Most recent blog entries

Warning: Optical Illusions Bring on the Giggles!

cammie@momsmaterial.com — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:38:08 GMT

Although my daughter was sad, she didn’t let on. She knew her friend was upset about moving away and my daughter was devastated. I still remember the first time we met Emily. It was in August, just before school started. We had been anxiously waiting for the arrival of the new family. We heard they had several kids and my daughter was hoping they had a girl her age.

Our street was already filled with boys my daughter’s age. To make matters worse, they play with her little brother every day. He certainly didn’t need more playmates.

We drove by several times hoping for an opportunity to meet the new family. We got lucky, the car was in the driveway and the doors were open. It looked as though they had just come back from the grocery store. I pulled the car in front of the house as the mom came out, followed by a girl that looked close to Taylor’s age. So far, so good!

The girls hit it off and Taylor threw a “Come Meet Emily Party!” A few days later, we found out they were in the same class. And for the next two years, we met Emily and her family at the stop sign and walked to school together. (see post ”What Does a Stop Sign Mean to You?”)

Taylor and I both cried when we got the news that Emily’s family was moving. Instead of being upset, Taylor decided to be happy about her friends new adventure. Emails, phone calls and visits have now replaced our walks to school.

Several weeks ago, Emily came in for a visit. As we walked to the school, I thought about how much they have changed. Bratz have been replaced with music and talk about boys. Luckily, they still have moments in which they revert back to a little girl.

This is one of those times…

What was meant to be a picture of the girls together ended up being an Optical Illusion! The fit of giggles that came and went over the next few hours brought tears to our eyes. Every time we look at the picture, the giggles came back.

How do you keep up with your long distance friendships?

Cammie Moise

Girl World Tour 2010 Comes to Houston

cammie@momsmaterial.com — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:18:32 GMT

Rosalind Wiseman, an internationally-recognized author, mom and expert on teens and parenting will be speaking at the Girl World Tour 2010. She will be speaking in several cities over the next few months.

Rosalind Wiseman is celebrating her first young adult novel “Boys, Girls and Other Hazardous Materials” while on the tour. In addition, the tour will feature an interactive discussion covering topics like confidence, friendship, growth and development. Attendees will receive a gift bag including her new book.

On March 11th, she will be in Houston! I have already purchased my tickets and am encouraging my friends with daughters (ages 8-14) to join us. To find out more information on tour dates and cities, or to purchase tickets, please check Girl World Tour.

This same week, my daughter’s school is having their “Growth & Development” talk. This will be perfect timing.

I will follow up with a post after the event.

About the Author

Rosalind Wiseman is cofounder of the Empower Program, a nonprofit organization that empowers youth to stop violence and reaches more than ten thousand youth and educators each year. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller Queen Bees & Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and Other Realities of Adolescence (Crown, May 2002), which was the inspiration for the hit movie Mean Girls. Wiseman speaks to children, teens, parents, and educational professionals throughout the world. She has been profiled in the New York Times, People, USA Today, Oprah, Nightline, Today Show, CNN, Good Morning America, and many other outlets. She lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband and two sons.

If you have been or are planning on going, let me know about it below.

Cammie Moise

What Does Your Online Behavior Teach Your Kids?

camm@momsmaterial.com — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:31:39 GMT

Have you ever thought about what you are teaching your kids about online behavior? Many or you may probably haven’t even thought about this, but it is very important. Our kids need to know about cyber ethics and the importance of your online reputation. They may listen when we sit down and specifically talk to them, but they really learn from watching us.

Bethan Tuttle wrote a post that made me think about the impact I am making with my own kids. They know I am educating parents about online safety through this site, CyberSafeFamily.com and my speaking engagements. Do they see me following my own advice?

I should take every opportunity to point out good and bad online behavior to my kids. I believe it is important for them to see actual examples. Thanks, Bethan!

Modeling Online Behavior for Kids by Bethan Tuttle

(originally posted at SecurityGeekMom.com)

Last Summer, my daughter and I were leaving a mall in Bellevue late in the evening. We had a bag of books, a bag of groceries, and a bag of take-out Thai food, and car keys in hand. On the sidewalk surrounding the mall, we passed a person who asked for money, and I said, “No, best of luck to you”, waited for traffic to pass, and then crossed to where our car was parked -close by & clearly visible.

