Episode 55 (Flashlight Episode): Football Hero

Click here to listen to: Football Hero (6:30)

There's only seconds left in the big game. 
Who will be the football hero?

Hi All,

We were sad when the NFL season was over. We enjoy our football Sundays here in the Night Light Stories household. But we don't fret about it too much. Spring is right around the corner. That means there will be plenty to do outside! We like to go for walks around the mountain or hike along the Appalachian Trail. Oh! And we can't forget bike riding! 

Guess what? Our fully illustrated version of Dragonfly, Dragonfly
Show Us The Way is now available in Spanish as an in-app purchase 

from the Flying Books app.It is available for download 

on your iPhone or iPad. 

Illustration by Reg Silva

VORACIOUS VOCABULARY

What did you say? A word of the day! In our story

there are many juicy words that are fun to use and say.

dedication: the act of being wholly committed to something. 

line of scrimmage: an imaginary line, parallel to the goal lines, on which the ball is placed at the start of a down and on either side of which the offense and defense line up. 

stricken: deeply affected with grief, fear, or other emotions.

tremendous: extraordinarily great in size, amount, or intensity.

JUST ADD IMAGINATION!

Try these activities to keep your imagination glowing

after hearing the story.

1. Try to score a touchdown with this interactive game called "Taz's Football Frenzy." 

2. Create a football craft like some of these over on the site, Craft Jr.

3. Listen to the story a second time and see if you can hear details that would let you know who the narrator of the story really is. 

4. Listen to our three stories that have a leprechaun in them! St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner! 

Red vs. Green: (22:21)

When a team of Christmas elves goes against a team of St. Patrick's Day 

leprechauns in the Holiday Hockey Winter Classic, who will win?

Free audio download: Red vs. Green

Blog with activities: Red vs. Green

The Leprechaun Trap (6:35)
Two leprechauns are caught in a leprechaun trap and try to 

find different ways to escape.
Free audio download: The Leprechaun Trap
Blog with activities: The Leprechaun Trap

A Letter from a Leprechaun (5:30)
A reading of a letter written by Seamus the leprechaun detailing 

how he escaped a leprechaun trap. 
Free audio download: A Letter from a Leprechaun
Blog with activities: A Letter from a Leprechaun

COMPREHENSION CHALLENGE

After listening to the story, can you recall the

details to answer these questions?

1. Who does the narrator smile back at in the beginning of the story?

2. What happens when the players are at the line of scrimmage?

3, Where does the quarterback throw the ball?

4. Why does the narrator have such a hard time hearing the quarterback?

5. How does the narrator react to the touchdown?

We want to send out bright birthday wishes to:

Becky of Ohio, 
Robyn of New York
Ella of New York
Sophia of New York
Liam of Virginia 
Cody and Caleb

We hope your days SPARKLED!

Episode 27: Agent Tissue has an Issue

Click here to download: Agent Tissue has an Issue


Hi All,


It is that time of year! The cold weather settles in along with all the coughs, sneezes and sore throats.  We are constantly reminding our kids to cover their mouths, cough or sneeze into their elbows, use a tissue to blow their noses, NOT to use their sleeves or the bottom of my shirt to wipe their runny noses, and to wash their hands!

Every child needs these constant reminders. One strategy that we’ve found helpful is to take pictures of the kids practicing these things, and then post them around the the house as quick visual reminders. We post a few pictures of the kids washing their hands by the bathroom sink, and we post other visuals, like a picture of one of them coughing into a sleeve, in a central location near eye level (like on the fridge) so we can point to them easily as a quick reminder.  

We like to use them as the models, so they can take some ownership of the task at hand, which is keeping the house and themselves as healthy as possible.  Feel free to grab those pictures, and use them in your own house as reminders. Here are some examples of our visuals we posted:

VORACIOUS VOCABULARY

What did you say? A word of the day! In our story there are many

juicy words that are fun to use and say.

device: a thing made for a particular purpose.

dissolve: to separate into parts or elements.

pursue: to follow in order to capture.

rickety: shaky

  JUST ADD IMAGINATION!

Try these activities to keep your imagination glowing after hearing the story.

1.  An acronym is a word formed from the initial letters or groups of letters of words in a set phrase or series of words.  In the story ACHOO stands for "American Central Health Organization-Olfactory" division.   ACHOO is an acronym.  You can often make acronyms to help you remember your school work. For example, to remember all the Great Lakes, you can use the acronym HOMES. What other acronyms do you know or can you create?

