Some nights after bath/shower time the boys have a little extra time to chill. I walked from the kitchen into the living room and this is what I saw.
The two of them together, current books in hand, totally enthralled. And there’s not much I love more. Maybe it’s because I have such a love for reading, but seeing them so into a book just about does it for me. I love Sawyer’s pjs hiked all the way up to his thighs, he’s still such a normal 5 year old I just can’t stand it.
right now.
1. purging. thank you saturday morning garage sale.
2. sleep. thank you lunesta.
3. not having to convince the kids it’s bedtime because it’s pitch black outside.
4. Trader Joe’s mini hamburgers and buns.
5. ice cream sandwiches.
6. black cocoa almonds.(again trader joe’s)
7. Just Breathe by Pearl Jam.
8. My new hair bow.
9. Rereading a book(s) for the third time.
10. Pencil skirts.
Been awhile since our last book post. And it’s not that we haven’t been reading over here, but it’s just slipped my mind with everything going on. Gunnar has been crazy obsessed with reading books from MY childhood. He is just loving it. And as he talks about it, all the memories come flooding back to me.
He reads in class when he finishes his work early. The first week of school he managed to start and complete Jack London’s Call of the Wild. It says it’s for grades 5 and up, but I think that’s a little skewed. I remember being younger when I first read this book. His second week of school he read and loved The Swiss Family Robinson. You remember that one right? The family traveling by sea, caught in a storm? Remember? And when he’s at home, he’s been enjoying Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet.
I still like to read to the kids most nights. And since they loved Roald Dahl’s The BFG so much, we stayed with him again and just finished Danny the Champion of the World. We started The Enormous Egg last night which Sawyer picked over the summer when he participated in Barnes & Noble’s Summer Reading Program. Sawyer is a bit obsessed with The Horrible Harry series. He’s so thrilled to be in chapter books, but I still sit with him to make sure he’s pronouncing everything right.
I swear, between homework and just reading with the kids and them reading on their own, I feel like there is no time in the day. Some days, shhhh, I don’t make them read at all. I let them vegetate in front of the television and decompress for the day. Other days we just run outside, especially now that fall is here. It actually dipped below 80 degrees this week! Hooray for fall.
For me, I don’t know if I have written for awhile about what I have read recently. I will start and work backwards. Jane and I did a book trade and I just finished The Known World. It was very good, but I took too long to read it so I got confused because there’s a lot of switching back and forth through time and lots of characters. Before that I loved Unaccustomed Earth, just wonderful, I just wish that they weren’t short stories because I fell inlove with the characters and wanted to know more about what happens in their lives. And before that one I read Bel Canto, really good. Took awhile for me to get into it, but fascinating once I did. I have a new little stack of books on my bookshelf I would like to dip into courtesy from a generous mom who loves to read from the boys’ school.
Happy Reading!
when I walked in the living room and saw this. . .
I mean I know he loves to read as much as I do, but still to just mosey on into another room and stumble upon this just makes me melt. (and it makes my house look kinda cool in black and white)
i will be back in a few days with more exciting posts. i had 2 really fun photo shoots in the last 2 weeks but i can only share one of them, for now. the other is a surprise til mid august. but the one i can share with you is adorable. a beautiful mama and her ADORABLE boy. and you throw in a wonderful sis and niece, and that makes for a perfect photo shoot for me. perfectly my style.
nothing too crazy going on other than i had way too much time on my hands this week. Greta went to her first week of preschool camp, she’ll have 2 weeks in August and then start preschool officially mid september. i had to work monday, but the other 3 days, i had 9 hours and i really didn’t know what to do. i got a ton done, little house projects i will also share with you soon. but i was sad. she’s getting so big. but it’s bittersweet because she is so excited to go, she’s doing fabulous, with no anxiety or crying, it’s me who is driving home from Target in tears. but that’s another post too.
we have been ridiculously busy which to me is what summertime is about. i love having so much fun for the kids every day. although i am looking forward to our scheduled weeks of nothing. i spaced them throughout the summer to give us some calm and help us get into some really good books. for now we are at daily swim lessons, photos to come soon. the boys are at the local park from 10-3 having a blast with field games, cooking activities, art and tomorrow soso is extra excited for superhero dress up day.
i love having the lazy mornings though. the kids are finally waking up a teeny bit later. they usually roam into my room anywhere from 7:15-8:00am. We lazily have breakfast and play until 10 when they get to go to camp. Then it’s pickup with a little bit of veg time and a huge truckload of food to refuel them for their swim lessons. it’s the first year that aaron or i don’t have to go in the water with greta. she’s in her own class. and she’s loving it. gunnar is doing fantastic. he’s swimming beautifully. and soso is a fish. that boy will dive in anywhere. he’s particularly proud that his teacher took the class and taught them in the 6 ft deep part today. i love that my kids get to have the summers i remember. swim lessons everyday all summer long. prune-y fingers and a confidence that is immeasurable.
we finished The BFG and are about to start another Roald Dahl book tonight. Not sure which one they’ll pick, it’s between James and the Giant Beach or Danny Champion of the World.
that’s about it for now. i am signing off for a few days and will be back next week sometime.
