We arrived a little early
Maya sat by one of her good friends and they talked about their earrings
The first graders sang three songs
Maya and her sweet friends
Maya received an award for reading two hundred (!) books
Maya's wonderful teacher. She said, "thanks for sharing both of them with me" (Phillip had her too). [Snif]
My sweet girl. This sunlight makes her eyes shine even more...
Big brother tagged along
Yogurtini after to celebrate our reader girl. A fun way to end a great day!
I had an unexpected day off from work. Husband and I went to see the movie I've been dying to see. We both loved it! Some tears were shed when Katniss volunteered to take her sister's place, when they said their goodbyes, and when Rue died. Great movie! Of course the book is better because it's richer, full of details. But I'm really pleased how the movie did not deviate from the book.
Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen. Finally a movie where the protagonist is a strong girl, a survivor, who doesn't fall in love easily (she has other priorities). A great example for our girls.
... a lot!
Her name is Patricia Polacco and she writes books for kids. Really moving and touching stories. This past Christmas a few of her books made it to our Christmas basket (we read a wrapped book each night the days of the Advent).
I want to record them here, so we can make sure they become part of our basket in the years to come. Here they are:
A beautiful story that interlaces Christianity and Judaism.
Kids love this one.
Now, this one. What can I tell you? Phillip said the teachers in third grade in both classrooms cried reading it. Phillip warned me I would too. It is without a doubt the most beautiful Christmas story I've ever read.
In the same style of books (but a different author), we found this treasure:
Also, we have just finished this heartwarming book which left us yearning for more stories about a childhood full of imaginative play, Nature, and celebrations.
This post is a little late but I really don't want to forget these titles the next time around. They are sitting comfortably on my Amazon cart and waiting to be purchased (maybe a few every month?). They are definitely worth it!
We stayed home, cleaned, organized, read, played basketball (they boy's ears were icy-cold when he came back inside), ate homemade burritos for dinner, watched the funniest Christmas movie of all times, ate popcorn, drank hot chocolate, read book number three in our basket, and just spent a lot of time together. This cold, rainy weather makes me plain giddy! It really feels like Christmas now.
Me: breakfast with girlfriends. That means very nice long conversations with some great friends. Last Thursday with Barb, Friday with Patty, and today I met some of the Brazilianmoms. Isn't it great to be able to spend time doing what we women do best?
The kids: they spent the weekend going from one birthday party to the next. That means they had to make cards for all birthday kids (I stopped buying cards a few years ago when they learned to hold a crayon and a pencil).
What has helped their drawing efforts?
This book:
Unless your child is one of those kids who do NOT like to be instructed on new skills step-by-step (mine don't mind), this book is for them. Check it out!
Me again: reading this book and loving the pace of it. I feel like I'm meditating when I read it. Sometimes I have to stop and re-read parts of it in order to absorb them completely. I just finished this one and liked it well enough but it will not stay with me forever. My dear friend Silvia who knows me well said that she has noticed I like strong women characters rather than those who come across as full of self-pity. I agree. The main character redeemed herself as the story developed and became stronger, so I am glad I waited for the transformation.
The three of us: finished reading this series! All five books. I wish I could recall when we started. Percy Jackson has been part of our lives, like a member of our family whom we visit every night before bedtime. I hope he reappers in some other books by Rick Riordan. Hurray for heroes who are not perfect!
Phillip: reading this for school and enjoying it:
And because I need a pretty picture on this post, here are some free fresh flowers I was given at the grocery store this morning. I think they were making room for new plants and decided to make some customers happy. Thank you Fry's!
