13under13 for 28Aug2009

Robbie hosted this week. Everything went swimmingly, until we got up to number 6. Then one of the first ever big surprises....Not "Kickboard, Baby, Yeah" which has been on the countdown for 13 weeks, but a SECOND debut! "Giant-Sized Butterflies" from Justin Roberts.

1. Kira Willey - Colors (8 weeks)
2. Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with Christylez Bacon - Hip Hop Humpty Dumpty (9 weeks)
3. Rhythm Child - Bowl of Cherries from Putumayo Kids Picnic Playground (6 weeks)
4. The Sippy Cups - Seven is the New 14 (12 weeks)
5. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - I Like Fruit (5 weeks)
6. Justin RobertsGiant Sized Butterflies (debut? huh?)
OR
Justin Roberts - Kickboard, Baby. Yeah! (13 weeks)
7. Caspar Babypants - Free Like a Bird (4 weeks)
8. Peter Himmelman - My Trampoline (3 weeks)
9. Randy Kaplan - The Ladybug Without Spots (14 weeks)
10. Billy Kelly - People Really Like Milk (15 weeks)
11. Yosi and the Superdads - Alliteration Alphabet (2 weeks)
12. Aquabats - Pool Party (9 weeks)
13. Recess Monkey - Sack Lunch (debut)

Past Freshness Date
Kenny Loggins - You Can All Join In (10 weeks)

How to Make a Terrarium

You will need:

A clear 2-liter bottle with bottle cap
Potting soil (or dirt from your backyard)
Rye grass seeds
Clear packing tape
A spray bottle filled with water
Scissors or an Exacto knife (and your caring adult's help/permission)
Ladybugs! (or any bug you find and would like to observe for a while)

How to Assemble:

1) Rinse out an empty 2-liter bottle
2) Have your adult help you carefully cut the top off of the bottle. Make the cut about three inches down from the lid of the bottle (see picture). Be sure to keep this part all in one piece!
3) Fill bottom of container with about 4 to 5 inches of potting soil
4) Sprinkle a few teaspoons of rye grass on top of the soil and cover with a little bit more dirt-- just a quarter of an inch or so
5) Wet the soil and spray the walls of the bottle with water
6) Add bugs if desired
7) Place the top back on the bottle and tape it together with packing tape.

Ta-da! You have a terrarium! The grass should start to grow in just a few days. Every week or so check the moisture level, unscrew the bottle cap and add a few teaspoons of water as needed. If you put bugs in there make sure they have the food they need (like aphids for ladybugs). Remember that bugs don't live very long, so this won't be a forever pet. You can also make this bug-free and have fun watching how tall the grass will grow. You could also add stickers or other decorations to the bottle, just make sure some sunlight can get through. Enjoy!

Alyssa's terrarium was made about seven weeks ago and although the cricket has passed on to The Great Terrarium in the Sky, the grass is still growing!

Theme Song Winner announced!

Was it because he was the first to send in an entry? Was it because Mindy went to see him at Jammin' Java this weekend? Was it because it is just an incredible theme song? We'll never know, but ....

The winner is ....

JUSTIN ROBERTS!

We are very happy with her choice, of course. And hope that we enjoy hearing his entry every day :)

13under13 Poll for 24Aug2009

Visit the KiDS Place LiVE Fans blog and vote in the poll!

What's your favorite song this week?
1. Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with Christylez Bacon - Hip Hop Humpty Dumpty
2. The Sippy Cups - Seven is the New 14
3. Kira Willey - Colors
4. Justin Roberts - Kickboard Baby Yeah
5. Rhythm Child - Bowl of Cherries from Putumayo Kids Picnic Playground
6. Randy Kaplan - The Ladybug Without Spots
7. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - I Like Fruit
8. Billy Kelly - People Really Like Milk
9. Caspar Babypants - Free Like a Bird
10. Peter Himmelman - My Trampoline
11. Aquabats - Pool Party
12. Kenny Loggins - You Can All Join In
13. Yosi and the Superdads - Alliteration Alphabet

Last week's results:
0% 1. The Sippy Cups - Seven is the New 14
25% 2. Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with Christylez Bacon - Hip Hop Humpty Dumpty
18% 3. Justin Roberts - Kickboard Baby Yeah
6% 4. Randy Kaplan - The Ladybug Without Spots
0% 5. Kira Willey - Colors
25% 6. Billy Kelly - People Really Like Milk
0% 7. Rhythm Child - Bowl of Cherries from Putumayo Kids Picnic Playground
6% 8. Aquabats - Pool Party
6% 9. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - I Like Fruit
0% 10. Caspar Babypants - Free Like a Bird
0% 11. Kenny Loggins - You Can All Join In
0% 12. Billy Jonas - Eat Something
12% 13. Peter Himmelman - My Trampoline

13under13 for 21Aug2009

Mindy hosted this week.

1. Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with Christylez Bacon - Hip Hop Humpty Dumpty (8 weeks)
2. The Sippy Cups - Seven is the New 14 (11 weeks)
3. Kira Willey - Colors (7 weeks)
4. Justin Roberts - Kickboard, Baby. Yeah! (12 weeks)
5. Rhythm Child - Bowl of Cherries from Putumayo Kids Picnic Playground (5 weeks)
6. Randy Kaplan - The Ladybug Without Spots (13 weeks)
7. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - I Like Fruit (4 weeks)
8. Billy Kelly - People Really Like Milk (14 weeks)
9. Caspar Babypants - Free Like a Bird (3 weeks)
10. Peter Himmelman - My Trampoline (2 weeks)
11. Aquabats - Pool Party (9 weeks)
12. Kenny Loggins - You Can All Join In (10 weeks)
13. Yosi and the Superdads - Alliteration Alphabet (debut)

Past Freshness Date
Billy Jonas - Eat Something (5 weeks)

Scrap Metal Space Rocket Roller Coaster Ride

This is a drawing Danny made of a scrap metal amusement park ride. Mindy is talking about rides today, so Danny invented this one. We also have a pet field cricket and rolly polly for the night. They both like eating apple peels.

13under13 Poll for 17Aug2009

Visit the KiDS Place LiVE Fans blog and vote in the poll!

What's your favorite song this week?
1. The Sippy Cups - Seven is the New 14
2. Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with Christylez Bacon - Hip Hop Humpty Dumpty
3. Justin Roberts - Kickboard Baby Yeah
4. Randy Kaplan - The Ladybug Without Spots
5. Kira Willey - Colors
6. Billy Kelly - People Really Like Milk
7. Rhythm Child - Bowl of Cherries from Putumayo Kids Picnic Playground
8. Aquabats - Pool Party
9. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - I Like Fruit
10. Caspar Babypants - Free Like a Bird
11. Kenny Loggins - You Can All Join In
12. Billy Jonas - Eat Something
13. Peter Himmelman - My Trampoline

Last week's results:
21% 1. Justin Roberts - Kickboard Baby Yeah
0% 2. The Sippy Cups - Seven is the New 14
8% 3. Randy Kaplan - The Ladybug Without Spots
8% 4. Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with Christylez Bacon - Hip Hop Humpty Dumpty
13% 5. Billy Kelly - People Really Like Milk
13% 6. Aquabats - Pool Party
4% 7. Kenny Loggins - You Can All Join In
8% 8. Kira Willey - Colors
4% 9. Billy Jonas - Eat Something
8% 10. Rhythm Child - Bowl of Cherries from Putumayo Kids Picnic Playground
4% 11. Ziggy Marley with Laurie Berkner - Future Man, Future Lady
0% 12. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - I Like Fruit
4% 13. Caspar Babypants - Free Like a Bird

13under13 for 14Aug2009

Mindy hosted this week.

1. The Sippy Cups - Seven is the New 14 (10 weeks)
2. Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with Christylez Bacon - Hip Hop Humpty Dumpty (7 weeks)
3. Justin Roberts - Kickboard, Baby. Yeah! (12 weeks)
4. Randy Kaplan - The Ladybug Without Spots (12 weeks)
5. Kira Willey - Colors (6 weeks)
6. Billy Kelly - People Really Like Milk (13 weeks)
7. Rhythm Child - Bowl of Cherries from Putumayo Kids Picnic Playground (4 weeks)
8. Aquabats - Pool Party (8 weeks)
9. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - I Like Fruit (3 weeks)
10. Caspar Babypants - Free Like a Bird (2 weeks)
11. Kenny Loggins - You Can All Join In (9 weeks)
12. Billy Jonas - Eat Something (5 weeks)
13. Peter Himmelman - My Trampoline (debut)

Past Freshness Date
Ziggy Marley with Laurie Berkner - Future Man, Future Lady (13 weeks)

Peter Glassman from Books of Wonder

Peter Glassman from Books of Wonder was on the show today talking about all these great books!

My Father's Dragon by Ruth Gannett
The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet by Eleanor Cameron
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg (Newbery Winner)
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi (Newbery Honor Book)
The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis (Newbery Honor Book)
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (Newbery Winner)
Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson
Missing May by Cynthia Rylant (Newbery Winner)
The Book of Three (The Chronicles of Prydain Book 1) by Lloyd Alexander

13under13 Poll for 10Aug2009

Visit the KiDS Place LiVE Fans blog and vote in the poll!

What's your favorite song this week?
1. Justin Roberts - Kickboard Baby Yeah
2. The Sippy Cups - Seven is the New 14
3. Randy Kaplan - The Ladybug Without Spots
4. Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with Christylez Bacon - Hip Hop Humpty Dumpty
5. Billy Kelly - People Really Like Milk
6. Aquabats - Pool Party
7. Kenny Loggins - You Can All Join In
8. Kira Willey - Colors
9. Billy Jonas - Eat Something
10. Rhythm Child - Bowl of Cherries from Putumayo Kids Picnic Playground
11. Ziggy Marley with Laurie Berkner - Future Man, Future Lady
12. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - I Like Fruit
13. Caspar Babypants - Free Like a Bird

13under13 for 9Aug2009

Kenny hosted this week.

