Fall books for your littles (and a giveaway)! | Day 18

They say it's not how you act when you win that matters, but how you act when you lose that counts. Or something like that, right?

Ugh. I'm coming off fresh from a Baylor Bears loss. #4 goes down to an unranked team. Bummer. And, what I really want to do is kick and cry and pout, but my sweet and wise and amazing Hubby, who also bleeds Green and Gold, encouraged my boys (and also me, it turns out) to handle ourselves in a much more positive way. Plus, he said we'll get em next game! So, tough loss, guys, but we still love you, BU!!!!

So while this was us last week, when we were in Waco, at McClane Stadium for our amazing win over TCU, we are not looking like this now!

And just because I want to throw in another pic from that game, I'll also acknowledge that I missed my FYI Friday post I had planned for yesterday. You could say I was asleep on the writing. . .

You just melt me, Buddy!

But anyway, moving on. . .

I intended for yesterday's FYI Friday to be about fall books for the littles. A little light reading! Wink!

I was inspired by our recent trip to Target where Luke was eager to use his recent birthday gift card. While he was busy finding his perfect item, I was glancing at the end of the aisle book display. There were lots of Halloween type books for children. Several board books, lots of character books (think Dora and Clifford do Halloween) and a couple of counting pumpkin books.

We don't own any of them, but as I glanced through them, they don't hold a candle to our 3 favorite Fall books we do own! You ready?

Our Fall Faves--3 books for your child's library

1. The Ugly Pumpkin by Dave Horowitz -- We absolutely love this book! Our oldest was given this book as a birthday present when he was 3 and we've laughed and eagerly awaited the first seasonal reading of it each year since. Maybe because Chad reads it with the best voices and enthusiasm around, but I also think it's because it's kinda endearing! You can make a lesson out it, I do, or you can just enjoy it for it's rhythm and rhyming and happy ending! Just a fun little book to have! *I do need to add that though the pictures are whimsical, and in my opinion not scary, there is a skeleton in the book. Just FYI.

2. P is for Pumpkin, God's Harvest Alphabet by Kathy-jo Wargin-- This book has cute childlike and colorful Fall illustrations as well as a rhyming text. I'll admit that our 9 year old might be past this book, but it's definitely one our 6 and 4 year old can read and enjoy! A gentle remind of the Lord in this beautiful season!

3. The Pumpkin Patch Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs-- My personal favorite for the season! I just love how the Farmer in the story grows his pumpkin, cleans it out and puts a light in it, and it is compared to how God grows us up, washes our sin away and gives us His light! So simple for young children and yet such a miracle for all of us!! This is the sweetest Fall book around!

And okay, here's why this could be even more exciting to you. . .I'm going to give a copy away to one of you! And even more exciting than that? I'm not some huge blogger, where you might have a 1 in 888 chance to win! If you leave me a comment on which book you'd choose to win, and maybe some other sweet comment (think, Poor Baylor! or You have the cutest family! :) ) you will probably win! Don't get me wrong, I'll do this the fair and square way. . .like put names in a hat and have Hubby draw or something like that. . .

Because it's Saturday afternoon, I'll keep this going to Tuesday at noon. Afterall, I can't wait too late into the season to send your book to you! Happy reading!

FYI Friday--5 Inspiring Ways to Teach Your Children About Other Cultures

I don't know if it's because my hubby is traveling, but traveling has been on my mind! You may have already figured that out by my post here--where I mentioned that I love to travel and learn about other cultures, and want our children to be able to do the same one day!

Maybe you feel the same way and wonder how you can find ways to teach your children about different cultures, you know, aside from the ol' spin and point game with a globe--which we do from time to time at our house!

5 Inspiring Ways to Teach Your Children
 About Other Cultures

Teaching your children about other cultures doesn't mean you need to get on a plane and travel the world. Although, it wouldn't hurt! It can be as simple as an activity you can do as a family, reading a book about another country together, or just incorporating a little culture into your everyday life. Maybe these options can get you jump started!

