I am very fortunate to be able to spend the next month or so relaxing with my daughter at home.  I have a few shows to be at – but for the most part I get to take my little girl on walks, take naps, and watch her grow for the upcoming weeks.  Everyday she seems to do something new.

I am scheduling now for the October “Scary – but not that scary” Tall Tales – call today! (508) 641 5336

 

While telling stories in Lakeville today – as I finished up with the toddlers – they were sitting so quietly, seemingly to wait for the next thing to come.  One of the teacher’s said “Look at them!  They’re mesmerized!  I’ve never seen them like this before!”

The other teacher in the room said “I have.  When Big Ryan came last year!”

Well, thanks to those teachers for making my whole summer!

Thanks to the many, many people asking about how my daughter is doing – because everyone who asks is always so nice and congratulatory – here a few pics recently – you’ll notice that her casts are gone – the doctor said after the first week that she didn’t think she needed them anymore – we were thrilled and she’s doing just great!

The funny thing is – no one calls her the same thing – my wife calls her Alexandra – her name – I call her Lex, my sister calls her Alex and my other sister shortens that to Al.  Poor kid – she’ll never know what her name is…

 

I was finishing my story “The Great Carrot Disaster” and in the end the farmer asks the children a few questions.  The first he asks is “If I gave my bunny an orange and a carrot, which would my bunny like to eat?”

And the kids respond with “The carrot”

Then I ask “If I gave my horse an orange or a carrot, which would my horse like to eat?”

And one of the little girls in the front shouted out “Apple!”

Summer is not over just yet… and I have been having so much fun scouring the beautiful state of Massachusetts telling my stories.  I have had the oppotunity to visit new places as well as seeing some of the regulars at the libraries I visit over and over – like the Hingham Library in the pic above and below!

I was also fortunate enough to visit Fairhaven last week where the librarian told me some bittersweet news – she has gotten a job in the Dartmouth Schoold and will not be the librarian at the Millicent Library any longer after the summer.  Good luck to you, Laura – I wish you all the best!  The show was also one for the books because My uncle Tony – who I have not seen in almost 10 years – made it to the show.

My Uncle Tony – and on the other side – his son Tony:

Hoo boy!  Where does the time go?  I realized I never even put up a July Book of the Month!  So sorry!  For that I will show you a book that makes me giggle every time I read it!  Here we have a story about a family who receives a penguin for every day of the year.  It’s such a distracting, hilarious premise that kids don’t even realize they are learning about math.  And the ending is one of the best I have ever read in a story.  Not to mention there is a “Where’s Waldo?” quality to the book where you have to find the penguin with blue feet on each page – and it gets harder and harder with each passing day!  Pick this book up for an uproarious good time with your kids!

Well, my daughter is only 2 weeks old and already needed casts on her legs!  Apparently her feet bend inwards – that would have become an issue later on in life – so they are going to fix it now and that requires casting her feet for a little while and some braces at night after that – but that’s okay – look how cute she looks with her little casts!

 

I really can’t say enough about the great crowds that I have seen this summer – maybe it has something to do with the disappointing weather – but I like to think it’s because people want to see me!  I’m a little delusional that way 🙂

But whatever the reason – I love seeing familiar faces at my shows and I always try to do something new – Norton will be seeing me again in August, and I have to thank Lee for sending me these great pics!

I am always so impressed at the crowds that show up, ready to listen to stories – but even more impressed at how lively they are when it’s time to get up and act silly, dancing around!  These pics were taken by Amy, the librarian – and there are a bunch more posted on Flickr – click the pics to see more.  Thanks to everyone who showed up and I look forward to my return visit in August!

Well, my wife and I certainly had a surprise this July 4th!  My daughter decided she didn’t want to wait any longer and came out a whole month early!  I have thousands of pictures and videos and will be posting more pics later but I thought you’d enjoy these for now!  My wife is doing great and was an amazing Mommy – one of the most fascinating things I have even witnessed in my life!  My daughter is also doing really well and we are already home!  Thanks to everyone who has written with well wishes!  Now I just have to try and keep up with some sleep!