1. Justin Roberts - Kickboard, Baby. Yeah! (10 weeks)
2. The Sippy Cups - Seven is the New 14 (9 weeks)
3. Randy Kaplan - The Ladybug Without Spots (11 weeks)
4. Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with Christylez Bacon - Hip Hop Humpty Dumpty (6 weeks)
5. Billy Kelly - People Really Like Milk (12 weeks)
6. Aquabats - Pool Party (7 weeks)
7. Kenny Loggins - You Can All Join In (8 weeks)
8. Kira Willey - Colors (5 weeks)
9. Billy Jonas - Eat Something (4 weeks)
10. Rhythm Child - Bowl of Cherries from Putumayo Kids Picnic Playground (3 weeks)
11. Ziggy Marley with Laurie Berkner - Future Man, Future Lady (13 weeks)
12. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - I Like Fruit (2 weeks)
13. Caspar Babypants - Free Like a Bird (debut)

Past Freshness Date
Recess Monkey - Haven't Got a Pet Yet (13 weeks)

Book Hour - Lunch Lady

On today's show, Mindy interviewed Jarrett J. Krosoczka, author of many books, including Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute.

Camille and I both loved the idea that the lunch lady has super cool spy tools, like a spork that is really a phone and a spatula that is a helicopter. I know we'll be keeping our eye out for the books.

Even more, our pals Recess Monkey has written a Lunch Lady Theme song that is available on the website www.lunchladycomics.com/.

Robbie's African Adeventure - Part II

Have you followed Robbie's trip to Uganda? He's posted a whole bunch of fabulous photos and blog posts on his website: Robbie Schaefer. It sounds like he had an amazing trip, and we can't wait to hear what more comes of his wonderful trip.


(Photo Borrowed without permission from Robbie Schaefer's website.)

Another sighting

Photo 7

Photo 6

Photo 5

Photo 4

Photo 3

Photo 2

Photo 1

Pepperoni Stick, Eh?

Mindy,

 

I knew it!  My Go-Tart did not break Frankfurter's heart!  The crazy Pepperoni Stick that's been sighted everywhere is actually running around with a Chewy Dipps granola bar, not my sweet Go-Tart.  The look-alikes have been showing up everywhere my Go-Tart and her Hot Dog BOY-Friend have been, pretending to be them.  These PepperDipps imposters are nothing but trouble.  Meanwhile my poor Go-Tart and Frankfurter are being hounded everywhere they go.  Kids are yelling, "There they are!" and chasing them all across the country.  They're scared, they're lost, and I'm afraid my sweet Go-Tart and her Hot Dog BOY-Friend will never get home.  If you really love Frankfurter, you'll stop spreading rumors about my poor sweet Go-Tart and help these two young processed foodstuffs find their way home.

 

Your pal,

ScribbleJim

Peter Himmelman in the Rumpus Room

Our year in DC is coming to a close. While I doubt that it was our last Rumpus Room Concert (we had been to 3 or 4 before this year), it is our last for a while. And what fun it was! A nice crowd came out to see Peter Himmelman. I wasn't sure if the show was going to be Peter solo or not, and it turned out that a nice band had been cobbled together -- I think Peter said that they had only rehearsed once, earlier in the day.

The show was incredibly fun (and funny). Little Rhett stole the show with his antics. Hey, if your mom is the boss and your dad is in the band, you kind of get a little crazy, huh? The kids in the audience had great fun, making large dancing circles. Even the babies got into it; two babies did a little call and response screeching.

While we love Peter's CDs, I wasn't sure what to expect from a live show. It was wonderful! He has a wry sense of humor, played just right. One kid told Peter it was his birthday, and Peter made up a song right there on the spot, as well as freestyling verses into other songs. Wonderful and fun!

We're so happy that we got this chance to see Peter Himmelman perform live!

Endless Green

Imagination

My Trampoline

Candy

A Dozen Roses

King Ferdinand

The Main Dish

My Feet

James is 6

My Green Kite

I Don't Like to Share

13under13 for 2Aug2009

Mindy hosted tonight. No surprise, since she's holding down the fort while Robbie is in Africa and Kenny is at the beach.

1. Justin Roberts - Kickboard, Baby. Yeah! (9 weeks)
2. Randy Kaplan - The Ladybug Without Spots (10 weeks)
3. The Sippy Cups - Seven is the New 14 (8 weeks)
4. Billy Kelly - People Really Like Milk (11 weeks)
5. Aquabats - Pool Party (6 weeks)
6. Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with Christylez Bacon - Hip Hop Humpty Dumpty (5 weeks)
7. Ziggy Marley with Laurie Berkner - Future Man, Future Lady (12 weeks)
8. Kenny Loggins - You Can All Join In (7 weeks)
9. Kira Willey - Colors (4 weeks)
10. Billy Jonas - Eat Something (3 weeks)
11. Recess Monkey - Haven't Got a Pet Yet (13 weeks)
12. Rhythm Child - Bowl of Cherries from Putumayo Kids Picnic Playground (2 weeks)
13. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - I Like Fruit (debut)

Past Freshness Date
Captain Bogg and Salty - Never Smile at a Crocodile (17 weeks)