Booktrust did a survey of over 2,500 people in the UK to determine the top nursery rhymes.  Here they are with links to their lyrics (most of the links have mp3’s or videos too): 1. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star 2. Incey Wincey Spider 3. Round And Round The Garden 4. Baa Baa Black Sheep 5. The...

Here’s an Irish Blessing just in time for St. Patrick’s Day… Irish Blessing   May your pockets be heavy And your heart be light.   May good luck pursue you Each morning and night. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! -Mama Lisa

Song of The Leprechaun or Fairy Shoemaker was written by Irish poet William Allingham (1824 – 1889).  Leprechauns are known to be shoemakers.  At the end of the work day, they hide away the money they earned in a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Song of The Leprechaun or Fairy Shoemaker is...

There are many variations in different languages of "mother" and "father".  These are formal words that people use when referring to their parents.  But most words used to address our parents directly are less formal. In the US, most people don’t say "mother’ and "father" when talking to their parents.  Even when I was a kid...

Towards the end of WWI two cousins, young girls, took photos with fairies they said they had met.  Later they admitted they faked the photos.   Yet many people at the time believed they were real, including the author of the Sherlock Holmes stores, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle! The fairies came to be called the "Cottingley Fairies". ...

It’s a tradition in the US and the UK to tip people at the end of the year who perform services.  Some of the people who are tipped are: Mail Couriers, Sanitation Workers, Hairdressers,  Milkmen, House Cleaners, Nanny’s, Music Instructors, Dog Groomers, Teachers, etc.  Many people wonder if they’re tipping the right amount.  This seems...

Boxing Day is the day after Christmas when tradesmen and servants were traditionally given tips or gifts for their service.  Here’s what Rebecca wrote about it from the UK… The ‘Christmas box’ was traditionally for those who serviced your house; bin men, milkmen & coal men! Well, in the last century....

Here’s a fun illustration called "A Tour in the Toy Country" by British illustrator Randolph Caldecott (1846 – 1886).  Caldecott illustrated many books for children.

For all you fans of the animated show The Simpsons, check out these opening credits done with real live people…. (via Kottke) Pretty cool!  But where’s Marge’s tall blue hair? Enjoy! Mama Lisa

There’s a sense of joy in making a Halloween costume for your child… not to mention the pride you feel when you see them wear it. The site No Twiddle Twaddle has links to 50+ easy to make Halloween costumes for kids that you don’t have to sew! Enjoy!  Mama Lisa

Have you ever heard of Fairy Rings?  In real life, Fairy Rings are a naturally occurring phenomena where mushrooms grow in a circle. In folklore, Fairy Rings are an enchanted place where fairies gather at night and dance under the moonlight. John Milton mentioned dancing Fairy Elves in the first Book of Paradise Lost… Fairy Elves ...

Here’s a poem about a man who tries to catch a Leprechaun so he can become rich!  It was written by the Irish poet William Allingham (1824–1889).  I’ve included definitions of any uncommon words below the poem.  After that you can hear a recording of it. The Leprechaun or Fairy Shoemaker I. Little Cowboy, what have you heard,...

We’ve had many, many comments on our post about the song The Worms Crawl In, The Worms Crawl Out.  Here’s a new one by Kai Patsches (U.S.), that I found particularly fun and interesting… When I was younger, every time we would pass a graveyard in the car we had to put one foot in the...

How is the old nursery rhyme "See Saw Sack-a-day" connected to a recent royal groom?  Find out on Mama Lisa’s House of Nursery Rhymes!

1.  Put your eggs in a single layer in a pot.  These are Large Eggs… 2.  Cover with cold water.  The water should cover the eggs plus go over them by an inch.  Some people add salt to the water to make it easier to peel the eggs later. 3.  Bring to a boil on medium-high heat. 4. ...