Great Books

Last week, before school even began, we went to to school to meet Abby and Isaac's teachers.  Abby's teachers asked her to bring a picture of herself doing something she loves and be prepared to talk about it for a minute.

This is the picture Abby selected and it perfectly depicts the main thing Abby loves to do.

This was definitely "The Summer of Reading" for Abby.  Sure, she loved being outside, playing with friends, going swimming and riding her bike.  But when she was home, more often than not, this is where she could be found; curled up on her bed reading a good book.

This was the summer that books came alive for Abby.  Since May, she has read nearly 9,000 pages and has found all kinds of friends and adventures inside the pages of her books.  She now includes among her dearest friends: Percy Jackson, Kendra from Fablehaven, the kids from the Mysterious Benedict Society and of course, Harry Potter, Ron and Hermione.

I have always loved reading and have always dreamed of having a daughter I could share this love with. This summer, as Abby has devoured book after book, I have loved discussing them with her - hearing what she loves about each one and how each one has expanded her knowledge, her world view and her imagination.  As she was reading Percy Jackson, she also studied D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths so she would have a better understanding of mythology and I loved discussing Greek gods with her.  We have had lengthy discussions about what it must take to write a novel: all the details, the descriptions, the character development.  This girl has a real appreciation for good writing.

Last night, as I was getting dinner ready and needed some help setting the table, I called Abby.  She came out of her room with a dazed but fulfilled look on her face.  I recognized the look immediately.  It was the look of someone who has gone through a harrowing battle with dear friends and is now coming out on the other side.  "Sorry I didn't come sooner.  I'm just reading the end of Harry Potter - and it's so intense," she said.  a few minutes later, when I looked around Abby was gone - off to her bedroom to finish her book.

With school starting, her reading time will definitely be shortened each day.  No more staying up past midnight and enjoying lazy morning reads in bed.  Her life is enriched through all the reading she has done over the past few months, but now she'll have to focus on math facts and required reading for school.

As for me, I am already thumbing through some of my favorite books and thinking of new friends I can introduce Abby to next summer.  Just 179 more school days to go....

P.S.  How sweet is that puppy of ours?

The Rites of Summer

When I was in the eighth grade, I read the book Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury.  It was required reading for our English class and I knew that on the assigned date,  we would be tested on things like symbolism, themes and character analysis.  I'm sure I started reading the book somewhat begrudgingly, but I know that once I started reading, it didn't take me long to connect deeply with that book.   There were ideas and descriptions in the book that felt as though they had come from my own heart.  This was the book, that for me, captured the essence of summer.

Every year at this time, when school is almost out and we are on the cusp of summer, I think about this book and the magic I felt the first time I read it.

Dandelion Wine is a coming-of-age book set entirely in the summer of 1928.  Douglas Spaulding is a 12-year-old boy and we experience summertime through his eyes.  It is about capturing all the small moments that make up summer and savoring them.

In one of the chapters, Douglas and his brother create a list entitled "Rites and Ceremonies."  On this list they would write all the things routine things they did every summer that were part to the season - things that made summer, well summer.

At age 14, I was so taken with this idea, that I started making my own "Rites and Ceremonies" list at the beginning of each summer.  I thought about all the things that meant "summer" to me, and I would write them down. Then, as I went through the summer, I would cross them off my list as I accomplished each of them.

Even at that age, I sensed with nostalgia how short-lived the summer magic of my youth would be. And so, I made my lists, wanting to do everything I could to make summer last and to live each moment to the fullest.

I remember my early lists.  They included: drink a root beer float, swim in a cold lake, ride a horse at the cabin, walk to Emigration for a popsicle, count the stars, barbecue hamburgers, drink lemonade, check out books from library, get tan, eat fresh strawberries, ride bike to Foothill, lie on the lawn and watch the clouds, night swimming, eat watermelon, play night games, have a water fight, watch fireworks, etc.

As I got older, some things on the list stayed (root beer floats and getting tan, for sure), some things got dropped (like swim in a cold lake,) and other things got added, like go water skiing, ride in a convertible and get a summer job.

These lists have continued.  Every year I make my list of things to do that will make-up summer  - although now they are more about creating summer magic for my kids than for me.  Still, this time of year, I get a little giddy thinking about the summer that lies ahead with all its possibilities.  And I get a little nostalgic for my kids, knowing how fleeting the summers of childhood really are.

And so, I make my list for me and my kids - including many of the things my 14-year-old self loved -  like root beer floats, counting the stars and water fights.  Let's bring on the rites and ceremonies of summer.  I can't wait!

So what are your rites of summer?

The kids rafting down the stream at the cabin - Summer 2009

Isaac - filling the inflatable pool - and showing off his physique

Minnesota, Summer 2005

Christmas Book Countdown

A few years ago, I came across a blog or a website somewhere that gave me the idea for what has become one of our family's favorite Christmas traditions.

Every year, I wrap up all of our Chirstmas books (about 25 of them) and put them under the tree. Then each night, starting on December 1st, one of the kids gets to choose a book and unwrap it and we read it together curled up under the Christmas tree. For me, there is nothing more fun than having my four kids in their pajamas, faces glowing with excitement as they anticipate which book will be chosen tonight.

They each have their favorite they hope to choose. Isaac loves "Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree", Abby loves "Christmas Day in the Morning" and Henry loves "The Night Before Christmas" illustrated by Mary Englebreit. They have become quite adept at feeling the spine of the book and measuring the size and weight, hoping they will choose the one they want. But, even when it turns out to be a book other than than the one they were hoping for, we all snuggle together (okay, usually Peter is running circles around us) and read a wonderful Christmas story together.

It's the perfect way to end the day and the perfect way to enjoy the Christmas spirit all month long.



So, what are your (or your kids') favorite Christmas books?