A Place Like This......

Boys Alive and a Carnival

Hi Everyone,

It's been a busy week but I wanted to pop in to share with you that tomorrow I'll be speaking at the Boys Alive event at 4 pm Eastern and 1 pm Pacific. IT'S FREE!!!!!

It's been an incredible 3 week event. Which has really built a fabulous foundation for working with the "boys" in your life.

 For those of you who would like to hear all three weeks for Event, plus get the Summary and Action Plans, you'll be ENTERED TO WIN the COMPLETE  Rick Riordan catalog, completments of Jump into A Book.  What a fabulous gift any boy would love!

 

Here is a little bit more about this weeks speakers.

From the Boys Alive Site:

Boys are in trouble.  High school drop-out rates are increasing and the number of males attending college is decreasing.  This has SERIOUS implications for future income-earning potential and overall life satisfaction.

And it all begins in PRE-SCHOOL!

·         Boys tend to think school is for girls (and especially language arts!)

·         Popular media reinforces the notion that boys and men don’t read.  (When was the last time you saw a superhero or sports figure reading?)

·         If he shows enthusiasm for school, especially language arts, he may not be perceived by his peers as a real boy.

WHAT DO WE DO?

LISTEN IN as experts give you the map.  They will guide YOU, so that you can guide HIM to become a confident reader and writer. 

And be sure to let your son’s school teachers and administrators know about this amazing collaboration of experts:

Dr. Thomas Newkirk, author of Misreading Masculinity – boys, literacy, and popular culture, brings insights into boys and their relationship to sports, movies, video games and other popular culture.  He sees these media not as enemies of literacy, but as resources for literacy.

Kelley King, author of Strategies for Teaching Boys and Girls, will present practical strategies and activities that have been field tested in real classrooms to harness the unique strengths of girls and boys. 

Michael McQueen is a school librarian and a confessed reluctant reader!  He provides unique ways to engage boys via their interests.  He is the author of several websites that provide support for boys and reading.

Emily Rempe is a physical therapist and mom.  She hosts a website that provides practical, daily activity suggestions to parents of 0 to 5 year old children.  By supporting age-appropriate, early learning activities in the home, children are more prepared when they enter school.

Valarie Budayr, publisher and author of The Fox Diaries, shares ways to get boys actively involved in reading through projects, field trips, and other activities.  She knows boys need to move to learn and she helps parents and teachers with creative ways to do that!

We know you worry…and wonder…about your boy.  If you’re a teacher, we know you worry and wonder, too.

Change that worry into decisive action with the help of these experts!

REGISTER NOW and have immediate access to our Treasure Chest of gifts from our speakers.  These gems alone are priceless!

I highly recommend Janet and the experts she's interviewed - if you're serious about parenting your boy in a more successful way – you won’t want to miss this ground-breaking on-line Event! 

Carnival of Children's Literature.

photo by Stuck in Customs

Tomorrow as well, Jump Into a Book will be hosting the Carnival of Children's Literature.  Sponsored by the Kidlitosphere blog and website, the monthly Carnival of Children's Literature shares some great post from kidlit bloggers. Come over tomorrow and meet some of my book loving friends.

Colors and Flatbread

Wherever we roam, I love to look for graffiti or the ever famous wall/building art. Lucky for me Portland Maine has both.  

This parking lot speaks volumes to me. Such a community art project which evolves daily due to the variety of autos that park there. Love the sun shining on the lighthouse while artists have claimed their fame with increbile colors. 

And this building, from plans to building. Amazing tromp l'oeil. Portland holds many such treasures but for me I just needed a little pause in my day, a little I don't know quoi while I waited for my wandering children. A pass by the bard was in order.

I really appreciate a barista who makes art in my cup. This barista read my mind with the heart in the foam. I just really love my coffee. Sorry but I can't help it. After sitting a spell my roving children, who know their mother well, found me here and suggested we go to one of our favorite restaurants for lunch, Flatbread. " Mom, I've been dreaming of Flatbread since we've left the last time."

I just love it when I can make their dreams come true. Especially the simple kind.

This is a lovely organic restaurant right on the waterfront. Announcing the area farms where your food comes from, is just another way to "Meet What You Eat".

Inside is a "wood fire breathing" oven as my son would say. Nothing could kiss a pat of dough with fresh vegetables on it than this oven. It gives a brilliant glow and warm atmosphere to our meal.

