I had a very fun and also a very interesting day today.  I was in Sharon, then Lexington and ended in Weymouth.  At the end of the shows I had a chance to let the children ask a few questions.  One child asked when my birthday was.  That was funny.  I asked back “Why?  Are you going to get me a present?”

Another child asked me how many stories I have, another asked who my favorite character was – and then another asked “What happened to all your hair?”  I usually can answer rather quickly no matter how off topic the question may be – I mean, we are dealing with children here.  Very rarely do they stay on topic.  Here I just looked around and said back “Oh no!  Did it escape again?  If anyone sees my hair let me know!”

 

I love the winter.  I love the things that only the winter can make special.  My top ten things are:

• 10) Mall Santas – Sure, they’re not the real thing, but that red suit makes anyone look jolly 🙂
• 9) The Sound of Snow – That’s right, the sound!  The crunch under your boot makes me smile.
• 8 ) Christmas Episodes – Not the specials per say – but the holiday episodes in the shows that I watch – just love ’em!
• 7) Movies – Again, not the holiday movies but the wonderful movies that will be nominated for Oscars come out in this season
• 6) Snow Days – I don’t get to work on that day – but it’s still like getting a day off like when I was back in school and school was cancelled! 8)
• 5) Hot Chocolate – For some reason it tastes different at this time of the year, somehow better 😀
• 4) Fires in a Fire Place – Nothing can replace a campfire smell – but this is a distant second…
• 3) Stores Open Later – I love when the majority of stores out there are opened nice and late.  What can I say?  I’m an night owl
• 2) Winter Hats – I might be a little biased – but my bald little head loves them 😛
• 1) Christmas Trees – Yes, I am one of those people who picks mine up the day after Thanksgiving and it’s gone December 26th.  The smell can’t be beat.  Boo to those fake trees.  They should be outlawed!

I love getting pictures of me from kids who drew them – especially when they did it in the middle of the show!  This past Saturday I was telling stories in Onsett and, as I did, one of the boys watching began sketching in his little notebook.  At the end of the show he presented me with this drawing of me with the Alligator puppet.  So, thank you Anthony, for this awesome picture.

I love the winter – for this reason alone!  Look at how beautiful our area is!

Hope your enjoying this weather as much as I!

This is one of the first books I even picked up.  It’s true!  I was trying to get something to read to my niece who was just 2-years old at the time.  Each page shows just a one or two word itme – like Hot Chocolate – or something else in the season!  I remeber my niece really enjoying the pictures more than anything – it’s definitley worth the pick up – check it out at you local library today!  If you like it then check out the rest of this series which includes Mouse’s First Halloween, Valentine, First Day of School and First Snow! 

Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Turkey Holiday.  Eat your little heads off!

I had the pleasure of doing a show at the Sharon Library in the morning – and then had to trek 2 hours to Eastham to partake in their annual Turnip Festival!  I didn’t mind the long trip at all since I had never been to a Turnip Festival.  Their were plays and games a plenty at this wonderful event.  I took the stage briefly to tell my Thanksgiving story “Melissa’s Turkey” but then the many kids and librarian and I all settled into the kids area so that I could tell them one of my favorite stories “Sarah’s Surprise”.

I was in Attleboro tonight.  I was entertaining at a Pre-School’s pajama party.  As the show ended one of the Father’s came up to me and said this to me:

 “Hey, thanks – that was great.  I had a really bad day at work and to come here and see you making my kid laugh made it all go away.”

I think that is the single handed best thing that was ever said to me.

 

As I was about to begin my show at the Little People’s College and as all the little kids were entering the room one of the boys looked at me and exclaimed “Yes!  We’re watching a movie!”  The teacher said “No, it’s not a movie – It’s Big Ryan, the storyteller” 

The little boy said back “Yeah, it’s just like a movie!”

I took that as a major compliment 🙂

 

With the winter approaching and most animals disappearing, going to hibernate, here is my favorite top ten animals ever…

• 10 – Monkey
• 9 – Elephant
• 8 – Horse
• 7 – Turtle
• 6 – Cow
• 5 – Penguin
• 4 – Lion
• 3 – Cat
• 2 – Dog
• 1 – Hippopotamus

So, there you have it!  My top ten favorite animals.  Hippos are so big and cute and deadly.  Such an interesting combination!  Anyways, I have been spending most of November so far doing Teacher Trainings – doing another tomorrow.  But I will have photos of some fun storytellings soon!