What We've Been Reading Lately

Joel (and Elianna) wants to send out a big THANKS to his Great Aunt Jeanette & Kent for the Highlights High Five magazine gift (smiles).  We've been putting some of the "Build It" section into play lately, as you can see with our little maze!  Elianna was amazed with it and promptly became a steamroller and destroyed it before Joel could send his little man through the maze for a second time.  Now that Joel's been reading it for a year, he's starting to get more familiar with the characters and likes the "my first hidden pictures" a lot. 

This past couple of weeks we also enjoyed reading "How To Dig A Hole To The Other Side of the World", "The Berenstain Bears' Big Book of Science and Nature", "The Classic Tales of Brer Rabbit", and finished the New Testament of the "Family Time Bible".  These are all part of the Sonlight preschool curriculum.  Elianna is getting a little better at sitting and listening to stories; but still not half as interested as Joel is!   She likes the ladybug and dog books the best these days...actually anything that is short and sweet is best for her.  We've noticed her hugging books and calling them "bible" lately...I think the nursery curriculum is really instilling a love for the Word of God in her!!!

We haven't been working much on learning to read yet, but I've started reading a book called "The 3 R's" by Ruth Beechick that's supposed to give me understanding on the steps I need to guide the kids through in order for them to learn to read.   I finally finished reading "Grace Based Parenting" a couple weeks ago...a life transforming book for me and many other moms that were reading it in Beth's Blue Castle Reading group on facebook.  I only wish there would have been more discussion!  But I always enjoy hearing what Beth has to say...she is wise beyond her years.  It's one of those "if you only had time to read one parenting book, you need only read this one" type.  Dr. Tim Kimmel has so much parenting wisdom.  Also on the "mom front", we just started up a playgroup that is going to read a devotional book called "Ordinary Mom, Extrodinary God" and share thoughts while 6+ toddlers play together lol!  The Couple's Cell group we go to has been reading and discussing a chapter from the Bible each week, over the last few months.  John (and sometimes I join him) has been enjoying the informative and thought provoking "Chasing the Wild Goose" book by Mark Batterson.  What an amazing pastor and author!  I also enjoy his daily blogging (0:  

Well there you have it...a snippet of what we have considered good reads lately.  What a joy and privilege to be able to have access to so many books to change our lives for the better.  Thank you God for books!!!