Learning to Learn

I am often times asked how it is that I "school" such young children.  I get this frowning, skeptical look that implies that I must be some harsh over-achieving Mom, torturing my children with hours of lessons and drills.  This is drastically far from the truth, and I want to share what homeschooling means at this stage in our family.
It seems to be a common misconception that learning doesn't truly begin until the age of 5 yrs., with anything done before that being merely "preparatory" work to get the child ready for school.  Similarly, education is thought to end after highschool or college, once "formal" education is over with.

I passionately disagree.

To me, life is learning.  We are learning from the second we are conceived until the second we die.  Even then, honestly, I believe eternity in Heaven will be one glorious playground of revelation and learning!

Schooling my infants/toddlers/preschoolers does not mean that I am drilling data into their heads, but instead that I am attempting to open the world up to them, bit-by-bit, as they show me they are ready.  "School" in our house is not a dreaded place of tests and homework; rather it is a treat and regarded as a game that everyone wants to participate in.  Education is not a set list of things that must be learned by this age or that; but, on the contrary, is an exploration and experiment in life as we encounter it.

I am not forcing my children to learn information. 

I am encouraging them to learn how to learn!

If you ask me, I'd say we have been schooling basically since we found out I was pregnant with Abby. However, we recently put in place a more structured, planned routine in addition to our usual endeavors. Are there worksheets? Yes.  Are there craft projects?  Yes.  Will there be tests when they get older?  Yes.  But these are just extra projects to supplement the real learning that has been going on.  The true learning takes place in my lap or their Daddy's as we devour book after book, in their hands as they dig through the dirt and grass and rocks in our backyard; in our minds as we have ongoing conversations about everything we are discovering about God's created universe; in our hearts as we get our daily sustenance from His Word and spend time together in prayer.

Yes, they know their 123's and ABC's, but those are secondary requirements in my responsibility to teach them.  My highest priorities are that they are learning to love and respect God, to love and respect others, to love and respect themselves, and to love and respect learning.  If I can teach them these four things, everything else will just fall into place!

So please do not get the idea that my children are being dragged into the classroom each day by a demanding mother who requires more of them than they can handle.  If you could only see how they drag ME into the classroom -- whether it be the school room or backyard or the pages of a book -- begging me to teach them even on the days when I have a million other things that I think I should be doing instead. 

School is fun, and we plan on keeping it that way -- not just as preschoolers, but throughout our entire lives!

Mommy Has Reading Nook Envy!

This Sunday my husband and I spent the kids' naptime working on the school/toy room.  We really wanted to get it cleaned out and organized before Christmas so that we could make room for the new books, school supplies, and any rogue toys we get (we've requested no toys this year, but we know we will undoubtedly come home with a few here and there)! 

One of my favorite parts of the room is the reading nook we made.  I don't know if you've caught on, but....I like to read.  Shocking revelation, huh!?  ;o)  Ever since I was young I would try and find isolated, cozy places to read.  Whether it was under my covers with a flashlight after my Dad had said "lights out," or tucked into a feather coat up in a tree during the winter, I have always looked for special reading "nooks."  Now, as a mother of little readers, I have desperately been wanting to create just such a nook for our kids.  We don't have any oversized window sills or stairs with cubbies underneath, so we had to make do with what space we have available to us.  I got some white throw pillows and a fun circle pillow with matching blanket on clearance at Wal-Mart, as well as a cheap (but really soft!) bath mat, re-stickable dry erase wall dots on clearance at Office Max, and two plastic shelves from IKEA.  Here's how it turned out:

MOMMY IS JEALOUS!  I want a reading nook!  My husband plans on building our next (and permanent) home with his own two hands, and knows that a reading nook for Mommy ranks right up there with a big laundry room and spacious kitchen!

This is what I caught later in the day (as you can see, the book they are reading, One Magical Day, is one of our favorites and has been "loved on" a little bit.  Mommy needs to repair it!):

All toys in the house are now successfully corralled into the toy/school room! The only exceptions are that Corbin has all of his horse collection in the boys' room, Abby has some of her favorite dolls and stuffed animals on her bed, and Daniel has a tub of infant/toddler toys and board books in the living room.  Let me give you a quick tour of the rest our little one room school house!

This is the toy shelf, holding the toys that survived "The Great Toy Purge - 2009":

Here is the school table, right underneath the window so we always have plenty of light:

This is our music corner.  Underneath the piano is a basket holding all of our other instruments (echo microphones, cymbals, rhythm sticks, recorders, drum, rain stick, etc.):

Here you can see our easel with supplies underneath, a section of the chalkboard donated by a friend of ours, and our foam building blocks:

Lastly, we have our school shelf and stuffed animals.  On top of the bookshelf is our CD player for our music time, our books for the day, and a memory verse.  The top shelf holds extra curricula and supplements.  The middle shelf is for art supplies, Play-doh, and flashcards.  And the bottom shelf now holds our library books and math manipulatives:

And now you've seen the Straight Paths Christian School's layout!  We've decided not to paint or redo any carpets in here (or anywhere in the house, for that matter), because -- frankly -- what's the point when you have this many infants/toddlers/preschoolers running around?!  It's fun, functional, and organized -- that's all we need!

I will leave you with one last sweet image of Corbin and Abby reading together, just because it makes Mommy so happy!

"So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, And in its place you can install, A lovely bookshelf on the wall."

~Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory~

LIbrary Card Upgrade

Our library has a limit of 15 items per card, which is entirely inadequate for as many books as we read.  All of the kids are still too young to get cards, so one Saturday we took Daddy to the library and he got a card, as well.  After his first trial check-out of 5 books, we now have a total family limit of 30 books! YAY!  Although, I must say that 29 books and three toddlers was a lot to wrangle into the car for this prego Momma -- but it is worth it!

