Just a heads up to anyone planning to read The Triple Package, there are quite a number of obscene "F" words on page 14.  I was totally not expecting that.  I don't think that will be the standard for the book.  It was a quote, so I am overlooking that and continuing on.  I don't want anyone to run into that and be surprised in a bad way.

We are filming a new MonkiSee video called Animals Under the Sea.  We would love to feature your child in the video.  Watch the clip below to find out how you can have your child participate in the video.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/7khyHowtgvE&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/7khyHowtgvE&rel=1</a>

We are working on a new MonkiSee DVD - Animals Under the Sea - and we want to feature your kids in it! To find out more about how your kids can appear in this MonkiSee DVD, just watch the video above. Teach your kids the hand signals and take some video of them doing it. Here are some key points to consider when taking your video:

Take HD video
Film on a clean, simple background (avoid a busy background)
Check for good lighting
Use a tripod (or just make sure that you a really still when filming)
Have fun!
You can send us your video through DropBox (if you don't have an account let us know and we will send you an invitation) or you can mail it to us on a flash drive. If you have any questions just send us an email!

We can't wait to see your video!

     I know, Mandy.  You guys are expensive friends to have.  I always want to shop when I visit with you!!

I forgot to mention the other book I read this year that I really enjoyed.  It is none other than Jim Trelease's Read Aloud Handbook.  I had read a previous edition, but the new edition really did have quite a bit of new information.  It always inspires me to read more to my kids.  I think reading is the single most important activity parents can do with their kids.  A few years ago I vowed to join the 2012 book challenge to read I forget how many books to my kids.  While I did complete the challenge along with some other parents here, I always felt that the area of weakness in our reading is making it a daily habit.  There would be many days where we would not read at all.  Even so, we still read a lot, but I wanted the consistency of a daily habit more than anything.  Jim mentions a family that kept a reading calendar of the number of days they read aloud without missing.  I found this to be inspiring for our family.  It has been such a positive experience.  Previously we would do other activities and miss reading.  Now before we do any of these other activities we read.  We have 92 days of consecutive reading behind us and it feels so great that we don't want to miss.  I love that my kids come and find me and ask me if we are going to read.  They know that if they want to watch a movie on the weekends we have to read first.  We have read so many books because we are consistent.  The other night was so enjoyable.  I had all six of my kids in my bed and they listened as we read almost all of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  Even though I have older kids they still love to be read to.  My 14 year old often says, "Mommy, will you please read to us?  I love when you read to us."  That is music to my ears and delights my soul.  I have spent so many wonderful hours reading to my kids.  We have built so many memories from the times we have read together.  When we were reading the Harry Potter books about 6 years ago they would jump out of bed at 6 AM so we could read for an hour.  They often beg me not to stop (which I love).  That was the case with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  They begged me to keep reading and I had to eventually stop and send them to bed.  The book is just a good reminder of why reading is important.  It is preaching to the choir, but I still enjoy reminding myself why it is so important.

I lived in Belize for the first 12 years of my marriage and had to buy almost every book I wanted to read.  Now I live in Florida and love the library and only buy an occasional book.  I adore the library.  What a blessing to be able to read so many great books for free!

I am waiting for the books to come in and am eager to read them.  One of the best books I read this year was Rafe's book.  He blew me away with his music program, the thinking skills with tests that Mandy mentioned and his financial plan for his kids.  I thought that was awesome.  I also loved The Core by Leigh Bortons.  While it is about Classical Education, which I love, it is different in many ways from The Well Trained Mind.  I think all you early learning enthusiasts would find some wonderful ideas of things to teach your little ones.  I want to work on the mapping this summer with my kids.  I actually underlined a lot of that book and need to read it again or go take notes. 

The Self-Propelled Advantage challenged some of the ways I do things and allowed me to step back.  I realize that my kids often like to do certain subjects without me and if I let them go they are faster and more motivated to accomplish them.

As for cleaning the kitchen, maybe I would enjoy it more with an audio book playing.  What I think is a five minute job always turns into about 40.

Thanks for the recommendations, Tim.  I was able to request these from my library and am eager to read them.  I love book recommendations.

How are you able to read so many books?  Do you speed read?  I have read 33 books so far this year, so you have me beat.  The problem is there is an endless list of books that I want to read.  Any advice on how to read more quickly would be nice.

Now I remember that Andrew Pudewa from Institute for Excellence in Writing recommended this book.  Thanks for reminding me!!

Yes, I am interested to know more.

Lezah, did you like How Children Succeed?  That is John Holt, right?

We just did our first lesson of the Spanish Curriculum.  I love it!!  The voices you chose are great.  It was a delight to add Spanish to our day.  Thank you Brillkids for the wonderful products you create.

That is such an awesome confirmation for you, Kimba.  I remember other posts you have made about your daughter and school not being ideal for her.  I am curious where you get that done and how do they perform such a test.  Were you with your daughter during the test?  Was she okay with having it done?  I know nothing about the process and began thinking that maybe you could share a bit more here.

Mandy - I am the same. I don't watch the news because it is sad and depressing.  Why should we rob the joy of childhood from our children and get them concerned about world events?  If important stories come up we share them as a family, but I don't encourage them to do this on their own.  If you do introduce them to world events perhaps balance it with a hefty dose of good news.  The last thing I want to raise is worriers.  This is a good topic.  Any one else have any ideas?

Thank you, Kezia.  I tried to open that folder last night and it wouldn't open.  I will try again today.

I checked this out, but I don't see any other French curriculum.  No songs or stories.  Anybody else know of any?

Thank you.  I will look and see if I can locate anything.