Historical Fiction Reading Projects

Today the kids presented life-sized characters from the books they have been reading.

Kent with Joris

Kent read The Winged Watchman by Hilda Van Stockum and made a posterboard character with cloth clothing.

Katy read A House of Tailors by Patricia Reilly Giff and made a paper doll character.

Katy with Dina

Kaomi read Pioneer Cat by William H.  Hooks and made a mask for her to become her character.

Kaomi as Kate 

Reading Together

I caught Clark and Quinn "reading" airplane books together during school time.

Quote for the Day

I think we should fight against sin simply because it is something hateful to God, because it is something so utterly unlike the spirit of Christ, whom it is our privilege to strive to imitate in all things.

     -Elizabeth Prentiss from The Life and Letters of Elizabeth Prentiss

 

Reading to My Kids

This month and next I am trying to focus more on reading to my kids.  In particular I want to read more to Lissie and Clark.  I spent a lot of time reading books to Kent, Katy and Kaomi when they were little.  I recently realized that I haven't been reading as much to my youngest children and even though they often join us for storytime, the books aren't on their level.  I know they would love to have Mommy read more picture books that they can really relate with and enjoy.  There are so many times Lissie has asked me to read her a book and I "have" to go do something.  I'm going to try making sure I take the time for her and to read that book, even if I have to do it at a different time in the same day.  Last night while I was waiting for supper to finish heating I picked up Clark to sit in my lap and grabbed a couple of board books to look at with him.  The next thing I know, Lissie was snuggled up against me, Kaomi was sitting on the arm of the loveseat next to me and Kent and Katy were both crowding around the front of me all listening and looking at the board books.  When I finished the books I had picked up, somebody handed me a few more and I read those.  Before I knew it 20 minutes had passed and supper was ready.

Do you read to your kids?  What is one of your favorite children's books?

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Countdown to Christmas - A Book a Day

Last year we read a book everyday before Christmas.  The kids enjoyed it so much that we are doing it again this year.  After we read the book for the day we will be adding it to a basket beside the Christmas Tree so that they can be read again as often as someone wants too.  Here is the list of books that we will be reading in our countdown.

Day 1:  Precious Moments:  The Gifts of Christmas (A Little Golden Book)
Day 2:  One Wintry Night by Ruth Graham Bell (This is a longer story that we will be reading over the next several days.)
Day 3:  Humphrey's First Christmas by Carol Heyer (Felicity's Favorite last year.)
Day 4:  The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden
Day 5:  The King's Christmas List by Eldon Johnson
Day 6:  If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff
Day 7:  Room for a Little One by Martn Waddell (Board Book)
Day 8:  This is the Stable by Cynthia Cotten
Day 9:  God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergen
Day 10:  The Story of Christmas by Patricia A. Pingry (Board Book)
Day 11:  Usborne Bible Tales:  The Story of Christmas retold by Heather Amery
Day 12:  Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
Day 13:  Apple Tree Christmas by Trinka Hakes Noble
Day 14:  The Christmas Story by Jane Werner (A Little Golden Book)
Day 15:  The Pokey Little Puppy's First Christmas (A Little Golden Book)
Day 16:  Silent Night illustrated by Susan Jeffers
Day 17:  The Biggest, Most Beautiful Christmas Tree (A Little Golden Book)
Day 18:  Chickadee Winter by Dawn L. Watkins
Day 19:  The Christmas Pageant by Jaqueline Rogers
Day 20:  The Night Before Christmas illustrated by Douglas Gorsline
Day 21:  The Twelve Days of Christmas (A Little Golden Book)
Day 22:  Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck
Day 23:  The Night Before the Night Before Christmas by Richard Scarry
Day 24:  The Christmas Story (from Luke, KJV) pictures by James Bernardin

We have a couple other Christmas books that will just be added to the basket they are:

Farmyard Tales Christmas Heather Amery & Stephen Cartwright (A Flap Book)
Favorite Holiday Traditions complied by Ellyn Sanna
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (A Little Golden Book)

Last Year When we did this I didn't have 24 Christmas books on hand so we checked several out of the library that I read and I returned when they were due.  While we try to help our children focus on the true meaning of Christmas which is God giving us His Son Jesus we do enjoy reading several other fun stories around Christmastime that go along with other traditions.

I thought about wrapping each of the books this year and letting the kids take turns opening them, but instead I'm just keeping them separate in a box in my room.

Do you have any favorite Christmas books?

    

The Hidden Art of Homemaking - What is Hidden Art?

In Chapter 2 of The Hidden Art of Homemaking talks about the "art" that you may find in your everyday life.  I like the following statement "All art involves conscious discipline.".  In order to get much done I have to consciously make an effort to do the things I know I need to do first.  So the above statement makes complete sense to me.  I have also found that when I am making time to do certain things it seems like they take not much time at all.  This chapter also talks about priorities.  I like that it gives permission to not feel guilty when you accomplish a needed task to the neglect of another task when you need to, with the knowledge that you will still complete the neglected task.

What can I do today to show appreciation to my Creator for creating me His image by being aware of the beauty He has created around me?   I can focus on making sure my priorities are in the right order and thank him for the creativity he has given me to think and decide what should be a priority.  I can ask Him for guidance that I would focus on God's will instead of my will.

What can you do today to show appreciation to God our creator?

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The Hidden Art of Homemaking - The First Artist

 

 My Dad gave me the book "The Hidden Art of Homemaking" for Christmas in 2010.  I have had it in my pile of books to read, so when I saw that there was going to be a book study over at My Homey Haven I decided it was time to read.  I'll be sharing interesting tidbits and ideas that I come across here and plan on linking up to the host of this book study each week.

Chapter 1 - The First Artist

This chapter takes a look at God and how he has created everything with such detail and definition.  He created it all perfect at the beginning of time.  He also created man in his own image.  That means that I have been created with the ability to be an artist like God, but because I'm not perfect due to the sin in my life my artistic abilities are not perfect.  I never would have thought of myself as an artist.  My artistic talent is limited, but I hadn't really ever thought that there are other creative outlets in my life that don't revolve around me painting or drawing a picture.  I'm excited to be reading this book and see what I can learn about God's plan for the artistic talent in my life.  I like how we can see God's creativity through his creation - plants, trees, rocks, sunsets, sunrises, the wide variety of colors.  I'm looking forward to when I get to go to heaven and see what perfection God has created in its entirety.


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