Very soon we'll be cranking up Chloe's adventures again.
This year she's in second grade.
Stay tuned as we see how her new school year begins.
Hope all her school friends have started their school year well!
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
New Book and New Coloring Page
Friends, the new book is available.
And so is the new coloring page.
Just click on the tab above that says, Chloe's Stuff. Scroll down and have a grown up download and print it out for you.
Happy Reading! Happy Coloring!
And so is the new coloring page.
Just click on the tab above that says, Chloe's Stuff. Scroll down and have a grown up download and print it out for you.
Happy Reading! Happy Coloring!
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Look! Chloe's Book is up for Pre-Ordering!
Wow! The Adventures of Chloe Ann Parker - First Grade - The Kid is up on Amazon for pre-ordering in the Kindle edition. Just click on this link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073C6L9JG?ref_=pe_2427780_160035660
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
A New Cover - A Little Hint
The time is getting closer! Chloe's new book will be here before we know it.
Here's the cover for this third book in the series.
There's a hint as to something that happens in this book on the cover. Can you figure it out?
Here's the cover for this third book in the series.
There's a hint as to something that happens in this book on the cover. Can you figure it out?
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Jumping with Excitement
Why are we jumping with excitement?
Chloe's newest book is almost ready to release.
Keep your eyes open and your anticipation high!
In just a bit we'll share her newest cover for The Adventures of Chloe Ann Parker - First Grade Part 2 - The Kid.
And on the same day we will add a new coloring page for this book.
Yeehaw!
Chloe's newest book is almost ready to release.
Keep your eyes open and your anticipation high!
In just a bit we'll share her newest cover for The Adventures of Chloe Ann Parker - First Grade Part 2 - The Kid.
And on the same day we will add a new coloring page for this book.
Yeehaw!
Thursday, May 25, 2017
School's Out - Now What?
Chloe is wondering what she will do during her summer break.
Do you have some suggestions for Chloe? What kinds of things will you be doing during your summer break?
Please give your suggestions in the comments. Chloe is awaiting your ideas!
Do you have some suggestions for Chloe? What kinds of things will you be doing during your summer break?
Please give your suggestions in the comments. Chloe is awaiting your ideas!
Saturday, May 13, 2017
Oh, brother! (Literally)
"Chloe." Momma stopped me before I closed the car door. "I'll be back for your field day."
I nodded. "Okay, Momma."
Momma worried about my broken wrist. She was coming to keep an eye on me. That's what she said. I knew what that meant. She would let me know the things I could do and the things I couldn't do. I was afraid there would be a lot more things I couldn't do.
*********
I followed in line down to the lower field. Momma was already waiting with the kid in the stroller. Looking around the baseball field, I spied all kinds of fun activity stations. I turned around. "This looks like fun." I stopped. No one was there.
The whole class, including Mrs. Taylor, gathered around the kid's stroller.
"Aw, he's so cute."
"Look at his chubby cheeks."
"He's smiling."
I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes. This is my field day.
Mrs. Taylor clapped her hands together. "Okay everyone, let's go to our first event. Let's be good sports and cheer each other on." She glanced at the kid. "We even have our own mascot - little Peyton."
Oh, brother. I shook my head.
The first couple of events worked out okay for me, except I had to use my left hand. I quickly realized that I don't do as well with that hand. But everyone cheered me on, so I didn't mind.
The last three activities I wasn't allowed to do. They looked like so much fun. One had two boards with ropes that a group got on and had to walk or scoot the boards. The next event involved water, so that was out for me. The last activity was a box to crawl through.
"I don't feel comfortable with you doing this one either," Momma said.
I shrugged and blew out a big breath.
**********
After lunch was the color fun challenge and water slide. The water slide looked so fun.
"Momma, is there any way I could go down that slide?"
"No, honey, I'm afraid not."
I poked out my bottom lip and huffed.
"I'm sorry, but there are consequences to our actions."
"What do you mean?"
Momma tilted her head and looked at me. "Well, dear, you decided to take that one more ride down the hill when Daddy said it was time to go inside. That landed you in that cast. Now there are things you can't do. Hopefully you'll think the next time before disobeying."
Sometimes when Momma is right, I don't much like it.
*********************************
When everyone gave attention to baby Peyton, Chloe didn't like it. She seemed quite jealous. Have you ever been jealous? Describe that time.
Chloe learned there are consequences to our actions. What does that mean? Have you ever had to learn this? Explain.
I nodded. "Okay, Momma."
Momma worried about my broken wrist. She was coming to keep an eye on me. That's what she said. I knew what that meant. She would let me know the things I could do and the things I couldn't do. I was afraid there would be a lot more things I couldn't do.
*********
I followed in line down to the lower field. Momma was already waiting with the kid in the stroller. Looking around the baseball field, I spied all kinds of fun activity stations. I turned around. "This looks like fun." I stopped. No one was there.
The whole class, including Mrs. Taylor, gathered around the kid's stroller.
"Aw, he's so cute."
"Look at his chubby cheeks."
"He's smiling."
I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes. This is my field day.
Mrs. Taylor clapped her hands together. "Okay everyone, let's go to our first event. Let's be good sports and cheer each other on." She glanced at the kid. "We even have our own mascot - little Peyton."
Oh, brother. I shook my head.
The first couple of events worked out okay for me, except I had to use my left hand. I quickly realized that I don't do as well with that hand. But everyone cheered me on, so I didn't mind.
The last three activities I wasn't allowed to do. They looked like so much fun. One had two boards with ropes that a group got on and had to walk or scoot the boards. The next event involved water, so that was out for me. The last activity was a box to crawl through.
"I don't feel comfortable with you doing this one either," Momma said.
I shrugged and blew out a big breath.
**********
After lunch was the color fun challenge and water slide. The water slide looked so fun.
"Momma, is there any way I could go down that slide?"
"No, honey, I'm afraid not."
I poked out my bottom lip and huffed.
"I'm sorry, but there are consequences to our actions."
"What do you mean?"
Momma tilted her head and looked at me. "Well, dear, you decided to take that one more ride down the hill when Daddy said it was time to go inside. That landed you in that cast. Now there are things you can't do. Hopefully you'll think the next time before disobeying."
Sometimes when Momma is right, I don't much like it.
*********************************
When everyone gave attention to baby Peyton, Chloe didn't like it. She seemed quite jealous. Have you ever been jealous? Describe that time.
Chloe learned there are consequences to our actions. What does that mean? Have you ever had to learn this? Explain.
Saturday, May 6, 2017
I've Had a Lot of Help
Momma strapped the kid into his little bouncy seat. "How's school? Are you doing okay with your arm being in the cast?"
I plunked onto a stool at the kitchen counter. "Well, I guess. There's no way I'd make it without my friends to help me. Like today we did this page on the book, Frog And Toad Are Friends. It was all writing sentences. Somebody had to write what I told them." I sipped from my glass of chocolate milk. "I did try to color with my left hand on another assignment. It wasn't too pretty." I scrunched my nose.
"Hopefully it won't be too much longer. Of course, school is out in just eight more days."
"I forgot to tell you. I get to go to the Reading Celebration after all. I barely got my one hundred books. I couldn't have done it without Mrs. Brooks and Sara and my friends. Reading for fifteen minutes doesn't feel so much like forever anymore."
"I'm glad."
I glanced at the kid. Some milk dribbled down his chin. "Um, Momma, you might want to check the kid, I mean, Peyton."
"Could you wipe him off, please? I'm trying to get supper going."
I slid off the stool and knelt beside him, using his bib to dry the milk like I'd seen Momma do. "There. That's better. Whew. That milk doesn't smell too good." I waved my hand in front of my nose.
The kid looked at me and smiled.
"Momma, he smiled at me."
Momma turned around. "That's his way of saying thanks."
"You're welcome."
The kid kicked his feet and waved his arms.
"He likes to be talked to. Hey, I know what." Momma pointed my way with a big spoon. "Why don't you read to him? Didn't you get some new books at the Book Fair?"
"Yeah." I shrugged and unzipped my backpack, pulling out my four new books. "Here's one you might like. It's about underpants."
The more I read, the more the kid wiggled and smiled. "I like him better like this. When he's all fussy and crying, it's really loud."
"He's growing. He's more aware of people and what's going on around him."
Suddenly I caught a whiff of something terrible. "Uh oh, I guess that underpants story must have given him an idea. He's stinky." I held my nose.
Momma chuckled. "He'll grow out of that eventually too."
"Thank goodness!"
**************************
Chloe had to work hard to read one hundred books and qualify to go to the Reading Celebration. Have you ever had to work hard for something? What was it and what did you have to do to earn it?
Do you think Chloe will learn to like Peyton more? What kinds of things could she do with him?
I plunked onto a stool at the kitchen counter. "Well, I guess. There's no way I'd make it without my friends to help me. Like today we did this page on the book, Frog And Toad Are Friends. It was all writing sentences. Somebody had to write what I told them." I sipped from my glass of chocolate milk. "I did try to color with my left hand on another assignment. It wasn't too pretty." I scrunched my nose.
"Hopefully it won't be too much longer. Of course, school is out in just eight more days."
"I forgot to tell you. I get to go to the Reading Celebration after all. I barely got my one hundred books. I couldn't have done it without Mrs. Brooks and Sara and my friends. Reading for fifteen minutes doesn't feel so much like forever anymore."
"I'm glad."
I glanced at the kid. Some milk dribbled down his chin. "Um, Momma, you might want to check the kid, I mean, Peyton."
"Could you wipe him off, please? I'm trying to get supper going."
I slid off the stool and knelt beside him, using his bib to dry the milk like I'd seen Momma do. "There. That's better. Whew. That milk doesn't smell too good." I waved my hand in front of my nose.
The kid looked at me and smiled.
"Momma, he smiled at me."
Momma turned around. "That's his way of saying thanks."
"You're welcome."
The kid kicked his feet and waved his arms.
"He likes to be talked to. Hey, I know what." Momma pointed my way with a big spoon. "Why don't you read to him? Didn't you get some new books at the Book Fair?"
"Yeah." I shrugged and unzipped my backpack, pulling out my four new books. "Here's one you might like. It's about underpants."
The more I read, the more the kid wiggled and smiled. "I like him better like this. When he's all fussy and crying, it's really loud."
"He's growing. He's more aware of people and what's going on around him."
Suddenly I caught a whiff of something terrible. "Uh oh, I guess that underpants story must have given him an idea. He's stinky." I held my nose.
Momma chuckled. "He'll grow out of that eventually too."
"Thank goodness!"
**************************
Chloe had to work hard to read one hundred books and qualify to go to the Reading Celebration. Have you ever had to work hard for something? What was it and what did you have to do to earn it?
Do you think Chloe will learn to like Peyton more? What kinds of things could she do with him?
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Field Trip
I zipped down the stairs and into the kitchen. "Momma, I can't wait. Today is our field trip to the Rain Forest Adventure Zoo."
"Yes, I know. You'll have a fun time, I'm sure."
"I sure hope so." Daddy walked in, plopped onto a stool, and yawned. "Thought you'd never go to sleep last night."
I grinned. "I was a little bit excited."
"A little bit?" Daddy's eyebrows popped up.
Momma chuckled. "Just remember to be careful with your arm."
*********
Soon after arriving at school, the whole class filed onto the bus. It sounded like a bunch of bees with all of us talking at once.
The bus driver stopped at the railroad tracks. "Everybody quiet. I have to listen for any approaching trains." He opened the door, looked both ways, then shut the door back. "Okay."
I looked out the window. "Well, we weren't squashed like a pancake."
Mrs. Taylor turned around. "And I'm glad about that."
The bus pulled in front of the Rain Forest place and we followed in a line off and through the front doors.
We started our tour.
Emalie pointed. "Look at that hedgehog. Isn't he cute?"
One of the workers explained about how the hedgehog will roll into a ball, then she demonstrated.
We all made ooh sounds.
I saw chicks and little goats. There were rats and mouses that I didn't really like. The Bearded Dragon lizard was really cool looking. But I didn't want to pet the snake or the spider.
Jill motioned for me. "Chloe, come here. Look. It's a ferret."
All of the sudden something wet squirted at us.
"Yikes! He peed on us." I wiped at the damp places on my arm.
"No, the ferret didn't pee on you." Mrs. Taylor walked up behind us.
Jill's eyes widened. "Felt like he did."
"That's just the water spray. They have to make it like the rain forest, remember?" Mrs. Taylor patted Jill's back.
I swiped my hand across my forehead. "Whew. I'm glad to hear that. I was wondering how I was gonna explain to Momma about having pee on my shirt."
Mrs. Taylor chuckled.
********************
Chloe was so excited about her field trip that she had trouble going to sleep. Have you ever been that excited about a trip? Explain.
Why do you think Chloe didn't want to pet the snake or the spider? Would you have petted them?
"Yes, I know. You'll have a fun time, I'm sure."
"I sure hope so." Daddy walked in, plopped onto a stool, and yawned. "Thought you'd never go to sleep last night."
I grinned. "I was a little bit excited."
"A little bit?" Daddy's eyebrows popped up.
Momma chuckled. "Just remember to be careful with your arm."
*********
Soon after arriving at school, the whole class filed onto the bus. It sounded like a bunch of bees with all of us talking at once.
The bus driver stopped at the railroad tracks. "Everybody quiet. I have to listen for any approaching trains." He opened the door, looked both ways, then shut the door back. "Okay."
I looked out the window. "Well, we weren't squashed like a pancake."
Mrs. Taylor turned around. "And I'm glad about that."
The bus pulled in front of the Rain Forest place and we followed in a line off and through the front doors.
We started our tour.
Emalie pointed. "Look at that hedgehog. Isn't he cute?"
One of the workers explained about how the hedgehog will roll into a ball, then she demonstrated.
We all made ooh sounds.
I saw chicks and little goats. There were rats and mouses that I didn't really like. The Bearded Dragon lizard was really cool looking. But I didn't want to pet the snake or the spider.
Jill motioned for me. "Chloe, come here. Look. It's a ferret."
All of the sudden something wet squirted at us.
"Yikes! He peed on us." I wiped at the damp places on my arm.
