April 25, 2012
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nuts and books
The other day, Littleloudone walked home from school with her nose in a book. I told Spawn when I picked her up from school. Spawn then used her powers of subtlety to spy on LLO sitting on the couch reading. She took incriminating photos and everything. Then she and I went in the kitchen and did the quiet happy dance. You’d think we were crazy (which we probably are) if you didn’t know that our LLO is an alien. In a house full of people who always have their noses in books, LLO doesn’t choose books for fun and avoids reading situations. She got a slow start on reading because she didn’t give a rip. She had to go to remedial reading at school in second grade, thank goodness, because that helped turn the corner. She is a good reader. She really is. Shocked the heck out of me that her test scores in reading are high. But she just doesn’t like to read. One day last summer, I suggested we go to the library. Her response: “Why would I want to go there? There’s nothing there for me.” I nearly cried.
Anyhow. So she had her nose in a book. She got up this morning to read too. And I’m happy. Because the series she has started has a whole bunch of books. There’s potential for her nose to be in a book for a week or two. And then maybe her teacher will suggest another series. (She certainly doesn’t take my suggestions.)
Today is crunch day for the earning of the family movie. She did the bulk of the stuff. And now she has lost interest. Perhaps I’ll explain to her that either way she is doing the last 40 minutes. She might as well earn the prize by doing it in time for my deadline. I mean, really.
I had a weird dream last night. A teacher who retired from my school last year (one I had very little to do with) repeatedly asked me if I had flavored the roses. I wasn’t even ready to flavor the roses. I’m not sure what needs to be done to roses before they can be flavored, but I definitely hadn’t done it. Then I discover that flavoring the roses means dipping them in chopped nuts. All righty then. Maybe this is related to the violet jelly that I’ve convinced myself I’m going to make. Why did I have to see that particular person in my dream?
Speaking of nuts, the kids at school have been squirrelly. In fact, a little boy who was serving some recess time (probably for not paying attention, not shutting his trap, and/or not doing any work- because he rarely does), accused me of being mean. And perhaps he’s right. But if you never listen to me little boy, why should I listen to you. The odds are good I’m going to be mean the rest of the week. I hope I’m better next week.
Sorry I’m boring. I’m sure you’re all snoring.There a couplet for freaking npm.
Comments (29)
isn’t freaking NPM over yet?! Gracious. We need a whole month, really? Did you know National Banned Books Week is only a week (which stands to reason, actually)?
Absolutely not boring at all. You gave me an early morning laugh and if this is you have a BAD week (“Speaking of nuts”) I would like to know how you are on a Fabjous (Mad Hatter) week. I am delighted your youngun has found something she likes to read. That is the key and is often a changing point.
Have a beautiful remainder of your week, my dear.. ((((hugs))))
love that LLO is falling into the love of reading. it’s a brand new day here, i’m telling you. ~ ” flavoring the roses means dipping them in chopped nuts” i’m laughing righout out loud now. priceless.
hahahaha… I liked your two line poem.. short, sweet and to the point!
While growing up, my son was slow to read. Now he reads constantly.
@ordinarybutloud - i think after april 30, i may never write another poem. perhaps i’ll write a banned book instead.
@MzSilver - i mispronounced my last name 4 times in a row yesterday when i went to vote. and i drove in the exit. i’m having a bad week, trust me.
@be_the_rain - the reading thing feels good. it’s been awful hard to watch.
@armnatmom - that’s good to know. i know sometimes it’s just motivation. i would understand if reading was hard for her, but it’s not anymore.
I have one who isn’t a reader. *sigh* It is very painful to see. And we always did the summer reading program at the library. Maybe one day he’ll see the value in it. Oh, your dream is so much better than what I come up with! Roses and chopped nuts! LOL! I love it! I hope you can figure it out! And I admire you for doing all the poetry. Truly.
I liked reading this and it is good she is finally reading and will have such wonderful adventures in her books.
Don’t give up hope LLO. Some get into reading late. I think I can speak for everyone here, you’re never boring…
I love reading, if I had a ki like yours I’d cry. Flavored roses, hmm, I would have thought chocolate. But then I love chocolate. And sometimes meanness is justified. At least that’s what I tell myself when I am thinking mean thoughts.
@leaflesstree - she’s waiting on the 2nd book in another series to come out in may. i take this as a good sign. crossing fingers and toes that she is finally hooked. stubborn kid. i was nicer today. but dang i get tired of saying the same words over and over again. i’m talking about work now.
@Zoz36 - i’ll never give up on her.
@Grannys_Place - books are magic. it’s my job to give kids the wand.
@songoftheheart - we can only lead them. it’s a darn shame.
I am so happy you are teaching kids the magic of books:) What a wonderful gift you are giving.
Every time xanga fixes soemthing i loose half of my subs off of my list and that is why i am resubbing a lot:)
@Grannys_Place - thanks for letting me know that. i wondered.
My ‘rebellion’ as a child was staying up past my bedtime with a book and a flashlight…..I will be devastated if my children don’t enjoy reading.
@wretched_epiphany - i had a streetlight outside my window. i spent a lot of hours curled up under the window.
Hmmm, did I get the idea that I want to try violet jam from you? No, I don’t think so. I think it was on a gardening form. But seriously. I want some. And a frozen banana. With nuts on it.
Hehe! I love your couplet! My mother taught 1st grade for many years – she was everyones’ favorite teacher. At home her title was “meanie mommy” (self proclaimed) because there were some rough days at school. I hope your meanness doesn’t “carry over”.
@distractedbyzombies - missing the part where i mentioned frozen bananas. (only one good purpose for a frozen banana.) as for the violet jam, somebody has to pick an outrageous quantity of them for jam. we’ll see. maybe there are children….
@murisopsis - i’m always mean at home. telling people crazy things like “go to bed it’s after 10″ and “no, i don’t want any more of your made up recipe microwave cake”
@promisesunshine - It’s so fuchsia. Experience and perhaps girls’ toy marketing strategies have taught me that fuchsia is probably delicious.
@distractedbyzombies - good to know the marketing is working on their chosen demographic.
When I was a kid, I wasn’t into reading. Of course now, you’d never think that because I read all the time. I wasn’t into reading at the time because I couldn’t read very well.
@Shining_Garnet - thank you for saying that. i understood when she was younger that she didn’t like it because it was hard for her. i suppose i’m just impatient. she’s only in 5th grade.
yay for the fact that she is reading! I didn’t read much until high school. I had books, but wasn’t interested in anything they had to offer. they just weren’t interesting, and were childish, to me, I think.
My kids wouldn’t read to save their lives until Harry Potter came out. Now they are voracious readers. Thank you JK Rowling~
Not boring at all, I enjoyed reading it very much, kids call me mean too sometimes because I make them behave, My nephew started reading The Boxcar Children and could not stop.
no not bored at all. i loved reading this. with you around, how could anyone not love reading or writing for that matter? better books and longer reads are still to come I know.
@seedsower - I actually had a kid say to me today “I’ll listen to you this time.” Aw, sweetie, you shouldn’t have said it that way. I love it when kids get hooked. I just hope my own girlie stays hooked.
@ZSA_MD - you are such a dear person.
@plantinthewindow - i think teachers are more aware of what boys like to read now than they used to be.
@BoulderChristina - that’s why Harry was a boy (to catch the reluctant readers- a lot of whom are boys). i can’t tell you how many kids i’ve seen walking around with harry potter clutched in their grubby paws since they came out. i got hooked too.