1. Little Passports -- Although we have not participated in this (yet), I've read great things about this program. Basically, you choose a subscription package for the USA Edition or World Edition and each month your child receives packages from 2 characters on Little Passports in a different destination, including a letter, souvenirs, stickers, photos and access to online games. A map is included as well! It sounds like a fun way to help your children learn a little geography, culture and language from around the world. Age ranges suggested from 5-10 (World Edition) and 7-12 (USA Edition).

2. Operation World: The definitive prayer guide to every nation -- Really enough said. This book has been helpful for our family to learn about the needs of specific countries, specifically the prayer needs from each country. Using this book is a wonderful way to further develop your children's knowledge (as well as your own) about specific countries. ***Some of this is above our children's heads (as it is not written for children), so we have been given an opportunity to paraphrase and explain situations and prayers to our children.

3. Postcrossing -- My friend, Catherine, a fellow lover of travel, recently signed up and has me convinced to jump on board! How many of you love to receive mail? I do! Sometimes though, it would be nice to get fun mail, not just bills. Through Postcrossing, you can receive postcards from across the world! You need to sign up, and once you are in the system, you will receive an address of someone else in the system. You will then, send them a postcard. Once your postcard is received, you are able to start receiving postcards as well! You can tailor your interests to say. . .recipes, landmarks, photography, etc. and then others mailing you postcards can send you postcards about your interests. I think it would be a fabulous way to teach children about the country from where the postcard came---plus it makes snail mail, so much more exciting! ***Just something to keep in mind--you will need to be able to find postcards from your area to send out, as well as pay for the postage to send them out. Not a big deal, but Postcrossing asks you to be fairly timely for others awaiting your postcards!

4. Correspond with a missionary. Many churches support missionaries, countryside and around the world. Our church has a booklet of missionaries that our congregation supports financially and through prayer. Many missionaries in the field truly appreciate prayer and correspondence as well. Inquire about missionaries at your church or a local church in your area. Maybe your family can correspond with a missionary family across the world. What a wonderful way to learn about the missionary's needs and the culture they are living in and spend time praying for them!

5. Compassion -- I've mentioned before that we have a heart for this organization and what it is doing to help children in poverty and to teach them about Jesus. There are so many children in the world who need help--to fight disease, to get an education, and to get food and clothes. But even more importantly, they need to know about Jesus' love. Maybe you've heard about Compassion. Maybe you are skeptical. I'll admit I was initially. My hubby was too. But I looked further into sponsoring a child and I read about Ann Voskamp's trip with Compassion. It didn't take much more than that to realize that developing a relationship with Fernando was something we wanted our family to do. Since then, we've corresponded with Fernando numerous times, and our boys get excited when they hear anything about Ecuador. They can tell you where Ecuador is, what's there and LOVE sending mail and receiving mail from Fernando! Would you consider taking a look? In the meantime, this article, Want to Change the World? Sponsor a Child might change your heart!

Can't wait to get my hubby home! Wondering if my wanderlust will subside!? 
Nah, doubt it.

a 2.5 photo shoot with Miles

When Luke was 2.5, I wasn't into photography yet, but I wanted just a couple of shots of him before new baby was to arrive. I found a photographer friend who took us to a park nearby and captured his sweet round cheeks and precious smile! I don't have those stored on my computer, but I have them printed out and in a collage frame. When Chuckles was 2.5, I began dabbling in photography, so I took him to the same spot and tried to capture the same sweet round cheeks and joyful expressions! You can see those here. Now, Miles is 2.5 (a smidge past), so I took him to the park this past weekend to capture his precious Milesy Smilesy personality! He's been congested and a tad grumpy--just not feeling himself, so it was hard to elicit any smiles, but I think we got a few keepers to go in his own collage for our wall. At 2.5 Miles is compassionate, filled with joy, is independent and is quite a charmer! He melts our hearts!

A genuine smile! That's who you are, Milesy!

A completely blown out image and everything you aren't supposed to do technically in photography, but I love these eyes peeking out! I love you, Miles!

Happy blur!

What's a 2.5 photo shoot without his fave lovie, Bubba? Sweet friends!

Miles, thanks for a special Mommy/Miles trip to the park! I love you!

dreamin' big

Ohhhh how our little 10 month old wants to grow up! To be able to join in the fun and spray the water hose with his big brothers. . .to be able to walk and run and ride scooters instead of just scooting like an inch worm on the floor. . .yes, this is his dream!

