Lincoln's Reading Corner December 2012

Reading has been a bigger success this month than it was in October and November - yay!  We're still reading some old favorites frequently, but a lot of new books have been added to the Lincoln-approved list! 

Side note - we tried really hard to do this 25 Days of Christmas book advent idea.  It was kind of an epic fail.  First off, I procrastinated forgot about wrapping our books until December 12.  No problem, I figured it would just be the 12 Days of Christmas!  And...it probably would have worked.  Except Lincoln only likes to read books that he loves.  Try anything else with this kid, he will shake his head and shout "NO" (which often sounds like "doe") and throw the book aside.  I think we had two or three books in the whole Christmas collection that he gave the time of day.  There was also the slight problem that several nights we had already put Lincoln to bed and realized....we never gave him a book today.  Oops.  However, we did learn that the child really enjoys ripping open presents.  After opening one book (and tossing it aside), he would just run back and point at the stack, wishing to open another.  We'll give the book advent another try next year - I'm hoping it goes better then!

And now - here are Lincoln's Top Books in December 2012!

1. I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!  This is a fabric book that I sewed for Lincoln last Christmas.  Last year, he wouldn't even look at it - this year we at least got to read half of it to him.  I consider that progress.  I don't know that the fabric version is available for purchase anywhere; I think I bought the fabric at Jo-Ann.

2. Biscuit's Pet & Play Christmas.  This was probably his favorite of the Christmas advent books - and probably just because it features a puppy.  Puppies are a big hit around here.  No that does not mean we are getting a dog.  It's a fun little interactive board book.

3. A Christmas Carol.  This is a title in my new favorite board book series from BabyLit.  This version of A Christmas Carol is a Colors Primer and features a different character or story element paired with a color on each page.  Example:  Silver Chains.  If you're a fan of classic literature, please check out this whole series.  They are awesome.

4. Peek-a-Boo, I Love You.  This lift-a-flap book is in serious danger of getting ripped to pieces, since he loves it right now.  The last page features a mirror so baby can see himself in the book, but I can't get Lincoln to look at it. Ha!

5. Goodnight Moon.  I love, love, love that this is one of Lincoln's favorite books right now!  We have started reading it every night before bed and I love the cuddles.  He figured out that he likes this book because it has pictures with clocks.  Seriously.  Of all the ridiculous things.

6. Little Blue Truck.  I think I may have featured this book before, but we found the board book version at Target and gave it to him for Christmas.  He.loves.it.  We read it at least two or three times a day.

7. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Goofy Baby.  This month's reading list would definitely not be complete if it did not feature the current obsession of Mickey Mouse.  I requested every Mickey Mouse Clubhouse board book our library owns.  And they are all popular around here.

8. Where are the Missing Leaves?  Another Mickey Mouse book - this one is a lift-the-flap and was already torn in a few places when we checked it out from the library.  It's living on top of our piano until it is returned to prevent further damage.

9. Is that Mickey?  Definitely one of the most-read books this month!  It's all about how Mickey's friends are planning him a celebration, but they can't find him!  I'll probably buy this one for our collection if he continues to enjoy the library copy.

10. Mickey's Book of Trucks.  This book is available on Amazon, but I found it in the $1 bin at Target a few months ago!  We gave Lincoln this one for Christmas, along with a small plush Mickey, and they have been a big hit.  This book just has pictures of trucks with the name of each one on each page.  Nothing fancy, but since it is a combination of two of his very favorite things on this earth, it is extremely popular!

11. God Loves You Very Much.  This giant VeggieTales board book has been picked up several times this week.  I am kind of surprised he likes it, it has a lot of words compared to some of his other favorites, but he has let Andrew read it all the way through several times.

12. The Berenstain Bears: Treat Others Kindly.  I think it is great that the recent Berenstain Bear stories feature valuable lessons for kids, with Bible verses to back them up.  This 3-in-1 Book Collection contains stories that teach about forgiveness, gossiping, and respecting your elders.  I'll be honest, Lincoln won't sit through this entire book yet - but we are working on it!  And something fun that I love about this book?  In the third story, Papa Bear is wearing Honey Bear in a carrier.  Babywearing exists in children's literature - woohoo!

