"A Frog in the Bog"

So, today was Thursday story time at the Suntree/Viera branch of the Brevard County Library system, and as seems to be the emerging trend, I appeared to be enjoying the books more than the toddlers. I really don't think it was fair that I had to move so the little kids could see, but I did anyway. They could have stood by the door so they could be first in the story room just like I did, but whatever...
The theme of the day was frogs, and my favorite book was A Frog in the Bog, by Karma Wilson. A Frog in the Bog has plenty of rhyming and a catchy meter, and when merged with a repetitious theme mimicking "there was an old lady who swallowed a fly", it had all of the elements necessary to catch and hold the attention of a two year old. Well... the two year old was still singing row, row, row your boat, but I was enthralled, and by end of the book I could almost remember that the fly had swallowed ONE tick, TWO fleas, THREE flies, FOUR slugs, and so on...

In the belly of the frog
On a half-sunk log
In the middle of the bog

Now, you know you want to say that over again, don't you? Go ahead, no one's watching, and I won't tell!
Of course, there is a HUGE plot twist that you never see coming, but I won't spoil the surprise, you'll have to either check it out from the library or pick it up on Amazon if you want the rest of the story.

*signs off*, murmuring "in the belly of the frog, on a half-sunk log, in the middle of the bog"

"A Frog in the Bog"

So, today was Thursday story time at the Suntree/Viera branch of the Brevard County Library system, and as seems to be the emerging trend, I appeared to be enjoying the books more than the toddlers. I really don't think it was fair that I had to move so the little kids could see, but I did anyway. They could have stood by the door so they could be first in the story room just like I did, but whatever...
The theme of the day was frogs, and my favorite book was A Frog in the Bog, by Karma Wilson. A Frog in the Bog has plenty of rhyming and a catchy meter, and when merged with a repetitious theme mimicking "there was an old lady who swallowed a fly", it had all of the elements necessary to catch and hold the attention of a two year old. Well... the two year old was still singing row, row, row your boat, but I was enthralled, and by end of the book I could almost remember that the fly had swallowed ONE tick, TWO fleas, THREE flies, FOUR slugs, and so on...

In the belly of the frog
On a half-sunk log
In the middle of the bog

Now, you know you want to say that over again, don't you? Go ahead, no one's watching, and I won't tell!
Of course, there is a HUGE plot twist that you never see coming, but I won't spoil the surprise, you'll have to either check it out from the library or pick it up on Amazon if you want the rest of the story.

*signs off*, murmuring "in the belly of the frog, on a half-sunk log, in the middle of the bog"

What's This Thing In My Bed?

What's this thing in my bed
Under the sheet?
It jumped on my leg
As I started to sleep.

It's skinny and long
With fur on each end,
And it's shell is quite hard,
It surely won't bend.

I don't want to look,
I am really quite scared.
I don't want to move
Until it's ensnared.

Oh, what shall I do
And where shall I go?
So I grabbed my left shoe
And dealt it a blow.

I turned on the light
And gazed at the bed.
Thank goodness, I'm saved!
The Q-tip is dead!

What's This Thing In My Bed?

What's this thing in my bed
Under the sheet?
It jumped on my leg
As I started to sleep.

It's skinny and long
With fur on each end,
And it's shell is quite hard,
It surely won't bend.

I don't want to look,
I am really quite scared.
I don't want to move
Until it's ensnared.

Oh, what shall I do
And where shall I go?
So I grabbed my left shoe
And dealt it a blow.

I turned on the light
And gazed at the bed.
Thank goodness, I'm saved!
The Q-tip is dead!

"Press Here"

We hit the Suntree/Viera Library this morning for toddler story time, and I finally managed to pick up a volunteer application which I have been meaning to do for a month now.  But I digress....back to story time. 
The theme of the day was color, and after the mandatory "stand up and get your wiggles out" kind of song, we meandered through a rhyme about a fish that changes colors, the absolutely wonderful Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See (I was quite disappointed in myself when I failed to remember that the cat was purple), and then participated in the reading of Press Here by Hervé Tullet.  Press Here engages the child's imagination by issuing simple directives such as  "press here and turn the page" on a blank white page with a single bright yellow dot.  After following the directions, the child is amazed to see that their action has magically changed the dot in size, color, number, or a myriad of other ways. 
In and age when even a toddler has learned that she should be able to perform wizardry with the mere touch of a fingertip to a touchscreen, this delightful book is a great reminder that the combination of a child, a book, and imagination perform an enchanting alchemy that modern technology can't even begin to emulate.

