"Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you. "

The above quote was written by the greatest author to ever pick up a pen and write. Any guesses?



DR. SEUSS!!!!!!!



He is my hero. No doubt about it! Love him! He is a genius! Hands down!



If you know me pretty well, then you know that I am a Seuss fanatic. Just ask my sixth graders. They'll tell you it's a common fact. I asked them to write a quick poem about a main character in a book we were reading last week. They were all complaining because they couldn't think of rhyming words. I said, "Guys, your poems don't have to rhyme. Some of the great poets in the history of literature didn't have rhyming poems." And one of my little students said, "But Dr. Seuss' poems rhyme and you told us he's the greatest writer of all time." Ahh what can I say? I am building a generation of Dr. Seuss fans.


One of my many goals in life is to own every Dr. Seuss book. I have my work cut out for me being that I only own 13, and he wrote 40 something.

My mom is very aware of the fact that I want to have kids who love and adore his books and illustrations as much as I do. So when I went home this weekend, I had a huge surprise.



























How amazing are these books AND stuffed animals!!!!!!!



Oh my goodness, I've planned out the whole nursery theme already centered around these golden educational toys. Granted, I don't have a nursery (not to mention a baby either), but if we ever do, I'll be prepared. In fact, when my mom was in line at Kohl's purchasing my little surprises, she was telling everyone in the nearest vicinity (and to those who were pretending to listen) how her daughter wants to have a Dr. Seuss nursery. "She's not pregnant, but I just can't pass these up." (If you know my mom, you know this is typical Mary behavior. She talks to EVERYONE like they are her best friend).


Now, we have a small dilemma. When I got back from Weimar last night, I laid out all of the fun books AND TOYS in our living room. Can you believe they have matching character toys? Still in shock. (I'm glad Kohl's cares and....will be getting different books and toys in the upcoming months). Back to the dilemma, Randy looked at them all and said, "Wow every little kid in the world would be scared of those."


WHAT?!?!?!?!!?!?



I replied very vehemently, "Only sissy kids would be scared." And we won't have sissy kids, so no need to worry! I mean come on..... IT'S A CAT! WHO WEARS A HAT!!!

Listen to that, "cat in the hat." The title alone brings so many educational opportunities. There are two nouns, a preposition, an article. I could even show him/her what a prepositional phrase looks like. See how "cat in the hat" rolls off the tongue. How can you be scared of a hat wearing cat? I just don't get it!



I then proceeded to get on my reading soap box. I gave him the whole sixth grader speech of the importance of reading. I'm convinced he just doesn't like Dr. Seuss because he didn't invent a math formula. See the real problem is we are very much the right brain, left brain couple. Our poor children, the moment they enter the world, I'm going to be shoving books in their hands and Randy will be holding up multiplication flash cards.

I can see it now....

"(Insert child's name here), don't you want to participate in the summer reading program at the library?"

Randy interrupting, "No (child's name here) has fraction boot camp."

This debate soon turned into the whole importance of math and science while I whole heartedly supported the "if you can't read, you can't get a job or function in society" campaign. Let's all sigh together.....SIGH!!!!

Reading is the most important thing you do all day long (that and breathing). I have always loved to read, and my mom's philosophy on books was "I don't care how many books you buy, as long as you read them all." This is why I had a frequent shopper's card to Waldenbooks at the age of 11. I read every Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, Babysitter's Club book ever written. I know Randy values reading too because he modestly interjects every time we have this discussion that he taught all the kids how to read in kindergarten:)

After that comment, I think it's settled. We will be promoting reading through our nursery decor. Dr. Seuss is synonymous with great reading!!!! The solution is simple.

Now, dont' start rumors. I am NOT pregnant. I am ONLY planning! I like to plan folks....It's what I do!!! I even have a plan for the next Dr. Seuss book I buy. It's "Yertle the Turtle!"

What's your favorite Dr. Seuss book?