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Personal Blog of Author Kathryn Thompson

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Reviews and Giveaways

The Potty Training Answer Book

September 3, 2007 by Kathryn

potty bookThis lovely little book about potty training has done a number on me. Just binging up the topic of potty training now that Magoo’s nearing 2 and a half makes me twitch a little. I delight in the fact that he’s not showing the signs of readiness. Rather than looking forward with excitement to that milestone, I find the signs of readiness alarming because I am not yet ready and do not want to deal with training him when he is.

I thought reviewing Karen Deerwester’s book of answers might be thing I needed to push me towards the next big step in Magoo’s development. Not so. She has a very calming and relaxed approach to potty training, describing how each parent should come up with a personal plan for each child to help them become successful, given their unique personality and temperament.

She tells parents to chill out, advice I definitely could have used when I first started with Laylee, convince I should train her the same way I was trained even though we are totally different in temperament. I created an emotional and physical battleground in our little condo that I shudder to remember, so insistent that I be “right” about what her body was doing.

Reading the calming and enthusiastic book actually stressed me out more because of all the questions she addresses. Laylee was never afraid of toilets! Oh no! Maybe Magoo will be. Laylee never pooped in potted plants or behind furniture. Ack! Maybe Magoo will. The advice in the book was good and covered a really wide range of potty training issues. I guess I just don’t want to need all that advice. I’m hoping Magoo will self-train before the age of 12. Here’s to pleasant dreams and happy fantasies!

Click to Read My Product Review Policy

Filed Under: Aspirations, Books, Parenting, Reviews and Giveaways

Tip Tuesday — Reading with Kids

August 28, 2007 by Kathryn

The internet’s been down all day here so Tip Tuesday is gonna be mostly on Wednesday this week but I know you can roll “wid” it because y’all are cool like that.

When Laylee was first born, I read to her obsessively. I had all kinds of reading goals, plans and agendas and I loved the way we bonded over our favorite books. Now that Magoo has joined the posse, I find myself armed with books as a weapon to encourage naps, bedtime and something like quiet behavior in church.

He doesn’t seem to have an attention span worth mentioning and since most of our books don’t growl or explode, they’re of very little interest to him.

Laylee still loves stories but she wants to pick her own now and they’re often either so long or so annoying that I try not to suggest story time unless I’m trying to bribe her into narcolepsy.

book coverI’ve felt guilty about our mounting family illiteracy but not as guilty as I’ve felt about my many other areas of personal parental inadequacy so I’ve let it slide. Sometime between 6 months and 10 years ago, Sourcebooks sent me a review copy of Reading with Babies, Toddlers and Twos: A Guide to Reading, Choosing and Loving Books Together.

I finally pulled it out last month and found it was really a quick read and much to my surprise, it did not make me feel a bit guilty, only encouraged to do better. It’s full of great tips, quotes and stories about reading but the best part is that it’s crammed with lists of books for nearly every early age, stage and personality type.

I enjoyed the book and the renewed excitement my kids and I have found for reading so much that I decided to send it on to my sister-in-law as a baby present… But I couldn’t part with all those fabu lists so now I have to go and spend actual money on the darn thing.

My 3 favorite tips from the book are:

-Relax and let your kids enjoy their books, even if it means letting them love Curious George to a pitiful paper monkey death.

-Have your kids grab a couple of books on your way out the door so they have something to occupy them in the car. This will build their bond with books and may give you a couple of seconds’ peace as you drive or a helpful diversion in a checkout line.

-Take small chunks of time throughout the day to sit down and read with your kids, not just one big fat story marathon and not just at bedtime.

What tips do you have to encourage reading for children of all ages?

What books should no children’s library be without?

Filed Under: Books, Reviews and Giveaways

To Review or Not to Review

August 9, 2007 by Kathryn

I periodically sign up to receive review copies of books that seem interesting to me. The books arrive and I open them with anticipation. I touch and cuddle the books and put them on a stack next to my computer, waiting for the magical day when I will suddenly be overcome with the desire to stop everything I’m doing and read them.

This day never comes. If you take a somewhat lame book that I purchased on a whim and stack it next to a quality book that I’m obligated to read and review, I will almost always pick the whim book because there are no strings attached. So I’m trying to figure out whether to do any more of these reviews. On the one hand, I like getting great new books free in the mail. On the other hand, I don’t want to read them because I feel like I HAVE to.

So, I’ve been reading through my stack the past few weeks and I’m hoping to get all my reviews up soon and then decide if I’ll do any more. Do you all like book reviews on this site? Honest opinions please.

Click to Read My Product Review Policy

Filed Under: Reviews and Giveaways

Poetry Speaks To Children

August 9, 2007 by Kathryn

poetry speaksWe took my review copy of Poetry Speaks to Children on vacation with us this July to try it out with the kids. It’s a hard cover picture book of poetry compiled by Elise Paschen with poems written by just about every famous poet around and a few I’d never heard of.