If you haven't had the pleasure of reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, check out this link....

And for Press Here, check out some great deals at Amazon.  You won't be disappointed!

"Press Here"

We hit the Suntree/Viera Library this morning for toddler story time, and I finally managed to pick up a volunteer application which I have been meaning to do for a month now.  But I digress....back to story time. 
The theme of the day was color, and after the mandatory "stand up and get your wiggles out" kind of song, we meandered through a rhyme about a fish that changes colors, the absolutely wonderful Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See (I was quite disappointed in myself when I failed to remember that the cat was purple), and then participated in the reading of Press Here by Hervé Tullet.  Press Here engages the child's imagination by issuing simple directives such as  "press here and turn the page" on a blank white page with a single bright yellow dot.  After following the directions, the child is amazed to see that their action has magically changed the dot in size, color, number, or a myriad of other ways. 
In and age when even a toddler has learned that she should be able to perform wizardry with the mere touch of a fingertip to a touchscreen, this delightful book is a great reminder that the combination of a child, a book, and imagination perform an enchanting alchemy that modern technology can't even begin to emulate.

If you haven't had the pleasure of reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, check out this link....

And for Press Here, check out some great deals at Amazon.  You won't be disappointed!

Workin' It

Toddlers in Tiaras
Got nothing on me
I've got a new purse
And it's something to see.

A little bit aqua

With pink, black and white

I'll work it today

Then I'll work it tonight.

A cool simple arm strap
To keep it close by
I'm stylin', I'm hip,
I'm fresh and I'm fly.


 

I know how to work it

Just watch and you'll see

Toddlers in Tiaras

Got nothing on me!

Workin' It

Toddlers in Tiaras
Got nothing on me
I've got a new purse
And it's something to see.

A little bit aqua

With pink, black and white

I'll work it today

Then I'll work it tonight.

A cool simple arm strap
To keep it close by
I'm stylin', I'm hip,
I'm fresh and I'm fly.


 

I know how to work it

Just watch and you'll see

Toddlers in Tiaras

Got nothing on me!

About Me

My name is Laurie Croce, and I have decided to restart my life beginning at the age of say....2. That means that I get to have temper tantrums when I don't get my way but also that I get to dance and laugh and sing without caring what people think about me! I am under the tutelage of Miss Evalynne Rose, who knows exactly how to be 2 years old because, well, she is 2 years old. I am going to strive to follow in her footsteps, absorbing all the various nuances of a proper pout or an infectious giggle. I am mere clay in the hands of a master potter, why don't you come along and enjoy the ride?

Check out my the rest of my profile

About Me

My name is Laurie Croce, and I have decided to restart my life beginning at the age of say....2. That means that I get to have temper tantrums when I don't get my way but also that I get to dance and laugh and sing without caring what people think about me! I am under the tutelage of Miss Evalynne Rose, who knows exactly how to be 2 years old because, well, she is 2 years old. I am going to strive to follow in her footsteps, absorbing all the various nuances of a proper pout or an infectious giggle. I am mere clay in the hands of a master potter, why don't you come along and enjoy the ride?

Check out my the rest of my profile

Ever had a song you can't get out of your head?

Well, if you have a child around and happen to play this song for them, you will never, ever, be able to stop it.  And just an FYI, the 2 year old word to request this song is "eewo".  It took me forever to figure out what she was trying to say, but now I know, it means please play "Steve the Superhero" song.  Just in case, you know, you find yourself in the same situation.

Really and truly, I love this video and all of the really cool kid's music and video content on Eric Herman's YouTube music channel.  You can check it out here.
He also has an awesome blog, called Cool Tunes for Kids, which is also well worth checking out because he not only has some of his own work, but is a great resource for other kids musicians and music sites.
I may be having more fun than Evie finding all of this stuff, but shhhh, don't tell anyone.  It will be our little secret, and if you get addicted too, we can all form a support group. I've already decided that "Steve the Superhero" will be our theme song!