2. Create your own visual reminders or print ours out and post them around your house in the appropriate areas.

COMPREHENSION CHALLENGE

After listening to the story, can you recall the details to answer these questions?

1. Who did Agent Tissue say he worked for?  

2. What was Agent Tissue on a mission to find?

3. Where did the boys search for the "runner"?

BRIGHT BIRTHDAY WISHES

We want to send out bright birthday wishes to:

Paige U of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Wil E of Virginia

Erika E of Virginia

Chloe of West Virginia

Dominic of West Virginia

Kiara of West Virginia

Prescott of West Virginia

Maggie B of West Virginia

A special thanks to our good friends, Kim and Dawn, at the Musing Mommies podcast 
for providing that bumper for us! You can download their 
podcast "for moms, by moms" over at http://www.musingmommies.com/.  

Episode 26:The Heebie Jeebies

Click here to download: THE HEEBIE JEEBIES


Click here to leave a comment to enter for a chance to win:
A signed copy of the Imagination Movers' new CD, "In A Big Warehouse".


Hi All,


Happy Fall from the Night Light Stories household.  Personally, this is my favorite time of year. The leaves turning bright reds, oranges and yellows;  the crisp, cool air; eating warm apple pie made with fresh picked apples, and of course watching football on Sundays!  We also really enjoy decorating for the season with pumpkins, scare crows and skeletons!   Some of the decorations we’ve been seeing around the mountain are a little bit spooky.   Mr. Chris and I were talking about how the kids would see the haunted houses and we wondered if they would be scared?  Sometimes its fun to be scared and that’s how the Heebie Jeebies was born.  


Just a quick warning,  this story is read by Mr. Chris in a deep, spooky voice, so if you scare easily, this might be a good one to skip.  But, if you’re the type who enjoys feeling your pulse quicken when you get scared, then sit back, turn off the lights, gather around with people who make you feel safe, and as you listen to the story, ask yourself the following, “What are some ways to stop yourself from getting The Heebie Jeebies?”

LISTENER FEEDBACK

If you like what you hear at Night Light Stories, please go to iTunes and leave a review. More positive reviews make it easier for others to find Night Light Stories in the iTunes Store. Don't forget you can also find us on Twitter at nightlight08 and our Facebook Fan Page. Stay tuned for more Night Light Stories, Lighting the Way With Words, and updates on the book. Thanks so much for your continued support!

CONTEST CORNER

A way the Night Light Stories keeps the Heebie Jeebies at bay is by listening to some positive, fun and creative music while having a dance party in our well lit kitchen. We slip and slide all around the floor and create all sorts of crazy dance moves. You should see Mr. Chris go!

So, since this works for us, we thought it could work for you too. We just so happen to have a really upbeat CD to give away. The CD is of one of our favorite children music bands; the Imagination Movers. We wanted to give you a chance to win an autographed copy of their newest CD, “In A Big Warehouse”.

To enter, first visit the Imagination Movers website and explore all around. Dance to some songs, check out the pictures, play a few games and read their bios. Then, come to the Night Light Stories website and leave a comment about what you found most interesting, fun, or inviting about this intriguing foursome. You can also leave us a comment on the Facebook Fan Page, Twitter at nightlight 08 or email us at nightlightstories@gmail.com. The contest will run until October 31st at Midnight.

If you do not win, no problem! On the side bar of the Night Light Stories website there is a link to the Imagination Mover’s store. If you buy a CD and put “NIGHT LIGHT STORIES” in the comment section when checking out, the Movers will sign their names on the CD for you.

VORACIOUS VOCABULARY

What did you say? A word of the day! In our story there are many juicy words that are fun to use and say.

clutch: to try to seize or grasp
illumination: a supply of light
prowl: to go about stealthily, as in search of prey
tingle: to have a sensation of slight prickles

JUST ADD IMAGINATION!

Try these activities to keep your imagination glowing after hearing the story.

1. Write your own spooky story.  Who are your main characters? Where is your setting?  What are the problems in the story? What are the solutions?


2. List THREE strategies the child in bed uses to keep from getting the Heebie Jeebies. Add THREE new strategies you could use to keep yourself from getting the Heebie Jeebies. 

COMPREHENSION CHALLENGE

After listening to the story, can you recall the details to answer these questions?

1. What made the narrator clutch at his blanket?


2. Who told the narrator a spooky tale before bed?


3. Why does counting sheep not work for the narrator?

BRIGHT BIRTHDAY WISHES

We want to send out bright birthday wishes to:

Cori M of New Hampshire

Nana D of Massachusetts

Aunt Kathleen of Valencia, Spain

Aunt Sue of New York

Jason G

Happy Halloween from Night Light Stories! 
As always, we look forward to the many scary stories we can share together.

