http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/bushelandapeck/26820 Even though Friday was our first hot day of&nbsp; the year, we still managed to have a good time. We started the day off with story time at Barnes and Noble.&nbsp; Of course the highlight was seeing our friends (jackieohadananny- she has a profile on RaisingBakersfield.com).&nbsp; But we also had another pleasant surprise - Barnes and Noble has a new story time reader!&nbsp; Well, at least he was new to us.&nbsp; His name is Brian, and we applaud his reading and singing.&nbsp; I hope Mr. Brian is around for a long time at B&amp;N. After we left B&amp;N, the hubby called and reminded me that it was Employee Appreciation Day at his work.&nbsp; So we donned our sunscreen and headed out for the employee family BBQ.&nbsp; Yeah, that's right - BBQ - in 103 degree weather.&nbsp; And though we ate in the shade, we were all still dripping sweat.&nbsp; Thankfully, we love everyone who works with the hubby, we always have a good time, and the food was great!&nbsp; Also, the kiddo fed the ducks and geese in the pond (yes, there's a pond and a park where my hubby works).&nbsp; That was a highlight for her. So, that led to a great nap.&nbsp; Gotta love naps.&nbsp; And that led to a very pleasant evening.&nbsp; After eating the pretty-darn-good-slow-cooked- pork chop leftovers (cream of mushroom soup, garlic, thyme, beef broth, white wine), we headed to Borders because we needed another bookstore fix.&nbsp; (Actually, we've been collecting books with cd's because we're going on a little trip this week, and while I might be a talented multi-tasker (I'm a mom, right?!), I still haven't mastered reading while driving.)&nbsp; We love hanging out at bookstores.&nbsp; There are always treasures to find.&nbsp; I think we came home with four new books, only one a book/cd set. I threw the kid in the bath when we got home, watched her make pies and soup in the tub, and once she was out, we dove into our new books. That leads me to this - Skippyjon Jones is the funniest cat I've ever met.&nbsp; Cat in the Hat and Garfield don't hold a candle to little Skippito.&nbsp; We laugh and laugh at the Siamese cat who fantasizes about being a Zorro type chihuahua.&nbsp; If you have child between the ages of 3 and 80, this is a&nbsp; must have book. Any new bookstore treasures you've found lately?&nbsp; (other than Kevin's new book, of course) Even though Friday was our first hot day of&nbsp; the year, we still managed to have a good time. We started the day off with story time at Barnes and Noble.&nbsp; Of course the highlight was seeing our friends (jackieohadananny- she has a profile on RaisingBakersfield.com).&nbsp; But we also had another pleasant surprise - Barnes and Noble has a new story time reader!&nbsp; Well, at least he was new to us.&nbsp; His name is Brian, and we applaud his reading and singing.&nbsp; I hope Mr. Brian is around for a long time at B&amp;N. After we left B&amp;N, the hubby called and reminded me that it was Employee Appreciation Day at his work.&nbsp; So we donned our sunscreen and headed out for the employee family BBQ.&nbsp; Yeah, that's right - BBQ - in 103 degree weather.&nbsp; And though we ate in the shade, we were all still dripping sweat.&nbsp; Thankfully, we love everyone who works with the hubby, we always have a good time, and the food was great!&nbsp; Also, the kiddo fed the ducks and geese in the pond (yes, there's a pond and a park where my hubby works).&nbsp; That was a highlight for her. So, that led to a great nap.&nbsp; Gotta love naps.&nbsp; And that led to a very pleasant evening.&nbsp; After eating the pretty-darn-good-slow-cooked- pork chop leftovers (cream of mushroom soup, garlic, thyme, beef broth, white wine), we headed to Borders because we needed another bookstore fix.&nbsp; (Actually, we've been collecting books with cd's because we're going on a little trip this week, and while I might be a talented multi-tasker (I'm a mom, right?!), I still haven't mastered reading while driving.)&nbsp; We love hanging out at bookstores.&nbsp; There are always treasures to find.&nbsp; I think we came home with four new books, only one a book/cd set. I threw the kid in the bath when we got home, watched her make pies and soup in the tub, and once she was out, we dove into our new books. That leads me to this - Skippyjon Jones is the funniest cat I've ever met.&nbsp; Cat in the Hat and Garfield don't hold a candle to little Skippito.&nbsp; We laugh and laugh at the Siamese cat who fantasizes about being a Zorro type chihuahua.&nbsp; If you have child between the ages of 3 and 80, this is a&nbsp; must have book. Any new bookstore treasures you've found lately?&nbsp; (other than Kevin's new book, of course) en-us <p>You know that I'm really partial - but are there any good books out there but Kevin's books??? :)</p> <p>When you have kids a little bit older - like 2nd grade readers - The Magic Tree House Series are fantastic!&nbsp; I can get almost any kid excited about reading when they read these mysterious, adventurous chapter books.&nbsp; And they feel so proud of themselves when they actually read a &quot;Chapter Book.&quot;</p> http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/bushelandapeck/26820/#c_239596 http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/bushelandapeck/26820/#c_239596 <p>You know that I'm really partial - but are there any good books out there but Kevin's books??? :)</p> <p>When you have kids a little bit older - like 2nd grade readers - The Magic Tree House Series are fantastic!&nbsp; I can get almost any kid excited about reading when they read these mysterious, adventurous chapter books.&nbsp; And they feel so proud of themselves when they actually read a &quot;Chapter Book.&quot;</p> <p>Love Mr. Brian ! We saw him on a Wednesday morning recently and he is much more entertaining for the kids :)</p> http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/bushelandapeck/26820/#c_239629 http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/bushelandapeck/26820/#c_239629 <p>Love Mr. Brian ! We saw him on a Wednesday morning recently and he is much more entertaining for the kids :)</p> <p>what?  you can't read and drive at the same time?</p> <p>no real book treasures of late.  ash is still into reading princess books.  :(</p> http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/bushelandapeck/26820/#c_240028 http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/bushelandapeck/26820/#c_240028 <p>what?  you can't read and drive at the same time?</p> <p>no real book treasures of late.  ash is still into reading princess books.  :(</p>