"No, the ferret didn't pee on you." Mrs. Taylor walked up behind us.
Jill's eyes widened. "Felt like he did."
"That's just the water spray. They have to make it like the rain forest, remember?" Mrs. Taylor patted Jill's back.
I swiped my hand across my forehead. "Whew. I'm glad to hear that. I was wondering how I was gonna explain to Momma about having pee on my shirt."
Mrs. Taylor chuckled.
********************
Chloe was so excited about her field trip that she had trouble going to sleep. Have you ever been that excited about a trip? Explain.
Why do you think Chloe didn't want to pet the snake or the spider? Would you have petted them?
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
5-Star Reviews!
The Adventures of Chloe Ann Parker - Kindergarten has two 5-star reviews on Amazon!
This review is written by my eight year old daughter:
I think this book was amazing. And I like how Chloe Ann was so creative. I think the author really made Chloe come to life. I can so imagine I might meet someone exactly like her. I felt really close to the character because I can relate to her and I think other kids can too. How the character acted was realistic. I also loved the recipe for edible play-do! I'll definitely try that sometime!
My first grader, as well as my 5th grader both love this book!! It is very well written, and full of adventure. If you enjoy books such as Junie B., you will love this series as well. As a parent, I highly recommend!
Yay! Way to go, Chloe.
Parents, if you and your child have read a Chloe book, please consider posting a short review like these. Reviews help spread the word to other kids who might enjoy reading of Chloe's adventures.
This review is written by my eight year old daughter:
I think this book was amazing. And I like how Chloe Ann was so creative. I think the author really made Chloe come to life. I can so imagine I might meet someone exactly like her. I felt really close to the character because I can relate to her and I think other kids can too. How the character acted was realistic. I also loved the recipe for edible play-do! I'll definitely try that sometime!
My first grader, as well as my 5th grader both love this book!! It is very well written, and full of adventure. If you enjoy books such as Junie B., you will love this series as well. As a parent, I highly recommend!
Yay! Way to go, Chloe.
Parents, if you and your child have read a Chloe book, please consider posting a short review like these. Reviews help spread the word to other kids who might enjoy reading of Chloe's adventures.
Saturday, April 22, 2017
Yikes! I Need Help.
Instead of a shower, I had to take a bath with my cast all wrapped in plastic. Momma poured a big cup of water over my head to rinse the shampoo out.
I squeezed my eyes shut but opened them too soon. "Momma, my eyes are burning."
Momma handed me a washcloth and I tried my best to wipe the soap out with my left hand. I poked my lower lip out.
"Chloe, what's the pouty lip for?"
"This is a disaster! How long do I have to wear this thing?" I raised my right arm.
"You will probably have to wear the cast about six weeks. Maybe less, if your wrist heals faster."
I moaned. "Ugh."
"You'll just have to make the best of it."
***************************
As soon as I stepped into Mrs. Taylor's room on Monday morning, everyone gathered around.
"Whoa, Chloe, what happened?" Dylan said.
"I broke my wrist. Little accident on my scooter."
Weston moved next to me. "Does it hurt?"
"A little bit. Not too bad."
Mrs. Taylor walked up and put her hand on my shoulder. "Friends, we'll have to help Chloe a lot until she can get her cast off."
"How come?" Bryson said.
I held up my cast. "It's my right hand. The one I use to write and cut and color. Everything."
"Ohh," everyone said at once.
********************
Mrs. Taylor read a book called Last Stop on Market Street. She help up a page. "Now you will have to color, cut, and glue down this onto the construction paper. Then you'll be writing down here what the purpose of the author was for writing this."
She explained a bit more and demonstrated. I hardly heard her. I couldn't do any of that. My eyes got watery.
"Come on, Chloe. You can color the shapes with your left hand, and then I'll cut them out. Then you can put the glue stick on." Efren smiled.
"Thanks for helping me."
Efren shrugged. "It's okay."
***********************
Later we went onto the new playground. Everything looked so fun, but I couldn't do anything. I watched as everyone tried out the monkey bars. I traipsed over to the sidewalk and plunked down.
"Come on, Chloe. We'll walk around with you," Kelly said.
"Yeah, come on." Belinda reached her hand to help me up.
"No, you go ahead. I know you want to try out the new stuff."
"Let's all go watch, and when you get your cast off, you'll know what you want to try." Kelly nodded.
We walked around, stopping to look at each activity. I actually had a good time, even though I couldn't do any of the activities.
When we lined up to go inside, Leonardo walked into line behind me. "Can people sign your cast?"
"I don't know. I'll have to ask Momma."
"It could be fun to have all of us sign it and write little messages on it." Leonardo's eyes widened.
"You're right. That does sound like fun." I would ask Momma as soon as I got home today.
*********************
"Momma, Leonardo said something about people signing my cast. Do you think I could have my friends sign mine?"
Momma's eyes brightened. "Now, why didn't I think of that? Of course. I'll send you some small markers to use. They can sign it and decorate it right up."
I looked at the boring white cast. "I'll have the prettiest cast around."
"You probably will. And I think it will coax that smile back out of you." Momma tweaked my nose.
*****************************
Chloe hadn't expected all of the things she wouldn't be able to do with her arm in a cast. Make a list of the things she might not be able to do. Which thing do you think would be the hardest to not be able to do? Explain why.
Chloe's friends helped her deal with her broken wrist. What would you have offered to help Chloe to do?
I squeezed my eyes shut but opened them too soon. "Momma, my eyes are burning."
Momma handed me a washcloth and I tried my best to wipe the soap out with my left hand. I poked my lower lip out.
"Chloe, what's the pouty lip for?"
"This is a disaster! How long do I have to wear this thing?" I raised my right arm.
"You will probably have to wear the cast about six weeks. Maybe less, if your wrist heals faster."
I moaned. "Ugh."
"You'll just have to make the best of it."
***************************
As soon as I stepped into Mrs. Taylor's room on Monday morning, everyone gathered around.
"Whoa, Chloe, what happened?" Dylan said.
"I broke my wrist. Little accident on my scooter."
Weston moved next to me. "Does it hurt?"
"A little bit. Not too bad."
Mrs. Taylor walked up and put her hand on my shoulder. "Friends, we'll have to help Chloe a lot until she can get her cast off."
"How come?" Bryson said.
I held up my cast. "It's my right hand. The one I use to write and cut and color. Everything."
"Ohh," everyone said at once.
********************
Mrs. Taylor read a book called Last Stop on Market Street. She help up a page. "Now you will have to color, cut, and glue down this onto the construction paper. Then you'll be writing down here what the purpose of the author was for writing this."
She explained a bit more and demonstrated. I hardly heard her. I couldn't do any of that. My eyes got watery.
"Come on, Chloe. You can color the shapes with your left hand, and then I'll cut them out. Then you can put the glue stick on." Efren smiled.
"Thanks for helping me."
Efren shrugged. "It's okay."
***********************
Later we went onto the new playground. Everything looked so fun, but I couldn't do anything. I watched as everyone tried out the monkey bars. I traipsed over to the sidewalk and plunked down.
"Come on, Chloe. We'll walk around with you," Kelly said.
"Yeah, come on." Belinda reached her hand to help me up.
"No, you go ahead. I know you want to try out the new stuff."
"Let's all go watch, and when you get your cast off, you'll know what you want to try." Kelly nodded.
We walked around, stopping to look at each activity. I actually had a good time, even though I couldn't do any of the activities.
When we lined up to go inside, Leonardo walked into line behind me. "Can people sign your cast?"
"I don't know. I'll have to ask Momma."
"It could be fun to have all of us sign it and write little messages on it." Leonardo's eyes widened.
"You're right. That does sound like fun." I would ask Momma as soon as I got home today.
*********************
"Momma, Leonardo said something about people signing my cast. Do you think I could have my friends sign mine?"
Momma's eyes brightened. "Now, why didn't I think of that? Of course. I'll send you some small markers to use. They can sign it and decorate it right up."
I looked at the boring white cast. "I'll have the prettiest cast around."
"You probably will. And I think it will coax that smile back out of you." Momma tweaked my nose.
*****************************
Chloe hadn't expected all of the things she wouldn't be able to do with her arm in a cast. Make a list of the things she might not be able to do. Which thing do you think would be the hardest to not be able to do? Explain why.
Chloe's friends helped her deal with her broken wrist. What would you have offered to help Chloe to do?
Saturday, April 15, 2017
The Rock Came Outta Nowhere!
"Momma, can I practice riding my scooter?"
"Sweetie, we're just getting back from the church Easter egg hunt." She lugged the kid's car seat carrier out of the back seat of the car.
"Chloe, let's help Momma get Peyton inside and then I'll come out and watch you. I spotted a bush I need to trim anyway," Daddy said.
I clapped my hands. "Yay. Thanks Daddy."
MeMe and PopPop found the scooter at a garage sale a few weeks ago. I had practiced riding it only three times.
"We'll be back in soon, dear. I know Chloe needs a bath. Tomorrow is Easter Sunday morning." Daddy pulled the door shut behind him. "Stay right in our driveway, okay? I'm gonna clip those few branches I missed right over there."
"Okay, Daddy." I strapped on the little helmet MeMe bought to match my pretty pink scooter. The perfect color for me.
I rode up and down the driveway, but I needed a little bit of a hill like the street right in front of the house.
"Daddy, can I try riding in the road just once?"
"We probably need to be getting inside."
"You're right there to watch me. I want to see if I can go better on that little hill."
"I guess. But just once."
I positioned the scooter and kicked off. I whooshed to the bottom of the hill and jumped off. "That was fun!" I picked up the scooter and ran toward Daddy. "Daddy, did you see that?"
"Yep. We better go inside. We'll come back out tomorrow afternoon for you to ride again." Daddy turned and started to walk toward the house.
I looked at my scooter and then at the hill. I could zoom down one more time and be back to the house before Daddy reached the front door.
I hurriedly hopped onto the scooter and pushed off. I headed down the hill, but the wheels were crooked. Suddenly the scooter hit a rock and stopped, but I kept going. I flew over the top and crashed to the ground, catching myself with my right hand.
"Chloe! Are you all right?" Daddy ran up and knelt beside me.
"Daddy, the rock came outta nowhere." I sat up and moved my right arm. "Ouch"
"What hurts?"
I stretched out my right arm and realized that wasn't a good idea. Tears dripped down my face. "Oh, Daddy, I'm sorry."
"Come on. We need to get that arm checked out."
The next several hours were a blur. Emergency room. X-rays. And a cast on my arm. My wrist was broken. I wouldn't be riding my scooter for a long time.
******************************
Chloe got in a hurry and became careless. Have you ever had a time when you've gotten into a hurry and been careless? What happened?
Chloe should have obeyed her daddy. Now she has to deal with a broken wrist. What kind of problems do you think a broken wrist will create for Chloe?
"Sweetie, we're just getting back from the church Easter egg hunt." She lugged the kid's car seat carrier out of the back seat of the car.
"Chloe, let's help Momma get Peyton inside and then I'll come out and watch you. I spotted a bush I need to trim anyway," Daddy said.
I clapped my hands. "Yay. Thanks Daddy."
MeMe and PopPop found the scooter at a garage sale a few weeks ago. I had practiced riding it only three times.
"We'll be back in soon, dear. I know Chloe needs a bath. Tomorrow is Easter Sunday morning." Daddy pulled the door shut behind him. "Stay right in our driveway, okay? I'm gonna clip those few branches I missed right over there."
"Okay, Daddy." I strapped on the little helmet MeMe bought to match my pretty pink scooter. The perfect color for me.
I rode up and down the driveway, but I needed a little bit of a hill like the street right in front of the house.
"Daddy, can I try riding in the road just once?"
"We probably need to be getting inside."
"You're right there to watch me. I want to see if I can go better on that little hill."
"I guess. But just once."
I positioned the scooter and kicked off. I whooshed to the bottom of the hill and jumped off. "That was fun!" I picked up the scooter and ran toward Daddy. "Daddy, did you see that?"
"Yep. We better go inside. We'll come back out tomorrow afternoon for you to ride again." Daddy turned and started to walk toward the house.
I looked at my scooter and then at the hill. I could zoom down one more time and be back to the house before Daddy reached the front door.
I hurriedly hopped onto the scooter and pushed off. I headed down the hill, but the wheels were crooked. Suddenly the scooter hit a rock and stopped, but I kept going. I flew over the top and crashed to the ground, catching myself with my right hand.
"Chloe! Are you all right?" Daddy ran up and knelt beside me.
"Daddy, the rock came outta nowhere." I sat up and moved my right arm. "Ouch"
"What hurts?"
I stretched out my right arm and realized that wasn't a good idea. Tears dripped down my face. "Oh, Daddy, I'm sorry."
"Come on. We need to get that arm checked out."
The next several hours were a blur. Emergency room. X-rays. And a cast on my arm. My wrist was broken. I wouldn't be riding my scooter for a long time.
******************************
Chloe got in a hurry and became careless. Have you ever had a time when you've gotten into a hurry and been careless? What happened?
Chloe should have obeyed her daddy. Now she has to deal with a broken wrist. What kind of problems do you think a broken wrist will create for Chloe?
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Still Hard to Do
"Okay, Class. Time for reading to self. We're all trying to get fifteen minutes of reading. Some of you are doing really well. Others just need to keep trying." Mrs. Taylor looked at me and winked.
I took a big breath and blew it out.
"What's the matter, Chloe?" Brayden said.
"Fifteen minutes is ... forever."
"Naw. Just do like me. Really concentrate on your book." Brayden opened his book and stared at it.
"I'll try."
We all found a spot and started to read.
When I felt like my eyes started to look around and my mouth began to open, I stuck my book up higher in front of my face. I mashed my lips together real hard. Don't talk. Don't talk.
Finally the timer went off.
"I made it!"
Brayden patted my back. "Good job."
***********
Later we worked more on coins. Mrs. Taylor gave us a paper with all kinds of coins on it. The directions said to color each one a different color.
I started with the pennies, coloring them yellow.
"I think it's weird that the dime is smaller than the penny. The dime is ten cents and the penny is only one cent," Angela said.