We returned everything that we had (with a few last reads of Sam & the Tigers last night to say "Goodbye!"), and here is what we brought home this morning:

FOR THE KIDS:

• Rosie's Walk, by Pat Hutchins
• The Carrot Seed, by Ruth Krauss & illustrated by Crockett Johnson
• The Ugly Duckling, by Hans Christian Andersen, retold by Stephen Mitchell & paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
• The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg
• Lentil, by Robert McCloskey
• Ira Sleeps Over, by Bernard Waber
• The Ugly Duckling, by Hans Christian Anderson, translated from the Danish by Anthea Bell & pictures by Robert Ingpen
• Olivia, by Ian Falconer
• An Amish Christmas, by Richard Ammon & illustrated by Pamela Patrick
• The Snowman Storybook, by Raymond Briggs
• Newbery Girls: Selections from Fifteen Newbery Award-Winning Books Chosen Especially for Girls, compiled by Heather Dietz
• Ox-Cart Man, by Donald Hall & pictures by Barbara Cooney
• Bread and Jam for Frances, by Russell Hoban & pictures by Lillian Hoban
• Tikki Tikki Tembo, retold by Arlene Mosel & illustrated by Blair Lent
• George and Martha, by James Marshall
• Frog and Toad Together, by Arnold Lobel
• Chester the Worldly Pig, by Bill Peet
• Katie and the Sunflowers, by James Mayhew
• The Story About Ping, by Marjorie Flack & Kurt Wiese
• Jeremy: The Tale of an Honest Bunny, by Jan Karon
• Winnie the Pooh and Some Bees, by A.A. Milne & with decorations by Ernest H. Shepard

FOR MOM:

• Caroline Feller Bauer's New Handbook for Storytellers: With Stories, Poems, Magic, and More, illustrated by Lynn Gates Bredeson
• Parenting by The Book: Biblical Wisdom for Raising Your Children, by John Rosemond
• The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home, by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise
• Dr. Monessori's Own Handbook:  A Short Guide to Her Ideas and Materials, by Maria Montessori
• The Tale Spinner:  Folktales, Themes, and Activities, by Linda K. Garrity
• The Way We Talk Now:  Commentaries on Language and Culture, by Geoffrey Nunberg
• Speaking Freely:  A Guided Tour of American English from Plymouth Rock to Silicon Valley, by Stuart Berg Flexner & Anne H. Soukhanov
• The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes:  Exploring Over 500 Rhymes, Songs, and Riddles, edited by Iona and Peter Opie

I know we'll be able to easily breeze through the kids' books before they are due, but my head is spinning just looking at my stack!  I have to make sure not to slack on housework because of the temptation of so many good books to delve into!  Renewing will have to be my friend :o)

A Runaway Mommy

I remember clearly the time when I didn't think Corbin would ever talk.  Whereas Abby started saying words at 6 months and was talking in sentences by a year, Corbin barely uttered any words until he was two years old.  I recall having dreams before he talked about hearing him speak -- and waking up to think, "that day will never come!"

Well, the day came...and that's the end of that!  The boy will not close his mouth!  While still not as "wordy" as Abby, he is definitely right on track -- if not advanced -- for his sex and age.  What did I do before I got to hear his thoughts directly from his sweet little mouth all day??  Such a joy for him to be able to share himself in that way now!

I whole-heartedly believe that how much we read has been a great contributing factor in his surge of speech lately.  The kids have been incorporating phrases and words from the books we read into their daily conversations more and more frequently, and to hear Corbin doing this, especially after going so long without hearing a peep from him, makes my heart swell! 

The other night I was putting him to bed and was sitting in the rocking chair in his room praying while he was trying to calm down and doze off.  He would periodically roll over and check to make sure that I hadn't left him.  Then, out of the blue, he turned to me and said, "Mommy, you run away from me I will FLY after you, 'cause you my Mommy!"  While we had to return Runaway Bunny awhile ago, I immediately recognized the phrasing he was borrowing from it.  I said, "Oh yeah?  What if I climb a mountain to get away from you?"  He grinned and said, "I climb up high and come get you, 'cause you my Mommy!"  We did this back and forth for a couple of minutes before I told him that it was time to go to sleep.  It was fun for us to be able to play that game together, having both shared in the tale of the the little runaway bunny and his mommy. 

Both Corbin and Abby have been absolutely obsessed with Sam and the Tigers by Julius Lester over the last couple of weeks.  Randomly one of them will say, "Sam, I'm going to eat you up," to which the other will respond, "Uh uh...I don't like that idea.  Take my red coat instead!"  They go back and forth acting out Sam's encounter with the tigers, using new words they have picked up such as "indeed", "fine", and "declared".  Daddy and I will chime in, too, and act out the different scenes.  I am seeing how these books are introducing new words that I never would have thought to intentionally teach my toddlers and preschoolers, and they are using them in creative and correct ways!  Chalk it up as one more benefit to reading aloud on a daily basis!!

Tomorrow is library day, so I'm sure I'll be checking back in with a list of our loot!  Happy reading!

Lists, Lists, Everywhere!

One thing that I could not live without as I walk along this path of reading with my children is suggestions from others.  Whether a list made by another like-minded mommy of her family's reading conquests, a list made by the American Library Association of award winning books, or just word-of-mouth about great children's literature, I would be completely overwhelmed without these nudges in the right direction!  There is so much literature out there that you can feel as if you are drowning when you just jump in on your own.  Suggested reading lists have not only helped keep me from being overtaken by the waves of choices, but also build my confidence in selecting books outside of the suggested as I learn what it is that makes a great book for our family. 

Yet again, let me recommend grabbing some literature review compilation books, such as Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt or The Children's Literature Lovers Book of Lists by Joanne Sullivan.  Books such as these can just live in your library bag and go with you on every trip, offering last minute ideas in a bind.  I have started using my books like these as check lists, marking off books as we go and making it a goal to read them all!

In addition to books about books, the internet has a nearly endless supply of lists about books for the reading parent to print out.  One website that I recently found by The Parker Family has a list of these lists (I think all book lovers must love lists as much as I do!).  Simply Charlotte Mason (a great site for much more than just their book recommendations!) has suggested reading for Charlotte Mason education at different ages.  I've also stumbled upon  many schools -- public, private, homeschool, and charter -- that publish their recommended reading lists online.  For example, I printed out a list from Cornerstone Christian Academy in Arizona for more ideas.  There really is no end to the information at your fingertips on the web!

Lastly, ask around!  Ask family members, ask friends, ask preschool teachers, ask librarians; quiz everyone you encounter with children the same age as yours to find out what they have read or are reading with their family or students.  You will be surprised by some of the gems you can find this way!

One quick warning while I am thinking about it:  read all books on your own before you read them to your children.  While all surely are good-intentioned, not all book suggestions will be coming from those who have the same goals and values as you do.  Look at the source of the recommendation to see if it is a Christian or secular resource, and the proceed with caution either way.  There have been several times where I made the mistake of not reading a book on my own before reading it aloud to my kids, and had to stop right in the middle of a book!  Spare your kids the frustration and confusion -- make sure that what you begin reading to them is something that you are going to want to finish!

Lastly, as we talked about earlier with journaling, make your own lists!  Keep track of the books that you and your family have enjoyed -- not only to share with others, but to remember when you want to go back and reread some of your favorites.  When it comes to reading, lists are your friends!

“It is not enough to simply teach children to read; we have to give them something worth reading. Something that will stretch their imaginations--something that will help them make sense of their own lives and encourage them to reach out toward people whose lives are quite different from their own.”

