Read Me.

This week is apparently Read Me week here in the South which as far as I can tell is one whole week dedicated to reading books to your kids and helping them learn that reading is cool.

And since we're all about reading being cool here in the Land of Lovings I thought I'd spend the week reviewing a few of our favorite books for kids. Come by throughout the week and check out which books we're enjoying and leave suggestions of your own favorites!

So, without further ado, our first selection for Read Me week is:

Junie B. Jones

I know these books are a bit controversial for some moms. Junie B. Jones is, after all, a bit of a troublesome little Kindergartener. But, as it just so happens, I have a soft spot in my heart for troublesome Kindergarteners so we quite enjoy these books.

Junie B. doesn't teach kids perfect grammar or manners. And she's a no wallflower, that's for sure. But, she's hilarious and adventurous and a hysterically funny read. Both Kai and Ivy are glued to the book series and look forward each night to seeing what crazy feat Junie B. will pull off next.

I'll even admit that there have been nights when I've read more chapters than I promised to read just because I'm curious to see what is going to happen next. Which is more than I can say for some of the other kid's chapter books we've read around here.

There are tons of books in the series for every occasion and the series is also available in box sets so I highly recommend picking one up and diving in to the crazy adventures of this even crazier kid!

Now it's your turn. What books are your kids (and you) enjoying?

I have this recurring dream...

and it's one of the most anxiety producing dreams I've ever had. In my dream, I realize I'm in school. And that I've been in school a whole semester but I'm only now aware of it. Which means, I've missed every single class but I still have exams. And I am expected to get a perfect grade on exams or else I fail. Last night, in the dream, I had four open book exams and I had to take them all at once. I had to finish them in 3 hours. The only problem (besides the obvious) was that all of my books had pages made of nylon. As in, nylon pantyhose. So, I couldn't flip through the pages. The worse part was that Kai was in one of the classes and acing the tests.

My professors were one of Kai's preschool teachers, Dumbledore, Janice Dickinson, and Tyra Banks and were completely unforgiving. In the end I only had 30 minutes of time left to finish all 4 tests. I woke up right about then, but I'm thinking I failed the tests...

Any clues to what it means?

For Natalie, as promised...

Kai had her Christmas program at school the other night. I promised I'd put video up but it's not great. Kai's the type of kid who hangs out in the back to play with everything on stage. Doesn't make it easy to film so there is just a little bit of video here with her wiggling around and singing. We'll tape an encore so she can show off her mad singing skills.

In the meantime:

Brenau, how sadly we see thee...

I have always had a strong affection for my Alma Mater. I felt that even though it was not considered a prestigious or glamorous school, I could still say I graduated from there with my head held high. But, sadly, no more can I do such things.

The other day while driving in the car I heard a radio ad for a local school. In it, a very southern man described how much he loved his school. They helped him when he was deployed to get his degree. They worked with him and his work schedule to get his assignments done. All very honorable, I agree, but when I heard the name of his school I nearly had a fit. Brenau University. SHUT UP! This middle-aged southern soldier is the new face of my alma mater? The women's college I graduated from? For real?

My problem wasn't really with the nice man who spoke in the ad, but rather with the fact that my university was abandoning the very qualities that made me value it. This place where I learned about feminism and the evil of gender role stereotypes has now decided to use this man as our representative? Not to mention the fact that the ad itself was very DeVry/ITT Tech of them. I mean, I have nothing against those types of schools. Its just that I chose a small liberal arts school where I could have personal interaction with professors in the English department.

But, now, when I tell people where I went to school I can imagine them glazing over in disrespect for my education. And since they already do that when I tell them I'm a stay-at-home mom I just can't take it on another level.

As such, I have been prompted to remake our alma mater's song. For those of you who have never heard it, it probably will have no impact. But, for all of my fellow alums, you can see my glaringly obvious disrespect for the new direction of our school.

Brenau, how sadly we see thee
with honor richly drowned
in this academic wasteland
thy name's been run into the ground.
Oh hated the day that I heard it
on my car stereo
Brenau sold its soul for the money
and my degree is a joke.