But oh little Miles, you are growing so fast and I sometimes just want the world to freeze--just stop, so I can soak up these moments. Because to you and your brothers, it seems that getting older and bigger takes forever, but to us, your Mommy and Daddy, you are bigger in the blink of an eye!

sweet birthday present

For my birthday this year, all I could think that I really wanted from my boys was for them to let me take them (with sunny attitudes) on a photo shoot! My birthday arrived and it was pouring down rain, so a week later, we went for it! However, because Miles still takes a morning nap, the time of day wasn't great for wide eyes--everyone was squinty for sure! So, I worked with it and we found another spot with some ambiance and think I have some great shots of my boys! Thank you, precious family! If you want to see more from the shoot (Mom), click over to my photoblog.

our love for books

Apparently last week was really busy and I was really tired, because I didn't post even once. Even when things are busy and I'm tired, I like to write. People often ask me how I find time to blog. Honestly, it doesn't take me long, but I also try (which has been tough lately) to find time because it's an outlet for me. Everyone has outlets, this is one of mine. I enjoy it. Now on to other things. . .

I do feel like lately I have less time to think, but more time to think as well. Less time when I need it, but more time (like during late night feedings) when I probably shouldn't be thinking. Anyway, last night's bottle led me to reflect on our boys' favorite books. I was looking around Miles' room in the dark and remembering books we read to Luke and Charlie when they were babies. I started thinking about their current favorites at 2.5 and 5 and all of the ones in between. I thought, I should blog about this to share ideas with you all as we are approaching Christmas. Plus, I will have these on record for my kiddos one day! Some of our favorite gifts to give and receive are books. Reading together is one of our most exciting activities----it leads to questions and imaginations. Here are a just a few of our favorites over the years. A lot of these float between age level categories. Also, I left some of the classics off the list, because I figured most people have Goonight Moon, The Very Hungry Catepillar, etc. I don't think I would do these books justice if I tried to review them, nor do I have the time to do so. BUT--if you are looking for books, check the reviews out at Amazon and know that we recommed them too! So these are some we really enjoy. What are your favorites?

Babies-1.5

Moo, Ba, La La La; The Going to Bed Book; Wake Up, Wake Up---Sandra Boyton

Raindrop Plop---Wendy Cheyette Lewison

Who's Peeking---Charles Reasoner

Peekaboo Playtime---DK

Curious George at the Zoo---PBS Kids

1.5-3 years

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo---Kevin Lewis

Lullabye Lullabye---Dianne Ochiltree

Don't Let the Pidgeon Drive the Bus---Mo Willems

You Are My I Love You---Maryann Cusimano

Gossie---Olivier Dunrea
A Boy and His Bunny---Sean Bryan

3-5 years

The Bugliest Bug---Carol Diggory Shields

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs---Judi Barrett

Kitten's First Full Moon---Kevin Henkes

Curious George books---Margaret and H.A. Rey

The Moon Shines Down---Margaret Wise Brown

Make Way for Ducklings---Robert McCloskey

The Curious Garden---Peter Brown

a 2.5 photo shoot with Chuckles

Recently, prior to our new addition, I took Charlie off on an adventure. . .one where he had fun exploring and I had fun with my camera! It was time to capture Chuckles at the ripe old age of 2 and a half. When Luke was 2 and a half (2.5 years ago to be exact) I had a photographer friend in town who took Luke off for a photoshoot. Back then I still had my baby pocket camera and loved a good pic, but wasn't in to photography yet (although lately I haven't done much studying or practicing like I'd like to). We ordered some prints of Luke and have them hanging in our bedroom.

So, a few weeks ago, because my friend has moved out of town, and Charlie reached 2.5 years, it was time for us to venture out to the same locale and for me to shoot away. Little Charlie had a blast playing with leaves and running around through a tree hole. He was quite cooperative and I love his expressions! He is such a sweet, caring, energetic, independent, joy-filled boy! At 2.5 there is never a dull moment and we are cherishing our Chuckles. I now have some photos to print of Charlie to add to our bedroom! Hooray!