tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61870109417067106932026-09-22T21:39:56.872-07:00 A place to touch a child's heart by bonding, growing, learning, and building memories through storytelling.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-4270179615623181062026-05-25T10:39:51.768-07:002026-05-25T10:39:51.769-07:00

In story 11 of Uncle Wiggily's Adventures, the narrator mentions pinwheels, a classic childhood toy from that era.  Here is a FREE download to make your own pinwheel!  Just click the image below to download your free PDF of 3 different versions for you to experiment with.It's best if they are printed off on cardstock.  Get creative and color your own design.

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-81905894953004962152026-03-28T14:28:00.000-07:002026-03-28T14:28:00.114-07:00

I’m a sucker for quaint stories from around the turn of the 20th century, and Uncle Wiggily’s Adventures is one of my favorites. First published in 1912 and written by Howard R. Garis, these stories were originally meant to be small nightly read-alouds for young children.Garis introduces us to Uncle Wiggily, a gentle, well-mannered rabbit, and all of his little creature friends and relations. The

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-32213084374607576122026-03-25T15:23:00.000-07:002026-06-30T21:37:28.683-07:00

This one is for those of you who listen to Uncle Wiggily’s Adventures on The Story Garden with Mrs. Sandoz.I love giving my students and families of the podcast little challenges to try at home, and this one comes straight from the stories. The author of these quaint stories often mentions lemonade—it seems to be a favorite treat of his as well as the characters in the stories. It happens to be a

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com0Newberg, OR 97132, USA45.3003268 -122.976131843.749413824394964 -125.173397425 46.851239775605038 -120.778866175tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-34680745924395111832026-03-25T08:14:00.000-07:002026-03-25T14:28:49.382-07:00

 After some gentle nudging from my students (and a little tug on my own heart), I’ve started something new—The Story Garden. This is a small podcast where my kindergartners—and any little listeners who would like to join us—can come and listen to stories. Some are old and well-loved, like Uncle Wiggily. Others are stories I’ve written over the years—first for my own boys, and now for the

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-19352702047439215392026-01-24T16:03:00.000-08:002026-01-24T16:03:19.552-08:00

There’s something you should know about me...I identify as a spiritual person. However, I don’t believe my sole purpose on earth is to convert everyone I meet to my exact way of thinking. Instead, I resonate more with the belief that God's greatest commandment is to love Him and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.This spiritual perspective has led me to pursue careers focused on serving

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-63599464513569165312026-01-04T11:46:00.000-08:002026-02-14T18:34:40.789-08:00

“‘The time has come, the Walrus said,To talk of many things:Of shoes—and ships—and sealing-wax—Of cabbages—and kings—And why the sea is boiling hot—And whether pigs have wings.’" -Alice in WonderlandWhen I was a kid we lived out in the sticks and only had a used VCR with a handful of tapes that my grandfather had recorded from his cable channels.  Several of those tapes had been

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-36538085404736205512015-09-14T14:35:00.000-07:002015-09-14T14:35:02.066-07:00

Good Pictures, Bad Pictures Porn-Proofing Today's Kids   Two years ago when my then six and nine year old boys were inadvertently exposed to pornography by a neighbor boy I dove into educating myself on this topic.  Despite my best efforts to protect them from this exact type of thing, I had failed.  My heart was broken, yet I was determined to do what I needed to in order

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-53115551426580397722015-06-01T22:20:00.000-07:002026-01-05T21:34:09.074-08:00

The “King” is dead.  We got home from vacation to discover the disturbing news that Elvis, our rooster, was savagely taken by a coyote.  All that remained of him was a few drops of blood and a pile of his beautiful tail feathers.  We were all in denial.  We walked our property calling for him.  We tried luring him with food scraps.  We waited to see if he would

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-74465888492918715372014-04-02T11:16:00.003-07:002026-03-27T07:15:11.375-07:00

10 Years Later Note: Rereading this after ten years brings back such sweet memories. I’m so glad I now have a class full of littles who don’t mind my singing. I dusted off this version of Puff the Magic Dragon that I created and shared it with them—it was a big hit. Now I just need to learn to play the ukulele, because that would really seal the deal!Thing 3 is now two. He has a love-hate

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-50297762012797708492014-01-31T19:57:00.000-08:002026-03-27T07:55:16.874-07:00

2026 Note:My dad passed away 12 years ago this month.  My mom passed away just last month.  This story feels more important to me now than ever.  It also reminds me of the picture book "The Hardest Word: A Yom Kippur Story" that I will definitely be busting out to read with my students next year.  The story I share below demonstrates just how hard the words "I'm sorry" can be

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-32756752735440487252014-01-24T10:15:00.000-08:002026-03-27T07:51:43.597-07:00

A new year is well underway! I am so excited to be in 2014. This year, I want to laugh more with my boys, get fit, write more consistently, and speak about storytelling. These goals sound simple enough—but when I really think about what it will take to follow through, I feel a little terrified.The voices creep in: You can’t write. No one wants to hear what you have to say. You’re not a warm,

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-62681333617802416072013-11-12T05:00:00.000-08:002026-06-16T19:32:12.255-07:00

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, and even though we haven’t even had Thanksgiving yet, the truth is that before Thanksgiving is the time to start prepping for the Advent season. Especially since this year it begins on Sunday, December 1st—just a couple of days after Thanksgiving. With Thanksgiving and Black Friday, I tend to forget about preparing for Advent. Do yourself a favor

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-90195209795109460222013-11-05T10:15:00.000-08:002026-06-16T19:54:13.905-07:00