Katherine Patterson

Love Lines

In Honey for a Child's Heart, author Hunt talks about a bond that is developed in families that read together.  She says, "Reading aloud as a family has bound us together, as sharing an adventure always does.  We know the same people.  We have gone through emotional crises together as we felt anger, sadness, fear, gladness, and tenderness in the world of the book we were reading.  Something happens to us that is better experienced than described -- a kind of enlarging of heart -- when we encounter passages full of grand language and noble thoughts" (pg. 75). 

She goes on to explain how when families read together they begin to form their own special language to communicate with each other.  "Much of our secret family idioms come from the books we have read together.  I say 'secret' because a specialness surrounds it.  You need to have shared the book to know what the phrase means, and when we use it, it's communication of the heart."

I've been thinking about these two ideas -- of shared adventure and "secret" languages -- ever since I read those paragraphs several weeks ago.  Although my children are still very young, I feel I have already seen the proof that what Hunt speaks of is true; not only with my children, but as I look back over my own childhood.

While my siblings and I all have a love for reading individually, we rarely read together, especially as we got older.  We also had different tastes in literature, so very few of the stories that we read on our own time were shared amongst all of us.  However, we did watch a ton of Disney movies together!  To this day, because we shared those "adventures" found in the plots of the movies, we are constantly spouting out obscure Disney quotes to express our thoughts or feelings -- or just make a joke -- in different situations.  "Quick, what's that from?" is an oft heard question when we all get together.  We have, in essence, developed our own secret language from the random lines of movies that we watched together, and we have a blast with it!  Who wouldn't enjoy having a secret code?

I do not regret one minute of those shared experiences with my siblings and treasure the summer days we spent outside re-enacting Disney's Aladdin with all of my cousins.  Yet as I look forward and seek to foster a lasting bond between my own children, I realize that movies just won't do it for our family.  Already my children bore with television and would rather spend their time reading books.  They get this from their Mommy, and it pleases me to no end!  Even my husband -- a self-proclaimed TV addict -- has switched off the television to join the children and me as we spend our days digging deep into the riches on the pages before us.  We are sharing the adventures as a family, and growing closer because of them!

Even with a home of only infants, toddlers, and preschoolers about, we are already seeing those "secret idioms" that Hunt spoke of take life in the language of our family.  Lines to express love are the most commonly repeated, as little ones grasp to put words to the all-consuming love they have for the family that is their whole world right now. 

"I love you to the moon and back," is one my daughter loves to say, a variation on the closing line from Sam McBratney's Guess How Much I Love You. 

Another Sam McBratney book, You're All My Favorites, has helped the children express their love for each other and their parents with the word "best".  For example, I am Corbin's "best Mommy ever!", and Daniel is Abby's "best Daniel". 

Both my daughter and older son repeat "I love you forever and ever and always," from You Are Special, Little One, by Nancy Tafuri.  I believe this book is also the reason Corbin has started using "forever and ever" as his dramatic expression of choice (for example, "I be sad forever and ever!" to convey his disappointment, or "I protect you forever and ever" to explain how he wants to defend his siblings, etc.).

When someone does something amazing or silly or funny, someone might say "they should put you in the zoo because of the things that you can do!", from Robert Lopshire's Put Me in the Zoo.  

After reading Madeline (approximately eighty-five billion times), Corbin started dramatically waving his hand and saying "pooh, pooh!", meaning "that doesn't scare me" or "that is no big deal!".  And Abby, the one who couldn't get enough of Madeline, would quote the entire first half of the book from memory at random times throughout the day.

I could go on and on, listing the sayings that are developing in our family because of the books that we read together!  There is something comforting knowing that we can express our emotions or thoughts in these ways, and those we love will just "get it".  Isn't that what we all want, little or big?  To feel like someone just gets us and to feel accepted for who we are and what we think and feel?  It's not just a fun game to have this language develop between the members of our family, but it seems to be functioning as a magnet to pull us in closer; to bind our hearts and minds to one another, as little ones learn to put new words to their growing awareness of their individual thoughts and emotions, and big ones learn to open the doors of the world in a safe way. We are speaking lines of love that only we can fully understand, and we are building bonds that will -- I pray -- stand the tests of time and trials!

"The pleasure of all reading is doubled when one lives with another who shares the same books.”

Katherine Mansfield (1888 - 1923)

Library Bag

I realized that I had forgotten one important suggestion for having successful library trips with lots of little ones around and wanted to make a quick note about it.

I have heard several people comment that they can't check out library books because their kids lose or damage them. Our solution for this is our library bag. We have a large bag that is used only for library books, and that is where the books "live" when we aren't reading them. The kids are allowed to take one book out at a time and read it on their own, as long as they are gentle with it and put it right back when they are finished. Also, a child is not allowed to handle a library book until they have proven with their own books that they are responsible enough to do so. If they are still tearing up or mistreating their own books, they do not have the privelege of reading a library book without a parent helping. Not only does this keep the library books safe, but it motivates the kids to learn how to properly handle all books. So far we have yet to lose or damage a single library book!

This library bag always goes with us to the library (once the old books are returned, the bag hangs on the stroller for me to put our new books in as we find them) and then stays by Mommy's reading chair to ensure that it doesn't get lost in the mayhem of toddlerdom! The bag doesn't have to be expensive or pretty, just big and sturdy enough to handle a lot of books. I think I bought mine one summer at Walgreen's for $5!

Alright, well I just wanted to mention that before I forgot. We're off to take Daddy lunch and then come home to play outside in the beautiful Autumn weather.  Have a great Friday and a blessed weekend!

Being Educated About Educating

One of my favorite type of books to read, beyond Christian doctrine and apologetics, would be those that revolve around the brain of a child. Even from before birth the mind of a baby is like a sponge, absorbing everything it sees, hears, tastes, touches, smells, and experiences. While this topic has always captivated my attention, it is even more fascinating, and often convicting, to read these books now as a parent. To understand just how much a child is capable of learning, and how much they absolutely crave new knowledge and experiences and language, is such a motivator to me to surround my kids with positive and beneficial stimuli. These first six years are the most influential developmentally, and as a stay-at-home Mom, I'm the key player in what kind of influences they encounter! What a job!

There have been a handful of books that have been incredibly powerful in sculpting my outlook on specifically the developmental aspect of raising children. There are many others that were significant in my outlooks on disciplining and spirituality, but I want to focus today on those regarding mental and psychological development.

