Summer Reading Program 2013

One thing that JAM looks forward to every summer is signing up for the summer reading program at our local library. It's free to sign up and you can earn book bucks, which you trade in for actual books! At our local library they call it "Club Read". This program runs from June 1st - August 3rd and when you sign up, they give you an official Club Read member card and a book log that the kids fill in to keep track of what books they read for the program. For every 5 books the child reads, they earn a book buck and are able to exchange it for a book. This year our local library was really awesome by offering almost all of the books in BRAND NEW condition! In the past years it was a mixture of retired library books and new books. Regardless, the books they offer are usually fun classics or a variety of popular books to keep the kids interested.

JAM completed the summer reading program yesterday, which means he read 20 books and completed his reading log. Upon turning his reading log in, he was awarded with a shiny gold medal and 4 book bucks! You can collect your book bucks every time you complete reading 5 books, but JAM wanted to do it all at one time this year. He headed to the area where he can exchange his book bucks for books and chose some awesome books to add to his home collection.

The local librarian asked him what kind of books he was into and after some digging of his interests, she mentioned that he was ready for chapter books! EEK! My baby boy's ready for the big boy books?! *tear* She took us in the opposite section of our former beginner's book section we've been picking from and introduced JAM to early chapter books. She pointed out a few popular series and away JAM went with his picking.

With that said, introducing JAM and his first Vlog! He read his first chapter book and loved it so much that he wanted to share his thoughts. He's naturally very shy so I thought a video would help loosen him up a little and help him practice his recollection skills for 2nd grade. Show him some love on YouTube and don't forget to subscribe! He's super excited about his first video and can't wait to hear from fellow readers who've read "Captain Awesome to the Rescue!"

Do you enroll your kids in any summer reading programs?

What are some great chapter book recommendations for JAM?

Flowers Are Bloomin'

Yesterday I attended JAM's last parent/teacher conference of 1st grade. Although it made me a little sad inside that my little boy is about to complete another year of elementary school, it was great to hear his teacher rave about him and hear how awesome he's doing in school. I'm so proud when other people tell me how bright, well-mannered, and great JAM is because it just reassures me that I'm doing something right ha ha. Hey, this parenting thing isn't always the easiest! Also, I was surprised that I attended the conference in SHORTS! Yes, I know that most of you think that it's always 120 degrees in Las Vegas, but that's not the case. Honestly, if the temperature could remain about 77 degrees year round I'd live here forever. I changed my clocks one hour forward this past Sunday so I knew Springtime was on it's way, plus it's my favorite season of the year. The weather's perfect, the flowers start blooming, and the lovely Springtime colors make their appearance. However, this upcoming week it telling me Vegas just skipped Spring and is heading face-first into Summer!

I know I should be grateful for our lovely sunny weather but honestly, we live in a oven of a city. Most of the year it's 100+ degrees and the sun is seeping through my skin so I'd appreciate it if mother nature would just let me enjoy the Springtime weather at least until April! I checked the weather and the daily high yesterday was 90 degrees! How did we go from 50 and raining to 90 degrees?! *Sigh* that's Vegas for ya. So, I busted out my shorts and headed to the parent/teacher conference. I also heard on the radio that pool season has officially started yesterday at the Strip pools, which I didn't think would happen last week since it was gloomy and raining for days. I guess that's a good sign for my Lil' Sis who's visiting for Spring Break in a few weeks. I know she can't wait to leave the snow in Chicago for sunny Las Vegas, but I'm nowhere close to bathing suit ready ha ha.

Well, at least I get to enjoy fresh flowers to kick of the Spring season. Tulips are my favorite and I love that they come in such fun colors. Springtime is probably the only time of year that I have fresh flowers sitting on my dining table for a little pop of color to brighten my day. Cheers to Springtime! or what little I get to enjoy of this season. Anyone plan on coming to Las Vegas for Spring break?

What's your favorite season?

Summer Reading

I remember when I was a kid my mom always signed my little sister and I up for the summer reading program at our local library. This was always one of the highlights of our summer because we knew if we read books, we could earn prizes! I always signed my son up for the summer reading program, but now he's old enough to read himself and understand the concept of it all. This summer I'm having JAM participate in two summer reading programs: one at our local library and one that Barnes & Noble is hosting.

I definitely made sure that JAM was a part of the whole process. I let him give the ladies his library card to sign up for the reading program, I let him sign his name to sign up, and I let him choose the books he wanted to read to earn his prizes. I also printed off a simple calendar off my computer and wrote it the due dates for his library books to teach him a little responsibility with them. Since the local library program started on June 1st, it was easy to follow along to find out when 10 days had passed to earn his prizes.

Our local library offers a great summer reading program. There's one from 0-5 years old, one for K-5, and one for grades 6 and up. The summer reading program runs from Friday, June 1 - Tuesday, July 31, 2012. When you sign up, they gift you a chart to keep track of your daily reading. They suggest that you read for at least 20 minutes a day (adjusting the time depending if they are a new or younger reader). For every ten days of reading that you complete, you will earn a Book Buck that you can redeem for one book! They have a designated area of books where the kids can choose from. Read at least 30 days total and earn a gold medal and an entry into the Grand Prize drawing of a $50 gift card from Barnes & Noble. It's so simple! JAM is already halfway towards earning his next book buck. The fun this for the older kids too is that they offer books for the whole Harry Potter and Twilight collection as an option to choose from. I would have loved that when I was younger.

The Barnes & Noble summer reading program is short and sweet. All your child has to do is read any 8 books and record them on a reading log you can print off of their website. Then, bring in their log of the 8 books they read and choose a FREE BOOK from the selection of books listed on the reading log. This program runs a little longer than our local library. Unlike the local library program, this started on May 22 and runs through September 4th, 2012. Another difference is the selection of free books range from Grades 1 - 6 so that's something to keep in mind. JAM will be a 1st grader this fall so he'll be able to choose a book.

Regardless, both programs are great for the kiddos. Both summer reading programs is only one per customer/participant. It's a great bonding experience for JAM and I, and it's a great way to stimulate his mind while he's on break from school. What kind of summer reading programs do they offer on your side of town?