Charlie's Choice

We bought this dramatized audio CD by Lamplighter Publishing. They sell quality books, many from the 1800's. They choose books that will emphasize Biblical themes and character building. Some of them are even edited in places to reflect solid doctrine. From what I see on their site, they seem to be sound. After listening to it, my husband told me to buy more of them. He hardly ever asks me to buy more of anything except food. He thinks (and I have to admit, he's right) we need less of everything, not more. So, I took it to mean he REALLY liked it.

It is exciting, interesting, emotional and portrays wonderful yet hard to come by character qualities. The voice actors are professional and the music is well preformed and well placed. Our 6yo and 4yo have already listened to it a second time- although some of it is over our 4yo's head, it is exciting.

I cannot vouch for the actual book, since we didn't read it yet, but the CD was very good. (Not sure if the Cd is exactly like the book or condensed.) We ordered another book and CD. The plan is to read the book together as a family, then listen to the dramatization. (Click here to see how it worked out) If we like it, he wants to buy many more of them! Since our oldest LOVES to read, and hopefully the others will also, it will be nice to have many quality books around.

I'd love to hear from anyone else who's read or listened to any of these. I will post in the future about how we like them in case anyone is interested to know.

My arms seem to always be full, and my lap cannot hold everyone who wants to be held at times like storytime. When I'm in the kitchen, I can't seem to move to the left or right because of all the chairs pulled up to the counters by small helpers. I just realized, I'm popular! I guess that doesn't actually mean I'm cool, though.

Donuts!

Tons of donuts! A friend invited us for a donut making party. She made the dough and glaze and filling (vanilla and chocolate). Her duaghters helped with the dough, her sons fried most of them. We helped a little with the filling, glaze and sprinkles- and we helped a lot with the taste testing. It was yummy and fun. Doesn't it just look good?

Recent Happenings

Our baby girl is getting bigger, fast. She is a very pleasant baby. Couldn't you just pinch her? Please don't:)

We went to my husband's sister and brother-in-law's for Thanksgiving. She has such a gift of hospitality. She can whip up a yummy feast, sit back and visit, then kick up her feet like it was all a piece of cake (I know it took LOTS of work, though.) It makes you feel welcomed, but you have to remind yourself not to overstay your welcome.

4yo is enjoying a turkey carving tutorial from his uncle.

Babygirl is enjoying a nice nap in Grandma's arms. All our children have enjoyed that cozy spot. Below is husband's uncle sharing some information about different animal skulls and bones. He's quite the explorer, always finding interesting things, and he's a wealth of information. I see in this picture, it looks like our 6yo son is the one doing the teaching....we're still working on that.

Other things that have been happening...

My 6yo would recommend two books he's read recently- "Corrie Ten Boom" (Chronicles of Faith series), and "Summer with the Moody's" by Sarah Maxwell. He's still finishing that last one up. The first one kept his interest and he couldn't (unless we made him) put it down for two days. Although, I am going back through it with him to explain some of it. Some terrible things occurred for Corrie Ten Boom's family, but I think the author handles it well for a young audience. They may have to face something similar in their lifetime. Christianity is not always happy, good times. When we receive a book I've ordered, he seems to have it read by the next day. If I want to preview it, or read it through with him to give him a better understanding of what he is reading, I have to lay down the law that he can't read it without me!

Our 4yo son slowly becomes more and more interested in writing. I love those first squiggly uppercase letters they try to write. You can see the concentration all over his face with his tongue poked out of one corner of his mouth. Then, as he holds up his paper to examine it, a tiny burst of accomplishment appears as his head and shoulders simultaneously lift a little higher. Today he wrote the word "GOOD" in a speech bubble and copied most of the name "JOSEPH" where it was printed on his coloring sheet of Joseph Hayden. The best is when I heard his little feet tromping into the kitchen as he hollered, "Mommy, look!" I have grown to always appreciate what comes next after those two words. (Unless someone is in danger:)

Our 2yo son very much enjoyed coloring today, also...but thank you to the person who invented washable markers. He also loves to help cook. That is a challenge for me. But it is also a beautiful thing, so I try to work with it. He loves to be given a job.

Babygirl- she slept almost all day today!

I am trying to get some Christmas gifts made so I don't run out of time.

We have also been enjoying good Bible studies and visits with friends these last few weeks. How nice it is to fellowship with others who read the Bible for themselves and believe in its content. It makes for enriching conversation.

Have a wonderful day!