G’day Bookworms!
It’s Monday, which is not fun. However, I had a fabulous weekend, and that helps make up for it. I went back to the homestead in the Chicago burbs. There I spent some QT with the fam, met up with some pals from high school who also happen to read my blog (Jackie and Ashley kind of rule), AND I had a fabulous brunch with the one and only Quirky Chrissy.
I’m going to pull the proud Auntie card an monopolize this post, because I love the crap out of my nephew. He has a real, honest-to-goodness name, but I refuse to use it. Instead I refer to him as “Squishy.” “The Squish,” “Squisherson,” or some other ridiculous variation. Why? Because THIS:
I basically nicknamed my nephew in honor of a jelly fish. But he’s so CUTE and he has the best CHEEKS and I LOVE him. So there. Anyway, this weekend Squishy and I did some reading. He was REALLY into One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. He was flailing and pointing excitedly as only a 5 month old can do. What’s that you say? Of COURSE I documented our reading session!
This book had a mirror in it, so it was a hit with Squishy. It also had a penguin in it, so I was a big fan, too! Now, being 5 months old, he was a pretty captive audience. It’s not like he’s capable of physically escaping my grasp or anything, but there were some happy coos going on, so I’m confident he enjoyed himself. At least, I’m confident he enjoyed himself with the reading. I take no responsibility for subjecting the innocent child to the abject humiliation that followed. THAT was Grandma’s doing. (I take no responsibility, but I did take JOY. So much joy. Have you ever seen a cuter sock monkey?!)
This poor kid. He’ll probably hate us for this when he gets older, but how could we be expected to resist? That was my stellar weekend. How was yours, Bookworms? Anybody do anything awesome? Hang out with a monkey? C’mon, share with the class!
Charleen
I’m going to Chicago this weekend! Except, unlike most times I say I’m “going to Chicago,” I’m actually going to Chicago, not stopping 20 miles short. I haven’t really spent any time downtown in over ten years, so it should be fun.
Words for Worms
Oooooh THE CITY! Have a blast!
Charleen
I will finally see the Bean!
Ashley F
OMG wanna squish those cheeks!!!!
Words for Worms
They are excellent for smothering with kisses.
A.M.B.
Wow, your nephew is already five months old! He’s adorable! My kids really liked “One First, Two Fish (etc).” I love many Dr. Seuss books (including “One Fish, et al” and “Oh the Places You’ll Go”), but some have too much gibberish and are just too long. The illustrations are always great, though.
Words for Worms
I forgot how tongue tying One Fish, Two Fish was! I got all crazy with Mr. Gumps multi-humped wump.
Megan M.
Aww. I called my oldest daughter “Squeaky Cheeks” when she was a baby. I wish my girls were still “captive” audiences. Now I lovingly pick out awesome picture books from the library and they reject half of them because they’re not interested! If putting them to bed didn’t already take so long (bathroom, pajamas, two stories, two songs, inevitable whining for a sip of milk, etc.) I would institute a “Mommy’s choice” bedtime story. LOL
What are your feelings on “Love You Forever”? I heard about it from parents/grandparents fawning over it when I was working at a bookstore, so I read it one day and… I found it really creepy. Couldn’t imagine actually reading it to a child. Also, “The Giving Tree” seems like it’s teaching kids to be jerkfaces. Just my opinion.
“I contribute to the literacy of minors” would make an EXCELLENT t-shirt design!
Words for Worms
GENIUS! I’m so making that shirt. Zazzle store, here I come!
Laura
He makes an adorable sock monkey!
I’m not sure how big of a presence CIBC has in the US but they have this adorable penguin commercial playing in Canada. Naturally, I thought of your blog.
Words for Worms
That is awesome!!!! PENGUINS! (I’ve not seen this stateside.)
RebeccaScaglione - Love at First Book
Was he drinking a bloody mary on the flight?? 🙂
Ashley Z
yay! It was great to see you after 12 WHOLE YEARS (geez when did we get old?) A pitcher of sangria and doing the whole catching up face to face thing, was definitely tops of my weekend!
