Books

Books are one of my favorite things. I do not like having toys scattered all over the place, or shoes, or just about anything else. (It happens - all the time. I do have 5 children. I just don't love looking at it)

But books! Books can be spread all over the carpet, on the sofa's, on night stands and beds, anywhere and everywhere. I love having books in our home.

Thoughts from the Lake

Do vacations really exist for moms? While vacationing with young children? I think in order to have a real vacation I would need to be alone - or at least without children. I have enjoyed the last 3 days, but I am more exhausted than before I came. There is something tiring about change. It is good for the stale spirit, but moving a big enough section of your household to be able to have what you need to care for young children takes precious physical energy. Tired babies who won't nap in a different place, or insist on staying up until 10 p.m., children running here and there saying, "I'm hungry", "Watch me mom!", or "Is it my turn yet?" Still meals to prepare, dishes to do, scrapes to kiss and bandage. But there is something gained in the midst of expulsion, here at the lake. A calming, re-centering sense of purpose. A spiritual rejuvenation - not the wonderful kind of instruction received from a weekly church worship, but the kind that centers your soul with nature. Somehow in the beautiful simplicity off the creators majesty, He can be found. God is of course in everything, but He somehow feels closer while your feet are in His sand, while His birds are singing in your ears, and while His landscape is your view. There is work, yes. Always there is work to do. But here there is also peace. Some how daily routines such as baths for the children, seem less necessary than while at home. If it gets done, it gets done - and if not life goes on and nothing terrible happens. Guilt finds a harder time creeping in for all the things that should be done, for they too can wait. Here life is life again instead of a calender filled with appointments. As I roll into bed at the end of the day, exhausted, I smile because my spirit is full. Wet towels, wet children, wet dogs, lemonade, sleeping bags, campfires, hamburgers, ice coolers, dirty vans piled high with stuff, boat houses, canoes and kayaks, fishing poles, evergreens, faded docks, adirondack chairs, hammocks, sunscreen - these are the ingredients that create childhood memories that last a life time. These are the things that when I am old and gray will bring a smile to my face. These are the days I will remember for always.

Love That Dog

This is a great book. My friend Tracy Pringle introduced us to this book last year. 

It is a book about poetry, done in a truly original way. 

The book is written from an elementary school boys perspective. 

In the beginning he refuses to write poetry because only girls do that.

By the end of the book he has come to understand, enjoy and write poetry.

While we were at the library I saw it on c.d. so I borrowed it because we enjoyed the book so much. 

Super cute book! Really well written. (kinda sad in some parts) A great way to introduce poetry to children.

It has a sequel that Noelle objected to reading because the title is, Hate That Cat. 

(that's a swear word around here apparently!)

A fun little project to do is to write acrostic poems. In acrostic poems, the lines are arranged so that the first letters of the lines are combined to spell a word when the letters are read vertically.

We chose our names. 

For example: 

                                                                         

                                                                          Nurturing

                                                                          Optimistic

                                                                          Example

                                                                          Lovable

                                                                          Leader

                                                                          Extraordinary

                                                                          Builder

                                                                          Eager

                                                                          Recycler

                                                                          Generous

                                                                          Energetic

                                                                          Nocturnal

                            

                                                                         Enthusiastic

                                                                         Merry

                                                                         Musical

                                                                         Absolute

                                                                         Tenacious

                                                                         Always on the go

                                                                         Tricky

                                                                         Endearing

                                                                         Nimble

                                                                         Young

                                                                         Adorable

(This is harder than is looks! Give it a try.)