My daughter said, “It’s good you parked here, because this place is super spooky.” We had a brief discussion about why I parked where I did, the bagger at the grocery asking if we’d like an escort to our car, etc. I modeled three safety behaviors and (what I consider) courtesy, without lecturing or freaking out my kid with statistics on women getting mugged near malls.

How do you do that with online behavior?

Incorporating modeling and transparency around a family’s online behavior is, in my opinion, very important. We really want to know what they’re doing online, and with whom, and yet – do they have any idea what we’re doing? Do they see what ‘friend requests’ we ‘ignored,’ the fit of anger we let pass prior to answering an upsetting email, or websites we avoid because they seemed sketchy?

Right now I’m sitting at my computer, a fantastic HP Pavilion that I love very much even though it’s old. My computer is on the dining table, across from my kids’ computers. This is the only place my computer lives when I’m at home, and while I’m working, typing, and reading, I talk:

As a parent modeling computer behavior, I am not ideal. I’m online too much, I work too much, and I spend more time on my social network than I do with my friends or extended family. To make up for this deficiency, I admit to it and talk about how work, non-profit work, and my own interests contribute to my over-use of computers. I make sure the kids keep their time online to a reasonable amount, and I make sure they prioritize friends, family, beach trips, and soccer over the fascinations of Fantage, pixeling, and CSS.
Check-out this cool website, guys, let’s see who made it.
Holy Cow, this person is so rude on Facebook! I’m not going to reply to her comment, because I don’t want to encourage her. I hope she’s ok, because she’s not usually rude.
Hey, please save your stuff and shut down, I need to run updates; I think we have some kind of network issue. Here, you can help me run updates.
Whoa, I have no idea who this text message is from, and it has an attachment; I’m going to delete it without opening it up. Did you know that your phone can get infected the same way the computer can? Crazy.
Ugh! This page is full of advertisements – I thought it was going to be a news article, but clearly that’s not their priority. Hey – look what happens when I hover over a link: I can see the preview of the URL it’s going to, and it is NOT what it said it would be: this link for “Afghan war” goes to a page with a URL that ends in ‘teeth whitening.’ That can’t be good.
Hey, this website wants to know how much money I make! Why would they need that just so I can check if they have a ___ in stock? I’m looking for the link for their privacy policy, I want to know what they do with my information…

About Bethan Tuttle

Bethan Tuttle is a happy mom of two living just east of Seattle. She’s the Executive Director of CommunityWatch, a non-profit crime prevention organization, and works primarily on issues related to crime prevention and information security. You can find her at securitygeekmom.com and @BethanTuttle.

Check out her website and follow her on twitter, she always shares great information!

Are you a good role model for your kids? Tell us what you do that is good or bad in the comments below.

Cammie Moise

Why Blogging Matters and How It Makes a Difference

cammie@momsmaterial.com — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:27:37 GMT

The Mom 2.0 Summit is over and it was phenomenal! Wondering what the Mom 2.0 Summit is all about? I asked that same question last year, as I began my journey in the blogging world.

Mom2Summit gave me a chance to meet and learn from some amazing people. Since this was my first conference related to blogging, I was overwhelmed and found myself learning a lot just by watching others. I found myself looking back on the experience and wishing that I had been a little bolder, introduced myself to more people and had more confidence than I felt like I did. Then I realized the experience and the knowledge I gained from this event made me more confident. As I listened to the speakers, I thought about the difference they were making in the lives of others.

Heloise talked about her mother, the original Heloise began her career and was blogging back then (just in a different format). I thought about the risk her mother took and how it opened the door to women.

Gretchen Rubin talked about The Happiness Project and how it became a best-selling book. She talked about giving up her career as a lawyer to write. Gretchen was clerking for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor when she realized that she really wanted to write. She had to take a chance and we are thankful she did. Her journey in finding happiness has led to a happiness movement. And who can’t use more happiness?

