PRABE-WK. 10

I am not the best reader, but I would have to say I am getting better and improving.  I think a lot of it is the fact that I am not really someone who enjoys reading.  I would much rather read a magazine or a children's book as compared to novel or textbook.  I did find the right genre of book for me though, so that is one step in the right direction so I can "pleasure read."  Reading is not only valuable in my personal life, but I have learned how important it is for my future teaching career.  I need to show a love for reading, especially because I want my children to possess a "love" for a good book.  I haven't really noticed any changes in my reading, but this class has helped my decipher certain abilities that are needed for successful reading.  I hope I continue to grow and flourish as a reader.

PRABE-WK. 9

So since we are reviewing next week and I just finished up my book last week, for this week I decided to read Christmas books to my daughter.  Every night before bed, we usually read, so I brought out some of her Christmas books that she was too young for last year.  I love how her little mind works.  We discussed Santa Clause and  Jesus' Birthday.  Last year for Christmas her Nana bought her a book called "The First Christmas, illustrated by Sophy Williams-A changing picture book."  Since she is only 2 yrs. old, I read and she looks at the pictures.  She will say "Mommy what's that?"  So we have been discussing the pictures.  I will then ask her about the pictures and she can already tell me what some of the pictures are. She also recognizes a lot of letters so we talk about them when she points them out from the text of the story.   I love this time of year and the connections she is making.  It is so much fun to be able to read to her and have her try and read the story back to me. We also read "The Night Before Christmas- 10th Anniversary edition by Jan Brett, a Poem by Clement Moore.

 ~Times~
Monday, November 28th-Friday, December 2nd: We read around 15-20 minutes a night!

PRABE-WK. 8

As the book comes to a close and as a former dog owner, I found much of want I was reading this time hit very close to home.  Over the span of 12-13 yrs. Marley has become old, senile, and feeble.  He has taught John and Jenny many of life's lessons.  They reach a point of when to put him down.  He has many "scares" that lead up to the final bought of his death.  It was such a hard decision, especially for John.  John and Marley had this bond, a bond quite beyond comprehension, that is unless you have been a dog owner.  How will they tell the kids?  How will they themselves cope with this loss that they knew they would have to inevitably face?  It took time and with any loss, they grieved and the grief eventually turned into a healing phase.  I love how the book ends.  It tells of how they come across this ad for a dog needing to become adopted that looks and is described as Marley-to a tee.  They end up going to look at the dog named "Lucky."  What a great book!!

~Times~
Wednesday, November 23rd- 30min.
Friday, November 25th-30min.
Sunday, November 27th-30min.

PRABE-WK. 7

John and Jenny decide to move out of the neighborhood because of all the break-ins that keep happening.  The house they move into is a 1970's vintage four-bedroom ranch style house, it has plenty of room to raise a family.  Twice as much room as the last house, but it lacks something-Charm.  Surprisingly, John and Jenny have another baby.  This time it's a GIRL! Her name is Colleen.  They feel as though their family is complete, not wanting the same things in life they previously had envisioned.  Work use to be so important, but now the focus was on FAMily.  Right after Colleen turns 2, John lands a new job.  They pack up the family and move from Florida to Pennsylvania.  The question is- How will Marley adjust?

~Times~
Wednesday, November 16th-30 min.
Thursday, November 17th-30 min.
Sunday, November 20th-30 min.

PRABE-WK. 6

Jenny is pregnant with baby #2.  A lot of crazy things start happening in the neighborhood when John and Jenny live.  They begin to question just what Marley would do if someone tried to hurt them or baby Patrick.  Marley ends up protecting one of the neighbor girls who was being attacked.  This gives them a sense of peace, should something strange and crazy like that happen on their end.  There are no doubts that Marley would protect them.  At 21 wks. Jenny thinks she is having the baby.  She remains in the hospital for 12 days and then is sent home on bed rest.  Marley became Jenny's best friend as she remained on bed rest.  Conor made his presence into the world @ 35 wks.  Needless to say-Sleep deprivation had set in!

~Times~
Monday, November 7th-30 min.
Tuesday, November 8th-30 min.
Wednesday, November 9th- 30 min.

PRABE-WK. 5

Just when they think Marley's dog training begins progressing, Marley decides to eat Jenny's eighteen-karat gold necklace, one that John had bought her for her birthday! (oops....) (This part had me laughing, only because I reminisce of the days when my old dog would do such things!) ;)
On a brighter note...Jenny gives birth to their firstborn son, his name- Patrick.   When they arrive home from the hospital, John and Jenny are wondering how Marley will react to the new baby.  They have already decided that should he(Marley) become aggressive, he is gone.  Thankfully that never happened, he just had to check out the new bundle of joy and they eventually became the best of friends.  It was as if Patrick had this calming affect on Marley.

~Times~
Tuesday, November 1st -30 min.
Wednesday, November 2nd-30 min.
Thursday, November 3rd- 30 min.

PRABE-WK. 4

This week Marley gets into some trouble.  He becomes destructive and John and Jenny have had it.  What to do? That becomes the question.  They would really love to keep his "bloodline" going, but after much deliberation they decide to have him neutered.  They hope and pray this will calm him and easy some of his "rowdiness".  

John and Jenny are feeling overwhelmed by work, work has consumed them so much that John plans a surprise trip to Ireland.  But who would watch Marley while they were away?  It came down to John's friend, and co-worker.  I wondered if she knew what she was getting herself into. :)  John and Jenny are trying pregnancy again, hoping this time would turn out differently than before.  Jenny's pregnancy begins progressing along, as does Marley's training.  Yay for both!! :)

~TIMES~

• Monday, Oct. 24th-30 min.
• Thursday, Oct. 27th-30 min.
• Sunday, Oct. 30th-30 min.