The Weather Outside is Frightful

 Snow means warm snacks are in order.

 The kids have been doing of this, getting layered up to survive in the elements.

 I love these pictures and these kids!

 For some reason Boaz was surprised when I said he could not keep his icicle.

 Do you see the sock on FiFi's right hand?  She cut the tip of her finger on a club soda can and kept ripping the band aid off so I sewed a sock to her sleeve.  

 Pig tails!

 Somehow I have had four children and this is the first time I have given a baby a bath in the kitchen sink.  She loved it!

 Playing PBS games while we wait for Daddy to get home.

 This is how I found the chickens this morning.  They got up there but did not want to get down, or didn't think that could.

 He braved the snow for groceries. 

 Eleanor actually took this picture!  We love it!!

 We commissioned Ellie to take a pic of us, she did a great job!

 Afterwards Clay wanted to take a couple more pics with his D7000 and Ellie got these of Felicity watching me outside, not with her where I should have been.  She is so cute when she's mad!

Our days are filled with playing outside, playing inside, baking, home schooling, building tents, or their new favorite playing "boat" on the colorful floor mat.  We are in Great Lent and it is always a little challenging preparing things for us and then something for Clayton.  And this year Clay and I are trying not to watch movies or shows at night.  Man!  This is a hard one for me.  It is nice to relax together and I really look forward to it after a long day but I know it is good for us.  I'm trying not to think how many days we have left. :)   Here's to trying to be a little bit better and loving God and others a little bit more!

Book Love

Everyday I think how I should write a blog post.  But don't.  I'm not sure why.  I think by the time I get to the kids rest time I feel a little "done".  After I lay horizontal for a bit my energy comes back and still I do not post.  I am going to make a bigger effort because I know down the road I will be thankful I did. 

I have been wanting to write a post of a few good children's books that our family loves.  There are so many beautiful, creative, and inspiring children's books.  I love it when we find another gem.  Presently we are reading thru "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" by C.S. Lewis.  This winter we have already read, "The Horse and His Boy"  and "Prince Caspian".  It feels so productive to read these with the kids.  This is my first time reading them as well, which I think is special. 

 

We love the Flicka Ricka Dicka books!  They are older books but you can still find them on amazon.  I love them because the kids are thoughtful of others and like to serve.  Like this one, the girls want to surprise their Mom and bake her her favorite cake.  An older lady, grandma figure, helps them and teaches them all the steps of baking a cake.  They fail the first time because they didn't watch the clock and went outside to play so the cake burnt.  They try again and this time they pay attention.  :)  They are a little wordy but even our Boaz (3 years old) really likes them.  Actually, I'm a little surprised at how much the kids enjoy them because they are not very exciting.   

Snipp, Snapp, Snurr are the boys books, and they are just as lovely and enjoyed in our home!  In this one the boys want to surprise their mother with a chair.  They work for different business owners in exchange for materials they need for the chair.  Athanasius loves this book!

Orange Shoes might be my favorite children's book.  I'm not sure exactly why this book has touched me so deeply.  I usually end up crying by the end of the story and have to apologize to the kids!  I don't want to give too much away.  Although I did write a post on it years ago.  Check it out from the library and be blessed as well! 

 Brambly Hedge...you want cozy? You want hot tea with a warm blanket sitting by the fire?  You want detailed, absolutely beautiful illustrations?  Read Brambly Hedge.  I layed on the couch one night while the kids were tucked in bed and read the Four Seasons book to myself.  If you are a cozy addict like myself you will want to leap through the pages and be a mouse in Brambly Hedge for the afternoon. 

The Maggie B.  is one the kids particularly love!  Again, the pictures are amazing and the story is simple and imaginative.  I think there is something to small, cozy spaces that are so attractive to children.  This one features a house boat.  

If you ever dream of having a small farm or homestead you will really enjoy this book.  This book literally cracks my kids up!  I love it too.  It is simple, pleasant, and honest.  

This last book, "Kindness is A Lot of Things"  is just wonderful.  I found this book at a flea market when Ellie was a baby but you can still find it on ebay for about $7 (the last time I checked).  It gives very simple and practical examples of how to show love (kindness) to someone else, from a child's perspective. 

It would be better to see these examples with the pictures that go along with them but for the sake of time I will just type the text.

"Kindness can be shown in many different ways.  It may be letting your little brother hold the new baby first!"

"Kindness is letting the new boy in your neighborhood walk your dog or waiting for a little friend to catch up."

"Kindness is helping someone who can't do somethings as well as you."

"It is sharing your candy and letting someone else have the biggest piece." 

It is such a sweet book!   On the last page it says, "Kindness is a way of being you...the you that God wants you to be!"

I would love to hear some of your favorites!