What We Are Reading

When I look at what we have read recently, it doesn't look like much - though it seems like we have read more. But, I guess I have not really taken as much time to read as I wish I had. I try to read most days to the kids, but sometimes it is hard - so much going on. 

We read The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Warner and also The Boxcar Children, Surprise Island. We had already read both of these books but several kids wanted to read them again so why not? Then we read James Herriot's Treasury for Children. Bethany and Andrew and Caroline really seemed to like this book. I enjoyed it, too. It was full of animal stories that were really sweet. Next we read The Railway Children by E. Nesbit. I really liked this book but for some reason I didn't enjoy reading it aloud. I think the chapters were too long for me and several of the chapters just didn't hold my interest. This was not a favorite with my kids. I think they were all glad when we finished it. The last few chapters of the book were definitely enjoyed by everyone and it had a very nice ending. I think it was just too difficult for Piper and Tess to understand as it seems they can only listen to very easy books and even those are hard for them to understand. I have a hard time keeping their attention most of the time when we read aloud. 

We are now reading Tumtum and Nutmeg, Adventures Beyond Nutmouse Hall by Emily Bearn. Actually, we finished it today and we loved this book. I didn't really think I would like it, but several of the kids were pushing me to read it so I did, and it was such a hit. It is about two mice -- Tumtum and Nutmeg -- that live in Nutmouse Hall and their adventures. It may sound rather boring but it really was a good book. I actually looked forward to reading it daily and we finished it in record time. The kids are asking for more books about Tumtum and Nutmeg now.

Our next door neighbor gave Andrew a tent and everybody loves it. It has given the kids hours of fun this week. On this day Bethany and Piper went out together and I just love seeing the two of them playing and having a snack together. They set the tent up right in front of the fire pit and pretended that they were cooking over it. Andrew actually set up the tent but I think they helped a little. The days are getting slightly cooler and I am looking forward to our fall traditions -- one of them being a pumpkin carving that we will have tomorrow. Tess hasn't stopped talking about it since the kids told her about it a month ago. Hope it lives up to her expectations.