http://www.parenting.com/article/the-early-literacy-crisis It’s heartbreaking to realize that our world is so often such an unfair place. That some children are born to parents who are actively involved in their lives and provide the stimulating, loving, and nurturing environment which they need to thrive, while other children are born into poverty and almost certain to fail… in […]
It was a big success! It’s so fun to share Alphabet Anatomy and see those sweet, smiling little faces. We had a slide show of our book and then showed our You Tube video, the Alphabet Anatomy Rap. We even had two little dancers! Alphabet cookies were the perfect snack and we ended our show […]
There’s something truly beautiful about the pure, undiluted ambition of our children and teens. They see the world in a fashion untainted by waning confidences, self-doubt and self-imposed limits. And when we acknowledge this, we arrive at the fundamental truth that we, as fully matured adults, can learn something from our budding boys and girls […]
Yesterday was the end of an era in the Jones household. Branson and I went back-to-school shopping…. for the last time [sniff, sniff, very sad face]. He’s a senior this year!!!! My baby, the 4th and last of my beautiful boys, is grown up. Actually, it was just clothes shopping. In high school, the excitement […]
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill That’s the quotation underneath Scott Norris’ picture on his memorial program. He and 3 other fallen Hot Shots were laid to rest this weekend. I read about all of them in the newspaper and stared in disbelief at each of […]
Does your child know what a contraction is? I went to school in Albany, New York, and I learned about these in elementary school. Wow, that was many years ago! I’ve (I have) set forth several contractions below for examples with the combined two words in parentheses. I think it’s (it is) so important […]
Alice Cooper’s lyrics are resounding in my head!! “No more pencils, no more books….” You know summer is officially here when the last day of school arrives. The kids are ecstatic; the moms not so much… If you’re wondering how to fill all those blistery summer days, keep the kiddos smiling, avoid the boredom […]
Good evening, everyone! I’ve been really busy on some very exciting things that are coming in the near future but I wanted to give a big shout-out to all you amazing teachers out there. Although my boys are older now, I’m still so grateful to the incredibly caring teachers who touched their lives in such […]
Seriously, I can’t believe it’s May 1st already! One-third of 2013 is gone. Hey, TIME – you really need to slow down… So what comes to mind for May — flowers of course! And I have lots right in my front yard. On this beautiful spring morning I spent a little time on our […]
I’d like to start by saying I’ve been visiting some of the amazing and very creative mommy blogs out there and, man, do I have a lot of catching up to do!! There’s a limitless wealth of knowledge, information, and resources out there and it’s just a great time to be a mom and connect […]
Begin: to come into existence; to originate. (I love the dictionary!) So where did Alphabet Anatomy begin? Glad you asked. I’ve been blessed with 4 very talented and handsome sons whom I love with all my heart. Of course I do!! Like most moms, I helped my sons learn their letters before kindergarten and […]
I don’t want to wait for heaven. I want you back right now. Coffee’s on, Dad. JOHN (JACK) EDWARD TUNNY November 10, 1934 – March 24, 2013 Honor is defined by integrity, courage, character, and truthfulness, all things highly esteemed by my Dad. His mom was a meticulous housekeeper who required that he […]
I just realized only eleven days until Easter — March 31st. It’s early this year. I’m wondering if kids ever outgrow Easter baskets, specifically my kids, who are no longer “kids” but four big, tall young men — 17, 22, 24 and 27. When the boys were little, it was easy to add action figures […]
My father doesn’t like it here. It’s a very nice place with a big beautiful kitchen and french doors in every bedroom that open to a private patio so the fresh air and sunlight can stream through. There are 2 sitting areas for families, one with books and magazines and the other with a T.V., […]
It’s Monday and the start of a brand new week. For my family, this is a very sad week. My father was moved to Hospice yesterday with Stage 4 cancer, a dreadful and insidious disease that is slowly and painfully taking him away from us. Actually, it moved very quickly in destroying his body once […]
Yes, this is it! My very first book fair with Alphabet Anatomy. Not only a fair, but a “festival” — the Tucson Festival of Books — a celebration! And when it comes to books, there are certainly a lot of things to celebrate. Books educate and entertain us, take us to far-off magical places, […]
The following message from GodVine appeared in my inbox this afternoon, perfectly timed of course, since I’ve been struggling lately to really believe that God hears me and cares about my life. I know He takes us through trials, often very difficult ones, to bring us closer to Him and strengthen our faith and trust. […]
Alphabet Anatomy intentionally uses “big words” to describe each letter’s life and character, and there are even a few not so common words in Meet the Capital Letters’ rhyming verses. There seems to be some controversy that preschool children may find these words “over their heads” or that “big words” may not be suitable to […]
It’s always just a tiny bit sad when Christmas is over. All the built-up anticipation for so many weeks, the planning to get everything just right, the excitement, but most of all the love and kindness that always abounds during the holidays — I love that feeling — and then the magic quietly dissipates. Everything […]
I’m so glad you stopped by to visit. I want to thank Nick Zimmerman of Arid Media for his great work in updating our website! This is my very first official blog so it’s all pretty new to me. Please be patient as I learn all of these new things to keep you apprised of […]