We celebrated our own little family Christmas today, opening our stockings and book boxes. For this season of our lives, we have decided to give the kids small gifts in their stockings and about 10 books each. Their stockings have items like candy bars, flossers, wind-up flashlights, a slinky, etc. and they each got a gun from Vision Forum. The younger two got pop guns and Cooper got a 44 magnum that shoots rubber ammo. They were favorites for sure. Their book boxes always include activity books, chapter books (for the older two), stickers, and one or two really nice books...the rest I tend to pick up throughout the year at Goodwill. I am not a big fan of the toy surge, and they already get presents from grandparents and great-grandparents. We leave the toy flood for birthdays when we can focus on each child individually. I don't think any fun is lost, and we may change it up as the years go by, but it's working for us for now.
Previous years have found me involved in a book club, but I opted out this year in favor of tackling some of my own book choices. Warren and I decided that our Christmas present to each other would be 12 books each, which we then modified to 6 books each to start with (just in case we lose steam). As it turns out, I think we will probably want to read some from each other's list anyway, so that may make up some of the twelve. It was really fun to come up with our own book lists and set goals for ourselves; I think we will set apart one date night a month for book discussion and that will keep me motivated to keep pace (and notes). Several books on my list were already on our shelves (I know, not as fun) and one I plan to get at the library. Warren got 6 new books, all of which I hope to read.
I'm currently reading Naturally Healthy Babies and Children and Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye, both of which I highly recommend. I got this book in my stocking, and the short nature of the journal entries are appealing to me. If I can keep it up, I think it will be a sweet collection of memories to look back on, and something to leave to my children.
My book list for the beginning months of this year:
February- Leave it to Psmith- P.G. Wodehouse
June- Outliers- Malcolm Gladwell (getting this from the library...I've wanted to read it for a while but don't know if I want to own it)
Warren chose his books mainly based on topics he wanted to learn more about:
We spent the morning looking through each other's books and reading by the fire. It was a great way to celebrate Christmas and end the year.
What are you reading?
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3 comments:
I'm already thinking of ways to mooch off your Christmas blessings...would it be possible for me to borrow the dentist book after you have finished it? Looks very interesting and something I would love to try to tackle myself. I would also love to look at the journal you got! What a great idea!
We share several of the same books for this year :)
I'm reading (and almost done with) East of Eden. I didn't like it at first and almost put it down, but WOW! What a life story. I am so sucked in...
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