Papa’s Trio – Holly, Jenny (JennyontheSpot) and Cammie

Picture is from JuneCleaverNirvana post Where I get all mushy and hug the internet

Throughout the conference I met women who inspire others to succeed, by sharing their success like @TexasHolly (on Twitter). I found Holly’s blog, JuneCleaverNirvana and fell in love with it. She actually reached out to me after some online interactions and I am so glad she did. I feel like she took me under her wing and gave me some advice. She recently joined up with some of her friends and started Business2Blogger. This site allows businesses and marketers to reach out to bloggers and gives bloggers some amazing opportunities. So, if you have a business, are a marketer or a blogger, you should check it out. (Note in the picture that great minds think alike – we ended up wearing the same vest one day)

I met @Sarann from MommaFindings, who lives in the same city and is also a Lifetime Mom Affiliate. My first introduction to her was a Twitter party she was hosting and I won some Nintendo Games. She knew it was my first conference and her momma instincts came out. She called me prior to the conference, she met me as I walked in and began introducing me to others. I am looking forward to our new friendship, on and offline!

I finally met my mentor @rockandrollmama and she is incredible. She introduced me to Flight of the Conchords, great music and LifetimeMoms. She encourages moms not to forget yourself in the journey of motherhood. RockandRollMama reminds us to take time for ourselves so we can be the best (and the most fun) mom we can be. Lindsay has taken me under her wing, encouraged me and is an amazing friend. She and I are both night owls and we often find ourselves on the phone in the middle of the night brainstorming. She has an amazing work ethic and is a wonderful role model. I love this RockandRollMama!

Back to the theme of the conference, what you’re doing matters. This applies in every area of our life. Whether we are in the role of a mom, a writer, a speaker, an advocate, a friend or a mentor, you have the ability to make a difference. Be passionate about the things you love, whether it is family, a friend, a project, a book or company. And along the way, reach out to others.

Thanks to Mom2Summit, their sponsors and speakers for encouraging us to make a difference.

What you are doing matters…

If you went to the conference, please share what you learned. If you have a post about the conference, please add it below.

Cammie Moise

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas You Will Want

cammie@momsmaterial.com — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:01:36 GMT

This article is really meant for my hubby, but I thought others might be interested in some great gift ideas for a wife or mom.

Valentine’s Day is pretty unpredictable at our house. I have received anything from the typical flowers, cards and candy to a trip to Vegas (including diamond hoop earrings). I always enjoy it when someone takes the time to express how they feel, whether it is through a letter or a special gift you have been “eyeing” for awhile. What matters to me more than anything is the thought behind the gift.

Did they run out and buy something at the last minute? Or did they take the time to think about what you may want. Gifts and expressions don’t have to be costly, it is not about what you spend.

To tell you the truth, I find myself struggling to write this article. How can I think of monetary gifts when I know the struggle that is going on in Haiti? So, my first idea, that expresses love would have to include a donation (in your Valentine’s name) to an organization that will help the Haiti crises. I think I will suggest that either my hubby or the kids think about this one.

Here are a few more ideas:

Secret Ring Necklace

by Erica Weiner
$40.00

Tell us your secret, up to 40 characters, and we'll engrave it on the inside of a brass ring in a scrawl-y script. Whether you wear this ring on the necklace or on your finger, it's not immediately obvious that there's a message there at all unless you let someone look very closely.

'metro' small hoops (these are the small version, check out the larger size too)

Nashelle

$41.00

Another version of our best-selling hoops, these are a little smaller in size, measuring about 1.75" across, but are equally perfect with just about… everything!

Available in your choice of 14k gold fill or sterling silver.

'identity' lucky bars necklace

Nashelle

$70.00 + (in gold & silver)

Includes 1 to 5 hand-shaped, distressed, and stamped bars for a cool, organic quality on an 18" chain, available in 14k gold fill or sterling silver. Stamping is included in the price!

Because we make these by hand, the length of each bar may vary depending on your inscription.
(Specify up to 5 names, dates, words)

Get Lucky Dice™

Exclusively from RedEnvelope

$34.95

Feeling lucky tonight? Prepare to roll the dice on your relationship. Our set of four pewter dice is inscribed with action words, body parts and parts of speech. Take turns rolling the dice and acting out various commands such as "Brush lips against back." Includes one wild-card body part best left to the imagination.

Don’t forget about perfume, music, books or a favorite magazine subscription to let her know each month how special she is.

By the way, feel free to send your Valentine a copy of this article if you think they need some ideas. Plus, if you have any good ideas, please comment below.

