For the Love of Reading

 

I have ALWAYS loved to read.  Reading is a huge part of my life and one of my favorite things to do is sit down with a good book!  I have always had a soft spot for children's books and love writing... frankly, I'm not sure why I haven't started writing them myself!?  When I was a kid, the highlight of my school days were the Scholastic book fairs.  No, I'm not kidding!  When we were handed Scholastic packets to take home to our parents, I would get SO excited I could hardly stand it!  My mom says every time she saw those she knew she was about to have to spend a small fortune on books.  Haha!  So, you can imagine how happy I was when Jade brought home her first Scholastic order form last week.  ECSTATIC!  We went online and picked out 7 books together.  7 books for $18 I might add... GREAT deal!  She didn't understand why we couldn't read them RIGHT NOW.  I can't wait for them to arrive, so we can have a read-a-thon!

 

 

In light of all this book ordering fun, I started thinking it would be nice to have book recommendations from other parents.  When we take a trip to the library or go book shopping, it can take HOURS to find a good one.  There is a sea of options and a lot of the time you find yourself thumbing through many, many mediocre books before you find the one you'd like to take home.  SOLUTION!  I am going to start a weekly series of children's book recommendations!  Not just for all of you other parents out there, but for me too!  PLEASE let me know if there any books you and your children absolutely love, so we can expand our book collection as well!  We are always on the hunt for new books.

 

 

I am going to kick start this series with dun, dun, dun....

 

Little Blue Truck

by Alice Schertle

 

This is a preschool level book and is one of my favorites for the girls' story time!  It is a fun, flowing, rhyme-y book that teaches the importance of kindness and helping others even if they have not been very nice you.  The illustrations are great!

 

The pages are packed with colorful pictures full of farm animals.  Jenna loves to point to each animal and make their sound.... oink, moo, wibbit!  Notice the worn edges on my copy.  This little book as gotten much use!  We love it and hope you love it too!

 

HAPPY READING!



 

 



MamaHood

  It seems like yesterday we were expecting our first baby girl.  We were excited, nervous, and unaware of the emotional journey parenthood was about to bestow upon us.  I still clearly remember going in for our first prenatal appointment and seeing her little heart flickering on the screen.  It was magical.  She was a gift to us from God and we would name her Jade Olivia.

This is me, at about 30 weeks, carrying our precious cargo!

On August 11, 2009, Miss Jade O. made her grand entrance.  She was a whopping 8lbs 15.5oz of squeezable baby girl.  We were in AWE.

 

 

Jas and I would sit and stare at her for hours.  Memorizing her features, running our fingers through her mounds of gorgeous, dark hair.  Kissing her nose and snuggling her every chance we could get.  Ahhhh, baby bliss :)

 

 

 

Tomorrow my little booger starts pre-k.  Pre-k!?  Wasn't I just rocking her to sleep a few months ago?  Sigh.  Time goes by so quickly.  This little girl is beautiful, smart, kind, and loving.  She is everything I ever dreamed of in a daughter and then some.  And the best part?  I was blessed with TWO daughters like this.  My angels straight from heaven. 

 

I know, I know, stop with the mushy mushy already!  I just love these girls so much and as hard as parenthood is (believe me, it is not all rainbows and butterflies), I would not trade a single day for the alternative.  So, here she is.... my pre-k baby... SO ready to start school.  SO eager to learn.  SO excited to make new friends.  And SO determined to please her teachers.  Keep up your determination and will to do your best and you will go far, baby girl.  Mommy and Daddy are and always will be your greatest fans!