Help for Reluctant Readers

Do you have a reader who is reluctant to read? A beginning reader who loves to practice, or maybe not? Here is a little trick to get your struggling reader to spend more time reading. Have your child read to a pet. Dogs are great listeners. If you've ever had a bad day you know what I'm talking about. The beauty of dogs is that they love to be with you and doing whatever you're doing.
Having your child read to a dog helps them practice reading without any interruptions. And dogs just have this unique ability to look like they understand what your saying too.
In many after school programs they bring in dogs to sit with children as they read. Dogs help to bring down the anxiety for struggling readers and provide great pillows to lay on as the child practices reading.
If you have a struggling reader have them sit down and read aloud to the dog. Chances are they will love doing it and get the much needed practice they need to become a strong reader.
Online you will also find some great websites like Starfall that are free and interactive. Fun animations help kids learn their phonograms and sight words while practicing reading.

Enjoying the Simple Things

 A recent trip out of town landed us at the local King Kone. Boy were we in for a surprise. The cones were double fisters piled high with vanilla ice cream.
It's interesting to me that this has always been the one stop my husband wants to make whenever we visit this town. From what we remember it had been years and are kids had no memory of stopping here to enjoy a King Kone. A simple stop, very cheap ice cream cones, and it's all the kids and my husband talked about for the rest of our trip.
It has taught me one thing, we should spend more time enjoying the simple things around us, the wonder and awe of a massive too big to eat ice cream cone, or the simple beauty of a garden or local farmers market.
With money tight for most American families, making a day trip to a local town and visiting their park, their farmers market, or their little ice cream stand can make just as many wonderful memories for your children as a trip to Disneyland.

Simple Summer Lunch

Lately the kids and I have fallen in love with these simple open faced sandwiches. I love using the tomatos from our home grown plants and making homemade bagels. YUM!

It's really quite simple, and yet even guests would be awed to be served this with a side of fruit.

All that is needed is one avocado for every two people and some vine ripened tomatoes from the garden. Mash the avocado with a few drops of time. This helps it to stay nice and green. Spread on your home made bagel, or favorite thick crusty bread. Slice the tomato and place on top. Salt and pepper to taste and your done! Yes it's that simple and so so so good. Not to mention your not using any artificial ingredients or bad for you foods. The only warning I can give is that these can become very addictive lunches, so stock up!