Need Some Ideas for a Mothers Day Gift

Cammie Moise

*This post is based on my own opinion, I did not receive any compensation and I do not have an affiliation with any of these recommended products.

Top 10 Internet Safety Concerns for Parents

camm@momsmaterial.com — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:49:26 GMT

When I decided to focus more on internet safety, I put together (with the help of SimpleK12) a list of the Top 10 Internet Safety Concerns for Parents. I recently shared this Top 10 list, along with my Online Safety Presentation, during a PTA meeting. As I was putting my presentation together I realized that I thought the number one concern should be inappropriate material. Based on my recent experiences within our home, this was certainly our number one concern.

As I spoke with other parents I realized they were having some of the same issues. Our elementary school embraces technology and just recently added iTouches, new Mac Computers and USB drives are on our school supply list. Our kids are able to search in the safe environment of our school (which is filtered and protected) but then they come home to use their family computer. Unfortunately, many of these home computers have not been set up to filter out inappropriate material. Some parents think their kids are too young to search for inappropriate material. But if you have been on the computer lately, you know you don’t have to go looking for this material. It comes to you! If you think that your kids are too young to search for certain words, think again. Find out what kids 18 and under are searching for in the article, Top Searches Norton Releases Kid’s Top 100 Searches for 2009.

MomsMaterial’s Top 10 Internet Safety Concerns

Inappropriate Material
Cyberbullying
Online Predators
Sharing Personal Information
Email, IM & Chatrooms
Sharing Pictures & Videos
Cell Phones & Wi-Fi Gadgets
Social Network Sites
Online Gaming
Viruses, Malware & Adware

Over the next few weeks, I will address these top concerns at my newly launched website that focuses on internet safety, CyberSafeFamily. Please stop by and sign up for email updates so you don’t miss any of the latest articles that will help you become a CyberSafeFamily.

Cammie Moise

What Would You Add To Your List To Make Your Life Better?

cammie@momsmaterial.com — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:27:05 GMT

Are you looking for a book that is entertaining, fun to read and still challenges you to become a better person? If you answered yes, then you should read The Next Thing on My List by Jill Smolinski. This is the latest book that I have been recommending.

June Parker is one of those women that goes through life a little lost, not sure where she fits in. Everything is just OK. No passion, no drive, just making it through life. Then the unthinkable happens, she is involved in a car accident and her new acquaintance (and passenger), Marissa, dies.

June comes across a list in Marissa’s purse titled “20 Things To Do by my 25th Birthday.” Enter June’s world as her new mission in life becomes clear and she decides to complete Marissa’s list. June must leave her comfort zone and try things she would have never considered before. She must kiss a stranger, go on a blind date and run a 5K. All these events help June to evolve into a better person. This book will have you reflect on the impact you are making and might even change your life.

I found myself making a mental note of changes I would like to make in my own life. And the next thing on my list is to write them all down.

MomsMaterial recommends this book!

From the Publisher

“You’ll be hooked by this charming story. . . . Smolinski gives us a quick-witted heroine . . . with just the right amount of romance and a tad of suspense.”
—Richmond Times-Dispatch

After a car accident in which her passenger, Marissa, dies, June Parker finds herself in possession of a list Marissa has written: “20 Things to Do by My 25th Birthday.” The tasks range from inspiring (run a 5K) to daring (go braless) to near-impossible (change someone’s life).

To assuage her guilt, June races to achieve each goal herself before the deadline, learning more about her own life than she ever bargained for.

Let me know what you think.

Cammie Moise

2010-2011 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominees

cammie@momsmaterial.com — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:15:10 GMT

Have you heard of the Texas Bluebonnet Awards? The Texas Bluebonnet Award (TBA) reading program was formed in 1979 to encourage children to read a variety of current books, and have an opportunity to cast a vote for their favorite nominee. The Texas Library Association has two committees that work together to select the 20 nominees. After the nominees are selected, Texas students in grades 3-6 can participate in the program. The students must read (or have it read to them) at least 5 of the 20 books in order to cast a vote. The list is very diverse, ranging from picture books to chapter books and includes fiction and non-fiction. Children must read at least 5 books in order to cast a vote. This guarantees that they will experience a broad range of great books and that is why I LOVE this reading program!