" I know what you mean. Seems like the coin makers were trying to trick us."
******************
"Momma, do you want to know how you can remember how to spell arithmetic?"
"Sure."
"Mrs. Taylor taught us this sentence: A rat in the house might eat the ice cream. Did you get it?"
"Get what?"
"If you take the first letter of each word, it spells arithmetic."
"Oh, I see."
"Do you want to hear a joke?"
"All right."
"One guy asked his waiter: 'What is this fly doing in my soup?' The waiter said, 'I believe he's swimming.' Isn't that funny?"
Momma chuckled. "Yep."
"I've got another one. Why did the gum cross the road?"
"Um, I don't know."
"It was stuck to the chicken's foot." I laughed. "Here's a good one. Why do hummingbirds hum?"
"Let me see."
"Because they don't know the words. That's a good one too, right?"
"Yes, that's a good one."
"Let me find another one."
"Sweetie, why don't you put the joke book away for a little while. How about you set the table?"
"Okay, Momma. I'll read you some more later."
"Where did the joke book come from?"
"Oh, I found it at Mrs. Brooks' house. She let me borrow it."
"How nice." Momma smiled a little smile and nodded. Her voice didn't quite match her words.
*****************************
Chloe tries very hard to be quiet and keep reading for fifteen minutes. What is something you have had to try very hard to do? What did you have to do to accomplish it?
Why do you think Momma's voice didn't quite match her words when she said how nice about the joke book? Explain.
I took a big breath and blew it out.
"What's the matter, Chloe?" Brayden said.
"Fifteen minutes is ... forever."
"Naw. Just do like me. Really concentrate on your book." Brayden opened his book and stared at it.
"I'll try."
We all found a spot and started to read.
When I felt like my eyes started to look around and my mouth began to open, I stuck my book up higher in front of my face. I mashed my lips together real hard. Don't talk. Don't talk.
Finally the timer went off.
"I made it!"
Brayden patted my back. "Good job."
***********
Later we worked more on coins. Mrs. Taylor gave us a paper with all kinds of coins on it. The directions said to color each one a different color.
I started with the pennies, coloring them yellow.
"I think it's weird that the dime is smaller than the penny. The dime is ten cents and the penny is only one cent," Angela said.
" I know what you mean. Seems like the coin makers were trying to trick us."
******************
"Momma, do you want to know how you can remember how to spell arithmetic?"
"Sure."
"Mrs. Taylor taught us this sentence: A rat in the house might eat the ice cream. Did you get it?"
"Get what?"
"If you take the first letter of each word, it spells arithmetic."
"Oh, I see."
"Do you want to hear a joke?"
"All right."
"One guy asked his waiter: 'What is this fly doing in my soup?' The waiter said, 'I believe he's swimming.' Isn't that funny?"
Momma chuckled. "Yep."
"I've got another one. Why did the gum cross the road?"
"Um, I don't know."
"It was stuck to the chicken's foot." I laughed. "Here's a good one. Why do hummingbirds hum?"
"Let me see."
"Because they don't know the words. That's a good one too, right?"
"Yes, that's a good one."
"Let me find another one."
"Sweetie, why don't you put the joke book away for a little while. How about you set the table?"
"Okay, Momma. I'll read you some more later."
"Where did the joke book come from?"
"Oh, I found it at Mrs. Brooks' house. She let me borrow it."
"How nice." Momma smiled a little smile and nodded. Her voice didn't quite match her words.
*****************************
Chloe tries very hard to be quiet and keep reading for fifteen minutes. What is something you have had to try very hard to do? What did you have to do to accomplish it?
Why do you think Momma's voice didn't quite match her words when she said how nice about the joke book? Explain.
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Chloe's Coloring Pages
Please go to the Chloe's Stuff tab and scroll down to find two coloring pages Chloe wants to share with you.
Have fun! Share with your friends!
Have fun! Share with your friends!
Saturday, April 1, 2017
I Need a Job
Momma scooped two chocolate chip pancakes onto my plate. "Chloe, I'm sorry we didn't get to go anywhere for your Spring Break. Peyton is still a bit too little to go any place. And with the hospital bills that we have to pay since he came early, we just needed to watch our money."
My mouth was full of pancake, so I just nodded. But I thought about what Momma had said. I probably needed to help out.
After breakfast I knew exactly what to do. "Momma, I'm gonna go to the Brooks' house. Okay?"
"Okay, dear."
I sprinted across the back yard, jogged onto the back porch, and knocked.
Mr. Brooks slid the door open. "Well, if it isn't our neighbor, Miss Chloe Ann. Come in."
"Thanks, Mr. Brooks. I needed to speak with you and Mrs. Brooks."
Mr. Brooks' forehead wrinkled even more than usual. "Of course. Let's go to the study."
I followed close behind him.
"Honey, Miss Chloe Ann wants to speak with us on some matter."
Mrs. Brooks patted the couch beside her. "Sit down here with me, Chloe."
I eased next to her. "I'll get right to the point. I need a job."
Mrs. Brooks' eyes widened. "A job, you say?"
"Yes. It seems that the kid was really expensive, which is why we couldn't take a trip for Spring Break. If you ask me, Momma should've thought of that before she ordered him. I wondered if you have any work for me?"
Mrs. Brooks crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her chin with one finger. "Let me see. I could use someone to dust these bookshelves." She motioned toward them. "I can train you and then offer ten dollars."
I sat up straighter. "Yes, I'll take it."
Mrs. Brooks smiled. "Then you're hired."
"I could use a good stick-picker-upper. Do you think you could handle that?" Mr. Brooks' eyebrows rose. "With the many sticks out there, I'd pay ten dollars as well."
"Oh yes. I'm a good picker-upper."
Mrs. Brooks rubbed her hands together. "It's settled." She reached her hand toward me. "Shall we shake on it?"
I grabbed her hand and gave it a firm shake.
*********************
Why do you think Chloe felt like she needed to get a job?
Do you think Chloe will be helping the Brooks by doing the chores? Explain.
My mouth was full of pancake, so I just nodded. But I thought about what Momma had said. I probably needed to help out.
After breakfast I knew exactly what to do. "Momma, I'm gonna go to the Brooks' house. Okay?"
"Okay, dear."
I sprinted across the back yard, jogged onto the back porch, and knocked.
Mr. Brooks slid the door open. "Well, if it isn't our neighbor, Miss Chloe Ann. Come in."
"Thanks, Mr. Brooks. I needed to speak with you and Mrs. Brooks."
Mr. Brooks' forehead wrinkled even more than usual. "Of course. Let's go to the study."
I followed close behind him.
"Honey, Miss Chloe Ann wants to speak with us on some matter."
Mrs. Brooks patted the couch beside her. "Sit down here with me, Chloe."
I eased next to her. "I'll get right to the point. I need a job."
Mrs. Brooks' eyes widened. "A job, you say?"
"Yes. It seems that the kid was really expensive, which is why we couldn't take a trip for Spring Break. If you ask me, Momma should've thought of that before she ordered him. I wondered if you have any work for me?"
Mrs. Brooks crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her chin with one finger. "Let me see. I could use someone to dust these bookshelves." She motioned toward them. "I can train you and then offer ten dollars."
I sat up straighter. "Yes, I'll take it."
Mrs. Brooks smiled. "Then you're hired."
"I could use a good stick-picker-upper. Do you think you could handle that?" Mr. Brooks' eyebrows rose. "With the many sticks out there, I'd pay ten dollars as well."
"Oh yes. I'm a good picker-upper."
Mrs. Brooks rubbed her hands together. "It's settled." She reached her hand toward me. "Shall we shake on it?"
I grabbed her hand and gave it a firm shake.
*********************
Why do you think Chloe felt like she needed to get a job?
Do you think Chloe will be helping the Brooks by doing the chores? Explain.
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Word Search Puzzle
Hey! Notice there's been a new tab added called Chloe's Stuff. That's the place to find the upcoming coloring pages. But while you're waiting for those, why not try out a word search puzzle.
Simply click on the Chloe's Stuff tab and scroll down to download and print Chloe's Kindergarten Word Search. Have fun finding words from her first book, The Adventures of Chloe Ann Parker - Kindergarten. Those words can be backwards, diagonal - look hard.
Enjoy!
Simply click on the Chloe's Stuff tab and scroll down to download and print Chloe's Kindergarten Word Search. Have fun finding words from her first book, The Adventures of Chloe Ann Parker - Kindergarten. Those words can be backwards, diagonal - look hard.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Coloring Pages!
Hey all you friends of Chloe Ann Parker, get your colored pencils or crayons ready.
Chloe's artist, Arielle, is busy making some coloring pages for us to enjoy.
How much fun is that?
I can't wait to share them with you. Stay tuned!
Chloe's artist, Arielle, is busy making some coloring pages for us to enjoy.
How much fun is that?
I can't wait to share them with you. Stay tuned!
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Art Day
"Momma, can you listen right now? I want to tell you about our Art Day."
"Yes, sweetheart. Let me put Peyton down on the blanket for some tummy time." She laid the kid on the floor and then sat down on the couch. "Now, what's this about Art Day?"
"Today was a whole day of art. Isn't that fabulous?"
"That does sound fabulous."
"My first project was to make a picture like this scissor artist we learned about. One person's looked like the eyes-full tower. But I didn't think it looked like eyes at all."
"I think that would be the Eiffel Tower in Paris."
"Oh, that does make more sense. And we learned about Van Gogh. Did you know he cut off his ear and sent it to his brother? Isn't that icky?"
Momma nodded.
"Then I had to draw a vase and we put sunflowers in it. The sunflowers were made out of yellow paper cups like you use for blueberry muffins."
"Muffin liners."
"Yeah, and we cut them to look like the petals and then put black birdseed in the middle, but we couldn't eat the seeds. Mrs. Church had to help me scoop out a little of the glue for my seeds. I had a big puddle. But it really looked like bootiful sunflowers."
"That does sound pretty."
"Mrs. Sonon had us make water lilies. First we had to sponge paint the water on our paper. I still have blue under my fingernails on this hand. I was holding the paper as I dabbed it with the blue paint and I accidentally dabbed it on my fingers." I giggled. "Mrs. Sonon laughed and said, 'Don't get too carried away there, Chloe.' Then she showed us how to use thin thin colored paper to make the lilies and lily pads. I think that was my favorite."
"Sounds like quite a day."
"Yeah. I wonder if I might be an artist some day?"
"You just might."
"But don't worry. I won't be cutting off my ear and sending it to you. That gives me the heebie geebies." I shuddered.
*************************
Chloe got to try different types of art projects. What type of art do you like to do? Why do you like that type of art?
Chloe says she might become an artist one day. What do you think would be fun about being an artist?
"Yes, sweetheart. Let me put Peyton down on the blanket for some tummy time." She laid the kid on the floor and then sat down on the couch. "Now, what's this about Art Day?"
"Today was a whole day of art. Isn't that fabulous?"
"That does sound fabulous."
"My first project was to make a picture like this scissor artist we learned about. One person's looked like the eyes-full tower. But I didn't think it looked like eyes at all."
"I think that would be the Eiffel Tower in Paris."
"Oh, that does make more sense. And we learned about Van Gogh. Did you know he cut off his ear and sent it to his brother? Isn't that icky?"
Momma nodded.
"Then I had to draw a vase and we put sunflowers in it. The sunflowers were made out of yellow paper cups like you use for blueberry muffins."
"Muffin liners."
"Yeah, and we cut them to look like the petals and then put black birdseed in the middle, but we couldn't eat the seeds. Mrs. Church had to help me scoop out a little of the glue for my seeds. I had a big puddle. But it really looked like bootiful sunflowers."
"That does sound pretty."
"Mrs. Sonon had us make water lilies. First we had to sponge paint the water on our paper. I still have blue under my fingernails on this hand. I was holding the paper as I dabbed it with the blue paint and I accidentally dabbed it on my fingers." I giggled. "Mrs. Sonon laughed and said, 'Don't get too carried away there, Chloe.' Then she showed us how to use thin thin colored paper to make the lilies and lily pads. I think that was my favorite."
"Sounds like quite a day."
"Yeah. I wonder if I might be an artist some day?"
"You just might."
"But don't worry. I won't be cutting off my ear and sending it to you. That gives me the heebie geebies." I shuddered.
*************************
Chloe got to try different types of art projects. What type of art do you like to do? Why do you like that type of art?
Chloe says she might become an artist one day. What do you think would be fun about being an artist?
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Let's Catch a Leprechaun
As soon as I walked into Mrs. Taylor's classroom, I stopped. Everyone stopped.
"Whoa, would you look at that," Mrs. Taylor said. "Looks like there's been a leprechaun here."
All the bags with our supplies in them were pulled off the back of the chairs.
"Class, he left us a riddle." Mrs. Taylor pointed to the board. "Why do people wear shamrocks around their necks?"
Ryan shrugged. "For good luck?"
"Guess we'll have to see if he lets us know the answer. Go ahead and pick up your supply caddies and put them back on your chairs."
"Looks like we better get our leprechaun traps in here," Kelly said.
"Yep. I'm still thinking about my trap." I picked up my supply bag and hung it back over my chair.
Amy tapped my shoulder. "Did you ask your mom and dad about Art Club tomorrow?"
"Oh, yeah. I'm going to stay. I can't wait."
*********************
Later we got the answer to the riddle from our leprechaun. He wrote out that the reason people wear shamrocks is because regular rocks were too heavy. Very funny.
On Tuesday we discovered that we actually had two leprechauns, Lucky and Liam. They had moved our book boxes and pulled out all of the books.
We only had a couple of traps, but everyone said they were planning on bringing their traps before Thursday. We needed to try and catch those two.
*******************
That afternoon I followed Mrs. Taylor into Mrs. Sonon's room for Art Club.
Mrs. Church gave me a small square and showed me how to cut a design out of two sides and tape them to the opposite sides. "Now you have a tessellation. Let me show you how to trace it on your paper."
I followed her directions, filling my page. "Mrs. Church?" I held up my paper.
"What do you think yours looks like? Hmm, maybe a shark?" She studied it.
"I think it looks like a rooster!"