The book that sticks out most clearly in my mind as having made an impression early on in parenting (as in, when I had just found out I was pregnant with my first child) is Pre-Parenting: Nurturing Your Child from Conception, Thomas R. Verny, M.D. and Pamela Wientraub. This in-depth look at what a child is experiencing in-utero, and what effects those experiences can have on the child throughout their lifetime, is entirely spellbounding! Through the years the messages of this book have stayed at the forefront of my mind during pregnancies, and helped remind me to -- within my own realm of control -- provide my unborn child with as peaceful, relaxing, and loving an environment as I can. I handed this off to my sister when she got pregnant, who then handed it off to my other sister when she got pregnant, and I am planning on re-reading it again as soon as it makes the rotation back to my house!

Another book that made an impression on me was Talk With Your Child, by Harvey S. Wiener. Below is the description from the jacket of the book:

"Directed to parents of children up to six years old (but applicable to parents of older children as well), Talk with Your Child shows how, by actively engaging in conversation about everything they possibly can -- daily events, television, dreams -- parents will not only enjoy their children more, but will also stimulate language acquisition. The book presents an overview of what the experts know about how language is learned, and gives concrete suggestions for putting theory into practice, beginning with chats at cribside."

I am so thankful to have stumbled upon this book early in our parenting! Our children are humans, and in talking to them as such we are teaching them how to interact with and interpret the world around them. One of the most revolting sayings, in my opinion, is the old adage that "a child is to be seen, not to be heard." Oh, how that sends chills down my spine! This book advocates engaging children in life, rather than dragging them along for the ride, and I agree wholeheartedly!

A third book that I gleaned so much from as a parent -- and specifically as a parent who will be homeschooling -- was Eric Jensen's Enriching the Brain. I read this when my second child was a toddler, and a much different little toddler than his older sister had been! I remember a lightbulb going on while reading this book that helped me understand that there are different types of learners and different types of intelligence, and each of my children is a unique, intelligent mind who would need personalized experiences in their educations to truly meet their maximum potential. Much concern and anxiety were alleviated while reading this book, having come to the realization that not all of my children had to have the same strengths intellectually, but that all needed an enriching environment to blossom and grow in educationally!

Baby Read-Aloud Basics, by Caroline Blakemore and Barbara Weston Ramirez is a great book to read about reading! While this book didn't really open my eyes to ideas I was unaware of, it did do much to bolster my conviction that reading to my children was a vital part of my job as their Mom. This book offers many examples and study findings that show just what reading can do for a child, as well as some frightening consequences of not reading to your children. If anything, read this book just to be able to explain clearly to others why you are such a believer in reading so much!

Finally, and I know I have mentioned this book several times already in this blog, but I don't think there should be a parent out there who doesn't own a copy of Honey for a Child's Heart, by Gladys Hunt. The first half of the book is filled with treasures of encouragement and incentive to read to your kids, followed by the last half being filled with list upon list of recommended books for different age levels. Although not as heartwarming to me as Honey for a Child's Heart, the book How to Grow a Young Reader, by Lindskoog & Hunsiker, follows a very similar pattern and has been very helpful to me, as well.

These are just one handful of suggested resources for your parenting arsenal, but I think they just may be able to open your eyes to some new theories and philosphies on raising and educating children which could drastically improve the mood and manner of your home!

I'm always looking for more tools for my Mommy tool belt, so if you have any suggestions beyond these, please drop me a note and let me know what they are!

"Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all."

~Aristotle~

Books Galore!

Today our library books were finally due. It is interesting how we will begin to think of certain books as friends, and it almost hurts us to part with them! The "losses" of Madeline for Abby, and Stone Soup for Corbin, were quickly comforted by the fresh new pile of exciting books we got to take home in their places! The only four books we renewed were How to Grow a Young Reader and Honey for a Child's Heart for me, and A Child's Treasury of Beatrix Potter and The 20th Century Children's Book Treasury for the kids. Here is our new list (the kids went down for their naps so quickly at the promise that when they woke up we could start reading them!):

• Raggedy Ann & Andy Giant Treasury, by Johnny Gruelle
• Three Young Pilgrims, by Cheryl Harness
• My Life with the Wave, by Catherine Cowan/Mark Buehner
• Henny Penny, by Vivian French & illustrated by Sophie Windham
• Chanticleer and the Fox, adapted by Barbara Cooney
• Dandelion, by Don Freeman
• Sam and the Tigers, by Julius Lester & illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
• Time of Wonder, by Robert McCloskey
• Blueberries for Sal, by Robert McCloskey
• Tales from the Brothers Grimm: A Classic Illustrated Edition, compiled by Cooper Edens
• The Rooster Crows: A Book of American Ryhmes and Jingles, by Maud and Miska Petersham
• Rapunzel, by Paul O. Zelinsky
• My Great-Aunt Arizona, by Gloria Houston & illustrated by Susan Condie Lamb
• Animals of the Bible, by Dorothy Pulis Lathrop

I'm really excited about all of these books! Almost all of them were recommendations from Honey for A Child's Heart and How to Grow a Young Reader, and I'm certain they will take us on many new adventures over the weeks to come!

"I find television to be very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go in the other room and read a book."

~Groucho Marx~

Living Out Living Books

Living Book - "Living books are usually written by one person who has a passion for the subject and writes in conversational or narrative style. The books pull you into the subject and involve your emotions, so it’s easy to remember the events and facts. Living books make the subject “come alive.” They can be contrasted to dry writing, like what is found in most encyclopedias or textbooks, which basically lists informational facts in summary form. You might be surprised to find that living books are available for most school subjects — even math, geography, and science!" (http://www.simplycharlottemason.com/)

There is a light in the eyes of a child while reading a living book that is not there when reading flat or "dead" books, and especially not there when watching television (even educational programs). Since embarking on our quest to read as many living books as we can in our home, there has been a transformation in how our children perceive books. Reading used to be a treat, but nothing too exciting. Sometimes they would ask me to read, but many times I would have to call them over to me and ask them to sit with me while I read to them. Especially with Corbin, I would have to repeatedly ask him to sit still, focus, come back, calm down.

However, now when I sit down and open a book, I don't even have to utter a word. It is as if the children have super-sonic hearing or eyes in the back of their heads; they immediately drop anything they are doing and RUN to where I am! My husband has even commented on how (delightfully) strange it is that they respond so dramatically to the opening of a book. And once I am done, they will ask me to "read more" over and over, until I finally must tell them that we have to move on to something else. I firmly believe this is because they are learning, through living books, that reading is an adventure -- not a chore! They are being pulled into worlds they otherwise would never have the chance to explore, meeting people and creatures that they never could have dreamed of on their own, and they are eating it up!

