Author: Becky

It’s rare for me to find time for thrift store shopping these days, but I have been looking for more childrens’ books to encourage the older two as they begin to read. I checked online, Amazon, eBay, even posted on freecycle. . .

Finally visited the thrift store, and was quite pleased and so grateful to come home with about 50 childrens’ books–in very good condition–for less than $12!  There were several Sandra Boynton, Eric Carle, and Dr. Seuss books, a Madeleine book, and a Curious George collection. Lots of board books, including some real “classics” that I can’t believe I’ve never read to the kids yet! One example: “Are You My Mother?” The kids loved that book, and just laughed and laughed and laughed about the “scary snort!” Mara will now sit down and read that book herself. It is still a little tedious, but because she loves the book, she will push through.

There was also a whole stack of “Scholastic” readers about reptiles and turtles and dinosaurs and caterpillars and monarch butterflies, which Mara and Micah are still just a little too young for. But I think they will be reading them by summer or the fall.

Carissa loved the “Baby Duck” finger puppet book. She asked me to read it several times and then carried it around much of the day. David loved “Where is Baby’s Christmas Present?” He loves all those “hide-and-seek” type of books, where you lift a flap to see what’s underneath. But unfortunately, he lifted a flap and ripped it right off, literally trying to eat some yummy-looking Christmas cookies right off the page! Silly boy!

So exciting to find several books that each child loves!

Here are the happy kindergarteners with their new books! 🙂

When we got home from the thrift store, we all sat on the couch and read for probably an hour. So much fun! The older three all loved it! David was napping then, but he is already begging to read between 5-10 board books during one sitting (especially right before bed).

Mara wanted me to take a picture of her with her favorite new books.

I also found a set of K’Nex with over 400 pieces (yes, I counted them) for $1.91! Considering that I was thinking of buying them brand-new on a sale before Christmas, this was a great deal!

Mara created a “butterfly” loosely based on the directions for some other bug.

Every time I go to the thrift store, I come away thinking I should visit more often! And I say “thank you, God!” for providing these blessings for us!

Border collies are known for their constant energy, drive, the need to be doing something–anything–and if they have nothing to do, they will create some work!

That’s our little David. Always constantly busy. But it’s not a destructive busy-ness. It’s almost as if he watches everything we do, and he tries to do it too. He can be very helpful, as long as I keep him busy! Very busy!

. . . So when the groceries come into the house, I’ve hardly unloaded the car, before David has begun unpacking the bags.

We knew the snow was coming and the anticipation was great. Of course at the first sighting of snowflakes, the kids wanted to go outside. But with a high of 21 degrees, I told them we would wait until some snow had accumulated.

Carissa–wearing her fairy dress and holding her Monkey Baby–watched eagerly.

Having never seen snow, David didn’t understand what the excitment was all about, but he stood with her, watching too.

Within about an hour, there was enough snow for the kids to go out and play. I actually appreciated having the time to gather coats, hats, mittens, snowpants, and boots for all four children–and then wrangle the children into their clothes!

Micah raced outside and made his signature snow angel.

I wondered how my little David would do. He usually insists on doing anything that his siblings are doing and loves it!–but snow can be a shock to a not-quite-18-month-old!

He took it in stride. Of course, he had a few falls, all bundled up.

It took him a while to get used to his Spiderman boots. For a while he just stood and watched, as if he didn’t really know what they were all doing.

Then he started clearing snow off the steps with his mittens. It was all new for him! . . . even the taste!

After awhile he sat on the steps and mostly watched.

When his mitten came off and his hands got cold,  I decided it was time to bring him back inside, and despite how cold his hands and face must have felt, he really screamed because he did not want to go inside!

My kids love the snow and no matter how much we get, to them it’s like we’re on the peak of a snow-covered mountain getting ready to go skiing. They’re that excited. Take my oldest, for example. . .

She is getting ready to fling her snow saucer–no, not down a hill, but down a flat-as-a-cookie-sheet sidewalk! Doesn’t she look excited?! I hope she will always keep a bit of that passion and joy as she goes through life.

Here she is on the “slopes.” (Ha ha!)

Of course, Riss had to try it too. She seemed to have a more realistic view of the sledding “hill.” Although to quote Mara: “I just don’t think you can see it, the way I see it.” 🙂

So happy the kids had the chance to enjoy the snow!

When we all came inside, I threw all the snow-clothes in the washing machine and gave all the kids baths, while Daniel sauteed some pierogies for dinner.

Afterwards we had hot chocolate. Which the girls love.

(Do you like Rissy’s chocolate moustache?)

And Micah–er, The Dread Pirate-Somebody-Or-Other–loved the hot chocolate as well, despite insisting on being photographed this way:

For David, it was another “first.”

And yes, he loved it!

Saturday morning before 10 AM, the kids got to go out once again before the snow melted.

As Aunt Darla said to Mara, “When you’re a little older, we’ll have to take you to a real sledding hill!”

Can’t wait!!!!

David’s starting the music.

I love these guys!