Time to Read! (and Share!)

Three years ago I began a tradition of beginning to simplify the week before Thanksgiving. Here are some simple things we do, along with some new books we will be reading to prep our hearts.

1. We copy advent verses beginning the first week of November. Since we are all about cursive in the house, I just print off verses like this, http://heartofwisdom.com/blog/free-bible-handwriting-worksheets/ .
2. We continue to read books and poems aloud (and to ourselves) This year I ordered/rented these (some are new to me, borrowed, or I already had them):

25 December Lane by Helen Ward
Carry On Mr. Bowditch
The Mitten by Jan Brett
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: an Appalachian Story
Harvey Slumfenburger's Christmas Present
Little One, We'd Knew You'd Come by Sally Lloyd Jones
Jesus Story book Bible
Book of Isaiah and Psalms and Daniel and Luke
Snowmen at Night
Dream Snow by Eric Carle
Advent Readings
Christmas Remembered by dePaola


It's not a completely spiritual list, but just books from different perspectives on why this time of cooling down, on multiple levels, can mean something special. I don't want this time of year to be different because of presents. I want this time of year to be a different rhythm. I want the time to introduce new ideas and the space to discuss that. Some of these books are written for little ones, but I still enjoy the pictures and the creativity, and I'm 43~

If you have a great Christmas book, or just a holiday book about seasons or rhythms during this time, will you PLEASE share it with me?! I LOVE books.

Christmas Tree on the porch due to limited space...Chase Ray excited about the rain!