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!!