Read on!

I just finished a great book...about books!  (yes, I guess I am a nerd.)  But really, I was staying up at night to read it and could hardly put it down!  It is called Read for the Heart: Whole Books for Wholehearted Families by Sarah Clarkson.  It is written from a Christian worldview, so I was expecting lists of wholesome books to read my kids.  I also got a little bit of research, thrown in with a whole bunch of love of reading!  There are different genres listed, including books to introduce your kids to classical music and composers, art and artists, poetry, history, fantasy, classics, award-winners, nature, spiritual development and more.  I don't homeschool, but with these book recommendations, I think I would have a good start!  I was thrilled to see many books that we already own (from gifts, garage sales, or goodwill) in the book, plus I'm excited to see which ones the library has, and which ones I can shop for!


I also recently read Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson (the mother of the author above).  It is SO good.  Another one that I didn't want to read too fast because I didn't want it to be over!  Just a very gentle, biblical, inspiring perspective on motherhood.  I will be reading it again!  Sally mentions exposing your children to beautiful music, art, etc., and I had no idea where to start, because I'm not very educated in those areas.  Then I read Sarah's book, and now I know where to look for resources on music and art!  Yahoo!  A great quote from the book, regarding composers, art, and exposing your children to what God has made, and how that makes Him more personal and real to them: "...and He has also inspired the creative work of men and women through the ages who sought to respond to the beauty they saw around them with beauty of their own."  I love that!  I couldn't really articulate why things inspire me to create, but that's it!


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There's been a lot of pretending going on--this is a 'game' (everything is a game--they ask each other if they want to play 'that polly pocket game' that 'house game', or in this case, 'that anaconda game')


The little ones have been having so much fun that when I tell them it's time to pick up the big kids from school--they whine and don't want to leave, and Snuggle-bug even starts suggesting (by name!) other people I could call to pick the kids up so she won't have to leave her 'game.'  Funny!

This animal Go Fish has gotten very popular, as well.  'Narwhal' is now in the common vocabulary of my 3-year-old.  :)

And this is our michelin-tire marshmallow baby...