Ever had a song you can't get out of your head?

Well, if you have a child around and happen to play this song for them, you will never, ever, be able to stop it.  And just an FYI, the 2 year old word to request this song is "eewo".  It took me forever to figure out what she was trying to say, but now I know, it means please play "Steve the Superhero" song.  Just in case, you know, you find yourself in the same situation.

Really and truly, I love this video and all of the really cool kid's music and video content on Eric Herman's YouTube music channel.  You can check it out here.
He also has an awesome blog, called Cool Tunes for Kids, which is also well worth checking out because he not only has some of his own work, but is a great resource for other kids musicians and music sites.
I may be having more fun than Evie finding all of this stuff, but shhhh, don't tell anyone.  It will be our little secret, and if you get addicted too, we can all form a support group. I've already decided that "Steve the Superhero" will be our theme song!

Sky Divers

We had a wonderful Sunday afternoon lazing about on the deck of Sebastian Beach Inn last weekend and were delighted to be "invaded" by some adventurous folk from Skydive Sebastian.  Evie had fallen asleep from all of the fun and fresh air, but woke up just in time to watch in amazement as the plane spilled out tiny spots that transformed into a colorful kaleidoscope of parachutes.  I'm not sure what she was thinking when she finally grasped the metamorphosis of color into actual people falling from the sky, but the look on her face was priceless.   Some times you are just in the right place at the right time.  This was one of those times.

I've seen Free Divers
Sea Divers

And hey look at me divers.

Cave Divers

Brave Divers

And I need a shave divers.

Boat Divers

Moat Divers

And let's take a vote divers.

Day Divers

Night Divers

And just not quite right divers.

But what a surprise,
I can't trust my eyes,
I didn't know divers
Could come from the skies!

First came the airplane
That circled around
Higher and higher
Away from the ground.

And then I saw dots,
That then became spots
Of color and fabric
There were quite a lot.


Closer and closer
and closer to me,
Swooping and looping
Right down to the sea.

And then, just in time
They came in to land
Touching down gently
Right in the sand.

Of all of the divers

That might catch your eye,

I like the divers

That come from the sky!

Sky Divers

We had a wonderful Sunday afternoon lazing about on the deck of Sebastian Beach Inn last weekend and were delighted to be "invaded" by some adventurous folk from Skydive Sebastian.  Evie had fallen asleep from all of the fun and fresh air, but woke up just in time to watch in amazement as the plane spilled out tiny spots that transformed into a colorful kaleidoscope of parachutes.  I'm not sure what she was thinking when she finally grasped the metamorphosis of color into actual people falling from the sky, but the look on her face was priceless.   Some times you are just in the right place at the right time.  This was one of those times.

I've seen Free Divers
Sea Divers

And hey look at me divers.

Cave Divers

Brave Divers

And I need a shave divers.

Boat Divers

Moat Divers

And let's take a vote divers.

Day Divers

Night Divers

And just not quite right divers.

But what a surprise,
I can't trust my eyes,
I didn't know divers
Could come from the skies!

First came the airplane
That circled around
Higher and higher
Away from the ground.

And then I saw dots,
That then became spots
Of color and fabric
There were quite a lot.


Closer and closer
and closer to me,
Swooping and looping
Right down to the sea.

And then, just in time
They came in to land
Touching down gently
Right in the sand.

Of all of the divers

That might catch your eye,

I like the divers

That come from the sky!

My Nana's Lost Her Marbles

My Nana's lost her marbles.
I don't know where they went.
She seems to think it's all my fault,
But I don't know what she meant

I looked behind my fortress,

And underneath the books,

Next to the blocks and puzzles
And on my towel hook.

They weren't inside the bathtub,
Or floating in the sink.







I didn't see them anywhere
I don't know what to think.



I checked inside the toybox.
I looked out on the deck.
I even looked in Nana's room
(It really was a wreck)!