One of the living books that has captivated their attention recently is Stone Soup, by Marcia Brown. I absolutely loved this book when I was in elementary school, but was a little skeptical when checking it out about whether my kids would be old enough to appreciate it yet. Boy, was my skepticism unfounded! I can't even count the number of times they have asked me read this book!

The other day while reading it, it struck me that the kids would enjoy being able to make some stone soup of their own. They love to act out what they read in books, so why not let them really experience this one! So yesterday we prepared our very own pot of stone soup.

I decided that I didn't want to follow a specific recipe, but just prepare the soup as the soldiers had done in the book (with a few tweaks here and there by Mommy). I knew this ran the risk of being a failed meal, but there is always PB&J for back-up!! Saturday night I ran to the grocery store and bought some cabbage, stew meat, and barley, since those were the only ingredients we didn't already have on hand. Then, after church on Sunday, we stopped by Grandpa and Meme's house to borrow three "stones" from Meme's rock garden (which prompted a great conversation with the kids on rocks vs. stones, and how some words can be used interchangeably to mean the exact same thing and are called "synonyms"). We got home and the kids played outside with Daddy while Mommy washed and cut up all of the ingredients (as well as giving the stones a good scrub-down!), and then we all joined in together to make our magical stone soup.

Daddy read the story to us so that we would know the exact order we needed to do things in, Abby and Corbin took turns throwing in the prepared ingredients, and Daniel watched on in fascination from his high chair. It was such a joy to share this adventure as a family, and -- an unexpected bonus -- the soup was absolutely delicious!

Here's what we did:

• Start a large pot boiling with water (I also added two cans of beef broth for flavor).
  
• Put in three large, smooth stones (make sure they are hard stones that do not break up easily, and wash them thoroughly with hot soapy water).
  
• Add in salt & pepper, carrots, cabbage, beef, potatoes, barley, and milk (I let the kids throw in some dried oregano, dried basil, chopped onion, and chopped celery for added flavor).

• Stir and let boil for 1.5 hours. It is finished when the meat is thoroughly cooked and the vegetables are soft.

And there you have it, your very own Stone Soup, fit for a king!

For me, this is what this journey is all about. Taking the stories and characters and adventures we encounter on the pages of our books and making them come alive as lessons on love, morality, life, the world, and (most importantly) God. There are times when you need to bust out a math worksheet and do some diagramming of sentences; it is my opinion that all children need to learn those disciplines to succeed. However, the lasting lessons will not be the ones where facts, equations, and dates are memorized, but the ones that stick because they were made to come alive in my children's hearts, minds, bodies, and souls!

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.

~Charles W. Eliot~

When Mommy Has Germs

The tables have turned in our household and, in an amusing role reversal, my toddlers are lecturing me on the importance of cleanliness. I picked up some kind of virus, possibly flu, and have been absolutely miserable the last 24 hours. Abby informed me that I, obviously, do not know how to wash my hands correctly since I must have touched someone else's germs, and insisted that she must teach me how. She has been a huge help in keeping an eye on her younger brothers. Corbin has been bringing me tissues and telling me to drink my water and take my "viamins," and was worried that if I am sick, then Samuel might be sick, too. I reassured him that Samuel is fine, it is only Mommy that touched the germs. :) Daniel is too young to "help" yet, but has been keeping Mommy company since he is feeling under the weather, as well. They all make sweet little nurses, even if they do make a mess of the place in the process!

My husband wasn't able to take off work (although he did just call to say he is on his way home early -- HALLELUJAH!), so the kids have been getting a quick lesson in survival of the fittest! :) These are the days where I have to remind myself to "let it go!" Let it go that the kids spent three and a half hours like vegetables in front of PBS. Let it go that for lunch they had frozen corn dogs, fishy crackers, and fruit snacks. Let it go that when they wanted a snack I couldn't get up to wash and prepare fresh fruit for them as usual, but told them instead to "grab something out of the pantry" (they chose pretzel sticks, thank God, since the chocolate baking chips were too high for their little eyes to spot!). Let it go that the house, in 24 hours, turned into what looks like a crime scene (complete with broken glass, the only thing I DID gather the energy to immediately clean up). And let it go that when my babies came up with a book asking me to read, I simply had to say, "Not right now, sweetie, Mommy's throat hurts really bad."

While these are the days that might linger on my Mommy-conscience, I'm optomistically hopeful that they are not the ones that will linger in their memories. I have to remind myself that, unless I let TV and "not right now" become the norm, these days are not what will fill their childhood memories. And, in all honesty, if they do remember them, they will likely remember them as the super fun days when they got to eat whatever they wanted and watch TV -- not as neglectful ones as my guilt would like to convince me.

So, no read aloud today. No library. No science experiments. No building tents out of couch cushions. No walks to the park. No sitting on the floor with building blocks. And that is just fine! Today Mommy needs to rest and take care of herself. Honestly, even if it is not because of illness, we all need to do that from time to time. I think we sometimes forget that we have physical needs, too, and let those get put on the backburner. It is then that God will graciously come and knock you on your backside with the flu, His gentle reminder to "let it go" and slow down for awhile.

Please excuse me now, for I am going to go crash on the couch and stare at the ceiling until my hubby gets home. And while I would usually leave you with an encouragement to read to your children, today I remind you only that balance is what helps make our children's lives healthy, as well as our own. Part of that balance is REST! I'm going to go get mine, make sure to find time to get some rest for yourself, too! (oh, and try to do so BEFORE you get sick -- it's much more pleasant that way!) ;)

Keeping a Book Journal

I have loved, loved, loved writing -- almost as long as I have loved reading. I like to write poetry, short stories, devotionals, blogs (obviously!), grocery lists, journals about my kids, prayer journals, love letters to my husband; really, I even love taking notes and doing copy work! It's an obsession for me as much as reading is. I tell you this as a disclaimer, because I don't want anyone adding any mother-guilt to their plate if the thought of keeping a book journal sounds like more work on top of their already hectic schedule as a parent. Writing a book journal is fun and fulfilling for me, but it might not be for others. Not keeping one should never be a reason to keep you from reading books, books, and more books to your kids! There are many things that don't come naturally to me (like laundry -- blech!), but keeping a journal does. I know so many women who scrapbook regularly. I absolutely love taking pictures (especially of my kiddos!), but become too stressed out when I try and take those pictures and regularly scrapbook with them. For that reason, I have learned to ocassionally scrapbook just for fun, but without letting my irregularity in it become a source of guilt or stress. Not scrapbooking cannot keep me from the joy of taking pictures of my little ones, just as not journaling or writing should not keep you from the joy of reading great literature to your little ones!

Okay, disclaimer done.

