Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Recent Picture Book Reads

Now that the library is back open for pick-up (hurray!), we've been enjoying lots of new picture books. Here are some of our recent favorites.

Thomas
Demolition, Sally Sutton
Stick, Irene Dickson

Nora
Mr. Squirrel and the Moon, Sebastian Meschenmoser
How to Get a Job by Me the Boss, Sally Lloyd-Jones

Sophie
Sergeant Reckless: The True Story of the Little Horse Who Became a Hero, Patricia McCormick

Annie and Jacob
A Green Place to Be: The Creation of Central Park, Ashley Benham Yazdani
Lumber Jills: The Unsung Heroines of WWII, Alexandra Davis
Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille, Jen Bryant

Friday, June 19, 2020

Thomas: 17 Months


Babycakes is precious at this stage. Thomas is walking everywhere but doesn't like shoes. He likes to be read to more and more and often brings us books to read. He loves to snuggle with his Mama. He is an awesome napper but still not a great night time sleeper. He keeps trying out new sounds and words and is very pleased when we figure out what he wants and very displeased when we don't! Thomas loves to be outside and wants to go "bye-bye" all the time. We are so thankful for this munchkin; he remains the very best baby ever!

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Elizabeth Goudge

One of the authors I've discovered during my Covid reading is Elizabeth Goudge. I'm not sure how I managed to miss out on her books until now. She's a lovely writer. Her stories have depth and beautiful, rich language. What a treasure! If you're looking for a great read, try Pilgrim's Rest first. It is the second book in a trilogy but it stands alone well. I love the themes of beauty, home, and restoration that run throughout her books, of characters choosing truth even when it is very, very difficult.

"And then Lucilla knew what she was going to do with the rest of her life. She was going to build some sort of a refuge, somewhere, to which her children and her grandchildren could escape. Not a permanent escape; even in her grief she still knew that a selfish isolation is the sure road to hell; but that temporary one which is the right of every man. They were talking a lot just now about the war to end war, and a country fit for heroes to live in. She thought they deceived themselves. She had seen now what life could be, and what man could do when the devil was in him. She had not much hope of any wholesale change; only of the creation of isolated homes of beauty from which, please God, the loveliness should spread. Such a home would she make for her children and her grandchildren. They should come to it weary and sickened and go away made new. They should find peace there, and beauty, and the cleansing of the sins." The Bird in the Tree, pg 38-39.

Friday, June 12, 2020

Annie's Ballet Recital


Annie had her Zoom ballet recital a couple of weeks ago. She is at a new ballet school this year and she loves it. She got to try tap and jazz this year, too. Zoom recitals are not the same as the real stage but she made the best of it and danced beautifully for her family.

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Sophie is Seven!


Sophie turned seven last month! We had a family breakfast, opened gifts, played with friends, and had dinner and cake with Nana, Honey, and Poppa. Sophie is so much fun to celebrate! She is sweet and spunky and all her siblings adore her. Everyone wants to be her best friend. This year she has fallen in love with horses and books. She reads all the time and we love to see it. Happy seventh birthday, baby girl!

Friday, June 5, 2020

Quarantine Accomplishments

We are beginning to venture out again, for small doses of society. We are thankful for creeks to play in and lots of (hot) sun. Before we leave this strange season, I thought I'd take a few minutes to note some quarantine accomplishments.

- grew out the eyebrows that I overplucked years ago
- finished school with the munchkins
- read 45 books--lots of fluffy ones
- baked every weekend with the kiddos
- gained and lost the same two pounds 11 times (see above)

Not a bad list, I suppose. We've enjoyed the extra family time. We've read a lot of books out loud and played outside a lot. We check in on the house construction frequently and explore our acreage. We'll see what our summer looks like...I'm sure it will be different but I'm also sure we'll find ways to have lots of fun!

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Beach Beach Beach!

We used hotel points for a beach getaway two weeks ago. It was so nice to have a change of scenery! We all love the beach and it was a great trip. Thankful for a few days away!