 

This Moment

 

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Chasing Friday Night Marimbas

Though it is October, we had the gift recently of being chased by the last days of summer warmth and sun in Portland Maine. Artists, musicians, food vendors, and the people of Portland, all joined together to celebrate their creativity during the First Friday Artwalk.

As we walked along the street, we heard this great rhythm with an incredible melody being played over the top of it. "Follow your ears" is what I beackoned to the kids. As we neared our destination the music grew louder and the swarms of happy people grew larger. All of these little signs, indicating we were in for a real treat. 

Turning the corner we were met by this

Felted mallets hitting hardwood from tropical forests spilling out their happy tunes to all who listened.

The Maine Marimba Ensemble plays arrangements of traditional and contemporary Zimbabwean Music.  

Their music is infectious. At first it seems they are playing for the masses, to give us a moment of joy rising but don't let this fool you because before too long I know you'd be clapping, dancing, and singing along too. This music is for all to embrace.

Enough of this already! If a picture is worth a thousand words than the real deal must be even better. Wishing and giving you a happy moment in your day. 

The Magic Fairy Forest

From the sea, sister continued her island discovery with her brother. Through the forest they walked,

collecting bits of shells, moss, sticks, bark and stones, it was clear that they were not in any forest.

 As far as the eye could see in every direction, there were fairy houses of all shapes and sizes.  

Knowing the law of a fairy forest, the brother and sister quickly looked for the boundary log and asked permission to " Please, will you let us enter gently? We bring bits of things to build with."

And with that they crossed over the boundary log. Boy began in earnest to build a new structure.

Sister, realizing that a very large wind had recently blown in by viewing all of the fallen trees, decided to repair those houses which had been so badly damaged.

Our morning was spent in this very wonderful place. Mackworth Island is just outside of Portland Maine. It hosts both sea and forest views and a completely magical fairy forest.

Leaving with enchanted memories, the brother and sister said "Farewell to the Forest" and never allowed to say a true goodbye they just said "See Ya" to the fairy folk. 

If you should find your way there, listen closely to the wind and I'm sure you will hear the laughter of the flighted ones known as fairies.

An Island Exploration

Since seeing Mackworth Island last year, all the boy could talk about was bringing his sister Mimi back so they could go exploring together. Recently that dream came true.

As they walked towards the water, little brother recounted to big sister everything that had happened the year before. Patiently she listened, enjoying the world through her brother's eyes.

 Climbing down a long flight of stairs and over layered rocks. They walked along the shore exploring tidepools, and sharing discoveries.

Little gifts from the sea were found and even a living specimen.

Gently the boy put the shell back in the water hoping he would give it a chance for survival. Just waiting on the rock, however, was an ever watching seagull. 

After taking this photo I looked up and both of them had gone. I decided to just sit where I was and wait for them to return. After a bit I noticed one and then the other, a metaphor for life I suppose. No matter how far away they go they eventually return. 

Here's wishing you a wonderful day.

This Moment

 

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Mrs. Fox Goes Apple Picking

Our last day in New England felt more like summer at 84 degrees than fall ,but we took full advantage  of the sunshine to make a stop at Berlin Orchards on our way to the airport. 

There, we were meeting two of our number one fans, Lu and Ru, along with their parents Amy & "A".

Amy and I have been blogging friends for almost 3 years and we've dreamed for the chance to get together. I'm happy to say we met a few times over the course of two weeks and greatly deepened, nurtured, and kindled our friendship and those between our family  members. 

Lu and Ru, who are ardent fans of our foxes, have issues remembering my name and so they have lovingly re-named me "Mrs. Fox."  It works, even I can remember it . ;)

After our salutations it was time to board our hayride and head up to the orchards to pick a bushel (40 lbs) of apples.

We had never seen so many varieties of apples in all our lives and the sweet smell coming from the orchard was heavenly.

Leading the pack, Amy and A headed in an upward direction with children stopping at every tree to sample a few apples of their own.

Lu and O practiced their apple balancing,

while Ru gathered as many apples as her little arms could carry. 

I do just have to mention that Ru woke up that morning and decided that we were in great need of an Apple Elf and so being the very good person she is, she donned her Apple Elf costume guaranteeing us a fruitful harvest. All of you should be so lucky as to have an Apple Elf helping you pick apples.

As we head up the orchard I just want to say a very special thank you to all of the Ambroults for welcoming us whole heartedly and including us in their family fall tradition. 

There are more stories to come from the ever traveling Mrs. Fox and her family.  Stay Tuned.......

