I bought children's books before I had children. Before I was married or even thinking of my own children. I bought children's books because I like them. Well, good ones, like "Where the Wild Things Are", and "Blueberries for Sal". And I really like Christmas books.
Of course, having children was a great excuse to gather a large collection of all kinds of kids' books, but the difficult part is getting around to reading all of them, when every parent knows that kids, especially small kids, want the same book read to them over and over. And the Christmas books are only out for about a month each year. Now I like "The Red Ranger Came Calling" as much as the next person, but I don't want to read it every night.
So, TA-DAAAAAA!The Christmas Book Basket.
No, those are not all new presents. I take our Christmas books and wrap up our favorite 24, and put them in a basket. Each night a boy gets to select a book to unwrap and read together. (Good thing 24 is divisible by 3!) I often have one new book in the mix, to surprise them.
Gunnar opened the first book, "If You're Missing Baby Jesus", one of my favorites. Wyatt followed, last night, with "Worried Arthur", a fun story for little kids. And tonight, Tate (who likes to be the last one in the rotation), pulled out "The Mitten", which isn't exactly Christmassy, but a good winter story.
I'm trying to get all our Christmas decorations up before the Open House on Saturday. So far so good, but I'm not sure I'll have time to get The Tree up... it may have to wait. This is kind of the boys' table. Their books are underneath. The candle-lamp features Santa on a Christmas train - a gift from the boys back when they were completely obsessed with trains, in general. The picture of the boys is probably from... hmmm... 2003? Gunnar looks pretty little... And of course, in the place of honor, is the Lego Nativity.
8 comments:
Great background!
We have a Christmas book basket as well. Only this year, I'm a bit (!) behind the 8 ball and haven't got around to the whole story-a-night gig. I usually have to get several books from the library but you know, "8 ball."
Please tell me it gets easier as the kids get older. If not, L-I-E.
Hi Julie! Hey, we've been on vacation for a while & we just got home yesterday. I miss ya! Jon is working Saturday, but Benj & I are going to come stop in on your open house. :) Can't wait to see all ya'll! We even found your boys a small gift for each- mini growing in water lizards ('cause how can I think of any other boys when I see that?!). Love ya & see you soon, Gin.
Behind the 8-ball? No way! Ummm... I haven't bought Christmas gifts for the majority of the people I usually give them to. But then... Advent Conspiracy to the rescue!
The boys are doing more this year. They clean bathrooms (mostly), vacuum, sweep and mop, and even do SOME of the decorating... (I'm trying to Let Go.)
But Christmas cards? I'm thinking a New Year's update may be more in order :0)
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea! How fun. My kids would get a real kick out of this!
Oh, and seriously, I LOVELOVELOVE your new look...that ornament and the swirly stuff...I am getting so tired of my boring old blue...maybe I need a new look!
Okay, I'm weird too! I did the same thing.I have always loved picture books.
Now we have a large collection of Christmas books. I still need to get a basket for them though. It must not be confused with the library book basket, so I'm thinking red maybe?
Kristen, the new look is courtesy of The Cutest Blog on the Block :0)
Deborah, I have TWO book baskets. One JUST for library books, and one for other books I have pulled off our shelves because they are seasonal, or related to something we are currently studying. And we still have to hunt around the house sometimes!
totally not weird you were buying childrens books before you had kids...cause I did it too! so if it is weird, we are BOTH weird :)
LOVE the new background!!!
Hope all is well!
and I just noticed that my word I have to type to prove I'm not a robot is "euker" hmm, similar to puker. Perhaps they have been reading my blog? :)
We have the Mitten (board book version, though)! We had several children's books before we had kids- I love so many of them. I had "The (Worst) Best Christmas Pageant Ever" because I loved that one as a kid. And the Chronicles of Narnia. And a few others! Our current favorite (for little kids) is Room for a Little One by Martin Waddell. Beautiful illustrations and story!
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