"Oh, you're right. Why don't you take that home to color? You can start working on your monster collage."
I walked around the tables and found the colors I wanted. Then I started cutting shapes to make funny monsters. "Hey, Jill, what do you think of this one? I'm thinking he needs stripes."
"Yeah, some stripes. Look." She held up her paper. "I gave this one spiked hair."
I giggled. "I like it."
McKenzie pointed to her page. "This one's got spots."
I nodded. My friends had been right. Art Club was fun.
"Let me have your monster collages. We'll finish those next time." Mrs. Church collected the papers.
"Aw, that went too fast."
********************
That night I worked really hard on my leprechaun trap. When I finished, I showed Momma and Daddy how it would work. "See? This sign tells the leprechauns that they can slide down into a bunch of gold coins. I used a paper towel tube for the slide, so they couldn't see what they are really sliding into. At the bottom is one of those sticky traps Momma used to catch a mouse one time."
"Clever," Daddy said.
**************
On Friday I told Mr. and Mrs. Brooks all about the week, trying to catch leprechauns. "One day they had been through all of the traps with candy. They ate the candy and threw the paper all over the place. They turned the behavior chart upside down. Mrs. Taylor showed them. She turned it back around and put their clips on red." I took a bite of a cookie. "Mrs. Taylor told us this afternoon that she hoped they would be on their way back to Ireland because they had caused enough trouble." I grabbed a piece of paper that I brought with me. "I wrote down the note they left us today. 'We've been tricky. It's been fun. See you next year, my wee ones. Liam and Lucky.' Can you believe that? Not one trap could catch those pesky fellows."
Mr. Brooks shook his head. "And after you had such a good trap."
"I know. Daddy said it was clever." I shrugged. "Guess I'll have to be cleverer next year."
*****************************
Chloe made a leprechaun trap to catch their two pesky fellows. What kind of trap might you create? Describe it.
Chloe had fun trying out a club at her school. Since she likes making things, the Art Club was perfect for her. What kind of club would you like to go to? Why would you like that club?
"Whoa, would you look at that," Mrs. Taylor said. "Looks like there's been a leprechaun here."
All the bags with our supplies in them were pulled off the back of the chairs.
"Class, he left us a riddle." Mrs. Taylor pointed to the board. "Why do people wear shamrocks around their necks?"
Ryan shrugged. "For good luck?"
"Guess we'll have to see if he lets us know the answer. Go ahead and pick up your supply caddies and put them back on your chairs."
"Looks like we better get our leprechaun traps in here," Kelly said.
"Yep. I'm still thinking about my trap." I picked up my supply bag and hung it back over my chair.
Amy tapped my shoulder. "Did you ask your mom and dad about Art Club tomorrow?"
"Oh, yeah. I'm going to stay. I can't wait."
*********************
Later we got the answer to the riddle from our leprechaun. He wrote out that the reason people wear shamrocks is because regular rocks were too heavy. Very funny.
On Tuesday we discovered that we actually had two leprechauns, Lucky and Liam. They had moved our book boxes and pulled out all of the books.
We only had a couple of traps, but everyone said they were planning on bringing their traps before Thursday. We needed to try and catch those two.
*******************
That afternoon I followed Mrs. Taylor into Mrs. Sonon's room for Art Club.
Mrs. Church gave me a small square and showed me how to cut a design out of two sides and tape them to the opposite sides. "Now you have a tessellation. Let me show you how to trace it on your paper."
I followed her directions, filling my page. "Mrs. Church?" I held up my paper.
"What do you think yours looks like? Hmm, maybe a shark?" She studied it.
"I think it looks like a rooster!"
"Oh, you're right. Why don't you take that home to color? You can start working on your monster collage."
I walked around the tables and found the colors I wanted. Then I started cutting shapes to make funny monsters. "Hey, Jill, what do you think of this one? I'm thinking he needs stripes."
"Yeah, some stripes. Look." She held up her paper. "I gave this one spiked hair."
I giggled. "I like it."
McKenzie pointed to her page. "This one's got spots."
I nodded. My friends had been right. Art Club was fun.
"Let me have your monster collages. We'll finish those next time." Mrs. Church collected the papers.
"Aw, that went too fast."
********************
That night I worked really hard on my leprechaun trap. When I finished, I showed Momma and Daddy how it would work. "See? This sign tells the leprechauns that they can slide down into a bunch of gold coins. I used a paper towel tube for the slide, so they couldn't see what they are really sliding into. At the bottom is one of those sticky traps Momma used to catch a mouse one time."
"Clever," Daddy said.
**************
On Friday I told Mr. and Mrs. Brooks all about the week, trying to catch leprechauns. "One day they had been through all of the traps with candy. They ate the candy and threw the paper all over the place. They turned the behavior chart upside down. Mrs. Taylor showed them. She turned it back around and put their clips on red." I took a bite of a cookie. "Mrs. Taylor told us this afternoon that she hoped they would be on their way back to Ireland because they had caused enough trouble." I grabbed a piece of paper that I brought with me. "I wrote down the note they left us today. 'We've been tricky. It's been fun. See you next year, my wee ones. Liam and Lucky.' Can you believe that? Not one trap could catch those pesky fellows."
Mr. Brooks shook his head. "And after you had such a good trap."
"I know. Daddy said it was clever." I shrugged. "Guess I'll have to be cleverer next year."
*****************************
Chloe made a leprechaun trap to catch their two pesky fellows. What kind of trap might you create? Describe it.
Chloe had fun trying out a club at her school. Since she likes making things, the Art Club was perfect for her. What kind of club would you like to go to? Why would you like that club?
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Guess I'll Go Away
Daddy picked me up again on Friday from school. "Hey, how was school?"
"Not bad. We've been working on time. You know, looking at a clock and writing down what time it says. I think I've got that. Much better than all that regrouping stuff." I wrinkled my nose and shook my head.
Daddy chuckled. "We'll be especially quiet when we get home. I'm hoping Momma and Peyton are still napping."
Surprisingly, the house was quiet when we walked in. Daddy gave me a thumbs-up and motioned for me to follow him into the kitchen.
"There's a couple of Meme's muffins left. Want one?"
"Sure. I'll make us some chocolate milk."
"Perfect," Daddy whispered.
We ate in silence then Daddy wiped his mouth with his napkin. "Do you have any homework to do?"
"Just my reading."
"I think I'll sneak in some studying for my sermon for Sunday while it's quiet."
I knew where Daddy would study. He would sit in his big recliner chair in the den. All kinds of books and papers were stacked on the table beside of him.
"I got a book from the library. I can study with you."
"Sounds good."
We settled into the den, but we only had about thirty minutes of quiet. A cry burst through the baby radio thing on the table. Daddy closed two books on his lap and started to push the foot thing down, but we could hear Momma's voice over the radio.
In just a few minutes Momma came into the den carrying the kid. "Hey Sweetie. How was school?"
"Good. Like I told Daddy, we're studying telling time ..."
The kid's crying interrupted me.
"I think he's hungry. Be right back."
Daddy stood. "Here, I'll help you. He gets impatient."
All three of them walked toward the kitchen. Guess I'll tell Momma later about my day. That kid sure knows how to interrupt me.
****
During supper Momma talked about things she needed from the store for the kid. As soon as the dishes were in the dishwasher, Daddy left for the store. Momma hurried upstairs to change the kid's diaper.
I ran upstairs to my bedroom and fell onto my bed. I just don't fit in here anymore. I don't think they need me.
The Brooks' would only make me come right back home if I went there. I jumped off the bed. I knew the perfect place to go.
I piled my sleeping bag, pillow, and lantern flashlight into my old wagon. Tiptoeing back into the kitchen, I grabbed a couple of juice boxes and some cheese crackers and added them to my supplies.
I pulled my things across the street as fast as I could without dumping the wagon and parked it under the big tree. The broom was still on Sara's back porch, so I raced over and hauled it up the ladder to the treehouse.
Dust flew everywhere as I swept out the one room. I sneezed three times. Finally it was cleared out enough to make my new bedroom. I smoothed out the sleeping bag and put my pillow at the top. My lantern was right beside me along with my snacks. I laid down on my tummy and looked out the front opening.
The sky was a little bit dark. I clicked on my flashlight. Outside it got even blacker. I didn't much care for the dark. In my bedroom I had a little nightlight. But I sat up and moved my lantern closer. Was that a noise? My hands got a little shaky. I hugged my pillow tight. I would be safe up here, right?
"Chloe, are you up there?" Daddy's voice called out.
"Maybe."
"I sure hope it's you. Our family isn't complete without my Chloe-girl."
I leaned out the doorway. "Really?"
"Yes, really."
I threw my legs over the edge of the treehouse. "I figured you had a new kid and didn't need me anymore." My lip quivered.
"Are you kidding?" Daddy climbed up the ladder and sat down beside me. "You are a very special part of our family. No one can take your place. It will take some time to get used to not being the only child. I had to do that."
"You did?"
"Of course. And I have a younger brother and a younger sister." He put his arm around me and hugged. "So I can help you learn to be a big sister. I have experience." He kissed the top of my head. "And please don't run away again. I don't like it when you're not in our family. I love you."
"Okay Daddy. I love you too." I looked around. It was almost all the way dark now. "I didn't much like being out here in the dark by myself."
"I don't really like it either. Let's go home."
When I walked through the front door, Momma rushed up and hugged me. "Please don't scare me like that again."
"I'm sorry to scare you, Momma." My eyes felt wet.
"And I'm sorry that I haven't been able to pay attention to you. But we all have to learn how to be a family. A family of four now. Will you work with me? Tell me when you feel left out?"
"Sure, Momma. At least I only have to get used to one kid. Poor Daddy had to get used to two."
***************
Why did Chloe feel like she didn't fit into the family anymore?
Running away wasn't the answer for Chloe. What suggestions would you give Chloe on how to deal with change in the family?
"Not bad. We've been working on time. You know, looking at a clock and writing down what time it says. I think I've got that. Much better than all that regrouping stuff." I wrinkled my nose and shook my head.
Daddy chuckled. "We'll be especially quiet when we get home. I'm hoping Momma and Peyton are still napping."
Surprisingly, the house was quiet when we walked in. Daddy gave me a thumbs-up and motioned for me to follow him into the kitchen.
"There's a couple of Meme's muffins left. Want one?"
"Sure. I'll make us some chocolate milk."
"Perfect," Daddy whispered.
We ate in silence then Daddy wiped his mouth with his napkin. "Do you have any homework to do?"
"Just my reading."
"I think I'll sneak in some studying for my sermon for Sunday while it's quiet."
I knew where Daddy would study. He would sit in his big recliner chair in the den. All kinds of books and papers were stacked on the table beside of him.
"I got a book from the library. I can study with you."
"Sounds good."
We settled into the den, but we only had about thirty minutes of quiet. A cry burst through the baby radio thing on the table. Daddy closed two books on his lap and started to push the foot thing down, but we could hear Momma's voice over the radio.
In just a few minutes Momma came into the den carrying the kid. "Hey Sweetie. How was school?"
"Good. Like I told Daddy, we're studying telling time ..."
The kid's crying interrupted me.
"I think he's hungry. Be right back."
Daddy stood. "Here, I'll help you. He gets impatient."
All three of them walked toward the kitchen. Guess I'll tell Momma later about my day. That kid sure knows how to interrupt me.
****
During supper Momma talked about things she needed from the store for the kid. As soon as the dishes were in the dishwasher, Daddy left for the store. Momma hurried upstairs to change the kid's diaper.
I ran upstairs to my bedroom and fell onto my bed. I just don't fit in here anymore. I don't think they need me.
The Brooks' would only make me come right back home if I went there. I jumped off the bed. I knew the perfect place to go.
I piled my sleeping bag, pillow, and lantern flashlight into my old wagon. Tiptoeing back into the kitchen, I grabbed a couple of juice boxes and some cheese crackers and added them to my supplies.
I pulled my things across the street as fast as I could without dumping the wagon and parked it under the big tree. The broom was still on Sara's back porch, so I raced over and hauled it up the ladder to the treehouse.
Dust flew everywhere as I swept out the one room. I sneezed three times. Finally it was cleared out enough to make my new bedroom. I smoothed out the sleeping bag and put my pillow at the top. My lantern was right beside me along with my snacks. I laid down on my tummy and looked out the front opening.
The sky was a little bit dark. I clicked on my flashlight. Outside it got even blacker. I didn't much care for the dark. In my bedroom I had a little nightlight. But I sat up and moved my lantern closer. Was that a noise? My hands got a little shaky. I hugged my pillow tight. I would be safe up here, right?
"Chloe, are you up there?" Daddy's voice called out.
"Maybe."
"I sure hope it's you. Our family isn't complete without my Chloe-girl."
I leaned out the doorway. "Really?"
"Yes, really."
I threw my legs over the edge of the treehouse. "I figured you had a new kid and didn't need me anymore." My lip quivered.
"Are you kidding?" Daddy climbed up the ladder and sat down beside me. "You are a very special part of our family. No one can take your place. It will take some time to get used to not being the only child. I had to do that."
"You did?"
"Of course. And I have a younger brother and a younger sister." He put his arm around me and hugged. "So I can help you learn to be a big sister. I have experience." He kissed the top of my head. "And please don't run away again. I don't like it when you're not in our family. I love you."
"Okay Daddy. I love you too." I looked around. It was almost all the way dark now. "I didn't much like being out here in the dark by myself."
"I don't really like it either. Let's go home."
When I walked through the front door, Momma rushed up and hugged me. "Please don't scare me like that again."
"I'm sorry to scare you, Momma." My eyes felt wet.
"And I'm sorry that I haven't been able to pay attention to you. But we all have to learn how to be a family. A family of four now. Will you work with me? Tell me when you feel left out?"
"Sure, Momma. At least I only have to get used to one kid. Poor Daddy had to get used to two."
***************
Why did Chloe feel like she didn't fit into the family anymore?
Running away wasn't the answer for Chloe. What suggestions would you give Chloe on how to deal with change in the family?
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Get Used to Him?