Words for Worms
We aren’t that old. We must have jumped through a time warp or something.
Mary
Oh my gosh. Squishy cheeks! Too cuttteee!!!
Also, I told Chrissy about 5 minutes ago to pass this on to you, but I’ll share it here anyway:
http://25.media.tumblr.com/589a7c993b55466fabe8c3c99d42d762/tumblr_mn6ep6BEqZ1qc4uvwo1_400.gif
You’re welcome.
Words for Worms
Thank you !!! 🙂 Love it!!!
Jenny @ Reading the End
Awwwwww! Squishy is lucky to have you for an aunt! I can’t wait to have my very own nephew to whose literacy I can contribute.
Words for Worms
I think I’m the lucky one- he is pretty great 🙂
Nish
The cuteness. That phase is so cute, when they can’t move around. Once they start running, it’s much tougher 🙂
Words for Worms
Yeah, I’m going to enjoy it while I can 🙂
Don Royster
When he gets older, you will have to read “Bunicula” by Deborah and James Howe. If you haven’t read, it’s the story of a cat named Chester who thinks the rabbit his people brought home is a vampire bunny.
Words for Worms
I’m going to make a huge pile of books for him! It will be wonderful!
Sarah Says Read
AWWWWW, reading time with Squishy. Too adorable. You’re such a good aunt! I really love that my oldest nephew and niece both love to read – they’re way ahead of their peers in reading ability, which is super cool. My youngest nephew… well my sister never read to him much, and now he’s a super hyper and bad 2 year old, so it’s a struggle to read with him. ONE DAY I’ll succeed though.
Words for Worms
You just keep at it, you are a super cool auntie! Little naughty nephew will come to the light!
Rhian
Another proud aunty here. I have twin nephews who live on the other side of the country, and we will be visiting them next week for their first birthday. I am so excited and looking forward to (gently) pinching their chubby cheeks and smothering them in aunty hugs and kisses.
Words for Worms
Twins?! That’s so much fun! I hope you have the best time!
Book Blahg
That child is adorable! My nephew is 3 and I may or may not have forced him to like books…
Words for Worms
Yes! That’s good aunting right there!
Daddio
🙂 🙂 🙂
Words for Worms
I thought you might like that one. He does save his best smiles for Papa though.
Book Blahg
That child is adorable! I have a nephew named Mason who I may or may not have forced to love reading…
Words for Worms
Excellent!
Psychobabble
I sewed my Halloween costume and stabbed myself with pins a few times.
Words for Worms
What are you going as this year? You always have such great costumes!
Psychobabble
……….take a guess. She’s a character in a popular book series.
Words for Worms
Oooh this is going to bug me. Is it a Harry Potter Character?
Psychobabble
Nope. More recent.
Words for Worms
Katniss?!
Psychobabble
Close. Effie!
Words for Worms
Ahhhh!!!!!!! I can’t wait to see pics!
Psychobabble
It’s gonna be awesome. Brian is gonna be Peeta.
Jennifer @ The Relentless Reader
Those cheeeeeks! I want to squeeze him to BITS! I have three nephews that are just the best human beings. I could be a wee bit biased? Being an aunt is the best.
Words for Worms
I absolutely adore being an aunt! It’s so much fun!!!
Andi (@estellasrevenge)
OMG, the cuteness is almost too much! ALMOST! He is adorbs, and “Squish, etc.” is the best nickname ever, and READING! My son is 3 and a half, and he’s WAY into reading lately and reading “to me.” So funny. Love it!
Words for Worms
That is so stinking cute! I love when little ones make up the stories to go with the pictures… Or read the book upside down. That kills me.
RebeccaScaglione - Love at First Book
Um a mirror and a penguin? How can you go wrong???
Words for Worms
Seriously! Best kid book ever!
Allison @ The Book Wheel
He is too cute! I love baby-reading photos. It doesn’t happen enough 🙂