We were introduced to these books at our elementary school several years ago. My daughter wanted to participate in 3rd grade and read many of the books. The kids discussed the books in class and recommended their favorites to their classmates. For the first time, my daughter came home from school and began reading. She finally understood my love for reading when she read Tall Tales by Karen Day.

This year, my son is in third grade and gets to participate for the first time. He goes through phases on reading, but he loves a challenge. Voting is next week and by then, I expect him to have read 15 of the 20. So far, his favorite off the 2009-2010 list is The Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldman. His goal next year is to read all 20 of the nominated books for 2010-2011.

Listed below are the 2010-2011 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominations

Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate

Kek and his mother are the only ones in his family who have survived, and his mother is missing. The Refugee Settlement Center has brought Kek to America while a search continues for her. The difference between Africa and Minnesota winters is almost too much to consider for a boy who has never seen snow. Add to that, a new language that sounds tangled to Kek’s ears, and the world is full of the unknown. Until, on the way to his new home, he sees a cow. In the author’s words, Kek explains, “I stroke her cold, wet coat, and for a moment I hold all I want right there in my hand.” With a beautiful poetic voice Katherine Applegate tells the story of Kek.

All Stations! Distress!: April 15, 1912: The Day the Titanic Sank by Don Brown

When Titanic’s builder Thomas Andrews pronounced the ship's wound from plowing into an iceberg as fatal, the telegraph keys transmitted, “All Stations! Distress!” The tragedy of the sinking of the Titanic is viewed from the perspective of her Captain who did not slow down for icebergs because he thought the threat unlikely; to the confidence in the shipping line that the ship was unsinkable thus providing lifeboats for only half of its passengers; to the loss of most of the third class passengers, including fifty-two children, due to their rank in society. Don Brown brings goose bumps to his readers through both text and illustrations as he takes the reader through the sinking of one of history’s most famous ships.

The Uglified Ducky by Willy Claflin

Han’s Christian Andersen might not recognize this humorous version of his story, but he would certainly laugh. Maynard the Moose tells the oh, so sad story of a Moose that thinks he is a ducky. Mother ducky cannot figure out why her one ducky is so uglified. Plus he trips when he waddles, he sinks when he paddles, and he carries a sign that says “quack,” because all he can say is “Gronk! Arooo!” Needless to say, on flying lesson day his Mother and ducky siblings leave him behind. The reader will have a hard time deciding if the text or illustrations are funnier. What does it matter? Get your funny bone ready to be tickled.

Surfer of the Century: The Life of Duke Kahanamoku by Ellie Crowe

Surfing was not known outside of what was, until 1959, The Republic of Hawaii until Duke Kahanamoku introduced it around the world. Kahanamoku was good at all water sports since his backyard was the Pacific Ocean. It was swimming that made him known throughout the world. This shy man, with dark native Hawaiian skin, quietly endured prejudice to become a three-time Olympic swimming gold medalist. Though his dream of surfing becoming an Olympic sport never came true, his influence on the sport brought him the name, “The Father of Modern Surfing.” With words and pictures the reader comes to know a man who not only was a great sportsman, but whose kindness and love of life shines through the pages. As author, Ellie Crowe says, “No matter what he did, he spread aloha.”

14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy

In the oral tradition of the Maasai peoples, a young man receiving his education in America returns home for a visit several months after the bombing of the World Trade Center. As is the tradition, he tells his people the story under the acacia tree at the edge of the village. Though the Maasai are fierce warriors, their hearts bleed with compassion when they hear of suffering and injustice. What can they give to ease the pain of these Americans? This true story of empathy told in the voice of that young man, Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah, by Carmen Deedy will stir each heart. Look for the Twin Towers symbols added to the pages in the awe- inspiring illustrations by Thomas Gonzalez.

Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff

Ever since Annie’s older brother Jared died, she has become obsessed with being safe. After all, the world is full of dangers. When she borrows without permission her neighbor’s book, The Everyday Guide to Preventing Illness, she has even more fears on her plate. To top things off, Jared’s birthday is coming up. Annie wonders if a person is dead, can you still celebrate their birthday? Annie’s quirkiness brings laughs amid this story of dealing with grief. With the help of her family and friends plus the lessons learned from a certain famous pig and spider from children’s literature, Annie learns life is meant to be lived to its fullest.

