Reading Is A Good Foundation!

The absolute cutest thing happened the other day. Bulldozer was actually down on the floor next to his younger brother and was reading to him. It was so adorable... He had the book upside down but never mind that, his intentions were nothing but the best! He kept repeating "Bubba, Bubba" (his word for "truck", of course named after his grandfather who drives a truck!) and showing him the pictures (which again were upside down!) We managed to videotape it but it was so much cuter when he didn't know we were watching him. Imagine us the two crazy parents hiding around the corner, peeking out trying to witness a kind act from one of our children to the other - possibly one of the last ones we may ever see! Something to remember for the future when they're teenagers and fight like cats and dogs!

I Actually Have Time To Read!

"Multiple Choice" (by Claire Cook) is my book of choice right now. Maybe not my first choice but it is the book that I am reading. Miss Chibougamau gave it to me when she moved out to the far north and I actually had the opportunity to start it when I went to the doctor's office yesterday. I'm undecided what I think of it. It's definitely not bad and at some parts I even think that it might be really good... except that I just can't seem to connect. The daughter in the story is a university student and the whole book revolves around the relationship between her and her mother. She's moved away for life in the dorms and the relationship that she has with her mother is hindered by her unpleasant teenage attitude. She says things like "Oh my God. I bet the whole station already knows you're my mother. I'm going to die" (in respect to working at the same place as her mom). Or, "Oh that's right, this is all my fault." She's a twelve or thirteen-year-old caught in an eighteen -year-olds' body. The mother in the story argues that college aged kids are the worst because they are the most obnoxious , does this actually resemble real life? A little wild, perhaps. Irresponsible, maybe. Using phrases like "You're so embarrassing!" and "Don't wear that, you'll embarrass me in front of my friends!"; unlikely. I think by that time you've graduated from surly teenager to an almost mature older teenager! You'd have to ask my Mom but I don't remember using those lines on her... at least not at that age!

"The Hidden House"

Every night I read Bulldozer his bedtime stories and I thought I'd share some of my favorite ones with you. This particular one was given to me by Miss Chibougamau and it's called "The Hidden House" (by Martin Waddell and Angela Barrett). It's so refreshing to read a children's book that's not only written so well but the pictures are art that's worthy of telling a story on their own. The words themselves are simply written but I love the extravagant names of the wooden dolls in the story; Maisie, Ralph and Winnaker. Names with pizazz. I actually felt myself feeling sad for the dolls and their experience with the hidden house and recommend the book to pretty much anyone, my two-year-old loves it but I'm sure any adult can appreciate the majestic feel to this story.

"These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things..."

"These are a few of my favorite things. When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad, I simply think of a few of my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad." The soundtrack from the Sound of Music is playing in my head! I'd like to share some of my favorite things (in relation to the kids/family):

1. I was out all day and Hubby was home with the kids. A few minutes before I returned home he told Bulldozer that I'd be there soon and he took off running to his room. He pulled out a shirt from his drawers and started trying to put it on his legs! If only everyone in the world cared enough to dress up for you!

2. Bulldozer is way too hyper to sit still for more than a few minutes at a time but at night I have a special time that I get to share just with him. He brings me books (always one more than I've actually agreed to read!) so I can read him his bedtime stories. He curls up against my side and actually sits still and lets me rub his hand and play with his hair! I wouldn't trade that time for anything!

3. Bulldozer nicknamed our wee little one "Turtle" one day and it has just stuck! I suppose he really does resemble a turtle when he's laying on his tummy with his neck stretched out so he can see around him. :)

4. Breastfeeding hasn't been easy but I've been able to continue nursing before the wee one's bedtime and once during our mid afternoon nap ... another luxury I wouldn't change for the world!

5. Yesterday our toddler was trying to tell us about an experience and we just weren't getting it. He kept saying "Buppy" and "Baba" which are his words for my Dad and bottles (or trucks!) respectively. I asked him if he meant that he had seen a truck with Grandpa? "NO!" I asked him if Grandpa had given him a bottle? "NO!" Apologizing for my ignorance I could see how much he wanted me to understand. This has to be the cutest thing I've ever seen: He says "Buppy" (my Dad - his Grandpa), followed by "Baaah" (the sound a sheep makes, I mean obviously even he knows that!) and then he acts out petting an animal by stroking the air with his hand! I finally got it! My Dad had taken him to the mall to pick out his birthday present almost a month ago and they had a farm indoors for the Easter holidays. Bulldozer fell in love with the sheep and my Dad picked him up so he could pet the sheep! Thus explaining the sequence: "Buppy" "Baaah" and the gentle petting of the air! :)

6. Watching my Husband with the kids. It reminds me how wonderful of a dad he is!

7. The wee little one's smile. He has the most contagious of smiles and no matter how bad of a mood I'm in, it instantly lifts my spirits when he smiles at me!

Obviously there are so many more but those were the ones that were on my mind ! A good night to all.