Recent Reads

"The worst thing about a good book is that it has to end." -Jack

I agree completely.

Here's some of what we've been reading lately.

The Book Thief is mine.  I am thoroughly enjoying it.  Brian and I saw the movie, which made me want to read the book.  Such great imagery.  I'll probably need my own copy of this one, even if it is teen fiction.

Trixie Belden is Kayla's.  I read through the series many times as a young girl; so did my mom.  Kayla's just now trying them out and she likes them.  Mysteries are usually a hit for her.

The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict- Jack.  I made him write down unfamiliar words as he read- there were lots which is good in my mind.  A little challenge!  This is the book he didn't want to end.

Henry and Mudge as well as Mr. Putter and Tabby- Sammy and Lucy.  They never fail to laugh at these characters.  Fun books!

I just finished The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Tim Keller.  It's super short and packed with wisdom.  Read it.

Surprise Snow!

Can you imagine my surprise when I looked out an hour ago and saw this???

On a day when there was a 30% chance of flurries??

Serious happy dance going on.

I had to get out in it, if only for a few minutes. I donned my hat, gloves, and two coats.   It's freezing and windy but everything is white and beautiful.  Even the roads are covered.

Love the snow falling in this one.  Don't look too closely or you will see that we are those people in the neighborhood- the house with one, and only one, Christmas wreath still hanging.  Maybe the wind will knock it down?

Here's to a cozy, warm house and a blanket of white just through the window.

Such a Nice Day

Today was one of those days that just worked.  Almost all day.
Maybe that shouldn't feel so rare but I tell you, I have enjoyed it.
*The house was clean this morning because we had home group last night.
*It was cloudy (my favorite) and it flurried off and on all morning.
*We're reading Phantom Tollbooth in the mornings.  I love how the kids all laugh at the silliness of this book.
*School went smoothly and quickly.  Wow.
*Sam and Lucy were best buds all morning.
*Jack and I had Essentials (writing/grammar) today and I love grammar.  Love diagramming.
*We had homemade pizza and chocolate chip cookies for dinner.  Since we have a freezer full of ground pork (aka sausage), I added some to the pizza.  Yum.
*There were little victories and sweet moments.
*Thankful.

Jack and Kayla in Jack's lego corner down in the basement. Brrr... I love these two.  They might get irritated with each other and fight but they really are good friends.  Lately they like to listen to a novel on cd and either make those rubber band bracelets or do legos.

Another snow picture from Tuesday morning.  

This guy is something else. 

Lost Tooth

I guess I can't say this snow storm was a bust because it did snow.  A little.
Why oh why do I get my hopes up??
It did turn out to be a pretty good snow day for the kids despite doing some school work and having just a bit of the white stuff.  Neighbor friends seemed to appear out of no where so everyone had someone to play with.  Nice.
The very best part of the day was when Sam came running into the dining room, a little blood dripping from his mouth, shaking, and smiling.
His first loose tooth had just come out!  He was so happy. 
Everyone was excited for him. 
Me, too, although a part of me thought, "Nooo...that's one more step towards growing up." 
It's always bittersweet, isn't it?  This business of loving our kids.

Shoveling snow out of the road...

and into the wagon so there would be enough to make snowballs.

Snow and Another Big Birthday

We are some serious snow-lovers around here.
And we are really hoping for a significant snow tomorrow.  Really.
Sam just wants to try out his new snowboard.  Everyone else wants to sled.
And of course try to get out of doing any school work.  (That's not happening.) 
Hot chocolate and playing outside?  Absolutely!

Now on to the big event of this past weekend:  Brian turned 40.  He's taking it well. 
We went to Red Lobster with his parents for dinner and had apple pie for dessert at home.  Sammy prayed on Sunday:  "Thanks that Daddy had a good birthday and help him get used to his old age."  Haha!  I still laugh out loud about that one!
A lot of you don't know Brian. 
He's my rock star. 
The cheese on my macaroni. 
The sugar in my tea. 
He's also a somewhat quiet kind of guy.  And I am learning that he is always, always, thinking.  How do I know this?  Because of things he shares in his sermons, for one thing.  He'll have some example and I'll be thinking to myself, "Well that's news to me!"
Like how he wanders through the religion section at the book store just to see what people are buying.
Or how one guy's comment on his own personal goal in seminary stuck with him.
I actually like that.
I like that there are still things to learn about him.
And things that make me go "Hmmm..."

I don't know how we only ended up with two birthday pictures!  But these are good.

Watching

"It brought to Mabel's mind how it was to be a little girl, kneeling on a sofa at the window to watch winter's first snowflakes..."  Eowyn Ivey, The Snow Child

We're all hoping for more than a few snowflakes...

Shadow Memories

I noticed my friend Podso's blog this morning was devoted to shadow pictures.  I immediately thought of two shadow pictures that are favorites of mine.  I took a look at the "host" blog and loved the idea.  Shadows make such interesting pictures!

I remember this discovery so well-

  

the day Sammy found his shadow.

And played.

I had fun photographing "us" reading on the beach one year.

Joining Donna's Photo Challenge Today!