I told her I was sorry
But I couldn't help her out,
Cause if she didn't put her toys away
She'd have to do without!

My Nana's Lost Her Marbles

My Nana's lost her marbles.
I don't know where they went.
She seems to think it's all my fault,
But I don't know what she meant

I looked behind my fortress,

And underneath the books,

Next to the blocks and puzzles
And on my towel hook.

They weren't inside the bathtub,
Or floating in the sink.







I didn't see them anywhere
I don't know what to think.



I checked inside the toybox.
I looked out on the deck.
I even looked in Nana's room
(It really was a wreck)!











I told her I was sorry
But I couldn't help her out,
Cause if she didn't put her toys away
She'd have to do without!

World Alzheimer's Day

So, in case you forgot, today was world Alzheimer's day.

OK, so that could be considered in bad taste, but in the words of Larry the Cable Guy, "Now that there's funny, I don't care who you are".
Honestly, though, I have cared for many people with this terrible disease, and there is nothing funny about it, and I truly feel for those who have to deal with it on a daily basis.  There is something that is just so "not right" about losing your mental capacity while your physical body is still going strong and I commend and support all of those people fighting to find either treatment or a cure.  God bless you all.
However, having worked in the medical profession, I also know that we often use humor to lighten the burden of the constant barrage of stress, pain, and grief that we see all the time, so cut me a little bit of slack here and I'll tell you why this has anything to do with nonsense poems.
I come from a family of jokers and story tellers, although I am amazed that my Mom and Dad can't figure out where I get my imagination from.  Helloooo!  Dad was always making up funny rhymes and sayings, and Mom still sings songs that make absolutely no sense, but the kids all love them.  So in answer to your question Mom and Dad, I get it from YOU!
The segue into the poetry link comes from the memory of a day a few months ago when I was at my folks house sitting in the hot tub with my Mom and two neices, and decided to recite a few nonsense poems like "the flea and the fly in the flue", "Jabberwocky", and finally, a little ditty by William Hughes Mearns called "Antigonish".

With all credit to Hughes Mearns, the popular poem starts out something like this:

As I was walking up the stair
I met a man who wasn't there
He wasn't there again today
I wish, I wish he'd go away!

Well, forget the little girls, my Mom latched onto this poem and for the next day I had to keep repeating it so she could try to remember it.  As we were doing this, we had the bright idea that she should recite the poem to people at church the next day like she was actually trying to tell them a serious story just to see what their reaction would be.

Apparently, the reactions ranged from acute confusion to an embarrassed pitying response such as "Oh, that's too bad Claudia.  He really wasn't there again today?"  I'm sure that the whispered talk around the coffee and danish that morning was something to the effect  of a hushed "did Claudia tell you about the man who wasn't there?  I do think she is starting to lose her memory, it's so sad...."  *cue sad faces, as people look at the floor and shake their heads slowly*

So, as I see it, being able to recite a nonsense poem or use a nonsense word right off the cuff without preamble or explanation is a highly valuable skill, essential to ferrett out those who really aren't listening anyway and to whom you have an overwhelming desire to flummox.  And yes, flummox is a real word and a pretty cool one at that, so your assignment for today is to use it in a sentence during the course of normal conversation, just to see what people do!

Such a brillig day it was today, my friend Kathy and I gyred and gimbled at Jazz on the Beach, then galumphed over to Lou's and gyred some more.  Although I was quite scurvish and
broff to begin with, eventually I was able to stimp around the floor quite splurgully, and we left feeling pretty good.

Pick a word and try it out over the weekend and leave me a comment to tell me your word and how it went!

World Alzheimer's Day

So, in case you forgot, today was world Alzheimer's day.