Pirates by David Harrison

Arrrgh! This book about pirates is not about the jolly idea of “it’s a pirate’s life for me. Ho, Ho.” Through poetry and realistic paintings David Harrison and Dan Burr give the true version of a pirate’s life. The life of long days at sea, filth and disease, little money, and harsh treatment for breaking the pirate rules are portrayed. As the first verse of Harrison’s poem “Ship’s Rules” says, “You’ve joined the Pirate Brotherhood, let no man here forget it. If you do, I promise you you’ll live—if you live—to regret it.”

That Book Woman by Heather Henson

Cal can see no sense in all the reading his sister Lark does. He has much better things to do such as helping his Pap with the plowing and sheep. One day a lady on a horse arrives up the Kentucky mountainside with books for them. Lark thinks they’re gold, but in Cal’s mind they are just plain ole books. That winter is a hard one, and when the packhorse librarian comes though the freezing weather to deliver books, Cal wonders what is so special about them. He asks Lark to help him decipher their wonder. When the Book Woman returns in the spring, his Mama is able to thank her for “making two readers outta one.”

Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea by Steve Jenkins

Steve Jenkins takes the reader from the surface of the ocean down, down, down to the ocean’s floor. Along the way are some of the most extreme and unusual animals on Earth. At 33 feet below the surface is the Mola Mola, at 164 feet, the largest shark on the planet, the whale shark. The deeper one goes, the stranger the creatures. At 1640 feet below the surface most of the fish are luminescent and the ocean floor at 13,000 feet has, among other beasts, the hagfish. The name alone is descriptive. Once the ocean floor is reached, Jenkins continues to take the reader on this knowledgeable journey with more and more information.

Dying to Meet You: 43 Old Cemetery Road by Kate Klise

The reader knows a good time is afoot when the real estate agent’s name is Anita Sale, the publisher’s name is Paige Turner, and the children’s book author is I.B. Grumply (the truism on that name becomes obvious). Grumply is suffering from writer’s block and he thinks moving to this quiet old Victorian mansion will solve his problem. Seymour Hope, the boy in residence, and Olive C. Spence have other things in mind. This ghostly humorous tale is told through letters, emails, and newspaper articles. Add to that comical illustrations, and the reader becomes a happy resident at 43 Old Cemetery Road.

11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass

Amanda and Leo were born on the same day, in the same hospital. Since that time, the now best friends have celebrated all their birthdays together. That is – until this, the 11th birthday. This year, it will be two parties. Amanda doesn’t like to think about the event that caused this riff in their friendship; she just wants the day to be over. Unfortunately for her, something very strange is happening. She keeps waking up and experiencing her 11th birthday again, and again, and again. Soon she discovers that Leo is having the same experience. Will Amanda and Leo get this day to ever stop repeating or will they have their 11th birthday every day for the rest of their lives?

The Hinky-Pink: An Old Tale by Megan McDonald

And the story begins, “Back when mirrors could talk and princes were frogs, there lived a girl in Old Italy named Anabel.” Now in those days, all girls wanted to be a princess, but not Anabel. She was a talented seamstress and she dreamed of the day she could make a dress for a princess, to make a dress for dancing the tarantella at a ball. When Princess Isabella Caramella Gorgonzola sends for Anabel to make her a dress for the Butterfly Ball, holy macaroni, Anabel’s dream is about to come true. With one week only to make the dress, Anabel must get her sleep. Each night something pinches her and steals her bed covers. It’s a hinky pink. If Anabel can’t solve this problem, her dream of one of her dresses being worn to a ball will never come true.

Squirrel's World (Candlewick Sparks) by Lisa Moser

Squirrel loves, loves, loves his friends and wants to help, help, help them whenever he can. When Squirrel helps Mouse gather food for his nest, Mouse ends up under a big pile, pile, pile of apples. Then Squirrel plays games with Turtle who just wants to sleep, sleep, sleep. Squirrel tries to help Rabbit get a leaf from the river so Rabbit won’t have to get wet, but his eagerness gets Rabbit soaked, soaked, soaked. Sometimes Squirrel is so, so, so helpful that his friends are happy to see him go, go, go.