Now, about this journaling stuff. After reading another person's book reviews a couple years ago, I realized I would have liked to have been able to remember what my immediate thoughts on those books were when I had read them years back. I had an "Aha!" moment, and decided that I would start documenting what books I read and what I thought about each one. While I am not always diligent to record each book in my own book journal, there is something more rewarding to me about recording the books that I read with the kids. I suppose it makes me feel as if I am contributing to their literary legacy in some way by documenting what books they have read and what little comments they have made about them, as well as any thoughts I may have had regarding them. It has also been a great resource in helping me remember what we have read and loved whenever another Mommy asks me for some book suggestions.

If this idea sounds appealing to you, my only suggestion is to take it and make it your own. If you are a scrapbooker, do it up all fancy! Maybe you are an artist; why not include your doodles and sketches alongside your record of the books you have read? My creative juices flow with words, so while my journal may not be pretty, it does have elements of myself dabbled here and there in the words that I write about each book. Still, I encourage you to not become a perfectionist about this! If you are not creative in a way that you feel you can easily incorporate into book journaling, then don't fret! Just write down the books, authors/illustrators, and the dates you read them and you are good to go! Years later, when your kids are raising their own little literates, they will treasure anything you have put together -- fancy or plain, wordy or brief. To them it will be a record of memories you formed together, and a great starting place for them to create their own new memories with their babies!

If you decide to try this out (or if you are one step ahead and already have a book journal), I pray it will leave a legacy of literacy for generations to come in your family -- the same thing I am praying it will do for ours!

“Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours.”

John Locke (1632 - 1704)

Library Refresh

Our library will only allow 15 books out per card, and all of my children are too young to get a card. This poses somewhat of a problem for us, as we go through so many books in a week. My solution thus far (until I find some time to drag my husband in and get him a card, too) is to do what I call a "refresh" at the library. Several times during our check-out period I will take back the books that we were not as impressed with, or perhaps felt we had exhausted with repetitive readings. I will exchange those out for some new books to whet our appetites for reading once again. I usually include the kids in this process, letting them choose which books go in the "keep" pile, and which go in the "return" pile. Often times for the refresh I will go to the library alone, having the books that I am going to get in place of the returned ones waiting for me on the reserve shelf so that I can just run in and run out.

I made just such a refresh trip last weekend and wanted to update you on our current library reading list. We returned: Let's Make a Joyful Noise: Celebrating Psalm 100, Jamberry, Harold's Purple Crayon Treasury, Where's My Teddy, and The Book of Virtues for Young People. In their place, we are now reading:

• Cinderella: or, The Little Glass Slipper, translated and illustrated by Marcia Brown
• Madeline and the Cats of Rome, by John Bemelmans Marciano
• The Runaway Bunny, by Margaret Wise Brown
• Stone Soup, by Marcia Brown
• We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States, by David Catrow

We absolutely cannot get enough of Runaway Bunny, Stone Soup, and Cinderella! More books to add to our Christmas and Birthday lists!!

Runaway Bunny is a pure joy to read aloud, and I have caught Corbin grabbing it to "read" on his own many times already. It is a wonderful story of unconditional motherly love and showcases the creativity of a young mind exploring what it means to be an independent being from the parents they have so closely associated themselves with for the first few developmental years of life. Love it!

Stone Soup is a childhood favorite of mine, and I recall checking it out from the school library on multiple occasions. While longer than some of the other picture books, neither Abby nor Corbin have had any problem paying attention to it and ask many questions throughout the story. Both of them were already in a stage where they love to pretend they are cooking and making food for other people, so this book fits nicely into their current make-believe interests!

Cinderella, or The Little Glass Slipper has re-awakened my awareness that fairy tales were in existence LONG before Disney gained a monopoly over them! We have decided that we are going to shelve all things Disney and start investing our time in digging up the "original" fairy tales, the old classics as they were intended to be told! I even caught my husband reading Cinderella last night as he was relaxing on the couch! His reaction? "Wow...that was so different than the Disney version! I like this one much better!" Me, too!

However, the other two books I refreshed with left us less than thrilled. Madeline and the Cats of Rome was obviously not an original Madeline book and the story did not engage either the children or myself. I also did not appreciate the the mischevous little girl in the book received no discipline (and could even be seen as being rewarded with a new pet) for her thievery! We the Kids started with a great concept -- introducing young readers to the Preamble of the United States Constitution -- but because the writing was not original (obviously, the Preamble has been around for a little while :), the success or failure of the book hinged entirely upon the artwork. I was not impressed with the illustrations, which looked to me like they came from a silly modern cartoon, and I felt they did little to help a small child's comprehension of the words they accompanied. Oh, well.

There you go! Next time I write, I'd like to share with you the idea of a book journal. Until then, keep reading to those babies at least 30 minutes a day -- it's an investment for a lifetime!

Family Favorites

Over the years of reading together our kids have listened to more books read aloud than I could estimate. There are countless many that I'm sure I don't even remember. However, there are a select group of books that have etched themselves into their hearts (and, consequently, mine!) as lasting favorites. Some are well-known and loved classics; others, random books we have stumbled upon that have left us pleasantly surprised. They are the books that are worn with love; pages bent by tiny fingers just learning to turn the pages, and many with tape lovingly repairing where those tiny fingers were a little too rough. These are the books that are dragged to Mommy and Daddy over and over, with the sweet plea to "read it again, please!" Here are the ones that come to mind right away (so many memories come to mind just thinking about them!):

• Baby Shoes, written by Dashka Slater & illustrated by Hiroe Nakata
  
• Duck on a Bike, by David Shannon
  
• Are You My Mother?, by P.D. Eastman
  
• God Gave Us You, written by Lisa Tawn Bergren & illustrated by Laura J. Bryant
  
• God Gave Us Two, written by Lisa Tawn Bergren & illustrated by Laura J. Bryant
  
• The New Adventures of Curious George, by H.A. Rey
  
• Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too?, by Eric Carle
  
• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, written by Bill Martin, Jr. & illustrated by Eric Carle
  
• Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?, by Eric Carle
  
• Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See?, by Eric Carle
  
• Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?, by Eric Carle
  
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle
  
• The Very Lonely Firefly, by Eric Carle
  
• The Very Busy Spider, by Eric Carle
  
• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, written by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault & illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  
• I Love You Through and Through, written by Bernadette Rosetti-Shustak & illustrated by Caroline J. Church
  
• You're All My Favorites, written by Sam McBratney & illustrated by Anita Jeram
  
• Amelia Bedelia Helps Out, written by Peggy Parish & illustrated by Lynn Sweat
  
• Daddy's Little Girl, words and music by Bobby Burke and Horace Gerlach & illustrated by Maggie Kneen
  
• Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Partners, written by Erica Silverman & illustrated by Besty Lewin
  
• You Are My I Love You, written by Maryann K. Cusimano & illustrated by Satomi Ichikawa
  
• Sailing Off to Sleep, written by Linda Ashman & illustrated by Susan Winter
  
• Wynken, Blynken, and Nod, written by Eugene W. Field & illustrated by David McPhail
  
• Mother Goose, illustrated by Aurelius Battaglia
  
• Tawny Scrawny Lion, by Kathryn Jackson & illustrated by Gustaf Tenggren
  
• Goodnight, My Duckling, by Nancy Tafuri
  
• You Are Special, Little One, by Nancy Tafuri
  
• One Magical Day, written by Claire Freedman & illustrated by Tina Macnaughton

There you have it; my list of books that I regularly read to my babies, hope to read to many more babies, and -- some sweet day -- hope to read to my grandbabies! If you have any favorites you'd like to share, please leave a comment so we can check them out, too!

"You may have tangible wealth untold. Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be – I had a mother who read to me."

Strickland Gillilan

Book Jumping

There are things that we must do, say, or hear repetitively as mothers that may drive us batty. Hearing "Mommy, I'm huuuunngggry" ten-thousand times a day can really wear on my last frazzled nerve. PLEASE don't get up from the table after eating dinner and ask me for a snack!!!

There are a few phrases, though, that I make it a goal to never groan or sigh towards when I hear them uttered from my children's lips. Obviously, "I love you, Mommy" is at the top of the list. Some others include, "Mommy, I need you", "Will you rub me, Mom?", "I'm scared", "Am I pretty?", and absolutely anything that involves a question about God. Another biggie for me is, "Can you read to me, Mommy?". Such a simple question, yet so often brushed aside by many.

I have been working over the last couple months on making it a priority to drop everything (within reason -- I'm obviously not going to drop the baby or a hot pan!) and oblige my children when they ask me to read to them. This endeavor has been bearing fruits that I never dreamed of: closer bonds, more vivid imaginations, the disappearance of television, and even less arguments between siblings! Corbin, who is my ever-active child, used to be able to sit for maybe 45 seconds at a time to read with me. Now? We've gone as long as 45 MINUTES, and we only stopped because I desperately needed to fix dinner -- he still wanted more! Just like with the food for their stomachs (insert big sigh here), it seems that the more I feed them book food, the more they want!

At a recent MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meeting, we had a wonderful guest speaker who spoke on the topic of reading to children. It was such providential timing, as everything she spoke about was exactly what our little family has been in the process of learning. She mentioned the importance of reading at least 30 minutes per day with your children. We have taken this to heart and I encourage you to do the same. The rewards will far exceed the cost of time and effort, and I have no doubt that you and your children will expand those 30 minutes into hours as we have done in our home!

I want to leave you with a little jewel Abby gave me today:

While sitting and reading this afternoon (I believe we were reading Make Way for Ducklings, by Robert McCloskey), she touched my arm to stop me mid-sentence and said, "Mommy, do you know what I wish I could do?". I stopped, and said, "What, honey?" She looked at me with such a winsome glimmer in her eyes and said,

"I wish that I could just JUMP right into the pages of this book!".

Visiting the Local Library

As a certifiable book addict, libraries are a great way for me to preview books before making the dent in my hubby's wallet. Beyond that, however, they are an endless source of new experiences and life-lessons for my children. How to be quiet and respectful, how to treat things that we have borrowed, how to use the Dewey Decimal system; all these and SO much more are lessons that can be learned simply by frequenting your local library! The best part? It is all FREE!

Let me mention a few things before I give you our most recent library check-out list. Taking three children under five to the library is a feat in itself. Here are some suggestions I have that have lessened our instances of library mayhem:

• Go early in the morning, after breakfast. I like to get there just as our libary opens. At this time the kids are alert, fed, not exhausted right before nap time, and not wound up right after. Also, the library tends to be quieter (i.e. less people for my children to disturb) at this time.
  
• Go prepared. I don't recommend walking into the library without a list of books you would like to check out. Later I will tell you some great resources for finding superb children's literature; but, until then, Google is your friend! Going to the library without a list is destining yourself for frustration and a feeling of being overwhelmed by all that is out there. You can always "window shop" outside of your list, but your list gives you at least a starting point.
  
• Go in a good mood. I try to avoid going ANYWHERE with toddlers when I am not in a good mood. There is much truth to the saying, "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy". Go to the library in a spirit of adventure, exploration, and excitement. You want this to be a treat both for you and your children, not at all associated with a chore or duty. BLECH! Who likes chores and duties?!
  
• And finally: Go with questions. Your librarian is a wealth of wisdom and knowledge; pick his or her brain! By doing so, I found out about a great program in Texas called the TexShare program. This program allows library card holders to use any participating library in the state of Texas just as they would their own library, and all for free! What an invaluable resource! Ask your librarian about great children's books. Ask them about library programs for children. Ask them their personal favorite book. I have yet to meet a librarian who didn't love to talk about books!

Alright, enough preaching. Let's get down to the list. We just went to the library a few days ago, and we have spent these last several days delving into the riches we came home with! Here they are:

FOR MOM:
Honey for a Child's Heart*, by Gladys Hunt

How to Grow a Young Reader: A Parent's Guide to Books for Kids*, by Katryn Lindskoog and Ranelda Mack Hunsicker

The Book of Virtues for Young People: A Treasury of Great Moral Stories*, edited, with commentary, by William J. Bennett

FOR THE KIDS:

Now We Are Six*, by A.A. Milne

The 20th Century Children's Book Treasury*, selected by Janet Schulman

Madeline*, by Ludwig Bemelmans

A Child's Treasury of Beatrix Potter: Nine of the Best-Loved Tales of Peter Rabbit and His Friends*, by Beatrix Potter

Let's Make a Joyful Noise: Celebrating Psalm 100, written by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Amy June Bates

Jamberry, by Bruce Degen

Harold's Purple Crayon Treasury: Five Adventures with the Purple Crayon*, by Crockett Johnson

The Children of the King, written by Max Lucado and illustrated by Toni Goffe

Just Plain Fancy, by Patricia Polacco

The Velveteen Rabbit*, original text by Margery Williams and original art by William Nicholson

Where's My Teddy?, by Jez Alborough

Thunder Cake, by Patricia Polacco

The indicator for me that we have had a successful library trip is when we determine that some of the books we borrowed MUST be added to our home library. This was such a trip! The books above that I put a star by are the ones that made it to our Christmas wish-list. The children's books are the ones that have been read over and over in a matter of days, and Honey for a Child's Heart has already been so influential to me that it JUST might slip itself onto my shelf before Christmas time. :)

I hope this list has given you a few ideas for your future library trips! Next time we meet, I'll share with you some of our family favorites that we can't live without in our home library.

