader account you have unlimited access to the program. The more the child uses the program the more accurate is the Lexile score.
Once you know your child's Lexile score you can use Total Readers recommended reading list or you can use Lexile.com book finder to help find books in your child's reading level.
Personally, I liked the Lexile.com book finder because not only does it filter books based on Lexile Score, but it's possible to filter the selection by topics and age range too. I can see the advantage of using that to select materials for your child.
First go to Lexile.com find books on the topic you want in your child's lexile range.
Second take that list of books to your local library (or look on your library's online catalog) to see if they have the book.
Third, check those books out!
I was browsing my library's online catalog, comparing what my library has to offer against the list I got from Lexile.com. Honestly, there are books that I never would have even consider for my kids. Why? Because they are located, shelved, in an area that I assumed to be younger then my children's reading level and/or are shelved in an area that I assumed to be above my children's reading level.
A few days ago I posted about Barnes and Nobles Summer program. I this past Thursday learned that borders is also having a summer reading program. For borders program your child (12 and under) reads 8 books and then they get a coupon to get a 50% off on selected books. Complete Details and forms are found on Borders Website. I like Barnes and Nobles deal better seeing the reward is a FREE book. However, 50% off is not bad either. It's still a money saving and when you have 2 kids it's like a 2 for 1 special.
My kids are just reading up the storm. They are doing Barnes and Nobles reading program, Borders reading program and the summer reading program from our local library!
Just learned that Barnes and Noble is having a summer reading program open to children in 1st-6th grade. If your child reads 8 books they will get 1 free book. The free book is limited to the selection of books on the list. I've looked over everything and as far as I CAN TELL it's open to homeschoolers! So grab some books and start reading.
Also don't forget to register your child up for 2009-2010 Pizza Hut Book-It. That program doesn't start until October 2009, but you need to register early for it. So register today! It's FREE to register and they will mail you everything you need (including the coupons) in September.
