Wednesday, October 1, 2014

On His Bedside Table

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."
~ Anne of Green Gables ~


I have a long list of things I have been patiently waiting to introduce to Reece. One of those things is the classics. Reading has, and always will be a big part of our days, but there was a little part of me that was very excited to bring the books I read as a child to Reece.

I tried last summer, with Little House in the Big Woods. At the time, Reece was four, and it didn't really capture his attention. Not even a little bit. So I put it away, saving it for another day. Fast forward to this summer, and I find a copy of Anne of Green Gables/Anne of Avonlea tucked away in a box. I had picked it up on sale two years ago. I pulled it out, and one night before bed we started reading.

He loved it! He couldn't wait to read another chapter, asking many times, as soon as he woke up in the morning, to read, so he could find out what Anne was up to. We devoured Anne of Green Gables, and moved on to Anne of Avonlea. After that I decided, to wait on the rest of the series, and instead try the Little House series again. We started with Little House on the Prairie, which he loved, and on Monday night we finished Little House in the Big Woods. Last night we jumped into Farmer Boy, the second book in the Little House Series. 

Snuggling up with Reece each night, sharing these books, is a highlight of my days. At a point when I am tired after a long day and, at times, wish bedtime was quick and easy so I can soak up some mama time, the classics have brought a new spark to our bedtime rhythm. A spark I am happy to be sharing with Reece.

34 comments:

  1. It is such a joy to read great books together. How lovely that Reece is enjoying these now, and just the thought of how many amazing stories our little ones have yet to discover is something I always find so exciting. I love reading old favourites with all of mine, and as they've grown older we've discovered new favourites together which is equally a joy.

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    1. It is! I know, I get excited just thinking about all the books to come. Can't wait!

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  2. his nightstand is holding some great reads, and I'm glad you are traveling together with Laura in her adventures. I've read all of them except pippi....need to add that one!

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    1. Yes it is, it makes me smile every time I see it :)

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  3. so wonderful! now that Finn is reading on his own, he wants less and less of mama-Finn reading time. But, seeing your stack of books for him reminds me of so many I want to read again with Finn!

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    1. Oh that is too bad. I still read aloud to Justin (my hubby) when we are driving, and he loves. I am kinda hoping it is something Reece will still enjoy, even as he ages. Fingers crossed.

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  4. What a great reading list! I agree with you about the classics. I've kept many of the books I read when I was a kid. We started Charlotte's Web last week. It has been slow going. She enjoys it, but trails off easily. We have to keep her engaged by asking questions, making voices, painting pictures with words.It,s been an interesting process. :-) Hope you keep having fun reading.

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    1. Thanks! That is how it was with Reece last summer, and so I just put them away for a little while longer. Looking back, really glad I did, because he is really enjoying them now, and is asking to be read to.

      We sure will, hope you guys do too!

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  5. We just finished the Little House books not too long ago. My son is 8 and still likes me to read to him even though he's fully able to read on his own. It took a while to get through them all. I started out with Farmer Boy because I thought he'd be more interested in what was going on with a little boy. And he was. We're reading Wonder right now. It's contemporary and more for an older school age kid.

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    1. That is so lovely to hear. I do hope Reece enjoys being read to for a long time to come. It's funny, Reece really loves hearing stories about the girls. He thinks it is cool that this one is about a boy, but he keeps asking about Mary and Laura :)

      I will look Wonder up, and save for when Reece is a little older. Thanks!

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  6. I love all of those books!! my boys don't like me reading to them in english - I've tried the little house books but they will only listen for very short periods of time so we never really get chance to get into the story.
    Enjoy tonight's chapters...

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  7. Reading to my girls is my favorite thing in the world. :) We plough through those classics. We just finished Tales From The Arabian Nights. We try and read everyday for at least an hour. You know that has always been so important for me as apart or bringing them up and our homeschooling.

    Enjoy your moments reading together. Such precious moments they are.

    Love to you today Kim! :)

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    1. It is wonderful, isn't it? I so look forward to it, and even more so now that we are into the classics.

      Thanks Tiffany, hope you and your girls enjoy your reading moments too. xo

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  8. what a wonderful collection for his nightstand. I didn't discover Laura Ingalls and Anne until my teens... but i love them till today. Pippi too !!

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    1. They are wonderful, aren't they. Doesn't matter how old you are :)

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  9. Ah, the classics. We are huge readers too and it's so great when you get to share some of your old favourites...and even better when they like them too.
    Charlotte's Web was a popular one when O was Reece's age. As was The Faraway Tree series by Enid Blyton - we seem to be rereading these ones at least once a year.

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    1. So wonderful indeed!

      Oh yes, Charlotte's Web, I think he would like that one. I am thinking Pollyanna has to fit in sometime soon as well. So many good books. Good thing we have lots of time for reading.

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  10. Oh, that's wonderful! My boys love all of the Little House books. So much so that we have bought the books on cd which they now fall asleep to each night. Wonderful narrator. We also love 'The Wheel on the School' and 'The Trumpet of the Swan'...two more "classics" here. ;)

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    1. I have been thinking about picking up the Little House series on cd for our drive to Myrtle Beach in the spring. The last two years we have listened to Winnie the Pooh, but I think Reece might like the Little House series much better.

      Thanks for the suggestions :)

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  11. We've begun to read chapter books too and it's been so much fun! We read Little House in the Big Woods last summer we've read through so many other. We just started The Lion the Witch and Wardrobe two days ago.

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    1. It is the best, isn't it KC? I love sharing them with Reece, and seeing what parts really capture his attention. Enjoy your reading time.

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  12. Sharing much loved books with your baby is to me one of the high lights of being a mama, and now I am finding it is the same with a grand child too.

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    1. Oh, I bet that is just lovely Tracey, enjoying them again with Emerson. xo

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  13. I love this post and I love hearing how much he loved Anne! The Anne books are some of my most favorites! Believe it or not I have yet to read them with the girls! Maybe this is the year to do so! Happy October, dear friend! xo

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    1. Thanks Shel. I definitely think this is the year to do so, and it is a perfect time of year to do it. Your girls would love reading about Anne, and I know you would love sharing it with them. Can't wait to hear what they think :) Have fun!

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  14. Oh I love this post so much! I was just telling Jeff how I can't wait to read chapter books like those ones to Ellie. I actually never read the Little House books as a child for some reason, and so I am dying to delve into them with Ellie. How special for you and Reece to have those moments. He's a lucky little guy.

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    1. Thanks Summer! You and Ellie are going to enjoy them so much.

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  15. Oh those were the days...I know the so well and I do miss them so. All these books have such a special place in my heart reading to the kids. Enjoy it Kim- it goes by so fast. Good on you for reading to Reece, so special.

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    1. Thanks Camilla. These are very sweet days indeed, and I will treasure them now, and later. xo

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  16. I was introduced to Anne via the mini-series and loved it so much. What a wonderful thing to share with your little man!

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    1. Ah, yes the mini series, I watched it too. I was actually filmed not too far from here, and at the time, I had friends who were in it :)

      I am enjoying every moment, and if his requests to be read to are any indication, he is too.

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  17. I LOVE this, Kim – you give me hope! :) I don't want to wish it away, but I can't wait until I can share the classics with Bea, too. One day...but for now...we are dealing with the ego reincarnation of being 3! Hooweeee. xoxoxo

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    1. Thank you my friend. You know something, I can't wait til you are at this stage too, because I will get to hear all about it. I so love being along for the ride on your journey with Bea. Hugs my very dear friend. xo

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