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!

 

Doing Better

 This is a Valentine Day Wreath I made.  Please do not think I am super productive, I'm sure there was something else I should have been doing...but right now crochet helps stay sane.

 Eleanor took this picture!  We were sitting on the couch and she popped up and asked, "can I take a picture of the sunset?"  I replied, "Of course!"

 I gave the kids wonderful bone broth for their morning snack one morning and this is what Boaz thought of it.  He looks thrilled doesn't he?

 One day was a pizza kind of day.

 There is a child hiding under those pillows.

 This was Felicity after enjoying her birthday cake.  Yelling at me to get her.

 I made a hat for Felicity that I love and she hates.  See.

 I put it back on to see how long it would last.

 Her wonderful big brother distracted her a bit.

 Then she started up again...

 This one is my favorite!

I imagine her saying something like, "You see Mom, this was my plan all along."


Lately I have been thinking about goals and I am not really a goal setter.  I have general, worthy goals that are more spiritual and emotional but nothing I write down.  And I wonder if I should?  Or if society puts too much focus on this?  Who knows.  But I do know there are a few things I want to learn and accomplish this year...

I really, REALLY, want to learn how to make soap.  I found an excellent tutorial on youtube for making olive oil soap.  I just need a few more supplies and then I can try our first batch!

I want to plant another small garden this year.  But unlike previous years I want to take better care of it and find more ways to use the produce.

I want to find ways to spend more one on one time with the kids.  This one is hard for me.  I am with them all day but finding alone time with them is difficult.  I will have to pray about it and plan for it, and also just hope the opportunities arise.

I want to try new recipes.  I feel like I am in a rut and I hate it!  No one else seems to mind but I want something new that doesn't use many brain cells.

Probably the biggest thing I want to do this year is just be at peace with myself and with where we are at right now as a family.  I didn't do a good job of that this this past year.  There were physical factors that went into that like a low thyroid and adrenal burnout.  But, since we have been working on those with a physician I feel better equipped to start this path of peace.  I actually do not feel discontent with my lot, in fact I wouldn't change it.  It is more like being unhappy and too hard on myself and having too high of expectations.  I just need to slow my heart and breath, and know that Jesus loves me right where I am.  I also need to try a little bit harder everyday to follow Him.  I think these small baby steps will get me farther than I think in the end. 

Turning One

 Felicity Perpetua turned one on February 1.  Has it really been a whole year since she was born?  I can remember the day so vividly.  She arrived a few weeks early weighing in at 6lbs. 10oz.  Our smallest baby, she looked like a shrimp compared to her 8lb. siblings!  As sweet and still as the new born days are I really like the stage she is in now.  She is crawling, well, sort of, it resembles something between a fish and a seal sliding around on their tummy.  :)  Athanasius army crawled until he was 17 months old so I am not too worried about her.  Our kids are weird.

It has been a rough year for our family but when I look at Felicity I see God's love to us.  He knew we needed her.  She has been our worse, WORSE, sleeper.  But, at the same time a very happy smiley baby.  She loves to go outside and be pulled in the wagon.  She loves yogurt and anything sweet and carby.  She loves water and taking baths.  She has no fear!  She is starting to notice when the kids are eating something different and lets us know about it.  :)   She loves her crib.  When it is time for sleep she is so happy to be laid in her bed, she grabs her favorite blanket and starts to chew on it.  A little gross, I have to wash it often.  But that is how she rolls.  It is amazing how little young people are born with their own unique preferences.  She is our baby but we are still getting to know the beautiful person inside her.

I want so many things for our children but more than anything I want them to feel loved and accept by Clay and I.  I want them to know, really know, that God loves them and will never leave them.  I want them to be themselves, to be the person God created, not someone they "feel" they have to be for the world.  And I want them to be at peace with themselves.

First birthdays are happy and sad.  To me they are the beginning, the beginning of birthdays and the beginning of the end of babyhood.  We love you Felicity and are so happy our God gave you to us!  Many Years my sweet girl.  You are our sunshine.