Episode 25: STITCHES

Click here to listen to: Stitches

Hi All,

There is never a dull moment in the Night Light Stories household, that is for sure! Monday night was even more exciting than usual.  Our 5 year old hit his head on the bathroom sink which resulted in a trip to the ER and 5 stitches. He was so brave through it all. Mr. Chris and I were really proud of him!  From that experience our story was created.  Please feel free to share your own stories of bumps, bruises, casts, and stitches with us in the comment section, on our Facebook Fan Page, or at nightlightstories@gmail.com.  We hope you have a safe and enjoyable week!

LISTENER FEEDBACK

If you like what you hear at Night Light Stories, please go to iTunes and leave a review.  More positive reviews make it easier for others to find Night Light Stories in the iTunes Store. Don't forget you can also find us on Twitter at nightlight08 and our Facebook Fan Page.  Stay tuned for more Night Light Stories, Lighting the Way With Words, and updates on the book. Thanks so much for your continued support!

VORACIOUS VOCABULARY

What did you say? A word of the day! That is right! In our story there are many juicy words that are fun to use and say.

amiss: improper or wrong

consequence: the effect, result, or outcome of something occurring earlier.

exotic: of foreign origin 

trickle:to flow or fall from drops, in a small gentle stream.

JUST ADD IMAGINATION!

Try these activities to keep your imagination glowing after hearing the story.

1. The letters ER are an abbreviation for Emergency Room. Can you think of other words that have abbreviations? Make a list and see how many you can think of!

2.  The boy waited for the doctor for 23 minutes. Try to read, build blocks, play dolls or cars for 23 minutes to see how long that really is.

COMPREHENSION CHALLENGE

After listening to the story, can you recall the details to answer these questions?

1. What made the little boy close his eyes when he got out of the shower?

2. Where did they have to go after he hit his head?

3. Would the boy have the stitches forever? What did the doctor say?

BRIGHT BIRTHDAY WISHES

We want to send out bright birthday wishes to:

Amanda M of New Hampshire

Debbie N of Virginia
Chele A of South Carolina
Saben of Maryland

As always, I look forward to watching the glow grow brighter with the many stories we can share together.

Episode 23: The Ooga Boogas

Click here to listen to: The Ooga Boogas

Hi All,

Our newest story is called “The Ooga Boogas.”  This story has been in the works since our son was two years old when one of his many admirers brought him some new toys. It was a set of three dinosaur figures and on them sat three cavemen.  When you pressed on the cavemen, the dinosaurs roared. Since the cavemen did not make any noise, Mr. Chris improvised. He gave them a voice and started calling them the Ooga Boogas. Oh the adventures they would have! Our son would laugh so hard whenever he did the voice. To this day he’ll come out of his room and say “Do you want to play Ooga Boogas with me? Recently, we took one of the many adventures they had and put it into this story.  We hope you enjoy it!

LISTENER FEEDBACK

If you like what you hear at Night Light Stories, please go to iTunes and leave a review.  More positive reviews make it easier for others to find Night Light Stories in the iTunes Store. Don't forget you can also find us on Twitter at nightlight08 and our Facebook Fan Page.  Stay tuned for more Night Light Stories, Lighting the Way With Words, and updates on the book. Thanks so much for your continued support!

VORACIOUS VOCABULARY

What did you say? A word of the day! That is right! In our story there are many juicy words that are fun to use and say.

dash: a hasty or sudden movement.

pledge: a solemn promise or agreement to do or refrain from doing something.

strife: competition or rivalry

vociferously: crying out noisily.

JUST ADD IMAGINATION!

Try these activities to keep your imagination glowing after hearing the story.

1. The Ooga Boogas have had many adventures in our house. Think of your own adventure for the Ooga Boogas to have and write it down. Share the story with a friend or someone in your family.

2. One of the things the Ooga Boogas enjoy doing is Ooga Booga dancing. Make up your own Ooga Booga dance!

COMPREHENSION CHALLENGE

After listening to the story, can you recall the details to answer these questions?

1. What was the activity the Ooga Boogas did at the beginning of the story?

2. Why did the Ooga Boogas decide to change their Ooga Booga ways?

3. List all the things the Ooga Boogas made from the Ooga Booga trees.

BRIGHT BIRTHDAY WISHES

We want to send out bright birthday wishes to:

Tucker B of West Virginia

Brayden B of New York

Michael U of Pennsylvania

Amy G of West Virginia

Uncle Brian of New York
Bethie C of Massachusetts
Brian C of Massachusetts

As always, I look forward to watching the glow grow brighter with the many stories we can share together.