It comes with a CD containing readings of nearly all the poems, many of them read by the authors themselves. The track numbers are clearly listed on each page so it’s easy to follow along as you read, even if you’re too little to read words yet.

Dan and I loved the book and most of the readings. Some of the recordings are not super high quality and some of the authors are not excellent readers. Still it was fascinating to hear the voice inflections of the people who originally penned the words, a novelty that was lost on my 2 and 4-year-old but which I think older kids and adults would really appreciate.

My kids enjoyed it more when I read the book to them myself. The gorgeous illustrations really captured their imaginations (Well, Laylee’s imagination. This was still a bit of a stretch for Magoo.) and overall the experience was a success.

I think it would make a great gift for an elementary school aged child, one they might not appreciate at first but their parents would love you for and it would become a favorite as they learned to dive in and love the world of poetry.

Filed Under: Books, Reviews and Giveaways

Big Fat Harry Plot

July 24, 2007 by Kathryn

glasses-kidsJ. K. Rowling is trying to take over the world through social isolation, lack of personal hygiene and sleep deprivation. With half the world’s population starved for quality sleep, unshowered and refusing to talk to even their closest friends, Ms. Rowling is poised to take over the muggle world.

I finally finished last night and I can now speak to people again and even use the interwebs, no longer afraid that someone will drop a spoiler disguised as a “review”. When people at church told me they’d finished it, I would walk away from them quickly before they could utter another word. I did not want to hear, “It was so awesome” or “It didn’t quite do it for me” because then I’d know something and I wanted a blank slate experience. I can now go to sleep sometime before I’m supposed to wake up and I may even shower later.

Did I like the book? If you’ve already finished it and you’d like to continue this discussion via email, I will be happy to share my humble opinion.

Filed Under: Books, Reviews and Giveaways, world domination

Lessons From Harriet Carter — Part 4

June 21, 2007 by Kathryn

And now for installment 4 of The Series:

Finally a shelf big enough for my VCR!!

“TV Topshelf – Sturdy shelf lets your TV do something handy!”
vcr shelf

After Gandalf was reborn, he invented his own line of cleaning products.

White Wizard Stain Remover
wizard

The trees are lonely.

“Sweet William Floral Ring – Pre-seeded floral ring spruces up lonely trees instantly!”
trees

Whoever said faux sheepskin covers were just for your high school hoopty obviously didn’t have a lounger worth modernizing.

“Fleece Recliner Cover dresses up that favorite chair and makes it more comfortable than ever!”
fleece

Who needs Orkin when you can simply hang a glowing sensor owl to scare away garden pests? I’m pleased to read that it is approved for indoor use and proven to amuse guests. I’m so sick of coming up with dinner conversation. This could solve at least half of our family’s current problems.

“Sensor owl scares away garden pests! Built-in motion sensor detects movement and emits a loud HOOT. Repels unwanted birds and squirrels while amusing guests. Use indoors or out.”
owl

Filed Under: Education, Reviews and Giveaways

Lessons From Harriet Carter — Part 3

June 10, 2007 by Kathryn

And now for week 3 of The Series:

If you don’t have enough pet hair on your couch, you can get it in just 3 easy steps.

Doggy Stepsâ„¢
doggy steps

Why waste another day worrying about that ugly septic pipe in your yard when you could spend your time looking at an ugly fake plastic tree stump? (includes lifelike 2-inch squirrels and raccoons.)

“Hide-a-pipe tree stump makes unsightly above-ground septic pipes disappear.” (I really think they could have used an exclamation point here, but what do I know?! I’m not the magician.)
stump

It’s too late for me to invent a fork with razor sharp edges. The Knork is already a life-threatening registered trademark.

“When is a fork a knife? When it’s a Knork®! Clever design gives this fork a cutting edge along its beveled outside tines.”
knork

Protecting your valuable furniture is never out of style.

“See-Thru Furniture Covers
protect your beautiful chairs and sofas. Heavy duty, stitched slipcovers are contoured to fit all arm chairs. They slip on and off in a snap to keep out dust, dirt, spills, bugs. Will last for years.” (For years? Oh goody!)
plastic couch

You can save space by installing a large metal device on your wall to crush cans. I’ve always preferred crushing cans on my forehead or with a swift flick and stomp movement, but then I know nothing about saving space. Apparently it can also be screwed directly into your table.

“Space-saving Can crusher for wall or table. Don’t let empty cans pile up between collections!”
crusher

Filed Under: Education, Reviews and Giveaways

Lessons From Harriet Carter — Part 2

June 3, 2007 by Kathryn

And now for week 2 of The Series:

If you purchased all of the organizers and devices in the catalog, you would need an organizer to hold all of your organizers. It appears that the catalog itself is an organizer for exclamation points and photographs of sythetic materials.

