The Day the Crayons Quit Event at Barnes and Noble

My girls and I had the opportunity to go to The Day the Crayons Quit culminating event at our local Barnes and Noble bookstore. 

For several weeks now, they've had these sheets out for kids to use crayons and draw/write a petition to the crayons, pleading with them to not quit!

I thought it was a very cute event celebrating a well-loved picture book by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. It was great to see so many kids come out to participate, eagerly awaiting the final decision from the crayons.

The kids were given a balloon and then we paraded around the store chanting, "Crayons, don't quit! Crayons, don't quit!" Even if the adults were the louder ones, it was still fun for the kids to go all around the store in their little balloon parade.

Then, they opened the mysterious package they received from the crayons which had copies of a letter written to the kids. 

The crayons decided NOT to quit! Yay! 

I know I'm biased, but aren't my kids the cutest crayons ever?! 

It was a great event and I look forward to attending more with my girls in the future. They were a little young to fully comprehend this one, but it was fun to participate in. Thanks, Barnes and Noble! 

#thebookishmama

The One with the Open Letter to Summer

Dearest summer,

This has been a long time coming, but I'm finally going to have to take away your title of "my favorite season." You've held that title for a long as I can remember, but when I truly face the facts of it, I really don't think you can be my "favorite" any longer.

I know we grew up together and I longed for you to come each year because it meant that school would be on break finally. It meant endless days of playing in the backyard, riding our bikes, drinking cool water from the garden hose, chasing down the ice cream man, and lying under the crack of my grandparents' closed bedroom door because it would channel the air conditioning to blow hard on a hot day. 

Those were great memories, but I'm sorry to admit that my heart has changed. 

This summer, especially, the heat has been a little relentless. The humidity from the hurricanes in Baja have brought weeks of humidity and has made our typically normally warm summer, a sweaty, sticky, HOT one. Me and humidity, nope. We don't get along well at all. I think I realize that I'm not really that fond of heat. 

Along with the humid heat, the bugs and insects seem to be everywhere this summer. My body has become increasingly allergic to insect bites, especially of the mosquito kind. Somehow these rogue mosquitoes even find their way INSIDE buildings and only seem to enjoy on snacking on my sweet blood. The welts that I've suffered from this summer have been numbered by the many. And why is it never just ONE bite, but 6 instead?!

Therefore, I just cannot say that you are my favorite season any longer. And I'm sorry to inform you that I think that Autumn has taken your place. 

Even though we don't get a true fall here in San Diego, the idea of it delights me each year. The colors of changing leaves, the cool, crisp weather... and everything PUMPKIN! We don't get all of the changing colors, but on cooler days, it's nice to feel the crisp air. We normally have warm falls, but I've got my fingers crossed that it might be a cooler one so I can finally wear all of the scarves, jackets, and boots that I own. 

Plus, have I mentioned that I love everything pumpkin?! 

So, summer, we've had many good years together and I do enjoy you when you come around each year, but I'm happy to finally admit that Autumn, you truly are my favorite season. 

Sincerely,

A fan of Autumn

Slice of Life is a writing challenge hosted by Two Writing Teachers. Each Tuesday, if you would like to participate you can link up at their post and share your slice or read others. 

It's Monday! What are you reading? :: September 29, 2014

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey.  Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers have adapted it to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

Hello! I've been thinking a lot about my blog over the past month. Inspiration was just hitting me from left and right. So here I am again...

I've been reading a lot of kid lit lately. When you have two little kids, it's hard to have any energy at the end of the day to read anything longer. Plus, it feels good to finish a whole book in an evening or two. The sense of accomplishment is rewarding, especially when finishing anything nowadays (a few episodes of TV, a whole magazine, a full-length feature film, a long book, etc.) is so difficult.

The last book that I finished was:

Letters to Leo

What are you reading this week? 

Workspace Wednesday :: 11

I moved my labels to an open tray so it would be easier for me to sift through it and not have to do so much digging. 

Love these hexagon trays that were in the Target dollar spot for months. Cute, bright colors and very functional too!

Anyone else spend more time organizing and re-organizing your craft stash instead of actually crafting?

*guilty as charged* over here. :)

If you would like to participate in the Workspace Wednesday posts, follow the #workspacewednesday hashtag on Instagram. Marcy Penner is also leading a group of crafty WW posts at #hfworkspacewednesday.

You can follow me on Instagram at @jasminemarie. 

Workspace Wednesday :: 10

This Disney album is taking a lot longer than I expected, but then again, having two little kids will definitely get in the way of crafting. 

Especially little ones that touch and eat everything! :)

If you would like to participate in the Workspace Wednesday posts, follow the #workspacewednesday hashtag on Instagram. Marcy Penner is also leading a group of crafty WW posts at #hfworkspacewednesday.

You can follow me on Instagram at @jasminemarie.