Chapter 11 Dragon’s Tongue & Hag’s Feet By Kristen S. Sandoz 2013 Let us take a trip to a much happier story than the one of Little John I last told. Of course, this means we must head back to the Witch Hazel’s cottage—incidentally called Butterbrick Cottage.Why is it called Butterbrick, you ask?Well, that is because their sweet Jersey cow made the most fabulous sweet cream butter, which

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-7534003607471449952013-10-22T14:07:00.002-07:002026-06-16T20:03:21.463-07:00

One day, I walked into an antique store in Hailey, Idaho. The only thing I really remember from that visit is a painting. It was tucked high up in a peaked rafter—easy to miss—but it caught my eye. It was of a small child crying. I fell in love with it. I’m sure my newly awakened mother’s heart had something to do with it—Thing 1 was only 18 months old at the time. But we were broke, so I left

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-30553752813264244462013-09-20T15:14:00.004-07:002026-06-16T20:16:08.367-07:00

Hey Friends!  Just wanted to let you know that I did the final edit on this one myself in order to get it out faster.  Editing is not my strong suit, so I hope you can forgive any mistakes and just enjoy this important story.  My boys had plenty of things to say about this story.  Some were very profound.  I'd love to hear what thoughts you and your kids have

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-91969632030344607242013-08-08T16:24:00.001-07:002013-08-08T16:24:45.891-07:00

Ch. 9 The Young Duke Monstroke There are so many stories to be told of these happy and sometimes not so happy characters that I struggle to keep on a straight course.  I am going to diverge for a moment, or possibly more, if my mind wanders, and introduce to you one of my least favorite fellows in these tales.  His name is Monstroke. Why do I not like young Duke Monstroke, you ask

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-5624311862623416862013-07-25T11:06:00.000-07:002026-06-16T20:21:28.702-07:00

Go.  Heal Thyself, Girl! A story of personal healing Ever since I gave birth to Thing 1, I’ve struggled with slouching.  I figured it was a combination of things:  engorged breasts that would have won money in a wet t-shirt contest, muscle fatigue from holding a well-fed baby, and stomach muscles that had been stretched beyond reason.  Two more babies and

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-69292589801060533882013-06-14T15:02:00.002-07:002013-06-14T15:02:31.678-07:00

My boy's school did an End-of-the-Year-Book-Exchange.  It was a HUGE success!  There were piles and piles of books and piles and piles of kids.  My boys brought home a backpack full each of new-to-them books.  Some of them will definitely be keepers.  The rest we'll just send back next year.  I think I might have been more excited about the book exchange than my boys

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-81913547923640604872013-05-15T15:36:00.003-07:002013-09-14T10:28:32.857-07:00

Ch. 8: A Friendship & a Name Kristen S. Sandoz 2013   Besides the Witch Hazel’s nasty hens there were plenty of other animals at the cottage who had less pernicious stories to tell.  But I will save that for another day.  For now let me just give you a roll call of the others.   There were two majestic roosters who did not always get along, the older

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-47105588244576429152013-05-03T12:44:00.002-07:002013-05-03T13:04:16.850-07:00

I am so excited to be spreading the word about a young college student named Kelly Cook.  I have watched Kelly grow up since grade school and she is an incredible talented and creative person.  She is working on publishing a book that she wrote AND illustrated.  It is an absolutely beautiful book!  The Might-Fine Adventure of Piper and Floyd is about, Piper, a girl who loves

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-52999348846401393742013-04-29T14:45:00.000-07:002013-11-18T19:13:56.537-08:00

So much joy comes for me with Spring!  Just the sheer knowledge that I made it through the dark and gloomy Oregon winter is enough to send my heart soaring.  But Spring's gifts do not stop there, Easter, a steady unfurling of flower blossoms, off and on sunshine with fresh pourings of rain, and the endless opportunities to work in my yard.  I feel so alive! This week I'm working

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-54227896147061993182013-04-15T10:54:00.001-07:002013-09-14T10:29:19.623-07:00

Ch. 7: The Nasties By Kristen S. Sandoz 2013 Some time ago I began to tell you about Justly's quest to find a new place to sleep for himself and his new pup.  They had been outcast from the Royal City on account of the pups imperfect eye color.  The pup had one flame orange eye and one ice blue eye and this was entirely unacceptable for a hound of the King.  Justly had saved

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-26050761240586064322013-04-05T16:06:00.001-07:002013-04-05T16:08:17.277-07:00

The Egg By Kristen S. Sandoz 2013   The other day my five-year-old son had a friend over and they spent a lot of time with our hens.  Later that day when I went to check on the ladies I found two eggs smashed against the fence and evidence of a cover up.  If you have ever raised your own chickens you know how precious eggs are.  I was not happy about this and handled

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-28035746709104974362013-03-08T17:33:00.000-08:002013-03-08T17:33:00.260-08:00

It's Thing 1's birthday.  One special little thing I've done to honor them as individuals is make them a Birthday Crown.  Each boy has his own crown.  It's part of our dress up box actually.  They get used in all kinds of ways all year long.  These crowns are nothing too fancy.  I used scraps of felt and left over elastic and hand drew a crown pattern on paper. 

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187010941706710693.post-36160399192971828442013-03-04T16:35:00.000-08:002013-03-04T16:35:00.068-08:00

Hey storytelling friends! I have some exciting news.  My blog was just added to theMomBlogs.com which is a directory for moms who blog.  Here is the link  I'd be so grateful if you'd check out the listing and rate my blog! Thanks for supporting this writing endeavour of mine.  My hope is that it truly blesses you and your kids! Happy Tales! Kristen

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18254830680481969293noreply@blogger.com0