Books by P.K. Hallinan

This is just a quick "because it's on my mind and I need to share it fast before it escapes me" post.:)  It is scattered and choppy, but so is my brain tonight.

We love these books.  I mean LOVE.  Undoubtedly, a little person will come walking with one of these tucked under his or her arm or "kalumping" across the floor dragging one beside her with great anticipation of mommy reading it.   And I am so happy to read each of them multiple times a day.....engraining in each of my littles how much we all mean to each other and that God cherishes each of them. P.K. Hallinan does an incredible job using short rhymes and sweet pictures to convey the love of important people in our children's lives.  

These are the 4 we own.  I would just type out each book in it's entirety here because they are so great, but #1. I think that's illegal and #2. I am tired.  So, here are a few of my favorite lines from each.

My Sister and I

"And so you will find us

Most every day

Just tending the friendship

That God sent our way."

"We like sharing secrets,

Our dreams and our plans....

And we laugh at our mishaps

As only friends can!"

My Mommy and I

"And we like to give thanks

to God for His love...

For the shoes on our feet

and for heaven above.

Yes, Mommy is special in so many ways.

Her love is the sunshine that comforts my days.

She's there when I laugh...

and there when I cry.

We're joined at the heart, 

my mommy and I."

Thank You, God

(This one is extremely sweet!  Page after page of things we are thankful for)

"So thank you, dear God,

For all that you do-

For answering prayers 

And for miracles too!"

"And thank you for angels 

That I can't really see

But somehow I'm certain

Keep watch over me!"

"And thank you, dear God,

For all that you are-

From the cross on the hill

To the Bethlehem star.

Yes, I thank you, dear God, for life without end,

For hope and a future, and for being my friend.

And I thank you for all of the wonders I see.

But mostly I thank you.....

For just loving me."

(No, that wasn't the entire book....just a few extra pages.:)

Charlie is currently snoozing away with "My Daddy and I" snuggled somewhere in between blankets and blankies and pillows.  

Several others on our list to buy are "Brothers Forever" (I think we need to get another brother so we can purchase this one!:), "Let's Be Thankful", "Happy Birthday" and "Let's Share" (this one may move to the TOP of our list!).  

I'd love to hear about any books that you love!!

In Him,

E

The Light Panel

I have been in overhaul/simplify/get rid of the junk mode for several months now.  Just as we must be intentional about moments spent and memories made, we must be intentional about what comes into our home.  

I don't like toys.  There I said it.  I have 6 children and cannot stand toys.  But it's not the toys that necessarily make me lose my mind.  Well, actually it is.:)  What purpose does a toy serve if all my children have to do is push one silly, light up, flashy button and the toy does the rest?  Where is the imagination and cognitive processing?  Where is the fine motor workout?

So....our "big room" now looks much different.  We have cut our toy inventory by at least half.  In order for an item to stay in our home, it must serve a very specific purpose.

A year or so ago I began reading this blog and fell in love with light panels.  The possibilities for these things are endless!!!!!  Because the girls needed nothing and we refused to bring the nonsense toys back into our home, both Celia and Kate received one of these for Christmas.

They.  Are.  AWESOME!!!!  Daily we break out the light panels and spend at least 20-30 minutes playing.  They also received-

Mirror blocks (found here) 

Colored water blocks (found here)

Translucent blocks (found here)

In some of the pictures, you will also notice translucent spiders and screw together, translucent colored pill jars.  I picked these up at our local dollar store.  I am keeping an eye out for inexpensive items we can add to our light panel supply box.  We also have colored water beads that will come out soon.....maybe.  I am just a bit worried about the risk of consumption with those.:)  Also, we still need to purchase another plexiglass mirror.  Our last one didn't survive some young guests we had visit.

I can see our panels getting extensive use over the next 10, 15 years.  The fun and possibilities for creativity are limitless.  Water beads, paint, sand, colored rice, big mirrors, color sorting, nature exploring, letter recognition and on and on.  Totally worth the investment.  

I do believe that our next purchase will be Magna-Tiles.  These would look amazing on the panels.  

In Him,
E