Book Love: For the Love

You guys, before I had kids, I was an insane reader. Like I would tear through books in a day or two. In fact, the night before I went into labor with Connor, I stayed up waaaay too late trying to finish a book. Consequently, I ended up facing a 25 hour labor with only 1.5 hours sleep. Not the best of choices in hind sight, and one I really don't recommend. But, I finished the book. So, yay me.

Anyway, recently I have been trying to get back into reading books. I started reading Harry Potter with Connor before bedtime and I totally cherish our time together. Cuddled up in his bed, his head rested on my shoulder. I totally dig it. And I totally dig how excited he gets when we are reading it too. But, I also have been wanting to read some books for me. So, I have been trying to sneak off to bed a little earlier than usual and spend some time reading before I go to sleep. First up on the docket, Jen Hatmaker's For the Love.

Speaking of Jen Hatmaker, also known as my future bff, I've read a couple book of her's before...because how would I be a good bff if I wasn't supportive?! I also follow her on instagram, because, HELLO, she is my future bff. Which, if you aren't following her, do yourself a favor and start following her and thank me later. She is equal parts inspiring, hilarious, brutally honest and introspective. Just go follow her.

But back to the book. Any book that can make me laugh hysterically, read my husband stupidly funny things, then smack me in the face with things I need to work on is so worth my time. Between her giving me permission to rid my life of toxic people and to her ode to leggings, I just love the girl. And her letters to the church, wow. It's true. Why de we christians treat each other like dog poop on the bottom of our shoes then are surprised that the world hates us so much?! Of course, look how so many of us treat non-christians too. And there you have my takeaway...love.

Love Christ. Love the church. Love your husband. Love your children. Love your friends. Love them well. Love never fails. Like it really doesn't. Just ask my friend Bryana...she has an amazing story of love, mercy and redemption. And read For the Love. My bff Jen will tell you the same...with a side note about boundaries because abusive relationships aren't ok. But that's why I love my bff Jen. She remembers to tell it like it is.

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A Book for the Moms

I've read my fair share of parenting books since joining the "mom club". All of them were regarding rather practical things that I was looking for advice on - sleep, health, vaccinations. So, Kathi Lipp's new book I Need Some Help Here was new territory for me. It's a Christian book dealing with the shortcomings of parenthood...or the shortcomings of our children, however you would like to look at it. 

This book was so good, I read through it in about 24 hours. It is one of those parenting books that I found myself shaking my head in agreement at numerous times. It's a very truthful, relatable, encouraging, inspiring, helpful and practical book. It covers a variety of issues you will face as a parent, from temer tantrums all the way up to dealing with children on the cusp of adulthood. I have a feeling, I will wear my copy of this book out rereading it through my years of parenting that I face. 

The book is covered in real and helpful tips for dealing with kids (and ourselves) in various situations. And, my personal favorite, at the end of every chapter, Kathi included prayers to pray over your children and yourself. Sometimes I feel like I don't know the words to pray, so I like that there are prayers to help get me started. 

If you are going through (or have gone through) hard things with your kids, this is most definitely the book for you. And, as moms, we have all gone through hard things with our kids! 

I Need Some Help Here, by Kathi Lipp, is available at major booksellers, including Amazon and Barnes and Noble. 

I was provided a complementary copy of this book for my review, but all my opinions are truly my own and are honest.  

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A Fun Book for Preschoolers (or anyone)

Preschoolers really do have the most fun and this book proves it. Warning: Do Not Open This Book! by Adam Lehrhaupt is a fun book for kids, but to be honest, it is also a really fun book to read. I am always on the look out for good books, as not only do I want to instill the love of reading in my kids, but given that I have to read these books over and over and over again to my kids, I want them to be books I enjoy as well. I have actually gotten rid of books before that I just flat out didn't like to read. This book though, falls into the super dooper fun category. 

^^ Connor said this is his favorite page

No matter how many times we read it, Connor always gets super into it and acts excited every single stinking time. And let me just admit, I get all into it too. It's fun to have a book around that I can get all "crazy" when reading.

I'm a cheap person and normally buy all my kids books used, but I liked this one so much that I actually sprung for it brand new. Check it out. You will like it too. I just know it. And if you have any good great kids books to recommend to me, please do! 

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Little Free Library

After hearing about Little Free Library about a year or so ago, I was so excited to see one pop up really close to my house. I was even more excited that this one has a designated kids section! 

If you have never heard of Little Free Library, let me tell you a little about it. They are little wood libraries (boxes) in peoples front yards that are operated on the honor system of "take a book, return a book." I love any idea that brings a community together and incorporates sharing with each other. The reading aspect is also a bonus. 