Whew!  I wonder where our books and imaginations will take us in 2013.  Do you and your kids have any reading goals in your resolution list?  If you're looking for more reading ideas, you can check out all our recent favorites here!

Thanks to Zondervan for providing my Berenstain Bears sample book.  I received no compensation and all views expressed are my own.  For more info, you can read my Disclosure Policy.

Coming Soon: The Return of the Blogger

Hey there.

So it's been a little while since I've blogged.  I do apologize.  I was on a roll, but my motivation got smacked in the face by Christmas and the reality of living through a major holiday with two children under the age of two.  Can we talk about meltdowns, days of nursing for what seemed like 18+ hours, and so many new toys in our house that it is literally impossible to move.

I'm currently elbow deep in toys and laundry.  Once I conquer the chaos and crawl out of this mess...I will be back.  I promise!

How was your Christmas?? :)

Two Kids and a $500 Camera

I bought my DSLR camera about three years ago.  When I made the purchase, I assumed I would never use another "cheap" camera again.  Why bother when you can take glorious photos with your amazing new camera, right?  And I did pretty well, up until Adelaide's birth.

So what's the problem now?  Well - I seem to be spending literally all of my time nursing.  Addie gained 13 ounces in the last week.  I'm not complaining, but it is proof that the child loves to eat.  This means I'm more or less stuck in one place.  I usually forget to put the camera within arm's reach and once I am situated, I'm not going to move.  And if I do happen to remember...Lincoln will undoubtedly grab it and take off running.  Not a good thing when one of his favorite activities right now is hurling things across the kitchen floor to hear the loud crashing sounds they make.

So, more and more, I get to the end of the day and realize...  I took basically no photos today.  That may seem like a crazy thought, but for me it's super odd to not take at least a handful of photos.  Then today, I was trying to clear space on my phone's memory card and I found that I have been taking photos - just not with the super nice and expensive camera!

Here are a few favorites that I found -

sleeping beauty.

Little boy with WILD hair!

Yep, the shirt says it all.

This Rock 'n Play is the best investment I made.

She really does like her flower bows...

Lots of true love from big brother.

Showing off a hairbow and those pretty eyes!

Prepping for Christmas card photos!

This is where we spend most of our time.

My snuggly sleepy boy.

So it turns out - you don't necessarily have to use your best piece of equipment all the time.  As long as you are capturing memories one way or another, it's a success.  I'm really thankful for my cheap cell phone camera...  I wouldn't have any of these sweet photos without it!

Now...my photo organization....that's another story altogether.  Someday I will catch up.  Maybe.

Christmastime is Here! {yikes}

Christmas Eve 2011

Somehow, when you have a baby in mid-November, you manage to forget that a big event like Christmas is on the horizon.  I mean - you know it's there.  But it still seems far enough away that you don't have to actually think about it.

Um, I'm sending myself a wake-up call.  Christmas is only 18 days away.  Ahhh!!

Christmas 2011

It's so much fun to imagine Christmas with a little family.  All of the excitement and anticipation, the laughter and whispers and surprises - it all seems magical!  The thing is, when your family is just starting out, it takes a little bit to get to that point.  Last year, Lincoln was old enough to be mildly entertained by the hubbub, but he really had no idea.  This year - I think he will really enjoying opening gifts and all of the attention.  Maybe by next Christmas, when he will be almost three, he will be able to understand the true meaning of things.  I can hope, anyway.

Even though he is still not comprehending everything, and tiny Addie will just be along for the ride this year, I'm determined to start a few family Christmas traditions that we can carry out for years to come!  This is a small list of some of my ideas...we'll see how motivated I am in the next two weeks to see them through.