Episode 19: Mojo and the Ear Mites

Click here to listen to: Mojo and the Ear Mites

Hi All,

Some exciting things are happening in the Night Light Stories household that we want to share with you! Mr. Chris and I were asked to write a series of children's books.  We are thrilled and eager to create a story that you'll get to read in print form! We've already started working on the project and we're really happy with how it is coming together. We're going to have a lot of fun working on the story, but it is also going to take a lot of time and a lot of hard work.  


Unfortunately, that means we're going to have to take a short break from writing for Night Light Stories. Don't worry though, we plan to come back sometime in the Fall with brand new stories!  Also, we're going to keep adding new Lighting the Way With Words each week, as well as occasional updates on our writing project and, who knows, maybe there will be some surprises along the way.   So, please, stay subscribed and tell your friends about Night Light Stories because we're so excited to be able to share this journey.

VORACIOUS VOCABULARY

In our story there are many juicy words that are fun to learn and say. Try to use some of these words in your vocabulary this week at home or in school.

jaunt: a short journey


lurch: a sudden tip or roll to one side


pungent: sharply affecting the organs of smell

JUST ADD IMAGINATION!
Try these activities to keep your imagination glowing after hearing the story.

1. As a family, make a family first aid kit to be kept in an accessible location.  Items could include bandages, gauze, antiseptic cream, anti-itch cream, and other first aid supplies.

2. In order to help keep sickness away, you should wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.  The next time you wash your hands, keep on scrubbing for as long as it takes to sing the Alphabet Song.  

COMPREHENSION CHALLENGE
After listening to the story, can you recall the details to answer these questions?

1. What wakes up Mojo from his nap that is troubling him?

2. Make a list of all the ways Mojo tries to itch and soothe his ears before he sees the doctor.  

3. Why does Mojo's fear build when he is in the car?


4.  How does the doctor make Mojo feel more comfortable?

BRIGHT BIRTHDAY WISHES
We want to send out bright birthday wishes to:

Will D of Valencia, Spain
Joe D of Valencia, Spain
Uncle John of Valencia, Spain,
Ellie H of Danvers, Massachusetts
Pattie C of Groveland, Massachusetts
Uncle Terry of New Hampshire

We hope your day SPARKLED!

As always I look forward to the many stories we can share together.

Epidsode 17: Sled Ride

Click here to listen to: Sled Ride

Hi All,


We hope the New Year is finding you well! We have been getting more snow than usual this month here at the Night Light Stories household.  Having a 4 year old and 2 year old to bundle up to get outside takes some time and patience. Once we get out there though, it is worth it! There is a lot to do like snow angels, snow ball fights, snow forts, snow men and sledding. So many choices, so little time!

In other Night Light news, we were thrilled to have a local newspaper, the Loudoun Independent, do a story about us.  You can click here to find the article about Night Light Stories.  

VORACIOUS VOCABULARY

Our stories are filled with many illuminating words.

Try and use them somewhere in a conversation this week.

collision: crash
nestle: snuggle or cuddle
stumble: stagger, fall, or trip

JUST ADD IMAGINATION

Try these activities to keep your imagination glowing after hearing the story.

1. Gather different size balls such as a golf ball, tennis ball, kick ball, soccer ball, football or any other type you can find around the house.  Race two different balls down an incline at the same time to see which one reaches the bottom first.  

2.  Fill an ice cube tray with water and color the water with food coloring.  You can use as many colors as you like.  Freeze the ice cubes.  Take them out and use them to paint a watercolor picture.

COMPREHENSION CHALLENGE

After listening to the story, can you recall the details to answer these questions?

1. Why was the boy so excited to go sledding?

2. Who stumbled into the path of his sled?


3. What was the boy's last request at the end of the story?

BRIGHT BIRTHDAY WISHES
We want to send out bright birthday wishes to:

Colton G of Maryland

Katie M of West Virginia

Kate G of Maryland

Dana V of Toddler Brain

Heather E of Virginia

Mr. Chris of Night Light Stories

We hope your day SPARKLED!

If you know someone who has a birthday coming up and you'd like to send them a Night Light Birthday wish, send us an email at nightlightstories@gmail.com.Please send us your loved one's first name and the first initial of their last name only and we'll pass along the birthday wish.

There are no age limits!

As always I look forward to watching the glow grow brighter with the many stories we can share together.