We can all use a chuckle so here is a cartoon with my character Amy vs the gym teacher. I was never this kind of kid – but I knew this kid!

Last week of school! Well, not even the whole week… my daughter’s last day is Tuesday and I’m not sure who is more excited for the summer – me or her! Things are in full swing as we have had a few fires in the fire pit and the pool is now open! A few more cookouts and it will really start to feel like the summer has arrived!

Storytelling events for this week:

• Monday:  Bright Ideas Childcare Center @ 10:00am
• Tuesday: Bright Horizons @ 10:00/10:30am
• Wednesday: Joshua Hyde Library *Free to the Public! @ 2:00pm
• Thursday: Hancock School @ 10:00am
• Thursday: Bright Horizons @ 4:30pm

Please check the Upcoming Shows page for more information on all of these shows. The Joshua Hyde Library is open to the public to attend – so, please, come and join all the fun!

Places I will be visiting this week:

1. Plymouth
2. Nashua, NH
3. Ayer
4. Brockton
5. Braintree

This week is quite interesting. I was telling tales in Quincy at a school I have visited for the past 4 to 5 years. The principal asked me how things were and then told me that, of all the storytellers, artists, and entertainers they have visit the school, I am his favorite. That kid of stuff I take to heart – it really means a lot to me. I enjoy being able to go back year after year to visit the same children, the same staff, of schools I see annually. It means a lot, especially since I spend most of my time alone driving show to show!

Here are the friends I am visiting this week:

• Monday:  Bernazzani Elementary School @ 9:30am
• Wednesday:  Clara Macy Elementary School @ 9:00am
• Thursday: Carver Elementary Schools @ 9:00am-2:00pm
• Friday: Triumph Head Start @ 2:00pm
• Friday: Hands on the Arts Festival *Free to the Public! @ 2:30pm

Please check the Upcoming Shows page for more information on all of these shows. The Hands on the Arts Festival is an annual event that I love telling tales at! Make sure to come and enjoy the day!

Places I will be visiting this week:

1. Quincy
2. Bellingham
3. Caver
4. Taunton
5. Eastham

Lex made her acting debut as Horse #3 in an amazing rendition of Barnyard Buddies!  I was only able to see videos as I was out telling tales that day – but I promise I will make the next one!  Great job, my girl!

If you ever see baby pictures of me – we look like clones!

This is my daughter to a tee…

I approach each show a bit differently but I usually lay ground rules for storytelling.  First off, I never decide what I am going to do before hand (there are a few exceptions), instead I wait for the group to gather and read the crowd.  I feel like the show is a bit more spontaneous that way which keeps me on my toes.  Second, I want to enjoy myself – it’s a simple mantra, really, that I use to remind myself before a show.  I simply say, “alright, let’s have some fun!”

Lastly, I have been in the game so long that the final rule is to have no expectations and to keep it loose.  Be ready for anything.  Anyone who has worked with children know that this last rule is a must.  Children (the entertaining ones, anyways) are unpredictable.  You have to be ready to handle whatever they toss at you in the course of the show.  These rules have been learned from 15 years in the business and I hope they will serve me for many more!

Here are my shows for this week that I have no idea what I am telling yet:

• Tuesday:  Lil’ Munchins Preschool @ 10:00/10:30am
• Thursday: Joyful Noise Preschool @ 10:00am
• Thursday: Kids in Action @ 7:00pm
• Friday: Hertz Nursery School @ 10:00am
• Friday: Bourne Library Teddy Bear Picnic @ 12:00pm

Please check the Upcoming Shows page (which I am aware needs to be updated – slated to happen this week!) for more information on all of these shows.

Places I will be visiting this week:

1. Scituate
2. Sandwich
3. Hingham
4. Sharon
5. Bourne

Click the image above to read about why libraries are still one of the most important places we have in out communities!  I love libraries… always will, I think.  Funny enough, on our honeymoon to Hawaii my wife and I were strolling around and I noticed the public library.  We ventured inside and it was very comforting to see the place bustling.

As I was traveling to Newton tonight it occured to me that, some days, I spend more time traveling to a show, alone in my car, than I do actually entertaining people.  I like the travel most days – getting lost in my own head and enjoying this beautiful state we live in - but I don’t think, and hope I never, get used to traffic.  That is a beast that will never be tamed for me!

Thankfully, there isn’t too much traveling this week!  Here’s where I am going:

This week’s schedule:

• Tuesday:  Temple Shalom Preschool @ 7:00pm
• Thursday: Dolly’s Nursery School @ 4:30pm
• Friday: Wood Elementary School @ 2:00pm

Please check the Upcoming Shows page for more information on all of these shows.

Places I will be visiting this week:

1. Newton
2. Hingham
3. Fairhaven

I spent pretty much every moment I could outside this weekend. I watched my daughter and son play together which, due to their vast age difference, doesn’t happen very often. They were playing in the sandbox creating, and then destroying, sandcastles. It was a snapshot of their childhood that I consider myself very lucky to have caught. Moments like that are gone in a flash. I think this summer will be one of the best!

I will also spend my 39th birthday on Thursday doing what I love the most – traveling around and telling stories! Hopefully it will be beautiful and I can spend all day enjoying the weather, telling tales and then retreat to home for some cake. Sounds perfect to me!

Onto what is happening this week:

This week’s schedule:

• Wednesday:  Cedar School @ 10:00am & 12:30pm
• Thursday: Little Learners @ 10:00am & 12:30pm
• Thursday: State Street Early Learning Center @ 6:30pm
• Friday: Little Learners @ 10:00am & 12:30pm
• Saturday: Pine Fest @11:30am
• Sunday: International Fair at Bay Farm Montessori @10:15am

Both Saturday and Sunday’s shows are open to the public and are free to attend! So make a note to come and enjoy yourselves! Please check the Upcoming Shows page for more information on all of these shows.

Places I will be visiting this week:

1. Hanover
2. Billerica
3. Quincy
4. Plymouth
5. Duxbury