Gift-Wrapped Christmas Book Advent.  I found this lovely idea last year via this Pinterest pin, and I was so excited that I actually went out after Christmas and bought quite a few clearanced board books to use in this project.  It's looking like we might be doing 12 days of Christmas, instead of 25....since the books are all in a pile that is cascading from the couch in our basement right now.  Not a single one is wrapped yet...!

Minivan Express.  Another Pinterest find, featured on Confessions of a Homeschooler, this involves hiding special golden tickets in your kid's beds one night and taking your little ones on a pajama-clad journey to see Christmas lights.  Hot cocoa is a must.  This idea is awesome.  Unfortunately I don't think Lincoln is really old enough to understand it yet.

Crafting a Family Ornament.  There are so many cute ideas for do-it-yourself ornaments.  I dream of making dozens of them with the kids each year.  Perfect for our tree and gifts for probably everyone we know, right?

Christmas Morning. I want it to be a tradition to read the Christmas story before we dive into opening gifts.  I also want to find the perfect Christmas breakfast recipe!

Christmas Eve Pajamas.  This is the one tradition we started last year - letting Lincoln open one gift - special new pajamas - on Christmas Eve.  You can see how well it went.  Poor kid was worn out from multiple holiday parties.  Hoping this year is more successful!


I'm linking up with Kelly's Korner today, as well as Growing Up Geeky for next week's Toddle Along Tuesday! What is your family's favorite holiday tradition?

Oh, Life's an Hourglass

When you reach for the stars, don't forget who you are...

And please don't turn around and grow up way too fast.

There's this little tiny boy who changed my whole life...

Having a second baby has made for an adjustment for me and my little boy. 

Lincoln is not yet two years old.  He is the most energetic, imaginative child on earth.  But I really don't think he fully comprehends all the changes in his life lately.

Last photo of just Lincoln and Mommy,
the night before Adelaide was born.

Mommy seems to be holding the baby sister a lot.  While he likes the baby, I can't help but wonder if he wonders why she had to come along and change everything.

He doesn't say a lot of words besides car, truck, and choo-choo, so it's difficult for me to know what he is thinking all the time.  Does he resent her for taking Mommy's attention away from him?  Does he resent me for bringing this little person into his world? 

He is in desperate need of a haircut.
We're not crazy about the baby mullet look.

He is still my baby.  He made me a mommy.  I am trying so hard to remember that he is still so little and that I need to make sure my expectations of him are not unrealistic.  Which I have to admit is sometimes hard to do, especially when it is 3am and he is awake again, after we have fought a two-hour bedtime battle and when I have just managed to put Adelaide down so I might be able to sleep.

When did you get to be SO big?

He is growing and changing so much right now, and I don't want to miss it.

Hoping that I find a balance very, very soon.

I love you, sweet boy. 
(can you believe how many scrapes this kid has on his face?  It's been one
run-in with a dresser/table/collarbone after another around here lately...)

If you feel the same way - or even if you have the whole mom-child-balance thing totally under control, I give you fair warning - this song will probably make you cry.


Hourglass
Little boy, when you speak
I can't help but kiss your cheeks
I love the way you grab my hands
And tell me all about your plans
Rocket high, comets fly
You and I could take a ride
And fly away to Neverland
And give our best to Peter Pan

When you reach for the stars
Don't forget who you are
And please don't turn around and grow up way too fast
See the sand in my grasp
From the first to the last
Every grain becomes a memory of the past
Oh, life's an hourglass
Life's an hourglass

Story's read, prayer is said
Close your eyes sleepyhead
While angels linger in your dreams
And hold you in their feathered wings
Just like you, I was small
Not that long ago at all
I wish you all the happiness
That God gives freely if you ask

When you reach for the stars
Don't forget who you are
And please don't turn around and grow up way too fast
See the sand in my grasp
From the first to the last
Every grain becomes a memory of the past
Oh, life's an hourglass
Life's an hourglass

Song:
Hourglass
Mindy Gledhill
© 2010 Blue Morph Music (BMI)