storytime

School's out and that means I'm almost positive runny nose/cold season is too. Hurray! This picture is taken from one of my all time favorite children's books The Seven Silly Eaters by Marla Frazee. . . and is I believe representative of what my home looks like all winter long--except for the homemade bread part. (However, you could substitute oatmeal chocolate chip cookie dough in that bowl).

Both my parents are avid readers so it's no surprise that I love to read too. I once heard someone counsel to have a "library of learning" in our homes, so when we built our home we designed a library with a cozy fireplace which we use lots all winter long for snuggling and reading.

Ashlyn and Cam's teachers have both asked me what I've done to help them read because they test at such high reading levels. At first, I really was stumped and just said that they must be predispositioned for it since I love reading. I never worked on them with reading other than the homework they were sent home with. I didn't even really spend much time teaching them letters and such before kindergarten. I figure that's what kindergarten is for and better to be learning new things and not be bored. But after reflecting on it, I figure maybe it's because we've read together since they were babies. It's just such a part of my routine I didn't even consider it.

Now time went by as time will do;
And as it passed the children grew.

So here is an idea: make part of your daily routine reading one story before nap time/quiet time or bedtime with your little one snuggled on your lap. Days when I am anxious for naps to begin we choose a very short one (and by we, I mean I). On other days we choose longer ones. But always there is snuggling involved. Very important.

Here are a few more of our very favorites:




What are some of your favorites? Please share. . .

oh and thank you, thank you for all your input on cameras--so helpful to me--it will definitely be a Canon or a Nikon.