Journey to Excellence

My First Nutracker , story by E.T.A. Hoffmann, adapted by Stephanie True Peters and illustrated by Linda Bronson I'm going to be honest .. I half-heartedly read this book to Brynne this morning, and she half-heartedly listened. She wasn't too interested and I didn't imagine that she would be. Starting out it just seemed "more" than she would want to listen to and follow. But .... after she finished the book, she sat ENGROSSED in a dvr'd showing of The Nutcracker performed by the Berlin State Ballet. She was loving it! Then I had checked out a cd of The Nutcracker (performed by the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, strangely enough). We listed to it on the way to Coop. While she was listening to the music she looked at the book we had read that morning and told her own story based on the music. I was blown away that she was so into it! While watching the ballet she said, "Daddy needs to watch this." Her and daddy would enjoy it. Her enthusiasm ...

Today we read What's Coming for Christmas written by Kate Banks and illustrated by Georg Hallensleben as part of the Christmas Book and Activity a Day Challenge. The spirit of the season can be seen in the sparkle of a snowman's eye and in the voices of carolers. With lush illustrations as comforting as a Yuletide fire, this tender Christmas lullaby about cherished traditions and welcome surprises is sure to become an annual favorite. Shannon's book that she recommended was actually called Who's Coming for Christmas   , but we didn't have that book at our library. Her book was a flip book, so the recommended activity was to make a flip card. Brynne made a flip card with a present and a tag on the cover that said, "To Mom and Dad". Inside the flap was a picture she drew of her and Eli, Dawson and the four puppies. They will be "What's" coming for Christmas at our house Christmas morning. (Notice that her and Eli are not wearing shirt...

Today's book in the Christmas Book and Activity a Day challenge just might be my favorite children's Christmas book so far. Mortimer's Christmas Manger is written by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Jane Chapman. Mortimer Mouse needs a new house -- a house that's not so cold, cramped, and dark. Where can he go?He sees a huge tree covered with twinkling lights. And next to the tree, a mouse-size house. And inside the house, a wee wooden manger just Mortimer's size. But statue people seem to already live there! One by one, Mortimer lugs and tugs the statues out of the house -- only to find them all put back in their places each evening! What is Mortimer to do?It's not until he overhears a very special story that Mortimer realizes whose house he is sharing and where Mortimer himself belongs. It is the story of Christmas and the ngiht the baby Jesus was born that warms Mortimer's heart in this magical holiday offering from award winners Karma Wilson and Jan...

The Snowy Path: A Christmas Journey by Lark Carrier Tracks made by various animals in the snow lead to a multitude of tracks and their makers, Santa's reindeer. Die-cut pages reveal the animals connected with each set of tracks. This was the book we read today for the Christmas Book and Activity a Day challenge. However, it really wasn't a book you read . On each page you followed the animal tracks through the snow to a flap to lift to see what was making the tracks. It was a magical and fun book. So we made snow tracks art today! I mixed shaving cream and Elmer's glue in equal parts. Then Brynne completely painted a white piece of construction paper. After it had puffed and dried somewhat she made footprints with her palm and fingerprints. She was so amazed at how soft it was to the touch when it was completely dry. This has been another great week of books and activities, so far! Thanks, Shannon , for the inspiration!

It's a new week and new set of books and activities in the Christmas Book and Activity a Day challenge sponsored by Shannon at Welcome to our Wonderland. To see the full list of books we will be using this week, go here . Today's book was The Snow Angel written by Angela McAllister and illustrated by Claire Fletcher. Elsa thinks her little brother imagines seeing a snow angel until she meets the angel herself. For a corresponding activity Brynne made her very own Snow Angel. We used coffee filters and cotton balls. (When we got the book from the library the cover illustrations were different.)  

Here are next week's books and supplies needed for Shannon's Christmas Book and Activity a Day challenge. Monday, December 6th ~ The Snow Angel by Angela McAllister (supplies needed: white construction paper, cotton balls) Tuesday, December 7th ~ The Snowy Path by Lark Carrier (supplies needed: watercolors, salt, construction paper) Wednesday, December 8th ~ Mortimer's Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson (no extra supplies needed) Thursday, December 9th ~ What's Coming for Christmas by Kate Banks (supplies needed: construction paper, glue, crayons, markers and glitter) Friday, December 10th ~ My First Nutcracker by Stephanie True Peters (supplies needed: Nutcracker music, clothespins, paint, pinecone and glitter) Extra book to read: Arthur's Christmas by Marc Brown The first week has been fun! I can't wait to see what's in store for the second week!