Tap Dancing on the Roof: Sijo (Poems) by Linda Sue Park

Linda Sue Park introduces the reader to Sijo, a type of poem that originated in Korea. Like Haiku, it has a set number of syllables and lines. The best part about Sijo is that there is always an unexpected twist in the last line. In this book, Park takes familiar topics of children and puts them in Sijo poetry. Here is one example: “Breakfast. For this meal, people like what they like, the same every morning. Toast and coffee, Bagel and juice. Cornflakes and milk in a white bowl. Or—warm, soft, and delicious—a few extra minutes in bed.” Istvan Banyai’s illustrations are a perfect complement to this unique collection.

Mudshark by Gary Paulsen

If you hate to laugh-out-loud, don’t read Mudshark. From the principal’s announcements at the beginning of each chapter to the escaped gerbil, disappearing erasers, and a psychic parrot, readers will find themselves letting laughs escape. (Don’t’ take this to church to surreptitiously read during the sermon.) Amid the laughs, the Mudshark Detective Agency, with it’s one and only employee Lyle Williams (aka Mudshark), has mysteries to solve. He must find the erasers and the gerbil, or he will no longer be the boy who everyone knows can find the answers.

Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker

The importance of all life’s diversity to maintaining a balance is told in this historical fiction picture book of China’s Sparrow War. The Great Leader sets aside three days for all able-bodied citizens of China to beat drums and ignite firecrackers – literally scaring the birds to death, thus preventing them from eating the farmer’s crops. In Pennypacker’s story, the child Ming-Li saves seven sparrows and hides them from her village. When locusts and worms eat all the crops because they no longer have natural enemies, there is a famine. Ming-Li’s secret is able to save her village. This story, based on actual events from 1958, continues to have lessons for people today.

Jake Ransom and the Skull King's Shadow by James Rollins

Jake and Kady’s archeologist parents have been missing for three years. All they have from them are a sketch book, a field log, and two halves of a gold Mayan coin which each wears around their neck. Jake and Kady are invited to attend a special Mayan artifact collection in London. Jake places his half of the coin in a hole found in a golden pyramid at the exhibition. The next thing he knows, he and his sister are flying through time to a world inhabited by dinosaurs, mythical monsters, and even more amazing, people from ancient civilizations all over the world. The evil shadowy figure of the Skull King, after being banished from this land, is determined to take over once again, and unwavering in his goal of destroying Jake and Kady in the process.

The Cabinet of Wonders: The Kronos Chronicles: Book I by Marie Rutkoski

Petra’s father, an expert in metal (he can actually move it with his mind), has been in Prague for too long as far as Petra is concerned. However, she is very proud of him since he has been commissioned by the Prince of Bohemia to make the world’s first astrological clock. The day he finally returns home, he is missing his eyes. The Prince has stolen them to wear. Petra and her pet robotic spider Astrophil go to the castle determined to bring back his eyes. Full of adventure and excitement, this fantasy will keep the reader’s eyes glued to the pages.

Calvin Coconut: Trouble Magnet by Graham Salisbury

Since Calvin’s dad left, his mother tells him he is the Man of the House. The problem is that being responsible is not one of Calvin’s best qualities; plus, trouble just seems drawn to him like metal to a magnet. For example, he takes a centipede in a jar to school the first day of fourth grade. He knows this is not allowed, but no one will know. He looks in the jar and the centipede is on his back, legs up – Calvin thinks he must be dead. He takes the lid off and since he draws trouble, the centipede has a remarkable recovery and the rest is terrified student history. Besides the problem with trouble, Calvin has to deal with bullies and giving up his room to a fifteen-year-old girl living with them for a year. Calvin gets to live in a shed in the garage. Calvin Coconut just may go coconuts!

The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau by Dan Yaccarino

As quoted in this biography by Dan Yaccarino, Jacques Cousteau states, “The best way to observe a fish is to become a fish.” Jacques Cousteau was a weak child and turned to the ocean and swimming to develop strength. His love of tinkering led him to discover how things worked. As he became an adult these two interests lead him on his life’s journey to learn about the oceans and the life teeming within by inventing equipment to aid in man’s exploration of the seas. In other words, he found a way to “become a fish.” Dan Yaccarino’s words and art introduce this explorer and environmentalist to a new generation so they, too, can enjoy The Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau.