Happy reading!!

For the Love of Literacy

WHAT IS THIS BLOG?

Many a blog I have started, and many a blog I have abandoned. With odds like those, I should be skeptical about my ability to maintain another one. I have hope this time around, however! I believe there will be a vital difference between the writing of this blog and the previous blogs I have tried my hand at: this is a blog about two of my most fierce and enduring passions -- reading and my children! Sharing my love for reading with the children that I love has bred a monster passion that shows no sign of weakening in this lifetime. And that, my friend, is why I have faith that I will be more diligent this time around! I look forward to sharing my successes and slip-ups as I persevere at my attempt to nurture a love of literacy and learning in the brood of toddlers that follow me everywhere I go (including the bathroom, much to my chagrin).

Now, if anyone will actually read it or not is quite another story..... ;o)


WHO IS THE MOMMY?

Just in case there are people beyond my own little sphere of Mommy-friends who stumble upon this, please allow me a moment to introduce myself. My name is Amy, and I am 26 years old. Wait, is that right? Okay, yeah; I did the math, and I am twenty-six. How sad is that!? I have long believed that the true sign of aging is forgetting your age. Guess I'm there.

I live in Texas with my husband, Philip (or "Phil" -- didn't want you to think I was talking about two different men if I switch back and forth between those names!), who provides for us by breaking his back as a Farrier. For those unfamiliar with that term, no...it has nothing to do with fairies! ;o) He is a blacksmith/horseshoer, and a darned fine one, if I do say so myself! He is a sweet-natured, tender-hearted, old-fashioned, Christ-loving, servant-leader, good 'ole country boy; and he's got all of my heart.

I grew up as the oldest of eight children and my siblings are, each and every one, my best friends. We were homeschooled (I, from 4th grade on) and were blessed to have been provided with books galore to satisfy our cravings for adventures and delight our curious little minds. I began reading at age four, and haven't slowed down since then! Seriously, I'll read the side of a Cheerio box if that is all that is around -- just ask my husband.

There is only one passion that surpasses those for my husband, children, reading, and writing; and that would be Christ! This is important to know, not only to understand who I am as a woman, but also for a future understanding of why I choose (or reject) the literature that I do for my children. In our home, we attempt to have all things -- whether radio, TV, movies, books, magazines, speech, actions, thoughts, etc. -- be Christ-centered, God-honoring, and "excellent and praiseworthy" (Philippians 4:8). This is especially true of what we place before the malleable and absorptive minds of our young children. I hope these values will be evident in the literature we choose and the lessons we learn, but nobody is perfect. Praise God, though, His grace covers all our misgivings!

On a lesser note, some other things I enjoy doing are cooking (especially baking bread!), sewing, knitting, and spending time with family and friends. I despise laundry (especially putting it away!), dirty floors, and grocery shopping. If anyone actually enjoys those things, please contact me immediately to arrange a chore swap!

And that is me in a few paragraphs. Hey, wake up...we're about to get to the fun stuff!

WHO ARE THE BROOD OF TODDLERS?

(Attention: names have been changed to protect the identities of the innocent. Okay, the occasionally innocent...but always super cute!)

Abby (4 years old) is our oldest and, thus far, our only girl. She is very-much her Mommy's miniature, from looks to likes to lapses. This often delights me, and even more often scares the living day-lights out of me! She loves to read, draw, sing, learn anything and everything she possibly can, boss around her younger brothers, swing on her swingset, and dress up. She does NOT like it when people do not listen to her or understand her, to be hugged longer than she specifies, or when boys drool on her. Her current favorite book is Madeline, her favorite food is anything she helps Mommy make, and her favorite color is "sparkly purplepinkleish." Yes, she actually said that.

Corbin (2 and 1/2 years old) is our oldest boy and the one who is going to be the death of me. I cannot describe him any better than Louisa May Alcott described her own fictional boy, Tommy Bangs, in Little Men.

"Tommy Bangs was the scapegrace of the school, and the most trying little scapegrace that ever lived. As full of mischief as a monkey, yet so good-hearted that one could not help forgiving his tricks; so scatterbrained that words went by him like the wind, yet so penitent for every misdeed, that it was impossible to keep sober when he vowed tremendous vows of reformation, or proposed all sorts of queer punishments to be inflicted upon himself. Mr. and Mrs. Bhaer lived in a state of preparation for any mishap, from the breaking of Tommy's own neck, to the blowing up of the entire family with gundpowder. Nursey had a particular drawer in which she kept bandages, plasters, and salves for his especial use, for Tommy was always being brought in half-dead; but nothing ever killed him, and he rose from every downfall with redoubled vigor."

Yep. That's my boy, and he has me wrapped around his dirty, scratched up little finger! He likes horses and cowboy hats and cowboy boots and lassos and climbing and playing with his sister and brother. He does NOT like when people don't understand what he is saying, not being allowed to do dangerous things, or sleeping later than 6 a.m. His current favorite book is anything that has a horse in it. His favorite food is a banana. His favorite color is "blue. I a boy; boys like blue."

Daniel (13 months old) is the baby, but only for a few more months! He started out his first nine months just laying around, grinning, and sleeping. He was the laziest, and therefore easiest, baby any mother has ever had! However, at nine months the boy bug bit my lazy baby, and he is now a chubby ball of energy and man-like antics! He, as they all do, brings so much laughter and wonder and joy into our home and continues to capture our hearts as he reveals more and more of his delightful personality to the world! Daniel likes to play "peek-a-boo", swing, hit books while Mommy reads them, hide under Mommy's bed, and chase after his older brother and sister. He does NOT like to be trapped in his play yard, to crawl on tile or concrete, or to be asked to learn how to walk. His favorite book is anything that he can hit and drool on. His favorite food is spaghetti. He has no favorite color, he is only a year old :)

Samuel (due in February '10) is our son in utero :) I can tell you that he seems calm (for now), with more squirming than kicking, and that his playtime is in the evenings after dinner time. The other children are already fighting over him, and Corbin seems especially protective of his unborn brother.  Samuel has NO idea what he is getting into when he joins this crew on the outside!

WHEW! Can you believe you made it through all of that? Okay, maybe you didn't make it through it; maybe you zoned out about two paragraphs in; but I made it through it! I promise you, that will be the longest post you will ever have to muddle through from me! From here on out we are all business: books, books, and more books!

For the love of literacy, let's read to our kids!!