WANTED: Book Recommendations

I am working on an article for the Titus2 newsletter. While the focus of the article will explain the benefits & the joys of reading, I am hoping to include a list of must-haves or best-of-the-best suggestions for books so readers can either purchase them OR, what I like to do, check them out at the local library.

I am especially looking for recommendations for Bible storybooks/toddler devotionals, but the article will cover a variety of topics so ALL recommendations are welcome (and appreciated!) Just leave me a comment with your family's favorite(s). And, thanks!

By the way, if you'd like to receive a free trial issue of the Titus2 newsletter, simply email me your mailing address before August 1st and I will include your name in the next distirbution.

Oh, and the current favorite at our house? The Bears in the Bed and the Great Big Storm (Paul Bright/Jane Chapman). Really cute story. Just ask Alexander, he has it memorized! :)

Conversations: Xander and Alea

I was in the other room with Maille this afternoon while Alexander and Alea were finishing up their lunch. Here are a few snippets of their conversation.

CONVERSATION #1
X: So, how was your day?
A: Good.
(This is a possible re-inactment of our oh-so-exciting dinner conversation!)

CONVERSATION #2
X: How many drops of rain did you get?
A: Oh...Ummm…five.
X: I had 20 inches!
(Xander is a regular meteorologist. He often listens to the radio/weather forecast and says alarmingly, "Do you know what that man, said? He said there are gonna be more thunderstorms!")

CONVERSATION #3
X: Giggling.
A: Giggling.
X: Obnoxiously giggling.
A: Giggling.
X: Don’t spit, Alea.
(Oops! Time to intervene!)

CONVERSATION #4
X: Hey, Maille. DId you get a haircut?
(Uh, nope. She’s been practically bald for all 5-months of her life!)

In Training

Since a friend (Braden) came over last week & spent some quality time teaching him how to throw/swing, Alexander has been totally into baseball. We purchased a T-ball stand at a garage/rummage sale on Saturday and he's been spending lots of time practicing in the yard -- in between the thunderstorms we've had the past couple of days.

No, Mom, no! You stand over there!

Swing.Batter. Batter...SWING! Yes; I am aware he missed the ball by a mile!

Happy Fathers Day!

NOTHING IS QUITE AS STRONG AS THE GENTLE STRENGTH OF A FATHER'S HAND.
As Alexander would say (and I would agree), 'You're my most-favorite daddy!' We love you!

I Need a Friend. No, I Need a Cousin!

While I can read books by the dozen, I have never considered myself a very good 'playmate'. It seems Alexander heartily agrees with this observation b/c lately, he's been asking for a friend to play with. Or a brother. Or, usually, he'll say, "Mom. I need a friend to play with. No, Momma. I need a cousin!"

He adores his cousins, especially Isaak and Drew, who he considers his buddies. He told me he likes Landry, but he'd rather play with Isaak and Drew b/c Landry (4-months old) is just kinda small! We were able to enjoy LOTS of cousin play time recently while Blake was out-of-town but I unfortunately only a few pictures. We were swimming most of the time and I quickly found that cameras & little boys (who cannot swim!) simply don't make for a good combination. NOTE: For some reason, Drew is MIA. Next time, Drew-by!

I think Isaak looks so grown-up in this picture. Maybe b/c he is going to be a BIG BROTHER any day now! little dudes & best buds!Sweet Landry Jay is always ready with a grin! Seious cute-ness!

Photograph Attempts

Sometimes I like to switch my camera from 'the sports setting' (which I have found is the required setting to properly capture a full-of-energy little boy). Here are a couple of attempts at a non-candid-kid style of photography, although you will notice the little man is in 2 of the 3 shots proving he still is my favorite subject!

A Hat For Every Head

We were goofing around outside one afternoon and Alexander created a new 'hat trend'. I think you've got to have really tight curls to pull it off :)

Planting Sunflowers...

One of Alexander's favorite books, especially to read with GmaS. is entitled, 'Mortimer's First Garden.'

In the book, Mortimer can't imagine that seeds have any use beyond the immediate gratification of being eaten. As he is staring outside at a brown landscape and wishing for green, Mortimer overhears a mother and two children talking about a "springtime miracle," discussing planting one small seed and getting back many seeds. He looks at his last precious sunflower seed and decides to plent it. Later, convinced that the mircale won't happen, tempted to dig up the seed and eat it, Mortimer hears the voice of God: Wait. Mortimer finally gets results—a tall, glorious sunflower with many seeds to gather, eat, and use for next year's garden. As he cozies down into his bed of seeds, he thanks God and prays for a friend to share his bounty with, and a smiling black spider settles down nearby.

A few weeks ago, GmaS. and Alexander planted their VERY OWN sunflower seeds. Here are a few snapshots of their garden adventure.Gma is such a GOOD and patient teacher.

working the soil...

putting in the seed...patting the soil over the seed(s)... ...and the most fun part: watering! (aka MAKING MUD!)

From the Mouth of Babes

Friday night Alexander prayed at the dinner table, "Thank you, Lord (pronounced more like LAWD with a bit of southern twang!)...that my mommy did not yell at me today. Thank you, Lord, that she could control her anger." Yep, nothing like a child to bring to light one's struggles. At least I got a 'good report' before the Lord :) And yes, I know we shouldn't have, but Blake and I starting giggling like crazy.

PART TWO: So this afternoon in church I whispered a reminder to the X-man. Our conversation went like this.
ME: Xander. Remember. If you need to go potty, you tell momma.
X: Sure, momma. I will. (slight pause). And momma, if YOU need to go potty, just tell me, okay?

Intensive Potty Training - Day #3

I will not bore you with our escapades of the last three days; we'll just say it has been a LONG week!

We have been potty training on & off again for almost 2 years and while I am quite certain I've done something terribly wrong thru the whole process, I am determined that success has got to be in the not-too-distant-future.

Amidst extra loads of laundry, spraying/scrubbing/dabbing up the carpet/rug, etc. I figured I would share some inspiration for today; mostly for myself, I guess, but I'll share anyways. TOPIC: Perseverance! :)

I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday. (Author Unknown)

When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot & hang on. (Franklin D. Roosevelt)

Try and fail, but don't fail to try. (Stephen Kaggwa)

How long should you try? Until. (Jim Rohn)

Hands-down the most challenging parenting task I have tackled so far. But, they say it can be done. Here's hoping THEY are right!