"Chloe, could you come here a moment, please?" Mrs. Taylor motioned me to her desk. "Your daddy is here to pick you up a little bit early, so get your backpack from the hallway and I'll put your folder in." She kept her voice low.
"Okay." I walked fast to the hall and grabbed my backpack and jacket. MeMe had told me this morning I would probably be picked up early if Momma and the kid came home.
I tiptoed back to Mrs. Taylor's desk. She shoved my folder inside my backpack and zipped it up. "I'll see you tomorrow." She winked.
As I walked toward the front office I wondered if having Momma and the kid home would make things a little better. Poor MeMe just couldn't seem to help me with the Read Across America Week dress-up days. Hopefully Momma would have time to help me with Wacky Wednesday tomorrow.
"Hey, there's my girl. Come on. I brought Momma and Peyton home." Daddy patted my back. "It'll be so good to have everyone back at home together again."
I smiled, but I wasn't sure how I felt.
************
Daddy pulled the front door open and a shrill cry echoed our way. I glanced up at Daddy. He nodded and gently pushed me toward the living room.
Momma held the kid on her shoulder and banged on his back. She smiled. "Chloe, sweetie, come here." She held one arm out. I could barely hear her above the kid's screaming.
I ran into Momma's arm and she hugged me. "What's wrong with him?"
"Probably gas. Babies sometimes have trouble with that." Momma patted his back more.
All of the sudden a huge burping sound flew out of the kid's mouth. How could something so small burp that loud?
"There now. He should feel better." Momma slid him off her shoulder and into her elbow.
He stared at me.
I looked at Momma. "Tomorrow is Wacky Wednesday. I need to wear my clothes all backwards and crazy."
"That sounds like fun."
"Yeah and then on Thursday I need to dress like some story character."
Momma patted my arm. "We'll have to think about that." She stood up slowly. "Right now I need to change a diaper."
Momma shuffled past me, and my nose sniffed at the wrong time. "Ew." I fanned my nose.
"Here, let me take him," MeMe said.
"Are you sure?" Momma said.
"Of course. Come here you little precious thing."
"He doesn't smell too precious to me." I continued to fan my nose.
*******************
I settled into bed after Daddy tucked me in. As he walked out loud crying came from the kid's room across the hall. I rolled my eyes. Didn't he know I needed to get some sleep for school tomorrow?
Twice during the night the screaming woke me up.
The next morning when MeMe woke me up, I was so tired.
All day long at school I yawned and yawned.
Everybody in Mrs. Taylor's class was talking about what character they were going to dress up as tomorrow. I still had no idea.
***********************
At home that afternoon everybody was so busy with the kid that I knew exactly what I needed to do. "Momma, Daddy, can I go over to Sara's house?"
"Be back before supper," Daddy said.
I nodded and dashed across the street. When I stepped onto the small porch, the front door opened.
"Well, hello there. Your Momma just called and told me you were coming for a visit." Sara smiled.
"Yep. I need some help." My shoulders drooped.
"Come on in."
I followed her to the den and plopped down into a chair.
"Now, what can I do for you? You look a little down."
"MeMe came to stay with me. She isn't very good with the dress-up days at school. Then Momma and the kid came home and it got badder. That kid screams so loud. He made me wake up last night. Momma says he gots gas." I rolled my eyes. "So I asked Momma to help me with dressing up like a story character, but she just doesn't have time. Everybody's so busy with him. I just don't know if I'll ever get used to that kid." I folded my arms across my chest and huffed out a big breath.
"It will take some time to get used to him. But he has to get used to you too."
"Huh?"
Sara nodded. "Just think about it. When he was in your momma's belly, he didn't have to cry for anything. He had everything right there. Now he has to cry when he needs something. And he has to get used to you and being out in the big world."
"I never thought about that."
Sara leaned forward and rubbed her hands together. "Now, about that story character. I think I have just the thing."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah." She jumped up and grabbed a book from her tote. "Have you ever read this book about an imaginary friend?"
I shook my head.
Sara read the story to me.
"I love that story."
"Me too. You can go as an imaginary friend. We'll make you a name tag. I have a lanyard you can borrow."
I jumped up and down. "I love it." I hugged Sara. "Thank you."
She winked. "Here, use my markers and decorate your name tag."
I couldn't wait for everyone to see who my story character was. Sara let me borrow her book, so I could show everyone where my character came from.
*********************
Why do you think Chloe thinks she will never get used to having her little brother home?
If you had to dress as your favorite story character, who would it be? Why would you dress as that character?
"Okay." I walked fast to the hall and grabbed my backpack and jacket. MeMe had told me this morning I would probably be picked up early if Momma and the kid came home.
I tiptoed back to Mrs. Taylor's desk. She shoved my folder inside my backpack and zipped it up. "I'll see you tomorrow." She winked.
As I walked toward the front office I wondered if having Momma and the kid home would make things a little better. Poor MeMe just couldn't seem to help me with the Read Across America Week dress-up days. Hopefully Momma would have time to help me with Wacky Wednesday tomorrow.
"Hey, there's my girl. Come on. I brought Momma and Peyton home." Daddy patted my back. "It'll be so good to have everyone back at home together again."
I smiled, but I wasn't sure how I felt.
************
Daddy pulled the front door open and a shrill cry echoed our way. I glanced up at Daddy. He nodded and gently pushed me toward the living room.
Momma held the kid on her shoulder and banged on his back. She smiled. "Chloe, sweetie, come here." She held one arm out. I could barely hear her above the kid's screaming.
I ran into Momma's arm and she hugged me. "What's wrong with him?"
"Probably gas. Babies sometimes have trouble with that." Momma patted his back more.
All of the sudden a huge burping sound flew out of the kid's mouth. How could something so small burp that loud?
"There now. He should feel better." Momma slid him off her shoulder and into her elbow.
He stared at me.
I looked at Momma. "Tomorrow is Wacky Wednesday. I need to wear my clothes all backwards and crazy."
"That sounds like fun."
"Yeah and then on Thursday I need to dress like some story character."
Momma patted my arm. "We'll have to think about that." She stood up slowly. "Right now I need to change a diaper."
Momma shuffled past me, and my nose sniffed at the wrong time. "Ew." I fanned my nose.
"Here, let me take him," MeMe said.
"Are you sure?" Momma said.
"Of course. Come here you little precious thing."
"He doesn't smell too precious to me." I continued to fan my nose.
*******************
I settled into bed after Daddy tucked me in. As he walked out loud crying came from the kid's room across the hall. I rolled my eyes. Didn't he know I needed to get some sleep for school tomorrow?
Twice during the night the screaming woke me up.
The next morning when MeMe woke me up, I was so tired.
All day long at school I yawned and yawned.
Everybody in Mrs. Taylor's class was talking about what character they were going to dress up as tomorrow. I still had no idea.
***********************
At home that afternoon everybody was so busy with the kid that I knew exactly what I needed to do. "Momma, Daddy, can I go over to Sara's house?"
"Be back before supper," Daddy said.
I nodded and dashed across the street. When I stepped onto the small porch, the front door opened.
"Well, hello there. Your Momma just called and told me you were coming for a visit." Sara smiled.
"Yep. I need some help." My shoulders drooped.
"Come on in."
I followed her to the den and plopped down into a chair.
"Now, what can I do for you? You look a little down."
"MeMe came to stay with me. She isn't very good with the dress-up days at school. Then Momma and the kid came home and it got badder. That kid screams so loud. He made me wake up last night. Momma says he gots gas." I rolled my eyes. "So I asked Momma to help me with dressing up like a story character, but she just doesn't have time. Everybody's so busy with him. I just don't know if I'll ever get used to that kid." I folded my arms across my chest and huffed out a big breath.
"It will take some time to get used to him. But he has to get used to you too."
"Huh?"
Sara nodded. "Just think about it. When he was in your momma's belly, he didn't have to cry for anything. He had everything right there. Now he has to cry when he needs something. And he has to get used to you and being out in the big world."
"I never thought about that."
Sara leaned forward and rubbed her hands together. "Now, about that story character. I think I have just the thing."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah." She jumped up and grabbed a book from her tote. "Have you ever read this book about an imaginary friend?"
I shook my head.
Sara read the story to me.
"I love that story."
"Me too. You can go as an imaginary friend. We'll make you a name tag. I have a lanyard you can borrow."
I jumped up and down. "I love it." I hugged Sara. "Thank you."
She winked. "Here, use my markers and decorate your name tag."
I couldn't wait for everyone to see who my story character was. Sara let me borrow her book, so I could show everyone where my character came from.
*********************
Why do you think Chloe thinks she will never get used to having her little brother home?
If you had to dress as your favorite story character, who would it be? Why would you dress as that character?
Friday, March 3, 2017
50 Precious Words Challenge
Our regularly scheduled Chloe post will still happen tomorrow. But I'm posting this 50 word story for a Seussical type challenge by Vivian Kirkfield. I had to come up with a story with only 50 words. Since the losing of teeth has been a hot topic at school lately, that became my theme.
For my Chloe readers - this challenge of using 50 words to create a story was given to Dr Seuss. He came up with Green Eggs and Ham. There are only 50 various words utilized in that book. This is a great ending to our Read Across America Week activities. But the challenge from Ms. Kirkfield was to have a maximum word count of only 50 words, not including title.
Here's what I came up with:
For my Chloe readers - this challenge of using 50 words to create a story was given to Dr Seuss. He came up with Green Eggs and Ham. There are only 50 various words utilized in that book. This is a great ending to our Read Across America Week activities. But the challenge from Ms. Kirkfield was to have a maximum word count of only 50 words, not including title.
Here's what I came up with:
Maddie’s Loose Tooth
Maddie’s tooth wiggles.
It needs to come out.
Biting an apple; tying a string
But the tooth held stout.
Maddie danced on the porch
One very rainy day.
Though grandma warned
Maddie didn’t obey.
Down she splatted
Flat on the floor.
She should’ve listened
But her tooth was no more!Saturday, February 25, 2017
What? The Kid's Here?
"Chloe, when is your little brother supposed to be here?" McKenzie said as we were packing our backpacks at the end of the day.
"Momma said it would be about four more weeks. I don't know that I'm ready." I rolled my eyes.
Mrs. Taylor's phone rang. "Yes, okay. I'll send her right down." She hung up the phone. "Chloe, you need to take all your things and go down to the office. Mrs. Church is picking you up today."
"Mrs. Church?"
"Yes, honey. Now go on down to the office."
I shrugged. My feet fast-walked down the hall. What was going on?
Mrs. Church stood in the hall outside the office with Brooklyn. "Hey, Chloe. You're going home with us." Mrs. Church bent closer to me. "It seems your baby brother decided to come early."
"Already?"
Mrs. Church nodded. "Sometimes babies do that." She motioned for me to follow. "But that's all right. You can just come home with Brooklyn."
The idea of being with my friend from church didn't sound too bad. I hopped into the back of the car and buckled my seatbelt. But I thought about Momma.
Mrs. Church glanced back at me as she drove out of the school parking lot. "Brooklyn's daddy has to work late tonight, so we can have a girls' Friday night."
Brooklyn clapped her hands. "Yeah. How about we make pizza and watch a movie?"
I nodded. "That does sound like fun." My voice didn't sound excited.
"Don't worry about your momma. I talked to her and your daddy, and she is doing fine. Little Peyton came around lunch time. They're both doing well. We should be able to go see them tomorrow at the hospital." Mrs. Church waved her finger. "I almost forgot. I stopped by your house, and your MeMe had gotten some clothes together for you. They're at our house. So we're all set!"
*********
I did have a fun night at Brooklyn's house. After breakfast I gathered all of my things. I wiggled in my seat during the drive to the hospital.
"Are you okay, Chloe?" Brooklyn said.
"I'm a little bit shaky. I don't know how I feel about having a brother."
Mrs. Church pulled into a parking space at the hospital and turned around. "Things are going to be different. Your parents will have to give your brother lots of attention at first. But they'll do their best to give you attention too. You can help by bringing them things they may need."
"What will I do with him?"
"Well, it will be a while before he can play with you. He'll just need mom and dad for a while." She opened her car door. "Come on. Let's go meet Peyton and see your mom and dad."
I slid slowly out of the car. Brooklyn grabbed my hand and held it all the way into the hospital and up the elevator. Too bad I hadn't gotten a big sister like her. But nobody asked me. I sighed.
We walked quietly into Momma's room. She was propped up in bed, holding a small bundle of blankets.
"Chloe, sweetie, come meet your new little brother." Momma smiled.
I eased around to the side of the bed and stood on my tippy toes. A tiny face was all that showed. His eyes were closed. He had the tiniest nose. All of the sudden his mouth opened into a big O yawn and then closed.
Daddy patted my shoulder. "What do you think of your new brother?"
I shrugged. "Well, he's little."
MeMe laughed. "That he is. I got you something."
I whirled around. I could always count on MeMe.
She slipped a shirt over my head and stepped back. "Perfect."
I looked down, trying to see what was written on the front.
"It says: I'm the Big Sister." MeMe winked at me.
Oh, brother!
************
Why do you think Chloe was nervous about meeting her new brother?
What do you think will happen when Momma and Peyton come home?
"Momma said it would be about four more weeks. I don't know that I'm ready." I rolled my eyes.
Mrs. Taylor's phone rang. "Yes, okay. I'll send her right down." She hung up the phone. "Chloe, you need to take all your things and go down to the office. Mrs. Church is picking you up today."
"Mrs. Church?"
"Yes, honey. Now go on down to the office."
I shrugged. My feet fast-walked down the hall. What was going on?
Mrs. Church stood in the hall outside the office with Brooklyn. "Hey, Chloe. You're going home with us." Mrs. Church bent closer to me. "It seems your baby brother decided to come early."
"Already?"
Mrs. Church nodded. "Sometimes babies do that." She motioned for me to follow. "But that's all right. You can just come home with Brooklyn."
The idea of being with my friend from church didn't sound too bad. I hopped into the back of the car and buckled my seatbelt. But I thought about Momma.
Mrs. Church glanced back at me as she drove out of the school parking lot. "Brooklyn's daddy has to work late tonight, so we can have a girls' Friday night."
