Reading

As Summer quickly approaches, I am in need of Summer reading lists for my 3 children.
In our small town we do not have a public library but have a fantastic libraian at the Elementary school. She keeps the library open one night a week during the summer.
I try to prepare ahead of time, so the children have plenty of options and never run out of books available.

Do you read aloud to you children?

Do you continue to read to your older children?

Every few years I pull out my copy of The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease and remind myself of all the good things reading gives my children.

Here is an exerpt that brought me back to the importance of reading one-on-one with each of my children (especially my oldest)...

"Beyond the building of attention span and vocabulary, something else is built during these one-on-one hours with a child. When you get to the "heavy stuff" in books, it usually brings to the surface some of the child's own "heavy stuff"-his or her deepest hopes and fears. And when that happens, if there is not an obnoxious older sister or younger brother present, children will tell you their secrets. And when they share their secrets, the chemistry that occurs is called "bonding"- and that's what really holds families together."

I will set aside time each day to read alound to my children individually.

Although Samuel has already read Harry Potter (just up to book 4) some time ago, he wants me to read it to him this summer, starting with book 2.

What is on your reading list?

Here is a bit of our list of picture books:

All About Alfie by Shirley Jones
Baby in a Baskek by Gloria Rand
Big Jabe by Jerdine Nolen
A Day's Work by Eve Bunting
Full, Full, Full of Love by Trish Cooke
The Great Fuzz Frenzy by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel
The Gunniwolf by Wilhelmina Harper
Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood
Micawber by John Lithgow
Molly Bannaky by alice McGill (non-fiction)
Molly's Pilgrim by Barbara Cohen
Regards to the Man in the Moon by Ezra Jack Keats
Rotten Teeth by Laura Simms
The Secret Knowledge of Grown-ups by David Wisniewski
The Truth About Poop by Susan E. Goodman (non-fiction)

Mother's Day Expectations

2007 was the perfect Mother's Day. There was so much sweetness and thought put into the day, I really felt appreciated.
My two oldest children, then 7 and 4, picked out charms for my charm bracelet. My husband let them pick out what they wanted. It was priceless.
Since charms can be a bit expensive (especially x3) I told my husband he could do it every other year.
2009 was charm year. I couldn't wait to see what they picked out this year.
Yesterday morning I was greeted with hugs and kisses and a big bag of things from my first grader. First grade teachers are the BEST!
The cards and crafts were wonderful.

But no charms.

I went on with my day.

I cleaned my scrapbook room which was a wreak because I went on retreat the weekend before. I treasured the time to clean up and re-organize while watching season 3 of The Office.

My scrapbook room is back in working order, I am happy to report.

About 2:30 or so my husband asked if I would be ready to go to supper in an hour or so. And I said sure.
I took my time and showered, washed my hair, and got ready to go.
Just the process of getting ready was a treat.
I locked the bathroom door. Something I never do.
I took my time.
I enjoyed the process.

As we got in the car to go to supper, I said, "so, no charms this year, eh?"
Mark quickly explained that he had planned to take the kids but with my retreat last weekend and the fact that he had to work this last Saturday, he was unable to get the kids to James Avery. But he would, and soon.

I refused to let anything spoil my day. Mark went to a lot of effort to give me a peaceful day where I could do exactly as I pleased.

I felt loved and appreciated.

Isn't that the point of the day?

It was a simple day, but it was just lovely.

I hope all of you had a wonderful day as well.

Whispers...

What whispers do I hear?

Do I listen?

Mostly, I think I tuck them into my pockets

deep into my pockets.


Waiting for the day I break free

and turn my pockets inside out.


On that day

my heart will rejoice

as I discover all the whispers

from my heart.

Friday Fun Fact...

The Stegosaurus dinosaur measured up to 30 feet (9.1 meters) long but had a brain the size of a walnut.

Bless his heart.