At Full Sail on Casco Bay

Ah we are finally home after two weeks for touring around New England. We had such a variety of activites and wonderful meetings with friends, which I promise will be shared right here. 

Our last weekend in the North proved to be so sunny and warm, 82 degrees warm. There was really only one thing that could be done while in the lovely town of Portland Maine, and that was to board a schooner and let her sail.

"O", like my father, well and most of the men in my family, love sailing and making tall ships. Over the course of our journeys we boarded many of them but today we set sail on beautiful Casco Bay on a schooner called the Windameen.

Once we left the pier it was time to raise the sails and catch the wind.

Quickly "O" got up to help Tommy hoist the sail. Hand over hand with hard pull down. 

With such team work the sails were quickly up and we were sailing wonderfully with a warm sea breeze moving us along.

 

And now it was time just kick back and enjoy the ride.

For a moment I shut my eyes to take in the smell of the water and the breeze on my face. When I opened my eyes the boy was gone. How do you lose a boy on a boat? When I looked to my right, the boy was now piloting the boat with Capt. Kirk standing right beside him. Yes, his real name is captain Kirk. His parents didn't know he would grow up to be a sea captain when they named him Kirk but its worked out in the end hasn't it? 

Captain O

With the shadows getting long and the breeze quieting down, it was time to fold the sails as we headed back in to dock the ship.

If ever you find yourself in Portland Maine with beautiful weather, please consider taking a schooner trip out on Casco Bay. Windjammer Sails with the Portland Schooner Co. were just fantastic. The staff and crew were incredibly kind. Portland Schooner Co. offers a varitey of sailing opportunities including two hour sails, private charters, and overnights. I also found them to be very reasonably priced. Pack a lunch or dinner and head on out to the bay.

On the Road and a Boy's Alive Online Event

Greetings everyone ! We're on the road again. This time we've been hitting the sights of the North Eastern United States. In our minds there is nothing better than a road trip. 

 

While we're away I did want to share with you a wonderful event that I'm having the priviledge of speaking at.

Boys Alive An Online Event

Boys are in trouble.  The world is placing increasing importance on communication and relationship skills.  Most boys (and men) don’t have these skills naturally.

If you’re raising a boy, you’ve likely read all the books, watched countless videos, and been given advice by well-meaning family and friends…

But STILL you’re at a loss for how to raise your boy to be a confident man ready to serve the world with his energy, creativity, and skills.

We know you worry…and wonder…about your boy.  If you’re a teacher, we know you worry and wonder, too.

It’s time to blaze a new trail for your son.  Before you can do that, though, you have to know about:

·         His Education:  Schools generally disapprove of the reading and writing choices that boys make.  Add to that the rules that don’t fit his need to be physical, social (in his own way), and he withdraws, resists, acts out, and, yes, drops out.

 

·         His Inner World:  Knowing the way he learns best means you know how to motivate him.  Help him connect to his own inner wisdom and he’ll have strategies and strength to navigate the peer pressure ahead.

 

·         His Wider World:  Understand the pressures that your boy faces every day and find out how you can help him be the best man he can be.

Janet Allison and Kiva Leatherman have joined together to bring you experts from around the world!   There is so much noise out there – we’ve sifted and sorted for you – we’ve found the experts that will give you a new MAP of your son…they’ll help you blaze a trail of success for him!

Janet and Kiva are leading this never-before-together GATHERING OF EXPERTS who will help you Discover HIS World!

I am thrilled to announce that I am one of the speakers for the Boys Alive! On-line Event.  This free, on-line event brings together authors, coaches, doctors, and parenting experts to help you Discover HIS World!  Boys approach life and school in their own unique way and this Event will give you the MAP so you can blaze a trail and lead him to being a confident, capable man.

Be ready to hear why we need to be worried about our boys.  And what we can do to make the changes THEY NEED US TO MAKE! 

If you’ve been puzzled, frustrated, angry, or just plain exhausted by your boy…just ONE of these expert insights or strategies may be the spark that changes everything between you.

Register now for this free, on-line Event at www.boysalivevent.com  With 15 experts, these interviews are going to change your perspective about boys and men – FOREVER!  We begin on October 10^th but you can get started right now:  REGISTER and you’ll be taken immediately to the “treasure chest” filled with free gifts from our speakers to you.

Be sure to join me on:  October 28th at 1 p.m. Pacific as I talk about Reading with Boys and Giving Back to the Community through Books.

“See you then!”