OK, so that could be considered in bad taste, but in the words of Larry the Cable Guy, "Now that there's funny, I don't care who you are".
Honestly, though, I have cared for many people with this terrible disease, and there is nothing funny about it, and I truly feel for those who have to deal with it on a daily basis.  There is something that is just so "not right" about losing your mental capacity while your physical body is still going strong and I commend and support all of those people fighting to find either treatment or a cure.  God bless you all.
However, having worked in the medical profession, I also know that we often use humor to lighten the burden of the constant barrage of stress, pain, and grief that we see all the time, so cut me a little bit of slack here and I'll tell you why this has anything to do with nonsense poems.
I come from a family of jokers and story tellers, although I am amazed that my Mom and Dad can't figure out where I get my imagination from.  Helloooo!  Dad was always making up funny rhymes and sayings, and Mom still sings songs that make absolutely no sense, but the kids all love them.  So in answer to your question Mom and Dad, I get it from YOU!
The segue into the poetry link comes from the memory of a day a few months ago when I was at my folks house sitting in the hot tub with my Mom and two neices, and decided to recite a few nonsense poems like "the flea and the fly in the flue", "Jabberwocky", and finally, a little ditty by William Hughes Mearns called "Antigonish".

With all credit to Hughes Mearns, the popular poem starts out something like this:

As I was walking up the stair
I met a man who wasn't there
He wasn't there again today
I wish, I wish he'd go away!

Well, forget the little girls, my Mom latched onto this poem and for the next day I had to keep repeating it so she could try to remember it.  As we were doing this, we had the bright idea that she should recite the poem to people at church the next day like she was actually trying to tell them a serious story just to see what their reaction would be.

Apparently, the reactions ranged from acute confusion to an embarrassed pitying response such as "Oh, that's too bad Claudia.  He really wasn't there again today?"  I'm sure that the whispered talk around the coffee and danish that morning was something to the effect  of a hushed "did Claudia tell you about the man who wasn't there?  I do think she is starting to lose her memory, it's so sad...."  *cue sad faces, as people look at the floor and shake their heads slowly*

So, as I see it, being able to recite a nonsense poem or use a nonsense word right off the cuff without preamble or explanation is a highly valuable skill, essential to ferrett out those who really aren't listening anyway and to whom you have an overwhelming desire to flummox.  And yes, flummox is a real word and a pretty cool one at that, so your assignment for today is to use it in a sentence during the course of normal conversation, just to see what people do!

Such a brillig day it was today, my friend Kathy and I gyred and gimbled at Jazz on the Beach, then galumphed over to Lou's and gyred some more.  Although I was quite scurvish and
broff to begin with, eventually I was able to stimp around the floor quite splurgully, and we left feeling pretty good.

Pick a word and try it out over the weekend and leave me a comment to tell me your word and how it went!

Ken Nesbitt, A Reading Nana's Dream!

I was reading nonsense poems to Evie the other day, and came upon this wonderful site by Ken Nesbitt. His work is outstanding and is what inspired me to start writing down all the silly things I say to Evie all day. Kids love anything that rhymes, and Ken even recites some of his best work. Well, I guess I'm assuming it is he who is reciting, but whoever it is, their voice is engaging.

Evie was enthralled and we had to keep playing it over and over. In fact, when I tried to read it to her myself, she said, "No Nana, NO!" She wanted to hear HIM say it.
Ah well, I can still recite Jabberwocky by heart, and she's beginning to say parts of it along with me, her favorite new saying being "Snicker Snack"!

Grab a child or grandchild and a comfortable chair, click on the link, and ENJOY!

Click on the link for tons of poetry fun, including games, contests, discussion forums, and, of course, lots of funny poems!

Ken Nesbitt, A Reading Nana's Dream!

I was reading nonsense poems to Evie the other day, and came upon this wonderful site by Ken Nesbitt. His work is outstanding and is what inspired me to start writing down all the silly things I say to Evie all day. Kids love anything that rhymes, and Ken even recites some of his best work. Well, I guess I'm assuming it is he who is reciting, but whoever it is, their voice is engaging.

Evie was enthralled and we had to keep playing it over and over. In fact, when I tried to read it to her myself, she said, "No Nana, NO!" She wanted to hear HIM say it.
Ah well, I can still recite Jabberwocky by heart, and she's beginning to say parts of it along with me, her favorite new saying being "Snicker Snack"!

Grab a child or grandchild and a comfortable chair, click on the link, and ENJOY!

Click on the link for tons of poetry fun, including games, contests, discussion forums, and, of course, lots of funny poems!