magical reading moments

Reading is an everyday occurrence in our home.  But, every once in a while, reading turns magical.  The time and space are unhurried and the world outside seems to disappear.  There are good old favorites that we read over and over, adding new readers to our list.  New readers beaming with pride at their own success.  Quite proficient they've become.

And sometimes, those magical reading sessions give way to play and laughter and snuggles and silly voices and tickling and lots of other great stuff.  Sometimes, hubby is asked to capture this time on camera.  Ahem.

Life is made up of moments.  Sometimes I remember to make the most of them.  This night was one of those truly fabulous moments where I remembered that being in that moment made wishes come true!

ordinary day

Ordinary days. . .   Hmmmm . .

What makes a day ordinary anyway? No place to go, no reason to dress up, no big event, no to-do list?  Is there ever a "no to-do list" day?  Really?

I think ordinary days may really be the specialest days of all. (Yes, I know specialist is not a word!)

That's a new thought for me and I think I like it!

This ordinary day left lots of time for reading, playing games, snuggling, and smiles. 

There's nothing ordinary about that!

understanding

We're laying in her bed as she attempts to unwind from the day.  We've read her stories and, not quite ready to close her eyes, she asks me to read to her from my book.  This happens every so often.  So, I do.

My reading tonight is of mindfulness, the Buddhist idea of bringing ourselves fully into the present moment.  It is a gift we give others, it is a gift we give ourselves, and this author argues, it can be a way to fully experience the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

I read a few short pages and place the book on the night stand.  Even for me, this takes some digesting and I want to sink myself into the ideas on these few pages.  I roll over and close my eyes, in hopes that she will do the same.

She sings quietly as I drift peacefully to sleep . . . "We can change the world."

I reply, "Yes, we can," and we both fall fast asleep.

August break (reading list)

This month I'm joining Susannah and others in the August Break!

One picture (or more).

Each day (or not).

With or without words.

August is a busy, busy month for me!  While many are frantically soaking up their last bits of summer, the "school year" has already begun in my world.  Summer --- OVER!  

Along with dreams of another fantastic summer, sits a stack of books longing to be opened and read.  This list will have to wait for August to come to its end, but I --- Can't ---Wait!

Growing Readers

Next week is Read Across America and my kids will be busy with a bunch of fun activities at daycare and school.  Reading is something we celebrate in our house, so I thought I would share some of our reading - kid style.  Oh, and the baby is napping, so I captured her nightly reading stash instead of a photo of her reading.  Maybe we'll add a pic of her later...



A favorite: Diary of a Wimpy Kid




A perfect expression for a learning reader




Shouldn't there be a child in that bed?