1. I stood up for the entire thing. I didn't even bother bringing out a chair for myself.
2. I played two songs on the ukulele, and didn't have the chords in front of me for either one.
3. Someone besides me picked up on the theme! (It was pets, and a mom in the front row got it right away. I don't announce the themes, since they're mostly for my organizational purposes, but it still made me smile to have it noticed.)
4. A mom who is often very critical told me I am doing a good job!
Here is the list of books, songs, and rhymes:
Opening Song (with ukulele): Hello, how are you?
Rhyme: Wiggle Fingers
I debated about whether to read this book because it's got a lot of dialogue, and it ends on kind of a strange note. My efforts to make the ending more interesting failed, but on its own, the story wasn't too bad. It was a nice change of pace and made a nice replacement for Dear Zoo, which I read just a few weeks ago, and am trying not to overuse.
Song (with puppet): How Much is that Doggie in the Window?
I turned my flannel board doggie into a stick puppet, and we sang the song twice, barking "woof woof" after each line.
Song: Head and Shoulders, Baby
I just don't get Lois Ehlert, but this book was kind of funny. I don't know if the kids really liked it, since I think the humor went over their heads, but the book is huge and the pictures are bold and bright, so at least it was visually appealing. Next time, though, I'll stick with Emily Gravett's Dogs.
Rhyme: Five Little Puppies
I found this rhyme here on a list of finger plays, and came up with some motions to turn it into an action rhyme. It worked so nicely for quieting the group down, I wished that I had used it before the book, instead of before an action song! Next time.
Song: Shake My Sillies Out
Rhyme: Two Little Kittens
I decided to try this book today because my group doesn't usually respond so well to Mama Cat Has Three Kittens, which is my usual go-to cat book. While the lift-the-flap format is nice, the pictures are too narrow and too cluttered to be enjoyed from afar.
Song: Here We Go Up, Up, Up
I had forgotten that at the end of this book Old MacDonald has a martian! As soon as I remembered, I knew I had to read it. This is also the perfect length for an Old MacDonald sing-along - just a few verses, instead of the whole barnyard.
Song (with ukulele and flannel board): Nursery Rhyme Rap
Song: Chickadee
Goodbye Song: We Wave Goodbye Like This