I was excited to see that two are currently registered in Modesto...though I know more are coming because my friend just spotted one in her neighborhood the other day! Here are the addresses to the two registered in Modesto:

1. 2504 Boston Way, 95355 (Roselle and Floyd)

2. 1432 Stetson Ave, 95350 (Orangeburg & Tully)

The next time you are near one, you should at least drive by it. I promise, it will put a smile on your face. Or, just put one in your front yard so you can smile about it every day! I know I want one. 

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Books for Toddlers

I have mentioned over and over how important reading is to me. I love reading and have such fond memories of curling up in a particular chair at my parents house and reading for hours on end. Thus, my love of reading is something I have wanted to pass on to my children. As a result, we probably have triple the amount of books as the average family does. I mean, my kids are only toddlers and we have hundreds. There are collections of kids books in every room of the house! I told you it is something important to me. 

Anyway, one thing I have noticed is though I like classic children's books, we tend to like other books better. And since my kids like reading so much, I have discovered having books with actual sentences (rather than a word or two per page) are so much easier for me to read. 

Here are some of the current favorites around our house:

I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rossetti Shustak

This book will always hold a special place in my heart. It was one of a couple books I bought when I was pregnant with Connor. And both my kids have enjoyed reading it. In fact, Isla even fake laughs and cries when we get to the line "I love your laughs and cries". Yeah, it's pretty stinking adorable. And since we ended up with both the US and UK versions, I can tell you there are slight differences, like a "hullabaloo side". And, well, the UK version wins hands down because, well that was the one I bought when I was pregnant! 

The Moon Shines Down by Margaret Wise Brown

This is a good book because it is nice and long (in terms of toddler books), so takes some time to read. Plus, I love my kids saying "MOON!" and pointing to the moon every time I turn the page. And when Isla was a newborn, Connor used to point to a mama and baby on one of the pages and say "Mama and sissy". It pretty much melted my heart. 

My Little People Busy Town by Elenor Fremont

We actually have a few of these Little People flap books. Both the kids love them. They have a lot going on in them and are great for teaching things like colors and shapes. Even though they don't have much in terms of reading, they have tons of flaps. And, well, kids love flaps. 

Wait for Elmo by Molly Cross

This is an older book, but the story is too good not to love. Basically Elmo is too young to keep up with the older kids and ends up getting left behind. Instead he has a great day with another kid's grandpa and the kids are sad they missed out. It doesn't hurt things that Elmo is the main player in the book because, well I have a daughter with a pretty big Elmo obsession. 

I Love You So by Marianne Richmond

Lets just say that my favorite line in the book is "I love you without liking the naughty things that you do" and may have used it a time or two when Connor was really acting out. 

Given that we read a lot of books everyday, there are many more that we like including the Maisy series, the Clifford series and anything Elmo or Sesame Street (Isla's current obsession). 

Oh, and almost all our books have been purchased second hand. And most of them looked brand spanking new when we got them. You see, unless I really like a book, I am not going to pay full price for it because I want my kids to actually look through it and it is much easier to swallow when my kid tears up a book I paid 25 cents for vs $10. Parents out there, I'm sure you understand. 

Since I'm always looking for good kids books, I would love to know what some of your favorites are. Feel free to share some books that you loved from your childhood too. 

Children's Books

Practically everyone out there (well, parents at least) have heard of the classic kids book Goodnight Moon. Honestly, the book isn't that interesting. Definitely not one of my favorite books of my kids. But Connor seems to really be into it. Or maybe its just how wonderfully I read it. I digress.

Anyway, the first parody of it I saw was Goodnight California. I thought it was cute. Cute enough to buy for someone as a present (not one of my kids though...I am super cheap and alway get their books at thrift stores).

While we were in Portland, we visited Powell's, the largest independent book store in the world. If you are ever in Portland, I highly recommend it. It was like being in a library. So amazing. But, to get to my point. I ran across a book that is totally up Connor's alley - Goodnight iPad.

Crazy, right? But so stinking funny. And given that Connor is obsessed with iPads (sad, right?) I thought it was funny. He wasn't as obsessed with the book and instead ended up taking home a Maisy book, but still.

I am thinking these books are mostly written for the parents...to entertain us on those nights when we have to read the same book over and over and over again.


P.S. I almost peed myself while looking up these books on amazon and seeing them offer kindle edition of board books...does that mean the baby can safely gnaw on the kindle when the book is open?!