I just finished this fascinating book, which probably most of you have read or at least heard of, The Glass Castle. It’s a true story and let me warn you, disturbing. I feel like I have mostly been reading things so distant from everything I have known or experienced. And this most definitely falls in that category. How parents could raise, and I use that word loosely, their children in such a manner is hard for me to process. And the fact that the author was able to be sane enough after everything she went through to write a memoir of her life, amazing.
Between reading this book about a dysfunctional family, a father’s plight(again, true story) to save his drug addicted son in Beautiful Boy, and the not true story, but in my brain “could be” true story of The Kite Runner which still plagues my dreams, well, my shelves are a little on the serious side. I think I need to lighten things up a bit. I have a few new books sitting there, kind of staring me in the face, but I really don’t want to start something unless I know it’s good. I think it’s time to check the wish list on Amazon and see if any thing went on sale. Unfortunately my list doesn’t look too light hearted, except for Chasing Harry Winston, and Love the One You’re With, both I have no clue whether they are even good, or worth reading.
Maybe I should go for mystery/suspense and get Bel Canto. I am confused. I am still savoring Amanda Soule’s Creative Family, but that’s kind of a “read a subchapter right before bed” kind of reading, not the “I can’t put this book down” kind of reading. I’m totally rambling. Sorry. Hate when I do that.
Some of the books in our house that are definitely getting read a ton are:
The Princess and the Pea by Lauren Child. Greta has had this book on her bookshelf for at least a year. But it’s a bit on the long side, and only recently has she become obsessed with it. I read it to her at least 2-3 times a day. And I love that the Prince is handsome, but not too handsome, just handsome enough. It’s a really cute book and I highly recommend it.
Gunnar just finished Stink #3, it’s Judy Moody’s brother, if you know those books. He got a kick out of it, but not sure what is up for him next. The boy I think is reading on a grade 4/5 reading level. Insane. And if it’s a book he is interested in, devours it. I mean wakes up early just to read. Love it. Love it. Love it. A boy after my own heart.
Sawyer has been liking these Fly Guy books which thrills him because technically they have chapters. He isn’t quite ready for books like The Magic Treehouse, but he’s right on the cusp.
Alright, there’s my book post for the month. Hope you all are reading some fun stuff, if you are, please pass it on. I honestly don’t think there’s anything I enjoy more than reading a really really good book.
I have fallen inlove with this brand and it hasn’t even arrived yet. I saw it at our most favorite boutique toy store. It’s a company I believe from the UK, called Le Toy Van. There stuff is all wooden and so unique. I didn’t even realize that the boys favorite pirate ship from a few years ago is also made by this brand. I think I am more excited for our purchases to arrive than Greta will be. She doesn’t know that I’ve ordered a few pieces that the store was sold out of. Here’s what will be coming in the mail shortly.
And how cute is this?!!
My mom was suckered into this teapot cafe. Seriously, I am already planning some pretty cool tea parties with this. . . I mean Greta. . .
And lastly, look at this theatre!
Now, please, don’t assume I have no self control. None of the dolls come with the sets, and I will have to get some of those, but the things I held myself back from buying, but really really really want are these. Be still my heart!
And on a book note, we have been reading every night since we bought it, and are so excited that they are coming out with a movie. . . Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.
Happy Playing and Reading!
This month we all are embarking on some new reading material. Seriously, I get giddy when I walk into Barnes and Noble or the library. And I love that my excitement is carrying over to the kids. You can click on the pictures for the link.
The current new favorite, and one that I read about 10 times a day, while Soso giggles is,
The kids just got introduced to a new literary character that I really loved as a kid, Babar. And I’m sure he’ll be making reappearances shortly.
Aaron just started this book and is currently loving it. Not sure if it’s too dark for me, but it’s nonfiction and I’ll probably read it anyways and then he’ll wonder why I can’t sleep at night.
And this book I started yesterday, will probably be done tomorrow. Outliers is fascinating. I can’t believe this hasn’t been studied before now. It’s from the same author who wrote Blink, which is awesome. It is such a good book for everyone to read also!
Please feel free to send me your book recs for kids and for me. I am always looking to add to my wish list of books. And books are the one thing the kids are never told no to, can never have too many.