As soon as my son has voted, we will begin on this list. His goal, which I will support is to read all 20 before voting next year.

Have you read any of these books? If so, please leave a comment below and let us know if you enjoyed it and why.

Cammie Moise

MomsMaterial.com Has Been Nominated For Babble’s Add A Favorite Mommy Blogger

cammie@momsmaterial.com — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:14:20 GMT

Babble recently announced their Top 50 Mommy Bloggers of 2009, and no, I didn’t make it on that list. But, they did add another category, Add a Favorite Mommy Blogger. “We listed 50, but we’d love to hear which other mommy bloggers are your must-reads. Nominate or vote for your favorite unmentioned mommy bloggers here and help to spread their word!” And I am happy to say that one of my followers nominated MomsMaterial!

I have to admit, I was thrilled when I saw MomsMaterial on the list, especially since I had a few votes! Apparently, the voting to Add a Favorite Mommy Blogger is still going on and I think you can vote once a day. So, if you feel like supporting me, head on over, look for Moms Material and give me the thumbs up! It is a great way to spread the word! I know some of you have already been voting and I appreciate it.

This is the perfect time to spread the word about MomsMaterial because I am launching my second website that will help educate parents on internet safety, CyberSafeFamily.com. This site will be ready for launch in a couple of weeks (end of January 2010). If you want, you can stop by and take a peek, just remember that we are in the midst of planning. I will follow up shortly with a press release.

In the meantime, head over to Babble and vote by clicking here. If we can get the word out about MomsMaterial, we will be able to introduce them to CyberSafeFamily.com and help kids stay safe online.

While you are there check out some of the other great mommy bloggers! Some of these bloggers have inspired me to be a better parent, to enjoy the moment or become a better writer.

Cammie Moise

Birthday’s ROCK When They Begin With LEGO Rock Band

cammie@momsmaterial.com — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:18:53 GMT

This morning rocked! It was my son’s birthday, can you guess what he got? It involves two of his top five favorite things – LEGOS and Rock-N-Roll! When you mix them together, you get LEGO Rock Band. See the picture to the left? That is him shortly after opening his gifts. I have a feeling the family will be rocking out tonight.

Of course, in order to play LEGO Rock Band, we had to purchase ROCK BAND 2. It can be quite difficult to play without the instruments. Besides, the instruments are what makes it fun! We now have a drum set, a microphone and a guitar. Hmmm, wait a minute, if their are 4 of us, what do I get to do?

I am not very musical or so I have been told. I know I don’t sing well. I remember the first time I realized my voice didn’t actually sound anything like I thought it did. Remember those days when you sang along with the radio and then you decided to record yourself? Well, after I was sure something was wrong with my recorder, I recorded myself again. When I realized that was actually my voice, I suddenly became aware of what “tone deaf” meant. I actually thought my voice was making more than just one note!

Then I made the mistake of thinking my kids might enjoy me singing to them. When they were babies, I sang every once in awhile but not very loud, more like a whisper. They didn’t seem to mind, or so I thought. As soon as my daughter could coordinate the movement of her hand and arm, she grabbed my lips and held them shut every time I tried to sing. So, experience has shown me that I should stay away from the microphone!

I thought about the drums, that would be fun! So, after I set up the drums I decided to give it a try. How hard can it be to drum to We Will Rock You? Don’t ask! I thought a basic stomp, stomp, clap would be pretty easy. It was a little more difficult than I thought. So, maybe I’m not cut out for the drums. I took one look at the guitar and knew if I had trouble with the drums, this would be more difficult.

Then it occurred to me, I could be a dancer! Then I thought, who am I fooling? I can’t even clap along to a song unless I am watching someone else. Once I take my eyes off someone else clapping, I end up off beat. I started getting down, because I knew it would be difficult for me. Plus, it would bring up musical memories I am still trying to forget.

Wait just a minute! What does every band need? A groupie! I can certainly appreciate music. I have finally found my calling in the ROCK BAND world!

Plus, want to know the BEST thing about my family…

we love to have fun!

It doesn’t really matter how good I sound or how well I play, as long as we are having fun! In addition, I can make everyone else laugh or make them feel better (because they know they can’t be that bad).

Cammie Moise