“Dashboard Organizer keeps essentials at your fingertips so you can keep your eyes on the road!”
organizer

The squeals you hear from your friends after they come across your demonic pig tree feeder are squeals of “laughter”.

“Pig Tree Feeder will have everyone squealing with laughter!”
pig tree

There are uglier front door mats.

“Welcome mat will have guests hangin’ with the ‘Gnome-ies’!”
gnomes

Don’t stress out if little Timmy’s still not interested in using the potty. Let him start when he’s ready. It’s never too late for toilet training.

“Waterproof Pants” (Available in sizes up to a 58″ waist.)
waterproof

Crafty people like vinyl that resembles lace. Non-crafty people like tablecloths that resemble cloth.

“For the crafty hostess – a vinyl tablecloth that resembles lace!”
lace vinyl

I can eat as much as I want on Flag Day.

Waist Extender adds up to 5″ to waist bands of jeans, pants, skirts.
waist extender

Filed Under: Education, Reviews and Giveaways

Lessons From Harriet Carter — Part 1

May 28, 2007 by Kathryn

Dan and I love getting the Harriet Carter catalog and devour it like we’re reading the color funnies. But more than an entertaining page-turner, the Harriet Carter catalog is also an educational tool. The next 4 weekends, I will share some lessons we’ve learned from Harriet Carter that may enrich your lives as well.

Everything becomes more valuable if it’s As Seen on TV. I suppose that makes this website a “must-have”. Actually, maybe not. I think the item has to be As Seen on TV in a paid advertisement to be truly remarkable. I did not pay to be As Seen on the Today Show.

My Lil’ Reminderâ„¢
lilreminder

Sticky-backed Velcro is the only hardware you should ever need for home improvement projects.

Instant Screen Door lets fresh air in, keeps bugs out! Screen attaches to almost any door frame with hook and loop strips included.
screendoor

You can write anything you want and it’s never a lie as long as you type it in quotes. I “ran” down the stairs this “morning,” ate some “nutritious” cereal and “sang hymns” to the kids as I made them “muffins” from “scratch”. “This” could come in handy.

“Wrought Iron” Garden Fence adds instant visual impact to your lawn, flowerbeds, along a path or walkway. Looks like iron but it’s actually heavy-duty, weather-resistant plastic that won’t rust or corrode.
wrought iron

“Silk” Rose Bush bursts with blooms that will last for years! Enjoy them in a vase indoors, or outdoors as part of a shaded garden”” these beauties will never wilt or fade. Onlookers will be hard-pressed to tell the real from the “silks.”
silk rose bush

The cure for hunch-back-itis is to stand up straight and wear a magnetic bra.

Magnetic Back Support helps ease pain and corrects poor posture! Special design pulls back shoulders, straightens neck and head, and aligns spine without discomfort. 12 magnets inside the adjustable brace may help soothe spine and lumbar area.
magnetic

There is a special “AS SEEN ON TV” cleaner for every bodily fluid that may “spill” on your carpet, mattress or upholstery. If it comes with a free “stain detector” you can see exactly where all the “spills” are in your house or throw a rave.

Urine Goneâ„¢ removes new or old stains & odors from carpets, mattresses, furniture – just about any washable surface or fabric! Darken the room and use the included “stain detector” black light to let you find the urine messes. Just spray on Urine Gone and its enzyme action makes stains and odors disappear.
urine gone

Filed Under: Education, Reviews and Giveaways

Please Buy a Calendar

May 10, 2007 by Kathryn

Dan and I are a tad twisted. We are also literate and we have children. We like to read to them. We also encourage them to yell “helloooo” down storm drains to the imaginary people and piranhas who have made the sewer their home, but that’s neither here nor there.

I love how Dan always announces the title, author and illustrator before each story he reads. If none is listed, he’ll simply say, “Bunny Bedtime, by Nobody.” This makes me giggle every time. I also really really like it when he finds hidden meanings in the text. I’ve mentioned this before.

Recently Dan was reading Bunny Bedtime by Nobody.

bird4

Hop away, hop away fast little bunnies. You have no idea what subtle horror awaits you just a few short pages away.

bird5

Dan reads it this way: “Little bunnies are ready to eat. Fresh from the oven, they taste delicious in a stew.”

Personally, I think it’s inappropriate to write about bunnies being “ready to eat,” in a story intended for very young children. It’s a BOARD BOOK, for heck’s sake! It looks to me like they’re giving the rabbits treats just to fatten them up. Sickening. There are children reading this.

But don’t worry. I’ve got a sharpie and I’m not afraid to follow Strong Bad’s example and do some creative editing. Maybe the bunnies could be “ready to love,” “ready to take to the library,” or “ready to dress up in human clothing and lose all personal dignity doing a cute cuddly calendar photo shoot.”

Who doesn’t love the thought of a wittle bunny in designer jeans, suspenders and a ball cap? Hopefully no one who reads this blog.

Filed Under: Education, Reviews and Giveaways

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