Brooklyn clapped her hands. "Yeah. How about we make pizza and watch a movie?"
I nodded. "That does sound like fun." My voice didn't sound excited.
"Don't worry about your momma. I talked to her and your daddy, and she is doing fine. Little Peyton came around lunch time. They're both doing well. We should be able to go see them tomorrow at the hospital." Mrs. Church waved her finger. "I almost forgot. I stopped by your house, and your MeMe had gotten some clothes together for you. They're at our house. So we're all set!"
*********
I did have a fun night at Brooklyn's house. After breakfast I gathered all of my things. I wiggled in my seat during the drive to the hospital.
"Are you okay, Chloe?" Brooklyn said.
"I'm a little bit shaky. I don't know how I feel about having a brother."
Mrs. Church pulled into a parking space at the hospital and turned around. "Things are going to be different. Your parents will have to give your brother lots of attention at first. But they'll do their best to give you attention too. You can help by bringing them things they may need."
"What will I do with him?"
"Well, it will be a while before he can play with you. He'll just need mom and dad for a while." She opened her car door. "Come on. Let's go meet Peyton and see your mom and dad."
I slid slowly out of the car. Brooklyn grabbed my hand and held it all the way into the hospital and up the elevator. Too bad I hadn't gotten a big sister like her. But nobody asked me. I sighed.
We walked quietly into Momma's room. She was propped up in bed, holding a small bundle of blankets.
"Chloe, sweetie, come meet your new little brother." Momma smiled.
I eased around to the side of the bed and stood on my tippy toes. A tiny face was all that showed. His eyes were closed. He had the tiniest nose. All of the sudden his mouth opened into a big O yawn and then closed.
Daddy patted my shoulder. "What do you think of your new brother?"
I shrugged. "Well, he's little."
MeMe laughed. "That he is. I got you something."
I whirled around. I could always count on MeMe.
She slipped a shirt over my head and stepped back. "Perfect."
I looked down, trying to see what was written on the front.
"It says: I'm the Big Sister." MeMe winked at me.
Oh, brother!
************
Why do you think Chloe was nervous about meeting her new brother?
What do you think will happen when Momma and Peyton come home?
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Tutoring and Treehouse
"Momma, I'm gonna go to Sara's house now. She's helping me with my math."
"Okay, honey. Be back for supper," Momma called from the kitchen.
I trotted down the front steps and across the road to Sara's house. At school I had to call her Miss Smith, but she said I could still call her Sara other times. I knocked on the door.
Sara whisked open the door. "Well hello there. Ready for some math magic?" She smiled.
"I hope you have some magic for me. Not sure I'm gonna get it any other way."
"Nonsense. You just need practice."
She closed the door and I followed her to the kitchen table.
"Now, the key to learning two digit addition with regrouping is not to panic when you don't get it the first time." Sara nodded.
I puffed my cheeks full of air and blew it out. "How about if you don't get it the second or third time? We've been working on this all week." I plunked my elbows on the table and plopped my chin on my hands.
Sara giggled. "You'll get it."
We worked for almost an hour. I had gotten the last two problems right without Sara's help.
"See? You're getting it."
"But what if it all runs out of my brain tonight? That has happened before."
"Then we'll put it back in until it stays." Sara hopped up. "Come here. I want to show you something I discovered before you go home."
I followed her out to the back yard. She stopped and pointed up into a big tree.
My mouth flew open. "A treehouse!"
Sara nodded and her eyes got real big. "Yep. I didn't notice it until the other day. Come on. I'll show you."
We climbed the wooden ladder steps.
Sara sat down on the edge and motioned inside. "I think all it needs is a good sweep out."
I looked inside. "How wonderful!"
"Maybe you could help me clean it up a bit. I'd let you play in it."
"That would be great. Like a clubhouse." I hugged her.
"I guess you better get going. Your momma will need you home for supper."
I moved slowly toward the ladder.
"Don't worry. You can come back any time."
I grinned at her. I rushed back into her house and gathered my stuff. "Thanks for the help and for showing me the treehouse."
"You're welcome. See you tomorrow at school." Sara winked.
"Right, Miss Smith." I giggled.
I shot across the street and through the front door. "Momma, Daddy, you won't believe what Sara just showed me."
They were both in the kitchen. When I walked through the doorway, Daddy looked my way. "We're about ready for supper. Wash your hands."
I huffed but turned around and raced to the bathroom. I washed my hands and then dashed back to the dining table and slid into my chair. "So, did you hear what I said?"
"Dear, we need to ask our blessing," Momma said.
I bowed my head. After Daddy said amen, I started to speak but was stopped by Momma talking. "I'm thinking that I like Peyton. You know, mine and Chloe's names would start with C's and your name and Peyton's would start with P's."
I rolled my eyes. They were talking about the kid again.
"What do you think about Peyton?" Daddy asked me.
I shrugged. "Guess we have to call him something." Kid worked for me.
Momma smiled and clapped her hands. "I think it's perfect. Peyton it is."
I gave up on telling them about the treehouse. That's okay. It could be mine and Sara's secret.
**********
Chloe is having a hard time with two digit addition with regrouping. What is something you have had trouble learning? What advice would you give Chloe on learning something hard?
Have you ever felt a little ignored like Chloe did? How did you feel? How do you think Chloe feels?
"Okay, honey. Be back for supper," Momma called from the kitchen.
I trotted down the front steps and across the road to Sara's house. At school I had to call her Miss Smith, but she said I could still call her Sara other times. I knocked on the door.
Sara whisked open the door. "Well hello there. Ready for some math magic?" She smiled.
"I hope you have some magic for me. Not sure I'm gonna get it any other way."
"Nonsense. You just need practice."
She closed the door and I followed her to the kitchen table.
"Now, the key to learning two digit addition with regrouping is not to panic when you don't get it the first time." Sara nodded.
I puffed my cheeks full of air and blew it out. "How about if you don't get it the second or third time? We've been working on this all week." I plunked my elbows on the table and plopped my chin on my hands.
Sara giggled. "You'll get it."
We worked for almost an hour. I had gotten the last two problems right without Sara's help.
"See? You're getting it."
"But what if it all runs out of my brain tonight? That has happened before."
"Then we'll put it back in until it stays." Sara hopped up. "Come here. I want to show you something I discovered before you go home."
I followed her out to the back yard. She stopped and pointed up into a big tree.
My mouth flew open. "A treehouse!"
Sara nodded and her eyes got real big. "Yep. I didn't notice it until the other day. Come on. I'll show you."
We climbed the wooden ladder steps.
Sara sat down on the edge and motioned inside. "I think all it needs is a good sweep out."
I looked inside. "How wonderful!"
"Maybe you could help me clean it up a bit. I'd let you play in it."
"That would be great. Like a clubhouse." I hugged her.
"I guess you better get going. Your momma will need you home for supper."
I moved slowly toward the ladder.
"Don't worry. You can come back any time."
I grinned at her. I rushed back into her house and gathered my stuff. "Thanks for the help and for showing me the treehouse."
"You're welcome. See you tomorrow at school." Sara winked.
"Right, Miss Smith." I giggled.
I shot across the street and through the front door. "Momma, Daddy, you won't believe what Sara just showed me."
They were both in the kitchen. When I walked through the doorway, Daddy looked my way. "We're about ready for supper. Wash your hands."
I huffed but turned around and raced to the bathroom. I washed my hands and then dashed back to the dining table and slid into my chair. "So, did you hear what I said?"
"Dear, we need to ask our blessing," Momma said.
I bowed my head. After Daddy said amen, I started to speak but was stopped by Momma talking. "I'm thinking that I like Peyton. You know, mine and Chloe's names would start with C's and your name and Peyton's would start with P's."
I rolled my eyes. They were talking about the kid again.
"What do you think about Peyton?" Daddy asked me.
I shrugged. "Guess we have to call him something." Kid worked for me.
Momma smiled and clapped her hands. "I think it's perfect. Peyton it is."
I gave up on telling them about the treehouse. That's okay. It could be mine and Sara's secret.
**********
Chloe is having a hard time with two digit addition with regrouping. What is something you have had trouble learning? What advice would you give Chloe on learning something hard?
Have you ever felt a little ignored like Chloe did? How did you feel? How do you think Chloe feels?
Friday, February 10, 2017
Look What's Arrived!
No, it's not Chloe little brother yet. But her second book is out - The Adventures of Chloe Ann Parker - First Grade. Just in time for Valentine's Day!
And if you didn't have the opportunity to read Chloe's first adventure, The Adventures of Chloe Ann Parker - Kindergarten, you can get it for free on Kindle on February 14th and 15th.
Here's the fabulous cover:
And if you didn't have the opportunity to read Chloe's first adventure, The Adventures of Chloe Ann Parker - Kindergarten, you can get it for free on Kindle on February 14th and 15th.
Here's the fabulous cover:
Chloe Ann Parker heads off to first grade but must
face it without her best friend. She discovers exactly what it means to keep
your nose out of other people’s business when she attempts to do some
matchmaking. Chloe also learns some valuable lessons about friendship,
self-control, and bullies as well as what it means to be a bucket filler in
this first grade adventure.
Saturday, February 4, 2017
With my folder in the right place on the front desk, I hurried over to Mrs. Taylor. I opened my mouth and flicked my wiggly tooth with my tongue. "Mrs. Taylor, could I go see Mrs. Watkins?"
Mrs. Taylor nodded. "I do believe that tooth is more than ready to come out. Go ahead."
I walked quickly to the office. As I rounded the corner into the nurse's office, I stuck out my chin and wiggled the tooth for her. She chuckled and pointed. "Mrs. Watkins is right there at her desk."
Mrs. Watkins twirled her rolling chair around. "Hey, Chloe. What's up?"
"Look." I punched the tooth with my tongue. "My friends said you were an expert tooth puller."
Mrs. Watkins giggled. "I have pulled quite a few." She snatched a tissue from the box on her desk. "Now let me see." The tissue covered the tooth.
I shut my eyes tight and held my breath.
"What are you doing?"
My eyes popped open. "I'm getting ready in case it hurts." I could barely talk with her fingers in my mouth.
She sat back and grinned.
"What's the matter? Isn't it ready yet?"
"Sure was." She opened her hand and there was my tooth.
"Wow. You really are a professional. I didn't feel a thing."
Mrs. Watkins stood. "Come on. Let's get you a necklace to put it in." She plopped the tooth into the little tooth-shaped box and put the string around my neck. "There you go."
"Thanks, Mrs. Watkins." I hugged her and hurried back to class.
When I walked into the classroom, I held up the little box. Jill smiled and nodded. Emalie gave me a thumbs-up.
"Class, let's take our spelling pretest." Mrs. Taylor stood.
I bit my lip and pulled out my paper.
"Upon. The first word is upon."
I did my best to listen to each sound and write it down. I struggled with the words should and dribble. Then I strained my ears to get the two dictation sentences down just right, double checking for capital letters and periods.
"Remember to take these spelling tests home and practice the words, especially those you missed. And don't forget your decodable reader. We're going for fluency. No robot reading."
I didn't mind the spelling and reading part. But later when we did math, I about chewed my lip off. Numbers weren't my friend.
************
I shoved my folder into my backpack and zipped it up.
"Hey, Chloe, don't forget about putting your tooth under your pillow tonight. You know, the tooth fairy." Emalie's eyes widened.
"I won't forget. I'll let you know what I get."
***********
I rushed through the door and into the kitchen. "Momma, look!"
Momma turned around from the stove. "Did you finally lose that tooth?" She propped her fists on the hips.
"Sure did. Mrs. Watkins did it. I didn't even feel it. Can I go show Mr. and Mrs. Brooks. Then I'll have to bring it back and make sure it gets put under my pillow tonight."
Momma nodded. "And honey, will you see what Mrs. Brooks might have to make your Valentine's box for school?"
"Okay." I rushed out the back door and across the yard.
Mr. Brooks stood on the back deck, holding Rosy's leash.
"Mr. Brooks!"
His head jerked up. "Chloe, what's up with my favorite first grader?"
I ran up the steps and held up my necklace. "I lost that tooth." I opened my mouth and stuck my tongue through the hole.
"You certainly did."
"Could I show Mrs. Brooks?"
"Sure. Go on in."
I shoved the door open. Mrs. Brooks stood at the kitchen counter. "Good afternoon, Chloe. How was first grade today?"
"I lost a tooth!"
"Oh my, now that is a big deal."
"Oh and Momma wanted me to ask you if you had something for me to use to make my Valentine's box for school."
Mr. Brooks slipped in with Rosy and slid the leash off the dog's neck. The little white dog rushed over and jumped up on me. I patted her head.
Mrs. Brooks clapped her hands together and held them at her chin. "I've got it. Honey, would you get that empty coffee can I have in the closet over there. I just knew I was saving it for something."
Mr. Brooks pulled out a big round can with a plastic lid. "This what you want?"
"Yes. That should make a fine Valentine's box for all of the cards you will get at school." Mrs. Brooks nodded. "I've got exactly what we need to cover it, white contact paper, and then you can decorate it with hearts and stickers. Whatever you want."
I nodded. "I knew you were the perfect person to ask about this, Mrs. Brooks. You're just like Mrs. Watkins. You're a professional!"
***********************************
Why did Chloe hold her breath and squeeze her eyes shut?
What does Chloe mean about Mrs. Watkins and Mrs. Brooks being professionals?
Do you know someone who seems to be very smart about certain things? Who is it and what are they smart about?
Mrs. Taylor nodded. "I do believe that tooth is more than ready to come out. Go ahead."
I walked quickly to the office. As I rounded the corner into the nurse's office, I stuck out my chin and wiggled the tooth for her. She chuckled and pointed. "Mrs. Watkins is right there at her desk."
Mrs. Watkins twirled her rolling chair around. "Hey, Chloe. What's up?"
"Look." I punched the tooth with my tongue. "My friends said you were an expert tooth puller."
Mrs. Watkins giggled. "I have pulled quite a few." She snatched a tissue from the box on her desk. "Now let me see." The tissue covered the tooth.
I shut my eyes tight and held my breath.
"What are you doing?"
