What Willie Wonka Will Do For Your Children

Audio books have proven to be one of our favorite things for riding in the truck and running errands.  Most local libraries have a fantastic selections of classic and new audio books alike.  So, audio books have become a staple for us.  This last time we visited the library, I snagged Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.  Blossom1 and I had each read it recently and were charmed.  The audio version was exquisite.  (I appreciate the silence it creates in back seats.)  And, I love how their imaginations are working, inventing and creating pictures. 

There's another aspect of listening to audio books together that I hadn't been counting on. I never want to lose touch with our children.  I don't want to be the stranger in the room that has no way to relate with them.  This is so important to me because I believe that relationship is how Christianity is passed on to our children.

When I realized that listening together led to discussion, I danced a little happy dance (in my mind). 

Over lunch, we were talking about what fruit to eat and Blossom2 wittily noted that we wouldn't be eating "snozzberries."  Of course, that led to more references to the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory story.  Finally, we ended up comparing and contrasting the various characters in the book.  The lessons to be learned are many.  One character has a problem with gluttony.  One character is a TV couch potato.  One is an excessively obnoxious gum-chewer and then, the hero of the story is grateful and good, even though he has so little.  I was stunned at the insights my children gleaned from the story.  My mind raced along with them as they evaluated each character and their parents' choices, all the while, I was making mental notes to continue choosing books chock-full of moral strength and virtue. 

Later, when one Blossom (who shall remain nameless) was being particularly selfish, another Blossom chided her with, "You are acting just like Veruca Salt... I want, I want, I WANT."  It certainly wasn't complimentary.  I smiled and held my peace. 

Everybody's Got a Broom

I think I've already told you about our new Family Game Nights on most Friday evenings.  The girls just love it.  In fact, yesterday, at the dinner table, Blossom3 piped up excitedly, "Oh, is tonight family game night???" 

"No Honey, it's only WEDNESDAY."  :)

They love the silly games and fun food.  However, the other day I hadn't quite prepared enough games, which is to say that I didn't take my normal five minutes on Pinterest to come up with a few more crazy ideas.  They were clamoring for more games...

"What are we playing after this cotton ball race, Mommy?"

And there I was, cool as a cucumber (outwardly), racking my brain for something easy, fun AND with supplies we've already got in the house, all the while, trying to concentrate on blowing my cotton ball across the kitchen floor so Blossom2, Blossom3 and I can beat Daddy's team.

"A BROOM!  Everybody's got a broom!  We can play LIMBO." 

Oh man.  The giggles.  The wiggles.  The silliness.  I think I got the Mom of the Century award for coming up with that one. 

And we played it again last night.  Just for fun.  Just while we were all chilling in the living room at the end of the day. 

Just try it.  The laughs together are totally worth it.

Winter, Creatively.

The weather has been perfect here for lots of winter fun.  And, we've been enjoying it, one way or another.  The snow has gotten so deep that sledding is a little tough, so we have improvised with a luge course.  (The Olympics have certainly inspired us!)  This pic was taken at the beginning of the track building process.  The course became faster and more packed down the more we (mainly the Blossoms) used it.  And, it eventually led the whole way down to the tree line that you can see in the distance. 

 

 

I've finally decided that Mommy just needs to quit saying, "I can't."  Yes, there ARE real limitations to the season that includes a little Baby Blossom.  However, we still CAN do things together.  So, we luged!  (I don't think that's a word.)  And, Mommy had compassion on Baby Blossom's eyes with this creative arrangement.  Did Baby Blossom and I stay outside for hours upon hours?  Nope.  But, we enjoyed the hour or so that we did clamber through the deep snow in the brilliant sunshine.

 

 

More togetherness.  That's what matters to us.

Blossom3's Book Recommendation

Recently, we came home from the library with The Missing Mitten Mystery by Steven Kellogg.  What a find this book has proved to be!  Blossom3 discovered it and we've enjoyed reading it over and over again.  I'd say, "Heart-warming and amusing, all in one," but that might sound a little too cliché to be believable.  Except it's true.

Originally, our Miss Nancy - Children's Librarian Extraordinaire - directed us to the works of Steven Kellogg.  We've found the Pinkerton series, which follows the capers of a lovable Great Dane and his family, to be good fun.  Then, Kellogg's book, Yankee Doodle, was on the display in our Children's Library for the 4th of July.  We've borrowed it countless times because of its patriotism and humor.  (Our apologies to the other patriotic library patrons.  It is rarely available around the 4th and Memorial Day because of us.)  Additionally, the Blossoms are part of a local book-a-month initiative and received Kellogg's work, The Invisible Moose in the mail.  It's another read-time-and-again favorite (that includes a love story - awwwwww). 

But, back to The Missing Mitten Mystery.  We brought it home.  Mommy fell in love with it right away.  Daddy read it that evening and commented, "Hey, isn't this the Yankee Doodle guy?"  The other Blossoms recognized Kellogg's trademark illustrations at once.  And, we're hooked.  No one has complained when Blossom3 wants this book read to her again and again.  No matter who does the honors reading aloud, they appreciate that this work truly captures winter-time fun and the vivid imagination of a child.  Take a trip to your Children's Library and check out the works of Steven Kellogg.  Blossom3 thinks you'll be hooked too. 

http://www.amazon.com/Missing-Mitten-Mystery-Steven-Kellogg/dp/0142301922/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392837835&sr=1-1&keywords=the+missing+mitten+mystery

Side Note for Age Range:
Blossom3 is 4 years old.
Blossom2 is 6 years old.
Blossom1 is 8 years old.
And we won't tell you how old Mommy and Daddy are. 
Just go get the book.

Blossoms' Update

Baby Blossom (just about 10 mos old):
Favorite Activity - Gleefully pulling books off of bookshelves and paper plates out of the cupboard.
Most Recent Quotable Quote - "Growl.... grOWL!" (When told that a lion says, "ROAR!")
Latest Accomplishment - Balancing while standing up and holding on to nothing!

Blossom3 (4 yrs old):
Favorite Activity - Puzzles, puzzles, puzzles!!!  That, and any other special activity Mommy plans for her.  A sink full of blue water and some plastic animals was a big hit.  The kitchen sink brimming with snow, along with some scoops and measuring cups went over pretty well too.
Most Recent Quotable Quote - "But Mamma, TOR (four) is a BIG age!"
Latest Accomplishment -Discovering that snow turns into water!!!  (She loves sharing her newfound knowledge.)

Blossom2 (6 yrs old):
Favorite Activity - Disappearing into her bedroom to line up all the castle stuff and imagine stories.
Most Recent Quotable Quote - While observing Olympic pair skaters doing a lift, she stated, "That's looks TERRIFYING... actually, it's looks terrifying and FUN!"
Latest Accomplishment - Picking up Borrowing and Carrying as if she was born knowing about math!

Blossom1 (8 yrs old):
Favorite Activity: Disappearing into the dining room corner nook to read.  And, organizing her sisters to play as she directs...
Most Recent Quotable Quote: "Here Blossom2, you go down first." (When faced with the very, very, very large State Park sledding hill.)
Latest Accomplishment - Playing Beethoven from her Auntie's old piano book.  Skiing in the yard with Mommy's cross-country skis.  (It's not likely that Mommy gets to use them right now.)