My eyes popped open. "I'm getting ready in case it hurts." I could barely talk with her fingers in my mouth.
She sat back and grinned.
"What's the matter? Isn't it ready yet?"
"Sure was." She opened her hand and there was my tooth.
"Wow. You really are a professional. I didn't feel a thing."
Mrs. Watkins stood. "Come on. Let's get you a necklace to put it in." She plopped the tooth into the little tooth-shaped box and put the string around my neck. "There you go."
"Thanks, Mrs. Watkins." I hugged her and hurried back to class.
When I walked into the classroom, I held up the little box. Jill smiled and nodded. Emalie gave me a thumbs-up.
"Class, let's take our spelling pretest." Mrs. Taylor stood.
I bit my lip and pulled out my paper.
"Upon. The first word is upon."
I did my best to listen to each sound and write it down. I struggled with the words should and dribble. Then I strained my ears to get the two dictation sentences down just right, double checking for capital letters and periods.
"Remember to take these spelling tests home and practice the words, especially those you missed. And don't forget your decodable reader. We're going for fluency. No robot reading."
I didn't mind the spelling and reading part. But later when we did math, I about chewed my lip off. Numbers weren't my friend.
************
I shoved my folder into my backpack and zipped it up.
"Hey, Chloe, don't forget about putting your tooth under your pillow tonight. You know, the tooth fairy." Emalie's eyes widened.
"I won't forget. I'll let you know what I get."
***********
I rushed through the door and into the kitchen. "Momma, look!"
Momma turned around from the stove. "Did you finally lose that tooth?" She propped her fists on the hips.
"Sure did. Mrs. Watkins did it. I didn't even feel it. Can I go show Mr. and Mrs. Brooks. Then I'll have to bring it back and make sure it gets put under my pillow tonight."
Momma nodded. "And honey, will you see what Mrs. Brooks might have to make your Valentine's box for school?"
"Okay." I rushed out the back door and across the yard.
Mr. Brooks stood on the back deck, holding Rosy's leash.
"Mr. Brooks!"
His head jerked up. "Chloe, what's up with my favorite first grader?"
I ran up the steps and held up my necklace. "I lost that tooth." I opened my mouth and stuck my tongue through the hole.
"You certainly did."
"Could I show Mrs. Brooks?"
"Sure. Go on in."
I shoved the door open. Mrs. Brooks stood at the kitchen counter. "Good afternoon, Chloe. How was first grade today?"
"I lost a tooth!"
"Oh my, now that is a big deal."
"Oh and Momma wanted me to ask you if you had something for me to use to make my Valentine's box for school."
Mr. Brooks slipped in with Rosy and slid the leash off the dog's neck. The little white dog rushed over and jumped up on me. I patted her head.
Mrs. Brooks clapped her hands together and held them at her chin. "I've got it. Honey, would you get that empty coffee can I have in the closet over there. I just knew I was saving it for something."
Mr. Brooks pulled out a big round can with a plastic lid. "This what you want?"
"Yes. That should make a fine Valentine's box for all of the cards you will get at school." Mrs. Brooks nodded. "I've got exactly what we need to cover it, white contact paper, and then you can decorate it with hearts and stickers. Whatever you want."
I nodded. "I knew you were the perfect person to ask about this, Mrs. Brooks. You're just like Mrs. Watkins. You're a professional!"
***********************************
Why did Chloe hold her breath and squeeze her eyes shut?
What does Chloe mean about Mrs. Watkins and Mrs. Brooks being professionals?
Do you know someone who seems to be very smart about certain things? Who is it and what are they smart about?
Monday, January 30, 2017
Tooth Crisis
(Please excuse the lateness of this post. Mrs. Mowery was out of town over the weekend and did not have access to post what is happening with Chloe. But here it is. Tooth Crisis!)
Now for a little commercial before Chloe's adventure continues. Please stick close. The Adventures of Chloe Ann Parker - First Grade is almost ready to release. Soon the cover will be revealed which features a first grade version of Chloe. Mrs. Taylor's first grade class excitedly approved of the cover and two inside illustrations.
*********************************************************************************
I finished my breakfast and skipped back upstairs to brush my teeth. As the toothbrush slid over my lower front teeth something was different. Hmm, weird. I brushed the top and back. When I ran back over those lower front ones, it happened again.
After rinsing my mouth, I leaned close to the mirror and stuck out my teeth. "Oh, no!" I touched the tooth with my finger and it wiggled. "Momma!" I ran back downstairs.
"What is wrong?" Momma met me in the living room.
"Look." I moved the tooth with my finger. "A loose tooth."
Momma smiled. "It was bound to happen sooner or later. You can't keep those baby teeth."
"Why not? They've worked for me so far."
Momma chuckled. "Of course they have. But from now on you'll need to grow in your big teeth."
"But I don't think I want to."
"Sorry, it's something everybody has to go through. You'll be fine. Haven't any of your friends at school lost teeth?"
"Well, yeah, but ..." I shivered. "Sometimes they bleed."
Momma patted my back. "It's okay. Now time for school. Preston!"
She called for Daddy. She seemed so calm about this crisis. I needed to get to school and ask my friends about this teeth losing thing. Momma probably didn't remember what it was like anyway.
****************************
At lunch time I stared at the triangle of pizza on my tray. How could I eat with my loose tooth? Surely it would hurt.
"Chloe, are you feeling sick or something?" Belinda said.
"No, I just don't know how I'm going to eat this."
Leonardo shrugged. "What do you mean?"
"I have a loose tooth. See?" I moved the lower tooth a tiny bit with my finger.
"You'll be okay," Ryan said.
"But won't it hurt?"
Angela shook her head. "No. It will get looser and looser and then plop. It will come out."
Didn't sound too good to me.
McKenzie leaned around Ryan. "Don't worry. Just wiggle it. When it gets really loose, Mrs. Watkins can pull it. She's an expert."
"Pull it?"
McKenzie nodded. "You have to. You have to make room for the big tooth that will grow there."
I swallowed.
"Don't be afraid. And anyway, you get money from the Tooth Fairy."
Curiouser. "The Tooth Fairy?"
McKenzie smiled. "You put your tooth under your pillow when you go to bed and then in the morning there's money."
I sat up a little straighter.
"I got ten dollars for this one and this one." McKenzie opened her mouth and pointed.
I was beginning to feel better, especially about getting money from the Tooth Fairy.
****************
Later at home, I sat on the stool in the kitchen and wiggled and wiggled my tooth.
Momma leaned closer and studied my wiggling. "Do you want me to pull it? It looks mighty loose."
I shook my head. "Oh, no, Momma. I'll let Mrs. Watkins do it. She is a professional."
******************
Why was Chloe so afraid about her loose tooth?
Her friends tried to help her by sharing their experience with loosing teeth. Have you lost any teeth? Were you afraid? Explain about a tooth you lost.
Now for a little commercial before Chloe's adventure continues. Please stick close. The Adventures of Chloe Ann Parker - First Grade is almost ready to release. Soon the cover will be revealed which features a first grade version of Chloe. Mrs. Taylor's first grade class excitedly approved of the cover and two inside illustrations.
*********************************************************************************
I finished my breakfast and skipped back upstairs to brush my teeth. As the toothbrush slid over my lower front teeth something was different. Hmm, weird. I brushed the top and back. When I ran back over those lower front ones, it happened again.
After rinsing my mouth, I leaned close to the mirror and stuck out my teeth. "Oh, no!" I touched the tooth with my finger and it wiggled. "Momma!" I ran back downstairs.
"What is wrong?" Momma met me in the living room.
"Look." I moved the tooth with my finger. "A loose tooth."
Momma smiled. "It was bound to happen sooner or later. You can't keep those baby teeth."
"Why not? They've worked for me so far."
Momma chuckled. "Of course they have. But from now on you'll need to grow in your big teeth."
"But I don't think I want to."
"Sorry, it's something everybody has to go through. You'll be fine. Haven't any of your friends at school lost teeth?"
"Well, yeah, but ..." I shivered. "Sometimes they bleed."
Momma patted my back. "It's okay. Now time for school. Preston!"
She called for Daddy. She seemed so calm about this crisis. I needed to get to school and ask my friends about this teeth losing thing. Momma probably didn't remember what it was like anyway.
****************************
At lunch time I stared at the triangle of pizza on my tray. How could I eat with my loose tooth? Surely it would hurt.
"Chloe, are you feeling sick or something?" Belinda said.
"No, I just don't know how I'm going to eat this."
Leonardo shrugged. "What do you mean?"
"I have a loose tooth. See?" I moved the lower tooth a tiny bit with my finger.
"You'll be okay," Ryan said.
"But won't it hurt?"
Angela shook her head. "No. It will get looser and looser and then plop. It will come out."
Didn't sound too good to me.
McKenzie leaned around Ryan. "Don't worry. Just wiggle it. When it gets really loose, Mrs. Watkins can pull it. She's an expert."
"Pull it?"
McKenzie nodded. "You have to. You have to make room for the big tooth that will grow there."
I swallowed.
"Don't be afraid. And anyway, you get money from the Tooth Fairy."
Curiouser. "The Tooth Fairy?"
McKenzie smiled. "You put your tooth under your pillow when you go to bed and then in the morning there's money."
I sat up a little straighter.
"I got ten dollars for this one and this one." McKenzie opened her mouth and pointed.
I was beginning to feel better, especially about getting money from the Tooth Fairy.
****************
Later at home, I sat on the stool in the kitchen and wiggled and wiggled my tooth.
Momma leaned closer and studied my wiggling. "Do you want me to pull it? It looks mighty loose."
I shook my head. "Oh, no, Momma. I'll let Mrs. Watkins do it. She is a professional."
******************
Why was Chloe so afraid about her loose tooth?
Her friends tried to help her by sharing their experience with loosing teeth. Have you lost any teeth? Were you afraid? Explain about a tooth you lost.
Saturday, January 21, 2017
One Hundred Today
"Momma, tomorrow is the one hundredth day of school. We're supposed to dress up like we're a hundred. "
"That sounds like fun. Let me think." Momma tapped her finger on her chin.
"I thought since Mrs. Brooks is an old person, she might be able to help me."
Momma cleared her throat. "I don't think that's the best way to approach it."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm just saying, you don't want to offend Mrs. Brooks."
I shook my head. "Naw, Mr. and Mrs. Brooks get me."
"All right. You walk on over and I'll give them a call, letting them know you're coming."
"Okay."
I hurried across the back yards and stepped up onto the Brooks' back porch.
Mr. Brooks slid the door open. "Well, hello there. Hear you're needing some help in dressing up for tomorrow."
"Yep. I thought Mrs. Brooks could help me look one hundred."
Mr. Brooks chuckled. "So your mother said. Come on in." He pushed the door closed behind us. "Louise, I mean, Mrs. Brooks is in her study, already pulling stuff out for you."
"Great." I took off toward the library.
Mrs. Brooks looked up from a pile of stuff on the couch and motioned me over. "Come on in. Let me show you what I found." She held up a dark pair of glasses that almost looked like cat eyes. "Look at these. This are perfect for an old lady. I took the lens out of them but they will still look the part. Here, put them on."
I pushed them up on my face. Mrs. Brooks grinned and nodded. She flung a shawl around my shoulders and pinned it together in the front with a big round jewel-looking thing.
"What is that?"
"That's called a brooch. Not many people wear them nowadays."
"But you wore it back in the olden days?"
"Yep. All you need to do is wear a dress under this shawl. Then you can wear saggy socks and some tennis shoes. You can top off the look with this." She held up a stick. "This is a cane. I had to use it when I had knee replacement."
I took the cane and held it the way I had seen old people do. "How do I look?"
Mrs. Brooks giggled. "Perfect. I told your momma on the phone that she can make your hair look white by putting baby powder in it tomorrow morning."
"Thanks Mrs. Brooks. I'm gonna look just like an old person."
"You'll come over after school and let me see you, right?"
"Of course. I'll have to tell you about our special activities."
"Please do."
I sprinted across the yard and modeled my shawl, glasses, and cane for Momma.
***
The next morning Momma stood me in the bathtub and sprinkled my hair with powder. I sneezed. Then I put on my dress and shawl with the big pin to hold it. I shoved on the glasses and pretended to hobble down to the kitchen using my cane.
Momma turned around and burst into laughing. "I love it."
Daddy rounded the corner and his eyes got big. "Well, who is this visiting us, Honey?"
I rolled my eyes. "Daddy, it's just me. Do I look one hundred?"
Daddy pursed his lips and studied me. "I'd say you look pretty close."
Since Momma's middle has grown, Daddy drove me to school. I waved as I shut the car door. Daddy blew me a kiss.
I could hardly wait to start this school day. Stepping into the gym, I carefully made my way over to where my class sat.
Bryson pointed at me. "Hey, Chloe, that's a great costume."
I plopped down on the bleacher. "Thanks. My neighbor helped me."
Soon we filed down the hallway to Mrs. Taylor's classroom. The first grade hall had streamers hanging down and a large sign that said: Happy One Hundredth Day of School.
Mrs. Taylor explained the stations we would go through and then paired us up. My partner was Amy.
"Amy, I'm glad we are partners."
"Me too. Let's start here with the 100 cups."
The two of us worked with as steady of hands as we could to stack the cups. Then we had to link 100 straws.
A loud crash boomed from the stacking cups. Dylan and Weston laughed and started stacking again.
With our first two activities done, me and Amy started counting out ten of all the things on a table. There were different kinds of foods like cereal. We collected all 100 items and set out to make a picture of some sort.
"Ah ha! I'm going to make a princess out of mine." I arranged the pieces and started gluing.
"That's a good idea," Amy said.
When our masterpieces were complete, me and Amy joined some others working on two one hundred piece puzzles.
After a few minutes of placing pieces, I sighed. "Whew, I didn't realize this would be so hard."
"I know. One hundred pieces is a lot." Amy nodded.
The fun activities went by in lickety split time.
After school I raced over to Mr. and Mrs. Brooks' house and knocked on the back door.
Mr. Brooks opened the door and his forehead crinkled. "Hey Louise, are you expecting a friend?"
Mrs. Brooks walked into the kitchen. "Not that I know of."
"It's just me. Chloe Ann Parker." I stepped inside and spun around. "Do I look one hundred?"
Mr. Brooks crossed his arms over his chest. "Not a day over ninety-nine." He laughed. "Would you care for some cookies?"
"Chocolate chip?"
"Why, of course, ma'am. Is there any other kind?" His eyebrows rose.
I turned on my old lady voice. "No sir, no there ain't."
*******************************
Why did Momma say that Chloe might offend Mrs. Brooks?
What type of school activities do you get excited about? List some and tell about your most favorite.
"That sounds like fun. Let me think." Momma tapped her finger on her chin.
"I thought since Mrs. Brooks is an old person, she might be able to help me."
Momma cleared her throat. "I don't think that's the best way to approach it."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm just saying, you don't want to offend Mrs. Brooks."
I shook my head. "Naw, Mr. and Mrs. Brooks get me."
"All right. You walk on over and I'll give them a call, letting them know you're coming."
"Okay."
I hurried across the back yards and stepped up onto the Brooks' back porch.
Mr. Brooks slid the door open. "Well, hello there. Hear you're needing some help in dressing up for tomorrow."
"Yep. I thought Mrs. Brooks could help me look one hundred."
Mr. Brooks chuckled. "So your mother said. Come on in." He pushed the door closed behind us. "Louise, I mean, Mrs. Brooks is in her study, already pulling stuff out for you."
"Great." I took off toward the library.
Mrs. Brooks looked up from a pile of stuff on the couch and motioned me over. "Come on in. Let me show you what I found." She held up a dark pair of glasses that almost looked like cat eyes. "Look at these. This are perfect for an old lady. I took the lens out of them but they will still look the part. Here, put them on."
I pushed them up on my face. Mrs. Brooks grinned and nodded. She flung a shawl around my shoulders and pinned it together in the front with a big round jewel-looking thing.
"What is that?"
"That's called a brooch. Not many people wear them nowadays."
"But you wore it back in the olden days?"
"Yep. All you need to do is wear a dress under this shawl. Then you can wear saggy socks and some tennis shoes. You can top off the look with this." She held up a stick. "This is a cane. I had to use it when I had knee replacement."
I took the cane and held it the way I had seen old people do. "How do I look?"
Mrs. Brooks giggled. "Perfect. I told your momma on the phone that she can make your hair look white by putting baby powder in it tomorrow morning."
"Thanks Mrs. Brooks. I'm gonna look just like an old person."
"You'll come over after school and let me see you, right?"
"Of course. I'll have to tell you about our special activities."
"Please do."
I sprinted across the yard and modeled my shawl, glasses, and cane for Momma.
***
The next morning Momma stood me in the bathtub and sprinkled my hair with powder. I sneezed. Then I put on my dress and shawl with the big pin to hold it. I shoved on the glasses and pretended to hobble down to the kitchen using my cane.
Momma turned around and burst into laughing. "I love it."
Daddy rounded the corner and his eyes got big. "Well, who is this visiting us, Honey?"
I rolled my eyes. "Daddy, it's just me. Do I look one hundred?"
Daddy pursed his lips and studied me. "I'd say you look pretty close."
Since Momma's middle has grown, Daddy drove me to school. I waved as I shut the car door. Daddy blew me a kiss.
I could hardly wait to start this school day. Stepping into the gym, I carefully made my way over to where my class sat.
Bryson pointed at me. "Hey, Chloe, that's a great costume."
I plopped down on the bleacher. "Thanks. My neighbor helped me."
Soon we filed down the hallway to Mrs. Taylor's classroom. The first grade hall had streamers hanging down and a large sign that said: Happy One Hundredth Day of School.
Mrs. Taylor explained the stations we would go through and then paired us up. My partner was Amy.
"Amy, I'm glad we are partners."
"Me too. Let's start here with the 100 cups."
The two of us worked with as steady of hands as we could to stack the cups. Then we had to link 100 straws.
A loud crash boomed from the stacking cups. Dylan and Weston laughed and started stacking again.
With our first two activities done, me and Amy started counting out ten of all the things on a table. There were different kinds of foods like cereal. We collected all 100 items and set out to make a picture of some sort.
"Ah ha! I'm going to make a princess out of mine." I arranged the pieces and started gluing.
"That's a good idea," Amy said.
When our masterpieces were complete, me and Amy joined some others working on two one hundred piece puzzles.
After a few minutes of placing pieces, I sighed. "Whew, I didn't realize this would be so hard."
"I know. One hundred pieces is a lot." Amy nodded.
The fun activities went by in lickety split time.
After school I raced over to Mr. and Mrs. Brooks' house and knocked on the back door.
Mr. Brooks opened the door and his forehead crinkled. "Hey Louise, are you expecting a friend?"
Mrs. Brooks walked into the kitchen. "Not that I know of."
"It's just me. Chloe Ann Parker." I stepped inside and spun around. "Do I look one hundred?"
Mr. Brooks crossed his arms over his chest. "Not a day over ninety-nine." He laughed. "Would you care for some cookies?"
"Chocolate chip?"
"Why, of course, ma'am. Is there any other kind?" His eyebrows rose.
I turned on my old lady voice. "No sir, no there ain't."
*******************************
Why did Momma say that Chloe might offend Mrs. Brooks?
What type of school activities do you get excited about? List some and tell about your most favorite.
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Aw, No Pink!
"Chloe, are you ready?" Momma called up the stairs.
"Yeah, Momma. I'm coming." I skipped down the stairs.
During breakfast Momma and Daddy talked about going shopping. I've always liked seeing the latest fashions. But Momma had mentioned looking for baby things. That part didn't excite me too much. Again, this kid isn't even here yet, but the kid's room is getting filled with all kind of stuff. I rolled my eyes.
Daddy let me and Momma out at the mall entrance. He soon returned after parking the car. He smiled. "Where shall we start?"
Momma grabbed his hand and motioned to me. "Let's go to the kids' section."
We passed by the most beautifulest pink shirt and pants set. I stopped in my tracks. Noticing Momma and Daddy kept walking, I whisper-yelled. "Hey, wait a minute."
They whirled around.
"Look at this. Isn't it divine?"
Momma glanced at Daddy and then looked at me. "Honey, we're here to look for things for the baby."
"Is he coming tomorrow?"
"Well, no."
"So why does he need clothes and stuff now?"
Daddy knelt down next to me. "We have to get ready for him to come."
Momma nodded. "Yeah, we did the same thing for you."
I crossed my arms over my chest. "I'm guessing since it's a boy that means no pink."
Daddy chuckled. "Yep. Boys don't normally wear pink. They wear blue."
"And you're sure it's a boy?"
Momma smiled. "Yes, we're sure."
"How can you be so sure? If I were ordering, I would have ordered a girl."
"That's not the way it works. You don't get to order babies. But you can find out what it is by the sonogram test. They move this thing over my stomach and they can see the baby." She motioned for me to follow. "Let's find a cute outfit for me to bring him home in."
"Okay."
We walked down the aisle and turned right into the baby section. Daddy stopped and held up a hideous shirt with a goofy animal on the front. I shook my head. This kid really did need my help already. I needed to make sure he wouldn't be embarrassed with the clothes they picked out for him.
Momma held up some kind of sweater-type all in one outfit. Oh, no. That one would embarrass more than just the kid.
I marched over to a rack and shuffled through until I found the perfect thing. "Momma, Daddy, what about this?" I held it up.
They turned around. Momma's mouth formed into a big O and she put her hands on both sides of her face. "Now that is just precious." She swiped under her eyes.
"If it's precious, why are you crying?" I shrugged.
Daddy patted my back. "Mommas get a little bit emotional when they are pregnant."
"Oh. So, you do like it?"
Momma wrapped her arm around my shoulders and squeezed. "I love it. It's perfect." She held the garment up and read the words out loud. "I'm the Little Brother."
************
Do you think Chloe might be starting to accept that she will have a baby brother? What makes you think that?
Can you think of other ways Chloe could help prepare for the baby's coming? Make a list.
"Yeah, Momma. I'm coming." I skipped down the stairs.
During breakfast Momma and Daddy talked about going shopping. I've always liked seeing the latest fashions. But Momma had mentioned looking for baby things. That part didn't excite me too much. Again, this kid isn't even here yet, but the kid's room is getting filled with all kind of stuff. I rolled my eyes.
Daddy let me and Momma out at the mall entrance. He soon returned after parking the car. He smiled. "Where shall we start?"
Momma grabbed his hand and motioned to me. "Let's go to the kids' section."
We passed by the most beautifulest pink shirt and pants set. I stopped in my tracks. Noticing Momma and Daddy kept walking, I whisper-yelled. "Hey, wait a minute."
They whirled around.
"Look at this. Isn't it divine?"
Momma glanced at Daddy and then looked at me. "Honey, we're here to look for things for the baby."
"Is he coming tomorrow?"
"Well, no."
"So why does he need clothes and stuff now?"
Daddy knelt down next to me. "We have to get ready for him to come."
Momma nodded. "Yeah, we did the same thing for you."
I crossed my arms over my chest. "I'm guessing since it's a boy that means no pink."
Daddy chuckled. "Yep. Boys don't normally wear pink. They wear blue."
"And you're sure it's a boy?"
Momma smiled. "Yes, we're sure."
"How can you be so sure? If I were ordering, I would have ordered a girl."
"That's not the way it works. You don't get to order babies. But you can find out what it is by the sonogram test. They move this thing over my stomach and they can see the baby." She motioned for me to follow. "Let's find a cute outfit for me to bring him home in."
"Okay."
We walked down the aisle and turned right into the baby section. Daddy stopped and held up a hideous shirt with a goofy animal on the front. I shook my head. This kid really did need my help already. I needed to make sure he wouldn't be embarrassed with the clothes they picked out for him.
Momma held up some kind of sweater-type all in one outfit. Oh, no. That one would embarrass more than just the kid.
I marched over to a rack and shuffled through until I found the perfect thing. "Momma, Daddy, what about this?" I held it up.
They turned around. Momma's mouth formed into a big O and she put her hands on both sides of her face. "Now that is just precious." She swiped under her eyes.
"If it's precious, why are you crying?" I shrugged.
Daddy patted my back. "Mommas get a little bit emotional when they are pregnant."
"Oh. So, you do like it?"
Momma wrapped her arm around my shoulders and squeezed. "I love it. It's perfect." She held the garment up and read the words out loud. "I'm the Little Brother."
************
Do you think Chloe might be starting to accept that she will have a baby brother? What makes you think that?
Can you think of other ways Chloe could help prepare for the baby's coming? Make a list.
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Friends, Can you believe it?
I rushed to the gym and scanned the crowd for my friends. Plopping into a spot next to Jill, I huffed out a big breath. Others from my class turned around.
"Hi, Chloe, how was your Christmas?" Kelly said.
"Just wait until you hear this. My life is over." I shook my head.
Jill patted my back. "Oh my, what's going on?"
"My momma announced on Christmas Day that she is going to have a baby." There I had said it.
Jill nibbled her bottom lip. "Chloe, I kinda guessed that."
"What?"
"Well, when you told us about the room being painted blue and all, it just sounded like ..."
I cut Jill off. "I guess I should've known. I just didn't want to go there." I folded my arms across my chest. "And, get this, it's a boy! What do I do with a boy?"
Emalie whirled around in her seat. "I thought the same thing when I got a baby brother. But it's not that bad. In fact, my mom told me that he would end up standing up for me when he grew up, since I'm a girl."
I thought about that but still wasn't sure I was convinced.
"I have a little sister," Efrin said. "You could be like friends and do stuff together."
I hadn't thought about it that way.
"But there are times she cried, keeping me up at night." Efrin shrugged.
Brayden nodded. "There are times they can get on your nerves and bug you too."
I remembered something Momma had told me the night before. "Momma told me that she is going to a party for this boy baby. This kid isn't here but he's already having parties and getting presents. Good grief!"
"First grade, line up," a teacher said.
I grabbed my backpack and coat and shuffled down the hallway toward Mrs. Taylor's room.
After talking with my friends about this baby boy situation, I wondered if there really would be some good things involved with having a little brother. Then on the other hand, not everything sounded particularly positive.
I guess in a few months I'll know for sure. I shivered thinking about it.
********************
If you have a brother or sister, what would you say to Chloe? What good things could you tell her about having a sibling? What bad things might you tell her about having a sibling?
What might you tell Chloe about how she could be a good big sister?
"Hi, Chloe, how was your Christmas?" Kelly said.
"Just wait until you hear this. My life is over." I shook my head.
Jill patted my back. "Oh my, what's going on?"
"My momma announced on Christmas Day that she is going to have a baby." There I had said it.
Jill nibbled her bottom lip. "Chloe, I kinda guessed that."
"What?"
"Well, when you told us about the room being painted blue and all, it just sounded like ..."
I cut Jill off. "I guess I should've known. I just didn't want to go there." I folded my arms across my chest. "And, get this, it's a boy! What do I do with a boy?"
Emalie whirled around in her seat. "I thought the same thing when I got a baby brother. But it's not that bad. In fact, my mom told me that he would end up standing up for me when he grew up, since I'm a girl."
I thought about that but still wasn't sure I was convinced.
"I have a little sister," Efrin said. "You could be like friends and do stuff together."
I hadn't thought about it that way.
"But there are times she cried, keeping me up at night." Efrin shrugged.
Brayden nodded. "There are times they can get on your nerves and bug you too."
I remembered something Momma had told me the night before. "Momma told me that she is going to a party for this boy baby. This kid isn't here but he's already having parties and getting presents. Good grief!"
"First grade, line up," a teacher said.
I grabbed my backpack and coat and shuffled down the hallway toward Mrs. Taylor's room.
After talking with my friends about this baby boy situation, I wondered if there really would be some good things involved with having a little brother. Then on the other hand, not everything sounded particularly positive.
I guess in a few months I'll know for sure. I shivered thinking about it.
********************
If you have a brother or sister, what would you say to Chloe? What good things could you tell her about having a sibling? What bad things might you tell her about having a sibling?
What might you tell Chloe about how she could be a good big sister?
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